Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, has questioned the implications of a proposed one-term presidency arrangement involving former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warning that it could affect the South-East’s long-term political aspirations.

Nkwocha raised the concerns on Saturday during a strategic sensitisation meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imerienwe Ward 5, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, where he urged the South-East to embrace strategic political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The presidential aide said the region needed to reassess its political strategy in view of its electoral strength, national political realities and the development opportunities available through engagement with the Federal Government.

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He questioned whether a one-term presidency arrangement would serve the collective interests of the South-East, particularly in its pursuit of national political leadership.

Nkwocha also argued that the region’s comparatively smaller registered voter population made political partnerships with other geopolitical zones important to its long-term ambitions.

Nkwocha Urges South-East to Support Tinubu, Shettima

The presidential aide maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated its commitment to the South-East through infrastructure projects, institutional reforms and economic investments, despite the region’s voting pattern during the 2023 presidential election.

He cited the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the reconstruction of major federal highways, improvements in transport infrastructure and other economic initiatives as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive national development.

Nkwocha subsequently urged his kinsmen to support the Tinubu administration and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections.

“My boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is on the ballot. Please support the Vice President,” he appealed.

His remarks came as the APC intensified grassroots mobilisation in Imo State, with community leaders and political stakeholders at the meeting pledging to consolidate their political structures under the ruling party.

Imo Government Official Backs APC Mobilisation

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, recalled Imerienwe’s history of political organisation and grassroots mobilisation.

“We used to come to Imerienwe to learn how to play politics,” Onuegbu said, noting that Ngor Okpala had traditionally been recognised for delivering substantial bloc votes during elections.

He also commended Uzodimma for infrastructure development across Imo State, particularly improvements in aviation facilities that have enabled night flight operations at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

“Under Governor Hope Uzodimma, aeroplanes now land at the Imo State Airport at night. More good things are coming in the future,” he said.

Onuegbu expressed confidence in the community’s commitment to the ruling party ahead of the next general elections.

“Imerienwe will deliver all APC candidates in the coming elections,” he declared.

Community Leaders Pledge Support for Tinubu, Shettima

The Chairman of Ndi Nze Ngor-Okpala and Okenze Ngor-Okpala Ggburukuru, Chief Sylvester Okenze Obinna, urged community members to support Nkwocha, commending his contributions to the development of the area.

He called on the people to demonstrate their appreciation through unity and electoral support for Tinubu and Shettima in 2027.

“Our son, Stanley Nkwocha, has made us proud, and we must stand together to support him. The best way to appreciate his efforts and the opportunities his position has brought to our community is to remain united and vote overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the coming elections. We must show that Ngor Okpala stands firmly behind its own,” Obinna said.

Retired Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh also stressed the importance of unity and strategic political engagement in advancing the community’s interests.

“Politics is both local and strategic. Strategic thinking must be used in order to make a success of our political ambitions,” he said.

Earlier, the Village Chairman of Umunakara Community, Ifeanyi Nwaiwu, announced that political leaders and supporters across seven villages had resolved to unite under the APC.

The villages are Umuchieze, Umukoha, Umundiukwu, Umunakara, Umunwoko, Umuodu and Umuokoji.

“There is no other party in contention. We are all collapsing our political affiliations into the APC,” Nwaiwu declared.

He also assured the party leadership of the community’s commitment to the mobilisation exercise, saying, “We will not shame you.”

During the meeting, the ward chairman presented requests for the grading of community roads and the installation of 50 additional solar-powered streetlights at strategic locations to improve accessibility, security and economic activities.

The meeting was attended by community leaders, women and youth representatives, political stakeholders and APC supporters from Imo State and other parts of the South-East, with discussions focusing on political participation, grassroots organisation and community development priorities.

Other attendees included APC Owerri Zonal Women Leader, Lady Tina Okere; APC Vice Chairman in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Georginia Onuoha; the party’s local government secretary, Emmanuel Ukachukwu Dubic; and its youth leader, Chinedu Uhuka, among other political stakeholders.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliu as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing his alleged family relationship with Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the call in a statement on Sunday, October 18, raising concerns about impartiality, public confidence and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Abdullahi identified Aliu as the North-West nominee to INEC and alleged that he is the maternal brother of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member seeking re-election in the forthcoming Sokoto State governorship election.

“Think about the implications. This is a relationship that raises serious questions about impartiality, public confidence and the credibility of the electoral process,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC spokesman argued that the reported family relationship warrants scrutiny because of the responsibility entrusted to INEC officials in overseeing elections and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

He also cited Section 156(1)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution in making the party’s case for impartiality in the appointment of electoral commissioners.

“Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution prohibits membership of a political party by an INEC member. The principle is clear: electoral referees must not only be impartial, they must be seen to be impartial,” Abdullahi stated.

He called on the Senate to subject Aliu’s nomination to rigorous scrutiny and reject it over the concerns raised by the party.

“We join all well meaning Nigerians in calling on the Senate to subject this nomination to rigorous scrutiny and reject the nomination based on partiality,” he said.

Abdullahi further warned that public confidence in INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections could be affected if concerns about the impartiality of its officials were not addressed before confirmation.

“Nigeria cannot afford an electoral umpire whose impartiality is in doubt. The credibility of INEC in 2027 demands answers before confirmation, not explanations after the election,” he added.

The ADC’s latest position follows an earlier objection to Aliu’s nomination by the party’s governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.

On Saturday, October 17, Dan’iya reportedly called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the nomination and urged the Senate to scrutinise the nominee over his alleged family connection to Governor Ahmed Aliyu and concerns about his political neutrality.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, running mate to Peter Obi on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket, has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) that he is working to advance President Bola Tinubu’s political interests ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso stated this in a post on his X account on Sunday, insisting that the NDC would not withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC or any other political party.

He described the attacks directed at him, Obi and the NDC as unnecessary, accusing the ADC campaign council of attempting to undermine his party instead of presenting its own candidate’s credentials to Nigerians.

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“The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” he said.

Kwankwaso alleged that the ADC-PCC was attempting to portray the NDC ticket as working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and spreading suggestions that the party could withdraw from the presidential contest at the last minute.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations that the NDC ticket was acting on behalf of Tinubu or the APC.

“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates,” he added.

Kwankwaso’s statement came amid a dispute with the ADC Presidential Campaign Council over his comments concerning the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

The ADC-PCC had accused him of advancing Tinubu’s political interests after he called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside in favour of Obi.

The campaign council argued that Kwankwaso should focus on challenging the ruling APC rather than directing his attention towards other opposition figures.

It also alleged that his position could deepen divisions among opposition parties and undermine efforts to defeat Tinubu in the next general election.

The ADC-PCC’s criticism prompted Kwankwaso to defend his political intentions and reject suggestions that he was working to weaken the opposition or facilitate the ruling party’s electoral prospects.

Responding to the allegations, Kwankwaso argued that the ADC offered no better alternative to the ruling APC, insisting that the NDC presented a credible option for Nigerians seeking political change.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” he said.

He described the NDC presidential ticket as a viable option backed by competence, credibility, a strong track record and support across Northern and Southern Nigeria.

According to him, the ticket is committed to uniting the country and addressing challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.

Kwankwaso also maintained that the NDC remained the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party.

He urged supporters and other Nigerians to remain committed to the party’s electoral campaign.

“I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he said.

He concluded with the assurance: “Nigeria will be OK.”