NEWS
‘There’s groundswell of northern supporters for Obi after the AJC character contest’
By John Danjuma
The spokesperson of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Tanko Salisu Yunusa, has said that contrary to expectations on the party’s rating in the north, the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest has created a huge groundswell of supporters for its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Speaking against the backdrop of the backlash the recent endorsement of Peter Obi by Afinifere generated especially against one its leaders chief Ayo Adebanjo, he said they should wait for a shocker as Obi’s supporters in the north are growing astronomically by the day, especially after the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest
He paid glowing tribute to Afenifere, pan-Yoruba socio-political group for their patriotism.
The announcement of the group’s support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election by Chief Ayo Adebanjo had drawn the ire of the Yoruba nation when one of their own Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu is also in the race.
Read also>>>2023: APC May Replace Shettima As VP Candidate Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Adebanjo said the group stood on justice and fairness and believed in true federalism and the Federal Character principle.
Adebanjo had said, many Yoruba leaders questioned why he should be supporting Peter Obi, a candidate of Igbo extraction, against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba, but he took his time to explain that the presidency is not a contest between the Yorubas and the Igbos.
However, when asked what made him to think Obi’s support base is growing, Tanko quipped, “presidential election is like beauty contest, you have to choose among the presidential candidates. You cannot go to the spectators’ stand to elect a more beautiful girl.
“Obi is not a saint, but in character, competence, and capacity, he is not only a Pan-Nigerian candidate, albeit he is head and shoulder above the three leading presidential candidates.
For our dear Compatriots, they trust Obi more than the rest in his capacity to salvage our dear country from dangerous slide into failed state.”
Reminded that older politicians who have control are day and night working assiduously to stop Obi by all means, Tanko responded saying, “we have heard of this security threat severally; however to us Obi’s life is in the hands of Almighty God, because in God alonewe trust. Obi depends solely on Almighty God and our security agencies.
“We believe sincerely that our security agencies are themselves earnestly yearning for a more productive and prosperous country, which Obi is prepared to engender.
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
Lagos Pastor Suspends Offering Collection
JUST IN: Iranian President’s Helicopter Crashes In Azerbaijan
Shots Heard As DR Congo Military Thwarts Alleged Coup
Gov Soludo Dismisses All 21 Anambra Transition Committee Heads
Usyk Defeats Fury To Become Undisputed Champion
NCDMB’s Exec Sec, Ogbe Bags NSE’s Fellowship
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
