Politics
Obi’s Presidential Bid: Anambra NASS Candidates In Dilemma
There are strong indications that the aspiration of the former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi is threatening the aspiration of most National Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State.
Both are the leading parties in Anambra State.
Obi, who was governor of the State, and the national leader of APGA during his time, has continued to garner intimidating popularity in Anambra State, to the extent that most candidates of the APGA and the PDP for the National Assembly election fear that the support the former governor is enjoying, may rob them of votes, to the advantage of candidates of the Labour Party for the same position.
APGA and PDP candidates fear that the bandwagon effect of the support for Obi in Anambra State may affect their chances. Like APGA, Obi was also in the PDP, before he moved over to the Labour Party, taking along with him a sizable number of members of the party in the State to Labour Party.
The presidential election of 2023 will be held on February 25, same day as those of the National Assembly, which comprises the Senate and House of Representatives. There have been worry among some aspirants that the huge support for Obi may cause a bandwagon effect on them, just as National Assembly candidates of the Labour Party in Anambra State have been waxing strong, and exuding victory.
Moreover, most candidates of PDP and APGA, knowing of the overwhelming acceptance of Obi in the State, have been changing their campaign strategies, depending on where they visit.
For example, in APGA, only very few candidates have openly campaigned against the Labour Party presidential candidate, or even mustered enough courage to campaign for the candidates of their party in certain areas.
A public affairs analyst, Damian Mba told DAILY POST that: “You know this is politics. The candidates are afraid to offend the electorates, especially in places where they believe that the electorates have total support for Obi.
“That is why you see that while they are talking at party level – for those of them in PDP, they canvass support for the presidential candidate of their party, who is Atiku Abubakar, but when they move into the hinterlands, they start playing mind games, telling the electorates that they support Obi too, and were ready to work with him. They do this to avoid offending the electorates, who they already see as supporters of Obi.
“In APGA particularly, their candidates will have very tough battles to be able to win the election, all because of the Obi factor. Moreso, because of the growing popularity of the Labour Party, they (LP) were able to get first grade candidates, who are not pushovers, who are running on the platform of the party, and that will make the battle stiffer for candidates of other parties. You know that before now, the dominant political parties in Anambra used to be APGA and PDP. APC has never been an option, except in the governorship election level, where they have tried, but were still put where they belong. But because of the Obi factor, there are now three very formidable parties in Anambra State, parading strong candidates.”
The candidates running for National Assembly seats in the PDP and APGA are however not less personalities.
In Anambra Central, the PDP is fielding Senator Uche Ekwunife, an incumbent, and a ranking member of the Senate, while APGA is fielding a youngster, Hon Dozie Nwankwo, an incumbent in the House of Representatives, who recently, surprisingly upstaged a former national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh.
Meanwhile, Umeh, who is regarded as a high profile politician, who alleged conspiracy from party leadership to edge him out at the APGA primary, and later joined the little known Labour Party, is today regarded as the main headache of other candidates.
Besides the rising profile of the Labour Party, Umeh has long been a household name in politics, in Anambra State, and a force to reckon with in any election.
He prides himself as being instrumental to the election of successive governors of Anambra State, from Peter Obi, Willie Obiano to the current governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
The combination of his popularity and acceptance, and the force of the Labour Party, as propelled by Peter Obi is one headache that other candidates in the contest are trying to contend with.
In Anambra South, APGA parades Hon Chris Azubogu, who is still in doubt of his own candidacy as a result of litigation from Hon Ben Nwankwo, and PDP’s Chief Chris Uba, a self-styled godfather of Anambra politics, who has never been a serious contender. Meanwhile, in the zone, YPP’s candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, an incumbent stands a better stead than LP’s candidate, Chief Obinna Uzor.
In Anambra North, Hon Tony Nwoye, a former member of the House of Representatives and serial governorship aspirant, who is also a grassroot politician is giving other candidates in the zone a huge headache. Like Umeh, Tony Nwoye’s popularity in Anambra North may likely dim the aspiration of PDP’s Senator Stella Oduah and that of the wife of the immediate past governor of Anambra, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano.
Mba told DAILY POST that: “I believe that the appearance of Peter Obi in the political equation of Nigeria has upset many things.
“It is not only in Anambra that people are using the influence of Obi to run for election in an obscure party like LP. Even in some other South-East States, many governorship candidates on the platform of the Labour Party will make a huge impact, not because of who they are, but because of the Peter Obi factor.”
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.
Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.
Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.
He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”
Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.
He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”
Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”
However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.
She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”
Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.
“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.
She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.
“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”
Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.
“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.
He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.
He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.
According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”
He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.
“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.
He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.
Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.
In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.
“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.
“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”
The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.
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