Politics
2023 Presidency: SMBLF Insists on Southern Candidates
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has made it clear to all political parties in Nigeria that votes from the four regions that constitute the Forum for the 2023 presidential elections would only go to candidates from the south.
This was contained in a communique the Forum issued at the end of a meeting on Thursday, which was chaired by the Leader and Elder Statesman, Edwin Clark.
The Forum pointed out that fair and even sharing of power were not negotiable and by its reckoning the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by delegates from the four regional socio-cultural organisations: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
The communique was jointly signed by Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, George Obiozor – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr. Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum.
The delegations to the meeting were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Also in attendance were former governors, ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions.
Notable among the attendees were Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon Okeke, Supo Shonibare, Akin Fapohunda, Okey Emuchay, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, and Solomon Asemota.
Others were Dr. Alex Ogbonna, Mac Emakpore, Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Nella Andem-Rabana, Prof. Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Retd), Ben Akaakar, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.
In the words of the communiqué: “The meeting extensively discussed various issues on the State of Affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, restructuring, preparations for the 2023 general elections and zoning.
“Arising therefrom, the meeting resolved as follows:
” That the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, accordingly, Forum restates its demand for the fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice. *It must be One Nation, One System*;
“Cites that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, the presidency should rotate to the South;
“Therefore, unequivocally, and in full resolve, calls on all political parties in the country to zone their presidential tickets to the south;
“Advices that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions;
“Notes that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power;
“Condemns the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians;
“Urges members of the National Assembly and Governors of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of restructuring;
“Reaffirms commitment to the unity of Nigeria, situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.
“The meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions.”
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his long-standing association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023.
The switch was confirmed on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the decision came after extensive deliberations.
READ ALSO: Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC
“This move followed wide consultations with political stakeholders and is in the interest of Delta’s long-term development,” Ahon stated.
Oborevwori was welcomed into the APC by senior party figures, marking what observers are calling a calculated political maneuver with potential ramifications for the 2027 elections.
More to follow…………..
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo State may be on the verge of losing another key figure, as Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, is reportedly considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Party insiders and political observers say the senator is under increasing pressure from APC leaders to switch allegiance, with recent developments pointing toward an imminent move.
Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, recently stated that the Supreme Court’s verdict on the LP crisis might have come too late to prevent the damage already done, which has resulted in multiple defections across the country.
READ MORE: Okpebholo Inspects Agro, Road Projects In Edo Central
The senator is said to have a close working relationship with several prominent APC figures in Edo State and has been seen at various public functions alongside them.
Notably, he once served as a senior legislative aide to his predecessor, Senator Matthew Urhoghide—now an APC member—and also acted as Director General of the APC Campaign Council for the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
Further fueling speculation, Hon. Eugene Utubor, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Political Mobilisation and Engagement, visited the senator on Tuesday night to lobby him into joining the APC and supporting the governor’s developmental drive.
Sources privy to the lengthy meeting described it as productive.
In a statement following the visit, Imasuen praised Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, saying, “The governor has done remarkably well in such a short time. It is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people. Every well-meaning Edo citizen is encouraged to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress.”
While no official defection has been announced, Imasuen’s words and actions suggest his exit from the Labour Party could be only a matter of time.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has released the official fees and guidelines for aspirants contesting in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12.
According to the document, jointly signed by the party’s State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and Secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, chairmanship aspirants will be required to pay a nomination fee of N5 million, along with an administrative fee of N500,000.
In a bid to encourage female participation in the electoral process, the APC reduced the chairmanship nomination fee for women to N2.5 million, though the administrative fee remains at N500,000.
READ ALSO: Okpebholo Welcomes Ikpea To APC, Expects More Defectors
Similarly, the party introduced incentives for young aspirants under the age of 40, offering them a 50% discount on the nomination fee while maintaining the administrative fee.
For aspirants living with disabilities, the party completely waived the nomination fee and fixed the administrative fee at N250,000.
Aspirants seeking councillorship positions will also pay fees, with male contenders expected to pay N1 million for the nomination form and N100,000 as an administrative fee.
Female aspirants will pay N250,000 for the nomination form, while the administrative fee remains the same.
The APC noted that youth aspirants applying for councillorship positions would also receive a 50% discount on their nomination fee, although they will still be expected to pay the full administrative fee.
For persons living with disabilities contesting for councillorship seats, the nomination form will be issued at no cost, but an administrative fee of N50,000 will apply.
The party also clarified that no separate fee will be charged for vice chairmanship positions.
“These fees shall be paid by way of bank draft in favour of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, State,” the guidelines stated.
Beyond the financial requirements, the APC outlined other conditions for eligibility. Chairmanship aspirants are expected to be at least 30 years old, while councillorship hopefuls must have attained the age of 25.
Academic qualifications require a minimum of a school certificate or its equivalent, with higher qualifications considered an added advantage.
The guidelines also set out the endorsement process for aspirants. For chairmanship hopefuls, five registered party members who are voters within the aspirant’s ward, local government or LCDA must endorse their nomination forms.
Councillorship aspirants will need the signatures of 20 registered party members from their wards.
The party emphasized the need for all aspirants to prove their loyalty to the APC and show active involvement in party activities.
Each candidate must also sign the party’s Code of Conduct.
“Only aspirants cleared by the Screening Committee shall be eligible to stand for election at the party’s primaries,” the guidelines noted.
In line with constitutional provisions, the APC further stressed that any party officeholder intending to contest must resign their position at least 30 days before the election or the party primary.
“All aspirants shall comply with constitutional provisions and requirements applicable to the public office they seek to contest for,” the party added.
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