2023 guber: Obi/Datti movement, YPP allegedly merge to defeat Akwa Ibom PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Peter Obi-Yusuf Datti Campaign movement popularly called ‘Obidients’ in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, allegedly collapsed its structure into the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the coming March 11 governorship election in the state.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Otoabasi Asuquo and Engr Otoabasi Ntiah, respectively the Convener and Coordinator of the movement in the state. The statement was read during a formal declaration of support for the YPP guber candidate, Senator Bassey Akpan in Uyo, the state capital.

Dismissing the insinuation that the Obi-Datti movement is for the Labour Party, the coalition said: “As Obidients, we are not controlled by political party policies or ideologies. Rather, we look out for candidates with good character, capacity, competence and compassion. We chose to promote the best presidential candidate, that of the Labour Party, HE Peter Obi, because we saw that he has the solutions to

Nigeria’s problems.

“In Akwa Ibom, after a long meeting with all the support groups numbering over 100, we carried out adequate background checks on all the governorship candidates of the various political parties in the state. We used a formula called the 4 Cs –character, capacity, competence and compassion, and Senator Bassey Akpan perfectly fits into the shoes.”

The statement reads in part: “As you are aware, the Obi-Datti movement goes beyond party lines. We are a group of like minds who desire a better Nigeria. We are so passionate about good governance in our state and local communities.

“We have learnt our lessons. We will support the political party that supported our principal on the 25th of February. We will mobilize all ObiDatti structures in the 4, 354 polling units to vote for YPP in the March 11 governorship election.

“It must be noted that the ObiDatti movement in Akwa Ibom State worked extremely hard to ensure that our principal, Peter Obi, won the February 25th presidential election in the state, but those massive LP votes and results which humbled major political parties in the state were manipulated at the various INEC ward collation centres in the 31 local government areas by PDP.

“YPP deserves all the support from the Obidient movement in Akwa Ibom State because they showed us so much love by standing with the Obidient mobilisers to deliver our principal, Mr Peter Obi, in the 4,354 polling units in Akwa Ibom State.

“In life, one good turn deserves another. The YPP governorship candidate Senator Obong Bassey Albert and his dear wife have always been supportive of the realization of a New Nigeria with Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed. Even when our people voted for Peter Obi, the PDP manipulated the results to ensure Obi, our in-law, lost in Akwa Ibom.

“As we worked to emancipate the Nigerian masses from the bondage of the government of the day, we are determined to work and liberate our brothers and sisters in Akwa Ibom from the bondage of those who feel it is their right to decide who governs.”

Speaking earlier, the coordinator of non-indigenes in Akwa Ibom and President General of the Igbo Community in the state, Chief Sunday Orie described the endorsement as spectacular saying that since Senator Albert publicly supported Peter Obi, their brother, and delivered his local government for the presidential candidate, the onus falls on them to reciprocate by supporting him during the March 11 gubernatorial election.

While praying for victory and safety, Chief Orie urged the people not to be discouraged by the experience of February 25, but should rather make a bold statement with their PVCs.

Receiving the endorsement, Senator Akpan thanked the ‘Obidients’ for the show of love and confidence reposed in him, promising not to let them down.

He also promised to create an enabling environment for the traders that are majorly Igbos to do their business without overbearing taxation as they currently face and promised to create the Office of Non-Indigenes or Special Assistants where their welfare and concerns would be channeled to.

Atiku’s opportunism eclipsed PDP, halted Obi’s hurricane – VON DG, Okechukwu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Achieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for making false claims about the recent presidential poll.

Okechukwu regretted that Atiku glossed over the obvious fact that his desperation and crass opportunism led to PDP’s defeat only to blame Peter Obi, the candidate of Labour Party.

“Imagine what could have been the result of the 2023 presidential election if it was mainly between APC and PDP?” Okechukwu quipped.

Atiku, while addressing a press conference in Abuja last Friday, stated that Obi’s movement to the Labour Party took PDP’s votes in Southeast and South/south.

But, speaking to journalists in Abuja, Sunday, Okechukwu said Atiku allowed his entitlement mentality to becloud his sense of judgment.

Okechukwu wondered why Atiku wanted to deceive Nigerians with the false narrative that Obi rushed out of PDP when in actual fact it was Atiku’s insistence to contest against the zoning principle that propelled Obi to find an alternative platform.

Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of APC, recalled how the former Vice President brought his opportunism to APC to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari for the APC presidential ticket in 2014 on the patriotic premise of rotation convention.

”Now, for Atiku to play the blame game by bellyaching against Peter Obi, who turned out to be the hero of the 2023 presidential election, is quite distressing.

“How can Atiku claim that Obi was scared out by PDP Governors, when it was public knowledge that his huge war-chest and competition with Nyesom Wike made PDP’s primary too contentious and corrupt for Peter Obi?

”It was actually Atiku’s opportunism that eclipsed the PDP and halted Obi’s hurricane. The simple truth is that His Excellency, Atiku Abubukar’s opportunism eclipsed the PDP,” he added.

Okechukwu pleaded with Atiku to retire honourably from active politics instead of playing the sore loser and sulking publicly with false narratives.

He said: ”Here was a man who in 2014 defected to APC, on the patriotic premise that the then president, Goodluck Jonathan breached the rotation convention between north and south.

”Today, he violently breached the same rotation convention and the constitution of his party,” he further stated.

Accusing Atiku of telling inconvenient lies about the real reason behind Peter Obi’s exit from PDP, Okechukwu, who is also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (DG, VON), said the former Vice President contradicted his media aides.

He challenged Atiku to come clean on whether Obi was truly scared away by PDP Governors or as first narrated by Atiku’s team that he wanted to back Obi, but for Governor Nyemson Wike’s intransigence.

Okechukwu said Nigerians still remember how, in an attempt to defend Atiku’s brazen breach of rotation convention, Atiku’s team argued that he wanted to support Obi, but changed his mind when he learnt that Wike was against micro-zoning to the Southeast.

”We have heard from the horse’s mouth. It is a crystal case of opportunism that drove the Waziri Adamawa into the presidential race.

”Now, this mindless opportunism has not only buried the PDP, but also halted Obi’s hurricane that could have extended to the far north.

”The cardinal question is why didn’t Atiku deploy his huge warchest to back Obi? How on earth did he expect Obi to be a perpetual running mate to him, even when he had approached Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to drop his presidential ambition to run with him? Opportunism is the answer,” the DG VON asserted.

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

ABUJA

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd

(NNPCL) has attributed fuel queues in Abuja and some parts of the country to restrictions of businesses and movement during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The NNPCL said operations

Ecobank Group’s new CEO assumes office

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, said Thursday that its new chief executive officer, Jeremy Awori, has assumed his role with effect from 1 March.

The Group appointed Mr Awori in September 2022 upon the retirement of the former CEO, Ade Ayeyemi, who clocked 60.

Speaking in a press statement by the bank, Mr Awori said his appointment is a fantastic opportunity to take Ecobank to the next level of growth.

“Despite current global challenges, Africa offers promising prospects,” he said.

“Ecobank is uniquely positioned to provide systematic change across the banking sector at a pan-African level, using the geographic footprint it has already established.

“Through our single gateway platform, we are well-positioned to provide the necessary financial products and solutions for countries, corporates, and SMEs to capitalize on the continent’s vast resource, trade, and investment opportunities.

“We also provide relevant, accessible, and affordable financial services that address the evolving needs of a vibrant, youthful, and entrepreneurial continent. Ecobank’s brand and heritage, continue to be a

The Group Chairman, Alain Nkontchou, described the new CEO as a result-oriented effective leader with extensive knowledge of the African banking landscape. These qualities, he said, make him the ideal choice to steer the growth of the Ecobank Group through the era of rapid global and continental changes.

Mr Awori brings with him over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, including close to a decade serving as CEO and Managing Director of Absa Bank Kenya Plc.

Before joining Absa, he served in leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank across the Middle East and Africa.

His extensive expertise, skills, and industry know-how make him a valuable addition to the Ecobank Group, the statement said.