Following the controversy trailing the succession plan to the Olubadan throne, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said yesterday that Ibadan traditional institution must revert to its original concept. He said this is the last time there will be controversy regarding who should be installed as the Olubadan. Makinde promised to uphold the stand point of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on the review of the chieftaincy laws as carried out by the former administration. It is in the public domain that the late Oba Adetunji publicly expressed dissatisfaction at the review when it was proposed and executed by the late ex-governor Abiola Ajimobi administration. Advertisement – Makinde spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the wife and family of the late Olubadan, Olori Rashidat Adetunji, at the Popoyemoja Palace, Ibadan. He hailed the late Olubadan for his forthrightness and for standing to speak truth to power during his reign, noting that history would not forget him.

Gov Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi’s declaration of interest in the 2023 presidential race was a demonstration of his democratic right. Okezie who was responding to Gov. Umahi’s declaration said every Nigerian who possesses the requisite qualifications, had right to aspire for any political office of ones choice. Gov. Ikpeazu who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, wished Umahi well in his new political ambition. His words: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu believes that every Nigerian who is qualified has a right to run for any office in the country, including the Presidency. Governor Umahi has exercised his democratic right.”

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has given further insight into his Presidential ambition. Umahi who had declared his intentions earlier on Tuesday said he believes he has the capacity to replicate at the national level, the successes in his state. “I feel within me that the country is passing through a phase and I believe strongly that the miracles that God helped us to do in Ebonyi State by the reason of all the successes we made in all the economic indices and all our programmes, that if given the opportunity, we can replicate it at the national level,” the governor said on Channels Television’s Politics Today when asked why he wants to succeed the President. Beyond that, he explained that his closeness with President Buhari given him a clear understanding of the President’s intentions and goodwill for the country and he intends to continue from where he stops come 2023. “This is my conviction and that we can also build from where Mr President would stop. I am also close to Mr President, I know his heartbeat for the country and I know what he desires for this country so I think that I understand his programmes and his policies and his integrity, coupled with what we have done in Ebonyi State and it can add and help the country,” Umahi said. He added that he intends to bring a business-like spirit into governance. Umahi, who doubles as Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, is also canvassing for a political solution to the insecurity problems in the region. He believes that if the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is willing and open to engagement, peace will return to the South East. The governor’s declaration comes about 24 hours after former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also indicated an interest in the race. Likewise, former Abia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, has also declared his intentions to run for president. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Senator Kalu said while he has nothing against the aspiration of Mr Tinubu, he believes that the SouthEast is ripe for the Presidency and that it should be the turn of the region to produce the next President. According to him, he is fit not only physically, but financially, to become the next president.

Former Abia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, on Tuesday said he is ready to contest the All Progressives Congress Presidential ticket with Former Governor of Lagos State, Mister Bola Tinubu if the party zones it to the South. Speaking with reporters, Senator Kalu said while he has nothing against the aspiration of Mr Tinubu, he believes that the SouthEast is ripe for the Presidency and that it should be the turn of the region to produce the next President. Mr Tinubu had on Monday declared his ambition to become Nigeria’s next President. The current Governor of Ebonyi State Dave Umahi on Tuesday also declared his interest to run for the nation’s top post in 2023. What Mr Orji said “I do not see Tinubu’s aspiration having any effect on the President of Nigeria coming from the Igbo area. Because we are talking based on what Nigeria should be. We are talking based on what people should believe. Obasanjo has been President for eight years. Osinbajo is doing eight years as Vice President. And no Igbo man since independence has been a democratically elected President. So it is always good to think of what is reasonable and what will be more sellable. “I’m the most prepared Presidential candidate in Nigeria. I’m capable healthwise, I’m capable as a person, I’m capable in my pocket. I’m capable to face anybody. But the party is supreme. I only wait for APC as a party. “For me, contesting for President is not the issue. The issue is who is going to lead the country into an economic miracle, into a turnaround. I’m not against Tinubu. If it’s zoned to his area and the party said he should go. Well, the party is supreme. I’m only waiting for the party.”