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2027:”Running as VP is not in the agenda of coalition-Obi reveals

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12 months ago

July 7, 2025

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…insists he submitted one term template to respect zoning arrangements

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said nobody discussed the issue of a running mate in the coalition as this was not part of the agenda.

He also gave reason for his decision to run for one term of four years in 2027 is to respect the sanctity of zoning, which has been a stabiliser to our polity despite not being in our constitution.

Speaking during an interview with Channels tv on Sunday night, Obi said that four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

“One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

““I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage. Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion,”

Obi, who responded to questions about burning issues around his ambition, reiterated his determination to run for the presidency again in 2027, stating that he is qualified for the office.

“I’m going to contest for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I believe I am qualified for it,”

On the possibility of his becoming the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election, Obi said emphatically: “This is not in play; nobody has ever discussed that.

” People assume so many things. Nobody has ever discussed with me whether I am going to be A, B, or C.”

The 2023 Labour Party standard bearer equally dispelled speculations that he had left the Labour Party following his open support for the coalition, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“I am part of the coalition which will be able to produce a president with the capacity and compassion to save this country.”

On why he was associating in the coalition with persons who were known to have played key roles in previous failed administrations, Obi explained that their experience would be required to prevent the government he intends to form from failing.

“In fact even some who have been in that government, their experience is critical.
“I can tell you one of the major companies in the world hired two people who have worked in failed companies because they can tell you why they failed.

“You need the experience of those who have failed and those who have succeeded to move on, and I need everyone.

“It is a critical experience because they know what can fail a system and they know what was wrong with the system.”

Obi also criticised President Tinubu for a perceived lack of compassion over numerous deaths in the country, particularly victims of insecurity.

“Today, we are in a country that has leadership without compassion. Several children died in Ibadan on 18 December last year, and on 19 December, the president of Nigeria flew from Abuja to Lagos for Christmas festivities.

There is no compassion, and we can change that if we move in the right direction,” he said
Obi also questioned the priorities of Tinubu’s government, citing the commissioning of a bus station project in Abuja while around 20 soldiers were killed in Niger, asking when ceremonial projects became more important than soldiers’ lives.

The former governor said that, if elected, he would declare war on insecurity rather than merely a state of emergency, asserting that non-state actors must not be allowed to challenge the authority of the state.
He also promised to empower states, local governments, and communities to establish police systems alongside the federal police.

“From day one, I will tackle insecurity head-on. Non-state actors cannot be stronger than the state. We must declare war on insecurity, but we must concentrate more on natural security, which is pulling people out of poverty.”

Obi denounced what he described as the extravagant spending of the Tinubu administration, citing the purchase of private jets and luxury items while critical sectors such as education and health continue to suffer neglect.

He criticised the “disorganised” removal of the fuel subsidy, saying the government had failed to make adequate provisions to mitigate the impact.

He accused the Tinubu administration of borrowing more funds than the combined governments of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Muhammadu Buhari, raising Nigeria’s debt from approximately ₦80 trillion to ₦180 trillion in just two years—with little to show for it.

He pledged to borrow only for investment purposes, particularly to finance electricity, following examples such as India, Egypt, and Vietnam, which have made significant, strategic investments in their power sectors.
Reiterating his mantra of shifting Nigeria’s economy from consumption to production, Obi promised to invest heavily in agriculture and rural development, especially in northern Nigeria, which he described as the country’s “greatest asset” due to its vast land resources.

On his relationship with late Gen Sani Abacha, Obi reiterated his earlier explanation of a chance meeting with him from a protest over decongestion of the seaport, and he was appointed to the decongestion committee that lasted just two weeks.

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Ireland Opens Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship For Nigerians

Published

17 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Ireland Fellows Programme, a fully funded scholarship scheme that will enable successful candidates to pursue Master’s degrees in Ireland.

The announcement was made in a post on the embassy’s official X handle on Friday, confirming that applications will open on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The programme is designed for early and mid-career professionals from Nigeria and Ghana who wish to undertake a one-year postgraduate study at leading universities in Ireland.

The embassy stated: “Applications for the Ireland Fellows Programme open on 29 June 2026! Apply for the opportunity to study in Ireland on a fully funded master’s scholarship.”

According to the mission, detailed information on eligibility criteria and application procedures is available on the official programme portal.

To be eligible, applicants must be citizens and residents of Nigeria or Ghana, possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower, and have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.

For Nigerian applicants, the programme includes the Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights, which supports postgraduate studies in fields such as Law, Human Rights, and Governance.

The scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living stipends, accommodation, travel and visa costs, as well as health insurance for successful candidates.

Applications will remain open from June 29 to July 26, 2026, with submissions to be made online through the official Ireland Fellows Programme portal.

“Applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can find all info and applications here https://irelandfellows.africa @commercium_afr,” the statement added.

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Chief of Army Staff approves new commanders for major formations across federation

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a strategic reshuffling of senior officers across command, training, and staff positions in the Nigerian Army.

The appointments were announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026, by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the move was to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen national security.

New GOCs for 3 and 6 Divisions–

Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace. He replaces Major General EF Oyinlola.

Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, replacing Major General EE Emeka.

–Key command and staff changes–

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Lokoja Court order on NDC: Seriake Dickson vows party will challenge order

Published

7 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Leader of the National Democratic Party, NDC Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has vowed that NDC will challenge court directive.

Dickson in a statement he e-signed stated that the order lacked legal merit and their team of legal experts have been kept on standby to rubbish the move.

He said : “This morning, I, like several other leaders, officials, candidates of the NDC, and members of the public, was jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen.

“All I can say is that the order lacks legal merit and is intended to affect the foundational credibility and efforts of our party. The order is illegal and will not stand. It is against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space.

” It will be resisted by all of us and by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.

“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy. I call on all members, supporters, and candidates of the NDC to remain calm and continue with their normal political activities.

“This is only the first test of our commitment and resilience, both of which are not in doubt. Even this shall pass, and the NDC and all our candidates shall cruise to victory.

“We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack, but this particular development came from a very unlikely source.

“The application by an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law, is shocking.

“Moreover, it was not a necessary party to the suit because it had no interest in the subject matter. It did not apply for registration in 2025, it was not one of the 171 associations that applied, nor was it among the 21 associations shortlisted for registration.

“So, we know where this is coming from. It is coming from those who are shocked by the progress the NDC has made within such a short period as a result of our hard work and commitment to deepening multi-party democracy.

“We will not allow this to slow us down or break our spirit. The struggle must continue.

“We will use appropriate judicial channels to correct the judicial anomaly that occurred under the watch of Honourable Justice Dashen. He has clearly erred in law, and we will take steps to correct it.

“All our candidates, supporters, and teeming voters across the country and beyond should hold on firmly and keep the faith. This development shows that our efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“I would also like to refer to my favourite quote on struggles “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”

“We are under attack, as I have repeatedly said we should prepare for challenges such as this. But thereafter, we shall win.

“Even with today’s development, thousands of Nigerians are joining us in solidarity. In fact, thousands of Nigerians across the country registered as NDC members today to show their solidarity, sympathy and support for our party. All things work together for good.

” Men may act with evil intentions, but if it is not the will of God, He turns it around for our good.

“I sincerely thank Nigerians for the confidence they continue to repose in the NDC. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our vision only strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria.