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  • 300 PDP, NNPP members dump parties, join APC in Kaduna

    300 PDP, NNPP members dump parties, join APC in Kaduna

    Ahead of the 2027 general elections, over 300 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kawo Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Receiving the new members, a Permanent Member of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Jamilu Haruna, described the mass defection as a clear endorsement of Governor Uba Sani’s performance.

    According to Dr. Haruna, who facilitated the reception ceremony, Governor Sani has, within two years in office, delivered impactful governance—ranging from infrastructural development to agricultural reform and rural transformation.

    “This defection is not surprising. Even members of the opposition acknowledge Governor Uba Sani’s giant strides in security, education, food security, and citizens’ welfare,” he said.

    “These achievements have set him apart from his peers and strengthened his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This puts Kaduna in a strategic position to benefit further from the Federal Government.”

    He assured the defectors of their full integration into the APC and thanked the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila, for his support in organizing the event.

    Also speaking at the event, the APC Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, Alhaji Suleiman Wada Usman, welcomed the decampees on behalf of Governor Uba Sani.

    He commended them “for embracing the truth and joining the party that is genuinely committed to Kaduna State’s development.”

    “You will be treated fairly and equally in our party. No one will be considered a second-class member,” he assured.

    Leader of the decampees, Professor Usman Muhammad—a former PDP senatorial aspirant for Kaduna Central—said he led 225 members from the PDP because they believe in Governor Sani’s inclusive style of governance. He criticized the PDP for sidelining experienced members like himself despite their qualifications and service.

    Professor Muhammad, a political scientist and expert in international relations, expressed hope that the APC would value their contributions and called on the governor to deliver more developmental projects to Kawo.

    Prominent among the defectors were:

    Barr. Aliyu Suleiman, former PDP State Legal Adviser aspirant

    Alhaji Hamza Mati Salihu, Chairman, PDP Kawo Ward

    Hon. Idris Badamasi Shuaibu, former PDP House of Assembly aspirant

    Tasiu Aliyu, PDP Youth Leader, Kawo Ward

    Comrade Aminu Tanko Musa, Chairman, NNPP Kawo Ward

  • 2027: Atiku’s coalition, PDP govs clash over fronting for Tinubu

    2027: Atiku’s coalition, PDP govs clash over fronting for Tinubu

    ABUJA—THE decision of the governors, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not to be part of the planned coalition did not go down well with the organisers as the anti-Tinubu coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, accused the PDP governors of playing the spoiler for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

    The anti-Tinubu coalition also accused the PDP governors of usurping the powers of other organs of the PDP and killing the opposition.

    This came on a day the former Vice President noted that the coalition of opposition forces, he is championing, would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in its bid to unseat the President in 2027.

    Recall that the PDP Governors’ Forum, at its meeting on April 14, resolved that it would not be part of any coalition with opposition political parties, politicians and other groups.

    PDP Govs killing opposition — Atiku’s coalition

    Reacting to the PDP governors’ position, spokesman of the coalition, Salihu Moh. Lukman said the coalition is a viable option to not only defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Tinubu but also to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.

    Lukman, in the statement, said: “For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself up and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs. Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest. The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul.

    “Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in Asiwaju’s government not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.

    “However, with the growing coalition, that mandate has been adjusted in recent weeks. The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027. This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly, playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game and they expect Nigerians to take them seriously.”

    Lukman insisted that rescuing Nigeria’s democracy, which is about rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians, is the main objective of the coalition.

    According to him, the coalition has also become necessary if the integrity of political institutions, especially political parties in upholding and promoting political competition in the country is to be restored.

    He said nothing represents the sad reality of the destruction of Nigeria’s democracy than the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and arrogantly boasted of ruling for 60 years, the PDP.

    He said: “The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has not been held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its Governors.

    “Unfortunately, all we have seen of the PDP Governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party. This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that if left alone, the PDP Governors will only continue the path of destroying democratic institutions in the country.

    “As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognize that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of its leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government. It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC Government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify the way PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves on the path of self-destruction and political irrelevance?

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognize this and more importantly, recognise all the challenges ahead. Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy. Over the years, both the PDP and APC have demonstrated contempt for political negotiations and to that extent disrespected agreements in various ways.

    “The survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depends on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality. This is what leaders of the coalition have been painstakingly working on. The coalition is working hard to finalise negotiations towards unveiling the coalition, along with its structure, and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria. The expectation is that all political actors, including leaders of PDP would recognise the danger facing the country and join the coalition as a necessary and perhaps strongest response towards rebuilding Nigerian democracy.

    “This has not happened. However, even as the PDP Governors and some leaders of PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy.”

    We’ll ride any vehicle that guarantees good governance—Ex-VP

    Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed that the coalition of opposition forces he is championing would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in its bid to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    Atiku made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of National Opinion Leaders.

    In a video of the meeting shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, he assured that the “coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades.”

    Reacting to the PDP Governors’ Forum’s position on any planned coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, Atiku said the coalition train had left the station.

    While addressing the youth-dominated delegation of National Opinion Leaders, the former VP urged them to remain focused and not be swayed by short-term inducements.

    His words: “Don’t be disrupted by people giving you pennies or kobos here and there, and nairas here and there, and then abandon your future, and the future of your children.

    “Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned—APC, PDP, Labour, and others—have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria.

    “And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon, we will announce, and we hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.”

    The former Vice President said the primary objective of the coalition was to ensure good governance.

    He said: “Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren that is the vehicle we are going to ride on.”

    While he urged the delegation to start planning and mobilising support, he said: “Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”

    They’re delusional— PDP govs

    Reacting to the allegations of acting as spoilers for the President, the PDP governors described the coalition as being delusional.

    Speaking on behalf of the forum, Director-General of the PDPGF, Dr Agbo Emmaneul said: “The PDP governors cannot dignify such over the bloated image of some self-delusional characters with unbridled sense or entitlement with any response.”

  • PDP will reclaim South-East in 2027 – Wabara

    PDP will reclaim South-East in 2027 – Wabara

    Former Senate President and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed confidence that the PDP will reclaim the South-East in the 2027 general elections.

    Speaking on the recent return of Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, to the PDP, Wabara stated that the zone, once a stronghold of the PDP, would regain its dominance by 2027.

    Wabara lamented that some South-East states previously controlled by the PDP were lost to other parties in the 2023 elections. However, he noted with optimism that many aggrieved former members are now returning to the party.

    “The return of Edeoga is a bold step, and I commend him for it. This is a sign that the PDP is regaining strength in the South-East,” Wabara told Vanguard in an exclusive interview.

    Wabara hailed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, describing his developmental strides as a major factor in weakening the opposition in the state.

    “Gov. Mbah has taken governance to a higher level, setting the pace in various areas. When a leader shows such capacity, the reasonable thing for the opposition to do is to support him.”

    The PDP BoT Chairman further commended Mbah for making Enugu a model state, stating that his achievements have bolstered the party’s chances in the South-East ahead of 2027.

    “Governor Mbah is the only PDP governor in the South-East, and his performance has helped market the party through laudable projects acknowledged even by the opposition.”

    Wabara also applauded PDP lawmakers at both the national and state levels for their efforts in repositioning the party. He urged all aggrieved members who defected after the 2023 elections to return and help rebuild the party.

    “Democracy is under siege in Nigeria, but the PDP remains the credible alternative for 2027. That is why we are focused on strengthening the party before the next elections.”

    The former Senate President maintained that Nigerians are looking to the PDP for leadership, and the party is working tirelessly to restore its place as the dominant political force in the country.

  • Edo gov’ship poll: We are surprised at Tribunal’s decision – PDP

    Edo gov’ship poll: We are surprised at Tribunal’s decision – PDP

    BENIN CITY – THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said it was surprised at the outcome of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal ruling that affirmed the victory of Sen Mondfay Okoebholo as the elected governor of the state.

    He said the party would study the judgment and take a decision.

    According to him, “We are not shocked by the result but we are surprised by the decision of the Tribunal, the party will meet maybe tomorrow and then take a decision.

    “The tribunal has spoken but there are one or two higher steps that we can take because the Electoral Act is very clear that if you present a CTC copy of the unit result, you don’t even need a witness to speak to it and all these we did.

    “The APC and Sen. Monday Okpebholo know that they are sitting on the stolen mandate which would be recovered”

  • PDP Scribe: Supreme Court passes buck to party

    PDP Scribe: Supreme Court passes buck to party

    THE Supreme Court, yesterday, practically returned the decision on who should be the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the party’s hierarchy. It quashed lower courts’ verdicts on the issue and faulted the Court of Appeal and High Court in Enugu for dabbling into what it described as a domestic affair of a political party.

    Senator Sunday Anyanwu, who left the secretaryship to fly PDP’s flag as Imo governorship candidate in 2023, is in a tug of war with SKE Udeh-Okoye for the post.

    Following the apex court’s verdict, the Udeh-Okoye and Anyanwu camps claimed victory, yesterday, as they prepare to return to Court on March 25 for hearing the suit Senator Anyanwu filed to stay execution of the judgments the apex court nullified, yesterday.

    Indeed, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, said with the Supreme Court decision, Udeh-Okoye remains the national secretary of the party.

    Udeh-Okoye’s backers

    Those backing Udeh-Okoye for the PDP national secretaryship include 2023 Presidential Candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Chairman and Secretary of the BoT: Senator Adolphus Wabara and Senator Ahmed Makarfi; majority of the BoT; majority of the South-East caucus; majority of the Senate and House of Representatives caucus of the PDP; 10 of the 12 members of the PDP Governors Forum; and National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum (a latter day convert) among others.

    Anyanwu’s supporters

    Conversely, Senator Anyanwu’s supporters include FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and members of his now defunct G-5 governors -Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, serving Governors Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), former National Vice Chairman, South South, Chief Dan Orbi among others.

    Supreme Court verdict

    Nullifying lower courts’ judgments that removed Senator Anyanwu as the national secretary of the PDP, the apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, faulted the Court of Appeal and High Court in Enugu for dabbling into what it described as a domestic affair of a political party.

    The high court had on the strength of a suit that was brought before it by a member of the PDP, Mr. Aniagu Emmanuel, removed Anyanwu as the national scribe of the party.

    The decision of the trial court was subsequently upheld by the appellate court, which recognised Chief Udeh-Okoye as Senator Anyanwu’s replacement.

    The appellate court held that Anyanwu’s continued stay in office as national secretary was in breach of PDP’s Constitution, having contested and emerged as the party’s candidate in the governorship election that held in Imo State in 2024.

    Dissatisfied with the judgments, Anyanwu approached the Supreme Court to set them aside.

    Delivering its judgment in the matter on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, held that the two lower courts were wrong to have meddled in an internal affair of the PDP.

    When Judiciary can interfere in party affairs

    It held that the party has its own dispute resolution mechanisms embedded in its constitution.
    The apex court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, stressed that the judiciary would only intervene, when a political party is accused of sidelining its own laws and regulations.

    It held that it is not the duty of courts to involve itself in the leadership selection process of political parties but to ensure adherence to due process, equity, justice, fairness and the rule of law.

    Besides, the Supreme Court noted that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, whose substantive suit led to Anyanwu’s removal, failed to establish his locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.

    Consequently, it vacated the judgments of the two lower courts for want of jurisdiction to entertain the dispute surrounding the office of a National Secretary in the PDP.

    It will be recalled that the Board of Trustees, BOT, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, had earlier endorsed Chief Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the party, in line with the judgments the apex court vacated on Friday

    Anyanwu had outright rejected the decisions of the BOT and NWC, insisting that the position was the subject of a pending litigation.

    On his part, Chief Udeh-Okoye, in a recent process he filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, maintained that Senator Anyanwu had ceased to be the national secretary of the PDP.

    He told the court that though the Senator Anyanwu was elected at a National Convention the party held on October 30, 2021, for a four-year tenure, he, however, lost the position after he was nominated as candidate of the party for the governorship election that held in Imo State in 2023.

    Chief Udeh-Okoye told the court that whereas Article 47(5) of the PDP Constitution requires any officer elected into the party’s Executive Committee at any level, to resign before running for any elective office, Article 47 (6) made provision for the appointment of someone from the same area or zone, to serve out the tenure of such officer.

    According to him, following Senator Anyanwu’s refusal to vacate the office, the Board of Trustees of the PDP, in a letter dated October 12, 2023, drew the attention of the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagun, to the constitutional breach.

    He said the South East zone Executives of the party, in a meeting held at Enugu on October 16, 2022, nominated him to serve out the residue of Senator Anyanwu’s remaining tenure in office.

    Chief Udeh-Okoye told the court that the litigation that led to the concurrent judgments of the courts in Enugu, was a fallout of the meeting where he was nominated.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo had fixed March 25 to hear the suit Senator Anyanwu filed to stay execution of the judgments the apex court nullified on Friday.

    Jude-Okoye remains our secretary – PDP

    Reacting to the apex court verdict, the PDP NWC, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, explained that the judgment affirmed that the issue of party leadership positions, including the National Secretary, is entirely an internal affair of the Party requiring only the Party internal mechanism to which the courts have no jurisdiction.

    He said: “Today’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirms the standing position of the Party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory Organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

    “For clarity, the NWC at its 576th meeting held on the 11th of October, 2023, directed the South-East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon Senator Anyanwu’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 Governorship election in Imo State.

    “Consequent upon the directive of the NWC, the South-East Zonal Executive Committee at its meeting held on the 20th of October 2023 passed a resolution approving the emergence and forwarding of the name of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye to the NWC as the National Secretary of the Party.

    “Accordingly, the NWC at its 577th meeting held on 7th of November 2023 pursuant to its powers under the PDP Constitution, duly received, deliberated upon, accepted and approved the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party, which appointment has also since been endorsed by relevant Organs and bodies of the PDP including the Board of Trustees (BoT), South-East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum and officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.

    “The PDP commends the Supreme Court for upholding the principle of the supremacy of the Party in the management of its internal affairs, describing it as victory for democracy.

    “The NWC urges all patriotic members of the PDP to remain united as we work together to move our great Party forward.”

    SE PDP Congratulates Udeh-Okoye, Hails S/Court for affirming Party Supremacy

    The South East Zonal Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has congratulated Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye on the affirmation of his position as the National Secretary of the PDP by the Supreme Court.

    The South East PDP, in a statement co-issued by the Chairman of the Zonal Executive Committee, Chief Ali Odefa, and the Zonal Secretary, Hon. James Ugwu, on Friday, equally hailed the Supreme Court for saving, not just the party, but also the nation’s democracy from the hands of those bent on destroying it for their selfish political capital.

    Reacting to the apex court ruling, the statement said, “This is not just a victory for Rt. Hon. Udeh-Okoye as a person, but also for the party as a whole and for the nation’s democracy in general.

    “This judgment expressly ratifies the South Zonal Executive Committee’s nomination of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary to serve-out the remaining tenure of Senator Samuel Anyanyu, who had won the party’s nomination as its flag bearer in the Imo 2023 governorship election. It equally validates Udeh-Okoye’s ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC) on November 7, 2023 and his endorsement by various organs of the party.

    “Consequently, the South East heartily congratulates our party leaders, party faithful, and, of course, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye on this momentous victory.

    “We are happy that this judgment has finally reestablished party supremacy and the ramifications of this decision is a big win for not just the PDP, but for all the political parties in Nigeria. By this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that, as our people would say, the okro can never be taller than the person that planted it. The party is supreme.”

  • ‘Your call for state of emergency senseless’ – Osun Govt, PDP tackle Senator Ajibola

    ‘Your call for state of emergency senseless’ – Osun Govt, PDP tackle Senator Ajibola

    The Osun State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state have described the state of the emergency comment attributed to the APC national scribe Dr. Ajibola Basiru as “senseless.”

    The state government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Wednesday, described the call as an attempt to regain government through the backdoor.

    According to him, it would be better for Senator Basiru and his party, the APC, not to disturb the peace and tranquility currently enjoyed in Osun in an attempt to take the reigns of governance through the backdoor.

    “It must, however, be emphasized that not only Basiru alone holds this senseless and obnoxious impression but the entire APC cohorts and their members/followers in Osun state, who, on a daily basis, are scheming for one mischievous device or the other in order to come through the backdoor to take the reigns of governance in Osun state but by the grace of God and with the support of the people of Osun state for the administration of Ademola Adeleke, all the evil machinations against the people-oriented government of Ademola Adeleke will not see the light of the day.

    “Furthermore, we call on our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to see through the antics of people like Ajibola Basiru, a rejected and frustrated politician and his already rejected APC apologists in Osun, by dismissing the wicked and baseless call for the declaration of the state of emergency in Osun.

    “Well, any right-thinking person will know and interpret all these political shenanigans of APC to be that of already frustrated souls looking for whatever means to make Osun ungovernable.

    “On the unwarranted and unnecessary political crisis created by the APC in Osun, as a reminder, three cases are now pending before the courts of law instituted by different stakeholders,” he added.

    Also, the PDP, reacting through its Director of Media and Publicity, Oladele Bamiji, described Basiru’s statement as that of a desperate politician, saying the call is unnecessary.

    “The statement attributed to the National Secretary of the APC is reckless and dangerous. I wouldn’t know why someone would be calling for a state of emergency in Osun; in a state like this, it’s like the APC wants to bastardize our democratic experience.

    “What it now looks like is that every state lost by the APC will now be taken back through the back door through a state of emergency.

    “There will always be disagreement in any political environment, but calling for a state of emergency speaks volumes about the real intention of the APC causing unnecessary violence in the state recently over the issue of local government councils. If Governor Ademola Adeleke has not charged the newly elected council officials to stay away God knows what might have happened by now in the state. But his call depict desperation”, he added.

  • Why Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers can’t stand – PDP

    Why Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers can’t stand – PDP

    ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, insisting that it violates the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and cannot stand.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, after an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, stated that President Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly.

    Ologunagba emphasized that no section of the Constitution grants the President the power to suspend or remove an elected governor under a state of emergency.

    “There is no provision in the Nigerian Constitution that gives President Tinubu the power to sack a duly elected governor, his deputy, or the State Assembly. This is a brazen violation of democracy and must be rejected by all Nigerians.”

    The PDP further argued that Tinubu’s action sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

    The party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of deliberately orchestrating the crisis in Rivers State to justify an illegal power grab.

    “It is now clear that the Rivers State crisis was manufactured to create a pretext for this unconstitutional action. The President is abusing power to weaken opposition-controlled states and impose a one-party dictatorship.”

    The PDP called on: The National Assembly to reject the state of emergency and prevent the illegal removal of Governor Fubara.

    The Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution and declare Tinubu’s action null and void.

    The international community to intervene and protect Nigeria’s democracy.

    “This reckless abuse of power must be resisted. Nigeria is a democracy, not a dictatorship. We call on all democratic forces to reject this illegality.”

    The PDP vowed to challenge the State of Emergency through all legal and political means to ensure that democracy is protected in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

  • Fubara remains Rivers governor – PDP

    Fubara remains Rivers governor – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that Siminalayi Fubara remains the Governor of Rivers State, describing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, after an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, stated that Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to remove a democratically elected governor, his deputy, or the State Assembly.

    Ologunagba reaffirmed the party’s position that Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers State cannot stand, as it violates multiple provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “The purported suspension of Governor Fubara is unconstitutional, impracticable, invalid, and completely out of the question. No provision of the Constitution empowers the President to dismantle a sub-national government or suspend a democratically elected governor under any circumstances.”

    He accused Tinubu of attempting to suspend the 1999 Constitution, overturn a democratic government, and impose an undemocratic regime, citing violations of Sections 1(2), 14(2)(a), 180, 217(2)(b)(c), and 305(2) of the Constitution.

    “The Constitution does not grant the President the power to dismantle a tier of government, appoint a sole administrator as governor, or override the duties of the State Assembly.”

    The PDP also accused President Tinubu of bypassing the National Assembly, a mandatory constitutional step, before a state of emergency can take effect.

    “Section 305(2) of the Constitution clearly states that the President must transmit the proclamation to the National Assembly, which must approve it before it takes effect. Tinubu’s order for immediate implementation is a blatant violation of the Constitution.”

    The party also condemned the revocation of the PDP National Secretariat’s Right of Occupancy (R of O) by the APC-led Federal Government, calling it a targeted attack on the opposition.

    “This attempt to revoke our National Secretariat’s land title is part of a broader scheme to weaken opposition forces and silence democracy in Nigeria.”

    The PDP urged: The National Assembly to invoke its legislative powers to stop Tinubu’s unconstitutional actions. The military and security agencies to remain neutral and uphold democratic principles. Nigerians and the international community to reject this assault on democracy.

    “Governor Fubara remains the elected Governor of Rivers State. The PDP stands firmly with him and the people of Rivers. President Tinubu must act as a ‘resolver’ of crises, not an ‘exacerbator’ of problems. Rivers State was at peace before this illegal declaration.”

    The PDP concluded by vowing to resist the unconstitutional takeover through all legal and democratic means.

  • There’s pending litigation on our revoked property – PDP

    There’s pending litigation on our revoked property – PDP

    ABUJA: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that there is an ongoing court case concerning its property, which was recently revoked by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He said, “There is a pending court case regarding the ownership of the property, with suit number CV 1363-17. The case was filed in 2017 between NICON Insurance Limited and the following defendants:

    “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is the first defendant in that case.

    “The second defendant is the Peoples Democratic Party. It is curious that the minister, who is a party to the ongoing litigation, is now revoking the same property. Here is the document.

    “The last court hearing was on February 10, where the minister was represented by his lawyers. Yet, about a month later, the same property is being revoked despite the case still being in court.

    “This shows that the issue goes beyond just revocation; there are other underlying matters at play. The next hearing is scheduled for May 5, and the case is still ongoing.”

  • PDP land title revoked over N7.6m ground rent debt – FCTA

    PDP land title revoked over N7.6m ground rent debt – FCTA

    Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) land title in the Central Area of Abuja was revoked because the party is owing N7.6 million ground rent from 2006 to 2025.

    The FCTA Director of Land, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing newsmen after the FCT Executive Committee meeting, chaired by the Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    Nwankwoeze also dismissed PDP’s claim that two of their properties were revoked, the one in Wuse Zone 5 currently occupying its national headquarters and the one in the central area.

    He said that only the land title in the central area belonging to PDP was revoked, adding that the one in Wuse Zone 5 does not belong to it.

    “The land in Wuse Zone 5 which currently occupies its national headquarters does not belong to PDP.

    “It belongs to one Mr Samaila Ofi, and the revocation notice had been served on him in his Kaduna address, the address on our record.

    “We did not serve any such notice to the PDP. The only one we served on them was the one in the central area.

    “You don’t serve revocation notice on a tenant or an occupier; you serve on the title holder,” he said.

    Nwankwoeze explained that Ofi bought the property from Wadata and got his papers registered by way of assignment, adding that the property was owing a 28-year ground rent amounting to N2.85 million.

    He stated that a total of 4,794 land titles had been revoked by the FCT minister, adding that PDP was just one of them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike has approved revocation of 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rents for more than 10 years.

    Mr Lere Olayink,a Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister, had announced the revocation at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

    Olayinka said that 8,375 property owners owed a total of N6.97 billion as ground rents as at the end of 2024.