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  • Tinubu, Akpabio, Abbas, Barau, Atiku, Govs attend Senator Goje’s daughter’s wedding

    Tinubu, Akpabio, Abbas, Barau, Atiku, Govs attend Senator Goje’s daughter’s wedding

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were among the dignitaries who attended the wedding Fatiha of the daughter of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje on Friday in Abuja

    The wedding fatiha between Fauziyya Danjuma Goje and Aliyu Ahmed Abubakar was held at the National Mosque, Abuja, after the two raka’at Juma’at prayers.

    Other personalities, who witnessed the wedding included Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; a former Vice President  Atiku Abubakar and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.

    Top politicians from across the country graced the occasion, cutting across major political parties, including governors, senators, ministers, business tycoons, and traditional and religious leaders.

    Also in attendance were: Governors Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); Dikko Radda (Katsina); Uba Sani (Kaduna); former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido; former Kaduna Governor ⁠Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai; former Borno Governor Ali Modu Shariff and former national chairman of the APC , Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

    Presidential aides, including Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila and National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, were in attendance.

    Read Also: Tinubu mourns late Humphrey Nwosu

    Senator Goje, a former Governor of Gombe, minister and ranking senator since 2011, was seen with President Tinubu during the ceremony. He is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Ismael Mudashir, “It was excitement galore as President Tinubu and Atiku met at the occasion.

    “Ganduje and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State were among the personalities excited by the meeting of Tinubu and Atiku at the occasion.”

  • Why Atiku should not contest again, by Fayose

    Why Atiku should not contest again, by Fayose

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose explains to Assistant Editor EMMANUEL BADEJO on why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should not contest for president in 2027

    It is in the public domain that your party has suspended you. Have you been reinstated or you still stand suspended?

    I am not aware of the suspension, but those things don’t bother me.  The current situation in our party has made a mockery of suspension and counter suspension, especially at that level of leadership.  Sadly, these developments have taken the party so low, causing us huge avoidable embarrassment. I have paid my dues to the party.  I defended the party. I was the only voice against the maladministration of President Muhammadu Buhari.  At this stage, we are taking a back seat. And we can only act in an advisory capacity. So far, I don’t care about rumoured suspension.  Those days of worry over such issues are gone. What do I need the party for? Most honestly, where is the party? Kudos to a few of our governors who are managing their states so well. Can we say that the party is in shape? How can anyone be talking about suspension? We should ignore that.

    What do you think is at the bottom of all the controversies in the PDP? Is it not the struggle between Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar for the structure of the party playing out ?

    Elections have come and gone. Then there was a G5 network, then.  But, that is in the past.  And because the party suffered a loss, I think the consequences of that loss are haunting the party; the mismanagement and the arrogance of a few are haunting the party.  When the head is sick, the whole body is gone.  It will take God’s intervention, I mean a miracle for this party to be put together again. Ha, when you hear of suspension on the left, counter suspension on the right at that level, then, a lot has gone under and several other things must be addressed. 

    For me, mentioning names or persons does not solve anything.  This is because the party is bigger than individuals. The decay in this party is spreading. Party politics is about interest.  But the challenges facing our party now are enormous. And unless everybody begins to look back, we will not be able to cure the future.

    You are a friend of Nyesom Wike.  Is it not correct to say that the whole drama playing out is a struggle between Wike and the former Vice President Abubakar?

    There’s no doubt that your past will haunt you.  That is the story of our party today.  There is no doubt that everybody will struggle to have control for whatever use and purpose.  That is party politics.  In the instance, the party in itself is not helping matters.  When last did this party have a NEC meeting? When was the last time we sat down to talk together?  We only hear of suspension here and there; people exiting the party, people going their separate ways and this is very unfortunate.

    There are those who believe that if not because of your friend, Wike, who wants to take over the leadership of the party, the PDP won’t be in the quagmire.

    Would you agree he is the problem here or what’s your view?

    If I have reasonable information to that effect, I will say it.  I read in the media that the state chairman of the PDP of our current acting national chairman went to court. And the court said there must be no removal, and on the strength of that, I want to believe that the acting chairman of the party must have taken steps to remain in office.  I can’t speak categorically about matters I do not have facts. But on this one, I can confirm to you that the acting national chairman and the party’s chairman in his state, which is Yobe, approached the court.  And there was a judgment. I will therefore put this at the footstep of the national chairman, who wants to remain in control of the party.

    When you see the national chairman visiting key governors of our party, yet there was no brouhaha, or resistance from these governors, where do we go from there?  Damagum visited the governor of Bauchi State and other governors, which means they are with him. 

    But you heard your friend who once said those who come after him, he will put fire in their states.  Are you able to speak on that, too?

    When I was the governor of Ekiti State, I had nothing to hide. A governor said he will put fire in my state, it is either I am not strong at home or I have lost it in my state, then, I have a lot to fear. I speak my mind, I don’t hide. The moment you have a grip of your state, you know you have nothing to fear.  But when you don’t have that grip, obviously, you have issues in your hands to face. So, as a sitting governor you must position yourself to lead the people well. As an ex-governor, why has it been difficult for your party to find a pathway out of this quagmire?

    It is simple. The party is not sitting on truth, equity and fairness. That was why I gave the narrative in Yobe PDP.  The BoT cannot deny the knowledge of the matter in the court in Yobe. And now there’s a judgement. The court has simply tied the hands of the party.  The only option for the party is either to appeal that case, or accept that fate.  I am a former governor and I don’t go to sitting governors’ meetings.  I have had my time and am now sitting at the back. So, whatever the leaders tell  us, we take.  This question is better answered by a sitting governor.  I am only a member of caucus and NEC. As of today, I can’t make some categorical statements, but what is obvious is that the party is in trouble.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ekiti PDP recommends Fayose’s expulsion to party’s disciplinary panel

    But your party has gone this route before.  Why is it becoming increasingly difficult to fix things this time around?

    There is a lot wrong with the National Working Committee as it stands now. Let us even say that there was suspension, is the solution a counter suspension? We should be taking our issues to the NWC, but that organ of the party is dancing naked in the public space.

    Are you suggesting that Damagum should step aside?

    Whatever my suggestion does not matter in the face of a court order. As a former governor, I am just on two layers back of the party, which are caucus and NEC.  I can’t speak on behalf of the sitting governors. I can’t act like a current governor. If there’s no judgement from the court now, I can decide to make some statements.

    Are you also interested in becoming the chairman of your party?

    I am aware of a video making the rounds over the weekend saying I was interested in becoming the chairman of our party.  That was the height of irresponsibility.  That video was not from me. I don’t want to be anything in the party anymore. I don’t even want appointments of any sorts in the party. Nigerians should not read headlines of the stories alone. They should read the content. I am not the only Fayose in Nigeria.  There are Fayose from Osi, Ekiti; Owo in Ondo State, Ilesa, Osun State. I never declared myself as the chairman of the PDP.  God forbid.  That seat is too hot for my age now and I don’t want such.  I will only be responsible in the public space.

    On Atiku Abubakar, I am sure at his age, with all due respect to him, he would rather stay away from politics of contesting elections again.  By the time incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finishes his first term, Atiku will probably be 80 or 81 years old.  At that age, what would be the attraction? We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I think Nigerians are craving for younger generations.  So, on what basis will Atiku want to contest again?

    I have always said that we can defeat the APC but when you don’t have a party, how do you defeat them? When you complain about APC, but you don’t have a party, how can you make any strategic move?  As it stands now, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, is almost becoming the opposition voice now. So, where is the party? The party is gone! The party is gone!

    You spoke like a prophet and warned Governor Sim Fubara during his inauguration not to quarrel with his boss, Minister Wike.  Did you see their fight coming?

    Since you said I am becoming a prophet, then, I can say I am becoming one indeed.  Maybe the journey of my life will end up in the vineyard of the Lord, whoever can tell! I said all I said in good faith and that is what it ought to be.  I said that to ensure harmony between Gov Fubara and Minister Wike. But, the turnout of event has given everybody a serious concern.

    Are you worried with the level the disagreement between the two leaders has gone and how do you think this can be resolved?

    This crisis is unfortunate.  It is very, very unfortunate. I believed that the matter had crossed the rubicon. The matter has gone far. Even if you want to resolve this matter, how do you resolve the issue of trust between them? I rather want to believe that the matter is too far for resolution.

    It has been about two years since Governor Abiodun Oyebanji became the governor of Ekiti State?  What’s your assessment of his performance?

    As of today I am a member of the PDP.  The governor in Ekiti belongs to the APC. But, the meeting point is that I am a leader in Ekiti.  Like I said before, whether we lie or speak the truth, we shall die.  Governor Oyebanji has done exceedingly well. I don’t know the miracle that will be defeated in the next election in the state, except something changes between now and then. Forget the party and let us be realistic.  The PDP is in a bad crisis in Ekiti, too. Anybody can come here and deny that, I don’t care.  Everybody is a leader in Ekiti PDP. Time will tell. 

    But in terms of performance, leadership quality, and somebody doing well as a governor, Oyebanji is doing well. I and Governor Adebayo were busy fighting. I and Fayemi, with Segun Oni, were busy fighting.  But this gentle man has come to unite all of us. I am not a member of his party, but he has visited me more than 18 times. So, if anybody is thinking that I will carry an axe, cutlass to cut his head during the election, let them perish that thought. If you want to tell me that I am no more a member of your party, I am still the husband of my wife. I will still be the father of my children. So, I don’t care.  If the party wants to take power from Oyebanji, they must wake up to the realities on the ground.

    Oh, some might say you are speaking well of Oyebanji because he is patronizing you.  Can you say the same about the government of Tinubu at the centre?

    Ekiti does not have the resources to patronize somebody like me. Governor Oyebanji visits Governor Oni back-to-back. Oni in turn has visited the governor’s office more than twice. I have seen the governor with Governors Adebayo, Fayemi.  So, visiting me has no peculiarity. It’s not personal. That will not shut my mouth to say that Oyebanji has done well and he’s doing well. And if he does well till the end, I will be bold enough to campaign for him. I am not saying this alone.  What matters is Ekiti State and the people in that state. I am a 65 years old man and I’m not begging anybody for a favour.

    How would you rate the performance of Tinubu’s government?

    Yes, it’s not been easy and that is the truth for Nigerians.  However, I think that the government naturally is giving its best, though there is a need to up their game. I know that with little time, things will get better. It is a long-term damage to this economy, don’t forget and overnight repairs will not solve the problem.

  • Chieftain to Atiku, Obi: back Tinubu

    Chieftain to Atiku, Obi: back Tinubu

    Political chieftain, Sufianu Kazeem, has urged former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor; and others to support President Bola Tinubu administration.      

    He said they should seek ways of contributing to development of the country.

    Kazeem, responding to the proposed six-year single term for the president, advised parties to align with Tinubu to develop Nigeria.

    He said it was not too late for Atiku to propose a six-year single term and rotational presidency.

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    Kazeem said such should be considered by National Assembly, adding it should also apply to governors, national and state assemblies.

    Atiku had proposed a six-year single term rotational presidency between North and South.

    In a letter to Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who chairs Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Atiku said his proposal should be considered in the constitutional amendment by National Assembly.

  • Jonathan and Atiku on Rivers LG poll

    Jonathan and Atiku on Rivers LG poll

    The ongoing crisis in Rivers State is the perfect definition of imbroglio. The state’s political leaders, without exception, have managed to turn a perfectly simple political misunderstanding into a perfectly convoluted crisis. The problem is not helped by the state’s stakeholders’ lack of principles and elementary understanding of the issues they claim to be fighting over, including the democracy and the rule of law they have spoken relentlessly about. Two courts gave judgements on the local government elections before October 5 polling day, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, and a Rivers State High Court. The Rivers government and the state electoral commission headed by a retired judge chose which one to obey and speak about, while impugning the integrity of the Abuja judge.

    If the Rivers imbroglio was replicated in any other state, it would be potent enough to give them migraine. But not Rivers. Gluttons for punishment, they conducted the election while defying all rules of elections, got and announced results whose statistical details did not form part of the results declaration, swore in the ‘winners’ while deprecating them with bucolic ‘monkey proverbs’, reframed the LG election narrative as indicative of courage, and, together with their kept media, described the poll as affording the state a new beginning. The perfect miasma? Not quite. In Rivers, it does not just rain, it pours. For a state that now specialises in abusing judges and police top brass as corrupt and incompetent, it must now contend with the Court of Appeal which last week declared in a judgement that Martins Amaewhule and his 26 state lawmakers, all said to belong to former governor Nyesom Wike’s camp, constitute the legitimate legislature before whom the 2024 budget should be represented. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is adept at boxing himself into a corner, had the option to comply and leave bad enough alone. He has opted to appeal the judgement, hoping to save the three lawmakers he has used to legitimise all his actions. What if the Supreme Court should endorse the judgement of the lower courts, would the governor go ahead and declare a republic?

    The problem with Rivers is not the Wike versus Fubara jousting. That is small matter in the hands of brave and wise elders and counselors, regardless of the famed impetuousness of the former governor and the lack of depth of the governor. The real problem with Rivers is that it is destitute of leaders, while outsiders with national recognition have simply immersed themselves in the fray by taking sides and making snide remarks and baleful statements. The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum led by former governor Rufus Ada-George encapsulated the problem as one of courage or a lack of resolve, especially in the face of Mr Wike’s obtruding politics. “We commend Fubara for his courage and determination in standing firm and resolute in defending the interests of the people of Rivers state,” they said jauntily. In no part of their statement did they attempt to deconstruct the events convulsing the state, or even make a cursory examination of the legal principles hamstringing the state’s politics and denying it resolution.

    Might some other top Nigerians have a different counsel for the increasingly hysterical Mr Wike and the apoplectic Mr Fubara? Former president Goodluck Jonathan who long ago perfected the art of fence sitting weighed in with his customary equivocation. On the day of the Rivers LG poll, he posted on X (Twitter) this considerably defanged statement: “I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy. The political situation in Rivers State mirrors our past, especially the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy. State institutions especially the police and the judiciary and all other stakeholders must always work for public interest and promote common good such as peace, justice and equality.” Incredible? Why not. Dr Jonathan had the opportunity, as a former president, to call on some of Nigeria’s best lawyers and judges, serving or retired, to give him an impeccable opinion on what he chose to describe as conflicting judgements and on his fear about the collapse of democracy. Instead, he offered Nigerians a rudimentary opinion on the Rivers conflict, an opinion lacking in depth or breadth, an opinion coloured by the usual partisan prejudices popular with Nigerians and their media.

    Dr Jonathan did not really have an exceptional political career, having been elevated far above his acumen by the capricious former president Olusegun Obasanjo. It was unsurprising that the eminent zoologist saw little in the Rivers imbroglio beyond the Wike-Fubara contest. Perhaps former vice president Atiku Abubakar would see the wood for the trees, especially having traversed politics at a much higher level than nearly everyone in the Rivers crisis. Alas, his opinion also did little to explicate the crisis or offer a thoughtful perspective. In a statement he released a day before the LG poll, he said loftily: “The local government elections in Rivers State tomorrow stand as a beacon of hope, offering renewed vigour to constitutional democracy at the very core of governance. Undoubtedly, this election resounds as a powerful affirmation of constitutionalism and the rule of law, a cause that should rally the support of all true champions of democracy. It is a call to every believer in the democratic process to stand firm in defence of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely and fairly…I commend Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his courageous leadership.” The devil is of course in the detail.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Wike, commended for improving infrastructure

    Masked behind the beguiling rhetoric on democracy are two salient but uncomfortable issues which Alhaji Atiku simply glossed over. One, he believed the LG poll, even before it was held, affirmed constitutionalism and the rule of law. The former vice president is not worried about the dissonance between his wishes and the reality in Rivers, between the governor’s vaunted claims about the rule of law and his deliberate and consistent denunciation and usurpation of court judgements. The former vice president of course expects that by supporting Mr Fubara without recourse to caution, he could reclaim the state’s PDP structure for his next presidential race. It is evidently a ruse. Neither Alhaji Atiku nor the governor gives a damn about democracy or the rule of law. Two, the former vice president described the governor’s leadership as courageous. He naturally assumes that what the governor is providing for the state, despite the blather and scurrility, is leadership. And, courageous? Neither Alhaji Atiku nor Mr Fubara knows the meaning of the word. Superficiality and defiance do not in any way approximate courage. Watch the video of the governor’s recantation over the role of the police in the state after some hoodlums burnt a few LG headquarters. There was not an iota of courage in him, let alone leadership.

    Rivers politicians may have begun jostling for control of PDP structure, while at the same time both Mr Fubara and his mentor, Mr Wike, are not only at the centre of the crisis but also lack the patience and restraint needed to put the state on an even keel. The two combatants can even be excused for defying any move towards a resolution. But to have a former president and another former vice president unable to appreciate the ideals of democracy and the rule of law is damning and bewildering. It reflects why Nigeria is in dire straits, why a small matter like the Rivers crisis brings out the worst in Nigerian leaders, why fairly straightforward economic issues addle everybody’s wit, and why political leaders in the Rivers imbroglio could not even pretend to be discomfited by the conflation of personal political gains and public altruism, and why ungifted political mentors can only produce their kind instead of producing the next generation of competent and visionary leaders.

  • War in PDP as Atiku, Wike factions battle for control

    War in PDP as Atiku, Wike factions battle for control

    • NWC faction suspends Acting Chairman, National Secretary

    • Court bars NEC from sacking Damagum before Dec 2025

    • BoT intervenes; urges peace, return to status quo

    • Party would emerge stronger from crisis – Bala Mohammed

    The bad blood generated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by its loss of the 2023 presidential election snowballed into an open confrontation yesterday between the two main factions battling for the soul of the party.

    Supporters of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,the  PDP presidential candidate in that election and those of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike launched into a battle of wits, with each side claiming to sack key party functionaries loyal to the other side.

    The day broke with Atiku supporters announcing the suspension of the PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum  and the  National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, for alleged anti-party activities.

    They proceeded to name Alhaji Yayari Mohammed as Damagum’s replacement.

    Swift reactions came from the Wike faction which not only got a Federal High Court Abuja injunction restraining the party from removing Damagum,but  also issued a counter statement suspending the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade  and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba for alleged disloyalty to the party.

    Their offices at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja were under lock and key all day yesterday.

    Ologunagba signed the statement suspending Damagum and Anyanwu.

    The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) asked the gladiators to sheath their swords, de-escalate the tension and revert to the status quo to “preserve the unity and stability of our great party.”

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    The PDP Governors Forum said it was stepping into the matter and expressed optimism that the party would emerge stronger from the crisis.

    Ologunagba in a statement early yesterday said Damagum and Anyanwu were suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.

    His words: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

    “Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.”

    A counter statement came from the Wike side a few hours later.

    The PDP National secretariat’s Director of Publicity, Pastor Chinwe Nnorom who signed it said Ologunagba and Kamaldeen had been suspended.

    She   said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thursday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, to step aside, respectively.

    “As a result, the NWC constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.

    “Following the NWC’s decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee: the officers are Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser.”

    Soon afterward, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Manga issued a two-paragraph press statement announcing his assumption of office as  Acting National Publicity Secretary in place of the ‘suspended  ‘Ologunagba.

    His words:“Arising from its 593rd meeting,10th October,2024,the National Working Committee has suspended the National Publicity Secretary and the National Legal Adviser of the Party,pending the determination of allegations of DISLOYALTY and INSUBORDINATION levelled against the duo

    “In the meantime,the Deputies in the respective DIRECTORATES,Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have stepped-in in acting capacity.”

    “Rivers issues at core of PDP NWC Split” says new PDP spokesman

    Manga also addressed a press conference where he shed more light on the situation.

    According to him Ologunagba and Ajibade exhibited insubordination and disloyalty in their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent local government election.

    He said that a meeting attended by 12  members of the party’s  National Working Committee (NWC) recorded eight votes in support of a boycott of the  local government election but the suspended duo went ahead to contradict the NWC position and thereby helped to confer legitimacy on the election.

    He said the Arapaja committee would probe Ologunagba and Ajibade over the next two weeks.

    He said Ologunagba would have to explain when the meeting to appoint a replacement for Damagum took place.

    “Nobody can wake up from the wrong side of the bed to make announcements that mislead the public and we stated that the 593rd session of the NWC meeting formally decided on suspension of the duo; I wouldn’t know at what forum, in what city, with what number and who were the dignitaries that came up with that kind of narrative when what is wrong is wrong,” Manga said.

    Court restrains PDP’s NEC, BoT from removing Acting National Chair Damagum 

    Justice Peter Lifu  of the Federal High Court , Abuja, restrained  the PDP  National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as acting National chairman and also ordered that no person must be recognised as PDP chairman  other than Damagum until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.

    Justice Lifu held that under Articles 42, 47 and 67 of PDP constitution, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected.

    The judge said PDP members are bound by the Constitution of the party and as such must always act in line with the provisions and obedience to the party’s law

    The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/579/2024 was filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina who claimed to be chairman of PDP in Yobe State.

    Respondents in the suit are PDP and eight others.

    The plaintiff alleged that some stakeholders of the party had been holding clandestine meetings to forcefully remove Damagum from office in gross violation of the party’s Constitution.

    He said that a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr Phillip Omeiza Salawu was being pushed forward as replacement for Damagun by the stakeholders.

    Maina claimed that upon becoming aware of the plan, two separate letters complaining against the clandestine meetings were delivered to the national secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and that despite the acknowledgment of the two letters, the National Secretary and BoT members never deemed it fit to act on the letters and their claims.

    In the suit instituted on his behalf by Joshua Musa, SAN, the plaintiff therefore prayed the court to invoke article 45, 47 and 67 of PDP Constitution to stop the move to replace Damagum as the Acting National Chairman.

    The plaintiff specifically asked the court to declare that the national chairmanship of PDP is rotated between the north and south region and not through any other procedure not enshrined in the PDP’s Constitution.

    In his ruling delivered by Zoom after perusing the PDP’s Constitution and exhibits, Justice Lifu agreed with the plaintiff that Damagum can only be replaced at the national convention of PDP or through an order of a court.

    Justice Lifu also held that any attempt to truncate un-exhausted four years tenure of the northern region without the national convention of the party will amount to an affront to the Constitution of the PDP.

    Earlier, the judge had dismissed the opposition of the defendants to the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standi to bring out the case and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

    Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff predicated his suit on the protection of PDP Constitution from violation, and the northern region from where he hails from being denied its four year tenure.

    Justice Lifu said that the plaintiff having displayed his PDP membership card before the court and having raised the fundamental issue of protection PDP’s Constitution had sufficient interest and justiciable cause to institute the case.

    The judge therefore declared that PDP NEC and BoT are bound by the party’s Constitution and that Damagum as national chairman can only be replaced through the national convention of the party.

    He also held that Damagum, having been appointed from the northern region where the former national chairman Senator Iyorcha Ayu hailed from, is entitled to serve out the remaining tenure of the national chairman.

    Revert to status quo, BoT tells warring factions

    Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara,warned both sides to shun any act that could worsen the crisis in the party.

    He called for a return to the status quo by the two sides and  to de-escalate tensions for the sake of party unity.

    He said:  “In the light of the on-going internal crisis within the National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to address the situation and provide clarity on the party’s stance.

    “The BoT calls on all sides of the NWC to sheath their swords and de-escalate the tension; the warring persons must, in the overall interest of the party, revert to the status quo to preserve the unity and stability of our great party.

    “We understand that disagreements may arise, but as a party with a long-standing tradition of internal democracy, we must not let these challenges derail our collective vision; the Board of Trustees will meet with the members of the NWC to intervene, foster reconciliation, and ensure that normalcy is restored in the NWC of our Great Party.

    “We call on all party faithful and supporters to remain calm during this period; the PDP has an effective conflict resolution mechanism, and we are confident that the current issues will be addressed and resolved in a manner that strengthens the party.”

    PDP will come out of crisis strong, says Bauchi gov

    Damagum, who was in Bauchi when his ‘suspension’ by the Atiku faction was announced, paid a courtesy call on Governor Bala Mohammed.

    Mohammed who doubles as Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum said there were no factions in the party although he acknowledged that it has some problems.

    He said the problems were not insurmountable and expressed optimism that it would come out of the crisis stronger.

    Speaking at the end of his meeting with Damagum,the governor said: “I would say that we have met and discussed these situations extensively with the acting National Chairman and we have agreed to work together along with other party organs –the BOT, the members of the Governors’ Forum, the Caucus of the Senate and the House to resolve all these issues and that is the major takeaway of this visit.

    “We will deepen stake holding, collaboration so that all these issues that are disparaging the members of the party would be resolved and nipped in the bud.

    “We have decided that henceforth, we will not allow a gap and we will make sure that we resolve all these issues.

    “We are not recognizing any faction, we are together as a body and definitely at the end of the day, we will resolve all issues.”

    He said he was consulting with his fellow PDP governors on the next line of action.

    “We have agreed, in the presence of other stakeholders, that we will do whatever it takes to restore the party’s glory so it can achieve victory in the 2027 elections,” Mohammed said.

    On his part Damagum said “You can see the chairmen of the Northeast PDP with me. They come here also to support me to reiterate their commitment that the Northeast, where they come from is one, and also they believe in the leadership of the governor’s forum chairman.

    “Today we came for a friendly visit to discuss many things.”

    Only two months ago, the PDP set up a 25-member National Reconciliation Committee to resolve the crisis tearing the party apart.

    The committee is headed by  a former governor of Osun State, Prince  Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

  • Atiku proposes six-year single-term rotational Presidency

    Atiku proposes six-year single-term rotational Presidency

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed a six-year single-term rotational presidency between the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.

    In a letter to Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Atiku said his proposal should be considered in the ongoing constitutional amendment process by the National Assembly.

    The letter, dated August 29 but which was made public this week, was signed by Atiku, last year’s presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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    The former Vice President sought that paragraph ‘A’ be added to Section 130 (1) of the 1999 Constitution to read thus: “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years flowing between the North and South on the single term of six years respectively.”

    He also sought that Section 135 (2) be amended to read: “Subject to the provisions of subsection 1, the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years commencing from the date when he has been elected to such office before.”

    Abubakar has run for president six times in the last 30 years.

  • Atiku faults economic policies, fuel price hike, others

    Atiku faults economic policies, fuel price hike, others

    • Ex-VP: don’t give up on Nigeria

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has picked holes in Federal Government’s decision to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.

    He warned that the move, considering the recent fuel price hike, could plunge Nigeria deeper into economic hardship.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Atiku described the VAT increase and the accompanying rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices as “regressive and punitive policies”.

    The former Vice President noted that the development would worsen the cost of living crisis among Nigerians who he said were reeling from rising inflation and unemployment.

    “This increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people,” he said.

    The former Vice President criticised the government for putting more burdens on the poor while “ignoring their extravagant excesses,” including lavish spending on presidential villas, jets, and vehicles.

    Atiku stressed that the new tax policies, alongside rising interest rates, have crippled businesses across the country, with the manufacturing sector suffering a significant downturn.

    Read Also: Senator Barau to Nigerians: support Tinubu to succeed

    He also lambasted Tinubu’s agricultural policies, particularly the recent decision to allow duty-free imports of key commodities, such as wheat, maize, and paddy, into the country.

    Atiku warned that such policies threatened Nigeria’s food security by undercut local farmers who cannot compete with cheap imports from Asia, Europe, and America.

    Also, Atikue has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain strong and optimistic for a better future for Nigeria.

    The former Vice President spoke at a virtual interactive session with some Nigerians in the diaspora on Saturday, according to a statement yesterday in Lagos by the Senior Special Assistant on Communications & Intelligence and Diaspora, Office of Atiku Abubakar, Prof. Gold Emmanuel.

    He advised Nigerian citizens not to give up on their country, regardless of the current socio-economic challenges.

    According to him, the state of the economy has led to untold hardship for millions of Nigerians and the poverty index has continued to rise.

  • Atiku, Elumelu, Ooni, Otedola, others celebrate Prince Omoha at 29

    Atiku, Elumelu, Ooni, Otedola, others celebrate Prince Omoha at 29

    Prominent Nigerians including former Vice President Atiku Abubaka, Tony Elumelu, Ooni of Ife, Femi Otedola and others have identified with entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist,,  Prince Omoha , who turns 29 today by sending him warm birthday wishes and prayers.

    The notable leaders and business moguls shared joy with the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Prince Luxury Group, who has distinguished himself in the fields of business, leadership, entrepreneurship and philanthropy at 29.

    They rejoiced with the entrepreneur who was ranked amongst African Young and most influential personalities in 2021 by Africa Value Award (AVA) 

    Vice President Atiku, in his message affirmed admiration for the celebrant for the  pride he  has brought to Nigeria and Africa, with his achievements, lighting the way for many others to follow.  

    Atiku eulogised his combination of youthfulness, business style and broadness in networking, both old and young, and the passion with which he  pursues his dreams. 

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    Prince Omoha was born on September 3 1995 in the city of Abakaliki. Within this length of time, Omoha has managed to give breath to his origin.

    To the business community, Prince Omoha is a champion of long-term investments. Alongside a markedly instinctive grasp of the trends of fortune and providence, Omoha’s mainstream business polishing is such that he never falls short of the mark, as evidenced by his upcoming strings of successes.

    Omoha has won multiple awards and accolades. In 2021 the Guardian Newspaper Named Prince Omoha among The 50 Most Impactful and Award-winning CEOs that Contributed to Nigeria’s GDP Growth in 2021. 

    In 2022, the VANGUARD NEWSPAPER SPECIAL REPORT listed Prince Omoha as One of the 50 Chief Executive Officers of Distinction in Nigeria

  • Atiku reacts over NNPCL’s admission of $6 billion debt

    Atiku reacts over NNPCL’s admission of $6 billion debt

    Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of lack of transparency following its admission of a $6 billion debt to petrol suppliers. 

    The NNPCL’s revelation, made public on Sunday, September 1, worsened the fuel scarcity that has gripped the nation for the past six weeks.

    The Chief Communications Officer of the agency, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the debt, highlighting the severe financial strain it has imposed on the company’s operations. 

    “NNPC Ltd has acknowledged recent reports regarding its significant debt to petrol suppliers. This financial strain threatens the sustainability of fuel supply,” Soneye stated. 

    Read Also: $6b debts may affect petrol supply, says NNPCL

    He assured that NNPCL remains committed to its role as the supplier of last resort, as outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying that it is working with government agencies to ensure a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide.

    Reacting to this development, Atiku expressed deep concern over the situation through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu. 

    “What has become of these fictitious or phantom profits you once proudly proclaimed? Layers of deceit and lack of transparency have brought you to this unfortunate juncture,” Atiku said in a terse statement via X. 

    He further described the current actions as the “ruthless and disturbing.”

  • Atiku, Obi and Opposition Politics 101

    Atiku, Obi and Opposition Politics 101

    Apart from their make-believe struggle to determine who is the preeminent opposition politician or political party, both ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi are at bottom playing the script they cleverly, or perhaps telepathically, set out to play weeks after they lost their cases at the Supreme Court against the election of President Bola Tinubu. Since then, and sometimes on the same issues, they have synergised probably the most toxic brand of political opposition uncommon to Nigeria. Both opposition leaders are instinctively and exaggeratedly against nearly every policy enacted and every measure taken by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Between December 2023 and January 2024, the two opposition politicians insisted that the outcome of the presidential election settled the matter of who should be the leading opposition leader in Nigeria. In losing the election to President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku had 6.98 million votes while Peter Obi had 6.1 million votes. The gap between the two candidates was less than a million votes, perhaps not enough to say conclusively that the former trumped the latter. The overall voter turnout was less than 27 percent, with the former vice president taking about 29.1 percent and Mr Obi taking 25.4 percent. Neither the struggle for preeminence nor the legitimacy of the election is affected by the low voter turnout because all the candidates in that election contributed to the abysmal figures. Both Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi, not to say their supporters and statisticians, had at first insinuated that the election winner’s legitimacy was compromised by the low turnout. Since the candidates could not manufacture votes, despite unfounded accusations of vote rigging, the final tally mirrored the state of Nigerian politics and the inability of the candidates to fire the imagination of the people on a scale that would lead to higher voter figures. Had the poll been cancelled due to low voter turnout, any repeat election would have attracted an even lower turnout. 

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    However, Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi have gone to great lengths to avoid provoking or antagonising each other. They have trained their guns on the ‘enemy’, and while giving the impression that they were at odds with each other, they have in fact managed to synergise their opposition style, sometimes secretively and bizarrely, and at other times a little flagrantly and nonchalantly. What is more, neither politician has shown a clear and systematic understanding of what opposition politics should look and sound like. Instead of identifying where they were coming from and where they are located in the political scheme of things, they have focused almost exclusively on the federal government, thereby indicating that the only thing important to them is how to gain the presidency. Whatever they say from now on will be geared towards seeking the best way to enhance their prospects at the next election or how to outrightly gain the presidency at first try.

    Their misdirected focus has precluded them from reforming or repositioning their parties in preparation for that great next election. Consequently, instead of applauding any good national policy, they focus on and excoriate policies that distort the system or inflict pain, even if temporary. They see creeping intolerance and fascism in government’s firmness, or perhaps conjure them; instinctively defend anyone or group which defy the rule of law, as organised labour’s Mr Ajaero has done; dredge up stories about abuses that in some cases embarrassingly turn out to be untrue, without offering any retraction; and select issues to address, not in order of importance, but often in order of emotional appeal.

    But what they really need is to address the dysfunctionality in their parties, their inability to manage or inspire subordinate party leaders, remake their ideological platforms to achieve clarity of purpose, structure or restructure their opposition to policies and methods of the ruling party, and put the interest of country above party interest or personal ambition. So far, in their understanding of opposition politics, they have both given the impression that their positions in the society and the kind of opposition they project against the administration would be justified if the country crashed. Without country, however, there would be no opposition but enemies, a distinct feature of civil war. Opposition leaders should put up a great show in 2027 rather than poison relationships on social media and through propaganda. They need to unite when the republic is threatened, such as during the last protests, rather than catalyse its collapse for partisan advantage. If the opposition does not redefine and refine their understanding of the concept of opposition, they will continue to focus inordinately on just attacking everything the government does without offering an alternative.

    So far, the two leading opposition leaders have strategically refrained from attacking each other because they trace their antecedents to the same roots, indicating that had either of them assumed power, neither would have pilloried the other with the same severity and regularity mustered today. But, contrary to their expectation, it is hard to see them translating the kind of opposition they are practising today into delivering a successful electoral outcome in 2027. If they have the time and the capacity, both Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi need to relearn Opposition Politics 101.