TheNewsGuru

Tag: PDP

  • By-elections: PDP announces sales of nomination forms

    By-elections: PDP announces sales of nomination forms

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will commence the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for outstanding by-elections in 12 states on Thursday, July 3.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had approved the timetable and Schedule of activities for the by-elections.

    Ologunagba said that under the approved timetable, sale of forms would end on July 10 while the submission of all forms would be on July 11.

    He said that eligible and interested party members should obtain and return their completed forms at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

    “The NWC assures all party leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP of a transparent and credible nomination as we march to victory in the by-elections,” Ologunagba said.

    Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had slated August 16 for the conduct of outstanding by-elections in 12 states.

    The elections will hold in Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North State Constituency in Anambra, Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia North East/South West Federal Constituency in Edo.

    Others are Batura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa; Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and Zaria/ Kawasaki and Basawa State Constituency in Kaduna State; Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency in Kano State; and Okura II State Constituency in Kogi.

    Also are Munya State Constituency, Niger State; Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo/North Federal Constituency, Ogun State; Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo, Karim Lamido 1 State Constituency, Taraba and Kaura Namoda South State Constituency in Zamfara.

  • David Mark opens up on real reason for leaving PDP

    David Mark opens up on real reason for leaving PDP

    Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator David Mark, on Wednesday, resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Senator Mark, who is one of the prominent opposition figures in the country, was on Tuesday, appointed as the interim National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform adopted by the opposition coalition.

    Former Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun also emerged as the interim National Secretary of ADC, under the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.

    Mark’s resignation letter, entitled: “Notice of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, dated July 27, was addressed to the chairman of Ward 1, Otukpo in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    He attributed his decision to quit PDP to recent developments which, he said, had reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, thus subjecting it to public ridicule.

    “I bring warm greetings to you and members of the PDP, Otukpo Ward 1 and, by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.

    “You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP.

    “Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.

    “I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.

    “However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” he said.

    The former senate president said that after wide consultations with his family, friends and political associates, he resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.

    This, he said, was part of the collective efforts to rescue the country and preserve its hard-earned democracy.

  • PDP crisis will soon be over – Pearse

    PDP crisis will soon be over – Pearse

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, says the party’s coast will be clear after its Convention in August.

    Pearse, a former member of the Atiku Abubakar 2023 Presidential Campaign Committee and Convener of the Reset Lagos PDP group, made the statement on Thursday, while reacting to the crisis rocking the party.

    He said that destabilising issues  over the rightful occupier of the PDP National Secretary position would be resolved.

    Pearse said the problems  in the PDP presently were contrived by  some internal and external elements  to  ensure victory  for APC in 2027 .

    According to him,   the success of the May 27 PDP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is an indication that the party would get things  right soon.

    “After the June 30 meeting which will lead to our August Convention where we  elect a substantive National Chairman to replace Damagun , the coast will become clearer to everyone.

    “Mark my word, next year, the PDP will have its National Convention to elect a presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

    “Anyone that emerges as the candidate of the PDP from that convention will win the 2027 presidential election,” Pearse, a board member of Governors Peoples Democratic Institute, (PDI), said.

    He boasted that a PDP President and government would rescue Nigeria from its  current challenges.

    He said that Nigerians were eager to see the return  of PDP back in government for  a secure and prosperous country.

    Some PDP governors, leaders, lawmakers and loyalists defected to other parties lately over the instability in the party.

  • Court adjourns PDP national scribe legal battle to September 22

    Court adjourns PDP national scribe legal battle to September 22

    Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 22, for hearing in the suit on the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The judge fixed the date for a definite hearing of all motions against the suit filed by the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, based on the agreement of the parties.

    The matter which was coming before Justice Umar for the first time, had earlier been fixed for judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo before the plaintiff brought an application for amendment of his original process.

    Anyanwu had originally sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the acting National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagun, as first and second defendants.

    In the ex-parte application, Anyanwu, through his lawyer, Ken Njemanze (SAN), had prayed the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining INEC from accepting, acting on or giving effect to any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    He also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Damagun from dispatching to INEC any correspondence purportedly emanating from PDP signed by the acting chair and not counter-signed by him.

    After taking arguments from lawyers representing parties in the suit, Justice Ekwo later fixed judgment for March 25, for judgment.

    However, on the scheduled date for judgment, Anyanwu had brought an application seeking to amend their originating process to correct the issue for determination.

    Following, the request the court then fixed May 19, for a hearing of the motion which was also objected to by parties in the suit.

    Recall that following applications for joinder, the court had included the PDP and Udeh-Okoye in the suit as third and fourth defendants.

    It also joined the National Vice Chairman, PDP South-East, Ali Odela; and Deputy National Secretary of the party, Setonji Koshoedo; as fifth and sixth defendants respectively.

    However, the case was later transferred to Justice Umar, for determination.

    At Thursday’s proceedings, Anyanwu, who was represented by U. C. Njemanze-Aku, informed the court that the matter was originally slated for mention, adding that the plaintiff had received a letter from the 5th defendant requesting that the case be adjourned till September.

    Njemanze-Aku told the court that while they are not against the request for an adjournment, it would appreciate a shorter date from the court.

    Other parties represented in court also aligned themselves with the position of the plaintiff.

    Counsel for Ude Okoye, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed the court that the issue currently before the court had been resolved by the apex court, adding that the apex court held that the subject matter before the court was exclusive of political parties.

    Erokoro said he would be bringing an application wherein he intends to attach the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    Responding, Justice Umar subsequently directed all parties to file their response to the motion for amendment by Anyanwu, adding that the motion as well as all objections would be heard on September 22.

  • PDP NWC members divided over Anyanwu’s reinstatement

    PDP NWC members divided over Anyanwu’s reinstatement

    The National Working Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is divided over the decision to reinstate Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party National Secretary and the cancellation of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    The party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had earlier at a news conference in Abuja, announced the reinstatement of Anyanwu, following the meeting of the party’s leadership with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday.

    He had described Anyanwu’s reinstatement as the national secretary as a bitter pill that PDP had to swallow.

    “INEC is our regulator and they have told us their position as it affects the issues surrounding the national secretary. We are all aware that the national secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds.

    “As such, we have decided to abide by their advice, especially as we have a very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So, we have no option but to abide by the decision. After due consultations and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it,” had said.

    The acting national chairman also disclosed that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, earlier scheduled for June 30, had been suspended.

    However, a faction of the NWC, in a statement issued later on Wednesday, described Damagum’s pronouncements as null and void.

    The statement, jointly signed by 12 NWC members, said that NEC meeting was neither cancelled nor or postponed and that Anyanwu was not reinstated.

    “The attention of the NWC of the PDP has been drawn to a press briefing by  Damagum, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June, 2025,” the statement read in part.

    The factional NWC members said that asking Anyanwu to resume as PDP national secretary was contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which referred all matters relating to the office to the 100th NEC meeting.

    “The pronouncements by the acting national chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the NEC under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

    ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention.

    “By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, June 30 is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.

    “Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is therefore misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC

    “In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting, as scheduled for Monday, June, 30, has not been canceled or postponed,” the NWC members stated.

    The statement was jointly signed by PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, acting National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo and the National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed.

    Other signatories to the statement were the National Auditor, Okechukwu Daniel, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, National Financial Secretary, Woyengikuro Daniel and the National Vice Chairman (South East), High Chief Ali Odefa.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South), Emmanuel Ogidi, National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Darasimi Bryhm,.Sen. Hayatu Gwarzo and the National Vice Chairman (South West), Ajisafe Toyese were also part of those who signed the letter.

  • 2027: Resolve your crisis quickly – Akpabio tells PDP

    2027: Resolve your crisis quickly – Akpabio tells PDP

    The Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition, urging the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to quickly resolve its leadership crises.

    Akpabio stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the newly constructed Interchange that linked Wole Soyinka Way (Arterial Road N20) to Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja.

    The senate president, who represented Tinubu at the event, stressed the need for opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP) to reorganise their parties to play active roles of the oppositions.

    “However, you people got yourselves into this confusion, try and get yourself out of it very quickly because President Bola Tinubu is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition.

    “As a true democrat, we would like to see a very vibrant opposition in the country. It saddens Tinubu when he sees the way the opposition in Nigeria is in disarray,” he said.

    Akpabio disclosed that he received and read a letter a defector from the LP, adding that it was not only PDP that was in disarray.

    “Even the LP is cracked and people who are strong members of the party are angling to rule Nigeria when they cannot put a small political party like that in order,” he said.

    “Sen. Neda Imasuen representing Edo South Senatorial District in the Senate just defected this afternoon from the LP and moved from the left-hand side of the Senate to the right-hand side.

    “I had to do that ritual. I’m not tired. I’m happy to receive them because our doors are open in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “So, congratulations to Imasuen, who has decided to leave the fractured LP to join the APC,” Akpabio said.

    Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, faulted the PDP’s directive that the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu should resume duty.

    Recall the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, in a news conference announced the reinstatement of Anyanwu as its national secretary.

    Wike, who faulted the directive, argued that Anyanwu had been doing his work, stressing that it was wrong for the party chairman to ask him to resume.

    “The National Secretary has been working and will continue to work. He doesn’t require anybody to direct him to resume work,” he said.

    The minister, who attributed the development to ignorance of the law, said that he would not be a party to those who shoot themselves on the foot.

  • Why PDP reinstated Anyanwu as national secretary – Damagum

    Why PDP reinstated Anyanwu as national secretary – Damagum

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary.

    Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, disclosed this at a news conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

    Damagum described Anyanwu’s reinstatement as the national secretary as a bitter pill that PDP had to swallow.

    He recalled that yesterday (Tuesday), when PDP leaders rose from a meeting with INEC, they promised to meet with party stakeholders and make known their decisions on issued discussed at the meeting.

    “We met with some of our governors, the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, the BOT and the caucus of the National Assembly, and after an extensive meeting, where critical issues were discussed, we were able to identify our problems.

    “INEC is our regulator and they have told us their position as it affects the issues surrounding the national secretary.

    “We are all aware that the national secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds.

    “As such, we have decided to abide by their advice, especially as we have a very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So, we have no option but to abide by the decision.

    “After due consultations and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it.

    “I want to use this opportunity to call on all our party faithful to know that it was a difficult decision, but the survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for,” he said.

    The acting national chairman also disclosed that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting earlier scheduled for June 30 had been suspended.

    He stated that PDP would do the right thing, adding: “it is the decision of most members of this party, led by the organs of the party.

    “The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus to discuss extensively the way forward to NEC. That would be on the 30th.

    “We will issue a notice; there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.

    “As it is, like they told us, they don’t have any notice of NEC meeting from us because I was the only person that signed (the letter), and we have not followed the guidelines.

    “So, the caucus will take a decision for NEC as well as all the critical issues brought before us, leading to our national convention,” he said.

    In attendance at the meeting, alongside Damagum, were the Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro.

    Other included: former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Bayelsa, Sen. Seriake Dickson, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon Kingsley Chinda, among others.

  • PDP asks Samuel Anyanwu to resume as National Secretary

    PDP asks Samuel Anyanwu to resume as National Secretary

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Senator Samuel Anyanwu to resume his duties as the National Secretary of the party.

    Acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum made this known on Wednesday durin a press briefing at Wadata Plaza, the party’s National Secretariat.

    The Acting National Chairman also declared that the planned 100th NEC meeting has been canceled owing to issues with the constitution. Instead, the party will convene a National Caucus meeting on June 30th.

    “Anyanwu is resuming as the national secretary. At the next caucus, we will make a decision leading to a proper NEC. Like INEC said, they don’t have our notice, so we will have an extended caucus meeting on June 30,” Damagun said.

    This is coming after a PDP high-powered delegation met with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the lingering crisis on the position of its national secretary.

    Details shortly…

  • Details emerge from PDP’s delegation meeting with INEC

    Details emerge from PDP’s delegation meeting with INEC

    The national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday met with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the lingering crisis on the position of its national secretary.

    The meeting at the INEC headquarters Abuja which started at 2.30pm later went into closed door section immediately after the opening ceremony.

    The meeting , followed a letter to INEC by PDP inviting the commission to its 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30.

    The letter dated May 30 was only signed by PDP acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.

    In its reply dated June 13, INEC notified PDP that its letter was not in compliance with the requirements of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

    The commission stated that both the national chairman and national secretary shall jointly sign the notice for convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to it.

    Earlier at the meeting, Damagum  had said that they were at INEC headquarters to enable the party’s leaders interact with the commission to guide them on decisions regarding the status of its national secretary.

    “We are here today, pertaining the status of our national secretary. We have gone into litigations, I think, from the beginning of last year until when the Supreme Court made a pronouncement of which INEC was a party to that litigation.

    “We are here to interact sincerely with you off-camera so that we will be guided on this problem of national secretary which we found ourselves into,” Damagum said.

    The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, noted that the meeting was at the instance of PDP, saying that as regulator of political parties, the commission’s door was always open to party leaders.

    He recalled that not long ago INEC received similar visitors from the Labour Party.

    “The acting chairman had stated the purpose of the meeting which is to ascertain the status of the party’s national secretary.

    “I am glad that the NEC meeting which you shall be holding on June 30 is the 100th meeting of the NEC of the party,  meaning that 99 times in the past you fully complied by inviting us via a letter signed by chairman and secretary.

    “So, there are issues to discuss. And we look forward to this important clarification from the party as to who is the secretary,” he said.

    Yakubu recalled that in the last couple of months, the commission had received about five letters from the PDP as to who is the party’s secretary.

    “In the last couple of months, we received letters from the party, saying that one Mr Sunday Udeh-Okoye was the secretary.

    “Thereafter, the party changed its mind and said it was Samuel Anyanwu. The party later changed its mind to say that it was Mr Setonji Koshoedo. And again the party changed its mind to say Anyanwu.

    “The last letter from the party actually has no secretary at all. It was only signed by the chairman which we responded to, but we are here as the registrar and regulator of political parties.

    “We hope when we go into the working session, we will fully understand where you are coming from and what more you expect from us as the registrar and regulator of political parties,” Yakubu said.

    After the closed door section, Damagum said that the party’s leadership would meet with the larger PDP stakeholders on the matter and return to INEC on Thursday.

    In attendance at the meeting were Damagum, Chairman of PDP governors Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau.

    Others were former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, former Governor of Bayelsa, Sen. Seriake Dickson, PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and Ben Obi among others.

  • BREAKING: PDP high-powered delegation meets INEC over leadership crisis

    BREAKING: PDP high-powered delegation meets INEC over leadership crisis

    A high-powered delegation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) met with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the delegation was led by PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum over the leadership crisis in the party.

    The delegation was received by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, alongside National Commissioners, senior aides, and key directors at the Commission’s headquarters.

    “The purpose of the visit was clear: to engage INEC directly on pressing internal matters affecting the PDP, particularly those requiring the Commission’s regulatory clarification,” INEC disclosed in a Facebook post.

    Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, Professor Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to its statutory responsibilities, stating “our role is to ensure that the rules are followed.”

    With formalities concluded, the meeting transitioned into a closed-door session, where the PDP leadership and INEC officials were expected to discuss and seek mutual understanding on the path forward.

    Details shortly…