Politics

Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo people ‘ll decide next governor, OPOCA tells ex-Minister

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Orlu Political Consultative Assembly

By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri

The battle for Imo 2027 governorship election is brewing, as the Imo West Senatorial District Political highest decision making body, called Orlu Political Consultative Assembly ,OPOCA, on Thursday warned the former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, to stop immediately with his arrangement on setting up of campaign structure for 2027 Imo governorship or get ready to contend with OPOCA in days ahead.

The National Coordinator and Secretary of OPOCA, Rex Anunobi and Esom Obodo Obodo, respectively stated this to newsmen in Owerri, while reacting to the setting up of Imo Harmony Project to actualize the governorship ambition of Imo East Senatorial zone led by Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho.

The worry of the OPOCA group was that the Imo harmony project was to heat up the Imo polity ahead of 2027.

Therefore they were of the opinion that; “It is a common knowledge that OPOCA had earlier assumed position of harmony, political understanding and seamless workability of Imo Charter of Equity through a detailed correspondence to Imo Elders. Council advising compatriots and leaders of Owerri and Okigwe zones to dismantle every perceived political encumbrances including the fandom legal action filed against the landslide and overwhelming
Victory that democratically guaranteed the second term of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa) and Orlu Zone under the renewed spirit of the Charter of Equity.

“Considering the foregoing, the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly
(OPOCA) wishes to restate and assume the following positions: That OPOCA views this development as an orchestrated distraction to the second term administration of Dist. Senator Hope Uzodimma which has just taken off. What the governor deserves at this moment is nothing but the total support of all Imolites to enable the Governor
consolidates on the gains of his first term achievements geared towards taking Imo to a higher level of development and economic prosperity.”

“We therefore reinforce our earlier stand that issues of who becomes the next governor of Imo State shall be democratically determined by our dear Governor and Imolites at the ripe and appropriate time. Definitely it cannot be by blackmailing the Governor and the Imo Elders Council. That the early formation of the so-called Imo Harmony Project committees and structure for the purpose of staging premature campaigns for 2027 Owerri zone governor is an affront to the present government and a seeming parallel government which no doubt spells an illegality of some sort against known democratic principles. That it is strange and unfortunate that Capt. Iheanacho has never activated any medium to acknowledge the good works of the governor or commend him for the landmark reconstruction and dualization of Owerri-Mbaise- Umuahia road which crosses his Emekuku country home and Compound.

“We therefore call on the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma to take decisive action against political desperadoes and clandestine moves Capable of heating up the pollty as well as inordinate political Structures likely to undermine the government of the state and Overheat the polity again considering the fact that the state is only
just recovering from volcanic insecurity largely heaped on us by another group of political renegades,” he said.

Politics

2027: There’s no coalition, I know who’ll get ADC presidential ticket – Omokri

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, will not get the sole ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, come 2027.

According to him, there is no coalition against President Bola Tinubu since all those involved cannot settle for one candidate with Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Chibuike Amaechi all indicating interest.

Omokri told Arise News that one thing that political leaders in the coalition all have in common is that they all lost in 2023.

He described the coalition as a loser’s convention, adding that President Bola Tinubu has no reason to be afraid of them.

“You’re forming a loser’s convention. I mean, why should I be afraid of you?

“It happens all the time in the United States, we see people forming a loser’s convention. When you gather negative thinkers together, there’s more negativity,” he said.

Reminded that there is a certain logic behind the coalition which is that the likes Peter Obi and Atiku do not want to split their vote, which collectively beat Tinubu hands down in 2023.

Recall that Tinubu got 37% of the votes in 2023, while Atiku and Obi combined got 54% and both parties feel that they might have won on a joint ticket in 2027.

Omokri, however, noted that there is no coalition, adding, “If Peter Obi says he’s running, if Atiku says he’s running…, if we are seeing Amaechi submitting a proposal to the ADC officially for a one term presidency. I mean, have you seen any coalition there?

“There’s no coalition. What you’re just seeing is egos, different egos. The man, Peter Obi, based on what has happened in the past, it’s very unlikely to get the ticket of the ADC.

“Because if you see what’s happening with the ADC, he doesn’t have that clout within the ADC. I have a good idea who’s likely going to get a ticket. It’s likely going to go to a Northerner.

“And the man [Obi] has said, I’m definitely going to run. So, there is no coalition, there are no general forces, this is just egos going here, right, and there.”

Politics

2027: I’ll defeat Matawalle by 10am – Gov Lawal

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Ahead of 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has claimed that he will defeat the former Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, if he makes a come back to run.

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch camp to newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However, the governor said he remains a member of the PDP, while also dismissing speculations that he was about to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking about what would happen if the current Minister of Defense (State) Matawalle decides to seek a ticket for the governorship position under the APC, governor Lawal said he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023 all these forces were there. They were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“What do you think will change now, in 2027 is it not the same Matawalle that I took over from? I’m praying to God that he should be the one under APC, and let’s see what will happen in 2027 I’m sure history will repeat itself.

“He’s (Matawalle) the one that will be an easier race, in fact, by 10am, it should be a walk over inshallah.”

Politics

Tinubu building on Buhari’s reforms – Former SGF, Boss Mustapha

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is building on the foundation of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mustapha said this at the public presentation of a book, “According to the President”, written by former presidential aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mustapha highlighted Buhari’s legacy of institutional reforms and praised Tinubu for sustaining and building upon them.

The Ex-SGF stressed that both administrations exemplify a commitment to systemic governance rather than personality-driven politics.

“President Buhari governed with duty rather than drama. He was driven by principles, not applause,” Mustapha stated.

Mustapha also highlighted key policy interventions during Buhari’s tenure, including the Petroleum Industry Act, large-scale infrastructure projects, military retooling, and the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP.

He hailed the former president for advancing reforms in agriculture, power, education, and the digital economy, describing these efforts as part of a broader architecture of inclusive development.