Connect with us

Politics

Atiku Rejects Southern Call to Step Down, Demands Open Primaries

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly rejected mounting calls from political leaders and stakeholders in Southern Nigeria urging him to step aside in favour of a Southern presidential candidate. The demand, which has gained traction among members of the coalition, is anchored on the principle of equity, justice, and rotation of power, with many arguing that the South deserves to complete its turn at the presidency.

In a statement released after a closed-door meeting with leaders of ADC, the former Vice President declared that he would not bow to pressure, and called on the coalition to uphold democracy by allowing open and transparent primaries.

“I will not be pressured into abandoning my constitutional right to aspire. Let every qualified member test their popularity through a credible primary. Zoning must not be used to silence competence,” Atiku stated emphatically.

However, this declaration appears to have rattled the fragile coalition, triggering a fierce backlash from members of the Obidient Movement, who insist that Peter Obi remains the only acceptable candidate. Across social media platforms, Obidients have declared that “it’s either Obi or we pull out,” they are threatening to pull out of the coalition if Atiku insists on contesting.

Advertisement

What began as a strategic alliance against the ruling party now faces serious cracks, with party insiders warning that the coalition may collapse before it even begins. While Atiku’s camp argues for merit-based contest, Obidients accuse him of attempting to hijack the structure and sabotage the collective dream.

Political watchers say the coalition is on the brink, as both sides refuse to shift ground. If not quickly addressed, this friction may derail efforts to build a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Politics

PIGD Warns Plateau Politicians Against Sentiment-Driven Campaigns

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development has urged the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Chief Kefas Ropshik Kefiano, to present a detailed development agenda instead of centring his campaign on a pledge to serve only one term.

PIGD made the call in a Monday statement by its National Coordinator, Nengak David, who said the pledge raised questions about the candidate’s priorities and campaign commitments built around zoning.
According to the group, Plateau voters deserve explanations of how Kefiano intends to address insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare.

“The people need to hear what Chief Kefiano will do with power, not merely how long he says he will hold it,” David said. “A one-term pledge cannot substitute for a practical programme showing how the state will be governed and developed.”
PIGD urged Kefiano to explain policies, timelines and measurable targets, allowing voters to assess him on competence and character rather than zonal sentiment.

Advertisement

The organisation also questioned why the electorate should accept the pledge without scrutiny, drawing a comparison with Kefiano’s career in business.

“Chief Kefiano is a businessman who has never publicly declared that he intends to stop making money,” the statement said. “Why, then, should Plateau citizens simply believe that a politician who wins power will willingly surrender it after one term? Such a promise requires more than words; it requires convincing guarantees and demonstrable sincerity.”
The group stressed that its intervention was not directed solely at Kefiano or the PDP, but at candidates and parties across Plateau State.
“We call on politicians, irrespective of party affiliation, to speak honestly to the people,” David said. “Campaigns must be driven by truth, realistic promises and a genuine commitment to service. Plateau has suffered enough from convenient declarations that disappear once elections are over.”
PIGD advised residents to interrogate campaign pledges and demand issue-based engagements from candidates ahead of the election.
“Democracy becomes stronger when citizens refuse to be carried away by sentiment,” it added. “Every candidate must tell Plateau people what will be done, how it will be done and how the public can hold the government accountable.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Guber Election: Osun APC Accuses Davido of Distributing Money to Residents

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, has urged residents of Osun State to assess Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, based on his performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund and his contributions to governance rather than his campaign appearances.

Omowaiye made the remarks during a broadcast on News Central TV while reacting to Davido’s participation in campaign activities for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He alleged that the singer only becomes politically active during election periods, accusing him of distributing money to residents and taking advantage of what he described as their vulnerability. He, however, maintained that voters in the state are now more interested in governance and service delivery than celebrity endorsements.

The APC campaign spokesman alleged that Osun State University is now the most expensive government-owned university in Nigeria and questioned whether Davido had used his influence to advocate a reduction in tuition fees. He also claimed that some students of the University of Ilesa pay as much as N1.5 million in school fees.

Advertisement

Omowaiye said the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, had pledged to reduce tuition fees if elected and questioned whether Davido would encourage students to support that promise.

He also criticised Davido’s performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, alleging that Osun has no functional government-owned stadium despite his appointment.

According to him, the state’s male and female football clubs were relegated during Davido’s tenure as chairman, adding that the singer had not made any meaningful contribution to sports development in the state.

Omowaiye further accused the Adeleke family of concentrating public appointments among relatives instead of creating opportunities for young people across Osun State.

Advertisement

He claimed that Davido serves as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, while his brother, Tunji Adeleke Jr., was appointed Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Service Commission at the age of 31. He also alleged that another member of the family serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

The APC spokesman maintained that public offices were being recycled within the Adeleke family, arguing that while young people are mobilised during campaigns, they are allegedly excluded from government appointments and other opportunities.

He also questioned Davido’s silence on what he described as major governance issues in the state, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, electricity reforms and the alleged payment of N13.7 billion to ghost workers.

Omowaiye argued that Davido had not publicly challenged the state government over the condition of schools, hospitals, roads or other public services, despite his closeness to the governor.

Advertisement

He insisted that the people of Osun would not be influenced by celebrity status during the election, maintaining that they would vote based on governance, competence and performance.

The APC spokesman also referred to comments credited to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly advised Davido to prepare to employ Governor Ademola Adeleke as a dancer if he loses the August 15 governorship election.

Omowaiye’s remarks came after Davido joined Governor Adeleke at a campaign rally in Osun as political activities intensified ahead of the governorship poll.

The singer arrived in the state on Thursday, August 6, and has actively participated in campaign activities in support of his uncle’s re-election bid.

Advertisement

Videos from the rally showed Davido moving through a large crowd alongside the governor’s son, Sina Adeleke, popularly known as Shina Rambo, before both climbed over a barricade to join Governor Adeleke on the campaign stage, where they danced with supporters.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Davido nor the Osun State Government had responded to the allegations made by Omowaiye.

Continue Reading

Politics

Accord party demands removal of EFCC chairman immediately

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Accord Party has demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of partisanship and interference in the build-up to the August 15 guber election in Osun State.

The party said its position followed the EFCC’s decision to freeze an account belonging to the Osun State Government before subsequently reversing the restriction.

He called on the EFCC chairman to step down, adding that President Bola Tinubu should remove him if he refused to resign.

Advertisement

He accused the commission of exceeding its statutory powers when it restricted the state government’s account on August 5, describing the action as capable of undermining confidence in public institutions.

He further stated, “Accordingly, Accord demands the immediate resignation of the EFCC chairman.

“For embarrassing the President, the party, the government and people of Osun State and fellow citizens, the EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation.

If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency.”

Advertisement

The EFCC had maintained that the restriction was connected to an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities and was not politically motivated.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News