Politics
INEC commissioners: Don’t repeat error in nominating Lauretta Onochie, Adebayo cautions Buhari
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The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Adewole Adebayo has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against the error when he nominated Lauretta Onochie who was his aide before she was rejected by the Senate.
Nigerians have raised issues of partisanship against some nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as National commissioners.
Ms Onochie, a presidential aide, was appointed by the President in October 2020 as an INEC commissioner to represent Delta State.
The appointment generated a public outcry from individuals, groups, and opposition parties who wrote petitions staged protests, and called on the Senate to reject it.
Continuing Adebayo said, “Let him not do what he did in the case of Lauretta Onochie who was rejected and he kept sending the name back until it was too late, he realised he could not do it and he had already embarrassed the office.
“He should not always be in that habit so we can always have respect for the judgement of the President when he is making nomination, he should not be getting Nigerians to start shouting all the time.
“So you are not upholding the Constitution if you are sending to an independent commission people who are partizan, that is an abuse of your power to nominate. For that reason we will envisage that the President, maybe he was wrongly briefed or he did not do enough security checks.
“He should ensure that he does not ignore information being given to him because information maybe given to him regarding these people who did not disclose to him that they are dependent so he should keep an open mind
“He should not say he has already nominated them it is too late and there is nothing anybody can do.
“On the other hand we should not automatically reject people and accuse them just because they are not our favourites.
“For credibility’s sake we are not saying these people are not competent or they are not good people but we are only saying that independence is the key factor and a partizan person is not independent. We are only saying that anyone who is aligned with a political party for membership of INEC
“What I think is that, we should locate the issue in three different, The President has the duty to nominate and once we elect a President he has all the powers to nominate.
“Nigerians should look at the character and the judgement ab initio before electing the President but on many occasions President Buhari had disappointed us by nominating persons that don’t meet the standard.
“For the INEC it is not for nothing that the name starts with Independence. It means that the people who you going to put there would have to be independent and people who are aligned to one political party or the other can not be said to be independent.
“It is also a commission, which means is a body of commissioners and if a substantial number of them is dependent or partizan then you have defeated the word independent and the commission would not be able to carryout it’s mandate.
“So for that reason it is the duty of every Nigerian who knows of any reason that can affect the independence and integrity of the candidates for the commission, to protests and bring that out, that is the second sphere.
“It is a patriotic duty for them to come out and say A, B and C have this affiliation and that affiliation and so they are not fit and proper to act as independent commissioners.
“The third sphere is the National Assembly, because the people who elected the senators elected them for occasions like this when they need to protect the interest of the people. “Luckily enough interest are diverse in the national assembly today that many of them who are running for elections so they will also be careful to say that their effort is not wasted by having a commission that is skewed against fairness. For that reason I think the national Assembly should reject anyone that is not above board.”
“The commissioners like Caesars wife are supposed to be above board, above question and they should be non partizan”
Politics
Obidient Movement Gears Up for 2027, Strengthens Unity
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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.
Politics
2027 Elections: SDP’s Agunloye Calls for Ideology-Driven Alliances, Not Just Power Grabs
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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?
Politics
Ex-LP Treasurer Rejects Abure’s Igbo Presidency Push, Advocates Merit-Based Leadership
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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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