Politics

2023: Obaseki’s Former Chief Of Staff Declares To Run For House Of Rep

Published

3 years ago

January 30, 2022

Editor

The former Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taiwo Akerele on Sunday declared his intention to contest for the ticket of the party to represent the people of Akoko-Edo federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

He told journalists in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, that he has been privileged to work “at close range” with key policy makers and that he has the vision and quality to represent his people.

He said Nigeria is ripe for accelerated development and that people like him possess the capacity to contribute his quota.

While congratulating the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba for conferment on him as the Oduma (lion) of Auchi by the Otaru of Auchi, Akerele said “Nigeria should be in a hurry to recruit its best brains into the governance process and I am one of the best Nigeria has at the moment.

“Akoko Edo is blessed. Working with the state government and other key government actors, my focus will be more on encouraging private sector investments in our divine factor endowments which is solid minerals to enable us engage our youths productively.

“I won’t be involved in politics of mudslinging and name calling. I will call for maturity in engagement and issues-based approach ahead of the APC primaries and subsequently the general elections.”

He added: “The Nigerian House of Representatives should be populated with intellectuals, men and women of strong character and solid training that will execute their assignments with all sense of dedication, patriotism and enthusiasm and not otherwise.

“If given the mandate I intend to focus on those areas that will help grow the Nigerian economy at least 5 per cent per annum starting with my local federal constituency with small scale industries and at the federal level help advocate for reduce borrowing, budget more for basic education and more investment in commercial agriculture with a view to generating more employment opportunities for our teaming youths.

“In my very eventful service in government I have conveniently come to the conclusion that there is so much government and officials can do at all levels to improve the quality of life of the citizenry. The little intervention I made during this period gives credence to this fact. Government has delivered less than expected.”

The Akoko-Edo federal constituency is currently occupied by the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Peter Akpatason.

Politics

Confusion In PDP As NWC Counters Damagum, Rejects Anyanwu’s Reinstatement

Published

50 minutes ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed claims that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, has been postponed.

A statement signed by key members of the NWC on Wednesday also denied reports that Samuel Anyanwu has been reinstated as the party’s National Secretary.

The NWC said the statement comes in response to a press briefing earlier in the day by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

DAILY POST reports that Damagum had announced the postponement of the NEC meeting and said Anyanwu is to resume as National Secretary.

Rejecting Damagum’s declarations, the NWC said his pronouncements were contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which scheduled the next NEC session for June 30 and referred all matters concerning the National Secretary’s office to that meeting.

“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the Party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC),” the statement read.

Citing Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), the NWC emphasized that NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party after the National Convention and that its resolutions are binding on all members and organs of the party.

The NWC described the announcement regarding Anyanwu’s resumption as “misleading” and reaffirmed that the matter remains under the jurisdiction of the forthcoming NEC meeting.

The statement was jointly signed by Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Auditor, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, among others.

Politics

FCT Polls: APC Releases Names Of Primary Election Committee Members

Published

1 hour ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has unveiled names of members of its primary election committees for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chairmanship polls.

This was contained in a statement on its official X handle on Wednesday.

The committees, appointed for the six area councils, are made up of chairmen, secretaries and members.

The statement said that an inauguration ceremony for the appointed chairmen and secretaries took place on June 25 at the APC national secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja.

“For Gwagwalada area council, the committee will be chaired by Hon Shafi’u Duwan, with Hon Yahaya Shehu Maradun as secretary,” the statement read.

According to the statement, in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Habibu Ibrahim will spearhead the committee, while Margaret Duru will serve as secretary.

It added that Austin Agada will chair the Bwari area council committee, with Sanusi Sa’idu Kiru as secretary.

In addition, the statement revealed that in Abaji, Hon Afolarin Mayowa Samuel would oversee the committee, while Hon Abdullahi Maharazu will act as secretary.

For Kwali, the statement named Akombo Benedict Imoter, as the committee chairman, and would be assisted by Hon Gambo Rimi as secretary.

Barr Yakubu Bello chairs the committee for Kuje area council, while Engr Umar Shehu will serve as secretary.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, On January 22, said it had fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of the FCT area council elections.

According to the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, the last area council election in the FCT was held on February 12, 2022, adding that the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors will end next year.

He further stated said the final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025, adding that campaigns will commence on September 24 and end at midnight of February 19, 2026.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Meets Ex-AGF Malami Amid Coalition Talks

Published

1 hour ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday met with ex-Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Abuja.

The closed-door meeting, held at Malami’s office, comes amid ongoing consultations to form a broad-based political coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi’s visit to Malami follows a similar meeting with former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at his Asokoro residence less than 24 hours earlier.

Malami and Shekarau are among a growing list of political heavyweights being linked to the proposed alliance, which also reportedly includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The push for coalition-building gained momentum following the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, in which Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, secured victory with 8.8 million votes. Obi and Atiku came in third and second respectively, splitting the opposition vote and paving the way for the APC’s win.

Observers and civil society groups have since intensified calls for a united opposition front to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 elections.