Politics
How Obiora Agbasimalo, LP’s Anambra Gov Candidate, Disappeared After His Uncle Changed His Driver, Security Detail
How Obiora Agbasimalo, LP’s Anambra Gov Candidate, Disappeared After His Uncle Changed His Driver, Security Detail.
Foundation for Investigative Journalism in this report, gives an account of Obiora Agbasimalo’s journey to politics and sudden disappearance.
When the idea of contesting for Anambra State Governor was first pitched to Obiora Agbasimalo in early 2021, he turned it down, saying he knew nothing about politics. However, when Godwin Agbasimalo, his uncle, who is popularly known as Oga Ndi Oga, stepped in by offering to render necessary assistance, including the provision of logistics and guidance, throughout the campaign period, the seasoned banker had a change of heart and accepted the offer.
Upon becoming the Labour Party candidate for the November 6, 2021 election, Godwin became his campaign financier and manager as promised. He planned his meetings, visits and, according to a few sources, what he ate too. The campaign appeared to be going as planned until the unexpected happened. On September 18, while on a campaign tour to Azhia in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Obiora was kidnapped by unknown gunmen. He has not been seen or heard ever since.
A BANKER WITH BRIGHT PROSPECTS
Before joining politics, Obiora, 40, was a senior worker at Zenith Bank PLC. FIJ learned that he worked with the bank for more than 10 years. “When he wanted to go for the elections, he approached the executive director of the bank and requested a leave of three months,” a family source, who asked not to be named, told FIJ. “The executive director refused to grant him the request. It was as if God was using her. Normally, if you have a good reason or cause for your request, you’re expected to get it. “But, in Obiora’s case, he was refused the leave. At a point, when Obiora would not stop going to her with the request, she was forced to ask him if he was sure he had what it takes to contest for an election. “When Obiora tried being clever by saying the reason he wanted the leave was that he hadn’t been promoted on the job in a while, she handed him a promotion letter just to make sure he stayed. “However, despite all the efforts made by the director, Obiora turned down the offer and ended up leaving. This was mainly because he had been assured that he stood a strong chance of winning the election.” According to the source, Obiora was a banker with bright prospects until his exit from the bank.
KIDNAPPED!
On the morning of September 18, 2021, Obiora was scheduled to take his governorship campaign to Azhia in Ihiala Local Government Area, but some unexpected changes were made to the security officers following him. “A surprising incident happened on the morning his campaign train was supposed to visit Azhia,” another member of the Agbasimalo family, who asked not to be named, said.
“Without any prior notice, Oga Ndi Oga replaced the driver that had been taking Obiora around since the beginning of the campaign. He told Obiora that the regular driver had an errand to run, and that the new one would drive him to their destination.
“Before that day, the convoy would sometimes move with Oga Ndi Oga and Obiora in the same vehicle, while security would be at the front and at the back. Sometimes, the convoy would move with the two men in separate cars. “On the day of the incident, they were in different cars, and Obiora was left alone with the new driver. “All of a sudden, the car carrying Obiora swerved off the road, breaking from the rest of the convoy.
Later, we heard that the driver claimed he had to stop because he needed to fix a car fault. He claimed it was when he was trying to fix the car that some unknown men came out from nowhere and kidnapped Obiora. “How is that even possible? You kidnap a governorship candidate from a convoy that has close to 10 cars? A convoy that is supposed to be swarmed with security men? Since that incident happened, the strange driver has disappeared. Something is definitely not right.” That was the last time anyone ever heard from Obiora.
AFTERMATH OF THE KIDNAP
After Obiora was kidnapped, the Labour Party, through Godwin Agbasimalo, reached out to his family to tell them not to worry, and that all hands were on deck to ensure the candidate’s safe return. The family was also told that all relevant security figures, including the Inspector General of Police, had been informed of the incident. “As things progressed however, we did not see any signs that things were being done like they had promised,” another member of the Agbasimalo family told FIJ.
“So we started wondering why concrete steps were not being taken to ensure Obiora’s safe return. At a point, some party chieftains even told us that it was just a political move, and that after the November 6 elections, he would be released. “I was even shocked that the INEC could organise the signing of a peace pact a few days to the elections without insisting that the Labour Party candidate be present.
INEC never really bothered and they went ahead with the election.” However, Obiora was still not released after the November 6 election. “A week passed by, two weeks, three weeks, a month, same story from the party: he will come out, he will come out. But till we speak, he has not been reunited with us. We are tired of the long wait. It has led to most of us, I mean his family members, being frustrated and depressed. Both his parents are also now critically ill as a result of the development.”
GODWIN AGBASIMALO
Godwin Agbasimalo is a successful businessman and philanthropist, who controls a non-governmental organisation called Oga Ndi Oga. He also goes by the same Oga Ndi Oga as nickname. He is the sole financier of the Labour Party in Anambra State. FIJ learned that he was responsible for the party’s decision to choose Obiora as its flag bearer during the Anambra governorship election. “After Obiora’s abduction, Oga Ndi Oga claimed he had been in constant touch with the kidnappers. He has also consistently told us that we should not raise the alarm about the issue, as that might upset the kidnappers and make them harm Obiora,” the first family source said. “The most frustrating part is that he also claims he has paid ransoms to the kidnappers on several occasions. If that is true, and if there is no foul play on his part, how come he has refused to give out the account number or numbers of the people he claims he has been making payments to for tracking? He has continued to discourage us from taking steps that could ensure Obiora’s safe return. “He keeps saying we should not talk to anybody, yet, we are not seeing any positive result. He keeps stopping everybody, including the Labour Party in the state, from talking or taking steps. “This is also making us doubt if his claims of working with relevant security agencies are actually true. We are tired!”
A CONVERSATION INVOLVING THE LABOUR PARTY NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
FIJ got hold of a recorded conversation between Julius Abure, national chairman of the Labour Party, and a member of the Agbasimalo family. “You have to rise to the occasion and take up the fight yourself. As a party, we will queue behind you and support you in whatever you want to do. Do your petitions to the IG; do your petitions to all relevant agencies,” Abure can be heard saying in the audio. “I believe I have done my best on the matter. Now that my best has not yielded any result, and you people are the ones wearing the shoe, you can take up the matter from here. “The very first week this incident happened, I advised that we made as much noise on this issue as possible, but nothing was done in that direction. Now that we have managed it to this point and nothing has been forthcoming, I think it is best we shout. It is time to try something else. “Though I don’t have the money to support you, I will support you in any other alternative way I can.” FIJ made several phone calls to Godwin Agbasimalo, but they were not answered. A text message sent to him was also not responded to. It has been 160 days since Obiora was abducted. His family members are still hopeful that he would one day come back to them.
Politics
2027 BATTLE: How Much Nigeria Can Save, Invest In Infrastructure By Rotating Power Among Six Geo-political Zones For A Single Term Of Five Or Six Years
2027 BATTLE: How Much Nigeria Can Save, Invest In Infrastructure By Rotating Power Among Six Geo-political Zones For A Single Term Of Five Or Six Years
As a Southernern, particularly from the South East Geo-Political Zone, I believe the most potent argument for us in 2027 is that the North/South zoning arrangement of political power at the center is a scam. It’s a scam because it has only benefitted the South West and the North West geo-political zones since the return of ‘democracy’ (civil rule) in Nigeria on May 29, 1999. Nigeria, it must be clarified has six geo-political zones, not two.
Nigeria was divided into six geo-political zones in 1996 by the military government of General Sanni Abacha. This new zoning arrangement was a brainchild of the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference chaired by the late Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte and empaneled by General Sanni Abacha.
At that Conference, no less a person than former Vice President Chief Alex Ekwueme and a group called Mkpoko Igbo proposed that since Nigeria will now be divided into six geo-political zones, to give all zones a sense of belonging within the Nigerian State, that power at the center should rotate among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years. In their thinking, if power was rotated among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, within 30 years or 36 years, all six zones would have had one of their own leading Nigeria, particularly, from their first 11 (primus inter pares). The North and the South West delegations at that conference pooh-poohed Chief Alex Ekwueme and summarily shut down that all-important proposal. The rest they say is history.
More than 30 years later, there is yet no national peace, national cohesion, national political stability, national unity, and national loyalty to the Nigerian State. Had the proposal of Chief Alex Ekwueme and Mkpoko Igbo been adopted and implemented since 1999, at least, the 5th Geo-Political Zone would have had one of their own in Aso Villa today, and by 2035, the last geo-political zone would have being sending us one of their own to contest the Presidency across Nigeria’s current 18 political parties. This mathematics is if we had gone with a single term of six years (the maximum limit) as proposed by Dr. Ekwueme and the South East and South South delegates in that 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
Fast forward to today, in his recent Arise TV interview, and in some other public and private fora, H.E. Atiku Abubakar asked for Dr. Ekwueme’s forgiveness as he was among key Northern delegates in that Constitutional Conference from the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua group that opposed the rotational presidency among Nigeria’s geo-political zones. Waziri Adamawa had disclosed that he even apologized to Alex Ekwueme when he visited Oko, Anambra State, to pay homage to the former late vice president sometime in 2017/2018.
By and large, for 2027, I believe that the most potent argument that will sell in the South East is that the North East where Waziri Adamawa hails from, just like the South East (our region), had also been marginalized in the scheme of things in Nigeria. Aside from Alhaji Tafawa Balewa from Bauchi State (North East), nobody from the region/zone has been head of national government, head of state, or even president since 1966.
So, H.E. Atiku Abubakar is right in contesting the Presidential election billed for January 16, 2027, to right this wrong, and return Nigeria’s presidency to an equitable distribution of power at the center. When elected, and it’s entrenched in the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), that power rotates among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, this new formula will bring about national peace, national cohesion, national unity, and tremendously commandeer national loyalty among Nigerians from across the six geo-political zones for their beloved country, the Nigerian State.
As a budding political scientist of repute and ardent student of contemporary Nigerian history and politics, let me tell us what this formular would do for the Nigerian State. The battle for the soul of the Nigerian State will be ferocious at the zonal level, while the center will become unattractive. So, let’s say it is the turn of the North East Geo-Political Zone to produce the Presidency in 2027, the battle to gift Nigerians their First 11 (primus inter pares) will be ferocious across the States in the region. The people of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe will now be more interested in partisan politics, thus being proactive participants within the current 18 political parties in Nigeria.
Giving Nigeria’s configurations and peculiarities, one of the positives of this political proactiveness is that it’s a win-win situation for the entire region if a man from Adamawa becomes President of Nigeria in 2027. The people from Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi will be largely happy, contented, hold their peace, love Nigeria better, and be more loyal to the Nigerian State because one of their own is now the GCFR, the primus inter pares, and the No. 1 Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The steep insecurity that has ravaged the North East Geo-Political Zone since 2009, largely owing to perceived agelong marginalisation, oppression, injustices, would largely die down.
This will be the same case for the South East Geo-Political Zone. Biafra secessionist agitations, IPOB, ESN led by Nnamdi Kanu, will die a natural death. Justice and equity for all breeds contentment among men, and contentment among men births peace, unity, commandeers loyalty, and tremendously brings about prosperity. I stand to be challenged on this self-evident truth on any national television station.
When it is the turn of another region to produce the Presidency, after the North East has had their turn, all political parties in Nigeria must constitutionally present a Presidential candidate from the region whose turn it is to produce the presidency for a single term of six years. This rotational presidency formula must be entrenched in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) by May 29, 2027.
I avow that rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years is the best political science solution to the agelong hydra-headed problem of Nigeria, especially in the guise of disunity, unpeaceful, and disloyalty problems among Nigerian citizens. Doing this will also largely curtail the executive rascalities, legislative rascalities, and judicial rascalities currently being perpetrated by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Executive arm; the Godswill Akpabio led Legislative arm; and the CJN Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun led Judiciary arm.
The over desperation of getting re-elected for a second term in office, as shown today by Bola Tinubu, will be eraced for future Nigerian Presidents. The humongous money and depletion of Nigeria’s national treasury just for seeking re-election at all cost, and conducting elections will also be erased.
The Highfalutin, Draining Cost Of Conducting Elections In Nigeria?
For the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed N305 billion in May 2022, which was a 62 percent increase over the 2019 budget. Ultimately, the National Assembly approved N355 billion for the exercise, though the commission spent N313.4 billion as of September 2023.
For the 2027 general election, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan proposed a total budget of N873.78 billion to the National Assembly in February 2026. This proposal includes N375.75 billion for election operations, N209.21 billion for technology, and N92.31 billion for administrative costs. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC regime had previously allocated N1.01 trillion to INEC in the 2026 budget presented in January 2026.
Ladies and gentlemen, INEC’s election budget ballooned from N355 billion in 2023 to a whopping N873.78 billion for a re-election season in 2027? This is approximately a percentage increase of 146.13%. This is unacceptable, opprobrious, and insalubrious.
If we entrench in the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), zoning the presidency among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, this proposed N873.78 billion to coduct the 2027 re-election season would have been eliminated.
What Can N873.78 billion Do For Nigerians In Terms Of Infrastructural Developmental Projects?
If hypothetically redirected or matched in scale for infrastructure development, N873.78 billion could significantly advance Nigeria’s infrastructure across key sectors:
1. Roads and Transportation: This amount could fund the rehabilitation of over 10,000 kilometers (6213.712 miles) of rural and urban roads, especially when combined with technical support from institutions like the World Bank’s RAAMP-SU project.
It could complete critical projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or support the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
2. Railway Development: Based on past projects, N873 billion could finance a new 600–800 km (373-497 miles) standard gauge rail line, similar to the Abuja-Kaduna or Lagos-Ibadan lines, which were partially funded by Chinese loans.
Rail expansion would boost freight movement, reduce road congestion, and create thousands of jobs.
3. Power and Energy: The sum could support renewable energy projects, such as solar mini-grids for 10,000 rural communities, or fund transmission infrastructure to reduce power losses.
For context, Power Africa facilitated $63 million in renewable energy investments over 26 months—N873 billion could scale such efforts dramatically.
4. Water and Sanitation: Funds could build or upgrade water treatment plants, boreholes, and sanitation systems in underserved urban and rural areas, improving public health and reducing waterborne diseases.
5. Agricultural Infrastructure: The NSIA’s Multipurpose Industrial Platform Ltd (MIPL) in Akwa Ibom, including an ammonia and fertilizer plant, is a multi-billion-dollar project. N873 billion could fund multiple such agro-industrial hubs, boosting food security and reducing import dependence.
Analyzing The Current Infrastructure Spending In Nigeria In Relation To N873.78 Billion?
For comparison, Nigeria’s actual infrastructure allocations are much lower than the humongous money INEC is proposing to conduct the shaky 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
The 2025 Federal Budget allocated ₦4.06 trillion ($2.7 billion) for infrastructure—about 7.4% of total spending.
The National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) aims to raise infrastructure stock to 70% of GDP by 2043, requiring $100 billion annually—far above current spending levels.
Pension funds invested ₦262.57 billion in infrastructure in the first 10 months of 2025. This is below N873.78 billion being earmarked for the 2027 elections.
Without mincing words, let me aver that the N873.78 billion could transform infrastructural developmental projects in Nigeria, But the fact that this amount is proposed for elections, not infrastructural developmental projects, highlights a mismatch between public needs and government spending priorities in Nigeria, especially under the disastrous APC regime of Bola Tinubu.
Conclusion
While N873.78 billion is earmarked for elections, its scale underscores what Nigeria could achieve in infrastructure if similar resources were consistently invested. Redirecting even a fraction of election budgets toward roads, power, rail, water, and agriculture could accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and improve quality of life in Nigeria. However, transparency, accountability, and long-term planning are essential to ensure such investments yield lasting benefits.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, let’s consider the substantial ingredients of this political seminal and fix this mess of power rotation at the center among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years. Let’s stop wasting scarce resources in Nigeria conducting re-elections at the center and across state levels. Let’s stop wasting everybody’s time in Nigeria.
Ikenna Asomba is a political scientist and journalist. He writes from the State of Illinois, United States.
Politics
2027 BOMBSHELL: Dismantling The Myth Around Kwankwaso’s So-Called Electoral Dominance In Kano
2027 BOMBSHELL: Dismantling The Myth Around Kwankwaso’s So-Called Electoral Dominance In Kano
Politics
I am fully ready for the 2027 general elections”- ADP, presidential aspirant, Prof. Omolaja, declares
“I am fully ready for the 2027 general elections”- ADP, presidential aspirant, Prof. Omolaja, declares.
By Comrade Samson Ajibade Alabi, NLP Media Director
A presidential aspirant under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Prof Muhammad Omolaja, has said that he is fully ready for the 2027 general elections especially the presidential contest.
Prof. Omolaja who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with pressmen in Abuja on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, said he has done his consultations with leaders of the Party, boasting that he is the next president of Nigeria by the grace of God.
He submitted that he has won the heart of the people at the grassroots across all the States and geopolitical zones including the federal capital territory (FCT); and convinced them about his clear vision and mission for Nigeria.
According to him, Nigerians are tired of the APC government and ready to vote them out in favour of his Party; the ADP!
Prof. Omolaja added that ADP is the only Party that can liberate Nigeria and rescue the citizens from the prevailing insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
The presidential aspirant said “you are asking me if I am ready for the 2027 general elections or not, I hereby inform you categorically that I am fully ready for the election; we have done what to be done, we have systematically carried Nigerians along in our preparations especially the people at the grassroots; and we have let them know that ADP is the only credible alternative Party that can liberate them from all the challenges the country is facing under the prevailing APC government. I am confident that I will get the ticket of our great Party being the leading contestant, and win the upcoming 2027 presidential election by the special grace of the Almighty God”
He therefore urged Nigerians to rally support for him and his Party (ADP) at the polls in the spirit of peace, love, unity, and patriotism in Nigeria.
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