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Why I Stepped Down From Presidential Race – Ezekwesili 

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Dr. Oby Ezekwesili declared her withdrawal from the presidential race early Thursday morning, Nigerian Cable News online reported.

The two-tenure Nigerian minister and flagbearer of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN made this decision after she had vigorously participated in the last weekend’s presidential debate with Kingsley Moghalu ans Fela Durotoye.

Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, the candidates of the two major political parties in Nigeria, All Progressive’s Congress and Peoples Democratic Party respectively refused to step on same podium the trio for same purpose.

On her last minute move, she admitted her decision was resisted by the ACPN, her party, but remained determined to align with others in a bid to fight against the dominance of the ruling party – that assume central power for the first time in 2015 – and PPD that was the only party t have ruled from 1999 when Nigeria switched from military to democracy till 2015.

Her full statement detailing her intention reads below:

Following the reactions of Nigerian citizens at home and abroad to the 2019 Presidential Debate held on Saturday 19 January 2019, and after extensive consultations with leaders from various walks of life across the country over the past few days. I have decided to step down from the presidential race and focus on helping to build a Coalition for a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the 2019 general elections.

This coalition for a viable alternative has now more than ever before become an urgent mission for and on behalf of the citizenry.

Over the past three months, I have been in private extended talks with other candidates to make a coalition possible that would allow Nigerians to exercise choice without feeling helplessly saddled with the #APCPDP.

In doing so, I have not hesitated to offer my willingness to step down my candidacy in order to facilitate the emergence of a strong and viable alternative behind which Nigerians can line up in our collective search for a new beginning.

My commitment in this regard has been consistent and in consonance with my agreement, at the request of then aspirants under PACT in 2018, to supervise their internal selection process as an outside observer passionate about building this alternative force.

Despite disagreements within the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria on these and other issues, I have decided that it is now necessary to show by action and example my determination on this issue by stepping down my candidacy and focusing on building the coalition once and for all.

We have no right to allow citizens give in to despair. We will #Fight4Naija together, and prove to all that the mess that has now become the political class will not be allowed to destroy our spirits and the nation.

We are also determined to ensure that the message keeps resonating that our beloved country deserves better, and that if we are to get the best that we deserve, we must fight for it.

From last year, I have made it clear to the nation that Nigeria has always had a 20 year cycle of change – 1959, 1979, and 1999.
2019 begins another 20 year cycle, and together with all Nigerians of good will, I stand ready to play my part to ensure that we do not miss this opportunity to sing a new song. We have no more time to waste. Let’s get to work!

Although Ezekwesili is yet to open up on which group she will be forming formidable alliance with but it can be recalled that in August, 2018, she was the supervising observer for the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together, PACT’s election, a process to have a consensus candidate between more than 10 aspirants of Moghalu, Fela Durotoye, Omoyele Sowore among others.

Although, Durotoye emerged winner but many candidates raised eyebrows against the process and witherew continue with her their presidential bids separately.

Politics

2027 election: LP considers automatic tickets for Obi, Otti

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The Labour Party has reserved its 2027 presidential ticket for its candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.

This was contained in a communiqué issued after the party’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday.

The communiqué was signed by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, and the party’s National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim.

“The convention in session, based on the antecedents of the presidential candidate before, during and after the 2023 general election, recommend that the 2027 presidential ticket of the party be solely reserved for His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the national leader of the party,” the communique read.

Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, came third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The party also recommended that the governorship ticket of the party be reserved for the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti.

The convention was initially set to be held in Umuahia, Abia State, but was moved to Nnewi, Anambra State.

This is coming after the Nigeria Labour Congress described the convention as illegal.

The political wing of the NLC also called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman.

However, on Wednesday, Abure was re-elected as the party’s chair.

The communique further read, “The national convention reviewed the state of the nation and concluded that it is not grabbing power that matters but what you do with it.

“After the 2023 general election, the security situation of the nation has not improved as there is a geometrical increase in numbers of lives lost and the economy has worsened as the standard and conditions of living of the Nigerian populace has continue to deteriorate.

“Inflation is skyrocketing, unemployment rate is high, this has led to massive hunger and poverty in the land. This is a result of the continuous devaluation of the currency and increase in petroleum product prices.”

The convention called on President Bola Tinubu to quickly take drastic and proactive steps to save the economy from total collapse.

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Abure re-elected as LP National Chairman despite battle with NLC

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Julius Abure has been re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party for a second term.

He was re-elected on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, during the party’s national convention in Anambra State.

Ikechukwu Emetu, the Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State declared him the winner at the convention.

Abure will steer the affairs of the Labour Party for another term despite his lingering battle with the NLC leadership led by Joe Ajaero.

Before the convention, the leadership of the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation.

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FG approves 30% youth representation in all government appointments

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The federal government has approved 30 percent youth representation in all government appointments.

Speaking on Monday after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Jamila Ibrahim, minister of youth development, said the 30 percent quota will address issues of youth exclusion in decision-making processes in the country.

She said the council also approved the restructuring of the youth investment fund, adding that a technical committee has been established for its review.

“We have received council’s approval to institutionalise a 30% youth quota, representation of young people in all government appointments and equitable young women representation inclusive of this 30%,” she said.

“This will go a long way to address the long marginalisation and exclusion of young people in decision-making and it will also go a long way to encourage young people to participate in decision-making process and in civic engagement.

“This will in turn lead to young people contributing tremendously to the national development agenda.

“I am also pleased to announce the second council approval to restructure and institutionalise the Nigerian youth investment fund.

“This is a fund that was approved in 2020 and on assumption of office of this administration, we commissioned a technical committee to review the fund and restructure it with the aim of institutionalising it through a legal framework which will lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Fund.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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