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S’East traditional rulers urge Nigerians to consider Obi’s personal merit, capability
The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has urged Nigerians to consider the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, in the forthcoming elections based on his personal merit and capability to salvage the country.
The Chairman of the council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, made the plea on Friday when Obi paid a consultative visit to the Traditional Rulers in Enugu State in the Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs in Enugu.
Agubuzu said that “Obi is not an Igbo candidate, however, he has the preponderant home base support of the people of the South-East Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria to vie for the exalted office of the President Federal Republic of Nigeria” .
According to him, we appeal to every Nigerian to consider Mr Peter Obi on his own personal merits and capacity as a bona fide Nigerian.
He said: “We also appeal to every Nigerian to consider every other presidential candidate as who he or she is and not on the basis of his or her tribe, religion or ethnic group.
“We urge Nigerians to show love to Nigeria by following the examples of the 21 century voters all over the World who have shun themselves of primordial sentiments and elected candidates capable of eliminating poverty, corruption, unemployment, injustice and above all insecurity in their countries.”
Agubuzu, who also doubles as Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, said that the traditional rulers and elders in the zone, who had watched Obi grew up, schooled and worked in various capacities, could vouch for his excellent track records.
“Other sterling qualities of Obi include his innate humility, self-evident honesty, integrity and love for the downtrodden, doggedness in the face of daunting challenges, patriotism, consistent accumulation of prodigious knowledge of global trends as well as your physical fitness and your intellectual profundity cum alertness,” he said.
He noted that the consultation had provided the opportunity to inform Obi of the feelings of the people concerning his candidacy, which is in the positive light.
“They know, as a matter of fact, that the South-East or ndigbo did not at any level and/or at any forum whatsoever decide to choose and present Mr Peter Obi as a Presidential Candidate.
“They, our subjects, are however very happy and in deed part of the acclaim and jubilation with which the generality of Nigerians received the electrifying news of your choice and nomination as the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party,” he added.
Earlier, Obi assured the traditional rulers that he would work closely with them to stem community insecurity ravaging the country, when elected into office.
He noted that traditional rulers, as custodian of culture and being closer to the people, would be involved in pragmatic security arrangement that would stamp out insecurity in communities.
“I have done it in Anambra State, when I was the governor and we had peculiar security situation and the traditional rulers in the state was fully involved in raising government-fully sponsored community vigilante group and their daily supervision.
“Involving the traditional rulers have become imperative as the heightened security situation is going towards marauders sacking communities and turning everyone both the traditional ruler and his subjects to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),” he said.
The presidential candidate noted that lasting security and peace in communities would revive productive activities whether agriculture, mining and arts-and-crafts among the people and rebound the local markets and economy once more.
Obi said that his administration would pursue economic policy of production instead of consumption by turning the country to huge production site for different locally needed and international exportable products.
“This will enable government tap into the massive number of youths and their enormous energy for Nigeria as well as provide gainful employment for the youths,” he said.
He assured that his government would invest more in education and health to ensure that the frequent strikes in these sectors were stamped out.
‘My administration will ensure that the all involving oil theft and stealing from public funds are stopped permanently,” he said.
Highlight of the consultation visit was the traditional rulers praying for Obi and his running mate, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, to have a safe and successful presidential campaigns.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s suggestion that President Bola Tinubu is “tired” and should step aside ahead of the 2027 elections.
The national chairman, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, questioned the basis for describing the president as exhausted, insisting that Tinubu continues to work tirelessly while delivering key projects across the country.
“Let me put it this way, epecially to Obi, who claimed that Tinubu is tired—is he (Tinubu) going for boxing or 400 metres?” Yilwatda said. “Are you telling me that the President who stays and works from morning till night is tired? These are the issues we are talking about.”
Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman
He argued that millions of Nigerians benefiting from the administration’s policies would not support calls for Tinubu to retire from office.
“Are you telling me that over a million students and mothers who depend heavily on and celebrate NELFUND would be praying that the President be retired?” he asked.
Yilwatda also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the development of new seaports in Calabar, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Ondo and Lagos, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development.
“Are you telling me that over a million students and mothers who depend heavily on and celebrate NELFUND would have prayers that the President be retired?” he asked.
Yilwatda also cited several infrastructure projects as evidence that the administration remains focused on delivering its agenda, pointing to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as well as new seaport developments across the country.
“Are you telling me that people who have the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, to Akwa Ibom and Port Harcourt, or the five seaports in Calabar, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Ondo and Lagos, are those who wish that the President be retired?” he said.
The APC chairman further referenced the ongoing modernization of Nigeria’s aviation sector, saying the extensive airport upgrade projects supervised by the Minister of Aviation reflect a government actively investing in critical infrastructure.
“I am sure you watched the renewal of airports being upgraded by the Minister of Aviation. This and many others, even in the North,” he added.
According to Yilwatda, the administration’s investments in education, transportation, maritime infrastructure and aviation demonstrate that President Tinubu remains fully engaged in governing the country, contrary to claims that he is too tired to continue in office.
Yilwatda’s comments follow remarks of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi who, in a sit-down interview with Channels TV interview, stated that President Bola Tinubu is “tired” and lacks the capacity to lead Nigeria, calling for him to step aside and retire ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Enugu State Government has suspended Igwe Christopher Nyia, the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ugwuaji Autonomous Community in Enugu South Local Government Area, following a prolonged leadership crisis in the community.
Handing over the letter of suspension to the monarch, the state commissioner for chieftaincy matters, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, said an administrative panel of inquiry had been constituted to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis, as well as the allegations made against the traditional ruler.
The commissioner said the suspension was approved by Governor Peter Mbah in the interest of peace, public order and good governance.
The government’s action followed events of July 16, 2026, when residents of Obeagu Ugwuaji staged a peaceful protest to the Enugu State Secretariat Complex, the Enugu State House of Assembly and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, where they demanded the immediate dethronement of the traditional ruler over allegations of land grabbing and financial impropriety.
Obeagu Ugwuaji natives demand dethronement of Monarch
Some natives of Obeagu Ugwuaji community had on Thursday, July 16, 2026 demanded the dethronement of the embattled traditional ruler over alleged land-grabbing and administrative high-handedness.
The protesters gathered at the front of the Government House, Enugu, to lodge their complaints. They were led by their Town Union President, Chukwunonso Obi.
After making a brief appearance at the Government House, bearing placards with different inscriptions, they thereafter marched to the Enugu State House of Assembly complex and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.
They were received at the assembly complex by the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Honourable Anthony Okoye, who commended them for being peaceful.
Okoye said the House of Assembly has the constitutional mandate to oversee matters relating to local government administration and chieftaincy affairs in the state.
According to him, “The House of Assembly oversights both the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, including the town union government in all the local governments and localities of the state. We are going to activate the power of our oversight over their complaints.”
• His wife, driver, security guard shot
A serving Nigerian military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, was shot dead after putting up fierce resistance against armed assailants who attempted to abduct him at his residence in the Kurudu District of Abuja, according to PRNigeria.
The officer, from Enugu State, was regarded as a dedicated professional due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year.
PRNigeria reports that the attackers ambushed the senior officer shortly after he arrived at his home, opening fire as he alighted from his vehicle on Monday evening.
The gunmen attempted to abduct the officer, but he fought back despite being heavily outnumbered, refusing to surrender to his attackers.
His resistance, security sources said, prevented the assailants from taking him away alive, although they subsequently shot him multiple times at close range.
During the attack, the gunmen also opened fire on members of his household, leaving his wife, driver, and security guard with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The victims were rushed to hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
Security sources described Colonel Ude as a courageous and highly respected intelligence officer who remained composed even in the face of imminent danger.
One source familiar with the preliminary investigation said: “He resisted them.
“From what investigators have gathered, they wanted to take him away, but he fought back.
“Unfortunately, he paid the ultimate price.”
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, while security agencies have launched efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Before his death, Colonel Ude served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism appointments within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He participated in numerous operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North East and was deployed on specialised international assignments, including missions in the Republic of Chad and France, where he contributed to intelligence and security cooperation efforts.
His burial was scheduled to take place in Mambilla Mosque in Abuja on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites.
The killing has once again raised concerns over attacks targeting serving and retired military personnel, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident recalls the killing of retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere, who was murdered on June 22, 2024 after armed men invaded his residence at Sunshine Homes Estate in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.
Udokwere was reportedly stabbed to death while attempting to defend his family before the attackers escaped with his firearm and other valuables.
Security experts say the latest attack is likely to intensify calls for enhanced security measures for serving and retired military officers, especially those who have held sensitive operational and intelligence appointments.
Investigations into Colonel Ude’s killing are ongoing, with security agencies working to determine the motive behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
PRNigeria
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