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  • PDP governors urge Tinubu to reverse state of emergency in Rivers

    PDP governors urge Tinubu to reverse state of emergency in Rivers

    The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has advised President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers.

    The Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers as unconstitutional.

    Mohammed stated that it was illegal and unacceptable for the president to suspend democratically elected officials of a state.

    “The PDPGF has noted with concern the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers by the president. We state categorically that this is a threat to democracy.

    “This is a premeditated attack on Rivers, the PDP and other opposition parties in the country. It is a great threat to democracy and an ill wind that will blow no one any good.

    “It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard-earned democracy but deepen crisis in the country, ” the statement read in parts.

    The PDPGF chairman further said that the president’s action would exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, and destroy the economy.

    In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the emergency rule declaration in Rivers as unconstitutional.

    The President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, said in a statement on Wednesday that the declaration of emergency rule remained an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits.

    “The NBA affirms its commitment to upholding the constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria.

    “The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable,” he said.

    He urged Tinubu to reverse the declaration in the interest of democracy and the well-being of Rivers people.

  • PDP rejects emergency rule in Rivers

    PDP rejects emergency rule in Rivers

    ABUJA: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

    National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement late on Tuesday said the President exercised powers he didn’t possess by removing an elected governor and imposing a state of emergency on the PDP-controlled state.

    Ologunagba said the “PDP and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

    “The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State.

    “The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.

    “The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State.

    “Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.”

    He further said, “The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom

    “In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”.

    “Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.

    “For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged.

    “The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State.

    “Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.”

  • Wike revokes PDP’s new secretariat land

    Wike revokes PDP’s new secretariat land

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike has approved the revocation of the land housing the new National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), located in the Central Business District, Abuja.

    The multi-level Secretariat building which has remained uncompleted for 20 years, is situated in a prime location within the city centre.

    Work commenced on the 12-story building project initially estimated to cost N16 billion in 2008.

    However, after the party raised over N62billion from fundraising activities including a well-attended dinner and the sale of forms during over four electoral cycles, the project has remained uncompleted.

    A letter confirming the revocation was signed by the Director, Land Administration, Chijoke Nwankwoeze, on behalf of the Minister.

    It was dated 13th, March 2025 and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, was made public, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    The letter with reference number: MISC 81346 titled: Notice of Revocation of Right of Occupancy in Respect of Plot Number 243 within Central Area (A00) District, Abuja, read in part:

    “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Secretariat and inform you that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No.6 of 1978, Cap L5, Laws of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.

    “The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from 1st of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025.

    “This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bills and ground rents on their properties.

    “You would please note that the said breaches by Peoples Democratic Party, National Secretariat (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

    “lam to further inform you that the subject property (Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja) has thus reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof.”

    An official response was still being awaited from the PDP as at the time of filing this report.

  • Natasha: Atiku, PDP caution Senate leadership

    Natasha: Atiku, PDP caution Senate leadership

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that Nigerian leaders are not creating an environment that enables women to thrive and contribute to the country’s development.

    Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the PDP, stated this on Friday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) by the Senate.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months for flouting Senate rules after she rejected a new seating position assigned to her and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment on live TV.

    Atiku described the Senate’s decision as an attack on affirmative action.

    “Has there been an investigation? No. So, Atiku’s position hasn’t changed. Whichever way you look at this, there is a concern. Any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing,” he said.

    “About half of our population is women, and if we don’t deliberately create an environment conducive to promoting women’s interests—whether in politics, business, or any other human endeavour—we are underutilising our potential.

    “We’re not providing half of our population the opportunities to thrive and add value to society. With International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, it raises serious concerns. The Senate’s action of suspending Natasha for six months without conducting an investigation is an attack on affirmative action.”

    Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who spoke through his ex-media aide and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, also frowned on the development.

    “The situation is quite disappointing,” he lamented.

    PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised Akpabio for not stepping down to allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him.

    Osadolor described the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan as shameful.

    The PDP youth leader equally dragged opposition lawmakers for failing to speak out and make their voices heard when it mattered most.

    He stated, “The Senate President should have excused himself; he wasn’t truly a man of integrity. He should have stepped aside and allowed the investigation to proceed. I was deeply moved by this, and I’m sure every person of goodwill would be as well.

    “Natasha could have been our sister, our wife, our daughter, or our mother. To see them all gang up and use state power and bureaucracy to silence her voice is shameful. For me, it was even more shameful for the opposition members on the floor of the Senate. They failed to speak up when it mattered.

    “They were trying to stay in Akpabio’s good books. Looking at the whole situation, no one could stand up to be counted because they didn’t want to be kicked out or labelled as rebels. It’s a shame. But I believe Natasha has made her points. Though the majority will have their way, the minority will also have their day.”

  • PDP crisis: Members suggest solutions, recommend sanctions

    PDP crisis: Members suggest solutions, recommend sanctions

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of the Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP), have said only appropriate sanctions for erring members can restore the party’s credibility.

    The group noted that the fact that certain individuals have been allowed to consistently bring the party into disrepute and act as if they are above the law gives the impression that the party has lost direction.
    They suggested that erring party members be sanctioned to send the right signals to potential troublemakers as the only way forward.

    Protem National Coordinator of the CP-PDP, Barr, Obinna Nwachukwu, said this in Abuja on Thursday.
    He said, “The Conference urges the party’s National Disciplinary Committee to accelerate its proceedings on all petitions pending before it for necessary action.”

    The CP-PDP leader observed that the party leadership’s delay in invoking the statutory provisions of the PDP Constitution was largely to blame for the lingering crisis within the party.

    He charged the party leadership with working with the party’s Disciplinary Committee to investigate and impose necessary sanctions on subversive members, as provided for by Articles 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

    According to the group, the lack of adherence to these provisions was emboldening anti-party activities, including damaging litigations, claims and divisive utterances, which have the capacity to destabilize our party and destroy its electoral value to the detriment of Nigerians..

    Nwachukwu further said, “As professionals and patriotic members of the PDP, we posit that our party, which is the party of choice across the country, should not be allowed to be debilitated by the ambition and subversive activities of a few individuals who obviously no longer subscribe to PDP’s core values, shared vision of selflessness and pursuit of a better Nigeria.

    “The CP-PDP again commends the governors elected on the platform of the PDP for standing for the party at this critical time while reassuring all patriotic members, lovers of democracy and Nigerians in general that the PDP remains united, indivisible, solid and will definitely come out of the current challenges stronger than ever before.”

  • Crisis in Bayelsa PDP as South-South zonal secretary, state chairman trade words

    Crisis in Bayelsa PDP as South-South zonal secretary, state chairman trade words

    Internal crisis is imminent in the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the South-South Zonal Secretary, George Turnah and the state Chairman Mr Solomon Agwanana engage in a war of words.

    Since his emergence as the Zonal Secretary at the PDP Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, the state party leadership had been at daggers drawn with Turnah.

    The state party leadership, in a letter dated March 5th signed by Agwanana, the party Secretary, Gesiye Isowo, and Publicity Secretary, Ebiye Ogoli, had accused Turnah of recruiting party officials from the ward, local government, and state levels in a bid to form a parallel party structure and instigate crisis in the party.

    The party, therefore, warned party officials of their relationship with Turnah, threatening to sanction those found to be fraternising with him.

    However, Turnah in a swift reaction through a statement titled: “Time for Change Has Arrived”, by his media assistant, Kevin Loveday-Egbo declared that the Agwanana-led faction of the party should brace up for an “avoidable transformation within the party’’.

    Turnah, who denied any intention to cause division in the party, asserted that Agwanana’s time as party chairman was up, noting that the party had declined due to ‘’’Agwanana’s poor leadership, underscoring the urgent need to rescue it from potential collapse’’.

    According to him, the party has been losing committed members to the opposition due to Agwanana’s leadership failure and promotion of factionalism in the party.

    Turnah called on Governor Douye Diri not to allow himself to be misled by Agwanana’s deceptive strategies, stressing that the “disappointing turnout’’ of SEC members at its recent meeting was clear evidence of ‘’widespread distrust and dissatisfaction within the party.’’

    He sounded a note of caution to party members to urgently unite for action and save the party from further deterioration and work towards restoring its integrity by enthroning authentic leadership that truly represents the interests of the people.

    “As leaders of this party, we must save it from Agwanana’s incompetence and ineffective leadership, which lacks fundamental knowledge and skills in party management. If Agwana understood the level of dissatisfaction among party members, he would see that he and his allies have become mere shadows of their former selves. Change is here and it is inevitable,” Turnah added.

    He therefore called on leaders of the party in the state and beyond to recognise the critical moment the party has found itself and push for a new direction that prioritises accountability and effective governance.

  • 2027: Ganduje, Matawalle can’t speak for the North – PDP

    2027: Ganduje, Matawalle can’t speak for the North – PDP

    ABUJA – The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, has criticized the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over their claims that northerners will re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    In a telephone interview with Saturday Vanguard, Abdullahi dismissed their statements, insisting that neither Ganduje nor Matawalle has the authority to speak for the North.

    According to him, northerners have suffered immensely under APC’s governance and will not repeat the mistake of voting for a party that has exposed them to unprecedented poverty and hardship.

    He said:

    “The APC National Chairman and the Minister of State for Defence are not in a position to speak for the North.

    “First of all, Ganduje does not command the respect of northerners. Not even in Kano, where he hails from. He is simply an opportunist trying to justify his position in the APC.

    “There are 19 states in the North, and Ganduje has never enjoyed national or regional acceptability to warrant speaking for the region.

    “If you aggregate the majority view of northerners, you will realize that his claims are false and misleading.”

    Abdullahi further argued that the North has suffered the most under APC rule, first under former President Muhammadu Buhari and now under President Tinubu, whom he claimed has lost the confidence of the region.

    “There is no such position as the North supporting APC or Tinubu. The country has been mismanaged under him, and the North is feeling the impact the most.

    “Of the alleged 8 million votes Tinubu secured in the 2023 election, 5.6 million came from the North. Meanwhile, the entire South – including the South-West, South-South, and South-East – only gave him a little over 2 million votes.

    “Now, the same North that voted for him is the one suffering the most. So where exactly does he expect to get the votes to win in 2027?”

    Dismissing Ganduje and Matawalle’s remarks as political propaganda, Abdullahi urged them to focus on justifying their positions in government rather than making baseless claims.

    “The North is speaking loudly and clearly. Forget these bootlickers who have sold their souls to the devil. They do not represent the North, and nobody is taking them seriously.

    “Let them justify the mandate given to them by this evil contraption called APC.”

  • PDP to APC LG bosses: Sack threat shows your hatred for Osun workers

    PDP to APC LG bosses: Sack threat shows your hatred for Osun workers

    OSOGBO — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, yesterday, described the sack threat by the All Progressives Congress, APC, on local government workers as harassment and the party’s penchant for lawlessness.

    The reinstated local government council officials, elected on the platform of the APC, had threatened to sack council workers who failed to resume work on Monday.

    Reacting to the threat, the PDP, in a statement by its Media Director, Oladele Bamiji, described the council chairmen as tools of perdition.

    Bamiji said: “The copy and paste threat by the sacked chairmen, who have reduced themselves to hopeless tools of perdition in the hands of their demonic grandfathers in the APC, have once again brought to question, why the APC, right from the days of their progenitors, decided to always work at cross purposes with the wellbeing and happiness of the public workers.

    The PDP also tasked security agencies to investigate APC chieftains for alleged arms buildup.

    Speaking for the APC, Mr Jamiu Olawumi described the PDP as a desperate party that is ready to hold on to anything on its path to perdition.

    Olawumi said: “You can see that the PDP is the one encouraging the workers to disrespect the rule of law. Their desperation at this time knows no bounds. The situation here is simple, a Court has reinstated our elected officials and if you’re dissatisfied you go to a higher court instead of inciting the workers to disobey the order of the Appeal Court.”

    Release allocation to reinstated LG officials—Ex-lawmaker

    Meanwhile, a former lawmaker in the state, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has urged the Federal Government to only release allocation to the reinstated council officials.

    Related News
    PDP lambast APC over directive on Osun LG workers’ resumption
    Osun LG: Adeleke, APC lock horns over planned crisis
    Osun LG crisis: APC council officials resume at secretariats

    Oyintiloye, in a statement, said: “I want to appeal to the Federal Government to start releasing the monthly allocation to the APC reinstated council chairmen in the state as of this month.

    “The chairmen were unable to work since 2022, when they were sacked, but now that the Court of Appeal has reinstated them, the allocation should be released to them. This is the time for people at the grassroots to feel the impact of government which had been neglected since 2022.

    “I want to also commend the Inspector-General of Police for ensuring peace in the state.”

  • Osun Govt Declines Police Advice, Insist on Holding LG Election

    Osun Govt Declines Police Advice, Insist on Holding LG Election

    The Osun State Government has declined the security advice from the Nigeria Police Force, which clamoured for the temporary halt of the local government election scheduled for today (Saturday).

    Reports has it that the Nigeria Police had on Friday called for the temporary halt of the election within Osun state based on high intelligence gathering.

    In a statement delivered by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police stated that the reliable intelligence suggests a high intended violence and notable security escalation if the planned council election occurs within the state.

    On the other hand, in a signed statement late Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government declared that the bases for declining the advice were central to the rule of law and aversion to police partisanship.

    Referencing the security advice, the state government depicted that it had checked the advice and came to the conclusion that the proposal from the force headquarters was biased, partisan and in contradiction of democratic tenets.

    The statement reads, “The pretence of the service to be serving the public good while actually promoting the illegality of the APC reinforces our rejection of a Greek gift.

    “From the beginning of this face off, the police has breached best practices by its open support for the All Progressives Congress, a party that is pushing for illegality through a non-existing court order. The whole world knows how the police actively aided the APC to enforce a reinstatement order that was never issued by any court of law.

    “A law enforcement agency has suddenly become a partisan wing of a political party, the APC, thereby losing all toga of a fair law agency. The negative role of the police to ignite the current face off made its advice a poison chocolate.

    “Beyond the above, we also call the attention of the police to the court judgment of today. It contains three orders which affirm vacancies in Osun councils by authenticating the sacking of the APC council chieftains directed the police and other security agencies to provide security for the election and gave go ahead to fresh LG elections by Saturday 22nd.”

    The Police were also alleged by the state government of seeking partisan interests rather than obedience to court order and working in contrary to the rule of law.

    “Instead of the police to obey court order, the service is regrettably pursuing its partisan line by actively working against rule of law as espoused by today’s court ruling.

    “If the police chose to disobey court orders, the Osun State government will not go against rule of law, hence the decision of the state government to support the state electoral commission to conduct a credible free and fair elections tomorrow.

    “We thank the police for their advice. We respectfully turned down the request while we urged Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday.”

  • “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    In a recent statement, Dr. Emeka Kalu, President of the ECK Foundation, expressed confidence in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ability to address Nigeria’s economic challenges if elected in the 2027 presidential race.

    Kalu highlighted Atiku’s leadership experience and vision as essential assets for revitalizing the nation’s economy.

    Kalu criticized the current administration’s management of Nigeria’s natural resources, emphasizing the need for effective exploration and utilization to stimulate economic growth.

    He urged citizens and political figures to support Atiku, whom he described as a “rational game-changer,” to implement necessary reforms.

    Addressing the nation’s economic decline, Kalu pointed to issues such as rising hunger, escalating living costs, currency depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, corruption, increased tariffs, and unemployment.

    He stressed that overcoming these challenges requires “selfless, capable, trusted, and competent hands” like Atiku’s to restore Nigeria’s economic stability.

    “The sorry state of our economy should remind all Nigerians that we are under a failed leadership. The rising hunger, high cost of living, naira depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, treasury looting, tariff hikes, and unemployment have set us back significantly. The only hope for recovery lies in supporting competent political leadership in 2027,” Kalu said.

    Reflecting on Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, Kalu noted his significant contributions to economic liberalization, trade investments, job creation, and other reforms. He lamented that electoral malpractices have previously hindered Atiku from leading the nation.

    Kalu also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its lack of transparency in managing the fuel subsidy regime, identifying it as one of the numerous economic issues facing the country.

    “With Atiku Abubakar in charge, Nigeria will experience rapid economic progress,” Kalu asserted. “This is not a campaign or political propaganda, but a statement of facts whose impact cannot be erased.”

    In response to Kalu’s endorsement, critics have raised concerns about Atiku’s economic proposals. The All Progressives Congress (APC) described Atiku’s economic plan as a rehash of previous policies, lacking clarity and concrete implementation strategies.

    APC spokesman Felix Morka stated, “Atiku’s proposed Economic Stimulus Fund and Infrastructure Development Unit is opaque, lacking clarity and concrete implementation plans.”