Politics
LG Polls: Rights group faults Kogi APC’s sales of single nomination forms to ex-caretaker
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***Says action violates S’Court judgment on autonomy
Rights group, Network for Truth and Justice, NTJ, based in Kogi State has raised the alarm about the dangers posed to the successful take-off of the regime of local government financial autonomy in Kogi State, allegedly by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ahead of the local government elections slated for October by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), the group in a statement in Lokoja raised concerns about what it termed Kogi APC’s “undemocratic and unconstitutional sales of single nomination forms to selective aspirants” in outright denial of other aspirants and the people of their franchise.
According to the statement signed by NTJ spokesperson, Ajara Maimunat Ahmed, the APC leadership in the state has no plans to hold primary elections and will not be creating rooms for popular participation in the choice of its chairmanship and councillorship candidates as all elective positions aavailable allegedly have already been allocated.
The group recalled the APC stakeholders meeting held at Lokoja penultimate Tuesday, where the party’s state chairman, Abdullahi Bello declared that the legacies of Yahaya Bello, the state’s former chief executive who EFCC has declared wanted for stealing over N80bn public funds would be continued by Ododo, describing the utterances of the party chairman as insensitive and deliberately insulting to the citizens of the state.
Ahmed stated that, “Beyond treading the path of unconstitutionality in its process of selection of candidates for the upcoming local government elections in Kogi State, the ruling APC has continued on the undemocratic agenda set by Yahaya Bello. The APC state chairman, in what can be described as one of the worst undemocratic practices ever seen in the 21st century, had announced that the 239 councillorship positions of the 21 LGAs shall be shared in the ratio of 60/40 percent between men and women! This, according to the standard set by Yahaya Bello, would serve as an improvement and to consolidate on the 35 percent allotted to women in the last local council elections. This, he said, will be in addition to positions as Vice Chairpersons and Council Leaders. And we dare to say that these undemocratic steps constitute a brazen affront to the constitution.”
The group accused the APC of plotting to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government Autonomy, to maintain control over local government accounts.
The statement partly read, “The constitution is very clear about the requirements of candidacy for elections. Either presidential, governorship, legislative, even local government election, the constitution stipulates a minimum of school certificate as a requirement; that’s what the law says. It is fundamentally wrong, and you cannot go out of your way as governor or as party to create a law that elective positions must be so-so number of men or women. Every man or woman has his or her right to vote and be voted for, so far they meet the requirements. For you now to be making it a law limiting participation in an election to gender considerations and percentages is alien to the constitution. You are denying both men and women their rights that the constitution has given to them.
“Based on the foregoing, the Network for Truth and Justice hereby declare as follows: that the policy of the APC in Kogi State to return all former caretaker chairmen as automatic candidates without allowing for the conduct of primaries, is suppressive and undemocratic; that the directive that councillorship positions of the 239 electoral wards be shared in the ratio of 60/40 percent between men and women, while also ordering for the positions of elective vice-chairmen and council leaders to be occupied by women, is an act of imposition and is alien to the constitution; that, nobody, no matter how highly placed, has power to determine the destiny of any electoral wards or councils or any candidates who may wish to aspire to any positions of choice; that based on the undemocratic actions of the APC in Kogi State, you have taken over the power of the people from the people, which is still part of what the Supreme Court ruled against. Who are you to impose some and deny others? Based on the Supreme Court ruling, the councils are not under the the state apparatuses. The governor recently was quoted as saying Kogi State had been running autonomy government at the local council levels since 2016, which he vowed will continue under his leadership. Is this statement not contradictory when you handpicked 21 caretaker chairmanship candidates while ordering the sale of single nomination forms per local government and electoral wards? In conclusion, it is the position of NTJ that any law that is alien to ourconstitution, including those made by the leadership of APC in Kogi State ahead of the October 2024 local government elections, is null and void. If the people decide to pick all men, so be it. If the electorate decide to pick all women as their elective representatives, so be it”.
The group maintained that Kogi APC’s actions exposed the grand plot by the ruling party to massively rig the upcoming elections to the 21 local councils. This, it noted, is part of the larger plot by the Usman Ododo led APC government in the state to continue to make the third tier of government its milk cow, as was the case during the eight-year tenure of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
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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