Politics
2023: CIAN urges Nigerian electorate to transform to be change agents’

**Politicians have lost conscience, no place for fairness, equity says Okwadike
The Nigerian electorate must assume responsibilities in their quest for good governance by transforming to be the change they want to see, director of Information and strategy, Citizens International Accountability Network (CIAN) Dr. Cadyfidel Onwuraokoye has charged.
He spoke during a keynote address presented at the unveiling of the book, ‘Nigeria’s Next President’ on Friday in Abuja at the Nicon Luxury Hotel.
He said to achieve the desired participatory change in the polity, Nigerian electorates must first see themselves as critical partners in reordering the faulty leadership recruitment process; and not just as spectators, or passive partners, but as active compatriot who will be conscious about their votes, and the inherent power that lies in their vote to make a change.
“They should not compromise the voting power for ephemeral economic gains popularly called “stomach infrastructure’’. “Nigerians must believe in themselves, they must believe in their sovereign voting power, and trust the electoral process.
“We must not continue to cast aspersion on the electoral process, and with the negative mindset that election will be rigged and greeted with malpractices.”
According to him, going by the turn of events, as it is presently with the country, Nigerians can’t afford to be indifferent. “Nobody can afford to sit at home, having past time or sleeping, while elections are ongoing. We must be as vigilant as ever.
“CIAN implore the whole populace to come out en-mass to vote and defend their votes, because from what we have seen, elections have consequences”
He said Nigerians need to urgently wake up from their slumber!
“For too long, we have yearned for a better tomorrow, better country and mourned a better yesterday, hoping that one day things will change and get better. “But rather, we are being confronted with new woes that demand Nigerians in their collective effort to rise up and do something.
“If we refuse or become reluctant to do something or behaved like conquered people, nothing will change! Life can never give us what we want or desire without a fight. Remember, a people deserve the kind of leadership they get at a period m time.”
According to him, “Europe and other nations of the world we love to make reference to, or enviably talked about and currently rushing to migrate to, did not emerge on mere hope and passivity, but on visionary and constant struggles, with people standing up to fight for their rights.”
“As the saying goes “when evil reigns in a nation, it means that men of honor and good conscience have not spoken” For as long as the citizens and the civil society are docile, dubious and desperate politician’s codenamed “mandate stealers” will continue to have a field day.”
He however indicated that, the empowerment resource materials which he was going to give out are not not intended to criticize any political party, politician, past or present leadership,but to reveal and draw attention to the basis for voting, issues to look out for, and the expectations of ‘Nigerians from a potential “Nigeria Next President”. He canvassed for the support of all and sundry so that the Novel project would be a success
“Out of our passion for this civic responsibility “the Next President, which is currently being translated to Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik and Pidgin English shall be given free of charge to about 20 million Nigerians ahead of 2023 general elections.
“The print will also be converted to audio mp3s in such simplicity that an ordinary uneducated and uninformed mind can comprehend.”
He asked that everybody joins forces together to wake the silent and sleeping giants of passive Nigerian voters from slumber.
Former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife who was the father of the day at the event said the book’Nigeria’s next President’ is coming at the right time saying Nigeria’s president is the hottest issue in Nigeria today.
He said, “The problem we have is that God loves Nigeria greatly but man is messing up the country. We must pray for God to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria for the country to brace up. “We don’t want Nigeria to brake up. We pray for one Nigeria, but people must show conscience.
Politicians have lost conscience. I am one of the politicians, they have no place for fairness, no place for justice, no place for equity and you know with that kind of a thing you cannot have a good country
“The manifest destiny of Nigeria is to developed into a super power and raise the respect and dignity of all blacks on earth and our children are beginning to do that.
Politics
Obi did received N850m from Abure, Tanko clarifies

***describes claim as malicious
The Obi – Datti Chief Spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko has clarriffied insinuation by one Mr Calistus Okafofor that the National Chairman of Labour Party Barrester Julius Abure, gave the Presidential Candidate of the party, Peter Obi eight hundred and fifty million Naira, (N850million) to prosecute the 2023 election.
Dr Tanko while debunking the clai said Obi did not collect any funds from the party describing the claim as false, adding that the reverse is the case.
He noted that it was Obi who actually gave money to the party severally.
He challenged Okafor to produce evidence, if actually the chairman told him that he gave Obi money for the purpose of campaign during the election.
“His Exellency has been exemplary in his financial conduct in both his private and public life.
“infact he always matain and always demand for Accountability and Transparency from anybody around
him.
He maintaned that anybody around him should not collect any money from anyone that he or she can not account for.
Dr Tanko declared that he was in the forefront of the campaign and privy to most of the expenses during the campaign and to the best of his knowledge, the party never provided any money directly to Obi to support his campaign rallies across the country.
The Campaign spokesman further stressed that Obi and his supporters were quite aware of all the campaign of calumny being orchestrated of recent from various quarters against the LP leader just to paint him in bad faith by those scared of his rising acceptance by the Nigerian people.
“We are aware that people are already scheming for 2027 and it is unfortunate that certain individuals have chosen to divert attention from the high rate of insecurity and poverty that are currently threatening the very existence of our nation by constantly attacking the personality of Peter Obi.
“Those are the enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians but l know that God will disappoint them and rescue our country from their grips whether they believe it or not’.
Politics
Ondo 2024: Over 250 political structures join forces with Omoluabi Coalition Group

Some political groups and structures of governorship aspirants in Ondo State numbering over 250 have joined forces with the Omoluabi Coalition Group ahead of November Governorship elections in Ondo State.
This took place on Monday 27th of May 2024 at an expanded Exco’ meeting held in Ore, where the President of the Yoruba Council- YCW; the apex umbrella body for all Yoruba socio cultural groups Aare Barr. Oladotun Hassan received the groups executives from all the 18 local governments across the sunshine state.
Aare Hassan in his welcome address admonished them to remain steadfast, and always imbibe Omoluabi ethos in their conducts.
He stressed the need for the remaining political structures in the state to join forces with Omoluabi Coalition to decide who will govern the State for the next four years, as this governorship election “is not about political party but the candidates”.
The DG Omoluabi Coalition Group Tunji Balogun emphasized the importance of voters card, as he urged those yet to collect theirs to go to INEC offices in their respective local governments for collections.
He said the groups’ target across the state is 200,000 votes. whereas the compilation of registered voters cards at the moment is still 124,678 which is far below target.
He therefore mandated the new members to register their voters cards on the group’s portal for proper documentation.
The woman leader, Yeye Atunluse Oodua Alhaja Tawakalitu while welcoming the new affiliated groups explained that Omoluabi Coalition Group is an independent apolitical and sociocultural group in Yoruba land committed to good governance, aimed at strengthening the democratic process.
She also gave her admonition and assurances that come November governorship election in Ondo state, the choice of Omoluabi Coalition would emerged as governor.
Other speakers included the youth leaders, and state commanders who also corroborated the statements earlier made by the group leaders.
In his closing remarks, the DG Omoluabi coalition advised all members to remain focused and loyal, stressing that the leaders are in consultation with leaders of thought and stakeholders in the State with assurances that “we shall come up with the right choice in the interest of our dear state”.
Omoluabi souvenirs were freely distributed to new members, while the inauguration of streets captains in all 203 wards would come up at a later date.
Politics
I withdrew suit against APC, Aiyedatiwa after Tinubu’s intervention, says Jimoh Ibrahim

The Senator Jimoh Ibrahim representing Ondo South said he has withdrawn his suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa after President Bola Tinubu intervened.
Senator Ibrahim had dragged the APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the State Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the party before the Federal High Court Abuja where he challenged the gubernatorial primary election of the APC held recently in Ondo state.
Ibrahim had alleged that there was no voting in his Senatorial district and a larger part of the State.
Following the suit, the executives of the APC in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, suspended Ibrahim from the party over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
However, Ibrahim at a briefing at the Senate on Tuesday, said he withdrew the suit in deference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who waded in the issue.
Ibrahim in his statement in Abuja titled: “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No.
FHC /ABJ/ CS/588/2024,”said: “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and i will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.
“The Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.
“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue am fighting for is not personal.
“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!
“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr. President.
“The withdrawal of this legendary suit coincides with the first anniversary of Mr. President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the ‘cake’ of the first anniversary”
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