Politics

Old Persons Shouldn’t Dominate Nigerian Politics — Former Envoy

Published

3 years ago

October 9, 2022

A former ambassador to the Scandinavian countries; Sweden, Denmark and Norway and a retired permanent secretary, Dr. Godknows Igali on Saturday, described as troubling, a pattern of Nigerian politics were older people were still playing the major roles, whereas in many countries young aspirants have been dominating the political space.

He also called on Nigerians to vote for candidates that have ideas and positive track records in the 2023 elections.

Igali who is also Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board of Federal University of Technology, Akure, raised the concern in an interview with Journalists during a breakfast seminar tagged, ‘Let’s talk Politics 2.0’, with the theme, ‘2023 and beyond: Leadership, Politics and Citizenship Engagement’, organised by St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro in Abuja.

He said, “I have raised some fundamental issues about the morphology of politcal party primaries because some patterns were a little bit troubling. While many countries have young aspirants, there is still a lot of gerontocracy in ours.

“Older people are still playing the major roles. I have also expressed fears that there were very few female candidates that emerged unlike other countries where females are becoming very cardinal. I aIso have some issues on the issue of money. In the primaries, you saw that money played a major role and I thought that we should be looking at candidates that have competence.

“I also raised an issue about the place of manifesto, the place of ideas or thoughts. Nigerian citizens should pick candidates that have positive ideas. Going forward, let us look for candidates that have ideas and their track records. This idea of people being swayed by money, you will have eight years to regret. You have eight years of your mouth being shut.”

Igali also called on the church and other religious organisations to work together with the Independent National Electoral Commision, enlighten the electorate on the dangers of vote buying to ensure that votes count in the 2023 elections.

“So, I think the churches and Islamic leaders in mosques have to work together with INEC and enlighten our people and tell them, ‘don’t give up, continue to make effort’. I think that is the message, people should not just say, ‘let me collect money it doesn’t matter.’ No, it matters now that we have the BVAS, let’s hope and pray that the BVAS would work properly and if they work properly it means every vote will count,” he emphasized.

Politics

Anambra guber: Soludo Raises Alarm, Alledges Plot By APC To Manipulate Election

Published

3 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the forthcoming November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

He also warned candidates from Anambra South vying for the governorship seat against destabilizing the state’s political balance.

The governor made the allegation while speaking at a massive All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) rally held at Ekwulobia Urban Stadium on Saturday. He stated that Anambra is “too big for charlatans” and must not be distracted by what he described as impostors and unserious aspirants.

He vowed that “street urchins won’t govern a state that produced Zik, Nwafor Orizu, Ojukwu, Achebe,” as he rallied party faithful in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Soludo dismissed as deceitful the promises made by some candidates to serve only one term, insisting that such individuals require “psychiatric evaluation.”

“Anambra doesn’t need street urchins as governor. This is the state that produced the likes of Zik of Africa, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Prof. Chinua Achebe, among others. It is too big for charlatans,” he declared.

He further alleged that some candidates were merely using their campaigns to extort money from unsuspecting businessmen and the public. According to him, the achievements of his administration over the past four years justify his bid for a second term.

In a renewed call for peace, Soludo again offered amnesty to armed groups hiding in the forests, urging them to surrender and embrace rehabilitation or face the full weight of the law.

Visibly impressed by the turnout at the rally, the governor noted that he had not yet officially launched his campaign but was humbled by the support.

He revealed that the rally was entirely organized and funded by party members determined to see him re-elected.

The rally, which took place on August 2, 2025, endorsed Soludo for a second term in office and adopted Chief Emma Nwachukwu as APGA’s candidate for the Anambra South senatorial by-election scheduled for August 16, 2025.

It drew an impressive crowd of party loyalists, traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders.

Also in attendance were the APGA National Chairman, state and local government executives, and former Deputy Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba.

In a show of solidarity, APGA stakeholders in Anambra South presented a N100 million donation to support the governor’s campaign. Traditional rulers in the senatorial district also honoured Soludo with the “Olu Atuegwu” chieftaincy title — a title that has already been conferred on him in Anambra North and Central, respectively.

Politics

Edo LG Poll: My Ambition Driven By Commitment To Fast-track Grassroot Development – Aspirant

Published

4 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

As local government election in Edo State draws nearer, a chairmanship position aspirant in Ovia South West Local Government Council, Kelvin Omoruyi, said he’s driven by his commitment to fast-track grassroot development in the area.

Omoruyi, who spoke on his aspiration while fielding questions from journalists in Benin, said governance at the grassroot must be felt, stressing that it remains the closest to the people.

He added that Ovia South West is endowed with agricultural potential that requires the right leadership to harness it for the benefit of the people and the state.

Omoruyi, who is vying on the platform of the All Progress Congress, APC, noted that if given the party’s ticket and eventually won the chairmanship seat, his administration will focus on peoples oriented programmes.

He lauded the developmental trajectory of Governor Monday Okpehbolo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa in setting the state on the path of progress after many years of bad and retrogressive governance.

The young entrepreneur and grass root mobilizer said his seven points agenda will focus on rehabilitation and grading of rural roads to link wards; installation of solar power, education and youth empowerment, renovation of dilapidated primary and secondary schools, agricultural and local economy, women and grassroot empowerment among others.

He said, “Basically, my mission is improving the overall well-being of our people through purposeful and value driven and people oriented programmes and project.

“Since I understand the yearnings of our people, I deem it fit to come out and offer myself for service of my people and contribute my quota.

“My blue print is to bring governance closer to the people because politics is about the grassroot. Also to make the people understand that governance is about them.

“I understand that politics is very local, and that has been my driving force for vying for the position of the Executive Chairman,” he said.

Politics

Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

Published

19 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

Soludo stated this on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

This is coming a month after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for a single-term tenure of six years.

Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he is willing to accept a one-term presidency in the spirit of equity and zoning.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, July 6.

The former Governor of Anambra State said four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

He said, “One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

“I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage.

“Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion.”