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Tag: PDP

  • FULL LIST: 10 PDP controlled States in Nigeria

    FULL LIST: 10 PDP controlled States in Nigeria

    The political landscape of Nigeria has witnessed another significant shift following the defection of Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His move, announced during a high-profile event at the Government House in Uyo, has further weakened the PDP’s grip on state leadership across the country.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom Commissioner resigns after Gov Eno dumped PDP for APC

    With Governor Eno’s exit, the PDP now controls only 10 states nationwide, down from the 11 it previously held, marking a major setback for the main opposition party ahead of future elections.

    Here is a list of PDP controlled States in Nigeria

    1. Adamawa State

    2. Bauchi State

    3. Bayelsa State

    4. Enugu State

    5. Osun State

    6. Oyo State

    7. Plateau State

    8. Rivers State

    9. Taraba State

    10. Zamfara State

  • PDP begs Peter Obi, others to return

    PDP begs Peter Obi, others to return

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra Chapter, has urged Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, to return to the party.

    Obi defected to LP when he felt he could not achieve his presidential ambition within the PDP fold.

    The PDP made the call after the enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) to review the state of the party and chart a way forward in Awka yesterday.

    The communique, signed by the PDP Chairman in Anambra, Mr Chidi Chidebe, said alliances with ideologically incompatible political formations, in the guise of coalitions, would likely not yield the desired success.

    “The committee extends an open invitation to all aggrieved and former members of the PDP in Anambra, particularly our revered former governor, Mr Peter Obi, to return home and reunite with the now rejuvenated and restructured PDP.

    “We will gladly welcome our brothers and sisters back to join us in the collective quest for a better Nigeria,” he said.

    He told the Anambra electorate to support Jude Ezenwafor and his running mate, Francis Okeke, in the coming election.

    Chidebe urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial electoral process.

    Read Also: PDP: our focus is unity of members, not coalition

    “We call on the good people of Anambra to remain steadfast in their historic support for the PDP and to come out en masse to vote for our candidates,” he said.

    He announced the unanimous nomination of Chief Clems Ezike to fill the vacant position of National Ex-Officio from Anambra.

    He urged the Southeast Zonal Executive Committee under Chief Ali Odefa to recognise and transmit his name to the national secretariat.

    He commended the party leadership for a successful National Executive Committee meeting on May 27 and expressed satisfaction with the template for resolution of its internal crisis.

  • PDP: our focus is unity of members, not coalition

    PDP: our focus is unity of members, not coalition

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday reiterated its objection to the coalition talks being spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    The main opposition party said that Atiku, who was its 2023 presidential candidate, is on his own.

    The National Publicity Secretary,  Debo Ologunagba, who spoke with reporters at the PDP secretariat in Abuja, fired salvos at the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that the defections to the ruling party would not save it from defeat in 2027.

    Echoing Ologunagba, PDP Reconciliation Panel Chairman Senator Bukola Saraki, described the opposition party as a viable platform.

    He predicted that the party will bounce back in Kwara State in 2027, urging the chieftains to gird their loins.

    Atiku, former Transportation Minister  Rotimi Amaechi,  former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai,  and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, fomer APC National Vice Chairman (Northwest) Salihu Mohammed,  and former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal are pushing for a coalition President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    READ ALSO; The fire next door

    Two months ago, PDP governors who converged on Ibadan, Oyo State capital, disowned Atiku over the coalition talks.

    The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde, said other opposition parties itching for collaboration were free to join the PDP.

    Asked if the 2023 presidential candidate of the party (Atiku), who is currently leading the coalition, is still a member of the PDP? Or he’s leading the coalition as a servant of the PDP or doing it for the PDP so that PDP can wrest power from APC.

    Ologunagba said PDP has a tradition of being governed by the constitution, processes and procedures.

    He said the preoccupation of party leaders is how to forge unity and not coalition talk.

     Ologunagba stressed: “PDP’s main focus now is the unity of this party. It is important for Nigeria to have a conversation about how to get this contraption called APC out of government. PDP has a way of doing these things.”

    ‘There will be referendum in 2027’

    Ologunagba said the main issue in 2027 would not be defection, but a referendum on the performance of the government midwifed by the APC.

    He flayed the ruling party for celebrating the gale of defections that hit the PDP instead of celebrating a successful implementation of policies. 

    Ologunagbasaid: “We must emphasise that the election of 2027 is not going to be about defection. It’s going to be a referendum on the failure of the APC, the insecurity in the land, the lack of provision of amenities, and basic things for human existence, the fact that everyday Nigerians are losing their personality because of the misguided policies of the president.

    “We have stated severally the need for a review of policy by the government, what the people are saying, you take a second look. When you do that, that is leadership, that is strength, not weakness. But the APC believes that when they make a decision, you either take it or leave it.:

    He added: “People are complaining that they are dying by installment. That life is coming into a halt, and the president and his team, and his government, they are numb to that. In the last two years, over 600 Nigerians have been killed. it’s on record.

    “ So, it’s a government that believes in propaganda. Propaganda does not replace hunger. Propaganda does not replace commitment to the people and believing in God. The question that every Nigerian asking is that am I better two years ago than I am right now? The answer is obvious, and we are all in the same market.”

    Ologunagba said PDP has been waxing stronger after the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, stressing that it is prepared to take the mantle of leadership.

    He said PDP had shown capacity to live above conflicts, which is a normal phenomenon in democracy.

    The Publicity Secretary said the party looks forward towards another successful NEC meeting.

    Ologunagba added: “Nigerians need democracy, and that they continue to look up to PDP, because of its history, because of its resilience, because of its organs, because of its constitution, where nobody owns the party.”

    More PDP chieftains may still defect, says Saraki

    Saraki said some PDP chieftains may still defect to the APC ahead of the next general election.

    However, he also said politicians from other political parties may also join PDP.

    The former Kwara State governor, who spoke with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, shortly after re-registering as PDP member, said the party would bounce back in the state in 2027.

    Saraki said: “The only viable opposition party is PDP. There are challenges and I have taken it upon myself to do my best. I am seeing responses from our colleagues who are also ready to settle our differences.

    “We were able to do our NEC meeting. We have scheduled a meeting for end of this month. Between now and then, there will be a lot of leg work.

    “I want to use this opportunity to reassure our members across the country that we are doing our best to rescue the situation of the party.We are confident that we will tackle the situation.We are committed to it.”

  • Subsidy fraud

    Subsidy fraud

    • Ex-PDP chair’s son’s conviction a good deterrent. But what of the many others?

    The years that scammers masquerading as fuel importers ripped off the Nigerian treasury through fraudulent subsidy payments can appropriately be referred to as the years of the locust. Perhaps, for lack of courage to remove fuel subsidy, Nigeria descended into a bazaar of fraudulent fuel importation, as a major business for well-connected criminals, during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    This tragedy was so prevalent that those who were well-connected to those in government saw it as the quickest way to become rich. Usually, without lifting a litre of fuel, those well-heeled criminals with the connivance of some unscrupulous government officials, presented fake import documents claiming to have imported millions of litres of fuel.

     In many advertised instances following investigations, after the end of the regime, some vessels which were listed as the carrier of the fuel imported were discovered to have been moored for years, in far way countries, rotting away. Yet, with such fraudulent claims, the scammers got paid millions in foreign and local currencies. 

    That better- forgotten era resonated last week, after Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court of the High Court of Lagos State, sitting in Ikeja, convicted and sentenced Mamman Ali, son of former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, to 14 years imprisonment, for his involvement in a N1,480,074,125.61 oil subsidy fraud. Sentenced alongside Mamman Ali was Christian Taylor, an oil marketer, who also bagged 14 years imprisonment. The convicts were charged for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and tendering false documents which contravene the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    Read Also: Presidency challenges opposition to present alternatives, not just criticisms

    Between them and two others still at large, they obtained the sum of N1,480,074,125.61 from the Federal Government, which they fraudulently represented as subsidy accruing to Nasaman Oil Services Ltd, under the Petroleum Support Fund, for the importation of 20,492,982.50 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS).

    There are many like the son of the former PDP chairman who creamed billions of naira from the coffers of the Federal Government. Sadly, only a few of those involved in that despicable rip- off of our nation’s treasury have been brought to justice.

    In his judgment, Justice Dada held that the convicts, by their nefarious actions, “undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s oil subsidy programme”. After sentencing them to 14 years imprisonment each, the judge also ordered them to forfeit all their identified assets and accounts linked to the crime, to the Federal Government. The court issued bench warrants for the arrest of Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, two suspects still at large.

    We commend Justice Dada who took over the matter, for concluding it, and serving the defendants with their just deserts.

    We also commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for painstakingly pushing the matter through the various courts until conviction. It is regrettable that these matters lingered in courts for about 13 years.

    The EFCC had originally arraigned the convicts before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a 49-count charge, but the judge later withdrew from the trial.

    Ali and his partner were then arraigned on a 57-count charge before Justice Dada. While the delay portrays our criminal justice system in bad light, it is better late than never. Now that Ali and his partner have been convicted and sentenced, we wonder what happened to several others indicted with regards to similar fraudulent businesses during that ignominious period?

    We urge the EFCC and the courts to ensure that each of them enjoys their deserved comeuppance without further delay. Those who delivered hardship to Nigerians instead of the fuel they were paid to deliver, deserve their day in our courts of law.

  • Why there’s partial disruption of water supply in FCT – Wike

    Why there’s partial disruption of water supply in FCT – Wike

     Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the disruption of water supply in Abuja city and some satellite towns is due to the ongoing major rehabilitation of two treatment plants.

    Wike disclosed this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said that the treatment plants were among the four facilities responsible for the production and supply of water to FCT residents.

    The minister said that due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the plants, water supply from the two functioning treatment plants would be rationed for a period of two weeks.

    “What is being experienced is a partial and not a total shutdown of the entire water supply to the residents of FCT, as two of the water treatment plants are still in operation.

    “SCC Nigeria Ltd. is, however, working 24/7 to ensure that the rehabilitation are concluded before the scheduled time.

    “Residents are, therefore, urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period, as supply will be rationed,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Wike explains water shortage in Abuja, says rehabilitation of treatment plants underway

    Wike appealed to the residents to bear with the FCT Administration, assuring that the rehabilitation, when completed, would improve water supply in the FCT.

    He, however, said that the two plants undergoing rehabilitation would be temporarily powered to supply water to residents during Sallah celebrations.

    “The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4.

    “As a result of the inefficiency of the plants, which are currently producing below their installed capacity, a contract was awarded for their rehabilitation to Messrs SCC Nigeria Ltd.

    “The rehabilitation works have reached an advanced stage on Phases 1 and 2 where the electro-mechanical equipment, which is the prime mover of the treatment plants, are to be replaced and reinstalled.

    “This warranted a total shutdown of the two plants, which are interconnected.

    “However, phases 3 and 4 water treatment plants are operational but won’t sustain, meet or cater for the demands of the populace,” he said.

    Wike said that the Water Board had made a rationing time-table by alternating between lines 1 and 2 of the distribution network.

    This, according to him, will minimise the adverse effects of inadequate water supply to FCT residents. (NAN)

  • Thousands of PDP members defect to APC in A’Ibom council

    Thousands of PDP members defect to APC in A’Ibom council

    Ahead of Governor Umo Eno’s planned defection, thousands of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom state have moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    The defectors from Ward 9 in Esit Eket were led to the APC by a former local government chairmanship aspirants, Eseme Udi, who vowed to ensure that APC takes over the state.

    Udi, a philanthropist and community leader, hailed Governor Eno for  charting the right political path for Akwa Ibom state, adding the state will fare better under APC.

    He said,:”The people of Ward 9 have been marginalized, deprived, and oppressed. We are tired of being neglected. The people were just waiting for someone to lead the way, and that time has come 

     “I have seen what the APC has done at the national level, I have the catalog of the activities of APC, and I believe there’s hope in the party. We are convinced that the APC will treat our people better than how PDP treated them.”

    The APC in Esit Eket Ward 9, led by Ward Chairman Mr. Samuel Akpama, warmly welcomed  Udi and his co-defectors to the party.

    He expressed delight over the defection to his Party, he however advised them to be humble in order to benefit from whatever dividends that would accrue to the Party.

    The Esit Eket chapter Chairman, Mr. Daniel Assam, described the defection as a “movement” rather than decamping.

     “It’s not decamping, it’s a movement. We welcome you with open arms. We thank the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for organising the party’s growth,” he added. 

    He assured the new members of equal rights and urged them to respect the party’s constitution. “Anybody who comes with interest should drop it,” he advised. “Let’s work together to achieve our goals. Every thing anybody wants is through consultation with the leadership of the Party”

    The Chapter Chairman also reminded the defectors and members that the Party is guided by constitution and that calls for total respect for its provisions and strict adherence

    Dr. Usoro Akpanuso, the immediate past legislator who represented Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, said that Ward 9, is a very important part of politics Esit Eket. So for the entire Ward to empty into APC is a significant political development.

     He attributed the defection to the Lord’s doing. “It’s a sign of the party’s growing strength,” he said. “The rate of defection to APC across the country is alarming. It can only be God who is behind this exodus. Imagine PDP that people said that it’s a religion, about to move enmas to APC. It is unbelievable.”

    Read Also: APC chieftain defends Senator Sani over ‘harmonise’ controversy

    He praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his leadership. “The Senate President is the brain behind the growth of APC in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

     Deputy Leader of APC in Esit Eket local Government Area, Prince Enobong Harry, himself a former State Youth Leader of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, welcomed Pastor Udi and his supporters to APC. “Ward 9 is lucky to have a philanthropist like Pastor Eseme Udi join us,” he said. 

    He drew the attention of the people to the new look the Ward office now wears; the office painting, the new signboard and the new flags,  he said is the handiwork of Eseme Udi. 

    “Let’s work together to build a stronger, more prosperous community.” Harry advised.

  • Former Ebonyi Assembly Speaker dumps PDP for APC

    Former Ebonyi Assembly Speaker dumps PDP for APC

    Former Ebonyi House of Assembly Speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Nwazunku, the immediate past Member representing Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives defected on Saturday at Ugwuachara during the APC meeting in Echiaba Ward of Ebonyi Local Government Area (LGA).

    The APC chairman in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, who received Nwazunku alongside several of his supporters, congratulated them for the decision, which he described as courageous and strategic.

    Okoro-Emegha, represented by the APC chairman in Ebonyi LGA, Chief Patrick Orogbo, assured them of equal opportunities within the party structure.

    “The party remains committed to internal democracy, transparency, and inclusiveness regardless of political background or previous affiliation,” he said.

    The APC chairman in Echiaba Ward, Mr Amobi Nwofoke, commended Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his sterling performances in office over the past two years.

    Read Also: Ebonyi assembly okays purchase of aircraft for airport takeoff

    “The governor’s outstanding developmental strides have significantly diminished opposition in the state, gradually transforming it into a unified political entity,” he said.

    Nwazunku in his remarks, said his spirit had long departed the PDP due to its diminishing internal cohesion and relevance.

    “My decision to join the APC was inspired by the remarkable accomplishments of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Francis Nwifuru.

    “I will mobilise my supporters across the state to ensure the resounding success of APC particularly in the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).reports that the event attracted key stakeholders from within and outside the ward.

    NAN also reports that the ranks of the opposition in the state has continued to deplete with several figures defecting to the APC.

    (NAN)

  • Suswam blames PDP’s crisis on Damagum, Bala Mohammed 

    Suswam blames PDP’s crisis on Damagum, Bala Mohammed 

    Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Umar Damagum and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed should be blamed for the deepening crisis in the party, Senator Gabriel Suswam said yesterday.

    The one-time Benue Governor berated the duo for failing offer effective leadership to the main opposition party, saying they have failed members.

    Speaking yesterday on a national television, Suswam stated most people no longer have confidence in the leadership of the party.

    He blamed Damagum for not informing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party’s Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, left to contest the off-season governorship election in Imo State.

    He said: “The person recognized by INEC is Anyanwu, when he left, the chairman should have informed INEC, but he didn’t do that. This is where I have indicted the chairman.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s reforms will address energy debt crisis, says ECN

    “The acting chairman has created confusion in the party, without that we won’t be where we are.

    “Anyanwu tendered a letter of resignation. You can’t say you are on leave to go and contest. The chairman is complicit in this. They have ulterior motives. He was supposed to have been properly replaced.

    “I put the blame squarely on Damagum and Bala Mohammed. If there was proper leadership, we won’t be where we are today. It is not about Wike. There was a lot of deceit. Damagum is a major culprit,” he said.

    The former Benue Governor noted that if appointed, he would have done far better than the acting chairman, adding that it would be difficult to resuscitate the party with the current leadership.

    “In Benue, there are factional PDP groups, these are fundamental issues that should be addressed. If the National Working Committee (NWC) had done the right thing from the outset, we wouldn’t be here today”, Damagum said.

  • Osun 2026: NIWA boss blasts PDP, denies selling bank shares to Ponzi scheme

    Osun 2026: NIWA boss blasts PDP, denies selling bank shares to Ponzi scheme

    The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has refuted claims that he sold Osun State shares in Living Trust Bank to a Ponzi scheme, alleging instead that the transaction was carried out by an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused Oyebamiji of overseeing the fraudulent sale while serving as Osun State’s Commissioner of Finance, demanding clarification on his alleged involvement.

    In a statement released Wednesday by Adebayo Adedeji, coordinator of his campaign team, Oyebamiji described the allegation as baseless and politically motivated. 

    He said it was a calculated attempt to tarnish his image ahead of the 2026 governorship race, where he is seen as a major contender determined to rescue Osun from what he called PDP’s failed leadership.

    He explained, “Bola Oyebamiji played no role in how Osun State’s shares in LivingTrust were sold to private investors, as the transaction, which ceded the shares to private investors, took place long before he became the Commissioner of Finance in the state.

    “The divestment of Osun’s shares occurred in 2013 when Dr Wale Bolorunduro, who reportedly is now a financial advisor to Governor Adeleke, was the Commissioner of Finance.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Osun 2026: NIWA boss, Oyebamiji declares aspiration for guber seat 

    “Living Trust Mortgage Bank, which used to be named Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, was wholly state-owned until 2013 when it was converted from a Private Limited Liability Company to a Public Limited Liability Company and subsequently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where its shares were publicly traded.”

    He noted that Bolorunduro, who was the finance commissioner at the time, played a prominent role, hence, Oyebamiji should not be fingered or alleged.

    Adedeji stated that a letter dated March 21, 2025, addressed to the Managing Director of LivingTrust, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), declined Bolorunduro’s nomination by Adeleke as Director, as they demanded a neutral person.

    He added, “Since rejection of the nomination, Osun government agents are sponsoring a campaign of calumny against Oyebamiji, whose gubernatorial aspiration has become a big headache for the present government. 

  • Ondo Reps member dumps PDP for APC

    Ondo Reps member dumps PDP for APC

    The only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Ondo state in the House of Representatives, Olarewaju Akingbaso, on Wednesday dumped the party and pitched tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    He said he was joining the APC to align with its ideology and the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government. 

    Read Also: PDP, APC clash over one-party claim

    Akingbaso said he decided to leave the PDP because of the lingering crisis in the party and the determination to join forces with the renewed hope agenda to actualising the democratic aspirations of his people. 

    Minority leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda said it was time for the House to begin the implement the provisions of section 68(1) of the 1999 constitution as it relate to defection of members. 

    He drew the attention of the House to the body of the letter written to the House by the lawmaker, saying “the letter is filled with singular noun of I and not the people who elected him and whom. He represents.”