POLITICS
Group Sets Conditions for Candidates, Parties Seeking Igbo Support in Future Elections
Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), a socio-cultural group, says henceforth, any candidate or political party seeking Igbo people’s support in future elections must enter into a binding Memorandum of Understanding with them.The group stated this in a communique jointly signed by it its Convener, Chief Chekwas Okori, and Executive Secretary, Jonathan Elendu, after its inaugural meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Okorie, who read the communiqué, stressed that Igbo votes must never again be taken for granted. He said the group had resolved to undertake a mass mobilisation and education campaign to reawaken political consciousness within the Igbo nation to ensure their full participation in future elections.Okorie said it was high time for Ndigbo to “redeem, reassert, and reclaim” their rightful place in Nigeria’s political and economic space through unity, resilience, and strategic engagement.“The gathering noted with concern the historical absence of a unified Igbo political front since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.“It condemned the ridicule, marginalisation, and alienation of Ndigbo in Nigeria’s political space and resolved that such a trend must no longer continue.“Any candidate or political party seeking Igbo support must enter into a binding MoU with the Igbo nation, and such agreements shall be made public through verified platforms,” he said.He said the meeting also observed the decline in voter turnout among the Igbo people in recent elections and resolved to reawaken political consciousness through mass mobilisation and education.“It was agreed that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is the strongest instrument of political empowerment for Ndigbo, far more effective than violence or armed struggle,” he said.Okorie reaffirmed that the IAD was not a rival or parallel body to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, which remains the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo nation.IAD, he explained, is a complementary platform dedicated to formulating a clear and binding political agenda for the Igbo in Nigeria.Okorie said that the meeting endorsed the proposal to formulate practical strategies in a sustainable manner to ensure full Igbo participation in all electoral contests wherever they are domiciled in Nigeria.According to him, this strategy aims at harnessing Igbo networks for electoral fortunes.“The meeting resolved to build a formidable Igbo National Grid, integrating all credible Igbo associations, unions, professional bodies, and diaspora groups.”They are to be integrated into a coordinated structure for political mobilisation, economic empowerment, and cultural renaissance,” he said.He further said the meeting also resolved to work toward convening a comprehensive Igbo Political Summit to be hosted in Enugu on a date to be agreed upon.Okorie said the summit would be inclusive, cutting across political parties, market and professional associations, town unions, women and youth organisations, the Igbo diaspora, and all critical stakeholders across the South-East.He added that it would also include all Igbo-speaking communities in Delta, Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Kogi states, and beyond.“The meeting also resolved that the proposed Summit shall adopt an Igbo Charter, a comprehensive political agenda that will define Igbo interests, rights, and responsibilities in Nigeria.“A select committee of respected Igbo leaders, technocrats, and intellectuals shall be constituted to draft the Charter, ensuring depth, quality, and durability,” he said.(NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the removal of petrol subsidy, accusing the administration of worsening economic hardship while retaining what he described as opaque costs in the petroleum sector.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Tinubu was wrong to describe his proposed petroleum-sector intervention as economically ignorant.
Atiku argued that the economic conditions that existed before Tinubu assumed office had changed significantly following the removal of fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira and rising inflation.
He said his proposal was not a return to the previous open-ended subsidy regime but a targeted, capped, budgeted and time-bound production-support mechanism that would be independently audited and linked to domestic production.
According to him, the government removed the benefit of subsidy from consumers while allegedly retaining substantial petroleum-sector under-recoveries and energy-security costs.
The statement cited figures from NNPC’s audited accounts, claiming approximately ₦17.5 trillion in energy-security costs and petroleum under-recoveries, including about ₦7.13 trillion classified as energy security and ₦8.67 trillion in under-recoveries.
“If subsidy is dead, why are under-recoveries alive?” Atiku asked, arguing that Nigerians had been left with higher costs while questions about government expenditure remained unresolved.
He also rejected the Presidency’s argument that increased Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to states represented a major benefit of subsidy removal.
Atiku said higher allocations to state governments should not be celebrated if they came at the expense of household purchasing power, citing rising transport costs, food prices and production expenses.
He further argued that increased FAAC allocations could encourage states to depend on federal transfers instead of expanding their productive economies, attracting investment and broadening their internally generated revenues.
The former vice president also demanded explanations for what he described as approximately ₦30 trillion in Federation Account revenues, deductions, savings and transfers, as well as ₦12.8 trillion allocated to the Service-Wide Vote in the 2026 budget.
Atiku said the administration should provide greater transparency over its finances rather than dismissing criticism of its economic policies.
He maintained that the success of economic reform should not be measured solely by rising government revenues while citizens experience declining purchasing power.
“The real ignorance is believing suffering is economic policy,” Atiku said.
He accused the Tinubu administration of transferring the burden of fiscal adjustment to ordinary Nigerians and warned against subjecting the country to another four years of what he called a failed economic experiment.
The statement was signed by Shaibu on behalf of Atiku, the 1999–2007 vice president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cautioned Nigerian youths against being used for political violence, misinformation and digital intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections across the country.
Disu gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja during the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day celebration.
According to him, as we approach the 2027 electoral cycle, I urge you to remember a very simple, but profound reality that politicians contest elections, but you leave with consequences thereafter.
”He said that political actors often reconciled after elections, in spite of fierce campaigns, and might later become allies and guests of one another when political disagreements were resolved amicably over time.
Disu said the Nigeria Police Force recognised and respected the rights of youths to participate in politics, support parties, express opinions and campaign freely for candidates of their choice.
“Our responsibility is to create a security environment in which these democratic rights can be experienced freely and safely.
“We will protect citizens, facilitate peaceful campaigns, secure candidates, campaign venues and public spaces within the law.
“We will protect the integrity of the electoral environment, but will not protect violence, tolerate the recruitment or mobilisation of young Nigerians for political violence.
“I therefore appeal to everybody to be cautious as we approach the 2027 electoral process,” Disu said, urging collective responsibility in safeguarding peace and democratic values across Nigeria.
The police chief also urged youths to become drivers of national transformation rather than instruments of destruction through the spread of false information and harmful online content.
According to him, every young Nigerian using a smartphone should recognise that digital activities leave permanent records that could influence opportunities and shape future prospects significantly.
“You know now, the moment you go to the embassies for your visa, they are checking you on social media to see what and what you are doing.
“So, your footprints are very important, so before you forward a message, verify it and before you publish or circulate, establish the facts,” he advised youths nationwide.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has called for immediate prosecution of all those found to have committed electoral crimes during last Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
The organisation, in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Dr Yemisi Bamgbose in Abuja on Thursday, said that the prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others.
Bamgbose also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.
According to him, INEC, under Prof.
Joash Amupitan, has passed the real litmus test in Osun.He said that the outcome of the election, if improved upon, could serve as a model for subsequent elections in the country.
“INEC deserves commendation for deploying all that was required to ensure the realisation of a free and fair election,” he said.
Bamgbose also commended security agencies for providing adequate security which, he said, helped to minimise tension and criminality during the election.
“It is imperative that INEC ensures the prosecution of all persons who perpetrated electoral crimes to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We therefore call on INEC and other relevant agencies to ensure strict enforcement of electoral laws and prosecution of all offenders,” Bamgbose said.
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