THESE are obviously very difficult days for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha. Ihedioha, who was declared winner of the governorship election in 2019 but eventually sacked by the Supreme Court to pave way for the emergence of incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma, appears to be swimming in crises this currently. First, the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain came under attack from supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for allegedly referring to ‘Obidients’ as saboteurs while urging support for PDP’s Atiku Abubakar.

It took days of explaining that he was misquoted alongside a well publicized apology for him to be left off the hook by his ‘assailants’ who had vowed to ‘finish him politically for daring to drag Obi and his supporters. Hardly had the uproar created by the ‘saboteur’ misfire died down before Ihedioha came under attack again for allegedly writing to Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and urging him not to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Of course, the former governor denied the allegation.

On October 16, a letter in the former governor’s name which was addressed to the AGF, surfaced on social media. In the letter, Ihedioha allegedly urged the AGF not to release Kanu to ensure stability and peace in the south-east. Before then, a recording was in circulation wherein a voice that was claimed to be Ihedioha’s, said there won’t be peace in the state since he isn’t in government. The developments created a serious uproar with many people calling for the head of the former Reps boss and describing him as an enemy of the Southeast.

In a statement, the former governor said he had no link to the letter or audio in circulation. “It appears that some people are not satisfied with their stolen mandate. They want to drag me out by an orchestrated campaign of lies,” he lamented. And just when he was about heaving a sigh of relief, Imo state government during the week asked the federal government and the National Assembly to probe why and how Ihedioha was declared winner of the guber elections in 2019.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba said there was an urgent need for Nigerians to know who flagrantly abused the constitution and appropriate sanction meted to them. He said going by the Constitutional requirements, Ihedioha did not get one quarter of votes cast in 18 LGs which is two thirds of the 27 local government areas of the state. According to him, INEC only declared him winner in 10 LGS, 7 short of the required 18 LGs, yet he was declared winner of the election.

As it is, the government is insisting that those who raped the Constitution including the beneficiaries ought to be brought to book. And this Sentry fears, will bring more trouble Ihedioha’s way. “It is not enough that Ihedioha was removed from office. He and his collaborators need to be punished. The Government of Imo State believes that a thorough probe by the federal government into why Ihedioha was declared governor when he didn’t win the election will help sanitize the electoral process,” Emelumba revealed.

Contrary to its earlier posturing that it had overcome years of internal wrangling and legal warfare, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State may once again be going into the next general elections with its usual toga of a ‘gambling party.’

This is down to the level of uncertainty surrounding its governorship candidate as well as all other candidates across the state. Sentry understands that Ladi Adebutu and other candidates of the troubled party may technically be out of the 2023 race as we speak unless something unforeseen happens.

Before now, supporters of the party had heaved a sigh of relief on May 25, when for the first time since 2010, the state chapter of the PDP conducted a single governorship primary election and Adebutu was announced as the winner.

Of course, there was disagreement by other aspirants, but many hoped that it would be resolved in no time. Adebutu and other leaders of the party regularly boasted of the new found indivisibility of the party and urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to start packing in preparation for leaving government house.

But all that were to change on the 26th of September, when a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, nullified all the primary elections conducted by the PDP in choosing candidates for the 2023 general elections in the state.

Read Also; Adebutu, Akinlade not listed in Ogun Gov candidates list

Justice O. O. Oguntoyinbo ordered the party to conduct fresh primaries within the next 14 days from that day. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Adebutu as the governorship candidate.

And when it published its final list of candidates earlier this month, INEC wasted no time before removing Adebutu’s name from its list. To further compound the situation, Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the party in the state, headed to the Supreme Court to seek that his own name be published as the authentic candidate of the party in the state.

He had earlier before the Ogun PDP primaries dragged the Sikirulahi Ogundele-led party executive to an Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, asking it to dissolve the party officials for alleged bias; but the court said the matter was a party affair which it could not rule over. Showunmi proceeded to the Appeal court, where two of his three prayers were granted; but the appellate court agreed with the lower court that the matter was a party affair. Not satisfied, Showunmi said he is now before the Supreme Court in his pursuit of justice against the party executive, who he said claimed to have obtained nomination forms for Adebutu.

Very disturbing is the fact that the PDP in the state has refused to conduct fresh primaries as ordered by the court and the 14 days grace has elapsed, leaving the party without any candidate ‘known to the law’ as at today. And with INEC insisting that it will obey the courts, PDP’s hope is now hanging precariously on the chance that an appellate court will reverse the judgement of the High Court.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, quietly retuned to Nigeria yesterday after his two weeks trip to Europe.

His absence at many functions of his party had been attributed to ill health but Sentry gathered that the Benue- born politician, aside the need to attend to his health, may have also embarked on the trip as a way of escaping some of the brickbats being hauled at him by angry PDP chieftains as calls for his resignation heightened.

Checks at the weekend revealed that the returnee PDP boss is displeased that he came back to meet the crisis rocking his party heightened rather than abating. “He is a human being. He is naturally displeased with the condition he met the party,” a close associate said.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have been leading other aggrieved chieftains to prevail on presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders, to make Ayu vacate his seat so that someone from the southern part of the country can take his place ahead the 2023 general elections.

Read Also: Atiku vs Wike: will Ayu go?

Their argument is that the candidate and national chairman cannot come from the same zone. However, Atiku has insisted that this is not a good time to ask Ayu to leave.

The disagreement over whether he should leave or stay has been generating tension within the party, leading to the boycott of the unveiling of the party’s presidential campaign council by Wike and four governors.

Sadly, Ayu’s returned to the country amid a fresh scandal concerning alleged ‘mysterious’ money sent to some National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party. Four of them NWC returned a total sum of N122.4 million paid into their accounts. Sentry gathered that the money, which was transferred to the NWC members after the PDP primaries, was said to be part of the over N10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants.

The Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, the National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih; the National Vice Chairman (South-West) Olasoji Adagunodo, and National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe, are among NWC members who returned the controversial money.

Officials of the party have tried explaining that the money was given to the beneficiaries as entitlements and not any form of bribe. It’s an explanation that has left many cold. It’s also been a PR disaster of the worst possible kind, with the worst possible timing.

No doubt, Ayu’s first public appearance would be widely watched within and outside his party as he tries to put the many fires threatening PDP’s 2023 campaign.

It is no longer news that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest in its final list of presidential and national assembly candidates for the 2023 general elections.

What is now news is the lucky senator’s resolve and efforts to ensure that his name is never removed again for any reason.

Akpabio, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, had contested the APC presidential primary. However, he withdrew for eventual winner Bola Tinubu on the day of the exercise and returned home to Akwa Ibom to seek the senatorial ticket which he won amidst controversies.

Since then his candidature has been in question. But respite came his way when a Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the electoral commission to recognise him as APC flagbearer.

Read Also; Lawan and Akpabio as albatross 

In his judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite faulted INEC’s non-recognition of the former minister; maintaining that the electoral umpire “is bound by the provisions of Section 29 (3) of the Electoral Act to publish only the personal particulars of the candidate of the first plaintiff for the Akwa-Iborn North/West Senatorial District elections in the person of the second plaintiff (Akpabio) as received from the first plaintiff”.

Now, Akpabio is determined to keep his name on INEC’s roster so he can participate in the senatorial election. On the other hand, his rival is unwilling to let go. Sentry gathered that Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom (retd.), has vowed that in spite of the court judgment, he will not relinquish the ticket to Akpabio or anyone, no matter the pressure on him.

To this end, it was gathered that the retired Police boss may be heading to the appellate court to get Akpabio’s name off the list before the election.

Not to be beaten to the game is also getting ready for the looming legal battle. “We know they will appeal the judgement and we are ready for them. These people don’t have the interest of the party in their heart. They will do anything to distract the party at this crucial time. But Akpabio is up to the task,” an aide to the former Minister said.

Sentry gathered that Akpabio and his camp are already assembling a team of legal luminaries to prosecute the planned appeal. Don’t forget that INEC made it clear that Akpabio’s inclusion on the list is as a result of the court order.

It remains to be seen if Ekpoudom’s appeal will make or mar Akpabio’s quest to return to the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly in 2023.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally announced a campaign team ahead of the 2023 presidential election. It appointed Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel as the Chairman of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), while Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal was named Director-General of the party’s National Campaign Management Committee (NCMC). Both men will be leading the campaign with the aim of getting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar elected as the President of Nigeria.

But Sentry, like many other concerned Nigerians, is wondering what the next line of action would be from the stable of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. It is as if the opposition party had called the bluff of the Rivers State helmsman by going ahead to unveil a campaign team. Sentry also gathered that the decision of the party to keep Senator Iyorchia Ayu in office as National Chairman remains unacceptable to Wike and his men. A source even revealed that the governor vowed not to have anything to do with Atiku’s campaign if Ayu remains in office.

Read Also: The genesis of the Atiku/Wike face-off

All members of the council are scheduled to be inaugurated on Wednesday, September 28 at the International Conference Centre In Abuja. While Wike was named a member of the council that had Governor Seyi Makinde as vice chairman, South, Sentry observed that no other notable ally of the Governor made the list. “The party has decided to move on with or without Wike. What we should now wait for is the next line of action of the Rivers State governor. He is still hell bent on having Ayu removed as chairman ahead of the 2023 presidential election, in the interest of equity and fairness within the party,” a party leader told Sentry on Friday.

The absence of Wike’s men is very conspicuous and Sentry is not the only one wondering why as many people within and outside the party are already talking about it. The appointments were contained in a release signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on Thursday. Governor Emmanuel, who is chairing the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, will be supported by Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. In all, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council is comprised of 326 people; including the Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar; his running mate Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and the officials mentioned above.

In addition, the party’s Board of Trustee Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabba; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, and the party’s governors; including Wike, were all named members of the council.

On the party’s National Campaign Management Committee, Governor Tambuwal, the DG, will be supported by four deputies. Former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke is the Deputy Director-General, Operations; Professor Adewale Oladipo is the Deputy DG, Administration; Daar Communications Chairman Raymond Dokpesi is Deputy DG, Technical and Systems, while former Enugu State Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo is the Deputy DG, Research and Strategy. Also, Adeyemi Moyegun was named the Administrative Secretary of the council.

Last month, a coalition of about 50 support groups, announced a plan to hold a two-million-man march in solidarity with a presidential candidate and his running mate in the capital city of a state in the South-South zone.

The organizers vowed to ‘shut down’ the host city with supporters of the presidential candidate who, they claimed, were eagerly waiting for the campaign train to come to their city.

It would not be the first time such a grand plan would be mooted. In fact, a few weeks earlier, another group had announced and hosted a ‘one-million man march’ in another part of the country.

While some social media commentators doubted the rally attracted such a number of people, many wondered what the population of the host city itself was and asked if the organizers planned to invite participants from all over the country.

Read Also: El-Rufai: planned 2 million man-march for Obi in Kaduna a pipe dream

The day for the much publicized rally came and alas, only a scanty crowd of less than 3,000 people took part in the march, a far cry from the two-million proposed.

Just like it happened weeks earlier in a North-Central state where the organizers were disappointed with the motley crowd that graced their proposed million man rally, the campaigners learnt the hard way that mobilizing people for political rally is not a tea party.

Similar not-too-impressive million man marches played out in other cities like Owerri, Abakaliki and Abeokuta with the turn out disappointing not only observers but the organizers.

After the Abeokuta rally, Sentry gathered that some committed young members of the movement questioned the mobilization strategies of their leaders as they forced the organizers to admit to the obvious failure of the rally. It was even gathered that the angry youngsters accused their leaders of deceiving them and vowed not to be part of such rallies again.

But it appears these ‘million man marchers’ aren’t about to accept the folly in their approach to political campaign ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Or is it that some pecuniary gains are involved in their endless marches that are usually more than not scanty at the end of the day? Anyway, even the organizers of one of such rallies have had to admit failure after another flopped march when they said “though the turnout wasn’t as expected, we were able to show that there is nothing resilience cannot do.”

That civil has broken out within the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is no longer news. After suffering last-minute heartbreak following the intervention of Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal – who threw in his lot with eventual winner – former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been up in arms.

If party members thought this was just some regular hissy fit, they were mistaken. The furious governor has been locked in a running slanging match with elements in the presidential candidates’ camp. Atiku himself has also been on the receiving end of some broadsides.

With party elders struggling to come up with the right formula to pacify the aggrieved, everyone has been walking on egg shells, carefully picking their words in order not to provoke a ready fusillade from Port Harcourt.

What’s interesting is no one is ready to accept blame for the fiasco that has trailed the party’s convention. Every side believes the other are the bad guys. Embattled party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, holds the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible his nightmarish outings on social media.

Read Also; Wike was a child when we formed PDP – Ayu

He has even dismissed comments supposedly made by him about the governor. Ayu in a statement released through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam said the reports about him on social media were fake.

He further stated that he would not say anything about comments attributed to Wike.

The statement reads: “We state, categorically and without equivocation, that the posts are completely false. Even the inelegant construction of the posts puts them beneath Ayu.

“Ayu never said anything after Wike’s statements yesterday, and does not intend to say anything in response.”

For his part, former Kaduna State Senator Shehu Sani agrees that unnamed external forces are fueling PDP’s troubles. He warns that if stakeholders in the party fail to resolve the crisis in the coming weeks, they would be consumed by fire.

He posted: “What is happening in the PDP is unfortunate. The space for reconciliation appears to be very slim.

“Outside forces are fully involved. Though it is advised that everyone should refrain from making inflammatory statements, in the next few weeks, there will be no room for neutrality or silence.”

No doubt PDP’s foes are having fun watching their rivals warring. But if the party’s leaders truly believe that outsiders are behind their troubles, they would believe anything. The lizard wouldn’t crawl in if there was no crack in the wall!