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2027: We’ll align with coalition that guarantees South-East automatic presidential ticket – Ohanaeze

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The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said it will align with any political coalition that guarantees an automatic 2027 presidential ticket to a candidate of Igbo extraction, accompanied by a Northern running mate.

Ohanaeze made it clear that any other realignment outside this framework is doomed to failure.

This was contained in a joint statement issued on Tuesday by Ohanaeze’s factional Deputy President-General, Okechukwu Isigozoro, and Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia, and made available to Ekwutosblog.

 

Ohanaeze was reacting to the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The statement read: “In light of his past governance and the consequential suffering experienced by the Igbo and Christian communities during his administration, we resolutely characterize El-Rufai as a political leper and a liability to any party he aligns himself with, particularly the SDP.

According to Ohanaeze, “During his tenure as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023, El-Rufai presided over an administration that was fraught with serious allegations of violence and persecution directed against Igbos and the Christian populace of Southern Kaduna.

“The scars of traumatic experiences endured by these communities should not be overlooked. It is only appropriate that El-Rufai seeks public absolution by issuing a formal apology to the Nigerian people, as well as to Christian leaders and the affected communities, for his failure to protect their lives and livelihoods amid escalating violence.

“His lack of accountability during those turbulent years underscores a disqualifying flaw in his leadership, which must be addressed before any claim to legitimacy can be made.

“Moreover, El-Rufai must publicly renounce his prior declarations made in 2023, wherein he contended that the impetus for the Muslim-Muslim 2023 APC presidential ticket was rooted in a design for Islamic political supremacy in Nigeria.

“We demand clarity on his role and responsibility for the tragic deaths and insecurity that plagued Kaduna State under his watch.

“Until he furnishes a detailed account and a transparent admission of his failures, El-Rufai will remain perceived as a political leper—one whose presence in any political domain jeopardizes its integrity and viability.

“While Ohanaeze Ndigbo has observed the coalition of opposition leaders mobilizing around the SDP in anticipation of the 2027 elections, we must emphatically voice our position without ambiguity:

“Unless this coalition provides an automatic 2027 SDP presidential ticket to a candidate of Igbo descent and a Christian, accompanied by a Northern running mate, any attempt to realign outside this framework is doomed to failure.

“Should they consider the SDP a Northern party that merely requires South Eastern cooperation to sustain a Northern candidate, let it be known—such a strategy is unequivocally dead on arrival.

“Furthermore, we stand firm in our adherence to the principle of a Southern presidency, consistent with the gentleman’s agreement regarding the rotational leadership arrangement between the North and South.

Highlighting further, Ohanaeze stated that allowing a Northern candidate to serve additional years post-Buhari’s eight-year tenure is simply unacceptable, adding that Nigerians will categorically reject any maneuver that seeks to subvert the Southern presidency until 2031.

Reminding El-Rufai that his path to redemption lies in authentic reconciliation with the historical wounds he has caused, the group stated that his political future hinges on his willingness to engage sincerely with the injustices that have marked his political legacy, noting that until such a time, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will not engage with any political party that associates with El-Rufai.

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Politics

2027: I’ll support anyone willing to leave office after four years – Kenneth Okonkwo

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March 16, 2025

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Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said he would support either a southerner or a northerner willing to vacate office after a single four-year term.

Okonkwo stated this on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, amid discussions about a coalition ahead of the 2027 election.

The Nollywood star-turned-politician based his decision on equity and fairness between the northern and southern regions of the country, in line with the unwritten rule of rotational presidency.

“Everybody should come together. It is something that can be discussed. Who is going to do four years will influence who I am going to support because I still believe in equity and justice,” he said.

Okonkwo, who resigned from the Labour Party in February, said he was open to joining a coalition aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next election.

Ekwutosblog reports that talks of a coalition have been gaining momentum, further fuelled by the recent defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from APC to the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

 

The lawyer described the APC government as incompetent, insisting that the opposition must form a strong alliance to wrest power from the incumbent administration in the next election.

“My game plan is simple. If the opposition is serious about taking power from this incompetent government, they must unite and act as one because that was exactly what the APC did in 2013, which helped them win in 2015.

“I believe in coalition. When I was leaving, I said I was open to discussions with every group to consolidate the opposition so that we can remove this government,” he said.

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Anambra South needs increased funding for infrastructure, quality education, healthcare – Amamgbo

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March 16, 2025

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A Labour Party aspirant for the Anambra South Senatorial by-election for the replacement of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Donald Amamgbo has identified some of the needs of the zone, saying if given the opportunity to represent the zone, he will champion it.

Amamgbo, a respected legal practitioner and a player in the oil and gas sector, in a press release said his interest to represent his people in the Senate was to ensure development in the zone.

He said he will champion calls for increased funding for infrastructure development, maintenance and improved access to quality education and healthcare if elected into the red chambers.

He said, “My aspiration is anchored on my desire to provide quality representation and attracting meaningful projects that would better the lot of my people.

“My legislative agenda is all about listening to the concerns of constituents and representing their interest in the National Assembly, while collaborating with stakeholders to drive development and growth in Anambra South to ensure transparency, accountability and promoting the principles of democracy in Nigeria.

“My senatorial bid is built on a promise to deliver effective representation and champion the interests of Anambra South senatorial district. My vision is centred on key legislative priorities for economic empowerment, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security and peace in Anambra South as well as the entire state.

“My approach to leadership is anchored in practical solutions and a people-first mentality. I will prioritize development, accountability, and compassion, offering a fresh perspective on service delivery. With my extensive experience in law, business, and humanitarian work, I am a force for positive change,” he stressed.

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BREAKING NEWS: Senators and former ministers of Buhari are preparing to move from APC to SDP.

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March 16, 2025

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Strong signs that some of the former president Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers will turn to the Social Democratic Party altogether.

A senator in the ninth house of assembly, who talked with PUNCH newspaper on Saturday and asked for his name to be renamed, said at least 10 former members of Buhari are planning to return to SDP.

“What they are waiting for is the complete rule of the party in their states,” the sources said.

Our representatives have gathered that the top obedient to President Buhari’s next year include the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress National, Abdullahi Adamu; Former Federal Lawyer and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and former Senate Chairman, Ahmed Lawan.

El-Rufa’i has started taking action
One of Buhari’s loyalist and former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday transferred to SDP party, where he expressed the disagreement between him and the APC party as the first reason for making this decision.

 

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