Politics

2023: Tinubu Meets Wike, 2 PDP Govs In London

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2022

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, took a new dimension as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and some PDP governors in London, on Monday night.

Vanguard was reliably informed that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, his Abia State counterpart, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and other PDP stalwarts loyal to Wike attended the meeting.

Recall that Governor Wike and some of his allies travelled out of the country for what was described as a critical meeting on their political future.

The team, which comprised some PDP governors and other major personalities in Wike’s camp, were said to have left the country at the weekend, after the flag-off of new projects by the governor in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Wike had been engaged in a cold war with his party over his defeat at the PDP presidential primary and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s choice of a running mate.

He recently gave the party some conditions for an amicable resolution of the crisis and is currently at loggerheads with other top party faithful in his state opposed to his antics.

Also recall that a reconciliation committee set up to end the frosty relationship between Atiku and Wike met last week, though no concrete resolution was reached.

Tinubu meets Wike, others in London

A reliable source privy to the meeting told Vanguard that the gathering centred on the need for the Wike camp to support Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

The source said: “It is true that there was a meeting where Tinubu met with Wike, Makinde and Ikpeazu. The meeting was held on Monday night, it was not in France, it was in London.

‘’The meeting had to do with Wike and his camp staying in PDP, causing crisis in PDP and asking his supporters to work for APC. Asiwaju is coming back today (yesterday) or tomorrow morning (today).”

Another source, who confirmed the London meeting, said: “I know Tinubu and Wike’s team went for a meeting outside the country. What I know is Atiku will go ahead without Wike.

‘’From what I know, if the internal crisis is not resolved, Wike will be an albatross. I know some leaders are confusing Atiku not to work with Wike but that is dangerous for the progress of the party.

“If they want the PDP to win in 2023, Ayu must resign and if he does that, it will help the party. If Ayu resigns today, the PDP crisis will be over but Ayu has insisted that he won’t resign because of his four-year mandate.

‘’The likes of Uche Secondus will not want the crisis to be over, Austin Opara, who was denied ticket will not want the crisis resolved.”

Wike underrating North, playing anti-party politics—Atiku’s camp

Meanwhile, some allies in the Atiku camp, yesterday, met in Abuja to chart a way forward and seek a quick resolution to the internal wrangling within the party.

A top PDP leader in Atiku’s camp, who pleaded anonymity, said Wike was underrating the capacity of the North, insisting that the party wouldn’t dismantle its leadership because of the Rivers governor.

The source, who was present at the meeting, said: “We will not dismantle our leadership structure at this stage because of Wike. What does he want? The South has the Vice President in PDP.

‘’Isn’t that fair enough? If they are saying the South must produce the President, it shouldn’t be the West but the Southeast in the spirit of equity. Unfortunately, he has Ortom, Makinde and Ikpeazu with him.

‘’Ortom is with him for economic reasons. Makinde, like Wike, has succeeded in offending PDP leaders in Oyo. He has stepped on many toes. If he’s not careful, his re-election may not be possible. He will only win, if APC fields an unpopular candidate.

“Wike can’t kill PDP. Where was he in 1999? He is underrating the North. He doesn’t know the North is taking note of his utterances and actions. And they will pay him in their way.

‘’We are not giving in to his selfish demand. What does he want? He is already playing anti-party but we won’t move against him because we want peace.”

Wike’s man dumps PDP, moves to APC

As the crisis rages on, the Director General of Wike Solidarity Movement, Prince Sudor Nwiyor, yesterday, dumped the PDP for APC.

Nwiyor, who announced his resignation from the PDP in Port Harcourt, cited high-handedness in the party as one of the reasons he left the ruling PDP.

He further stated that he defected because those who worked for the PDP were abandoned, while monies are given to new members from the APC to entice them into the party.

Nwiyor said: “My decision stems from the faulty regime in the PDP where those who have worked for the party are dumped and abandoned, while monies are given to newcomers to entice them to the party.

“The entire leaders in the 23 local government areas of the state have had no appointment, they have been asking what is in for them, I have not been able to proffer any answer.

“This informed my decision or move to the APC. I will collapse all the WSM structures to the APC.”

BoT to receive reconciliation panel report today

But barring any last-minute changes, the committee set up by feuding members of the PDP, will submit its report to the party’s Board of Trustees today.

A top-ranking member of the party leadership familiar with the matter, confided in Vanguard, yesterday, that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri-led team has served the BoT notice that it would be submitting its report.

The source said: “If things go as planned, the report which I understand is ready will be submitted to the BoT on Wednesday (today)

“We’ve met with Fintiri from Atiku’s side and Professor Jerry Gana from Wike’s side, we expect the report and recommendations which will form the basis of our decision on the way forward.”

Another party source, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that the Wike camp was demanding that three members of the party leadership should step down.

The source said: “We may be dealing with another challenge because apart from Ayu, they are asking that the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagun should go and in their place, acting national officers should be appointed to reflect Nigeria’s diversity.”

I’ll remain in PDP till I die—BoT chairman

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, said he stood by his comments about the inherent injustice in the North holding the position of Presidential Candidate, National Chairman and BoT chairman at the same time.

He spoke against the backdrop of reservations expressed by some of the feuding party members over his comments as contained in an interview he granted Channels Television.

Jibrin said: “Based on my earlier statement that PDP cannot produce in North president, national Chairman, BoT Chairman all from the North for 2023 presidential elections.

“I still maintain my stand on that statement PDP is a democratic and national party that caters for all Nigerians it’s not sectional but loved by all Nigerians.

“As a PDP BoT Chairman, I must say the truth and nothing but the truth no matter anyone criticism I don’t fear anyone but God and true agenda of our party. I will add that I stand strongly on my toes I am a true member of PDP since its inception in 1998.

“Today I am one of the truest members of the party who remained in the party since 1998 that never changed to any party but remained only in PDP passing all positions in positions in PDP as follows: PDP unit leader, ward leader, state leader, PDP zonal leader, PDP National Ex-Officio member, National Deputy Financial Secretary, PDP National Financial Secretary, BoT member, BoT acting secretary, BoT confirmed secretary, PDP acting Chairman and today BoT Chairman.

“I saw yesterday in PDP and today kicking very well in PDP adding to this, I am also today A member of PDP National Caucus member, NEC member and member of the National Convention. As chairman of BoT, I have a 5-year tenure but already spent four years and six months. I have only six months left as per the constitution of our party PDP. Therefore, I will never accept any unholy criticism by anyone.

“I will remain in PDP until my death. I still maintain that the BoT is eagerly waiting for the report of the Reconciliation committee headed by the Governor of Adamawa state and Professor Jerry Gana thereafter, the BoT will thoroughly discuss it and inform the public accordingly no more no less.

“The BoT will continue discussing with all other aggrieved members of the party including those in states, zones and nationally. I advise that we should concentrate more on how to win all elective positions in 2023.”

Politics

Rivers: 70 CSOs Ask NASS To Summon Ibas To Give Account

Published

22 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, on Monday, urged the National Assembly to summon the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), to give an account of his stewardship in Rivers State for the past six months.

The groups, under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said the call had become necessary, considering that the mandate handed to Ibas after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by President Bola Tinubu would expire by Thursday.

“This is very important, especially when you consider the fact that funds belonging to Rivers State which were initially seized by the Federal Government, were released to the Sole Administrator after he was appointed. There is need for accountability,” the CSOs insisted.

More so, the Situation Room, in a statement it issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Democracy, said it was worried that the nation is still grappling with systemic corruption.

“Today is not just a day of reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria but on the state of the nation and provides an opportunity to identify areas where improvements are needed.

“Nigeria is at a crucial juncture in its democratic journey, having marked 26 years of democratic rule this year, since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“In July 2025, the Situation Room released a report on the ‘Current State of Democracy in Nigeria’ where it noted that as at 2025, democracy in Nigeria still remains fragile, marked by institutional weaknesses, electoral distrust, and public disillusionment.

“Although some progress has been made, three fundamental principles that form the bedrock of democracy – cultural values, political leadership and the electoral process – are being confronted by systemic corruption, growing disillusionment and erosion of cultural values.

“In addition, over the couple of months, we have seen systematic attempts to decimate political opposition and render our electoral process to be a choiceless ballot for the voters.

“These tactics include state-sponsored infiltration and destruction of other political parties, harassment of journalists and punitive targeting of civil society organisations to make it difficult for them to freely operate and determination to undermine the independence and autonomy of the election management body.

“The current State of the Economy presents some paradox – while the Government lauds itself for bold reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, which freed up funds for State allocations, infrastructure development, and fiscal restructuring, challenges persist.

“The country continues to struggle with inflation, a weakened currency, rising debt, and widespread poverty, posing serious threats to economic stability.

“The failure of our democracy to deliver dividends to citizens, the failing public service delivery, lack of social amenities in standard healthcare and education, expanding impunity as well as indiscipline in public finance management and accountability emphasises the strong link between democracy and poverty.

“The 2023 general elections, despite technological upgrades like the BVAS, were marred by logistical failures, voter suppression, lack of transparency in the election results transmission and judicial controversies.

“Concerns over judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and weakened democratic institutions remain prevalent.

“Situation Room continues to condemn the breach of the 1999 Constitution and the events that led to the declaration of the State of the Emergency in Rivers State.

“This is not good for our democracy; it shows Executive overreach and a troubling erosion of democratic norms despite calls from well-meaning Nigerians to stop the State of Emergency, ” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Convener of the CSOs, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and two Co-Conveners, Franklin Oloniju and Mimidoo Achakpa, further read.

Politics

INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

“The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

“We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

Politics

How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.