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Enugu Guber Election and Hypocrisy of the Opposition

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By Martins E. Ogbu

Nothing has ripped open the hypocrisy of the opposition in Enugu State like the 2023 general elections, particularly the governorship election and its outcome. Ever since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as the winner of the March 18 governorship election, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chijioke Edeoga; his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart, Frank Nweke Jr., their parties and social media warriors have bandied all manners of propaganda all in the bid to discredit and delegitimise the outcome.

Before the election, for instance, Nweke Jr. had called a press conference where he painted phantom plots by the PDP and INEC to rig an election against him; an election he knew in the depths of his heart that of all the candidates, he stood no chances at all. Not surprising, he called another press conference at the weekend to upbraid the INEC and the PDP and give excuses on why he failed – how town criers went around Enugu in the morning of the election to tell people not to vote for him; how a fake story went round claiming he had stepped down for Dr. Mbah of the PDP; how his opponents shared garden egg, ose oji, etc.

Yet, this is a man rejected by his own people. It beats imagination how a man who polled only 1,609 votes in his LGA, Nkanu West, as against 8,382 votes polled by Dr. Peter Mbah of the PDP, and also managed 17,983 state-wide as against Dr. Mbah’s 160,895 votes hoped to win the governorship election in the first place. Suffice it to say that APGA has no ward or local government structures in the state, and it is not as if Nweke is a political juggernaut in the state or one, who has touched lives even in his Ozalla community through jobs and projects while he was Chief of Staff to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani or served in three different federal ministries. It is also not as if he has engaged in philanthropy.

Indeed, the Enugu PDP Campaign Council aptly captured before the election when it stated that Frank Nweke’s value and impact as far as the governorship election would be to congest and make the ballot paper longer than necessary.

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Besides, it is only hypocrisy that would push Frank Nweke Jr. to defend the 2007 elections, which is adjudged the worst electoral fraud in Nigeria history, only to deprecate the Enugu governorship election in which technology, including the Biometric Voter Verification Systems (BVAS) was profusely applied. This is the same Frank Nweke who accused former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani of planning an Interim National Government with some foreign powers because Nnamani criticised the 2007 elections; the same Nweke that attacked Madeleine Albright who led the U.S election observation mission for thumbing down the 2007 heist; the same person that claimed that branded critics of the 2007 election coup plotters. That same man is running his mouth on an incomparable better election because Nigerians forget so easily.

But by far the worst hypocrite is Edeoga. It was delusional of him to have expected Enugu people to transfer the goodwill and votes enjoyed by Obi in the presidential election to him in the governorship election. That was all he was banking upon to reap from the Obi bandwagon as they (Labour Party) did in the presidential and National Assembly Elections. He forgot that Enugu people supported Obi overwhelmingly because he is competent and has character. But is Edeoga competent and does he have character? Edeoga that failed woefully as commissioner for Local Government Matters and has failed to address the N2 Billion fraud allegation dogging his tenure in that capacity. Edeoga that did not have any manifesto and claimed he had more leadership capacity than Obi because he, in his own words, has been in government continually since 1992.

Enugu people supported Obi also in the name of justice because we believed it was the South East turn to produce the next president. So, how can you expect any sane Enugu person to vote another person from the same Nsukka cultural zone as governor after eight years of incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi? More so, when Edeoga is Ugwuanyi’s first cousin. Haba!

Coming down to the election proper, is it a secret that the military and thugs were openly used by the LP to hijack the process in Nsukka, Udenu, Igboeze North, Igboeze South, Igbo Etiti, Isi-Uzo LGAs of the state? The LP’s violent and rigging tendencies were foretold when their senator-elect for Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Okey Ezea, said in a viral video recorded when he invited the people of Nsukka cultural zone after the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He said: “The March 11th (initial date fixed for the governorship poll) election is a straight fight between Nsukka and Nkanu because Nkanu people want to turn us, the majority, to minority. So, you must prepare very well. You must make sure the directive goes round. This is about Nsukka. Young men, please, you must prepare yourselves very well. We are going into a war on March 11, and it is a do-or-die affair”.

Instructively, none of Edeoga, Nweke Jr., all the social media analysts trying to demonise the election of Dr. Peter Mbah raised a voice of condemnation.

Till date, the LP, Edeoga, and Kenneth Okonkwo, who seems to still be living in bondage or both residues of APC in him and extreme clannish tendencies, has refused to tell us how the 17,000 votes Edeoga received in Nsukka LGA even with all the mutilation of result sheets, militarisation, and rigging suddenly turned to over 30,000 votes for the LP in the afternoon. Or how Nsukka, which is not Edeoga’s LGA recorded 45,476 total votes? And that was when UNN students, who are a good chunk of the Nsukka voters were on election break as directed by the NUC. There is God o!

I pity Nigerians who see these LP politicians as progressives because they moved out from the dominant parties to the LP to cruise on the Peter Obi bandwagon. They won seven out of the eight House of Representative seats, but PDP did not complain. They won the senatorial seat of the governor and even the governor’s polling booth during the presidential and National Assembly Elections, yet neither PDP nor Governor Ugwuanyi complained. They won the Enugu East senatorial district where Nkanu East LGA is located and celebrated it. But they would not accept the governorship result that came from the same process the same day.

What a desperate and hypocritical opposition we have in Enugu. But the people have spoken and the people’s will stand.

▪︎Ogbu writes from Nsukka

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2027: ‘Peter Obi must not die’ — Igbo Group warns of catastrophic consequences

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Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of NDC
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Njiko Igbo Forum, an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stern warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, cautioning that it will be catastrophic should anything happen to Mr Peter Obi.

It could be recalled that Obi, on Wednesday, raised the alarm that his life was under threat.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, raised fears that he may not be alive in 2027 to be part of the election.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Rev Dr Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, Leader, Njiko Igbo Forum Nigeria, he warned that should anything happen to Obi or he was not in the ballot, the reaction and result would be very catastrophic.

Obioha said the caution was part of the decision taken during an emergency meeting held today, Thursday, in Enugu.

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The Forum said, “That we have seen the viral video made by His Excellency, Mr Peter Gregory Obi, speaking on a number of issues, he expressed serious concern that his life is in danger.

“For him to have gone to the extent of saying he might not be alive before the 16th of January 2027, speaks volumes both in our polity and in the country at large.

“We have seen him in the past, spoke about the federal government trying to frustrate and targeting him not to be in the ballot.

“We have also observed over a period of time that the presidency or the federal government led by President Tinubu does not want Peter Obi to be in the ballot.”

While drawing the attention of the Presidency, Nigeria and the world to those allegations, Njiko Igbo Forum declared that “if anything happens to Mr Peter Gregory Obi or finally his name is not in the ballot for the 16th January, 2026 presidential election, the reaction and result will be very catastrophic and may adversely affect the continued unity in diversity of this country Nigeria.”

It further stated that the Igbo had been very quiet, pushed to the wall, segregated against, marked out everywhere, chased about and even tried to take their possessions.

Njiko Igbo Forum cautioned that keeping quiet does not mean the Igbo are cowards.

It said the ruling government should not forget that for any democracy to thrive, there must be a viral opposition in the polity.

“There is no reason, for what we have seen in the process or polity in trailing Peter Obi and going to an extent of chasing him through all the political parties and now wanting to kill him.

“This outcry by Mr Peter Gregory Obi, must not be taken lightly and request as a matter of urgent National importance, that an urgent investigation panel be constituted to verify Mr Peter Obi’s allegations.

“We are strongly stating again that, nothing should happen to Mr Peter Gregory Obi.

“Yes, Chief Awolowo said, before Nigeria he was of the Yoruba Nation. The same way we are saying before Peter Obi is of Nigeria, he is of the Igbo.

“Mr Peter Gregory Obi will live and become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027,” it declared.

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I might not be alive to contest in 2027 – Peter Obi raises alarm over threats to his life

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Peter Obi not arrested by DSS – Aide
Peter Obi, NDC Presidential candidate
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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has cried out over alleged threat to his life.

Obi, who is a major contender ahead of the 2027 presidential election said he might not be alive to participate in the election.

According to him, there is obvious attack on everything that had to do with him, including his life.

The former Anambra state governor made the allegation during a podcast with Chude Jideonwo.

“The way they are going now I might not be alive,  I’m telling you every single thing I do for a living this government is frustrating it deliberately so.

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“Everything, so there’s even a possibility if they have opportunity I will not be alive. I get frustrations every day because you do things that may think it may be normal it is not normal they won’t come directly and say oh we are doing this but you could see their hand in eventually everything.

“The government is attacking everybody, I am being attacked personally even to provide me with things I am entitled to, not at all,” he said.

He recalled how his vehicle was clamped down at the airport while he was right there, whereas other vehicles lined up on the same spot were untouched.

Obi further that stated that even close associates were beginning to avoid him over fear of government clampdown.

He disclosed that friends now send him invitations for occasions but tell him not to bother attending.

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Voters reward performance as APC sweeps Ekiti, dominates Bye-Elections nationwide — Yilwatda

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Professor Nentawe Yilwatda
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the resounding victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the Ekiti State Governorship Election and the party’s impressive performance in the recent bye-elections across the country as a clear vote of confidence in the APC, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the ongoing reforms being implemented to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.

Prof. Yilwatda stated that the outcome of the elections demonstrates that Nigerians are able to distinguish between temporary economic challenges associated with reforms and the long-term benefits of responsible governance, economic restructuring, infrastructure development and institutional renewal being championed by the APC at both federal and state levels.

According to the National Chairman:

“The overwhelming victory recorded by our great party in Ekiti State and our remarkable success in the bye-elections across the country represent a powerful endorsement of the APC’s governance philosophy. These results affirm that Nigerians appreciate leadership that prioritises development, accountability, stability and the welfare of the people.”

“The people of Ekiti State have once again demonstrated that performance remains the most potent campaign message in democratic politics. Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s resounding re-election is a reward for visionary leadership, inclusive governance, prudent management of resources and visible developmental achievements across the state.”

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Governor Oyebanji of the APC was declared winner of the Ekiti Governorship Election after securing a commanding victory across the state, reaffirming the confidence of the electorate in his administration and the APC’s developmental agenda. The party also recorded significant victories in five of the six bye-elections conducted across various states of the federation.

Prof. Yilwatda, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, noted that the Ekiti result has further strengthened the APC’s narrative that performance-based governance remains electorally rewarding, even amid difficult economic transitions.

“The Ekiti election has become a national reference point. It confirms that when governments deliver tangible results in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, security and social development, citizens respond with renewed trust and overwhelming electoral support.”

“This victory sends a clear message that governance, not propaganda, remains the most effective route to political legitimacy. The people of Ekiti have spoken loudly and clearly in support of continuity, stability and progress.”

The APC National Chairman described Ekiti State under Governor Oyebanji as one of the most compelling governance success stories in contemporary Nigeria, citing sustained investments in road infrastructure, rural development, human capital advancement, healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, workers’ welfare and ease of doing business.

He said the administration has successfully built broad-based political consensus while maintaining a strong focus on development outcomes, thereby creating an environment of stability and accelerated progress.

“Ekiti today stands as a shining example of how APC governments are translating public trust into measurable development outcomes. The state’s progress under Governor Oyebanji provides a practical demonstration of our party’s commitment to people-centred governance.”

Prof. Yilwatda further stated that the election outcomes should be viewed within the broader national context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which is gradually laying the foundation for a more resilient, productive and globally competitive Nigerian economy.

“Despite inheriting deep structural challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated courage and vision in implementing reforms that are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term prosperity. The confidence reposed in our party by voters across the country indicates growing public understanding and appreciation of these reforms and their future benefits.”
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“These victories are therefore not only electoral successes; they are validations of a governing philosophy anchored on bold leadership, responsible decision-making and sustainable development.”

The National Chairman congratulated President Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, APC leaders and members in Ekiti State and across the federation, as well as all candidates who emerged victorious in the bye-elections.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the people of Ekiti State for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Prof. Yilwatda assured Nigerians that the APC would remain focused on delivering good governance at all levels and deepening democratic dividends for citizens across the country.

“Our message to Nigerians is simple: we have heard your voices, we appreciate your confidence and we shall continue to justify the trust you have placed in our party through impactful governance, economic renewal and inclusive national development.”

“The APC remains committed to building a stronger, more prosperous and more united Nigeria. The victories recorded in Ekiti and the bye-elections reinforce our resolve to work even harder in service to the Nigerian people.”

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