He is right that Peter Obi is a big worry to the APC. But he wrong to write off Atiku. This contest is between Peter Obi and Atiku. Tinubu is going to lose and this will be a shocker to everyone.
Ahead of the forthcoming presidential election, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Osita Okechukwu, has said his party is only worried about Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate and not about Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okechukwu also said Bola Tinubu, APC’s presidential candidate, has come a long way and knows the country very well to win the 2023 presidential election, among other candidates.
The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria disclosed this on Monday morning while featuring on the Arise Television Morning Show programme.
He said Atiku had lost his base and that he could not harvest Buhari’s 12 million votes.
“As per Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what nobody can deny is that he knows the onion. He knows the gravitas, he knows the country, and he has come a long way. And we are not bothered about PDP; for instance, Atiku has lost his base.
"We are more bothered about Peter Obi and others. Kwankwaso, we know he is qualified and highly capable, but he is riding against the zoning convention. And so, if you tell us about Peter Obi, then we can say, ok, that is where we are worried, but not about Atiku, who has lost his base.
“Atiku cannot win; I challenge those who are saying so. He cannot harvest Buhari’s 12 million votes; he cannot. He does not have Buhari’s vote bank,” he said.
Excited Nigerians in Atlanta besieged Peter Obi for pictures as the Labour Party presidential candidate arrived in the United States of America Despite his status as a leading presidential candidate, the former Anambra state governor has been accessible to the Nigerian public in and out of the country Obi is visiting the US again in less than three months as he visited the country in September for some speaking engagements
The former Anambra state governor landed at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday morning, November 30.
Nigerians who saw Obi at the airport besieged him and took photos with him as he was all smiles after the long trip
Obi had earlier visited Atlanta on Friday, September 2 where he spoke on Afro Economics and Government Policy with Columbia’s Africa Business Club.
The Labour Party presidential candidate is noted for traveling alone or with few associates and always have a light bag he carries himself.
A former governorship aspirant and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State Sani Shaaban has resigned his membership of the party with immediate effect.
Shaaban, a former member of the House of Representatives, contested in the May, 25th, 2022 APC governorship primary held in Kaduna State which was won by Senator Uba Sani.
In his resignation letter which he addressed to the chairman of APC, Hanwa ward in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Shaaban says APC in the state has little or no regard for human lives, social integration, and rule of law, hence his reason for leaving the party.
Speaking through the Director General of his Campaign Council, Ephraim James Shaaban, who is also an in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari, says he can no longer remain in member of the APC under the present state of affairs where the interest of the majority of common folks is little regarded.
According to him, the APC in Kaduna state has become more alienated from the masses, and rather than foster unity, social cohesion, and integration as envisaged by the founding fathers, the party has instead, brought hardship, division, and total disregard for human lives, communal and family values.
Shaaban, however, advised the party to do soul searching with a view to returning it back to the ideals for which it was formed by the progressive minds.
How rural Nigerians may vote in 2023 presidential poll, by Nextier Survey
Some Nigerians in rural areas have declared that issues of insecurity, unemployment, weak economy and bad governance would largely influence their voting choices ahead of the 2023 presidential poll.
A study of results obtained from recent opinion polls conducted among registered voters in rural communities across the country shows that eight out of 10 respondents (83.16 per cent) insist on not changing their minds before the polls.
The independent survey conducted by Nextier, a policy think-tank, largely entails a face-to-face poll of registered voters in rural communities in 12 states in Nigeria.
The survey defines rural communities as local government areas without tertiary educational institutions. The researchers intentionally excluded state capitals and other urban areas, which other recent surveys had concentrated on.
The survey team conducted the polls in two states in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, targeting one Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled state and one All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled state, in each geopolitical region.
The APC and PDP are the major political parties with vast membership and ‘structures’ across all geopolitical zones. Nigeria has six geopolitical zones: North Central, North East, North West, South South, South East, and South West.
To ensure objectivity, the survey excluded the home states of the leading presidential and vice presidential candidates of the major parties.
In the survey results released over the weekend, Nextier said it used a sample size of 2,000 respondents. The states in the survey included Nasarawa (APC), Benue (PDP), Gombe (APC), Bauchi (PDP), Kebbi (APC), Sokoto (PDP), Cross River (APC), Edo (PDP), Imo (APC), Abia (PDP), Ogun (APC), and Oyo (PDP).
Survey respondents stated that radio, social media, and family/friends are the main channels through which they get information on the presidential candidates and make their choices.
It is instructive that with just about three months to the elections, eight out of 10 respondents “are definite that nothing will make them change their minds and vote for another candidate.”
The survey generated a margin of error of 2.2 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence interval. The survey sample population was representative of age and gender demographics in the states, as backed up by the graphics released alongside the report. It further emphasised that all survey respondents are registered to vote in the 2023 elections.
“The poll yielded key insights into voter preferences and the key issues that could shape the 2023 presidential election.
“76.2 per cent of survey respondents stated that Nigeria is moving in the wrong direction. Survey respondents stated that insecurity, bad governance, unemployment and a weak economy are the most important issues in Nigeria today they want someone to solve,” a summary of the report explains.
Also, “among survey respondents in rural communities in 12 Nigerian states, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu are preferred by respondents with no educational attainments or people who chose not to disclose their educational status.”
Overall, polling on voting intention shows Peter Obi leading with 40.37 per cent of the survey respondents, with Atiku Abubakar at 26.7 per cent while Bola Tinubu is at 20.47 per cent.
The regional view provides a clearer definition of survey respondents’ voting preferences. Atiku Abubakar leads in North West with 59.8 per cent and in the North East with 50.3 per cent, with Bola Tinubu as second in those regions with 25.4 per cent and 27.2 per cent, respectively.
Peter Obi leads in the North Central with 59.8 per cent, South South with 67.3 per cent and South East with 94 per cent.
The South West is the most contested region, with Bola Tinubu leading with 37.4 per cent and Peter Obi in second place with 24 per cent.
About 19.8 per cent of the surveyed voters in the region are still undecided on their preferred candidate. Also, on the ‘net favourability’ index, Atiku Abubakar is at +17.3 per cent, while Bola Tinubu follows at 4.98 per cent. Peter Obi garnered +30 per cent, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party has the least net favourability among the four leading candidates at -8.70 per cent.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has officially endorsed the candidacy of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi for the 2023 election.
Giving reasons for the endorsement, the body said Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany, among others, adding that the Labour Party presidential candidate has filled what could have been a very sad gap if the poll was left for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ohanaeze made its position known on Sunday in a statement titled: "2023: On SMBLF Position We Stand," signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
It maintained that its resolve for the 2023 general election is constant, consistent and very clear; without any form of equivocation whatsoever.
It said, "In the first place, going by the principles of zoning and rotation of power in Nigeria which has been in existence since 1999, it is the turn of the South East of Nigeria to produce the president in 2023.
"Second, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has canvassed to various eminent persons in Nigeria, seeking their support for the presidency to the South East come 2023. We are delighted by the responses from various groups and highly placed patriotic Nigerians.
"Third, Ohanaeze works in collaboration with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising the Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Leaders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by an elder-statesman, Chief E. K. Clarke. The group in its quest for Nigerian unity, peace and sustainable national development has endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 general elections."
It added, "Therefore, on the SMBLF endorsement we stand, most irrevocably. On the other hand, Ohanaeze took a commodity to the market and the world is clamouring for it, we are rather very excited, happy and fulfilled that Nigeria is now in full possession of the commodity.
"Four, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor explained that Obi has filled what could have been a very sad gap. Therefore, Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany and above all, the Igbo collective unconscious."
Ohanaeze unequivocally stated that it endorsed Peter Obi not only based on equity and justice but also on merit, competence, track record of accomplishments and the veritable ideas that Obi espouses for a better Nigeria.
It explained that the philosophy of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide finds a cogent expression in the symbol of Nigerian unity and a beacon of hope as epitomised by Mr. Peter Obi.
The apex Igbo body noted that despite the touting and concerns that Labour Party has no structure, however, the Obidient Movement is a massive disruptive reaction against the deplorable Nigerian pathologies.
"People use the Obi phenomenon to express dissatisfaction with the status quo. It is a revolt against injustice, poverty, unemployment, corruption and all forms of vicious circles that have become the trademark of Nigeria. In other words, every revolution is a structural change.
"What the Obi movement stands for is to dismantle or change whatever structure that has brought us to this intractable tragedy and reprehensible denouement; the structure that has been a knee on the neck of Nigerians. Importantly, ideas rule the world. Ideas, as you know, possess the potency to develop into an ideology, a movement and finally a structure. Lastly, the impotent debate on structure has long been overwhelmed and rested by the recent events in Nigeria.
"Seven, on the double endorsement by the Afenifere; one faction to Obi and the other to Tinubu. Evidently, history repeats itself on a daily basis. Even in the kingdom of God, there was a faction. One represents light, truth, equity, justice, reasonableness and a bright future while the other represents the very opposite. But, surely, history will always vindicate the just," it said.
A group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States of America, USA, has promised to mobilize no fewer than one hundred thousand of its members to support the presidential aspiration of Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, for the 2023 general elections.
The group, known as ‘Naija We Can’, said in Awka that the amount of support they intend to give would be the first of its kind in Nigeria since the commencement of the current democratic dispensation.
Mr. Conway Ekpo, a successful New York – based FinTech lawyer, who serves on the Naija We Can board, described the group as a well-focused political action committee whose aim is to look for the best for Nigeria.
Ekpo said: “Mr. Obi is the candidate electrifying young Nigerians and a powerful force ahead of Nigeria’s presidential election next February. He is energizing voters with messages of prudence and accountability that are amplified by an army of social media users.
“As part of a programme to achieve the objective, Naija We Can recently partnered with Columbia University’s Africa Business Club and Black Law Students Association to host Mr. Obi in New York for what it called a ‘Conversation on Afro Economics & Government Policy.”
According to him, the event was hosted at the Midtown Hilton in the city and had over 15.100 guests in attendance.
He added that Naija We Can, a non-profit political organization, is focused on good governance in Nigeria, adding that it seeks to empower Nigerians in the diaspora to change the country’s political and economic fortunes through campaign finance and thoughtful quality leadership.
He expressed happiness that Peter Obi has pledged to ensure that diaspora voting is permitted if he is elected Nigeria’s president in February 2023, regretting that despite genuine calls for its implementation, Nigerians in the diaspora were barred from voting.
“Naija We Can hopes that this will change if Obi and his running mate, Senator, Datti Ahmed emerge victorious in the election,” Ekpo said.
He was also delighted that Obi took to his twitter page to thank Naija We Can and the Nigerians in the diaspora who are banking their hopes of a better Nigeria by supporting the Obi/Datti ticket and encouraging 2.4 million followers to impact the desired change by visiting the Naija We Can website, where individual donations ranging from $25 contribution to$2500 or even more, can be made.
Founder of Naija We Can, Mr. Nexus Sea, who is a New York–based lawyer said with $20 billion in home remittances in 2021 alone, Nigerians in the diaspora have contributed to nearly four times the amount of foreign direct investment into the country.
“Our goal is to help convert the diaspora’s economic power to political might by ensuring that Nigerians in the diaspora have a strong voice in selecting its leaders. Next year’s elections are critical and too important for us to sit on the sidelines,” Mr. Sea said.
Another board member, Mr. Everest Njezi, who is based in Texas, encouraged people to make substantial donations so as to be part of the outcome of the elections next year.
The Obi-Datti Media Office has said the Labour Party is preparing to for an outright victory in the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in the 2023 general elections.
The Media Office said this in a statement in Abuja, on Friday.
It said it was responding to a clearly unsubstantiated view expressed by a former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose that he does not see Labour Party winning 25% in 24 states of the federation.
The Labour Party Campaign said, “Ordinarily, we would not have bordered to react to such subjective view not supported empirically but we feel such view is capable of sending the wrong message to the public if unexplained.
“LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and his Running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmad are not targeting 24 states for victory but the entire country meaning the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We are well aware that making 25% of the votes cast in 24 states is the minimum requirement to win the Presidency, but LP is looking at the entire country since it’s flag bearer is a national person to be limited to any region.
“Ex-Governor Fayose is certainly living in the past by refusing to capture the political mood of the country which is beyond geopolitical, ethnic, regional, state and my turn interests.“
The Media Office further noted that Nigerian youths who are driving the Obidient Movement are spread and active in every state of the federation and their target is overwhelming and outright victory across board.
It further observed that it was possible that Mr. Fayose and people who reason the way he does are relying on the old order not knowing that the Take-back-Nigeria project is actually meant to dismantle and decimate the old order and install a new vibrant and progressive system.
The statement further read, “Mr. Fayose possibly due to political reason did not want to factor in the opinion polls conducted scientifically and professionally by three professional bodies, ANAP Foundation, Bloomberg and the Arewa Trust foundation all giving victory at the poll to LP’s Peter Obi.
“Since these scientifically proved polls were conducted few months ago, Peter Obi and his Obidient Movement have had their profiles ascending not declining meaning that victory in 2023 by Labour Party is being more enhanced.
“Finally, for purposes of emphasis, every indicator ahead of 2023 is showing clearly that Labour Party candidate is cruising to victory because his messages have sank with the people and has made the people’s decision to take back the country unanimous, total and unflinching.
“The train has left the station and we expect progressive minds like Fayose to join.“
The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi.
This was the group’s position during a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday. The Chairman of the Forum Olisa Uzowulu noted that the former Anambra State governor ranks higher than all presidential candidates for next year’s exercise.
“We are going to go out there and fight a change. That is why you get the South-East, the Middle Belt, the South-South and the South-West to be one body and campaign for Peter Obi. There is no two-way about it,” he said during the conference.
“The Forum has decided on it. We are going to go out and work for him as a group. There is no choice about that.”
As far as the Forum is concerned, Obi’s support base transcends tribe, religion, and ethnicity as the Chairman said the former governor’s aspiration is people-driven.
“It is the people that are driving Obi, not even the party. They love him, people want a change. They are tired of the situation,” Uzowulu explained.
“There is nothing to sell to people anymore – it is not tribe, or religion but the belief that we have to move ahead. People are going to make a choice this time, nobody is going to hoodwink them again.”
He, therefore, called on members of the Forum and its supporters across the regions to pick up their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and vote en masse for the Labour Party candidate next year.
Obi is one of the leading contenders for the presidential seat alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was the running mate to Atiku during the 2019 poll under the main opposition PDP which lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
KingOfAmebo: What actually got me rolling on the floor was when the man on the far right of the video put is hand on his mouth in shock after hearing Tinubu scream "God bless PDP".
The shock he witnessed live and direct from a dementia patient is totally out of this world...this is not a rumor or dem say dem say, this is live and direct...
APC made a grave mistake by fielding an evidently sick old man as her Presidential candidate, they should just cover their faces in shame, that's if they have any shame at all.
Obi the duller is possessing uncanny spiritual powers to exercise evil gods
who knows anyway. ...
So your attack on Peter Obi is simply because he is wearing black? Do you honestly think an undecided voter will see your post and respect you and your candidate? Think about it.
Peter Obi has already started working even before being elected. Nigeria is POsibble.
Salvador1: See how youths in nasarawa state came out to wash and disinfect their road after tinubu visited the state for his shenanigan town hall meeting.
Sundaland: Ahead of the February 2023 common elections, the Labour Party (LP) says it is in talks with the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso and different get together stakeholders for potential alliance.
The Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council Doyin Okupe made this known on Friday when he featured on Channels TV program,
The Labour Party presidential flagbearer Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP had earlier in the year moved for alliance but failed to achieve workable settlement.
“I believe and I trust that God will help us that between now and December, we would bring together that alignment politically in the country and the country would be better for it.” - Doyin Okupe.
Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Pan Yoruba Group, Afenifere, and other supporters of Labour Party on Thursday eulogised the party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, at a book launch.
The launch of the 157-page book, titled “The Challenges of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: The Peter Obi effect Factor”, was organised by the ADF.
ADF National President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, who is the Chief Host, said the book which was launched in honour of Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, was inspired by his humility and good works.
Nwala added that there is the need to rally round and support Peter Obi so that the future of Nigeria can be put in safe hands.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Oluwadurotimi Olulana, said the book would help do justice to the present Nigeria situation.
He described Peter Obi as a humble man and that anyone saying he is pretending is wrong.
“Peter Obi is the Moses of our time. He is blessed and anointed to change the whole vices and I assure you that he and Datti will take us to the promised land,” he said.
Reviewing the book, Barrister Dele Farotimi said the book is a template for great development and expressed the hope that the book will continue to be reviewed for years to com.
He said the book is also about how the Ndigbo look at the Nigerian state and it intends to examine peculiar challenges.
“Make sure you get people into the ‘Obidient’ movement everyday. Make sure you vote as an eligible voter and make their money useless that day.
“I have found in Peter Obi a person that would cool me down for a better tomorrow. Your future is in your hands and your positive action will make Peter Obi the next President,” he said.
The Father of the Day, Dr Uma Oke Eleazu, said Peter Obi is a symbol of good governance and enjoined all his supporters to make themselves available when it’s time to vote.
Eleazu enjoined everyone to take charge and support Peter Obi, adding that the challenges before Peter Obi is formidable but not insurmountable.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Nze Johnpaul, said since our national problems did not know religion, ethnicity or political colouration, then the solution should not be found along same lines.
He said Peter Obi is so passionate to see Nigeria rise again at no personal gain that he advised the people not to accept him because of his origin, but on the basis of his competence.
“In the light of all these, we make bold to announce that we have found a man with integrity, capacity and competence to lead Nigeria.
“The man who has no structure but the common man, has volunteered to be the structure. The man who has not assumed office, but has changed the face of electoral democracy in Nigeria and that man is Mr. Peter Gregory Obi,” he said. (NAN)
JOemmy: He is absolutely right but the problem here is the nigeria case is deeply rooted in tribalism and religious extremism am not too sure if most nigerians are yet ready to let go of their religious and tribal sentiments and do what's right it seems they still prefer to die in their miseries than vote for the right candidate who isn't from their background.
I think our youths are getting wiser. They won't allow their politicians decieve them with tribal and religious politics anymore.
Mods do the needful. This thread has lots of viewers even though it's not yet on frontpage. Imagine how many viewership and new members and guests this thread can garner. People need to know the situation on ground so they can decide if they want to go out or not.
Modified: It's actually on the frontpage. Thanks mods.
In a quest to feel the pulse of teaming Nigerians and also to sell Obi-Datti's Manifesto to Nigerians, a discussion on the Manifesto has been scheduled for tomorrow (November 1st) 8pm Nigerian time on Twitter Space.
Kenneth Okonkwo, chieftain of the Labour Party and one of the Spokemen for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign will be there.
Politics › Re: Only Peter Obi Worries Us, Atiku Cannot Win – APC’s Osita Okechukwu by ShowYourCertificate(op): 1:02pm On Dec 12, 2022
