News
Governors and 2023 Presidency
By Ebenyi Eugene
As the game for who becomes Nigeria’s President in 2023 gets hotter by the day, there is an imperative need for a cursory look at Nigeria’s political journey since the return of democracy in 1999.
From the pioneering democratic leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to the Short lived Administration of Umaru Musa Yaradua, whose tenure was subsequently completed and capped by his vice, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through a fresh election, and finally the current dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian nation could be best described as having seen it all.
In the sequence of the listed Nigerian Presidents, one thing is strikingly clear, and it is; that while two, namely; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari are both former military Heads of State, the other two were former Governors of their respective states.
It is correct to state that while former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as Nigeria’s President from their respective regions of South West and North West, the late president, Musa Yaradua as well as his successor, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan scaled to the number one position as political graduates as state governors.
They had their fair experience of political training firstly as state Chief Executives.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, an Elder Statesman, Retired General and Former Head-of-State, emerged Nigeria’s democratic President after his victory in the 1999 elections.
Chief Obasanjo opted to run for the presidency of the country as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, and subsequently won with 62.6% of the votes and was consequently inaugurated as the first elected and civilian head of state after sixteen (16) years of military rule.
It is worthy of note that Chief Obasanjo succeeded in winning at least some Western support, but popularly did, owing to silent but formidable support of Britain and the United States.
Chief Obasanjo was re-elected in 2003 defeating General Mohammadu Buhari and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu by more than 11 million votes.
Fast forwarded to 2015 general elections. It could be best likened to the 1999 elections as President Muhammadu Buhari, an opposition candidate won the presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes, defeating the then incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
He was reelected in 2019 after securing 56 percent of the total votes as he won in 19 states – including the two most populous states of Lagos and Kano.
There is no gain saying the fact that the national political stature and acceptability of the two political giants were major contributors to their ascension to number one positions at their respective periods of victory.
For instance, it is on record that President Muhammadu Buhari carved an unbeatable niche for himself, garnering international recognition and respect while he held sway as Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), when he displayed record breaking level of honesty and transparency in handling the affairs of the fund.
Watchers are already saying that it is safer if Nigeria’s next president will emerge from within the serving governors, saving the nation from another round of fruitless leadership experiment.
The nation is keenly watching the governors to know if this permutation will play out of their hands as it may be difficult to get another Buhari that is a single institution and who has to his credit an overall national acceptability.
It is rather definite that the acceptability of anyone as Nigeria’s president will depend on a chain among the thirty six (36) states of the federation, whereas the governors through their forum are the connecting chain.
The history and processes of the emergence of Late Musa Yaradua and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan are self ventilating as the two became presidents after successfully holding sway as state Governors where they were ‘dramatics personae’ at a level, one can aptly describe as the macrocosm of political theater in the Nigerian context.
It is as clear as crystal that the two former presidents performed to the satisfaction of even their perceived enemies and admirers alike owing to record evidence that they had first, graduated to the number one position in the country from the level of state Governors.
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, it has become most pertinent to bring to fore the gains of choosing the number one person from among the already trained, tested and tacked state Governors with a view to tapping from their political leadership experience and mastery.
It could amount to political suicide if the nation unconsciously plunges itself into another series of political experiment by opting for political neophytes or those who were not structurally screened through leadership furnace such as that of the state governorship position.
The Governors themselves must be conscious of who they truly are, as second level executive graduates on whose shoulders the responsibility of producing the next president lies.
They must guard themselves in unity, decorum and national disposition by taking hard look at the dire necessities of the present political circumstance of the country.
They must shun sectionalism but should form a common front with an aim to achieving the Unity, progress and wealth of the Nigerian Nation.
One could recall with nostalgia the memorable days of the powerful and result oriented governors’ forum under the Chairmanship of the present Minister of Transport and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amechi.
The present crop of state Chief Executives must remind themselves of the vision and essence of the same forum which was ab initio created as a non-partisan platform tailored to enhance collaboration among the executive governors of Nigeria.
Other present and former political heavyweights must understand that the sustainability of the Nigerian democracy of today is not all about ‘myself’ nor positions held but the connectivity of the level aspired for, en-route from the former.
The Electorates must be reminded that it is not about ‘my people’ but about a national personality whose image is capable of fostering the unity, oneness and ‘villagization’ of the Nigerian nation stemming from previous leadership training, disposition and exposure.
At this material moment of the nation’s chequered history, Nigeria needs a leader who will reinvent a nation where sectionalism, agitations and bigotry are totally diminished and buried with reverberating symphonies of our Unity songs, anthem and pledges sung and recited at every Hamlet.
If these form our political guide as the 2023 general election draws closer, Nigeria, no gainsaying the fact will surely become better, and will swiftly crawl out of its present economic and security woods, birthing a brand new country with global appeal.
Only a tested and trusted sitting State Governor can achieve this, if elected Nigeria’s next President**
Ebenyi Eugene, a Public Affairs Analyst wrote from Ebonyi State-
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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