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Tag: PDP

  • No crisis, factions in Anambra PDP – Publicity Secretary

    No crisis, factions in Anambra PDP – Publicity Secretary

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said there are no factions or confusion within the party in Anambra State.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Dr Obumneme Nnoli, said this in a statement in Awka on Thursday.

    The statement, entitled: “Re: Falsehood On The Leadership Of PDP In Anambra State”, was in response to a report that there was no validly-constituted state executive committee (SEC) in the state.

    A group had claimed that an Abuja High Court had, on Dec. 6, 2024, nullified the Anambra congress of Oct. 23, 2024 which produced the Chidi Chidebe-led SEC and that there was no valid leadership within PDP in the state.

    However, Nnoli, in the statement, insisted that the Chidebe-led 37-man SEC elected at the Oct. 23, 2024 congress was the only lawful leadership of the party in the state and that their election had remained unchallenged in any court of law.

    He said that the congress was the first to be conducted in Anambra for many years without any faction and with all legitimate delegates in attendance.

    Nnoli described the SEC as a product of strict constitutional compliance and administrative transparency.

    He commended the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, for organising what he called the most transparent and credible state congress in in the history of PDP in the state.

    “The National Working Committee has consistently recognised the Anambra SEC, led by Chidi Chidebe, since inauguration in November 2024.

    “The SEC has operated under the guidance of the national leadership and in compliance with the PDP constitution.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions have continued to recognise and correspond with the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led exco on all matters concerning PDP in Anambra State.

    “The present leadership has embraced and worked with all members of the party, irrespective of their previous alignment during the congress, showing inclusiveness, maturity and genuine commitment to party unity,” he said.

    The publicity secretary described the claim that there was no valid SEC leadership in the state as mischievous, misleading and an attempt to hijack the party machinery through the backdoor by making ‘repeated reference to a non-existent court judgment.’

    According to him, it is common legal knowledge that no person can be bound by a judgment in which he/she was not named, identified or joined as parties, even as he challenged the purveyors to publish such a suit or order, if it ever existed.

    “These individuals, notorious for their history of serial sabotage against the PDP in Anambra, have continued to peddle deliberate falsehood, misrepresentations and imaginary court judgments, with the intent to discredit the duly-elected leadership of the party.

    “In January 2025, a similar misleading and fraudulently obtained court order was brought before the NWC. After careful scrutiny, the NWC concluded that the said order lacked any consequential effect against the state exco.

    “NWC reaffirmed its vote of confidence in the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led State Executive Committee.

    “So, why resort to propaganda on social media rather than lawful processes if their claims were genuine. The desperation to hijack the party structure stems from personal ambition, not in service to the party or its members.

    “It is unfortunate that some people have chosen the path of distraction and division rather than reconciliation and progress, at a time when Anambra was preparing for crucial elections,” he said.

    Nnoli urged party members across the 326 wards of the state to remain resolute, continue to support the party leadership and not yield to the antics of those whose political relevance was tied to sowing confusion.

  • No PDP exco-member has joined ADC in Yobe – Group

    No PDP exco-member has joined ADC in Yobe – Group

    The People’s Democratic Party Support Group in Yobe has said that no any executive member of the party in the state has joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    A trending online media report claimed that the state PDP structures have collapsed into the ADC, following the recent defection of Adamu Waziri, a former member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), into the ADC.

    Waziri, who announced his exit from the PDP at Dogo Tebo Ward Centre in Potiskum on Monday, claimed that “ the current PDP leadership and the party’s tone no longer aligned with the vision of a credible opposition party”.

    Alhaji Lawan Munkaila, who led the group, stated this at a news conference in Damaturu on Wednesday, while reacting to the report.

    “Let it be known loud and clear; the PDP in Yobe is not dead. It is not divided and not weakened. Rather, it remains the most organised, experienced, and people-oriented political platform.

    “We are here today to debunk the baseless rumour that our party structure has collapsed into the ADC. That is a lie. No official executive of the PDP-from ward to state level -has joined the ADC,” he said.

    Munkaila said the only one that left the PDP was Waziri whom, he alleged, was never truly loyal to the party that offered him so much,  including minister, senator and a governorship candidate.

    “Instead of remaining loyal and contributing to the progress of the party that made him politically relevant, he chose to engage in anti-party activities, and when exposed, he jumped ship to the ADC – a party with no structure or grassroots acceptance in Yobe,” he said.

    Munkaila claimed that the PDP was not rattled by Waziri’s defection in any way.

    “In fact, it is a relief. The PDP is now cleaner, more united, and more focused without elements of betrayal within,” he said.

    Munkaila, therefore, urge the public to disregard the “noise” from ADC, saying PDP remained the most credible political force in the state.

  • 2027: Ondo PDP, LP leaders collapse structures, lace boots with ADC

    2027: Ondo PDP, LP leaders collapse structures, lace boots with ADC

    Ahead 2027 general elections, a former member of the House of Representatives, Bode Ayorinde, has revealed that ex- guber candidates, Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi, are among the political heavyweights backing the new coalition under the African Democratic Congress in Ondo State.

    Ayorinde made the revelation on Tuesday during the inaugural meeting of the ADC-led coalition held in Akure, the state capital

    The coalition, according to him, comprises chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Labour Party, the ADC, and other opposition blocs in the state.

    He said, “I’m happy that our number is increasing; we must work together.

    ” I’m not interested in party positions, I’m not going for elective positions. I wish both aspiring for positions the best of luck.”

    “Ondo State will first take advantage of the ADC in the next governorship election. Let all leaders at the ward levels play politics of inclusion.

    “We started with 25 members at our first meeting, but now we are over 300. It shows the failure of the ruling party.

    Eyitayo Jegede, Agboola Ajayi are also part of us. They are also with us. It is a state coalition, we are united together.”

    Ayorinde further noted that Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, a former PDP chairman, Tola Alabere, and ex-spokesman of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, had also joined the coalition.

    In his remarks, Peretei described the development as a major political shift, saying key players across party lines were already aligning under the ADC platform.

    “You heard Prof. Ayorinde. He mentioned names. Big names.

    “But it’s not even about the big names. It’s about the situation we find ourselves in this state.

    “Initially, people said national problems do not translate to collapsing party structures into the ADC.

    ” But in Ondo State, I know two local governments that have already collapsed their structures for the ADC.

    If you say PDP, you say no. PDP doesn’t exist anymore. It’s ADC that exists. And you see it here,” Peretei said.

    Peretei added that the APC was under intense pressure from within, noting that even some appointees of the party were fuelling internal crisis.

    “The biggest fear in the last two months has been whether Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state.

    “Now, nobody is talking about that. And those in the villa are attacking us, attacking personalities, which shows how much heat is on the APC.

    “In one week, look at the reaction. What happens if it becomes six weeks?

    ” After today, there will be ripples in this state. Some people will begin to say no. But whatever it is, it’s about people, not individuals.

    “There are members of the APC appointed to this cabinet.

    So, there’s a lot of bad blood in the APC, which we are going to take maximum advantage of. Nigerians should expect what’s coming next,” Peretei said.

    Also speaking, a former secretary of the SDP in the state, Dr Bisi Agboola, said the coalition was a response to the worsening socio-economic condition in the country and the dominance of the ruling party.

    Agboola said,”People who are identified as political technocrats are invited, and that is why people like us are here.

    “Everybody is distraught, nobody is satisfied at all.

    ” I want to see a situation where rice will come back to N5,000 a bag, petrol will be N165 per litre, that’s what we are clamouring for.”

    Agboola stressed that defeating the APC would not be possible without a coalition.

    “We don’t have to deceive ourselves. No single party can defeat APC anywhere in this country.

    As a matter of fact, the coalition must be serious and focused before it can unseat this ruling party because they are firmly rooted.

    “But by the special grace of God, and by this prayer, that God will listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the oppressed, APC shall be uprooted. And come 2027, this coalition will be a success,” Agboola concluded.

  • PDP in ICU, now without life support machine – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    PDP in ICU, now without life support machine – By Godwin Etakibuebu


    The People Democratic Party [PDP] opened the route of leadership for all political parties that ushered in the Fourth Republic in 1999. The Party [PDP], amongst others, was well funded by the Military retirees, that bequeathed mantle of political leadership to the Nigerian civilians. The Party was formidable. It was strong and well connected.

    Though Chief Oluyemisi Falae, who ran on the joint ticket of both the Alliance for Democracy [AD] and the All People’s Party [APP] tried to gather votes, mostly from the South-West, Olusegun Obasanjo; the presidential candidate of the PDP, picked majority of votes from across the country, to lead comfortably. 

    Of course, the PDP was the anointed and chosen political candidate of the outgoing Military Institution and those military-kingmakers – the types of Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma, Jeremiah Useni and host of others. The metaphor of President Obasanjo wasn’t too much of political miracle.

    The PDP came, saw and conquered. It spread its tentacles across the length and breath of the Nation. It occupied like Octopus. Eight years into swift and continuous winning of elections, at each election circle, the PDP concluded, in the myopic minds of its leaders, that it was most likely it would remain juicy, for a long time to come.

    It could have been because of this deceitful thought that made a National Chairman of the Party [PDP] – Chief Vincent Ogbolafor, to announce to the whole world that “PDP shall rule for 60 years”. That was 2008.

    Let me quickly add here that what the PDP – while the Sun was rising for it, did not do was to be prudent enough to identify a lurking nemesis just hanging around the corner. The nemesis the PDP did not see was not an invisible spirit. It was a Principality and Power – though in high places but was in human form – flesh and blood. 

    If only the Party were to be discerning enough, it would have suspected and identified a Bola Ahmed Tinubu hanging on there, just around the corner. PDP should have noted that a man who remained standing, in spite of all the military-power-packaged punches President Obasanjo threw on him, had something speaking for him, even into the future.

    Let us fast track the journey of this narration.

    Then came the Year of our Lord, 2015, the 60 years projected sojourn in the place of Nigeria’s leadership came to an end – albeit abruptly. 

    Thank God that the end of PDP came bloodlessly. We had President Goodluck Jonathan to thank for easily conceding defeat to the opposition Party – the APC. 

    The emphasis need to be made here, that if President Goodluck Jonathan were not to be whom he is – a patriotic democrat, a man who sincerely, and at all times, would not want to win elections by hook and crook; an astute believer that no Nigerian life is worth his victory at the polls, “the dog and the baboon would be soaked in blood”, Muhammadu Buhari’s slogan, would have spilled Nigerian blood, and maybe, till today.

    However, things have not remained same for the PDP since that “small fall” – so some politicians thought of it then, since 2015, till day. It has remained “one day one trouble” for the Political Party that was ready to rule Nigeria for 60 years.

    But good enough, some articulated politicians in the PDP saw an ailment in the body of the Party. And this class of wise politicians quickly believed that the Party needed to be presented for attention of a General Physician in any good and reputable Hospital. Others did not agree with this class. The latter instead, recommended out-patient type of treatment for the once-biggest Party in Africa.

    Then came the year of 2022. And another circle of Political Parties National Convention and Primaries, where aspirants are being scrutinized to become candidates and flagbearers of Political Parties, came.

    Other Political Parties held theirs. The People Democratic Party also carried out its own, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, in Abuja. While preparing for the Primary, the frequency of the PDP’s attendance, as an out-patient, in the Hospital, reduced drastically. That probably would have affected the Party’s disastrous outcome in that year’s Primary.

    There were three dramatis personae, who were physically present at the Primary, that need to be mention here. And we shall also mention one great – very great, personality that was not physically present in the Primary but played the most damning role. 

    They are – those that were present, Atiku Abubakar – former Vice-President, Aminu Tambuwal – former Governor of Sokoto State and Nysom Ezenwo Wike, then Governor of Rivers State. The man that did not attend the Primary but held the ace card was former President Ibrahim Bademosi Babangida.

    The outcome of that Primary and result of the Nigerian General election, of 2023, had since sent the PDP back to the Hospital, but this time on full time admission.

    Recently however, the medical reports on the admitted patient, has been worrisome. And this must be for various reasons – chiefs amongst the reason would be:

    1. Too many cooks in the kitchen 
    2. Too many non-professional doctors administering drugs on the patient 
    3. The clash of money bags, who are out to purchase the soul of the patient
    4. The role which US$ Dollars can play amongst poor and greedy politicians, 
    5. And maybe the roleplay of an internal Hippopotamus from the Sea, synergizing with empirical Land Loin that has been roaring for conquering of an Empire.  

    On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, speaking on the Channel Television popular show, always anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, said that the People Democratic Party [PDP] is in Intensive Care Unit [ICU]. 

    Senator Suswam knew what he said because he is one of the major beneficiaries from the PDP when the ovation was loudest.

    We all know what it means for a patient to be admitted into ICU of any hospital. The real fact is that not every hospital has the ICU facility, and when a patient is there at the ICU, and this is the interpretation of those of us that can be referred to as semi-primitive – medically speaking, such patient’s life is hanging on the balance.

    The wonder of the ICU is that continuity of life comes from, in most cases, life support machine

    What some Nigerians, ditto the larger world, that have been following the sad story of the PDP, from the day of that terrible fall, till when former Governor Suswam made the revelation of the department of the Hospital the patient had been moved to, held to hope, somehow.

    But most Nigerians that understand the complication of the PDP’s ailment knew the difficulty, that the patient might not be surviving the sickness so soon. Most concluded that if the Patient even survives, it will not have enough strength to go into political contest of 2027, against President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

    But with the total manifestation of the level of doomsday on the PDP, as events unfolded yesterday, when there came to be total breakdown of communication amongst all members of the Party, it is now obvious that the life support machine that had kept the Patient hitherto in the ICU has been unplugged.  

    It is with sad and heavy heart therefore, that the Nigerian Legion of Patriots announces the long-expected demise of the People Democratic Party [1998-2025].

    A Consortium of Undertakers, comprising of the following, listed below, have been appointed by the Chief Mourners, to give an unbefitting burial, in an unmarked grave, to the departed Soul of this entity.

    1. Acting National Chairman of the Party
    2. All members of Board of Trustee
    3. All members of the Working Committee
    4. All members of the National Working Committee
    5. All members of the Extended or Contracted Caucus 
    6. All members of the PDP’s G-5
    7. His Excellency – Atiku Abubakar

    Signed – For Chief Mourners:

    Bola

    Ezenwo 

    Godswilling

    Adieu PDP – may your Soul never rest in peace.

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a Veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

    Contact:

    Website: www.godwintheguru.org

    You Tube Channel: Godwin The  Guru

    Twitter: @godwin_buebu

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/godwintheguru

    Facebook: Godwin Etakibuebu

    Facebook Page: Veteran Column

    Telegram: @friendsoftheguru

    WhatsApp: @friendsoftheguru

    Phone: +234-906-887-0014 – short messages only. 

    You can also listen to this author [Godwin Etakibuebu] every Monday; 9:30 – 11am on Lagos Talk 91.3 FM live, in a weekly review of topical issues, presented by The News Guru [TNG].

  • ADC woos PDP, APC members in Ondo

    ADC woos PDP, APC members in Ondo

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, has expressed its readiness to welcome members of the opposition parties into its fold.

    Mr Oluwambe Ogunbameru, the party’s Chairman in the council, made this known while welcoming 25 new members into the party on Monday in Okitipupa.

    ADC which was launched last week in Abuja as a coalition to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections.

    Ogunbameru affirmed that the growth of the party recently reflected a larger wave of political consciousness across the country.

    “The expansion of the party is a move that guarantees liberty for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, or region and paves the way for a just and accountable leadership.

    “I praise the decision of the new entrants, because the ADC remains a party committed to national unity, freedom and good governance. This is a very good and welcome move that is sacrosanct for all genuine Nigerians.

    “In a significant stride toward building a stronger democratic future, the ADC in Okitipupa Local Government welcome new members and poised to welcome more members into its fold,” Ogunbaneru said.

    He called on all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with ADC to ensure the restoration of democratic values and integrity in governance, saying “Nigerians shall be rescued and Nigeria shall be great again.”

  • PDP BoT member decamps, joins ADC in Yobe

    PDP BoT member decamps, joins ADC in Yobe

    A Board of Trustees (BoT) member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Waziri, has resigned from the party and joined African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Waziri, a founding member of PDP, announced his exit from the party on Monday at the Dogo Tebo Ward Centre in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe, citing national interest and the need to restore democratic values.

    He said that the decision was in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution which stipulates that membership withdrawal must be formalised at the ward level.

    Waziri said that his decision to quit PDP was informed by “exigencies of the moment” and the urgent need to reinvigorate Nigeria’s democratic institutions through a new political movement.

    “I was a member of PDP, and due to the exigencies of the moment and in the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign.

    “The PDP constitution demands that I come to my ward centre to formalise this action,” he said.

    Waziri, who described the decision as ‘difficult but necessary’, stressed that the current PDP leadership and the party’s tone no longer aligned with the vision of a credible opposition party.

    He appealed to his political associates, whom he referred to as “my boys,” to join him in the movement to recreate a vibrant democracy and deliver good governance for the Nigerian people.

    In his response, the PDP Ward Chairman, represented by Malam Muhammad Bomai, accepted Waziri’s resignation ‘with deep regret’, describing him as a national figure and pillar of the party whose exit would leave a significant void.

    “On behalf of the party, we accept his resignation with a heavy heart. Waziri has been an institution within the PDP, and we will feel his absence deeply,” he said.

    Bomai, who handed over Waziri’s returned membership card, also announced his own resignation from PDP and immediate defection to ADC. He reiterated his alignment with Waziri’s vision for Nigeria’s political future.

  • 2027: Anambra PDP not in coalition – Chairman

    2027: Anambra PDP not in coalition – Chairman

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra Chapter, has said that it is not involved in any Coalition arrangement with any individual or political party.

    The state Chairman of the party, Mr Chidi Chidebe, said this in an interview with NAN in Awka on Saturday.

    Chidebe said the party remained independent, united and operating under the directive of its national leadership.

    He said that leadership of the party in the state was not involved in the coalition talks, adding that any of such moves was personal.

    According to him, PDP in Anambra already has a position on the issue of coalition and let me reiterate it here that we are not in any coalition.

    “This is the position of the national leadership of our party and we are standing by it very strictly,” Chidebe said.

  • PDP crisis: Leaders in ‘give-and-take’ to patch up cracks – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    PDP crisis: Leaders in ‘give-and-take’ to patch up cracks – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    In my Monday, June 30, 2025, copy entitled, “Questions over PDP’s June 30 NEC meeting,” two posers stood out from the public spat involving stakeholders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the 100th meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for June 30 at the party Wadata Plaza headquarters in Wuse Zone of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The first question was whether the meeting would hold, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had spotted an obvious lacuna of non-compliance with the PDP constitution in the letter of notification, prompting the commission to decline attendance, as technically, “there is no notice of the NEC before the Commission.”

    The issue at play was the PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum’s June 25, 2025, indefinite postponement of the NEC 100th meeting fixed at its 99th meeting of May 27, ironically presided by Damagum by virtue of being Chairman of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The meeting’s deferment was greeted with a push-back by a reported majority of the NWC members, the National Ex-Officio Members’ Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT) – all vowing the meeting would hold, as “Damagum’s action violated PDP’s constitution,” and a disregard for the decision of the 99th NEC meeting “that’s binding on all organs of the party.”

    The second question was: Whose prompting and command would members of the NEC listen to and obey on June 30: The “advisory” Chairman of the BoT and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, or the “superintending” National Chairman Damagum? I posited that polity watchers would know the answer in a matter of hours that Monday.

    It’s indeed predictive, as observers were, for hours, treated to absurdities, including clashes by supporters of rival camps; sealing of the PDP secretariat by heavily-armed security operatives; barring of party members and journalists from the complex; and relocation of the BoT pre-NEC meeting to the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District of Abuja.

    Besides shifting of the NEC meeting, Damagum announced “immediate reinstatement” of Sen. Samuel Anyanwu – PDP’s duly-elected National Secretary in 2021 for a term of four years ending in October 2025 – who’s rejected by a section of the party on grounds of alleged forfeiture of the position he left midstream to contest for Imo State governor in November 2023.

    The supremacy battle in the PDP – dating back to pre-2023 General Election – initially pitted former Vice President and presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (who “decamped” to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on July 2, 2025) against former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

    But ahead of June 30, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the “inheritor” of the prior Atiku faction – who’d reportedly parted ways with Wike, and was able to push the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to replace the Wike-backed Anyanwu as acting national secretary – joined by 11 of 19-man NWC, some Governors, the BoT and Ex-Officio Forum members, supported the 100th NEC meeting, but opposed Anyanwu’s return as national secretary.

    In contrast, the Wike camp, consisting of Damagum and eight NWC members, some Governors and other stakeholders, was against the 100th NEC meeting, but favoured Anyanwu’s reinstatement as national secretary.

    These contestations threatened to push the PDP further towards the precipice, as the stakeholders arrived in Abuja on June 30 to a barricaded party headquarters by security operatives on “orders from above” – a reference to a higher police officer and/or government official. But common sense eventually prevailed, and the party leaders, in the spirit of give and take, “successfully” held the 100th NEC meeting.

    The NEC meeting followed a closed-door meeting by some PDP governors at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. As reported by Channels TV on June 30, the parley had in attendance Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Sen. Bala Mohammed, Governor Makinde, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, and former Kwara Governor and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    In his opening remarks, presiding Damagum explained that the PDP had resolved its internal disagreements and agreed to proceed with the NEC meeting at the Wadata Plaza already vacated by armed security operatives, who the FCT Police Command had said were drafted there to “maintain law and order,” to prevent hoodlums (political thugs) hijacking the chaotic scenes.

    “The issue at hand, which creates a lot of tension and discussion within us, has been discussed, and we have taken a position and, fortunately, to allow the NEC to step in, which has prompted this meeting. It was a helpful decision,” Damagum said.

    “The beauty of our party is that we have always handled our problems in our own ways. So, after due consultations with our leaders, the governors, leaders of other organs, we say even though we’ve slated this NEC and we had challenges, this is our own NEC,” he added.

    Unlike in his June 25 cancellation of the 100th NEC meeting, and reinstatement of Anyanwu as national secretary, Damagum’s less dramatic pronouncing the NEC decision: The next NEC meeting is fixed for July 23, 2025, to discuss all contentious issues and take decisions on them, leading to the National Convention; and Sen. Anyanwu is to continue to serve as national secretary.

    If it were a game of soccer, that’d be a “one-all-draw”. A truly “give-and-take” outcome: The Governor Makinde camp having its way with the 100th NEC meeting, and the Wike faction securing a reprive for Anyanwu as national secretary!

    Addressing the earlier police presence at the PDP secretariat, which many members criticised as a “siege orchestrated by the government to prevent the NEC meeting from holding,” Governor Mohammed told journalists that the blockade was “necessary to prevent miscreants hijacking the meeting,” tacitly confirming the security operatives’ claim of “orders from above” for their deployment at the Plaza.

    Summing up the NEC meeting as a win-win of “no victor, no vanquished,” Dr Saraki, chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, in a statement on June 30, said: “This evening, our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), successfully concluded the 100th edition of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    “Today, there was no victor and no vanquished. The winner today is the PDP. Another winner is Nigeria’s democracy because, without a vibrant opposition, democracy dies. Again, millions of our party members and supporters, who are located in all the 774 LGAs across the country, also emerged winners.

    “It was a symbolic gathering, as the meeting could have either been the breaking point, going by events of the last 48 hours, or the junction to cross the Rubicon and march forward into greater heights. Our esteemed leaders chose the latter,” Saraki said, as reported by DailyPost.Ng on July 1.

    “I am particularly happy about the meeting for two reasons. One, we all agreed on the need for unity as a way of sending a signal to the entire nation that the PDP can only wax stronger. Two, the spirit of give and take dominated our frank discussions.”

    For the BoT chair, Wabara, the NEC meeting is one river crossed. Waxing biblical, and with a ting of warning to PDP members, he promised: “We shall survive. The God of politics is in this party. If it is Allah, the Allah of politics is in this party. For any other party to succeed, we have to release our God to bless them. But our God knows that PDP is the beacon of hope for this country.

    “What is happening here today will shock so many people. I’m sure they (alleged external forces and infiltrators) will start planning again to bring problems. NWC, please don’t allow a crack anymore because, once they have seen us now coming together, they would say, what? What happened? Who is the native doctor that made this possible? They don’t believe in God. They will start doing something to destabilise us, which we will not agree.

    “So, whatever we are doing here today, we are doing because of our service to this nation, because of our service to the suffering masses. That’s why we have all sacrificed one thing or the other. So, I thank you so much for coming; thank Nigerians for their support, and we hope to take over power in 2027.”

    For now, “All is well that ends well” for the PDP! But for how long is the question that’ll continue to bother genuinely-concerned members, even as the initial main antagonists – Atiku and Wike, who beat the drums that fueled the division within – were absent on June 30, but left their footsoldiers to size themselves up and come to a compromise on the two most sticky issues: the 100th NEC meeting and national secretaryship.

    Will the “returned” common sense – which, pre-June 30, appeared a scarce commodity in the once acclaimed “largest political party in Africa” that boasted of an uninterrupted 60-year dominance of Nigeria’s governance – be a fleeting moment or a bird of passage? Again, polity watchers have a duty to train their binoculars on the PDP!

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357.

  • PDP releases official timetable for bye-elections in Edo

    PDP releases official timetable for bye-elections in Edo

    The Edo chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has released the official timetable for the Edo Central Senatorial and Ovia Federal Constituency bye-elections.

    The announcement was made in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC), held on Friday, at the PDP State Secretariat, in Benin.

    The communiqué was signed by the Secretary of the party’s Caretaker Committee  in the state, Jarret Tenebe.

    According to the communiqué, the SWC resolved to inform members, aspirants, and stakeholders of the approved schedule for the forthcoming bye-elections.

    The timetable was approved by the party’s National Working Committee, in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

    The sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is scheduled to begin on Saturday, and will close on Thursday.

    “Forms will be available for purchase and submission at the PDP State Secretariat, 20 Aiguobasimwin Crescent, GRA, Benin,”it said.

    The communiqué emphasised that all intending aspirants must strictly comply with the timetable, procedures, and guidelines outlined in the PDP’s electoral framework.

    “Ward congresses to elect three-man ad hoc delegates (where applicable) will be held on  July 17, at designated party ward secretariats.

    “Local government congresses to elect one national delegate per Local government area(LGA) will take place on July 18, at each LGA party secretariat.”

    The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent electoral process anchored on party discipline and democratic principles.

    It also urged all members and stakeholders to cooperate and work toward the smooth and peaceful conduct of the bye-elections.

  • Coalition: Ortom’s ally resigns from PDP

    Coalition: Ortom’s ally resigns from PDP

    Mr David Olofu, former Commissioner for Finance and Budget (2015-2023) under the immediate past Benue governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Olofu announced his resignation in a letter addressed to Edikwu Ward 2 Chairman, Apa Local Government Area, which he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    He is the  former chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners for Finance of Nigeria (2019 – 2023).

    Olofu said his decision to leave the party was to enable him to exercise his freedom of association as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “I write to inform you of my decision to resign as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from 30th June, 2025.

    “This decision has become necessary as I move to exercise my right to freedom of association enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “I have done this in the interest of Edikwu Ward 2, Apa Local Government Area, Benue South Senatorial District, and indeed Benue State,” he said.

    Olofu was a Senior Technical Adviser to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (2023 – 2024). He is currently the leader of the new coalition in Apa LG.