Politics

Edo Guber: LP Chair, Abure Speaks On Alleged Imposition, As US-based Businessman Joins Race

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2023

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has vowed not to impose any candidate on the teeming supporters of the party and people of Edo ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

Abure made the pledge when he received a delegation led by United States-based businessman, Stephen Osemwegie, who visited the party headquarters in Abuja on Friday to officially indicate interest in joining the governorship race on the platform of LP.

While addressing the audience, the national chairman stated that he has no intention of taking sidess or anointing a candidate.

This was even as he promised to give a level playing field to every aspirant ahead of the party’s primary, which date has yet to be announced.

He said, “We are going to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants. There will be equal treatment in the primaries, which will be a competitive one. As national chairman of the party, though I hail from Edo state, I want to state here categorically that I will not have an anointed candidate.

“As I said, I will not impose any aspirant or candidate on party members. It is the delegates and party members in Edo that will determine who becomes the flag bearer in the state. I therefore want to reassure my own brother who has come to indicate his interest today that he will have a level playing field.

“We are going to look for the best among party members. Then we will pool our resources, energy, and efforts together to ensure that the person we choose performs. The purpose of doing that is to ensure that at every point in time when he derails, we will be able to hold him accountable.”

The lawyer-turned-politician, however, counseled the governorship aspirant to go back to the grassroots and reach out to stakeholders at the unit, ward, and state levels in Edo State.

According to him, politics is played at the local level and not at the centre as many naive politicians often think.

Abure, who lamented that the state has always been blessed with leaders who had no genuine interest in the people, expressed optimism that his party will change the narrative after clinching the seat at the 2024 governorship poll.

“There is no doubt that we have been unfortunate to produce leaders who have not worked for the Edo people. I said so because if you take a cursory look at our history, even during military government in Nigeria, Edo has been unfortunate to get administrators who were not from that place. We have seen over the years that both the APC and PDP lack internal democracy.

“We have strategically positioned the party to be the one that will rescue Edo State. It is not by accident. It is by design. Only a Labour Party government in the state will be able to reposition Edo for greatness and restore the past glory that it was known for. We have started the walk and believe strongly that with the right candidate, personnel, and strategy, we will be able to reclaim the state on the path of growth and development.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Edo people will do the right thing. When a PDP government did not perform before 2006, the Edo people rose to the occasion and change the government. This is another time for change and I am confident it is the turn of the Labour Party. LP has always believed that when the process used in selecting candidates is faulty; it can never produce good leaders,” he said.

Reacting to the warm welcome, Osemwegie promised not to disappoint the party and the people of Edo State.

The United States-based businessman affirmed that the problem of governance at both the state and federal levels boils down to the failure of leaders to do the right thing.

“I think the problem we have in Nigeria, as Chinua Achebe said, is failing leadership. We have a situation in our country where we have resources without potential. We are still lagging in every metric. In Edo where I hail from, we have about eight million people but the unemployment level is appalling.

“I will talk more about some of these issues as we go on with our campaign. I have come up with a new direction and a new vision. Whatever we were doing before has not worked. You cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. It is time for us to do something different, especially through the Labour Party. I have come to notice that what we lack over the years has been honesty, integrity, transparency, and an attitude of compassion for the people

“Today, I have come to pay a courtesy visit to the chairman and members of the National Working Committee of the party. I have been a very active member of the Diaspora support group of the Labour Party, especially in New York, where we ensure people turn up with their votes and vote right,” he said.
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Related Topics:#Edo governorship Julius Abure Labour Party

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Politics

Anambra Guber: No Competition, Other Candidates Just Raising Funds – Soludo

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra says his opponents in the upcoming Nov. 8 governorship election are merely using their candidatures as a means to raise funds.

Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made the assertion on Saturday during an endorsement rally organised by party faithful from the Anambra Central Senatorial District.

The political rally held at Ekwueme Square in Awka was organised to show support for the re-election of Soludo.

He said, “To ensure order, equity, and fairness in Anambra politics, the people came together and agreed on a zoning system among the three senatorial zones.

“Anambra Central started it with Mr. Peter Obi, followed by Anambra North under Dr. Willie Obiano, and now it is the turn of Anambra South, and we will have it for eight years.

“After Soludo, power will shift back to Anambra Central. So, there is no contest or vacancy in Anambra State Government House.

“As far as we are concerned, nobody else is contesting. The other contenders are just doing fundraising, meeting with state governors, and seeking support.”

Soludo expressed gratitude to the people for their solidarity and support, promising to sustain the transformation and development agenda of his administration.

“You have not seen anything yet; this is just the beginning. We are already putting plans in place for a rail network in the state, and it will be unveiled soon.

“We applied for this job, and we will continue working to improve the welfare of our people. With your continued support, Anambra will be transformed. A new Anambra is on the rise,” he said.

Soludo urged APGA faithful to go to their wards and mobilise the electorate to vote massively for APGA on Nov. 8.

Earlier, Mr. Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, read a communiqué on behalf of Anambra Central, endorsing Soludo’s candidacy and reaffirming support for the zoning formula to promote peace, equity, and progress.

The event also featured the conferment of the chieftaincy title “Olu Atu Egwu” on Governor Soludo by the traditional rulers of the Anambra Central Senatorial District.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra governorship election for Nov. 8, 2025, with 16 candidates in the race.
(NAN)

Politics

‘Your Gov Dancing Hip Hop In Port Harcourt’ – Wike’s Aide Mocks Atiku [VIDEO]

Published

8 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Olayinka said while Atiku is preoccupied with what he termed “run kitikiti with kolision,” his state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, was in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, dancing hip hop with Wike.

The University of Port Harcourt awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Wike on Saturday.

During and after the award ceremony, the FCT Minister, in the company of Fintiri and his other friends, was seen dancing to a variety of songs.

Posting a video on his Facebook wall of Wike dancing, Olayinka wrote: “Another Pepper Dem dance from Nyerisi and his friend.

“While one permanent presidential candidate dey run katakata kitikiti for Kolision, the governor of his state, Ahmadu Fintiri, dey Port Harcourt, dey dance Hip Hop with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.”

Click link below to watch:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BWjJJeDu3/

Politics

Why Peter Obi Should Inform Okpebholo Before Visiting Edo – Oshiomhole

Published

13 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has stated that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should extend the courtesy of informing Governor Monday Okpebholo before visiting Edo State.

Oshiomhole made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, amid growing controversy over Governor Okpebholo’s recent warning to Obi against entering the state without prior notification.

The governor had linked Obi’s earlier visit to a security incident that allegedly led to the deaths of three people, an assertion that has sparked backlash and accusations of political intimidation.

Defending the governor’s position, Oshiomhole argued that notifying state authorities before visiting state-owned facilities is a matter of protocol and mutual respect, especially for high-profile figures.

“Let’s be clear, the assets of Edo State are managed by the governor on behalf of the people,” the former Edo State governor said. “If I were to visit a public institution in another state, I would consider it proper to notify the authorities, this is just standard decency.”

Oshiomhole revealed that Obi was planning to visit a state-funded educational institution, noting that such a visit requires coordination with the appropriate government channels.

While acknowledging his long-standing acquaintance with Obi, Oshiomhole clarified their political divergence:

“Peter Obi and I have known each other for years. I respected him then, and I still do. But we don’t align politically, and I don’t agree with many of his positions.”

He maintained that the issue is not about politics or party affiliations but about observing protocol and showing respect for governance structures in any state.