Politics
LP moves to resolve Edo leadership crisis
The leadership of the Labour Party confirmed consultation has begun to resolve the lingering party crisis in Edo State ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
While describing the conflict as a ‘family affair,’ the opposition insisted that the situation was under control.
The LP governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, will square up against Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to replace the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.
The crisis rocking the Edo chapter of the party took a comical turn last Friday when two LP chieftains claimed to be the substantive chairman at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state.
The two chairmen were Elizabeth Ativie, who was recently sworn in as caretaker committee chairman by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party, and Kelly Ogbaloi, who is an exco in the committee dissolved by the National Working Committee of the party.
The incident forced the state party to suspend the caretaker committee chairman over alleged gross misconduct and insubordination at a meeting of the State Working Committee which was attended by local government chairmen and secretaries of the party.
When quizzed on the drama in Edo LP, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, told The PUNCH that efforts are on to resolve the crisis.
Ifoh also expressed optimism that the conflict won’t affect the campaign of their governorship candidate in the state.
He said, “Definitely we are working to resolve the issue. It is just a family affair. The most important thing is that we have a very strong winnable candidate who has already hit the ground running and his name is ringing bell all over Edo State.
“I can assure you that the chairmanship of the party in the state is something we are going to resolve very soon. But it is not in any way obstructing our fine ongoing campaign and we hope we will be victorious at the end of the day.
“Our chances of winning the governorship are very high. The electorates are not voting for the party chairman. They are voting for a governor and we have the best-qualified candidates out of the 18 parties both in pedigree and followership. He has an organic followership that is working for him. Everybody is working to ensure he emerges the next governor of the state.”
The National Youth Leader of LP, Kennedy Ahanotu, also shared his sentiment.
Ahanotu told our correspondent that it is normal to have rift in a family, stressing that such misunderstanding will always be resolved at the end of the day.
“Labour Party is one. If there is any crisis, it is undergoing resolution. I don’t have much to discuss about Edo other than to say LP will win it. The party is a family and in every family, people will always have issues with their wives, husbands and children. But that does not remove the fact that it is a family.
“Whatever you are seeing in LP today, you cannot compare it with the rots we see in other political parties. So nothing is wrong with us. The party is fine, healthy and preparing for the off-season elections,” he stated.
Politics
Obi Urges Nigerian Graduates to Seek Opportunities Overseas if Needed, Vows to Fix Nigeria for Their Return
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has encouraged Nigerian students to seek better opportunities abroad if local conditions don’t meet their needs.
Obi shared this advice during his visit to Anambra State, where he made donations to Peter University in Achina/Onneh and the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu. Addressing nursing students, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting institutions that nurture skills, professionalism, and character.
Obi advised students that, if career opportunities are limited locally, they should feel free to explore options abroad.
“If things aren’t working here, go where they will work for you,” he said, expressing optimism that, with efforts to improve the country, Nigerians working abroad would eventually return.
Speaking at Peter University, Obi urged students to dedicate themselves to their studies, highlighting education as a transformative force essential for national development.
Emphasizing that investment in education is an investment in the future, he encouraged them to aim for excellence, assuring that a stronger Nigeria would await them.
Politics
Parliamentary system better option for Nigeria -Aregbesola
Politics
2027: Kwankwaso’s visit to Otti sparks possible alliance
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the weekend played host to the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area(LGA).
Speaker of the House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa, some aides of the governor, and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement were present.
Although Kwankwaso said he was in the state to condole with Otti on the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first governor of old Abia State, rumours of a possible political alliance between him and Otti, the only Labour Party(LP) governor in the country, spread.
Onu was buried in Uburu, his hometown in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State on Friday.
Kwankwaso’s visit coincided with a reception held by the governor for 15 Abia indigenes who recently graduated from the Nigeria Police Academy in Kano.
Shortly after he departed the state, political analysts said they were sure that the visit was partly informed by efforts of the Peter Obi-led LP faction to align with other opposition parties ahead of 2027.
‘’Don’t forget that 2027 is near. Do you think the two men would meet like they did now with talking about the next presidential election? That is impossible,’’ one of them told The Nation.
Another said Kwankwaso and Otti were ‘’very much aware that the only way to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progress Congress (APC) from the centre is a formidable alliance.
‘’They know that now is the best time to start talking about how to defeat those in Aso Rock. And that, I believe is the core reason for the visit.”
Last month’s local government poll in the state produced a stunning result with candidates loyal to Otti winning nearly all the chairmanship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP)
The governor backed the winners because of court cases on the authentic leadership of the leadership of the LP.
One faction of the party is led by Julius Abure while the other supported by Obi and Otti is headed by Nenadi Usman, a former Finance minister.
Political analysts argued that if Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Obi, and Kwankwaso fail to put their political differences behind and field an acceptable presidential candidate in 2027, they might end up not making a significant impact.
Otti had while welcoming Kwankwaso recalled how he offered him a ‘’platform in May 2022 to run ’’ as a governorship candidate.
He thanked Kwankwaso for his guidance and patriotism.
His words: “Thank you for your guidance, for your patriotism, for everything that you have done for this country.
“I want to thank you for encouraging me in 2022 not to lose faith, though we were in different parties, and it appeared as if everything was going to be lost.
“That call that you made about the 20th of May 2022, for also making your platform available for me to run if I had wanted to use the platform, the rest is now history.”
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, congratulated Otti on his emergence as governor. He also lauded his achievements in the state
“For the little time I have been here, I have had the opportunity of talking to a few people who confirmed to me that you are doing very well. We have seen your project everywhere” he said.
The governor and his visitor urged the new Police officers to work hard, contribute to the security of the country, and be good ambassadors of the state.
“The challenge is for you to now work very hard, knowing fully well that in this society, the son of a nobody can be the father of somebody,” said Otti.
“If people like us who grew up here without any hope at that time can be here, there is no reason why you can’t get here. But I am challenging you to be the best you can be.
“Always do things right and do the right things. You can always get to where you are headed. Cutting corners does not take you too far, “ the governor added.
Kwankwaso charged the new police officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
“Let me take this opportunity, based on my experience, to advise you to first and foremost fear God.
“Two, you need to be professionals. Now you are fresh, just coming out of the prestigious institute.stay there as professionals,” he said.
-
News16 hours ago
Another Popular Actor Passes Away + Photo
-
News15 hours ago
CBN Directs Banks to Prioritize ATM Cash Distribution Amid Rising Demand
-
News16 hours ago
Police reject N174m bribe, arrest suspected internet fraudster
-
News22 hours ago
Appeal Court voids MC Oluomo’s election as NURTW president
-
News15 hours ago
Food, fuel price hikes push Nigeria’s inflation to 33.88% in October
-
News22 hours ago
Sad! After death Tinubu confers post-humous CFR honour on COAS Lagbaja
-
News13 hours ago
Gov Okpebholo Makes Six Fresh Appointments In Edo
-
News16 hours ago
$1/N10,000 Claim: Drama As Pastor Adeboye Makes U-turn, Blames Petrol Importers