Category: Politics

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the weight of the decision he has to make in governing the people of Enugu frequently gives him sleepless nights.

The governor said he is constantly thinking about how his decision affects the people.

Governor Mbah said this while speaking on Thursday at the second anniversary of his administration.

He said that, as the leader of the state, he has a duty to develop and transform Enugu. Still, while making tough governance decisions, he often pauses to consider the effect of his decisions on the people.

He said, “Change seeks no permission; it moves through persistence. We choose action over comfort. Sometimes, progress over popularity. Real change is not fanciful. It is hard, it resists, and sometimes it tests our faith.

“There have been nights I barely slept because of the weight of the decision we must make. There are days I pause not from indecision but from compassion.

“I’m contstantly thinking, how will this decision affect the people? Havew we though through the consequences? It is part of the burden of leadership. Development is necessary, but it does not come with easy choices. We were not promised ease, only the chance to serve, and so we pressed on, knowing that the first step towards transformation was into the unknown with only the light of our vision as our guide. We chose to act swiftly because we have no luxury of time.”

Earlier, Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, said Governor Mbah deserves a second term and that nobody will stop him from re-election.

He added that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the governor for a second term because of his honesty.

The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has backed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for a second term in office.

In a statement on Saturday, the forum chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said the decision to adopt Tinubu and Mutfwang was made during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting on Friday night.

The statement added that the forum announced the adoption of the Green Cap Movement, which is associated with the Plateau governor, for the 2027 governorship election and reaffirmed its earlier endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term.

The statement reads, “We have decided to adopt the Green Cap Movement in Plateau because we believe the time is now. Although Mutfwang belongs to the PDP, we believe he is performing well and must be supported to succeed. Similarly, we are endorsing our President, Bola Tinubu, for 2027 because of his exceptional performance.”

The forum also reiterated its call for Mutfwang to join the APC, asserting that his alignment with the President would benefit him and the state in general.

The statement dismissed claims that the Green Cap Movement is exclusively linked to the PDP, describing such assertions as baseless and misleading.

“The Green Cap is not a symbol of any particular political party. It represents a mindset and the people, not a platform. Its slogan, ‘The Time is Now’, is a universal call for reform and accountability,” the statement added.

The forum also demanded the withdrawal of the statement by the Rufus Bature-led Plateau APC executive criticising the adoption of the Green Cap Movement.

It also refuted claims by the Plateau APC that it is not a recognised entity within the party, clarifying that it is a registered and officially recognised body at the national level, representing stakeholders from the North-Central region.

The forum criticised the Plateau APC exco for its inability to deliver electoral victories for the party and Tinubu in the 2023 elections.

Factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Callistus Okafor, has announced the withdrawal of his group, claiming to command the loyalty of five million members, from the party.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, May 22, Okafor said the decision followed extensive deliberations within his faction and was motivated by deepening divisions within the LP.

“My own faction, we met, and we said that this is the time. I hereby announce to Nigerians, based on the decision as a team in the Labour Party, the five million Nigerians who are under my control, hereby today pull out from LP to team WaZoBia Nigeria,” he stated.Nigerian home decor ideas

Okafor described WaZoBia Nigeria as a nonpartisan movement, emphasizing that further details would be provided in due course. He said the current state of the Labour Party had become untenable and no longer conducive for political cooperation.

He also criticized Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, accusing him of failing to unite the party following the general election. Okafor argued that Obi’s alliance with the LP’s embattled national chairman, Julius Abure, contributed to the ongoing crisis.

“Peter Obi, when he came to the party, he supported Abure, who has become his archenemy today,” Okafor said. “If Peter Obi had called me, LP would have gone into that election with one mind. We know the outcome of the election.”Nigerian home decor ideas

According to Okafor, Obi missed the opportunity to consolidate party unity after the polls, which he believes has further weakened the LP’s structure.

The Labour Party has faced a prolonged leadership tussle involving multiple figures, Julius Abure, Nenadi Usman, and Okafor, all asserting claims to the national chairmanship.

The ongoing dispute has raised questions about the party’s stability and its ability to serve as a cohesive opposition force.

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Former Vice President and founder of the American University of Nigeria, AUN, Atiku Abubakar, has recounted surviving an assassination attempt in Kaduna State.

Atiku, who revealed that he hid his wife and children in a wardrobe, said the assassins shot at him but missed.

He disclosed this while addressing the AUN graduating class of 2025.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate also recounted how the military dictatorship once offered him a governorship position without an election.

After rejecting the offer, Atiku said he later earned the position of Vice President in 1999.

According to Atiku: “I hid my wife and children in a wardrobe and stepped forward to confront the attackers. They shot at me but missed. I stood up and demanded, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like.

“I’ve faced tribulations. I’ve been hunted, but I never wavered.

“Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise. When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship without an election, I rejected it. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became Vice President.”

He also recalled learning courage from his mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who faced a death sentence with unflinching bravery.

“His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier. That’s courage,” Atiku said

Abayomi Arabambi, Labour Party’s factional National Publicity Secretary, has alleged that some Obidients who were deployed as party agents ran away with election results because they were not paid for their service.

Arabambi, during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, said the Labour Party has been lying to Nigerians about why the party failed in the election.

Arabambi said that out of 189,000 polling units, the Labour Party failed to account for 54,000, adding that the party did not have the polling unit results to present to the election tribunal.

“We failed woefully in 54,000 polling unit. We did not have result of total election to take to Tribunal. They used a lot of Obidients to be the party agents (and) because they were unable to pay them N10,000, they absconded with the results,” Arabambi claimed.

He also alleged that Aisha Yesufu, Valentine Ozigbo, Pastor Itua Ighodal and Oseloka Obaze were responsible for the party’s loss in the election.

According to him, they were responsible for the party’s loss because they were the ones in charge of the party’s campaign funds.

Arabambi said the Labour Party’s inability to produce the complete election results was the reason the party could not file its petition within 21 days, as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

According to him, in order to cover up their mistakes, the party leaders went to court to lie against the judiciary.

“We went to that court to lie against the judiciary, because we were the one that failed. Like I said, the four people responsible, one resigned four days ago, another absconded to the APC, while we have Aisha Yesufu and Pastor Ighodalo. They were the ones who handled all the party’s finances,” he said.

He wondered how his party claimed it won the election when it failed to field agents in 54,000 polling units.

According to him, this was the genesis of the crisis in the Labour Party, adding that Peter Obi wanted the issue covered up.

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has said he will continue to support Peter Obi if he contests the presidency in 2027.

Farotimi, however, described early discussions about the 2027 elections as a distraction.

He stated this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme on Sunday.

“If elections where our votes will count were held today, I would vote for Peter Gregory Obi, unless somebody else enters the race who I believe can do better.

“If it’s still the same line-up as last time, I will definitely be voting for Peter Obi.

“I hope he will be a little bolder with his policy platforms, but frankly speaking, in terms of capacity and integrity, there’s no one else I would support,” he said.

Farotimi said it would take something very significant to change his mind.

He added, “Something drastic would have to happen for me to decide not to support Peter Obi. It might be that he aligns with some objectionable individuals I cannot tolerate and that’s a real possibility. However, outside of that, there’s no one else.”

He also criticised the premature focus on the next elections, saying the country is not in the right condition for such discussions.

“I actually think our conversations about elections at this point are a disservice to ourselves, because we really cannot speak of elections in our current circumstances,” he said.

He noted that his continued support for Obi is driven by his hope for a better Nigeria.

No fewer than 27 political aides of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State have been dismissed following their participation in the inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter of a grassroots-based political movement, The NEW Associates.

The affected aides were reportedly dismissed after attending the inauguration of the Bayelsa chapter of The NEW Associates and participating in a mega rally held in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a letter titled “TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT” dated 23rd April 2025, signed by Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, it was noted that the appointments were terminated with immediate effect.

“I write to inform you of the termination of the following appointments with immediate effect. Their appointments were communicated to your office in our letters under the listed reference numbers,” the letter stated.

However, the Bayelsa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Governor Douye Diri’s decision to dismiss several of his political aides for identifying with the grassroots political movement, The NEW Associates.

In a statement signed by Derri Alasuote Wright, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, the party described the sackings as “an alarming demonstration of intolerance and high-handedness” that runs contrary to the democratic ideals the party upholds.

The PDP expressed dismay at the action, noting that the individuals in question had worked diligently to ensure the party’s success in the last gubernatorial elections, which ultimately led to Governor Diri’s re-election.

“The sacking of these political appointees from the Prosperity Administration is particularly unfortunate,” the statement read. “They are all party members who believed in our vision and laboured for our collective success.”

The party criticised what it described as the governor’s misuse of public power, reminding him that the state government and treasury are public trusts, not personal possessions. “Such decisions discourage civic engagement and political participation,” the statement continued, “and send a chilling message to others within the system.”

Calling the dismissals “a severe breach of trust and an affront to democratic participation,” the PDP urged Governor Diri to reverse the decision and promote inclusivity, open dialogue, and tolerance.

The statement concluded with a call to political leaders and citizens to resist divisive tactics and work toward building a more inclusive and democratic political environment in Bayelsa State and across Nigeria.

“Together, let us stand firm in our commitment to democracy, solidarity, and the right to associate freely,” the statement added.

Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has hinted at regretting his decision to run as vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

During an interview on Arise Television on Monday, April 29, Okowa described his acceptance of the role as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State, an issue he said he has deeply reflected upon.

While defending his record in office, Okowa acknowledged that joining Atiku’s ticket in 2023 came at a significant political cost.3

“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power. But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” he declared.

He linked the PDP’s failure in Delta during the presidential poll to that sentiment, acknowledging that while he ran out of loyalty to his party, the south was interested in producing President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

However, Okowa was quick to point out that the tide turned just three weeks later in the governorship election, where PDP triumphed in 21 out of the 25 local governments.

“That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen.’ And they did,” he said

On insinuations that his defection was to have his ‘sins forgiven,’ Okowa maintained that there were no sins to be given as he had not committed any, adding that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but only honoured an invitation by the commission.

“I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC.

So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole; we talked for the first time only yesterday because we are of different political parts and because we are of different political parts we were not friends perse.”Political party merchandise”he said

Addressing the moral arguments against his defection to the APC, after serving in multiple positions under PDP, Okowa said he owes no one an apology.

“Yes, I was a key player in the PDP from the formative stages, but the PDP of today is not the same party we built in 1998. When you find that the values and vision you once believed in are no longer there, then you step away,” he said.

A civil society group, The Osun Masterminds, has raised the alarm over the worsening financial state of Osun, warning that the State is bleeding financially.

Speaking during its April 2025 State of the State Address, the group expressed deep concerns over the continued crippling of Local Government administrations across Osun State.

According to the group, the inability of Local Governments to function properly has resulted in the non-collection of Internally Generated Revenue, putting severe strain on the State’s finances.

The Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, lamented that the financial hemorrhage is causing untold hardship for citizens and jeopardizing critical sectors like healthcare and education.

The Osun Masterminds noted that the collapse of Local Government activities has led to a sharp decline in primary healthcare delivery, with rural dwellers facing worsening health challenges.

They also highlighted that essential services like citizen documentation through Local Government Identification Letters have been halted, causing serious inconvenience to residents.

Community development projects, such as road maintenance and agricultural extension services, have also been abandoned, worsening living conditions across Osun’s rural communities.

The group warned that failure to revive the Local Governments could expose vehicle owners in the State to legal troubles, as they are unable to renew important vehicle documents.

Beyond Osun’s internal challenges, The Osun Masterminds drew attention to the rising insecurity in Nigeria, describing the situation as a national emergency.

Prof. Oyedokun-Alli stated that Nigeria now faces widespread threats from kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, with citizens unable to sleep peacefully in their own homes.

He passionately appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately act by putting Service Chiefs under intense pressure to restore security across the nation.

The group also criticized the Osun State Government over the prolonged delay in recruiting teachers and healthcare workers, warning that it is undermining the development of education and health sectors.

According to the statement, the continuous manpower shortages in critical sectors are slowing down societal growth and risking the future of the State’s young population.

On the issue of electricity, The Osun Masterminds condemned the poor power supply despite high tariffs and called on the Federal Government to take decisive action.

The group warned that the combination of crippled Local Governments and rising communal clashes could lead to a total breakdown of order if urgent measures are not taken.