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.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
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“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
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Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
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Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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