Okonkwo, who was the spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, said that interested aspirants from every region would be allowed to express their democratic and constitutional rights.

The lawyer stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday Politics, adding that no one would be stopped from contesting for the ticket of the coalition.

“I have said it clearly, nobody is going to stop anybody from contesting for the presidential ticket in the coalition, nobody,” he said.

“Politicians have shown that it is very difficult to trust them even when the person promises one term. So, if somebody has taken a term from the South and it is in the middle of the game and the person is not performing like Tinubu, you are going to get into a problem.

“If you get another Southerner, he is going to stay there for eight years.

“The North will say no, this is injustice. Nobody will allow Tinubu to continue because he is not performing.

“So, the best is to throw it open. When the best comes in, every other person will support him and the person will promise to do four years.”

The news came out late last week that the national coalition group has decided to run with a new political party called the All Democratic Party, ADA, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The coalition has the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, former Senate President, David Mark, among other heavy weight politicians in the country.

The Edo State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier resolution which mandated Hon. Maria Edeko to continuously benefit from the entitlements due to the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House.

DAILY POST reports that the House’s decision came one month after the lawmakers passed the resolution during her formal resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker.

Maria Edeko, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker representing Esan North-East II, formally resigned from her position on May 19, 2025, following the attainment of majority status in the House due to the defection of the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and several others to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In the resolution, Hon. Edeko was to continuously enjoy all the benefits accruing to her former office, such as salary, allowances, vehicles, among others.

However, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, at a plenary sitting on Wednesday, one month later, announced the decision to reverse the House’s resolution.

“On that very day of Rt-Hon Maria Edeko’s resignation, there was a document before me that stated that all the entitlements accrued to her as the former deputy speaker should be restored.

“Please, there is now a correction on that, that it is not all the entitlements, just a vehicle alone. Please, that should be corrected”, he said.

DAILY POST recalls that in what appeared to be a “valedictory session”, the lawmakers had unanimously adopted a resolution to accord her all the entitlements accruing to her former office.

The motion was moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan, APC, Esan West constituency, and supported by the Minority Leader, Hon. Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo, Ovia North-East I constituency.

Aigbokhan said the resolution was in appreciation of her contributions and innovation to legislation in the state.

The lawmakers, in their separate contributions, showered accolades on the immediate past Deputy Speaker.

They praised her unwavering dedication, passion for public service, and the high level of integrity she consistently demonstrated throughout her tenure.

They also described her as a committed leader whose contributions left a lasting impact on the legislative process during her time as Deputy Speaker.

The Speaker said the House would be pleading with the former Deputy Speaker to continue to remain at the forefront of discourse and at the forefront of everything that the lawmakers will be doing at the House.

Owerri, Imo State – African Democratic Congress (ADC) held a highly successful meeting at Oha Owere Hall on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The gathering brought together party faithfuls and coalition partners, marking a significant step towards a strong united front and convergence of coalition for the 2027 elections.

The meeting which was held at Oha Owere Hall was a resounding success, with attendees collectively agreeing to put aside differences and strive for greater inclusion and participation. Inspiring keynote addresses were delivered, boosting the morale of the party faithfuls.

ADC Chairman Owerri Municipal , Hon. Success Opara, delivered an impactful speech, reminding party members that the odds are in their favor and urging them to seize the opportunity for a better Imo State. He promised an inclusive leadership style and warned against inactive ward leaders who want to benefit without contributing.

Despite the rainy weather, the meeting saw a significant turnout of members and party faithfuls from across party lines. The ADC’s Orange Revolution has taken root in Nigeria, and Imo State is proudly part of this movement.

The meeting’s success signals a strong foundation for the party’s future endeavors, and the ADC is poised to make a significant impact in the 2027 elections.