Politics

Old Persons Shouldn’t Dominate Nigerian Politics — Former Envoy

Published

4 years ago

October 9, 2022

Editor

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

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

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

Published

8 hours 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

9 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.”