Politics

Presidential Election: Peter Obi’s Supporters Storm INEC Headquarters In Abuja, Warn Against Rigging, Vote Buying

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2023

Editor

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, members of the Labour Party and supporters of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja to canvas for a free, fair and credible poll.

The group, under the umbrella of Citizen Advocates 4 Labour Party Mandates, was led to the INEC headquarters by Hajia Ireti Kingibe, the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the FCT.

Addressing newsmen during the march, Kingibe called on the electoral umpire to ensure the exercise is free, fair and credible.

She warned that INEC should work assiduously to ensure there will be no vote-buying on Saturday and other subsequent elections.

She said, “We want INEC to assure us that they will be a fair umpire on Saturday. We have some measure of faith in them.

“The director of security who spoke on behalf of the INEC chairman has assured us that they are going to conduct a credible, inclusive, fair and equitable election; but they also asked that we the people should own the process and that is what we the Obidients have promised to do.

“It is on this ground that I am calling on all residents of FCT to be VIPs (Vote in Peace) on Saturday. I urged everybody to go out and own the election and hold INEC to a free, fair and credible election.”

Also speaking, Convever of Yellout Nigeria, Moses Ogidi-Paul, said the march was organised to urge INEC to ensure the exercise is free, fair and credible.

His words, “What has happened right now is symbolic in our nation’s history.

“Just a few hours to Nigeria’s election, right here in Abuja, we march after a symbolic event that speaks to the value of our peace, equity and fairness as a nation.

“We are saying no to vote buying. We say no to rigging and violence. These are some of the factors that have produced the kinds of elements we had in Nigerian political history and leadership.”

Addressing the demonstrators, Ndah Sampson, a director of security with INEC assured that the exercise would be free and fair.

He, however, urged the electorate to stay back and monitor their votes after casting their ballots.

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.