Politics

South-East leaders blast Atiku over Igbo president, demand apology

Published

4 years ago

October 2, 2022

South-East leaders have taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over a statement credited to him that Ndigbo should wait until after his tenure as President to have a shot at the presidency.

They also demanded an apology from him as they described Atiku’s comment as an insult to the collective sensibilities of the entire Igbo race.

The former vice president last Tuesday during the PDP South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting in Enugu said he would actualise the Igbo presidency if elected in 2023.

“So, why do you say I will not give Igbos a fair chance to lead the country after my tenure as president? I did that in 2019 when I brought Obi and another Obi in 2011 and for 2023, I chose Ifeanyi Okowa, another Igbo man as my running mate, even when Ohaneze said no Igbo should contest for Presidency under PDP”, he had stated.

However, the comment by the PDP’s standard bearer did not go well with many Igbo leaders who berated him for being insensitive to the political marginalisation of Ndigbo.

Recall that Chief Raymond Dokpesi had, in January 2022, during a consultation parley with the PDP leaders in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, said Atiku would only do a single term and hand over to an Igbo person.

Dokpesi, who was then the leader of the Technical Committee for Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign, assured that if Atiku was elected for a single four-year term, it would pave the way for the South East to produce the president in 2027.

Recall also that similar promises were made to Ndigbo by the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, during the electioneering for the 2019 general elections.

In December 2018, the Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, restated APC’s resolve that President Muhammadu Buhari would hand over power to an Igbo person in 2023.

Mustapha, while speaking in Umuahia, at the inauguration of the South East chapter of the Presidential Support Committee, PSC, assured Ndigbo that the shortest route to producing a president of Igbo extraction was by supporting and voting for APC in 2019.

Note that since the return of democracy in 1999, the gentleman agreement was that power would be rotating between the North and the South. In that order, the South got the first shot at the presidency with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, from the Southwest. After him, the presidency went to the North with Umaru Musa Ya’adua emerging as the president. Unfortunately, Ya’adua died on the seat and his vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South filled in as acting president and then substantive president.

Going forward, the presidency returned to the North with Buhari almost rounding up his second tenure. Therefore, by the gentleman agreement operational, the presidency ought to return to the South once again.

But since the Dokpesi statement of January 2022 that Atiku will do a single term if elected in 2023 is not a direct commitment from the PDP presidential candidate, it can then mean that Igbo will have to wait till 2031 to be President if he decides to seek re-election in 2027 and succeeds.

The Igbo leaders argued that out of the three geopolitical zones, namely, South-West, South-East and South-South, the South-South and South-West have had their time at the presidency, leaving the South-East.

They believed that if equity, justice, fair play, and most importantly, owing to the tenets of the gentleman agreement which is in tandem with the federal character principles, the geo-political zone should have been supported by the other southern blocks who already have had their take at the presidency, but it became a tug of war, one which has generated a lot of bad blood.

Those who spoke to Sunday Vanguard noted that Atiku, who is at the centre of the problem, rather than supporting a candidate from the South-East, threw his hat in the ring to be allowed to succeed a fellow northerner who just did two tenures.

According to them, it is ironic that Atiku is now the one telling Igbos to support him becoming the president so that he would assist the region to get their turn at the presidency.

The implication of Atiku’s promise, the South-East leaders noted, is that if the ex-VP wins the 2023 presidential election and decides to go for a second term, the Igbos will have to wait until 2031 to have a shot at the presidency.

Atiku can’t be trusted – OYC

Reacting, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, regarded Atiku’s statement as a mere political chorus.

He said the PDP’s presidential candidate cannot be trusted. “We know politicians that can keep to their words and Atiku is not one of them. So what he’s doing is just to manoeuvre to get the opportunity to become the president of this country and continue his private and personal agenda.

“Again, nobody that is reasonable will ask Ndigbo or South East to support them to get power in 2031, no. It’s an insult to Ndigbo and unacceptable. I blame some so-called Igbo stakeholders in PDP that stood there and watched him making such a caricature statement against Ndigbo.

“Ndigbo have waited for more than 57 years to have a position of the number one citizen of this country. No person from South East has become the president of this country. So when you ask our people to wait, it is an insult to us.

”So the South East is politically marginalized and this is part of the things that are fueling the agitation in the old Eastern region. So it’s morally, socially, and justifiably the time for South East to produce the next president of this country. It is non-negotiable, we cannot negotiate it for any reason”, Igboayaka stated.

Also speaking, a socio-political analyst and convener, Ikoro Ndigbo Assembly, Ugochimereze Chinedu Asuzu, cautioned Atiku not to denigrate the Igbo race further, by such an “insulting and patronizing statement, as the presidency is not his to give.”

Asuzu said: “While Atiku is at liberty to say whatever he wants to say because there’s freedom of speech, I’ll only advise that he shouldn’t for any reason whatsoever, denigrate the Igbo race further, by such insulting and patronizing statement. The presidency is not Atiku’s to give to anyone, therefore, giving a promise that obviously is above his actualization is only being unnecessarily mischievous.

“This same patronizing statement we heard before the advent of the present occupier of the office of the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari. It was part of their campaign statements during the period of the campaigns, and it’s been observed in the breach already because the APC ticket has been ceded to a southwesterner already.

“Therefore, it’s becoming increasingly a pattern of a sort that the sensibilities of the Igbos are continually being insulted by politicians of other ethnicities who believe dangling such carrots at the faces of the Igbos will earn them votes.

Unwritten Code

“We say enough of the insults because the Igbos aren’t second-class citizens or is it that we aren’t aborigines of Nigeria that we’re being placarded in that manner? Will the heavens fall if an Igbo person rules Nigeria, or is there an unwritten or hidden code that forbid the Igbos from becoming president?

“Therefore, all these fire brigades’ promises to the Igbos during campaigns of supporting them next time to be president should stop, because it’s glaring becoming utterly nonsensical and demeaning. We have our people in contention too who are qualified to be president now. So we won’t wait for that beggarly presidency Atiku will give to us, because Nigeria is not his to give to anyone, and he’s not more qualified than our people who already offered themselves for that position which if following logically, morally, ethically and otherwise, it’s the rightful time for a president of Nigeria of Igbo extraction to become a reality, and that is where we stand now.”

I pity Igbos supporting Atiku – Nwodo

Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Nnia Nwodo, while contributing, said that he pities any Igbo political elite supporting the presidential candidate of the PDP at a time many Nigerians from other tribes are supporting the candidacy of Mr Peter Obi, an illustrious Igbo son.

According to Nwodo, “Atiku has been there as vice president and has contested for the presidency severally and he thinks we should wait after several times the North has occupied that position. I don’t support that statement by Atiku. I also pity those of them who had earlier supported the struggle for the Igbo presidency and now saying another thing. I don’t know what will be going through their minds.”

Continuing, he wondered why the Igbo political elite would not sacrifice political correctness and party interest on the altar of regional interest.

The former Information Minister said that apart from the fact that Obi hails from the South East that should by equity and justice be allowed to produce the president in 2023, the former Anambra governor towers higher above other presidential contenders.

“All I feel for those Igbo, including my state governor and my brother, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, now supporting Atiku to be president after eight years of the presidency of another Fulani man when entire Nigeria is saying that Peter Obi who happens to be Igbo is the best candidate in the race, is a pity. But they are entitled to their opinion.”

Total Insult

Also reacting, the President of Igbo National Council, INC, Chilos Godsent, said the group was sad about Atiku’s statement and viewed it “as a total insult to the Igbo nation.”

He called on the PDP’s presidential candidate “to endeavour to study history as that may help guide his utterances in this electioneering period.”

“Consequent upon the above, the INC, therefore, request Atiku to immediately apologize to the Igbo nation for that reckless and unguided statement or we shall declare a political fatwa on him and the PDP state governors in the Igbo land”, Godsent warned.

Igbos still unhappy with PDP
Adding his voice, the leader of the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, expressed disappointment over the statement by Atiku especially, at a time when Ndigbo were still unhappy about the outcome of the PDP presidential primary election.
He said, “It is very wrong for Atiku to make such a statement in Enugu when the people of South East are still unhappy with the outcome of the PDP presidential primaries that failed to zone her presidential ticket to South East after many years of unalloyed support to the party.
“Whoever may have advised him to make such statement in Enugu did not advise him rightly. Enugu remains the capital of Ndigbo and it is not complementary for him to have made such a comment there.”

– Vanguard story, apart from headline and intro

Related Topics:Atiku Featured Igbo président

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Labour Party Disowns Arabambi Over Peter Obi Records Lawsuits

Published

3 hours ago

September 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Peter Obi

Labour Party Disowns Arabambi Over Peter Obi Records Lawsuits

The Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, over lawsuits seeking access to the academic and NYSC records of Peter Obi, saying he is no longer a member of the party and did not institute the cases on its behalf.

The clarification was issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, following reports describing Arabambi as an LP chieftain in connection with his legal action against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Asogwa said the party had initially ignored reports about the lawsuits when they circulated on social media but decided to respond after mainstream media organisations also identified Arabambi as an LP chieftain.

According to the party, Arabambi ceased to be an LP member after he was among 25 members suspended by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on March 18, 2026, over alleged infractions bordering on anti-party activities.

The LP said the suspension was subsequently ratified by its National Convention on April 28, 2026. Following that ratification, the affected individuals ceased to be members of the party, the leadership said.

Asogwa added that no organ of the party had met since then to revisit or reverse the decision concerning the affected members.

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The Labour Party consequently urged the public and media organisations to stop presenting Arabambi as an LP chieftain or representative, stressing that he could not have instituted the cases as a member of the party.

The party also warned that if Arabambi had presented himself as a representative or chieftain of the LP, such representation was unauthorised and could amount to impersonation. It said its lawyers were reviewing the matter and could consider further legal action, including a possible petition to law-enforcement authorities.

The Labour Party, however, clarified that its statement should not be interpreted as an endorsement or rejection of the substance of Arabambi’s court cases. The party said its immediate objective was to correct the impression that he was acting on its behalf.

The controversy followed three separate suits filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in which Arabambi is seeking access to official records relating to certificates and other documents connected with Obi.

The suits were filed against WAEC, NYSC and UNN under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The WAEC case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, while the NYSC case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026. Both were filed on September 1, 2026. The suit against UNN, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9.

Arabambi, through his lawyer Anderson Asemota, is asking the court to compel the institutions to release records in their custody relating to Obi’s academic and national service credentials.

The former LP spokesman has maintained that the lawsuits are not asking the court to determine whether the certificates Obi submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are genuine or forged.

Rather, he says he wants access to the institutions’ underlying official records from which the status and particulars of the certificates can be established.

In the case involving UNN, the requested information relates to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy reportedly awarded to Obi in 1984.

Arabambi is also seeking records relating to an NYSC certificate and information concerning the particulars contained in the relevant records.

The legal action against WAEC followed what Arabambi described as the examination body’s refusal to provide information requested under the Freedom of Information Act. He similarly alleged that UNN and NYSC failed to provide the requested records or satisfactory reasons for withholding them.

The lawsuits have generated political reactions because Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is now the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.

The NDC has dismissed the lawsuits and defended Obi’s academic background. Its spokesman, Osa Director, said Obi’s academic history was verifiable and questioned the political significance of the legal action.

The NDC also challenged Arabambi to produce evidence supporting any allegation that Obi’s credentials were questionable.

For the Labour Party, however, the immediate issue is Arabambi’s membership status rather than the merits of the cases. The party has made clear that it does not recognise him as an LP member and that the lawsuits should not be regarded as actions instituted by the party.

The courts have yet to determine whether WAEC, UNN and NYSC should release the records sought by Arabambi. The Labour Party’s latest position also does not amount to a judicial finding on the authenticity or otherwise of any of Obi’s credentials.

Labour Party Disowns Arabambi Over Peter Obi Records Lawsuits

Politics

Desmond Elliot Apologises to Gbajabiamila, Seeks Return to APC

Published

8 hours ago

September 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Desmond Elliot Apologises to Gbajabiamila, Seeks Return to APC

Former Lagos State House of Assembly member Desmond Elliot has publicly apologised to former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, as he seeks to repair their relationship and return fully to the fold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Elliot, who represented Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2015, made the appeal amid renewed political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and after losing the APC ticket for the constituency in the party’s latest primary.

The former Nollywood actor’s latest appeal is the latest development in a political relationship that has experienced considerable strain in recent years.

Elliot had been regarded as a prominent political associate of Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere in the broader Lagos political structure. Their relationship, however, came under pressure following political developments surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis.

In his latest appeal, Elliot asked Gbajabiamila to forgive him for any offence he may have committed and expressed his desire for reconciliation.

The former lawmaker’s move comes after he failed to secure the APC nomination for Surulere Constituency I, effectively ending his bid for another term in the Lagos Assembly under the party.

Barakat Olawunmi Odunuga-Bakare emerged as the APC candidate following the party’s primary election.

The outcome marked a major setback for Elliot, who had sought to continue his legislative career after serving in the Assembly since 2015.

The political fallout between Elliot and sections of the Lagos APC leadership had previously become public during the controversy surrounding the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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In May 2026, Elliot had also publicly apologised to Gbajabiamila, referring to him as his political mentor and acknowledging that he might have offended him.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine,” Elliot said while appealing for forgiveness.

He also denied allegations that he was involved in moves against then-Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, whose leadership had become the subject of intense political controversy.

Gbajabiamila had earlier said that he defended Elliot during the crisis and that the controversy had placed his own position as Chief of Staff to President Tinubu under pressure.

According to Gbajabiamila, allegations surrounding Elliot had contributed to a situation in which he was forced to explain his position to the President. He maintained that he had defended the former lawmaker and told Tinubu that Elliot was not part of the group behind the moves against Obasa.

The dispute therefore went beyond a personal disagreement and became intertwined with the wider political contest within the Lagos APC.

Elliot’s latest reconciliation effort comes against the backdrop of the changing political dynamics in Surulere and Lagos as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.

The former lawmaker’s defeat in the APC primary also means that he will not return to the Lagos Assembly through the party’s ticket for the next legislative term.

The APC primary was described by Gbajabiamila as peaceful, fair and orderly, despite reports of tensions surrounding the contest and Elliot’s concerns about the process.

Elliot had previously obtained the APC nomination form in his bid to return to the Assembly, but he ultimately failed to secure the party’s endorsement.

Following the primary defeat, reports emerged that the former actor had returned to Nollywood, reviving his entertainment career after more than a decade in active politics.

Elliot became a household name in Nigeria through his work as an actor before entering politics. He represented Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos Assembly for three consecutive terms beginning in 2015.

His political career has been closely associated with the Lagos APC political structure, making his relationship with influential party figures particularly important to his future political ambitions.

The latest apology is therefore being viewed not only as an attempt to resolve a personal political disagreement but also as part of Elliot’s effort to rebuild relationships within the ruling party.

For the former lawmaker, reconciliation with Gbajabiamila could potentially help restore his standing within the Lagos political establishment, although his immediate political future remains uncertain following his loss at the APC primary.

The development also comes at a time when political alignments are rapidly evolving ahead of 2027, with politicians across Lagos and other parts of the country reassessing their alliances, party positions and electoral strategies.

While Elliot has expressed a desire to return to the APC fold, the extent to which the reconciliation will translate into a renewed political role remains unclear.

For now, his public appeal to Gbajabiamila marks another attempt by the former lawmaker to close a difficult chapter in their political relationship and rebuild bridges within the Lagos APC.

Desmond Elliot Apologises to Gbajabiamila, Seeks Return to APC

Politics

2027: Sowore Promises ₦500,000 Minimum Wage, Free Education, 24-Hour Electricity

Published

8 hours ago

September 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Omoyele Sowore

2027: Sowore Promises ₦500,000 Minimum Wage, Free Education, 24-Hour Electricity

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has unveiled an ambitious agenda for the 2027 presidential election, promising a ₦500,000 monthly living minimum wage, 24-hour electricity, free education and the construction of one million public mixed-income homes if elected president.

Sowore said the proposals were part of the AAC’s 2027 agenda, which he described as a programme focused on improving living standards, expanding access to essential services and fundamentally changing the way Nigeria’s economy is managed.

At the centre of the proposal is a ₦500,000 minimum wage, which Sowore said would give Nigerian workers a more realistic income in the face of rising living costs.

He argued that workers should not continue to receive wages that are inadequate to meet basic needs while the cost of food, housing, transportation, healthcare and education continues to increase.

Sowore’s proposed wage would represent a substantial increase over Nigeria’s existing statutory minimum wage and would have significant implications for both public-sector finances and private employers if implemented nationwide.

The AAC candidate also promised to deliver 24-hour electricity, making reliable power supply a central pillar of his economic programme.

Sowore argued that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful industrialisation when businesses and households remain heavily dependent on generators because of unreliable electricity supply.

He said his administration would prioritise the power sector to ensure that electricity becomes a dependable foundation for industrial production, small businesses, job creation and economic growth.

The presidential hopeful also promised free education at all levels, arguing that poverty should not prevent Nigerian children and young people from accessing quality education.

He said his proposed education policy would seek to remove financial barriers that prevent families from keeping their children in school, while improving access to educational opportunities.

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Housing is another major component of Sowore’s proposed programme.

He promised to construct one million public mixed-income homes, saying the initiative would help address Nigeria’s housing shortage while providing more affordable accommodation for people across different income groups.

He also proposed reforms to the country’s tenancy system, including measures to address the widespread practice of demanding lengthy rent advances from tenants.

Sowore said his government would treat healthcare as a right rather than a privilege, with increased investment in the country’s health system and measures designed to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for medical treatment.

His economic programme also includes plans to industrialise Nigeria, expand agriculture, improve infrastructure and create more dignified employment opportunities.

Sowore said agriculture would receive greater attention under his proposed administration, particularly through increased local production, processing and value addition.

He has argued that Nigeria should move away from excessive dependence on the export of raw commodities and instead develop industries capable of processing its agricultural and mineral resources locally.

The AAC candidate also promised reforms in the security sector, including improved welfare for security personnel and greater use of technology in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

He proposed the deployment of modern technologies, including drones and intelligence systems, as part of efforts to strengthen security operations.

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Sowore has positioned his campaign as an alternative to Nigeria’s established political order, arguing that successive governments have failed to adequately tackle poverty, corruption, unemployment, inequality and poor public services.

He said Nigeria’s resources should be used to improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens rather than being concentrated among a relatively small political and economic elite.

The AAC candidate has also said his campaign would seek financial support from ordinary Nigerians, rather than relying heavily on wealthy political patrons.

According to Sowore, a people-funded campaign would allow the party to maintain greater independence and remain accountable to citizens rather than powerful sponsors.

His proposals come as political parties and presidential candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election.

Sowore is seeking to build on his previous presidential campaigns and present the AAC as a distinct alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other established political parties.

The scale of his latest promises is likely to generate debate over their cost, funding and implementation.

A ₦500,000 minimum wage would significantly increase personnel costs for governments and could also place additional pressure on private-sector employers. Its implementation would therefore require careful consideration of productivity, inflation, government revenue and the ability of businesses to absorb higher labour costs.

Delivering 24-hour electricity would similarly require substantial investment in power generation, transmission and distribution, as well as reforms to address longstanding challenges involving gas supply, infrastructure, electricity pricing and distribution efficiency.

The proposed construction of one million homes and the provision of free education would also require significant public funding, planning and institutional capacity.

Sowore’s campaign is therefore placing a combination of higher wages, reliable electricity, free education, affordable housing, healthcare, industrialisation, job creation and security reforms at the centre of its 2027 message.

As the political contest gathers momentum, the feasibility and funding of competing candidates’ promises are expected to become important issues for voters assessing the various options ahead of the election.