I Dont Mind Being A One-Man Minority – Soludo In His Controversial Article To Ndigbo

November 16, 2022

We reproduce an excerpt from Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State in his lengthy article titled: “History Beckons and I Will Not Be Silent (Part 1).”

Read on:

Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing, and we know too; and he knows that we know. The game he is playing is the main reason he didn’t return to APGA. The brutal truth (and some will say, God forbid) is that there are two persons/parties seriously contesting for president: the rest is exciting drama! That many Americans may not like the fact that Joe Biden (79 years) and Donald Trump (76 years) are two frontrunners for president in their parties does not remove the fact that if both of them emerge as candidates, definitely one of them will be president in 2024.

As my brother, I wish him well and even pray for him. I told him during his courtesy call that my prayer is that himself or Prof Umeadi of APGA would win, why not? That is from my heart, but I also told him that my head and facts on the ground led me to know that it’s probability is next to zero (what I cannot say before you, I won’t say behind you). So I already told him my opinion. Indeed, there is no credible pathway for him near the first two positions, and if care is not taken, he won’t even near the third position. Analysts tell him you don’t need “structure” to win. Fantasy! Of course, LP won governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun on social media and via phantom polls, while getting barely 2,000 votes on ground. Creating a credible third force for presidential election in Nigeria requires a totally different strategy and extreme hard work.

Of course, Peter Obi will get some votes, and may probably win in Anambra state— as “home boy”. But Anambra is not Nigeria. If he likes, I can even campaign for him but that won’t change much. From internal state by state polling available to me, he was on course to get 25% in 5 states as at August this year. The latest polling shows that it is down to four states, and declining. Not even in Lagos state (supposed headquarters of urban youths) where Labour Party could not find candidates to contest for House of Reps or Senate. The polls also show that he is taking votes away mostly from PDP. Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even give Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP. It is what it is!

The current fleeting frenzy, if not checked, will cost Ndigbo dearly for years. The South East has the lowest number of votes of any region, but it is also the only region where the presidential race might be a 4-way race (it is a two-way race in the other 5 regions) thereby ensuring that our votes won’t count in the making of the next president of Nigeria. Afterwards, we would start complaining that we don’t get “what we deserve” or cry of marginalization. During the 2019 presidential election, the five South East States were united for PDP but contributed merely 1.6 million votes to PDP which was about the votes that Kano state gave to Buhari. The emotions might run to heavens but politics-power is about cold calculations, organization and building alliances for power. In a democracy, it is a game of numbers. So far, I don’t see any of these— and 2023 might again be a wasted opportunity for Ndigbo! What is our Plan B when Peter Obi loses in February 2023? Some people prefer that we should play the Ostrich while Peter Obi toys with the collective destiny of over 60 million Igbos. Yes, you pray that he wins, but what if he fails as he is certain to? The Bible says that my people perish for lack of knowledge. As the saying goes, only those who Plan can control the future. Ndigbo, wake up and smell the coffee!

“Where do we go from here? I listened to my friend Gov El-Rufai on TV explaining why the northern governors decided that power should shift to the South. According to him, they asked themselves what would their founding fathers—Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa or Aminu Kano would have done in the circumstance?.
Today, I ask my people, Ndigbo: do we ask what Azikiwe or M.I. Okpara or Akanu Ibiam would have done in the present circumstance? I worry that Ndigbo as Nigeria’s foremost itinerant tribe and with the greatest stake in the Nigerian project does not yet have a strategy to engage Nigeria—politically! Every four years, we resurface with emotive Nzogbu Nzogbu political dance (“it is our turn dance” but without organization or strategy) and fizzle out afterwards while others work 24/7 strategizing and organizing.”

Our founding fathers understood that in politics, you don’t get what you deserve but what you bargain/negotiate, and you negotiate with your organization and VOTES. Not social media militancy or bullying (where over 90% of actual voters are not on social media)! Our fathers built alliances with other major political parties in other regions (not with socio-cultural groups that don’t command any votes), and Ndigbo were in the reckoning in the first and second republics. After the elections, we will see how many votes any of the leaders of the socio-cultural groups will get for Peter Obi from their wards. Sometimes I even sense a conspiracy to nudge us on a path to nowhere thereby further pushing us into irrelevance, and I pray that I am wrong. Just my two cents!

It is not too late for Ohanaeze Ndigbo and progressive Igbo leaders to pre-emptively start charting a pragmatic future for Ndigbo in Nigeria after the elections. Armchair social media analysts can have the luxury of fantasizing with wild speculations. Right or wrong, they earn their pay and with no consequences. For us as leaders, the lives of tens of millions are at stake. We have a historic duty to act and being silent or politically correct is not an option. For starters, Ohanaeze should study the report of my committee (planning and strategy) in 2019. It may still be relevant today. Second, Ndigbo should seriously study the MoU signed at the Yar’Adua Centre in 2010. The leader of Igbo Political Association, Chief Simon Okeke and our members are still there. Thirdly and for me, Ndigbo should strategize and bargain especially with the TWO candidates likely to be president on at least four central issues:

A) Lasting peace and security in the South East, including the release and engagement with Nnamdi Kanu.

South East Economic transformation agenda and the FGN’s Marshall Plan for the South East as promised since the end of the Civil War (the post war ‘reconstruction’). We appreciate the Second Niger Bridge and recent contract for MTN to reconstruct the Onitsha-Enugu expressway. But the rail-lines to the five state capitals, speedy access to the sea, highways linking South East to the North and South South, addressing our existential threat as gully erosion capital of Africa, Free Trade and Export Processing Zones, etc.

C) Restructuring Agenda for Nigeria that devolves powers/resources to the subnational entities and in which it would no longer matter where the President comes from.

D) Levelling the playing field for the unleashing of the private sector and the full participation of Ndigbo in the economic and governance space; etc.

To conclude, let me once again wish my brother Peter Obi good luck. He should have fun and enjoy the fleeting frenzy of the moment. But he must moderate the desperation as exhibited by his social media mob. There is a limit to propaganda. A mob action often reflects the character of its leader. No one has a monopoly of social media violence, and no one should play God. Life won’t end by February/March 2023.

I hope that after February 2023, Peter Obi will return to APGA (the party that made him everything he is politically) as I offered him on 8th March, 2022 and begin the hard work, if he truly wants to be president of Nigeria. It won’t happen by desperately jumping from one party to another or by unleashing a social media mob on everyone who slightly disagrees with you. I decided to pen my views personally — again for the records. On this, I don’t mind being a one man minority. As history beckons, my conscience and sense of duty to my people dictate that I should never be silent. I will happily accept the judgment of history for standing by the truth!

14th November, 2022.

Yes, Soludo Is More Intelligent Than Me, Peter Obi Admits

Greenbarge Reporters

November 15, 2022

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has admitted that Governor Chkwuma Soludo of Anambra State is more intelligent than him.
He said: “he (Soludo) is a Professor and I am a trader. And so he should put right where he thinks I went wrong when I was governor of the state (Anambra).”
Speaking to a group of supporters, whose video is trending in the social media, Peter Obi said that he would not join issues with Soludo who had said in a writeup yesterday, November 14 that he (Obi) cannot win the next year’s election, among other things.

Governor Soludo had also said that the investment which Peter Obi, who was Anambra State Governor between 2006 and 2014, made in the State as Governor worth nothing.

In the 4008-word piece, Soludo dismissed Obi, one of his predecessors, as a joker in the 2023 race, saying he would only deplete the votes of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and widen the chances of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tracing the multiple defections of Obi from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to PDP and Labour Party, which he described as “transit camp” for aspirants who lost primaries, the governor said Obi himself knows that he cannot win.

Soludo’s letter was titled, “History Beckons and I will not be Silent (Part 1)”

However, Peter Obi said that governance is a continuous exercise, adding that there’s no way he would have completed everything about the development of Anambra State in eight years of governance.

“He can continue to develop the state from where I stopped, more so that he is a Professor while I governed the State as a trader.”
He said that whatever happens, Soludo would remain his brother for whom he has greatest respect.

“He (Soludo) remains my brother, we are very close. I remain prayerful for him. For other things which I didn’t succeed, God has given him opportunity to do it and succeed.

“So, if there is anything pending, governance doesn’t finish, people are still in government in America, so you stop where you will stop, other people will continue from there.

“He is the governor of the state; he is my senior brother, he is even more intelligent than me because he is a professor, I am a trader, so he knows more and will be able to do things better than I am doing it.

“I have done my little own as a trader, now the professor is there, he will do his own as a professor, the schools I didn’t roof he will roof them, that’s how government goes.”

The former Governor said he left the office with the savings of 75 Billion Naira, adding that his administration saved 50 million dollars each in Access, Diamond and Fidelity banks with an interest rate of 6.5%.

“The one they said is worthless, we invested 3.5 billion naira in International Breweries…that facility is there employing directly and indirectly over 10,000 Anambarians. The shares was at a time being sold at N50, today the shares is about N5 or so.

“When you spread your investment some will go up some will come down but overall the company is still there, the company is still doing well, it is still part of the global chain and everything. I needed to explain it not because I am defending comments by my brother.”

He said that he left the office without owing any contractor, supplier who had executed their job, citing the examples of Innoson Motors and Zinos Computers.

2 Bandit Kingpins, Halilu Buzu, Alaji Gana Mowed Down By Navy Airstrikes

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

Two band kingpins described as notorious, Halilu Buzu and Alaji Gana have been killed through airstrikes by the Nigeria Airforce.
It was gathered that while Halilu Buzu was killed on October 21, at Sububu, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alaji Gana was eliminated on November 14, at Kidandan Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A defence intelligence operative said that the terrorists’ leaders met their waterloo alongside their foot soldiers after credible intelligence revealed their exact locations in both states.
“After obtaining actionable intelligence, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) eliminated the leaders, several terrorists and destroyed their logistics bases where they stored ammunitions, vehicles, motorcycles, and other ill-gotten loots.
“In fact, Halilu Buzu had scheduled an early-morning meeting with some of his foot soldiers in Sububu area when he was eliminated including notorious foot soldiers that included Ceri, Dan’mosalmi, Danbarkeji, Guguwa, Dan Sha Bakwai and Marshall Hana Zuwa.”
Meanwhile, some locals have expressed joy over the killing of Buzu who was notorious for terrorising and torturing kidnapped victims.

They also acknowledged that the frequency of kidnappings, cattle rustling and other terrorist activities in the area has reduced.
Source: PRNigeria

I Will Seek To Give More Powers, Resources To States, Local Govts , Atiku Promises

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised to encourage the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to come up with constitutional amendments that will give more powers and resources to state and local governments.
Speaking at the Lagos Business School Alumni Day 2022, yesterday, November 14, Atiku stressed that he is an advocate of small government and that the private sector should be given the opportunity to play more roles in the economy.
“As Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 to 2007, I headed the economic team that implemented fundamental economic reforms, including the design and implementation of a private sector revival strategy.
“We focused on macro-economic stability and transforming critical areas such as banking, insurance, oil and gas, telecommunications, pension and the civil service.
“We created novel institutions for laying the foundation for good governance and accountability such as the Bureau of Public Procurement, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and SERVICOM.
“With many years in the private sector, I have a deep understanding of our economy and its challenges.”
The PDP presidential flag bearer noted that the 5-point agenda of his policy proposal is a document that contains the solution to the many challenges besetting the country.
“I am an active operator in the private sector. I am a manufacturer, service provider and an educationist. So I have first-hand experience of what the private sector needs and I also have experience in governance.
“The PDP economic reforms recorded significant achievements between 1999 and 2015. Now, you have seen the impact of the people that took over from us. Nigerians can pick between the two.
“If you give the PDP another opportunity, we will perform even better than we did before,” Atiku said.

IPOB Terrorists Kidnap Navy Personnel

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

A rating of the Nigerian Navy, OSFM Ibrahim, has been kidnapped by terrorists of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Anambra State.

Ibrahim was abducted on his way back to Port Harcourt, on Sunday, November 13 after visiting his sick mother.

According to a highly-placed naval source, Ibrahim is presently serving at the Nigerian Navy Primary School Borokiri, until his abduction by the IPOB gunmen.

The source said: “OSFM Ibrahim went on compassionate leave to visit his sick mother and on his way back to Portharcourt along the Anambra axis, the vehicle was intercepted by members of the IPOB/ESN members. They were interrogated one after the other and their luggage searched.

“Osfm Ibrahim a x22553 luggage had a new camouflage uniform and boot. His phone was also searched and pictures of him in uniform were discovered. He was said to have been taken away to an undisclosed location.

“The said rating was on his way back to Portharcourt on Sunday the 13 Nov 22 when the vehicle developed a fault and was made to sleep over on the road. Upon the repair, the vehicle decided to pass through the southeastern axis when they ought to know that Monday sit at home is in force in that region. All efforts to rescue him are ongoing as the bio in Onitsha has been informed for assistance in tracking the whereabouts of the abducted rating.”

Contacted, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, naval spokesperson, confirmed the incident, assuring that their personnel, together with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have swung into action, in a bid to ensure OSFM Ibrahim’s safe and quick release.

Source: PRNigeria

5G Auction Not Driven By Revenue But In Pursuit Of Better Quality Of Life – NCC Boss

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, has said in Lagos, that the efforts by the Commission to timely auction available spectrum for 5G services in Nigeria is driven by the urgent need for Nigeria to join the global community to advance digital services and enhance quality communications infrastructure for the benefit of the citizenry, and not by the need to attract revenue for government.

Danbatta, who spoke to a cross section of industry players at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, during the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the Draft Information Memorandum for the 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction, hosted by the Commission, said that there is need for stakeholders to understand the genuine vision of the Commission to equip the nation with the latest technologies and services which is the focus of the efforts to deploy 5G services nationwide.

“I want to disabuse the mind of those who feel that the objective of the NCC to auction the first and the second rounds of the 5G spectrum bands is to generate money for the Federal Government. This is not correct. The overriding consideration is not to generate money for the Federal Government but principally to ensure deployment of 5G services that enhance better life for Nigerians and the growth of the nation’s economy as a whole through provision of qualitative high-speed Internet services that increase productivity and efficiency across sectors.

“For those who are conversant with developments in the industry, the proactive regulatory approach of the Commission in transiting Nigeria from 1G, to 2G, 3G, 4G and now to 5G has brought remarkable socio-economic developments, transforming lives and businesses. This clarification is very important at this stage to put to rest the insinuations and misconceptions being bandied in certain quarters. Our intent is purely to digitally transform Nigeria and Nigerians towards becoming a leading digital economy not only in Africa but globally and where telecoms continue to be a major enabler and contributor to the nation’s economic growth.”

Professor Danbatta explained the rationale behind the need to conduct an auction on the second round of the 5G spectrum sale. According to him, following the successful auction of the initial two lots of the 5G spectrum in December 2021, the Commission had received requests to administratively licence the remaining lots at the exact fee the initial two lots were auctioned.

He said that the Commission, in exercise of its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, has decided to licence the available lots in the 3.5GHz band through the Auction Method which is a transparent and efficient approach that can open opportunities for new entrants as well as deepen competition in the industry.

“The Commission has committed enormous resources to ensure that harmonized Spectrum is secured and released in a timely manner for present and future rollout of services that will unleash the potentials of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), including International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT-2020) services. We have kept ourselves abreast of developments at international fora, including ITU-R Study Groups to enable the allocation of strategic Spectrum to IMT services especially the IMT-2020 which has been on the front burner in the last two ITU-R Study Cycles.

“Hence, it is important that we ensure the timely release of the Spectrum bands necessary for 5G deployment to the industry to enable us reap the immediate and envisioned benefits of 5G technology and facilitate the development of Nigeria’s Digital Economy to foster national growth,” he said.

Representatives of telecoms companies, media and other stakeholders made additional inputs into the Draft IM in addition to the comments and inputs already received via correspondence before the forum commenced. The NCC’s Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska, who is also the Auction Adviser, also reminded stakeholders at the forum that Commission will still take comments up to close of business on 17th November 2022 just before the final IM that will guide the auction process is published on 18th November 2022.

The Commission has developed a draft Information Memorandum (IM) for the Auction of the 3.5GHz band which has been published on its website on 21st October 2022, to enable stakeholders review and make inputs and comments. The Tuesday, November 15, 2022 forum in Lagos, was to deliberate on the draft document and take contributions from stakeholders to enrich the quality of the document for auction process and towards the efficient management and utilization of this important spectrum resource in line with global best practices.

2023: I Will Assemble Best Team Ever, To Do The Following If…Tinubu In Jos

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he would assemble the best team ever to move the country in all aspects to the next level.

“Under this hopeful pact, we will assemble the best team.

“We shall build on progress in the agricultural sector by establishing commodity boards guaranteeing minimal prices for strategic crops.

“We shall create agricultural and industrial hubs in all zones.

Tinubu, who rolled out numerous development agenda, at the Flagg off of the APC presidential campaign today, November 15 in Jos, capital of Plateau State, said that Nigerians will witness water catchment and irrigation systems to help farming while mitigating the dire effects of drought and flooding brought about by a changing climate.

“We will encourage urban employment through a national industrial plan that employs a series of measures including tax and employment credits.

“We will deepen the knowledge economy. Millions of the tech savvy, innovative youth will benefit as will our overall economy. talented youth will find a place in our government.

“We will bring greater power through natural gas and reasonable reform of the entire power sector.

“Our government will continue the infrastructural expansion so the overall economy may continue to expand in lockstep.

“Most importantly, I will give utmost priority to extinguishing terrorists and violent criminals. We shall augment our military, police and security personnel while providing them with better tactical communication and mobility. We will employhi-tech aerial surveillance to track and attack these menaces.

“These evil forces seek to destroy our democratic way of life. I have news for them. We will defeat their destructive way of life. They shall be utterly defeated and vanquished from our soil.”

Tinubu, whose speech was later interpreted in Hausa language by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, praised Nigerians for believing in the APC to lead the country to progress after years of backwardness under the PDP administration by declaring “hope is back.”

He said the campaign was starting in Plateau, a place that properly shows Nigeria’s vast potentials.

“One can see greater prosperity and jobs in an economy humming with activity. From the farmer in the rural area to the city boy in a bustling urban centre, each will have productive work to do and a decent home to return to.

“One can see a Nigeria where all who want to will be able to build a decent life from the fruits of their individual and collective endeavour.

“From this fine vantage point, we see how far we have come. We also see how far we must go and the road that will take us there.”

Tinubu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his presence at the flagoff and the great foundation he has laid for the nation, which his incoming administration plans to build on.

“I am deeply honoured for the presence of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. As campaign chairman, he promised to lead from the front. A man of his word, President Buhari has done what he said and more.

“Mr. President, you have provided exceptional service to the nation and party. Your contributions are both positive and enduring. When the history of this period is objectively written, it will smile upon you and treat you with utmost kindness,” he added.

He also praised Adamu for leading the APC and steadying the ship of the party since assuming office as national chairman.

On his plans for the country if elected president, Tinubu said unlike other parties who are either dwelling on a fruitless past or a tomorrow of fantasies, his administration hopes to chart the course of progress already stated by the Buhari administration.

“We hereby reaffirm our commitment to progressive good governance and to the fruits that such governance can bring to this nation.

“February 2023 is more than an election. It is a fight to define the soul of the nation and to determine our collective fate. Do we adhere to the ideals of broadly shared prosperity, competence, peace, justice and compassion toward all? Or do we toss these ideals away, lashing ourselves to the divisive politics of the past or to those whose rantings show they cannot distinguish between fact and fantasy.

“One party wants to take us back to a past that never should have been. Another party wants to take us to a past that resides only in its candidate’s head. Neither the old road nor the fantasy road is good enough.

“Instead, we forge the wiser path toward our approved destination — an even better Nigeria. This is what the election is truly about,” he added.

To ensure overall energy security and resource mobilization for the country, Tinubu promised to continue the ongoing exploration works in all frontier basins and especially speed up the development of the commercial oil find in Gombe/ Bauchi states.

Reeling out the succeses of the Buhari administration, Tinubu said there was massive development in the agricultural, infrastructure and power sectors in the last eight years of the APC government.

According to him, these foundations now require more builders to make it a massive structure, calling on all Nigerians to embark on the journey with him.

“Here, I thank president Buhari again because he has truly established a strong foundation for the things we are now to do.

“The Buhari administration achieved things in the agricultural, infrastructural, and power sector no other administration has done. Additionally, his government liberated hundreds of communities from terrorists and brought thousands of displaced persons back to their homes.

“Truly the foundation has been set. It is now time to call more builders forward to further construct the national edifice that will be our best home. We, the APC and the Tinubu/Shettima team, seek to make permanent a covenant of progressive good governance with the people.”

The flag off had in attendance Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Kashim Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila.

In attendance were Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Prof. Ben Ayade (Crossrivers) Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, former Bauchi governor Mohammed Abubakar, former Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Borno, Modu Ali-Sheriff, and former Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

There were also Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of APC Presidential Candidate, Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice Presidential Candidate Shettima, both of who also addressed the rally, and Dr. Ibijoke Sanwoolu, wife of Governor Sanwoolu of Lagos, ministers and members of APC National Working Committee.

While addressing the rally, both the National Chairman of the party and the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum who is also the governor of Kebbi, Bagudu, commended President Buhari for his achievements, saying he would be leaving behind important legacies in democracy, good governance, infrastructure development and economic growth particularly in the area of agriculture and food security.

The Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaigns and governor of Plateau, Hon. Simon Lalong, said Tinubu who is described as City Boy of Lagos is now City Boy of the Plateau.

On his part President Buhari presented the party’s flag to Asiwaju Tinubu to formally present him to Nigerians as the symbol of the party in the coming presidential election.

2023: I Swear, No Candidate Will Be Denied Of Electoral Victory, Irrespective Of Party – Buhari

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it abundantly clear that no candidate of any political party will be denied electoral victory in the 2023 elections.

Buhari, who joined capacity crowd at the Jos township stadium to flag off the Presidential campaign of Tinubu-Shettima, flag bearers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential contest, said today, November 15, before the rally at the palace of Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, that he is committed to ensuring that every vote counts.

“No election winner will be denied his mandate, irrespective of the party to which they belonged.”

The President was apparently referring to the Campaign Director-General, Governor Simon Lalong, who announced the intention to recreate the SDP-Moshood Abiola historic victory in 2023 in a campaign that took off in the same city 3o years ago. That election victory was annulled by the military.

While handing the APC flag to the candidate at the tumultuous occasion, President Buhari said the country needed a man like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He called on the party faithful to campaign on issues and the abilities of the candidate and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The President reiterated his earlier assurances that he will be at the forefront of this campaign because of his belief in the party.

The President said that it is only the APC that can steer Nigeria to fulfill its historic purpose, adding that working together with the leadership of the party, the campaign council, and its teeming supporters, the goal will be achieved.

The Chairman of the party, Senator Adamu led other party stalwarts, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to call on Nigerians to vote for the APC ticket which is the surest way to the prosperity for the country.

Peter Obi’s Team To Soludo: We Won’t Respond To Your Personal Vendetta

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization has made it clear that the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi is too busy trying to convince the Nigerian electorate to vote for him rather than engaging in verbal warfare with the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

The spokesperson of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ndi Kato, made this position known in a statement today, November 15, responding to Governor Soludo, who yesterday, wrote a lengthy statement, saying that Obi knows he cannot win the presidential election.

Obi’s campaign team said that rather than dissipate energy responding to the fallacies contained in Soludo’s article, Peter Obi would remain focused on galvanising support for his vision.

“We read with amusement and dismay, a very lengthy and belaboured treatise of an article, written by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, focused on our Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi.

“It seems obvious that Professor Soludo is itching for limelight, in this election season, perhaps fired up by possible understanding or alliance with our struggling political opponents.

“While we note the glaring fallacies, misrepresentations, personal insinuations and signs of personal vendetta in that long writeup, neither His Excellency Peter Obi, The Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, nor the Labour Party, for that matter, has any interest in an extended engagement with Prof. Soludo this critical time when there is a bigger fish to fry.

“His Excellency Peter Obi has his work well cut-out for him, this campaign season.

“Primarily, he is accelerating his reach-out and influence to all Nigerians, rural and urban, in all areas, regions and states; and firmly engaging them, on his critical and visionary plans to take the country from consumption to production.

“In doing this, Mr. Peter Obi is firmly placing the Youths, intensive Agricultural revolution, and revamping of critical areas of the economy as part of the focal points in the drive to turn around our fortunes and take back our country.

“We, the Youths, spreading across partisan political lines, have found reason to place the highest level of trust and confidence in HE Peter Obi, and we are committed to continuing partnership with him, transparently, vigorously and creatively, to bring to fruition, the vital changes urgently required in this our country, of so much potential.

“We strongly believe that A New Nigeria is possible… and together with Peter Obi, we are working to make this a reality.

“This is our focus; this is our occupation.. and we shall not be distracted.”

Soludo Mocks Fellow Igbos: We Can’t Produce President By “Nzogbu Nzogbu” Politics

Editorial staff

November 15, 2022

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has mocked his fellow Igbos from Southeast Nigeria, saying that they cannot produce Nigeria’s President until they properly learn the country’s politics.

He said: “frenzied nzogbu nzogbu politics” (war song) won’t favour the Southeast.

“Igbos, in their frenzied nzogbu nzogbu politics, have sadly found themselves in a political cul- de-sac. Tragic indeed! When will my people smell the morning coffee?

“When will Ndigbo understand and learn politics, especially of Nigeria?”

The Anambra state governor made this point today, November 14, on his Facebook page.

According to him, the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is not a sure route to Igbo presidency.

Soludo was responding to criticisms that greeted his earlier comment at an interview where he described Peter Obi’s investments for Anambra to be “worth next to nothing.”

Soludo, who was once the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), advised Igbos to align with his All Progressives Grand Alliance party (APGA), saying that under Tinubu, the Southwest strategically organised under a different political party, the ACN and went into a formidable alliance that kicked out a sitting president.

The Governor’s statement runs contrary to the clamour for a president of Southeast extraction.

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