Politics
Ohanaeze tackles Dokpesi over ‘no southern candidate can win presidency’ comment
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described as ‘unfortunate’ the comment of the Chairman, Daar Communications Ltd, Raymond Dokpesi, who said that there is no candidate in the South East or in the entire South that can win the presidency in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Dokpesi had, in an interview with the Daily Trust Newspaper on Saturday, October 9, 2021, stated that: “The South East cannot win the election for the PDP. That is just the truth of the matter. I don’t beat around the bush; I treat issues as they are and as I understand them. There is no candidate from the South East, even I dare say there is no candidate from the South that you put in the North today that will be able to win. It is going to be a humongous challenge.”
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement on Tuesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary Alex Ogbonnia, titled, ‘Dokpesi Oscillates’, said the chairman of Daar Communications’ comments negated the position of the 17 southern governors that presidency should return to the South in 2023.
“Dokpesi’s assumptions are unreflective, weird and unworthy. Any person who loves Nigeria should be an advocate of power rotation, especially between the north and the South; and those our sons and daughters who lay claim to leadership should not, under any guise, give the impression that the south is a lame-duck, an electoral liability; and therefore must depend on the north to define the political trajectory of Nigeria.”
Ohanaeze regretted that as one of the leaders of the South-South People Assembly, Dokpesi should seek to promote south-south people of Nigeria with his fortune instead of playing to the gallery to appeal to his benefactors in the north.
The apex Igbo sociocultural body said it would have ignored his comment as a mundane distraction but was constrained to react to “save the gullible public from his shibboleth,” while it maintained that until there is justice in Nigeria, there can never be peace.
The statement partly reads: “Those who lament on the bleak future of Nigeria often cite the unpredictable character of our leaders.
“The Greek political philosopher, Plato, was so dissatisfied with leaders who lacked the moral strength to act according to the common good – in other words, rulers motivated by self-interest were not good leaders. Most do not realize that the forces of morality and justice constitute the transcendental cord that holds humanity in shape.
“In other words, there can never be peace in the absence of justice. Put differently, Nigeria will remain in crises until the leaders embrace justice, equity and fairness as a guiding philosophy.
“I sympathise with our southern son, Chief Dokpesi because he started as the personal assistant to Alhaji Bamaga Tukur at the Nigerian Ports Authority. Dokpesi also served under Alhaji Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi. Records reveal that Alh. Bamanga Tukur paid his fees from secondary school to the post graduate level. To that extent, he owes allegiance to his benefactors and feels no compunction to profile the entire south as electoral liability.
“One can easily understand the psychological ambivalence in the Dokpesi persona. On the other hand, there is no reason for the condescension and disdain he handed over to the entire South.
Ohanaeze however, reminded Dokpesi that several educated refined patriotic northerners were allergic to the supremacist born to rule entrepreneurs which it said had created the current Nigerian dilemma.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is dismayed that Dokpesi could demonstrate this type of duplicity in a matter that is so clearly defined.
“The human spirit does not oscillate like a pendulum; East, West, North and South. The rotation of presidency between the North and the South is the truth. Two options are before the advocates of justice and progress in Nigeria; we either choose light or darkness”
Eagle Online
Politics
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Hon. Victor Giadom, has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to align politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, if he hopes to record any meaningful political success in Rivers State.
Giadom gave the advice on Tuesday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where political leaders and supporters gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to the former Rivers State governor.
Describing Nyesom Wike as a dependable leader and the dominant political force in Rivers State, Giadom assured the minister of the unflinching support of the Gokana people, stressing that no rival political structure exists in the area.
“I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu, and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana,” Giadom said.
He added, “Gokana is a no-go area for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”
Similarly, former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Sen. Magnus Abe, said the people of Gokana had already made their political choice, firmly aligning with Wike and President Bola Tinubu.
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“Wike is a leader that unites, and that is why we are united. If you follow Wike, you will not go home empty-handed,” Abe stated.
“The Ogoni people are with you. Please tell President Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign — we are already for him.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, pledged continued loyalty to the FCT minister.
“Anywhere you go, we will go,” Maol said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Mr. Confidence Deko, pledged total support for Wike, attributing the people’s loyalty to his developmental contributions to the area.
“This local government is for you because of what you have done for us,” Deko said.
“Please tell President Tinubu that the people of Gokana appreciate him. The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”
In his response, Wike said the visit was to appreciate the people of Gokana for their sustained support and goodwill over the years.
He commended their unity, particularly in backing President Tinubu, noting that unity remained the foundation for progress.
“When you are united, good things will come,” Wike said, urging residents to remain patient and continue to listen to their leaders for guidance at the appropriate time.
The FCT minister further assured the people of his continued partnership with them, revealing that members of both the APC and PDP in Rivers State were united in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“That is why you see PDP and APC members here,” Wike said, describing the alliance as a broad-based political collaboration aimed at advancing development in Rivers State and across the country.
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
Politics
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the omission as further evidence of what it termed INEC’s “biased disposition” against the party.
According to the PDP, INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and subsequently issued reports confirming that the process complied with electoral laws and democratic standards.
The party said INEC later released nomination portal codes for the submission of candidates’ details but allegedly blocked the PDP’s access to the portal days before the submission deadline.
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As a result, the party said it resorted to manual submission of its nomination documents at INEC’s office, adding that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents.
The PDP maintained that INEC ought to have exercised caution by including the name of Oluwole Oluyede, whom it described as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no contrary submission challenging his nomination.
“There was no court order restraining INEC from recognising our candidate, and the commission’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries,” the statement said.
The party further disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the final list for the election.
“While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again remind INEC of the expectations of Nigerians that the commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in the management of the electoral process,” the PDP stated.
The party warned that actions perceived as undermining electoral integrity could damage democracy and public confidence in the commission.
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
Politics
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has formally invited Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the ruling party, urging him to join in the interest of unity and development in the state.
The invitation was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who spoke on behalf of the immediate past APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Abbas said the call for Governor Yusuf to join the APC was driven by the need for reconciliation, unity, and collective progress in Kano State.
“The APC is ready to receive Governor Abba Yusuf with open arms so that, together, we can combine our strengths for the progress of Kano State,” Abbas said.
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The planned defection of the governor has reportedly deepened divisions within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on whose platform Yusuf was elected in the 2023 governorship election.
Sources within the party say the move is strongly opposed by the NNPP national leader and political benefactor of the governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is said to be against Yusuf joining the APC.
Abbas assured that upon his formal defection, Governor Yusuf and other NNPP stalwarts would be received into the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje, in what he described as an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility.
He added that the APC remains committed to building a more united, stable, and prosperous Kano State, regardless of political affiliations.
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
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