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Any politician that can’t fight for his people like Fubara should step aside, says Kenneth Okonkwo

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Kenneth Okonkwo says Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, demonstrated doggedness in the just concluded LGA elections in the state.

The actor-turned-lawyer praised Fubara for ensuring that the elections took place against all odds.

Okonkwo said he can no longer work with politicians who cannot fight for their rights and supporters like Fubara.

The former Labour Party (LP) campaign spokesperson severed ties politically with Peter Obi in July, saying he had lost confidence in the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Okonkwo also said Obi did not support the efforts of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in “fighting criminals” who wanted to “hijack” LP.

Speaking in an interview with Soar TV on Saturday, Okonkwo referenced Fubara’s resolve to proceed with the Rivers elections despite the pull-out of security operatives and pushback from stakeholders.

He said politicians like the Rivers state governor are needed to solidify democracy.

“If you’re not willing to take the risk that is attached to any profession, step aside so that people who are given that mind by God will go ahead and serve God in that capacity,” Okonkwo said.

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“If you’re a politician and you can’t stand for your people that voted for you, and because you don’t want to die, step aside. Because that’s what the job entails.

“Any politician that is not behaving like Siminalayi Fubara — who resists and protests when his rights are trampled upon, knowing that our judicial system and our electoral system have failed us, no matter the risk to his person — I will not speak for that politician again, and I maintain it.

“And you can see what is happening, because we(LP) can’t go forward. If Sim Fubara had been saying ‘calm down, calm down’, do you know where Rivers state would have been?

“He said he’s ready for them. He’s fully prepared. The election must go on. The election must hold. Winners must be declared. They will be sworn in and whatever is going to happen, let it happen.

“I’m looking for leaders who would say ‘nobody will rig my election, and if you rig my election, I will fight, and let us come out and fight’.”

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‘I REMAIN AN LP MEMBER

Okonkwo affirmed his membership in the LP, adding that he continues to advocate for the party’s consolidation.

“When I was a spokesman in 2023, I did my job credibly well, and we convinced Nigerians on what we believe is right. But you can see that in Nigeria, you not only have to have the power to win election, you have to have the power to defend your election.

“So, anybody that does not have that spirit or power to defend the votes in a manner that you would say, whatever happens to me as a person, let it happen, I am not willing to speak any further for the person.

“I am not betraying anybody because I am still a member of the Labour Party and you can see I’m still fighting that the Labour Party should be consolidated because Nigerians are looking for alternatives.”

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Politics

Monday Okpebholo sworn in as Edo governor

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Monday Okpebholo, a serving senator, has been sworn in as the governor of Edo state.

Okpebholo took his oath of office at about 1pm on Tuesday at the inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

As candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

 

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second with 247,274 votes.

 

Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 22,763 votes.

Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as Edo deputy governor.

Dignitaries including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chair of the governors forum; Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo; and other governors under the aegis of the party were in attendance as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

 

The new governor rode in an open-top van round the stadium afterwards while acknowledging cheers from supporters.

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I don’t belong to any political party – Obasanjo

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Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he is not a member of any political party. He described himself as “a no-party statesman”.

He also raised the alarm that Nigerians were facing several challenges at the moment, but preached hope and optimism.

 

Obasanjo said these today in Abuja during a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Zone 3.

The service was for the 80th birthday of journalist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.

The former President hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his 1999 election campaigns despite the fact that Chief Alex Ekwueme also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Obasanjo urged Ugochukwu to remain with the Lord and be committed to humanity throughout the rest of his life

 

He said: “But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. Your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope. Even when things are as gloomy as they are in Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful.

READ  Kenneth Okonkwo dumps Peter Obi, says ‘I’ve lost confidence in him’

“And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family.

“Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God.

… in 1999
“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in PDP – myself and Alex Ekweme.

“And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard.

“Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you.

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“When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained.

“Some people would have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.

My stand – OBJ
“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built together.

“Even though now I’m a no-party statesman. I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?

“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. And there’s no end to that. And the bishop said you should enjoy yourself. I will concur with that.

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“But don’t over-enjoy yourself. Because one can overdo it. Once again, happy birthday, many happy returns. You will celebrate 90. And I will be there. You will celebrate 100. I will not be there. But wherever I am.”

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Political parties, candidates sign peace accord for Ondo guber

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Political parties and candidates have signed a peace accord in Ondo state ahead of the governorship election on November 16.

The signing took place on Friday at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, the state capital.

Speaking at the event, Mahmood Yakubu, chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), told political parties and candidates that their signatures on the peace accord document alone will not guarantee a peaceful election.

“Your commitment to its implementation is critical. Therefore, as you sign the peace accord, you should commit yourselves to its implementation and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance,” he said.

He said the commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.

“Over the last four days, I have engaged with our own officials, security agencies, and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 Ward and 18 LGA collation centres),” he said.

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“In the case of Ondo state, this task is to be accomplished by boat in the two riverine local government areas of Ese Odo and Ilaje, and by a combination of trucks, four-wheel vehicles and motorcycles in respect of the mainland areas of the State.

“You should therefore expect to see a remarkable improvement in Election Day logistics. Voters in Ondo State should also expect to see similar improvement in result management.”

On his part, the inspector general of the Nigeria Police Force, represented by Sylvester Abiodun, deputy inspector general of police (DIG), said over 36,000 officers have been deployed to secure all 18 LGAs.

He said this effort will be supplemented by officers from other security agencies, totaling 43,157 personnel.

Abdulsalam Abubakar, chair of the national peace committee (NPC), commended members of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES) for maintaining peace and security in Ondo state.

He urged politicians who signed the agreement to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord.

READ  Rivers crisis: How I was ambushed with peace agreement – Fubara

“Shun violence and intimidation, and remember that as politicians you must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership,” he said.

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