Politics
Patriots urges APC to adopt Ogbonaya Onu as consensus standard bearer
The patriots For Dr Ogbonaya Onu have asked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to put its best foot forward by adopting Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as its consensus. presidential standard-bearer in its legitimate quest to retain power at the centre post-2023.
Led by Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday the group said Onu is not only acceptable to the Ndigbo and APC but to all Nigerians due to his broad and sterling appeal for which the majority of voters will coalesce.
The university Don said they are a group that is interested in galvanizing the effort of well-meaning Nigerians for the actualization and emergence of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as the elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023.
Professor Fawehinmi observed that the worthy course if left to slide can only be actualised in the next 16 years with the sustenance of the current democratic dispensation.
“The Patriots called on all eligible Nigerians to massively vote for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu in the forthcoming elections to enable him to take over the mantle of leadership of Nigeria to pilot its affairs to the promised land as there is nothing as powerful. and an idea whose time has come”.
“Nigeria at this perilous time needs a detribalized leader that will foster unity, put the interest of all Nigerians above sectional interest, fight endemic corruption frontally, tackle widespread insecurity pervading the land headlong and prosper the lives of its citizenry through economic emancipation and job creation.
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“Amongst the contenders that have openly declared their intentions to contest, these requisite attributes stand Dr Ogbonnaya Onu out as most formidable with sterling performance over the years.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has been an indigene of 3 South-Eastern States (IMO, Abia and Ebonyi) at different times. During his tenure as the first civilian Governor of the old Abia State in 1991, he meritoriously served as the first Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors.
“As Governor, he promoted national unity by abolishing the State of Origin Syndrome and appointed non-indigenes to key political and administrative positions in the State. “As Chief Security Officer, he worked with the security agencies and community leaders to restore peace and safety in Abia State, then challenged by unprecedented security concerns.
“He promoted the rule of law in the conduct of government business by emphasizing transparency, discipline and punctuality and mobilized the people of Abia for sustainable development through various infrastructural, educational, health and social welfare programmes.”
He added that Rotational Presidency has always carried with it a strong moral force that can threaten the sovereign integrity of Nigeria.”
Fawehinmi said it is also a pragmatic means formally adopted by political parties prior to Nigeria’s independence to stabilize the Country’s democracy from Cleavage along ethnoreligious lines as it creates a sense of belonging for all tribes.
“Since the advent of the fourth republic, apart from the South-East and North-Central, other geopolitical zones of Nigeria have had a shot at the presidency.
“The pros of zoning clearly outweigh its cons and jettisoning it will be a dangerous precedent for the country’s nascent democracy and an affront on the collective will and peaceful coexistence of its people. “Egalitarianism cannot thrive when a major segment of society is nursing a feeling of discontentment.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’s election will assuage the feeling of real or perceived marginalization among the Ndigbo that constitute about a quarter of the Country’s population, and guarantee their full re-integration into the post-civil war Nigerian state.
“It will end their agitations for socioeconomic and political emancipation as happened to the militancy struggle in the South-South with the election of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President in 2011.
“It will give the civil war veterans including former Heads of State a sense of fulfilment, to see their dream of a truly unified Nigeria which they have fought for, materialize in their lifetime.
“A multicultural and pluralistic society like ours needs a technocrat and nationalistic leader 4 like Dr Ogbonnaya Onu that can be entrusted with its unity and treasury, to provide a transformational leadership devoid of sentiments and rancour.
“He has never had a brawl with the anti-corruption and security agencies, and this gives him the moral justification to fight corruption. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu prefers meritocracy to nepotism as a way of earning the confidence of the people and has a demonstrable capacity to work with every Nigerian irrespective of religious or tribal persuasion.
“His political sagacity, requisite experience, managerial acumen and comportment will earn him the respect of the government and people.
“Therefore, we make a clarion call to all political and opinion leaders as well as ail well-meaning Nigerians to synergize, pull resources together, build bridges across party lines and rally support from their various regional interest groups for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
“He has been projected as the ideal President for Nigeria come 2023 as he belongs to an endangered species of statesmen who can galvanize all facets of this country and provide the much needed modern-day progressive leadership. The election of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as President will sustain the existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on opposition political parties, accusing them of deceiving Nigerians and failing to live up to the democratic standards they claim to represent.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike said recent controversies surrounding the primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have exposed what he described as the hypocrisy and lack of credibility within the opposition camp.
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According to the former Rivers State governor, parties that have consistently presented themselves as the “new face of democracy” and a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are now grappling with the same internal crises they often criticize in other political parties.
“You can’t fool Nigerians anymore,” Wike declared, insisting that the opposition’s claims of being different from the established political parties have been undermined by disputes and protests that trailed their internal elections.
He questioned the ability of the parties to provide effective leadership if they could not successfully conduct transparent and peaceful primaries.
Wike specifically pointed to complaints raised by some presidential aspirants during the parties’ congresses, arguing that the allegations of irregularities and unfair practices showed that the opposition was not immune to the political shortcomings it frequently condemns.
The FCT minister said Nigerians are increasingly becoming aware of what he called inconsistencies in the opposition’s messaging, stressing that parties cannot market themselves as political “messiahs” while struggling with internal democratic processes.
He further argued that the developments reinforce the relevance of older political parties that have spent years navigating Nigeria’s political landscape.
While noting that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC have faced criticism in the past, Wike maintained that experience remains an important factor in sustaining democratic institutions and managing political competition.
The minister’s remarks come amid heightened political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties seeking to position themselves as strong contenders against the ruling APC.
A fresh twist has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, as a faction of the party has rejected the camp backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and instead unveiled businessman and academic, Prof. Chris Uba, as its presidential candidate.
The development comes days after another wing of the party reportedly produced Atiku as its presidential flagbearer following a nationwide primary election, deepening the leadership and candidate dispute within the ADC.
SEE ALSO: Atiku Floors Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen to Clinch ADC 2027 Presidential Ticket
Speaking during the formal presentation of candidates in Abuja on Sunday, the faction’s National Chairman, Bala Gombe, said the presidential ticket was zoned to Southern Nigeria in line with the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and federal character.
According to Gombe, three aspirants initially purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the presidential ticket.
They included Dr. Bashir Sani, Prince Williams Charles, and Prof. Chris Uba.
He explained that the party adopted the consensus option provided under the Electoral Act, leading to the emergence of Uba as the sole presidential candidate after the withdrawal of the other aspirants.
Gombe stated that the decision was taken in the interest of party unity and in compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, which recognize consensus as a lawful method of candidate selection.
He further announced the unveiling of 29 governorship candidates across the six geopolitical zones, saying they emerged through the party’s internal democratic processes.
Among those presented were Muhammad Usman Shuwa (Adamawa), Idris Adamu Yanoko (Kano), Shamsudin Muhammad (Kaduna), Ibrahim Al-Ameen Gumi (Zamfara), Babagana Mala (Borno), Musliu Babadele (Lagos), Rukayya Salami (Osun), Gbenga Gbenga (Oyo), Gada Suswan (Benue), Dijatu Abdul Salam (Nasarawa), and Christopher Benjo (Delta), among others.
The faction maintained that it had successfully concluded its governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly primaries nationwide in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s electoral guidelines.
The latest development signals growing internal divisions within the ADC as political parties intensify preparations, coalition talks, and strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Founded in 2005, the ADC has continued to position itself as an alternative political platform while seeking to strengthen its structures and expand its influence across Nigeria.
Former Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a statement released on Friday.
Kwankwaso also confirmed that former Kano deputy governor, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, would contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the platform of the NDC.
SEE ALSO: Kano Gov Orders Appointees to Resign Before March 31 Ahead of Elections
According to him, the decision followed wide consultations within the party and was guided by the principles of equity, fairness, loyalty, and competence.
“I am delighted to announce that His Excellency, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has been selected as our Kano NDC gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming elections,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that the party remained committed to unity and progress as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kwankwaso also expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the elections while praying for a peaceful and successful affirmation process.
Gwarzo, a close ally of Kwankwaso, previously served as Deputy Governor under Governor Abba Yusuf before resigning following Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress.
Before his tenure as deputy governor, Gwarzo served as Commissioner for State Affairs during Kwankwaso’s administration and also held office as Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Gawuna served as Deputy Governor under former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election before recently aligning with the NDC.
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