Diaspora Leader Hon. Jacob Otu Rallies Global Support for Senator Sandy Onor’s PDP Presidential Bid, Declares “The Long‑Overdue Moment Has Arrived”

President of Ireland‑based Caterpillar Diaspora Movement hails ex‑Senator as the “tested, trusted and most qualified candidate to salvage Nigeria,” while offering the movement’s full resources for whatever role the campaign assigns.

By TipsNews Editorial Desk
ABUJA, NIGERIA — There are moments in a nation’s political journey when the noise of division fades and a single name begins to echo across constituencies, continents and generations. For Hon. Jacob Otu, President of the Caterpillar Diaspora Movement headquartered in the Republic of Ireland, that name is Senator Sandy Ojang Onor — and the moment, he insists, is now.

In an exclusive and emotionally charged interview with TipsNews, Hon. Otu declared the presidential aspiration of the former Cross River Central Senator “long overdue” , calling on all Nigerians — at home and in the diaspora — to rally behind the man he describes as “the most qualified candidate — tested, trusted and best positioned to salvage the country regardless of frictions and resistances.”

His declaration comes just days after Senator Onor, a distinguished academic, public intellectual and grassroots politician, formally obtained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expression of interest and nomination forms at the party’s Wadata Plaza National Secretariat in Abuja, paying the prescribed fee of ₦51 million.

“I am overjoyed,” Hon. Otu told TipsNews. “For years we in the diaspora have watched, prayed and waited for a leader who understands that Nigeria’s greatness lies not in its oil but in its people. That leader is Sandy Onor. There are no games any longer. What Nigeria needs is a senator who understands and will selflessly serve as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

A Candidate for All Nigerians: The Onor Vision

Senator Onor, who represented Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 9th Senate from 2019 to 2023, formally launched his presidential bid on Saturday, May 2, 2026, describing the PDP as “a legacy institution that has showcased the beauty of democracy in Nigeria” and pledging to restore the party’s glory while repositioning Nigeria for what he called “exponential greatness”.

“We have overcome our worst anxieties and challenges. We have seen vicissitudes, weathered the storms, and emerged stronger,” Onor said at the declaration. “If given the mandate, we will lead this party to even greater glory”.

A Professor of History with a PhD from the University of Calabar obtained at the age of 27, Onor served as Chairman of Etung Local Government Council, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and later as State Chairman of the PDP in Cross River State before his election to the Senate.

The PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who presented the forms to Onor, described him as a well-known product across the federation with an “intimidating profile” and the energy to lead the country to a higher level. “You are well-connected with the 774 local governments, which gives you the reach needed for the 36 states and the FCT,” Mohammed stated.

“100 Percent Inclusive Government” — The Otu‑Onor Promise

Central to Hon. Otu’s endorsement is the conviction that an Onor presidency would deliver what he calls a “100 percent inclusive government and diversity government with open mind.”

“We all accept and know now that Sandy Onor is the best offer and solution to Nigeria,” Otu declared. “He will unite all parts of Nigeria — swiftly and proactively. Nevertheless, the youths will be carried along, not limited to people with disabilities, the vulnerable, widows, children, women and youths.”

This vision of radical inclusion is not new to Onor’s political DNA. During his 2023 governorship campaign in Cross River State, he famously pledged to “be governor for everyone” and promised to “carry residents along irrespective of tribe”, insisting that voters should look for a leader with “a track record of accommodation of all ethnicities” who is “interested in the commonalities that bind us rather than things that divide us”.

Groups supporting him at the time repeatedly called on women and youths to mobilize behind his candidacy because “we are sure when he gets into government” the marginalised would have a seat at the table.

The Diaspora Factor: Bringing Global Expertise Home

Hon. Otu emphasised that the Caterpillar Diaspora Movement — beyond its current role — is prepared to assist the Onor campaign in any capacity the campaign team finds “worthy and appropriate to discharge its duties according to the campaign team and the most preferred aspirant’s manifestoes.”

“We are bringing all the diaspora expertise to play major roles,” Otu stated. “This is an unstoppable moving train heading in the right direction, with all consciousness and empathy, leading Nigeria to industrial development. All hands are welcome.”

The diaspora leader’s commitment aligns with a growing global recognition that Nigeria’s diaspora community — estimated at over 17 million people and remitting over $20 billion annually — represents an untapped reservoir of political, economic and intellectual capital. Hon. Otu, who currently resides in Ireland, assured that the diaspora stands ready to return home for “business development and peaceful coexistence” under a PDP government led by Onor.

“I have seen what works abroad. But I also know that Nigeria can outperform them all if we get the leadership right,” he said.

Navigating Complexities: Wike, Tinubu, and PDP’s Own Path

Addressing the delicate political terrain within the PDP — where FCT Minister and PDP national leader Nyesom Wike has publicly backed President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election while the party fields its own candidate — Senator Onor drew a clear distinction between individual choice and party direction.

“Barrister Nyesom Wike is indisputably the leader of the party, but he is not the party,” Onor stated at his declaration. “If Nyesom Wike does not support President Tinubu, Nigerians will condemn him for lacking in integrity and probity. So he has a right to choose to support President Tinubu, and he has made that right open and obvious.” He clarified that Wike’s personal decision “does not mean that is the direction this party will go”.

The PDP National Chairman confirmed that the party’s platform remains open to all qualified members and that the leadership is committed to a transparent and credible primary process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Campaign Slogan

Hon. Jacob Otu and the Caterpillar Diaspora Movement have adopted a simple yet resonant slogan for the Onor 2027 campaign:

“Sandy Onor — Tested. Trusted. The Best Offer for Nigeria.”

References and Evidential Links

1. Leadership News – “2027: Senator Onor Buys PDP Presidential Nomination Forms” (May 2, 2026) – https://leadership.ng/2027-senator-onor-buys-pdp-presidential-nomination-forms/
2. Vanguard Nigeria – “2027: Wike’s ally Senator Onor picks PDP presidential forms” (May 2, 2026) – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/05/2027-wikes-ally-senator-onor-picks-pdp-presidential-forms/amp/
3. Tribune Online – “Ex-Senator, Sandy Onor, picks PDP presidential form” (May 2, 2026) – https://tribuneonlineng.com/ex-senator-sandy-onor-picks-pdp-presidential-form/
4. Voice of Nigeria – “PDP 2027: Senator Onor Launches Presidential Bid, Pledges Revival” (May 2, 2026) – https://von.gov.ng/pdp-2027-senator-onor-launches-presidential-bid-pledges-revival/
5. Independent Nigeria – “2027: Onor Buys PDP Presidential Form, Vows Party’s Return To Power” (May 2, 2026) – https://independent.ng/2027-onor-buys-pdp-presidential-form-vows-partys-return-to-power/
6. The Guardian Nigeria – “2027: Ex-Cross River guber candidate Onor enters PDP presidential contest” (May 2, 2026) – https://guardian.ng/news/2027-ex-cross-river-guber-candidate-onor-enters-pdp-presidential-contest/
7. NewsInvestigators – “2027: Sen. Onor Joins Presidential Race, Picks PDP Forms” (May 2, 2026) – https://newsinvestigatorsng.com/2027-sen-onor-joins-presidential-race-picks-pdp-forms/
8. Wikipedia – “Sandy Ojang Onor” – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Ojang_Onor
9. ThisDay Live – “Sandy Ojang Onor: Making His Mark as Scholar, Politician and Orator of the 9th Senate” (Feb 13, 2026) – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/02/13/sandy-ojang-onor-making-his-mark-as-scholar-politician-and-orator-of-the-9th-senate/
10. Leadership Nigeria – “C/River Guber: Group Drums Support For Sandy Onor Ambition” (Mar 7, 2023) – https://leadership.ng/c-river-guber-group-drums-support-for-sandy-onor-ambition/
11. Daily Post Nigeria – “It‘s time to focus on bigger feats for PDP — Ikem, Onor” (Sep 29, 2025) – https://dailypost.ng/2025/09/29/its-time-to-focus-on-bigger-feats-for-pdp-ikem-onor/