Politics

2023 Presidency: How Nnamdi Kanu’s Release May Affect Peter Obi’s Chance

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2022

The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, may affect the chances of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi to win the 2023 election.

Recall that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous verdict on Thursday, acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of all terrorism charges leveled against him.

The secessionist was thereby discharged from the custody of the DSS in the Federal Capital Territory.

Kanu, leader of the group agitating for the actualization of Biafra as a sovereign nation, was re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria on June 28, 2021, to continue his trial bothering on treasonable felony.

Since his alleged unlawful repatriation to the country, the IPOB leader, who was accused of making utterances capable of threatening the corporate existence of the country while in the United Kingdom, had been in the custody of the Nigerian secret police amid several court cases.

The news of his release yesterday plunged several Nigerians, particularly residents of the South-East, into celebration.

While reaction continues to trail the release, some stakeholders have predicted how Kanu’s freedom could affect the chances of the former Anambra State Governor to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Prior to his arrest, Nnamdi Kanu, who is a major opinion leader in the South-East, had ruled out the possibility of the Nigerian government conducting elections in the region.

Some political analysts had hitherto revealed that the Labour Party relies more on the South-East for Peter Obi’s victory come 2023.

Although the IPOB leader is yet to speak since he was freed, a Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Kenneth Onah said on Thursday that Kanu’s release would affect Peter Obi’s presidential bid negatively.

According to him, Igbos would now continue their agitation for a possible break up from Nigeria, stressing that they may no longer be interested in the Igbo presidency or any form of election.

He said, “The attention of the whole Ndigbo has been shifted from Peter Obi. They are now following their master, Kanu, so Peter Obi and other presidential candidates who were relying on the South-East may have to look for alternatives.

“Before he was detained, he clearly told everyone that election would not hold in Igbo land. He is back, and agitation continues. This is going to affect Peter Obi more than other candidates”.

Recall that IPOB, while reacting to the release of their leader, told newsmen yesterday that the realization of the Biafra nation would be their next target, stressing that nothing can stop the movement.

In a chat with our correspondent, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said, “Biafrans both home and abroad, including our friends, should rejoice because Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama has done it again.

“Biafra realisation is the next target, and nothing will stop IPOB from achieving Biafra freedom.

“If you know you are criminal terrorising our people, just run because you are going to meet your waterloo.”

However, when contacted, the President-General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Mr Goodluck Ibem, countered Onuh, saying Kanu’s release would favour the Labour Party candidate.

“We are happy that he has been released. The release of Mazi cannot affect Peter Obi negativity, it will rather adds colour to what is already happening”, he said.

Asked if there was the possibility of Kanu asking the Igbos, particularly youths, to boycott the Igbo presidency, Mr Ibem said, “I can’t read his mind to know if he would say so, but all I know is that we are happy that he has been released and we are ready to vote.”

Similarly, a Labour Party member in Abuja, who identified himself simply as Mr IK, said the release of Knau would force many Igbos to change their negative perception of Nigeria.

He said, “I don’t see Kanu’s release as a threat to Peter Obi. The truth is that many people who didn’t plan to vote before due to what the government was doing to Kanu may now have a change of plan.

“Before now, they don’t believe in the judiciary, not to talk of the government itself but what happened today has made many people to change their thoughts.”

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Politics

BREAKING: Confusion As APC Chair, Ganduje Resigns

Published

5 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has resigned from his position, Saturday Vanguard has learned.

Although the exact circumstances surrounding his resignation remain unclear as of press time, a senior party official confirmed the development, stating simply, “Yes, it is true. He has resigned.”

Sources revealed that Ganduje’s personal belongings were earlier moved from his office at the APC national secretariat, further fueling speculation.

The development has thrown the party’s headquarters into confusion, with staff and visitors visibly shocked by the unexpected news.

Politics

‘Peace Has Returned To Rivers’ — Wike, Fubara Speak After Meeting Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

After months of political tension and division in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have publicly declared an end to their rift, assuring residents that peace has finally returned.

The truce followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night, where both leaders, along with other stakeholders, reached a resolution to work together for the state’s progress.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, expressed gratitude to God for the breakthrough.

Wike said, “I want to give God the glory that today is the 26th of June 2025, that peace has finally returned to the state. We all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family.”

He acknowledged that disagreements are part of politics but emphasised that the resolution marked a fresh start for the state.

He said, “Just like humans, you have disagreements, and then you also have a time to also settle your disagreements, and that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr President that is what we have agreed.

“So for me, everything is over, and I enjoin everybody to work together with everybody. There is no more acrimony; there is nothing to say. We have disagreed; we have all agreed on everything, so thank God. For me, it’s a day we have to thank almighty God.”

Governor Fubara, who also spoke to journalists, said the return of peace is crucial to the state’s development.

He said, “For me, it’s very important that this day has come to be. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God this night, with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State.”

Fubara pledged to do everything within his power to sustain the peace, describing it as a step toward lasting stability and governance in the oil-rich state.

Politics

INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug. 18.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.

He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including the weekend.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.

“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register,” he said.

The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.

Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on Aug. 18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug. 25.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,” he said.

Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.
(NAN)