Indications have emerged that the cold war between the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and his political godfather, James Ibori, almost denied the governor the chance of emerging as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. Saturday PUNCH gathered that Ibori, an ally of Atiku, initially kicked against the choice of Okowa, owing to the disagreement between them over the PDP governorship primary in the state. In the primary, Ibori’s candidate, David Edevbie, scored 113 votes and lost to Okowa’s candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, who scored 590 votes. Oborevwori is the Speaker of the state House of Assembly. The development was said to have angered Ibori, who felt betrayed by Okowa’s opposition to his preferred choice as his successor. The former governor had while in the prison in the United Kingdom directed his supporters to ensure Okowa emerged as the party’s candidate and that he won the main election. He won the election, defeating Tony Obuh, the choice of then governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan. Findings showed that Ibori felt slighted with the way Okowa behaved and was of the opinion that the governor, whom he helped to power, was out to humiliate him. How Ayu, others helped Okowa’s emergence A member of the party’s Board of Trustees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however told Saturday PUNCH that indeed Ibori was opposed to Okowa becoming the running mate and could leverage his relationship with Atiku to frustrate his emergence, especially when there were other options he could choose from. The BoT member said it took the intervention of some party chieftains who spoke to Ibori to let go, paving the way for Okowa to emerge. “It was against that backdrop that the likes of the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; a former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, and some members of the party stepped in and spoke with Ibori. “A former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and some members of the BoT and National Executive Committee were involved in the process.” Another source noted that the names of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Okowa were presented by the party’s advisory committee to the screening party but Atiku chose Okowa as his choice. The source said on Friday, “I can confirm to you that Okowa was recommended by the chairman (Ayu), Sule Lamido and Babangida Aliyu. Well, you can’t say that the candidate himself did not have his choice even before telling the party stakeholders to choose for him but the truth is that the chairman and those two stakeholders also recommended governor Okowa.” An aide to Umar Damagum, the chairman of the advisory committee, also confided in our correspondent, “The advisory committee submitted three names to the presidential candidate to choose from, and in his own capacity as the candidate of the party he chose Okowa, not because he is more qualified than others on the list, but that was his choice.” Meanwhile, asked what Ibori and Okowa said concerning the cause of their rift, one of the sources privy to the meeting said, “Okowa said Ibori did not call him to inform him about his candidate and Ibori said the same thing. I think it was a communication gap between them.” It was learnt that the emergence of Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, as the party’s candidate for the Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, was a way of pacifying the former governor. Source: Punch

  The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the ongoing governorship election in Ikere and Emure Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to results announced at the LGA collation centre in Ikere, Abiodun Oyebanji of the APC polled 12,086 votes, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Bisi Kolawole, who garnered 3,789 votes, while Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), came a distant third with 1934 votes. In Emure, Oyebanji polled 7,728 votes, while Oni trailed with 3,445 votes, followed by Kolawole with 2,610 votes. More to follow…..

  Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC Femi Fani Kayode has reiterated that he will do everything within his capabilities to rally support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party. He said, “I will support them with every fiber of my being. It is as simple as that. I make my choices and you can make yours after which we meet in the field.”   Fani-Kayode, who made the assertion in a thread of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, said he will not back down on his support for Tinubu. He said regardless of what might have transpired in the past, the fact Tinubu is now the democratically-elected and legitimate candidate of the party to which he belongs is more imperative than events of the past. The former Minister said, “For those who believe that I should not support Jagaban today simply because of what I said about him in the past I say grow up and hear me out. “Do you really expect me to turn my back on my party simply because he is our flag bearer? Do you expect me to fold my hands, remain silent and say nothing whilst you try to take him and our party to the cleaners and stop us from winning power at the center? Is that how politics works? He said, “In spite of your malevolent disposition, be rest assured that we will still do our best to help you and give you a better quality of life. That is why we are in politics and that is what civilized people, serious politicians and real men always do. “We pity and forgive the underdog and the most undeserving and we open our arms and show mercy even to the cruel when they see the light. End of story. Have a great day! (FFK).” he added. He further said, “This much I assure you because I do not shy away from such things especially when it comes to matters touching and concerning my faith. However if they field a Muslim/Christian ticket or a Muslim/Muslim ticket.” Accordigng to the APC chieftain, a Muslim Vice President that is reasonable, moderate and trustworthy will protect the Christians and national interest. “I don’t care what choices you make so why should you care about mine? In any case if I am so inconsequential why should it bother you who I support & why do you keep coming to my wall & commenting on my opinions? “Why should I continue to be an integral part of your strange complicated little universe? Am I the only fmr Minister or former public office holder in politics? I left public office in 2007, which is 15 years ago, yet you still wait on every word I utter and watch everything I do and say. You want to know what I wear, what I eat,” he added.

  The presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has revealed that his camp is in talks with Peter Obi and members of the Labour Party over a possible alliance. There have been speculations of a “third force” to challenge the APC-PDP duopoly and Kwankwaso and Obi are reportedly exploring the possibility of creating an alliance in the 2023 elections. Speaking in an interview on BBC Hausa, the former governor of Kano state said family and well wishers were optimistic about the grand alliance. “We are really talking to Peter Obi, or at least saying that the committee is working to look into the matter (and cooperate with him), and friends and family are coming to talk to us about it, ” he said. “Merging with the Labour Party is very significant at this critical moment especially looking at the fact that both PDP and APC Presidential candidates did not pick their running mates from the South-East.” Similarly, the official handle of the NNPP conformed to the discussion between both parties on Saturday via its Twitter handle. “We wish to inform Nigerians that, our discussions with Peter Obi and the Labour Party are still ongoing. The special committee was set to discuss arrangements,” it read. “We hope for good results that will give Nigeria a chance to be alive, once again.”

  Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says at no time did he attack the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, asking the public to discountenance such reports as the work of mischief-makers, who deliberately twisted his innocuous statement out of context. Ekweremadu said he had no reason whatsoever to attack Obi’s ambition, noting that they enjoyed good relationship as brothers and friends, who were both entitled to their political opinions and pursuits. He was reacting to a news story, which he said that Ndigbo “would never vote for Peter Obi”, describing it as political mischief. He said: “My attention has been drawn to the work of mischief makers, who claimed that I attacked my friend and brother, Mr. Peter Obi, over his presidential ambition. This is far from the truth, as there was no reason to do so in the first place. We are both adults and entitled to our respective political pursuits and inclinations. “I have also read a statement by one Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, gloating over the unfortunate attack on my person when I spent several days in Germany a few years ago at my personal cost to meet with several foreign investors for the betterment of Igboland at the invitation of Ndigbo in Germany and with the full knowledge of several Igbo Governors and leaders. “I have also read his wild insinuations and misrepresentations of my person over my political dispositions, when in actual sense I have stuck out my neck in defence of Igbo interest on a good number of occasions. “Where was he when in 2007 I led South East Senators to negotiate the release of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike from detention? “Where was he when I took the necessary steps, including galvernising the South East Senate Caucus and notable Ndigbo to see to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu? “Where was he was when I was the only Igbo man to do an open and well-publicised letter, “Rising Tension in the South East: Re: Appeal to Call Off Operation Egwu Eke”, dated 14th September 2017, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to end the Python Dance after my quiet interventions failed? “Where was he when I galvernised the South East Caucus of the National Assembly yet again towards finding political solution to the current incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and also led some Igbo leaders, including former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; and Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, to meet with him in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) in January 2022? “I urge Ndigbo and Nigerians to be very discerning and reticent in political seasons like this when many are out to do mischief and make political capital out of every situation at all cost”. Ekweremadu, however, said he was happy that most Ndigbo and leaders appreciate his quiet efforts, adding that he would never be discouraged by the ingratitude and mischief of a few.

  Ladipo Johnson, a lawyer, has been named as the running mate to Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). An official of the party, who didn’t want to be named, confirmed the development on Saturday. According to the party official, Johnson is “standing in” as the party’s vice-presidential candidate and his name has been submitted to the Independent National ELectoral Commission (INEC) in order to meet up with the June 17 deadline for submission of candidates’ names for the 2023 elections. “Barrister Ladipo Johnson is standing in as our vice-presidential candidate and his name has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the official said.   The development comes hours after Doyin Okupe, who was named as the “placeholder” vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party (NNPP), said talks were ongoing between his party and the NNPP on forming a coalition for the 2023 elections. “Our idea and reasoning is to bring together in this country, for the first time, the largest political coalition possible because we are facing two political giants — APC and PDP. We are serious about upstaging them and we will,” he had said. Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, the NNPP had confirmed that talks were ongoing on the coalition.   “We wish to inform Nigerians that, our discussions with Peter Obi and the Labour Party are still ongoing. Special committee was set to discuss arrangements. We hope for good results that will give Nigeria a chance to be alive, once again,” the party had said.

  The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, described the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as a “true leader” and friend who demonstrated a “sense of purpose, composure, and maturity” in the weeks leading to the presidential primary elections of the party. In a letter to the President, which he personally signed, Tinubu cited Buhari’s decision to leave the contest open to all the 23 presidential aspirants saying, “You belonged to everybody in the party and you belonged to none of the individual aspirants of the party.” According to him, while all the contestants expected the President to “choose” his successor, he simply allowed a level playing field. Tinubu also congratulated Buhari for the successful conclusion of the Convention and assured him of an issue-focused campaign leading to the 2023 general elections. The letter read in part, “Dear Mr President, I bring you sincere fraternal greetings and congratulations on the successful conclusion of the special Presidential Convention of our great party, the All Progressives Congress. “On behalf of my wife, Oluremi, and my entire family, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the very special and personal congratulatory letter you sent to me. I am deeply honored. Your words in that letter were reassuring, reenergizing, and reinvigorating. “Your Excellency, one must admire the sense of purpose, composure, and maturity you demonstrated in the weeks and months preceding the primary elections of our great party. As aspirants and party leaders, we all pleaded with you to “choose” your successor. Naturally, this is expected especially in African democracy. Up until June 6, 2022, the day of the APC Presidential primaries, the whole of Nigeria, including myself, was waiting for you to announce your preferred candidate. All of us thought and believed this was a very simple matter.” The former Lagos State Governor noted that it was only as the primary wore into the night and as the candidates spoke that he fully appreciated President’s Buhair’s position to be “neutral and non-aligned to any of us.” “As the hours rolled by that evening, it became clear to me that all of us were your preferred candidates. As you captured it aptly in your letter to me, the “spirit” of 2013 and 2014 when we created and built APC was there for all to see. “One by one, I saw my colleagues and partners stand on the podium, full of the same passion and patriotic zeal they had in 2013/2014, presenting their ideas on how to build on your successful legacy. Back then, as it is now, we were from all parts of the country, all tribes, and all religions. We all had deep personal and strong bonds with you. We were together back then and our bonds remained strong up till now. “Mr. President, as the night of June 6 turned to the morning of June 7, I fully understood and appreciated your stance. ‘You belonged to everybody in the party and you belonged to none of the individual candidates of the party.’ A true leader, brother and friend,” he said. He noted that his emergence was only possible through the support of the President, the delegates, party leaders, members of the Progressive Governors Forum, National Assembly leaders and members and most of the 2022 APC presidential aspirants. “I will forever be grateful to them for shaping my political journey over the decades. I want to assure you that I will continue to work with them going forward. My emergence as a candidate is also a victory for them,” he added. Referencing the President’s Democracy Day speech, Tinubu pledged to run an issue-focused campaign ahead of the general elections. He promised to “personally engage the candidates from other political parties to urge them to do the same,” and to ensure that “Voters should elect us based on our policies, programmers, and projects.” “As candidates,” he said, “we will avoid having divisive, destructive and disruptive campaigns.” Tinubu thanked Buhari for his support, promising to “build on the foundations of transparency and integrity which you have laid.”