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  • PDP youths vow to drag Akeredolu, Ondo Assembly to court

    PDP youths vow to drag Akeredolu, Ondo Assembly to court

    The Youth Wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo has vowed to drag the state House of Assembly to court if it fails to invoke Section 189(4) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    The group said it would also sue Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for failing to resume his duties in the state.

    The spokesman of the Ondo PDP youths, Tayo Oluyi, said it was crucial that the state Assembly upholds the constitutional provisions to ensure the continued and effective functioning of our government.

    He said: “We have written a letter of ‘Request to invoke Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution on the state of health of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’, to the State House of Assembly.

    “And if the State House of Assembly failed in this regard, we won’t hesitate to explore other legitimate constitutional means to press our demands.

    “We are ready as a main opposition party to take the governor to court, or even the Speaker if they failed to invoke Section 189(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on him (governor).

    “It is also in our legal rights to take to the streets if they fail to address this because our demands are very simple. We can’t have a governor who has yet to address the citizens since he returned from his medical vacation.

    “If truly the governor is fit, he should come out to address the good people of Ondo state, it should not be something that is much for him to do.

    Read Also: Row over impeachment call on Akeredolu

    Oluyi stated: “While we do not presume the reason for his disappearance, we reference his not-too-long communication to the Ondo State House of Assembly wherein he requested medical leave. We request that Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides a framework for addressing situations where a Governor is unable to discharge the functions of the office due to health-related reasons be initiated by the State Legislative Arm.

    “Given the critical nature of the responsibilities vested in the Governor, the potential implications of the state’s governance during a time of health-related incapacity, and how details of the heal condition of Governor Akeredolu has been deliberately shrouded in secrecy, leaving the people with no information. It is important a thorough assessment of the Governor’s state of health is undertaken to determine the appropriate course of action.

    “It is crucial that the House of Assembly, in the interest of our state and its citizens, uphold constitutional provisions to ensure the continued and effective functioning of our government.”

    However, the chief press secretary to Governor Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, said the governor has been fulfilling his constitutional duties since his return from medical vacation.

    Olatunde, who spoke in a radio programme, said an incapacitated governor could not have received the current national leadership of the APC on a courtesy visit.

    He said: “As part of the administration’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, palliatives are being distributed across the three senatorial districts. Governor Akeredolu’s government has adopted innovative approaches to distribute these relief measures.”

    “After the governor’s return from his medical vacation, he approved the recruitment of 150 staff for the state Internal Revenue Service. The recruitment process began at the Public Service Institute (PSTI) in Ilaramokin, featuring Computer-Based Tests (CBT) starting on October 9, 2023.”

    “The Governor also approved the construction of tax stations in Ondo and Ikare, as well as a revenue court in Akure. Progress is already visible on these projects.”

    “Don’t forget that it was after the Governor’s return that he signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into law. He has also established a team to identify LCDA headquarters. Progress is being made on this front.”

    “In fact, after his return, the Governor signed the 2023 Appropriation bill for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) into law, following its passage by the State House of Assembly.

    Olatunde added: “Governor Akeredolu is not incapacitated. The Governor addressed this issue when he received the current National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The former Chairman, Adamu, didn’t contact the Governor during his treatment in Germany. It’s absurd to declare someone incapacitated without even attempting to communicate with them.”

    “The truth of the matter is that the Governor is fulfilling his constitutional roles. If anyone asserts otherwise, ask them what’s currently left undone in the state. Workers are receiving their salaries on time, and leave bonuses have been paid. Permanent Secretaries have received brand new SUVs as official vehicles. The state is thriving.”

    “Market women and artisans, who benefit from regular salary payments and leave bonuses, feel the presence of the Governor. Consider this, how often do they see the Governor in person? They primarily feel his impact when there’s increased market activity and patronage.”

    “The Amotekun corps and other security agencies are functioning effectively. Free school shuttle buses are operating, and road construction is ongoing in the SIB-Alagbaka area. The construction of ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes is nearly complete, with 250-bed facilities in Akure and Ondo.

    “Those claiming that Ondo state is in crisis are merely motivated by their interests. Don’t lend credence to their statements.”

  • Ihedioha, Udenwa, others shun Imo PDP rally

    Ihedioha, Udenwa, others shun Imo PDP rally

    Imo State   former governors Emeka Ihedioha and Chief Achike Udenwa yesterday shunned the  rally by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  to kick off  the governorship campaign  for the party’s candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

    Other stakeholders who stayed away from the ceremony held at Kanu Nwankwo Stadium, Owerri include directors of his campaign council,  especially the campaign Director General,  Ikenga Ugochinyere and advisers.

    However, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and his counterparts from Edo State, Godwin Obasaki and Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal attended.

    In his welcome address,  Anyanwu promised to conduct the local government election if he is elected governor,  adding that the local government has suffered a setback since the administration of the APC-led government.

    He also said he would pay all pensioners the ruling government tagged: “ghost workers.”

    Anyanwu said:  “I will conduct the local government election as soon as I take over the Douglas House. The local government has suffered a setback since the administration of the APC led government came to power.

    ‘’I will also pay all those pensioners Governor Hope Uzodimma tagged: ghost workers and pay all backlog of salaries owed to the workers.”

    Read Also:Former Kwara PDP scribe joins APC

    On industrialisation, he said recognising the role of industries in driving economic growth and job creation, “our government will be committed to rewriting the state’s present economic misfortunes.”

    On security, he said he would secure people, property and businesses. “This is the primary responsibility of the government that my administration shall be committed to. The present government has totally abdicated its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties of citizens which has resulted in widespread insecurity, deaths, mass poverty, crippling our state’s economy, education and overall degradation of growth, development and well-being of Imo citizens.”

    Governor Mbah urged Imo people to come out en masse and vote for the PDP and Samddady. “

     The acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum said that the party will return to power come November 11 and appealed to the people to join ha da to kick the present administration in the state out.

     “Let me tell you your votes can not be seized this time around. We will send them out of the state and back to their business where they belong.

      If you want to continue suffering, then don’t support Senator Samuel Anyanwu but if you want to come out, then cast your votes for our candidate, because he has the capacity to bring positive change to Imo.”

  • PDP tasks INEC on BVAS, IReV for Nov 11 polls

    PDP tasks INEC on BVAS, IReV for Nov 11 polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to walk the talk on the conduct of governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states slated for November 11.

    The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had at the weekend assured that the Commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the conduct of the election.

    The Commission’s chairman also said results will be uploaded and transmitted by electronic means from the polling units to INEC’s central server in real time.

    Read Also: Georgieva: IMF mediating to resolve debt crisis between debtor and creditor nations

    Reacting to Prof Yakubu’s statements, the PDP charged INEC to make good its promise as the party will not accept anything less.

    At a media conference in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the use of the stated technology devices for elections was a mandatory statutory requirement of the law.

    Ologunagba said: “The PDP holds INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu directly responsible and accountable to his pronouncements and that INEC is bound by law to electronically transmit results directly from the polling units using these technologies.

    “The PDP is fully prepared for these elections and in line with the commitment of INEC, will not accept any other means of transmitting results in these elections except as this manner pronounced by the INEC Chairman in line with requirement of Electoral Act, 2022.

    “The PDP has commenced training of our polling agents at all levels to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Regulations especially as confirmed by the INEC Chairman.”

    “INEC Chairman must note that the integrity of an election process is directly linked to the confidence of the electorate”.

    The party expressed confidence in its candidates to win the governorship elections in the three states.

  • PDP calls on INEC to honour pledge on BVAS, IReV in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa polls

    PDP calls on INEC to honour pledge on BVAS, IReV in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 

    to walk the talk on the conduct of governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states slated for  November 11.

    The INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had at the weekend assured that the Commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the conduct of the election.

    The Commission’s chairman also said results will be uploaded and transmitted by electronic means from the polling units to INEC’s central server in real time.

    Reacting to Prof Yakubu’s statements, the PDP charged INEC to make good its promise as the party will not accept anything less.

    At a media conference in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the use of the stated technology devices for elections was a mandatory statutory requirement of the law.

    Ologunagba said: “The PDP holds INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu directly responsible and accountable to his pronouncements and that INEC is bound by law to electronically transmit results directly from the polling units using these technologies.

    Read Also: Impeachment: PDP plotting  crisis in Ondo – APC alleges

    “The PDP is fully prepared for these elections and in line with the commitment of INEC, will not accept any other means of transmitting results in these elections except as this manner pronounced by the INEC Chairman in line with requirement of Electoral Act, 2022.

    “The PDP has commenced training of our polling agents at all levels to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Regulations especially as confirmed by the INEC Chairman  

    “INEC chairman must note that the integrity of an election process is directly linked to the confidence of the electorate”.

    The party expressed confidence in its candidates to win the governorship elections in the three states.

  • Impeachment: PDP plotting  crisis in Ondo – APC alleges

    Impeachment: PDP plotting  crisis in Ondo – APC alleges

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State said it has uncovered plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to instigate crisis in Akure, the state capital.

    It said the planned crisis would take off Monday, October 16.

    The Ondo APC said the plan was to create a semblance of political instability in the peaceful with a view to portraying it in bad light, ahead of next year’s governorship election.

    A statement by spokesman of the Ondo APC, Alex Kalejaye, said some PDP chieftains have begun making huge contributions, in collaboration with some APC members to destabilise the state.

    Kalejaye said the Sunshine State has been peaceful, organized, and enjoyed enviable political stability as well as industrial harmony.

    According to the statement, “It is unbelievable that the main opposition party, PDP, that is engulfed by leadership turbulent in Abuja, will prefer to go into unholy alliance with some elements in APC to foment avoidable crisis in Ondo State.

    Read Also: We remain resolute to vote APC guber candidate, say Bayelsa youths

    “Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.

    “The party also expressed appreciation for the understanding and prayers of the good people of the State for the admirable governor.

    “We are very optimistic that our Governor; your performing Governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days.

    “It is imperative to state that any political gathering or activity at this time could easily be hijacked beyond the control and capacity of the organizers.

    “We therefore call on security agencies to be vigilant and ensure that every gathering is well guided, and closely monitored for compliance.”

    “The party is confident that the APC-led government in Ondo State will continue to invest in projects that have direct bearings on the welfare of the public. We will also not relax our commitment to the State workforce.”

    But the Ondo PDP said Governor Akeredolu should appear in public or tendered resignation letter.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Kenndy Peretei, said the APC was shameless to be comfortable with the total collapse of governance in the state.

    He the Governor has not been seen in the state since April, this year.

    “The PDP is known for its peaceful and developmental strides in the State. We cannot be accused of planning to create crisis in the state.

    “It is clear that APC is afraid of their own shadows having failed to meet the expectations of the people.

    “If they know where Akeredolu is, they should ask him to come out or resign honorably.”

  • Tribunal verdict assumed religious bent in Nasarawa, says PDP group

    Tribunal verdict assumed religious bent in Nasarawa, says PDP group

    A coalition of PDP youth groups in Nasarawa State has raised concerns over the religious coloration and comments the tribunal verdict removing Governor Abdullahi Sule, has taken.

    Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Esther Osana, in a press conference yesterday in Lafia, expressed concerns over the reckless sentiments and threatening remarks offered in the state by various stakeholders over the judgment.

    According to her, “Most regrettably, some of these unfortunate statements are coming from our supposed political and religious leader, Primate Elijah Ayodele in an early trending video, openly telling the members of the Nasarawa State PDP and its candidate to seize power from Governor Sule at all cost. This is a clear incitement against the state.

    “Governor Sule, as a result of the foregoing, has also raised an alarm, telling the world how he is being threatened to be removed from office, using religion sentiment….”

    Read Also: Fresh crisis hits PDP as BOT demands resignation of Secretary

    “If Governor Abdullahi Sule is not a kind and benevolent leader, this state would have since been plunged into an uncontrollable chaos.

    “…After a closer look at the ruling by the tribunal, we realised that merit was compromised for religion sentiment; if not, how on earth will you justify such shambolic ruling, where out of three judges, two Christian judges ruled in favour of their Christian brother and candidate of the PDP David Umbugadu while the remaining Muslim judge ruled in favour of his Muslim brother and candidate of the APC, Abdullahi Sule. This is unfortunate and condemnable.”

    The coalition called on their party, the PDP, not to allow this religious sentiment to take front row in the politics of the state. “Dear members of our beloved party, PDP, we must admit that what is wrong is wrong. If this religion, tribal and other dangerous diverse factors are allowed to become the order of the day in the state, we have a long way to go. As a party, we must adhere to the strict principles of decent democracy as being practised across the globe”.

  • Fresh crisis hits PDP as BOT demands resignation of Secretary

    Fresh crisis hits PDP as BOT demands resignation of Secretary

    • Anyanwu risks disqualification from Imo governorship race
    • He remains our scribe, NWC insists

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is battling a fresh crisis following a demand by the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) for immediate resignation of the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party insisted yesterday that Anyanwu should remain in office.

    Anyanwu, who doubles as the party’s governorship candidate in next month’s election in Imo State, risks disqualification from the poll.

    The Acting Chairman of the BOT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, conveyed the decision of the organ to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagun, in an October 12, 2023 letter.

    The BOT accused Anyanwu of constitutional breach by holding the office of the National Secretary and hanging on to   the governorship ticket of the party at the same time.

    The organ described Anyanwu’s action as morally wrong.

    The letter reads: “It has recently come to the attention of the Board of Trustees (BOT) that the current Imo State Gubernatorial Candidate of our Party, Sen. Anyanwu is still holding on to the Office of the National Secretary of the party.

    “Not only is this morally wrong as no one is allowed to hold dual positions; but also, against the constitutional provision of our Party which provides for a mandatory requirement of resignation for any party office holder who wishes to contest any elective position. Please see section 47(5) of our constitution as amended.

    “The usual practice is for him to have resigned earlier than now. However, in the wisdom of the NWC, he was allowed to continue in office till now.

    “Nonetheless, the BOT, as the conscience of the party, has the constitutional authority to call to order any member of the party acting in a way contrary to the guiding principles of our party, and this is one of them.”

    The BOT asked the National Chairman and the NWC to ensure immediate resignation of Anyanwu.

    It said:”It is therefore against the background of the above, the Board wishes to put it on record and state categorically that the NWC should do the right thing by ensuring that the Imo Gubernatorial Candidate resigns from office immediately and focus on the election which is less than 30 days away.

    “While thanking you for your unwavering support and commitment to the party, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    Read Also: Anyanwu remains PDP National Secretary – NWC

    Apart from Anyanwu, other party leaders copied by Wabara were the Presidential Candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-East Zone, High Chief Ali Odefa; the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah and a former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

    The Nation gathered that the BOT’s letter has ignited a cold war in the party between Atiku’s group and those loyal to the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

    Although Wike bankrolled the election of Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party, the duo are no longer together after Anyanwu pitted her tent with Atiku.

    Anyanwu was also said to have irreconcilable differences with Ihedioha, who was the last PDP governor in the state before he was sacked by the Supreme Court in favour of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

    There were fears last night that some elements in the party sympathetic to Wike may push for the disqualification of Anyanwu.

    The opposition, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), may also ask the court to disqualify Anyanwu for not resigning before the party’s governorship primaries.

    He’ll continue to function in office —NWC

    The PDP NWC however insisted yesterday that Anyanwu would continue to function as its National Secretary.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, dismissed claims by a ‘mischievous group’ within the party that Anyanwu had been removed from his position.

    He said: “The attention of the NWC of PDP had been drawn to a statement by a group mischievously purporting that the NWC had relieved Anyanwu of his elected position as national secretary.

    “The NWC states in very clear terms that the claim by the group is completely false as the NWC did not at any time relieve or contemplate relieving the National Secretary, Anyanwu, of his position.

    “The NWC therefore strongly condemns the action of this group, which is obviously the handiwork of those who intend to embarrass, cause disaffection and division in our party in their attempt to distract the PDP, our candidate, Anyanwu and the people of Imo State in the quest to rescue the state from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The NWC states and cautions that no matter how strongly an individual or group feels about an issue, resorting to fabrications, lies and claiming a non-existent decision by the NWC is highly condemnable.”

    Ologunagba urged Nigerians, particularly PDP’s teeming members and supporters in Imo State to disregard the said false claims as Anyanwu remains the PDP National Secretary and candidate for the party in the November 11 Governorship election.

  • Anyanwu remains PDP National Secretary – NWC

    Anyanwu remains PDP National Secretary – NWC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National  Working Committee (NWC) says the party’s candidate in the Nov. 11 Imo State Governorship election, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu will remain the party National Secretary.

    The party made the clarification in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday.

    Ologunagba said that the attention of the NWC of PDP had been drawn to a statement by a group mischievously purporting that the NWC had relieved Anyanwu of his elected position as national secretary.

    “The NWC states In very clear terms that the claim by the group is completely false as the NWC did not at any time relieve or contemplate to relieve the National Secretary, Anyanwu of his position.

    “The NWC therefore strongly condemns the action of this group which is obviously the handiwork of those who intend to embarrass, cause disaffection and division in our party in their attempt to distract the PDP, our candidate, Anyanwu and the people of Imo State in the quest to rescue the State from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Ohanaeze plans to meet Tinubu over Nnamdi Kanu – Iwuanyanwu

    “The NWC states and cautions that no matter how strongly an individual or group feels about an issue, resorting to fabrications, lies and claiming of a non-existent decision by the NWC is highly condemnable, “ Ologunagba said.

    He urged Nigerians, particularly PDP teeming members and supporters in Imo to disregard the said false claims as Anyanwu remains the PDP national secretary and candidate of the party in the Nov. 11, Governorship election.

    “The NWC charges the PDP in Imo to remain united, focused, at alert and continue to resist the antics of suppressive forces which are bent at distracting our Party in the march to victory on Nov. 11,” Ologunagba said.

    (NAN)

  • PDP accuses INEC of vote allocation in Nasarawa election

    PDP accuses INEC of vote allocation in Nasarawa election

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allocated votes to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa state.

    In a statement by Alhaji Ibrahim Hamza, PDP spokesperson in the state, said INEC owed the citizens of Nasarawa clarifications on how it arrived at the number of votes allocated to the incumbent governor.

    In the statement, Hamza recalled that the majority judgment of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal invalidated the declaration of Gov. Sule by INEC as the winner of the election.

    The tribunal also declared the candidate of the PDP, David Ombugadu as the winner of the election, and directed INEC to issue him with a Certificate of Return.

    Hamza said as a believer in democratic principles, the PDP recognised the right of Gov. Sule to appeal the majority judgment of the tribunal.

    Read Also: Propaganda won’t guarantee your victory, APC council tells Diri, PDP

    He, however, stressed that it was crucial for INEC to clarify the alleged discrepancy in the vote count during the election.

    According to him, the discrepancy in the vote count was also manifest in the minority judgment of the tribunal which was in favour of the governor.

    It will be recalled that INEC, in March 2023, claimed that Sule won the governorship election with 347,209 votes and it allocated 283,016 votes to Dr Ombugadu of the PDP.

    “But in his minority judgment, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Mashi ruled that  Sule scored only 295,402 votes as against the inflated votes of 347,209 freely given to him by INEC.

    “The same minority judgment said  Ombugadu scored 291, 603 as against the suppressed votes of 283,016 allocated to him by INEC.

    “The question begging for answer is where did INEC get the 51,807 votes margin it generously allocated to AA Sule and returned him as the elected governor of Nasarawa State based on the ruling of the same minority judgment?.”

    Speaking further, the PDP noted that the appeal filed by the governor lacked substance and hence would not stand.

    (NAN)

  • Open letter to Peoples Democratic Party

    Open letter to Peoples Democratic Party

    By Reno Omokri

    SIR: It has been said that a person’s worst enemy is the individual who feeds their weaknesses and vulnerabilities. The 2023 election is over. Peter Obi defeated us, not Bola Tinubu. By contesting in an election he knew he could not win, Peter Obi stole away votes that would naturally have come to the Peoples Democratic Party (the Southeast has always voted PDP since 1999. Only 2023 was an exception). That is why we lost.

    As a true friend of the Peoples Democratic Party, I told Peter Obi this before the election. I also said the same thing to Waziri Atiku Abubakar. I said if we did not find a way to convince Peter Obi not to run, then we would have to take him on head-on because there was not enough space for both him and Waziri Atiku Abubakar on the plinth of victory. But that is now history.

    The fact of the matter is that the current trajectory of our party is very and eerily similar to the election denial that prevailed in the Republican Party after the 2020 election. Pinning all our hopes on a smoking gun from Chicago State University that failed to manifest shows that we have reached the end of our ropes.

    Let us face the truth. AriseTV and other irresponsible media got our hopes up unnecessarily. Chicago State University never denied Bola Tinubu. A meticulous reading of Caleb Westberg’s deposition shows that he affirmed Tinubu three times as a bona fide graduate they once issued with a diploma certificate.

    Read Also; Tinubu mourns prominent corporate lawyer, Ogunbanjo

    Under normal circumstances, it would be apparent to us that there is no case here. Chicago State University, through its registrar, Westberg, has testified under oath that Bola Tinubu, the male now President of Nigeria, was admitted, attended and graduated from their institution.

    They never denied his credentials. What they said, both in their affidavit and the deposition that followed is that they could not attest to the diploma tendered by Bola Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission, not because Bola Tinubu did not graduate from their university, but because a third party vendor issued it, and certificates are more of “a Nigerian thing”.

    In case members of my party do not know, in November of 2022, this same Mike Enahoro-Ebah had attempted to disqualify Tinubu on exactly these same grounds that we are following today, and an FCT Magistrate Court struck out his case without being assigned. And then we think the Supreme Court will give credence to what a magistrate court dismissed?

    What do we now want to prove at the Supreme Court, even in the unlikely event we are allowed to present new evidence? That Bola Tinubu forged a diploma for a degree that he legitimately earned? If not for desperation, why would the great Peoples Democratic Party that produced Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan even consider clutching at such a weak straw? It is like saying a man forged a cheque for an account in his name!

    Bola Tinubu’s political foes have clutched at this straw before in 1999 and 2003 and failed. And that is what we now want to hold onto for survival in 2023? Twenty years after it failed?

    The people behind this desperation are almost all agents of Peter Obi, and they don’t love Waziri Atiku Abubakar or the PDP. To them, it is a clever strategy of using Waziri to fight Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, hoping that they cancel each other and that a rerun election is ordered, which Peter Obi will win. They fail to consider that as of today and the foreseeable future, that is yes daddily impossible.

    Whether through rigging or by fair play, we were outsmarted by Bola Tinubu during the #NigerianElections2023. Our redemption as a party will not come from Chicago. It will come from facing reality and ensuring we do not have a divided house in 2027.

    I have been more loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party than those now trying to make something out of nothing. And if I cannot tell my party the truth, then to borrow the words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:19, I am of all men most miserable!

    • Reno Omokri, renoomokri@yahoo.co.uk