Category: Politics

The Edo State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding Governor Monday Okpebholo’s remarks about the recent visit of Labour Party leader Mr. Peter Obi, stating that the Governor’s comments were not a threat but a call for proper security protocols. In a statement issued on Saturday, the government emphasized that high-profile individuals, especially politically exposed persons, are expected to notify and obtain security clearance from the state before embarking on public engagements. “As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional duty to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors. Adequate security measures must be put in place during high-profile visits to avoid exposing visitors and citizens to unnecessary risks,” the statement read. Rising Security Concerns Governor Okpebholo’s stance comes amid a rise in attacks and abductions targeting religious leaders, particularly Catholic priests and Christian clerics. Edo has witnessed several high-profile incidents, including the abduction of seminarians and the killing of clergy in past years. Public donations to faith-based institutions, while commendable, must be done with discretion and in consultation with security agencies to avoid making such institutions and their leaders vulnerable to attacks. The Governor cited biblical teachings on private giving, referencing Matthew 6:2–4, which encourages acts of charity without public display, both for security and moral reasons. No Political Hostility The government clarified that Governor Okpebholo’s comments should not be misconstrued for political purposes.“Edo State remains open and welcoming to all well-meaning Nigerians. However, the safety of all residents and visitors remains paramount. Leaders, no matter how highly placed, must align with security protocols,” the statement added. Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and improved security, urging political actors not to twist his words for cheap political points.

The immediate past governor of Sokoto State, current senator, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has sent warm birthday wishes to Peter Gregory Obi on the occasion of his 64th birthday — a gesture observers say might be his first public felicitation of the Labour Party presidential candidate. In a heartfelt message, Tambuwal praised Obi for embodying integrity, discipline, and service in Nigeria’s political landscape. “In a time when our nation yearns for principled leadership and moral clarity, your life has come to represent the possibility of a politics grounded in integrity, discipline, and service,” Tambuwal wrote. He commended Obi’s record as former governor of Anambra State, highlighting his achievements in fiscal responsibility, education, healthcare, and people-oriented governance. Tambuwal also acknowledged Obi’s philanthropy and continued support for schools and hospitals across Nigeria. “Your unwavering dedication to the public good — in governance and as a private citizen — continues to inspire many across party lines and generations,” he added. Tambuwal concluded his message by wishing Obi strength, wisdom, and grace to continue his impactful service to Nigeria. Political Undercurrents? The warm message has sparked speculation about potential political realignments ahead of 2027, given Tambuwal’s influence in the opposition and Obi’s growing national appeal. Political observers are closely watching for signs of alliances as opposition forces reposition for the next general elections. Would you like me to draft a short analysis piece titled “Is a North-South Opposition Alliance Emerging Ahead of 2027?” using this development as a reference point?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointments, calling them a “desperate, cynical attempt to buy back the trust that he has spent over a year squandering, particularly in Northern Nigeria.” In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the appointments as “too little, too late,” arguing that the administration has marginalised the North for over two years. “You cannot marginalise a region for over twenty-five months and expect applause because you suddenly remembered on the twenty-sixth month that Nigeria is bigger than Lagos State,” Abdullahi said. The party accused the Tinubu government of engaging in “political panic management,” claiming the move is a frantic attempt to appease rising public anger and the growing strength of the opposition in the North. “For over a year, this government turned a blind eye as bandits terrorised villages in the North, as farmers abandoned their lands, and as rural economies crumbled under the weight of poorly thought-out fuel subsidy removal,” Abdullahi said. “Now, under the heat of public discontent, the President suddenly remembers there are Nigerians to appoint into positions outside his Lagos.” The ADC insisted that Northerners would not be deceived by what it described as “token appointments,” noting that real inclusion requires meaningful consultation and policy fairness. “Tokenism is not inclusion, and symbolism is not governance,” the statement added. The party urged the Tinubu administration to abandon “Bourdillon-style appeasement politics” and focus on real nation-building through equitable policies and genuine national unity. “You cannot patch a broken roof with press releases and photo-ops,” the ADC concluded. “Trust can only be restored through sincere commitment to the federal character principle and inclusive governance.”

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has disowned the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held by some stakeholders on Friday, describing the gathering as illegal, unconstitutional, and of no consequence. In a statement issued in Abuja and titled “Illegal NEC: Otti advised not to use Abia State resources on trivialities,” the factional National Secretary of the LP, Umar Farouk, warned Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to desist from spending state funds on partisan activities. Farouk reiterated that only the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party have the constitutional authority to summon a NEC meeting. He said, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to yet another illegal gathering of some suspended members of the party parading themselves as members of the party’s National Executive Committee. “Ordinarily, we didn’t think we should make any comment as regards this perennial jamboree since the meeting and its outcome are inconsequential, null and void.” The statement was in response to Governor Otti’s call for Julius Abure, factional leader Lamidi Apapa, and other party members to tender a formal apology as a condition for reconciliation. Otti made this demand during the inauguration of Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha as interim National Chairman and National Secretary of the party. Citing Articles 14(4)(b) and 13(B)(xii) of the LP constitution, Farouk argued that the Umuahia NEC meeting lacked legitimacy. He described it as a direct violation of the party’s internal procedures and declared that no leadership vacancy exists until 2028. He also referenced the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which directed that all intra-party disputes be resolved internally. Farouk accused Governor Otti of being out of touch with current realities, stating, “Dr. Otti and his co-travellers must know by now that the train of the party has moved on and the party is focused ahead of the 2027 general election with or without them.” The Labour Party urged members to ignore the outcome of the Umuahia meeting and advised Otti to focus on governance. “We also urge the governor to channel Abia State resources to providing basic infrastructure for the good people of the state rather than wasting resources chasing shadows,” the statement concluded.

Amid rising economic hardship in Nigeria, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), George Agbakahi, has asserted that the country is better and Nigerians are happier under President Bola Tinubu compared to the years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking on Arise Television’s news program on Thursday, Agbakahi said Tinubu’s administration has implemented initiatives that far surpass those of past governments. “Of course, Nigeria of today is a lot better than Nigeria of the PDP days,” Agbakahi declared. “Look at some of the initiatives the current president has put in place. During the PDP days, did you ever hear about student loans? Let’s be sincere. The President has put a lot of smiles on the faces of Nigerian parents.” He highlighted policies such as free vocational and technical training, introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiatives, and the adoption of electric vehicles, stressing that these were never available under previous administrations. Agbakahi also mentioned several economic empowerment programs, including ₦200 billion support from the Bank of Industry for SMEs and a ₦100 billion youth fund, which he said are improving lives across the country. When reminded that more Nigerians are currently living in multidimensional poverty than during the PDP era, the APC stalwart attributed it to the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, which he said past presidents avoided despite knowing it was necessary. “President Tinubu came in and looked at it and found out that it was just the best way to go. He even said it would be tough, but now it is easing up,” Agbakahi said, insisting that the reforms will yield long-term benefits. “There’s no way you can compare the PDP days and this current administration. No, no, no. It’s not doable,” he concluded.

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has officially resigned from the opposition party as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku confirmed his involvement in the formation of a new coalition platform, the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as a viable alternative for Nigerians seeking change. His resignation was contained in a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP chairman of Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The development was made public on Wednesday via a post by Atiku’s Special Assistant on Media on X (formerly Twitter). In his resignation letter, Atiku expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities the party afforded him, while citing irreconcilable differences and a deviation from the party’s founding principles as reasons for his exit. “Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life,” Atiku stated. “As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision. However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.” Atiku’s resignation marks a major shake-up in Nigeria’s political landscape, setting the stage for intense political maneuvering as parties and power blocs prepare for 2027. Full Details: Click here to read