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Category: Politics Lite

  • BREAKING: PDP Caucus Extends Damagum’s Tenure As Acting Chair

    BREAKING: PDP Caucus Extends Damagum’s Tenure As Acting Chair

    The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the tenure of the acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, but still in acting capacity.

    However, this is subject to the decision taken at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which will kick off hours from now.

    Addressing journalists after the Caucus meeting at Bauchi Governors lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision was aimed at ensuring reconciliation and unity in the party.

    He said, “Umar Damagum will continue to be the acting National Chairman of the party until the next meeting of NEC. The party considers that it is important to have more consultation on that issue.”

    “NEC meeting will not discuss any change in leaders. Rather, attention is focused on unity and reconciliation. Caucus agreed that all congresses in the states and local government should be concluded between June and August this year. Caucus agreed on the extension of the constitution review committee of the party to accept new recommendations.”

    Before the caucus meeting, the National Working Committee of the party had passed a vote of confidence on Damagum.

    But the North Central zone had insisted that one of their own should be allowed to complete the tenure of the suspended National Chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

    At a meeting at the Grand Ibro Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday, the North Central asked Damagum to revert to the position of Deputy National Chairman North, the position he was holding before his elevation as Acting National Chairman.

    The region is insisting on Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution which provides that “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the office of the Party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from to serve out the tenure”.

    Before the Caucus meeting, Governors elected on the platform of the PDP had declared that only the NEC could decide the fate of Damagum.

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, both attended the caucus meeting.

    It was the first time that the duo were publicly seen together since the 2023 elections which worsened the PDP crisis as Wike worked for President Bola Tinubu, Atiku’s main rival in the election.

  • PDP Meetings: Court to rule on Uche Seconds motion seeking stay of execution

    PDP Meetings: Court to rule on Uche Seconds motion seeking stay of execution

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, Wednesday, adjourned till Thursday to rule on a motion filed by a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus seeking the stay of execution of the order of the court restraining him and two others from participating in PDP meetings.

    The federal high court Abuja will be ruling in an ex-parte motion filed by a PDP member from Rivers State, Titus Jones, seeking an order restraining Secondus from attending party meetings.

    Uche Secondus; the PDP; Acting Party National Chairman, Umar Damagun; PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; PDP National Executive Committee; PDP National Working Committee; PDP Board of Trustees and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC are first to eight defendants respectively.

    Justice Ekwo, who made the order following a motion ex-parte, brought his court by Titus Jones granted the seven prayers, which, among other things, sought to stop Secondus from participating in the meetings slated to hold next week.

    When the matter came up on Wednesday, the court was informed of an appeal filed by the former PDP national chairman against that order of the court issued on April 5th, 2024.

    Titus Jones, a member of the PDP had filed a suit seeking an order restraining the NEC, NWC, party’s chairman, secretary, and BoT from allowing Secondus to attend any of the meetings pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, having been suspended from the party.

    According to Justice Ekwo, in his ruling on the exparte motion filed by Jones held that, “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from demanding for any notice of National Caucus meetings or meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meetings of the 2nd Defendant from the 4th Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

    “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from attending any meeting of the 2nd Defendant, be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting howsoever described participating in the proceedings, deliberations of any such meeting pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

    “Order is hereby made restraining the 4th Defendant, his Agents, Servants, Subordinates, Officers howsoever described from giving any notice of meeting of the 2nd Defendant be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting however called to the 1st Defendant who has been suspended from the 2nd Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

    “Order is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents, Privies, Organs howsoever described from granting access or allowing the 1st Defendant to attend and/or participate in the meetings of the National Caucus, the National Executive Committee or the Board of Trustees or any other meeting of the 2nd Defendant while his suspension subsists pending the hearing and determination ofthe Motion on Notice.

    “Order is hereby made restraining the 8th Defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents howsoever described from according recognition to the report, proceedings, conclusions or resolutions reached at any meeting of the 2nd Defendant held in violation of the judgment in the case of Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex & 4 Ors, V. Prince Uche Secondus Suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 and Articles 30 (1) (S), 31(1) (u) and 32 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”, among others.

  • Kano Court Affirms Ganduje’s Suspension

    Kano Court Affirms Ganduje’s Suspension

    A Kano State High Court has affirmed the suspension of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    The court, while granting an ex parte order, also restrained Ganduje from further parading himself as a member of the party.

    The order was granted by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, on Tuesday, a copy of which was sighted by Daily Trust.

    The order followed an ex parte motion filed Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani by their counsel Ibrahim Sa’ad.

    The plaintiffs, who identified as executive members of APC Ganduje ward, said they brought the motion on behalf of the executive members of the ward.

    Gwanjo, who identified as the party’s ward Legal Adviser, was the one that announced the suspension of Ganduje two days ago.

    Subsequently, the court ordered, that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

    The State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano had announced the suspension of ward party leaders who earlier announced the suspension of Ganduje.

    Daily Trust had reported how the leadership of the party at Ganduje ward in Dawkin Tofa Local Government area announced the suspension of the party’s national chairman, citing corruption charges filed against him by the government.

    But APC Chairman in Dawakin Tofa Local Government , Inusa Suleiman Dawanau, told newsmen that those behind the act were caught in anti-party activities, with records of their meetings with the ruling opposition exposed.

    In addition to the suspension, the State Working Committee (SWC) also sanctioned them for six months and set up a panel to verify several allegations against them.

    The ruling party had subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, asking the force to probe those behind the purported suspension of Ganduje.

    The APC in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said the perpetrators of the “criminal act” were not card-carrying members or legitimate officials of the APC in Ganduje’s ward.

    “The purported suspension was the devious act of a group of impersonators of ward officials out to cause mischief and create confusion in the otherwise peaceful Ganduje Ward chapter of our party. The perpetrators of this criminal act are not card carrying members of APC in the ward but are individuals affiliated with senior officials and representatives of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    “This act procured by officials of the ruling NNPP in Kano is part of the despicable programme of political persecution launched by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against Dr. Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State.

    “The purported suspension is downright criminal, and of no effect whatsoever. The legitimate Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward has since denounced the action and reaffirmed Dr. Ganduje as a bona fide member of the party in the ward, and in good standing.”

    The NNPP has since distanced itself from the crisis rocking Kano APC.

  • Tinubu told me I am still APC chairman – Ganduje

    Tinubu told me I am still APC chairman – Ganduje

    The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, says President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his position amid the suspension saga.

    Ganduje disclosed this while addressing some APC stakeholders from Kano State.

    In a viral video, the APC National Chairman claimed that the Kano State Government was behind the attempt to remove him.

    “I met with the President, and he told me that my position as APC Chairman, which the Kano State Government was trying to remove me from, will remain unchanged.

    ”He reaffirmed my position as APC National Chairman”, Ganduje said.

    On Monday, the APC Legal Adviser in Dawakin ward, Tofa LGA of Kano, Haliru Gwanzo, had suspended Ganduje for alleged corruption.

    But, Ganduje’s suspension was nullified and those responsible were suspended for six months.

  • APC Speaks On Plan To Suspend El-Rufai

    APC Speaks On Plan To Suspend El-Rufai

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna says there is no plan to suspend Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.

    There were reports that el-Rufai would soon be suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

    In a text message to TheCable on Tuesday night, Salisu Wusono, spokesperson of APC in Kaduna, said there is no such plan.

    “Nothing like this!,” Wusono said.

    El-Rufai was recently seen with Abdul Ningi, the senator suspended for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded by about N3 trillion. El-Rufai also visited the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja.

    These visits elicited debates on social media, amid insinuations that the former governor is plotting a political move.

    Shehu Gabam, national chair of the SDP, had said political meanings should not be read into the SDP visit because he has known el-Rufai for quite some time.

    “My relationship with Mallam Nasir el-Rufai predates 1999. I knew him long before then, and we have been close,” he had said.

    “Coming to the SDP secretariat, I don’t know why it is so special that people misinterpret or interpret how it suits them. There are a lot of politicians of the APC that have visited me, other parties have visited me.

    “Do not forget that not too long ago, Al Mustapha came to my office and people were speculating that he is decamping to SDP.

    “Will you be surprised if President Bola Tinubu visits SDP? He knows me and I know him.”

  • NEC Meeting: PDP Reps meet amid party crisis

    NEC Meeting: PDP Reps meet amid party crisis

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives caucus, are currently meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

    This is happening hours ahead of a media parley slated for Tuesday (today) by 60 lawmakers loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

    Last week, 60 opposition lawmakers led by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, demanded the resignation of the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for alleged incompetence and anti-party activities.

    Barely 24 hours after the Ugochinyere-led group addressed the media, the House minority caucus led by its chairman, Kingsley Chinda, disowned the group, labelling it an unknown body to the parliament.

    Although the details of the ongoing meeting were sketchy at press time, it may not be unconnected with the National Executive Committee meeting of the party slated for Thursday at the PDP headquarters, where issues ranging from anti-party activities of prominent members as well as the status of Damagum will be up for deliberation.

    A lawmaker attending the meeting said that issues concerning the nation are slated for discussion.

    He noted that details of the meeting will be made public later in the day.

    “It is a regular meeting of the caucus to appraise the security situation of the country,” he said.

    Both Chinda and Ugochinyere are attending the meeting.

  • Buhari’s Ex-aide Reacts To Ganduje’s Suspension 

    Buhari’s Ex-aide Reacts To Ganduje’s Suspension 

    Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has reacted to the suspension of the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    Ganduje was suspended by his ward in DawakinTofa local government area of Kano State over alleged corruption.

    Speaking to journalists, the legal adviser of the ward, Haladu Gwanjo, said the former Kano Governor is alleged to have committed gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds during his administration in Kano.

    Reacting in a post via his X handle, Ahmad said if the suspension of Ganduje was conducted in accordance with due process, then he is no longer a party member.

    The former presidential aide added that constitutionally, Ganduje cannot serve as the national chairman since he has been suspended.

    Ahmad stated that the current situation is similar to the tactics used during Senator Adams Oshiohmole’s tenure.

    He wrote: “If the widely reported suspension of the national chairman of our great party was conducted in accordance with due process, then he is no longer a party member, and constitutionally, he cannot serve as the national chairman since he is not a registered member of the party.

    “This situation has a resemblance to the tactics used during Senator Adams Oshiohmole’s tenure. There must have been maneuvers happening behind the scenes.”

  • BREAKING: Kano APC sanctions ward leaders over Ganduje’s suspension

    BREAKING: Kano APC sanctions ward leaders over Ganduje’s suspension

    The Kano State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken action against Ganduje Ward Leaders who suspended the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the Kano State Chairman of the APC, announced the sanction during a press briefing in Kano on Monday.

    He stated that the Ganduje Ward leaders have been suspended for six months due to their involvement in anti-party activities.

    Abbas explained that the State Working Committee made the decision based on the resolution of the party’s Dawakin Tofa Local Government Committee, which also recommended the suspension.

    “We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and the state working committee has agreed to sanction them for six months and they stand suspended,” Abbas stated.

    Earlier on Monday, the Ganduje Ward leaders in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area had announced the suspension of Dr Ganduje, alleging corruption during his tenure as Governor.

    The ward’s legal adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, cited gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds, particularly referencing the “dollar video” scandal.

    However, the State Working Committee declared the suspension invalid, null, and void, asserting that it cannot stand.

  • Why APC suspended Ganduje 

    Why APC suspended Ganduje 

    The Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa local government area in Kano State has taken the step of suspending Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This decision was conveyed by the ward’s legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, during a press briefing in Kano on Monday. 

    The suspension comes in response to bribery allegations leveled against Ganduje by the Kano State Government.

    “We decided to suspend Dr. Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo stated.

    He said the suspension subsists until he clears himself from the allegations.

  • Senate and House of Representatives Gear Up for Return to Main Chambers

    Senate and House of Representatives Gear Up for Return to Main Chambers

    With the conclusion of the ongoing renovation in both chambers of the National Assembly, as promised last month by Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited, handling the renovation work of both chambers of the National Assembly, plenaries will commence in the main chambers from April 23rd, 2024.

    Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, announced the planned movement to the main chamber in a written statement to 359 other members of the House of Representatives last week.

    The rescheduling of the resumption date, originally set for April 16th, to April 23rd, was necessitated by the need to resume plenary in the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, according to the House spokesman’s announcement dated April 4th.

    Similarly, the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akabueze, postponed the resumption of Plenary from April 16th to April 23rd, citing the same reason.

    Tajudeen Olanipekun, the site engineer of Visible Construction, assured journalists covering the Senate last month that the main chambers would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April.

    The completion of the renovation project, awarded at N30 billion by the Federal Capital Development Authority to Visible Construction Limited in March 2021, includes the rehabilitation of critical segments such as office buildings, the roof, cooling systems, and lifts in the complex.

    With the finishing touches and installation of state-of-the-art equipment and furniture, the Hallowed Chambers have undergone a significant transformation, signaling the imminent return of legislative activities to the main chambers after nearly two years of using temporary ones.