Politics

2023: Fulani Youths Meet Igbo Elders, Endorse Obi/Datti For Presidency

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2022

…Say: We’re no longer after tribal, religious sentiments in politics

…God has hand in Obidient movement – Ex-Gov

Fulani youths in Nigeria, under the aegis of Endan Fulaku, on Tuesday, endorsed the candidature of Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party as their presidential candidates for the forthcoming general elections.

The National President of the group, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed Obi’s endorsement when he led members of the socio-cultural organisations to meet with the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, under the leadership of former Anambra governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in Abuja.

According to him, the coming together of Igbo and Fulani ethnic nationalities is critical to the unity and stability of the nation, adding that the political alliance of the North and the East had saved the nation on several occasions in the past.

He said, “It’s also on record that when the two regions found themselves at loggerheads with one another, it resulted into the unfortunate Nigeria Civil War which not even our worst enemy could ever wish for us.

“The current president is our kinsman but we have come to realise from experience that you don’t need to have someone from your tribe or faith as president before your lives improve. What we need is somebody that is patriotic, honest, just and fair. In Nigeria, Fulani are no longer after tribal or religious sentiments (in politics).

“On this note, I wish to call on the entire North to support Obi’s presidential aspiration not only because Obi is the best presidential material, but because it is key to the unity, stability and prosperity of our nation.

“We are looking for a leader that is capable of taking Nigeria to the promised land. We have realised that these two tribes, Fulani and Igbo, coming together to work for the good of Nigeria will be the best. I wish to call on our members to work tirelessly to ensure that they reach out to the entire nooks and crannies of the nation to canvas for support of the candidate. We shall soon reach out to other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical zones.

“You should also know that this is not the first time. The Alliance between the two ethnic groups in the first and second Republic brought prosperity to the country. Though, we are still licking the wounds of the civil war and of course, we have offended ourselves but we are doing this to bring about the much needed healing”.

Speaking also, Ezeife described Obi as a true unifier who will banish poverty, insecurity, and all the negatives associated with Nigeria.

According to the IECF chairman, “If Peter Obi becomes president, in the next two years, our sons and daughters abroad will begin to think of coming back home. God has his hand in Obi’s movement. I know him (Peter Obi) very well. Many years after I left as a governor, I saw him at the airport carrying his own luggage. He has always insisted that the public’s funds must be used for public good.”

Reacting also to the comment made by the incumbent Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo wherein he expressed pessimism over Obi’s chances of victory at the forthcoming polls, Ezeife said everybody cannot support the presidential bid of the Labour Party candidate.

“Then, as we are here, if all of us (Igbos) are saying the same thing, it will look somehow. We are happy to hear that some might not be supporting him, but that doesn’t mean anything. I know that 99 percent of the Southeast people are for Obi,” he said.
VANGUARD

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

27 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

34 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Politics

Open Bank Account In PDP Name, See What Will Happen – Wike Dares Turaki Faction

Published

38 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction led by Tanimu Turaki to open an official party bank account and secretariat if they truly believe they control the opposition party’s structure.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and violating court judgments in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the faction opposing the party’s recognised leadership lacked legal standing and could not lawfully operate the affairs of the party.

“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.

He specifically challenged Taminu Turaki, SAN, and other leaders of the rival camp to test their claims by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP.

“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.

Wike argued that no bank would recognise such an account because the faction allegedly lacks the legally recognised party structure and documentation required to operate.

“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.

The FCT minister also warned against attempts to establish what he described as illegal party offices, vowing that any action capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja would not be tolerated.

“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Wike maintained that court judgments had already settled the dispute over the PDP leadership and convention issues, accusing some actors of twisting judicial pronouncements for political convenience.

“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.

The minister further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that the legal processes and decisions available supported his position and that of the recognised party leadership.

According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments outside the established legal context were aimed at confusing party members and the public.

Wike said he remained a committed member of the PDP and was only defending what he described as constitutional order and due process within the party.

PDP has remained embroiled in internal leadership disputes following disagreements over the party’s convention, caretaker arrangements and recognition of key national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.