Politics
I can’t wait to call you my president, Chimamanda pens glowing tribute to Obi at 61
By Paul Eso
Renowned novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, has penned a glowing tribute to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, as he celebrated his 61 years birthday on Tuesday.
Adiche in a goodwill message via her verified Facebook handle, said she could not wait to call the former governor of Anambra State her president.
The award-winning author of Purple Hibiscus, disclosed that she was inspired by Obi’s intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and his genuine love of education.
“I have always admired your humane pragmatism, how you are willing to talk to almost anyone if it will bring about a good outcome, and how you believe in certain ideals without being an ideologue.
“And how you see people as people, knowing that human value is not measured in material terms. And how you have always been consistent in the core of who you are.
“I cannot wait to call you ‘My President.’ I cannot wait for February 25, 2023, when I, with personal pride in you and with hope for what Nigeria can become, will cast my vote for you and your running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed”, she started.
The message further read: “I will never forget your kindness to my beloved parents. Thank you for the respect you showed them, for your many visits to Abba, where you gave to Daddy and Mummy the most precious gifts: your time and your attention.
“Thank you for walking this still-unbearable journey of grief with my siblings and me. I remember how you regaled Daddy and Mummy with your stories until we started joking about your obsession with the ‘GDP of Malaysia.’
“But your obsession spoke of hope: your hope for Nigeria, your belief in what Nigeria could be. A belief that has always been practical, grounded in numbers and in reality.
“I remember when you came to support me as I was being honored by the United Nations Foundation in New York, and I teased you about the inexpensive hotel you were staying in, and you shrugged and said, ‘it’s just a place to sleep, why do I need to be in an expensive place?’
READ ALSO: MENP’s Ezekwueme Lauds Obi at 61
“And then only days later, you once again exhibited your incredible generosity to the causes you believe in, and it reminded me of all the hospitals and schools and churches you have supported over the years, and often without fanfare. You have always been clear about what your priorities are, what matters to you, what you believe should matter, and that is deeply admirable.
“Thank you for your compassion and your circumspection. For your honesty and your humour. For your willingness to acknowledge flaws, yours and others’, knowing that nobody is perfect. For your fuss-free kindness and your humility that is never performative.
“I am inspired by your intellectual curiosity, your eagerness to learn, your genuine love of education (which is why you sought out, and honored, Daddy all those years ago when you learned that he was Nigeria’s first professor of statistics.)
“Sometimes it is the simplest of language that captures the most complex of things, and so I will end with simplicity: You are a good man. You are loved. You are appreciated.
“May your eyes continue to light up when you talk about the lovely confident Margaret (Thank God she agreed for you!) and your lovely children, A and E. May joy follow you and yours always. Mummy called you her ‘first son,’ my siblings and I call you our ‘big bro.’ Chukwu dube gi. God Keep you. With love, Chimamanda.”
Former senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing ongoing internal conflicts within the party.
Aduda announced his resignation in a letter dated March 17, 2026, addressed to the PDP chairman of Karu Ward in Abuja.
In the letter, he stated that his decision takes immediate effect, blaming persistent crises rocking the party for his exit.
READ MORE: Defections Won’t Break PDP in Sokoto, Says Former Senator Gada
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect due to the crisis in the party,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity to serve in various elective positions across the country.
His departure adds to the growing wave of defections currently reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly within the Senate.
In recent developments, several PDP lawmakers have defected to rival parties. Three senators — Amos Yohanna, Aminu Iyal Abbas, and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis — recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, increasing its dominance in the Senate to 84 members.
The defections have reduced the PDP’s Senate strength from 17 to 14 members.
Meanwhile, five other PDP senators have moved to the African Democratic Congress, which has now emerged as the main opposition party in the Senate with nine members.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
ALSO READ: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
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