• Says emergency rule in Rivers favours Fubara
Amid talks by the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) with other opposition political parties to unseat the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has dismissed the plan as the ranting of opposition politicians.
Uzodimma also said the State of Emergency Tinubu declared in Rivers State was specifically meant to protect suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara from being impeached by the state legislature.
ADP’s National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, confirmed the gang-up at the weekend in Abuja during the launch of three books: ‘Tax Tithe in Tight Economy’, ‘Optimising VAT for Business Growth and Economic Development’ and ‘Murky Waters of Politics’ authored by the national treasurer of the party, Dr Okey Ude.
Though he declined to name key opposition figures his party is networking with, Sani explained that he, alongside top notchers of the ADP, were bent on ensuring the emergence of leaders that would turn around the fortunes of the country in the 2027 poll.
The Niger State-born politician insists that Nigerians deserve a better deal than what is obtainable under the Tinubu-led administration.
He said: “Yes, collaboration is the thing that gets things done. Even in business, it is not about domination; it is about collaboration. So, we will collaborate with those that we know share in our ideology, in our approaches because this country needs good leadership.
“So, our party is for good leadership because that is what the country deserves. This country is a promise of greatness, and you have to get great leaders. The great leaders cannot come the way we are going.
We must begin to change the system of recruitment of leadership, which means the process of conducting elections have to be changed.”
Udo, who was ADP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, argued that with the vast resources spread across the country, Nigeria has the potential to be not just a giant of Africa but a global giant.
ADDRESSING a media parley in Lagos over the weekend, Uzodinma said the APC and the President were unperturbed by opposition leaders’ efforts to form a coalition aimed at winning the 2027 presidential election.
The Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) said the leadership of the ruling party was not only vigilant but had also demonstrated more political experience, for the coalition forces to unsettle.
He said: “What is a coalition? We are practising partisan democracy, not coalition democracy. Partisan democracy requires belonging to a political party to contest elections. When your party is no longer viable and you seek political oxygen, you must first leave the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before discussing alliances.
“I began by stating that you don’t change a winning team. We have seen where we were, where we are, and where we are headed. Ultimately, Nigerians will decide our fate. But that decision is years away. As a government, we still have over two years remaining in our term.”
On the crisis in Rivers, Uzodinma said he supported the emergency rule because he was concerned about protecting national economic assets.
“When pipelines were bombed, we had to prioritise safeguarding production. As chairman of the National Economic Council’s subcommittee on crude oil theft, our efforts have been on how to boost output, and any actions threatening our quotas must be condemned.
“The President, as Chief Security Officer, acted to quell tensions in Rivers. Had the House of Assembly impeached Governor Fubara, it would have set a dangerous precedent. It may be him today, another tomorrow. As a Christian, I believe leadership is divine. It is God who ordains,” he said.
