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Anambra Muslim Community Speaks On Relationship With Peter Obi

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The Muslim Community in Anambra State has eulogised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, for what they described as his unwavering support to the Community from his days as the Governor of Anambra State till now.

They described Obi as a true and detribalised Nigerian who does not segregate against tribe, religion or ethnicity.

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Speaking at the Central Mosque, Onitsha, where Obi went to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with them yesterday, the Secretary of the Muslim Community in Anambra, Barr Mahmoud Imam registered their displeasure with what he described as unnecessary lies and propaganda against the person of Peter Obi. He said they were not happy with the religious and ethnic colouration being given to Obi and his quest for New Nigeria. He described Obi as a man who has continued to give them support through the many challenges they have been through, as a people, in the State.

READ ALSO: Why UK Immigration Officials Detained Peter Obi At Airport – Campaign office

“We follow the news, and we are not pleased with the many negative stories people tell about Obi’s relationship with the North. We here are not only close to Obi, but we have remained the consistent beneficiaries of his benevolence. So we can say, authoritatively, that the stories making the rounds online, that Peter Obi does not care for Northerners, are false.

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“When our mosque was burnt down, he quickly rebuilt it for us, and made it even better. During the crisis that erupted in the State in 2006, Obi ensured that no Hausa man was hurt. He gave us maximum security in the barracks. Throughout his 8 years as a Governor, he would invite us to the government house every year during Sallah celebration, eat and celebrate with us. This time around, he decided to visit and celebrate with us in the mosque.

“Many of our people here, not less than 150 were sponsored by Peter Obi to Mecca for pilgrimage, over the years. We equally watched his movements during the campaign, how he toured the Northern part of Nigeria and visited places no one expected. We are happy with our relationship with him and with the North. He is a true Nigerian,” Imam said.

 

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In his speech, Obi appreciated the Muslim Community for their welcome. He explained that his visit to the Community was to celebrate the Eid el Fitr with them as he has always done. He also promised to continue to support the muslims in the State and any part of the country, in any way he could.

READ ALSO: Presidential Election: Peter Obi Speaks On Tinubu’s Victory

Reiterating the need for Nigerians to love and appreciate one another, Obi stated that every Nigerian should be free to live and thrive in any part of the country without intimidation or harrassment.

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“I am a Nigerian who believes in Nigeria. My ADC when I was Governor, Idris, is a Northerner from Kano State, and he is a good man. I have never discriminated against anyone based on religion or tribe, and I will never do that. I want the whole nation to hold me accountable on this. I will never discriminate against anybody. I will continue to support you especially in areas of education, health and your worship.

“Please disregard anyone who tells you that I do not like the Northerners. I love every Nigerian,” Obi said.

Obi presented 30 cartons of noodles, 30 cartons of Malt, bags of rice and cash gift of N500,000 to the Muslim Community.

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In his words of appreciation, the Chief Imam of Central Mosque, Onitsha, Alhaji Abdulrahman Hamza Imam, appreciated Obi for his benevolence and prayed Allah to continue to protect, bless and guide him always.

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Rhodes-Vivour Dumps Labour Party, Joins ADC

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The former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has formally declared for the African Democratic Congress.

Rhodes-Vivour made the announcement at an event held in Lagos on Saturday.

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The development came on the heels of a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC platform seeking to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

The party officially formed the coalition in July, courting prominent figures in a bid to build a formidable third force ahead of the polls.

Speaking during the declaration, Rhodes-Vivour described the move as part of a broader coalition.

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READ ALSO:Just In: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Defeated In Own Polling Unit

He said, “I am happy to become part of this family. I’m looking forward to the union and governance that this party will bring to Nigerians. My prayer is that God will grant our leaders and the party’s structure the wisdom to come together and define a new path for our beloved country.”

The politician also called for unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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This is a coalition that is meant to rescue Nigeria. I have said since after the 2023 elections that we cannot afford to divide the opposition going into the next election. We must come together, united through a robust coalition that will stand a chance in 2027 to deliver this country,” he added.

Rhodes-Vivour had accused the police on Friday of attempting to frustrate the event, which was scheduled to take place in the Alimosho area of the state.

In a statement issued by his aide, Olalekan Anjolaiya, the organisers were said to have duly notified the police about the event.

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

It was, however, gathered that security operatives barred Rhodes-Vivour and his supporters from gaining access to the venue on Saturday morning, before it was later moved to another location within the local government area.

Reacting to the incident, he said, “I’m going to address the press later on the events that happened today and those that happened since yesterday. But with this speech, I just want to confirm that I am joining the ADC coalition.”

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The Chairman of the ADC in the state, George Ashiru, said the move signalled the strengthening of an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also described Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as a historic affirmation of a coalition that had been in the works since the last election.

He said, “Today we are having one of the most important affirmation programmes where our coalition partners from one of the key blocs in the Labour Party are joining this wonderful family of Nigerians, the African Democratic Congress.

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READ ALSO:Lagos Guber: LP’s Rhodes-Vivour Clears Air On Being Backed By Godfathers

“We are not affirming one man, we are affirming a movement, but every movement has a leader, and what brother Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour represents is the leadership of a movement that shook Lagos in the last election.”

According to him, the coalition was built on a foundation of communication that began during the 2023 polls and had now matured into a common platform to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

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Also speaking at the event, a representative of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Professor Ola Olateju, urged party members to believe in their capacity to provide an alternative for Nigerians.

He said, “We should not look at ourselves as if we are not able or not competent to rescue Nigeria. Anybody here could become anything. There is equal opportunity for everybody irrespective of ethnic group, agenda or class. ADC is not just a political party; it’s a movement, a movement of the people. It is an exodus. We are moving in order to rescue Nigeria.”

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NNPP Expels Reps Member, Drags Him To Court

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The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled Abdulmumin Jibrin, member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, over alleged insubordination and failure to remit statutory party dues.

Announcing the decision at a press conference on Saturday, NNPP state chairman, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said the move was necessary to uphold party discipline and supremacy.

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Dungurawa accused Jibrin, a former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, of demarketing the party’s national leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while allegedly aligning with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.

READ ALSO:FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime

He said Jibrin’s repeated media appearances, including a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, discredited the party’s principles and projected views that did not represent NNPP’s official position.

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“If he was truly strong politically, he would have won his election under the APC in 2019, but he failed. It was Kwankwasiyya and NNPP that gave him victory in 2023. Now he is deceiving himself, thinking he is strong,” Dungurawa said.

Jibrin, who has met President Tinubu twice at the Presidential Villa in recent weeks, has publicly hinted at a possible defection, saying he remains open to joining any party, including APC, PDP, ADC, or PRP.

READ ALSO:APC Defeats NNPP In Kano Re-run Election

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Dungurawa disclosed that a reconciliation committee was initially set up to engage Jibrin after his first interview, but the lawmaker “crossed the line” by granting a subsequent interview to DCL Hausa, where he openly discussed his next political moves.

Instead of dialogue, he went further to work against our interest and openly declared loyalty outside the party. That is why we expelled him. He has no value to add to NNPP,” Dungurawa said, adding that the party will drag Jibrin to court to recover unpaid dues.

On speculation that Jibrin may return to the APC, Dungurawa said such a move would not affect the NNPP’s strength.

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Politics is about groups and coalitions. Kwankwasiyya remains solidly behind our leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he stressed.

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Why We Are Yet To Recognise ADC Leadership – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
is yet to comply with the extant rules required for the formal recognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as its National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

The lack of compliance, INEC stated, renders all official documents and communications bearing their signatures null and void until the process is completed.

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Speaking with newsmen, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said:

Ask ADC if they have truly complied with all the requirements. They visited the Commission recently, and we told them what the problem was. They are aware. Please get in touch with Bolaji Abdullahi, their spokesperson, who was part of the delegation. He ought to have briefed journalists about their visit and what transpired.”

READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: INEC Releases Total Number Of Registered Voters Ahead Election

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On the implications for ADC candidates in upcoming elections, Oyekanmi said:
I believe the party will comply with extant rules. Once they do, they won’t have any problem.”

Although INEC did not specify the outstanding requirements, it was gathered that ADC is expected to submit sample signatures of the National Chairman and National Secretary, along with other documentation in line with its constitution.

INEC regulations require political parties to submit detailed resolutions, verified signatures of authorised officials, and evidence of adherence to constitutional procedures before any leadership change can be recognised.

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READ ALSO:ADC: Why INEC Has Not Recognised David Mark, Others

Reacting to the development, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the delay was “largely administrative” and confirmed that the party made the required submissions to INEC last Thursday.

“We have had clarity now, and we made the required submission to INEC last Thursday. We are hopeful that everything will be resolved in the coming week,” he said.

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The party has repeatedly accused unnamed individuals of attempts to frustrate its growth ahead of the 2027 general elections and other off-cycle polls.

 

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