Connect with us

Politics

2023: Presidency must come to South – Akeredolu

Published

on

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and some Christian Leaders in Ibadan
Share

 

•Says Tinubu Remains Best Choice

•Appeals To Christians Over APC’s Muslim/Muslim Ticket

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has advised that the struggle for the President of Nigeria to come from the Southern part of the country in 2023 should not be in vain.

Governor Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, said the North can not retain power after spending eight years in office.

The Governor spoke on Sunday at the 40th Holy Ghost Convention Dinner of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Agbawo, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Governor Akeredolu explained that he led his colleagues in the Southern Governors’ Forum to demand a Southern Presidency despite stiff opposition from some quarters.

He called on the people not to throw away the chances of producing the next President, particularly from the Southwest where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu hails from.

Akeredolu described Tinubu as the best choice, adding that he has the experience and courage to tackle the challenges facing the country.

On the Muslim/Muslim ticket, the Governor pleaded with Christians to look beyond religion and focus on the competency of the Presidential candidate.

While stressing that the buck stops on the President’s table, the Governor added that what is important is to have a Southern President come 2023.

He said: ”I discussed with Bishop Francis Wale Oke that presidency must come to the South. Take it or leave it, it is the minimum we can get. It must come to the South. The North cannot produce President for eight years and still want to retain it for another eight years. It is not going to work.

“That is why under the Southern Governors’ Forum, where, luckily, God made me the chairman, we kept harmering on that. It must come to the South. And when it also got to our party in APC, we fought that it must come to the South.

“Luckily, it did not only come to South, it came to the South West. Now, where do we stand? I understand our feelings because I’m one of you. I am a Christian. All of us here are worried. What will be our gain, and that, why is my party, the APC throwing up a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

“It has been a real issue for all us. Even members of the party, it has been an issue for us. We have debated it, fought it and we have done so many things on it. I have always said to people, my fight was for Southern President.

“Now it has come to the South West, will I now throw the baby away with the bathwater? Can I, in all honesty, do it? Should I, in all honesty, do it?

“We call it a matter of coincidence. It is a matter of conscience. All of us are here, why don’t we look at it from one angle. The buck stops on the table of the President. Do we have a capable hand who can manage the affairs if given the opportunity? Do you have a man who is bold enough to challenge incursion into our land? That is it.

“All of us here have lived together for years and we didn’t allow religion to bring fight among us. We have Muslims in our families and there is no fight. We have many leaders in Yoruba land who have both Muslims and Christians in their families and there is no fight.

“So, we want to appeal to our people that this is our time. I want to appeal to all our senior Pastors and General Overseers to help talk to their followers. We politicians can only do little. This is our time, please don’t be angry.”

Earlier, the Founder, The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, who is also the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, specially appreciated God for His good works and the journey so far.

 

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

Ododo, Okpebholo Rally Kogi, Edo Indigenes in Osun Behind APC Candidate

Published

on

Share

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA and his Edo State counterpart Gov. Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday led a massive mobilisation of Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo urged Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State to reciprocate the developmental strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by voting overwhelmingly for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in the August 15 election. He maintained that governance should be judged by tangible achievements rather than rhetoric, insisting that the APC had earned the people’s trust through visible projects and people-oriented policies. “Governance is not by propaganda; governance is a serious business. Our campaign is issue-based. Tell us what your party has done for the people, and we will tell you what the APC has done,” he declared.

Governor Ododo highlighted several landmark interventions of the Tinubu administration in Kogi State, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the establishment of a Special Agro-Processing Zone and a Free Trade Zone, the rehabilitation of critical federal roads, improved security support, and increased resources for sub-national development. He described the President as a leader committed to equitable development across the country and called on the electorate not to succumb to intimidation or political deception. “Don’t be intimidated. On August 15, go out, cast your vote for the APC, let your vote count, and show Mr. President our appreciation for his unwavering support to our people,” Governor Ododo charged.

Addressing the Large Crowd of Igala Community in Oshogbo at the rally, the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, passionately called on all Igala sons and daughters resident in Osun State to deliver overwhelming votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 gubernatorial election.

Dr. Ocholi described himself as a living beneficiary of the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that his appointment to the TETFund Board was a testament to the President’s inclusive style of governance and commitment to rewarding competence across the country.

He stressed that the Igala Kingdom has recorded significant gains under the APC-led Federal Government and urged the community to reciprocate the goodwill by voting massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 Presidential Election and all APC candidates. According to him, supporting Oyebamiji and Bola Tinubu is not only a vote for continuity and progressive governance but also a demonstration of gratitude for the numerous opportunities and benefits the current administration has extended to the Igala people.

The event was attended by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and other top APC leaders, who reaffirmed the party’s determination to secure victory at the polls.

The rally attracted a massive turnout of APC faithful, Kogi indigenes, market women, youth groups and other non-indigene communities, all of whom declared their readiness to deliver overwhelming votes for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 governorship election.

Continue Reading

Politics

NDC Youths Endorse Former ESUT Pro-Chancellor, Ohaa, for Enugu 2027 Guber Race

Published

on

Share

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing in Enugu State has unanimously endorsed the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during the maiden executive meeting of the NDC Youth Wing held in Enugu on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Youth Coordinator, Mr Jideofor Ude, described Ohaa as an “astute public servant” who had served in various capacities in the state and the country.

According to him, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa served as Accountant General of Enugu State, FCT Permanent Secretary and Pro-Chancellor,  Enugu State University of Science and Technology among other positions.

He called on members to unite behind all candidates fielded by the party, with particular emphasis on Ohaa’s governorship bid.

The meeting was attended by the NDC State Chairman, Mr Ibuchukwu Obetta, and the 17 Local Government Coordinators of the Youth Wing.

Ude expressed appreciation to Obetta for what he described as his strategic leadership and commitment to the growth of the party in the state.

Ude assured the chairman of the youth wing’s commitment to working with the party leadership to advance its objectives and strengthen its grassroots structures across the state.

Outlining the youth’s plans for the election cycle, the coordinator said that activities would commence in earnest in line with the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ude urged all NDC candidates in the state to collaborate with the Youth Wing in driving grassroots mobilisation and youth participation in the electoral process.

The youth coordinator charged the 17 Local Government Coordinators to be proactive in implementing party programmes at the grassroots to ensure effective youth representation.

Ude further encouraged members to submit ideas and policy contributions ahead of the forthcoming NDC Youth Leadership Summit, where the Youth Wing was expected to unveil key programmes and initiatives for the 2027 elections.

In his remarks, the state chairman, Obetta, commended the youth wing for its dedication and proactive approach to party affairs, pledging continued support for its activities and growth.

He also addressed the ongoing leadership dispute within the state chapter, saying he was pursuing all legal avenues to resolve the matter.

Obetta maintained that he remained the duly recognised State Chairman by the NDC national body and urged members of the youth wing to remain focused and avoid distractions as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

The meeting also featured the presentation of appointment letters to the Local Government Coordinators.

Continue Reading

News

Ex-Tinubu Aide Denies Breaching APC Primary Rules, Says He Resigned Before Contest

Published

on

Share

 

 

 

 

Former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarewaju, has denied allegations that he failed to resign his appointment before contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat.

 

 

 

Olarewaju, who won the party’s primary in May, said he resigned from his position effective March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective offices.

 

 

 

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti by his media office and signed by Moses Owoyemi.

 

 

 

The statement described reports alleging that the former presidential aide breached constitutional and party regulations by participating in the primary election without resigning as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts.”

 

 

 

According to the statement, Olarewaju fully complied with all constitutional, legal and party requirements before contesting the primary election.

 

 

“His resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office. It is incorrect and misleading to suggest that Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not amount to evidence,” the statement said.

 

 

The media office added that the resignation was a matter of public record and could be independently verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and published media reports.

 

 

It also dismissed claims that Olarewaju circumvented due process, describing him as a public servant whose career has been marked by integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the law.

 

 

The statement attributed his victory at the APC primary to years of grassroots mobilisation, accessibility and commitment to the people, saying the exercise was conducted transparently and in line with the party’s guidelines.

 

 

It said accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas freely elected Olarewaju as the party’s candidate and commended party leaders, delegates and members for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.

 

 

The media office also applauded other aspirants for accepting the outcome of the primary in the interest of party unity.

 

 

It said Olarewaju remained committed to fostering unity within the APC and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general election, urging members of the public to disregard claims not backed by verifiable evidence.

 

 

 

While acknowledging that post-election grievances were common in politics, the statement advised aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to seek redress through the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms or appropriate legal channels rather than the media

Continue Reading