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September 17th: Weekly Catch-Up On Naija’s Political Drama: Peter Obi On CNN; American Calls Keyamo “Mr Mugu”; Ayu Must Resign – Makinde; Police Uses Teargas Of Obi Supporters
Peter Obi Interviewed On CNN
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, was live on CNN yesterday, September 16th, to discuss his plans for Nigerians if elected in 2023.
The interview, which was postponed twice for undisclosed reasons, had the opposition parties’ supporters laughing at the Obi camp.
However, the former governor of Anambra State was live with CNN’s Zain Asher on Friday, discussing the problems of the nation, especially the growing insecurity issues.
Obi stated that insecurity must be handled swiftly, as farmers can’t go to their farmlands because they are afraid, which has caused a food shortage in the country, thereby damaging its economy.
He also questioned why the private sector can’t be granted permission to own refineries as the country doesn’t have any functioning.
Obi stated that Nigeria needs to cut its cost of governance, aggressively pull people out of poverty and combat corruption if it wants to be back on the right track.
Although Obi admitted that he can’t do these things overnight, he assures Nigerians that the plans are very much achievable.
Peter Obi’s full interview with CNN…
https://youtu.be/XKocFJVCf18
“Mr. Mugu”
On Tuesday, Dr. Jeffrey Guterman, a retired American mental health counsellor, lit up the Nigerian Twitter sphere by referring to Festus Keyamo, the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of State for Labour & Employment, as “Mr. Mugu.”
The American, who is a strong supporter of Peter Obi, responded to Keyamo’s tweet on a widely circulated video of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, having one of his aides read out a WhatsApp broadcast, supposedly from the Tinubu camp, about of his presidency.
Dr. Jeffrey responded saying, “Shame on you Festus Keyamo.”
Keyamo then responded, threatening the American to stay away from Nigerian politics.
He said, “Mr. Man @JeffreyGuterman, as a hired online mercenary without a Nigerian Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), may I suggest you stay away from our local politics? I am under restraint from professional bodies to which I belong, hence I have not descended on you with the worst expletives.”
Dr. Jeffrey then gave the response that had Nigerians cracking up.
He said, “I will not stay away from Nigerian politics, Mr. Mugu @fkeyamo. #PeterObiForPresident.”
Because of his response, “Mr Mugu” became No 1 trending on Twitter.
“Ayu Must Resign,” Makinde Supports Wike.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has insisted that the chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu must resign, backing his colleague, Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Gov Wike had called for Ayu’s resignation and Gov Makinde is now doing the same, as they insist that the presidential candidate of the party and its chairman cannot both come from the North.
According to Makinde, the chairman should step down in order to give the south a sense of belonging in the party.
During a South-West PDP stakeholders meeting, Atiku stated that Ayu cannot be asked to quit without the party’s constitution being amended.
He said, “I have no problem about anywhere any party member comes from but it must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution or regulations and practices.
“What governor Seyi Makinde is calling for is achievable under the party’s constitution under the party rules and regulations and procedures.
“This constitution must guide whatever changes we make, so that is why we cannot do anything outside that constitution unless it is amended. We do not say people should not have different views but all views must go through the party’s constitution, rules regulations and our practices.”
Nigerian Police Uses Teargas On Peter Obi supporters.
The Nigerian Police allegedly teargassed “OBI-dient movement” supporters who assembled at the Pastoral Centre in Abakaliki on Saturday for the one-million-march in support of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The huge rally caused both pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the busy Old Enugu Road in the capital city.
Steve Ugama, one of the supporters, claimed that the police had also arrested roughly five of his colleagues in addition to dispersing and using tear gas on the crowd.
He said, “This is inhuman and undemocratic. We have gathered here this morning for our peaceful March, all of a sudden, the police came and started tear-gassing us and arresting our people.
“They said we can’t hold the march, because Governor David Umahi asked them to stop us, that we can’t hold it. About four of our colleagues have been arrested. We need help here.”
