Politics

2023: PDP, LP, APC Chieftains Trade Accusations Over Electoral Violence

Published

3 years ago

December 22, 2022

PDP, LP, APC Chieftains Trade Accusations Over Electoral Violence

Chieftains of the three leading political parties for the 2023 presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in blame trading over the growing electoral violence in Nigeria.

A member of the PDP, Anthony Ehilebo; LP spokesperson Dele Farotimi; and an APC member, Ogenyi Okpoku spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.

Okpoku, Farotimi and Ehilebo on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on December 22, 2022.

The PDP had in a press conference earlier accused the APC of instigating pre-election violence in the country ahead of the 2023 general elections. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had referenced a video where the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu was captured telling party members to grab power at all cost.

Adding to his party’s allegations against the APC, PDP’s Ehilebo also alleged that the APC recruited many people known for fomenting violence in its election campaign council and unleashed them on the oppositions.

“We have come to know APC as a party that dwells on violence. For instance, I am from Edo State and there is a BBC documentary of a self-confessed Black Axe member who has been known in the past to terrorise Edo State, Benin in particular, by the name Tony Kabaka. He is the current APC state youth leader. When you have individuals like this spearhead the APC election machinery, we must raise all sorts of alarm so that we can protect our nascent democracy,” he said.

On his part, Farotimi said the Labour Party is not known for causing violence but has been on the receiving end from both the ruling party APC and the opposition PDP.

The LP spokesperson said, “We have never been accused of any form of violence whatsoever, but we have been the recipients of violence. We receive from the APC and the PDP but more have come from the party in power… It’s not something that started yesterday, it’s a culture and I think what is different this time around is that the people are more interested.”

However, the APC chieftain, Okpoku dismissed all the accusations of violence levelled against his party, and instead accused PDP of fomenting violence but shifting blames on the APC.

“To be frank, it is psychopathic for the PDP to accuse APC of fomenting violence. If you check out the state the these violence are being carried out, especially against INEC facilities, they are APC-controlled states. So, the APC-controlled state cannot foment crisis in its own state. It is the same PDP, knowing fully well that it has no chance of winning the 2023 elections, now decided to foment crisis and when they cause this violence they come out to play the victim,” Okpoku claimed.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.