Politics
Obiano denied me of my entitlement as deputy gov –Okeke
The immediate past deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, has said he dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance because he needed to serve at the national level.
Okeke, who left the APGA shortly before the state governorship election in November 2021, expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra and his former boss, Willie Obiano, for the opportunity to serve the state.
Addressing journalists in Awka on Friday, Okeke said he had no regrets defecting to the All Progressives Congress at the time he did, because he was no longer enjoying the goodwill and confidence of Obiano.
Okeke, who revealed that he knew that Anambra was not in a good shape, regretted that the advice he gave on critical issues concerning the state were not taken.
He said, “The governor is the all and all. The deputy dances to the whims and caprices of the governor. I have always believed in giving my best in whatever capacity I find myself. It has always been my plan to join the APC. It is the question of what I do next after serving as deputy governor.
“I don’t have any regrets joining the APC. I joined the party, because I needed to play my politics at the national level and the two parties at the national level are the APC and the PDP. I have really gained national limelight since joining the party. The APC has welcomed me with open arms as I have been participating in the activities of the party at all levels. I just hope that more opportunities will come.”
Okeke commended the former governor for not replacing him when they were going for the second term, despite the huge pressure on him to do so.
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“There was massive pressure on Obiano to replace me as we were going for the second term, but he did not do so and that made me the only two-term deputy governor of the state. The eight years have come and gone although things did not really work out the way it was expected, but looking back, I have no regrets; I can only thank God and the people of Anambra,” he stated.
Okeke lamented that as a deputy governor, he was not getting his entitlements because the former governor refused to approve them, adding that he hopes that the current governor would look into the matter at the right time.
He stated, “I was not even receiving my entitlements while I was serving and I am not sure I will get any severance allowance. I don’t even know what is there for me. In the last couple of months, before our administration came to an end, I wasn’t getting my overhead as the governor refused to sign the warrant for my overhead.
“But I am hoping that Governor Chukwuma Soludo will do that when the time comes. For now, I don’t want to add to his problems and if they don’t come eventually, life goes on. I didn’t join politics for entitlements, but to contribute my quota.
“I thank God that I left the party as of the time I did. People blaming me for leaving or accusing me of betraying the party are not being fair to me.”
Okeke added, “I felt that after serving as deputy governor, what the next is. Would I continue to be in state politics or go to national politics and the question was if I wanted to go to national politics, would it be the APC or the PDP? Two of them are really the same, but I chose to join the party in power at the national level.
“I knew some people were not happy with that decision, but I look at things from all perspectives. I put into consideration what the APC has done for the people of Anambra, particularly the Second Niger Bridge, and I know what that bridge will do for our state when it is completed.”
On the issue of the huge debt incurred by the last administration, the former deputy governor said some of the projects that contributed to that like the airport and the international convention centre were not necessary and he advised against them.
He said, “That you saved N75bn or N100bn does not mean anything if you do not invest it in productive ventures. As of the time the airport project and the convention centre were going on, I advised against them, but my advice was not followed.
On the issue of Obiano and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Okeke said he knew things would end up that way, though he did not expect them to happen the way they did.
PUNCH
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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