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Tag: PDP

  • Guber Poll: This State Will Burn If Ighodalo Is Not Declared Winner – Edo NLC Chair

    Guber Poll: This State Will Burn If Ighodalo Is Not Declared Winner – Edo NLC Chair

    Odion Olaye, Edo state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has sparked controversy as he declares that the state will burn if Asue Ighodalor winner in the September 21 gubernatorial election.
    In a viral video, Olaye, while campaigning in Egor, Benin City, for Asue Ighodalo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, assured supporters of victory.
    He predicted that Egor will be won by PDP, adding that the state “will burn” if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to declare Ighodalo winner of the poll.
    “I want to assure you that PDP, our party, is going to win Egor 80 percent come 21st of this month and on 22nd of this month, they must declare Asue Ighodalo the winner.
    “If they refuse to do that, Edo state will burn,” he said in the video.
    His comments come on the heels of allegations and counter allegations by parties.
    In one of the scenarios, the state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use fake INEC staff who would be posing as technical staff to tamper with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
    Media Director of APC Campaign Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, however dismissed the allegation.
  • 2027 Election: Labour Party and Others self-destruct

    2027 Election: Labour Party and Others self-destruct

    Apart from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, other leading players at the last election except the ruling All People’s Congress seem to be imploding, all as a result of frenzied moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

     

    For instance, both the PDP and the Labour Party, the first and second runners up at the 2023 presidential election have been neck deep in internal wranglings for no specific reasons other than the machinations of greedy party members to self destruct in favour of an individual’s ambition to conquere power in 2027.

     

    In an apparent redundant move the Labour Party has revoked the automatic tickets previously reserved for its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for the 2027 election.

     

    The decision was made during the party’s National Executive Council meeting held on Monday, September 9, in Abuja.

     

    Following the meeting, the party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, announced that all party tickets, from the presidency to the House of Assemblies, would now be open to all qualified Nigerians.

     

    In a communique signed by the National Chairman of the party, Abure, and National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, the NEC nullified the decision taken at the stakeholders meeting convened by Otti.

     

    The NEC insisted that there was no vacuum in the leadership of the party after “conducting its National Convention in line with its constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 27, 2024.”

     

  • Rivers LG Election: Court reserves judgment in APC’s suit against INEC, others

    Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, Thursday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, (APC) against the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) against the conduct of local government election in Rivers State.

     

    After listening to the counsel to both parties adopted thier various arguments, the court reserved judgement on the matter to a date that will be communicated to them.

     

    The judge on Thursday reserved judgment date after counsel to all parties adopted their various legal positions for and against the suit.

     

    The court listened to all pending preliminary applications including those seeking joinder brought by the Social Democratic Party, SDP and the Boot Party, BP, as well as the substantive suit.

     

    The court equally heard motions filed by Chief Goddy Uche, SAN, for change of counsel and another seeking the discontinuance of the suit on behalf of the Rivers State chapter of the APC.

     

    Uche filed and argued an application for change of counsel dated August 28 as well as a motion for the discontinuance of the suit signed by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman APC Rivers State, and Sam Sam Etetegwung, Secretary APC Rivers State, respectively.

     

    While Joseph Daudu, SAN, leading six Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Dr James Ogwu Onoja, moved the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, Taiwo Taiwo, SAN, for the Attorney General of Rivers State, and Femi Falana, SAN, representing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, all challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

     

    The respondents counsel equally challenged the competence of the suit on the ground that it was statute barred.

     

    In addition, on the issue of jurisdiction, the respondents’ counsel argued that the proper court with jurisdiction to entertain the case is the Rivers State division of the Federal High Court.

     

    It was equally their argument that the court sitting as a vacation court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case without obtaining the consent of both parties.

     

    Substantially, the plaintiff counsel argued that the condition precedent for conduct of local government election in Rivers State have not been met by RSIEC.

     

    The plaintiff had approached the court with an application for change of counsel dated August 28, as well as a notice of discontinuance signed by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman APC Rivers State, and Sam Sam Etetegwung, Secretary, APC Rivers State respectively.

     

    The party, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 is seeking a declaration that INEC is bound to manage the updating and revising of the register in such a manner as to ensure that the process stops not later than 90 days before the council poll.

  • 2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Resume Merger Dialogue 

    2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Resume Merger Dialogue 

    The three prominent opposition leaders in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are reportedly currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential merger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
    The trio aim to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    This move follows the hunger and widespread insecurity in the country, as stated by a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday.
    The deputy national spokesman for the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this announcement while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
    He indicated that the three opposition candidates from the previous elections—Atiku of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), – are prepared to set aside personal ambitions to create a strong coalition capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027, with the goal of “rescuing Nigerians from hunger.”
    Abdullahi further remarked that had the previous leadership of the party effectively managed internal disputes and conflicts, prominent figures such as former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso, and Obi would likely still be active members of the PDP, which could have led to a victory over Tinubu of the APC in the last election.
    He said, “We’ve lost Kwankwaso, we’ve lost Peter Obi, all of these people, imagine if they are in the party, we will have gone to win the elections.
    “This APC said they defeated us with one million plus (votes), just one of these names that I mentioned would have covered that gap for us and we would have been in power today and certainly Nigerians would not have been confronted with this despair and despondency in the land.”
    When asked if the PDP is trying to get Obi, Kwankwaso, Wike and others back into the party, Abdullahi said, “Sure, discussion is ongoing. You will see Peter Obi discussing with Atiku, you will see Peter Obi meeting with (Nasir) El-Rufai. Party management is a very difficult thing and we are doing the best in the quagmire that we have found ourselves. Rest assured, there would light at the end of the tunnel. We have learnt our lessons in a bitter way.”
    When inquired further about the potential outcomes of Obi and the others rejoining the PDP, Abdullahi stated, “One of them would yield to the other, thereby providing us with a clear direction.
    “Our concern as a party and to these people that I have mentioned is to ensure that we salvage Nigerians from this despair and despondency, between maladies of hunger and frightening insecurity in the land. You could see cluelessness and ineptitude on the part of these people managing this country.”
    The PDP chieftain said salvaging Nigerians out of the present hardship is more important than the individual ambitions of the trio.
    He said, “Atiku is saying if it is better for him to get Nigeria out of this hopelessness, he would do so.
    “He (Atiku) must not be in the race. Atiku is saying that it is an entitlement to him as a democrat; the constitution provides for him that he could contest at any time.
    “What he is trying to say is that (there) is no ceiling stopping him from contesting. That is his fundamental democratic right but he is not saying that he will force it on the throat of the party or the country.
    “I am telling you clearly: Peter Obi is suitably qualified; he can aspire and we will support him if he gets the ticket. Atiku is suitably qualified and if he gets the ticket, we will rally behind him and give him the desired support to salvage Nigerians out of this situation.”
  • PDP Summons Wike Over Anti-party Activities

    PDP Summons Wike Over Anti-party Activities

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities.

    Wike was summoned to appear before the PDP disciplinary committee.

    This was made known on Monday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who disclosed in an interview with Channels TV that the former Rivers State Governor has been sent a letter to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee.

    Abdullahi added that Wike’s statement about “putting fire in their states” in reference to PDP governors is unacceptable.

    According to him, “Wike should be able to manage his words carefully; that was a very disappointing remark. We weren’t expecting him to say that, and we are not with him on that to be honest with you”

    Details later…

  • Its End of the road for the PDP, destroyed by the Acting Chairman, Damagun

    “We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time.” – Sen Dino Melaye

    Former outspoken Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has disclosed that three critical stakeholders entrusted with its upkeep have irredeemably destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    Speaking via his X account, Melaye accused PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; the party’s Natioanl Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; and Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature of destroying the former ruling party.
    He also hinted at the commercialisation and privatisation of the party.
    According to Melaye: “End of the road for PDP as Damagum, Bature and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party. We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time.”
    There have been indications that the PDP National Working Committee, (NWC) might sanction Damagum and the National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu for an alleged letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
    The letter was seen as an anti-party activity, and some party leaders, including members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) pushed for action against Damagum and Anyanwu.
    However, Damagum warned that nobody can intimidate him into resigning from his position.
    He said those calling for his resignation are only enhancing his popularity.
    Speaking at the inauguration of the National Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committees, the acting chairman berated those spreading misinformation about NWC operations
  • 2027: Forget Re-election, North tells Tinubu

    2027: Forget Re-election, North tells Tinubu

    Several northern political figures and groups have expressed deep dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing him of neglecting northern interests and mistreating the politicians whose support helped him rise to power.
    These grievances range from concerns about governance and security to the perception that Tinubu has favored the Yoruba ethnic group in major government appointments at the expense of northern representation.
    Prominent northern leaders have pointed to the concentration of key positions, such as the Petroleum Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Justice of Nigeria, and others, in the hands of the Yoruba ethnic group.
    They argue that since Nigeria’s independence, no ethnic group has held such a large number of influential roles simultaneously.
    This perceived marginalization has fueled growing resentment within the northern political establishment.
    The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), a significant socio-political group in the region, has voiced regret over supporting Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
    According to Vanguard, Professor Usman Yusuf, a member of the NEF, reportedly lamented that Tinubu’s administration has led to “deception, destitution, and hopelessness” for many in the North.
    He said, “People have lost hope. It pains me to see our people lining up to collect cups of palliatives. Renewed Hope has turned into hopelessness. People have lost hope.”
    NEF Spokesman, Abdulaziz Sulaiman echoed these sentiments, promising that the North would not repeat the mistake of backing Tinubu in 2027.
    The North-East Governors’ Forum has also raised concerns, accusing Tinubu’s administration of neglecting their region, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development and electricity provision.
    The forum’s chairman, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, highlighted the lack of road and rail connections between the South-East and North-East as a particular grievance.
    Recent meetings among northern political heavyweights, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir, El-Rufai and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as visits by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to former President, Muhammadu Buhari, have further stoked speculation of a northern political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
    Although Atiku described his visit as a Sallah homage, many analysts view these moves as strategic positioning for the next presidential contest

  • Bayelsa Guber: Supreme court authenticates Gov Diri’s election

    The Supreme Court, Friday, declared that Duoye Diri, remains the authentic governor of Bayelsa State.

    The Apex court affirmed the re-election of Diri after dismissing the appeal of the candidate of All Progressive Congress(APC) Timipre Sylva, in the November 11 off-cycle election.

    The five-man panel of the supreme court lead by Justice Lawal Garba, affirmed the Court of Appeal decision of 15 July, that declared Sylva’s appeal an abuse of court process for filing two notices of appeal.

    Citing a part of section 246(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the Apex Court panel held that the APC Governorship candidate has only one right to appeal the judgment of the Tribunal and not multiple.

    Consequently, it faulted the APC appellant who filed two notices of appeal to the Appellate Court.

    In a unanimous judgment, the appeal was therefore dismissed by the Supreme Court for lacking merit.

    The Electoral body, INEC had declared that governor Diri of the PDP garnered a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sylva of the APC who polled 110,108 votes.

    The unanimous decision of the apex court upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal and the Election Petition Tribunal.

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on July 18 in a unanimous judgment affirmed the decision of the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the November 11, 2023, re-election of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

    A 3-man panel of the appellate court had dismissed an appeal brought before the Court by Timipre Sylva and APC seeking to set aside the decision of the Tribunal.

    The Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal had on May 27, dismissed the petition filed against Governor Diri’s re-election by the APC and its candidate for lacking in merit.

    The tribunal had held that both Sylva and APC failed to adduce any credible evidence to substantiate any of the allegations they raised against the outcome of the governorship poll.

  • Legal Challenges: Edo Deputy Governor Asserts Legitimacy

    Legal Challenges: Edo Deputy Governor Asserts Legitimacy

    Engr. Marvellous Godwins Omobayo has reaffirmed his position as the legitimate Deputy Governor of Edo State, emphasizing that he continues to execute his duties as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution.

     

    This declaration was made during a solidarity visit by the leadership and members of Edo State’s three major transport unions: the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Edo State Drivers Welfare Scheme.

     

    Despite ongoing legal disputes concerning the Deputy Governor’s office, Omobayo assured that these challenges have not deterred him from his commitment.

     

    He expressed his dedication to supporting Governor Godwin Obaseki in his efforts to advance the economic development and transformation of Edo State.

     

    Omobayo extended his gratitude to the unions for their steadfast support since he took office, and he acknowledged their loyalty to Governor Obaseki.

     

    Earlier, Comrade Monday Orhue, Chairman of RTEAN, and Chief Odion Olaye, Chairman of NURTW, conveyed their solidarity by visiting the Deputy Governor.

     

    They reiterated their endorsement of Omobayo as the authentic Deputy Governor, affirming their confidence in his role.

     

    Chief Olaye expressed optimism for a successful conclusion to the Obaseki administration.

     

  • I will not resign – Damagum, PDP Chairman  

    I will not resign – Damagum, PDP Chairman  

    Reacting to the outcry from concerned party members, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Amb Umar Damagum, has confidently stated that no one can pressure him into stepping down from his position.

     

    It is important to note that the PDP has been dealing with internal disputes both before and after the 2023 elections.

     

    Damagum has been repeatedly blamed by party members for contributing to the ongoing crisis.

     

    He said ” Let me send a message to everyone talking about Damagum this, Damagum that – I cannot be intimidated. The more you mention me, the more popular I become.”

     

    He mentioned that the criticisms only enhanced his popularity, and he is even considering running for the presidency due to this increased recognition.

     

    While speaking at the ongoing inauguration of the National Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committees, chaired by Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Tom Ikimi respectively, Damagum expressed frustration with individuals who lack knowledge of the National Working Committee operations yet spread misinformation to the public.