Politics

Why Obi Visited Abure — Spokesperson

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2024

The campaign team of Labour Party Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, announced that the recent visit of the former Anambra governor to the party secretariat in Abuja was a reconciliatory move and not an endorsement as being twisted in a section of the media.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Obi’s Campaign Spokesman, Yunusa Tanko.

To further buttress his point, Tanko also stressed that his principal also met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress political arm in the early hours of Wednesday to seek an end to their conflict with the party.

The media was awash with news of Obi and his supporters’ visit to the leadership of the party at the national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

Wearing a black kaftan and his trademark glasses, the former governor was received by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, and members of his National Working Committee.

A few hours after their visit, a section of the media described the meeting as an open endorsement of the embattled leader of the party and his NWC members following the contentious national convention that returned them to office.

In his statement on Wednesday, Tanko kicked against the report, insisting that it was a reconciliatory visit.

He said, “Obi’s visit to Labour Party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday was a reconciliatory move not to endorse any group interest in the party. Obi had repeatedly maintained that his interest was to carry everybody along into one strong family and not to endorse anyone’s interest.

“The visit was part of the consultations Obi has been embarking on in search of peace in the party. In line with this, he also met with the political arm of the NLC and TUC on Wednesday in continuation of his search for peace in the party.

“At his meeting with the workers’ union, the leadership of the NLC/TUC political commission led by comrade Titus Amba and comrade Chris Uyot was also disposed to peace in the party. He clearly made the point that the party needed to reconcile all various positions in a peaceful atmosphere to have a united house that should be all-inclusive.

“He thanked the leadership of the political commission for their understanding and expressed the hope for a good working relationship very shortly. The LP standard bearer also plans to meet with other critical stakeholders like the Obidient to have an all-inclusive political family with a common dream of rescuing Nigeria.”

Tanko’s rebuttal, however, didn’t go down well with the Abure-led NWC.

In a counter statement released barely an hour later, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, warns against twisting the ‘well-intentioned’ visit of their presidential candidate.

Ifoh also reiterated that both Obi and Abure were on the same page on reconciliation of aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party

He said, “As a party, we are pleased that our leader has chosen to reconcile all aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party. This noble step taken by Mr. Obi is in line with the call made by the Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure during his maiden press conference last week of Abure-led NWC wherein he pleaded with all the warring parties including the NLC to sheath their swords and join in the rebuilding process in the party.

“Obi’s visit and speech on Tuesday during the FCT solidarity rally has been variedly described in some quarters as an endorsement on the Abure leadership being his very first visit after the successful national convention of the party held in March. To us as a party, we cherish this visit on whatever nomenclature as a positive wind blowing on the party.

“We believe that very soon, the reconciliatory efforts will be consummated and metamorphose into a political force that will usher in a government to liberate Nigerians from the shackles of maladministration we are presently facing in the country.

“Finally, we urge the NLC and its political commission to understand we are not the foe. They see us as an ally in the battle to rescue Nigeria. They should emulate the Trade Union Congress, which has shown greater understanding and willingness to partner with the party in our efforts to make a new Nigeria possible.”

Politics

2027: Rivers APC Pledges To Follow Wike’s Instructions

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Editor

Leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, has declared that whatever instruction the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, gives on the 2027 elections concerning the State will be followed.

The Chairman of the party, Mr Rejoice Otobo, stated this during Wike’s “thank you” visit to the local government area on Sunday.

Otobo assured Wike that the people would not fail him because of what he has done in the area.

“We await instructions from you on the 2027 elections concerning Rivers State. Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go; whatever you ask us to do is what we will do.

“All the good and the bad people of the LGA have decided that where you want us to go is where we will go,” the chairman said.

Similarly, his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ikechukwu Obuzor, said that the minister has given Ahoada people hope and pledged complete loyalty.

“I want to say that we are standing firm with you. Wherever you go, we will go. Be rest assured come 2027, Ahoada West will deliver the needed results for you,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of Ahoada Local Government Council, Mr Chita Eugene, who described Wike as “the political field marshall of South South”, praised him for the unprecedented development he attracted to Rivers State.

Eugene said that the visit was not just a thank you visit; it was a celebration of effective leadership and public service.

Also, House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, Victor Obuzor, said that Wike deserved his support because he had done well for the LGA, and equally transformed Rivers State during his tenure as governor of the state.

Similarly, the Seyi Tinubu Support Group, led by Chidi Amadi, equally pledged their support to Wike and reelection of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

In his remarks, Wike explained that he was in the area to thank the people for the overwhelming support given to him and Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

He said that Rivers State used to be respected for its strong political stand on good governance across the country until bad governance happened.

The minister, who insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara must not be voted for a second term, stressed the need to restore the glory of the state in the political landscape of the country.

This, he said, would be achieved by correcting the leadership mistake in the state in 2027.

“Already, Rivers State is being respected because of what we are doing in FCT. We need a leader we can trust to drive our dear state to glory and progress,” the minister said.

Politics

Why Kano Governor Postponed Formal Defection To APC

Published

9 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Editor

…You can’t betray me to succeed ―Kwankwaso

The much-anticipated defection of Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly been postponed.

This is just as leader of the NNPP and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warned party members against political betrayal, insisting that defection from the movement has never brought lasting success.

According to a reliable source who preferred anonymity, the official defection of the governor earlier scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, has now been shifted to Monday, January 12, 2026.

The source noted that Governor Yusuf requested additional time to conclude consultations with key political actors.

The source, who was present at a meeting between Governor Yusuf and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Friday, said the governor is seeking to engage a few remaining state legislators and other critical stakeholders who are yet to fully align with the proposed political realignment.

“Kano is a politically sensitive state and the governor wants to ensure that all necessary consultations are completed before making such a major decision,” the source said.

But Kwankwaso, who spoke during a meeting with supporters at his residence in Kano, said he was neither surprised nor disturbed by the alleged moves of some members planning to defect from the party to rival political parties.

In a viral video from the gathering circulating on social media, Kwankwaso stressed that political history is unforgiving to those who abandon the movements that brought them to prominence.

“I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded,” Kwankwaso said. “Political history is very clear on this matter. Those who believe they can rise by betraying the people and the movement they came from should think deeply.”

The former governor, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, said the strength of the party does not depend on the loyalty of a few political office holders but on the support of ordinary citizens, who believe in the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“I am not disturbed by these developments.

“What truly matters is the support of the masses, not the movement of a few politicians who are chasing personal interests,” he added.

Kwankwaso pointed to the large turnout of supporters at the meeting as evidence that the NNPP continues to enjoy strong grassroots backing across Kano State despite the rumours of political realignments.

“You can see with your own eyes the number of people who came here today. This shows clearly that our movement is alive, strong and firmly rooted among the people of Kano,” he said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to people-centred governance, social justice and political inclusion, describing the Kwankwasiyya Movement as bigger than any individual and resilient to political manoeuvring or defections.

Kano, long regarded as a strategic hub of northern Nigerian politics, has been rife with speculation following reports of the governor’s planned defection. The development has continued to generate intense political interest, with analysts saying that Yusuf’s move could significantly alter the balance of power in the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State government nor the leadership of the NNPP and APC has issued an official statement on the postponed defection.

Politics

Dino Melaye Reacts To Malami’s Arraignment For Money Laundering

Published

5 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Ex-Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the arraignment of a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye wished Malami well as he began his trial for corruption.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker recalled how he was prosecuted by Malami over what he described as frivolous cases while he was the AGF.

He wrote: “Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him.well.”

Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and another individual are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

They were arraigned on allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.