Tag: politicians

  • Top Politicians Jostling to Fly Labour Party’s Flag – THISDAYLIVE


    Anambra State will in November this year go to the polls to elect a governor.

     David-Chyddy Eleke lists politicians who are jostling to fly the flag of Labour Party

    In November this year, Anambra State will go to polls to elect a governor. The incumbent governor of the State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is expected to seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). APGA has for years been the ruling party in the State and because of its formidable nature, only political parties deeply rooted in Anambra will be able to challenge it.

    One of such parties is the Labour Party (LP), and this is because of the dominance of the former governor of the State, Mr. Peter Obi, who is deemed to have a huge fan base in the State; even though many think such dominance is waning.

    In Anambra, Peter Obi, using his acceptance and popularity was able to engineer the election of many politicians into the State House of Assembly, the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2023 general election.

    The aftermath of it is that Labour Party today has a caucus in the Anambra State Assembly, a crop of formidable politicians in the national assembly, and a huge support base. This is so much so that even Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election has long moved, to pitch his tent with LP. He and many others are the aspirants of the party that will be slugging it out for the ticket of the party for the November election.

    Valentine Ozigbo

    Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp and former banker was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 election in the state. He lost to now incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, but was then touted to be well positioned for the seat. The support of former Governor Peter Obi helped him to win the hearts of the people of the state, and it was believed that he had solutions to the problem of the State. Though he was largely regarded as a gentleman with a weak outward appearance, how he maneuvered to win the governorship ticket of the PDP in a contest populated by very experienced politicians remained a mystery to many. He went ahead to make a good showing in the governorship election and was on the verge of winning the ticket, but was said to have been betrayed by many PDP bigwigs who worked with him. He has however left the party and joined Labour Party, and was the first aspirant of the party to declare his interest in the contest. He has been a critic of Soludo and has insisted that if Soludo was doing well, he would not have had any reason returning to the contest a second time. He has a strong following among members of the party

     John Nwosu

    Mr. John Nwosu is another strong aspirant in the LP. He is a businessman from Nnewi, an ICT expert and owner of Jetlink Group, an ICT-based company that provides services for top banks across the world. He has showed interest in the governorship position of the party and insists that he has all it takes to move the state forward. He is particularly interested in the security of the state and has promised during an interview with journalists that he would leverage his experience of ICT to solve the problem of insecurity in the state. He is contesting on the platform of the LP and has already garnered the support of some key stakeholders in the party, especially that of Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the former Secretary to the State Government under Mr. Peter Obi and the governorship candidate of PDP in 2017 governorship election in the state. He said he plans to use the acronym SHEEEMS to solve the problems of the state. He described SHEEEMS as an acronym representing; Security, Health, Education, Economy, Environment, Markets and Social Welfare. Though he is optimistic of the party ticket, he told journalists that if for any reason he fails to clinch the ticket of the party, he will work with anyone nominated to ensure the victory of the party.

     George Moghalu

    He is the immediate past Director General of National Inland Waterways Authorities (NIWA), and a former chieftain of APC has all his political life been a faithful party man, staying in one party, joining it to mergers when need be. He was an ally of former President Muhammad Buhari and joined Buhari’s CPC to form an alliance with other parties to form APC. In 2024, in what was seen as a surprise, especially as he has been known for his loyalty to one party since his political career, Moghalu dumped APC and moved into LP, and subsequently declared his intention to contest for the governorship position on the platform of the party. He hails from Nnewi and has insisted that if given the opportunity, he would serve for just one term to complete that of his kinsman, Soludo who is from same zone. This he said is to honour an existing zoning arrangement that allows each zone to govern for a two year term of eight years before it moves to another zone. Moghalu is known to be a strong politician, a grassroot mobiliser who had previously contested for the position. He has all along remained confident that he will win the ticket and move ahead to with the main election in November.

    Bart Nwibe

    Though he has contested for the position before, Bart Nwibi, an engineer by profession is a businessman from Aguata, which makes him a kinsman of the incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. He is the Group Managing Director of Segofs Energies Limited. Not much has been heard of him since after he lost the primary election in APC some years back, but the Port Harcourt Rivers State based oil engineer is touted to be looking forward to the contest on the platform of LP. He is also known to be very loaded with cash – a major requirement for the contest of governorship, especially in a state like Anambra.

    Though he has not been visible recently in the political space in the state, but his name keeps cropping up as one of the contestants for the ticket of the party. He is said to have declared his intention recently in Igboukwu his community.

    Tony Nwoye

    Currently Senator representing Anambra North zone, Senator Tony Nwoye can be described as a cat with nine lives. He has been everything any politician can aspire to be and has seamlessly ascended to many political positions despite his young age. Nwoye right before many other established politicians in the state grew from being a student union leader to PDP state party chairman, member of House of Representatives, and now a Senator of the Federal Republic. All of the above-mentioned positions were not attained without serious opposition from established politicians, but he seems to have mastered his art of wriggling through to get what he wants. He has at other points been governorship candidates of major political parties, including PDP and APC. He has come short of clinching the governorship position of Anambra State on both occasions. His contest this time if he makes it will see him contesting on the platform of the LP, same party that allowed him to become a senator in 2021. He will be the only aspirant of the party who will be contesting for the ticket, who is not from Anambra South Senatorial Zone, where it has severally been argued is the favoured zone.

    He has a cult like following among young people and has a way of oiling his friendship with both the youths, women and men, especially rural people. His empowerment of his zone last year is still talked about to this day. His entry into the race would make the ticket of LP a coveted prize, and will certainly increase the stake, but many argue that it would be insensitive for him to join the race after his kinsman Chief Willie Obiano left the position just three years ago.



    With the 2023 general elections fast approaching, the race to become the presidential candidate for the Labour Party is heating up. Top politicians from across the country are jostling for the opportunity to fly the party’s flag and represent its values and ideals.

    Names like former governor Peter Obi, Senator Aisha Alhassan, and former minister Femi Fani-Kayode have all been thrown into the ring as potential candidates. Each brings their own unique strengths and experience to the table, making the decision a tough one for party members.

    As the Labour Party seeks to position itself as a viable alternative to the major political parties in Nigeria, the selection of a strong and charismatic candidate will be crucial. The party will need someone who can inspire confidence and rally support from voters across the country.

    With so much talent and ambition in the mix, the race for the Labour Party’s presidential ticket is sure to be a fierce one. Stay tuned as the candidates continue to make their case and vie for the opportunity to lead the party to victory in the upcoming elections.

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    2. Top politicians vying for Labour Party nomination
    3. Political contenders for Labour Party flagbearer
    4. Labour Party’s upcoming elections
    5. Key players in Labour Party’s leadership contest
    6. Labour Party’s race for flag bearer
    7. Top politicians competing for Labour Party’s top spot
    8. Labour Party’s leadership battle heats up
    9. Labour Party’s contenders for party leadership
    10. Labour Party’s flagbearer selection process

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  • Rutgers cancels DEI conference after Trump executive orders, drawing ire of NJ politicians


    Rutgers University has drawn the ire of New Jersey politicians for cancelling a scheduled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conference following President Donald Trump’s executive orders on DEI this week.

    “We have been asked to cease all work under the auspices of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility HUB at Jobs for the Future, which the U.S. Department of Labor funds,” Rutgers said on Thursday in an email to registered attendees for the canceled Jan. 30 “HBCUs and Registered Apprenticeship Mini-Conference.”

    Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, both Democratic candidates for governor, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday to denounce the university’s decision.

    “Rutgers, and any other schools preemptively pulling DEI programming, is an utter failure of courage in the face of political foolishness,” Baraka posted. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords — they are proven strategies that make our workplaces more productive, our students more learned, and our economy stronger and more stable.”

    Baraka calling Trump a “bully,” wrote: “I call on all private sector partners, responsible corporations, and those who believe in democracy to stand with our institutions against the threat of defunding.”

    Fulop agreed with his fellow Democrat posting “now is no time to cower to bullies.”

    Story continues below photo gallery

    He was also critical of the university’s leadership, writing: “Rutgers as an institution has fostered a bully culture for a few years now. One that targets employees with institutional knowledge and memory, which does a disservice to the students. Look no further than the most recent additions to the Board as where the worst of NJ politics and higher education intertwine…”

    He pledged that if elected governor: “I will end the university’s bend toward corporate interests and machine favors, and I will nominate retired professors and staff to serve as members of the Board of Governors.”

    Others were also critical of Rutgers’ decision to cancel the conference.

    “The capitulation continues. These ill-conceived moves are pushing American higher education backwards. We must fight back,” the American Association of University Professors posted.

    Trump DEI executive orders

    Trump signed two executive orders this week relating to DEI.

    On Monday, he signed “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” which among other things called for the government to terminate “all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government.”

    On Tuesday, Trump issued “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which claims that the “Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation.”

    The order calls on “all executive departments and agencies to terminate all discriminatory and illegal preferences, mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, and requirements.”

    This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers cancels DEI conference following Trump executive orders



    Rutgers University’s decision to cancel its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conference following President Trump’s recent executive orders has sparked controversy and criticism from New Jersey politicians.

    The university announced the cancellation of the conference, which was set to address issues of racial equality and social justice, citing concerns over potential legal implications of the executive orders. The orders, which target diversity training programs that address systemic racism and sexism, have been met with backlash from civil rights groups and activists.

    New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with several state lawmakers, have condemned Rutgers’ decision to cancel the conference, arguing that it is a violation of free speech and academic freedom. In a statement, Governor Murphy said, “Rutgers’ decision to cancel the DEI conference is a troubling example of the chilling effect that these executive orders are having on institutions of higher education.”

    State Senator Teresa Ruiz echoed these sentiments, stating, “Rutgers should be a place where diverse perspectives are welcomed and celebrated, not silenced. This decision sends a dangerous message to students, faculty, and the community at large.”

    The controversy surrounding Rutgers’ cancellation of the DEI conference highlights the ongoing debate over the role of diversity and inclusion efforts in higher education and society at large. As the university faces criticism from politicians and advocates, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact its reputation and commitment to promoting social justice and equality.

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    Rutgers DEI conference, Trump executive orders, NJ politicians, diversity conference cancellation, Rutgers controversy, DEI event cancellation, political backlash, Trump administration impact, social justice conference, racial equality, diversity and inclusion, political response, Rutgers University news.

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  • ‘Pure evil’: politicians condemn New Orleans attack as White House offers support | New Orleans

    ‘Pure evil’: politicians condemn New Orleans attack as White House offers support | New Orleans


    Political reaction to the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that is being investigated as a terrorist incident, came swiftly on Wednesday, with the White House saying that Joe Biden had been briefed by senior leadership at the FBI and by the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.

    The president also spoke by phone this morning with the New Orleans mayor, LaToya Cantrell, “to offer full federal support” according to the White House.

    The attorney general Merrick Garland said that the FBI, the ATF, and prosecutors with the national security division and the local federal prosecutor’s office are all working on the terrorism case.

    “My heart is broken for those who began their year by learning people they love were killed in this horrific attack,” Garland said. He vowed to “deploy every available resource to conduct this investigation”.

    Donald Trump appeared to refer to the suspect, who was shot dead by police, as a foreign national. Police have not confirmed the suspect’s identity.

    “When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” the president-elect posted on his Truth Social network.

    “The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”

    Troy Carter, the Democrat congressman whose 2nd district includes New Orleans, commended “the swift actions of the New Orleans Police Department and federal law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to neutralize the threat and secure the area”.

    In a follow-up post on X, Carter said he hand spoken with the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, and the White House regarding last night’s “unspeakable act of violence”.

    “My heart is with the victims, their families, and everyone who witnessed this horrific attack during what should have been a joyful New Year’s celebration,” he added.

    The House speaker, Mike Johnson, whose congressional district is west of New Orleans, said: “The vicious attack on innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans early this morning was an act of pure evil, and justice must be swift for anyone who was involved.

    “Please join us in praying for the victims, their families, and the first responders and investigators on the scene,” Johnson added in a statement on X.

    The district attorney who represents New Orleans, Jason Williams, said law enforcement officers were “ready to deal with any event”. But the individual “had his mind set on hurting as many people as he could”. The police response, he added, “was swift and very overwhelming”.

    Police in New Orleans said earlier that at least 10 people were killed and 35 more were injured after a man drove a pickup truck into crowds on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the early hours of New Year’s Day, in what city officials called a deliberate attack.

    The New Orleans police superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, said the man drove the truck at high speed into crowds around 3.15am, before crashing and opening fire. Two police officers were wounded and investigators said they had found what appeared to be improvised explosive devices in the vehicle.

    “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” Kirkpatrick said in a news conference Wednesday morning. “He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”

    Williams said in a statement that the city “is incredibly resilient, but this morning our hearts break for the innocent lives devastated by this hateful act.”

    Williams thanked first responders “that activated quickly to prevent further carnage and continue to work this scene” and requested that the public avoid the area as law enforcement “continue processing the very large crime scene”.



    In the wake of the devastating attack in New Orleans, politicians from both sides of the aisle have come together to condemn the senseless violence and offer their support to the victims and their families. The White House has also pledged its full support in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the heinous crime.

    The attack, which left several people dead and many more injured, has been described as “pure evil” by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. He vowed to do everything in his power to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

    Senator Bill Cassidy echoed Governor Edwards’ sentiments, calling the attack “an act of pure evil” and offering his condolences to the victims and their families. He also urged the community to come together in the face of such tragedy and support one another during this difficult time.

    The White House has offered its full support to the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana in the aftermath of the attack. President Biden has directed federal agencies to provide any assistance necessary to help with the investigation and recovery efforts.

    As the community mourns the loss of innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of this horrific attack, politicians and leaders are coming together to stand in solidarity against such acts of violence. The outpouring of support and unity in the face of tragedy is a testament to the resilience and strength of the people of New Orleans.

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    2. White House support
    3. Politicians condemn
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    10. Political leaders’ reaction

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