Politics
Allow Peaceful Protest On May 29 – Prof. Udenta
Prof. Udenta Udenta, the Founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy and Distinguished Fellow at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, issued a warning to security agencies on Thursday.
He cautioned them against obstructing any kind of protest during the upcoming presidential inauguration ceremony.
Expressing his disapproval of certain statements made by the heads of security organizations, Prof. Udenta emphasized that denying disgruntled Nigerians the right to protest on May 29th would contradict the principles of the constitution and encroach upon the fundamental human rights of citizens.
Prof. Udenta Udenta, a renowned African Literature scholar, expressed his views in an interview with journalists during the public presentation of the book titled “Media and Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy: Threats, Constraints and Resilience,”
The book, co-authored by Paul Obi, a former Political Correspondent of THISDAY Newspapers, Taye Obateru, an Associate Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Jos, and Dr. Sam Amadi, the Convener of ASSPT, received a review from Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, a communication consultant and Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at Baze University in Abuja.
During the book’s launch, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, served as the chief launcher.
Prof. Udenta expressed his concern about the statements made by security chiefs regarding the upcoming inauguration ceremony, describing them as efforts to stifle democratic discourse.
According to a report by BIZTELLERS, the Federal government had announced plans to enhance security measures at Eagle Square, the designated venue for the presidential inauguration on May 29, as well as in the surrounding areas.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, who was represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a warning to journalists regarding the dissemination of false information and hate speeches.
The IGP assured the public of the police force’s preparedness for the upcoming inauguration ceremony.
The IGP further stressed the importance of journalists verifying the accuracy of their stories before publishing them while adhering to ethical standards in journalism while reporting on the event.
The Governor expressed his gratitude to the organizers, authors, and editors of the book, acknowledging their well-researched scholarly effort. He emphasized that the book directly and practically contributes to the development of media and democracy.
However, the Governor lamented the ongoing debate in Nigeria concerning the role of the media in the country’s democratic transformation and consolidation.
He highlighted the importance of the media in empowering civic spaces and strengthening democratic governance, as well as the challenges they face in undertaking such responsibilities.
Obi, one of the authors, emphasized the necessity of allowing the press to operate in accordance with constitutional provisions.
He stated “What we need to do is to ensure that those rights are not breached or limited and it should work within our constitutional framework. Any aspect that prevents media from performing constitutional rights, we should raised alarm.”
The Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to apologise to residents or resign over his recent comments concerning the 2027 general elections.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Darlington Peter-Onwe, made the demand during a live radio programme on Friday, describing the governor’s remarks as capable of stoking political violence ahead of the elections.
Peter-Onwe was reacting to Nwifuru’s directive to newly sworn-in local government chairmen to ensure that the All Progressives Congress wins their respective councils in the 2027 elections or risk being removed from office.
SEE MORE: 2027: Massive Turnout as Adebutu, Iyabo Obasanjo Kick Off PDP Campaign in Ogun
“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down because he has violated the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Peter-Onwe stated.
“Section 14 of the Constitution explicitly provides that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property. By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence.”
The PDP’s reaction followed comments made by Nwifuru during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki on Tuesday.
While dismissing allegations of harassment and intimidation of political critics by APC members and supporters, the governor warned opposition politicians that they would “see real threats at the right time.”
Nwifuru also charged the council chairmen to ensure that the opposition does not win their respective local government areas in 2027.
“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” the governor told the chairmen.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office.
“We will use your councillor and remove you.
“If you allow anybody to come to your Local Government council and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly.”
The governor further said he deliberately made the remarks publicly because politicians do not speak in secret.
“I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret,” he said.
Reacting further, Peter-Onwe compared Nwifuru’s approach with that of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, whom he described as an example of leadership accountability.
“Look at what Governor Alex Otti did when there was a disruption in the education sector. He came out openly and apologised, admitting that it shouldn’t have happened.
That is the true strength of a leader,” he added.
The PDP spokesperson also alleged that the governor’s comments had contributed to hostility against opposition members and media practitioners in the state.
The development comes amid growing political activities and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
engagement
Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the perception that former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, does not spend money in pursuit of political office.
Olayinka alleged that Obi gave money to delegates while seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general election.
ALSO READ: Peter Obi Demands Tinubu’s Resignation, Says Governance Has Collapsed
He made the allegation during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today programme on Friday, while responding to a question on whether politics was a business for Wike.
According to Olayinka, politicians should stop pretending that money does not play a role in Nigerian politics, arguing that candidates routinely spend money during consultations, party primaries and election campaigns.
“One of the issues with most of us Nigerians, we like to pretend, politics is business. Don’t let us pretend. It’s a service but you can only serve when you get to power,” he said.
Olayinka, who said he contested a House of Representatives seat in 2023, noted that spending money was also part of the political process at the primary election stage.
“Why do politicians spend money? Will anybody tell me why politicians in this country, even outside Nigeria, in US, everywhere; don’t they spend money to campaign? They spend money to seek election,” he said.
Speaking specifically about Obi, Olayinka rejected the narrative that the former governor does not give money during political engagements.
“For instance, we have read that the candidate of NDC, Peter Obi, does not spend shishi. It’s a lie,” Olayinka said.
He claimed to have personally witnessed Obi distributing money to delegates when he was still seeking the PDP presidential ticket.
“I was a delegate in Ekiti when he was in PDP before going to Labour Party. He came to Ekiti. He dropped money for delegates. From the money he dropped, they gave me my own in 2022,” he said.
Olayinka, however, acknowledged that the amount Obi allegedly gave may have been smaller than what some other presidential aspirants offered.
“The money might be smaller than what other people gave, but he gave money,” he said.
Obi later left the PDP and contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party.
Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi has moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while several opposition figures continue to position themselves for another challenge against President Bola Tinubu.
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has warned that Peter Obi may not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without a broader opposition alliance.
Okonkwo made the statement during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, a united opposition front remains the only realistic strategy for defeating Tinubu at the polls.
ALSO READ: Presidency Clears Air on Tinubu’s US Court Case
He argued that Obi would face difficulties securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he chooses to contest against Tinubu alone.
“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s political approach and his previous comments about the nature of political power.
He further dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, even if former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joins him as running mate.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.
He questioned whether Obi would receive sufficient support in Kano, noting that the former Anambra State governor did not secure the state in the 2023 presidential election.
“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” he added.
Okonkwo also played down Kwankwaso’s political influence, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost some of his strength, including in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
His comments come as opposition politicians continue discussions over the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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