Politics

2023: Again, NURTW, NYCN, Others Endorse Bauchi Gov As President

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2021

Another coalition of groups, on Tuesday, endorsed Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to contest for presidential election in 2023.

Speaking during the presentation of endorsement letter to the governor, Mr Adamu Dimis, the leader of the coalition, said the groups comprised of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bauchi state chapter, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS).

Dimis, who is also the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bauchi branch, said the coalition also included Bauchi State Traders and Artisans Associations (BASTAA) as well as Association of Achaba and Keke NAPEPS among others.

He explained that their endorsement was in consideration of the numerous projects executed by the state governor in the state, within a few years.

He said Nigeria needed the likes of Gov. Bala Mohammed to record the desired developments in the country.

While responding, Gov. Bala Mohammed, who was delighted to receive the group, said it was not the first to have made the same call.

He reiterated that before any decision is made by him, he would have to consult his various constituencies.

Mohammed, however, said that he was very contented with his current position as the state governor, adding that he was also ready to serve in any capacity of Nigeria.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see this group coming out this afternoon to beckon me to run for the exalted office of the president.

Cross session of the groups calling on Govenor Bala Mohammed to contest for 2023 presidential election

“This is not the first group that has done that and I have always said that power comes from God and it is him that bestows on whom he wishes.

“As a Nigerian who believes in Nigeria projects, I am highly contented with the position I am in. And I am also very ready to serve in any capacity for the people of Nigeria. But before I do that, I may have to consult my various constituencies,” he said.

Mohammed, however, revealed that the state working committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had agreed to go with him wherever he would be going so that Bauchi and Nigeria at large would be carried to the level of growth and development required.

“I will assume by this go ahead by the party and the cross sessions of youths organizations here today, I have gotten the go ahead.

“What I require is to go to the leaders, the Emirs and the Ulamas to discuss with them because I cannot just go like that without giving their due respect,” said the governor.

Recall that on January 16, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency and Good Governance in the South-South Geopolitical zone, called on governor Mohammed, to run for the 2023 presidency.

On March 9, 2021, A group, under the aegis of ‘Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard (BAM-V) , urged Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to contest for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Also, on June 23, 2021 A group, under the aegis of Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), also called on governor Mohammed to contest for the presidential election in 2023 or have them mobilize against his political career if he declined the offer.

They all said that governor Mohammed had all the qualities to lead the country and turn around her fortunes.

Politics

FULL LIST: APC Sweeps Rivers Elections, Wins 20 Of 23 LGAs

Published

23 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has emerged victorious in a landslide victory in the Saturday Rivers State local government elections, securing 20 out of the 23 LGAs.

According to The PUNCH, the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Michael Odey, announced the results at the commission’s Headquarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday afternoon.

According to Odey, the Peoples Democratic Party managed to clinch the remaining three LGAs.

The full list of chairpersons-elect is as follows:

1. Abua/Odual: Ofori Owolabi (APC)

2. Ahoada East: Solomon Achoma (APC)

3. Ahoada West: Eugene Epelle (APC)

4. Akuku Toru: Bob Fubara (APC)

5. Andoni: Lucky Promise (APC)

6. Asari Toru: George Onegiyeofori (APC)

7. Bonny: Abinye Blessing Pepple (APC)

8. Degema: Michael John Williams (APC)

9. Eleme: Obarilomate Ollor (APC)

10. Emohua: Chidi Loyd (APC)

11. Etche: Njoku Boniface (APC)

12. Gokana: Dekor Confidence (APC)

13. Ikwerre: Charles Wobodo (APC)

14. Khana: Bariere Thomas (APC)

15. Obio/Akpor: Gift Worlu (PDP)

16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Shedrach Ogbogu (PDP)

17. Ogu/Bolo: Vincent Nemioboka (APC)

18. Okrika: Akuro Tobin (APC)

19. Omuma: Obasi Uchechwuku (APC)

20. Opobo/Nkoro: James A. James (APC)

21. Oyigbo: Okechukwu Akara (APC)

22. PHALGA: Allwell Ihunda (PDP)

23. Tai: Mbakpone Okpe (APC)

The RSIEC Chairman also disclosed that certificates of return will be presented to the winners on Monday, September 1.

This election marks the first time the APC has gained such dominance in Rivers State since the return of democracy in 1999.

Politics

Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

Published

24 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party risks serious setbacks in its 2027 presidential strategy if it opts for former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi as its standard-bearer.

In a long post on his X account on Sunday, Keyamo said the opposition party remains in a “non-enviable position” after failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a decision he said cost the PDP support in its traditional strongholds in the South-South and South-East.

Keyamo argued that nominating Jonathan carries a constitutional danger tied to section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which he suggested could bar anyone sworn in twice as president from contesting again.

“If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” Keyamo wrote, warning that such a legal challenge would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

“The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.

“If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it.”

He added that the party would bear responsibility if it ignored the legal risk and lost its candidacy after nominations closed.

“All the arguments … will not be decided on social media, but at the Supreme Court,” he said.

Keyamo also dismissed the likelihood of a successful South-West flagbearer for the PDP.

“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive S/West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for a fresh two terms in office.

“And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West. You need a majority of at least 3 to 4 regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency.”

On Peter Obi, the minister said bringing the former Labour Party candidate into the PDP fold would not solve the party’s problems.

He suggested doubts about Obi’s credibility, plus his past one-term pledge, could dilute support among his core followers.

“The principled ones amongst the ‘obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit … and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore,” Keyamo wrote.

Concluding his assessment, the minister blamed the PDP’s current predicament on what he called its “original sin” of not zoning the 2023 ticket to the South.

“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics,” he said, adding that unless “something EXTRAORDINARY happens, the Party may have to wait till 2031.”

The PDP has not publicly responded to Keyamo’s comments.

Politics

Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC

Published

1 day ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The former Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Marafa has confirmed his resignation from the All Progressives Congress.

Marafa, who confirmed his registration to Channels Television via text message on Sunday, left the ruling party after a meeting with his political structure last Wednesday and Thursday.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the leaders of the group unanimously resolved to dump the APC over what they described as injustice, neglect, and worsening insecurity in Zamfara State.

They expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation, citing recent statistics that placed Zamfara as the state with the highest number of kidnapping cases in the country.

The group also accused the Federal Government of politicising insecurity during the recent Kaura Namoda bye-election, alleging that security forces were deployed to secure the APC’s electoral victory rather than protect lives.

“The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people. We shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State,” the communiqué, issued on Friday, partly read.

On political appointments, Marafa’s loyalists faulted what they termed the deliberate marginalisation of Zamfara, despite the state’s contribution to the APC’s 2023 presidential victory.

They noted that while other states in the North-West secured multiple ministerial slots, Zamfara got only one, and communities devastated by banditry attacks have received little or no federal intervention.

The statement, signed by Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara (Chairman) and Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe (Secretary), added that the group will soon announce its next political direction in line with the aspirations of the Zamfara people.