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Why Ihedioha quit Imo gov race *May rekindle ambition through LP
The last may not have been heard about the sudden change of mind by Emeka Ihedioha, to return to Douglas House, the Imo State Government House in Owerri, from where he was yanked off on February 14 2020 by the Supreme Court, after about 10 months in office.
WhirlwinNews gathered Tuesday night that Ihedioha, two-term Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives may actually be heading to the Labour Party (LP) to pursue the same ambition, given the dismal outing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which platform, he sought and won the governorship in March 2019, and remained in power before the decision of the apex court to installed Hope Uzodimma, the incumbent.
A source close to the PDP, informed that the rumble in the leadership of the main opposition party has made the prospect from the party of achieving his dream comeback quite bleak as the influence of Atiku Abubakar, his major backer in the party, is fast waning to the extent that the former VP may call it quits not only with the party, but politics generally.
The interpretation from current disquiet in the party is that Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and his group, are intent on snatching the PDP structure from the current holders with the intent of going for Atiku’s political jugular meaning that those who fought on his side during the internecine war between him and the G-5 Integrity Group, comprising some five governors and some senior members of the party, would be fall-guys.
“Go for the shepherd and the sheep will scatter and the sheep will scatter. You have seen what happened. Already Iyorchia Ayu is gone. Wike and co mean business. It is either they fight to regain total control of the party or they fight to destroy it completely and thereafter pot to join Tinubu in APC.
“Atiku is completely deflated and doesn’t have the spirit or even the wherewithal to fight any battle. He had hoped to win the Presidential election, but was heavily disappointed. All the people he banked on, both at the Villa and the North, disappointed. So, don’t be surprised that he will quit politics soon. You can see that even in his court case, he’s not as forthcoming and forceful as he was in 2019, because he knows it might be a futile battle and after this, it would be ridiculous for him to come out again. The loss a the presidential poll hit him so hard. Never mind the cover-up,” a member of the camp, offered on Tuesday.
He said Ihedioha might be contemplating heading the way of promising LP, despite being seen as an enemy in that political territory, the source said, adding: “You never know with politicians. Don’t forget that is a state he was a governor for almost a year. Who among the people angling for the job is even more qualified and experienced than him. If he goes there, he would be a strong contender for the ticket and if he wins, he’ll surely put the Hope (Uzodimma) on his toes. Between Hope and Ihedioha, who would you prefer as a governor if you’re asked to choose?
Ihedioha made announced his decision to quit the race on the race in a letter he wrote to Ayu, the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, saying: “As I turned 58 years last Friday, March 24, I had cause to reflect on so many things, including the state of the people’s Democratic Party (PDP). Having been a member since its formation in 1998, I align myself with the request made by our state chapter to the national working committee (NWC) for a consensus choice of the candidate regarding the 2023 governorship primaries in the interest of harmony and unity of the party. I have elected to make the personal sacrifice of withdrawing from further participation in the processes leading to the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate.
“This decision was not taken lightly. My commitment to the service of our people has never been in doubt, and am sure many of those who have on their own, already started mobilizing for me in Imo state will be disappointed. I sincerely seek their understanding and that of associates, admirers and particularly the electorate who have over the years aligned themselves and identified with my political aspirations.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served my various constituency both as a legislator and a governor. I am also proud of the positive impacts I made, particularly in the seven months I served as the governor of Imo state.”
Hours after Mohammed Hayatu-Deen did, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, also flatly rejected the outcome of the presidential primaries, of the African Democratic Congress, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, described the announced results as “concocted,” insisting that the process failed to meet the standards of transparency and fairness earlier promised by the party.
He said in a statement: “I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi stated.
He said he had previously maintained that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent, stressing that the exercise did not reflect the democratic values the ADC claimed to represent.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing in the hands of the ruling party,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that a significant number of party members were denied the opportunity to vote during the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he stated.
The former Rivers State governor questioned the moral basis of the ADC criticising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged electoral malpractice while allegedly engaging in similar conduct internally.
“A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that leads to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable!” he declared.
Amaechi said the ADC was envisioned as a platform to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians and provide credible political alternatives irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social background.
His rejection of the outcome is expected to deepen tensions within the opposition party following the conclusion of its presidential primary election.
“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today,” were the exact words with which Godswill Akpabio, attempted to rouse Nigerians to the ethos of unquestionable faith and service to the country.
Akpabio, Chairman of the National Assembly, who drew example from Prophet Ibrahim, admonished Nigerians to emulate his unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
The Senate President, who conveyed his sentiments via a statement by Eseme Eyiboh, also used the specifically hail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Kashim Shettima and Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world as they celebrate Eid El Kabir.
Stressing that the occasion called for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice, he added: “This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
“To our dear President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and Muslim brothers and sisters, I felicitate with them on behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate on this blessed Eid. May the lessons of sacrifice, compassion, and generosity that define this season strengthen your faith and bring peace to your homes.
“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria. To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.
“Eid El Kabir also calls us to deep reflection on the future of our country. Just as Prophet Ibrahim was tested, Nigeria is in a season of testing. The sacrifices we make today in patience, in tolerance and in choosing hope over despair will determine the Nigeria our children inherit.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, supported by the National Assembly, is anchored on that same principle: that meaningful progress often requires collective sacrifice.
“May Almighty Allah accept your prayers and sacrifices. May He heal our land, guide our leaders, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Barka da Sallah. Eid Mubarak.”
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
These were the exact words of Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, one of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with which he cast a slur on the ongoing presidential primaries of the party, hinging his position on reports of fraud trailing the exercise.
Hayatu-Deen, a second timer in the search for the nation’s number one job, ran against Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation.
In a statement on his assessment of the exercise which began on Monday, the renowned economist Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), used his X platform to convey his dissatisfaction with the process.
The ADC which said the collation for the exercise would take place in Abuja had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesman, who described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative, maintained that it remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” he said adding that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
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