Politics
2019 Polls: The Looming Dark Clouds
When people who love the country say that the issue of electoral violence is mostly caused or funded by the elites in the society, especially well placed politicians that have immunity from prosecution is not far fetched from the truth.
Hate speech, intolerance to divergent view,s and the fear of contesting in a free and fair elections are all seen as threats to the status quo.
In Nigeria, no politician likes to lose in any election, if he or she loses, than it is rigged, but if the person wins it is free, fair and credible.
But the most worrisome trends as the presidential election gets nearer, are the high level of threats, hate speeches, childish behaviour exhibited and false rumours spread by the political class.
Some of the ugly incidents being experienced in this present political dispensation that seems not to go away is the issue of intimidation and childish behaviour meted out to political opponents in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos States. In Lagos State the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi and the gubernatorial candidate, Jimi Agbaje, were locked out of the trade fair complex when they went there to campaign and it took the intervention of the state police commissioner for them to be allowed to use the venue.
Also this week Tuesday the Kano State Governor Alhaji Abdulahi Gunduje ordered closure of two major stadiums in Kano city for renovation.
The order is coming just five days to the scheduled campaign rally of the PDP Presidential Candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
A Similar scenario had also played out in 2015 in Rivers State when the then commissioner for information and communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said the Rivers State government had put under lock and key the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for renovation few days before the campaign rally of President Goodluck Jonathan in Port Harcourt. It seems that there is something seriously wrong with some of our politicians, because they don’t really realise the consequences of their actions while they are in their lofty and dreamy palaces, Power is transient and will continue to be transient as there is life beyond politics.
From 1999 to date, how many people who started the journey are still holding political offices as presidents, ministers, governors, commissioners or legislators or even party offices? Very few!!!.
Another worrisome scenario is the recent threat issued by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, that any foreigner election observer who interfered in the forthcoming elections will leave the country in a body bag. This threat is not only a hate and violence initiating speech but shameful to the country. And rather than condemn this gutter language, his party, the APC has kept MUM.
In a civilised society El-Rufai should have been sanctioned by his party, but here in Nigeria, provided you are in the ruling political party or in the good books of the powers you can do no wrong.
The ruling party at the federal level should reflect back if it has conscience, that in 2014 it advocated for foreign observers to monitor the elections of 2015 and was crying to the high heavens that the then ruling party, the PDP, intended to rig the elections.
Surprisingly today, that APC is in power, its body language, actions and comments seem to indicate that it does not want anything like opposition political parties in the country. And if there is to be an election, it must win. So threat to opposition figures, political, parties the judiciary and now that of the international observers, is normal.
This attitude, or hypocrisy to issues of national importance is why Nigeria according to the late musical maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kut is a ‘’Big Blind country’’ where nothing works.
Elections should be seen as a sporting event where someone wins another loses, based on skills and hardwork like in football or any track event. It should be competitive to bring out the best in us. We cannot afford to stand aloof and allow people without the necessary skills to continue to run the affaires of this country, no matter the political leaning or affiliation.
The beauty of democracy is the conduct of elections where individuals cast their ballots to choose who will represent them. And the essence of this, is the freedom to exercise that franchise without any intimidation from organs of the state.
Do we claim that our politicians are now matured? The answer is unequivocally no. Meanwhile, in its reaction to the recent happenings in the country, the election observer team has expressed concern on the issue of the independence of the judiciary and the threat of violence by Mallam Nasir El Rufai. It said, it has been observing elections in Nigeria since 1999 and the forthcoming elections will be the sixth in the country and said that threats would not deter it from carrying out its function.
It however said it would continue to review its security arrangements before and during the elections.
Why is it that between 1999 and 2015 no one issued a threat to international observers but in 2019 when the APC is in office and is about to contest for election from the position of strength, threats to institutions and to individuals have become the vogue?
For how long shall we continue to address this issue even at the state and local government levels, politicians across the various divide see themselves as enemies instead of competitors for various offices. The name of a political party is just a label of a product or a football team which can be changed at anytime. So the struggle, intimidation, killings in the name of a political party is not necessary. Nigerians must never let themselves down by staking their lives for politicians.
This is 2019, the year when we are expected to renew the mandate of those who claim to govern us.
In the situation whereby they, by their actions, continue to heat up the polity, the consequences will not only be grave but send the signal that all we have gained in the first 16 years of our democracy has now gone down the drain.
There is need for attitudinal change in our psyche, and this call is especially meant for our political class, as the country is on the threshold of making another history of a ruling party which was once in opposition, holding an election in which it is either expected to win or lose.
If the independent electoral commission and the security agencies do a good job and the elections are devoid of manipulations and violence, the message it will send across the globe will be positive, loud and clear that Nigeria has consolidated its democracy. But if the reverse is the case then have to go to the drawing board and begin all over again.
Election is not a do or die affair, but an avenue to widen the horizon of governance by us electing individuals who are capable of providing us with the best necessities of life.
Democracy is about choice, freedom, free speech and making the right decisions without fear and threats.
The hard-won freedom from the military juntas that have ruled should not and never be replaced with a civilian dictatorship. We all should rise up and say Not to politics of hatred and intimidation in Nigeria as we ought to have advanced beyond this primitive level of abuse of privileges bestowed on us.
Tonye Ikiroma-Owiye
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.