News
2027…LP To Zone Ticket To South East
… Says they will ensure Ndigbo produce Nigeria’s president
… I never knew Igbos were united – Abure
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has reaffirmed the party’s readiness to support Ndigbo in their quest to produce Nigeria’s President in 2027.
Abure, who declared that the party had no regrets about zoning its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast, urged leaders from the region to pursue realignment with other parts of the country to achieve their political aspirations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, following a rally organised by Southeast LP members living in Abuja ahead of the Area Council election scheduled for early next year.
Abure assured party members and aspirants present at the event that the Labour Party would conduct free, fair, and credible primaries without imposition of candidates.
He said: “Before the 2023 general election, I erroneously believed that Igbos were not united. However, after Peter Obi joined the party and I campaigned across the country, I discovered that the Igbos were the most united, industrious, and fearless.
“That is why I have no regrets that, despite all odds, we zoned our 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast. We decided to wipe the tears of the Igbos, and we courageously did that during the 2023 election.”
Abure emphasised the need for the Igbos to foster unity and build alliances across Nigeria, drawing lessons from the Yoruba experience before and after independence.
He advised: “The Igbos must return to the drawing board and seek realignment with other sections of the country. History shows that the Yorubas could not attain the presidency until they formed strategic alliances. This is a lesson the Igbos should learn.
“The Igbos must be strong, firm, and united behind a common leadership. While not everyone will be on the same page, a unity of purpose is critical to realising the dreams of the Igbos.”
Abure reiterated that the Labour Party remains committed to supporting Ndigbo in their future quest for the presidency.
“I assure you that the Labour Party is still ready and available to support Ndigbo in their ambition to lead this country,” he added.
He also expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections, predicting the contest between the Labour Party and others.
Abure promised to uphold internal democracy, stressing that party members determine who emerges as candidates.
“The reason why Nigeria and other political parties are in trouble is because leaders often subvert the wishes and aspirations of the people. As National Chairman, I will discourage such practices in our party.
“For the upcoming elections, only party members will decide who represents us,” he assured.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.