Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Donald Duke, has expressed the sense of urgency regarding the state of Nigeria, stressing the need for urgent intervention to avoid future disaster.
Duke made this remark on Tuesday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’
The former Cross River State Governor said he decided to return to politics because of the urgency of where citizens currently are in Nigeria, calling on the opposition to come together and change the direction of the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s leadership from when he was governor is not addressing the critical issues in the country.
“I returned to politics because of the urgency of where we are in Nigeria today. Disaster is looming if we don’t change the trajectory.
“You could be a spectator and make all sorts of analyses, or you could get involved. The direction the country is going requires urgent intervention.
“The folks who are in charge of the country today are generally my generation, as it were, and the president and I were the class of ’99. But the direction the country is going, I think, requires very urgent intervention.
“I’m not a member of the ruling party, as it were. So automatically, I’m in the opposition. Ideally, the opposition should come together,” he said.
Described as the youngest Igwe Plateau State has ever had, his coronation is being celebrated as a new beginning for the Igbo community in the state.
The new traditional leader has pledged to unite the Igbo community, promote peaceful coexistence with their host communities and contribute to the development of Plateau State.
Earlier after the election in his acceptance speech, Nwosu thanked members of the Igbo community for their overwhelming support and pledged to unite the various factions while promoting peace, harmony and cooperation.
He called on members to put their differences aside, stressing that no society could achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of division and rancour.
Nwosu also reaffirmed the community’s commitment to contributing to Plateau State’s economic and commercial development, while expressing readiness to partner with Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.
Similarly, the President-General of the Igbo Community Association in Plateau State, Chief Chidi Onah, congratulated Nwosu, describing his election as a demonstration of unity among Igbo-speaking people.
Onah called on members to rally behind the new traditional leader, noting that the community must speak with one voice and work together to advance its collective interests.
The ceremony attracted representatives of the six Igbo-speaking states, as well as representatives of the Council of Chiefs representing Igbo communities across Plateau State.
Other special guest present were the Chief of Bayelsa and Senior Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on South-South Affairs, Hon. High Chief Seigha Smooth Ebide, and Hon. Ikenna Mbanefo, former Special Adviser on Igbo Affairs to the immediate past Governor of Plateau State.
The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement in the United Kingdom has criticised the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and the Director-General of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Campaign Council over alleged preoccupation with political disputes rather than their assigned responsibilities.
The UK Coordinator of the OK Movement, Adebayor Brown, made the criticism in a statement on Tuesday, urging political appointees to focus on organising, mobilising supporters and strengthening political structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Brown expressed concern that the attention of the political actors appeared to have shifted from their responsibilities to what he described as unnecessary personal and political disagreements.
He said the approaching 2027 elections required serious leadership, strategic planning and grassroots mobilisation, adding that those entrusted with important positions must demonstrate commitment to their assignments.
Brown particularly faulted repeated claims by the Obidient Movement coordinator that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had distanced themselves from the OK Movement.
He questioned the relevance of repeatedly making such claims, asking how they would contribute to the success of the party or advance the democratic aspirations of Nigerians.
He urged the Obidient Movement coordinator and other political actors to focus on rebuilding, revitalising and restructuring the organisation, noting that the responsibility required leadership, organisational competence and measurable results.
Brown also insisted that any position concerning Obi and Kwankwaso should be established through clear and verifiable communication rather than individual assertions.
He called for an end to what he described as divisive rhetoric, stressing that the OK Movement, Obidient Movement and NDC should not be regarded as enemies.
According to him, the groups face a common democratic challenge ahead of the 2027 elections and should prioritise mobilising Nigerians, strengthening political structures and working towards credible elections.
"The OK Movement and the Obidient Movement are not enemies. Neither is the OK Movement in conflict with the NDC," he said.
Brown added that the OK Movement would not be distracted or intimidated by criticisms, insisting that its commitment remained focused on justice, equity, fairness, credible elections and a better Nigeria.
"The time for division is over. The time to work is now," he declared.