Politics

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Ezekwesili Knocks APC, PDP For Insensitivity

Published

4 years ago

October 2, 2022

Editor

Former Minister of Information, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has knocked the ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party for not considering Nigeria’s cultural diversity and ethnoreligious factors before settling for their choice of presidential candidates.

A livid Ezekwesili aired her grievance when she appeared on Politics Today, a popular programme on Channels Television on Sunday night.

The presidential primaries of both parties, which were conducted in the second quarter of this year have produced former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the flagbearer of the APC and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as candidate of the PDP.

But Ezekwesili believed the situation could have been better if both parties give conscientious consideration to the feelings of Nigerians and agreed to follow due process.

She said, “Look at what APC and PDP did. It is utterly contemptible. First, you have got APC. How could you possibly be fielding Muslim-Muslim candidates in a society that has always found a way to ensure a balance, even in the time of the military?

“We are a diverse society and it is important that we manage our diverse ethnicity in such a way that it won’t breed conflict. The military was smart to always have the northern head of state get a younger deputy from the South that is a Christian. Then you come to democracy and you are not even sensitive to that? It is like being contemptible of a section of the population, which is not right.

“And then you look at the PDP. This is a party that says it tends to build around inclusion to make it easier for rotational principles for the emergence of their candidate.

“Suddenly, a candidate emerged who has been running for the same office on many occasions. Why would that happen? The time for a candidate from the South East as you always clamour is now.

“But they upstaged that and yet have the arrogance to tell them they have no reason to complain. This is the season of character, competence and capacity. My God! It is sophistry. Within the South East, they could have found someone with the character, competence and capacity we are talking about.

“And by the way, Mr Obi who is now the candidate of Labour Party, was in your party. If you really needed the triple character, competence and capacity in a way that is just, equitable and inclusive in your PDP, you could have made Peter Obi your candidate.”

The former minister stated that it was the unfair manner the two major political parties behaved that is fuelling the kind of support that Obi is receiving at the moment.

This is even she predicted that the 2023 general elections may either work in favour of the political elite who are always eager to cling to power or clinched by young Nigerians who are eager to do away with the Old Order.

“There are two possible outcomes in the 2023 elections. This extant political class in their ruthlessness can blatantly say ‘we are not going anywhere and blatantly do anything to take the nation down in order to retain the status quo. That’s a possible outcome. But it is an outcome we can possibly mitigate by our collective effort.

“The other outcome is the current mobilisation of people to come out en-mass and vote with their PVCs. And not just vote but stay there as a guardian angel, especially to make sure that the credible process that the INEC has promised us is done.

“The INEC as the regulator of the process has to be above board and beyond reproach. Anything that is contrary will not be welcome by the citizen,” she said.

Politics

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

Published

47 minutes 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

1 hour 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.