Politics
Pro Democracy Group Alleges Plot To Pitch President Tinubu, APC against Former Minister
By Our Reporter
Youths for Progressive Governance (YFPG), a socio-political group in the fold of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria, has frowned at the latest orchestrated plan to blackmail former Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah by political opportunists.
The pro-democracy group noted that the evil machination of these opportunists is to incite President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the APC against Dr Ogah with accusations of sabotaging the party during 2023 general elections held in Abia state as recently displayed by one Nnamdi Oleh.
Recall that Mr Oleh had accused the ex-minister of openly working against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Nkeiruka Onyejiocha and rigged the 2023 elections in his Uturu village in Isiuakwato local government area of Abia state against APC.
He also accused Dr Ogah of sponsoring media bloggers to launch attacks on Senator Kalu who currently represents Abia North senatorial district in the national assembly.
However, Youths For Progressive Governance while reacting in a statement on Tuesday signed by the national coordinator, Comrade Samuel Aguiyi and the Publicity Secretary, Chiamaka Nzomuche, exonerated Dr Uche Sampson Ogah from the abysmal performance of the APC in the concluded 2023 elections held across Abia state by the INEC.
The organisation reminded Mr Oleh and his sponsors to heap blames on the party’s failure in the last presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies in Abia to the unpopularity of the State Gubernatorial candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike, and the open treacherous dealings of some APC leaders who were in monthly payroll of the former ruling government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The organization noted that these self-styled Abia party leaders had truncated many chances of the state chapter of the APC to clinch majority of elective seats in the state and national in past elections held across the 184 electoral ward of the state by the Nigeria electoral commission.
As one of pro-democracy and political advocacy bodies accredited to monitor the concluded 2023 election in Southeast geopolitical zone by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, the Youths for Progressive Governance informed Oleh and co-travellers that the sterling leadership qualities and membership of Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah propelled the overwhelming popularity being enjoyed by APC in Abia state and Southeast zone.
The organisation also reminded Mr Oleh that Dr Uche Ogah’s emergence as leader of the party and 2019 Abia Governorship flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress saw the election of party members as members of the State House of Assembly, a feast described as first of it’s kind in history of numerous electoral outings by the party in Abia state.
“Abia APC’s participation in 2019 led the party to record impressive performances in the governorship poll despite the open treachery exhibited by undemocratic elements under the guise of party leaders to sabotage the very opportunity of the party and the then Gubernatorial candidate, Dr Uche Ogah to emerge victorious in the 2019 poll conducted in Abia state.
“It remains on record that Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah mobilized and delivered Abia state to APC at his Uturu ward and local government area(Isiuakwato) in 2019 elections unlike most of these self-styled leaders that failed woefully to canvass support for APC and as well convince the electorates into voting APC in office. The unwholesome characters of these so-called critical party stakeholders was clear manifestation of betrayal, sabotage and distrusts, which the former ruling PDP-led government in Abia contracted and bankrolled them to carry out.
The group recalled during the last 2023 elections held in the state by the nation’s electoral umpire, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah invested huge personal resources to persecute all electioneering campaigns embarked by APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all other candidates of the party who participated during the last elections in Abia state.
“Not only investing his personal resources in party campaigns, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah mobilized eligible voters across nooks and crannies of Abia state and they reaffirmed their massive supports by overwhelmingly voted and elected Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as well APC members from Abia extraction as members of the national and state assemblies in 2023. And Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah demonstrated the capacity and spirit of a loyal party member, and equally mobilized people of Abia North senatorial district that saw Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s election for second term in office.
The group also informed Mr Oleh that legislative redundancy and the sit-tight leadership style of Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejiocha birthed her outright rejection by people of Isiuakwato/umunneochi federal constituency during the house of representatives election held in 2023.
“Insinuating that Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah worked against Onyejiocha is seen as being economical with the truths, and that can’t be justified by Nnamdi Oleh and his paymasters. Obviously, this recent tantrums by this disgruntled Oleh on Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah is borne out of selfish political aggrandizements, and solely orchestrated to taunt the former minister’s sterling leadership qualities and sow seed of discords between President Tinubu, critical Abia party stakeholders and Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah. And this coordinated attacks on the foremost Nigerian industrialist is already dead on arrival.
On giant strides recoreded by Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah as Minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Youths For Progressive Governance drew Nnamdi Oleh ‘s attention that Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah facilitated the training of hundreds of indigent Abia sons and daughters in Solid Mineral Processing organized by federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
“Numerous reforms engendered in Nigeria mining sector by the former minister attracted applauses from the then President Buhari during the assessment exercise carried out on federal Ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s). These reforms initiated by Dr Uchechukwu Ogah fostered increase in internally revenue generation of the ministry which the then government channeled in building critical infrastructures across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria”, the group added.
Continuing, the progressive youth group further drew the attention of Nnamdi Oleh that Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, secured government approval for fully construction of Okigwe-ABSU-Uturu-Akara road, facilitated employment of indigenes of Abia state in ministries, departments and agencies controlled by the federal government, and as well facilitated inclusion of Abia citizens in Social investments and human development programs initiated by government, wherein hundreds of Nigerian youths, elderly men and women were empowered to become business shop owners, and self-productive.
Before his sojourn to public leadership, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah achieved milestones in private sector-driven business investments as he sited his numerous business conglomerates that specialized in food production, oil and gas, manufacturing of different assorted products ranging from plastic chairs, tables etc.
“This industrial revolutions by Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah in Abia state engendered job creation as thousands of youths are currently engaged in business of manufacturing, reducing high rate of joblessness and restiveness commonly associated with youths in the society.
While admonishing opportunitic Nnamdi Oleh to look for lucrative ventures, and refrain from serving as willing tool to sow seed of discords among leaders of the APC in Abia state, the socio-political organization therefore vowed that no amount of campaign of calumny will deter positive efforts and laudable gains recorded Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah in societal development and human empowerments.
The End….
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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