Culture

Obi Pays Congratulatory Visit to Olubadan-designate

By Web News 575

By Olawale Asake

A former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has paid a congratulatory visit to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja in Ibadan, Oyo State. 

While speaking during the visit at the private residence of Oba Ladoja, the former Presidential candidate said, his visit was to congratulate the former Governor of Oyo State as the next 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, saying the Monarch will use his wealth of experience to further develop Ibadanland. 

Addressing the gathering, Oba Ladoja maintained that, the Olubadan throne would further make him to serve humanity.

The former governor while addressing the gathering, enjoined Mogajis (family heads), to go back to their ancestral compounds in order to mentor and assist younger generations.

Ladoja noted that, he is leading by example by renovating his family compound in Isale Osi in Ibadan South West LGA.

He added that, he sees his appointment as Olubadan of Ibadanland as another opportunity to serve humanity.

According to him, many people erroneously believed that the throne is for glamour, whereas time of glamour is gone and now it is about service.

The 44th Olubadan added that he has told the family heads, popularly known as Mogajis to go back to their ancestral homes to mentor generations of young elements, that they can become whatever God wants them to be even from their environment.

Oba Ladoja appreciated Mr Peter Obi and his entourage for the visit.

Human Angle

PICS: Osinbajo, Adeboye, Peter Obi Visit late Adebanjo’s Residence

By Web News 281

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, have visited the residence of the late leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo.

The former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, were also at Adebanjo’s residence to pay their respects.

In a post on X.com on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour wrote: “Earlier today, we joined the Adebanjo family in thanksgiving and prayers for God’s comfort and strength for the family”.

“Pa Adebanjo lived a full life and was always excited to share his values, vision, and ideology with the next generation. He was a principled man who embodied the ideals of equity, justice, and true federalism. We celebrate a life of impact, a life lived to the fullest.”

Sunday’s visit followed the passing of the 96-year-old Afenifere leader, who died on Friday at his Lekki residence in Lagos State.

Reports say that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have expressed condolences over Adebanjo’s death.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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Governance

Cut cost of governance – Peter Obi

By Web News 476

By Iyabo Adebisi

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi wants the Federal Government to pay attention to critical areas given the economic realities facing the country. 

He said this in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen shortly after paying a condolence visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Agodi Secretariat over the Bodija Ibadan explosion.

Mr Peter Obi, who was the former governor of Anambra State stressed the need for governments to cut the cost of governance, especially at the federal level, saying the government needed to do what would put Nigerians out of poverty. 

While emphasising that elections are over and that governance is the key thing, Mr Obi said everyone must be involved in the growth and development of Nigeria.

Mr Obi urged Nigerians to contribute their quota towards turning around the fortune of the nation on the path to socioeconomic development and prosperity.

The LP Presidential candidate while commiserating with Makinde and the people of Oyo State over what he described as unfortunate incident, commended the state government for responding promptly when the explosion occurred.

Earlier, Governor Seyi Makinde, who appreciated Peter Obi for the sympathy visit, stressed that the investigation was still on to unravel the perpetrators of the Bodija explosion, noting that the explosion was a result of illegal miners who stored explosive devices in the environment.

In the company of Peter Obi was a popular social media influencer Aisha Yusuf.

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Politics

I’ll prove LP won presidential election, Obi vows

By Web News 655

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, disclosed that last Saturday’s presidential election was controversial and programmed to deliver pre-determined results.

He said the election did not meet the necessary requirements and could not be adjudged credible.

The former Anambra State governor who is currently addressing a world press conference in Abuja said that Nigerians were robbed of their true choice.

He insisted that he would pursue justice through court and was ready to challenge the results till he prove his argument.

“Labour Party won the election and I will prove it,” Obi vowed.

He added, “I will challenge this rascality for the future of the country”.The former governor said he believed the process through which people come into any position was important and there was a need for Nigeria to sanitise the process.

“On this issue (presidential election) I am challenging the process,” Obi said.

He said he had challenged several election results and come out victorious and he would be approaching the court with the firm belief of getting justice.“The court exists for this and they have asked me to go to court and I will be going to court,” the former governor added.

Quipped on if he is under pressure, he said no one can put him under pressure for challenging the rascality.“We have to go through this darkness.

The structure of criminality can’t go out overnight.“All we need to show is commitment and resilience. I will be at the forefront and will work through this darkness until the daybreak,” Obi vowed.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

Obasanjo Endorses Peter Obi For President

By Web News 980

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi as his preferred contestant for the 2023 general elections.

In his 2023 New Year message personally signed by the ex-President and made available to Channels Television by his spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo described Obi as his mentee and said the former Anambra State governor has an edge in the February 25, 2023 election.

Open-letter-by-OBJ-in-preparation-for-the-2023-Elections.January-2023Download

Obasanjo said, “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline, and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.

“Others like all of us have what they can collectively contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria.“One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.

“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. He has a young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”

Olaolu Fawole

Politics

We want Ibadan State, Olubadan Tells Obi

By Web News 743

Should Labour Party (LP) win the 2023 presidential election through the candidatures of Peter Obi and his vice, Datti Ahmed, the demand for the creation of Ibadan State was on Saturday placed before the party by the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Sen Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II at his Alarere residence while playing host to the party and its presidential candidate.

Speaking through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Olubadan commended Peter Obi’s delivery on the various problems confronting the country and how he would tackle them to bring about a new Nigeria that citizens would be proud of. The rating given to Ibadan by the LP Presidential candidate was also acknowledged by the Olubadan.

In a statement made available to journalists on behalf of the Olubadan Palace by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the LP Presidential candidate was told to remain focused and be committed to his programmes as brilliantly espoused while presenting himself to the Olubadan and his members of Advisory Council.

Olubadan told Obi, accompanied by the Oyo State gubernatorial candidate, Taofiq Akinwale, members of his campaign organization, led by Dr. Doyin Okupe, Akin Osuntokun, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Secretary-General, Afenifere, Chief Mrs. Bola Doherty and Mogaji Adejumo among others the various activities already being carried out by him and his members of Advisory Council.

Such activities aimed at ensuring security across Ibadanland and peaceful 2023 general elections according to Olubadan are “symposia and meetings across all the local government areas in Ibadanland on how our people would live securely and how to ensure that the 2023 general elections are held without any form of violence. These are the concerns of Olubadan.

“As should be expected, Olubadan is the father of all and sees you all as his children. A widely traveled monarch, he is open-hearted and harbours no hatred for anybody for whatever purpose. We are happy to see you and your presentation bore eloquence testimony to your rich understanding of what you set out to do and one can only pray to God to grant you your heart desires and ability to follow to the letter your plan for a better and prosperous Nigeria”, Olubadan added.

Earlier in his address, Obi had told Olubadan and his Advisory Council members who are High Chiefs including Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin, Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola, Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole and Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade that the 2023 presidential election should not be about tribe, ethnicity and religion.

He said all those variables “are elite conspiracy to keep down the nation. Where have all those taken us to? I’m offering Nigerians what I did in Anambra State as two-term governor. I have been asking Nigerians to investigate all of us aspiring to lead the country. What did we do at our previous points of assignments? Mine is not difficult to do for Your Imperial Majesty as our in-law in Onitsha where I hail from, just a tap on any of our people there, my profile would be made known.

“Other things to consider when making our presidential choice which I strongly believe would not be based on party basis are character, competence, capacity, commitment and mental and physical energy to do the work. We can make all promises, but, let us examine the person making the promises using the parameters identified above. How much of trust can we place in the person making the promise”, Obi asked?

Under his presidency, he said the states would be epicenter of activities, noting that the idea of holing up in Abuja without actually knowing what goes on around the states of the country would be a thing of the past. He lamented that virtually all the infrastructures belonging to the Federal Government in the states have collapsed, making movement and meaningful development almost impossible.

He reeled out various data and statistics to assert that Nigeria is not where it is supposed to be, going by its vast human and natural resources, lamenting that Nigeria is the only member of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Country (OPEC) where oil is being stolen virtually on daily basis to the tune of billions of dollars, yet, oil money remains the mainstay of the country’s foreign earnings.

“The government to be formed by the Labour Party (LP) come May 2023 would fight corruption because there can never be any progress under the regime where corruption remains the order of the day. By the time corruption is confronted headlong and defeated, criminality will reduce as a lot of jobless youths would be taken out of unemployment and poverty. We must get this country back on its feet and make it work again. This is my message to you Kabiyesi and the people of Ibadanland and I’m sure that with your support, it is doable”, he added.

Oluwakayode Banjo

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Politics

Obi Promises Meaningful Life for Nigerians

By Web News 623

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi has promised to provide adequate security of lives and property, unite Nigerians and create enabling environment devoid of ethnicity.

Mr Obi made the promise during his presidential campaign at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

He also pledged to create jobs for Nigerian youths, make Nigeria a production country and ensure agriculture development for export.

Mr  Obi who had earlier paid homage to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Balogun and inaugurated Obi-Datti Campaign office at Oke-Ado, Ibadan said the glorious pacing setting status of the city would be restored and Lagos to become the financial hub of Africa if he is elected president come 2023.

 The National Chairman of, the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure called on the people of South West, Nigeria to use their democratic power to change government wisely, stressing that his party has human beings at the centre of its welfare programmes.

Labour Party chairman of Oyo state, Mr Sadiq Atayese said the current Nigerian situation required a different thinking approach and urged Nigerians to desist from voting trading.

Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale urged Yoruba people to vote for Peter Obi for his detribalized nature.

A leader of the socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo explained that there was a need for voters to choose leaders based on competence and ability to ensure true federalism and not on ethnic sentiments.

The Spokesperson for Peter Obi presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Dr Yunusa Tanko explained that Mr  Obi and the Labour Party symbolized the hope and happiness Nigerians are yearning for.

Highlights of the campaign rally which had Labour Party supporters across the six Southwest states in attendance were the presentation of the party flag to the Oyo state governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale for campaign coordination, goodwill messages from students and coalition groups.

Sherifdeen Nasirdeen

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Politics

Labour Party Inaugurates Directorates in Oyo

By Web News 3321 Post a comment

National Chairman, Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Aburi, wants party members to take the gospel of taking Nigeria from a consuming nation to producing nation and good governance to all parts of Nigeria.       

Mr. Aburi, who made the call at the inauguration of campaign directorates for Oyo State Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale in Ibadan described the party as the third force which is ready to change the narrative of leadership without focus in Nigeria. 

Represented by the national legal adviser of the party, Mr. Akingbade Oyelekan, Mr. Aburi stressed the need for supporters to embark on an aggressive campaign for the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, Oyo governorship candidate, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale and other party candidates to emerge victorious in 2023 general election.       

Receiving the flag as a symbol of being the party governorship flagbearer in Oyo state from Mr. Aburi, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale listed his unique selling points to include adequate knowledge of local government administration, integrity and his knowledge as a senior civil servant in the presidency.       

Alhaji Akinwale pointed out that his agility, kind-hearted nature and resourcefulness would be used to implement the brilliant vision, including adequate security of lives and property, infrastructure development for a robust economy, quality health care services and education for all.       

Earlier, Chairman Oyo State LP Elders Consultative Forum, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke cautioned members against thuggery, saying intense voters mobilisation and unity were important to ensure victory at the coming polls. 

The highlight of the event was the administration of an oath of allegiance on members of the 32 campaign directorates under the Director General, Prince Ganiyu Salami.

Nashirdeen Sherifdeen

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Politics

Peter Obi, Makinde Hold Closed Door Meeting

By Web News 1558

As the race to Aso Rock kicks off among the 18 Presidential candidates in next year general election, Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has urged Nigeria to intensity prayers for the country to have a peaceful transition.

The Labour party presidential candidate stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan after a closed door meeting with Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde as part of his consultation with well meaning Nigerians ahead of the next year’s election.

Mr Obi who said he is fully prepared for the task ahead stressed the need for issue based campaign among political parties where candidates would come up with their commitment to the people.

He urged Nigeria to trust him and promised to show measurable progress in governance if given the opportunity.

Speaking on Nigeria at 62, Mr Obi said the country needed to celebrate its survival as a nation even though it has challenges confronting it.

He said the next election should not be based on ethnicity or religion but competence and capacity noting that he was going around across party lines to solicit support with a view to rebuilding Nigeria if given the mandate.

“In 62 years,we can barely say that we performed fairly but we survived  as a nation.But in terms of being proud of saying that we’ve achieved a lot,we can’t celebrate that,but we can celebrate because we’ve seen the nation together.

“Next year’s election would be based on character,trust,confidence,capacity and commitment to do the right thing.I have made a commitment and say hold me responsible,I want to move to secure Nigeria,unite nigeria,build cohesion and am a Nigerian.

“I don’t want any body to vote for me because I’m an Igbo man.No, don’t vote for me because I’m a Christian or its my turn or I have connection. It’s the turn of Nigerians”.

“I want them to vote for me because I have the competence and the capacity to turn around Nigeria. My commitment especially to the younger ones is that I will start  pulling them out of poverty. I want to move the country from consumption to production so it can start from a country people would be proud of”He said


Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

Only VP candidates can relinquish their mandates – INEC

By Web News 482

National Commissioner, Voters Registration, Education and Publicity,  Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Festus Okoye, has said the submitted names of vice-presidential candidates cannot be retrieved or substituted by the political parties.

Mr Okoye noted that the nominated candidates themselves, who had accepted to be running mates to the presidential candidates, would stand for election come 2023, except they choose not to do so.

According to him, no one can force any of them to give up their seats for another candidate as the concept of “placeholders” is alien to the electoral system.

Reports have it that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, had submitted the name of Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, as his running mate, stating that Masari would be replaced with a substantive candidate when a proper decision was reached before the window given by INEC closes.

This was the same for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who chose his campaign Director-General, Dr Doyin Okupe, as his running mate for now.

Dr Okupe, in an interview, said he was standing in for the substantive candidate who would be made known to the public in due time.

In an interview with Channels TV on Friday, Mr Okoye said, a vice presidential candidate could only be replaced if he died or chose to withdraw from the race.

“In the forms submitted by the political parties, relating to their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, what we have in those forms are the name of presidential and VP candidates; their particulars and their affidavits.”

“None of those political parties indicated that they were submitting a document in lieu of or that they were submitting a name of a candidate in lieu. All the political candidates said they were submitting the list of their candidates and running mates. The issue of submitting a name in lieu of or as placeholders does not even arise.”

“As far as the law and constitution is concerned, we have made it mandatory that the moment a presidential candidate emerges, such candidate must nominate an associate who shall run with him/her as a vice-presidential candidate. Both are seen as Siamese twins who will move and fall together. In the forms submitted by the political parties, forms related to the vice-presidential presidential were submitted.”

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

Politics

Peter Obi, Pat Utomi to Contest Labour Party Presidential Primary on Monday

By Web News 812

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and a professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, are set to contest the presidential ticket of the Labour Party, LP .

Report says that, the national convention of the party is set to hold on Monday in Asaba, the Delta capital.

A source in the party disclosed that Obi and Utomi are the two leading presidential candidates of the party.

On Friday, the presidential aspirant, Obi, joined LP hours after announcing the resignation of his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP .

The former Anambra governor said his decision to join LP aligned with the interest of Nigerians across different sectors, adding that he wants to take the country from consumption to production.

“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family,” Obi had said.

Pat Utomi, co-convener the National Consultative Front, is one of the stakeholders creating awareness on the need for a third force that will break the dominance of two major political parties in the country.


Cable/Taiwo Akinola

Politics

Peter Obi joins Labour Party

By Web News 596 Post a comment

A few days after dumping the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has joined the Labour Party.

Obi announced his new party via a post on his Twitter handle.

The former governor announced his resignation from the PDP in a letter dated May 24, 2022, and addressed to Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the party.

“This project is yours and for the future of your children. I am just a facilitator.”

“Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my personal principles, I have consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination.”

“For me, the process of achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.”

“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.”

“I invite all Nigerians to join me in taking back our country.”

“Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”

Newspeak/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Politics

Peter Obi Dumps PDP

By Web News 822 Post a comment

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has explained that “recent developments” within the Peoples Democratic Party were responsible for his resignation from the opposition party and withdrawal from its presidential primary slated for end of May.

Obi was one of the 15 PDP presidential aspirants cleared by the Senator David Mark-led Presidential Screening Committee last month.

However, the ex-governor, in a statement addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, explained that the recent developments won’t make it possible for him to make “constructive contributions”.

The letter was titled, ‘Resignation From Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Withdrawal from the Presidential Contest’.

Obi said, “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022. Consequently, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.

“It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.

“Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Crime

Gunmen Kill Soldier, Five Others

By Web News 452

Gunmen have killed six persons, including a soldier, in the Anaocha and Nnewi South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.

Five of the victims were said to have been killed at a restaurant in Obiofia village, Osumenyi, in Nnewi South.

It was gathered that the assailants, armed with automatic rifles, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, invaded a military checkpoint in Agulu on Saturday and opened fire on soldiers, killing one in the process.

Agulu, in the Anaocha LGA of the state, is the home town of a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi.

A source said the gunmen carried out the operation with over three exotic vehicles suspected to have been snatched from unsuspecting members of the public.

“They confronted the soldiers for over 10 minutes, causing residents of the area to scamper to safety, and after a long gun battle, the men overpowered the soldiers, and they had to withdraw.

“The men (assailants) did not cover their faces, and they were shouting on top of their voices. We saw them; some people even tried to make videos, but everyone was afraid not to be spotted and shot,” the source added.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, said, “Generally speaking, any attack on any security agent is a threat to the soul of a nation. Yes, there was a shooting incident at a checkpoint in Agulu but the information is still sketchy.”

Similarly, it was learnt that the attack at the restaurant, also known as Ụtọ Ndụ beer parlour, occurred on Friday when some gunmen invaded it at about 8pm and immediately opened fire, killing its owner, identified as Ụtọ Ndụ, and her four customers.

Videos from the scene of the incident that trended on social media also showed four male victims and Ndụ lying lifeless in a pool of blood.

Sympathisers were also seen mourning as the corpses were taken to a mortuary in an ambulance.

The police spokesperson, who said an enquiry about the attack was ongoing and promised to get back, is yet to do so as of the time of filing the report.

Punch/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

Peter Obi Calls for Unity in PDP

By Web News 1211

A former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has called for unity of purpose and a great sense of responsibility among members of the People’s Democratic Party to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the 2023 general elections

The presidential aspirant while meeting with members of the Ogun State PDP Working Committee and delegates to the forthcoming primaries said he was seeking their understanding and support for his aspiration. 

Mr Peter Obi, who berated wastage in governance in the country, assured that if given the opportunity, he would fix all impediments to the socioeconomic and political growth of the country

He said that the issues of unemployment, insecurity, number of out of school, economy among others would be tackled for the benefit of all Nigerians

Wale Oluokun