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Tag: Osita Okechukwu

Opposition Merger Talks Led by Atiku and Utomi Unlikely to Succeed, Says Osita Okechukwu
By Daniel Edu
Osita Okechukwu, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has poured cold water on recent calls from certain opposition figures for a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling party in 2027.
Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has been vocal about the need for opposition parties to unite to form a formidable coalition.
Similarly, Pat Utomi of the Labour Party (LP) has hinted at ongoing discussions regarding a potential merger among opposition parties.
However, Okechukwu, in a statement released on Sunday, dismissed these calls and the underlying assumptions behind them.
He argued that the circumstances necessary for opposition parties to form a strong coalition to challenge the APC are significantly different from those that led to the defeat of the PDP in 2015.
Okechukwu emphasized that removing an incumbent president should not be treated lightly but should stem from a genuine desire to replace an underperforming administration.
He pointed out the stark contrast in Nigeria’s socioeconomic situation between 2015 and 2024, noting that despite current hardships, there is widespread acknowledgment, both domestically and internationally, of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s vision and focus.
While acknowledging Atiku’s reference to the prevailing economic difficulties, Okechukwu highlighted what he sees as President Tinubu’s demonstrated focus and the confidence he has garnered from the international community through his economic reforms.
Okechukwu suggested that since all leading presidential candidates in 2023 espouse neoliberal economic ideologies, they should support President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which align with their beliefs.
He also urged Atiku, Utomi, and others to articulate the economic philosophy underpinning their proposed coalition to win over Nigerians.
Okechukwu drew parallels with the Senegalese opposition, particularly citing the formation of the Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF) party by Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Faye, emphasizing the youthful energy and grassroots appeal of such movements.
April 1, 2024
VON DG Appeals to Tinubu: “Retain El-Rufai, Don’t Dismiss Him”
By Daniel Edu
Osita Okechukwu, a foundational member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has made a plea to President Bola Tinubu not to remove Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, from a potential ministerial position.
Although Tinubu had put forward El-Rufai’s name for a ministerial role, the Senate reportedly declined to confirm his nomination due to concerns raised in a security report.
In a statement provided to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu stressed the importance of El-Rufai’s presence in Tinubu’s administration, particularly in relation to the power sector.
Okechukwu stated, “The exceptional qualities that El-Rufai brings are something that we shouldn’t let go to waste. It’s in the best interest of both our nation and President Tinubu not to overlook this remarkable individual. Additionally, our political party, the APC, will reap significant benefits from a team of accomplished ministers as we approach the 2027 general elections.”
He continued, “Removing him from the equation could potentially result in the exclusion of more Nigerians from accessing reliable electricity. Our country is already witnessing the exclusion of affluent citizens due to inconsistent power supply, and many underprivileged citizens are struggling with high tariffs. We require someone as distinct as El-Rufai to address these issues.”
Okechukwu clarified, “I am not advocating for Mallam Nasir El-Rufai blindly, nor am I suggesting that he is irreplaceable. However, given his track record as a proactive leader, he possesses the necessary skills to not only revolutionize our power sector but also to cleanse the toxic aspects of the energy industry.”
August 14, 2023
EFCC releases VON DG Osita Okechukwu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the release of the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, who was detained over alleged fraud.
Okechukwu was released after the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), called on the anti-graft agency to release Okechukwu or charge him to court.
The EFCC detained Okechukwu on 29 January 2022, over a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1.3bn.
Okechukwu had visited the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency to honour an invitation but he was subsequently detained.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Okechukwu had been released on bail.
“He was released on Monday,” Uwujaren said, even as investigations continue.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement had asked the EFCC to be law-abiding and civil by immediately releasing Okechukwu.
The statement read in part, “Detaining Osita Okechukwu arbitrarily and indefinitely violates Constitutional provision in Section 34 which gives him right to respect to her human dignity.”
The group had called on the EFCC to “release Okechukwu or produce him in the competent court of law to prosecute him legally because Nigeria is not a Banana Republic”.
February 5, 2022
EFCC detains VON DG, Osita Okechukwu
The VON boss, Osita Okechukwu, is being probed for alleged corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu.
According to sources at the commission, Mr Okechukwu arrived at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja at about 1.30 p.m. on Saturday to honour an invitation.
Although the allegations he is being investigated for are still sketchy, Mr Okechukwu, a vocal member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), is said to facing probe over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and misuse of N1.3 billion in public funds.
He was still with the anti-graft agency as of the time of this report. His phone was switched off when PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach him Sunday morning.
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, acknowledged the VON chief executive’s invitation but declined to speak further.
The APC National Working Committee (NWC) had in 2019 suspended Mr Okechukwu alongside the former governors of Imo and Ogun, Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun, for alleged anti-party activity. The suspension was later reversed.
Mr Okechukwu, a vocal supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, was appointed as the director-general of VON in 2016.
He indicated his intention to run for the position of the senator representing Enugu West in 2019. He sought to replace Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party who has represented the district since 2003 but lost the APC primaries.
January 30, 2022
EFCC Detains VON DG over ‘N1.3bn fraud’
Osita Okechukwu, director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Okechukwu reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 1:30 pm on Saturday, following an invitation regarding a case of alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
He is said to be undergoing questions for allegedly embezzling N1.3 billion.
As of the time of this report, he was still in the custody of the EFCC.
When contacted, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson, confirmed that the VON DG was invited by the commission.
Uwujaren, however, declined further comment on why Okechukwu was invited.
Meanwhile, the VON DG has been relatively outspoken about national issues in recent months.
Issues he has spoken on include asking the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as contributing to the discourse on the electoral bill.
January 29, 2022