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Tag: PDP

  • JUST IN: Former Abia governor Theodore Orji dumps PDP for APC

    JUST IN: Former Abia governor Theodore Orji dumps PDP for APC

    The third democratically elected governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Senator Orji, who represented Abia Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, had announced his retirement from active politics a few months ago but did not formally renounce his membership of the PDP at the time.

    The Nation recalls that his son, a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji had earlier dumped the PDP amid the internal crisis rocking the party, once regarded as the largest political party in Africa. Political observers had widely interpreted the younger Orji’s move to the APC as a possible signal of his father’s eventual defection.

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-governor Theodore Orji, son, two others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    As speculated, the former Abia Central senator, who has largely maintained a low public profile since his retirement, has now formally left the PDP for the APC, a decision many analysts say had long been anticipated.

    Observers note that Senator Orji’s defection has further weakened the PDP in Abia State, given his influence and reputation as one of the party’s key rallying points and financiers in the state.

    Confirming the development, the former governor’s media aide, Mr. Ifeanyi Umere, told our correspondent that the defection was a personal decision. He added that there was no official reason provided for the move.

    While some stakeholders have welcomed the continued growth of the APC and what they describe as the strengthening of opposition politics in the state, others have expressed concern that the defection could deal a significant blow to the PDP’s structure and its prospects of regaining political dominance in Abia State.

  • JUST IN: Rivers deputy governor, SSG dump PDP for APC

    JUST IN: Rivers deputy governor, SSG dump PDP for APC

    Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Benibo Anabraba, have formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Odu officially registered as a member of the APC in her ward at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).

    She completed her e-registration at Akabuka, Ward 8, Unit 11, on Sunday and later toured the six zones of ONELGA to sensitise the people on the ongoing APC e-registration exercise.

    She urged residents to demonstrate their support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara through massive registration in the party.

    She said the registration exercise came after the governor declared for the APC and was intended to further consolidate political support for both the President and Fubara at the grassroots.

    The deputy governor said six zonal meetings had already been held to ensure effective mobilisation and smooth implementation of the registration process across the local government area.

    “Today, I came to sensitise the people, and everywhere we went, there were large crowds who came out to receive us. They said wherever I go, they will go with me, and wherever Governor Fubara and President Tinubu go, they will go,” she said.

    Odu noted that the tour covered all six zones of the local government area, such as Egi, Omoku, Osomini, Igburu, Egbema, and Ndoni, adding that the enthusiasm and turnout reflected growing acceptance of the APC in the area.

    Read Also: 2027: ‘Rivers APC will only take instructions from Wike’

    The deputy governor also received members of the Labour Party (LP) who defected to the APC in Ndoni.

    She described the development as a boost to the party’s strength in ONELGA and a sign of increasing grassroots alignment with the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.

    The SSG, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, resigned his membership of the PDP in a letter dated January 5, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of Ward 1, PDP, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

    The letter was submitted through the party’s ward office at Bob-Manuel’s Compound, Abonnema.

    In the letter, Dr. Anabraba said that his decision to withdraw from the PDP was purely personal, stressing that the move was taken after careful personal consideration. 

    Anabraba expressed gratitude to the PDP for the political leverage and opportunities he enjoyed during his period of membership. 

  • Former PDP House candidate Gujungu defects to APC in Jigawa

    Former PDP House candidate Gujungu defects to APC in Jigawa

    A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the House of Representatives in Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency, Jigawa State, Hon. Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Gujungu announced his defection at a well-attended ceremony in his hometown of Gujungu, Taura Local Government Area.

    Receiving him on behalf of the Jigawa State Government, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, through the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing people-oriented policies under the APC-led administration. 

    He noted that the policies were translating into economic growth and improved welfare for Nigerians, stressing that Jigawa State was aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development.

    The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, who represented the governor, formally welcomed Gujungu into the APC fold, describing the defection as a significant boost to the party’s strength in Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency. 

    He recalled that Gujungu had been a key figure in the PDP, contesting the House of Representatives seat in both the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

    Speaking at the event, Gujungu said his decision to join the APC was motivated by a desire to contribute to and benefit from the developmental strides being achieved by APC-led governments at both state and federal levels. 

    He cited the leadership style and development-focused policies of President Tinubu and Governor Namadi as key inspirations for his return to the party in the interest of his constituents.

    The defection ceremony drew top government officials, party leaders, local government chairmen, and other prominent stakeholders from across Jigawa State.

  • Ekiti State PDP candidate fingers APC for exclusion from INEC list

    Ekiti State PDP candidate fingers APC for exclusion from INEC list

    • Blame your crisis not us, ruling party tells Oluyede

    The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is behind his exclusion from the provisional list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the June 20 governorship election.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in his Ikere-Ekiti country home, Oluyede said his omission from the list came as a surprise, stressing that his emergence as the PDP candidate was monitored and supervised by INEC.

    But Ekiti State APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the allegations, describing the claim as baseless and a diversionary tactic aimed at covering internal crises within the PDP.

    Oluyede said although there had been legal suits challenging the party’s primary election, INEC officials had sworn affidavits in court affirming that he was the duly elected candidate of the party.

    “In fact, there have been suits against the election and INEC came to swear affidavit that I was the candidate of the party. I am not aware of any reason that should preclude me from the election,” he added.

    Read Also: Lamido’s suspension and the PDP’s unresolved crisis

    He said there was no court injunction or order restraining him or the party from participating in the election, arguing that INEC lacked the power to determine who emerged as a party’s nominee.

    “As far as I know, there is no court injunction; there is no court order that should preclude me from the election. I don’t think INEC is in a position to determine who should be the nominee of a party. They haven’t been doing that before and I don’t know why this is happening,” he said. Oluyede said he had begun consultations with party stakeholders and would also engage the electoral body formally to demand explanations for the action.

    Reassuring his supporters across the state, the PDP candidate urged them not to panic, hoping he would participate in the governorship poll and feature on the final ballot.

    “I want to reassure my supporters that I am going to be the next governor of Ekiti State, which means I am going to be on the next ballot. This is a normal process of elections. People will play games, but it is a game of futility that will not go anywhere,” he said.

    He warned against attempts to exclude candidates through what he described as political manoeuvres, noting that elections should be based on the will of the people.

    “My advice to those trying to preclude others from contesting is that it is not the right way. Elections are meant to give people the opportunity to choose their government. If you are confident in your performance or capacity to govern, then you should have the confidence to face the electorate,” Oluyede said.

    Ekiti State APC spokesman Dipe dismissed the allegations, describing the claim as baseless and a diversionary tactic aimed at covering internal crises within the PDP.

    He said APC had no control over INEC and could not interfere with its constitutional responsibilities, arguing that PDP’s omission was a result of internal leadership crises and ongoing court cases within the opposition party.

    Dipe advised the PDP governorship candidate to seek redress through legal means, rather than making what it described as “wild allegations” against political opponents.

  • JUST IN: Ebonyi PDP 2023 governorship candidate resigns party membership

    JUST IN: Ebonyi PDP 2023 governorship candidate resigns party membership

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi State, High Chief Chukwuma Odii, has resigned his membership of the party.

    Odii announced his decision in a resignation letter dated January 1, 2026, and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Amanator Ward, Isuachara, in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the decision followed wide consultations with his family and close associates.

    The former governorship candidate expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the PDP for providing him the platform to contest the 2023 general election.

    According to the letter, “I write to officially inform you that, following wide consultation with my family and close associates, I have taken a considered decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

    “I wish to sincerely appreciate the leadership and members of the Party for the opportunity and platform provided for me, which I utilized in contesting as a Governorship candidate during the 2023 general election.

    “I remain grateful for the support, cooperation and goodwill extended to me throughout my engagement with the Party. 

    “Please, accept this letter as my formal notice of my resignation. I thank you once again for the cooperation and understanding during my time in the party.”

  • Oba Ewuare II: Edo PDP chieftains disown social critic

    Oba Ewuare II: Edo PDP chieftains disown social critic

    Two members of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have dissociated themselves from a social media critic, Albert Obazee, following comments attributed to him about the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.

    The party officials are the Edo PDP Organising Secretary, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, and the Publicity Secretary, Daniel Osa-Ogbegie.

    In a statement, Osa-Ogbegie said he was distancing himself from any posts, comments or narratives considered malicious, disparaging, disrespectful or irreverent towards the Benin Monarch, the Benin Kingdom, or anything regarded as sacred, historical, cultural or institutional to Benin.

    He urged members of the public to refrain from tagging, sending, associating or linking his name, image or platform with such content, either directly or indirectly.

    Osa-Ogbegie described himself as a proud son of Benin, noting that he remains bound by history, identity and conscience to the Benin Kingdom.

    He added that his commitment to Benin remains unwavering, stressing his deep respect and reverence for all that is connected to the Kingdom and its rich heritage.

    “My loyalty is, and shall always remain, to the Oba of Benin, who stands as the living personification of Edo in all its glory, dignity, continuity, and civilisation. Any attempt to suggest otherwise, or to drag my name into narratives hostile to the Benin throne or institution, is false, misleading, and unacceptable and would be treated as an act of war.

    “Let this serve as a clear notice to all concerned. Respect for Benin and the Oba of Benin is non-negotiable.”

    Ifaluyi-Isibor advised Obazee to be more circumspect in his words.

    He said Obazee would now be measured by his utterances even as he cautioned him to apply more decorum even when expressing anger.

    “I watched a snippet from his video where some unsavory comments were made and I think it was utterly wrong and unnecessary to make such comments at anyone much less the Monarch. We will hold our Monarch in high esteem and treat the throne with the respect it deserves. This is not optional.”

  • PDP crisis can be resolved in one week, says Hashim

    PDP crisis can be resolved in one week, says Hashim

    • Ex-presidential candidate visits Turaki

    A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party can be resolved within one week if its leadership embraces political solutions rather than prolonged legal battles.

    Hashim said this at a meeting with the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out-of-court resolution on the party’s internal dispute.

    The former presidential hopeful, who was also among the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected Deputy National Publicity Secretary, noted that resolving the crisis politically would better serve the survival of the party and the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

    According to him, the party already possesses the constitutional authority required to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation.

    “There are more than enough legitimate members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene a meeting and resolve this crisis within one week,” Hashim stated.

    He cited sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, which empower two-thirds of NEC members to convene a meeting, stressing that the majority of NEC members were elected before the disputed Ibadan convention and therefore retain unquestionable legitimacy.

    Hashim further explained that although the tenure of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) expired on December 8, the pre-Ibadan NEC members remain constitutionally empowered to intervene and take corrective action in the interest of the party.

    “What is required now is courage and responsibility,” he said.

    “NEC members must rise above factional interests and stand for posterity, for the party, and for the nation.”

    Read Also: Southeast will vote massively for Tinubu, Nwifuru — Umahi

    Hashim warned that continued internal paralysis could weaken the PDP’s capacity as a credible opposition party and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democratic balance.

    “We can fix this problem, and we should,” he added.

    Responding, the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), thanked Dr. Hashim for the visit and his commitment to party unity. He assured that the leadership under his watch remains open to reconciliation, stressing, however, that such efforts must not compromise the unity, stability, and continued existence of the party.

    The meeting, which was held at Turaki’s Asokoro residence in Abuja, was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman and the National Youth Leader of the party.

  • PDP to challenge exclusion from Ekiti governorship elections in court

    PDP to challenge exclusion from Ekiti governorship elections in court

    …says we submitted candidate’s name manually

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge the exclusion of the particulars of its candidate from the provisional list of candidates for the Ekiti off-cycle governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The provisional list of candidates released by the commission on Monday revealed that the PDP candidate was excluded from the list by the commission.

    No official reason has been given by the commission for the exclusion, but it may not be unconnected with the current leadership crisis in the Party.

    But section 29(3) of the INEC guidelines for nomination of candidates for elections provides that the access code is to be made available only to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the parties, as contained in the INEC data.

    The section reads, “The National Chairman and National Secretary of political parties as contained in the Commission’s records shall be issued an access code for the electronic submission, withdrawal, and substitution of names and particulars of their candidates as elected at the political party primaries monitored by the Commission.”

    The guidelines also said that “where there are conflicting requests from the National Chairman and National Secretary of a political party, the access code shall be issued to the National Chairman of the party.”

    INEC also outlawed the manual submission of the names and particulars of its candidates for elections.

    The immediate past national chairman, Umar Damagun, who handed over affairs of the party to Tanimu Turaki, was in a position to obtain the access code from the commission before the expiration of his tenure and handed it over to the Turaki-led leadership.

    In a statement on Tuesday, National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the decision of the electoral umpire to exclude the name of its candidate was a further demonstration of the bias of the commission, saying the PDP would explore all legal means to get INEC to recognise its candidate.

    The statement reads, “The exclusion of the name and particulars of our candidate from the list of candidates for the 2026 Governorship Election in Ekiti State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet another confirmation of the biased disposition of the current leadership of the Commission towards the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “For the avoidance of doubt, INEC was duly notified of the conduct of our party’s governorship primaries. The Commission attended and monitored the exercise and subsequently issued reports confirming that the primaries complied with all extant laws and were democratically conducted.

    “Following this, INEC released the relevant nomination portal codes to our party, through which the official nomination forms were accessed, before they disingenuously blocked the code a few days before the submission date, causing us to resort to manual submission at their office (receipt of which was acknowledged).

    “Being fully aware of the grave and far-reaching consequences of excluding a validly nominated candidate from an election, INEC ought to have acted with caution and responsibility by including the name of Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, the duly nominated candidate of the PDP, in the published list of candidates.

    Read Also: 2027: Oyo governorship aspirant Aborishade dumps PDP for ADC

    “This would have been the safest and most lawful course of action for the Commission, had it acted without bias. There is no contrary submission before INEC disputing the validity of Dr. Oluyede’s nomination. There is also no court order restraining the Commission from recognising him as the PDP’s candidate. Indeed, INEC’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries and the nomination process.

    “Having failed to act appropriately, our party has immediately taken steps to approach the courts to compel INEC to do what it ought to have done in the first place.

    “While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again draw the attention of INEC to the expectations of Nigerians that the Commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in matters relating to political parties and the electoral process.

    “While we acknowledge the saying that he who pays the piper dictates the tune, the Commission must be conscious that the tune currently being dictated is dangerously high-pitched and will ultimately harm the piper. INEC must always act in defence of democracy, and never in antagonism to it.”

  • 2027: Oyo governorship aspirant Aborishade dumps PDP for ADC

    2027: Oyo governorship aspirant Aborishade dumps PDP for ADC

    Human rights lawyer and 2027 Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Oyo state, Niyi Aborishade, has resigned from the PDP and joined the African Democratic Congress.

    Aborishade said his decision was informed by the deepening crisis within the PDP, which, according to him, raises concerns that the party may be unable to field a credible candidate in the next election.

    Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, he said persistent internal conflicts in the PDP made it impossible for him to continue, noting that the situation posed a threat to internal democracy within the party.

    He said, “In as much as PDP is not able to resolve its internal crisis, in as much as protagonist in PDP refuses to listen to any voice of reason, we are moving forward, we are moving to ADC.

    Read Also: Supreme Court orders resumption of Aborishade, others’ trial

    “ADC is prepared to give us opportunity to practice democracy, fairness, and equity. I’m moving with all my supporters from all the 33 local governments. Most of them are leaders of PDP, but they are moving with us.

    “We will make the party popular. When you see the caliber of people that have joined ADC, you will know ADC will become a formidable party in Nigeria.

    “The correct party now that is popular is ADC. And that’s where I belong. I will always work with the progressives. I will always work for the interests of justice and the best interests of Nigeria.

    In his remark, ADC chairman in Oyo State, Alhaji Yinka Olona said PDP is already dead and currently at the grave yard, and waiting for final burial, adding that the only viable opposition that will provide credible alternative is ADC.

  • PDP leadership crisis can be resolved in one week — Gbenga Hashim tells Tanimu Turaki

    PDP leadership crisis can be resolved in one week — Gbenga Hashim tells Tanimu Turaki

    …urges NEC to rise above factional interests to save Nigeria’s democracy

    A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party can be resolved within one week if its leadership embraces political solutions rather than prolonged legal battles.

    Hashim made this assertion during a meeting with the PDP national chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out-of-court resolution to the party’s internal dispute.

    The former presidential hopeful, who was also among the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected deputy national publicity secretary, said resolving the crisis politically would better serve the survival of the party and the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

    According to him, the party already possesses the constitutional authority required to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation.

    “There are more than enough legitimate members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene a meeting and resolve this crisis within one week,” Hashim stated.

    He cited Sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, which empower two-thirds of NEC members to convene a meeting, stressing that the majority of NEC members were elected before the disputed Ibadan convention and therefore retain unquestionable legitimacy.

    Hashim further explained that although the tenure of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) expired on December 8, the pre-Ibadan NEC members remain constitutionally empowered to intervene and take corrective action in the interest of the party.

    Read Also: US strikes underscore need for urgent internal security reforms — Gbenga Hashim

    “What is required now is courage and responsibility,” he said.

    “NEC members must rise above factional interests and stand for posterity, for the party, and for the nation.”

    He warned that continued internal paralysis could weaken the PDP’s capacity as a credible opposition party and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democratic balance.

    “We can fix this problem, and we should,” he added.

    Responding, the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), thanked Dr. Hashim for the visit and his commitment to party unity. He assured that the leadership under his watch remains open to reconciliation, stressing, however, that such efforts must not compromise the unity, stability, and continued existence of the party.

    The meeting, which was held at Turaki’s Asokoro residence in Abuja, was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman and the National Youth Leader of the party.