Opinion

2023: Plateau Rep says any vote for Peter Obi is for Tinubu

Published

4 years ago

September 17, 2022

vicky

The member representing Jos North/East federal constituency of Plateau State, Dachung Musa Bagos, has said any vote for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is a vote for the All Progressive Congress flag-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Bagos stated this during an interview with newsmen while reacting to the internal crisis rocking the PDP.

According to him, any vote for the former Anambra State governor is a vote for the APC because Obi’s votes will reduce the PDP votes in the South-South and South East and automatically give the APC an upper hand.

The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-corruption added that the ruling APC will still want to maintain its sites in some of those strongholds they have, hence, reducing the chances of the PDP.

He said, “Yes, very well, because when the electioneering campaign starts, most of these issues will be resolved. If you remember very well, the Labour Party issue became serious within this region when the All Progressives Congress (APC) brought out the Muslim-Muslim presidential candidature. We have a Muslim as the presidential candidate and a strong Christian as the vice presidential candidate, so they will understand.”

“The PDP has given the electorate the option they are looking for. It should be understood that any vote for Peter Obi of the Labour Party is a vote for the APC. This is because Peter Obi’s votes will reduce that of the PDP in the South-South and South East and it will automatically give the APC an upper hand because it will still want to maintain its sites in some of those strongholds they have. So, when we start the campaigns, most of these issues would be resolved and a lot of youths in the ‘Obidient’ campaign will see reasons that we should give the PDP a chance.

“By the way, how many members of the National Assembly will go with the Labour Party as it is? Would you want to have a president that will always have a hit back from the National Assembly that makes the majority from another political party? These are some of the issues that we will all resolve during our campaigns. We will maintain our strongholds in the 2023 elections.”

Related Topics:APC labour party plateau politics

Up Next

2023: I doubt Lalong can deliver plateau to Tinubu — Plateau Rep

Don't Miss

APC will give plateau a better representation in 2023-APC Chairman

Click to comment

News

Gagdi Mourns Former Plateau Speaker Peter Azi, Describes Him as a Man of Humility and Kindness

Published

31 minutes ago

August 17, 2026

Preport

Member of the House of Representatives representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Ajang Azi.

Azi reportedly passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

In a tribute issued following his death, Gagdi described the late former Speaker as his “brother, colleague and friend,” saying his death was a painful loss to his immediate family, Plateau State, the legislative community, particularly members of the 8th Assembly, and everyone who knew him.

Gagdi, who served alongside Azi in the 8th Plateau State House of Assembly as Deputy Speaker, said their time together in the legislature remained a memorable chapter of his public service.

According to him, Azi demonstrated that effective leadership did not have to be loud, noting that he carried himself with “remarkable simplicity, humility and dignity.”

“Azi was a man of kindness, honesty and sincerity of purpose. He had a gentle disposition and a way of making people feel valued,” Gagdi said.

The federal lawmaker also recalled the personal bond he shared with the former Speaker, particularly the familiar moments when he would jokingly tell him, “Take this and take that,” describing the expression as a reflection of the friendship, trust and camaraderie between them.

Gagdi said Azi’s contributions to Plateau State and its democratic development would not be forgotten, stressing that his life of service, humility and commitment to his people had left behind a lasting legacy.

He extended his condolences to Azi’s wife, children, siblings, relatives, friends and other members of the family, as well as the people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency.

Gagdi prayed that Almighty God would comfort the bereaved family and grant them the strength to bear the loss.

“May God grant Peter Ajang Azi eternal rest, receive him into His everlasting Kingdom, and grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

He concluded by bidding his former colleague and friend farewell, saying: “Rest well, my brother Peter. Your journey on earth is over, but your memories, your kindness and your service will remain with us.”

News

Presidency Replies Cardinal Onaiyekan, Says Remarks Were Political, Not Representative of All Christians

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

Preport

The Presidency has dismissed comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the cleric’s remarks as personal and political rather than representative of the entire Christian community in Nigeria.

The President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the remarks in a post on his X account on Saturday, August 1, while responding to Onaiyekan’s criticism following the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to the President.

Cardinal Onaiyekan had accused the Tinubu administration of being more focused on winning political contests than addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

Responding, Bwala argued that the cardinal was expressing the views of the Catholic Church and not speaking on behalf of all Christians in Nigeria. He also claimed that the Catholic institution largely supported Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.

According to Bwala, the cardinal’s comments were political rather than spiritual and did not reflect the opinions of all Catholic faithful.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians; he was speaking for Catholics, the very institutions rooting for Peter Obi. In fact, likely the institution where Peter Obi also said in 2022, ‘Take back your country.’ Therefore, the Cardinal is more political than spiritual. And not all Catholic members are supporting Peter Obi,” he wrote.

Bwala also defended President Tinubu’s response to the Catholic bishops’ assessment of the nation’s economy, arguing that the President was entitled to disagree based on available economic data.

“The President was well within his right to disagree with their assertion regarding Nigeria’s economy based purely on facts, statistics and numbers considered within the proper context,” he stated.

He further accused the cleric of applying a different standard to members of the church, suggesting that religious leaders often encourage worshippers to make positive declarations despite difficult circumstances.

“Ironically, the same priest would rebuke their members if they said, ‘We are suffering’ or ‘We are poor.’ They would instead tell them to declare, ‘We are doing great’ or ‘We are rich,’ even when they are facing hardship,” Bwala added.

The presidential aide maintained that there is a broader Christian body comprising various denominations, including the Catholic Church and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and argued that such organisations should remain politically neutral.

“There is a body comprising all Christians, including the Catholics and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and that body’s position is neutral and should remain so; otherwise, it becomes political,” he said.

The exchange follows renewed public debate over the role of religious leaders in commenting on governance and national affairs.