Candidates participating in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State on Tuesday issued a joint state­ment asking the Federal Gov­ernment to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indige­nous People of Biafra (IPOB), in order not to avoid acts that may jeopardise the conduct of the election.

It would be recalled that on Sunday, South East Council of Traditional Rulers and repre­sentatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops asked the Federal Government to release Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Ser­vices (DSS) since June to them. They also urged government to de-proscribe IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

While aligning themselves with the position of the mon­archs and bishops, the candi­dates while calling for a vio­lence-free poll also appealed to the Federal Government to demilitarise the South-East zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and end­less bloodletting between the security agents and the youths.

The statement read, “In response to the very grave concerns expressed, and ap­peal made by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, and in appreciation of the general anxiety arising from recent and continuing violence in the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria, and Anambra State in particular.

“We, the undersigned candi­dates in the forthcoming guber­natorial election in Anambra State, commit to peaceful and violence-free conduct in the run-up to, during and after the election.

“We the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election commit unequivocally to non-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond.

“We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to com­mit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election.

“In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcom­ing election, we urge the Feder­al Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.

“We urge the Federal Gov­ernment to take urgent steps to demilitarise the South-East zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and end­less bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.”

While calling on the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the armed forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to dis­charge their mandates in accor­dance with law and in a fair and just manner, the candidates also appealed to IPOB members to refrain from conducts that may hinder the successful conduct of the election.

“We assure our youths that we have heard your cries and that we feel your pain. We urge our youths to eschew violence and commit afresh to peace. Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth run­ning of the forthcoming gover­norship election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.

“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the armed forces, other security agencies and all stake­holders to discharge their man­dates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner”.

Those who signed the statement are Prof. Charles Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Valentine Ozigbo of the Peo­ples Democratic Party (PDP); Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Peoples Party (YPP); Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

popez:
What a useless article!! The author of this article Shouldn't be writing for any reputable tabloid.

Just look at the charming words used in describing the aspirants from SW, then check out the scathing description he gave to others.


What nonsense!!

With the 2023 presidential election fast approaching, there is a likelihood that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will zone its ticket to the South. The general feeling in the party is that the North cannot be considered again, having had its fair share of two terms of eight years. In this report, TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI lists some powerbrokers in the party who have their eyes set on succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure expires in May 2023.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The ‘Jagaban’ as the former Lagos state governor and APC national leader is called by his teeming supporters is a major force to reckon with in the ruling party as far as the issue of 2023 presidency is concerned. There has been allegations and counter-allegations that there is a pact or gentleman’s agreement amongst founding leaders of the APC that President Muhammadu Buhari who was first elected in 2015 will handover to Tinubu in 2023. None of them has come out to confirm or deny this claim.
Even though Tinubu is yet to state whether he will contest or not, several political groups, the principal one being the South-west Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA ’23) has been canvassing support for him across the country.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

If there is any candidate best qualified to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, then it is Osinbajo, a loyal, sound legal expert with versed knowledge of economic matters. Many youths in the country are rooting for Osinbajo because of his age (he will be 66 in 2023). Others also believe that having understudied the president in the last six years, he has a clear vision of the programmes of the administration and will continue with it if he becomes president.

However, two factors militating against Osinbajo is the fact that he has no political base. But for the controversy over a Muslim-Muslim ticket in APC in 2015, he couldn’t have been considered as Buhari’s running mate then. With the likelihood of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his benefactor running in 2023, Osinbajo stands no chance at all because it is likely that the Presidency may not endorse him. Analysts believe that the cabals are yet to forgive him for ‘taking the shine off the President when he acted on his behalf. It is also believe that he is yet to be forgiven for sacking the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS) , Lawal Daura in 2018 following the invasion of the National Assembly.

Kayode Fayemi

Fayemi is another leader who has the capacity to lead the country in 2023. The Ekiti state governor who is serving out his second term also has a huge followership among Nigerian youths. When he lost his reelection in 2014, he was handed the task conducting the presidential primary of the APC where he served as the Chairman of the APC National Convention Committee. He received accolades over the seamless manner in which the primary which produced President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate was conducted. The President later appointed him as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, a position he resigned from in 2018 to contest for the Ekiti governorship election.

However, some of Fayemi’s critics especially in the APC believed that his position as the current chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum has gotten into his head, making him challenge some leaders of the party who made him who he is today. Also, he is facing a herculean task of reconciling the APC factions in his home state of Ekiti, many of whom are plotting to stop him from installing a successor in next year’s governorship election.

Rotimi Amaechi

Analysts believe that Amaechi, a former two-time Speaker, two-time governor and current Minister of Transport is another force to reckon with when looking for likely presidential materials in 2023. Others also believe that Amaechi, a former chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum also has the needed experience to continue from where President Buhari will stop in 2023, especially on his achievements in the rail sector, a critical programme the current administration has pursued vigorously.

However, being a blunt and fearless politician who says his mind without caring whose ox is gored, others believe he lacks the temperament needed of a leader of a country like Nigeria. There are others who believe that his being blunt is an asset as Nigeria needs a honest leader who will tell them the truth always.

Dave Umahi

When the Ebonyi state governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC in November 2020, many believed it was because he has ambition to succeed President Buhari. Till date, Umahi has not publicly said whether he is interested in the race or not.

In a recent interview, he said the chances of the South-East region producing the nation’s presidency in 2023 is in God’s hands.

Babatunde Fashola

The current Minister of Works and Housing is also another potential presidential material. Well-read, articulate and broad-minded, Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria shone brilliantly during his tenure as governor of Lagos state between 2007 to 2015. It was believed that President Buhari desired him as a running mate in 2015 but since that was not possible due to the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy; he made him the most important minister in his cabinet with three portfolios as Minister of Power, Works and Housing. The President only removed the Power ministry from him because many believed the challenges in the power sector alone is enormous for one man to handle.

Recently, the emergence of some viral posters from a group, “The Nigeria Project 2023”, allegedly presenting Fashola and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively went viral with many people attesting that they are both good pairs.

However, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Hakeem Bello, the minister distanced itself from the group, saying he has never met with them.

“Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handiwork of mischief-makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons.

“The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right-thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honorable Minister had been contacted or if the groups had his consent in issuing the invitation.

“Without equivocation, no individual or group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023,” the statement read.

It stated that the minister is currently focused on leading his dedicated team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure, and affordable housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.

“Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honorable Minister,”.

In view of this, the minister urged members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and support groups whose real intentions remain questionable. “Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all,” it said.

Shortly after Fashola’s disclaimer, another group, Fashola/Zulum Presidency Support Group, issued a statement saying the Minister should be President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023, saying with the current level of developmental projects scattered across the country, Nigeria needs continuity devoid of bitter politics and political witch-hunting.

The group stated that it would be of disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians if gains recorded during the Buhari-led administration were allowed to be eroded by another crop of leaders who do not understand the dynamics of the country and what it means to effectively manage the nation’s diversity assume leadership positions.

The group’s National Convener, Barrister Abayomi Medemaku, said that with Fashola’s vast experience and his blend of knowledge across all walks of life, he is better positioned to take the mantle of leadership and continue from where Buhari stops in 2023 and consolidate on his achievements.

Speaking during the group’s launching of Fashola/Zulum Presidency Support Group, Medemaku stated that he was convinced that Nigeria Project 2023 was worth investing in and that the group has began mobilising for the actualisation of this mandate.

According to him, Fashola and Zulum are the ones who can inspire hope in the young. There words is their bond. They are not after personal aggrandizement. They have given a new meaning to loyalty and dependability.

“We want to sell our candidates to their parties. The duo of Fashola/ Zulum can salvage our nation from it drowning state, thus we took it upon ourselves to mobilize for them. We sampled people’s opinion and the sampling tallied with our conviction. A Fashola/Zulum Presidency we believe if actualized will drive the Nigeria Nation forward. Fashola (SAN)and Professor Babagana Umara Zulum will turn Nigeria around for good. We have seen in these two men persons who share good visions for Nigeria and whose vision are selfless and heroic”.

It however remains to be seen if Fashola will listen to the demands of those asking him to vie for the presidency in 2023 or not.

The argument out there is that Fashola has no political base but his loyalists have argued that it won’t be an issue if he has the backing of President Buhari as all the political machinery in the party will work for whomever the president supports.

Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state, prominent leaders in the South East region, led by the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Christian leaders have appealed to the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to them in order to stop the orgy of killings and destruction in the region.

While also calling on the Federal Government to de-proscribe IPOB and release its members in detention, the leaders urged IPOB not to do anything that would hinder the smooth running of the election.

It also pleaded that all scheduled sit-at-home orders should be cancelled, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.

In a joint statement on Sunday, the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops asked the Federal Government to de-militarise the region.

While seeking audience with President Buhari on the issue, the leaders said the militarisation of the region had resulted in the killing of Igbo youths and burning of communities by soldiers.

The leaders stated that the heightened inequality and marginalisation of Ndigbo in the scheme of things in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government remained at the core of youth restiveness in the region.

They warned that until the Federal Government took deliberate steps to run a government on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination ‘this restiveness is likely to continue’.

The statement was signed by Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman, Ebonyi State Council, Igwe Charles Mkpuma; Chairmen of Traditional Rulers Council of Abia, Eze Joseph Nwabeke; Anambra, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe; Enugu, Amb Lawrence Agubuzu and Imo State, Eze E. C. Okeke.

Representatives of the Christian leaders that signed the statement are Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri; Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu; Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia.

Others are Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha; Most Rev. Uma Onwunta, past Principal Clerk, Presbyterian Church Nigeria; Bishop Obi Onubogu, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, Chairman, CAN, South East Zone.

The statement said, “Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development.

“Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly.

“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South-East zone.
“We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.

“We assert that heightened inequality and marginalization remain at the core of youth restiveness in our region. We urge our apex National Leadership to note that until it takes deliberate steps to run government on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination, this restiveness is likely to continue”.
“We shall respectfully seek audience with Mr President to discuss these issues in exploring political solution and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”

“On our part, we assure our youths that we have heard their cries of marginalization, injustice and longsuffering. As concerned parents, we feel your pain. However, we urge you to de-escalate the tension and remain law-abiding to enable us to engage especially the Federal Government in finding a lasting solution to the crises”.

“Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people”.

“Finally, we call on all the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election to eschew violence and commit to free, fair and credible election” .

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says no individual, including the ousted Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, can derail the party’s mission to rescue Nigeria.

Governor Wike stated that Secondus attempt to scuttle the PDP national convention makes him an enemy of the party that is resolved to end the poor leadership of the All Progressives Congress(APC) led federal government.

The governor was speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday in reaction to Court of Appeal dismissal of Secondus’ application that sought to stop the PDP convention and his restatement as the national chairman of the party .

He stated that PDP mission to rescue Nigeria is a commitment that will not be compromised because of the mess the APC has made of Nigerian State.

Governor Wike pointed out that it is clear that PDP will not allow any individual or group of individuals to derail its rescue mission as captured by the theme of the convention.

” What Secondus is doing is to sabotage the efforts of Nigerians, the efforts of PDP from rescuing this country from the hand of the party that has failed the country. And it is not fair.

“This is a party that has given you everything and there’s nothing wrong in making sacrifice. Even if, assuming though not conceding, that anything was wrong, we expected that having achieved what you have achieved in your life from this party, there is nothing wrong in making sacrifice.

“If you make sacrifice for the party, you’re making sacrifice for Nigerians. If PDP is not there, which other party is ready to rescue Nigeria.”

Governor Wike clarified that the Court of Appeal did not only dismiss the application of Secondus, but it also ordered that the PDP National convention be conducted unrestrained.

“Our constitution provides that if a national chairman is removed, the deputy national chairman from that zone will immediately be the chairman or acting chairman as the case may be.

“And so, when Secondus was removed, he handed over to the acting national chairman now. So, the act has already been done, completed. So, what will the court say when someone is already acting and supervising that office.”

According to Governor Wike, the PDP convention on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2021 will be one of the best that has ever been conducted. He asserted that Nigerians are expecting PDP to come out of the convention more united.

Governor Wike said the party, particularly the PDP governors are more united because they have realised that Nigeria is in problem and only a united PDP can wrest power out of the APC.

“Nigeria is in problem and we cannot do it alone. We require everybody to work with us, collectively and see how this country can be rescued.

“Nigerians are not happy with the ruling party, the way Nigerians are being treated. Like I’ve told everybody that there is nothing better than making sacrifice for the interest of the country. PDP is the only platform, and which it is today as the only opposition party that will rescue Nigeria.”

Governor Wike noted that the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had recently led a team of his colleague to Ondo State to woo the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko into PDP.

Governor Wike informed that leadership of PDP is happy that they are going to the convention with nothing less that 95 percent consensus achieved, which is first of its kind.

According to Governor Wike, it is for everybody to understand that PDP is ready and prepared to achieve the change that will end the problem of governance in Nigeria.

Anybody who cross our way to stop this rescue of Nigeria, the person is an enemy of to this country.”

helinues:
So someone can't stay off of politics in peace? Most especially if he has realised his fighting is in futility

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has said Nigerians voted out the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because they thought the party wasn’t performing to expectations in delivering democratic dividends.

He, however, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) which Nigerians thought will be a better alternative has made life worse and miserable for Nigerians in all facets of human endeavour, adding that many Nigerians having tasted the two parties have now realised that the PDP is the better option.

Fintiri, who is the chairman of the PDP Convention Committee stated this on Tuesday night while featuring as a guest on a Channels television programme monitored by DAILY INDEPENDENT.

“On why the PDP was voted out in 2015, I think it is because Nigerians also want to have a taste of other people. They have done that and we all know how they feel today. You don’t need to ask Nigerians how they feel. It is worse, worse and worse”.

“Of course, it is natural that even if you are doing your best, people will think you are not at the top of your game and they can decide to go for another option which is good in a democracy. But again today, there is a basis for comparison.

“Nigerians can put side by side the two parties that have the opportunity of occupying the office of the presidency in this country”.

“ You and I can tell Nigerians today that the other party that they voted out yesterday is better than the ones they voted for and are now experiencing today. We want to bring them back so that they can continue to enjoy all the good programmes and policies that we initiated from Obasanjo to Jonathan”.

“We handed over a country that today all of can testify that it is better but today, it is worse. Can you move by road from Abeokuta to Lagos? Can I travel by road from Abuja to Maiduguri as we are used to doing before?”.

“Just three days ago, youth corpers were kidnapped on their way to Zamfara to go and report in the camp. The whole country is at war with itself”.

When asked if he believes that the PDP can fix the problems he mentioned, Fintiri said “Of course, the PDP can fix all these problems because we have learnt our lessons and we have credible people that can fix this country in our party who are vying for the position of the president”.

Adabestseason:
The best thing to do now is to give those things out to Nigerians especially those that could not afford them this should take the pattern of unconditional cash transfer rather than prominent government officials buying them again through the back door

Blakjewelry:
What of pants

Maxymilliano:

Those invisible bra must be luxury brassieres and not the common komu we are used to ...

I for like to bid for the package the bra was designed for ab-initio

AJOBI77:
"Fall guy"
They had to trade him away