Category: Politics

  • PDP and the dance of musical chairs

    PDP and the dance of musical chairs

    Once hailed as Africa’s largest political party and the engine of Nigeria’s democratic rebirth, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now finds itself trapped in a dizzying dance of defections, rivalries, and power tussles that threaten its survival ahead of its national convention.
    Once the platform of Presidents and power brokers, the party has become a stage where alliances shift like sand and loyalty changes with the rhythm of ambition. As old wounds reopen and new factions emerge, the PDP’s struggle to reclaim its identity has turned into a chaotic ballet of self-preservation, a political dance of musical chairs in which no seat seems safe, and no leader certain to stay when the music stops. What was once Nigeria’s symbol of political stability has become a lesson in disarray, and the question haunting both members and observers is simple: can the PDP survive its own dance of musical chairs? TONY AKOWE reports

    For 16 years when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held sway in the country, it was the beautiful bride for all Nigerian politicians. State governors and legislators, both at the federal and state levels, sought to be members of the party. The party appeared to have a mechanism for conflict resolution. Even after losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conflict resolution mechanism remained intact, putting the government of the day on its toes and holding on to its members as much as possible.  Even when Adamu Muazu exited as National Chairman of the party, the party remained largely in control of its affairs. When former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and former Kaduna state Governor, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, emerged as factional Chairmen of the party, the party remained, while the Board of Trustees stood firm to bring all warring factions together, and the party was better for it. That battle, which nearly tore the party apart, ended only after a Supreme Court judgment restored Makarfi as caretaker chairman. A few years later, a similar scenario played out when the Uche Secondus leadership faced rebellion from governors and national officers, leading to his eventual ouster by court, paving the way for the 2021 convention, which saw the emergence of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman—a choice that was supposed to heal divisions but instead deepened them. Interestingly, since losing power in 2015 after sixteen uninterrupted years at the centre, the PDP has never fully recovered its rhythm. Each attempt at revival seems to generate a new conflict.

    But the race for the 2023 presidential election put a clog on the wheel of the party. When the party went for its national convention, reports had it that there was an agreement that the presidential ticket be zoned to the south and that in the event that a northerner emerged as the party’s candidate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who emerged as National Chairman, would resign. But that was not to be, as Ayu stuck to his gun and ran the 2023 general election after the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate. That action has continued to hunt the party, with former Rivers State governor, Ezenwa Nyelsom Wike, leading the main opposition to events and programmes of the party. Wike’s opposition saw the removal of Ayu and the elevation of Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum in acting capacity. This created yet another bitter phase that has stretched longer than expected.

    The tenure of the current National Working Committee of the party is scheduled to expire on the 8th of December, 2025. By implication, Damagun and his team, including those opposed to the holding of the National Convention, will be out of work with effect from that day. Considering this and in line with the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act, the party, at its 102 National Executive Committee meeting, fixed the National Convention for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. The meeting also set up a 44-member zoning Committee with Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, as Chairman, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal as vice chairman, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang as secretary. At the end of their meeting, the zoning committee recommended that the presidency be zoned to the south and the national chairman to the north. They also concluded that all positions remain in the respective regions where they currently are situated. The party therefore directed that the positions be micro-zoned for easy nomination to avoid a crisis.

    However, the buildup to the national convention has not been a smooth journey. The politics of the convention has been built around powerful camps built around individuals. First, it was the battle of who is the National Secretary, which was resolved in favour of Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Followers of development within the party are of the view that the current struggle, which pits several blocs against each other, with each seeking control of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), has the capacity to affect the ticketing power of the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. Interestingly, there are two broad camps in the struggle for the soul of the party currently. These are the ‘Wike Camp,’ made up of those loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the ‘Mainstream’ Camp, made up of several key members of the party. Before now, this mainstream camp included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other northern heavyweights who have since chickened out of the party and pitched a tent with the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), where they are still struggling to put things in order ahead of the 2027 elections. Even though both parties in the current dance in the PDP have continued to argue that all they want is to have a party that can win elections and promote the culture of peace, their manoeuvres appear to tell a different story. For example, Wike’s group, though nominally within the PDP, has been accused of working at cross-purposes with the party’s national leadership, with many referring to his open support for the APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. But the mainstream members of the party led by the PDP governors see the coming national convention as an opportunity to reclaim the party structure ahead of 2027. “This convention is about the soul of the PDP,” said a senior member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). “Whoever controls the structure now will determine who gets the ticket later.”

    Defections and desertions

     The PDP’s internal disputes have not remained contained. Between mid-2024 and October 2025, at least three sitting governors, a dozen senators, and more than thirty members of the House of Representatives have dumped the party and joined the APC or became politically inactive. Among the most notable exits were the defections of high-ranking legislators from the North-West led by former Kebbi State governor, Senator Adamu Aliero and the South-South zones. The entire PDP Legislators from Delta state, except Ned Nwoko, left for the APC. But rather than address issues in the party that have led to mass exit of governors and lawmakers, the party leadership sees a more sinister hand, accusing the APC of using the weapon of inducement, intimidation and coercion to get its elected officials to dump the PDP. But not many staunch PDP loyalists believe that external pressures alone can explain the mass exodus. A member of the party told The Nation that “when members lose faith in internal justice, they will find another platform. The APC may be courting them, but we made it easy for them to leave.”

    While leaders of the PDP and others have accused the APC of trying to create a one-party state, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed the claim, asking the opposition party to put its house in order. While addressing the National Assembly during the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, the President said, “Your alarm may be a result of your panic; it rings in error. At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria. I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket. I would be the last person to advocate such a scheme. In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of the progressive governors standing in my region. The failed effort to create a one-party state placed progressive political forces on a trajectory to form the APC. It put me on the trajectory which has brought me before you today. I dare not do such a favour to any political adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach. That said, we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC”. His suggestions to the PDP and other losing members to the APC were direct. He said “political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist. For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.”

    The process leading to the National Convention in Ibadan has, however, not been a smooth one. Some of those who are supposed to play a critical role in the process have either chickened out or are sitting on the fence. For example, Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, who was appointed as secretary of the convention planning committee, has dumped the party and pitched a tent with the APC. Also, Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, who headed the zoning Committee as well as one of the subcommittees for the convention, has announced his resignation from the PDP. Even though the governor has not disclosed his destination, many believe that he was heading for the APC. On the other hand, Governor Kigbu Kefas of Taraba State has been sitting on the fence for a while. It has been rumoured that he was also on his way to the APC, a position that he has neither confirmed nor denied. But it was observed that the Governor was not present when his subcommittee on security held its inaugural meeting, like other governors did. He was also not present during the Northern stakeholders meeting where Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was adopted as the consensus candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the PDP. So, for now, the direction of the governor is yet unknown.

    As part of the plan for the 2025 national convention, the party advertised a call for nominations from those who want to contest national offices. While several others may have come forward to buy the nomination forms, former Jigawa state governor,  Sule Lamido, stayed back and refused to come forward, even though it was rumoured that he was interested in being the National Chairman of the party. He had sworn never to participate in activities of the party until Wike was expelled from the party.

    He said, “During our time, the party was supreme. It held full authority, and everyone respected it, whether in the North, South, East, or West. Anyone — no matter how influential — who crossed the party line would be sanctioned. Today, people openly working against the PDP are still being tolerated. “Someone like Wike, who claims to love the PDP but is clearly undermining it, should be expelled by the NWC. Why hasn’t that happened? Look at the Board of Trustees (BOT). People like Ortom, who declared support for Peter Obi in 2023, are still members. That’s why I’ve said I will not attend any PDP meeting unless Wike is expelled and people like Ortom are removed from the BOT. I remain a PDP member, but I will not participate in party functions or answer calls to meetings while these individuals remain in leadership. How can I sit with someone like Ortom in the BOT to discuss the future of PDP? Or someone like Anyanwu, who is rejected in his own zone and is now being imposed by another zone? These are impostors. Wike is someone who was honoured by the PDP, brought into relevance by the PDP, and now turns around to fight the very party that made him. Wike is, quite frankly, a disaster.

    “What he has done is un-African and un-Nigerian. I don’t understand how someone, simply because of his own ambition, can take things so personally and act so destructively. There used to be a party culture that prioritised collective good — something altruistic — but that seems lost now. He lacks the values and traditions that define our political culture. I’m glad, however, that President Tinubu intervened. The office was reopened by his order.”

     After staying away from the activities of the party, including the sales of forms for contesting offices into the NWC, the former Jigawa governor resolved to contest the office of eh National Chairman, coming to the national Secretariat to purchase the nomination form several weeks after the close of nomination in accordance with the timetable of activities for the convention. In addition to the fact that he came to obtain the form after the sales had closed, Lamido chose to head to the Wadata Plaza, which houses the national secretariat, rather than the Legacy House, where the convention committee is operating from. He called the party a family and everything happening there a family affair. But the PDP is already burdened by several litigations, and yet, Lamido vowed to add to the list of litigations by heading to court to challenge his inability to obtain the nomination form. But the question is, as an elder of the party and one of the few founding fathers remaining in the party, should that be his option? Will his action not further burden the party and give advantage to those the party claims want to destroy it? Lamido’s anger is the lack of consultation among leaders of the party, especially those from the North West, on who should be their choice for the position of National Chairman.

    National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, is one of those who argued that a scheduled meeting of the North West leaders summoned by Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, never took place as the governor gave excuses that he was travelling. But Lamido said the northern leaders and PDP governors preempted their meeting by holding one a day before their scheduled meeting to select Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as consensus candidate from the north for the chairmanship position. The convention committee had to hurriedly cancel the screening of aspirants, citing “logistical reasons” and the need for “further consultations.”

    Unofficially, insiders said the party was struggling to manage deepening disputes over the zoning of key offices, eligibility of some aspirants, and allegations that certain leaders were plotting to impose a preferred list of candidates as national officers of the party. While it is reported that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has already endorsed Taofeek Arapaja as National Secretary, the incumbent secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu dismissed that saying since the position was zoned to the south, he was not aware of the idea of microzoning the position to the Southwest, adding that he has the legal right to contest a second term as secretary, alleging that he was being denied the opportunity since he was not even aware of the sales of form.

    Consensus option

     Observers of the activities of the PDP said the party has always had the tradition of selecting its leaders through consensus because they believe that the party is more of a family affair.

    Umar Sani, spokesperson of the Tanimu Turaki campaign team, said aside from Solomon Lar, who was given the mandate to lead the party as an Interim Chairman, several other leaders have always emerged either as consensus candidates chosen by the President or one governor or the other. Sani said, “The chairman of a major political party is not merely a regional representative, but that of the whole federation. He is the engine room and rallying point of the entire political organisation. His emergence cannot and has never been an exclusive regional affair.

     From Solomon Lar to Barnabas Gemade, Vincent Ogbulafor, Audu Ogbe, Ahmadu Ali, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Bamanga Tukur, and Adamu Mu’azu, party chairmen have always been products of broader consultations and the influence of powerful blocs within the PDP. Indeed, most chairmen were hand-picked or endorsed by sitting Presidents or leading power brokers within the party. Solomon Lar’s one-year one-term tenure was an exception. He was chosen to set the ball rolling and put the party on a sound footing. Sen Ali Modu Sheriff, for example, was chosen to complete the North-East tenure after the resignation of Adamu Muazu, through the intervention of Wike and Fayose. The Sen Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee was the brainchild of Babangida Aliyu (The Chief Servant) and former Gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa State in Port Harcourt. Prince Uche Secondus emerged through Wike’s backing, just as Sen Iyorchia Ayu was a joint product of Wike and Samuel Ortom. History, therefore, proves that party leaders and governors will always show interest in who leads them. Ironically, Capt. Umar Bature himself became National Organising Secretary through a unilateral nomination by Sen Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. For him now to lead a rebellion against the collective will of the governors is a clear act and a demonstration of insubordination and ingratitude.”

     While announcing the decision of the northern leaders to settle for Turaki, Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri said, “As northern leaders of our great party, the PDP and representatives of the states in the North, we have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the National Chairman of our party, which was zoned to the north. We met this evening to deliberate and make a decision on the office of the chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the north. In our meeting, we have reflected deeply and widely through consultation and going to Ibadan for our national convention, we have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North, and by extension, Nigeria, as the chairman of the PDP. That gentleman is KT Turaki, SAN. This is our decision this evening, and he is the person we are presenting at that convention as our chairman to represent our party on the 15th and 16th of November in Ibadan. I do not want to preclude what others are speculating outside, but we are gentlemen, and you can see all of us; we are leaders. We represent each of the states in the north, the 19 states, including the FCT. And this is our decision, and we expect this to be the lineup of our delegates in Ibadan. PDP is an institution, and we have a mechanism to handle all these issues. We will reach out and talk to each other. We have been talking to ourselves, not today, not yesterday. This is a build-up of consensus in the last two weeks, and we have just had a consultation, and this is just the result. I assure you that the convention will be a rancour-free convention. We are still united and focused, and our primary responsibility at the moment is the convention. And this is what we’re discussing primarily”.

    Speaking on other positions of the party, Gov. Fintiri assured that all positions of the party “will be resolved at the regional level, and they will present their candidates along with others for us to present at the convention. Altogether, we have ten positions in the north, as far as the convention is concerned. But, nevertheless, anybody who still feels he will want to contest in any position is free, and this is what our position has allowed. We are not excluding anybody. But then, we have just announced to you our consensus candidate, as far as these leaders are concerned. But if anybody still feels he wants to contest, I have said it, time will go by without the door being open. Even if you want to contest the positions that have been zoned to the north, you are free. We will sell the form to you. If you are not from the north, we will allow you to contest.”

     But some leaders of the party from the North West, led by the National Organising Secretary, Bature, claimed that there was never a decision to endorse Turaki as the National Chairman. Bature said while the position was micro-zoned to the North West, leaders of the zone never met to decide on who to be the candidate, adding that it was wrong for Gov. Fintiri to announce a consensus candidate when the zone was not consulted.

    Bature said, “We want to make it clear to everybody that this zone has not adopted anybody as a candidate from this zone for the People’s Democratic Party. There is a lot of resentment due to a lack of consultation among the leaders of this zone. We believe we are the strongest zone in the PDP, and the attitude of our leaders in this regard made us take this position that we disagree with the governor’s position of yesterday, and we are going to have our own candidate that we will nominate for that position. The North West is the zone to which the national chairmanship has been zoned. This position has been determined by other zones, and we feel it is unfair for other zones to determine a particular candidate when this zone has not been consulted. That’s why we are taking this position. He said they can go ahead. Those who are interested in contesting can go ahead to contest. Do you think that’s fair, and is there any need for disagreement when it’s open that you can contest? If it’s open, then why did they adopt somebody else? That would be the question you should have asked him. If it’s an open contest, they should have allowed others to come out and contest. They shouldn’t have just zoned it to one person. If he knew that the chairmanship position had been zoned to the North West, why should he adopt a candidate when he had not met others? Consensus is made by consultation. We have not been consulted.

    The governor himself zoned these positions to the North West. We were supposed to meet yesterday at the instance of the Zamfara governor, who said he was travelling, and that meeting was suspended until today.”

    Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, said, “our great party is a family and like any family, we may have disagreements. It is inevitable, no matter what we do; it’s just a matter of time. But the overall interest of this collective family must supersede individual ambitions. We as leaders remain steadfast in our resolve to provide unbiased and selfless service to consensus and build a convention that is truly all-inclusive”.

    While Bature insisted no consultation was made before arriving at the choice, The Nation was informed that “at the meeting, the governors asked those interested in the Chairmanship position to indicate by raising their hands. Turaki and Senator Ibrahim Shekarau indicated their interest, while Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi told the meeting that Sule Lamido was interested in contesting the position, but was absent at the meeting. The governors asked them to go out and discuss among themselves and come back with their resolution. Makarfi was asked to represent Sule Lamido. We all know that Makarfi was interested, but he did not indicate it, probably because he knew it would be difficult for him to get the position. When they returned, Shekarau said he would stand by whatever decision the governors arrived at, especially if they settled for Turaki. On his part, Turaki said if the governors choose Shakarau, he would abide by the decision.

    “They told the meeting that Lamido had insisted that no matter the decision arrived at, he was going ahead to contest the chairmanship. He claimed that he was asked to contest the position by the northern elders. After that, the governors met to deliberate and settled for Turaki. But Lamido insisted that he would go ahead to contest, which is his right to do. But we all know that you need the governors to win, and they are not comfortable with Lamido. The governors don’t want a man who will not respect them and who will tell them that whatever they are today, he has been there. They don’t want a man who will not answer them anytime they call. That is why they did not settle for Lamido. When the governors settled for Turaki and announced it to the meeting, they called for dissenting voices by asking those who were not at peace with the decision to speak their mind. But nobody said anything. All those who are shouting now were at that meeting. The Chairman of the PDP in Sokoto was at the meeting. He did not object and did not say anything.”

    Read Also: Ondo PDP chieftain defects to APC, begins grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election

    Lamido said, “Consensus? If there are consultations, there can be consensus. But if there are no consultations, then we are not united on board. I mean, the zone where I came from, we never met. We were supposed to meet on Wednesday, and the Governor of Zamfara State booked a hall at Transcorp Hilton for us from the Northwest to meet and come up with some kind of understanding. But to pre-empt our meeting, they fixed a meeting for Tuesday. So, we never met. The zone never met. That’s the problem. But it’s not the last one.”

    Future of PDP

    Lamido argued that the PDP must put its house in order if it hopes to make a headway in future elections, saying “the PDP should be able to organise its own house to run the party based on the policies of the party, doing the right thing at all times. The only way we can win is by having a disciplined party. If the party is not organised, if we don’t follow our own constitution and procedures, how do we win elections?

    “How will a non-united party even win elections? So, you see, my main concern is getting the PDP properly restored into a stable, united family that will be able to stay focused on the bigger picture ahead — saving Nigeria and Nigerians from the APC. You see, PDP is a family of wonderful Nigerians who share a similar commitment to Nigeria and democracy. So, coming here is like coming home to the family. There’s nothing new about it.”

    This view is shared by Gov. Lawal of Zamara State. He said, “A great thinker once said. Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much. This word resonates deeply today. We must stand together, we must work together; we must heal together. As you come on this way to your assignment, I pray for divine intervention and wisdom, as well as guidance from each one of you.”

    Inside Wadata Plaza: whispers and wagers

    Inside the PDP secretariat, whispers of betrayal and backroom deals swirl through the corridors. Governors loyal to different factions hold parallel strategy sessions, while some aspirants have begun lobbying for interim compromises—like allowing Damagum to remain as acting chairman until after the 2027 elections.  This could be so since the tenure of the present National Working Committee is due to expire in December, and failure to hold an elective convention may lead to the composition of an Interim leadership for the party, like the APC did when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was removed as National Chairman.

    Others see the convention as a chance to inject fresh blood into the party that can appeal to both old loyalists and disenchanted members. Some believe that Turaki fits the kind of Chairman the PDP needs at this moment because he has not been associated with any of the factions in the party. For many analysts, the November convention represents more than a routine leadership renewal, but a test of the PDP’s capacity to act as a viable opposition ahead of 2027.

    There is no doubt that the stakes are high, and if the exercise produces a widely acceptable leadership, the PDP could begin to rebuild credibility. If it ends in another court battle or boycott, the party’s claim to being an alternative to the APC may evaporate. There are fears that some senior members of the party may stay away unless “agreements reached at zonal meetings are respected.” There are also fears of having parallel delegates and conventions. Some believe that the convention is shaping up as a battle of survival.

    Grassroots discontent

    While national leaders wrestle for control, the party’s grassroots are showing fatigue. In many states, local party offices remain shut or inactive. Funding has dried up, and loyalists complain of neglect. In the South-East and parts of the North-East, some chapters have merged their activities with local pressure groups, effectively operating outside the national structure. Many Lawmakers have abandoned the party, and as of the last count, the party had fewer than 10 federal lawmakers, especially in the House of Representatives from the Southeast East

    The road to Ibadan

    Despite uncertainties, preparations for the convention have been ongoing both in Ibadan and at the National level, where committees have been holding meetings. The Nation gathered that the choice of venue outside Abuja was meant to symbolise inclusiveness and decentralisation. Party sources say over 3,000 delegates are expected, representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    As delegates prepare to gather in Ibadan, one thing is clear: the PDP’s survival will depend less on who wins the chairmanship than on whether the party can rediscover a shared sense of purpose. The dance of musical chairs may continue, but the music cannot play forever. When it stops, those still standing will have to decide—do they rebuild the old house, or walk away in search of a new one? For Nigeria’s oldest surviving political brand, the answer may determine not just its fate, but the quality of the country’s democracy itself.

    But the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja halting the convention has, no doubt, dragged the PDP several miles back. Political watchers are, however, stunned by the decision of the Court asking the party to transmit a genuine letter to INEC informing it of the convention in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Curiously, the issue of a letter to the commission was never part of the issues canvassed in Court. Even though the National Secretary of the party denied knowledge of the letter to INEC, claiming his signature was forged, the issue is currently before the security agencies for investigation, and how it became part of the judgment when it was not canvassed in Court has become a subject of discussion.

    The question then is whether the Court has decided to do the work of the police by declaring the letter to INEC as invalid and fake, or whether the commission told the Court that it has not received any genuine letter from the PDP.

    Unending drama

    The drama in the party has continued unabated, with the Federal High Court in Abuja helping the stakeholders to expand the scope of the crisis by halting the national convention and asking the party to first send the INEC what it called a proper letter in accordance with the rules. But the question that many are asking is how the issue of a formal letter entered the case since it was not one of the grounds before the Court. As a result of the court order, the Umar Damagun-led National Working Committee has suspended the National Secretary, National Legal Adviser, his deputy and the National Organising Secretary for their role.

    In turn, the National Secretary and his group suspended the National Chairman and his group, appointing the National Vice Chairman, North Central, as Acting Chairman. The development has placed the PDP national Secretariat under lock and key to prevent a breakdown of law and order, while the staff have been sent away from the place by the security agents.

    Although it is not clear whether Anyanwu and his team informed the INEC about the development in the party, Damagun, on the other hand, has informed the commission and is determined to go ahead with the convention following a ruling of an Ibadan High Court, which has been applauded by state chairmen of the party and the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees. But the suspension and counter suspension in the party has extended beyond the National Working Committee to the Board of Trustees, which is supposed to be the conscience of the party. While Nigerians wait patiently for the party to resolve its internal crisis, the Wike group has seen anyone associated with the Damagun group as enemies of the party who must be done away with. Interestingly, the Board of Trustees is established by Article 18 of the PDP Constitution, while Article 31(2c) gives the National Executive Committee the express power to “take decisions on all matters affecting the party, including the removal or reconstitution of organs of the Party as it may deem necessary.” However, the party constitution only allows the National Working Committee to make recommendations, but only the NEC has the constitutional authority to approve or effect the dissolution and reconstitution of the BoT. In some cases, such ratification may require a national Convention to take effect. It is not clear where the Abdulrahaman Mohammed-led faction derived the power to dissolve and reconstitute the BoT, even without the knowledge of the NEC of the party.

    The question many Nigerians have been asking is whether those beating the drums of war within the PDP are interested in seeing peace in the party. As the drama continues, several stakeholders have chosen to remain silent for fear of not being branded an enemy. The only stakeholder who has spoken up has been former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, who appeared to be on the side of the Wike-led group, and Bode George, who wants the Supreme Court to sanction judges that has chosen to help derail the party, despite a Supreme Court judgement that restricts interference in the internal affairs of political parties. But Mohammed does not see what is going on and the preparation for the national convention of the party as an internal affair of the PDP.

  • How we’ll leverage Osun’s potential – Babayemi

    How we’ll leverage Osun’s potential – Babayemi

    Until he joined politics, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, one of the gubernatorial aspirants under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, was a technocrat who had the opportunity of running a multi-million dollar organisation in the United States of America, where he was the vice president. He has visited over 234 wards out of 332 wards in the state to sell the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to assess the needs of the people at the grassroots. He had earlier undertaken a month-long visit to 30 local government areas and the Ife East Area office, Modakeke. In this interview with Gbenga Aderanti, he talks about his plans to change the fortunes of Osun, why he is visiting wards, the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, among other issues. Excerpts…

    You have continued with your visits to the wards in Osun. Tell us what you found out, and what you are likely to do if you eventually become the governor of the state?

     There were a few reasons why we decided to go to wards;  the most important of them was that after visiting the 30 local government areas, we came back to the party, we realised that there had been a lot of disinformation and misinformation to our people in Osun about the Renewed Hope Agenda. So we decided to go to the grassroots to get an understanding of their thoughts and what they believed the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was all about. We found out that a lot of our people at the grassroots did not have a good understanding. So we translated the information into something they could relate to, and what meant to them. And what had been done in terms of stabilising the economy, in terms of ensuring that the benefits of democracy got to them. There were things they were seeing that they didn’t understand, and why they should be happening. For example, when we got to one of the wards in Ikire, and we were relaying the message of the President, one of the farmers got up and said, ‘I’m a cocoa farmer, now we understand why we are seeing what we are seeing. Tell President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that God has picked our phone call, on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s network.’ This was very profound.

    The other reason we went there was to be able to do SWOT assessments- What are the strengths we have in our rural areas? What are the weaknesses? What are the opportunities for the people? What are the challenges they are facing? To see where they live, to hear from them. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. Without experiencing what they are experiencing, it is going to be difficult to put together or for a government to say I want to govern when I don’t know what they have been through. The goal of that was to get as much information from the needs assessment to be able to put a manifesto that is people-focused, that leverages the Renewed Hope Agenda, and be able to drive the economy of our state.

    70 per cent of our state is rural, and the current administration has focused on urban renewal. If you look at what they have done, it has been in urban areas, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But as a government, it is important to be able to balance. There is zero development in our rural areas. We have visited 234 wards as of today; our goal is to finish it in the very near future.

     What we are doing with the Renewed Hope Agenda is to transfer the vision of the President to the average Nigerian in Osun; the person at the grassroots gets an understanding of it and owns it, with the view of a better tomorrow for them and the people around them.

    In visiting those 234 wards, we experienced the deplorable condition of the rural roads in Osun State. The rains over the last three years have had a significant impact. The people are not looking for those roads to be tarred; they want to be able to get their produce from the farm to the market. 65 per cent of the produce of farmers in Osun is destroyed on the farms because there are no motorable roads.

    Again, we wanted to ensure that where there were any issues in the party at the grassroots, they were resolved because we went there to listen to them. After delivering the president’s message, our party talked about unification, and then we delivered the message of the aspirant.

    One of the things that is different this time around is that there is unity among the aspirants.

    I did not visit the wards in my name or as a person, but I visited on behalf of the president, on behalf of our party, most importantly on behalf of the 13 aspirants who are vying for governorship under the banner of APC in Osun State.

    This visit was the first time it was being done in Southern Nigeria, where an aspirant or a governor chooses to reach out to his people and understand their needs.

     Talking about visits to wards, you still have about 117 wards more in the state. Are you still going to pay visits to these places, too?

     Absolutely, we made a commitment to the Almighty God. We made a commitment to our party; it is a commitment to the spirit of Osun. Osun is the cultural and spiritual nerve centre of the Yoruba people. We are a very proud people, always ahead of civilisation. We are committed that we are going to do this irrespective of anything else,  because it has to drive the manifesto,  which is the contract with the people when we get into government. This government will simulate, to a large extent, what the government at the centre is doing with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    This visit, the first time, was being done in Southern Nigeria when an aspirant or a governor chooses to reach out to his people, and understand their needs. This is why we must complete it.

     One of the things you would have seen is that on July 24, Asiwaju announced that the governors should go back to the grassroots because people were not feeling the effects. He doesn’t just talk; he follows it up with action. On the 29th of October, he instituted the Renewed Hope World Development Agenda that targeted 8,809 wards in this country, to ensure that the development there focuses on the economy, and that is going to be the driver to take Nigeria to become a one trillion dollar economy. It is going to come from the wards.

     We have been blessed in this country, especially in our state, with a lot of natural resources. Osun has excellent human resources, some of the best in the world. In my town, Gbongan, there are 97 professors in 20 universities in Osun State. The government is not taking human resources, leveraging the natural resources and not being able to put the best out for the benefit of the people; rather than do that, we see a high rate of unemployment. Osun has one of the highest in the country, a 33 per cent unemployment rate, and governance is a serious business. Today, Osun is recognised for one thing, and that is entertainment that does not bring profit. So every weekend, citizens in Nigeria turn on their TVs, looking for how we are going to be amused. We need to go back to the vision of our forefathers. Osun is a place where any child should be able to dream, any youth should be able to achieve, and every family should prosper, and that is what ward visit is about. It is to reinvigorate our people to say, tomorrow can be better for you, and for your community.

     Aspirants always have ‘ wonderful ‘ programmes, but after getting to power, the majority of them fail to perform. How are you going to confront such a demon?

     Like I said, what we are doing with the wards is the need assessment that when we come back, will feed into the manifesto of the party. While you mentioned an individual who did a few things that needed to be done at that time, the governor had a great idea, fantastic ideas; some of them benefited the state. The scheme that employed 20,000 youths, he took them from the streets. Crime went down significantly in the state, but one of the challenges was funding. It is a different case today because the federal government has provided the funds. However, having funds is one thing, having the right ideas is another thing, and being able to execute is another thing.

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    What are we going to do differently? After the needs assessment that we are doing, we are going to put some things in place. One, Osun has some of the best civil servants in this country. We will move from an effort-driven environment to a performance- and result-based environment, where the best comes out of our civil servants. We will upskill them, give them the right training.   Everything we are going to do in this government will be based on the priorities of the people, and we will leverage the project management technology methodology to execute everything we want to do. So, there is constant monitoring of the scope of what we want to do, which will constantly be evaluated, the budget to determine the right priorities we give the funding to,  and that will be in the best interest of the people. We will use it. We will manage our timeline by monitoring this and by managing this; our expectation is that we will constantly be able to deliver in the best interest of the people. We will not do it by ourselves; we will ensure that we have a community consultative assembly that is representative of our people, who will agree at upfront and will agree and ensure that the things we deliver in our government are in alignment with what the people see as being delivered.

     A fantastic idea, but have you considered the debt profile of the state? How do you intend to tackle this?

     It is not an issue. The administration that did well in managing our debt was the administration of Governor Isiaka  Oyetola. We are going to target the same. We will ensure that there is a significant reduction in our debt profile that will give us an AA rating. It is an issue of management. I’m not saying we are going to be debt-free. But we will manage that in such a way that we will not be spending today and putting our future generation of Osun in perpetual debt. So the debt profile is not an issue; it is something that can be managed with the revenue that is coming right now. If well managed, the debt profile will potentially be reduced by 50 per cent within the next 48 months.

     You have hammered so much on developing grassroots, should I assume that this will be your focus when you eventually become the governor of the state?

     It will be one of them. Our approach is going to be multidimensional. We have a lot of graduates, but a lot of our youths don’t have the skill to transition from being a dependent as students, to having a skill that can either support them in becoming a potential entrepreneur or working in a place where they can add value. One of the things we have determined is that we are going to adopt a one-youth policy- one skill. Our youths must be able to be skilled in one skill, whether in agriculture or IT. We intend to build three IT hubs, one in each Senatorial District, where we can upskill our youths.

    There are several things that have potential in Osun; almost 20 per cent of our GDP service comes from the mining sector. Osun, after Zamfara, has the largest gold deposits in Nigeria. We are not putting that to use; artisanal mining is rife in Osun State, but what you see is that youths from other areas in Nigeria come to our state to leverage on this and capitalise on it, make money and take it out. We will formalise that sector. We will train our youths on how they too can become entrepreneurs in that field.

    Osun, being the cultural heartbeat and spiritual heartbeat of the Yoruba race, is blessed with a significant God given heritage that we are not tapping into, tourism. Osun Osogbo is a cultural festival where people come from all over the world. We have not built a government around that. Osun Osogbo Festival can be as big as the Sango Festival in Rio; it can be as big as Notting Hill Festival in the UK, where you celebrate culture. But the government needs to step up and take ownership of that and leverage our youth to maximise our tourism potential. We have Erin Ijesha waterfall. If you look at it within a one-kilometre radius of that waterfall, it is full of garbage; there is no way you can bring anybody there. Why don’t you put infrastructure there, so that people can come and see another wonder of the world? It is right there in Osun State. If you go to Ife,  that is the cradle of the Yoruba. Yoruba are everywhere across the world; people come all over to trace their ancestry to Oduduwa, which is sitting right in our state. What have we done with that? There are several sectors that we would look at. ICT, culture and tourism, agriculture business,  and efficiency across the civil service.

     Another person from your state joined the governorship race… do you feel threatened?

     You asked whether I feel threatened. I don’t.  The reason is that the 13 of us who are competing under the banner of the APC are all competent to govern Osun and deliver governance in a way that is better than those who are sitting in the seat today by 100 per cent. Let’s establish that first.

    What am I bringing differently? I’m bringing a lot of things into the state in terms of governance.  What I’m bringing is a global perspective. I had the opportunity of running a multi-million dollar organisation in the US. I was the vice president of a Fortune 100 company with three trillion in assets management for a period of 10 years.  Coming to Nigeria, I have set up a business, built from the ground. We have now built efficient businesses that in the last 10 years have employed over 22,000 Nigerians–a group of companies built from the ground in various sectors.

    Most importantly, since 2007, I have built a relationship with the people of Osun that has led to trust. Between 2009 to about 2018, I visited 110 wards in Osun West Senatorial District more than once, either as medical outreach or just reaching out to people for scholarships or organising sporting activities. I know the people. I understand their needs, not just in Osun West, but across the state. We have built trust, which is a valuable thing in governance with the grassroots of Osun. Doing all these things has put me in a unique position to provide the best in governance in Osun State

    You said all the aspirants in the APC are qualified to rule the state, but if tomorrow, the party decides to adopt a person, what will be your reaction?

    My reaction will be a word of appreciation. APC is a progressive party; Osun people are progressive people by nature. APC always brings out the best in the field. I’m confident that our party, in the interest of the people, would throw up the best candidate, and we have all agreed that whatever comes out of our primaries, we will live with it; nobody is going to leave the party. I’m sure I’m confident that the best candidate will emerge, and all the aspirants have agreed that whosoever emerges, we will all support.

  • Sule: Building agriculture legacies through rice revolution in Nasarawa

    Sule: Building agriculture legacies through rice revolution in Nasarawa

    Nasarawa State Government is growing rice steadily in Obi and Awe LGAs, raising hopes that the state is on the right track to achieving zero importation of food staple, LINUS OOTA reports.

    Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, is steadily shaping a new narrative for the state, one anchored on building legacies in sustainable agriculture through rice revolution that connects the people and the state government to prosperity.

    The state has become a model in Nigeria’s strides to boost local rice production and has cemented its status as the country’s rice production hub, contributing significantly to the nation’s goal of reducing food imports.

    Nasarawa state, Nigeria’s ‘home of solid minerals, is emerging as a beacon of agricultural innovation, defying economic challenges to become a cornerstone of food security in West Africa. Through ambitious policies, international partnerships, and grassroots efforts, Nasarawa is revolutionizing rice production, empowering farmers, and driving economic growth.

    The Abdullahi Sule- led administration has taken the bull by the horns with its focus on stemming the pangs of hunger in the state. His administration recognises the critical role agriculture plays in the economy, providing employment, income, and nutrition to the population.

    The state government’s agricultural policies are multifaceted, focusing on enhancing productivity, ensuring food security, and addressing hunger through a combination of infrastructure development, empowerment programmes, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships. These initiatives aim not only to improve the livelihoods of farmers but also to create a sustainable food system that benefits all residents of the state.

    Early this year, the state government commenced planting on an additional 3, 500 hectares of land for rice cultivation in Ayarkeke in Awe Local Government Area of the State.

    Sule had joined the planters to start the new farming season, with his administration now extending the rice farm to 5, 500 hectares.

    Recall that during the last cropping season, the state government cultivated 2, 000 hectares of rice in Jangwa, also in Awe Local Government Area.

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    Flagging off the planting season in Ayarkeke, Governor Sule said the expansion of the government rice farm became necessary following the call by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the state to sustain its efforts in boosting agriculture for food security.

    “Today, we are on the other side of Ayarkeke, which is at the border with the Obi Local Government Area. We are clearing another 3,500 hectares of land, and today, we are planting.  After the rain yesterday, after the visit of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, if you remember, Mr. President clearly reminded Nasarawa State to continue to focus on agriculture. It is in line with that that we are going ahead with this expansion of the additional 3000 hectares,” he stated.

    The governor used the opportunity to clear the air regarding complaints from local farmers in the area who are claiming ownership of a section of the farmland already cleared by the government.

    He explained that the 3, 500 hectares of land was virgin land belonging to the state government but that his administration is willing to accommodate local farmers by restricting farming activities to areas where there is no dispute over ownership.

    “This area used to be a total bush. Nobody has planted anything here. That is why you are seeing piles of wood in the middle of the farm. We have planted, and we are hoping that very soon we will come and apply chemicals, and after that, we will come back to apply fertilizer. From there, we wait for the rice to grow.

    “It is one of the reasons why I came. There were complaints from the Tiv community that we were clearing part of their land. That was why I asked the traditional ruler of Ayarkeke whether the area of complaints extends to the area where we are planting now. I asked to find out about the actual area of dispute, and he said it is deeper inside where we have already cleared.  I have now instructed our team that any area in dispute should not be cultivated,” he said.

    According to the governor, with Nasarawa State covering a land mass of 27,000 square kilometres, with less than 20 percent being cultivated, there is no need to create any problem over ownership of 10 or 5 hectares of land.

    “These people complaining don’t even have 5 hectares of land. There is no need to create needless tension. Anywhere, even after we clear, and then as long as the people are complaining it’s their land, we should wait, we should not plant until we are able to resolve it,” he added.

    At the middle of the farming season this year, Governor Abdullahi Sule equally accompanied the minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari to visit the 1, 300 hectares of Ayarkeke rice farm in Nasarawa.

    The Minister visited the Ayarkeke rice farm, an extension of the 2000 hectares Jangwa rice farm.

    Senator Kyari, who was visibly excited with what he met on ground in Ayarkeke, urged other subnationals to emulate what Governor Sule is doing to enhance food security.

    He expressed appreciation to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for creating the enabling environment for subnationals to key into the food security component of the renewed hope agenda.

    He commended the Nasarawa State Governor for his determination to see that not only food is secured but also job creation, livelihoods upliftment of the people and communities.

    “As we are coming here, you can see the rural roads that were constructed by the state government, the opening of the expanse of agricultural lands. Look at what we are seeing here today. Look at the expense. This is all the initiative of the Governor.

    “For me, this is an exciting initiative. It is something that is in alignment with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase food production, increase productivity and yield. This is exactly what it is today. I hope and wish that a lot of the subnationals would emulate what Governor Sule is doing,” the Minister said.

    He particularly appreciated Governor Sule for opening up an entirely virgin land and committing resources to turn the area into an agricultural haven.

    According to the Minister, Nigeria has over 70m hectares of arable land but that only 35m hectares is being utilised, adding that with the country’s growing population, there is the urgent need to reclaim virgin lands for agricultural purposes like it’s been done in Nasarawa.

    “In Nigeria, we have 70m hectares of arable land. But we are only utilising 50 percent of it. We have a growing population and unless and until we capture the additional. What we are seeing here, you could see stumps of trees that have fallen. All this place was almost unutilised and now you could see it has now been turned into an agricultural haven.  For me, this is an exciting initiative,” he said.

    Kyari was confident that, alongside the 2000 hectares of rice farm in Jangwa, the initiative by the Nasarawa State Government is capable of producing about 9000 tons of rice.

    Speaking to journalists after inspecting the farm, he said that with the current demand for rice in Nigeria put at about 10m tons, while local production at about 9m tons, initiatives such as this in Nasarawa would serve to breach the deficit gap.

    “I have already mentioned to His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule, whether it is technical, it is inputs or financial support, we are willing to collaborate on such initiatives,  because we have seen the steps His Excellency has taken,” the Minister stated.

    Also addressing journalists shortly after taking the Minister round the rice farm, Governor Abdullahi Sule, again, called on the people of the state to appreciate President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for making it possible for his administration to embark on such projects.

    “We are appreciating the Minister and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At every available opportunity, I always inform the people of Nasarawa State that for all our development initiatives, we have not borrowed a single kobo. We have not borrowed a single kobo from any bank. It is the policy thrust of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Tinubu that is making it possible for us to embark on all these projects. This is as a result of the maximum improvement in resources coming to the states. At every time, I always call on you when you pray for me to also pray for President Tinubu,” he stated.

    Sule used the opportunity to urge the people of the area, especially the youths, to embrace peace and to key into the project in order to improve their socio-economic wellbeing.

    He disclosed that his administration opened up the area for agriculture by undertaking the construction of the Adudu-Azara road, as well as Ribi-Jangwa road.

    Sule, however, appealed to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to take up the construction of the Jangwa Ayarkeke road leading to the rice farm.

    On measures put in place to make the Jangwa Rice Farm sustainable, Governor Abdullahi Sule said that his administration is putting measures on ground to ensure the sustainability of the state-owned Jangwa Rice Farm.

    Sule made this known recently shortly after inspecting the extension of the Jangwa Rice Farm in Agwatashi, Obi Local Government Area, preparatory to harvesting the rice planted about three months ago.

    According to the governor, with the state government having committed enormous resources in clearing the 3,300 hectares of land, with the extension virtually a virgin land, his administration is taking steps towards ensuring the sustainability of the project beyond 2027.

    “We want to keep this farm beyond when we are in office, so that the next government will take it over. A lot of work has been done in clearing the land only. When you clear this size of land, in thousands of hectares, you are not going to recover your expenses immediately.  It is over the time that you continue to plant that you will be able to recover.

    “But you can’t do all this clearing only to abandon the land after two or three seasons.  That is the reason why we are going to put in place whatever is necessary to ensure that this farm is sustained beyond our administration,” he stated.

    He said he personally visited the farm as part of preparations towards harvesting the rice expected to commence in three weeks’ time.

    Governor Sule disclosed that as part of the preparations, the road leading to the farm would be graded to make it more accessible to heavy-duty vehicles that would evacuate the harvested rice to be transported to Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

    He added that the state government will also procure additional combined harvesters to facilitate efficient and timely harvesting of the rice.

    “From what you have seen, the farm is ready for harvest. We are getting ready to start harvesting in the next two weeks or so. Before we do that, we will grade the road leading to the farm so that it would be motorable for most of the heavy-duty vehicles coming to evacuate the harvested rice.

    “We are also going to work towards getting enough combined harvesters to enable the harvesting quickly so that we can take the rice to Lafia,” he said.

    The Governor hinted on additional measures being put in place to adequately secure the farm and protect it from vandalisation.

    He disclosed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state is partnering with the state government by providing additional security on the farm.

    “We are also here with the Commandant of the NSCDC. He decided to join us on the trip in order to assist by providing more security for the area,” he said.

    Governor Sule equally unfolded additional initiatives aimed at engaging the youths of the area to take ownership of the farm.

    “Most of the youths from this area are from Ayarkeke, Agwatashi, and Jangwa. They are the ones involved in working on the farm. I have made a commitment to them that the moment we finish this harvest, and we are able to realise our proper yield, we will come back to compensate them properly. 

    “In addition to whatever salary and allowances we are paying them, we will make a special provision, a bonus,  that we will give to the community for everything they have done,” he explained.

  • Diri’s defection to APC: Metaphor for building national integration bridges

    Diri’s defection to APC: Metaphor for building national integration bridges

    • By Jonah Okah

    The 15th of October 2025 marked a watershed in the political history of Bayelsa State when Governor Douye Diri announced his bold and historic decision to switch political allegiance by resigning from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and officially  joined the All Progressives Congress (APC)  on Monday the 3rd of November, 2025 an event  massively attended by the Chairman and National Working Committee of the APC , several governors of the party , members of the Federal Executive Council and chieftains of the party in the state and the massive turn out by the people of the state  point to  the wide acceptability  of the governor’s decision by the people of the state at no better time than now.

    The earlier announcement, which the governor made during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, was witnessed by the Speaker and majority members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Local Government Chairmen. It was the culmination of an extensive period of consultation aimed at charting a new political course for Bayelsa and, by extension the Ijaw Nation ,  particularly a state that had remained under PDP control for 26 years since the return of democracy in 1999.

    Governor Diri’s decision was not a personal whim, but one rooted in collective interest. It reflects a strategic understanding of the historical and political realities of the old Rivers State, from which Bayelsa was carved out. The Niger Delta region has always maintained strong connections to politics at the national level, championed by visionary leaders such as late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye and late Chief Melford Okilo of blessed memory  who recognized the importance of “handshakes across the Niger”,  alliances that once led to the establishment of the 13% derivation for oil-producing states.

     Since the fall of the PDP from power at the centre in 2015, Bayelsa had found itself in the opposition. Many Bayelsans have been worried and argued that remaining isolated from the ruling party has deprived the state of vital opportunities for development and integration. With all major South-South states now aligned with the APC, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Southerner seeking re-election, it became imperative for Bayelsa not to be left behind. Yes, some claim he was the mastermind behind the ouster of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and are now urging Jonathan to return the favour by challenging President Tinubu in a bid for revenge. Fascinating as it is perhaps; but where then lies our sense of providence which once smiled on the people of the state? Also, where is the place of forgiveness?

    While a few diehard PDP loyalists may resist change, clinging to a party now gasping for political oxygen of survival, the vast majority have no hesitation in seeing the wisdom in aligning with the centre. Governor Diri’s move is not about personal gain but the future of the Ijaw Nation over the benefits of national political integration. After all, Senator Diri as a second-term governor,  has nothing to lose politically. Rather, it is an act of statesmanship; a forward-looking decision intended to reposition the Ijaw Nation within the framework of national integration and progressive politics.

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    From a broader perspective, Diri’s realignment reflects the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people spread across Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States , being the governor of the Ijaw capital, he bears the responsibility of steering the Ijaw Nation into a new era of constructive engagement with the centre politics which is not defined  by partisanship, but by development purposes.

    Critics may however differ, but the majority of Ijaw stakeholders stand firmly behind this vision describing it as the practical school of political realism . The Diri administration is currently undertaking audacious infrastructural projects across all three senatorial districts, many of which require federal partnership. Encouragingly, President Tinubu had already demonstrated goodwill by supporting the completion of the long-awaited Nembe–Brass Road, a project that had lingered on the drawing board for over four decades.

    Other critical roads such as the Sagbama–Ekeremor–Agge Road, the Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie Road, and the Polaku–Sabagreia Road, all demand federal intervention due to their capital-intensive nature. These projects are vital arteries of economic growth for the state.

    Clearly, Bayelsa cannot afford to remain on an island of opposition while development beckons on the mainland of collaboration. As former Military President Ibrahim Babangida once said, “Do not be afraid of taking  decisions; history will forgive you for taking a wrong decision but history  will never forgive you for not  taking any decision at all.”

     Governor Douye Diri’s decision to steer Bayelsa out of the straitjacket of partisan rigidity into a new era of progressive partnership is courageous, selfless, and timely. Having been a prominent voice in the Ijaw National Congress and a committed advocate of pan-Ijaw unity, his move reflects a deep understanding of what is best for his people. This is not merely a change of political platform, but a defining statement of purpose that politics must transcend personal ambition and serve the collective i’m good. In doing so, Governor Diri has etched his name in the annals of progressive politics, thereby giving the Ijaw Nation a renewed sense of pride in the unfolding “national handshake” across the Niger and beyond.

    This is not just a political shift, it is a defining moment of purpose. It reaffirms that politics must be about the collective good, not personal ambition. In doing so, Governor Diri has cast his name in the annals of progressive politics and has given the Ijaw Nation a renewed sense of pride and  belonging in the unfolding “national handshake” across the Niger, and indeed across the Sahara. While formally receiving the governor and his teaming supporters into the All Progressives Congress,  APC declaring him as the Leader of the party in the state, Vice president Kashim Shettima described the occasion  ” as one of those rare and redemptive moments in Nigeria’s political history “.  According to Vice president Shettima “the governor has demonstrated the people’s preference for the light of national integration  over the shadows of political isolation “. Expressing president Tinubu’s conviction  that politics is not war but the art of building bridges across rivers of difference,  stressing that , “governor Diri has shown profound understanding of metaphor ” and poured glowing encomium on the governor for sustaining peace , unity and security in the state and the three senatorial roads, adding that the bold decision to link up with the centre will attract more development to the state through tangible partnership.  Beyond partisan politics, Governor Diri’s new status as leader of the largest party in africa is by extension conferred with the stamp of authority and power to lead the Ijaw Nation as the fourth largest ethnic  group in Nigeria to eldorado by integrating Bayelsa  and the ijaw nation in general into the sharing table at the centre of national politics. It is always said,

    History will always remember those who saw beyond party lines to place their people on the path of national relevance. That is certainly the fair judgement  of history beckoning on governor Douye Diri.     

     *Okah , a lawyer /journalist, wrote in this piece from Yenagoa.

  • EFCC arrests three suspected vote buyers in Anambra governorship election

    EFCC arrests three suspected vote buyers in Anambra governorship election

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested three individuals suspected of buying votes during Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

    The suspects—Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachuwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi—were apprehended in different parts of the state while allegedly attempting to influence the electoral process through vote buying.

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    Ilokasia was arrested at Ward 2, Njikoka Local Government Area; Loretta was taken into custody at Ward 2(008), Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area; while Chuwudi was apprehended at Umunachi Village, Dunukofia Local Government Area.

    The EFCC confirmed that all three suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

  • APC clears Peter Obi’s polling units as early results trickle in

    APC clears Peter Obi’s polling units as early results trickle in

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) posted a surprising win at the polling unit of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as early results from parts of Amatutu village in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, continue to emerge.

    At Polling Unit 019, Umudimakasi, Amatutu village, the polling unit where Obi voted, APC secured 73 votes, defeating Labour Party (LP), which polled 57 votes. 

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) came third with 38 votes while four other parties: YPP, ZLP, APM, ADC and AAC, recorded one vote each.

    The outcome marks a notable upset, given Obi’s deep political roots in Agulu and the wider Anaocha area, where he has historically enjoyed strong support.

    Though Saturday’s election is not a presidential contest, the result at his polling unit drew attention from observers who had expected LP to dominate the area.

    However, APC governorship running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, hails from the area.

    Beyond Obi’s polling unit, early results from other units in Amatutu show the APC also leading.

    Read Also: Anambra 2025: APC candidate Ukachukwu votes, alleges ‘widespread’ vote buying

    At Polling Unit 015, located at Amatutu Village Hall, Agulu, APC won convincingly with 117 votes, far ahead of APGA’s 29 and Labour Party’s 10.

    Similarly, at Polling Unit 023, situated at the Model Primary Health Care Centre, also in Agulu, APC again came out on top with 25 votes, followed by APGA with 8 and Labour Party with 7. YPP and ADC secured one vote each.

    The consistency of APC’s lead across the three polling units suggests the party may be gaining ground in parts of Anaocha, traditionally considered stronghold territory for APGA and, more recently, LP.

    Collation of results is still ongoing across the LGA and the State.

  • Anambra 2025: APC candidate Ukachukwu votes, alleges ‘widespread’ vote buying

    Anambra 2025: APC candidate Ukachukwu votes, alleges ‘widespread’ vote buying

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Anambra, Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, has alleged widespread vote buying at the ongoing governorship election in the state.

    Ukachukwu made the allegation in an interview shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 012, Umudimala Amaihe Hall, Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

    The APC candidate specifically accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of vote buying across all polling units.

    “From what I have been hearing, there has been reports of hitches and security challenges but largely, there have been vote buying.

    “That has become the biggest menace that will witch hunt this country to a standstill. It will come to a point where leaders, who have the opportunity to be in power, will not be able to do anything,” he said.

    Ukachukwu said that from one or two places that his people had visited, there were many things going on, including vote buying.

    Read Also: Anambra 2025: No total compliance with vehicular movement

    “It is a collective treasury that has been looted and given back to people to get back their mandate. It is a bad thing that everybody should condemn.

    “So far, there has been no report of death or any major incidence of mishap,” he added.

    The APC governorship candidate called for collective condemnation of what he called a bad practice, urging security agencies to live up to their responsibility of curb electoral fraud.

    He also claimed that one of his party agents was beaten up in Utuh in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

    Ukachukwu, however, said that exercising his civic right was a proof that he was qualified to vote and be voted for.

    In spite of the vote buying allegations, he expressed the confidence that his party would win the election.

    “I believe God that winning is still possible because the day is still young,” he stated.

    Ukachukwu commended INEC for the early arrival of materials and officials, which he said had improved the electoral process in the state.

    (NAN)

  • Vote buying threatens democracy, Obi warns after casting ballot in Anambra

    Vote buying threatens democracy, Obi warns after casting ballot in Anambra

    Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised fresh concerns over what he described as the dangerous escalation of vote buying in the electoral process, warning that the practice is crippling the nation’s democracy and deepening bad governance.

    Obi spoke on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi village in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State

    The Labour Party chieftain lamented that democracy in the country “is deteriorating,” blaming politicians and citizens who sell their votes for immediate gains at the expense of long-term development.

    According to him, reports he received from across communities showed that vote buying during the ongoing governorship election had risen to alarming levels.

    “What you see today is that vote buying is on the scale of N20,000 to N30,000,” Obi said. 

    “The question I ask is: if you sell your vote for N30,000, what are you going to be paid next month? By selling your vote, you’re selling no school, no hospital, no job. You’re selling away your future, and that is very worrisome,” Obi said.

    Obi, who has observed elections in other African countries, said the level of brazen inducement he witnessed in Nigeria does not exist

    He warned that as long as voters continue to exchange their ballots for cash, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of poor governance, mismanaged public resources and deepening poverty. 

    According to him, the real cost of vote buying is not the money exchanged on election day but the collapse of essential public services that follow.

    He stressed that citizens must understand the link between their choices at the polls and the quality of leadership they receive afterward.

    “People need to know that when you sell your vote, you are directly endorsing the same hardships — lack of jobs, broken schools, failing hospitals,” he said. “It is not grandstanding; it is the reality of why things don’t work.”

    The former Anambra Governor also charged security agencies to confront the problem with seriousness, saying that vote trading cannot thrive without the active collaboration of political actors and the silence of institutions meant to safeguard electoral integrity.

  • Moghalu finally votes, alleges vote buying, apathy

    Moghalu finally votes, alleges vote buying, apathy

    Labour Party’s candidate, Dr George Moghalu, has alleged vote buying in the ongoing governorship election in Anambra state.

    He also lamented voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence of the electoral process.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting his Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi, Moghalu urged INEC to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.

    He however said it was too early to confirm whether or not the process was fair and credible.

    He said: “I didn’t hear issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm.

    Read Also: Anambra Decides: Moghalu hails security atmosphere, optimistic of victory

    “In terms of voting, there’s improvement as against previous elections. I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monitise e a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it?

    “There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout. And that’s has been the trend.

    “It’s incumbent on INEC to keep improving on the process because voter apathy is the main issue.”

  • Anambra Decides: Moghalu hails security atmosphere, optimistic of victory

    Anambra Decides: Moghalu hails security atmosphere, optimistic of victory

    Labour Party’s candidate, Dr George Moghalu, has expressed satisfaction with the deployment of security personnel in the ongoing governorship election.

    He however said their level of professionalism would be determined at the end of the exercise.

    Speaking to newsmen in his residence, Moghalu expressed optimism of victory at the poll.

    He said: “I can’t make any categorical statement about the process of the election. As you can see, I’ve not voted.

    “I’m still waiting for reports from my officers in the field before making comments on the process.

    Read Also: Anambra 2025: No total compliance with vehicular movement

    “But as per security, I’m happy with the level of security operatives deployment.

    “I’m very optimistic of victory having done everything I should do. I’ve campaigned vigorously.

    “The other aspects is left for the people. But like I always say, power belongs to God and he gives it to whomever he wills”