Politics
Disquiet among Ndigbo as Ohanaeze elects new leaders today
- Factional heads emerge
There is tension among Igbo leaders in the South-East and others parts of Nigeria over the election of a new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other executive members of the group scheduled to hold today, January 10, 2021.
Already, opposing interests are said to have elected or are warming up to elect parallel officials of the organisation.
A former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor, is favoured to emerge as the next PG of the group in the election holding today in Owerri, Imo State.
Obiozor’s chances became brighter when other top contenders for the office reportedly withdrew on allegation of irregularities in the process.
Before now, the electoral committee set up by the outgoing executive led by Chief Nnia Nwodo had thrown up six aspirants jostling to take over the baton of leadership from Nwodo when his tenure ends on January 21. They include Prof George Obiozor, Dr Joe Nworgu, Dr Chris Asoluka, Prof Chidi Osuagwu, Chief Goddy Uwazurike and Prof Nnaemeka Obiaraeri.
It is said to be the turn of Imo State to produce the next PG of the organisation. So, all the known aspirants for the top position are from the state.
An indication that all is not well came on Saturday when Uche Okwukwu led a faction to elect a parallel executive.
Also on Saturday, a report came that a former commissioner in Imo State, Engr Chidi Ibeh, had emerged the factional President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
According to the report, Ibeh emerged during a parallel election organised by the Prince Richard Ozobu-led election committee.
They also claimed to have elected Dim Uche Okwukwu as the Deputy President General and Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, from Abia State, as the Secretary General.
Okwukwu from Rivers State was the Secretary-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation who had resisted his alleged suspension.
Many other aspirants have also reportedly disassociated themselves from today’s main election.
A top contender, Prof Chidi Osuagwu, said today’s election would outcome amount to a nullity.
He stated this at a press conference on Saturday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, adding that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo election process did not follow constitutional guidelines.
He said, “There is no official statement on nomination forms, yet some people have paid and names drawn up for LGA elections that did not hold anywhere. There are no official lists of national General Assembly statutory members and the ones that are associated with states, as required by the Ohanaeze Constitution.”
According to him, the election will be held outside the constitution, adding that any election held in contravention of the provisions of the constitution is illegal, null and void.
He said, “I’ve bought the forms for the candidacy at N500,000 which is very strange, considering that this is a socio-cultural organisation that service should be voluntary.
“Unfortunately, they have turned the exercise to a political party thing. We have a situation where people no longer distinguish between Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a socio-cultural organisation and political parties.”
A former Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nworgu, was quoted as saying, “I am disassociating myself from the election because it is fret with irregularities and capable of putting Ohanaeze Ndigbo into crisis. I wouldn’t want an organisation we have laboured so much over the years to build to go down.”
But Nwodo has maintained that “no amount of innuendos and blackmail will deter Ohanaeze from bequeathing a virile leadership to Ndigbo.”
He once also said through his Media Adviser, Emeka Attama, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the leadership of Chief Nwodo, is committed to the inviolate tradition of conducting a free, fair and transparent election to usher in its successors in January 2021.”
Politics
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
Shamsu Bala, son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has publicly accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of undermining his father’s bid for reelection in 2023—alleging that the time has come to “settle scores.”
In a post shared on social media Saturday, Mr. Bala expressed strong disapproval of Atiku’s approach toward reconciliation ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that the presidential hopeful remains indifferent toward mending ties with the governor.
“He (Atiku) didn’t work for us in the 2023 election; he worked for Air Marshal (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadiq). He deployed elites in Bauchi to fight us, and we narrowly won the election,” Mr. Bala wrote in Hausa.
He added: “Now he is taking us for granted, he doesn’t value us as humans, he is showing us that we are too small to call for reconciliation.”
Although he didn’t name those involved, his remarks appear to allude to certain Bauchi political heavyweights. In early 2023, Governor Mohammed directed the Bauchi Emirate Council to strip veteran politician Bello Kirfi of his traditional title of Wazirin Bauchi over alleged disloyalty. Kirfi, a former minister and close ally of Atiku, is seen by some as one of the elites mentioned by the governor’s son.
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Another key figure, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, supported Atiku’s presidential run but did not back Governor Mohammed’s reelection.
Despite the tensions, Atiku secured a strong showing in Bauchi during the 2023 presidential election, defeating his closest rival, Bola Tinubu of the APC, by more than 100,000 votes. Atiku garnered 426,607 votes compared to Tinubu’s 316,694.
Mr. Bala’s comments surfaced shortly after Atiku paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna—a move widely interpreted as part of ongoing coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
The comments sparked concern among PDP loyalists. Party supporter and social media influencer Abdulaziz Na’ibi-Abubakar responded to the post by urging reconciliation between the two camps. “We hope that Atiku and Governor Bala Mohammed reconcile their differences to keep the PDP on track,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed had previously challenged Atiku during the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries before shifting focus to secure a second term as governor. As chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, he remains a central figure in the party’s internal politics and is speculated to still harbor presidential ambitions.
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
(PREMIUM TIMES)
Politics
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
With the 2027 presidential election drawing closer, President Bola Tinubu’s camp is reportedly scrambling to prevent a major political crisis as influential members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, consider defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Tinubu Turns to Al-Makura to Pacify Buhari’s Allies
A leaked internal memo reveals that President Tinubu is banking on former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, to persuade the CPC bloc—loyalists of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari—to remain in the APC. Sources say Al-Makura is being offered the APC national chairmanship in exchange for his role in convincing Buhari to intervene and stop his supporters from leaving.
Al-Makura is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, where he may announce Buhari’s alleged endorsement of Tinubu’s efforts to keep the party united.
Growing Discontent Within APC
The ruling party is facing increasing internal strife, with several high-profile figures openly expressing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa are reportedly exploring alternative political platforms ahead of 2027.
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El-Rufai has already claimed that Buhari gave him his “blessing” to leave the APC. Meanwhile, some former ministers from Buhari’s administration are said to be finalizing plans to join the SDP in large numbers. In Katsina, Buhari’s home state, several APC members have already defected.
APC Leadership in Panic Mode
The Progressive Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently visited Buhari in Kaduna, pleading with him to help stop the looming exodus.
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) also met with the former president last Friday—just hours after opposition leaders, including Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, and former Communications Minister Isa Pantami, held talks with him.
With tensions rising, fears of a potential mass defection have intensified. Political observers warn that the departure of this influential faction could deal a significant blow to the ruling party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
Politics
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
The national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has led the party’s national working committee (NWC) to the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna State.
The development comes after opposition leaders visited the former President.
Newstrends had reported how ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar led key politicians, including El-Rufa’i, to Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state.
Some political commentators had said the visit was part of moves by the opposition to have a united front against the current government in the forthcoming general elections.
However, days before the visit by the opposition leaders, Buhari had received in audience governors elected under the APC platform.
Earlier last month, the former President had reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in a statement said, “Without referring to any individual, cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by Party leaders at various levels, former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated what he’s said times without number, that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.”
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
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