A high-profile convergence of political figures, thought leaders, and media professionals is set to take place in Abuja on Wednesday, as two seminal books authored by renowned journalist and political strategist, Ike Abonyi, will be formally unveiled.
The event, which will be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, is expected to ignite a national dialogue on Nigeria’s political evolution, governance, and party politics.
The book launch will draw attendance from current and former governors, lawmakers, party stalwarts, and media icons.
According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the event planning committee, Alhaji Umar Sani, and Secretary, Madu Onuorah, key figures expected at the event are former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, alongside former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Guardian’, Martins Oloja, who will serve as the book reviewer.
The statement disclosed that the public presentation will spotlight two titles: ‘The Bubbles of Nigeria’s Democracy: The Musings of a Nigerian Journalist’ and ‘Wadata Wonders: Memoirs of a Partisan Journalist’.
The author, Abonyi, is a distinguished journalist, former Group Political Editor and News Editor of ‘THISDAY Newspapers’, and pioneer Deputy Managing Director of ‘New Telegraph Newspapers’.
Both works chronicle Nigeria’s democratic journey through the lens of a journalist deeply embedded in the nation’s political machinery.
The keynote lecture, titled ‘How Did We Get Here?’, will be delivered by Chief John Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Information and immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. His address is expected to provide historical context to Nigeria’s current democratic challenges.
Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a respected economist, banker, and 2023 presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will chair the occasion, while Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, will serve as Chief Book Presenter.
Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State will act as Co-Presenters, with several other state governors expected to grace the occasion, including those of Imo, Adamawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Osun States.
Also on the guest list are several former state governors such as Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada (Kogi), as well as Sam Ortom and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).
The event is also expected to attract former and serving members of the National Assembly, past PDP National Chairmen, members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking ahead of the event, Abonyi said ‘The Bubbles of Nigeria’s Democracy’ is a curated collection of his weekly political columns published over more than a decade in ‘New Telegraph’ and ‘Global Upfront Newspapers’.
‘Wadata Wonders’, on the other hand, offers behind-the-scenes insight into his over four years as Media Adviser to two PDP National Chairmen and head of the party’s media and publicity rescue team.
