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North will back candidate who understands its problems, regardless of origin – Ex-SGF

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The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has indicated a shift in the criteria for selecting presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 Nigerian election, moving away from the standards used in 2023.

He also revealed a new political strategy for the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election stating that a new forum of northern politicians will prioritise unity and vote as a bloc, and their support will be given to a candidate who demonstrates a clear understanding of the region’s challenges, regardless of their ethnic or political background.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Lawal, a former supporter of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, suggested he may not back Obi in the upcoming polls.

When asked about his stance on Obi for 2027, Lawal remarked, “Things have changed. The parameters we used to evaluate our candidate in 2023 are going to be different this time.”

He emphasised that political dynamics have evolved, leaving his support uncertain as he assesses new priorities for the election.

“They say a day in politics is long. Things have changed. The parameters we used to evaluate our candidate in 2023 are going to be different this time.

“Things have moved on, so we’ll see when we get there. We’ll see how it goes,” he said.

The former SGF added that Obi was the “true winner” of the 2023 presidential election.

Commenting on the stance of the north ahead of the 2027 polls, Lawal said people of the region must place power in the hands of someone who understands their challenges and is willing to confront them directly.

He said a group of northern politicians not in government formed the Nigerian People’s Consultative Political Forum (North) to promote unity and address disunity in the region.

Lawal said the forum agreed that the north must vote as a bloc, adding that without this unity, they cannot achieve their goals.
He said,
“We had a group of people who started meeting with like minds, asking how we should approach this, what the issues are.

“We call this the Nigerian People’s Consultative Political Forum, North, in which almost every significant northern politician who is not in government attends our meetings.

“The idea is that we get together and bring unity to this north. There is disunity among us, and we analyse what this disunity means, what causes it, and how we can ameliorate it.

“So, we agreed that we must vote as a bloc. If we don’t vote as a bloc, we will not be able to achieve our goals.

“That’s our understanding as a way forward. Now, whoever eventually emerges will only support somebody who understands the problems facing the north and will present them to him, whether the person is a northerner or a southerner, even if he’s from heaven,” he said.

“Eventually, we just decided that we can only pursue this if we are in one solid political party. And we all agree this solid political party can only be the ADC.

“At the national level, quite a lot of the most significant ones are Amaechi, Peter Obi, and Atiku Abubakar. I’m sure there are others there who have not yet thrown in the towel.”

Lawal concluded that the subject of who should lead Nigeria in 2027 was beyond partisan loyalty or ethnic sentiment.

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Abia APC denies alleged planned protest against Otti administration

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, Abia State chapter has denied plans to sponsor a protest against the Governor Alex Otti led administration in the state.

The State government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity,Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, alleged that the opposition is planning to stage a protest under the tag; ‘Tinubu Dey Work, Otti Dey Chop’ in the state.

However, the APC while reacting to the accusation through its state publicity secretary,Uche Aguoru, reminded the Otti led administration that it has the duty of maintaining law and order in the state.

The APC said; “However, given the Abia State Government’s well-established reputation for propaganda, misinformation, and calculated public deception, it is both reasonable and necessary to question the intent behind this claim.

“There is a strong possibility that this narrative is a deliberate ploy to divert public attention from the mounting concerns over governance failures, financial opacity, and the apparent mismanagement of public resources under the current administration.

“In recent months, citizens of Abia State have become increasingly vocal, demanding transparency and accountability regarding the management of state finances.

“Available records shows that over one trillion naira has accrued to the state with little to no corresponding improvement in infrastructure or the welfare of the people. These concerns remain largely unanswered, fueling public distrust and deepening suspicion of systemic mismanagement and possible financial impropriety.”

The APC stated that it is not aware of any planned protest,as it has never been known for orchestrating protests in the state.

“The APC is a responsible and law-abiding political party that does not engage in actions capable of disrupting public peace or undermining the security and wellbeing of citizens.

“Our party, both within Abia State and nationally, is not known for orchestrating protests or encouraging civil unrest. On the contrary, our track record reflects a commitment to lawful engagement, constructive opposition, and responsible political conduct. It is instructive, however, that those attempting to attribute such actions to the opposition belong to a political tradition that has, on multiple occasions, resorted to protests and confrontational tactics, accompanied by violence and disregard for rule of law.

“Given this context, it is not far fetched to consider that the present alarm raised by the Abia State Government may itself be part of a staged narrative designed to manufacture a crisis, shift blame to the opposition, and ultimately distract from legitimate public scrutiny over governance issues.”

The party called on law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and impartial in the discharge of their duties to ensure that the peace and security of citizens are not compromised.

“Any credible intelligence regarding threats to public order should be acted upon decisively. However, it is equally important to guard against the misuse of state apparatus in advancing politically motivated narratives or suppressing legitimate opposition.”

Source: Vanguard.

 

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EASTER: NKWONTA ENJOINS CONSTITUENTS AND NIGERIANS TO IMBIBE CHRIST-LIKE VIRTUES

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The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration.

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Rep. Nkwonta Facilitates With Constituents, Nigerians On Easter

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 ……

Enjons Them  To Imbibe Christ -Like  Virtues

The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!

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