Politics

Enugu Governor-Elect, Mbah inaugurates Transition Committee

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

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…tasks members to produce implementable action plan

• A new Enugu is possible – Utomi

Ahead of the May 29 takeoff of his administration, the governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated a 64-man Transition Committee, charging them to produce an implementable action plan in line with his manifesto for the transformation of the state.

This was even as the foremost political economist and management expert, Prof. Pat Utomi, lauded the vision and imagination of the governor-elect, saying they were capable of powering a new Enugu State to fruition.

Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Thursday, Mbah said: “The people of Enugu State chose us, believing that we are going to take them through a consequential journey of growth, development, and greatness. We also chose you because we believe that with your expertise, we are able to reduce this journey to an empirical and verifiable roadmap.

“So, we have taken the view of what Enugu can achieve in the next four to eight years. As you also know, Enugu has always played a consequential role in the developmental trajectory of this country. And it is our hope that with the vision and dreams that we have, Enugu State can take back that preeminent position that she has always played in the development of this country.

Dr Mbah (center) with members of the committee

“We have conceived a growth plan that is ambitious both in the economic and social indicators. Therefore, we talked about growing the economy from the current level of $4.4 billion to $30 billion. We talked about making sure that we achieve a zero percent rate in our poverty headcount index. We talked about making Enugu State the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.

“We talked about unpacking the skills of the youths in digital technology so that the administration is able to equip a minimum of 40,000 youths in digital technology and a minimum of 10,000 youths in practical skills yearly.

“We also know that the growth level we are talking about cannot come from the public sector alone. This growth will happen through constructive investment; and that will come largely from the private sector.

“But we also believe that with the vision and dream we have expressed, with the work you are going to do in this Committee, they are achievable despite being ambitious because they are measurable.

“Of course, when we unveiled this plan, we had the naysayers and the critics. And it was not difficult to see why because if you do the trend analysis, you will of course be doubtful.

“But we are going to provide the key enablers to attract businesses because businesses are not Father Christmas. They are interested in returns on investment.

“So, we believe that you can craft a document that can give us that implementable action plan”.

A new Enugu is possible – Utomi

On his part, Prof. Utomi, who spoke vide a video link, emphasised the power of imagination, saying the major difference between leaders of the First Republic and those that came after them remained the power of imagination and commitment to human development.

While extolling the former Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, for seeing education policy as part of the power of imagination to change the development trajectory of the people, he commended Mbah, who he said had shown the capacity to dream dreams, espouse vision, and think outside the box.

“Imagination is important to human development. This should be imbued in public finances, budgetary allocation and ensure discipline and the rule of law in governance”, he stated.

While bemoaning government as the biggest obstacle to the ease of doing business in Nigeria due to undue regulations, policy summersaults, multiple taxation, among others, Prof. Utomi advised the incoming administration led by Dr. Mbah that the first business of any government desirous of transforming a country or state was to ensure strict observance of the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and building trust in the system.

Utomi, who commended the quality of people in the Enugu State Transition Committee further challenged them to look at the success story of Singapore from Third World to First World in a generation, insisting that “with passion, imagination, and commitment by the government, a new Enugu State is possible”.

We will deliver – Chioke

In his speech, an engineer, renowned investment banker, Group Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa), and Chairman of the Transition Committee, Ike Chioke, said he and members of the Committee felt honoured to be called upon to help to distill and transform Dr. Mbah’s ambitious vision to implementable plans.

Members of the Transition Committee with the Enugu Gov-Elect, Dr Peter Mbah

“I looked through the 62 pages of your manifesto, which I consider to be an audacious plan. I am privileged to know you for over 15 years and with what you have done at Pinnacle Oil and Gas and the effect you made by taking the number one position in the downstream oil and gas sector, I believe that you’re able and capable for this task.

“I believe that we, the members of the Transition Committee, are honoured and grateful that you have chosen us. And I believe we have a task by transforming your manifesto into tangible, actionable and measurable indicators and policies that will enable you achieve those audacious plans”, Chioke stated.

The transition process will be seamless – SSG

The Co-Chairman of the Transition Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, pledged the total support of the Governmor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration to the Committee.

“On this ground many years ago, our forebears, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Micheal Okpara, Akanu Ibiam and the rest of them sat. They dreamt dreams about Igbo land. Today, you have been called upon again to dream dreams about our people.

“I want thank and commend the Governor-Elect for choosing this team of dynamic people that are all accomplished in their various areas of endeavour.

“As a government, I want to assure the Transition team of the support of government. We will assist; we will provide every information; and we will provide every assistance and our doors are wide open. I will assure that this Transition process will be seamless. After all, we are partners in this business of bringing greater development to Enugu State”, he stated.

Politics

Atiku says 2027 presidential election will be his last outing

Published

1 day 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

2 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

2 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)