Connect with us

Politics

Edo 2024: APC Have Being Vindicated – Peter Uwadiae

Published

on

Edo 2024: APC Have Being Vindicated - Peter Uwadiae By Elvis Omoregie

Edo 2024: APC Have Being Vindicated – Peter Uwadiae

By Elvis Omoregie

 

 

 

Ahead of the much talked about Edo 2024 Governorship Election billed to hold September 21th 2024, there have been series of political activities in Edo State including the recent declaration by the deputy governor of the Comrade Philip Shaibu, “against all odds”, to contest the forthcoming election.

 

 

Edo 2024: APC Have Being Vindicated - Peter Uwadiae

By Elvis Omoregie

 

 

As the announcement by the deputy governor continue to elicit reactions couple with his recent interview with journalists in Abuja, where he said: “With the 2024 Edo governorship election fast approaching, the State can not afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the State or the needs of the people.

“Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that do not understand the politics of a good State and the needs of the people.

“You cannot know the need of the people when you don’t live with them. So for me, competence and experience should be the watchword as we go into election in 2024.

“Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one?

“Are we going to experiment with a new person again? And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and he will spend another four years trying to embezzle, set up his businesses in the name of consolidating on the gains of the first term?”

In a swift response, the leading opposition Party in Edo state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its Media Publicity Secretary, Peter Enosoregbe Uwadiae Igbinigie Esq told journalists last week in Benin that the deputy Governor’s comments were only affirmation of the position of the Party about the poor performance of the Obaseki’s led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in Edo in the last 7years.

Here we bring you the full response, and comments on other issues!

We; the APC have been vindicated by the comments of the deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu particularly as it relates to the capacity of the Governor, himself.
From the horses mouth; the deputy Governor has said Edo State cannot afford to experiment again for another eight years.

The import of that statement is that Edo State has been experimenting in the past seven and half years and if someone or any Government is experimenting, it therefore means the best cannot come from an experimentation!

It means that the Governor is still learning or there are lot of things he is learning to do or he ought to do and he did not do.
And governance should not be a learning ground and the APC have consistently maintained that the Governor has fallen short of the capacity which is required to manage a State as complex as Edo.
Looking back, what has the Governor been able to bring to the table? All we have seen in the past seven years; is nothing but obvious distortion of the smooth sail of governance from that glorious era of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to what Edo people desired but which he couldn’t provide.

When Oshiomhole was Governor in Edo, there were whole lot of things he did; in terms of massive infrastructural development, human capital development, social welfare amongst many others.

He gave Edo State a face lift and made us understand the true meaning of dividends of democracy thus laying the foundation of good governance.
Unfortunately after his departure, all these beautiful legacies were pulled down instead of them being improved upon by the Governor.

The Edo library, and Central hospital were demolished, Edo liaison offices in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja were sold out.
Now, private sector driven projects are taking over; all serving as conduit pipe to drain the collective scarce resources of the people.

Can the Governor tell us the State’s equity shares in these investments? We don’t have!

Now, what has happened to the red roof revolution of the Adams Oshiomhole’s era in the education sector?
I watched on television few weeks ago where school children were still lying on the ground to write, no furniture; a true reflection of the state of affairs in our schools against Obaseki’s propaganda of Edobest.

The APC is glad that Edo people have begun to hear the true report of the performance of the Obaseki’s administration from the man who is number two in ranking.
If the next in command can speak in that manner, it shows that Edo State has lost it!
If my deputy say I am experimenting, it shows that he even knows it more than myself.

Now, how has Governor Obaseki impacted on the market women? When he came on board, he promised to eliminate all forms of ticketing and touts but today the situation is worst.
The funny thing is that suppose the money collected is being used for the development of the State, it would have been a different thing.
But these monies are collected and goes into private pockets.
You drain these people, you double tax them, and the resources is not used to better their lives.

Well, we have gotten to that level wherein Edo people have to take the APC seriously.
It is absurd that a Government will be experimenting with the lives of its people and in the PDP today, the news is rife that the Governor also wants to bring a successor who will continue with the experimentation. That is why we hear the deputy Governor shouting and saying that experimentation should not be allowed again.

In any event, APC has become the beautiful bride in Edo; the Party to beat!
We have demonstrated it and we want to sustain that momentum. At the senatorial level first time in the history of politics in Edo, PDP could not even get a senator to represent them at the national Assembly.
Also, at the House of Representatives, out of the total nine available slots; the APC has six, Labour Party has two and PDP only one.

Be that as it may; it is a reflection of the acceptability of the APC in Edo State and beyond that in the State House of Assembly election, the APC has nine out of the 24 seats.

It is a good showing for a political Party that is in the opposition.
And what is again most worrisome, the PDP State secretary has often times condemned the attitude, and methodology of governance of the Obaseki’s administration.
He said the Governor has not done well, and he wants to also impose a candidate on them; an attempt the Party would resist!

Also, Leaders of the PDP are crying that this is the first time since 1999 they have gotten the worst Governor in Obaseki.
Hence they would not want a repeat of this anymore.

The discerning conclusion from that scenario is that if the Governor is allowed to perpetrate his experimentation on Edo people by bringing in someone to take over governance from him, we are going to be in another eight years of doldrum, we are going to be in imprisonment.
So, we have an alternative that will positively change the negative narrative in Edo and that is the APC because experimentation should stop in the State.
Going into 2024, Edo people expect a better approach to governance and Government.

In that respect, the APC will present its best to drive its programs and we can assure that our Party will conduct its primary in the most transparent manner, that will usher in a candidate who will be generally accepted, a man who will represent the common interest of Edo people.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

society

One Voice, One Future: Youth Power for a New Nigeria

Published

on

One Voice, One Future: Youth Power for a New Nigeria

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In the history of nations, there always comes a defining moment when the youth must rise to rescue their future from the grip of complacency, corruption and systemic decay. That moment, for Nigeria, is now. The clarion call is no longer a whisper in the dark, it is a deafening roar echoing across the cities and villages, the streets and campuses and the diaspora. 2027 is not just another election year; it is a generation’s opportunity to reclaim its destiny.

Nigeria, once hailed as the Giant of Africa, is now crawling under the weight of failed leadership, nepotism, economic collapse and insecurity. Over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 35, this is not a mere statistic; it is a superpower waiting to be activated. Yet, for decades, the same recycled leadership has ruled the country like a private estate, while the youth are sidelined, patronized or pacified with empty slogans.

The Reality: A Nation Betrayed
The facts are brutal and undeniable. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as of the fourth quarter of 2024, youth unemployment stood at 42.5%, one of the highest rates globally. Thousands of graduates are turned out yearly into a job market that has nothing to offer them. Our educational institutions are underfunded, with lecturers going on endless strikes, while billions of naira are siphoned into the offshore accounts of corrupt politicians.

The World Bank states that over 40% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, with youth bearing the brunt of the economic despair. The same youth are used during elections as pawns, thugs, online propagandists and cheerleaders for politicians who have never and will never fight for their future.

We must say: “Enough is Enough.”

The Power of Youth: A Sleeping Giant
Across Africa, the story is changing. Youth-led movements are challenging old orders and shaking the foundations of outdated governance systems.

In Uganda, Bobi Wine, a musician turned politician, galvanized millions of youth to challenge President Museveni’s long-standing dictatorship. While he didn’t win the election, he ignited a flame of hope. In Sudan, youth were at the center of the 2019 revolution that ousted the 30-year regime of Omar al-Bashir.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” But as things stand in Nigeria, tomorrow never seems to come, unless we seize it.

In 2020, during the #EndSARS movement, we saw a glimpse of what a united, tech savvy and courageous Nigerian youth can achieve. For once, the world stood still as Nigerian youth organized without a central leadership structure, crowd funded, coordinated logistics, engaged in civic education and peacefully demanded justice. Despite the violent crackdown at Lekki Tollgate, the spirit of resistance lives on.

2027: The Youth Mandate
If we are serious about change, then 2027 must be our electoral revolution. Not through violence, but through strategic mobilization, political education, voter registration and active participation in the democratic process.

Let us be clear: the days of apathy are over. As the African proverb goes, “He who is not part of the solution is part of the problem.”

Youth must no longer be mere spectators or online critics; we must become candidates, campaigners, policy drafters, party leaders, election monitors and political donors. Our demographic power must translate into voting power and our voting power must produce accountable leadership.

According to INEC, less than 35% of youth eligible to vote actually did so in the 2023 elections. This is a travesty. With over 90 million Nigerians under 40, if even 50% of us vote smartly and strategically in 2027, we can turn the tide.

Towards a National Youth Alliance
What we need now is not another party, we need a movement, a coalition, a National Youth Alliance that transcends ethnicity, religion and class.

A youth amalgamation that brings together student unions, tech entrepreneurs, young professionals, artisans, artists, athletes, activists and influencers. A youth vanguard that builds structures, fields candidates, protects votes and holds leaders accountable.

We must engage in issue based politics, not stomach infrastructure or tribal loyalties. The youth must demand answers to the questions that matter:

“Why are over 10 million Nigerian children out of school?”

“Why does Nigeria remain the poverty capital of the world, according to the Brookings Institution?”

“Why is our minimum wage ₦70,000 when a bag of rice is over ₦70,000?”

“Why are lawmakers earning ₦30 million monthly while civil servants are owed arrears?”

The late Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, once said, “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness.” We need a bit of that madness, the madness to challenge the status quo, to think differently and to act boldly.

From Hashtags to Ballot Boxes
It is not enough to trend on Twitter or rant on TikTok, social media is powerful, yes I agree, but it is not a substitute for civic engagement; we need to bridge the gap between online activism and offline results.

Youths must start at the grassroots to win local government seats, state assemblies and build a pipeline of leadership that is tested and accountable. The #NotTooYoungToRun Act must not be a symbolic victory; it must be a political weapon in our hands.

Let us support credible youth candidates with our time, resources and platforms. Let us organize town hall meetings, debates and policy hackathons. Let us raise funds, build apps to track campaign promises and expose corrupt leaders.

As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, “When we refuse to engage in politics, we end up being governed by our inferiors.”

Time for Tangible Action
It is time for each Nigerian youth to ask themselves: What am I doing today to secure my tomorrow? Are we registering to vote? Are we sensitizing our peers? Are we demanding better governance at the community level?

We must begin to think long term, beyond 2027. The goal is not just to elect a few fresh faces. The goal is to build a sustainable youth-driven democratic culture where excellence not ethnicity, becomes the metric of leadership.

Let us stop romanticizing suffering. Nigeria has the talent, the resources and the manpower to be great. What we lack is visionary leadership and that is what we must now provide.

Final Words: A Movement, not a Moment
This is a movement, not a moment. It will require sacrifice, unity and strategy. There will be obstacles, betrayals and frustrations. But we must remain focused.

As the Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah declared: “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.” Likewise, any victory in 2027 will be meaningless unless it sets off a chain reaction of liberation, innovation and transformation across all levels of Nigerian society.

So, dear patriotic Nigerian youth; RISE! This is your time… Your country needs you more than ever.

Don’t wait for change, be the change.

Together, we can make a difference.

#YouthFor2027 #NationalAllianceNow #SecureTheFuture #NigeriaDeservesBetter

One Voice, One Future: Youth Power for a New Nigeria
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Continue Reading

Politics

2027 Power Pact? Atiku Offers Peter Obi VP Slot in One-Term Deal Amid Mega Coalition Talks

Published

on

2027 Power Pact? Atiku Offers Peter Obi VP Slot in One-Term Deal Amid Mega Coalition Talks

2027 Power Pact? Atiku Offers Peter Obi VP Slot in One-Term Deal Amid Mega Coalition Talks

 

There are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have proposed a single-term presidency deal to Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, in a move aimed at unifying the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to multiple high-level sources involved in the coalition negotiations, who requested anonymity, the offer was first tabled during a discreet meeting between Atiku and Obi in the United Kingdom earlier this year. Atiku reportedly pledged to serve only one four-year term and hand over to Obi in 2031—a strategic rotation aimed at strengthening opposition unity and appeasing both leaders’ support bases.

The former Anambra State governor, who served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential race under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is said to have tentatively accepted the proposal. However, he is currently consulting with his inner circle and political loyalists before making any formal announcement.

This development comes nearly two months after Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other political stakeholders publicly declared plans to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The March 20 coalition announcement in Abuja sparked widespread debate and raised hopes for an opposition merger capable of ending APC’s dominance.

Sources say discussions have moved beyond exploratory talks to active alignment of strategies, with plans to sign a formal agreement. “Atiku and Obi met earlier in the UK where Atiku suggested the coalition idea and asked Obi to be his running mate,” said a party insider. “Obi asked for time to consult his people, and recent developments indicate he has agreed.”

There are also discussions about the political platform the Atiku-Obi ticket might run on, given the internal crises currently plaguing both the PDP and LP. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has emerged as a strong contender, with several coalition loyalists reportedly engaging with the party’s leadership or quietly switching affiliations.

A source familiar with the talks explained: “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was an option, but it’s believed that the APC has already infiltrated it. The ADC, on the other hand, is gaining momentum, with many stakeholders aligning behind its vision for a mega political platform.”

When contacted, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, did not confirm the specifics of the agreement but acknowledged ongoing coalition talks. “What I can tell you is that both Atiku and Obi are focused on building a broad-based coalition capable of unseating the APC in 2027,” he said.

Obi’s camp has remained tight-lipped on the alleged deal. Peter Ahmeh, a close ally of Obi and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, avoided confirming the VP offer but noted Obi is actively working to resolve the LP’s internal disputes.

The National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed reports of an Atiku-Obi joint ticket, saying: “As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing of this nature currently on the table. Obi has not discussed anything of the sort with me.”

ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed his party is in contact with all major opposition stakeholders and hinted at a major announcement soon. “The ADC is committed to building a mega African political party,” he said. “We’ve engaged with all key players and even government officials. The project is beyond Nigeria—it’s about rescuing Africa through credible leadership.”

As the political landscape begins to shift, Nigerians are watching closely. If sealed, an Atiku-Obi alliance under a united banner could reshape the dynamics of the 2027 election and pose the most formidable challenge yet to the APC’s reign.

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

Tinubu Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem — He’s the Symptom of a Rotting System

Published

on

Budget Constraints, Infrastructure Woes Stall Diplomatic Deployment

from military rule to mismanaged democracy, Nigeria’s crisis runs deeper than any one president.

By Femi Oyewale

In the flurry of discontent sweeping across Nigeria today—rising costs, worsening insecurity, and public distrust—many fingers are pointing at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But in our desperation to find a scapegoat, we risk missing the bigger picture. Tinubu is not the architect of Nigeria’s ruin; he is the latest occupant of a broken system built on decades of policy failure, corruption, and elite impunity.
Tinubu Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem — He’s the Symptom of a Rotting System
Let’s be clear: Tinubu’s administration deserves critique—no leader is above accountability. But it is intellectually lazy and politically shortsighted to isolate him as the root cause of Nigeria’s dysfunction. Our real enemy is the structure—a web of systemic errors that has entangled Nigeria for over 60 years.
A Brief History of Institutional Collapse
Since independence: Nigeria has struggled with the ghosts of colonial division, regional distrust, and leadership that prioritized personal gain over national development. From military dictatorships to flawed democratic transitions, every administration contributed bricks to the wall of dysfunction we now face. Policies came and went, but accountability remained a myth. The oil boom brought riches, yet poverty deepened. Institutions became shells of power, riddled with incompetence and fueled by patronage.
Democracy Hijacked: Nigeria Under Tinubu and APC's Reign of Suppression By George Omagbemi Sylvester
By the time democracy “returned” in 1999, the nation had already normalized bad governance. Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari—all had chances to reverse the rot. Instead, they either sustained it or worsened it. Now Tinubu inherits a house built on sand, and we expect him to walk on water.
Structural Injustice and a Culture of Rot
The real crisis lies in how our political, judicial, and economic systems are wired. We run a federal system that behaves like a unitary state. Governors act as emperors. Elections are transactional. Justice is for sale. And our security architecture is outdated and overwhelmed.
Fueling Uncertainty: Investigating Nigeria's Subsidy Removal And Dangote Refinery Debacle* By Sylvester Audu
Tinubu did not invent fuel subsidy scams. He didn’t start the tradition of bloated governance or underfunded education. The poverty and infrastructural decay tormenting Nigerians today are the cumulative results of 60+ years of elite failure. If not him, the system would have found another operator.
A People Conditioned to Tolerate Failure
Nigerians have also been conditioned—through survivalism and repression—to accept bad leadership as fate. We cheer tribalism over merit, and we normalize inefficiency as long as it wears our ethnic or religious label. This collective silence is what emboldens political actors, not just at the top but across all tiers of government.
Nigeria: Achebe’s Warning Ignored, A Nation in Relapse By George Omagbemi Sylvester
TIME TO FIX THE FOUNDATION
Removing Tinubu won’t fix Nigeria. Electing a messiah won’t work if the system crushes reformers. What Nigeria needs is institutional restructuring, civic awakening, and a hard reboot of its political culture. We must de-emphasize personalities and focus on process. We need less of “who’s in power” and more of “how power works.”
The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story Reviewed by Sunday Dare,
Blaming Tinubu alone is like blaming the final domino in a long-fallen chain. He is a reflection, not the cause. If Nigerians want a better future, we must stop hacking at branches and start digging out roots. This is not just Tinubu’s mess—it is ours too. And until we fix the system, no president, saint or sinner, will save us.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending