Politics
Latest Political News In Nigeria For Today, Monday, 13th June, 2022
Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Monday, 13th June 2022.
Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.
2023: Labour Party Reveals Region Peter Obi Will Pick Running Mate From
The Labour Party (LP) on Monday disclosed the region the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi would pick his running mate from ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure while speaking in commemoration of Democracy Day in Abuja revealed that Obi’s Vice would come from the North in all fairness.
According to Abure, LP in its decision to pick a running mate for the former governor of Anambra State would follow the principles of Federal Character.
He, however, stated that the presidential candidate of the party has the constitutional right to nominate his Vice President candidate.
Abure added that it would be more proper for Obi to reveal the region where his running mate would come from ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Federal Govt Finally Recognizes MKO Abiola’s Deputy, Babagana Kingibe As Vice President
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Monday recognised Babagana Kingibe, the running mate of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola, as a former Vice President.
Naija News gathered that Kingibe was referred to as former Vice President during the Democracy Day celebration at the Eagles Square.
Kingibe was invited to join President Buhari, former President, Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan for a group photograph on Monday during the celebration.
Other dignitaries at the event that were invited for the photograph include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Ibrahim Tanko, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu.
Recall that President Buhari’s administration in 2018 had changed the celebration of Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 to honour Abiola whose Presidential election was annulled by the then military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
Until today, Kingibe was not publicly recognised as a former Vice President in Nigeria.
Moghalu Resigns From ADC After Losing Presidential Ticket
A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu on Monday dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after losing the party’s presidential ticket.
Moghalu announced his decision to resign his membership in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Okey Nwosu.
Naija News had earlier reported that Moghalu lost his chance of contesting in the 2023 presidential election to Dumebi Kachikwu, founder of Roots Television.
The former Deputy Governor of CBN while stating the reason for leaving the party, pointed to the lack of transparency in the conduct of the party’s presidential primary.
2023 Presidency: Tinubu Meets Arthur Eze, Ogbonnaya Onu
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has met with the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Nigerian billionaire, Chief Arthur Eze.
Naija News reports that Tinubu met with Onu on Sunday at his residence in Abuja as part of the efforts to reach out to his co-contestants in the recently-concluded APC Presidential primaries.
The former Lagos governor emerged as the APC presidential flag bearer at the party’s Special Convention held the Eagle Square, Abuja, last Wednesday.
Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other presidential aspirants during the election and will now face the likes of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, among others in the 2023 general elections.
Recall that the APC presidential candidate had met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, among others.
Tinubu also met with Eze, who is regarded as one of the critical stakeholders in the country, on Sunday at his residence in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
INEC Reacts To Recognition Claims Of Two PDP Governorship Candidates In Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, has stated that the commission is yet to recognize any governorship candidate in Kano.
However, it will be recalled that this is in reaction to the story over the weekend in Kano with the emergence of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mohammed Abacha and Sadiq Wali allegedly claiming INEC recognition.
It will also be recalled that the PDP in Kano is factionalized with Wada Sagagi led executives recognized by the party headquarters and the court while the other group is led by Aminu Wali
Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu while stating the INEC position on Monday said the commission is yet to be informed by the political parties of their flagbearers.
‘If Tinubu Wins, It’s Going To Be A Plus For The Youths And Nigeria’ – Daddy Freeze
Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze has advised Nigerians to support their preferred political candidate without attacking one another.
This comes after Nigerian comedian Mr Jollof declared support for Bola Tinubu and was dragged online.
Reacting to a video of Mr Jollof saying he would still campaign for Tinubu despite the criticism, Daddy Freeze in a post on Instagram said Nigerian Youths need to work on freedom of political choice.
Daddy Freeze said he loves Peter Obi but this does not mean he doesn’t value Bola Tinubu, his political majesty and his vision as a leader.
The media personality added that he would support Peter Obi with whatever he can but if Tinubu wins, it’s still going to be a plus for the Youths and Nigeria.
2023: PDP Lawmakers Move To Endorse Wike As Atiku’s Running Mate
There are indications that lawmakers in the House of Representatives, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, might endorse the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as the running mate of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
This comes after a PDP lawmaker, Busayo Oluwole Oke in a statement revealed that his colleagues would meet today in the Federal Capital Territory to decide the Vice Presidential candidate of the party.
According to Oke, key stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones have concluded to endorse Wike after considering his contribution to PDP over the years.
He further stated that the lawmakers would meet with Atiku at the end of the meeting to convene their position to him.
‘Serious Plans To Merge Labour Party With NNPP Is In Progress’ – Yinusa Tanko
The Spokesman National Consultative Forum, Yinusa Tanko has said there are plans to merge the Labour Party and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to defeat the APC and PDP in 2023.
In an interview on Arise TV, Yinusa Tanko said he cannot give details of everything, but there are serious plans on merging the two parties.
According to Yinusa Tanko, merging the two parties is an idea they have seen on the ground, and they believe that the Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi, who is already grounded in the Southern part of the country, needs to work with people like Kwankwaso, a strong person in the North.
Yinusa Tanko said that both Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, have exhibited character, resilience, and determination while working closely with the disadvantaged.
2023: Fayemi Reveals Why He Stepped Down For Tinubu
The governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi has given his reason for stepping down and supporting Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2023 presidential election.
The governor gave his reason in a series of tweets shared on Sunday evening.
Fayemi, who spent the evening with Tinubu explained that he stepped down for him because the chieftain was a great influence on NADECO during its dark days.
According to him: “Tinubu is one person that I have worked with in the democratic struggles and was one of the wheels on which the engine of NADECO spun in the dark days of authoritarian rule.
2023: Bafarawa Speaks On Atiku’s Choice Of Running Mate
Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa has said the choice of a running mate to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is not a big issue.
Naija News reports that the PDP must submit the name of its presidential candidate and running mate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the deadline set for June 17.
Recall that the PDP had set up a committee comprising Governors, National Working Committee members, former governors and Board of Trustees members to advise on who should be selected as Atiku’s running mate.
It is understood that the committee would hold its last and decisive meeting on Tuesday and choose Atiku’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and their Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa are the three individuals leading the race for the PDP VP ticket.
In a chat with the Punch over the weekend, Bafarawa said the vice-presidential slot is automatically in the South and a panel who will decide the choice of Atiku’s running mate had been appointed.
2023: PFN Rejects Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket Bid
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has rejected a proposed Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 general elections.
PFN also cautioned major political parties in the country against fielding Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket in 2023.
The two major political parties (the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have produced Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar respectively as their presidential candidates. Both of them are Muslims.
With Atiku searching for a Southern Christian as his running mate, reports emerged last Friday that the APC is looking to pair Tinubu with a strong Muslim northerner.
However, the Muslim-Muslim ticket bid has generated a barrage of reactions on and off social media as citizens express worries that it would be an unfair move considering the religious status of the country.
Speaking with reporters in Jos over the weekend, PFN National Vice President, Prophet Isa El-Buba, said that it would be an exercise in futility for any political party to present a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
He said besides such a presidential ticket being dead on arrival, it would serve to further widen current divisions in the country along religious lines.
2023: Atiku Speaks On Picking Okonjo-Iweala As Running Mate
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has denied media reports that he is planning to pick the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as his running mate.
Several reports emerged over the weekend claiming that Atiku met with some members of the international community in Zurich, Switzerland as part of moves to pick Okonjo-Iweala as his Vice President.
Apart from the former Minister of Finance, other names said to be considered for the vice-presidential slot are Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; a former Govermor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan.
In a chat with The Punch, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe refuted the reports that the former vice president met with some members of the international community in Switzerland regarding Okonjo-Iweala.
Ibe stated that Atiku has stepped up his consultations with stakeholders and party leaders to search for a candidate that will be acceptable to Nigerians and compliment him.
That will be all for today. You can read more political and other Nigerian news on Naija News
