Politics
Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore
Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore
Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently shared his reasons for not forming a coalition with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the same election.
In his appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, Sowore asserted that, in his view, Obi is similar to other Nigerian politicians, describing him as “better at packaging.”
Sowore explained that his own journey in politics began long before Obi gained national recognition, emphasizing his dedication to advocating for systemic change in Nigeria.
During the podcast, co-hosted by Nedu, Husband Material, Deity Cole, and Ezinne, Sowore highlighted his belief in challenging the status quo, which he feels differs significantly from Obi’s approach.
Sowore said, “Before you discovered Peter Obi, I was already running for president. All these shouts about Peter Obi… He just knows how to package. Anyone can do it.
“If I form a coalition with Peter Obi, I will be going against what I have always stood for, which is that I will never support a Nigerian leader who has held any political office — whether at the federal, state, or local level — if I consider them non-performing.
“It’s the same reason I would never have joined hands with Atiku. And the Peter Obi you’re talking about was a vice-presidential candidate to Atiku when I was a presidential candidate in 2019.
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“So, what are we talking about? There is no lesser evil in my book. If you are evil, you are evil. If you are good, you are good. I have a general disdain for non-performance.”
He added that there is no such thing as “emotional attachment” in his dictionary.
“There was a friend of mine who kept saying, he doesn’t care if Peter Obi is Igbo, but that it is the turn of the Igbos. But it is beyond that; I have a natural disdain for poor performance,” he explained.
Sowore insisted that while many may not know it, he knew Obi before and during his time as governor, and he backed him.
“I had always known and supported him and stood against his removal when (Olusegun) Obasanjo wanted to use Andy Ubah to replace him—the twists and turns then.
“However, when Peter Obi finished his term in Anambra, the question I asked him was whether he could send his child to any university he had built in Anambra—he was mute and could not respond.
“I also asked him if he could enter any hospital he built in Anambra, which he governed for eight years, even if it was for the slightest headache—there was also no response.”
Sowore went on to challenge the four anchors or any other Nigerians, saying, “If they can pack their bags and head to Anambra for a vacation.”
PUNCH Online reports that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress recorded 8,794,726 votes in the 2023 presidential election, followed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who secured 6,984,520 votes.
In third place, Labour Party’s Obi garnered 6,101,533 votes, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party secured 1,496,687 votes.
Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore
Politics
2027 presidency: Goodluck Jonathan’s posters flood Kano
2027 presidency: Goodluck Jonathan’s posters flood Kano
Campaign posters featuring former President Goodluck Jonathan have flooded major locations in Kano state, sparking speculation about a potential bid for the presidency in 2027.
The posters, strategically displayed at high-traffic areas such as the Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road, bear the slogan “Team New Nigeria 2027: The Goodluck Nigeria Needs—Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”
The latest move is seen as a clear indication of Jonathan’s potential interest in the presidency, although his spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, has yet to comment on the matter.
Jonathan previously faced similar circumstances, with his supporters purchasing nomination forms under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections—a move he later distanced himself from.
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The recent campaign is spearheaded by a political movement known as Team New Nigeria (TNN), which has been ramping up its activities across the country. TNN leader Modibbo Yakubu Farakwai explained that the group’s efforts are driven by public demand for transformative leadership. “Nigerians are hungry for change and yearning for a new party with new faces to drive that change. They want a transformation in the culture and efficacy of governance at all levels,” Farakwai said.
TNN has established a harmonisation committee in Kano State and is in the process of registering as a political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The group claims to have mobilised 26,382,000 registered voters across Nigeria and has developed essential party structures, including a flag, logo, constitution, and manifesto.
2027 presidency: Goodluck Jonathan’s posters flood Kano
Politics
Four lawmakers dump LP for APC
Four lawmakers dump LP for APC
Four members of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers are Chinedu Okere (Owerri municipal/owerri north/Owerri west constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura federal constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar municipal/Odukpani constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo federal constituency of Edo).
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced this on Thursday after reading letters from the lawmakers.
The Labour Party won a number of seats in the federal legislature and many seats in state assemblies in the last general election held in 2023.
It also won the governorship election in Abia State.
The party’s performance was largely due to the popularity of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who came third in the presidential election.
Politics
PDP will teach APC lessons in Oyo, Osun – Gov Makinde
PDP will teach APC lessons in Oyo, Osun – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will teach the All Progressives Congress (APC) a political lesson in the 2026 Osun State election and the 2027 Oyo State election.
Makinde made this statement while commissioning some projects executed by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in Osogbo on Wednesday.
He described the ambition of the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, to capture Osun and Oyo states as unrealistic.
Recall that Ganduje, speaking with journalists after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the winner of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, had said the APC would take over the South-West by 2027, with victories in Oyo and Osun states.
However, according to Makinde, Ganduje might have been distracted when he made the statement.
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Makinde noted that the people of Osun State have been blessed to see the light that Governor Adeleke represents and would show the APC “pepper” in the next governorship election in the state.
Makinde congratulated the people of Osun State on their choice to support Adeleke two years ago, saying the governor had been delivering dividends of democracy to his state. He praised Adeleke for continuing projects inherited from his predecessors, stressing that prioritizing value for public funds had been a hallmark of his administration in Oyo State over the past five years.
The governor also noted that one of the best ways to tackle the economic challenges facing Nigerians is for administrators to implement policies and projects that would impact their people. He commended Adeleke for doing well in this regard.
Makinde encouraged the electorate to stand firm behind Adeleke for another term of four years, noting that the two PDP governors had proven to be the real progressives in the South-West region with their pro-people policies and programmes.
“Two years ago, the people of Osun State made a political choice by moving from one political party to the PDP. Somebody that I believe got distracted a little bit after the Edo and Ondo elections said they are coming out for Osun and Oyo states.
“My people, are you not waiting for them? You will show them that we are different and resolute people. We are law-abiding people and our party plays by the rules. But we believe that the secret they have been covering will be revealed to the people.
“I can’t stop thanking Governor Adeleke for breaking out of the mould of the usual politicians and doing something unusual by delivering on the mandate given to him. I can only encourage you and I promise you my support in the battle ahead,” he said.
Makinde also condemned federalism as being practised in the country, adding that everyone must fight for reforms that would lead to true federalism. He noted that some proponents of true federalism are moving towards a unitary type of government, but he and Adeleke would continue to lead the path and provide good leadership for their people.
In his remarks, Governor Adeleke appreciated Makinde’s presence, noting that his presence was a manifestation of the strong bond of brotherhood between Oyo and Osun states. Adeleke also paid tribute to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and stressed his administration’s commitment to completing inherited projects.
PDP will teach APC lessons in Oyo, Osun – Gov Makinde
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