'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a striking announcement today, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, the National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, hinted at a significant political shakeup for the 2027 presidential elections. Speaking at a media chat held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Nwanyanwu warned President Bola Tinubu that the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is poised to challenge him in the upcoming election.
During his address, Nwanyanwu touched on various pressing national issues, including the controversial continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). "We have to interrogate why Nnamdi Kanu is still in prison," he stated, highlighting the inconsistency in the treatment of different groups involved in similar activities. Nwanyanwu emphasized the broad calls for Kanu's release from various quarters, including notable figures and South Eastern governors, questioning why the federal government persists in detaining him.
Shifting focus to Rivers State, Nwanyanwu criticized the political turmoil involving defection and legal battles among state lawmakers. He argued that the actions of these lawmakers, who left their party but sought to retain their seats, violated Section 109(1g) of the Constitution. He also condemned the federal government's perceived tacit approval of Wike's controversial actions as FCT Minister, suggesting that Wike's political maneuvers could lead to further instability.
The most explosive part of Nwanyanwu's statement was his prediction regarding the 2027 presidential race. "If the problem is about 2027, the person you should do business with is Fubara. He is the man on seat, you know Mr President," Nwanyanwu advised Tinubu. "If you don't know Mr President, Wike will contest against you in 2027. All that he is doing is razzmatazz. Forget all that he is doing, yes he has done well as minister but he will leave that office by the end of 2025 or early 2026 to prepare for presidency."
Nwanyanwu asserted that he had observed Wike's political ambitions through multiple speeches, indicating Wike's commitment to running for president. He warned Tinubu to be wary of Wike's intentions, suggesting that the current cordial relations might not last. "Your own Tinubu is a normal thing, that will be another regret and he will turn against you. I know what I'm saying, I know him very well and he knows me very well. Wike will run against him in 2027," Nwanyanwu stated emphatically.
This revelation sets the stage for an intense political battle as the nation looks ahead to the next presidential election. With Wike's potential candidacy, the political landscape in Nigeria could see significant shifts, challenging the status quo and possibly altering alliances within the political arena.
On the continued incarceration of Kanu, he said: "We have to interrogate why Nnamdi Kanu is still in prison, you are aware of the activities of terrorists in this country. You are aware of persons who have been interacting with terrorists without the leave of government. You are aware of those who are involved in the same agitation Nnamdi Kanu is involved in and they are walking free why he is still in custody. The leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Immanuel Nwanyanwu has asked that he be handed over to him. Nwazulike before he passed on also asked for his release. A lot of people have equally asked for his release but then President Buhari due to ancient hatred for Igbo decided to keep him.
"Recently, the five South Eastern governors came together for the first time to ask for his release but I don't know what he has done that they kept holding him for agitating like others.
"They have to hijack him in Kenya and brought him here. The truth still remains that since they have held him there he has denounced all the insecurities that were imported into the South East and every little thing they will say IPOB. When the prison was attacked we came first to say no, because all the names involved in it were non Igbo. So what happened? They have to start recruiting urchins , people without education to start doing operations for them. Nnamdi Kanu has said severally that he has no hand in it. On Mondays there are no activities in the East and we are calling on Mr President to release him. But if you don't want to release him, bring him to Eagle's Square let's use him for barbecue and let his enemies come and feast on him so that we can close his chapter."
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