Politics

Atiku Vs Wike: Nobody Can Play God, Fayose On Advice To PDP Presidential Candidate

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2023

Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has opened up on the advice he gave the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, on how to solve the enmity between him and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Fayose, who admitted that nobody could play God, revealed that he advised Atiku to go to Port Harcourt to resolve with Wike amid the lingering crisis of the PDP but his advice fell on deaf ears.

He disclosed this in an interview with TVC on Wednesday.

Fayose said, “Our candidate, Atiku Abubakar invited me and I told him I was going to tell [Nyesom] Wike before I could come. When I told Wike and he said I can go. Somebody said, but you’re an older Governor than Wike, but whatever, that is your story. God makes kings, God makes people be leaders, you might be younger, or older as long as he’s the leader.

“So I went to our candidate in his hotel and I told him, “Your Excellency, it would be of great interest if you win the [2023 Presidential] election. I told him these are the demands of these people.” I said, “please stop saying by the constitution [Iyorchia] Ayu can’t be removed.”

“I advised him, I gave him alternatives to what he should be saying and I told him, the more he mentions this constitution, they’ll be reminding you that you aren’t supposed to be the candidate. How can they hold on to an [Iyorchia] Ayu against Wike, against [ Ifeanyi] Ugwuanyi, against the governor of Abia, against the governor of Benue, and so on?

“Even if you tell me that they lost, everyone knows that [Peter] Obi had the East. They weren’t expecting that a miracle would happen. But the issue is that I told His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, I said Sir, go to Port Harcourt, don’t tell anybody, people like me will go and wait for you there, I and Gov. Wike, just provide a few friends that can get a convoy for you to come and park at Governor WIke’s gate.

“They will come and see us at the gate. We will now sit down there and he will hold Wike and settle the matter. But certain people around Abubakar said no, don’t embarrass our Presidential candidate, he’s the president in waiting, nobody can feel big, nobody can play God.”

Recall that the PDP held its presidential primaries last May this year.

Atiku emerged as PDP’s Presidential flagbearer for the 2023 general election.

Atiku defeated Wike after he secured 371 votes, while the governor, who came second, garnered 237 votes.

Wike has been aggrieved with PDP’s leadership over Atiku’s choice of a running mate.

Atiku ignored Wike, who came second during the PDP’s presidential primaries, a situation that tore the party apart.

Following his action, Wike called for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu.

The governor noted that the North could not produce PDP’s presidential candidate and the National Chairman.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

13 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”