Politics

2023: Buhari Will Arrest PDP Leaders, Oppress Governors Into Joining APC, PDP Chieftain Raises Alarm

Published

4 years ago

August 15, 2021

Editor

Chief Raymond Dokpesi, business mogul and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has predicted that as Nigeria approaches the 2023 general elections, a lot of opposition leaders will be arrested by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY INDEPENDENT, Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications Plc also said, many opposition governors will be harassed and oppressed which will force many of them to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dokpesi who said all his predictions about the character of President Buhari has come to pass recalled that he warned Nigerians not to vote for him in the 2015 presidential election but rather cast their votes for former President Goodluck Jonathan because ‘a leopard cannot change its spot’.

Also speaking on the failure of the President to reshuffle his cabinet despite the non-performance of some Ministers, Dokpesi said Buhari believed that all the Ministers are performing well, hence no need for their replacement.

He said, “In the eyes of the President, they (Ministers) are performing. That is why he has not replaced them. But it is the people who must realise the fact that there are challenges in the country. There are issues that need to be tackled. We are feeling it every day.

“The Economic team that this government does not have for a long time but now suddenly constituted has not been able to look thoroughly at the challenges that we have.

Lamenting the state of affairs of the nation, Dokpesi said Nigerians have never had it so bad like what is happening under Buhari‘s government.

“The government has unfortunately embarked on propaganda, lies, defamation of peoples character and oppressing people unduly. Anybody who dares to say what the people are passing through, they go after him with security agents. It has not been so bad in the history of the country.

“We have appointments that are made not on merit and not even of federal character principle. There is no respect for the constitution. We cannot have any other outcome other than this.

“I did warn in 2014 that there are dangers and there are issues if we vote in these people. I also said that it is difficult for a leopard to change its skin. I drew the attention of the nation to the fact that President Jonathan may not be the best candidate for the office of President but between the two people that were available then; that is Jonathan and Buhari, the more democratic, respectable and the one that will listen to the cries of the people is definitely President Jonathan as it was at that time.

“All the things that I said if there is anyone in which I said then that has not come to pass, I stand to be crucified by Nigerians. None of my predictions and statements at that time has come to pass. It was because of my clear knowledge and understanding of who the current president is, that is President Muhammadu Buhari. There is nothing based on fact in his government and the team he assembled. There is nothing truthful in what they are saying.

“And as we move on to the 2023 elections, you will see what will begin to happen. My next prediction is that a lot of PDP members and the opposition leaders will be arrested; the governors will be intimidated and subjected to a lot of repression and oppression.

“And in that heart of sheer fear, these governors will be jumping from one political party to another until that day of salvation comes. And I pray that it won’t be too long for Nigeria,” he said.

Politics

Two PDP, LP Reps Dump Parties For APC

Published

7 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday lost one lawmaker each in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors — Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Paul Nnamchi — formally announced their switch during plenary, with their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Akpanke, who was elected on the PDP platform, represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State. Nnamchi, elected under the LP, represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Both lawmakers attributed their defections to internal crises within their former parties and their desire to support and align with the policies and programmes of the APC-led Federal Government.

Their decision was greeted with applause by APC members in the chamber, as Speaker Abbas congratulated the duo on their new political move.

Politics

JUST IN: SDP Suspends National Chairman Gabam, Auditor, Youth Leader

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Shehu Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of party funds.

Their suspension was contained in a statement issued and made available to Vanguard by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

It reads, “The decision followed resolutions made by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals of the NWC.

“This development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to INEC as demanded from all political parties.

“A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the Newspapers. When the NWC got to know this, it made a resolution to report the fraudulent abnormalities to law enforcement agencies.

“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.”

According to Aiyenigba, “The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough, investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman as per the provisions of the Constitution of the party.”

Aiyenigba alleged that “the misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

“The suspension of these officers has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all relevant agencies.”

He said that “the suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Ogbonna Chukwuma takes immediate effect.”

Politics

Drama As PDP Staff Shut Offices, Reject Anyanwu’s Return

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

In a dramatic fashion, management and staff of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat, yesterday shut their offices and staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to forcibly reclaim his position as national secretary.

The protest came after the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, appointed Setonji Koshodeo as acting National Secretary, an appointment the staff had earlier pledged to support.

According to multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, Anyanwu arrived at the party headquarters with suspected thugs and tried to take control of the national secretary’s office.

But staff members, determined not to recognise or work with him, quickly mobilised and vacated the premises, leaving Anyanwu stranded and visibly embarrassed.

One of the protesting staff members said: “Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides.”

As the standoff continued, the PDP secretariat remained deserted, with staff insisting they would not return until Anyanwu vacated the office.

The protest was a show of loyalty to the NWC. Back in May, the staff had publicly pledged to support the committee’s decision, insisting that Koshoedo’s appointment followed the party’s internal procedures.

Another source revealed that Anyanwu was later advised by his aides to leave quietly to avoid further humiliation.

“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” the source said.

Explaining further, the staff added: “When he realised the atmosphere was hostile and there was no one left to work with, apart from the few people he came with, his aides advised him to leave, rather than remain in such an awkward situation.”

The incident has triggered accusations within the party, with some staff alleging that Anyanwu is a ‘mole’ planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to cause chaos within the PDP, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although unconfirmed, these allegations have added to growing tension within the party.

The walkout has raised fresh concerns about the PDP’s internal unity and its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

As the main opposition party, some fear its credibility could suffer if the leadership crisis is not quickly resolved.

The situation highlighted the growing factionalisation within the party and the challenge of staying united.

The PDP has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls to his phone.