Politics

Igbo Already Projecting For Actualisation Of Igbo Presidency In 2023 -Ezeife

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2020

A former Governor of old Anambra, Dr Chukwuemeke Ezeife has said that the people of the eastern region were already projecting some persons for the actualisation of an Igbo president in 2023.

He said this at a news conference yesterday in Abuja while speaking on the need to have an Igbo president in 2023 which he said was long overdue.

The conference was organised by the Global Movement for Igbo President in 2023.

Ezeife said it was not true that having an Igbo president might remain a mirage because the people were not united as was being speculated.

He added that contrary to the speculation, the Igbo were the most united among other erthnic groups in the country.

“The Igbo are prominent people, individualistic and not under the command of any traditional ruler, but we are more united than any other ethnic group in Nigeria.

“We have been out of central power for decades, not being President or Vice President, but if something is required, we can easily come together as one to speak,” he said.

He said he was happy that the issue of Igbo presidency was being raised.

Ezeife added that although the Igbo were united on the issue of presidency, some persons were sell out and not Igbo enough to represent the region.

“We don’t want ‘sellable’ people, we don’t want people who can sell their country for money, we don’t want people who are too selfish to help others.

“If you mention some names, they are not Igbo enough and are not acceptable to us because we know they will sell out.

“So we will bring somebody who will show love to all, show love to Hausa, Yoruba and to his Igbo brothers and to all Nigerians.

“It is too early to name names, but we are projecting some people already,” he said.

On the need to restructure the country, the former governor said if Nigeria was well organised, everybody would be happy.

He added that Nigerians of Igbo extraction would be the happiest because they want the largest market possible to trade in.

Also speaking, Mr Godfrey Azu, Media Officer of the Global Movement for Igbo President in 2023, maintained that the eastern region was long overdue to produce a president for the country.

He added that leaders of the region would use as a scapegoat, any politician from the region who betrays the people in 2023.

He further added that leaders of the region were ready to go after any Igbo politician that disrupts the political waters come 2023.

According to him, some politicians take joy in disrupting political waters and stiring it so nobody will drink from it.

“We have told them, we know them, many people we spoke to told us that the biggest problem of Ndi-Igbo is Ndi-Igbo.

“We are saying to Ndi-Igbo wherever they are both in the Diaspora and in Nigeria that we have begun this discourse and have progressed with this dialogue and getting to the point of reaching an answerable report.

“We will not want to find any man among them that goes to stir the waters.

“We call upon everyone of them, they know what their plans are and their secrets, but we are saying enough is enough,” Azu said.

He noted that Igbo were so engrossed with their businesses, going after making money, building the best mansion, estates and hotels every where in the country and across Africa.

He added that they, however, forgot that money without political power was a waste of time in the journey of life.

This, he said, was the reason he was calling upon them not to only be regional politicians, but to begin to understand national politics.

Azu added that politicians of Igbo extraction should begin to play key and pivotal role in national politics if they still believed they were part of the country.

“The issue is believing you are still part of this Nigeria and acting to play a key role in deciding the faith of Ndi-Igbo within the country’s national politics.

“We can’t be part of the tripod that formed Nigeria at independence and two of the tripod are deciding the faith of everybody in this country.

“Two of the tripod decide what economy we make and what social life we leave and who becomes who in the politics.

“We are saying in the Diaspora that enough is enough and we are telling our brothers to rise to this challenge,” he stressed.

He added that he was happy that Nigerian youths were beginning rise, haven watched their #endsars protest on television in the last few days.

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.

The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.

The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”

The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.

“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.

Politics

Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed speculation about a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), declaring that he will not follow his former principal, Mr Peter Obi, to any new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Baba-Ahmed said his political allegiance remains firmly with the LP, the platform on which he emerged as vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He stressed that his future political aspirations are anchored on party loyalty and personal conviction, not shifting alliances.

The former senator representing Kaduna North stated that although he shared a joint ticket with Mr Obi in the last presidential race, he has no intention of joining him following Mr Obi’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party now being positioned by an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists at the LP national headquarters, Senator Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not take the same political path, insisting that his decision was informed by long-term goals and a clear sense of purpose.

He expressed scepticism about the ADC-led coalition, describing its promoters as “disgruntled politicians” and arguing that the platform does not offer the kind of political vision Nigeria urgently requires.

Senator Baba-Ahmed also reaffirmed his commitment to national service, noting that he remained willing to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at fixing the country and would make himself available for service as the 2027 elections approach.

While acknowledging his past partnership with Mr Obi, he emphasised that political choices must be guided by principles rather than personal relationships.

According to him, his priority is to strengthen the LP and position it as a credible and enduring alternative for Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Mr Obi recently exited the LP and embraced the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the next general election.

Politics

Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on during a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Governor Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Senator Konbowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing the Bayelsa Central, moved the endorsement motion, and was seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and one time deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.

The Tide reports that Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attended the endorsement meeting.

Other attendees were, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samson Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, other stakeholders as well as the ex-officio member (South South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware.

The Tide also gathered that the meeting was the first expanded stakeholders gathering convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.

In his speech, Governor Diri expressed delight that the State’s APC was one big family which has resolved to work together to deliver President Tinubu for another term in office.

He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.

The governor also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.

“Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other.

“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now. Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term”, he said.

In a brief remark, Senator Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare lauded the governor for his maturity, noting that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.

Also, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, commended Governor Diri for uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he noted had been fragmented for over a decade.

Dr Otiotio stated that the purpose of the meeting was to enjoin members and supporters to participate in the party’s electronic membership exercise in order to capture genuine voters.

Meanwhile the stakeholders observed a minute silence in honour of the former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abuja.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa