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  • Court restrains PDP, Damagum from reversing Southsouth zonal congress outcome

    Court restrains PDP, Damagum from reversing Southsouth zonal congress outcome

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, from taking any step that could adversely affect the outcome of the recent Southsouth zonal meeting and congress of party.

    The outcome of the meeting and congress is now subject of a suit pending before the court.

    Justice James Omotosho issued the order yesterday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed in a suit filed by Alabh George Turnah (for himself as Zonal Secretary of the Southsouth zone of the PDP and members of the Southsouth zonal working committee of the party).

    The defendants in the suit are listed as: Damagum, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Turnah alleged that the national PDP was planning to hold a meeting on March 11 to nullify the outcome of the Southsouth zonal meeting of the party held in Benin, the Edo State capital, on February 15, and the zonal elective congress held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on February 22.

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    The plaintiff recalled that at the February 22 elective congress, Chief Dan Orbih was re-elected as the Vice Chairman of the PDP for the Southsouth Zone and other party chieftains as members of the Zonal Working Committee of the party for the Southsouth Zone.

    Turnah is contending, among others, that it is not the responsibility of the party’s national leadership to determine how the zonal leadership of the party conducts its congresses and hold meetings.

    He averred that it was the national PDP that set the timetable for zonal congresses, which formed the basis of the Southsouth zonal congress held in Calabar on February 22.

    After listening to plaintiff’s lawyer, Ibrahim Idris (SAN), Justice Omotosho refused to grant the motion ex parte on the grounds that it was fair and just to give the defendants the opportunity to be heard before the court could take a decision on the reliefs sought.

    The judge held that the matter, facts and allegations by the plaintiff are so weighty that granting the interim injunctions sought in the ex parte motion without hearing the defendants/respondents “will cause serious damage to the working of the party”.

    He also held that “it is just and fair to give the defendants/respondents the opportunity to be heard in respect of this injunctive application.

    “This is not to say that the plaintiff does not have a legal right to protect, but because it would be better to give the defendants/respondents the opportunity to present their cases.”

    Justice Omotosho ordered the plaintiffs to serve the defendants/respondents with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions and other documents so far filed through substituted means for them to react.

    By the substituted service granted by the court, the plaintiff is required to serve all the court documents on Damagum and the PDP at the party’s headquarters in Abuja by pasting or handling to any adult in the building.

    Justice Omotosho emphasised the need for the court to protect judicial proceedings and ordered that no party, the defendants inclusive, shall take any steps to overreach the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions dated March 6, 2025 but filed on March 7, 2025.

    The judge adjourned till March 18 for the defendants/respondents to respond to the motion for interlocutory injunctions and for possible hearing of the motion.

  • PDP reschedules south-south zonal congress to April 12

    PDP reschedules south-south zonal congress to April 12

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled its previously postponed South-South Zonal Congress for Saturday, April 12, 2025.

    This was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to Ologunagba, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has also approved the rescheduling of the South-West and North-Central Zonal Congresses from March 22 to April 12, 2025.

    The congresses will take place simultaneously in Port Harcourt (South-South Zone), Ibadan (South-West Zone), and Jos (North-Central Zone) to elect Executive Officers and National Ex-Officio Members in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

    The NWC urged aspirants, party leaders, stakeholders, members, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media to take note of the new date and prepare accordingly.

    Meanwhile, the Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) has welcomed the NWC’s appointment of a South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, describing it as a necessary constitutional move to ensure stability in the zone.

    CP-PDP Protem National Coordinator, Barr. Obinna Nwachukwu, emphasized that the caretaker committee’s appointment, effective from March 9, 2025, aligns with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and prevents any leadership vacuum in the zone.

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    However, the CP-PDP called on the NWC to put an end to further postponements and expedite the conduct of the Zonal Congresses across the three zones to ensure the timely election of substantive executives.

    “The Conference also urges the Elder Emmanuel Ogidi-led Caretaker Committee not to be distracted but work with stakeholders in the South-South to further ensure the unity, stability and growth of the party and well as the successful conduct of the coming Zonal Congress for the election of a new Exco in the zone.

    “As professionals, the CP-PDP recognizes and pledges to work with the Ogidi-led Zonal Caretaker Committee as appointed by the NWC in moving our party forward in the South South zone,” he added.

  • 2027: PDP governors deny backing El-Rufai, Obi presidential ticket

    2027: PDP governors deny backing El-Rufai, Obi presidential ticket

    • I’m for coalition but remain PDP member, says Atiku
    • APC slams PDP over Udom’s trial, says party lacks credibility

    The Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied speculations to the effect that five of its members are supporting a potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

    A statement issued by the Director General of the Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, condemned the rumour as “unpleasant and provoking publications” pushed by elements determined to undermine its credibility.

     Agbo asserted that such baseless claims are part of a broader strategy by “negative forces” to question the leadership of the Forum amid ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria.

    The Forum is led by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    According to the statement, “the PDP Governors’ Forum is not in consonance with these actors, neither does it enjoy any ambience of political space to discuss nor seal the auction of the PDP through lowlife grifters who are allegedly working behind the scenes to support a ‘potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in the 2027 election’.

    “As a formidable party, all organs of the party have continually been engaged in attaining reconciliation across the board and reconsolidation of progressive development made in our Subnational to ameliorate the lives of our people.

    “It is obvious that these mischief makers and detractors, who are bewildered at the way and manner PDP Governors are daily performing to pull the people out of economic hardship despite the intimidation by the ruling APC, are only intimidated and can only throw mud at our good works.

    “In the world of politics, rumours and speculations are common. As such, we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight the Nigerian people to draw wrong and erroneous conclusions.” 

    According to the Forum, the unfounded allegation is only part of desperate ploys by some factions within the party.

    The statement criticized these actors for their attempts to finance low-willed factions and create a one-party entrapment, aiming to split opposition and subvert democratic institutions.

    Emphasising the PDP Governors’ Forum’s unwavering commitment to the party’s core values—equity, social justice, accountability and the sanctity of the electoral process— Dr. Agbo reassured the public that the body remains united.

    He stressed that irrespective of internal challenges within the PDP, the Forum will support the party’s eventual flag bearer chosen through a disciplined and democratic process to wrest power from what he termed the “non-performers at the centre.”

    The press statement also highlighted ongoing efforts at reconciliation and consolidation within the PDP and denounced the attempts by political opportunists to misinterpret laws and distort party policies for personal gain.

    “The dreams of the founding fathers of our great party will not be in vain,” the statement concluded.

    Atiku: I’m for coalition but remains PDP member

    Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, says he remains determined to see the actualization of a multi-party coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027 but would not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A statement by his media office titled “Atiku remains a bona fide member of PDP” and released in Abuja last night, roundly condemned increasing speculations suggesting that the former Vice President is plotting to dump the PDP.

    It said: “We have observed that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another party is a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic.

    “Recall that Atiku Abubakar had persistently called for a coalition of opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of ousting the incompetent and pain-inflicting All Progressives Congress, in order to  give Nigerians a new lease of life.

    “Atiku is still advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive.

    “Hence, it is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping PDP ship.

    “Such an allegation is antithetical to the objective of the grand coalition, which the former Vice President is currently driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.

    “We, therefore, wish to state unequivocally that Atiku remains a principal bona fide member of the PDP, the main opposition party.

    “Any insinuation to the contrary is contrived to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”

    Udom’s trial: You have no virtue anyone can discredit, APC tells PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday described as unfounded the allegation by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has engaged a section of the media to smear the image of former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, in the ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial.

    Read Also: PDP sacks pro-Wike South-South zonal exco, constitutes caretaker committee

    PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Friday, alleged that Akpabio compromised sections of the media to circulate falsehood, misrepresentations and baseless allegations of corruption against Emmanuel with the sole aim of discrediting the opposition party.

    Reacting to the allegation, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement yesterday, said the opposition PDP has lost in the hall of honour, stressing that as an expired and an already discredited party, there was nothing left to be discredited in PDP.

    Exonerating the Senate President of any complicity in the ordeal of the former governor, the ruling party argued that Akpabio remained “laser-focused on weaving a strong legislative pillar of support for the bold and transformative reform agenda of our determined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” than to be involved in Emmanuel’s trial.

    The statement reads: “In its characteristic absurdness, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that it was privy to “a well-oiled scheme” by His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, to “compromise a section of the media to engage in smear campaign through circulation of falsehood and misrepresentations against Udom Emmanuel, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State,” as part of efforts to “discredit the PDP”.

    “It is rather comical that the PDP thinks itself capable of being discredited when it knows quite well there is absolutely nothing left of it that can be discredited, even by the most strenuous effort.

    “The PDP has done a fantastic job of stripping itself bare of purpose and prestige, and needs no help from anyone, certainly not in the calibre of the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly.”

    Dismissing the allegation, Morka maintained that “the PDP offered no iota of information to substantiate its madcap allegation.  To be clear, the President of the Senate has no involvement in any smear campaign or in instigating the country’s anti-graft agencies against Udom Emmanuel.

    “The PDP and Udom Emmanuel must know that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are agencies with wide statutory powers to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption in our country. 

    “If Udom Emmanuel has been invited by the agencies, he should quietly go and answer to the allegations. It is not, and should not become an occasion for PDP to cast lots or go berserk about imagined political foes they allege may be behind the allegations.

    “Public officials from across political parties and the private sector have faced scrutiny by anti-graft agencies. Udom Emmanuel’s case cannot and must not be an exception.

    “The former Governor should only be concerned about reacting to the allegations and clearing his name.”

    Throwing jabs at the opposition party, Morka argued that one “would think that decrepit PDP would keep itself usefully occupied in search of therapy for its self-inflicted paralysis, and finding a courageous Volunteer Aspirant to fly its tattered flag in the November, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

    “The PDP and Udom Emmanuel should leave the President of the Senate out of their hot mess. Senator Akpabio remains laser-focused on weaving a strong legislative pillar of support for the bold and transformative reform agenda of our determined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “

  • I remain committed to anti-APC multi-party coalition but won’t leave PDP – Atiku

    I remain committed to anti-APC multi-party coalition but won’t leave PDP – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared commitment towards a multi-party coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in 2027. 

    He however said he will never leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

    In a statement titled: “Atiku remains a bonafide member of PDP” in Abuja on Saturday night, the former PDP presidential candidate roundly condemned increasing speculations he was plotting to dump the PDP.

    The Atiku Media team said: “We have observed that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another party is a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic.

    Read Also: Nigerian scholars in Morocco, Hungary, others appeal for payment of stipends

    “Recall that Atiku Abubakar had persistently called for a coalition of opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of ousting the incompetent and pain-inflicting All Progressives Congress, in order to  give Nigerians a new lease of life.

    “Atiku is still advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive.

    “Hence, it is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping PDP ship. Such an allegation is antithetical to the objective of the grand coalition, which the former Vice President is currently driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.

    “We, therefore, wish to state unequivocally that Atiku remains a principal bonafide member of the PDP, the main opposition party; any insinuation to the contrary is contrived to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”

  • PDP sacks pro-Wike South-South zonal exco, constitutes caretaker committee

    PDP sacks pro-Wike South-South zonal exco, constitutes caretaker committee

    Political intrigues and battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South geo-political zone have further advanced, with the announcement of a new South -South Zonal Caretaker Committee in Abuja last night.

    “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the party in the Zone from Monday, March 10, 2025,” PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba stated.

    With the move, PDP forces that are not in support of pro-Wike forces in the zone led by Chief Dan Orbih (Edo state) who was PDP South-South Zonal Chairman and George Turnah (Bayelsa state) former Zonal Legal Adviser who was announced as new Zonal Secretary in place of Felix Omemu aim to finally end their claims to leadership.

    With the backing of several PDP governors in the zone, the new announcement also aims to finally invalidate the Zonal Executive Meeting (ZEM) convened by Chief Dan Orbih in Benin, Edo State on February 15.

    While it is generally assumed that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike fully backs Orbih and the convening of a South-South zonal executive meeting and its plan for a zonal congress, Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara and some of his colleagues in the zone prefer contrary options.

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    According to PDP spokesman, Ologunagba, the new “decision of the NWC is predicated on the need to avoid any vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the affairs of the party in the South South Zone at the expiration of the tenure of the current Zonal Executive on Sunday, March 9, 2025.”

    Instructively, March 10 has become a date loaded with much expectations in the party as the Supreme Court’s decision in favour of either Senator Samuel Anyanwu or Honourable Sunday Udeh-Okoye who is being backed by several PDP governors and members of the PDP National Working Committee would determine a lot for contending forces.

    Anambra State gubernatorial aspirants in the party have stayed away from picking the party’s N40 million nomination forms out of fears that if it is signed by one of the claimants to the office of National Secretary whose claims fail at the Supreme Court on March 10, would end up invalidating their forms.

    Consequently, all the aspirants are individually waiting until March 10 which is the new date for the end of nominations, with plans to collect and submit before midnight on that day when the nomination would close.

    As party stakeholders await the March 10 date to end prevailing anxieties and finally resolve the crisis over who is authentic National Secretary, Ologunagba has also announced the names of members of the new South South Zonal Caretaker Committee who are to take over the running of PDP zonal affairs in the zone.

    The seven-member South South Zonal Caretaker Committee announced by Ologunagba will have Bro. Emma Ogidi as its Chairman while Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller -will function as Secretary.

    Other members of the committee are: Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa, Barrister Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Mr. Idehen Ebomoyi and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.

    “The South South Zonal Caretaker Committee is to oversee the activities of the party in the zone for a period of three month or until when a new Zonal Executive is elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP,”.

    “The NWC enjoins all party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in the South South Zone to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the Party in the Zone,” Ologunagba stated.

  • PDP announces South-South Caretaker Committee to replace Orbih-led exco

    PDP announces South-South Caretaker Committee to replace Orbih-led exco

    Political intrigues and battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South advanced with announcement of a new Zonal Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Friday night.

    “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the Party in the Zone from Monday, March 10, 2025,” PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba stated.

    With the move, PDP forces that are not in support of pro-Wike forces in the zone led by Chief Dan Orbih (Edo state) who was PDP South-South Zonal Chairman and George Turnah (Bayelsa state) former Zonal Legal Adviser who was announced as new Zonal Secretary in place of Felix Omemu aim to finally end their claims to leadership.

    With the backing of several PDP Governors in the zone, the new announcement also aims to finally invalidate the Zonal Executive Meeting (ZEM) convened by Orbih in Benin on Saturday, February 15th.

    While it is generally assumed that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike fully backs Orbih and the convening of a South-South zonal executive meeting and its plan for a zonal congress, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and some of his colleagues in the zone prefer contrary options.

    According to PDP spokesman, Ologunagba, the new “decision of the NWC is predicated on the need to avoid any vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the affairs of the Party in the South South Zone at the expiration of the tenure of the current Zonal Executive on Sunday, March 9, 2025.”

    March 10 has become a date loaded with much expectations in the party as the Supreme Court’s decision in favour of either Senator Samuel Anyanwu or Hon Sunday Udeh-Okoye who is being backed by several PDP Governors and members of the PDP National Working Committee would determine a lot for contending forces.

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    Anambra gubernatorial aspirants have stayed away from picking the party’s N40 million nomination forms out of fears that if it is signed by one of the claimants to the office of National Secretary it would end up invalidating their forms,

    The seven-member South South Zonal Caretaker Committee announced by Ologunagba will have Bro. Emma Ogidi as its Chairman while Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller -will function as Secretary.

    Other members of the committee are: Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa, Barrister Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Mr. Idehen Ebomoyi and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.

    “The South South Zonal Caretaker Committee is to oversee the activities of the Party in the Zone for a period of three month or until when a new Zonal Executive is elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP,”.

    “The NWC enjoins all Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in the South South Zone to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the Party in the Zone,” Ologunagba stated.

  • PDP crisis worsened by conflict of interest, personal ambition – Ex-Delta Rep

    PDP crisis worsened by conflict of interest, personal ambition – Ex-Delta Rep

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, has blamed the deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on conflicts of interest and personal ambitions of those meant to strengthen the party.

    Ossai criticised the party’s elders and founding members, accusing them of failing to take action to restore the PDP. 

    He argued that their inaction has contributed to the party’s current struggles.

    The former lawmaker, who represented the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency of Delta State under the PDP, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.

    According to Ossai, efforts to resolve the party’s internal divisions have failed due to sharp ideological and political conflicts. 

    “There are conflicts, sharp conflicts of ideas—both constitutional and political. Pure conflicts of ideas on two opposing issues that are very difficult to reconcile,” he stated.

    He said, “I’ve been with PDP since 1999, and we have tried as much as possible to fix PDP, especially when they have issues of leadership in the past. The National Assembly, who are PDP members tried to strengthen PDP, but I believe today that strengthening has been removed from the hands of the parliament.

    “Among the gladiators who are founding fathers of PDP too, have tried as much as possible to break the umbrella. So the centre cannot hold, and judging from the fact that all political parties in Nigeria are centralists in programmes and policies, there’s no sharp ideological programs that you can say you can separate from each political party today in the country.’

    Speaking on why he joined the APC, he said, “People want solution and it is the person who will give solution to the people that you have to converge on. APC gives solution through President Tunabu to the people. That’s why we are converging. Tinubu is the personality that is bringing progressive directions to this generation. So we converge on him.

    “We need People who are great leaders, who champion policies that can navigate the country to the promised land. We have had some strong leaders before who could not do it, but today we have a very strong leader that I believe in and that leader is Asiwaju Tinubu.

    Read Also: PDP will soon collapse, says ex-Reps member who joins APC

    “I followed him up during the time of SDP in Lagos. I was part of the Abalajobi groups in Lagos, and from the human rights up to SDP. I have seen his leadership style. As a governor of Lagos State, I followed him up. Then, I was a member of the House of Assembly.

    “He’s somebody I pray that he will continue to succeed and become president of the country. And today he’s the president, and he has issued in policies that are germane to sustaining our country, strengthening our country for the future. 

    “Today, my role model, Asiwaju Tinubu is championing the course for the next generations. And there’s every need for me, to follow my role model who is doing great since the umbrella has been broken, by people who are supposed to mend the umbrella. 

    “His policies aligns with mine. And I feel that also Delta States will align with such policies, which is currently not happening. And I feel that I can join forces with those of them who have been strongly in APC, in Delta State, to face Delta State.

    “I can bet you that APC is going to win Delta State. And not only winning the governorship, but winning the presidential election. And not only win the presidential election, I use my federal constituency as the basis to champion this course.

    “You will see the recent program that President Tinubu has been chuning out. You can see what is going on in terms of infrastructure development in different places that have been abandoned over the years. You can also see that currently, a policy came out from the federal government through a policy of Inherit, whereby those people who are having challenges in issues of kidney problems, diabetes, and others.

    “You can also see policies on agriculture, where all APC governors are gearing towards agricultural revolutions. And you can see that inflationary rate has dropped in terms of food in the market. You people who go to the market to buy food, you go to buy tomatoes and peppers.

    “So, I have come to join APC to assist in navigating Nigeria into the next promised land. I think that’s why I joined APC. Like I said, the entire parties is a centralist party. No sharp ideological program. But we have the capability of implementing this program, and APC stands out. So APC to the next level.”

  • Edo capital of kidnapping, violent crimes, says PDP

    Edo capital of kidnapping, violent crimes, says PDP

    The release over the weekend at Ibilo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State of the kidnapped National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Prince Eniola Olajuni, after spending 12 days in captivity, has been described as an indication that Edo is the capital of kidnapping and violent crimes in Nigeria.

    Edo Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Nehikhare, who gave this desription in a statement, alleged that Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not tackling the situation as the residents had expected.

    Read Also: Edo election dispute: Tribunal reserves judgment

    He said: “Edo State is a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal gangs, who operate with impunity, taking advantage of the deteriorating security situation, as residents and business owners continue to live in constant fear.

    “Weekend’s release of the abducted National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Prince Eniola Olajuni, after spending 12 days in captivity in Ibilo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, highlights how emboldened criminal elements have become in our dear Edo State, while the Okpebholo administration appears dazed. ‘‘

  • Ex-Lagos PDP governorship candidate Adediran dumps party

    Ex-Lagos PDP governorship candidate Adediran dumps party

    Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, said he has decided to quit the party due to leadership betrayal and sabotage he and his supporters suffered during the last general election.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, Jandor said his decision came after months of reflection and consultations with his family, political associates and supporters.

    “It has become evident that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, both at the state and national levels, has failed to uphold these principles.

    “The persistent anti-party activities, internal sabotage and lack of discipline within the party have undermined our collective efforts and made it impossible for genuine progress to be achieved,” he said.

    Read Also: Former PDP chairman hails affirmation of Odeifa’s expulsion

    Jandor expressed disappointment about the leadership of the party at the state and national levels, accusing them of undermining the collective efforts of genuine members, who had worked for the party’s success.

    He recalled how his campaign for the Lagos governorship in 2023 was met with resistance, not just from opposition parties, but also from within the PDP.

    He said despite enjoying massive grassroots support, some party leaders allegedly saw his candidacy as a threat to their personal interests.

    Jandor recalled being attacked six times during the campaign without condemnation from the party leadership.

  • Suspense in PDP as awaited S’Court judgment stalls NEC meeting

    Suspense in PDP as awaited S’Court judgment stalls NEC meeting

    PRO and anti-Nyesom Wike camps in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are back on the drawing board following Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court which went hugely in favour of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

    While Wike’s supporters are still basking in the euphoria of the court’s verdict which handed over the control of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the minister’s men, his antagonists in the PDP hierarchy are said to be agitated ahead of the decision of the apex court on the rightful National Secretary of the party.

    The position is being contested by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of Wike, and Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye who is enjoying the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

    The Supreme Court has scheduled for March 10 hearing in the appeal filed by Anyanwu against his ouster by a high court and the affirmation of the judgment by the Court of Appeal.

    One of the immediate concerns for PDP stakeholders is the proposal by the PDP Governors’ Forum and the BoT that the party’s National Working Committee headed by Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum should convene a meeting of the PDP’s highest decision-making body – the National Executive Committee (NEC) – by March 13.

    PDP held its last NEC meeting on April 18, 2024.

    Another NEC meeting initially scheduled for October 2024 was rescheduled for the following month only to be  postponed indefinitely until the PDP Governors’ Forum and the BoT started pushing for February and later March 13 for the meeting.

    Read Also: Implement S’Court decision on Amaewhule, others, National Assembly caucus tells Fubara

    However, the office of PDP National Secretary, which is the engine room of both the PDP NWC and NEC, appears to be now in a limbo apparently on account of the struggle for the position.

    On February 6, 2025, the Supreme Court fixed March 10 for the hearing of Anyanwu’s appeal.

    The appellant, through his counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), is challenging the December 20, 2024 decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, which affirmed his removal from office by a high court and recognised Sunday Udey-Okoye.

    Anyanwu is contending that fake documents were procured to win the case against him at the lower courts, adding that the appellate court erred in law when it upheld the trial court’s jurisdiction over a matter that dealt with the internal affairs of the PDP.

    Contending against the Appeal Court’s characterization of him as a ‘political appointee’, Anyanwu emphasised that the PDP constitution outlines specific procedures for vacating executive offices, which include removal or resignation during his four-year tenure, adding that Article 47 of the PDP constitution provides for a four-year single term for party officials, and that there was no basis for the concurrent findings of the lower courts that deemed him to have vacated his office.

    Respondents in the appeal include the Peoples Democratic Party and its National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagun.

    Sources said yesterday that power blocs working to oust both Anyanwu and Damagum are hoping that Anyanwu would lose at the Supreme Court and pave the way for a NEC meeting that can overwhelm Damagum and compel him to vacate as Acting National Chairman.

    “Nobody wants to talk now. We are intently looking forward to the March 10 verdict. And if it goes the way we expect, we will be able to oust them (Damagum and Anyanwu) and give the party a fresh start,” a BoT member who requested anonymity said.

    Besides Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court, Wike’s loyalists are also said to have drawn inspiration from the recent ruling of a Federal High Court in Abakaliki, which affirmed the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa, former PDP Vice Chairman (South East).

    Odefa is believed to have played a major part in the emergence of Udeh-Okoye as a contender for the office of National Secretary.

    Last Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted an application filed by Anyanwu to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from giving effect to his removal as PDP’s National Secretary,

    Playing safe to avoid legal repercussions while it prepares for the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, the PDP has continued to disallow Hon. Udeh-Okoye from signing official correspondence despite pressure from some party stakeholders.

    The Nation gathered that in continuation of the struggle for the soul of the PDP by the Wike and Abubakar Atiku camps, the National Secretariat of the PDP has rejected a letter introducing the South-South Zonal Working Committee of the party.

    The zonal EXCO was elected at a congress in Cross River State penultimate weekend with Chief Dan Orbih, an ally of Wike, as Chairman.

    The letter, addressed to Senator Sam Anyanwu as National Secretary, was several times stamped as ‘rejected mail’ by the PDP Directorate of Mobilization on its arrival.