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  • Tinubu not first President to stumble – Onoh

    Tinubu not first President to stumble – Onoh

    The former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of Enugu Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has pointed out there is nothing strange about the President’s stumble while on official engagement in Turkey on Tuesday.

    Onoh accused the opposition politicians of engaging in a baseless propaganda, seeking to exploit a minor incident during President Tinubu’s state visit to Turkey.

    Tinubu stumbled while in an official welcome ceremony in Ankara-Turkey, bringing about a media frenzy in Nigeria.

    But Onoh described the brief stumble as an entirely human occurrence that in no way reflects on his vigour, focus, or the significance of the visit.

    He emphasised that such incidents are inherent risks of high office where leaders constantly navigate unfamiliar venues, ceremonial protocols, and gruelling schedules under intense public scrutiny.

    Onoh noted that history is full of similar momentary slips by world leaders, including President Gerald Ford of United States of America who famously tumbled down the steps of Air Force One in Austria in 1975.

    He also recalled that President Joe Biden of USA also tripped multiple times on the stairs of Air Force One in 2021 while President Barack Obama also briefly stumbled while disembarking Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base on March 29, 2015, after returning from a golf trip in Florida.

    Other world leaders he cited to have slipped while in official engagement included the Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was involved in a widely noted slip in 2019; same as the Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro who fell off a stage in 2004 and former U.S. Vice President, Mike Pence, who had a similar stumble while boarding Air Force Two.

    These examples, Onoh said, serve as reminders that even the most accomplished leaders are human and prone to occasional missteps.

    Addressing the cause of the incident, Onoh referenced explanations from the President’s team that it stemmed from a poorly laid blue carpet at the ceremony venue, creating an uneven surface and causing a brief loss of footing.

    “It is not any health-related issue. President Tinubu quickly regained his composure, received assistance, and continued seamlessly with his program,” Onoh said. 

    Onoh stressed that the minor mishap did not hinder the visit’s core objectives: strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Turkey, boosting trade, investment, defense cooperation, and infrastructure opportunities that directly benefit Nigeria and its people. 

    Read Also: ‘Economic model under Tinubu to drive higher GDP’

    The President proceeded with scheduled bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials, demonstrating unwavering commitment and resilience.

    “In the service of Nigeria,” Onoh concluded, “any small personal discomfort a leader endures—whether a stumble or greater sacrifice—is worthwhile if it advances the greater good of our country and its citizens. True leaders embrace such moments as part of their noble duty to place national interest above all else.”

    He urged the opposition and all political actors to channel their energies constructively: rather than fixating on fleeting incidents or amplifying them for partisan gain. 

    He asked them to offer substantive alternatives, propose viable solutions to national challenges, and contribute meaningfully to progress—instead of opposing everything while proposing nothing.

    Onoh reaffirmed that President Tinubu remains in great shape and fully dedicated to delivering for Nigerians, calling on all to rally around the bigger picture of shared prosperity and unity.

  • South East happy with appointment of Ihedioha into NRS – Onoh

    South East happy with appointment of Ihedioha into NRS – Onoh

    The former Southeast spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has defended the appointment of Obinna Ihedioha as an Executive Director, People, Stakeholders & Communication in the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

    Onoh described the Federal Government’s appointment as a recognition of professionalism and urged the protesting southeast APC youths to embrace unity since the appointment is merit-driven and aligned with national interest.

    Onoh noted that Ihedioha is a senior-level strategist with over 24 years of distinguished experience in strategy, governance, public sector reform, portfolio management, accountability frameworks, human capital strategy, and stakeholder management.

    He said that Ihedioha’s professional record is exemplary and directly relevant to his new role, where the Directorate oversees human capital management, workforce development, corporate communications, and stakeholder engagement; ensuring a skilled workforce, coherent messaging, strong institutional relationships, and a trusted organizational brand for the NRS.

    Ihedioha had served as the Senior Adviser and Head of Strategy at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) where he managed an investment portfolio exceeding $4 billion and played a pivotal role in establishing flagship national platforms such as the Africa Sovereign Investment Platform, InfraCredit, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, Development Bank of Nigeria, and RIPLE (Renewable Investment Platform for Limitless Energy).

    Ihedioha also held the positions of Deputy Managing Director at the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF); Senior Infrastructure Investment Adviser for Adam Smith International, supporting the Presidency and Ministry of Power – Contributing to high-level national and international bodies, including as a member of the G20 Technical Working Group.

    Ihedioha also worked as the World Bank Climate Finance Working Group; Presidential Task Force on Power and the Nigeria Economic Management Team. He had served on the boards of impactful organizations such as CFG Africa, FundiCo, and the Clean Energy Local Currency Fund UKNIAF.

    Onoh stated that Ihedioha’s educational credentials further underscore his expertise, holding a BSc in Political Science from the University of Abuja; an MSc in Public Policy & Management from the University of Manchester, and alumni status from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

    Onoh commended the Chairman of the NRS for making one of the best professional choices in appointing Obinna, rather than resorting to political selection, saying that the decision clearly demonstrates the agency’s prioritization of professionalism, competence, and proven track record as the foundation for delivering tangible positive outcomes to Nigerians.

    “In an institution tasked with revenue optimization and national development, such merit-based appointments are essential for progress. To the APC youth and anyone questioning Obinna’s suitability merely because his brother is a former governor or because he is not perceived as an APC member; this line of criticism stems from a narrow partisan mindset that undermines a progressive vision for a better Nigeria.

    Read Also: Ministers must perform better to enhance APC 2027 chances – Onoh

    “True nation-building demands that we value expertise, dedication, and service to the country above narrow party loyalty. Those who insist on reducing high-level appointments to political patronage alone have no place in the inclusive, talent-driven future we are all working toward one where Nigerians from diverse backgrounds contribute to shared prosperity.”

    Onoh told the protesting APC youths involved that no amount of political pressure or orchestrated campaigns will compel President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse this appointment, revealing that the President remains resolutely focused on ensuring professionalism over partisan politics, particularly in critical sectors of the economy and administration like the Nigeria Revenue Service, which he said is vital to national revenue generation and fiscal stability.

    “Any overbearing attempt to politicize this merit-based decision and reduce it to partisan calculations will not be tolerated, as it runs counter to the administration’s core commitment to competence, national interest, and inclusive governance. The Southeast is extremely proud of Ihedioha’s outstanding professional service record and unwavering commitment to the service of our nation.”

    Onoh urged the APC youths to channel their collective energy into galvanized support for the party, the government, and the nation, rather than dissipating it on issues that distract real development.

  • Ministers must perform better to enhance APC 2027 chances – Onoh

    Ministers must perform better to enhance APC 2027 chances – Onoh

    The former southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and  Chairman of forum of former members of Enugu House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged Ministers to perform better to enhance the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. 

    He specifically asked the Minister for Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musawa, to pay more attention  to her job than on the politics of presidential tickets.

    The Minister, in a ‘Mic On Show’ media programme warned that dropping a Northern Muslim from President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 ticket could create significant hurdles for the APC in core Northern states.

    Onoh noted that the Minister’s emphasis on the sophistication of Northern politics and the importance of maintaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket configuration aligns with the party’s 2023 strategy, which delivered strong support in the North.

    Onoh however said that as a committed APC stakeholder, it was important to address the broader context of party unity and focus, insisting that the speculation about the 2027 ticket is premature and risks distracting from the urgent task of governance and party consolidation. 

    “President Tinubu and the APC leadership have consistently demonstrated a commitment to inclusive representation, and any decisions on the ticket will be made strategical by the party’s national leadership, governors, and stakeholders.

    “I’d rather advise the Hon. Minister to focus on her role as Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy which is critical to delivering on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Onoh advised.

    Onoh said the  Minister’s expertise and visibility in her portfolio positions her to drive tangible achievements in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, and creative industries—sectors that can generate jobs, revenue, and national pride.

    He further advised that grassroots mobilisation, ward-level engagement and party consolidation are best handled by dedicated party mobilisers, state executives, governors, and the APC National Chairman. 

    Read Also: Onoh tackles Atiku over claims on BEA scholarship

    “This is because these structures are actively working to strengthen the party’s base across all regions, ensuring that the APC remains united and formidable ahead of 2027.”

    Onoh lamented there has been limited visible engagement in grassroots party activities or direct promotion of the APC at the local level. 

    “While ministerial duties demand focus, many stakeholders note that ministers who balance their portfolios with active party support (through campaigns, rallies, or constituency outreach) strengthen the overall APC brand. Waking up to comment on sensitive national ticket issues at this juncture—without consistent prior involvement in party-building efforts—may come across as selective rather than holistic,” he added. 

    Onoh said that the APC’s success in 2027 will depend on collective discipline, ministers delivering in their sectors, Governors driving state-level performance, and grassroots politicians mobilizing voters. 

    “Let us all stay in our lanes to avoid unnecessary distractions and work toward a stronger, more united party. The APC remains confident under President Tinubu’s leadership, and with focused execution, we will consolidate our gains and secure victory in 2027 irrespective of the choice of a Muslim/Muslim or Muslim/Christian ticket.”

  • Onoh tackles Atiku over claims on BEA scholarship

    Onoh tackles Atiku over claims on BEA scholarship

    The former southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Denge.Josef Onoh has tackled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on allegations regarding the BEA scholarship scheme. 

    Onoh said that Atiku’s statement paints a picture of callous abandonment and neglect but the facts reveal a responsible policy shift driven by economic realities and a commitment to Nigeria’s long-term educational self-sufficiency. 

    Onoh said that it wasn’t  “outright abandonment” but a pragmatic reform to prioritise domestic institutions amid fiscal constraints inherited from previous administrations, including Atiku’s own era under PDP rule.

    Onoh went further to dismantle these claims point by point with verifiable facts.

    Onoh, stated that firstly, Atiku alleged that the BEA scheme was “quietly obliterated” under President Tinubu without notice to parents or students. 

    This, he said, is patently false. The Federal Ministry of Education officially announced the discontinuation of government-funded foreign scholarships in May 2025, following a comprehensive policy review.

    Onoh said that the decision was communicated publicly through ministerial statements, emphasizing that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges now have sufficient capacity to offer equivalent programs locally—often of higher quality.

    Read Also: NNPP bars Kwankwaso from seeking 2027 presidential ticket

    Onoh said that far from being secretive, this shift was part of broader economic reforms initiated after Tinubu took office in May 2023 to address Nigeria’s strained public finances. 

    The initial five-year suspension Atiku references was indeed temporary, but the review concluded that full discontinuation was necessary, with only fully foreign-funded scholarships continuing.

    Onoh stated that Parents and students were not left in the dark; notifications were issued, including a July 2024 update on stipend adjustments due to exchange-rate pressures.

    Onoh, in response to the claim of “abandonment” leaving 1,600 students “stranded without support” said that it was a gross exaggeration because the Ministry of Education has categorically stated that no valid BEA scholar has been abandoned. All students enrolled before 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with government obligations.

     Any delays in 2025 payments are due to temporary fiscal challenges, which are being actively addressed with the Ministry of Finance.

     Onoh maintained that no new scholarships were awarded after October 2025, and any documents suggesting otherwise are unauthentic.

    Futher more, Onoh said for existing scholars, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to supporting them until graduation, including covering return travel costs for those who wish to transfer back to Nigerian institutions.

     “This is hardly “abandonment”—it’s responsible stewardship of scarce resources, redirecting funds to bolster local education infrastructure that benefits far more Nigerians,” he stressed. 

    On the issue of unpaid stipends and arrears, Onoh said that Atiku dramatises “thousands of dollars” owed, citing over $6,000 per student.

     “The reality is more nuanced: Stipends were paid partially in 2023 and 2024, with a reduction from $500 to $220 monthly in 2024 to account for naira devaluation and budgetary constraints—a practical adjustment, not “cruelty.”

     Onoh stated that arrears from 2023 (including exchange-rate differentials) and 2024 were acknowledged, with partial payments made in September 2024.

    No payments occurred in 2025 due to ongoing fiscal reviews, but the ministry has assured that balances will be cleared as funds become available.

     This is not neglect but a reflection of Nigeria’s economic challenges, exacerbated by global inflation and currency fluctuations. President Tinubu’s administration has prioritized transparency, as evidenced by the House of Representatives’ investigation into stipend delays in November 2025, where parents’ concerns were heard and commitments reiterated.

    Onoh said that Atiku’s reference to hardship worsening between September and December 2023, with stipends slashed by 56% in 2024 and stopped in 2025, ignores the context. 

    These issues stem from inherited economic woes, including the removal of fuel subsidies and forex reforms necessary to stabilize the economy—reforms Atiku himself has criticized but which have prevented deeper crises. Students’ pleas have not been met with “cold, technocratic” indifference; the government has engaged through forums, Zoom calls with the Federal Scholarship Board, and public assurances.

    Protests in Abuja were acknowledged, and the minister suggested reintegration options for affected students, showing proactive care.

    Finally, the tragic death of a student in Morocco in November 2025 (not 2023, as Atiku’s statement erroneously implies) is heartbreaking but cannot be solely attributed to stipend delays without evidence. Parents and students have linked it to financial hardship, but the government has refuted claims of abandonment in Morocco specifically, noting that all valid scholars there were paid up to 2024 and that delays are being resolved.

    This incident underscores the need for reform, but it does not negate the administration’s efforts to support welfare, including health insurance provisions in the scholarship terms.

    “Atiku’s narrative is a desperate attempt to score political points ahead of 2027, ignoring that the BEA program—launched in 1993 and revitalized in 1999 under PDP governments—faced similar funding issues in the past. President Tinubu’s focus on local capacity building will create sustainable opportunities for thousands more Nigerians, rather than subsidizing a few abroad amid economic strain. 

    “We urge Atiku to join in constructive dialogue instead of spreading misinformation. The administration remains committed to education as a pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and these reforms will yield dividends for generations to come,” Onoh stated. 

  • Onoh alleges silence, betrayal of Tinubu over US designation crisis

    Onoh alleges silence, betrayal of Tinubu over US designation crisis

    The former southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Josef Onoh, has raised concerns over what he alleged is a united silence around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immediately after the United States of America designated Nigeria a country of particular concern.

    He accused all the elected political office holders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the betrayal silence but said it is more worrisome that Tinubu’s political appointees and cabinet members are part of those maintaining silence at a critical period.

    Onoh, in a statement explained

    In the high-stakes arena of global diplomacy, where a nation’s reputation hangs by the thinnest of threads, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finds himself isolated in a precarious ledge. 

    He said the ongoing US designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom is a damning indictment that threatens economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and international isolation and has exposed the fragility of Tinubu’s administration like never before. 

    “As the world watches and Washington deliberates, I’m shocked that the President’s most ardent political allies have retreated into an unnerving silence. Not a single voice from the APC governors, the National Assembly members, or the cadre of presidential appointees has risen in robust defense. 

    “Yet mention Peter Obi, Atiku, Goodluck Jonathan any opposition, they will all wake up in all aggressive focus rushing to contribute something on the social media space. Clearly, the current situation has exposed they all have nothing to offer outside local political scope of opposition attacks. I alerted the president few months ago to trust only his wife, the first lady, and the reason is becoming evident. 

    “This is not mere oversight; it is a calculated abandonment, a stark revelation of the rot at the heart of Nigeria’s ruling party.”

    Onoh said that as a keen observer of Nigeria’s political theater and an unapologetic advocate for meritocracy, the current silence lays bare his alleged betrayal.

    “The APC’s machinery, once a juggernaut of unified purpose, now creaks under the weight of its own incompetence. Tinubu stands alone not because the cause is lost, but because he has been orphaned by the very cabal he empowered. 

    “Where are the governors who owe their palaces to his patronage? Where are the senators and representatives who feasted at his table? And the appointees—those placeholders in ministerial robes and agency sinecures—why do they not rally with strategies, lobbying, or even a modicum of public solidarity? 

    “And to my greatest shock, only the voices of few in the likes of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sen. Ali Ndume were heard, they put the love of country first before politics and they are critics of this government yet their voices were heard when it was needed. 

    “The roots of this desertion trace back to a fatal miscalculation in the administration’s infancy. In the euphoric haze of victory, The President’s team prioritized loyalty over luminosity, doling out key positions not to the architects of policy or the tacticians of governance, but to political jobbers—those opportunistic fixers whose currency is allegiance, not expertise. 

    “Ministries meant for economic wizards were handed to non party loyalists with résumés as thin as their grasp of fiscal levers. Those that genuinely supported the president were abandoned. Advisory roles, critical for navigating international waters, went to sycophants skilled in flattery but adrift in the complexities of diplomacy. 

    “The National Assembly, bloated with APC majorities, became an echo chamber of standing on your mandate rather than a forge for legislative armor and today their silence out of fear of US visa revocations for them and their families if they speak boldly in your defense clearly shows majority of people surrounding you Mr. President are only standing on their own individual mandate and not yours.

    “The Governors many ensconced in their state fiefdoms, view federal tempests as distant storms, hoarding resources while offering platitudes in private.

    “Now, as the US State Department’s scrutiny intensifies—fueled by reports of escalating religious tensions, extrajudicial killings, and institutional biases—these “allies” reveal their true mettle: brittle and self-serving. There is no surge of diplomatic envoys dispatched to Capitol Hill, no flood of op-eds from APC luminaries in global outlets, no coordinated push from appointees leveraging their networks. 

    “Instead, Mr. President toils in solitary command, your mornings consumed by frantic calls to envoys and your evenings by the gnawing realization that the engine room of this government is staffed by passengers, not pilots. The actual work—crafting nuanced responses, mobilizing civil society coalitions, or even drafting a compelling counter-narrative—falls to a skeleton crew like myself and holdovers from prior regimes or overworked civil servants. The jobbers, predictably, excel at optics: photo-ops at Aso Rock, viral tweets of feigned outrage, but zero substantive output.”

    Onoh warned that the situation is no isolated fiasco but the harbinger of systemic collapse.

    “When competency is sacrificed at the altar of patronage, the bill comes due in crises like this,” he says. “Tinubu’s vision of a renewed Nigeria—bold infrastructure leaps, agricultural revolutions, and security overhauls—crumbles not under external pressure, but internal vacuum. The US designation is a mirror reflecting the administration’s soul: competent enough to win elections, but woefully unprepared to lead a nation through fire.”

    “Yet, in this valley of silence I see a clarion call for redemption. Mr. President must purge the jobber class, elevating individuals and technocrats who can turn rhetoric into results. The APC Governors and legislators owe The President more than inertia; they must step forward with actionable support—perhaps a bipartisan resolution in the Assembly, or governors-led advocacy tours in key US states. 

    Appointees should be measured not by their party badges, but by their deliverables. Only then can the echo of silence be replaced by a chorus of competence.

    “Nigeria’s story is one of resilience, not resignation. As the US deadline looms, Tinubu’s solitude need not be his sentence. It can be the spark that ignites a merit-based renaissance, proving that true allies are forged in the crucible of crisis, not the ballot box. My voice cuts through the quiet: the time for excuses is over. The work—the real work—begins now. I stood alone from the beginning with President Tinubu and I’ll Stand by him till the end of this tenure we laboured to win.”

  • Nnaji’s resignation: Onoh urges Gov Mbah to join APC

    Nnaji’s resignation: Onoh urges Gov Mbah to join APC

    Following the resignation of the Minister for Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the south east, Denge Josef Onoh has asked Enugu Governor Peter Mbah to jettison the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and cross over to take leadership of the national ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Onoh extended gratitude to the former Minister for his dedicated service and contributions to the APC during his tenure, expressing confidence that Nnaji will continue to make positive impacts.

    Turning his gaze to Governor Mbah, Onoh said that the road ahead for Enugu State now is for renewed unity and strategic leadership within the Enugu APC chapter.

    He regretted that the APC in Enugu state has endured needless fractures and disarray since 2015, hindering collective progress and electoral triumphs. 

    “It is with this in mind that I urge His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, to seize the mantle of leading the APC in Enugu State and uniquely to heal these divides. I implore him to prioritize stability, foster reconciliation among stakeholders—from zonal executives to grassroots mobilizers and unify all ranks into a formidable force,” Onoh urged.

    He stated that under Mbah’s guidance while ensuring to carry all stakeholders along, the APC can reclaim its stature as the true vehicle for Enugu’s renaissance, transcending past shadows to deliver inclusive growth and security for all.

    “Rest assured that as we champion this unity, I pledge my full cooperation and that of my network, not limited to the full meaningful and patriotic support of Mr. President towards our paramount goal in ensuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resounding victory in Enugu State come 2027,” he pledged.

    Onoh said that with Governor Mbah at the helm of a cohesive APC in Enugu state, alongside the enduring legacies of former governors of the state such as Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Senator Ken Nnamani —who championed Tinubu’s 2023 campaign in the South East, they can surge forward as one, securing federal patronage, economic dividends, and a brighter tomorrow for the people of state. 

    “Let us collaborate unreservedly, for in unity lies our strength and triumph. I remain committed to this vision and look forward to our joint efforts ahead of 2027. As I welcome you to our great party in the coming hours.”

  • IPOB constituting clog to Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom – Onoh

    IPOB constituting clog to Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom – Onoh

    The former southeast spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has addressed the latest outburst from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 

    Onoh in a statement in Abuja, reprimanded IPOB ‘s spokesperson’s statement, on Tuesday, for threatening “unimaginable consequences” and the outright “end of Nigeria” if anything happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody. 

    He warned that the statement was not just an inflammatory rhetoric but a dangerous provocation that serves no one but the enemies of the Igbo. 

    “It is the kind of bellicose posturing that has repeatedly sabotaged every glimmer of hope for Kanu’s release and poisoned the wall of constructive dialogue.

    “Let’s be unequivocal: IPOB’s threats are not the voice of a people seeking justice; they are the desperate cries of a movement that has lost its way, equating itself to the triggers of World War I, while ignoring the self-inflicted wounds it has inflicted on the Southeast. 

    “You warned of a ‘keg of gunpowder’ and accused the DSS of deliberate endangerment, yet you conveniently forget how your enforced sit-at-home directives, now a weekly ritual of economic sabotage, have already detonated that powder keg in our markets, schools, and homes. 

    “These are not acts of resistance. They are acts of collective punishment against the very Igbo whose cause you claim to champion. Your words do not rally align. They repel, turning potential mediators into hardened skeptics,” Onoh said.

    He noted that for many years, he has been at the forefront of advocating for Kanu’s release on compassionate and strategic grounds such as on September 20 when he publicly urged President Bola Tinubu to hand Kanu over to the custody of Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, as a humanitarian gesture to de-escalate tensions and restore investor confidence in the Southeast. 

    “This was not empty talk. It was a pathway rooted in equity, aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of inclusive governance. I commended the President’s diplomatic triumphs, such as the conviction of the Finland-based criminal, Simon Ekpa, whose gang has masqueraded as IPOB to unleash terror. 

    “Yet, every time voices like mine, or those of our governors, Ohanaeze, and traditional rulers, gain traction for political solutions, IPOB unleashes a torrent of threats that drown out reason and embolden the hardliners in Abuja to dig in deeper.”

    Onoh  said that the consistent undermining of the efforts is not accidental but a pattern of self-sabotage, recalling that in 2023, he prioritised Kanu’s release over Senate Presidency for the Southeast.

    Onoh recalled also of him pleading for Kanu to attend trial from home to end the sit-at-home madness crippling our economy, but that what followed was more IPOB-enforced shutdowns, more violence cloaked as agitation, and zero progress toward freedom. 

    He added: “You lash out at some Igbo as collaborators and political jobbers, but who are the true betrayers here? Those of us building bridges, or you, who burn them with every hyperbolic warning? History will not vindicate a struggle that prioritizes apocalypse over atonement—that demands release without reckoning for the victims of IPOB-linked atrocities, from displaced families to the blood on the hands of criminals hiding in your shadow.

    “And now, this absurd saber-rattling about ending Nigeria? Under President Tinubu’s resolute leadership, such fantasies are not just impossible—they are laughable. Tinubu has stared down greater storms: from global economic headwinds to internal banditry, all while extending olive branches to the Southeast through appointments like the current Chief of Naval Staff for the Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, whereas no individual from Igbo extraction held such in the previous administration.”

    “Your threats will not fracture the federation; they will fracture the Southeast further. Mark my words: this path leads only to isolation and impoverishment. The sit-at-home orders you once wielded as a weapon have already ravaged our markets—Onitsha’s trade volumes halved, Aba’s factories idled, Enugu’s streets ghost towns—driving away investors and youth to Lagos and Abuja. Our GDP contribution shrinks while our people bear the brunt: empty pockets, shuttered businesses, and a generation radicalized into despair. 

    “You speak of grave consequences for Nigeria and the wider region, but the real crisis is the one you’ve engineered at home—a self-imposed siege that starves the Southeast of the very prosperity needed to fuel any genuine agitation.”

    He urged IPOB to heed to his stern warning and desist from provocations that mock the intelligence of Ndigbo and doom Kanu to indefinite detention.

    “If you truly care for his health and freedom, join the chorus for dialogue, not division. Engage with Ohanaeze, apologize to the victims of the violence your name has been dragged into, and support the political channels we are forging. President Tinubu’s administration is open to equity—witness the pardons extended to northern agitators and the crackdown on Ekpa’s thugs. But threats? They only harden resolve and deepen our isolation.

    “The Igbo spirit is one of resilience and ingenuity, not ruinous ultimatums. Choose wisdom over wrath, or history will record IPOB not as liberators but as the architects of our needless suffering. Release Kanu through reason, not rupture. 

    “The keg of gunpowder is yours to defuse—if you have the courage – and if you fail to do so before the end of the year, then will you know the true meaning of late Gen. Mohammed Buhari’s statement when he said, “The southeast is a dot in a circle! Do not dare nor test the resolve and restraint of President Tinubu because i know the consequences. “Onoh advised IPOB.

  • Onoh appeals for release of Kanu, Sunday Igboho’s pardon

    Onoh appeals for release of Kanu, Sunday Igboho’s pardon

    The former southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has appealed to the President for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He also asked that the government to remove from criminal wanted list, the self-determination activist and advocate for an independent Yoruba Nation, Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) 

    Onoh in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday said that his plea is rooted in the imperatives of fairness, national reconciliation, and the restoration of public trust in institutions amid escalating threats to the Nation’s collective security.

    Onoh said that he was provoked by the recent peace deals brokered between elements of state governments and notorious bandit kingpins, especially the acceptance of a “peace agreement” by Isiya Kwashen Garwa, one of Nigeria’s 19 most-wanted terrorists, in Katsina State.

    He said that the encounter represents a grave miscarriage of justice and a blatant violation of constitutional order. 

    Onoh further said that these deals, often conducted under the guise of community negotiations in places like Faskari and Batsari Local Government Areas, granted impunity to criminals who have orchestrated unimaginable horrors, while agitators such as Kanu languish in detention for advocating non-violently for self-determination. 

    “Such arrangements, which have seen bandits surrender token weapons like a handful of AK-47 rifles in exchange for de facto amnesty, fly in the face of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right to life, and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, which demands accountability for acts of terror,” he argued. 

    Onoh said the  actions undermine the rule of law, embolden criminality, and erode the moral authority of the state, as rightly condemned by voices such as Senator Shehu Sani, who decried the failure of security forces to eliminate but negotiate with those responsible for thousands of deaths. 

    “This disparity in treatment reveals systemic inequities, the entire southeast see these as favoritism, selective justice, and political expediency undermining Nigeria’s unity and rule of law.

    “The atrocities perpetrated by these bandits, particularly under Garwa’s command, dwarf any actions attributed to Kanu or Igboho, rendering their continued persecution not just disproportionate but hypocritical. 

    “Garwa’s gang has been directly linked to the massacre of 34 worshippers in Katsina state, relentless kidnappings across Katsina, Zamfara, and neighboring states, and coordinated raids that have left communities in Faskari and beyond in perpetual fear.” 

    He recalled that in the first half of 2025 alone, bandits and insurgents killed at least 2,266 Nigerians, surpassing the entire year’s toll of 2,194 in 2024.

    Onoh further note that from July 2024 to June 2025, nearly 5,000 people were abducted, with ransoms totaling over ₦2.57 billion extracted, fueling an economy of terror that has displaced millions and sacked 638 villages in Zamfara state alone. 

    In the Amnesty International’s investigations since 2020 documented over 294 killings and 306 abductions in Katsina, with daily assaults in Zamfara claiming 273 lives and 467 kidnappings in the last two years. 

    According to him: “These terrorist gangs the government went into negotiation were imposing blockades, rape women and girls, pillage resources, and control gold mines to arm themselves with over 60,000 illegal weapons circulating in the Northwest. Their violence marked by sexual atrocities, child abductions, and the sacking of entire communities has created ‘captive populations’ in ungoverned spaces, where civilians live under de facto bandit rule. 

    “I challenge the government or any Nigerian to provide any evidence against Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho of such crime. In essence, the government’s northern pragmatism versus southern repression perpetuates division, rewarding violence in one region while criminalizing dissent in another-a politically incorrect but evident bais rooted in ethnic power dynamics.”

    Onoh told President Tinubu that true equity demands uniform application to negotiate with all or prosecute all, stating that in stark contrast, the actions of Mazi Kanu and Chief Igboho have been those of vocal advocates for regional autonomy, not architects of mass murder or extortion. 

    He said that the Simon Ekpa led Eastern security Network (ESN) which unleashed killings and atrocities in the southeast should be separated from IPOB as they have no connection. 

    “Nnamdi Kanu was arrested renditioned back from Kenya in June 18 2021. Has spent nearly 10 years in detention—equivalent to a full prison term under our laws—without conviction, enduring solitary confinement in DSS custody that has severely deteriorated his health, prompting urgent court pleas for transfer to the National Hospital in Abuja. 

     “Similarly, Igboho, arrested on July 19, 2021, in Benin Republic and released after nearly a year in custody, returned to Nigeria on July 22, 2025, only to face lingering arrest warrants despite a court awarding him ₦20 billion in damages for the unlawful 2021 DSS raid on his Ibadan residence which killed two aides and detained 13 others. 

    “His efforts to evict criminal herders from Oyo farmlands were defensive responses to insecurity, not offensive terrorism; he has committed no crime warranting his name on the wanted list, which bars him from using his passport or accessing his accounts.

    “Mr President, while bandits like Garwa are feted with peace pacts—releasing a mere 28 captives in Faskari as a gesture while evading justice for thousands slaughtered—Kanu has already served the equivalent of an 8-year sentence (from his 2015 arrest to now, minus a brief 2017-2018 bail), and Igboho has endured exile and trauma for over four years. 

    Read Also: A breath of fresh leadership: Why Josef Onoh stands poised to rescue Enugu from stagnation in 2027

    “Statistics bear this out: Between 2013 and 2022, banditry claimed 8,300 lives and 9,527 kidnappings in the Northwest alone, per conservative estimates from the Center for Democracy and Development and UNIDIR. In the same period, no comparable fatalities are attributable to IPOB or Igboho’s activism; their offenses pale against the 143,000 violent deaths nationwide since 2006, predominantly from banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes.

    “Releasing Kanu and dropping charges against Igboho would signal that Nigeria values equity over expediency, dialogue over detention, and true security over selective impunity. It would heal sectional wounds, deter actual terrorists, and affirm that no Nigerian is above the law—nor beneath its protection. I urge you, in the spirit of Renewed Hope, to act decisively: Direct the Attorney General to withdraw all charges, quash warrants, and facilitate Kanu’s medical release. Let this be the turning point where justice unites us, not divides.

    “I have been the loudest voice in promotion and defence of your administration, but I cannot in good conscience promote or ask my region to support your second term election when a bandit kingpin with a bloody record of slaughtering civilians and soldiers walks free after releasing hostages, while our southern agitators Nnamdi Kanu whose group denies violence rot in DSS holding facility and Sunday Igboho still declared wanted. Your administration cannot prosecute a prisoner of conscience while embracing terrorists. Nigeria expects no less.”

  • Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the south east, Denge Josef Onoh, has told Niger Governor Umaru Bago he was wrong to have equated the entire South East landmass to one local government area in his State.

    Bago’s had in a recent television interview claimed that Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State is larger than the entire South East region.

    But Onoh said that such a statement misrepresents geographical facts and exaggerates the scale of Borgu LGA relative to the five states in the South East.

    He provided breakdown of the evidence, including verified land area figures to substantiate his position.

    Onoh stated that there is no doubt that Borgu LGA of Niger State with a total of 11, 267 km² is the largest LGA in Nigeria but remains a fraction of larger south east regional totals.

    He reminded Bago that the South East Nigeria has a combined landmass of approximately 29,484 km², with Abia State – 6,320 km²; Anambra State – 4,844 km²; Ebonyi State – 5,530 km²; Enugu State: 7,161 km² and Imo State with 5,530 km²

    “So Borgu LGA is only about 38 percent the size of the South East region (11,267 km² vs. 29,484 km²). The South East is roughly 2.6 times larger than Borgu LGA.”

    Read Also: Sujimoto: Onoh warns Ohanaeze youths against ethnic tension

    Onoh also countered the Governor’s claims that Niger State constitutes 11 percent of Nigeria’s total land area, noting that such claim was inaccurate as well.

    He pointed out that Nigeria’s total land area is 923,769 km², and Niger state spans 76,363 km², which is approximately 8.3 percent of the national total and not 11 percent.

    “While Niger state is indeed Nigeria’s largest by landmass, the exaggeration in Bago’s figures undermines the broader point about security challenges tied to vast, ungoverned spaces.

    ” I believe that Bago’s remarks were made in the context of explaining long-standing security issues in Niger State, attributing them to its expansive forests and reserves such as the Borgu Game Reserve that serve as criminal hideouts.

    “While the challenges of policing large forested areas are valid, Niger state does face banditry and kidnappings in the inflated comparison to the Southeast risks inflaming regional tensions without basis in fact. Hence, it’s important I set the records straight.

    “The South East, despite its smaller size, grapples with its own security challenges such as communal clashes and insurgency. But it is far more densely populated (over 20 million people across 95 LGAs) and urbanized, making the direct size-based analogies misleading,” Onoh countered.

  • Sujimoto: Onoh warns Ohanaeze youths against ethnic tension

    Sujimoto: Onoh warns Ohanaeze youths against ethnic tension

    President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the South East, Josef Onoh, has asked the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to be cautious in fanning the amber of ethnic tension in the case between Enugu State government and a contractor, Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.

    There has been a row over an alleged contract failure in the contract awarded to the company whose CEO is from the South West.

    Subsequently, Ohanaeze Ndigbo issued a statement asking the contractor to return the N5.7 billion involved in the contract failure to the Enugu State government and referred to Ogundele as a “saboteur “

    Reacting to Ohanaeze’s position, Onoh told the Igbo group to apply wisdom and restraint, particularly when its jurisdiction does not entail overseeing alleged criminal matters or recovery of funds for governments.

    He commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide for its passion in addressing issues of public interest and in asking Ogundele to cooperate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noting that it is a reflection of the youth’s desire to see public funds protected and development projects delivered. 

    Onoh, however, said that in the spirit of constructive dialogue and to safeguard the integrity of institutions, there has to be a measured counter-perspective. 

    He stated that he is not out to defend any individual but to emphasise the principles of due process, institutional boundaries, and the need to avoid actions that could inflame ethnic tensions in Nigeria’s fragile sociopolitical landscape especially as 2027 political season draws closer to avoid desperate politicians exploiting it to dangerous ethnic dimensions. 

    He stressed that at the heart of any fair society is the presumption of innocence, which Ogundele, like any citizen, remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

    Ogundele has also assured me of his full cooperation with all relevant authorities to clear his name and demonstrated same by  freely submitting himself to the efcc Enugu zonal command, which i personally escorted him.

    “The EFCC’s declaration of Ogundele as wanted and the ongoing interrogation stem from allegations of fund diversion and money laundering related to the N5.7–N11 billion Enugu Smart Schools contract. These are serious matters, but they are still under investigation, with his accounts frozen to ensure compliance. 

    “Moreso, Efcc has given stringent bail conditions, which I’m personally aware of but to publicly label him a “saboteur” or demanding immediate surrender without awaiting judicial resolution risks prejudging the case and eroding public trust in our justice system,” he argued. 

    He noted that the history of Ndigbo teaches them the perils of rushed judgments, recalling how ethnic profiling has been weaponized against the Igbo in the past. 

    “By framing this as a settled fact of fraud, we inadvertently contribute to a narrative that could portray the matter as a Yoruba-Igbo clash, especially given Mr. Ogundele’s Yoruba heritage and the Enugu State context. This is unnecessary and counterproductive. Let the EFCC and the courts do their work; premature condemnation only muddies the waters.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as our apex socio-cultural organisation, has a noble mandate: to promote Igbo unity, culture, welfare, and advocacy on national issues affecting Ndigbo. This does not extend to intervening in criminal investigations, state governance, contract awards, or partisan political affairs. The Smart Schools project is a state government initiative under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration—a PDP Party-led effort to advance education in Enugu state. Ohanaeze has no statutory authority to endorse or back probes, recover funds, or dictate contractor accountability in this domain.

    “Such overreach blurs the lines between cultural advocacy and executive interference, potentially undermining the autonomy of state institutions. For instance, while your council’s support for the EFCC is well-intentioned, it positions Ohanaeze as a quasi-judicial body, which it is not. This could set a dangerous precedent, inviting accusations of ethnic meddling in governance. Instead, Ohanaeze’s strength lies in fostering dialogue, advocating for equitable resource allocation across Nigeria, and ensuring that Igbo interests are protected without stepping into arenas reserved for elected officials, security agencies, or the judiciary.”

    Onoh clarified that the Sujimoto matter is far from resolved as Mr. Ogundele has already honored an EFCC invitation for interrogation in Enugu, which he personally, in company with Sujimoto’s lawyers, drove him to the EFCC Enugu zonal command on Monday 8th of September 2025. 

    He also revealed that Prior to that, he (Onoh) had reached out to Governor Peter Mbah and gave his assurance to bring Ogundele to honour the EFCC’s invitation. 

    He commended Governor Peter Mbah for his maturity and genuine transparency to ensure that justice is done while seeking all available legal options to recover state funds. 

    Onoh said that he was equally aware that Mr. Ogundele was grilled for hours on September 8 to12, 2025, and remained cooperative while maintaining his innocence. 

    He also noted that the joint EFCC-Enugu inspection in May 2025 confirmed delays, but inflation, material costs, and project complexities (which Ogundele cited in his emotional video response) as factors that warrant thorough forensic review and not public vilification.

    Onoh said that he was aware that the Enugu State Government has initiated a civil suit to recover the funds and enforce contract terms, which shows Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to transparency in regards to the issue. 

    He said that Governor Mbah told him personally that the  government will ensure that no penny of Enugu State/ public funds in regards to the failed 22 Smart Schools project will be lost and must be accounted for and he will pursue the matter to it’s logical conclusion. 

    “This is the burden of leadership Gov.Mbah faces, but your council’s call for immediate action, while urging ‘no drama,’ could inadvertently pressure the process, leading to procedural lapses or biased outcomes. In a nation where anti-corruption efforts have sometimes been tainted by politics, such interventions risk being seen as an external influence, potentially delaying justice or prompting appeals that prolong the agony for all parties, including Enugu’s schoolchildren awaiting their facilities.

    “Nigeria’s fault lines are ethnic, and we, Ndigbo, know this better than most. The Sujimoto case involves a Yoruba businessman contracted by an Igbo-led state government—a cross-ethnic partnership that should exemplify collaboration, not division. By publicly ‘backing’ the EFCC in a manner that singles out an individual from another ethnic group, Ohanaeze risks fueling narratives of tribal witch-hunts. 

    “The social media is already abuzz with polarized takes, from accusations of sabotage to defenses rooted in ethnic solidarity. This is a tinderbox; one misstep, and it ignites sentiments that harm us all.

    “As elders and youth leaders, our role is to de-escalate, not amplify. Imagine if a Yoruba socio-cultural group commented similarly on an Igbo contractor in Lagos— the backlash would be swift and justified. Let us model the unity we preach: support accountability through institutions, not ethnic lenses. Let’s turn this moment into an opportunity for growth. 

    “As the former southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I’m an Igbo man yet spoke and still speaking for a yoruba man, my voice till date is still the loudest voice from my region if not Nigeria still in defence of a yoruba man and our President, not out of personal interest or reward but driven by vision of a united Nigeria our forefathers envisaged and family values i hold in highest esteem. 

    “Ohanaeze Youth Council should retract or clarify their statement to emphasize support for institutional processes rather than individual guilt. Channel your energy into advocating for transparent contract bidding in Igbo states, ensuring local firms with proven track records get priority.

    “All stakeholders should engage in quiet mediation—perhaps through neutral bodies like the Nigerian Institute of Architects—to resolve the civil suit amicably, prioritizing project completion over punishment.

    “Let us rally around education. Enugu’s Smart Schools are vital; demand updates from the state government on progress, regardless of contractors.

    “Ogundele continues cooperating fully with the EFCC; transparency will clear his name if innocence prevails. Finally, our collective voice is powerful when it unites,not divides. Let justice flow like a river-steady,impartial, and untainted by haste or bias”.Onoh stated.