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2023: Why Soludo, Obaseki, Nnamani, Others Are Ganging-up Against Obi

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In the last couple of months, it is emerging clear that Peter Obi and his supporters, the Obidents, are not going to fizzle out as predicted by several political pundits.

In the South-east and South-south geopolitical zones, the spread of the popularity of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party has redrawn the political map ahead of the general elections as campaigns thicken.

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Instead of fizzling as predicted by many, Mr Obi and his supporters have grown significantly since May when Obi left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In the last couple of days, several political players in the two regions have intensified attacks on the candidate of the Labour Party. In the past, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and his counterpart in Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi have both taken slings at Obi, however, the pushback was swift, prompting both to recount their statements.

“We will not vote for the Labour Party, we will only vote for the APC. Our vote is for APC and not for the Labour Party. Our agenda is Ebonyi agenda. We will vote for our Presidential candidate in the person of Tinubu. We must strive to liberate Ebonyi State and that is our agenda,” Umahi had said in June.

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READ ALSO: 2023: Peter Obi Meets Pastor David Ibiyeomie

However, in the past couple of weeks, the attack on Obi has intensified. It would be recalled that Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State and Senatorial candidate on the platform of the PDP, had in a series of tweets in August warned his supporters not to risk voting Obi.

“Our party and platform is PDP. We must stand firm. We must not be swayed by the Obidient sentiments and vote Labour Party. If we blur the distinction, it will be difficult to reverse,” the tweet read.

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Last week, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State joined the fray by denying the Obidient movement the use of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Although the movement held a rally in the city with thousands on the street, Mr Obaseki in an interview, insisted that Mr Obi supporters may control the virtual world, but PDP controls the political structure.

During the week, the biggest attack against the presidency of Obi came from his State, when Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State launched a fierce attack against him.

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Soludo even implied that Obi’s candidacy is a tactical support for the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Soludo’s Kinsmen Condemn His Attack On Peter Obi

“Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even give Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP. It is what it is,” he stated.

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Why are politicians in the South-east, South-south against Obi?

The choice of Labour Party and the appeal to youths pose a significant threat to established political parties in the regions, Kelechukwu Eni-Otu, a member of the APC in Ebonyi State told DAILY POST.

According to him, “the fact that presidential elections and the National Assembly elections are on the same day, these politicians are just trying to avoid a tsunami.

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“If the politicians in APC, PDP and APGA don’t react, there is a possibility that they will be affected by the Obi tsunami. We saw it in 2015 and 2019 in the North, where Buhari’s wave allowed several people to win the seats in Reps and Senate.”

Soludo is believed to be working to reduce the influence of the PDP in the State, because since 2015, APGA has performed poorly at National Assembly elections. In the current 9th Assembly, APGA has no single Senator but has about three Reps members.

This could be attributed to the fact that often, APGA does not present candidates for the presidential election. With Victor Umeh now in Labour teaming up with Obi, APGA may go into the election fighting against two formidable forces, PDP and Labour.

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In Edo State, Governor Obaseki has been in a long battle with Dan Obih’s faction for the control of the PDP structure. He was ridiculed by Governor Nyesome Wike for not having control of the delegates at the last PDP presidential primaries.

Many believe that most people supporting Obi are people who ordinarily would have voted PDP. If Obi wins Edo State, it could have an effect on senatorial and House of Reps seats. In addition, there is the APC effect in Edo North, where Adams Oshiomhole is on the ballot.

Hence, Obaseki and the PDP in Edo will be going up against the APC and his former political mentor, Oshiomhole, while the Labour Party is also pulling votes.

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READ ALSO: 2023: I Will Support You, Wike Tells Peter Obi

The same could be said of Enugu State. For the very first time in 1999, Obi’s popularity among the youths presents the first serious litmus test for the party. And Chimaroke appears to have been spooked by the political calculations in the State.

As the campaigns progress, it is expected that many political gladiators will speak out more against Peter Obi as they struggle to hold on to their respective political structures.
DAILY POST

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El-Rufai Hits Back At ONSA, Kaduna, Insists Agencies Paying Bandits

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday rebutted the statements from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Kaduna State Government that accused him of politicising national security.

He maintained his previous accusation that the agencies turn security into a political tool and are complicit in payments to bandits.

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In a lengthy response posted on his social media accounts, El-Rufai said the ONSA and Kaduna government were deflecting from the “core issues” he raised in a Channels Television interview.

He levelled fresh allegations that state actors have been involved in “greasing the palms” of non-state armed groups in Kaduna and neighbouring states.

The statement read, “As usual, the combined voices of the Government of Kaduna State (KDSG) and ONSA, instead of responding to the core issues I raised, seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicising security.

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READ ALSO:Father, Son, 72-year-old Arrested For Defiling Minors

As a person whose three siblings served in the Nigerian Army and the Air Force, with one of them rising to the rank of general, I will also continue to appreciate the immense work that continues to be done by gallant officers of the military and security agencies.

“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicisation of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership.

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“If the ONSA thinks Nigerians are not following its unclear and incompetent management of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria and beyond, in collaboration with a certain senator, also from the North, then it is high time it carried out an in-depth evaluation and review of its actions.”

El-Rufai asked a string of pointed questions, urging authorities to explain what he described as the mechanics of alleged payments to bandits: who delivers the money, how much is handed over, and whether middlemen skim funds before delivery.

He also challenged officials to account for recent purchases of prime real estate in Abuja, which he suggested could be linked to illicit flows.

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READ ALSO:How Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi Can Learn From Tinubu’s School Of Politics

This charade by ONSA is being done gleefully at a steep cost to the finances of the country and the ethical fabric of our society.

“The constitutional, legal and patriotic duty the government owes to security is to better support our military and security agencies with more resources like personnel, equipment and technology, rather than further endangering the country by mollycoddling bandits.

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“What exactly constitutes ‘negotiations with bandits’? Why is non-kinetic approach to addressing banditry and criminality equal to withdrawals of huge amounts of money from state treasuries and handing them over to bandits and terrorists?

“Which officials and their intermediaries deliver this money, and how much personal withholding tax do they apply before delivery of the funds? Who are the most prolific purchasers of prime real estate in Abuja in the last two years, and what is the source of their newfound wealth?

“These are questions many discerning citizens are demanding answers to, while officials of ONSA and KDSG are focusing on protocol, propaganda and international junkets!”

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El-Rufai further questioned the effectiveness of recent negotiations with bandits, saying attacks resumed after talks.

READ ALSO:Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

After the much-publicised negotiations with bandits in Birnin Gwari… did the bandits not kill five citizens in the same Birnin Gwari LGA last month?” he asked, also listing other local government areas where kidnappings and killings allegedly continued.

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He criticised what he described as ONSA’s public displays, including the parade of “rescued victims” and the attendance of senior security officers at political events in Kaduna, as examples of politicised security messaging.

The former governor, who led Kaduna for eight years, reiterated his respect for the military and security agencies and recalled working with numerous service chiefs during his tenure.

Our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and security officers is deep. That is why we speak out about those saddled with immense responsibility two years ago who seem to view security management as a persistent exercise in propaganda,” he continued.

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El-Rufai also accused the Kaduna State Government of sponsoring or enabling violence against political opponents, pointing to last weekend’s disruption of an African Democratic Congress meeting in Kaduna as evidence.

He concluded by urging ONSA and Kaduna authorities to focus on solving insecurity rather than “muzzling” dissent.

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2027: Jonathan’s Cousin Tackles Keyamo Over Ex-president Not Qualified Comment

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A cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola, has criticised the Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and human-rights scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for opposing the speculation that Jonathan may run in the 2027 presidential poll.

Robert said this in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

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Keyamo had warned the Peoples Democratic Party against handing its ticket to Jonathan, arguing that his return bid would face legal obstacles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.

READ ALSO:APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race

However, Robert said Jonathan did not welcome “unsolicited legal advice” and insisted the former president is “100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to.”

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The statement read, “Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof), I greet both of you. For the record, three of us are lawyers. We were all pro-democracy activists in the ’90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.

“Rule No. 1: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ (PDP) has numerous, more cerebral, more experienced SANs at his disposal who give him sound, unblemished professional legal advice.

READ ALSO:Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

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“Please note: GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to. If he decides not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it will not be because he is unqualified.

“Your unsolicited legal view is not of any concern to him and will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this. Or should I schedule a meeting so you can be properly educated on the subsisting court judgments on the matter—one of which your party, APC, was a party to?”

Robert added, “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”

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While Jonathan has not formally declared a 2027 presidential run, his rumoured return has already fuelled debate in political circles.

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Wike Meets PDP Secretary, Others In Abuja

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Members of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are currently meeting with the minister at his official residence in Abuja.

The meeting, which began at 8.40pm, has entered a closed-door session.

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Among the top-ranking members of the party present are the National Secretary of the PDP, Sam Anyanwu; National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

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Others include former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Senator representing Rivers East, George Sekibo, along with other zonal and state party chairmen.

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More details later…

 

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