Category Archives: Politics

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Ohanaeze Lagos backs Tinubu’s 2027 bid

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo community in Lagos State on Monday expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chief Sunday Udeh, the President General of the socio-cultural group, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He spoke during a reconciliation parley convened by Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, with Igbo leaders over recent demolitions in the state.

Udeh called on Yorubas and Igbos to coexist peacefully, stressing the need to avoid animosity and bitterness between both ethnic groups.

He said President Tinubu deserved a second term in 2027, describing him as “a man who knows the game”.

“We are not in doubt of his victory in 2027. We know our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will win,” Udeh said.

He urged the Lagos State Government to continue supporting the Ndigbo and other ethnic communities, giving them a sense of belonging in the state.

According to him, relations between Ndigbos and the Lagos government became strained after the 2023 general elections.

“2027 is close. We know our party will take it. I am a member and will work for the party,” he added.

Read Also: Tinubu congratulates EFCC Chairman Olukoyede on birthday

Deacon Charles Obih, National President of the Market Leaders Association of Nigeria (TMLAN), said Igbos in Lagos would ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“We will move around to make sure the re-election of President Tinubu is seamless by the grace of God,” Obih said.

Chief Ebere Odikonaba, former Woman Leader of Ndigbo in APC, Oshodi-Isolo, said the Igbos had no other party than the APC.

He described Tinubu as a capable leader who inherited longstanding national challenges but has performed commendably.

“To be frank, if God had not brought a man like him, we do not know where this country would be today,” he added.

Dr Okey Anorue, Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo/Bayeku and Babaloja of Tejuosho Market, called for a change in the narrative about Igbo–Yoruba relations in Lagos.

Anorue said the bond between both groups must be strengthened before the 2027 elections to prevent politics from creating divisions.

He urged Igbos not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to stir conflict with their Yoruba hosts.

“We need a peaceful environment. They are our hosts, and we must respect their culture. When in Rome, behave like the Romans,” he said.

Chief Amaka Chibuzor, Ndigbo Women Leader, Coker Aguda, said the aim of Igbo women in Lagos was to ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

She described the APC as the strongest party and advised Igbos in Lagos to join what she called “the winning team”.

Mrs Uju Ofohre, an APC women leader from Ejigbo LCDA, urged Ndigbo women to reciprocate the kindness shown by Yorubas through political support.

“The Yorubas have shown us love. We must return that love by supporting the APC and coming out en masse in 2027,” she said.

Ofohre also appealed to Ndigbo women to back whoever emerges as the APC governorship candidate in Lagos State.

(NAN) 

Tinubu setting country on path of positive development – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is putting Nigeria on the path of positive development.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Friday while inaugurating the construction of Collector Road C01 in the Institution and Research District.

The road links the Body of Benchers complex to the Nile University and Baze University areas of the city.

He noted that Tinubu never promised to solve all Nigeria’s problems but is focused on placing the nation on a sustainable path of progress.

“When he finishes, another person will come and continue from there,” Wike said.

Read Also: FCTA to screen food handlers for hepatitis – Wike

He added that challenges would always arise, stressing that no leader could solve every problem within a single tenure or administration.

“What matters is that, when you have an opportunity, you make your own contribution.

“History will record what you did while in office, and that is what truly countsp,” he said.

Wike said his administration in the FCT would continue to deliver projects that meet citizens’ needs within available time and resources.

He explained that the greatest beneficiaries of the new road would not be the Body of Benchers but the two private universities in the area.

“I hope these private institutions, which benefit from this road, will acknowledge what the Tinubu administration is doing.

“If you recognise such efforts, you become a good citizen, and that is the duty of every good citizen,” Wike said. (NAN)

2027: Those planning to rig Abia election should write their will s – Alex Otti

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Abia Governor, Alex Otti, has issued a stern warning to individuals allegedly plotting to rig the 2027 governorship election in the state, telling them to “write their will” before attempting to subvert the people’s mandate.

Otti gave the warning on Thursday during his monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital.

According to the governor, intelligence reports suggest that some political figures are already meeting and strategizing to “take over the state” through unlawful means ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I’ve heard that some people around him said if they must take over the state, they will write result,” Otti said. “The only advice I have for them is that if they truly want to write result, they should write something else before that time — you know what it is? Their will. Because this is our state, nobody can intimidate us.”

Governor Otti also warned politicians against engaging in early campaigns, stressing that such actions violate electoral laws.

“We must respect the law. If INEC releases the timetable and says this is the time that campaign starts, if you start campaigning before then, you put yourself in harm’s way — you can even be disqualified before the election,” he said.

Read Also: PDP postpones 103rd NEC meeting

The governor further stated that any political gathering or public declaration of intention before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces its timetable constitutes early campaigning.

“When you gather people and you’re telling them you’re going to take over the state in 2027, you’re campaigning. It is not right,” Otti cautioned.

Otti reaffirmed that the people of Abia State will have the final say in choosing their next governor through a free and fair process.

“If he wants to run an election, once INEC blows the whistle, he should go and pick up a form and begin to campaign. It’s for Abia people to decide who would be their governor,” he added.

PDP: We remain united, strong in spite defections – Gov Fintiri

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Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains united and strong in spite of recent defections of some  governors and key members of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fintiri, who is the Chairman of PDP Committee for 2025 National Convention,  said that the party remains a formidable political institution capable of reclaiming power in 2027.

The Adamawa governor, who spoke to newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday, after inspection of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, proposed venue of the PDP convention slated for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, affirmed confidence in the strength and unity of the party.

Read Also: PDP postpones 103rd NEC meeting

He maintained that the upcoming convention would demonstrate the party’s resilience, internal democracy, and readiness to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in the next general election.

Fintiri expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation, and thanked Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his support.(NAN)

PDP postpones 103rd NEC meeting

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The National Publicity of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Monday in Abuja said that the postponement of the NEC meeting to a new date would be communicated to members in due course.

Read Also: Osun senator Francis Fadahunsi dumps PDP 

Ologunagba said that the postponement was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its emergency meeting on Monday in view of recent developments in the party.

He added that the NWC took the decision exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 29 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“All NEC members should please note the postponement and be guided accordingly,” Ologunagba said.

(NAN)

Nwifuru congratulates new NOUN VC

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Gov. Francis Nwifuru has congratulated an Ebonyi indigene, Prof. Orji Uduma, on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Nwifuru’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor, and made available to newsmen on Monday.

The governor described the appointment made by the institution’s governing council as a testament to Uduma’s outstanding academic pedigree.

“This is also a testament to your sterling leadership qualities, and immense contributions to philosophical scholarship and national development.

Read Also: Eradiri sets agenda for Diri’s defection to APC 

“You have, over the years, brought honour and pride to Ebonyi and Nigeria through your scholarship, intellectual rigour, and mentorship of younger academics,” the governor is quoted as saying.

He expressed confidence that Prof. Uduma would bring his wealth of experience and integrity to bear in advancing the mandate of NOUN.

“This will foster academic excellence and expand access to quality education in the country,” the governor, according to the statement, said.

He wished the appointee a successful tenure and God’s continued wisdom to discharge his duties.

Uduma hails from Nguzu community in Edda Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi.

He is a former Director of the the Abakaliki centre of NOUN who later became the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the institution.

(NAN) 

Eradiri sets agenda for Diri’s defection to APC 

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Mr. Udengs Eradiri, a former President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), has welcomed the plan by Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Eradiri, who is also a chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa, appealed to Diri to first call a stakeholders’ meeting and use his influence and position as a governor to resolve the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state.

The former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa, asked Diri to unite the camps of former Governor Timipre Sylva and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri.

Eradiri, who spoke on the development on Monday advised Diri against succumbing to any pressure to sideline Sylva, the pioneer leader of the APC in Bayelsa, positing that leaving out the former governor in the ongoing negotiations would be counterproductive.

He said Diri was expected to bring his peaceful demeanour to the APC and to manage the differences in the party the same way he worked amicably with all the interests in the PDP.

Addressing the governor, Eradiri said: ” I will commend you , the way you managed the PDP in Bayelsa. The PDP was stable until the recent conflicts that we had in Rivers that led to some of the divisions we have seen. You came in as governor and managed all the interests until you took over the structures.

“I believe that your coming to APC is to come and also manage this emotion to the point where we will have one strong party because the day you join the APC you become the leader by the Constitution of the party.

“Former Governor Sylva has contributed immensely to the development of APC. All those people throwing stones at Sylva today were not there when Sylva was toiling and building this party. We were in the PDP and we fought him to ensure that we had our way. But that strengthen the APC we have in the state today.

Read Also: Sanwo-Olu escorts Tinubu to airport amid reconciliation

“Heineken Lokpobiri became minister and he allowed these people to push him around and he wants to assert leadership. It won’t work. There must be seeming respect for the man who had toiled and suffered for the foundation of this party. Sylva has supported a lot of people including the Minister. You can’t just push him aside.

“We expect that you bring that your peaceful demeanour to come and override these interests and lead it as a peaceful house. Bayelsa has a lot of benefits to derive from the APC if we are a strong united family.

“We don’t want a situation when you come in and these individuals will begin to push you on one side to undermine Sylva and others,.who hold the structure of the party. I am appealing to you to call a stakeholders’ meeting, engage Sylva, the Minister and bring this party together before your formal defection”.

Eradiri further insisted that with strong leadership from the governor, Bayelsa would benefit immensely from the looming defection.

He recalled that he once advised the governor, his predecessors, Senator Seriake Dickson and other Ijaw leaders to move to the ruling party to enable the state to attract the necessary development.

Eradiri said with Diri concluding his plans to defect to the APC, Bayelsa would have global exposure required to attract investors.

He said: “What are the things we are going to benefit from this APC? It is the capacity that you dispense as a leader that will guarantee the activities for the betterment of your people. If you are in the APC, you must be up and doing.

“You were in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and you were holding meetings at the sideline with investors. The implication of being an APC man is that when you leave, those investors you have spoken to will call your country or the Presidency if you are not aligned they will take that investment to the state that is APC.

“If you are in the ruling party, they will secure the investments for you. The beauty of working with the party in power is that you are also seated on the table of discuss. The President is going abroad for engagements our governor will also be there without any fear or favour. In the sidelines he can be marketing the state and because you are always with the President, there is this confidence in the investments or transactions.

“When leaders sit down to discuss Nigeria you will have Bayelsans and Ijaw Nation seated on the table. I saw the meeting of APC leaders and there was no Ijaw on that table. We are the fourth largest ethnic nationality and that is why I have been critical about the kind of decisions and actions we take so that it doesn’t boomerang to affect us negatively.

“We must conduct ourselves in such a way that we are part and parcel of decision-making. We cannot be contributing to all the resources and we are not on the table of decision-making. I want to welcome you to the APC and we are ready to support you to

succeed”.

 (NAN)

Umahi urges South-East to back Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the people of the South-East to throw their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, stressing that the region has benefited greatly from his administration.

Umahi made the appeal on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, while receiving the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who was on an inspection tour of Federal Government projects in Enugu and Ebonyi States.

The former governor of Ebonyi described Tinubu as “God sent” to Nigeria and the South-East, citing massive investments in road and bridge construction across the region.

“The good works that President Tinubu is doing for the South-East are not hidden, especially in roads and bridges. He is fair and just, ensuring that no region is left behind in the dividends of democracy,” Umahi said.

He added that all governors of the region are already in support of Tinubu and should sustain that support ahead of the 2027 elections. Umahi also urged the South-East to “re-engage” politically rather than rely on sentiments in pursuit of the presidency.

Read Also: Tinubu overhauls NTA Leadership, appoints Rotimi Pedro as new DG

“We have to support other regions, and at God’s appointed time, the presidency will come to us. Who knows, maybe it could even be me,” he said jokingly.

Highlighting Tinubu’s economic reforms, Umahi noted that inflation had dropped to 21.8 percent and foreign reserves had risen above $40 billion. He also referenced commendations from the World Bank and WTO chief, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as proof that the President was steering the nation on the right path.

The minister further stated that, for the first time in decades, the South-East was witnessing a strong federal presence in terms of infrastructure projects.

“I was deputy governor, governor for eight years, and even chairman of a party, but I never saw this level of federal projects in the South-East. President Tinubu has changed the story,” Umahi said.

Again, Kwankwaso’s ally, Abdulmumin Jibrin, meets Tinubu at Aso Villa

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Abdulmumin Jibrin, a key political associate of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election, has met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja — marking their second meeting in just two weeks.

According to sources, Sunday’s meeting, which held from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., may have centered on the political relationship between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, as well as the rising anti-All Progressives Congress (APC) sentiment in parts of northern Nigeria.

Jibrin, however, declined to disclose the details of their discussions when approached by State House correspondents.

Read Also: Tinubu has been fair to all regions – Umahi

The latest visit comes less than two weeks after Jibrin’s July 30 meeting with the president, during which he spoke about national unity and development. When asked then about the possibility of defecting to the APC, Jibrin said, “Everything is open and everything is a possibility. The most important thing is the stability of the country and its unity.”

The renewed engagements between Jibrin and Tinubu follow recent comments by Kwankwaso alleging that the southern region is receiving preferential treatment in terms of infrastructure and development under the current administration.

Jibrin is known to maintain strong political connections with both President Tinubu and former Kano governor Kwankwaso.

Obi won 2023 election, Tinubu is ‘full of himself’ — Babachir Lawal

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has insisted that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi won the 2023 general election.

Speaking on Politics Tonight on Channels Television on Monday, Lawal said that based on data and facts available to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not emerge as the rightful winner.

Read Also: Peter Obi reaffirms 4-Year single-term pledge

“The problem with Bola Tinubu is that he thinks I’m the one that offended him. I didn’t offend him; he offended me, and he is full of himself. He thinks that now, as so-called president… I believe he didn’t win the election,” Lawal stated.

He explained that his team closely monitored the polls, gathered results directly from the field, and discovered that some of the official results were allegedly altered.

Lawal, a consistent critic of the current administration, maintained that the outcome declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not reflect the true will of Nigerians.