Category: News

Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors on Sunday met in Enugu State over the 2023 presidential election.

According to a report, the Governors held the closed-door meeting to deliberate on the presidential ambition of the Labour Party, flagbearer, Peter Obi.

The Governors in the meeting include Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State).

A source that spoke with Daily Post on the meeting said the PDP Governors are aiming at supporting Obi because they are not pleased with the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

The meeting is coming days after Atiku met with Governor Wike in Abuja to seek his support ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

There were claims that the former vice president promised to support the presidential ambition of Wike in 2027.

The speculation has led to disquite in the party, with Southerners expressing their grievances over Atiku’s alleged decision.

However, there are reports that the camp of Governor Wike has insisted on the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu to resign from office before they can consider supporting Atiku in 2023.

This article was originally published on Naija News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has appointed Governor Aminu Masari of Kastina State as Campaign Senior Adviser on Administration and Government.

Naija News reports that Tinubu, a former two-term Lagos State governor, also appointed the former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, as Senior Adviser for Special Duties.

The appointment of the duo was made known in a letter on Sunday signed by the APC presidential candidate.

According to Tinubu, Masari and Wamakko’s impressive political achievement and exemplary leadership in their states and party members qualified them for the responsibility.

The letter read: “By way of this letter we are pleased to formally convey your appointment as the Special Adviser on Administration and Government of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

“This appointment is fitting and appropriate given your impressive political achievement and the exemplary leadership you have demonstrated as governor of your state and as a party member.

“We are grateful that you have joined our campaign team, we know you will do your utmost in this new responsibility.”

Tinubu expressed hope that the Katsina governor would help the party conduct an effective message-driven campaign leading to victory in the 2023 presidential election.

He said with unity, the council would ensure victory for the party in the February 2023 general elections and help it move Nigeria along the path of national greatness.

According to the former governor, they would do by building on the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in providing good progressive governance to Nigerians.

This article was originally published on Naija News

There are fears that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu may be disqualified from participating in the 2023 elections.

Not only Tinubu, but it is also understood that other candidates of the party including the Ekiti State Governor-elect, Abiodun Oyebanji may be affected.

The fear stems from the Friday ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which nullified the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his running mate, Benedict Alabi, as APC candidates for the 2022 Osun State governorship election.

Naija News recalls their candidature was nullified on the ground that Governor Mai Mala Buni who submitted their names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed the suit against Governor Buni, Governor Oyetola and others.

The provisions of Section 183 read in part: “The Governor, shall not, during the period he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”

Based on this, some political observers are of the opinion that all actions of Buni while in office as the APC caretaker National Chairman may be invalidated.

Some of the actions include the signing of the nomination of Ekiti governor-elect Abiodun Oyebanji, as APC candidate for the June 18, 2022 poll in the state, and the conduct of the party’s elective national convention which produced the current NWC.

The development may also lead to the disqualification of all APC candidates for the 2023 poll who emerged from the primaries conducted by the Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee heralded by the Buni leadership of the party.

Should the court order lead to the invalidation of the actions of the NWC due to the involvement of Buni, then all candidates produced and other actions would be deemed null and void.

But the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Barrister Felix Morka ruled out any such happening, stating that the judgement of the high court does not hold water.

He told Sunday Tribune that the party is very confident the Court of Appeal will set aside the ruling of the lower court on the matter.

He said: ”The judgment of the Court is unsupportable. We are confident that the Court of Appeal will upturn the judgment. 

“It isn’t supportable by fact of law. What the Governor Buni Caretaker did was ratified by Convention, which is the highest organ of the Party. The Court didn’t avert itself to the fact of the matter.

“So, there is nothing to worry about. That decision will be challenged and we are confident that the Court of Appeal will upturn it.”

This article was originally published on Naija News

Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Sunday, 2nd October 2022.

Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.

Atiku Comes Under Fire From Ohanaeze, Southeast Leaders Over Presidency

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former vice President Atiku Abubakar, has been lambasted for pledging to cede the presidency to the zone in 2027.

Naija News reports that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and other prominent leaders from Southeast have advised Nigerians not to take serious.

Ohanaeze said no person from Southeast or Igbo would take the advice of the former vice-president serious.

The Southeast leaders were reacting to Atiku’s statement during a rally in Enugu where he was quoted to have said that he would support Ndigbo to win the Presidency in 2027 in return for the region’s votes for him in 2023.

Read more.

Disquiet In PDP Over Atiku’s Presidency Pledge To Wike

The alleged offer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2027 presidential ticket to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike by the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar has led to disquiet in the party.
There are speculations that Atiku during his meeting with Wike on Thursday in Abuja promised to hand over to Wike in 2027.

Reports had it that Atiku had promised to support Wike’s ambition as a means of gaining his support in the 2023 general elections.

Sources that spoke about the meeting stated that Governor Wike was more concerned about changes in the leadership of the party.

According to the source, the decision of Atiku to support Wike’s ambition in 2027 has angered some chieftains of the party, especially in the southern part of the country.

A former national vice chairman of the party who spoke with the Nation on condition of anonymity said, “This is not the time to start talking about who will succeed Atiku. It is a distraction that is worse than whatever Wike and his people have been doing before.”

He further stated that it is not the duty of Atiku to decide which party of the south will take over power at the end of his administration.

Read more.

2023: Presidential Candidate Gets Summon From Party Over ‘Slow Preparations’

The presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Malik Ado-Ibrahim has been summoned by the party over plans for the 2023 election.

According to the party, members are not satisfied with the preparations in place by the presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

A statement on Sunday by the YPP National Secretary, Egbeola Wale-Martins said the decision to summon Ado-Ibrahim was taken after the party’s 20th national working committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

He added that the gap in communication between the presidential candidate, the party leadership and its organs seem to have slowed down preparations for next year’s elections and hampered the expected fortunes of the YPP.

The National Secretary also stated that the outcome of the briefing from the presidential candidate would determine the next line of action to be taken by the party.

Read more.

Gov Matawalle’s Ally Dumps PDP For APC In Zamfara

An ally to the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, Alhaji Anas Waziri has dumped Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday by the Special Assistant, New Media to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North), Bashar Abubakar, Naija News reports.

The report said the Chairman of Matawalle Support Organization in Sokoto state, walked into the ruling party with hundreds of his supporters today.

Stating their reason for dumping PDP, Waziri said they resolved to withdraw their membership from the PDP as its leaders had failed to take them to the promised land.

Read more.

Lagos Obidients Rally: Peter Obi Is After Tinubu Not Atiku – Bwala

A spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Daniel Bwala, has said that the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is planning to plunder the votes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu and not that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Bwala stated this while reacting to the Obidients rally in Lagos which had youths in large numbers hitting the street to campaign for the LP flag bearer.

Speaking further Bwala stated that Atiku made Obi popular and the PDP chances in the upcoming election were brighter.

He also spoke on the outcome of Obi’s Kaduna rally, recalling when the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai stated that it would be a failure.

Read more.

Atiku vs Wike: PDP Chieftain Kicks Against Calls For Ayu’s Removal

A former National Secretary and member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Wale Oladipo, has faulted calls for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Oladipo noted that the party’s NEC passed a vote of confidence in Ayu without any objection from any leader in the party.

Naija News reports that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his allies have called for the removal or resignation of Ayu as a condition to support the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

But Oladipo stated that anyone who wanted the PDP chairman out should have attended the party’s NEC to object.

Read more.

What Will Happen If Peter Obi Wins The Presidency And He Is Not Recognised – Adebanjo

The leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has shared his thoughts on what will happen in Nigeria if Labour Party ( LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi wins the presidency and it is taken away from him.

Adebanjo stated that there would be a crisis in Nigeria if Obi wins the 2023 presidency and is not recognised.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, the Afenifere leader explained that the LP is no longer a party but a movement of aggrieved Nigerians who wants a change in the country.

Shedding more light on Afenifere’s decision to back obi, he insisted that the association is not a Yoruba group alone but a Yoruba association of the Action Group.

When asked if he thinks Obi can lead Nigeria from the economic quagmire plaguing the country he replied that the former governor is one of those who left office and was not chased by the EFCC which says a lot about his character.

He argued that the country would be turbulent if Obi wins the 2023 presidency and it is manipulated in a bid to put someone else in power.

Read more.

That will be all for today. You can read more political and other Nigerian news on Naija News

This article was originally published on Naija News

The presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Malik Ado-Ibrahim has been summoned by the party over plans for the 2023 election.

According to the party, members are not satisfied with the preparations in place by the presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

A statement on Sunday by the YPP National Secretary, Egbeola Wale-Martins said the decision to summon Ado-Ibrahim was taken after the party’s 20th national working committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

He added that the gap in communication between the presidential candidate, the party leadership and its organs seem to have slowed down preparations for next year’s elections and hampered the expected fortunes of the YPP.

The National Secretary also stated that the outcome of the briefing from the presidential candidate would determine the next line of action to be taken by the party.

The statement reads: “having done so much hitherto to build a political capital that should have made YPP the third force, the NWC, therefore, has directed the national secretary to summon the presidential candidate, Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim, through official communication within 7-working days.

“He is to appear and address several issues, including but not limited to his blueprint and a comprehensive campaign plan going into the 2023 presidential election, for the purpose of speedy harmonisation to avoid working at cross purposes.

“It was also unanimously agreed that the outcome of the proposed engagement would help the NWC to either embrace available strategies aimed at covering lost grounds or take difficult informed steps in the interest of the party, our members, and all Nigerians.”

Wale-Martins however called on supporters of the YPP across all levels to remain committed to the party and continue to give all necessary support.

This article was originally published on Naija News

An ally to the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, Alhaji Anas Waziri has dumped Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday by the Special Assistant, New Media to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North), Bashar Abubakar, Naija News reports.

The report said the Chairman of Matawalle Support Organization in Sokoto state, walked into the ruling party with hundreds of his supporters today.

Stating their reason for dumping PDP, Waziri said they resolved to withdraw their membership from the PDP as its leaders had failed to take them to the promised land.

“Our exit from PDP is a sign of victory for APC because of its acceptability across the board,” Abubakar quoted Waziri as saying.

According to Waziri, more PDP members are on their way to joining APC. The politician described the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu as “the best choice for the people of the state as he is gaining more support.”

Receiving the defectors, Aliyu told them that they will be carried along like other members of the party. He also promised to run an all-inclusive government, if elected as governor of the state.

Terrorists, Bandits Deserve To Die Like Animals – Matawalle 

Governor Matawalle had on Wednesday said that criminal elements deserve the death penalty approved by his administration.

The Governor who spoke during an interview on Television Continental said terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in his state deserve to die like animals.

Matawalle said his government has tried several options to curb banditry in the state, but such measures have failed to fully curb criminal activities.

He said: “God knows I have adopted so many options for this crisis to leave the state, but unfortunately, there are good and bad people in any society.

“We’ve tried all we can. I’ve adopted so many options in the state and most of the options have yielded a lot of results.

“I’ve done dialogue. I shut down the network. We cut the food supply and we saw successes, but it’s not 100 percent. The bandits fear the Yansakai vigilante group because they use a fabricated weapon. They put motorcycle plugs into it. Bandits fear that weapon; the weapon cuts the bandits into two.

“They see Yansakai as the most devilish people. I know why I gave that directive and I’ve succeeded with that directive I’ve given.”

This article was originally published on Naija News

The alleged offer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2027 presidential ticket to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike by the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar has led to disquiet in the party.

There are speculations that Atiku during his meeting with Wike on Thursday in Abuja promised to hand over to Wike in 2027.

Reports had it that Atiku had promised to support Wike’s ambition as a means of gaining his support in the 2023 general elections.

Sources that spoke about the meeting stated that Governor Wike was more concerned about changes in the leadership of the party.

According to the source, the decision of Atiku to support Wike’s ambition in 2027 has angered some chieftains of the party, especially in the southern part of the country.

A former national vice chairman of the party who spoke with the Nation on condition of anonymity said, “This is not the time to start talking about who will succeed Atiku. It is a distraction that is worse than whatever Wike and his people have been doing before.”

He further stated that it is not the duty of Atiku to decide which party of the south will take over power at the end of his administration.

The PDP leader noted that the promise to Wike if it is true is capable of demoralising our supporters in some parts of the country.

A group in the party identified PDP Volunteers Forum said it is not right for Atiku to open concede the succession to Wike, even though it is good that he offer to do just one term as president.

The convener of the group, Gerald Arikawe and Secretary, Ilemobade Oke in a statement said, “If not properly managed, the resultant anger from other zones of the southern region will harm our chances in the presidential election.”

A source in Governor Wike’s camp disclosed that the Rivers State Governor have been warned not to take Atiku’s word seriously.

They believe Atiku might be buying time with the offer in his desperation to secure Wike’s support in 2023.

The source said, “It is true that Atiku came to beg Wike again. He wanted Wike to urge his group to join the PDP campaign train. He threw up the card of supporting Wike in 2027.

“By this, Atiku is agreeing to do only one term if elected and leave the office for Wike to succeed him. The same Atiku who has several times denied promising to do a single term of four years in office before now? Why the sudden change of mind? Is he not the same man who promised that Ndigbo would produce his successor?

“He has also been assuring the Southwest of the same thing. We have told Wike to beware of Atiku and his Greek gift. We are very sure this is a ploy to get our support and renege on all the promises after the presidential election.”

This article was originally published on Naija News