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2023: Igbo don’t need special unity to produce president — Ohuabunwa, Amucheazi

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When criminal Fulani herdsmen were terrorizing the country, kidnapping for ransom, killing and destroying farmlands, the South West region of the country responded by setting up a regional security outfit which the region named Amotekun. The Federal Government objected to the security outfit but all the governors of the six states in the region, with the total backing of all the stakeholders including the traditional rulers, the elders and the youths insisted until it became a reality with the State Houses of Assembly passing the bill to give it a legal backing.

In the South-Eastern part of the country, some youths, backed by IPOB, attempted to replicate Amotekun by establishing the Eastern Security Network, ESN. But last week, the five governors announced their regional security outfit which they called Ebube Agu. This, however, did not enjoy the overwhelming support of the people of the South East as it happened in the South West. There were discordant tunes everywhere and the opposition to the formation of Ebubeagu was so fierce that IPOB threatened that whoever joined it could be on the way to join their ancestors.

Following this seeming disunity, not unusual among Ndigbo, there are talks that it would be an uphill task for the South East to achieve a consensus that will enable them to produce the president for the country in 2023.

Some Igbo leaders and stakeholders have however shared their views on what non-Igbo consider as lack of unity among Ndigbo declaring that discordant tunes over Ebube Agu should not suggest that Igbo would not be united in the 2023 presidency.

Ndigbo do not need to be 100% united before producing the President —Ohuabunwa

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, in his opinion, argued that the discordant tunes over the Ebubeagu regional security outfit announced by South-East governors did not in any way suggest that Ndigbo were not united on the Nigeria President of Igbo extraction project in 2023. Ohuabunwa said that “Ndigbo do not need to be 100% united before producing the President of the country in 2023.”

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The former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria rather submitted that what was needed was for other regions of the country to first agree to allow the Igbo to produce President in 2023. He further argued that when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was running for President in 1999 the whole Yoruba nation was not united behind him but that did not stop the race from producing the President as the major political parties ceded their presidential tickets to the region.
According to him, Ndigbo is republican in nature and can never be on the same page on every matter, unlike some tribes where the opinion of one person is upheld by others. He said that the discordant tunes that greeted the formation of Ebubeagu regional security outfit did not suggest that the Nigeria President of Igbo extraction project could not be achieved. Mazi Ohuabunwa challenged Nigerians to first agree that Ndigbo would produce President Muhamnadu Buhari’s successor and see whether or not the tribe would be united in producing a competent presidential material..

“It doesn’t require any special unity. Ndigbo can always agree at critical times. Let Nigeria first accept that Igbo will produce President in 2023. Were Yoruba united in 1999 when Obasanjo became President? Some Yoruba openly opposed him. Equity and justice require that the next President should come from South-East”, he said.

Ohuabunwa noted that everybody had his own concept of Ebubeagu or regional security outfit for the South East and that the differences among the people did not mean lack of unity.

In his own submission, the Chancellor of Gregory University, Professor Greg Ibe said that the governors should be given more time to come out fully on the modus operandi of the security outfit. Professor Ibe said that “since the governors are the political leaders of Ndigbo for now, they should be given some time to decide on the modus operandi of the regional security outfit.”

Professor Ibe said he believed that the governors must be doing some consultations on how best the outfit could be run to produce the desired result. He said that the discordant tunes over the security outfit did not in any way suggest that Ndigbo were not united on the quest for the 2023 President of Igbo extraction adding that as time draws nearer the coast will be getting clearer. He, however, harped on the need for Ndigbo to stay united on the project to avoid losing the bid to other regions saying, “when you fail to get yourself organised somebody somewhere will do it for you and foist it on you, coming together now is the way to go”.

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Igbo flexible leadership, something to be proud of — Amucheazi

Secretary of Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi said that the republican nature of Ndigbo was responsible for their flexible leadership, which he said was nothing to worry about but a thing of pride to the ethnic group. He further said that there was no ethnic group anywhere in the world or in Nigeria that would always have consensus on topical issues, such as security or leadership and expressed his support for both Ebube Agu and ESN.

Prof Amucheazi, an emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, was the National Coordinator of Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery, MAMSER under the General Ibrahim Babaginda administration in 1987.

He said that the fact that the Igbo appear divided on the security machinery such as EbubeAgu or Eastern Security Network, ESN, should not be a thing to worry about, maintaining that when the time for Igbo presidency comes in 2023, a president of Igbo extraction will emerge without many qualms.

Amucheazi said: “I welcome the establishment of Ebube Agu, the ESN can continue their own independently. I expect the governors to rally around and equip Ebubeagu, fund them and give them incentives. There is no group that is not divided over one thing or the other, whether it is Ndigbo, Yoruba, Hausa or Fulani or the middle belt. Every time people talk about the north speaking with one voice but the north is made up of over 200 ethnic groups. They claim that they are supervising others but they are not, it’s a handful of them, the cabal, which takes decisions and even amongst them there are people who differ. You don’t expect unanimity in any issue at a particular time. The important thing is for the governors to live up to their responsibility.”

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He said that the seeming division among Ndigbo will not jeopardize the Igbo Presidency project.

“We are winning the presidency; Ndigbo will have the presidency in 2023 if the election will take place. All these things they are saying are merely to divert our attention, to see if they can outsmart us but it’s all nonsense I can tell you. Why should we have a consensus when both the APC and the PDP will have separate candidates? These are diversionary talks that people are saying. I don’t think there is any problem with all these things, no matter their diversionary method. No group is united in Nigeria, sometimes people say there is no leadership in Igboland, but it is our flexible leadership which is what we have to be proud of. The leadership is there and at the appropriate time, it will emerge,” Amucheazi said.

Igbo presidency depends on kingmakers in Nigeria — Chief Onyike

In his own argument, an Igbo leader of thought, Chief Abia Onyike stated that the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction in 2023 would be possible if the kingmakers agreed to make it a reality.
According to him: “On the issue of Igbo disunity and Igbo presidency in 2023, if the kingmakers want to make an Igbo man president in 2023, I don’t see how it will not work. When Obasanjo was picked from prison in 1999, the Nigerian system was mobilised to instal him, not because of Yoruba unity.

“After all the Yoruba never voted for Obasanjo. The Awoists never liked him. The MKO Abiola family despised him, yet he still became president. Those talking of Igbo disunity should shut up. The Igbo appear divided on the formation of Ebubeagu because of the treacherous tendencies of the leadership of the South-East Governors. From their statements, it would appear that Ebubeagu was formed not to fight the invasion of the South-East by Fulani herdsmen, but to fight the IPOB and ESN. That is a false understanding of the security situation in the South East. And that is why the governors have not taken any steps to pass the bill banning open grazing in the zone.”

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Let us not expose our strategies before takeoff —Chief Okeke-Ogene

The national vice chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene however urged those responsible for the implementation of the security outfit not to expose the strategies to Nigerians before its take-off. He argued that revealing the modalities when no concrete plan for it had been made by the governors of the South East on its location, funding, training and staffing, would amount to putting the cart before the horse.

To him, Ebubeagu is merely an introduction of a new nomenclature because, as he observed, every state in the zone already has a security outfit operating in their various states. According to him, at this stage, what the planners of Ebubeagu should do is to harmonize the various security outfits operating in the five states into a zonal command structure with headquarters in Enugu.

He said: “Actually security outfits are not new in the zone, but the only difference this time around is that the five South-East governors are involved in it for the purpose of achieving a common purpose.

“With the stakeholders like Ohaneze, the activities of Ebubeagu would be harmonized and make it more forceful and expand its area of coverage. We recall that before now, state vigilante outfits could not cross their state borders to operate, but with the proposed Ebubeagu, there might be a need for cross-fertilization of ideas and passage of security information beyond state borders and among the various states.

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“Since this is a pure security matter, we do not expect the public to know everything concerning Ebubeagu because it is not everything that people should know. We expect the governors and the major stakeholders to work out the modalities and implement them the way they want them and it is the result that will determine if they got it right.

Even Ohaneze Ndigbo is not expected to know all the details since the apex Igbo organization is not part of the government. What we can do is only to advise when it is necessary, but we should not force our opinion on matters of security.

“Again, the operators of Ebubeagu should be properly trained to act mainly through intelligence gathering, rather than the usual manner of using force by Nigerian security operators.”

A post-graduate student of criminology, Mr Justin Animalu argued that with the governors divided along political lines, the tendency is for them to follow the directives of their parties, thereby undermining the interest of those they govern.

“I don’t see much coming out of this Ebubeagu. The governors merely did a photo show and you might be surprised that nothing much would come out of that gathering. When it comes to working out the modalities, funding, staffing and all that, you will see that Ebubeagu will die a natural death,” Animalu said. According to Animalu, the success of Ebubeagu would go a long way in determining how the Igbo nation would unite in their quest to produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023.

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We are religiously committed to the 2023 South East Presidency project —Godsent

Also contributing, a former Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, opined that “the ugly situation not only shows the level of disunity in Igboland but also, amply typifies the fabled crab mentality story. Late Alhaji Balarabe Musa told me in his Kaduna house last year, that Igbos are not united and will never be united.

When the Senate President was zoned to South East, they fought themselves until the five States in the South East tasted that office within four years. Conversely, it was the same position that David Mark held for eight years! Is that how they will produce the President of Nigeria come 2023? It is yet to be seen that they have changed!”

Reacting also, the leadership of Igbo National Congress, INC, described the insinuating allegation or belief, as “a misconception and misunderstanding from non-members of the Igbo race”.

President of INC, Comrade Chilos Godsent, explained that the process of formation and pronouncement of the Ebube Agu Vigilante Security Outfit by the Governors of the South-East was too alien to Igbo democratic culture and values.

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He said: “Meetings and consultations by key South-East Stakeholders, with the leadership of the leading self-determination groups in the Igbo nation have commenced, so as to harmonize operational differences by the various South East Regional Security Outfits. With this, they can serve the interest of Ndigbo and effectively protect Igbo territories.

On the agitation for the President of South-East extraction in 2023, we do not think that there is any disunity in the pursuit of this popular cause. We are religiously committed to the 2023 South East Presidency project and INC does not see any act capable of causing friction in that project.”

Ebube Agu, Igbo presidency will fail —Prof Okolie

Holding a different view, the national president of Nigerian Political Science Association, NPSA, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, argued that “the Ebubeagu security outfit being proposed by the governors of South East region will fail just like the ambition of the Igbos to produce Nigerian president in 2023”.

Prof. Okolie who is also the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, explained that the governors failed to carry the intelligentsia, opinion leaders, legal luminaries and major stakeholders along in setting up the proposed security outfit.

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While saying that the 2023 ambition of the Igbos to produce a Nigerian president would not be realizable just like the Ebubeagu security outfit, he alleged that the governors of the South-East were sabotaging themselves for political gains and cannot work out any meaningful project together.

He said, “before the South West came up with Amotekun, they were able to harvest the contributions of the intelligentsia, opinion leaders, legal luminaries and major stakeholders which the South-East governors didn’t do before proposing Ebubeagu. The South West came together and established their views. The framework was established and legalized. That is why it was very difficult for the Federal Government to fault the legal standing of Amotekun.

“The South-East Governors are singing in discordant tones, they are not working in unison. Each of them is faced with the factor of political survival, that is, they want to perpetuate themselves on political seats. The second factor is that all of them are afraid of the hydra-headed monster called EFCC. Based on these basic factors, none of them is ready to lay down his head for the survival of the Igbo race.

“Each person is talking about either being the president, Vice President, being in Senate and what have you. That is why they can’t have a common front. They are sabotaging themselves. From the setting we are seeing, the South East region cannot produce the president of Nigeria in 2023. This does not mean that I am sabotaging the Igbo people, but this is just the reality based on discordant tones that characterise Igbo relationship with one another. It is obvious that what they call Ebubeagu is not for the protection of the Igbo man but an outfit directed from the Presidency to fight ESN.”

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Tinubu’s Biggest Problem Is Those Around Him, Says Ndume

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Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has identified what he believes is President Bola Tinubu’s greatest challenge, saying the Nigerian leader is surrounded by aides and political associates who are unwilling to tell him the truth when government policies fail.

Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme on Thursday, the outspoken lawmaker said the President’s inner circle has become one of the biggest obstacles to the success of his administration because many of those closest to him lack the courage to offer honest advice.

“I believe that his problem, I said it before, is the people around him,” Ndume said.

The senator, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noted that President Tinubu was familiar with his forthright views on governance, adding, “The President knows me to some extent. I give it to him, he has so much to do.”

Ndume disclosed that despite belonging to the same party as the President, he had only met Tinubu officially on a few occasions, including discussions on health sector funding.

He also revealed that he wrote two letters requesting an audience with the President to discuss pressing national issues, particularly insecurity and citizens’ welfare.

“I wrote two letters and marshalled my points on what can be done, especially about security and the welfare of citizens. Those are the main purposes of government,” he said.

Asked whether some individuals within the Presidency had blocked his access to the President, Ndume replied, “Yeah, both.”

He recalled that one of his meetings with Tinubu came after a presidential aide informed the President that he had defended his administration during a television interview.

According to Ndume, Tinubu then invited him for a private meeting, during which they held an extensive discussion.

Although he dismissed claims that a cabal controls the Presidency, Ndume questioned whether those surrounding the President were giving him objective advice.

“No, not cabal, so to say. I don’t want to give them that,” he said.

On whether Tinubu was firmly in control of his administration, Ndume responded: “He can be in charge. ‘He can be in charge’ is different from ‘he is in charge.'”

He argued that many of the President’s aides owe their political fortunes to Tinubu, making it difficult for them to challenge his decisions.

“Majority of them, about 95 per cent, are his dependants. Even before he became President, he was taking care of them. When you have people around you who are your dependants, they cannot look you in the face and say, ‘Mr President, this cannot work,'” he said.

Despite his criticisms, Ndume reaffirmed his loyalty to both the APC and the Tinubu administration, insisting that his comments were intended to strengthen rather than undermine the government.

When reminded that the Tinubu administration was also his government, he replied, “It’s our government. If not for Tinubu, my governor, the Vice President and his wife, I probably wouldn’t have remained in the APC.”

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Mbaise 2027 Must Not Be Open: Sir Basil Maduka, Our Only Joker For Owerri Zone Senate

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By Sir Amby Uneze KSJI

The dye is cast and the atmosphere is gathering momentum when a people should stand up and be counted. Anyone who allows his father’s name to get lost in the scheme of things definitely will be hunted for life by the ancestors. Therefore, it becomes pertinent to wake up when the ikoro sounds so as to be awake and retain or regain your relevance during the fight.

Ndi Mbaise are people of immense prowess with large population, education, wealth blessed by God to be champions of a race. In Igboland, Mbaise people are noted for her bravery from creation, hence they are widely regarded as the most populus entity in Igboland (Mbaise nwere mmadu).

Coming down to the discussion at the moment and as the political landscape of Nigeria continues to evolve, Ndi Mbaise sub zone stands at a point where a choice must be made. The upcoming 2027 elections present a pivotal opportunity for the people of Owerri Zone to make a decisive choice for their future and Mbaise is a commanding force to decide who represents Owerri zone at the Senate. In this context therefore comes a man of note, gentle in style and in performance, trustworthy, integrity personified, character endowed and a man of vision and mission. Sir Basil Maduka emerges as a compelling candidate. He is one who embodies the aspirations and concerns of the people. It is crucial that we unite behind him in this journey, as he is, indeed, our only joker for the Owerri zone Senate.

History beckons on him as the only senatorial candidate from Mbaise. It is also commendable that Sir Basil Maduka comes from Ezinihitte Mbaise which shares the same federal Constituency with Ahiazu Mbaise. Record shows that Ezinihitte Mbaise has not produced a Senator since the current political dispensation which started in 1999. The only attempt made was during the Governor Evan Enwerem’s regime around 1992 when Senator Bright Nwanne, a young, vibrant and enterprising gentleman spent only 18 months as a senator.

Moreover, as the flame of the Labour Party continues to spread across the Owerri zone because of Sir Basil Maduka who is flying the party’s flag for the Senate, the people of Owerri federal Constituency and the Mbaike federal Constituency join hands with the Mbaise nation, to provide a smooth ride for Sir Basil Maduka.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight the senators who have represented Imo East (Owerri Zone) in the Nigerian Senate from 1999 to date, in chronological order: Evan Enwerem (1999–2003) – 4 years (Mbaike), Amah Iwuagwu/Eze Ajoku (2003–2007) – 4 years (Mbaike/Owerri federal), Chris Anyanwu (2007-2015) – 8 years (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala), Samuel Anyanwu (2015–2019) – 4 years (Mbaike), and Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (2019–present) – 8 years (Owerri Federal Constituency).

From the foregoing analysis, it has become obvious that the only Federal Constituency that has not tested the Senate seat since 1999 is the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte where Sir Basil Maduka hails from. 2027 brings the best bet to reconcile this anomaly and give the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency a sense of belonging. Ndi Mbaise this is your chance to have a Senator in 2027 because nobody is sure of the governorship in 2028.

Sir Basil Maduka is not a newcomer to the political arena. With a wealth of experience in governance and community service, he has demonstrated a commitment to the people of Ndi Mbaise. His sound mind has prepared him with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of legislative responsibilities. His ability to connect with the high and mighty including constituents and understand their needs is unparalleled, making him a standout candidate in a crowded field.

Maduka’s vision for the Owerri Zone is rooted in the principles of inclusivity and progress. He has a comprehensive plan that addresses critical issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. His focus on building a robust educational framework is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to empower the youth and provide them with the tools necessary for success. By prioritizing these areas, Maduka is not just campaigning for votes; he is advocating for the sustainable development of our area. He is worried that as influential and prominence Mbaise is; it lacks a university, federal presence, and so on.

In a time when political integrity is often questioned, Sir Basil Maduka stands out as a beacon of trustworthiness. His reputation for honesty and transparency resonates deeply with the electorate. Our people are increasingly looking for leaders who prioritize ethical governance, and Maduka exemplifies these values. His commitment to accountability will ensure that the interests of Ndi Mbaise are safeguarded at every level of governance.

The youth of Ndi Mbaise represent a significant portion of the electorate, and their engagement is vital for the future of our area. Maduka recognizes this and has made it a cornerstone of his mission. By actively involving young people in his political discourse and addressing their concerns, he is fostering a new generation of leaders. His initiatives aimed at youth empowerment will not only resonate with young people but also inspire a sense of ownership and responsibility among them.

One of Maduka’s most admirable qualities is his collaborative approach to politics. He believes in building bridges with various stakeholders, including other political parties and community leaders. This willingness to engage in dialogue and seek common ground is essential for fostering a united front in addressing the challenges faced by our people. In a time of division, Maduka’s leadership promises to bring our zone together for the greater good.

Finally, as we look ahead to the 2027 elections, it is imperative that we rally around Sir Basil Maduka. His proven leadership, community-centric vision, integrity, and commitment to youth engagement make him the ideal candidate for the Owerri Senate. The stakes are high, and the future of Ndi Mbaise depends on our collective decision. Let us not leave Mbaise open; let us stand united behind our only joker, Sir Basil Maduka of Labour Party, and pave the way for a brighter future for the Owerri Zone.

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2027: Ebonyi Communities Endorse PDP Governorship Candidate Odii

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Residents from various communities in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, as their preferred choice for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made on Wednesday during a gathering tagged “Street Endorsement for Odii” held in Afikpo.
Speaking at the event, the Ebonyi State PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Chinyere Nwele, described Odii’s governorship aspiration as timely and necessary, arguing that the state needed a leader with the competence and vision to drive development.
According to her, Odii possesses the capacity, integrity, experience, and contacts required to reposition Ebonyi State and improve the welfare of its citizens.
She urged residents to rally behind the PDP candidate, warning that the state risked further setbacks if leadership was entrusted to individuals lacking the requisite experience and commitment.
Also speaking, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South Zone in the 2027 elections, Mrs. Maria Nwachi, called on residents to support Odii’s ambition and make effective use of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the elections.
Nwachi, a former member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, described Odii as a leader who understands the challenges facing Ebonyians and has the capacity to address them.
She expressed confidence that the PDP candidate would bring transformational leadership to the state if elected.
The PDP House of Assembly candidate for Afikpo North-East Constituency, Mr. Iheukwumere Okogwu-Otu, described the endorsement as a significant step towards shaping the future of Ebonyi State.
He said the gathering reflected the confidence many residents have in Odii’s ability to provide purposeful leadership and address the state’s challenges.
Similarly, the PDP House of Assembly candidate for Afikpo North-West Constituency, Mr. Ewa Chukwumaijem, urged residents to support the PDP governorship candidate and ensure they obtain and safeguard their PVCs ahead of the election.
The event drew supporters from several communities across Afikpo, who pledged their backing for the PDP candidate as preparations for the 2027 governorship race gather momentum.

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Senator dumps APC, alleges injustice, internal crisis in ruling party   

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Senator Garba Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South Senatorial District, has defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal crises and what he described as injustice within the party.

The lawmaker formally announced his defection in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read on the floor of the Senate on Monday by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary.

In the letter, Maidoki said the lingering crisis within the APC had forced him to seek a new political platform.

“I am writing to inform Your Excellency, the President of the Senate, and the distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” he stated.

Explaining the reason for his decision, the senator said the internal wrangling in the ruling party had become a major source of concern.

“My decision is based on the lingering internal crisis of the APC that has made my political inspiration a source of concern,” he said.

Maidoki expressed confidence that the ADC would provide a more suitable platform to advance the interests of his constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“I believe that the ideas of the ADC are better for the benefit of my senatorial district and Nigeria at large,” he added.

The Kebbi South senator also accused the APC of abandoning the principles of justice, peace and unity, particularly during the recently concluded party primary elections in the state.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not exhibited its slogan as justice, peace, and unity, especially in Kebbi State during the just concluded primary elections,” he declared.

Reaffirming his commitment to his new political platform, Maidoki said:

“It is in this regard, therefore, that I wish to inform you of my defection to the African Democratic Congress, which I believe guarantees my political aspiration.”

The defection marks another political setback for the APC as the ADC continues to attract high-profile politicians ahead of future electoral contests.

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Enugu High Court Receives OAU Onyema’s N20m Recovery Suit Against NDC, Dickson, Egwu, Others

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A legal battle has commenced at the Enugu State High Court following the filing of Suit No. E/619/2026 by Chief Sir OAU Onyema against the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, Barrister Ikenna Enekweizu, former Ebonyi State Governor Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
The plaintiff is seeking the recovery of N20 million, which he alleges was procured through misrepresentation, undue influence, and coercive inducement, resulting in what he described as unjust enrichment by the defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants have been given 42 days to file their defence. The plaintiff has also filed an application for summary judgment, urging the court to enter judgment in his favour without a full trial on the grounds that the defendants allegedly have no viable defence to the claims. The defendants were granted 14 days after service to respond to the motion.
In a 41-paragraph affidavit supported by 12 exhibits, the plaintiff detailed the basis of his claims and requested an order compelling the defendants, jointly and severally, to refund the N20 million allegedly paid into Account No. 1046691859 belonging to the first defendant and domiciled with FCMB.
As part of the summary judgment application, the plaintiff is also seeking an order freezing the account pending the determination of the substantive suit if the court declines to grant immediate judgment.
In the substantive action, the plaintiff seeks declarations that the N20 million payment was obtained through misrepresentation, undue influence and coercive inducement, and that the defendants’ continued retention of the funds amounts to unjust enrichment.
He is further asking the court to award N5 million as special damages for litigation costs, N200 million as general damages for alleged psychological trauma, embarrassment, hardship and inconvenience, and interest on the disputed sum at the rate of 10 per cent per month from June 2, 2026, until full repayment.
The matter has been tentatively adjourned to July 2, 2026, for returns on court assignment and the fixing of further hearing dates.
Further details of the proceedings are expected as the case progresses.

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