Politics
‘We’re Apolitical, For Urhobo Interest’ – UPIA
Published
4 years agoon
By
Editor
The National President of Urhobo Peoples International Assembly, Hon Chief Keston Okoro Muhammed Al-Amin has declared that the group is apolitical but poised in fighting for Urhobo interest and not to fight any political leader, just as he urged all Urhobo to close ranks to bring back the lost glory of Urhobo nation.
The President was reacting to insinuation in some quarters and attitude of some political leaders in the state who tagged the group as anti-government without taking time to study what they stand for.
The former member, Delta State House Assembly who made the declaration during a maiden meeting of the group and election of National Officers at Orho-Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, noted that the group was put in place to protect, enhance, promote the socio-cultural and political interest of Urhobo when ever any threats is identified.
READ ALSO: Delta 2023: Ijaw Leaders Visit Ika Traditional Rulers, Solicit Support
Further addressing the gathering, he said the group was committed to the protection, preservation and promotion of Urhobo arts, culture and cultural heritage through concert, carnivals and such other events and to always propose and advice government on areas of interest for Urhobo people towards bringing solution to identified problems.
‘’This group is not out to fight any individual but to fight for the pride of Urhobo nation. This is not a personal battle but a collective one. We shall address issues of common interest to Urhobo be it economic, political or cultural. This group is not political but socio-cultural.
“We are not here to fight Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and there shall be no reason to fight him. We are not even going to fight the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege or President Buhari. We are here to look at issues bordering on Urhobo welfare and pride so as to collectively tackle them and bring solutions instead of fighting our leaders’’, Hon Keston Okoro Al-Amin added.
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He recounted many battles fought by Urhobo youths together with youths from other areas and the results derived from those fights, adding that the average Urhobo man was a man of courage and guts.
‘’Far back 1927, Urhobo, through Chief Oshue Ogbiyerin of Orhuwhorun, held the colonial government hostage over tax matters and we got results. Why are our people afraid to take challenges and fight for our rights today? The time to fight for Urhobo interest is now.
“UPU is divided and we must do everything to get Urhobo united behind one leader. We should not divide ourselves. Everybody should surrender whatever they have to fight for Urhobo, be it physical strength, spiritual, religious or intellectual strength’’, he said.
On his part, vice president of the group, Chief Godwin Okporoko, noted that the group supports Okowa whatsoever he does and promote the interest of the Urhobo nation.
READ ALSO: Six Kidnapped Victims Rescued, Two Suspects Arrested In Edo
“I am an Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor. I can’t fight the’ man that feeds me. We are only fighting for Urhobo interest and bringing what belongs to Urhobo to Urhobo. We are in support of the Governor on all issues that will bring progress to Urhobo.
“By 2023 the governor will give order to those of us in PDP and that is what we will follow. The same applies to APC members or members of other political parties who would take directive from their leaders. The group belongs to all political parties but we are here to fight for Urhobo.
‘’Let me emphasize that as members of this group, we have the right to visit all party leaders to discuss the way forward for Urhobo. We can visit anybody whether in PDP or APC or any political party whom we believe can bring results to Urhobo.
“If there is an Ijaw man, Ibo or Akwa-Ibom man whom we believe has Urhobo interest at heart, we shall visit him. I therefore appeal to all Urhobo patriots to close ranks with this group to move Urhobo forward’’, Okporoko added.
Among those elected and sworn-in at the meeting to the executive council of the body are Hon Dr Liege Lord Keston Okoro Muhammed Al-Amin, National President; Chief Godwin Okporoko, Vice President; Chief Matthias Efe Olowu, National Secretary and Prince Kingsley Oboruruaria, National Treasurer.
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Politics
2027: Obi’s One-term Presidency Gambit Sparks Political Firestorm
Published
6 hours agoon
August 4, 2025By
Editor
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has come under fire from the All Progressives Congress and a faction of his party after reaffirming his vow to serve only one term if elected president in 2027.
In a statement on Sunday, Obi declared the pledge “sacrosanct,” drawing criticism from APC spokespersons and a divided reaction from the Labour Party.
While the Abure-led leadership of the LP dismissed the vow as political theatrics, the rival caretaker faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman endorsed the commitment, citing Obi’s record of principled leadership.
The APC, however, described Obi’s promise as insincere and a ploy to woo voters.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, had earlier cast doubt on claims of one-term presidency by Obi.
Soludo dismissed the one-term pledge, saying any politician making such a promise should be sent for psychiatric evaluation.
“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 during a political rally in Anambra South.
The governor argued that the Nigerian Constitution provides for a renewable four-year tenure and questioned the wisdom of any politician voluntarily limiting themselves to a single term.
In response on Sunday, Obi, in a statement on X, invoked the legacies of revered leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela to justify his position that impactful leadership is not measured by longevity in office.
READ ALSO:2027: Why Obi Will Never Be President – Political Analyst
Without naming names, just as Soludo hadn’t, Obi reaffirmed that his pledge to serve only one term if elected president remains sacrosanct.
Obi said, “One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership.
“Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations.
“In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer.
“Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service — however brief — that defines true statesmanship.”
The former Anambra governor declared: “It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.”
Although Obi claimed his one-term promise was spurred out of genuine concerns, he did not betray emotion by the scepticism that had since trailed his declaration.
He, however, assured Nigerians that the negative reviews he had been getting wouldn’t deter him.
“Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term.
“One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed.
“Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.
READ ALSO:2027 Presidency: Tinubu Can Be Beaten In Next Election – Political Commentator
“I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards, where political promises are made to be broken.
“But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation,” he said.
He emphasised that his resolve to serve only one term of four years was a solemn commitment, rooted in the conviction that purposeful and transparent leadership did not require an eternity.
He further outlined his agenda to sanitise governance, tackle insecurity, prioritise education and transform Nigeria into a productive economy.
“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference.
“These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years,” he maintained.
Speaking with The PUNCH on the issue, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Mr Obiorah Ifoh, noted that as a party, the LP had a programme that everyone elected on its platform must stick with.
He said, “The Labour Party has a programme to implement when it gets into government. Regardless of who the party fields as its presidential candidate in 2027, the person will run with the programmes and policies of the party.
“I think it is too early to start talking about 2031 when we are still trying to sort out 2027. The LP has thrown its presidential ticket open. We don’t even know who will emerge as the candidate because there are so many people who have shown interest.
“As our former presidential candidate, we wish Obi well in his career, including his ambition to govern for one term. The politician in him has seen that it is the right thing to do, and if that is what he wants to do, we are fine.”
On his part, the spokesperson to Senator Usman’s faction, Ken Asogwa, backed Obi to turn the fortunes of the nation around in four years if given the opportunity.
READ ALSO:ADC Speaks On Choosing Presidential Candidate Among Atiku, Obi, Amaechi
He said, “Mr Peter Obi’s one-term promise is anchored in character and track record. He has consistently maintained that if it took this present administration just two years to plunge Nigeria into its current sorry state, then four years would be more than sufficient to begin the process of putting the country back on a sound and progressive trajectory.
“We understand that some Nigerians harbour legitimate fears – that the allure of office may eventually cause him to walk back on this solemn pledge, especially as such promises are not legally binding.
“However, when leaders make commitments, the public must turn to history and examine their past conduct. That is where true assurances lie – not in mere words, but in character and precedent.”
According to Asogwa, “As governor of Anambra State, Obi kept faith with the people. He governed in strict adherence to the constitution and the rule of law, so much so that he was impeached by the state House of Assembly for being uncompromising in his commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process. He challenged that impeachment in court, won, and was reinstated – a first in Nigerian political history.
“That singular act demonstrated the kind of leadership he represents: one rooted in principle, not convenience.
“As a political party, we do not doubt his integrity. We are confident that, if entrusted with the presidency, Mr Obi would honour his word and serve only one term, as he has repeatedly promised. History is filled with examples of principled leaders who chose to serve their people for just one term, even when a second was within reach.”
The Director of Publicity of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, described Obi as a man playing to the gallery, saying his words lacked sincerity.
“He is playing to the gallery. Obi is not sincere. What is there to guarantee that he will stick to the agreement if he is given the opportunity, knowing that he has the constitutional right to go for eight years? All these are antics aimed at deceiving the electorate or deceiving the coalition to give him the ticket. This is a proof of his desperation for power,” he said.
He added that “Obi is not doing this for the good of the country. He has nothing to offer. The APC is doing everything to bring democratic dividends to the people, and the reforms introduced by the government are beginning to yield fruits.
“They have seen this, and that is why they are coming up with shenanigans of ‘give me one term.’ Obi will not respect that agreement.”
(PUNCH)
Politics
Presidency Tackles Obi Over One-term Promise, says Lincoln, JFK Examples Misleading
Published
6 hours agoon
August 4, 2025By
Editor
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, has taken a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent pledge to serve only one term if elected in 2027.
Obi, in a post via his X handle on Sunday, cited global leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela as his inspirations for making the “sacrosanct” promise.
But Onanuga, in a statement via his X handle on Monday, described Obi’s references as inaccurate and historically misleading.
READ ALSO:2027 Presidency: Tinubu Can Be Beaten In Next Election – Political Commentator
According to Onanuga, a simple fact-check by Obi would have revealed that none of the leaders he cited served only one term by choice or under similar circumstances.
“Lincoln, at the time he was assassinated, had finished his first term, had won re-election, and had been sworn in for a second term,” Onanuga said, pointing out that the American president began his first term on March 4, 1861, won re-election in November 1864, and had been inaugurated for a second term on March 4, 1865, before his assassination on April 15 of that year.
He also noted that JFK, another American president Obi referenced, did not complete even a single term. “John F. Kennedy came into office on January 20, 1960, and was assassinated on November 22, 1963, before the end of his first term,” Onanuga stated.
READ ALSO:Bishop Oyedepo, Enenche’s Unholy Example by Tunde Odesola
While acknowledging that Mandela indeed served only one term, Onanuga argued that the South African icon declined a second term due to his age, not as a campaign commitment.
“Mandela’s example might be more appropriately recommended to Obi’s rival for the opposition ticket, who will turn 81 by 2027,” he added in a veiled reference.
Obi has not yet formally declared his candidacy for 2027, but his recent comments and public engagements have reignited speculation about his political ambition.
Politics
We May Not Have A Country If APC Retains Power In 2027 – El-Rufa’i Warns
Published
1 day agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has issued a warning about Nigeria’s future, declaring that the country’s survival is at risk if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Saturday, August 2, in Sokoto at a grassroots mobilisation rally for the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), El-Rufai made clear his intention to campaign vigorously against the ruling party.
“I’m not in politics to get anything for myself. I’m in politics to serve,” he stated.
“When the government does not serve the people, it is my duty as a senior citizen to come out and condemn it and take steps to reverse the situation.
READ ALSO:How Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi Can Learn From Tinubu’s School Of Politics
“That is why we come together as people opposed to the policies of this government to form the coalition, which has resulted in the adoption of ADC,” he explained.
El-Rufai, a former key member of the APC, said he is committed to rallying Nigerians across the country to unseat the party, describing it as “incompetent.”
“We are in Sokoto to begin the process of mobilising Nigerians against the APC government anywhere and the federal government in Abuja,” he said.
READ ALSO:Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party
“I believe that if we allow this party and the government to continue for a second term in office, what remains of Nigeria’s social capital will be destroyed, and we may not have a country at all. This is a fight for our lives.”
El-Rufai was once a founding figure of the APC but left the party in March 2025 to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following the Senate’s refusal to confirm his ministerial nomination, reportedly due to security concerns.
However, his time in the SDP was short-lived. The party expelled him and imposed a 30-year ban, citing alleged forgery of membership documents, among other accusations.
Now a leading figure in the opposition ADC, El-Rufa’i joins other prominent politicians in working against the APC ahead of the 2023 polls.
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