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As Anambra indigenes in Lagos rally behind Nwosu
The camp of John Chuma Nwosu, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is currently in an upbeat mode with the journey into the government house, Awka, becoming brighter given the huge boost the campaign for the November 8 governorship election is already garnering.
Nwosu who has intensified his engagements with stakeholders since flagging off his campaigns for the number one job at the All Saints ground in Onitsha on August 8, took his efforts to Lagos where he met with prominent indigenes of the state on Sunday, securing, in the major move, a palpable groundswell of support.
A strictly private event, devoid of media involvement, the parley presented an opportunity for the stakeholders to pour out their resentment and fraustration about the current situation in the state particularly the parlous security crisis that has seen Anambra seized by rampaging hoodlums who have not only grounded activities, but made life unbearable for the people.
Uzoma Ndukwe, Chairman of the parley, had opened the floodgate, when he blamed the government of Charles Chukwuma Soludo for failing on the job he was hired for more than three years ago, saying he not only failed to pursue the right policies that could have enhanced the economic development of the state, but appeared to have become helpless over the security situation.
Hear him: “Anambra State has the highest concentration of billionaires per square metre than any other place in the world. It is on record. Therefore, you must have to make this change happen. One person cannot do it. Our friend and brother has volunteered to do it. This is not a joke. This is fight to finish. We must expect that they will come out in full force. We must also follow them every step of the way.
“In this project, we must expect to see everything. There is nothing they will not come with and we, on our side must be prepared to go the extra miles and do all that is necessary. Every hand must therefore be on deck to actualise this project and achieve this goal. What we have at the moment is akin to tossing-game. The main game will start soon. It’s going to be a tough job and a tough game. If you love Anambra, gird your loins and let’s move.”
Chike Adinu, former Vice President of League of Anambra Professionals (LAP), was no less enthusiastic. Seizing the momentum, he told the gathering in a moving speech that with Nwosu, Another Peter Obi was already in the making for Anambra and the nation at large and therefore everything must be done to ensure he took over to clean the mess the present occupants have made of the state.
His words: “I don’t want to say too much, but all I want to say is that we must support this young man, who has said that I want to take you to that place where you want to be. We believe that Anambra State would have gotten to a stage where everywhere in Africa people will be talking about us. But we’re not there yet and we’re not seeing signs that we’re getting there.
“We can’t have this concentration of the high-level of global icons – entrepreneurs, business moguls, economists and Anambra State is still grappling with the basics. I believe John will be able to give us what we need. What we have to do is to support this man. It’s not easy to challenge a seating governor. What is required is great. But this man has said he is going to do it. He wouldn’t have come out if he is not convinced that he can do it.
“Peter Obi did it, when we never ever thought it was possible. Many people had called Peter Obi a trader and he still calls himself a trader. But when Peter Obi got there, everything changed. I’m seeing a better thing in John. Therefore, we all have to ask ourselves, what is it that is in governance. It’s all about trust, honesty, carrying the people along, knowing that this man knows more than me, let us bring him in and with that you build a team that can deliver.
“I don’t see John as a man who will be so proud of himself, just like what we’re seeing in Anambra today where someone is saying ‘I’m the most read. I own more tha 1,000 degrees. To be a good politician is not the number of certificates you flaunt. There are people who know more than those with large certificates. Therefore, we’re getting another Peter Obi in John.
“Looking at the people here today, these are the people who make Anambra State what it is. Those who did not say we’re going, possibly because we don’t want the man at the helm of affairs to see our face, we must do something to change our state as a duty. Just as most Nigerians believe that Peter Obi is the answer to Nigeria’s proble, John is the answer Anambra needs now. Let us give him the support he needs.”
Nwosu, who earlier briefed the gathering on his mission, had vowed for instance to put paid to the issue of insecurity by using hi-tech scientific methods, in line with the best practices across the world, illustrating in practical terms what he would do to change the narrative.
Bemoaning the ugly situation in the state, he particularly regretted the method employed by the government as its solution to the crisis, stating that instead of adopting modern means, the people were being subjected to torture in the hands of Soludo’s henchmen, who adopt the crudest to achieve their sinister objectives.
He also lamented the opequeness, absence of transparency and accountability that have characterised the running of the government of the state, stating that the government had developed the penchant of not accounting to anybody, which he said would never happen under his nose.
“As at June this year, Anambra State received N26.5billion from the Federation Account – N15billion accruing to the state and N10billion to the local governments. So, ask yourself whether the huge receipts reflect in what you’re seeing on ground in the state. Security is our key problem.
“In January this year, he went and brought people who cover their faces that nobody could identify or know where they came from. They cover their faces because they’re not from here. Igwe, I know you’re widely-travelled. I know there’s nowhere else in Nigeria that you see men carrying gun and covering their faces in the name of security.
“A visiting white man that sees that will be traumatised and will never come back. Even in Enugu State, you don’t have such a thing. But our strategy will be different. we’re going to use the conventional security, that is the police. We’re going to provide them with further enhanced training, particularly on how to engage with civilian community. we’re going to upgrade their salaries and allowances, pay them well in addition from what they get from the Federal Government.
“We’ll provide them with life-insurance benefits, so that they will throw everything in the job, knowing that if anything happens to them, their families would be provided for. These are the incentives they will need to work optimally. We will equip them with optimally also and provide them with functional equipment including brand new vehicles as opposed to the Tokumbo, which those the state government is providing now.
“Where in this world does a government buy used vehicles. How do you determine the cost of such vehicles. Government buys new vehicles not only for optimal functionality, but also accountability. You have to evaluate the value of those vehicles. When Peter Obi was in office, he was the one that gave Innocent Chukwuma, our son and brother the money to expand the INNOSON Motors factory by giving him one single order of N3billion and asking him to supply to security operatives, hospitals.
“That’s how the companies you hear their names in Asia and other parts of the world took off. An individual doesn’t have the money to invest in such large capital-intensive concerns. You must be supported by your government. Ogun State has today opened an international cargo airport. Our brothers in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria and the world must be supported with incentives. They must be supported with such government interventions as tax incentives – five or 10 years tax-free incentives for their businesses.
“Today, since our governor came in, our people have virtually left the state – scattered all over the country. Many of those who used to do business in Onitsha have all relocated to Asaba. All these could be traced to poor or absence of insecurity that has ravaged the state. But we’re going to do things differently when we come in.”
With Soludo practically shooting himself in the leg with one political faux pas one day and another hara-kiri the next, such as the current altercation between his family and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the momentum being built around Nwosu, seems not surprising. In fact, the new mantra now is that the November 8 poll is for the ADC to lose.
Battle-weary Siminalayi Fubara, has finally thrown in the towel in the three-plus-years political war with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), linking his decision on the need for peace in the state rather than fear.
Harangued, harassed, lacerated and buffeted, since few days after inauguration as governor, including a six-month state of emergency slammed on the state by President Bola Tinubu, things eventually came to a head for Fubara, with a plot to bar him from contesting re-election in 2027, by another coordinated onslaught from his party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a series of developments, which started emerging from the process towards choosing candidates for the polls, all APC members with a link to the governor, were disqualified from seeking their individual tickets by the APC screening committees set up for that purpose, while the hammer of rejection also continued to dangle on Fubara himself before his final decision to quit the race.
In a statement he signed on Wednesday night, he said: “As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.”
The full statement read: “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.
“I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state Gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, virtually poured cold water on the burning issue of Goodluck Jonathan, for Nigerian President making a bid for the office he lost in 2915 to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, through the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, who is also making another bid for the same office for the second time, told reporters on Tuesday, shortly getting a letter of clearance from the Nigerian Democratic Congress though he was not aware that the former President was contesting, he was in no position to obstruct the move as political choices were the rights of individuals to make.
Against the revelation by Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State, who spoke on behalf of Nemadi Sambo, Jonathan’s Vice President and currently in charge of the presidential screening of the Peoples Democratic Party, Obi told the reporters at the NDC National Secretariat in Abuja: “Actually, I’m not aware of that. But democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for.
“I’m not in any way going around looking for who and who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria.”
But he was quick to marshal out his plans for the country, declaring that under his presidency, Nigerians would be freed from daily lamentations coming from the parlous situation the present government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Bola Tinubu had plunged the country.
Hear him: “This I will do by first uniting the country because it’s not a united country. We have to govern the country by the Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates federal character and inclusivity. The country must be united. The country must be secure.
“We want to see mothers no longer fear when their children go to school or work. We also want a country where we can travel all over Nigeria without fear. So many Nigerians today go to bed not knowing where the next meal will come from tomorrow. That must change.
“We must live in a country where people do not turn public assets and public wealth into private assets. So we must fight corruption to a standstill and make it work for everybody. Politicians are preoccupied with the next election when Nigerians are dying. That must stop.”
He also took time to explain the reason for the two-hour stretch of drilling during the screening. Saying: “This is democracy in action because NDC chooses to do things properly. So when we say this is going to be screening, it has to be done right.
“Nigerians want to know whether you meet the stipulated constitutional qualification and provide relevant documents to back them.
“This is the way to know whether everything you have said or declared is the truth and if you can answer questions posed about your commitment to building a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria. That’s why the screening took over two hours.”
Regarding his status as a sole candidate, Obi, who was accompanied by Victor Umeh, a long time ally and Senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, said: “I don’t know who else has bought. So until the party says I’m the only one who expressed interest, that’s it.”
Only an official pronouncement by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), seems to be last barrier to cross for Peter Obi to appear on the ballot for the January 7, 2027 presidential, the second time he would be chasing the nation’s number one job.
That hurdle is also set to be cleared in no time, all things being equal, given the speed with which the party is taking to ensure that all the loose ends are tied in order to meet the deadline of the Independent National Electoral Commission for all parties to conclude their selection processes for all the candidates for next years general elections.
Against the backdrop of initial date of May 29 scheduled for the presidential primaries, Sam Egwu, Chairman of the screening committee for the presidential election, said on Tuesday night that the exercise would take place on a date to be announced.
He spoke on a day he handed Obi, the only candidate that bought form for the high office a clean bill of health to contest the election after a two-hour drill at the party secretariat in Abuja, on Tuesday night.
Egwu former Governor of Ebonyi State announced Obi’s clearance as the party’s sole presidential aspirant ahead of its forthcoming primaries, about two hours after the arrival of the former Governor of Anambra State, who would be running for the presidential office for a second time after the bid in 2023, where he was declared to have come third by the INEC, in a heavily-disputed outcome, in which his supporters claimed he clearly won.
Obi had arrived at the party secretariat at about 6:45pm on Tuesday, accompanied by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central and immediately went into business, where he was drilled on his qualifications and intentions and other nuances of governance.
Egwu, who announced that the panel was satisfied with his performance, as he answered all questions correctly, told reporters who besieged the venue: “This is to certify that following the screening of the presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency Peter Obi, and being satisfied that he has complied with all the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all provisions of the Electoral Act, and the satisfactory answers given by him to all the questions from members of the national screening committee.
“He is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on a date to be announced by the party. Congratulations.”
He then presented an official clearance letter to Obi with the party’s official nomination form numbered 001.
Obi picked NDC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on Sunday, May 17, the initial deadline set by the party for the collection of forms by all categories of aspirants.
On Monday, the party extended the deadline to May 24 to enable more aspirants pick forms, noting that the return of completed nomination forms for all screened and cleared aspirants would commence on Wednesday, May 20 and close on May 26.
However, the party did not extend the deadline for the collection of presidential nomination forms, noting that it had already closed.
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