By: Fabian Apechihin

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) has strongly rejected calls for him to support Peter Obi or any other Igbo candidate outside the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, the former Abia State governor dismissed expectations that he should back candidates contesting under other parties as unreasonable. He insisted his loyalty remains firmly with the APC and that the party is the only platform through which the political interests of the South-East can effectively be pursued.

“I’m not in the political party where they are contesting. Why should they call my name? I mean, they shouldn’t. Why should they call? No, they are just being idiotic,” Kalu said.

He added: “I was in PDP, I was in PPA, and my third political party is APC. So if I’m in this practice and you want me to go and support somebody in APGA, you must be sick in your mind. You must be dreaming.

“I am a member of APC, pure and direct. Yeah, leave me there. I don’t have any interest. If Igbos have interest, [and] they don’t want to pursue [it in] APC; that is their business. There’s no other place the interest will be pursued except where I am.”

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Founder of the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji (Chief) (Dr) AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, has felicitated the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, on the occasion of his 31st anniversary on the throne.

In a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Oladimeji described the monarch’s three decades and one year on the throne as a remarkable journey of purposeful leadership, selfless service, wisdom and unwavering commitment to the unity, peace and development of Ilorin Emirate.

He noted that the decision of the people of Ilorin Emirate to entrust the revered throne to Sulu-Gambari 31 years ago had continued to yield tremendous dividends, given the monarch’s exemplary leadership, statesmanship and contributions to the growth and national recognition of the Emirate.

According to him, the Emir’s reign has further strengthened the traditional institution of Ilorin, elevated its standing among prominent traditional Emirates in Nigeria and reinforced its historic position as a centre of religious harmony, cultural heritage and peaceful coexistence.

Oladimeji particularly acknowledged the monarch’s invaluable contributions to peace building, national unity, religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and social cohesion, describing them as defining pillars of his reign and enduring legacy that transcends Kwara boundaries.

He observed that the Emir’s disposition to dialogue, accommodation and mutual understanding among people of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds had continued to provide an important model for peaceful coexistence and national integration.

The Al-Hikmah University founder further commended Sulu-Gambari for deploying the influence and moral authority of the traditional institution to promote harmony, strengthen communal relationships and advance the collective interests of the people.

He said the 31st anniversary was not merely a celebration of years on the throne but also an opportunity to reflect on the far-reaching impact of the monarch’s leadership, particularly his dedication to preserving the values, traditions and identity of the Ilorin Emirate while sustaining its relevance in contemporary national affairs.

Oladimeji, on behalf of himself, his family and the management, staff and students of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, expressed profound appreciation to the Emir for his fatherly disposition, exemplary leadership and continued commitment to the peace and progress of the Emirate.

He prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the monarch good health, long life, divine wisdom and renewed strength to sustain his invaluable service to Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria.

The elder statesman also wished the Emir many more fruitful years on the throne, marked by enduring peace, greater prosperity and the continued advancement of the Ilorin Emir

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State Chapter, has dismissed the latest outburst by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the PDP candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District, Hon. Saheed Popoola, describing it as another desperate attempt to weaponise a painful chapter in Offa’s history for cheap political advantage.

The PDP, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said Prince Saheed Popoola’s confession and apology to Dr Saraki have punctured the APC’s and AbdulRazaqs years of political propaganda around the Offa robbery, exposed how the tragedy was manipulated to tarnish Saraki’s image and turn the people of Offa against him, noting that the APC’s renewed attacks on Popoola are nothing but the frustration of a party whose packs of carefuly constructed propaganda are beginning to collapse.

The PDP said: “The 2018 Offa robbery was a tragic incident that claimed 33 precious lives and left families and communities with enduring pain. No responsible political party should trivialise such a tragedy, exploit the emotions of bereaved families or turn the memory of innocent victims into an instrument of electoral propaganda.

“However, the Kwara APC and Governor AbdulRazaq must understand that their problem is no longer Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki but the people of Kwara, whom they have neglected for over seven years, subjecting them to economic hardship, insecurity, killings, kidnappings and untold deprivation since 2019. No amount of propaganda, whether centred on the Offa robbery or any other politically convenient controversy, can save the APC and Governor AbdulRazaq from the looming electoral rejection awaiting them in 2027.

“It is quite unfortunate that the Kwara APC has chosen to ignore the embarrassment arising from its own confusion and contradictions surrounding the Offa robbery controversy. Nigerians were recently informed that the Kwara State Government had withdrawn 18 of the earlier 20 counts instituted against Dr Saraki and others. Rather than honestly addressing this development and explaining its implications, the APC, at the behest of Governor AbdulRazaq, has resorted to another round of political drama.

“If the APC is genuinely interested in justice, it should recognise that Prince Saheed Popoola, a respected son of Offa and a key figure in the O To Ge struggle, is in a position to speak about the political dynamics surrounding the robbery incident. His public confession and apology to Dr Saraki have punctured the years of lies and attacks on the personality of Dr Saraki who has no nexus with the robbery.

“We wish to remind the APC in Kwara that its belief that repeatedly recycling accusations surrounding the Offa robbery against Dr Saraki will erase the people’s assessment of its performance in government or save it from electoral rejection in 2027 is nothing but an exercise in futility.

“The people of Offa and the entire Kwara South are more concerned about the condition of their roads, economic opportunities, killing of Oro College of Education, Oke ode school of nursing, healthcare, education, employment and, above all, the security and safety of their communities than the APC’s endless political hostility towards the Saraki political family.

“Instead of spending its energy organising press conferences and launching attacks against Dr Saraki, the APC should explain what it has done with the enormous resources available to the state since 2019 and why many communities continue to demand meaningful development. The people of Kwara are not politically naïve. They understand the difference between governance and propaganda, between genuine concern for victims and the exploitation of tragedy for electoral advantage.

“We therefore advise the Kwara APC to stop hiding behind the unfortunate Offa robbery tragedy and face the realities of its declining public confidence. No amount of political blackmail, intimidation or recycled allegations can substitute for good governance and 2027 election will be decided by the people on the basis of performance, credibility and the promise of a better Kwara, not by the volume of political attacks launched against the opposition.”