Politics

I rejected Labour Party, APC guber tickets to support Peter Mbah – Ex-minister, Nnaji

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2022

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A former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji has disclosed that he rejected a governorship ticket offered to him by the Labour Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, among other political parties in Enugu State because of his resolve to support the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah.

Nnaji was one of the aspirants for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial ticket in Enugu State. The election was won by Barr. Peter Mbah.

The ex-minister said the Labour Party, the APC and indeed other political parties approached him freely with their tickets after the PDP primary election.

He, however, said he turned them down having resolved to support the governorship aspiration of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He spoke in his hometown of Umuode, Nkanu East local government area when Mbah paid him a courtesy visit, noting that he remained a staunch supporter of the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer.

He stressed that he was bound by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) he signed with Mbah and other PDP governorship aspirants before the May 25, 2022, primary election to support whoever emerged from the party’s primary.

The former minister who recalled how many political parties pestered around him, offering their governorship tickets, said he emphatically told them he would not be contesting against Peter Mbah whom he had earlier assured of his support.

Citing the importance of leadership and integrity, Prof Nnaji said he would never join those working the opposite direction from their collective agreement, saying the letters of the MoU prepared by the Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum, a body which he led ahead of the primaries, and signed by the gubernatorial aspirants of the PDP in the state was binding on them and should serve as their conscience.

According to him, “you don’t abruptly abandon your direction for another direction”.

Nnaji who went memory lane on how the journey towards the Nkanu East gubernatorial project was conceived leading to the voluntary signing of the MoU, said he was asked to lead the Consultative Forum that lobbied stakeholders and the people of the state to consider the state of underdevelopment of the council area, adding that he would never abandon the project for anybody.

“My colleagues on that journey are here. We bonded together. We worked hard. We consulted people, and we visited our governor as part of that. We visited him before we started and we visited him after we had finished to report to him. It was a very wonderful thing.

“And when he (Peter Mbah) was selected, I sent out a message and I stood by the message. You can’t imagine how many parties have been coming to me, offering me their tickets, and I turned them down. I told them we had an agreement and we all voluntarily agreed to honour it. I didn’t take the ticket of Labour Party. I didn’t take the APC ticket. I didn’t take the ticket of APGA. It’s all about principles. I went back to my business. I’m in support of what we agreed to do”, he said.

He added that, “I wasn’t unhappy when my brother (Dr. Peter Mbah) was selected. I was totally blessed as I did bless that night. That night I sent you a message congratulating you and pledging to support you. That agreement, that support stands.

“People say all manner of things on social media and if you’ve not been around in the political terrain, you’ll just swallow what you think to be the truth. If you’ve been around long enough there are things you don’t even need to respond to, listen to because they are just what they are.”

While congratulating the Enugu State governorship hopeful, Nnaji said he would continue to work with him and further charged his followers and supporters to join the PDP moving train for the successful prosecution and successful outcome of the election.

Dr. Mbah in a handshake with Prof Nnaji during the visit

Speaking earlier, Mbah expressed his profound gratitude to Prof Nnaji for the reception and for his support, stressing that history would not forget the invaluable role he played in ensuring that the ticket came down to Nkanu East.

Mbah said: “when the eligibility argument was raging, when we had people from all parts of the state; we had people from the West who said it was their turn to become governor. We also had some people from Enugu North senatorial district clamouring. And in the East we were also ardently advocating we were blessed with people with capacity. At that point you took a very critical step. You did not only acknowledge that it was the turn of Enugu East senatorial zone, but you actually went a step further.

“The Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum was constituted and you became the face of that Consultative Forum. You had a mission and that mission was clear. That mission was that because you assumed that the issue of the next governorship coming to Enugu East was given, it was also very important to you that it was narrowed down. You went on arguing about years of deplorable state of infrastructure that we had to endure in Nkanu East.

“You got people to buy into that mission and you went with your team talking to the political stalwarts that we have in Enugu State, convincing them on why it should be the turn of Nkanu East. You got people in the state to buy into this mission. That mission grew and became bigger than even the members.

“I also know that in the process when you got a lot of people who also became proponents of the mission, some of those people also began to take bruises because they believed in and argued for it. These are not people from Nkanu East but elsewhere.

“When on the 25th day of May, 2022, your wish and indeed of that mission which you led eventually came to fruition, I recall vividly that you were one of those who did a press release congratulating me and also pledging your unflinching support.

“I think it’ll be difficult for history to be written without posterity recognizing the role you played, if by the grace of God, we eventually become the next governor of Enugu State come May 2023.”

Politics

Atiku says 2027 presidential election will be his last outing

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the 2027 presidential election will be his final outing, citing his age as the primary reason.

The former Vice President made this commitment on Wednesday during an appearance as a guest on the Arise Television programme, Prime Time.

Speaking during the interview, he said, “The 2027 election will be my last outing.”

When asked why Nigerians should vote for him after so many attempts, especially considering his age, Atiku explained that since Nigeria faces a leadership crisis, he represents both the past and the future of the nation.

He recommended leadership training for young Nigerians, asserting that the country was in dire need of it.

Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since entering partisan politics.

He took his first shot at the presidency in 1993 during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.

He later ran in 2007 under the Action Congress (AC) banner, losing to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

In 2011, the former Vice President contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but lost the nomination to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He subsequently returned to the PDP to contest the 2019 presidential election, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Most recently, in 2023, he again emerged as the PDP candidate but lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Politics

ADC won’t surrender to tyranny — David Mark

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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• ADC will win 2027 election —Atiku

•We need viable candidate to defeat Tinubu —Amaechi

•Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts —Obi

•Renewed Hope is a scam —Aregbesola

NATIONAL Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, on Tuesday, said the party would not surrender to attempts being made to silence the voice of the people and destroy democracy in the country.

He stated this while speaking at the eighth national convention of the ADC held at Rainbow Events Centre, Abuja.

Mark said since the beginning of the current journey, the ADC had faced many challenges and hurdles as well as fierce and unprecedented betrayal.

He noted that recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have raised fundamental questions about the process that govern our democracy.

However, he told those who orchestrated the obstacles before the ADC that they have not weakened them but rather welded them together, stressing that “Every attempt to suppress this party has only deepened the resolve of our members, widened our coalition, and reminded Nigerians why a strong opposition is not optional; it is essential to democracy’s survival.”

He said, “Forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us; through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstruction. They sought to stop this convention from happening. They removed our names from official portals. They denied us preferred venues. They deployed every instrument available to them to ensure that you – the delegates, the members, the owners of this party – would never gather. But we are here.

“At our recent press briefing, we made it clear that the integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all times. We also made it clear that in an ever shrinking democratic space that is orchestrated by those in the ruling party, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat.

“Dear party members and leaders, let me remind all of us that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort. They are built in times like this, when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.

“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy. To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy.

“And let us here be the answer to every doubt, every threat, and every shenanigan designed to keep Nigeria trapped in a one party future. The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people – and the Nigerian people have spoken by showing up today.”

Mark, who said he accepted the responsibility to lead the party with an unshakable commitment to reposition the ADC as the platform through which Nigeria will be rescued and rebuilt, described the convention as one of the most significant gatherings in recent Nigerian democratic history because it represented the unyielding survival of opposition democracy in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, and a former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, urged party leaders and members to be united and resilient amid escalating political pressure.

He described the gathering as defining moment, noting that the convention represented not just a meeting but a convergence of purpose to rebuild Nigeria.

ADC will win 2027 election – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed optimism that the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) will win the forthcoming general elections in 2027.

The Waziri Adamawa stressed the need for all leaders in the party to bring genuine change to tackle all challenges facing the country.

He said, “Every issue, every challenge, every problem confronting us as a country and as a people has been stated on this platform “What I would like to appeal to Nigerians, and particularly members of the ADC, is to make sure that this time around, we really need to change the situation in the country.

“I remember when the APC was being formed, the entire political leadership in this country came to my house. They said, “If you don’t come into the APC, this is not going to be possible.” They literally compelled me to join the APC. Only for us to enter the APC, our economy is gone, our sovereignty is gone, our security is gone, our education is gone, our infrastructure is gone. The healthcare is gone.

“Now, people like me, we must rise and make sure that there is change, genuine change, a serious change to rectify all these challenges that are happening in the country. I am in this game. We are going to win. Because of you, the young men and women, our children and our grandchildren, this country has been good to us.

“And we don’t believe that this country is being good to the current generation, to the youth, to the women, and to the future of this country. That is why we are here today”

ADC needs viable candidate to defeat Tinubu – Amaechi

Also speaking, a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said only a viable candidate can defeat Tinubu in 2027.

He said the economic situation in the country was so bad that the citizens might find it difficult to buy fuel and eat food with the collection of annual company tax.

He said, “June is here. When they start collecting annual company tax, you will see what will happen. Nobody can buy petrol. Nobody can feed. Let me repeat for those who attack me. If you Nigerians are not hungry, I am. You can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible.

“And if you think President Tinubu will give you power, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together, decide on a viable candidate. It must be a viable candidate. We did it in APC. When we joined APC, we looked for a viable candidate and we stopped them. No ethnicity, no religion. We are back to square one. It’s ethnicity and religion that brought you here. It’s religion, religion. Today, we are here, no Muslim market, no Christian market. The market is Naira. This is up to you.”

Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts – Obi

Also speaking, the ADC chieftain and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, underscored the need for unity among critical stakeholders for the sake of the country.

He criticised the government for Nigeria’s ranking in terrorism, increased debts profile, borrowing amidst subsidy removal, and non funding of 2025 budget.

Renewed Hope is a scam – Aregbesola

While presenting the statutory Secretariat Report titled “ADC is Unstoppable because It Is the Son of Nigeria”, the ADC National Secretary and a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, described President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a scam.

Aregbesola said President Tinubu ought to have stepped aside for failing to provide steady electricity supply. (Tribune)

Politics

Amaechi, Tambuwal, Galadima blasts FG over pressure on opposition, economy

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday openly criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of restricting citizens’ rights, putting pressure on institutions and worsening the economic situation, as other political figures warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing growing strain.

The comments, made at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention, reflected a wider mood among opposition figures, who spoke about political pressure, concerns over the judiciary and the daily realities of hardship and insecurity, while urging greater unity ahead of future elections.

Those who spoke included Amaechi; Former Sokoto state governor Aminu Tambuwal; and opposition figure, Buba Galadima, among other leaders present at the convention.

“What do you say to these men? Men who have no shame. What do you say to the President? What do you say to his officers? They have no shame,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi questioned attempts to stop political gatherings, saying such actions go against constitutional rights, and suggested that those in power were no longer concerned about public opinion.

“Why would a government official try to deny you your right to gather when the Constitution says you can gather?” he asked.

He also spoke about the economic pressure on businesses and ordinary Nigerians, pointing to taxes and asking how government revenue is being used.

“Company tax is now 30%. It means if you have 100 million in your account as a company, they will take 30 million. What are they doing with the money?” he said.

Amaechi linked the situation to insecurity across parts of the country, describing people fleeing their communities and questioning the response of those in authority.

“Your citizens are trekking from one village to another. And you’re doing nothing,” he said.

He warned that the situation could get worse, especially as financial pressures increase, and urged Nigerians to look closely at their living conditions.

“If you Nigerians are not hungry, you can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible,” Amaechi added.

‘Let no judge be used to destroy Nigeria’ — Tambuwal warns Judiciary

Aminu Tambuwal focused on the role of the judiciary, warning against outside influence and urging judges to act with integrity at a critical time.

“Let no judge or justice allow himself to be used to destroy Nigeria. History is taking note of our roles as individuals,” Tambuwal said.

He reminded those in positions of authority that their decisions carry long-term consequences and stressed the importance of accountability.

“Those of you who are in privileged positions should be accountable… God Almighty is watching over you,” he said.

Tambuwal also spoke about the need for political actors to work together, describing the moment as one that requires collective effort rather than individual ambition.

“It is about unity of purpose and ambition for this country. It is about our vision and collective desire to rescue Nigeria,” he added.

‘We were threatened out of venue’ — Galadima

Buba Galadima said the convention itself nearly did not hold, alleging that the venue was withdrawn under pressure from authorities.

“We got a message that this venue was actually cancelled because the owner was threatened, that if he allows us to be here, they will revoke his certificate of occupancy,” Galadima said.

He said organisers went ahead with the event despite the situation, describing it as a necessary stand.

“Even if Abuja will burn to ashes today, we will hold this convention in this hall. And so we did,” he said.

Galadima warned that similar pressure could affect political activities going forward and urged those involved to remain firm.

“They may not even allow us to campaign in Nigeria. We must assert ourselves whether they like it or not,” he added. (Vanguard)