Politics

Appeal Court Affirms Otti’s Election As Abia Governor; PDP Calls For Calm

Published

2 years ago

December 2, 2023

An Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State in a unanimous decision on Saturday, upheld the victory of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti at the polls, stressing that it conformed with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The court of dismissed the appeals brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their governorship candidates against Otti’s victory.

The appellate court ruled that petitions brought by the appellants lacked in merit, as they were like “a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting”.

The court said issues of political party membership is a pre-election matter, which also falls within the jurisdiction of the political party.

It further said since Otti joined the Labour Party, won its primary election and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was qualified to contest.

On the issues of Bimodial Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, brought by the PDP and its candidate, the appeal court said the appellants failed to demonstrate or link their documentary evidence to the specific parts of the case.

The judgement has sparked celebration among the supporters of Governor Otti in some parts of the State.

PDP calls for calm

Meanwhile, the PDP while reacting to the judgment in a statement signed by the party’s acting State Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah adised its members to remain steadfast, calm, peaceful, law-abiding.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn to the judgement of the three-man panel of Appeal Court judges which sat in Lagos and upheld the decision of the Abia Election Petition Tribunal which had affirmed Alex Otti as the winner of the March 18, 2023 Abia governorship election following his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“Following the judgement of the Appeal Court, the Abia PDP assures its members, numerous supporters across Party lines and the good people of Abia State to remain calm as the Party leadership is meeting with the governorship candidate and his running mate and the legal team to review the judgement of the Appeal Court and come up with the next line of action.

“Abia PDP uses this opportunity to reiterate its confidence in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man and one of the strongest pillars of our democracy.

“We call on members of the PDP, our numerous supporters and sympathisers and the good people of Abia State to remain steadfast, calm, peaceful, law-abiding and put our hope and trust in God and in the Judiciary as we explore the options available to us.

“We also call on the good people of Abia who have been suffering under the bad policies of Alex Otti to know that the Party would never abandon them.”
VANGUARD

Politics

2027: Why We Called On Goodluck Jonathan To Run For Presidency – Ohikere

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Supporters of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have explained why they marched to his office, urging him to run in the 2027 presidential election.

While addressing the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 in Abuja on Thursday, its National President, Tom Ohikere, said the group was motivated by concerns over the state of the country.

Ohikere, on behalf of the coalition, appealed to the former president to “save Nigeria from impending collapse.”

He recalled an earlier visit to Jonathan on April 8, 2026, during which the group first appealed to him to contest the 2027 election.

The coalition noted that it had yet to receive a clear response from the former president and expressed concern that he had not picked up a nomination form from any political party.

According to them, Jonathan should commit to the race, obtain a presidential nomination form from any party of his choice, and contest the election, pledging to mobilise support for him across the country.

“Last month, April 8, 2026, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 paid a friendly visit to Your Excellency to urge you to run in the 2027 presidential election to save Nigeria from impending collapse. Though we did not meet you in person, we believe that our message was unreservedly passed on to you, as it was to the entire Nigerian people through the media.

“Since then, we have had little information as to whether you have yielded to our clarion call, as you have not yet, to our knowledge, picked up a nomination form for the presidential contest in any registered political party.

“Because of our genuine fear of a possible collapse of Nigeria, as peace and unity are now gradually eluding all of us, we decided to march to your office again today, hoping you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election, sir. This mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of your supporters nationwide and represents every tribe, tongue, and religious belief in this country. We, young and old, girls and boys, men and women, are all here crying for your voice to say ‘yes’ to our request,” Ohikere said.

Recall that Jonathan had hinted at the possibility of returning to the presidential race in 2027, saying he would “consult widely” following growing calls for him to contest.

Jonathan made the remark while responding to members of the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 who marched to his office to urge him to run for president in the next general election.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely. But the most important thing is that Nigeria should have young people who will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.

Politics

Kaduna APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plot, Warns Against Imposition Of Candidate

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

One of the frontline aspirants for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, has alleged that ongoing moves to impose a consensus candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District are aimed at undermining the electoral fortunes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and weakening the ruling party ahead of future elections.

He warned that any attempt to sideline credible aspirants through what he described as a “scripted consensus arrangement” could trigger an internal crisis and hand political advantage to opposition parties in Kaduna Central.

In a statement personally signed in Kaduna on Thursday, Shettima maintained that he remains one of the strongest contenders in the race and enjoys widespread grassroots support across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

According to him, the alleged endorsement of former senator, Shehu Sani, as a consensus candidate was not only undemocratic but also a calculated move capable of hurting the APC’s unity and electoral strength in the state.

He insisted that Kaduna Central is too politically strategic for the party to gamble with imposition, stressing that only a transparent and credible process would produce a candidate with the legitimacy and acceptance needed to mobilise voters for the APC and President Tinubu.

“We strongly reject the so-called consensus arrangement in its entirety. Kaduna Central cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political manipulation and backroom deals,” Shettima declared.

The senatorial hopeful argued that denying party members the opportunity to freely choose their candidate through direct primaries amounts to undermining internal democracy, inclusivity, and fairness within the APC.

He warned that attempts to impose candidates against the wishes of party faithful could deepen disaffection among loyal members and create avoidable cracks capable of benefiting opposition parties during the general elections.

“There is growing concern among party supporters that some forces are working to weaken the APC from within. Any move that alienates committed stakeholders and grassroots members is dangerous and could ultimately affect President Tinubu’s political standing in Kaduna State,” the statement added.

He called on the national leadership of the APC, Governor Uba Sani, and other critical stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants seeking the Kaduna Central senatorial ticket.

He specifically demanded the adoption of direct primaries, insisting that party members must be allowed to determine who flies the APC flag in the contest.

He vowed to challenge any attempt to impose a candidate through “every legitimate political and legal means available”, while reaffirming his commitment to the APC and the success of President Tinubu and Uba Sani’s administrations.

He stressed that free, fair, and credible primaries remain the only path towards sustaining party unity, preserving internal democracy, and guaranteeing victory for the APC in Kaduna Central and beyond.

Politics

2Face’s Wife Natasha Idibia Dumps PDP

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Hon. Natasha Osawaru-Idibia, the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and wife of music star 2Baba, has announced her defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

She disclosed the move during a visit to the residence of the party’s national chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson, where she formally aligned with the platform and got her membership card.

Osawaru-Idibia also confirmed the development in a post on her Instagram page, where she shared a picture of her visit alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

Before her defection, she was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and currently represents Egor Constituency in the 8th Edo State House of Assembly.