Politics
“Nigeria Would Be More United and Prosperous If Peter Obi Had Won 2023 Election” – Abaribe
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has expressed his belief that Nigeria would be in a better state today if Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had emerged victorious.
According to Abaribe, an Obi-led administration would have steered the nation in a more inclusive and equitable direction compared to what is currently being experienced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the senator criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a deepening culture of nepotism.
He argued that Peter Obi’s leadership style would have been starkly different, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity.
“If Peter Obi had won, you would likely see a better Nigeria today.
First of all, he would not practice nepotism at the level we are witnessing now. It’s not in his character; that’s just who he is.
He would have led with a sense of fairness, not just for a select few but for all Nigerians,” Abaribe stated.
One of the examples Abaribe cited to support his claim of nepotism was President Tinubu’s decision to appoint four ministers from Ogun State, while several other states received only one ministerial appointment.
This, according to the senator, mirrors a trend that began under former President Muhammadu Buhari but has intensified under Tinubu’s leadership.
Abaribe noted that Buhari’s favoritism toward certain regions and groups was largely unchallenged, creating a precedent that Tinubu has seemingly built upon.
However, Abaribe was adamant that Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, should stop expecting fairness from any president.
Instead, he urged people from the region to focus on rebuilding and revitalizing their communities.
“It is high time we in the South-East stopped waiting for the federal government to prioritize our needs.
We must take the initiative to make our region more livable, cohesive, and prosperous.
Relying on external fairness has not served us well over the decades,” he said.
The senator also addressed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in exile, in Finland.
Ekpa has been accused of instigating violence in the South-East from abroad, with his messages reportedly fueling unrest in the region.
Following his arrest, Ekpa reportedly denied being the so-called Prime Minister, further raising questions about his credibility.
Abaribe highlighted that Igbo leaders and communities have long condemned the actions of Ekpa and others like him, who, from the safety of foreign countries, issue directives that exacerbate violence at home.
He stressed that their influence has caused significant harm to the people of the South-East.
On the issue of violence in the region, Abaribe called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He argued that Kanu’s release would play a key role in de-escalating tensions, as many individuals currently causing chaos in Kanu’s name might cease their activities once he is freed.
“Kanu’s release is crucial. His prolonged detention has given room for others to exploit his name for personal or destructive purposes.
Letting him go will take away that excuse and could help restore calm to the South-East,” Abaribe stated.
The Progressive Governors’ Forum has pledged full support to ensure President Bola Tinubu secures a second term in office. Speaking at the APC National Summit in Abuja, the forum’s chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged his fellow governors to take firm control of politics in their states and work to secure victories for the party across all levels.
Uzodimma emphasized that a united and active effort by APC governors will pave the way for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. He also acknowledged the public backing Tinubu has received from APC governors in the North, calling it a strong step toward solidifying the president’s position as the party’s next flag bearer.
According to him, APC governors must promote federal government policies and dominate their political spaces to ensure success in the next general elections. Uzodimma closed his remarks by formally calling on the summit to adopt the position of the Progressive Governors’ Forum in endorsing Tinubu for a second term and committing to deliver that mandate.
The Senate Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its readiness to lead a wide political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the party’s ongoing internal disputes. Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Senate Minority Leader Comrade Abba Moro assured supporters that the PDP will overcome its current challenges and come back stronger.
Moro emphasized that internal conflicts are not unique to the PDP. He pointed out that other major parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), are also facing similar struggles. He told journalists, “Despite claims that the PDP is falling apart, the party will rise again and grow even stronger.” Moro encouraged members nationwide to stay committed and loyal, adding that the party’s leadership is planning activities to revitalize the PDP and position it as a strong competitor in future elections.
The caucus also warned against celebrating the weakening of opposition parties, saying such attitudes threaten Nigeria’s democracy by pushing the country towards a one-party system. “Democracy thrives when opposition parties hold the ruling party accountable. Celebrating the decline of other parties does not help democracy,” Moro said.
On the idea of forming a political coalition, the caucus expressed support but stressed it must come from the party itself and not from personal ambitions. Moro noted that as Nigeria’s largest opposition party, the PDP is best placed to lead any coalition efforts. He said, “The PDP’s umbrella is large enough to welcome anyone interested in a coalition. If a coalition is necessary, it should be led by the PDP.”
The caucus concluded by reaffirming the PDP’s strong national presence and its ability to bounce back from current difficulties. “The PDP is a major political force. From today’s challenges, a renewed and energetic party will emerge, ready to offer Nigerians a real alternative,” Moro stated.
Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has shared his views on the recent push for a coalition between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Udenwa believes the conversation about forming a coalition only exists because the PDP is currently battling internal issues. According to him, once the party resolves its crisis, there’ll be no need for any merger talks.
His comments come as speculations grow around former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reportedly offering Labour Party’s Peter Obi a running mate position in a proposed one-term agreement for 2027.
While speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Udenwa explained that the idea of a coalition might only make sense if the PDP fails to get back on track. He pointed out that Nigerians are hungry for a change, especially with how poorly the APC has performed, and if a coalition becomes the only path to deliver that change, then it might work to a certain degree.
However, he personally doesn’t think a coalition is the ideal route. In his words, the best path forward is for the PDP to regain its strength as the major opposition party. He suggested that instead of merging into a new structure, smaller parties should join forces under the PDP’s umbrella.
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