Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that his former principal, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are not opposition leaders but office seekers.

Baba-Ahmed made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions on Trust TV.

He was talking about the upcoming 2027 general elections and the prospects of the opposition political parties.

“Peter Obi was my boss, and is still my boss. We still have a good relationship, and I hope we can somehow collaborate in the very near future.

“Because I would rather move away from the individuals, speak about the variables in Nigeria politics. The variables is that most of us refer to them as opposition.

“Peter Obi and Atiku are not opposition, but mere office seekers. Opposition is active, actually technically taking on the mis-ruling government every action. You come out not only when it is time to seek particular office.

“Left to me, right from 2023, Peter Obi and everybody else should have continued that tempo I started about constitutional breach,” he said.

The post Coming From the North Alone Won’t Earn Our Votes – Baba-Ahmed Warns Politicians appeared first on TheNigerian.

Former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed has described his former principal, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar as not opposition leaders but office seekers.

Baba-Ahmed made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions on Trust TV.

He was talking about the upcoming 2027 general elections and the prospects of the opposition political parties.

“Peter Obi was my boss and he still remains my boss. We still have a good relationship and I hope we can somehow do something together in the very near future.

“Because I would rather move away from the individuals, speak about the variables in Nigeria politics. The variables is that most of us refer to them as opposition.

“Peter Obi and Atiku are not opposition, but mere office seekers. Opposition is active, actually technically taking on the mis-ruling government every action. You come out not only when it is time to seek certain office.

“Left to me, from right about 2023, Peter Obi and everybody else should have continued that tempo I started about constitutional breach.

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There was a heated exchange in the House of Representatives on Thursday between a member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Philip Agbese and his fellow lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

It was gathered that the crisis erupted when Agbese alleged that Ugochinyere used his signature without authorisation in a document purportedly nominating him for the office of minority leader.

Agbese told the House that he was shocked to discover a document in circulation online with his name and signature in support of Ugochinyere’s bid for the opposition leadership position.

He said he had held discussions with several lawmakers including Ugochinyere on issues of the welfare of minority lawmakers and constituency projects but never endorsed any nomination document.

“I feel my legislative privilege has been breached because if I sign this document, that amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes for which it was not intended,” Agbese stated.

He urged the House leadership to probe the matter and stop what he described as more attempts by Ugochinyere and his cohorts to smear his image.

He also dismissed reports circulating on social media that some lawmakers were given $50,000 to support one of the candidates for the minority leadership position.

“My constituents have been reaching out to me. I have not received any sum of money from any person and I shall not receive. “This is my integrity,” he told me.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen replied that he heard Agbese’s complaints and assured him of looking into the matter.

“We will return to you on the issue you have raised in due course. But again, I want to bring to the notice of all the minority members that I am calling all the minority members of this House for a closed-door meeting today by 2 p.m. so that we can discuss further,” Abbas said.

Things, however, took a turn for the worse when Ugochinyere sought the indulgence of the Speaker to make a personal explanation insisting that, the allegations made against him on the floor and during a live broadcast could not go unanswered.

The Imo lawmaker denied the forgery allegation, saying that Agbese personally signed the nomination form to support his ambition to become the minority leader.

He said Agbese came to a meeting venue and voluntarily endorsed his nomination in the presence of several lawmakers who could testify to the development.

Agbese cut him off several times, yelling, “I never did that!” His remarks were greeted with loud protests.

The exchange devolved into a shouting match with lawmakers on both sides joining in and the Speaker having to repeatedly call for order as some members tried to calm the situation.

Despite the uproar, Ugochinyere said his nomination had the support of most opposition lawmakers.

“I understand that at the moment the overwhelming majority of 61 members out of 81 opposition members voted for me. “They will go to this level of desperation, I never thought it will come to this level, it may not be palatable to some people,” he said.

The charge of forgery was “a treacherous lie,” he said, and he would produce witnesses present at the signing of the nomination document.

The Speaker again intervened, telling the lawmakers to stop trading words and let the issue be addressed at the planned meeting of opposition members.

But before normalcy could be restored, another lawmaker rose on a point of order, saying that Ugochinyere’s claim that he was elected by opposition members should be expunged from the records of the House as the matter was not formally before the chamber.

The lawmaker said the only official way for the opposition caucus to determine and present its leadership to the House was through an official vote and that any declaration made on the floor was a personal opinion.410

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has stated that former governor, Ayodele Fayose, made a wrong choice when he threw his weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

It was reported that Oluyede said this during an interactive session with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

He rejected claims that Fayose has the political strength to determine the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

The PDP chieftain, however, acknowledged Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice but maintained that the former governor made the wrong political judgment.

He says the endorsements should be on the basis of measurable achievements and governance outcomes, saying the current administration has failed to meet expectations in key areas especially security and infrastructure.

”I respect Fayose and his right to support whoever he wants. It’s nothing personal. But if you ask me, he has taken the wrong decision by supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

The governorship hopeful said he was surprised that Fayose would endorse the administration despite what he termed glaring deficiencies in governance.

“I am disappointed because it indicates that the bar for supporting a government has been set very low. “There is little basis for such an endorsement if you look at the realities on the ground, especially in security and public service delivery,” he said.

But Oluyede ruled out any confrontation with the former governor over his political position, saying Fayose is entitled to his convictions as others are entitled to theirs.

He said the coming governorship election would be decided by the people of Ekiti State and not by endorsements from political leaders.

“People will decide. This election will not be won on endorsements or political declarations. Ekiti people are intelligent and they will judge those seeking their mandate on their performance,” he said.

The PDP candidate also took the opportunity to express concern about the security situation in the state, saying many residents now live in fear because of the increasing criminal activities.

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Wole Oluyede, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State has faulted ex-governor Ayodele Fayose for endorsing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying that the governor’s performance does not deserve such support.

Oluyede spoke during an interactive session with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, where he debunked suggestions that Fayose’s political weight would have a huge impact on the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

While acknowledging Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice, the PDP chieftain said the former governor has made the wrong political judgment by throwing his weight behind the incumbent administration.

Endorsements should be based on “measurable achievements and governance outcomes,” he said, adding that the current administration has “failed to deliver” in key areas, especially security and infrastructure.

“Fayose is my respected elder and as such is entitled to support anyone. We have no personal problems. But in my opinion he has made the wrong decision supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

He expressed surprise that Fayose would support the administration in spite of what he described as glaring governance deficiencies.

He said the standards that should be applied to measure government performance should be much higher and that the endorsement raises questions about the standards being used to measure the administration.

“I’m disappointed because it shows the bar is set very low for endorsing a government. “If you look at the realities on the ground, especially security and public service delivery, there is little basis for such an endorsement,” he told the Daily Maverick.

Oluyede, however, said there would be no clash with the former governor on his political stance, adding that Fayose was entitled to his convictions like others who have theirs.

He added that the upcoming governorship election would be decided by the people of Ekiti State and not by the endorsement of political leaders.

The people will decide. Endorsements and talking points aren’t going to win this election. The Ekiti people are intelligent and they will judge those seeking their mandate on their performance,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to express concerns about the security situation in the state, claiming that many residents now live in fear as a result of the increasing criminal activities.

He castigated what he called poor response of government to security challenges, poor state of police facilities and lack of modern security infrastructure to effectively tackle crimes.

If citizens are afraid to move freely or attend social and community functions, no government can claim success, he says.

Oluyede also questioned the use of security votes allocated to the state, insisting that there is need for greater transparency and accountability in handling public resources devoted to security.

In the country’s political sphere, he re-affirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his support for the President predates current political affiliations and is based on his belief that Tinubu is still the best person to lead Nigeria at this time.

He said he supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition before joining the APC on grounds of conviction and not political expediency.

While acknowledging the economic and governance challenges confronting the country, Oluyede, however, maintained that the President’s efforts would make more impact if state governments effectively translated available resources into improved security, infrastructure and public services for citizens.

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The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said that President Bola Tinubu has lost grip of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Baba-Ahmed was reported to have warned that the President’s handling of the security crisis could lead to public rejection if urgent action is not taken.

He said this on Thursday during an interview on Arise News.

“The security situation in Nigeria is deteriorating fast with violent attacks and kidnappings pervading all over the country,” the PRP leader said.

“President Tinubu has no grip on escalating violence every part of Nigeria is now vulnerable to insecurity. In a civilised democracy, President Tinubu’s record on insecurity would have cost him his seat long ago,” he said.

The kidnapping of children showed how deep the crisis was, he said.

“Every inch of Nigeria is now vulnerable to insecurity. Every time children from generals to toddlers are stolen. Children, toddlers in school have been kidnapped.”

Baba-Ahmed said the government had not faced up to the reality of growing violence. He said the insecurity crisis appeared normal to Tinubu and his inner circle.

He said, “Everything that should have been said by the media, by civil society, by everybody, except of course the National Assembly, Tinubu himself and his little circle of supporters, seem to believe that this is a problem that we can live with.

The PRP leader said the government had failed in its basic responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Now, President Tinubu has spectacularly failed to protect anybody. “Again, like I said, every part of Nigeria is now vulnerable,” he said.

He warned the country could suffer more attacks unless urgent action was taken.

“We are in trouble,” Baba-Ahmed said. “We have not been safe under him and it is likely that we will be more exposed to criminality between now and the elections.”

Baba-Ahmed said the PRP’s demand for the resignation of Tinubu was not political but because of the worsening state of national security.

“We said everything else. And we mean that in all seriousness. “He said President Tinubu should step down.

He said the status quo would be rejected by Nigerians if the President remained.

“If we project what he’s doing, how he’s performing between now and the elections, we don’t even need to wait,” the PRP Leader said. Nigerians will not have him.” »

“Insecurity has become a defining national crisis that can no longer be excused,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“Anything more?” he asked. What more can one say to President Tinubu and Nigerians?

“I heard your programme. You were talking about the increase in these kidnappings and violent crimes all over the country.”

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned Nigerian youths to desist from abusing the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye.

Obi advised that Adeboye should not be blamed for the actions of Nigerians and warned against any attempt to cause religious divisions.

Obi was reportedly issuing the warning in a post on his 𝕏 account.

“When they cannot compete on ideas, character, performance and vision, some politicians use such sentiments,” he said.

“Now I see similar things emerging again, sometimes in more subtle and sophisticated ways,” Obi said. People sincerely think they are fighting for a good cause, and do not realise the wider agenda behind such campaigns, which are often seeded, magnified and propagated.”

He said many good spirited Nigerians unwittingly became part of the narratives designed to sow suspicion and disunity among citizens.

The ex-presidential aspirant said that the inability of politicians to compete on the basis of ideas, performance, character and vision often leads to their resort to exploiting ethnic, religious and identity differences to gain political advantage.

Obi warned that the same tactics are beginning to come back, sometimes in more subtle ways, through narratives meant to divide Nigerians.

He also defended Adeboye, calling the cleric one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith who has preached peace, prayer, love, reconciliation and national unity throughout his ministry.

“Let me state categorically that Pastor Enoch Adeboye is one of our foremost fathers of faith in our country. For decades he has preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation and national unity. Even in the face of provocation his response has been one of humility, restraint, wisdom and grace.

“It would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them at the age of 84. It’s primarily the younger generation that bears the onus of building a better Nigeria. “They have the responsibility to lead the conversations, to champion the reforms and to drive the positive change our nation desperately needs,” said Obi.

He urged the younger generation to lead the conversation on reforms and national development, noting that they should not allow themselves to be used to promote division but take the responsibility of building a better Nigeria.

The post Peter Obi: It Is Unfair to Shift Responsibilities to an 84-Year-Old Man, Urges Nigerian Youths appeared first on TheNigerian.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, says any vote for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is a vote for president Bola Tinubu.

Okonkwo told Symfoni in an interview.

He said, “You are either working for Tinubu directly or indirectly because when you divide the votes of some of the coalition or the opposition, you are still making Tinubu to win.

“No one forced Peter Obi to join the ADC. He went himself. One week to the end of the closure of time, he went out and gave reasons. What was that reason?

‘You can’t compete in primaries and you want to be a president of a challenged country.

“Let me tell you the truth, in 2027, anyone who votes for Peter Obi is voting for Tinubu. “Don’t say I didn’t tell you.

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A coalition of stakeholders from opposition political parties in Gombe State has decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors, who were from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party pledged their allegiance to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the governorship aspiration of Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna.

The group said its decision is based on a review of results of primary elections held by their former political parties.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Prof Sulaiman Dankande, Nura Abba, Abdullah Amtai, Dedan Mela and Murtala Usman Dukku, said that members resolved to join the APC and work for the emergence of Gwamna as governor in 2027.

The defectors were formally received into the APC by the party chairman in Gombe Local Government Area, Idris Saleh, it was learnt.

Saleh handed them APC membership cards and welcomed them to the ruling party.

The coalition members said their move to the APC was premised on political conviction and the need to align with a platform that could better serve the interest of the state.

They also vowed to work for the success of Tinubu and Gwamna in the next general elections.

The primary elections in their former parties, the outcome of which influenced the decision to look for a new political platform, they said.

They said the development had compelled them to review their political direction before 2027.

After wide consultations among their members and supporters, they agreed to join the APC and support its candidates at national and state levels, they said.

The defection is expected to contribute to the wave of political movements already happening in Gombe State as the parties prepare for the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, former APC National Youth Leader, Sadiq Abubakar has emerged the governorship candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State.

Abubakar announced his emergence soon after winning the party’s governorship primary election.

His victory comes just weeks after he quit the APC over economic hardship and discontent with policies of the ruling party.

Abubakar said his decision to join the NDC was born out of his desire to be part of a political platform that guarantees transparent and credible primaries elections.

He said the party gave him the opportunity to pursue his political ambition and render service to the people of Gombe State.

According to him, his move to the NDC was also in line with his commitment to contribute to the political development of the state.

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Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged aspirants who vied for various positions at the party’s primary elections to accept the results in good faith.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, Obi called on them to join hands with the party and work for its victory.

“Not everyone can win elections but all party members must come together irrespective of the outcome of the primary elections,” he said.

He said the NDC was a young political organisation that has made tremendous strides in a short period of time, adding that the party had successfully held congresses, conventions and primaries in some 90 days.

“I want to make a sincere appeal to all our aspirants who participated in the primaries to accept the outcome in good faith. There are going to be winners and losers in any democratic process. What counts is what we do after the process.

“We have had congresses, conventions and primaries in about 90 days. “We must show understanding, patience and sacrifice for the good of the party,” Obi said.

Peter Obi called on party members after the primaries to shun internal wrangling and focus on building a credible alternative political movement for 2027.

“We should not be too busy with the internal process of today. We have to look ahead. “This party will be different.” “When given the opportunity we will show leadership that is inclusive, caring and accountable,” he said.

The former Governor of Anambra State further disclosed that the party would soon embark on a nationwide engagement tour to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and deepen political education across the country.

“Soon we will commence visiting all the states of the federation. We don’t want members to always come to Abuja, we will go to them, we will engage directly with Nigerians and build our policies around their needs,” he said.

He enumerated some of the challenges facing the country to include insecurity, poor infrastructure, education and health, adding that detailed campaign message would come at the right time.

Noah’s Ark
Addressing the gathering, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the party’s rapid progress was phenomenal and credited its advancement to collective sacrifice and divine guidance.

He was said to have likened the party to the biblical Noah’s ark, a vehicle of national renewal and rescue.

“This party has gone from registration to conventions and primaries in a very short time. It is not done by human effort alone. There is a higher hand that is guiding this process,” he said.

The party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson also lauded the members for their resilience and stated that the party would soon begin a holistic reconciliation process.

“We will do a holistic reconciliation, we ask all to remain committed to it. “Those that lost today should not lose hope because tomorrow’s opportunities are still there,” Dickson said.

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