Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned what he described as a “state-sponsored blockade and attack” on the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, while travelling to Yelwata in Benue State.

Sowore said the incident occurred as Obi was attempting to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by recent attacks, describing the planned visit as a legitimate campaign activity.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sowore condemned what he described as “acts of political brigandage” by agents of the Benue State Government and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I have watched videos showing what appears to be a state-sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate @PeterObi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities,” Sowore said in a post on X.

“I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable.”

He said no presidential candidate should be prevented from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria through violence, intimidation or alleged state-sponsored thuggery.

“Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians,” he said.

Sowore urged those responsible to desist from such actions immediately, warning that continued interference with political activities could have wider implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

JOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where more than 500 displaced persons are being sheltered.

The visit came a day after Obi and his delegation were reportedly prevented from proceeding to Yelwata in Benue State to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by recent attacks.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State and advocate of the “A New Nigeria is Possible” mantra, described the situation in Mangu as deeply disturbing, saying more than 45,000 people have reportedly been displaced, while over 20 communities have been sacked by terrorists.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obi urged the government to intensify efforts to secure the affected communities and restore the confidence of residents.

He said the right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood must be protected for every Nigerian, regardless of where they live, their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

Obi said: “As long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced.”

He urged the government to ensure that displaced citizens did not become forgotten Nigerians, stressing the need to create conditions for their safe and dignified return, secure their communities and support them in rebuilding their lives.

Obi also offered what he described as modest support to the displaced families as a gesture of solidarity, compassion and shared humanity.

He said the New Nigeria he advocates must be a country where every citizen could live, work, farm, raise a family and pursue their dreams in peace and security.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the reported attack on the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in Benue State.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kwankwaso said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident as Obi travelled to the North-Central state.

He called on the Benue State Government to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack, while guaranteeing the safety and free movement of Obi and his entourage.

“The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy,” Kwankwaso said.

He noted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, adding that the right also applied to Obi as a former governor and leading opposition figure.

Kwankwaso further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those in the ruling party, against actions that could undermine the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.

He also called on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of the incident and urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders and safeguard democratic freedoms.

Meanwhile, New Post Africa (NPA) reported that Obi on Monday called for unity, love and mutual respect in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the call at the commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.

In a statement titled “Unity and Love in Politics,” Obi said Nigeria needed to build a new nation anchored on unity, love, justice, mutual respect and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests could become contentious and divisive.

He urged political contestants to place their love for the country above their political differences.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called for unity, love and mutual respect in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, made the call on Monday at the commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.

In a statement titled “Unity and Love in Politics,” Obi said Nigeria needed to build a new nation anchored on unity, love, justice, mutual respect and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests could become contentious and divisive.

He urged political contestants to place their love for the country above their political differences.

“We must insist that our shared love for our country should always be greater than our political differences. This is my call to all contestants in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Obi said political campaigns should focus on ideas and practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality and the growing number of out-of-school children.

“Let our contest be about ideas and solutions that will address the enormous challenges facing our country today: insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality, and the growing number of out-of-school children,” he said.

He urged political parties and candidates to compete on policies capable of uniting Nigerians, improving living conditions and restoring hope, while maintaining respect, decency and love for one another.

Obi said he attended the commissioning alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the APM presidential candidate, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the party’s leader.

He congratulated Makinde, Mohammed and other leaders and members of the APM on the commissioning of the campaign office.

“I used the opportunity to emphasise the need for us to build a New Nigeria anchored on Unity, Love, Justice, mutual respect, and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests can become unnecessarily contentious and divisive,” Obi said.

He reiterated his belief that “A New Nigeria is Possible with OK.”

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications and presidential spokesperson, Mr Sunday Dare, says the president did not promise Nigerians an “Eldorado” within three years of his administration.

Dare also said no country could solve all its challenges within four years, describing governance and national development as a continuous process.

The presidential aide made the remarks in a post on Monday morning on X, responding to a post by an X user, Ada Anambra.

Dare criticised opposition parties over what he described as their continued attacks on the results and impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the policy framework of the Tinubu administration.

He alleged that the opposition lacked original ideas and a clear blueprint for governing the country.

“Campaigning against results and impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda is now their stock in trade. No original ideas. No blueprint,” Dare said.

He added: “President Tinubu did not promise Eldorado in three years. No country solved its challenges in four years. It’s always a journey.

“The opposition continues to attack the successful and bold decisions of President Tinubu.

“We will continue to point the results out and defend them. We will make Nigerians understand deeply that the rebuilding of the pillars of our economy is ongoing and those eager to gain power are desperados who have nothing to offer except their greed for power.”

Dare was responding to a post by Ada Anambra, who argued that the opposition was unable to effectively challenge the Tinubu administration because, according to her, it was “campaigning against results, not promises.”

“One reason the opposition can’t stop President Tinubu: they’re campaigning against results, not promises. Easy to attack a manifesto. Very hard to attack delivered numbers,” she wrote.

She listed a range of policies, programmes and outcomes which she attributed to the Tinubu administration, including subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, NELFUND, minimum wage increase, Nigeria’s exit from the FATF grey list, pension fund growth, Nigeria’s removal from the EU high-risk third countries list, macroeconomic reforms and local government autonomy.

Ada Anambra also cited infrastructure and transport projects, including the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, Kaduna-Kano rail line, Kano light rail, National Single Window implementation and coastal highways, as well as the deployment of four new satellites to enhance Nigeria’s space technology.

On health and security, she claimed that maternal deaths had declined by 17 per cent and newborn deaths by 10 per cent, while more than 40,000 free Caesarean sections had been performed. She also listed six cancer centres, more than 20 upgraded federal hospitals, the neutralisation of more than 7,500 bandits and the rescue of more than 8,800 kidnapped civilians among the administration’s reported achievements.

Her list also included the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, the recruitment of additional personnel, the clearance of $850 million in trapped aviation funds, tax reform legislation, NYSC reforms, judicial welfare and pension legislation, and initiatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady.

Ada Anambra concluded: “You can argue with promises. You can’t argue with a scorecard.”

Dare thanked her for what he described as highlighting the achievements of the administration and bringing attention to issues he said the opposition wanted to conceal.

“Thank you Ada for the bitter truth said. But more for the light you have brought to what they want to hide,” he said.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to addressing major challenges facing Nigerians, particularly insecurity, healthcare, education, unemployment and poverty if elected in 2027.

Obi made the pledge during engagements in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State.

The former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, in a statement titled “My Engagements Across Three States — Kogi, Benue, and Enugu,” issued on Sunday, urged NDC supporters to remain committed to the democratic process and turn out in large numbers to vote.

He also urged them to protect their votes from the polling units through the final declaration of results.

Obi said he visited Olamaboro LGA in Kogi State after his engagements in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he met with stakeholders and party supporters alongside the NDC Kogi East Senatorial candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh.

He said he used the engagement to reaffirm his commitment to tackling insecurity, improving healthcare and education, creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty.

“I reaffirmed our commitment to addressing the major challenges facing our people, especially insecurity, healthcare, education, employment, and poverty alleviation. I also assured our large base of supporters that these issues would remain central to our efforts,” he said.

Obi also visited Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State, where he interacted with residents and traders operating along the routes.

According to him, the engagements provided an opportunity to hear directly from the people and understand their concerns.

“I heard their concerns and assured them that, under my leadership, they would have a government that recognises their difficulties, prioritises their welfare, and provides an environment in which their businesses can grow,” he said.

Obi said the concerns raised across the three states were largely similar, including insecurity, unemployment among youths, inadequate healthcare and education, and limited access to resources needed for decent living.

“These are not excessive demands. They represent the basic expectations citizens hold of a government dedicated to their welfare,” he said.

The NDC candidate later travelled to Okpo in Olamaboro LGA, where he attended the 65th birthday celebration of Evangelist Sunday Oguche.

Obi described Oguche as a respected servant of God and community builder who had devoted himself to serving God and contributing positively to the lives of his people.

He offered prayers and best wishes to Oguche, asking God to grant him good health, strength and many more productive years in service.

Obi also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Willy Ezugwu, Eze Ka Eze I of Ideke Land and Eze Ogbozalla III of Opi Kingdom, Nsukka, Enugu State.

He described the traditional ruler as a Nigerian with a strong belief in the future of the country and thanked him for his prayers, royal blessings, counsel and encouragement.

Obi said his campaign message remained focused on building a Nigeria where government serves the interests and welfare of its citizens.

“As we move forward on this journey, our message remains unequivocal: Nigeria can succeed, and government can be made to serve its people,” he said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has urged the party’s governorship candidates to shun hate speech, ethnic and religious profiling, violence and empty promises ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Mark made the call during a consultation meeting with the candidates at the ADC National Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC chairman warned candidates against making promises they would not be able to fulfil if elected.

He said such conduct could undermine the party’s integrity and credibility.

“Our campaign must reflect the kind of country we would like to build.

“Avoid hate speech, ethnic or religious profiling, and violence.

“Unlike other political parties, ADC does not believe that all is fair in politics,” Mark said.

He urged the candidates to familiarise themselves with the party’s governance and ethical principles contained in its ‘Orange Book’ and manifesto.

The governorship candidates, in separate remarks, expressed appreciation to the party for providing them with the platform to contest the forthcoming elections.

They also welcomed the decision by the ADC and its presidential candidate to make reducing the cost of living a central focus of the party’s campaign.

According to the candidates, the party’s position includes a proposal to restore fuel subsidies as part of measures to reduce the price of petrol.

The candidates pledged loyalty to the party and promised to work towards winning their respective governorship elections and making the ADC proud.

NAN