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APC convention: consensus not arrived at in Buhari’s bedroom says, senator Orji Kalu

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The senate chief whip, Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday while defending allegations against President Muhamadu Buhari that he merely imposed his preferred candidate Abdullahi Adamu under the cover of consensus insisted that consensus was not arrived at in President Muhamadu Buhari’s bedroom.
Kalu who represents Abia North who spoke to the senate Press Corps on Tuesday said the President was able with his wisdom to solve a major crises in the party as well as saving money for the contestants.

“The president in his Wisdom was able to solve the problem, do you know how much money that was saved for the pockets of aspirant by that consensus

“The consensus was not just taken in the president’s bedroom, the president consulted the governors, he consulted the leadership of the National Assembly which I was one of them and he consulted other stakeholders of the party, the youths and all the rest of them and the aspirants themselves.
“So I don’t see any other thing that can be better than that. I know many people, like you Journalists, you were already celebrating that we were going to fight at the eagle square and we did not fight and it came out successfully.
“I want to use this opportunity again to congratulate the president for that able way he solved the problem.”
He said most of them like Abdullahi Adamu especially as he was their colleague in 1999 and he was also their colleague in the senate
“I think he will play a fatherly role both to the former governors and the present Governors We needed somebody that have a figure of the President in the party. We are very happy with that decision.”
On whether he will agree with the people that said it is an imposition only coloured in the name of consensus he said, “It is not imposition it was a democratic agreement because there was consultation at every level of the party and if you have consulted widely it is democracy.

On his reluctance to declare to contest for president in 2023 general election he said

“I had told Nigerians that if this thing is zoned to the South East, I am already a candidate but how do you become a candidate? but with the proviso that they should zone it to South East and micro zone it even to my village if it is possible.” He said is not desperate but anxious to change the living standards of Nigeria and the economy for it to do better.
“Which is what I know how to do better. I can fix the economy in four years. I can bring back the GDP to be able to compete with the United States of America and Japan and all the rest of them.
“I can bring back the capacity utilisation to be under 4 or 5% and be rocking like Hurricane.

“Everybody can declare for president but will everybody get the Presidency’? The answer is no.”
On the need for the South eastern aspirants to come together for a consensus candidate he said they will work on that as a party and they will come back to consult the party members and consult the President.
On his effort to ensure the party micro zone the presidency to the South East he said,

“I’m doing nothing it is the decision of the party, party is supreme,
If they zone it to South East I am a number one candidate there are only two zones that have never been President in Nigeria the northeast and Southeast.

“So if they bring it to my zone I am capable. I have everything it takes to deliver APC to victory not by talking but by action and rework the economy that every Nigerian no matter where you live or stay will be happy in your pockets, in your house, in your electricity in your water and in everything and bring back the lost glory of Nigeria and the pride to carry the Nigerian green passport, I am capable.”

He said many of the aspirants who have already declared are jokers
“You people take politics as a joke whereby everybody say he is an aspirant. What is their experience, their public experience, their capacity to build?
I employ 13,000 workers in Nigeria and I have capacity to manage people.
“Politics is the ability to make everybody happy that is what it’s all about is no good because president president is about is not who becomes president, President is about openness, is about ability to manage you Journalists, ability to manage professors, legislators like Ahmad Lawan you have to manage them, these are what politics is all about. “Politics is not just coming to say you want to answer the name president, they are anxious to become president, are they ready to work? Are they ready to come to their work early to face the job?”
On what the President should look like he said,
“The President should be one that is ready to work for Nigeria. When the economy is down there are two major things the President should look at the economy and security
“These are focused points that somebody should look at to bring back the economy and make it strong. It is not the working of Buhari. “There is worldwide economic downtown I have businesses all over the world I have businesses in the DRC, we are losing money in all the west African countries and everywhere we have business. It is the same, it is a worldwide inflation in all the economies.”

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Politics

Obidient Movement Gears Up for 2027, Strengthens Unity

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Obidient Movement Logo

Following a successful Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting held recently, the Obidient Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to a united, strategic, and value-driven political future.

The meeting, described as a milestone gathering, brought together key stakeholders and leaders within the movement to solidify strategies for the 2027 general elections.
Central to the discussions was the vision of ensuring competent, value-based leadership, with a strong emphasis on supporting Peter Obi and like-minded leaders who embody the movement’s ideals of integrity, good governance, and accountability.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation in driving the movement’s objectives.
The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the need for structure, outreach, and grassroots mobilisation to sustain the momentum ahead of the next election cycle.

Following the deliberations, members left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibilities ahead.
National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko
expressed confidence in the movement’s direction, thanking those who have taken up leadership roles in various directorates and advisory councils.

“We deeply appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in different capacities. Their contributions will be critical in shaping the movement’s future. We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who tirelessly advocate and mobilise for a better country. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this movement,” Dr. Tanko stated.
Continuing, he said eith renewed energy and focus, the Obidient Movement is set to expand its structures nationwide, ensuring greater coordination and effectiveness.
According to him, the movement will also empower supporters with the tools needed to actively participate in governance and political processes as well as sustained mobilization at all levels, to reinforce the push for transformative leadership in Nigeria.

Dr. Tanko urged all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment to the movement’s cause.
He emphasized that a new Nigeria is within reach, but only through collective action and perseverance.
Finally, Tanko encouraged all Obidients to stay informed, join local chapters, and contribute to the shared vision of a better Nigeria.
For further updates and participation, he urged supporters to reach out via Obidient.unification@gmail.com.

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2027 Elections: SDP’s Agunloye Calls for Ideology-Driven Alliances, Not Just Power Grabs

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Olu Agunloye

National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, has warned that alliances must go beyond mere power-seeking and instead be rooted in principles, ideology, and national development.
This is coming as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections with political coalitions and realignments taking center stage once again.
In a thought-provoking paper titled “The Tikanga for Alliances and Coalitions for Good Governance and Life More Abundant,” released in Abuja on Monday, Agunloye examined Nigeria’s history of political coalitions—highlighting their successes, failures, and the urgent need for a new approach.
Dr. Agunloye traced the failures of past alliances, including, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) of 1964, formed out of political expediency, lacking a unifying ideology.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 successfully unseated the ruling party in 2015 but failed to deliver long-term national development, leaving Nigeria struggling with insecurity, poor infrastructure, and economic challenges.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP 2018) despite signing a memorandum to support a joint candidate, it lacked a clear roadmap before the 2019 elections.

The National Consultative Front (NCF 2021) aimed to form a mega-party for the 2023 elections failed to implement its strategy within INEC’s timeframe.
Looking ahead to 2027, Agunloye urged political stakeholders to move beyond short-term electoral victories and instead adopt a structured, principle-based approach to coalition-building.
He emphasized that alliances should prioritize national security, social justice, and economic prosperity over personal ambition.
“Political partnerships must be built well in advance of elections, with clear strategies for leadership, policies, and campaign execution.
“Coalitions should not be a dumping ground for defecting politicians but a platform for individuals and groups genuinely committed to Nigeria’s progress.
“A blueprint for governance must be established before seeking electoral victory to prevent post-election chaos.”

Dr. Agunloye suggested that the SDP, under its current leadership, has the necessary structure to support a well-planned alliance.
However, he stressed that other political platforms could also contribute to building a coalition focused on national transformation.

“Nigeria does not need to reinvent the wheel,” he stated, urging stakeholders to learn from past coalition mistakes and work towards a grand alliance that prioritizes governance over politics.

As the 2027 elections approach, the critical question remains, will political leaders embrace a new, ideology-driven alliance or repeat the cycle of failed coalitions?

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Ex-LP Treasurer Rejects Abure’s Igbo Presidency Push, Advocates Merit-Based Leadership

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Oluchi Oparah

A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has distanced herself from the position of the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, on the path to an Igbo presidency, insisting that Ndigbo must secure the presidency through merit, not ethnic sentiment.
Oparah’s reaction follows Abure’s recent statement at a South-East Labour Party rally in Abuja, where he reiterated the party’s commitment to supporting the Igbo for the presidency in 2027. According to Abure, the LP had zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East to “wipe the tears” of the region, urging Igbo leaders to realign and consolidate their political strength ahead of the next election.
However, Oparah, in a statement issued on Sunday, strongly disagreed with Abure’s approach, warning that framing the presidency as an ethnic entitlement rather than a merit-based contest could hurt Ndigbo’s chances.
“The notion that Ndigbo can only achieve the presidency by exploiting tribal and regional sentiments is not only misguided but also detrimental to our collective progress as a nation,” she said.
She pointed to the performance of Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections as evidence that an Igbo candidate can gain nationwide support based on competence, integrity, and vision, rather than ethnic affiliation.
“Obi’s success was not built on ethnic sentiment but on his impressive credentials and performance record, which still speak for him today. If not for certain electoral irregularities, he could have secured the seat for the betterment of all Nigerians,” Oparah argued.

She further criticized Abure’s rhetoric, stating that it undermines the principle of national unity and meritocracy.
“Rather than promoting an ethnic-based campaign strategy, Ndigbo must focus on building a coalition of support across different ethnic and political groups. The presidency of Nigeria should be won based on competence, vision, and leadership, not sentiment,” she said.
Oparah urged political leaders to prioritize a unifying national agenda over ethnic considerations, warning that emphasizing tribal politics could alienate potential allies and weaken support for an Igbo candidate.
As the race for 2027 begins to take shape, her remarks signal a growing debate within the Labour Party and the wider political landscape over the best approach for the South-East to attain national leadership.

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