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  • Why Peter Obi should not return to PDP – Labour Party Chieftain

    Why Peter Obi should not return to PDP – Labour Party Chieftain

    The Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, has advised the 2023 LP presidential candidate to ignore all calls to dump the party ahead of 2027 general election.

    Olorunfemi, also the LP Candidate in the 2024 Ondo governorship election, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos, stressing that Obi should rather focus on rebuilding the party .

    Recall that there have been calls in some quarters for Obi to dump the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    One of those making the calls, Mr Segun Sowunmi,a former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun ,said during a television interview on Thursday that Obi’s return to his former party would brighten the chances of the PDP in  2027 .

    According to Sowunmi, Obi, who left the PDP for the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 Presidential election, owes much of his national political recognition to his time at PDP.

    Olorunfemi, who noted that though Obi was at liberty under the law to associate with any political party of his choice, said he  needed to be wary of what he called dangerous advances.

    “Now that he has contested and he has seen the LP force, if he decides to go to another political party, it will then speak volumes of his intention.

    “It will tell whether he truly believed in the ideology of the Labour Party before coming to run, or he just wanted to use the opportunity of the platform.

    “So, it will now be left  for Nigerians to decide whether Obi ,who got millions of votes under the Labour Party, can still be voted for under PDP or another party.

    “He (Obi) must use his tongue to count his teeth. If I were he , what I will be doing now is working to restore peace in Labour Party and rebuild it

    “He should find a way to resolve the issues in the party and remain on the platform. He should remain in the party and restore peace.He should stay and resolve the crises he and others created in LP.

    “Moving around will portray him as an opportunistic politician not different from these politicians jumping here and there,” he told NAN.

    Noting that Obi had the capacity to resolve the crisis in Labour Party, Olorunfemi said that some aspirants shelved their ambitions in 2022 to allow Obi use the LP platform to run for president.

    He, however, said that if Obi decided to dump the LP, the party would continue to exist as a strong opposition party.

    Speaking on the leadership crisis in the party, Olorunfemi said that Mr Julius Abure-led LP National Working Committee (NWC) never wronged Obi and others fighting against it.

    He said that members of the NWC, including himself, risked their lives and endured vitriolic attacks from different groups and persons for supporting Obi’s presidential ambition in the last election.

    “What is the offence of Abure? He stood in the sun, stood in the rain. All of us in the NWC stood by him (Obi). In spite of all the attacks, we stood by him.

    “My own people, in the course of fighting for him (Obi) ,called me names  for fighting for  for someone not from my tribe. LP is blind to ethnicity and I supported him because  believe in politics devoid of ethnic sentiment.

    “There is bound to be crisis, people will come with different things in mind, but we have to moderate everything like we are doing now in LP

    “Everything we are doing in the Labour Party is in line with our constitution.That is our strength. Anybody that wants to challenge the authority of the NWC should challenge it to the constitution.

    “They should show us the aspect of the constitution that has been violated.If they confront us with the facts ,then we will agree with them,” the chieftain said.

    The party has been enmeshed in leadership crisis since it lost in the 2023 election.

  • Challenges in PDP will not advance development of Delta – Aniagwu

    Challenges in PDP will not advance development of Delta – Aniagwu

    Delta Government has said that the challenges currently being faced by the PDP, particularly at the national, necessitated the decamping of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and others to the ruling APC.

    The state’s Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu disclosed this, in a statement, on Saturday in Asaba.

    Aniagwu said that remaining in the PDP due to the challenges would not advance the development of Delta and its people.

    He said, “The decision to leave the party was carefully and primarily taken to avoid leading the state and its citizens into a bleak future, similar to the experience of Zamfara State.

    “You will recall that since 1999, when the current Republic began, the PDP has held sway in Delta and made significant inroads in the state.

    “In Delta, the PDP was actually strong before our decision to move. So, it’s not a question of the PDP being weak in Delta that led to this development.

    “I am very sure we have followed the developments at the national level of the party.

    “The last straw was when the party’s governors met in Ibadan and decided not to collaborate or merge with anyone. Instead, they invited others to join the PDP.

    “That decision did not come from a position of strength, especially given the issues affecting the party’s vital organs.

    “You may also recall what happened to the APC in Zamfara in 2019, where all elected candidates were removed due to irregularities in the party’s nomination processes.

    “With what is happening in the PDP, we believe the efforts to address these issues are not strong enough to prevent a similar situation in 2027.”

    The commissioner also said that the defection to the APC was also driven by the desire to further strengthen the relationship and cooperation with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.

    “The present administration has been fair in bringing development to Delta.

    “I am discussing the situation as it affects us in Delta, other states may have different views, but we have evidence that the Tinubu administration is bringing projects to our state.

    “The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has visited Delta twice to show support for our people. This development, along with issues in the PDP, led the party leaders in Delta to chart a new course.

    “This was not just the governor’s decision, but a collective one.

    “In a democracy, the majority view matters, and PDP leaders and stakeholders in Delta called on the political family to join the APC to advance the growth and development of our state.

    “The people felt the PDP no longer offered a viable political future, and they did not want to fade into political irrelevance, hence the move,” he said.

    Aniagwu advised critics, particularly the PDP leaders;  Sen. Bukola Saraki and Chief Olabode George to refrain from commenting, especially when their past actions contributed to the fragmentation of the PDP.

    According to him, you will recall that in 2023, some leaders openly opposed the party’s presidential candidate.

    “Nonetheless, we ask them to be understanding because, ultimately, politics is local.

    “This move is to ensure the continued progress and welfare of our people, which is why we are in politics in the first place.”

    He appealed to party members to work together to ensure unity and electoral success both in the state and across the country.

    NAN reports that on April 23, Gov. Oborevwori, his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire state  PDP structure defected the ruling APC.

  • Delta Politics: Isoko North PDP joins APC, cites national crisis [Photos]

    Delta Politics: Isoko North PDP joins APC, cites national crisis [Photos]

    In a dramatic turn of events that signals a major political realignment in Delta State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Isoko North Local Government Area has officially collapsed its structure into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved crises at the national level of the PDP.

    The decision was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at the Erawha-Owhe country home of Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, the member representing the Isoko Federal Constituency.

    The motion for defection was moved by former Isoko North Council Chairman, Hon. Chief Apar Itesah, and seconded by Hon. Jude Ogbimi, a former member of the State House of Assembly and was subsequently put to a voice vote and overwhelmingly approved.

    Addressing party leaders and supporters at the meeting, Hon. Bernard Odior, the member representing Isoko North State Constituency, described the defection as a necessary step, prompted by the PDP’s lingering national leadership crisis.

    “We currently have three individuals claiming the position of National Secretary in the PDP.

    “That level of disorganization has made it impossible for the party to function effectively. Those fueling the crisis do not have any real stake in the party’s success and we cannot afford to repeat the Zamfara scenario here in Delta.” Odior stated.

    The lawmaker further urged all former PDP members in the area to proceed to their wards and register officially with the APC, emphasizing the need to consolidate their presence within the ruling party.

    In his remarks, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko noted that while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other stakeholders of the party made significant efforts to save the PDP at the national level, those efforts were ultimately futile.

    He lamented the lack of support for opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, describing their experience as being “like orphans.”

    “We took this decision in the best interest of our people and to protect the political future of Delta State,” Ukodhiko said, adding,  “We must now work with the APC to ensure we remain at the center of national politics.”

    He also commended Governor Oborevwori for his leadership, stating that the people of Delta State made the right choice in electing him.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, highlighted the strategic advantage of aligning with the ruling party.

    “Delta State has been in the opposition for the last ten years, and we’ve been missing out on developmental opportunities.

    “This move is a chance to bring meaningful projects to the Isoko nation.” he said.

    Chairman of the Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Godwin Ogorugba, urged stakeholders to educate members on the APC’s identity and prepare for a grand rally scheduled for Monday in Asaba, where Governor Oborevwori is expected to be officially welcomed into the APC.

  • PDP reacts to Delta defection, says Peter Obi won  without a single governor

    PDP reacts to Delta defection, says Peter Obi won  without a single governor

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has downplayed the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that electoral strength doesn’t solely depend on political heavyweights.

    Oborevwori, Okowa, and their entire political structure officially left the PDP on Wednesday, ending the party’s 26-year dominance in Delta State since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

    Speaking at the PDP national headquarters during the presentation of the certificate of return to the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra election, Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, called the defection “sad and unfortunate,” especially considering the party’s consistent support for Delta State over the years. However, he expressed confidence that the PDP would overcome the setback, saying, “We leave our fate in God’s hands and trust that He will guide us through this situation.”

    Damagum highlighted that even without the backing of any governor, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi secured millions of votes in the 2023 general elections after leaving the PDP. He used this to emphasize that electoral victories aren’t determined solely by political alliances.

    “If there’s any state we didn’t expect this from, it’s Delta. We gave them everything—our full support, including for the former governor, who was our vice presidential candidate. But this is not the end for us. Peter Obi had no governor behind him and yet got millions of votes,” Damagum noted.

    He asserted that the 2027 general elections wouldn’t be about how many governors a party has, but rather about the performance of the ruling APC and how its policies have impacted everyday Nigerians. “The real contest in 2027 will be APC versus Nigerians. People are suffering, and these economic challenges are not accidental—they are the results of deliberate policies.”

    Damagum warned that while political defections might be achieved through pressure or persuasion, the ultimate decision lies with the people, who are bearing the brunt of current economic conditions. “Policies are not made for governors or senators—they are made for the people. And today, the people are in pain. Nigerians will rise to defend themselves.”

    He concluded by urging party members to remain strong in faith and resilient in the face of challenges. “There’s no challenge that is beyond God. We trust in

  • Defections: Those leaving should go to allow us rebuild PDP -Saraki assures

    Defections: Those leaving should go to allow us rebuild PDP -Saraki assures

    … PDP experiencing a rebirth

    …says a one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people won’t augur well

    Ex-Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has said those willing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party PDP should be allowed to go to enable the party reposition itself.

    Saraki made this disclosure in a statement he personally signed on Thursday night saying:

    “Following the development in the Delta State Chapter of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I have been inundated with phone calls from leaders and members of our party as well as various youths who have been active in promoting democracy and good governance in our country.

    “Many of the callers want to know what my reaction is to the defection of top PDP leaders in Delta State and its impact on our party.

    “My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.

    “I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point. Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.

    ” A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.

    “Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point.

    “Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth. Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party.

    “This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold. I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to.

    “My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months.

    ” That is why PDP members across the country should not be discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, or demoralised by the development in Delta State. We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party. It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left.

    “Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better.

    “Yes, it is unbecoming and shocking for the running mate to the standard bearer of a leading party to abandon ship to join the ruling party. This is unprecedented and nobody should try to justify such an act with the talk of being put under pressure. It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.

    “These developments in the polity are the reason why I have always canvassed the idea that we should emphasize building and strengthening our institutions and not individuals. With the defection of the governor of Delta State, even if the party has only ten governors in its fold, the PDP is still in a good position to win the next round of elections..

    “Our numerous party members should know that the PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed to its ideas, ideals, and progress than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.

    “We still have about two years before the next election. That is a long time in politics. We have enough time to brace up to the challenge. There is nothing that prevents us from getting some governors from the other parties to join our ranks.

    “My appeal to our young party members is that this defection is just a mere challenge to us to further mobilize and put our house in order. Also, our women’s wing should seize the opportunity to help in the rebuilding mission. The PDP will come out stronger from this development.

    “I am very sure the various leadership organs of our party will soon make public their reaction to this development and convey the necessary meetings to strategize on how to strongly and strategically respond to it. Therefore there is no cause for alarm.

    “Our party members should not lose focus, hope, or the determination to win. We should see the current development as a challenge to rebuild and refocus the party. Tomorrow is very bright.

  • Okowa’s defection to APC isn’t shocking – Dele Momodu

    Okowa’s defection to APC isn’t shocking – Dele Momodu

    The publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu on Wednesday has reacted to the recent defection of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa from PDP to the ruling party APC.

    Momodu accused President Tinubu on Channels Television’s Politics Today of using strong arm tactics in pressuring the opposition to join APC.

    He said: “I’m not surprised; Okowa’s defection isn’t shocking given the recent harassment he faced.”

    “I would be surprised if President Bola Tinubu genuinely believes people are joining the APC out of love or administration, this is survival now; prison as martyr days are over.

    “We once admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, MKO Abiola, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo for enduring detention in the name of principle. These days, nobody wants to go to detention.

    “Everybody wants to stay at home and talk about the money they’ve made from politics; name one politician who has not been harassed by either the EFCC or the ICPC at some point.”

     

  • Leave PDP immediately – Bode George fires at Atiku, Wike

    Leave PDP immediately – Bode George fires at Atiku, Wike

    Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, must leave PDP immediately over alleged  anti-party activities.

    George, in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos,  said, “the party is being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the duo to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

    He  accused  the two PDP  chieftains of   hobnobbing with opposition elements, saying they could not continue to claim membership  of the main opposition party with their recent actions.

    “What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party. Enough of this embarrassment.

    “As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible,” he said.

    George queried why Atiku ,along wuth others, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.

    George  also faulted what he called the open endorsement of President Bola  Tinubu by some  PDP governors and PDP leaders ahead of 2027.

    He said: “Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party.

    “This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party.

    “As a founding member of our party and statesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP.

    “They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet.

    “The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored. This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within.”

    George also faulted the involvement of Atiku in the coalition to unseat  Tinubu.

    According to him,  if Abubakar is working on  a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of the party.

    He said: “You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that

    “This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party.

    “The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.”

    Also speaking on current economic challenges, George advised Tinubu to create a Special Fund account where Managing Directors of banks will deposit, at least, N20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    He alleged that bankers were part of the professionals who created economic hardship in the country.

    George queried the source of the billions of naira declared by banks as profits yearly.

    “There is what is called round-tripping. There is also insider abuse, hidden and fraudulent charges. All these are targeted at Nigerians.

    “You can’t see a bank MD in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates in private jets every other day.

    “Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets but own jets. Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of luxury and lifestyle?

    “The government must look into this. Now that Tinubu is trying to lessen the burden of Nigerians, these bank MDs should be made to pay not less than N20 billion each into this special intervention fund account.”

    He urged the President to  tackle insecurity  and deal with other threats to development.

  • BREAKING: Delta State Governor, Oborevwori, predecessor join APC

    BREAKING: Delta State Governor, Oborevwori, predecessor join APC

    Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has joined the All Progress Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Alongside Oborevwori, his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa joined the ruling party.

    He said that the governor’s defection to the ruling party was for the interest and the overall development of Delta state.

    According to Manager, the entire PDP structures in the state had been collapsed to the APC.

    Given the current development, Delta State is now an APC state.

    Speculations about Oborevwori’s defecting to the APC has been put to rest.

  • Bayelsa PDP refutes dissolution of Exco

    Bayelsa PDP refutes dissolution of Exco

    The Bayelsa Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says reports that the State Working Committee of the PDP led by Solomon Agwana has been dissolved is false.

    Mr Ebiye Ogoli, State Publicity Secretary of PDP in Bayelsa also said on Wednesday that reports that a new State Caretaker Committee had been appointed was not correct.

    According to Ogoli, the reports are intentionally mischievous and ludicrous.

    He said that the tenure of the former Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP elapsed on March 13, 2025, adding that to avoid a vacuum, a new caretaker committee was appointed and constituted by the National Working Committee (NWC) on March 13, 2025.

    “The new caretaker committee is headed by the highly respected Chief Emmanuel Ogidi to oversee the affairs of the party, pending the convocation of an Elective South South Zonal Congress of the party.

    “The report that the new State Caretaker Committee was appointed by the Zonal Executive Committee headed by Chief Dan Orbih is not correct.

    “The National Working Committee (NWC) also pronounced the factional Zonal PDP congress held in Calabar, Cross River State that produced Chief Dan Orbih, as unconstitutional and a nullity.

    “We also place it on record that the Zonal EXCO of the Party even when it is properly constituted still lacks the constitutional powers to dissolve a State Working Committee of the party,” Ogoli said.

    He said that the State High Court, which sat in respect of the suspension of Mr George Turnah had yet to determine the case, and in which case, Mr George Turnah remained suspended from PDP in the state.

    The Bayelsa PDP noted that 2027 was months away and urged members to resist the plans by outside forces to destabilise the PDP in Bayelsa.

    “Our dear Governor, Senator Douye Diri is a patriot, who has proven that he means well for the quick transformation of our homeland.

    “The duty we owe ourselves is to continue to support him to deliver on his promises for us all, which is the obligation we owe Bayelsa, and our children yet unborn,” Ogoli said.

  • PDP appoints caretaker committees for Bayelsa, Edo

    PDP appoints caretaker committees for Bayelsa, Edo

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) has appointed caretaker committees to oversee the affairs of the party in Bayelsa and Edo states for three months.

    This followed the approval for the setting up of caretaker committees for both states by the ZWC at a meeting presided over by Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice-Chairman of the party

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Etim Isong, Zonal Publicity Secretary, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Isong explained that the decision to set up the committees for both states followed the dissolution of the State Working Committee (SWC) of Bayelsa and the caretaker committee in Edo.

    He said that this was on account of what the ZWC described as various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives.

    He added that these actions were in clear breach of the party’s constitution that led to the poor handling of internal crises rocking the PDP in both states.

    ‘’For Edo, we took into reckoning the poor performance and woeful outing by the party in the state in the last governorship elections.

    ‘’So we are taking these decisions in the best interest of the PDP after a careful review of the activities of the party in both states.

    ‘’This is in line with the Constitution of the party as amended in 2017, particularly Articles 10(1),(f),(g),(k), and (4) as well as Articles 26(2),(a), 27(2)(a&b), 58(1),(a),(c),(i),(j), and 59(1)(f)

    “The zonal working committee hopes that this bold move will strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure effective leadership in both states,’’ he said.

    According to the zonal spokesman, the caretaker committee members for Bayelsa include George Turnah, South South Zonal Secretary as Chairman, with Tony Gabriel as Deputy Chairman and Ebilade Ekerefe as Secretary.

    Others are Didi Werilaghebofa, Vice Chairman, Central, Andy Majors, Vice Chairman, East, Evelyn Odi, Vice Chairman, West, Biobelemoye Igoniwari, Treasurer, Awudumapu Agorodi, Legal Adviser, Erepagamo Eke-Spiff, Financial Secretary, and Amain Oyeintariperedei, Auditor.

    The committee also has Derri Wright, Publicity Secretary, Christian Akuraku, Organising Secretary, Ato Alfreda, Woman Leader, and Nicholas Eferebo, Youth Leader.

    Isong added that Edo has as its Chairman, Nosa Ogieva with Chief Sunny Okomayin, as Deputy Chairman, Hillary Otsu, Secretary, Nosa Iseleomon, Vice Chairman, South, Ehisota Oriakhi, Vice Chairman, Central, and Richard Ehimigbai, Vice Chairman, North.

    According to him, Mrs Tes Sorae is the Woman Leader, Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye, Treasurer, Emma Akhaba, Auditor, Daniel Okojie, Organising Secretary, Bob-Manuel Umoru, Publicity Secretary, William Umoru, Legal Adviser, Moses Izobo, Financial Secretary and Destiny Oreye, Youth Leader.

    He quoted Orbih as emphasising ”the importance of unity and discipline within the party”.

    He called on the newly appointed leaders to pursue genuine reconciliation among members and foster the cohesion necessary for repositioning the party in both states.