TheNewsGuru

Tag: President

  • 2023: It’s not easy aspiring to be president – Bauchi gov

    2023: It’s not easy aspiring to be president – Bauchi gov

    Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said that it was not easy aspiring to be president while serving as a state governor at the same time.

    Mohammed said this while hosting leadership of the Nigerian Labour Union (NLC), media chiefs, and Traders Artisans Association to a Ramadan fast break (Iftar), on Friday at the Government House, Bauchi.

    He said that his move to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general election was to serve the best interest of Nigerians.

    The Northern PDP Elders Forum led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, on April 23, endorsed former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Mohammed as the party’s northern consensus presidential candidates.

    The Forum said its decision was based on certain criteria adopted in assessing the four presidential hopefuls from the north who presented themselves for the exercise.

    Mohammed said that, “this Ramadan has been very beneficial, I apologised that I have not been able to do it the way I did it last year because I have had to run up and down trying to be president and at the same time trying to be governor.

    “It is not easy to be in all places at the same time but I am doing it for you because we have to put Bauchi on the map.

    “There are some more eminently qualified people to do governorship and presidency in Bauchi. We hid behind for too long and it is time for us to accept with humility and present ourselves so that we can provide services to this country.

    “We are going to do it with humility and as democrats, whatever happens, it is to the glory of God.”

    The governor, who decried spate of porosity in the state’s payroll, called on any civil servant who had not been paid his salaries to come forward for effective investigation and solution.

    Mohammed said that his administration was working in collaboration with the NLC in the state to deal with the ghost worker syndrome.

    “The labour union has really supported us.

    “Today; we are proud, our local governments are paying their salaries on their own and in time without anybody saying he has been defaulted,” he said.

    He said the government was working through the office of the state’s Head of Service and NLC, to address leakages in its payroll, and to ensure that everything is right.

    “We have always said that if there is any person not being paid his salary, please, without arrogance, with all humility, let him come forward.

    “We are ready to pay such a person. We are ready to look at the system because the payroll has been destroyed.

    “So, nobody should blackmail us that we are not paying salaries. We are paying salaries along with gratuities,” the governor said.

    The event was attended by journalists, labour and trade union leaders in the state.

    NAN

  • Didier Drogba fails in bid for Ivorian FA presidency

    Didier Drogba fails in bid for Ivorian FA presidency

    Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has failed in his bid to become president of the football federation in Côte d’Ivoire after he was eliminated in the first round of voting.

    Yacine Idriss Diallo was eventually elected president, the federation said in a statement online on Sunday.

    Diallo won after beating Sory Diabaté by 63 votes to 61 in the second round which followed during the elections held on Saturday in Abidjan.

    The 44-year-old Drogba captained Cote d’Ivoire in a glorious playing career which saw him twice named Africa’s footballer of the year.

    He is hailed as a hero in his home country, for whom he is the record goalscorer.

    Club honours include the 2012 UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in addition to four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

  • Why I can’t trust any Igbo man as president – Oluwo of Iwo

    Why I can’t trust any Igbo man as president – Oluwo of Iwo

    A Yoruba monarch, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has stated that he can’t trust any Southeasterner to be the President of Nigeria.

    His stand is coming at a time the South-East is demanding for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, on the basis of equity.

    He noted that the sit-at-home order issued by the members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) was not only inimical to their survival but also to the growth of the nation.

    Oba Abdulrosheed also advocated for a rethink by the South Easterners to their approach.

    The monarch held that no Nigerian will feel secured in the hands of a leader whose ethnic attachment deprived other Nigerians their rights.

    In a statement through Alli Ibraheem, his Chief Press Secretary, the Oluwo stated that the failure of the South Easterners to change their approach will amount to chasing shadow on their political journey of producing Nigeria’s President.

    While acknowledging the damage done to Igbos by the Nigerian civil war, he enjoined the south easterners to rescind on their attitude of barring people from other parts of the country from owning properties in their domain.

    He insisted that the policy was not only detrimental to their political strength, but also a deficit to the economic unity of Nigeria.

    According to him, “The civil war wounds meted on south easterners is a weak factor to institutionalize policies capable of tearing the nation apart.

    “I have people from across Nigeria in Iwo, including the South Easterners. They do not only have their businesses but also built their houses and own farm lands. Such is not only peculiar to Iwo but to other parts of the country, except the South-East. A Nigerian in Nigeria should be able to own land anywhere.

    “The style by the South easterners is barbaric. Such is not only detrimental to their economic viability but also to their political recognition. As a traditional ruler, I can’t trust any South easterner as my President.

    “You can’t be a leader on sectional interest. With such unsophisticated, primitive and uncivilized thinking, no Nigerian from other zones will vote a south easterner as their President.”

  • 2023: My experience will count if elected president – Amaechi

    2023: My experience will count if elected president – Amaechi

    Presidential hopeful and Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that if elected as the APC Presidential flag bearer and eventually wins in the general elections he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in securing, and advancing the nation’s economy.

    Amaechi explained that having been in public office for over two decades, he possessed the requisite knowledge and technical know-how to tackle insecurity, and provide better governance for Nigerians.

    Amaechi stated this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, at the Katsina State Government House, Monday.

    Amaechi, while also recounting his achievements as Rivers Governor, said he was able to tackle insecurity, champion development and stabilize the Rivers economy, assuring that such feat would be replicated if he is elected for the country’s topmost job.

    He said, “Your Excellency, you are the first Governor I’m visiting after declaring to run for the President of Nigeria in 2023, I will visit others as I progress with my consultations. I have visited three to four Emirates, two in the area you superintend over, and two in Kano. I have come to also brief you on how far we’ve gone with the railway assignment given to us by Mr. President. And the third reason is to tell you that I am interested to run for the office of the President of Nigeria.

    “I think I’m qualified, and I happen to be the only candidate in the race who governed a State where there was militancy, so I have experience of how to manage militancy. Between six months and one year of occupying the office of Governor of the State, the militancy reduced tremendously. Schools were opened, market women were able to go back to the markets, kidnapping reduced drastically and business returned. Foreign companies came back, Shell reopened, in fact by the time I was leaving, Total was trying to transfer their headquarters to Port Harcourt. Unfortunately when I left, they couldn’t manage it, so Total moved back to Abuja. But LNG returned their headquarters to Port Harcourt during my tenure as governor, Shell relocated their headquarters to Port Harcourt. So we have experience, for somebody who has been in office for eight years as Governor, eight years as Speaker, seven years as Minister, I chaired the Governor’s forum, I chaired the Speakers forum, I also was the DG of the campaign of President Buhari twice. I would bring that experience to bear if given the opportunity.

    “For me, the Governors are critical in getting that opportunity and there’s need to talk to your colleagues to assist us to achieve that objective,” Amaechi said.

    Responding, Governor Masari said he had no doubt about the Minister’s leadership qualities. He also used the occasion to wish him well in his political aspiration.

    “To me, you are not a person that needs any introduction. We have come a long way. I have no doubt in your character and in you ability and in you inclusiveness. We have discussed this privately, now you have come to formally declare your intention to contest for the office of the President of your country, which I feel you are qualified, and I hope you will play politics like a modern politician, because the way our politics is been played for quite some time, there is need for change of attitude, change of approach, change of style, so that we should treat the current situation of today with today’s solutions, not today’s problem with yesterday’s solutions.

    “Like you know, I wish you well. You were there for me when I needed support and I appreciate and recognize that. You have a good chance. The experience, you have it, the service years, you have it and the rest we leave it to God because he is the ultimate decider. I wish you well,” the Governor said.

    As part of his political consultations in the North West, the Minister also visited the Emirs of Daura, Katsina, Bichi and Kano. Those in his entourage include Senators Ali Ndume, Sadiq Yar’Adua and Ayogu Eze. Others are Chief David Lyon and former APC Chairmanship Contestant, Saliu Mustapha.

  • I won’t run for another term as NFF president – Pinnick gives reason

    I won’t run for another term as NFF president – Pinnick gives reason

    The president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has made it clear that he won’t be running for a third term in office due to family pressure.

    Recall that Pinnick has come under heavy criticisms to resign as NFF President after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    In an interview with ARISE TV on Friday, the former Delta State Sports administrator stated that his time in the Glass House has taken a toll on his relationship with his family.

    He said that he will step aside after his tenure comes to an end later this year.

    “I’m eligible to run based on the status. Do I want to run ?, It’s a no-no, my family is very key to me, they said it’s taking a toll on me and the family.

    “They believed that I’ve done my best and it’s time to move on . It’s a regrettable decision, but it’s the best,” Pinnick said

  • What I will do to address Nigeria’s problem if elected president – Tambuwal

    What I will do to address Nigeria’s problem if elected president – Tambuwal

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Aspirant and Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has promised to assemble the best team of economists to address the nation’s economic problems if elected president.

    Tambuwal at separate consultative meetings with the PDP Caucuses in the Senate and House of Representatives and PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja, also said he would make Nigeria a productive country.

    “It is a collective work. I am not an economist. I cannot pretend, but I can assure you that I will assemble some of the best, the best of the best economists in this country that will be part of the economic team to address economic situation in Nigeria.

    “Importantly, we must address the issue of production. If we cannot produce then you are out.

    “So we must address issue of production, not only to produce for ourselves but to conserve foreign exchange and provide and create more jobs for people.

    “So, on the issue of economy we have to have them segmented from the micro to macro economy. So I believe that is something that we can actually all do together,” he said.

    On Security, Tambuwal said that if elected he would address the root causes of insecurity including hunger, poverty and the lack of education.

    Tambuwal said that he would also adopt community approach, community police, recruit more troops and technology to address the menaces that plague the country over time.

    “It is very important that we go back to community and ensure that we have leaders of communities and local governments or states on board on resolving issues of politics.

    “By the grace of God I will adopt a community approach to solving our security problems and deploy technology. As I said, it is not rocket science.

    “When you have technology, you can detect these things early enough, and you can take your action on time,” Tambuwal said.

    The Sokoto State governor, who decried the state of disunity in the country, said that PDP needed a dynamic person who had what it takes to unite the country to emerge as the standard flag bearer of PDP.

    “I believe that in this country, we have the right people. What we require is that leadership that can identify those people and charge them with the responsibility of doing and discharging those responsibilities that they are competent enough to handle and it’s not rocket science.”

    Tambuwal said that under his watch no segment of the country would be neglected in terms of appointive positions by the government.

    He said that he had demonstrated that when he was the speaker of the House of Representatives where virtually all parts of this country were adequately looked after in terms of assignments and in terms of paying attention to the issues that concerned our people.

    “ I believe in this country, that we have all it takes to do it. All we require is to identify the right leadership, irrespective of whether the leadership is going to come from.

    “When you are looking for a physician to treat you, you don’t necessarily go for your tribesman or your townsman. You look for the best if you can really find the best because you need that care and attention. The situation where we are in Nigeria today is like a state of emergency.

    “When you are in a state of emergency you require that everything must be marshalled to rescue the situation and that is the situation of Nigeria in every material particular.

    “ I am coming to you as my brothers and sisters, with my records, with my content, with my capacity.

    “I know that I understand this country. I have a clear understanding of issues and not only that, I can identify individuals that I can work with as a team that will unite this country.

    “After uniting the country, we will work towards if it is structure, we can sit down and address the issues,” Tambuwal said.

    He also stressed the need for devolution of power, saying devolution is key.

    “Nigeria must devolve to survive. The centre is overloaded and we really need to go back to the local government and state where the people are and give them more responsibilities, more resources, and that is how we are going to do it.

    “I believe that these are things that are achievable if you have a president that understand the issues, not only a president with an experience in governance, but a president with experience in democratic governance,” Tambuwal said.

    The Sokoto State governor said that he had experience and a clear understanding of dynamic issues in the country, including the constitution amendment.

    “I have a clear understanding of not only these issues, I have the right temperament.

    “Where we are going in Nigeria, we need a leader that can be accommodating. We need a leader that can listen, we need a leader that can unite this country.

  • What if it turns out to be Rotimi Amaechi vs Nyesom Wike for president ? – By Mideno Bayagbon

    What if it turns out to be Rotimi Amaechi vs Nyesom Wike for president ? – By Mideno Bayagbon

    By Mideno Bayagbon
    (mideno@thenewsguru.ng)

     

    It is becoming clearer, daily, now that the All Progressives Congress, APC, might just end up having an Igbo man, from South South, as its Presidential Candidate. That will be giving the Igbos, who have for sometime now clamoured for one of their own to be allowed to become the President of Nigeria, their desire. But through the back door.

    Nevertheless, will that assuage the agitation? Will the average Igbo man feel truly fulfilled that “one of their own” has finally been “allowed” to be President of NIgeria. I suspect the answer might be yes. But it is unlikely to satisfy the purists who believe that their clamour is for an Igbo man from the South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo to become the president of NIgeria. They say, that will be the final signal that the marginalisation of the Igbos on account of the devastating civil war, which ended 51 years ago, has come to an end.

    There are those, however, who will remind the purists that their position is hypocritical. They will ask them why the same people in Rivers, Delta, part of Edo and other places, who they have always claimed are Igbos are suddenly, on the altar of politics, are not Igbo enough to wear their toga, to be the long sought-for President of Nigeria of Igbo extraction.

    However, in the APC, at least, it appears a pipe dream for any of the Igbos of the South East states, who have indicated interest in the race to emerge the candidate. Chances of people like Orji Uzor Kalu, Rochas Okorocha or even Ogbonnaya Onu, who is the most recent name being whispered as interested in the race, from my close monitoring of the currents in the party, becoming the candidate of the party, are slim.

    Rather, a momentum seems to be gathering around Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers State) and Godwin Emefiele (Delta State) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Ogun State). Even though the Central Bank Governor has not been a member of the APC, to public knowledge, there have been frenzied speculations and movements which suggest his eyes are on the number one job. But he is still “undecided”, and perhaps waiting for a critical endorsement before jumping into the ring, fully. As Nigerians have witnessed in the last two months, a nebulous group which is now being identified as Agbor Boys and some vested interests said to be around Aso Rock are the fire behind the smoke we have witnessed about drafting Emefiele into the presidential campaigns.

    There is no doubt,, however, that the former Governor of Rivers State, a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi, who his supporters hail as Lion of Ubima, is now fully into the race and appears to be one of the top three favoured to clinch the ticket. It is in this light, one must interpret the 86 page brochure which his supporters brought out last week to convince Nigerians that Amaechi has all it takes to be president of Nigeria. And to add verve to their arsenal, he is being projected as an Igbo man from Ikwerre in Rivers State. True, he has never hidden the fact that he is an Igbo. His surname, dressing and mannerism align to the core Igbo.

    Readers of this column will recall that over three months ago, I predicted that for the 2023 Presidential elections, the closest the South East and the Igbos will get to being president of the country will be an Amaechi, or a Wike; or now, even an Emefiele! This drew furious sparks in the social media and around discussion round tables. Yet, before our eyes, it is coming to pass.

    It will be no surprise, if the momentum gathering around having a consensus candidate emerge in the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the presidential race to favour Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi! Or strangely, in the peculiar NIgerian way, Godwin Emefiele. Stranger things have been witnessed before. Amaechi is daily somehow pushing towards the pole position. The supporters of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who are working so very hard to ensure he turns out the candidate of the APC are in for a shocker. It is already gaining momentum and soon, the conspiracy against the ambition of the former Lagos State governor in the APC will crystalize and he will either quietly accept his fate or like a lover scorned, the fireworks will begin.

    But what ticks my fancy today is the possibility of two Ikwerre sons, two Rivers State rulers, once friends but now avowed enemies emerging the candidates of the PDP and APC. What an enchanting scene that will be. It will be more spectacular and dumbfounding than when two Yoruba sons, Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Faleye squared up to fight for the presidency in 1999. Done then to assuage the anger of the Yorubas over the denial of their son, Chief MKO Abiola, the presidency which he clearly won, there is no precedence.

    But with current Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, campaigning to be the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Rotimi Amaechi, now also fighting to be the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the possibilities of these two gladiators facing each other next year at the poll throws up an exciting scenario. It currently appears an impossibility.

    My take is, It is easier for Amaechi to emerge the candidate of the APC than Wike for PDP. And should the near impossible happen and they face each other next year in the elections, given the current standing of each of them in the public mind and the nuisance value a scorned Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Jagaban and self acclaimed national leader of the APC can be, it will be 60-40 in the South for PDP and 65-35 for APC in the north. Write it down. Let’s compare notes after the elections in February, 2023.

  • 2023: Saraki vows to ensure empowerment of youth if voted president

    2023: Saraki vows to ensure empowerment of youth if voted president

    Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has vowed to empower Nigerian youths if he’s voted president come 2023.

    Saraki who made this vow when young professionals and entrepreneurs presented him nomination and expression of interest forms purchased for to enable him participate in the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party PDP presidential primaries slated for May.

    He said: “My dear professionals and entrepreneurs who constitute this noble group gathered here today, I am almost emotional witnessing this event where you young people gather your hard-earned money amounting to a whooping N40 million to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms in support of my candidacy.

    “I am told that in buying the forms, many of you contributed N200,000, N500,000 and and the highest is N2m. This initiative and noble effort are perhaps unprecedented in the history of Nigerian politics.

    “The tradition is either for the aspirant or a group of wealthy friends to come together to purchase the nomination forms because of the huge funds required. Your effort has beaten some of my friends who have been talking about doing this for me to the mark.

    “I appreciate this your effort far more than I would have appreciated if any of my friends has purchased the forms.

    ” My appreciation derives from the fact that your effort is essentially a genuine demonstration of your commitment, belief, patriotism, and sincerity in my ability and visions.

    ” You have taken money that you could have re-invested into your young businesses or spent to enjoy the various luxuries which hard-working young people may find necessary once in a while to procure these forms.

    “What you have done is a symbolic message that you are mandating me to go out to the field and work hard among all our leaders, delegates, and other stakeholders to win the PDP presidential ticket come May as well as subsequently follow up with decisive victory in the general elections in February 2023.

    ” Looking at the diversity that all of you gathered here represent, another symbolic message I will take away is that as far as the youths are concerned, what we need to develop in Nigeria is not where people come from or what religion they subscribe to.

    ” It is about having the competence, determination, and patriotism to initiate good measures and have the courage of conviction to follow through with the plans.

    “Your charge to me is to go there and make all Nigerians – young and old, northerners and southerners, Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions, operators in the private and public sectors, and members of different political parties – to join hands and fix Nigeria.

    “With your action today, I do not have an option but to listen to the voice of the youths who represent 62 percent of the over 200 million Nigerians. That is why I want to promise that If I become the President of Nigeria, all positions of Ministers of State in the cabinet will be occupied by youths.

    “This is a promise that I will not fail because I believe the ideas of the youths are needed to drive modern development efforts. And you know from my record that I have the boldness to implement this promise.

    Read full speech below:

    SPEECH BY DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND WAZIRI OF ILORIN ON MARCH 21, 2022, DURING THE PRESENTATION OF NOMINATION AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORMS PURCHASED FOR HIM BY SOME YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE AS PART OF THEIR SUPPORT FOR HIS CANDIDACY IN THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

    • My dear professionals and entrepreneurs who constitute this noble group gathered here today, I am almost emotional witnessing this event where you young people gather your hard-earned money amounting to a whooping N40 million to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms in support of my candidacy.

    • I am told that in buying the forms, many of you contributed N200,000, N500,000 and and the highest is N2m. This initiative and noble effort are perhaps unprecedented in the history of Nigerian politics. The tradition is either for the aspirant or a group of wealthy friends to come together to purchase the nomination forms because of the huge funds required. Your effort has beaten some of my friends who have been talking about doing this for me to the mark. I appreciate this your effort far more than I would have appreciated if any of my friends has purchased the forms.

    • My appreciation derives from the fact that your effort is essentially a genuine demonstration of your commitment, belief, patriotism, and sincerity in my ability and visions. You have taken money that you could have re-invested into your young businesses or spent to enjoy the various luxuries which hard-working young people may find necessary once in a while to procure these forms.

    • What you have done is a symbolic message that you are mandating me to go out to the field and work hard among all our leaders, delegates, and other stakeholders to win the PDP presidential ticket come May as well as subsequently follow up with decisive victory in the general elections in February 2023.

    • Looking at the diversity that all of you gathered here represent, another symbolic message I will take away is that as far as the youths are concerned, what we need to develop in Nigeria is not where people come from or what religion they subscribe to. It is about having the competence, determination, and patriotism to initiate good measures and have the courage of conviction to follow through with the plans. Your charge to me is to go there and make all Nigerians – young and old, northerners and southerners, Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions, operators in the private and public sectors, and members of different political parties – to join hands and fix Nigeria.

    • With your action today, I do not have an option but to listen to the voice of the youths who represent 62 percent of the over 200 million Nigerians. That is why I want to promise that If I become the President of Nigeria, all positions of Ministers of State in the cabinet will be occupied by youths. This is a promise that I will not fail because I believe the ideas of the youths are needed to drive modern development efforts. And you know from my record that I have the boldness to implement this promise.

    • Without unfolding all the plans here because we will soon formally hold a public declaration to which all of you are hereby invited, I want to once again express my happiness over this gesture. I so much appreciate it and I will not take it for granted.

    • Once again, thank you. I pray for God’s blessing for all of you. I wish you journey mercies back to your various stations.

  • 2023: What I will do if Tinubu becomes President – Bode George

    2023: What I will do if Tinubu becomes President – Bode George

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George has re-emphasized that he will go on exile if the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes President of Nigeria in 2023.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday March 19, George claimed that Tinubu would ensure that only his family members occupied sensitive positions if he becomes president, adding that the ex-governor has done nothing to deserve the seat.

    He said; “I am happy the president has signed the new electoral bill. If by whatever chance he (referring to Tinubu) gets to the villa, I won’t be part of this country.

    “And I am not joking. I can go to Ghana, live in Ghana and be watching with binoculars from afar. You will see what will happen.

    “This is Alpha Beta in Lagos. He will create some Alpha Beta somewhere to carry your money. His wife will now be senate president. His son will be governor of Lagos. His daughter will be Iyaloja of Nigeria.

    “What has he done to prove that he deserves to be honoured by anybody in this country?

    “Nothing personal. In fact, my niece called me. She said ‘some of their people are spinning that he gives me money. That Bola gives me money’.

    “Let him bring the money. I will tell him to follow me to Lagos Island — people who are hungry are there. I grew up there — in Lagos Island.”

  • My plans for Kanu, Igboho if elected president in 2023 – Sowore

    My plans for Kanu, Igboho if elected president in 2023 – Sowore

    Presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore, has revealed his plans for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Sunday Igboho, Yoruba Nation agitator, if he becomes the President of Nigeria in 2023.

    The Publisher of Saharareporters, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, said he would release all political prisoners.

    He explained that Kanu, Igboho, and other political detainees are held illegally.

    Sowore insisted that those agitating for self-determination should not be imprisoned.

    He said, “As soon as I am sworn in on June 12, 2023, I will release all political detainees, particularly Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.

    “People who are asking for self-determination should not go to prison. Those in the Diaspora must also be given the right to vote during the election.

    “We will not encourage those who put them in prison; they should be rehabilitating prisons now because they may have to spend some time there as well.”

    Kanu is detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, after he was rearrested in repatriated from Kenya.

    He was picked up for agitating for the actualization of Biafra.

    Meanwhile, Igboho is detained in Benin Republic.

    He was arrested alongside his wife, Ropo, in Cotonou while attempting to travel to Germany.

    Igboho had fled Nigeria for Benin Republic, after the DSS declared him wanted over the discovery of weapons in his house in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The Yoruba Nation agitator, however, denied owning the weapons discovered in his residence.