Liyel Imoke Urges Unity, Resilience at African Democratic Congress Convention

Published

6 months ago

April 14, 2026

thecloudngr

Liyel Imoke Urges Unity, Resilience at African Democratic Congress Convention—-Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Convention Committee, Sen. Liyel Imoke, on Tuesday, called party leaders and members to be united and resilient amid escalating political pressure.

Imoke said this while welcoming party leaders, delegates, coalition partners and Nigerians to the party’s 2026 convention held in Abuja.

While describing the gathering as a “defining moment,” he said that the convention represented not just a meeting but a convergence of purpose to rebuild Nigeria.

Imoke said that the coming together of members was deliberate, driven by urgent national needs and a shared understanding that unity and clarity of vision were essential.

He lamented what he termed the rising insecurity, erosion of rule of law, shrinking democratic space and increasing cost of living, calling for decisive action.

“These realities are difficult but also clarifying, compelling us to define precisely the kind of country we want to build for present and future generations,” he said.

Imoke noted that preparations for the convention were marked by significant challenges, including legal battles and attempts to deny the party access to venues.

“Even as recently as last night, there were efforts to pressure the venue owners to cancel our reservation but despite everything, we are here,” he stated.

Imoke said that the resilience demonstrated by party leaders and members in overcoming obstacles reflected a deep commitment to the party’s ideals and national transformation.

He commended members for working tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, improvising when necessary and ensuring that all arrangements for the convention were successfully executed.

The former Cross River governor said the spirit of sacrifice was evident as some leaders contributed personal resources, describing the gesture as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“This spirit is instructive and speaks to what we are becoming as a party committed to genuine change and national renewal,” he added.

He said that each challenge faced had strengthened unity within the party, reinforcing the belief that ADC represented a credible pathway to Nigeria’s future.

Imoke, therefore, urged delegates to engage thoughtfully, make wise decisions and act in ways that would reflect the trust and expectations of Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to collective action, team work and purposeful leadership, aimed at ensuring that Nigeria worked again for all.

Imoke expressed optimism that the convention would further strengthen the party’s resolve to deliver meaningful change and sustainable national development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those present at the convention included: the Chinese, British and Norwegian envoys, ADC leaders and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Others were: the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, former Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sen. Dino Melaye.

Also former National Chairman of ADC, Raph Nwosu, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Mr Abubakar Malami and Sen. Ireti Kingibe were in attendance.

The national convention equally featured a former governor of Ebonyi, Dr Sam Egwu, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, among others.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Up Next

Ademola Lookman On Target as Atlético Madrid Edge Barcelona 3-2 on Aggregate to Reach UCL Semi-Finals

Don't Miss

Andoni Iraola Quits AFC Bournemouth After Three Seasons At The Cherries

Click to comment

Politics

Abia 2031: Competence Will Dictate My Successor, Says Governor Otti

Published

2 weeks ago

September 18, 2026

thecloudngr

Abia 2031: Competence Will Dictate My Successor, Says Governor Otti—-Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says he will neither be a godfather nor impose his successor on the state after serving his second tenure in 2031.

Otti spoke on Thursday in Umuahia, while receiving a former Social Democratic Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Mrs Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye, and her supporters into the Labour Party (LP).

He said that leadership succession should be based on identifying the most suitable person for the job, rather than perpetuating a “sit-tight” culture.

He said that the person who would succeed him would be better equipped to provide quality leadership to the people.

Otti said: “The most important thing you can give a people is good governance.

“And once people test good governance, it will be very difficult for them to allow you to take them back.

“So, if you are afraid that we will go back to Egypt, it will never happen and what I can assure you is that, by the time I’m done, the person who will succeed me will be better than me.

“I don’t want to be a godfather and I don’t tolerate godfathers.

“We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, who is the best person for this job and then all of us will agree and we will campaign for him.

“He will win and we will take a back seat.”

The governor also reiterated his earlier stance not to seek another elective position after completing his second tenure.

He said his administration’s focus was to provide good governance and create an environment, where younger people could emerge as capable leaders.

“We should stop this sit-tight. It’s only you. It can’t be only you.

“There are smarter, more trained, better-trained, better-equipped younger people; our children. We need to give them opportunity,” he said.

Otti said that his administration was already preparing younger people to take over leadership responsibilities through various initiatives, including the Abia Leadership Academy.

He said that over 1,080 young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, had recently graduated from the academy.

“You will see how smart our children are. So, these are the people that will take over from us.

“And they are being trained now for tomorrow; so we can never go back,” he said.

The governor also said the administration’s effort to improve governance and infrastructure would continue, in spite of criticism.

He argued that development could not be achieved in one day.

He said his administration had prioritised the restoration of Aba and Umuahia before extending its interventions to other parts of the state.

“We are now moving into the hinterlands, and we will continue until we reach everywhere; so nothing will stop us,” he said.

He thanked Johnson-Chukwunenye for joining the party and for remembering less privileged children, including pupils from the School for the Blind.

Otti said such gestures demonstrated concern for vulnerable members of society.

In a speech, the National Vice-Chairman of the party (Southeast), Mr Ishmael Onuoha, said the party’s motto aligned with the ideals expressed in the third stanza of the national anthem.

Onuoha described the party as one committed to the masses and hope for Nigerians.

In a remark, the LP Chairman in Abia, Mr Peter Azubuike, said the growing support for the party was a by-product of Otti’s good governance and performance.

Azubuike said the party was ready for the 2027 elections, urging members to prepare for polling-unit-based campaigns and ensure effective mobilisation at the grassroots.

In a speech, Johnson-Chukwunenye said that she had closely followed the Otti administration and was convinced by its efforts to clean, light up and restore dignity to Abia.

She said she decided to support Otti’s second-term bid because she believed his administration’s policies aligned with her vision of a government that remembers the poor and promotes equity.

She called for legislation on “continuity and completion” to ensure that successive administrations continued projects inherited from previous governments.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Politics

BREAKING: After Historic Osun Victory, Adeleke Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-Election

Published

1 month ago

August 16, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: After Historic Osun Victory, Adeleke Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-Election—-Fresh from securing a second term as Osun governor under the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for another term in 2027.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, shortly after securing another four-year term as governor of the state.

Adeleke made the declaration in his victory speech following his successful re-election in the August 15 governorship election, where he contested under the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor’s renewed endorsement of Tinubu adds another significant dimension to his remarkable political journey. Adeleke won his first term as governor in 2022 on the PDP platform but subsequently moved to Accord ahead of the 2026 election, successfully defending his seat as an incumbent under his new party.

Adeleke Praises Tinubu After Election Victory

In his post-election remarks, Adeleke expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, who had called to congratulate him on his victory.

https://thecloudngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Imran_Muhammad_-_President_Tinubu_is_son_of_Osun_state_and_I_hereby_reaffirm_my_earlie_67ts5d.mp4?_=1

The Osun governor praised the President for what he described as his role in ensuring that democracy continued to thrive, while acknowledging Tinubu’s congratulatory gesture following the election.

Adeleke’s comments represent a notable development given the political rivalry and tensions that characterized the build-up to the Osun election.

Before the poll, the governor had repeatedly called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. His campaign also exchanged accusations with the APC over the conduct of the electoral process and the role of federal authorities.

Renewed Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Ambition

Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu for 2027 is not entirely new.

The governor had previously declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign before the Osun governorship election. In June, while formally launching his Accord Party re-election campaign, Adeleke described his support for the President as “unshaken and total.”

He again reaffirmed that position after winning the Osun election, emphasizing his continued backing for the President’s second-term ambition. Vanguard and Punch both reported the governor’s renewed endorsement following his victory.

Adeleke also described Tinubu as a son of Osun, further highlighting the personal and political connection he says exists between the President and the state.

Adeleke’s Historic Political Switch

The endorsement comes just days after Adeleke achieved a major political feat by retaining the Osun governorship despite switching parties.

The governor was elected in 2022 as a PDP candidate but later abandoned the party following a prolonged internal crisis. He subsequently joined Accord and secured the party’s ticket to contest the 2026 election.

His decision created considerable political uncertainty because he was defending his position as an incumbent governor without the PDP structure that had originally brought him to power.

Adeleke ultimately overcame the challenge, winning another term under Accord and strengthening his position as one of the country’s most prominent politicians outside the traditional major-party platforms.

Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke

President Tinubu has also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, describing the result as a reflection of the will of the people.

The President said the outcome demonstrated that democracy continues to flourish in Nigeria and urged the governor to use his renewed mandate to serve the people of Osun State.

The development creates an interesting political dynamic ahead of 2027, with Adeleke now firmly positioned as an Accord governor who is publicly supporting the incumbent President’s re-election bid.

For Adeleke, the immediate priority will be delivering on the mandate he has just received from Osun voters. But his decision to publicly back Tinubu also signals that his political calculations extend beyond the state and into the increasingly important national contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

After securing a historic second term under Accord, Adeleke has now turned his attention toward the next political battle — throwing his weight behind Tinubu’s bid to remain President beyond 2027.

thecloudngr