Politics

Bauchi APC, PDP Trade Blame Over Eruption Of Violence In Campaigns

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2023

Our Correspondent, Bauchi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State have continued to shift blame over eruption of violence in campaigns in the state.

It could be recalled that the PDP, on Thursday, condemned alleged attacks on its members and innocent members of the public by suspected political thugs loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Addressing newsmen, the PDP Campaign Council Director General, Farouk Mustapha, alleged that APC thugs on Wednesday, attacked its members in Duguri Town, Alkaleri LGA killing one person and injured 15 others during a campaign of its gubernatorial candidate, Former Chief of Air Staff Saddique Abubakar.

“All of the gubernatorial candidates of the various parties signed a peace accord at the State Police Command headquarters with all security agencies as it has been the practice in every election year.

“However, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC was absent as only his Deputy candidate was in attendance showing no respect for peace and harmony to reign in Bauchi state.

“To our dismay, while all the candidates were busy signing the peace accord, the gubernatorial candidate of APC embarked on a last rush campaign tour to Duguri Town, the hometown of Gov. Bala Mohammed and the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship elections,” he said.

He added that the APC gubernatorial candidate moved into Duguri with thousands of political thugs, conventional and other security outfits who were well armed.

According to him, violence also erupted in Akuyam in Misau and Toro Local Government Areas where three people were shot dead during the campaign exercise of the party.

However, while reacting to the allegation in a news conference on Thursday, Mr Salisu Barau, Director, Media and Publicity, APC gubernatorial campaign council, said the allegation was not true.

According to him, the APC gubernatorial candidate’s convoy was attacked on Wednesday by armed thugs while on a campaign tour to Duguri, adding that three persons in their team were shot and wounded.

“This is not the first time our candidate came under gun attacks by hoodlums suspected to be sponsored by the PDP Government in Bauchi State.

“Last month, two similar attempts were made on the life of the Air Marshal at Akuyam, the home village of PDP State Chairman when the APC Candidate visited them on campaign tour.

“The point should be made clear that since the emergence of our gubernatorial candidate as the flag bearer, we have made efforts to resist all manner of well-articulated provocation, evil machinations and derogatory remarks of the ruling PDP in order to maintain peace and healthy politicking in the State,” he said.

Barau also stated that the party gubernatorial candidate had out of his magnanimity and kindness had visited the victims who were admitted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital to condole with them and shouldered the cost of their medical treatment.

When contacted, the Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Wakili, said the police was aware of the violence in Duguri and the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan has ordered for discreet investigation into the matter.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.