By Our Correspondent

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has declared that no politician can become President through deceit, insisting that truth, accountability, and a verifiable record of service remain the hallmarks of credible leadership.

Works minister,Dave Umahi

Umahi who stated this during the inspection of Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State, expressed concern over reports on social media alleging that former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had promised to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects if elected President.

He said: “When my brother Peter Obi said, as I saw on social media, that he would stop the legacy projects, that was a very painful statement. I hope he didn’t say so. But I know Nigerians will reject that position.”

Emphasizing the importance of honesty in leadership, Umahi stated that: One of the things I hate most is deceit.”

“I was Deputy Governor when my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, was Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum.

“I know his position on IPOB. I know the disagreement between him and Nnamdi Kanu. I know his feelings and the actions he took, which he was entitled to take. But he should be man enough to own those actions and not come before Nigerians and say, “Oh, this man did not say anything. He was just talking,” as though it was harmless.

“I was Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum.”

The Minister stressed that leaders across the Southeast have continued to work towards peace while exploring political solutions to issues affecting the region.

According to him: “The governors of the Southeast are doing everything possible, and we are supporting them in ensuring a peaceful Southeast while also exploring political ways of helping our brother, Nnamdi Kanu.”

He alleged that Mr. Obi had not spoken on issues affecting the Southeast, particularly during periods of insecurity and the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order.

“Nobody should joke with the thousands of Southeast people who were killed in the process. He has not been honest with our people. People sit at home every Monday, and he has not spoken against it. He simply wants to become President by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us”, he said.

On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, Umahi described the project as evidence of President Tinubu’s long-standing vision for national development and economic growth.

He said: “This project that someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media.”

Umahi challenged members of the Obedient Movement to compare the records of President Tinubu and Peter Obi during their respective tenures as governors.

He said: “I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure.”

According to him, the Coastal Highway stands as a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s foresight and commitment to infrastructure development.

“Today, we are standing on the Coastal Highway, which shows the vision of President Bola Tinubu beyond his time as Governor”, he stated.

Umahi further noted that ongoing infrastructure initiatives, including efforts around the River Niger corridor, would have unlock significant economic opportunities for the Southeast and the nation at large if it were done earlier.

“We had opportunities such as dredging the River Niger. If that had happened earlier, as is being pursued now, it would have helped the Southeast tremendously.

“We would have built bigger roads and delivered more infrastructure”, he noted.

The Minister reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu, revealing that Ebonyi State had already endorsed the President’s leadership.

“We recently adopted President Tinubu in Ebonyi State. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop defending Nigerians and our people”, he said.

In a strong political statement, he added: “I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu, and so is that of the entire Southeast. People will see it.

“Mark my words. I am also a prophet and a priest. Mark my words, and it will come to pass by the power of God.” This was contained in a statement signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media.

WorldStage– A civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has expressed concern over widespread allegations of vote buying in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, even as it commended the significant improvement in election logistics and the generally peaceful conduct of the exercise.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, during the election, Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, said the organisation’s observation showed marked progress in the deployment of election materials and personnel compared to the 2022 governorship election.

According to him, by 7:30 a.m. in the 2022 election, only 27 per cent of polling units had commenced operations. However, in the current election, over 68 per cent of polling units had opened by the same time, while 99 per cent had commenced voting and accreditation by 10:30 a.m.

“From Yiaga Africa’s perspective, there has been a remarkable improvement in logistics. In 2022, by 7:30 a.m., only 27 per cent of polling units had opened, but this time over 68 per cent had commenced operations. By 10:30 a.m., 99 per cent of polling units had recorded commencement. So far, logistics have been impressive and represent a significant improvement,” Itodo said.

Despite the positive assessment of logistics, Itodo identified vote buying as the organisation’s biggest concern.

“The biggest worry, which we had predicted before the election, is vote buying. At this moment, it is still premature to determine whether the turnout being witnessed is a result of voters’ free choice or has been influenced by inducements. However, the level of vote buying observed during this election is deeply troubling,” he stated.

He described the development as a missed opportunity for stakeholders who had pledged to curb electoral malpractice and strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.

On the overall conduct of the election, Itodo said the atmosphere remained largely peaceful, although some incidents of violence were recorded in a few areas.

At the moment, I am observing the use of the e-EC8A at a polling unit. We want to see how the BVAS functions in transmitting results electronically. Transparency in result management is critical, and we expect INEC to uphold this principle throughout the process,” he said.

He maintained that, despite the challenges recorded, the election remained on course and stakeholders should focus on ensuring transparency and credibility during the collation and declaration of results.

Has anyone, except me, noticed the loud silence coming from ADC Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar (GCON) and his purported running mate, H.E. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CON), following the announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, that both men would be running on a joint ticket?

For a political development of such magnitude, one would have expected an immediate wave of excitement, confirmation, clarification or at the very least, acknowledgment from the principal actors involved on their twitter, TikTok, Facebook or Instagram handles and even mainstream media.

Instead, what we have witnessed is silence. Loud silence. A silence that has generated more questions than answers.

Has the ticket truly been agreed upon by all parties involved?

Was the announcement premature?

Are consultations still ongoing behind the scenes?

Is there a strategic communication plan that the public is yet to be informed about ?

Or are there forces within and outside the party attempting to influence, pressure or bend the hands of key stakeholders in directions they may not necessarily desire? These are legitimate questions.

Politics abhors a vacuum. Whenever there is silence where clarity is expected, speculation rushes in to fill the gap.

The ADC today carries the hopes of millions of Nigerians searching for a credible alternative. It cannot afford avoidable ambiguity on issues as fundamental as its presidential ticket.

Party members, supporters, coalition partners, grassroots mobilizers, donors and the voting public deserve clarity. If there are ongoing negotiations, let the party say so and if there are unresolved issues, let stakeholders be informed. If consultations are still underway, there is no shame in admitting it.

Transparency builds trust and silence breeds uncertainty. The concern here is not merely about personalities. It is about the perception of internal cohesion, organizational discipline and readiness for the enormous task of leading Nigeria.

History teaches us that many promising political movements have been weakened not by external opposition but by internal uncertainty and poor communication.

The ADC must not walk into that trap. I also wish to sound a note of caution to all stakeholders. Nobody should attempt to impose outcomes through media pressure, elite consensus or backroom maneuvering.

The party belongs to its members and ultimately to the Nigerian people whose aspirations it seeks to represent.

Any attempt by individuals or groups to arm-twist leaders into predetermined positions may achieve short-term headlines but could create long-term fractures.

Consensus is valuable and consultation essential. Our Unity is indispensable but unity built on coercion is fragile. The leadership of the party must therefore proceed with wisdom, patience, openness and fairness.

Likewise, supporters of all tendencies within the coalition should avoid inflammatory rhetoric, unnecessary speculation and divisive campaigns.

The objective must remain clear: building the strongest possible platform capable of providing Nigeria with competent leadership and national renewal.

HE Atiku Abubakar is a seasoned political leader whilst HE Rotimi Amaechi is an experienced administrator and strategist too and both men understand the weight of expectations resting upon them. This is precisely why their silence is attracting attention, especially mine.

If perhaps there are good reasons for it or important consultations are ongoing where strategic considerations are being carefully weighed, the public as a matter of urgency should receive the clarification it deserves.

Until then, the questions and silence remain with Nigerians continuing to watch closely.
Very closely.

DR. CHIKE OKOGWU ADC NATIONAL LEADER, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS).