The camp of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s description of the proposed single-term presidency as “a four-year gambling.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Okorocha had praised Obi as a “fantastic gentleman” with a clear mind but cautioned that the Igbo people could not afford to take a risk with a four-year presidential term.

“Obi is a fantastic gentleman, clear in his head. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with him. But we can’t gamble. We can’t do a four-year gamble this time,” he said.

The former governor acknowledged that he had previously supported the idea of a single-term presidency but argued that the prevailing political situation had changed.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Director-General of the NDC National Campaign Council, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, said the party appreciated Okorocha’s positive description of Obi but disagreed with his position on the proposed one-term arrangement.

Abdulkarim said a four-year presidency should not be regarded as a gamble, insisting that a sincere leader with a clear vision could achieve significant progress within that period.

He said, “We have reviewed Senator Rochas Okorocha’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“We accept his description of Peter Obi as ‘a fantastic gentleman; clear in his head.’ On the claim that a single term is ‘a four-year gambling,’ we respectfully disagree.”

According to Abdulkarim, four years is sufficient for a committed leader to transform the country if there is a clear plan and genuine determination to deliver results.

He added that Obi was prepared to serve for only one term, with the intention of addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than gambling with the future of its citizens.

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will carefully scrutinise President Bola Tinubu’s fresh loan request before deciding whether to approve it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The request has sparked reactions from Nigerians and opposition parties, with some questioning the need for additional borrowing, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Oshiomhole maintained that the Senate would not approve the loan without thoroughly examining its details.

The former Edo State governor said lawmakers had a responsibility to demand explanations about how previous loans were utilised and the specific projects the new borrowings were intended to finance.

He also expressed confidence that the Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, would not merely endorse the President’s request without proper scrutiny.

Oshiomhole said, “The Senate will scrutinise Tinubu’s fresh loan request. We won’t just approve it like that. We must look at it properly and ensure it is in the interest of Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has defended President Tinubu against criticism over his decision not to attend every campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senator argued that the President did not have to be physically present at every campaign event to effectively discharge his responsibilities.

During a television interview on Friday, Oshiomhole also maintained that there was nothing wrong with Tinubu participating in religious activities while continuing to attend to the affairs of the country.

Barely 48 hours after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has received two major appointments in the party’s 2027 governorship campaign council.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Vatsa has been named Spokesperson and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation for the SDP governorship campaign council.

The party’s governorship candidate, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN, announced the appointments in a letter personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Minna on Friday.

The announcement followed Vatsa’s defection to the SDP alongside more than 200 supporters.

Before leaving the APC, the former commissioner served as the party’s pioneer Publicity Secretary in Niger State.

Explaining the decision, Ndarani described Vatsa as a vocal politician with extensive grassroots connections, media experience and strong mobilisation skills.

He said Vatsa’s political background and communication abilities would be valuable to the party as it prepares to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 governorship election.

In the appointment letter, Ndarani praised Vatsa’s political influence, public speaking ability and experience in media management.

“Your appointment is a testament to your towering political profile, fearless advocacy, exceptional oratory, media management skills, profound grassroots penetration and unmatched mobilisation prowess,” the letter stated.

The SDP candidate explained that assigning Vatsa the two responsibilities was a deliberate decision informed by his experience in public communication and grassroots politics.

He further described him as one of the most fearless, outspoken and respected political voices in Niger State.

“You speak powerfully and you mobilise massively. We need your voice to shape public opinion and your network to deliver the votes,” Ndarani added.

As campaign spokesperson, Vatsa will serve as the official voice of the campaign council and oversee communication of the party’s five-point agenda to voters.

In his role as Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, he will coordinate grassroots activities across the state’s 25 local government areas, 247 political wards and 4,950 polling units.

He is also expected to engage community leaders, traditional rulers and religious organisations to strengthen the party’s support base.

Other responsibilities include coordinating house-to-house, door-to-door, market-to-market and farm-to-farm campaign activities across Niger State.