POLITICS
2023: Support for Obi Based on Equity, Justice, FairPlay- Ohaneze Ndigbo

The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has said that its support for the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, was based on its desire for equity, justice and fairplay in the country.
The President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Amb.
George Obiozor, said this in Umuahia on Tuesday.Obiozor, represented by the Secretary General of the organisation, Amb.
Okey Emuchay, spoke at the inauguration of the new officers of the Abia chapter of the body together with gala night and merit award.He said that it was for the same reason and unity of the country that the group’s political action committee toured the five other geopolitical zones of the country seeking support for the emergence of the next Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.
He said, “Ohaneze Ndigbo is not talking about Igbo president but a Nigerian president from South-East.”
He said that the organisation’s nationwide tour was to further demonstrate to the rest of the country that the 30-month civil war was over.
He said, “The war has since ended and for equity, justice and fairness, Nigeria should support a candidate from the South-East to become president.
“After the war, we have continued to thrive and engage other sections of the country in the most friendly manner.
“Our people can be found doing well in different parts of the country and beyond.
“In fact, if you travel to any village or city within and outside the country and did not see any Igboman in the place, do not unpack your luggage, simply leave the place.”
The Ohaneze Ndigbo chieftain decried the renewed banditry and killings in some parts of the zone ahead of the 2023 polls.
He cited last week’s killings at Eha-Amufu in Enugu State and the return of insecurity in Imo and Anambra.
He alleged that the attacks were intended to demarket the zone politically, ahead of the elections.
He regretted that in spite of the organisation’s robust engagements with the political parties, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, “the two big political parties overlooked the zone in the choice of their presidential candidates”.
Obiozor alleged that the South West was pacified in 1999, following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, presumed to have been won by late Chief M.K.O Abiola, who died in detention.
“Nigeria took a decision in 1999 to present Chief Olu Falae and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as presidential candidates and Obasanjo was chosen.
“Such a deliberate political arrangement could have been applied to the South-East in the run up to the 2023 poll to give the zone a sense of inclusiveness,” Obiozor said.
Earlier in an address, the new Abia President of the organisation, Okey Nwankwo, said that “the Igbo have all it takes to lead the nation”.
Nwankwo, who recalled that their inauguration was delayed for about one year, promised that his executive would take the organisation to greater height in the state.
He called on all Igbo sons and daughters to contribute their quota toward the overall development of the Igbo nation in terms of human and physical infrastructure.
Also, the Chairman of the event, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Chief Azubuko Udah, urged the leadership of the organisation to properly organise the body and remain non-partisan to attract all the Igbo sons and daughters.
Udah also appealed to the group to support the efforts by the Old Boys Association of the National High School, Aba, to take back the school built by the defunct Igbo Union.
He regretted that the school, which had produced eminent Nigerians in different spheres of life, had become a shadow of itself.
He said that the association was determined to restore the lost glory of the school and stop the alleged balkanisation of its land by land grabbers.
Merit awards were presented on the occasion to eminent sons and daughters of the five states of the South-East, plus two South-South states.
The list included Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Chinedum Orji, and former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, amongst others.
Posthumous awards were also given to late Deputy Gov. Chima Nwafor and late Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, who represented Abia North between 2003 and 2015. (NAN)
POLITICS
Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those in the race for the APC ticket not to waste their resources as the victory of Governor Isiaka Adeleke is practically a done deal.
In a video post on his Facebook page, Jackson Ojo said Governor Adeleke has won the heart of the people of his state with his transformation of all the 30 local governments in the State and prompt payment of workers and pensioners.
According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke has already done 80 percent of his campaign ahead of the election.
Jackson Ojo, who is a Security Expert and global affairs analyst, from Osun State, stressed that he has always advised political office holders to perform while in office as this is the greatest strategy and tactics to win future elections.
He stressed that the abysmal performance of the APC at the Federal level and the poor performance of previous APC governors in Osun state will count heavily against any candidate that is presented by the party to contest against governor Adeleke.
The former APC chieftain added that he is not patronizing the governor for any personal gain as there is nothing that the governor can give him that God has not already given him.
He stressed that his intervention in the Osun governorship race is to stop opponents of the governor from wasting their resources for an election they can never win.
His words: “Two weeks ago I resigned from partisan politics, so I am no longer member of any political party in Nigeria. When I speak now I am not speaking in favour or against any political party. So, I am very free to air my views
“This is my views on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. I still see some people struggling for governor in Osun state come 2026.
“That is highly impossible for an APC aspirant. What is the APC government doing at the national level, what are the doing in the Senate, what are they doing in the House of Representatives to encourage Nigerians?
“If we are in a place like America or United Kingdom (UK) APC will not be able to win ordinary councillorship again in this country. Is it in the management of economy, education, health, security and others?
“In all these areas put together they have not scored up to 10 percent. I can boldly mark them today they they have woefully failed in area of agricultural development, educational development, health development, security, economy and infrastructural development. In all ramifications this party has failed.
“Look at the antecedents of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola tried a bit, yes, but then Aregbesola left the State aground.
“When Baba Jeje, Mr. Go Slow, the unfortunate Minister of Blue Economy or whatever they call it, came there was nothing to write home about during his tenure as governor of Osun State. He came, he bartered the state, he rubbished the State, he insulted the state, he disgraced the State on the platform of APC.
“Now another APC is coming out now thinking of winning? Winning where, defeat who?
“Governor Adeleke does not know me, there is no benefit Adeleke can give me that God has not given to me. I can’t be a Commissioner in Osun state. No. I can’t be Special Adviser or whatever. I can’t even take their contract. I don’t think they can award the kind of contract that I need to an individual.
“But then, Adeleke has tried. If you go to my community you will see the way he has positively turned the community. Even if I am the governor of Osun State I don’t think I can do what Adeleke has done in my town and that transformation cuts across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State. All the communities, all the local governments, all.
“This man is no longer paying half salary of quarter salary. This man is not owning workers, he is not owning pensioners. This alone has spoken, this alone has done 80 percent of his campaign.
“If you perform well in office that is the highest strategy and tactics that you can use to win the heart of the people.
“Come 2026 whoever is putting money on ground in Osun state to go and contest governorship in Osun state, honestly that person has money to waste. It is sadaka, the money they have stolen they want to come and do sadaka. It is Adeleke till 2030.”
POLITICS
Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
”Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.
“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.
“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.
“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.
“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.
“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.
“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.
“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.
“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”
POLITICS
Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.
He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.
“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.
“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.
“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.
Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.
This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.
Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.
Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.
He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.