Top 10 Nigerian Skit Makers With Highest Views On YouTube In Q1, 2023

 

Nigerian skit makers have been making waves on the online video-sharing platform, YouTube, with various dimensions of skits that have more views in the first quarter of 2023.

 

According to a quarterly report on the entertainment industry’s skit-making sector released by a digital analytics firm, Dataleum, on Wednesday, the analysis was based on the number of views gained on YouTube.

Here are the top 10 skit makers with the highest views on YouTube in Q1, 2023

Sam spedy – 36.87m views

Mark Angel – 35.63m views

Taaooma – 15.70m views

Brainjotter – 15.68m views

Sabinus – 15.32m views

Broda Shaggi – 15.8m views

Sirbalo – 13.32m views

Zicsaloma – 10.88m views

Mr Macaroni – 10.73m views

Kiekie – 8.78m views

 

2023: Sanwo-Olu Campaign Floods Lagos With Customized Condoms

Lagos gubernatorial election campaign has taken a rather hilarious turn after latex condoms branded in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s picture surfaced on the streets and social media.

 

The condoms, which also carried the stamp of the Lagos State Aids Control Agency, was reportedly shared at the campaign event of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which held over the weekend.

Lagos State ranks top in fight against HIV/AIDs with recent increase in budgetary allocations towards several initiatives and campaigns but the distribution of condoms at a political campaign event is being adjudged in public opinion as a political gimmick rather than anti-AIDs awareness.

Twitter users have berated the state governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu, for branding the condoms with his picture describing it as a reflection of his desperation to win his reelection in 2023. Others trolled the condoms as fake and substandard highlighting general assessment of the APC-led administration at national and state levels.

“If you use a condom that APC is sharing, anything you see, take it like that,” a Twitter user wrote.

 

2023: Peter Obi Knows He Can’t Win, He’s Only Playing A Game – Anambra State Governor, Soludo

Anambra State governor, Charles Soludu has said the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi can’t win the 2023 presidential election.

 

Mr Soludu claimed that Obi is only playing the game knowing fully well that he won’t win.

Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing, and we know too; and he knows that we know,” the article reads in part.

“The game he is playing is the main reason he didn’t return to APGA. The brutal truth (and some will say, God forbid) is that there are two persons/parties seriously contesting for president: the rest is exciting drama!

“That many Americans may not like the fact that Joe Biden (79 years) and Donald Trump (76 years) are two frontrunners for president in their parties does not remove the fact that if both of them emerge as candidates, definitely one of them will be president in 2024.

“As my brother, I wish him well and even pray for him. I told him during his courtesy call that my prayer is that himself or Prof Umeadi of APGA would win, why not?

“That is from my heart, but I also told him that my head and facts on the ground led me to know that it’s probability is next to zero (what I cannot say before you, I won’t say behind you).

“So I already told him my opinion. Indeed, there is no credible pathway for him near the first two positions, and if care is not taken, he won’t even near the third position

 

2023: You’re A Political Tourist, We’ll Retire You To Dubai – Tinubu Vice, Shettima Tackles Atiku

 

The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima, has described the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, as a political tourist, who will be permanently retired to the United Arab Emirates after the 2023 election.

 

 Mr Shettima spoke at the presentation of the manifesto of the APC to the business community and organised private sector in Lagos on Tuesday.

He took a swipe at the former vice president and questioned his academic qualification. He said the certificate Mr Atiku got from the Kano School of Hygiene only qualifies him to be “wole wole” a Yoruba word for sanitation inspection officer.

Mr Shettima also criticised Mr Atiku on his long history of participating in presidential elections. He stated that the PDP candidate is not Abraham Lincoln, a former president of the United States, but a Raila Odinga, who has a reputation of losing several presidential elections in Kenya.

“I respect Atiku Abubakar but leadership goes beyond ‘unstatesman-like’ ranting. Someone who cannot unite his own party, I wonder how he is going to unite this nation. The world is talking of artificial intelligence, of big data, of nanotechnology. The training that the elder statesman got from Kano School of Hygiene is that of a wole wole.

“And believe me, the ability to sell bottle water does not make one an expert on the economy. Atiku Abubakar is not Abraham Lincoln, he is more of a Raila Odinga. Next year, we are going to permanently retire the political tourist back to Dubai,” he said.

Mr Atiku has participated in several presidential elections either at the level of primary or the main election.

 

2023: Only Tinubu Would Appoint Certified Shameless And Nuisance Fellow Like Keyamo – Dele Momodu

 

Dele Momodu, Director of Strategic Communications of Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, has knocked Festus Keyamo, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, describing him as a certified nuisance.

 

 On Sunday, Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, described the manifesto of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the APC, as “another attempt by the APC candidate to appropriate Bashorun MKO Abiola’s Legacy”. He said the manifesto lacked originality.

The 80-page manifesto tagged ‘Renewed Hope 2023’, was unveiled on Friday.

In a statement issued on Monday, Keyamo said Momodu should stick to “praise-singing” instead of critiquing policy statements.

He added that the PDP’s strategy director is running a ‘cheap’ hatchet job to impress his ‘new paymasters.’

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Momodu knocked Keyamo, saying the minister was not at home the day shame came visiting.

The statement read, “Any self-respecting soul would have since resigned but Festus Keyamo was not at home the day shame came visiting. The Ministry in which he’s a mere figurehead is in total shambles and only a Bola Tinubu would have given the job of a spokesperson to such a certified nuisance.

“What did Festus say I did wrong? He quoted copiously from an article I wrote about two years ago, which the Tinubu media teams have been using to campaign endlessly, because they have no stronger voice of their own. I’m indeed flattered.”

Momodu had said in his article on Sunday, “It would be more salutary if he were to run on his own steam instead of copying the memory of a man whose life trajectory was uncommon and whose hope for Nigeria was noble. And the APC candidate should be reminded that 1993 is far different from 2023.

“The late MKO Abiola was known for industry and brilliance. Shall we ask what the APC candidate is known for? Whereas MKO’s Hope ‘93 was a genuine course; for the APC and Nigerians, it’s a forlorn hope and that’s the message of Bola Tinubu and the APC campaign in 2023.

“In all honesty, the 80-page document that the APC has put together comes across as a little more than an insult to the sensibility and needs of Nigerians.

“At a time when the country is in dire need of clear leadership with vision and courage, all the APC seems capable of doing is to generally copy and paste regurgitated ideas of others with nothing original or breath-taking. Asiwaju says he “knows the way”. With due respect, he does not.

“On more than one occasion, he has advertised himself as the architect of the victory of the APC in 2015. Their party’s slogan then was “Change.” In eight years, they have not been able to change anything positively. They have led Nigeria into a ditch. Inflation is close to 21%. Unemployment rate is 33%. The Naira is one of the worst-performing currencies against the dollar in the world.

“The suicide rate in the country has risen terribly because the people have lost hope. Divorce rate too because the APC and its leaders have castrated families, and ruined “the other room”.

“Thus, they have worsened the condition of Nigerians. Now, in 2022, Tinubu says he wants to take Nigerians on a journey. A journey to nowhere, most certainly; or, to be precise – to perdition.”

 

2023: If I Wasn’t In PDP, I Would Have Worked For Peter Obi – Governor Ortom Says

 

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said he would have worked for the victory of the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, if he were not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ortom said this after he received Obi, who was in the state to commiserate with residents over flooding.

The Benue state Governor who noted that the 2023 presidential election will be a three-horse race between Obi, Atiku Abubakar of PDP, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), asked Nigerians need to assess them and elect the person “who has the capacity to deliver and make things work for our country Nigeria”.

He said;

“Let us be factual. Let us be frank with ourselves because we are toying with our future. A country of over 200 million people deserves a better leadership that is proactive, has foresight and vision to make things work for our country.

“I look forward that these three candidates of the various political parties will meet and say ‘look, let this man go’.

“I am in PDP and I am working for PDP. But I tell you, if I was not in PDP, you will see me working for Peter Obi. But I am in PDP. Let’s see how things work out.”

2023: Tinubu’s Presidency Will Benefit Igbos Largely – Orji Kalu Says

 

Senator Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu has assured Igbos will be the biggest beneficiaries of the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

 He urged the South East to embrace the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

The former Abia Governor also told the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi that presidency is not a regional affair.

Kalu, who spoke to reporters at the National Assembly, said: “Presidency is not a regional issue. I asked the political parties to zone the presidency to the South East. When they didn’t do that, and since presidency is not a regional issue, I had to withdraw.

“I have no problem with Igbo man being president. But we have to do it with other Nigerians. If we don’t do it with other Nigerians, it is not going to work, no matter how popular you are. It’s president of Nigeria, not president of Igbo land.

“I’m an Igbo man to the core. I’m also a Nigerian to the core. If anyone from the Southeast would have been nominated for presidency, I would have been the one. So, it’s a party business. I have no grudges against anybody who is running.

“So, it is not personal. It is political and party. This thing is about party winning election. I have chosen to be in APC. Why will I vote against Tinubu? It’s madness, and I’m not going to do it. Elections go along party line, not along tribal line.

“For me, we will wait for another time and see how all Nigerians will agree to zone the presidency to the Igbo land. But for now, our presidential candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Tinubu is a strategic, he will make his presidency beneficial to the Igbos. The Igbos will be the biggest beneficiaries of Tinubu’s presidency.”

 

2023: Tinubu Won’t Be Friendly, He Will Be Ruthless Like Sani Abacha – Kashim Shettima

 

Ruling party presidential running mate Kashim Shettima has clarified that he only said his principal Bola Tinubu will be ruthless like Sani Abacha if elected president next February and not hospitable as previously reported.

 

 

“I never attributed hospitality to Abacha in my speech. I did a rundown of our past Presidents and played up “the taciturnity and a dose of ruthlessness of a Sani Abacha” to show we need strongmen to deal with the nonstate actors who’ve turned Nigeria into a vast killing-field,” Mr Shettima said in a tweet Friday night.

Federal Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, also said that Mr Shettima never implied that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, would be hospitable to Nigerians in the similitude of late military dictator Sanni Abacha. On the contrary, Mr Keyamo says Mr Tinubu will be ruthless as president.

As shown in the video below, @KashimSM never attributed hospitality to Abacha. He only played up “the taciturnity and a dose of the ruthlessness of a Sani Abacha” to show we need strongmen to deal with the non-state actors who want to disrupt our peace,” Mr Keyamo said on Friday.

Mr Keyamo was addressing an article that had previously covered Mr Shettima’s remarks at the 96th anniversary of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday.

In his remarks, Mr Shettima compared his principal to former Nigerian leaders, both of democratic rule and military regimes. He said that Mr Tinubu embodied their qualities altogether, which according to him, makes the former Lagos governor the best fit for the 2023 presidential elections.

Mr Keyamo has now modified Mr Shettima’s comments to reflect that Mr Tinubu’s “will-be ruthlessness” is directed at non-state actors who threaten the peace of the country

 

2023: I’ve No Preferred Candidate – Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said he has no preferred candidate among those contesting the 2023 presidential election

Obasanjo said this in Minna on Sunday when he paid former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar a visit.

He also said he only had a national agenda and not a preferred candidate.

“I don’t have a special candidate, I have a national agenda.”

The former President also said he was in Minna to visit the former Head of State who had been indisposed.

“I came to see my brother who has been a little indisposed. I had plans to visit him when he was still in London, but the day I arrived London was the day he returned home.

“So that is why I decided to come and see him at home. He is very special so I had to come.

He also said that “if there is anyone who is indisposed, I will visit and I am still strong.”

The former President who was in a close meeting with Abdulsalami arrived at 12:30 and left at 1:13pm.

2023: Tinubu Will Do Wonders Like I Did In Borno If Elected President – Shettima

 

Kashim Shettima, the vice presidential candidate for All Progressives Congress has said that his ‘boss’ Bola Tinubu will do wonders if elected president in 2023.

 

The former Borno governor stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference, where he represented Mr Tinubu on Monday.

“And we have the antecedents. I built some of the best schools in Nigeria. Go to Borno and see wonders; you will never believe that it is a state in a state of war.

“So, we are going to replicate our achievements in Lagos, in Borno and some of the frontline states so that our nation will be a better place. The fundamental issue is pure leadership,” Mr Shettima said.

However, Mr Shettima governed Borno State between 2011 and 2019. Boko Haram insurgency escalated under him.

In 2014, over 250 school girls were kidnapped from their dormitory in the Chibok community, an incident that gained global attention and condemnation.

 

2023: Zack Orji’s Wife Declares Support For Peter Obi As Husband Endorses Tinubu For President

 

Nollywood actress, Ngozi Orji and wife of Zack Orji, has declared her support for Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi after a video of her husband endorsing APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu was shared online.

 Ngozi Orji endorsed Obi in an Instagram post on Sunday, after the latter visited the Revival Church Assembly headed by Apostle Anselm Madubuko.

In the caption of the video she posted, Ngozi Orji declared herself “Obidient,” a title associated with supporters of the former Anambra State governor.

Sharing a video and photos of Peter Obi at the church service, Ngozi wrote: “It was An Awesome Time Today. That Moment Our Apostle General Anselm Madubuko Introduced H E Sir Peter Obi. What an Awesome Way To Wrap up AZUSA 20 Conference. God bless you Sir for Coming. We are OBIdient. We Move.”

 

2023: Peter Obi Not Fit To Be Nigeria’s President – Atiku Says

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed the chances of the Labour Party in the 2023 election.

 In an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Atiku stated that the presence of this erstwhile running mate, Peter Obi, cannot boost the chances of the party, because it has no structure.

He said, “I really don’t expect the Labour Party to take as much votes from the PDP as people are suggesting. We could have seen it in the last election in Osun State. What was the performance of the Labour Party?

“This is a party that doesn’t have a governor, doesn’t have members of the national assembly, doesn’t have members of the state Houses of Assembly. And politics in this country depends on structures you have at those various levels; at the local level, at the state level and at the national level.

“It is very difficult for a miracle to happen, simply because Peter Obi is in the Labour Party.”

 

2023: I’ll Hand Over To You And Tinubu – Buhari Tells APC Vice-Presidential Candidate, Shettima

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima that he will respond to his speech when he is handing over to him and his boss, Bola Tinubu.

 Buhari said this while hosting Shettima at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

“I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss. God willing, you are going to win,” Buhari was quoted in a statement released by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President on Wednesday.

Buhari, who received the VP candidate shortly after he was unveiled by the leadership of the party and Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, said he was very happy with the choice of the former governor of Borno State as Tinubu’s running mate.

“I wish you the best. Your consistency at the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as Governor and finished well. You have kept touch with your base. At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable,” he said.

The President expressed strong optimism that the APC ticket will emerge victorious in 2023.

In his remarks, Shettima thanked Buhari for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as running mate to the APC presidential candidate.

He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and Northeast,” adding, “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”

Shettima asked Buhari to appreciate his successor, Babagana Zulum who was with him, along with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for his support.

He said he would not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all of Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.

 

2023: Tinubu Has Agreed To Pick Muslim As His Running Mate For President – Ganduje

 

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has said Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has agreed to pick a Muslim as his running mate.

Ganduje disclosed this on Friday during a gathering of about 100 clerics at the Kano state government house as part of activities to mark Eid-El Kabir.

He said, “We have advised him [Tinubu] to pick a Muslim deputy, and he has agreed.

“A Muslim-Muslim ticket is a reality. It’s not something new in Nigeria.”

Ganduje also asked the clerics to pray for Tinubu to emerge as Nigeria’s next president in 2023.

Tinubu had, in June this year, emerged as the APC’s presidential flag bearer.

The former Lagos State governor scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest contenders, Rotimi Amaechi, who pulled 316 votes and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who scored 235 votes.

2023: Nigeria Is In Trouble If Tinubu Or Atiku Becomes President – Northern Elders Forum Says

The Convener of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, has said Nigeria will be in chaos if either Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress or Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party wins the 2023 presidential election, stating that the duo have nothing to offer the country.

He said the presidential candidates of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and that of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are better, compared to Atiku and Tinubu.

He told Vanguard that Tinubu and Atiku had been around political circles for a long time without commensurate positives to show for it.

However, he noted that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who contested the APC presidential primaries or a former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who also aspired for the ticket in the PDP would have made a better President as technocrats.

Hence, Abdullahi, who was a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, said he would not support any of the candidates.

Abdullahi said he would rather tell Nigerians to brace for the trouble ahead of them should Tinubu or Atiku emerge as the next President.

“No, we still haven’t got the man who we think will fix Nigeria. What we have on (the) ground is not good enough. How can you look at Tinubu and Atiku to say they are the ones who will fix this country?

“They have been on the ground for the last 25, 30 years and so on. What have they done? What are we looking for? I was the one who encouraged a technocrat to join this consensus. You probably had seen Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the group of people going around looking for consensus arrangements in PDP. I was one of those who encouraged him. We haven’t got the materials on the ground, unfortunately.

“Peter Obi, unfortunately, I don’t know him that much. He is a young man; he was the former governor of Anambra State and he is a businessman.

“He (Kwankwaso) is a good, young man. He started his politics with us and he is quite smart. No doubt about it. Of course, he had some of these debts that he acquired or he must have picked in other political formations and so on but clearly, he is one of the bright ones around. No doubt about that.

“I believe we have not had a good array of politicians. With due respect to some of them that one saw contesting, I am not being selfish here by referring to certain people like Prof. Osinbajo. He is a quality material but the political system will not tolerate him,” he told Vanguard Newspaper.

Abdullah further stated there was nothing bad if Osinbajo contested against his supposed godfather, Bola Tinubu.

He continued: “What has it got to do with what Nigeria wants? Is he a slave to the former governor? I don’t understand this kind of analogy. Professor Osinbajo is a human being entirely on his own merit and his accomplishments are entirely his own and people should assess him as such.

“Those who needed his services asked for his services. When he served as the attorney general of Lagos State, he was invited by the political system of Lagos State. This is the way I look at it and when he became vice president, I understand it is the president/party that identified him as qualified and competent enough to be the vice president in the current dispensation.”

“Why shouldn’t he be because he served under XYZ? He should be identified as an individual for leadership in the country,” he added.

While asking Nigerians to prepare for the troubled days ahead should any of the candidates become president in 2023, Abdullahi said: “What I will tell Nigerians is that we are in trouble and the way out is for Nigerians to agree that Nigeria is in trouble and that the machineries that are on ground today, that are expected to find solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria are not appropriate and we have to go back to the drawing board to see what we can do to save the Nigeria of the future.

“I believe the politicians have failed. My belief is that the political class has over the years failed to produce the kind of quality leadership we require to deal with the problems of Nigeria and which means that we should look for quality materials, not necessarily within the mainstream political parties, from outside and there have been a lot of discussions in Nigeria recently about technocrats.”

2023: APC Disqualifies Governor Ayade’s Anointed Candidate For Cross River Governorship Over 1987 Conviction

Governor Ben Ayade’s anointed candidate for the next governorship election in Cross River, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has been disqualified by the All Progressives screening panel after failing.

 The Panel 1 Committee comprising DIG Suleiman D. Fakai (Rtd) as the Chairman; Hon Chidi Nwogu as the Committee Secretary and Ambassador Paul Oyiborume as a member, found that Bassey could not produce his First School Leaving Certificate.

This followed a petition received by the committee alleging that Bassey is an ex-convict with questionable credentials.

A document says, “Senator Bassey Edet Otu was disqualified by the screening Committee (Governorship). We also received a petition dated 14th May, 2022 from Messrs B. I. Dakim & Co. against the nomination of Senator Bassey Ede Otu.

“The petition was brought on two grounds:
1) That the Respondent, Senator Bassey Edet Otu is an ex-convict
2)That the Respondent, Senator Bassey Edet Otu failed to make full disclosure of his educational qualifications.

“Aside from this petition, there is no other Appeal or Petition regarding any other nomination.

“The Committee, after due scrutiny of the content of the Petition and the supporting documents, found no evidence to substantiate the allegation of conviction of the aspirant before any court of law.

“However, with regards to the allegation of his questionable academic credentials, subject could neither produce his First School Leaving Certificate nor his WAEC (West African Examination Council). He could only produce his secondary school testimonial.

“In the circumstances, therefore, the Committee has no option but to declare this matter as inconclusive.”

Basey was elected Senator for Cross River South in the April 2011 elections, on the Peoples Democratic Party platform.

On 10 May, he was announced as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 Cross River governorship election out of 18 candidates who had planned to succeed Governor Ayade.

 

2023: Peter Mbah, A Worthy Leader, Selfless And Determine To Move Enugu Forward - Chike Anibeze

 

I read with dismay, the irritating write-ups on the Enugu State governorship candidature of Peter Mbah dotting some of our WhatsApp fora. The attacks and vituperations on this candidate are becoming as nauseating as the shallow thought processes instigating the write-ups. I hate to say that it gives a below average impression of the level of awareness of Ndi-Enugu in the political process.

I am constrained to make this piece because I strongly believe that elections are won on aggressive grassroots buildup and not on energy dissipation on twitter and WhatsApp but often we are pushed to join in the stubbornness of the political arguments even in the face of facts.

That much is the problem of Nd’Igbo even at the national levels. Peter Obi is easily the most deserving of the presidency in the minds of Nd’Igbo come 2023 and they are unrelenting in dissipating every energy in the social media about it. The north appears calm, surreptitiously watching events and planning their grassroots’ strategies. Let us stop and ask ourselves one vital question: 

How can Obi win the national election in 2023 when Kano alone delivered 2 million votes in 2019 which equates the votes of the entire southeast put together. The strategies must be reappraised. For come to think of it, the north does not see politics from the moral question of what can make the country great but from the selfish interest of what is best for the north. Perhaps, they may be the right.

Our political naivety in dissipating energy over ephemeral issues have made us captives of our own delusion. We must begin to think out of the box and strategize on how to use the issues of collective interest to force executive responsibility.

The recent piece on the so-called gang-up of the present Governor to hoist a candidate is laughable. Moreso when read in the context of the numerous visitations of the delegates of the three senatorial zones to Governor Ugwuanyi asking him to lead in the provision of a nominee for the Lion Building. The piece was struggling with little success to paint a devilish picture on the candidature of Peter Mbah through the use of concocted stories of oath-taking and shrine covenants with the sitting power. Certainly a paradox of some sort!

These old styles are clear to us and they have never worked. We recall the Ngige vs Ubah saga that ultimately led to the liberation of Anambra state. Let us work with political realities to liberate our political sentiments.

In all the write-ups, I have not seen one that seeks to know what does Peter Mbah possess that places him on a good stead to raise the bar of governance in Enugu State. What is his pedigree that will enable Ndi-Enugu to trust him with the leadership that will transform education, health and the economic fortunes of the state? All that these self-seeking writers are indulging in are propaganda and cheap lies. Arrogating themselves to  the status of law enforcement commissions charged with the prosecution of trumped-up corrupt offences by declaring innocent persons as guilty.

In the so-called matter quoted to be before Justice Samuel Candido-Johnson in Lagos State High Court Igboshere in July 2012; it was said the case was withdrawn to enable EFCC obtain more facts for re-arraignment. The question is: why has the re-arraignment not taken place ten years after its hearing and is suddenly resurfacing, not in the courts but on the pages of the social media.  People who have occupied offices should know that visitation to EFCC for questioning does not amount to criminal liability. The law enforcement arm should be left to do their job and if they find anybody liable, the law will take its course.

As a consummate academic with more than six decades of existence and proven clout of international reputation, I am tasked in conscience to preach what I consider as the truth. I am yet to find an iota of dent concerning the candidature of Peter Mbah. Rather than busy ourselves with the obnoxious issue of anointing of candidates to produce lackey governors, we should begin to do a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the administrative capacities of the candidates.

Lackey governors have never worked in our climes. The story of Enugu state in the past democratic dispensations are still fresh in our minds. So, no right thinking governor will exacerbate unnecessary efforts seeking to install a governor for personal selfish interests. It doesn’t work!

The noticeable indicators of democratic paradigm shifts are becoming palpable as the youths of this country are increasingly becoming restive on matters concerning the choice of their leaders. Gradually, it is dawning on us that soon it will not be business as usual. The ASUU strike is still lingering and students are idling at home, our health institutions are comatose and the general situation of things are terrible to say the least.

The Nigerian political landscape is in dire need of technocratic leaders who will transcend beyond the pursuit of mere parochially driven sectional interests to chart a roadmap for the economic emancipation of the state. At all levels of governance, the story is the same. This should form the fulcrum of our assessments and projections.

Perhaps, it might be necessary to examine the profiles of people seeking for governorship positions to enable us judge their characters and pedigree. An insight into the personality of the gubernatorial aspirations of Peter Mbah will serve as the barometer for our judgement and for once, let us practically see politics as a realistic venture to better the lot of Nd’Enugu and not an idealistic endeavour.

2023: Buying APC Presidential Forms For Me Without My Consent Is An Insult – Jonathan Tells Northern Groups

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected the presidential form of the All Progressives Congress purchased for him on Monday by a group of supporters from the northern region.

 Speaking through his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president said in a statement hours after the news that the group had bought the form for him that he did not authorise the purchase and consider the move by the group “an insult.”

“It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress APC, in the name of former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it. We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.

“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request. Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr. Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is therefore advised to disregard it,” Eze said.

 

2023: I Consider Being Nigeria’s President A Demotion – Bishop Oyedepo

As presidential aspirants continue to emerge ahead of the forthcoming Presidential election, Bishop of the Living Faith Church world wide, LFC, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has described vying to become Nigeria’s President as a demotion.

Speaking during a leadership summit transmitted world-wide, Oyedepo while charging the church workforce on the need to be devoted to serving God, insisted that it’s too late for him to be the nation’s president.

According to the Bishop: “I believe in Nigeria and that is why I am still here, and still praying for Nigeria. But I  consider it a demotion if I am invited to become the president of Nigeria. I am called for a global impact. I saw this since 1984.

“Even the devil knows that you can’t be genuinely sold-out to serving God, and not standout in life.

“Since 1976, I have never missed a change of story,” Oyedepo said.

“I was 19 years old when I prayed to God not to let me leave a village the way I met it. So I was 19 when I encountered destiny.

“I have not been tired going out for God since 1976”.

He urged members of the church to pray for grace to be released on them for global impact for Christ.

2023: Emefiele Keeps Mum As 3 Groups Purchase APC Nomination Form For CBN Governor

 

Ahead of the 2023 presidential race, three different groups have purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The groups, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Friends of Emefiele and Emefiele Support Group, said Emefiele is the only responsible and responsive person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2023 general election.

The forms were procured for the CBN boss for N100 million on Thursday in Abuja.

However, the CBN governor has not officially indicated interest in running for presidency.

Emefiele had said that he was focused on strengthening the nation’s economy amid calls by supporters that he should contest for the nation’s topmost office in 2023.

According to the groups, Nigeria is passing through a lot of economic and security challenges, and the parties and electorates must bring in experience, dynamism, energy, equity and fairness in the choice of who becomes the next President of Nigeria.

Expressing the reason for their push for Emefiele, they said the CBN governor's tenure as head of the Nigeran apex bank, has shown capacity, focus, courage and worked tirelessly with the economic team of President Mohammadu Buhari to keep the economy of our great country afloat above recession and outright collapse.

Other aspirants of the APC presidential tickets are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, State Minister for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, former Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and former Abia governor and serving senator, Orji Uzor Kalu.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State are also in the race.