Be wary of northern endorsements, Ohanaeze cautions Obi
The Chidi Ibeh faction of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, not to rely on his connections with northern elites in any alleged merger talks ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation said that the recent political activities of Obi have stirred surprise and scrutiny among Nigerians and Ndigbo. In a statement issued, yesterday, by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Ohanaeze faction said that Obi’s visits to key northern figures, such as former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, have been seen as a precursor to a potential opposition parties alignment aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
It stated: “Observers have closely monitored the subtle political trajectory of Obi over the past nine months, particularly in the core North-West and North-East regions where he has strategic humanitarian initiatives with political intentions to garner broader northern acceptance and articulate his vision for the upcoming presidential elections.
“Notably, Obi’s understated community projects, scholarship grants and participation in Muslim ceremonies have been perceived as steps to fortify his political stature, especially in the North, ahead of the 2027 polls.
“With discussions brewing around opposition party alliances and the potential merger of existing parties into a formidable entity spearheaded by Obi’s confidant, Prof. Pat Utomi, to challenge Tinubu in 2027, the political landscape is undoubtedly dynamic and charged with anticipation.”
“However, amid these developments, Ohanaeze offers a sobering voice of caution to Obi regarding the inherent risks and uncertainties that accompany his relentless pursuit of Northern connections.”
The group noted that the Northern political establishment, religious scholars and traditional institutions harbour reservations towards Obi for several notable reasons.
First, according to Ohanaeze, his failure to address the issue of Biafra agitation and enunciate a definitive stance on the matter has left the Northern elites hesitant about endorsing an Igbo presidency.
Source: The Guardian
Police Arrest Suspected Killers Of Gen. Duru, Others In Imo
The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of suspected killers of Major General Richard Duru (rtd).
The Police operatives also recovered 552 live rounds of ammunition from the suspects.
Briefing journalists at the Police Command headquarters in Owerri, the State capital, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, stated that the successful outcome of the arrest was a result of the proactive operational strategies adopted by the men and officers of the Command in the fight against violent crimes and other related offences in the state.
He said that one of the breakthroughs recorded by the Command was the arrest of killers of Major General Duru (Rtd), who was said to have been kidnapped along Bishops Court, Area 7, Orji/Uratta, Owerri, in his black Mercedes Benz car but was later killed after the payment of $50,000 ransom by his family.
The PPRO further informed that the arrest of the killers of the retired Army General was carried out by the operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police Command through a sustained follow-up of intelligence gathering that led to the apprehension of the gang leader and other members of the terror group.
He explained further that his arrest led to the arrest of the other two of the gang, Okoroigwe Goodness and Innocent Ogu, and they all confessed to the crime.
Source: Leadership
