Politics
Obasanjo Denies Writing UK Over Nigeria’s 2023 Election
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied planning to scuttle Nigeria’s 2023 elections.
Some publications claim he wrote to the United Kingdom to back off the polls and allow Nigerians to decide the outcome.
Obasanjo allegedly warned the UK authorities against interference, adding that it will not be business as usual.
The former Head of State allegedly recalled that in 2002, the British government wanted to remove him.
He allegedly said the European nation wanted to install a Fulani man whom they can control, but he overpowered them.
Obasanjo allegedly told the UK that the problems Nigeria is facing is a result of the Fulani man they emplaced.
A statement Thursday night by his media aide, Kedinde Akinyemi denied the purported letter.
“The trending story on the alleged plan by the former President to collude with the electoral body in the Presidential election of February 25 is completely false”, he noted.
The spokesperson added that apart from the January 1 letter to youths, and the other to Prof. Toyin Falola on his 70th birthday, “there has been no other public or private letter written to anybody”.
“The reading public is for the umpteenth time reminded that only a statement duly signed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo or by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi are to be allowed into the media space.
“If need be, necessary checks can be made to confirm the authenticity of such documents before publication to avoid any embarrassment”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, over 30,000 politicians primarily from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Sandamu and Maiadua Local Government Area of Katsina State on Wednesday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The defectors were received by both the Director-General, Lado Campaign Council, Mustapha Inuwa and one of the party’s factional chairmen, Lawal Magaji into PDP during their campaign tour to the area on Wednesday.
While addressing the crowd of supporters that turned out for the rally, Dr Mustapha the erstwhile Secretary to Katsina State Government, presented the key figures among the defectors to the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion.
Among the defectors were Alhaji Shaibu Danjuma, Maamuda Ado, Sabiu Uli and Maria Lawal, a women leader from the area.
The former Secretary to Katsina State Government commended the decampees for rejecting the APC, describing it as a wise and bold decision.
Mustapha commended the defectors for the display of courage assuring them that they won’t regret their decision.
He equally urged them to remain resilient in the bid to end the hardship initiated across the country over the last seven years by the APC led government, assuring that it will end in the next 44 days.
In the same vein, the Lado Campaign Director General, thanked the pool of supporters for the love shown the PDP and its candidates, particularly, the governorship candidate, Sen. Yakubu Lado and the Senatorial Candidate for Daura District, Ahmed Baba Kaita,
According to erstwhile SSG turned Katsina PDP Campaign DG, “The pool of supporters at the rally were there on their own free will and not compelled unlike in APC.”
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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