Politics
2023 Presidency Fashola Can’t Decide Our Fate —Ndigbo
Not minding the discordant tunes being played by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and scheming regarding which geopolitical zone would produce the president in 2023, mainstream Ndigbo appear unperturbed. They insist they would decide their fate.
In fact, a very reliable source at the apex Igbo socio cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, confided in The Guardian that the body was not swayed by ongoing antics as it would soon meet to reveal the path the Igbo would thread regarding the forthcoming 2019 general elections and beyond.
Last Thursday, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, at a town hall meeting urged the people of South West to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections in order to guarantee a return of power to the region in 2023.This view runs contrary to that canvassed earlier in the year by the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SFG), Boss Mustapha, when he promised that the APC would ensure that Igbo produced the president in 2023 should they support the second term aspiration of Buhari.
But in their separate reactions, leading lights in the South East insist that they were focused on the 2019 general elections, and on ensuring the restructuring of the country, just as they alleged that they have always been sidelined by the Buhari- led administration.
“We don’t expect to benefit anything good from Buhari. If Fashola has made this call to the South West with all the cries that Ndigbo have raised so far, then we should come to terms with the fact that such is the thinking of the cabal. It did not start today and we don’t expect it to stop now,” a chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo told The Guardian on ground of anonymity, yesterday.
But the National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, suggested the need for Ndigbo to convoke a general meeting on the issue, stressing that, even though there has been a general consensus that Igbo should be allowed to taste power at the centre, he does not expect it to happen without a struggle.
Okorie said: “It is not done turn-by-turn as such. Fashola to my knowledge is using it as a campaign strategy to get the support of the South West for his party. While he was saying so for the South West, Ngige was also saying the same for the South East. Remember that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha went to a function in Owerri, Imo State to promise that South East will be made to take over from Buhari in 2023 by the APC. The PDP has not told us anything about 2023. I think it is for Igbo to take the decision and decide on what to do between now and 2023.
“On the side of the UPP we are featuring an Igbo candidate for the Presidency in 2023 and we are poised to achieve it. The rotational thing is unwritten and we are saying that for equity and fairness, the Presidency of the country should be allowed to rotate within the geopolitical zones. It is sad that a particular set of people, who have contributed to the development of the country are perpetually held down in the scheme of things in the country. I have always known that there is contest between zones when it comes to issues of this nature, but for the sake of the continued unity, Igbo should be allowed to produce the country’s president in 2023.”
Former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nworgu, who queried when Fashola and Ngige were made the spokespersons for the Yoruba and Igbo in the country, explained that the interest of the zone was how to go about 2019 and ensure the restructuring of the country.“Our focus is 2019 and restructuring. Whatever anybody is saying is just a ploy from the same table. Fashola spoke, Ngige spoke, but I want to know when they became spokespersons of the various zones where they come from. The Yoruba and the Igbo should work together to ensure that they achieve restructuring, and 2019 election is a referendum between those who want restructuring and those against restructuring. We have already known the feelings of the two leading political parties, and it is clear what they represent on the issue,” he said.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Clem Nlemigbo said: “We are not surprised. We have always believed that the APC has no Igbo interest at heart and will always frustrate the zone. It is sad for anybody to begin to believe that only when Ndigbo vote APC will they have the opportunity to become president of the country. APGA is not worried, but is focused on winning the Presidency in 2019 using its candidate.”
Also, president Emeritus, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike said: “It’s possible for South West to get the presidential ticket of APC in 2023. This is because APC is an amalgamation of North West and South West political lords. All the other zones are joiners. For record purposes, the APC was the brainchild of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, but at the crucial meeting where the substratum of the party was decided, he was excluded. South East political leaders in APC are mere hangers-on in the corridors of power.
“The power brokers belong to the kitchen cabinet either of the president, or of the party chairman. The Igbo APC leadership merely pretends to be in a position to influence things. Telling the South East that power will shift to it is nothing but lies from the pit of hell. Nobody else made that promise. Even the statement of Boss Mustapha was mere palliative; it is like a mere pat on the back as the party has never made that promise.”
He claimed that, “the entire APC arrangement ab initio never had any worthwhile position for the South East. The South West had the VP, the speaker and the national leader slot. The North West had the president, the North East had the Senate president, the North Central and the South South were ignored. Ndigbo have said it loud and clear that only the party that presents what we want should expect Igbo support. I am in agreement with that.”
Former Minister of Information, Chief Tony Momoh, is of the view that whoever ever wants the Presidency must work hard for that to come to pass.He recalled that APC and President Buhari didn’t get up to 200, 000 votes out of the estimated nine million votes cast in the South East in 2015 because it calculated that PDP will win, while the South West supported the president.
“To give the Presidency to any region depends on the support of the zone because power is not, and cannot be given on a platter of gold. Nobody is going to tell the Igbo to vote for APC because in the next general election, three political parties will be prominent in the South East- the APC, PDP and APGA. If the Igbo people decide to support PDP and APGA and the ruling party eventually retains power till 2023, it would be unthinkable to believe that the Presidency would be conceded to the Igbo at the expense of the Yoruba that gave their support.“For now, even if they support the former vice president (Atiku Abubakar) in next year’s election, that would still not guarantee the region getting the presidency in 2023. The onus is on them to decide whatever they want in the coming presidential election,” he said.
Founding Chairman, South Eastern Peoples Mandate (SEPA), Mr. Campbell Offorbuike Umenzekwe, seems to agree with Momoh that the South East cannot reap when it has failed to sow. Umenzekwe said: “The APC constitution does not recognise zoning of any political position. For example, in the run-up to 2015 presidential primary of the party in Lagos, Governor Rochas Okorocha, participated but lost to Buhari. There is nothing new in what Fashola said to his people in South West, because I believe he is only campaigning for APC to win his region.”
The Publicity Secretary of APC in Lagos, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, has been a strong advocate of Igbo support for Buhari in 2019.According to him, this remains the only way the zone can brighten its chances of getting the Presidency in 2023.He warned that the zone would have itself to blame if it voted against the incumbent next year and lose the opportunity of producing the next president.
According to him, “Politics is a game of numbers and so far the Igbo are in the minority; they must cooperate with other regions to get what they want. 2023 is the closest means for the South East to produce the president and this only depends on their voting pattern in 2019.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, in his comment on the issue said, “The demand of South East and South West is that Nigeria must be restructured in 2019. Who cares where the president comes from in 2023 after we have restructured. The various sections of the country will be in productive mode to have time for such shenanigans. What would the Presidency do for the people of any section of Nigeria under the present structure than Fashola’s “achievement” in the power sector.
“In the First Republic, Ahmadu Bello declined being Nigeria’s prime minister and opted to be Premier of Northern Region. Yoruba are not children who never tasted soup before who will now soil their garments over stale soup. Restructuring we want!” Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on his part lambasted Fashola accusing him of abdicating his immediate responsibility as Works Minister to meddle into politics.He said if the minister and his party have failed in road construction and rehabilitation jobs across the nation “he should stay clear of politics.”
Credit: Guardian
Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says he fears that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi might have more votes than Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general elections.
Bwala expressed this fear on Friday while responding to questions in an interview on Symfoni TV.
He was speaking on the chances of Atiku, his former principal as next year’s general elections get closer.
He said, “I fear Peter Obi might get more votes than Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election, and my other fear is that he might come a distant fourth.
“If that happens, his legacy as a politician in his last attempt could be affected.
In the 2023 election, the PDP had several governors, senators, and Reps who supported him, but right now, there is not a single governor backing him.
“The fact remains that Atiku Abubakar has never historically commanded more votes from the North-West in his political career.”
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended the conduct of its recent primary elections, insisting that no candidate was imposed by the party’s national leadership.
It also said that all aspirants were given a fair opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Enekweizu on Thursday, the NDC said its candidate selection process was driven by consultation, consensus-building, and stakeholder engagement through established leadership structures across the country.
The party also insisted that its National Secretariat was never involved in the business of “picking, choosing, or imposing candidates” on any constituency or state, contrary to allegations that have emerged following the conclusion of the primaries.
“At no time has the NDC National Secretariat been involved in the business of picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or state,” Enekweizu stated.
According to the party, aspirants seeking elective positions were directed to engage with caucus leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots members in their respective states, who were responsible for consultations and recommendations based on local political realities.
The NDC noted that in the South-East geopolitical zone, its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined the party with an existing network of respected political leaders and elder statesmen who currently serve as caucus heads across the region.
These include former governors and senior political figures such as Sam Egwu, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Achike Udenwa, among others.
The party explained that these leaders were tasked with conducting stakeholder consultations and helping build consensus around aspirants in their respective states.
“These leaders were entrusted with conducting stakeholder consultations, building consensus, and making recommendations to the party based on their understanding of the peculiar political dynamics in their respective states,” the statement said.
The NDC further stressed that aspirants who disagreed with stakeholder recommendations were not excluded from the process but were allowed to test their popularity through grassroots primaries.
“This process was conducted without prejudice to the rights of any aspirant.”
”Where aspirants disagreed with recommendations made by stakeholders or caucus leaders, they were free to test their popularity through the democratic process at the grassroots level, and this was duly accommodated,” the party said.
Addressing concerns raised by some aspirants following the primaries, the NDC acknowledged reports of individuals prematurely declaring themselves candidates as well as complaints regarding aspects of the process.
However, it maintained that such issues had been referred to the party’s appeal panel and leadership for resolution.
The statement also highlighted the party’s commitment to affirmative action and greater female participation in politics, noting that efforts had been made to encourage women to seek elective offices while also considering the interests of serving lawmakers.
Looking ahead, the NDC announced plans to begin a broad reconciliation process aimed at healing divisions and strengthening party unity after the conclusion of the primaries.
“As resolved at yesterday’s NEC meeting, we now look forward to the commencement of a comprehensive reconciliation process,” Enekweizu said.
“We count on our esteemed caucus leaders, state chairmen, stakeholders, and party leaders to engage all aspirants and members in the interest of unity, cohesion, and the continued growth of our party.”
The party reiterated that its role throughout the nomination process was primarily to welcome new members and aspirants, reassure them of its commitment to fairness and transparency, and direct them to the appropriate caucus structures for participation in party affairs.
According to the NDC, the approach reflects its commitment to internal democracy, consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for established leadership structures as it continues preparations for future elections.
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has predicted that former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, would emerge victorious if the 2027 presidential election is conducted freely and fairly.
Datti made the assertion during an interview on Symfoni TV’s Niger Unfiltered, where he threw his weight behind Duke, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The former senator described Duke as one of the most qualified political figures in the country and argued that Nigerians have not fully appreciated the depth of his national appeal and leadership credentials.
“In a free and fair election in Nigeria, Donald Duke is the winner,” Datti declared.
When asked whether Duke could genuinely defeat established political figures such as President Bola Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Datti insisted that the former Cross River governor possesses qualities that distinguish him from other contenders.
According to him, Duke is a “true Nigerian” whose influence cuts across regional, ethnic and religious divides.
Datti recalled Duke’s long association with Northern Nigeria, noting that he spent much of his formative years in Sokoto and enjoys relationships with influential families across the region.
“He was adopted in President Shagari’s house like a son. There is not a single major northern family that does not know Donald Duke by name,” he said.
The former vice-presidential candidate also highlighted Duke’s educational background, legal career and record in public service, noting that he became governor at the age of 37 and served two terms in Cross River State.
He argued that unlike many politicians who remain under scrutiny years after leaving office, Duke has spent nearly two decades outside government without major corruption controversies.
Datti further dismissed comparisons between Duke and President Tinubu, insisting that both men have vastly different political records.
According to him, Duke’s years in business after leaving office have kept him connected to real economic challenges facing Nigerians, adding that experience gained in the private sector can be as valuable as experience acquired in government.
“Those of us who bring our experience from the business world are even better than those who have been in government misruling and misruling,” he said.
The PRP chieftain also argued that many Nigerians underestimated Peter Obi before the 2023 election and warned that a similar mistake could be made regarding Duke’s prospects.
“There is a kind of storm you will not know when it hits you. People saw Peter Obi’s movement coming. I think they may not see Donald Duke’s coming,” he said.
Datti maintained that if Duke campaigns effectively and presents a compelling vision for the country, he could emerge as the surprise candidate of the 2027 election.
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