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News_Naija

2027: PDP Chieftain Urges Obi To Rejoin Party

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has called on former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the PDP to boost his chances in the next presidential race. Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, made the call during an appearance on Seun Okinbaloye’s ‘Mic on podcast’, on Saturday. He said, “Looking ahead to 2027, the PDP of Nigeria will open its processes, announce when the forms are available, and anyone who feels confident enough to contest should step forward and do so. “If I were Peter Obi, I would return to the PDP and make a strong case for the presidential ticket. I believe he should come back to the party. This party was originally conceived in the bedroom of (the late) Alex Ekwueme; so, I don’t understand why the Igbo, along with southern leaders and other influential figures within the PDP, can’t come together and say, ‘Alright, we recognise this – here’s the ticket.’” Sowunmi argued that Obi, who garnered over six million votes in the 2023 presidential election without the backing of governors or significant party machinery, could significantly amplify his impact if backed by a major political structure. “We’ve covered every region, but we have not gone to the South-East yet. Still, Obi is free to make his own decisions. If his numbers and the animated energy that is following him were to follow him into the PDP and he is the presidential candidate, I can guarantee you he would take the South East, South-South, the Christian North and North Central,” he added. Sowunmi, however, clarified that his suggestions were hypothetical and not indicative of any ongoing negotiations between Obi and the PDP.

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Worldnews

Russia-Ukraine War Live: Eight Killed In Kyiv As Moscow, US Scold Zelenskyy

Russia carries out largest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year amid fruitless ceasefire talks. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Instablog9ja

You Lack Moral Right To Criticize Poverty In Nigeria Gov Sanwo-Olu Informs Peter Obi

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News_Naija

Minister Refutes Enugu Airport Concession Claims

The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has denied a media report claiming that a lengthy concession period had been agreed upon for Enugu International Airport. While the minister acknowledged that the government was considering concessions and had received proposals from various interested companies, he stated that no conclusion had been reached. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo described the media report as utterly baseless and untrue. Recall that Enugu airport came under media scrutiny barely 48 hours ago after Air Peace airline suspended its flight operations to the airport due to infrastructural defects. This suspension of flight services prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to immediately shut the airport, stating that it would embark on emergency runway rehabilitation. Moshood noted that many of the airports in the country are operating at a loss and have to be subsidised monthly by the government, reinforcing the need for concessions. The statement partly reads, “Whilst it is true that the Federal Government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, this is a proactive measure to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, given the increasing financial demands of their operations. “Many of our airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the Federal Government. It is noteworthy that this initiative to concession started under previous administrations. “At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concessions. It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. “All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation and will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before being presented to the Minister for onward conveyance to the FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded. However, for the sake of transparency, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, directed some months ago that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams. “Therefore, we must state unequivocally that the information suggesting a predetermined concession duration is false, unfounded, and intended to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in this process by those with entrenched interests.” While assuring the public of a transparent concession process, aviation unions have accused the Ministry of conducting the concession process “in the dark.” Moshood further stated, “With his training and track record, the Minister will not allow anything untoward to happen under his watch. He has so far run the Ministry in a transparent manner and will not fall into the same mistakes of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interests of the nation and the aviation sector.”