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
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state’s House of Assembly.
Okpebholo assured them of a conducive environment to operate and collaborate for the state’s development.
The governor gave the assurance when he received Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who defected to the APC.
Osamwonyi, representing Uhunmwonde State Constituency, was received into the party by the Chairman of the APC Edo State chapter, Jarrett Tenebe.
Governor Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for joining the APC, stating that their defection has strengthened the party.
He expressed his desire to collaborate with them to drive development and improve the lives of Edo people.
“We congratulate you on returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party, as we have five of you who have joined, and you have made our party stronger.
“A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop the state and make life better for our people.
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“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.
“The next election, especially the 2027 presidential election, we are ready in Edo State. We have kick-started our own campaigns for the president in 2027. We have to mobilise the youth in our state, and you are part of the youth. I promise you that you will enjoy our party, as you have chosen to join us,” he said.
The governor highlighted his administration’s developmental strides, aiming to boost the state’s economy and enhance the lives of its citizens.
He specifically mentioned Uhunmwonde Local Government, stating his commitment to its growth and development.
Okpebholo also announced the kickoff of the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, calling on the youth to join the party’s efforts.
Also speaking, Tenebe stated that the party is now in full control of the State Assembly, as it now has the majority of the members in the house.
“Hon. Osamwonyi joined the party following the developmental strides your administration has achieved in the few months you have led the state,” he said.
Osamwonyi, on his part, said his decision to join the party was a result of the disunity in his former party, the PDP, from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in a very short time in office.
“The division in my party, the PDP, made me join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.
“The several projects captured in the budget for the Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I had no choice but to join the party for the development of my people,” he said.
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Politics
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling as justification for his takeover.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Apapa cited the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, which he claims validates his position.
According to him, the apex court ruling invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.
“The Supreme Court lambasted the two lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction,” Apapa said during the briefing. “They rightly noted that issues regarding the internal leadership of a political party are non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the courts.”
Relying on Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa asserted that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he is now constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. Alongside his announcement, he named Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary of the party.
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Apapa also revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. At the top of the agenda is a new strategic roadmap for the party, including plans to zone the National Chairmanship to the North and the Secretary position to the South.
“We are also taking proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional again. The time has come for real internal democracy and inclusion in our great party,” Apapa declared.
He disclosed that preparations are underway for fresh congresses at all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—aimed at re-establishing grassroots participation and internal legitimacy. According to him, only financial members will be eligible to vote or contest.
It should be recalled that a separate faction loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti convened a National Executive Meeting earlier today.
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Politics
Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP
Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate
Datti Baba-Ahmed and Abia State Governor Alex Otti were some of the prominent figures that attended the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting was held amid ongoing controversy over the Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
The meeting, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton, was presided over by Nenadi Usman, a former minister of finance and current chairperson of the party’s caretaker committee.
Also present were Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidates for Edo State and Imo State, respectively.
It came 48 hours after Julius Abure, the factional chairman of the LP, threatened to sanction Obi and Otti for convening the meeting.
Many LP lawmakers, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, showed up at the Usman-led NEC meeting.
The LP NEC passed a vote of confidence in Obi, Baba-Ahmed, Otti, the Usman-led caretaker committee, and the Obidient movement.
Usman, in her remarks, appealed to “members of the former National Working Committee (NWC) to sheathe their swords and join in the process of rebuilding the party”.
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