Politics

History Will Judge Fasoranti For Endorsing Tinubu – MBF

Published

3 years ago

November 6, 2022

Editor

The Middle Belt Forum has slammed a leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, for endorsing the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying that history will judge him (Fasoranti) for his action.

Crisis rocked Afenifere when the group reportedly declared its support for Tinubu during the former Lagos State governor’s visit to leaders of the group in Akure, Ondo State.

Fasoranti and other Afenifere chiefs were also said to have prayed for the APC presidential candidate.

The endorsement was, however, dismissed by the acting leader of the socio-cultural group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who maintained that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, remained Afenifere’s choice, adding that Fasoranti had no constitutional authority to act as the leader of the organisation.

But the President of the Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus, said in an interview with The PUNCH, “It’s an unfortunate development because we believe leaders of the socio-cultural groups are people who have gone beyond the levels of parochial ethnic and whatever consideration, looking at things passionately at the national level.

“Pa Fasoranti, with his age and everything, we respect him. We know that he left that office about two years or so ago and Pa Adebanjo is the leader. His coming back to make such an issue out of the context of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an unfortunate development and I think history will judge him, not because we are of different views.

“That is not the reason; the reason is we believe that at a stage in life, one goes beyond some level of being parochial, but act as a statesman. I want him to reconsider his stance.”

Bitrus, who said the MBF did not see Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu as an attempt by politicians to cause confusion within Afenifere and divide it, urged him (Fasoranti) to consider whether his action was in the best interest of Nigeria.

Asked whether the Middle Belt Forum was open to engaging with presidential candidates, he said, “We have already declared our stand. Right before the primaries, we said we would not support a northern candidate because we believe it is the turn of the South. While we were open to all southern candidates, Bola Ahmed Tinubu did what we believe we cannot accept.

“In Nigeria, where Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, militia and many other insurgent groups are of Islamic extraction, fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket is not acceptable; so, as far as we are concerned, he (Tinubu) is out of the consideration because we have to look at things that will benefit the nation, not just considering things based on sentiment.”

However, the Pan Niger Delta Forum said it had not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

PANDEF said although it met with Peter Obi on August 23 in Lagos, it made it clear that it would engage with other southern presidential candidates

The spokesperson for the group, Ken Robinson, said, “There has been no consensus on Peter Obi. PANDEF has not endorsed any presidential candidate. PANDEF agreed that the next president should come from southern Nigeria.

“As was communicated in the last extraordinary meeting that was held on the October 20, we made it clear that we were open to engaging with all presidential candidates from southern Nigeria; it is after those engagements that PANDEF will communicate its decision on who to support.

“Our position at the meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum which was held on June 25 was and remains that we shall engage with all southern presidential candidates.

“Let me also add that before the primaries, the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, based on the issues of fairness, justice, fairness, and equity, and inclusiveness, had added a caveat to our demand for power shift to southern Nigeria by saying preferably to the South-East and that did not indicate any presidential candidate at the time.”
PUNCH

Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

3 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”