Politics
Macron proposes France nuclear shield extension, Ukraine troop deployment

Published
2 weeks agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
The French president addressed the nation amid concerns over Trump’s upending of US-Europe ties
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced he would discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European partners and raised the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, as Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s upending of the transatlantic alliance.
In an address to the nation, Macron said that the French were “legitimately worried” about the start of a “new era” after Trump began his second stint in the White House by reversing US policy on Ukraine and risking a historic rupture with Europe.
“I want to believe that the United States will stay by our side but we have to be prepared for that not to be the case,” he said bluntly.
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Trump has made clear his desire to swiftly end the war caused by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine through direct negotiations with Moscow.
But Macron offered a stark picture of Russia’s aggressive behaviour, which he said does “not seem to know borders” after its invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia has become, at the moment I am speaking to you and for the years to come, a threat to France and Europe,” he said. “It would be madness to remain a spectator in this world of danger.”
“Who can believe that this Russia of today will stop at Ukraine?” he asked. “Russia has become a threat for France and Europe.”
But he warned Trump that “peace cannot be agreed at any cost” and there cannot be a ceasefire that is “too fragile”.
Ahead of an EU summit Thursday on rearming the continent, he stressed the need for “new budget choices and extra investments” to boost defence spending in France.
Meanwhile, Macron said he would open a debate on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to other European nations, following a “historic” call from likely next German chancellor Friedrich Merz on extending that umbrella of protection.
“I have decided to open up the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our nuclear deterrent,” he said, while adding that any decision on nuclear weapons use would remain with the French head of state.
He also reaffirmed that European military forces could be sent to Ukraine if a peace accord was signed to ensure that Russia does not invade its neighbour again.
A peace agreement for Ukraine would be backed “perhaps, by the deployment of European forces”, Macron said.
“They won’t go to fight today, they won’t go to fight on the front line, but they would be there once a peace deal is signed, to guarantee it is fully respected,” he said.
He added European chiefs of staff would meet in Paris next week to discuss how to support Ukraine after a peace deal.
Both Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer held separate talks with Trump in Washington last week, followed by Zelensky who was subjected to an excruciating public dressing-down by Trump and his US Vice-President J.D. Vance.
But Zelensky appears to be seeking to lower the temperature after Friday’s White House bust-up with Trump where the US president accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting peace and “gambling with World War III”.
Zelensky on Tuesday called for a “truce” in the sea and sky as a first step to ending the three-year war with Russia, echoing an idea evoked by Macron at talks in London hosted by Starmer at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Macron is mulling a joint visit to Washington alongside Zelensky and Starmer, the French government spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Sophie Primas did not give dates for such a visit, which she said could take place in the “short term”.
The presidency then sought to dampen expectations saying no new visit by Macron to Washington was being considered “at this stage”.
In the initial phase following the February 2022 Russian invasion, Macron repeatedly held telephone talks with President Vladimir Putin. But their last such contact dates back to September 2022.
Coincidentally, Macron after his address met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Elysee. Orban is an admirer not just of Trump but also Putin, and has repeatedly broken a united EU front on Ukraine.
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Politics
2027: I’ll support anyone willing to leave office after four years – Kenneth Okonkwo

Published
5 hours agoon
March 16, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
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.
Politics
Anambra South needs increased funding for infrastructure, quality education, healthcare – Amamgbo

Published
6 hours agoon
March 16, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
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.
Politics
BREAKING NEWS: Senators and former ministers of Buhari are preparing to move from APC to SDP.

Published
12 hours agoon
March 16, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
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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2027: I’ll support anyone willing to leave office after four years – Kenneth Okonkwo

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