Politics

How Imansuangbon’s Defection Boost Labour’s Party Fortune

Published

3 years ago

June 18, 2023

Editor

Barrister Imansuangbon

By Felix Odion

Just recently Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon (aka the Riceman) took a voyage of discovery by moving from the problem infected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP).

His movement, as it is the hallmark of anything the school proprietor is involved in, was well celebrated across the length and breadth of the country if not even beyond.

The LP national secretariat was on that day a beehive of activities as a crowd of the party faithfuls, the new member’s sympathisers/supporters and inquisitive members of the public filled the place to the brim. The occasion was more like a carnival.

Before his movement to the LP ‘the Riceman’ was more like the soul of the PDP. He was for years a staunch loyalist of the party’s flagbearer in the 2019 and 2023 Presidential elections, the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

‘The Riceman’ was always in the entourage cum campaign train of the Turaki. The former Vice President in the course of his campaign to be elected as successor to then President Muhammadu Buhari in the last Presidential polls made a tour of the 36 states of the country ‘the Riceman’ was with him in at least 34 of the states.

Even when Atiku travelled out of the country on many occasions, Barrister Imansuangbon could be seen in pictures that the Atiku media minders take of their boss’ activities during the trip. Only Dino Melaye and probably one or two others can boast of having more presence than ‘the Riceman’ in Atiku’s voyage. That’s the best representation of the level of Barrister Imansuangbon’s loyalty and belief in the ATIKULATED agenda.

If there is any ‘sickness’ that Barrister Imansuangbon is infected with it’s his total, unalloyed belief in any course he is undertaking. No amount of persuasion or negative reports from any quarter will dissuade or discourage him. I recall that he had a lot of bashing from party members in the aftermath of the crisis that engulfed the PDP in Edo State when some people who were not comfortable with his pacifist stand on the issue took him to the cleaners with allegations that he was doing ‘busy body’ just so as to curry favour with a key actor that was fuelling the crisis.

The height of ‘the Riceman’s’ loyalty to Alhaji Atiku is that he would have made the switch from the PDP to the LP much earlier but for the fact that he was awaiting the nod of Alhaji Atiku on his new project (to move to the LP).

Those who labelled Barrister Imansuangbon as jumping ship because Alhaji Atiku did not win the Presidential poll should go back to the above paragraph to see how wrong they were and to beg for forgiveness for they have delved wrongly into what they know nothing about. To say that he is bringing value to the LP is stating the obvious.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.