Politics

“I have not anointed a successor,” – Obaseki declares

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2023

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki

“I have not anointed a successor,” – Obaseki declares

“I am not in the position now to determine, appoint or anoint a successor,’’ Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki, said in Benin on Friday.

“All I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.

“The important thing for us as an administration is for us to finish strong and complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaigns,’’ Obaseki told newsmen.

He stressed that the process of seeking his successor ahead of the 2024 governorship election in the state must reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion.

On his relationship with his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, he said: “I have nothing personal against the deputy governor and never had.

“For me, the issues are very straightforward,’’ Obaseki said.

Relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu had gone frosty in recent times as the duo threw brickbats at themselves until Shaibu apologised to the governor on Sept. 21.

Obaseki accepted Shaibu’s apology saying “to err is human, while to forgive is divine.

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The governor was, however, silent on whether he would allow Shaibu to return to his office in Government House.

“I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

“The apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo stand for.

“To name a few, the deputy governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in courts, restraining me, the House of Assembly and security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process.

“This followed repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and on the state government.

“Although, these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology, because as they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine.

“In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the deputy governor is genuine, and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict-resolution skills.

“I also enjoin the deputy governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.

“It is my sincere hope that this rhetoric will be put to an end to enable this administration to finish strong, over these final 12 months, Obaseki had said.

On Sept. 21, Shaibu pleaded with Obaseki to forgive him, saying he was sorry, adding that he was really missing the Edo governor.

He also stated that he did not move into his newly-allocated office outside Government House because the recently-renovated office was not yet policed, and it lacked a conference room, among other needs.

“I have not anointed a successor,” – Obaseki declares

(NAN)

Politics

NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

Published

1 day ago

December 9, 2023

Trends Admin

NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) House of Representatives Caucus has refuted claims of engaging in discussions for a possible coalition or merger with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party.

The denial comes amidst widely circulated rumours suggesting ongoing talks between the NNPP and the PDP.

In a statement released by Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin on behalf of the NNPP House Caucus, the party categorically dismissed the rumours as baseless and entirely false.

The party clarified its stance, asserting an open policy for collaboration, alliances, or mergers with various political entities, including the APC, PDP, and LP.

The NNPP emphasized that there are no ongoing discussions or meetings related to coalition or merger with the PDP or any other party. The party denounced the spread of such misinformation, labelling it as mischief.

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The NNPP House Caucus urged the public to disregard these unfounded rumours, affirming the party’s unwavering commitment to political neutrality while remaining open to potential collaborations with diverse political groups.

The statement read:

“Our attention has been drawn to a widely circulated message in some sections of the media that our great party, NNPP is in talks with the PDP and other parties for possible coalition.

“There is no any element of truth in this. It’s a blatant lie. Our party has consistently maintained a neutral stand that we are open for collaboration, alliance and even merger with the APC, PDP, LP and any other political party.

“There is presently no any talk whatsoever ongoing and the party did not attend any meeting to discuss coalition or merger with PDP or any other party. It is an act of mischief makers and should be regarded as such.”

NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

Politics

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

Published

3 days ago

December 7, 2023

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

National chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, says President Tinubu has already approved party’s blueprint for political liberation of Southeastern states.

With the newly approved blueprint, Ganduje expressed his optimism that Anambra would become an APC controlled state in 2025.

Ganduje stated this when he received Senator Ifeanyi Uba, Senator Uche Ekwunife and other party stalwarts from Anambra state at the APC, national secretariat in Abuja.

He said, it would be in the best interest of the South-East geo-political zone pushing to produce an occupant of the exalted seat of the presidency to join the APC fold.

He added that, the liberal revolution is starting from Anambra and the party will test its popularity with the citizenry in the South-east geo-political zone with the 2025 Anambra state governorship poll.

“I will like to let you know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved our blueprint for political liberation of South-east to the APC, he approved the political emancipation and political de-marginalisation of the region,” Ganduje said.

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“Be with one voice because if you speak with one voice, it will be bigger, wider for negotiating the political leadership of this country.

“We will win the next gubernatorial election and will win the National Assembly, the State Assembly, and all other grassroot elections, in Anambra state.

“So what I’m telling you is that the South East geopolitical zone is coming into the national politics and the region will be dominated by APC,” he added.

Meanwhile, Imo state governor and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma who was at the party secretariat also re-echoed the position of Ganduje.

“It is important that APC as a political party become the vehicle for the South-east region to be fully integrated into the national project.

“Consistent to that, we are going to do our best to make sure that the five states in the South-eastern region are dominated by APC, by endearing our party to the people of the South-east region,” he said.

Other governors in attendance include: Kwara state governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state and governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

Politics

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

Published

4 days ago

December 6, 2023

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

In Nigeria, 25 political associations have requested to be recognized as political parties ahead of the general elections in 2027.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Public Presentation of the ‘NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’, which was organized by the Kukah Centre and the European Union (EU).

Sam Olumekun, a National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, represented INEC.

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He said: “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the National Assembly that emerged from the political parties. There was a time we had many political parties before they were pruned down by legal requirements to 19.

“As at today we have about 25 political associations that have applied that they want to register as political parties. If political parties are not functioning well, why are groups coming up to seek registration as political parties?” Olumekun queried.

Also, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Senator from Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, said that since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria’s political landscape had witnessed significant transformation, which can be attributed to the relentless efforts of various stakeholders and institutions, including Nigerians and political parties.