Politics
2023: Don’t contest, age not on your side – Ohanaeze chieftain tells Tinubu, Atiku, Osinbajo
Chuks Ibegbu, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should not run for President in 2023.
Ibegbu said Tinubu and Atiku should drop their ambition due to their age.
Speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, Ibegbu said Atiku, Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should pick a credible presidential candidate from the Southeast.
He noted that the rigorous nature of the Presidency wouldn’t allow the likes of Tinubu and Atiku to perform optimally at their age.
Ibegbu’s comment is coming when Tinubu disclosed that he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for the presidency in 2023.
However, Ibegbu said: “I’m surprised that people like Tinubu have the audacity to come out, and I’m amazed that our Vice President, whom I see as a man of God, is also aspiring.
“The other time the President complained that age is telling on him, that if he works for some hours, he becomes exhausted. Should a very complex nation like Nigeria be ruled by such people that age is not on their side? Nigeria is a very complex nation, and this country can give a young man a headache.
“Age is a factor in ruling a complex nation like Nigeria because you will be thinking of so many things, you will be thinking of your family, constituency, the entire country with more than 300 ethnic nationalities, you are thinking about international issues, the economy. Look at Obama; within one year, he grew gray hair.
“The Presidency we need should be a young, dynamic person with the energy to move around. Look at Buhari with all the killings in his State; he can’t move around because age is not on his side. He may be mentally sound, but he’s physically comatose.
“Tinubu did his bit in Lagos when he was governor; he was vibrant then, but age is not on his side now. Tinubu is almost 90 years old now; forget about what he is saying about his age. He should be about 80 something but claiming to be 60 something. Age is not on his side now.
“So, why can’t they stay behind and advise younger people from the Southeast? I’m challenging Tinubu and Atiku to sit together and help to look for a credible presidential candidate from the Southeast, whether in APC, PDP, or APGA. Both of them should have a meeting with Osinbajo to help look for a credible, nice young candidate from the Southeast.
“Atiku has a lot of financial war chests that he can use to support these people; let him bring out the money and support somebody who will make Nigeria a better place. If they don’t become President, they won’t die. Awolowo would have been the best President we ever had if things had gone well, he handled Western Nigeria very well, and he should have handled the country very well.
“My advice to Tinubu and Atiku is to help midwife a young visionary and dynamic person from the Southeast to succeed Buhari. Age is a factor in ruling a diverse nation like Nigeria; how can you be around 80 or 90 years and you are trying to be President? What will you tell your God when you die?”
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.
The Assembly cited eight specific allegations of gross misconduct as the basis for the move.
This is the third time Fubara and Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.
Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.
Here are the allegations below:
1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds
2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds
3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution
5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members
6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi
7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary
8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities
Lilian Adebayo, the wife of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the party will unseat the ruling All Progressive Party at the 2027 election if Nigerians are true to themselves.
Mrs Adebayo made this assertion known on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after an event in Abuja.
According to her, the opposition party has overcome its crisis after the expulsion of its former chairman, Shehu Gabam and others.
She said Nigerians should vote the APC out in the 2027 general election due to the hardship the party has plunged citizens into.
“There is always a crisis in the party; the SPD has been able to handle its own. The problems in the party have been resolved.
“He has a great chance of winning the election if Nigerians are honest with themselves. If Nigerians think that the ones they consistently vote for would move the country forward, they live in denial,” she concerning the husband.
Recall that SDP recently expelled Gabam and other party executives.
The party’s state chairmen on Wednesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police to investigate Gabam over alleged misappropriation.
In a significant political move, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Mbah announced his decision during a televised broadcast in Enugu after weeks of speculation.
He said, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”
Mbah explained that his decision to join the PDP was informed by the need to reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.
“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically and how we secure the future of our project and our people.
“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
Ahead of the governor’s defection, all members of his cabinet had on joined the ruling party.
Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection in a video posted on his social media handles on Monday. In the video, several government officials were seen openly declaring their allegiance to the APC, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and affirming their commitment to the new party.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh stated.
The officials, including commissioners and top aides, could be heard in the video declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”
The collective defection marks a significant political shift in Enugu State, which has been a PDP stronghold since 1999.
Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
Rivers Assembly Formally Serves Impeachment Notice To Gov. Fubara
-
News2 days agoYour Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
-
News1 day agoImpeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
-
News1 day agoHow Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
-
News8 hours agoBoko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim