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A prominent political figure and former party leader, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has issued a sweeping challenge to Nigeria’s top political leaders and presidential aspirants, calling for a nationwide debate focused on practical solutions to the country’s mounting challenges.
In a strongly worded press statement announcing the proposed Ernest Ikoli Memorial Presidential Debate, Ndu painted a grim picture of the national mood, warning that “the challenges confronting Nigeria currently are multifaceted and there is apprehension, desperation and despair across the country.”
He criticized the political class for what he described as a lack of concrete policy direction, stating that while “political parties and presidential aspirants are all over the place soliciting the support of the masses,” it is “most ironically none of them have put anything on the table by way of practical action plans… to take the nation out of the woods to the promised land.”
Ndu emphasized that the moment demands more than campaign rhetoric, calling instead for “a robust debate amongst all political parties and presidential aspirants on practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria beginning with that of insecurity.”
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Direct Challenge to Political Leaders
The Enugu-born politician, identifying himself as “Founder and National Chairman of the deregistered African Renaissance Party (ARP),” issued a direct challenge to key national figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I challenge His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu or any member of his government whom he chooses to represent him to a thorough debate on practical solutions to the challenges confronting our beloved country,” he said.
The challenge also extended to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom Ndu said “is at liberty to nominate any member of his campaign team to represent him if he is too busy to participate directly.”
Other prominent figures named in the call include former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Ndu further broadened the scope of the invitation, noting that “the challenge also goes to all National Chairmen of all political parties in Nigeria as well as all presidential aspirants in our country.”
Call for Institutional Support
To ensure credibility and national reach, Ndu urged key institutions and socio-political organizations to take ownership of the debate process.
“I call on the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Congress, Ijaw National Congress, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association and other well meaning organisations in Nigeria to join hands to organise the debates,” he stated.
According to him, the primary goal is not political point-scoring but the generation of workable ideas, stressing that “what is more important is not who performs so well in the exercise but to make available ideas for solving the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria at this point in time.”
Honouring Ernest Ikoli
Ndu dedicated the proposed debate to the memory of Ernest Sisei Ikoli, whom he described as “the extraordinary Nigerian hero who the nation has failed to recognise and immortalise.”
He praised Ikoli as “the Ijaw-born pioneer Nigerian journalist, nationalist and patriot who more than anyone else laid the foundation for Nigerian independence.”
A Call to Action
Framing his intervention as a civic duty, Ndu said he was acting “in discharge of my duties as a concerned citizen of Nigeria,” underscoring the urgency of collective action to address insecurity and other pressing national issues.
The proposed debate, if realized, could mark a rare convergence of Nigeria’s political heavyweights on a single platform to publicly articulate and defend their policy prescriptions at a time of growing public demand for accountability and direction.
“Long live Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
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