Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed the circumstances that led to the breakdown of his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kalu said their disagreement stemmed from an alleged agreement that Obasanjo would serve only one term as president before handing over power to former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

He explained that the understanding was reached among himself, Babangida and Obasanjo before the latter was supported to become Nigeria’s president.

Kalu made the disclosure during an appearance on Arise Television, where he spoke about his political relationship with the former president.

According to him, the arrangement was for Obasanjo to serve a single four-year term from 1999 to 2003 before transferring power to Babangida.

He said, “I had a very good relationship with President Obasanjo, and it went sour. And it didn’t go sour because I wanted what I wanted to have as a person. It’s because I wanted something for all of us Nigerians.

“Because most of the things we discussed, he didn’t do. We discussed that he would be president for four years. We discussed that he would only do four years and leave, and another person would take over. We helped him a lot when he came out of prison. We maintained our support to make sure that he succeeded.”

The former governor further explained that Obasanjo was expected to hand over power to another political bloc after completing his first term.

He noted that Obasanjo’s emergence as president in 1999 was partly aimed at addressing the political grievances of the South-West following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the death of its presumed winner, Chief MKO Abiola.

Kalu added that the arrangement was also expected to sustain the rotation of power, with the presidency eventually returning to the North.

However, he said he could not confirm reports that Babangida had considered making him vice president under the proposed political arrangement.

“Whether he had given IBB to make me vice president, I don’t know. Man, I never thought about that. But the one you’re certain about is what I was certain about,” he added.

Reflecting on the disagreement, Kalu said he was much younger at the time but had since grown older and become more conscious of the importance of honouring political agreements.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the President is physically fit to continue leading the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following her criticism of the group’s call for an investigation into her distribution of millions of naira to constituents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan had criticised the Movement for urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate her cash empowerment programme, which she claimed was funded through a Federal Government budgetary allocation.

However, speaking in an interview with Punch, the Director-General of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, John Ughulu, said the senator’s response failed to address the concerns raised by the group.

Ughulu maintained that elected public officials needed continuous orientation on their constitutional duties, ethical responsibilities and accountability to the people.

He said the widely discussed cash distribution had raised concerns about the possible misuse of public office and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to him, if investigations establish that the money was distributed to influence voters ahead of an election, the action could amount to advance vote buying and should be examined under relevant electoral laws.

Ughulu stated:

“What Nigerians witnessed in the widely discussed money distribution incident raises serious questions about the abuse of public office and the integrity of our electoral process.

“If the circumstances establish that the money was distributed to influence voters ahead of an election, the matter could amount to advance vote buying and should be investigated under the relevant provisions of Nigerian electoral law.”

The movement’s director-general also challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to clarify whether similar cash distributions formed part of her election campaigns, arguing that the circumstances surrounding her emergence as a senator also warranted scrutiny.

He said:

“The election that brought Senator Natasha into the National Assembly was decided by the people. Therefore, an important question must be asked: Was the same practice of distributing money to influence voters involved in securing her electoral victory?

“That question deserves a factual answer, not an emotional reaction.”

The group further rejected suggestions that its criticism was politically motivated, insisting that its position on electoral accountability applied to politicians across party lines, including candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Ughulu stressed that the movement would not overlook alleged electoral misconduct involving individuals within its political camp while condemning similar actions by members of other parties.

He added:

“We cannot condemn alleged electoral malpractice under the present administration while appearing to tolerate similar conduct from individuals within our own political space. The same standards of integrity, transparency and accountability must apply to everyone.

“The OK Movement will not make exceptions for anyone. This applies equally to NDC candidates and candidates of every other political party. Anyone involved in electoral manipulation, vote buying, result falsification or any attempt to undermine the will of the electorate should expect lawful scrutiny and accountability.”

Ughulu also warned that the movement would explore legal options to demand accountability if the EFCC or other relevant agencies failed to investigate credible allegations.