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Peter Obi’s ‘unceremonious’ exit from ADC left Southeast disadvantaged, confused – Okonkwo

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okonkwo, has said the exit of Peter Obi from the party left the South-East region disadvantaged and thrown into confusion during the process that led to the emergence of Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice presidential candidate.

Okonkwo spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, while responding to questions on why Amaechi is yet to publicly acknowledge his vice presidential candidacy on his social media pages, and why Okonkwo’s position appeared to have shifted after Atiku Abubakar nominated him as spokesperson, despite his earlier reservations that the former Vice President did not pick someone from the South-East.

He explained that before the ADC presidential primary, a person representing the South-East had shown interest in the race but exited the process before its conclusion, a development he said left the region “disadvantaged and confused.”

He maintained that Obi’s exit created a vacancy that could not easily be filled because the Electoral Act bars parties from picking running mates who were not party members at least 21 days before the primary, ruling out names such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“The person that represented the southeast in that calculation left unceremoniously before the conclusion of the process, that left southeast disadvantaged and confused, and then immediately Peter Obi exited, it was as if that position that would have been given to Southeast was vacant.

“Some beautiful names were dropped off. You talked about Abaribe, you talked about Ngozi Okonjo, you talked about some nice names, but those names, they were no longer members of ADC,” he said, adding that this was why Atiku “still went to the nearest person that is closest to the southeast.”

On his earlier comments widely interpreted as opposition to Amaechi’s choice, Okonkwo clarified that he never mentioned Amaechi by name or objected to him personally, noting that Amaechi is himself Igbo by ethnicity.

He said his concern was strictly about geopolitical balancing, given that the South-East has not produced a president or vice president since 1999.

Okonkwo said he was satisfied after the party explained the rationale behind the pick, adding that internal negotiations were ongoing to address any lingering reservations within the party.

“We are now one big and happy family. ADC is going to form the next government of Nigeria, and Atiku will be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God,” he said.


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2027: ‘Nobody can decide if INEC Chairman will do right, wrong’ – Peter Obi [VIDEO]

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Nigeria Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has opened up on his impression of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, ahead of the 2027 election.

Obi disclosed that nobody can decide for Amupitan on whether he would do the right thing or not in the election.

He spoke in an interview in Germany while responding to a question about his impression of the INEC Chairman.

Stressing that he’s yet to have any personal encounter with Amupitan since he was appointed the head the electoral umpire, Obi said: “I have not met him yet and for me he’s a referee and you can’t decide if a referee will do the right thing or the wrong thing.

“We are telling the youths that it’s about their future, we want a better future because they have a right to a better future and that’s what I’m doing everyday.

“You cannot allow this process to continue, it’s a great country that can be turned around, a country that has the resources to be better.

“Again, if Nigeria is doing well today, it’s not only ben focal to Nigerians, it’s beneficial to Europe because you are the closest people to us . If Nigeria today is booming, then German companies will do more businesses in Nigeria.”

Obi also noted that Nigerians can choose against doing the wrong thing during the 2027 elections.

“In whatever role they play, the people can decide otherwise, If the people decide that they won’t do the wrong thing, they won’t do the wrong thing; it’s about the people.

“I have seen systems change from the time I became governor till today, I have seen people say that we can’t have this,” he added.

Watch video.




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Osun Guber: Tinubu has not abandoned Bola Oyebamiji — Oyintiloye

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu is behind Bola Oyebamiji, the party’s candidate in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Oyintiloye spoke on Sunday in Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area, while dismissing a report alleging that the President and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had abandoned Oyebamiji.

Addressing journalists during a campaign tour of communities in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, he described the report as false, and a handiwork of desperate opposition elements seeking to create division within the APC.

According to him, “President Tinubu and Oyetola remain fully committed to the party’s success in Osun and are closely monitoring the campaign while providing the political leadership and strategic support required for victory.

“President Tinubu and our leader, Oyetola, have never relented in their support for Oyebamiji.

“Anyone suggesting otherwise is spreading falsehood to mislead the public. The APC remains united, focused, and determined to reclaim Osun.”

The former lawmaker said the party’s leadership at the national and state levels were working hard to deliver Osun for APC, and urged members of the party not to be distracted by propaganda.

He added that prominent party leaders in the state, including Chief Bisi Akande, the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, among others, were also committed and working round the clock to ensure victory for the party.

He urged party faithful across the 30 local government areas and the Area Office to intensify grassroots mobilisation, engage voters and highlight the achievements of the Tinubu and Oyetola administrations alongside Oyebamiji’s development blueprint.

Oyintiloye also cautioned the opposition against violence, intimidation and other forms of lawlessness capable of undermining the electoral process.

“Maiming, extrajudicial killings and other forms of politically motivated violence aimed at creating fear and suppressing the will of the people must be firmly rejected,” he said.

He also stressed the need for an issue-based campaign anchored on credible ideas and practical solutions, insisting that voters should be allowed to exercise their rights freely in a peaceful atmosphere.

“The election will not be won only on social media. We must continue to engage our people at the grassroots, visiting every community, polling unit and household with our message of hope and responsible governance,” he said.

He urged party members to remain united and work collectively towards victory in the August 15 election adding that from all indications, Osun APC will return to power in the next governorship poll.

“The victory of Oyebamiji is a collective project. With the support of President Tinubu, the leadership of Oyetola, the commitment of party stakeholders and the support of the people of Osun, the APC is firmly on course for victory,” he said.




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Real reason I picked Kwankwaso as my running mate – Peter Obi

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has revealed the reason behind his decision to pick the leader of Kwankwassiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate.

In an interview with Sun, Obi said he decided to settle for the former governor of Kano State because “Kwankwaso has the philosophy of pulling people out of poverty”.

Obi said himself and Kwankwaso have similar philosophy on reviving the country’s economy to better the lives of citizens.

“I have the same philosophy. Kwankwaso believes in education. You cannot change society without education.

“If you look at my X, formerly Twitter, I made it clear that I will emphasise on education. Education is going to change society.

“Nigeria must be seen to form its innermost human capital, which we need to develop. Kwankwaso believes in this. I do. We have synergy.”

Obi also dismissed speculation suggesting that there is disagreement between him and Kwankwaso, stating that they remain united in strategizing ahead of the January 2027 elections.




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