Politics

Court Stops Enforcement Of Wabara’s Purported Suspension From PDP

Published

5 months ago

March 1, 2025

Editor

Abia State High Court sitting at Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, has stopped the enforcement of the purported suspension of the former Senate President and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara.

The court presided over by Justice LTC Eruba, in an order, restrained Elder Abraham Amah, laying claim to the Abia State chairmanship of the PDP, from enforcing the said suspension.

Senator Wabara had in a suit marked HUK/8/2025, dragged Amah to the court, seeking the order of the court to restrain the defendant from enforcing the purported suspension.

Granting the prayers of the Claimant, the Court ordered: ”The defendant is restrained from enforcing the suspension of the Claimant/Applicant from the People’s Democratic Party, or in any way, affecting his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP till the motion on notice is determined.”

Recall that Amah, a former Vice Chairman of the PDP, Abia North, had penultimate week, in Umuahia, announced the purported suspension of Wabara, accusing the former Senate President of engaging in anti-party.

Amah cited a complimentary remark by the BoT Chairman on Gov. Alex Otti for awarding contract for the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road Aba, in October 2023, as anti-party.

But the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, had in a swift response, declared the purported suspension as “null and void and of no effect”.

The NWC posited that the said suspension was a violation of the party’s constitution, and did not hold any water.

Similarly, a pressure group known as PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, had also said that Amah lacked the constitutional powers to suspend a BoT Chairman of the party.

Meanwhile, the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has blasted a former Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Chief John Okiyi Kalu over his recent media attacks on Wabara.

The former Information boss, had on a live radio programme in Umuahia, alleged that Senator Wabara had a secret meeting in London with Gov. Alex Otti, to perfect plans to bring the Governor to the PDP ahead of 2027.

He further claimed that Wabara’s intension in wooing Otti, was to chase ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (who Kalu served under), from the ‘Big Umbrella’.

But the National Coordinator of the PDP pro-group, Mr Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, challenged Kalu to substantiate his claims with evidence.

He accused Kalu and his co-travellers of resorting to blackmail to frustrate the genuine efforts of “Senator Wabara and other progressives” to rebuild the party which he said, “was destroyed by APC moles in the PDP”.

Ikpegbu argued that even if efforts were made to bring Gov. Otti back to the PDP, such efforts were not strange in politics, and should not in any way pose a threat to any genuine lover of the party.

He regretted that “some individuals acting as moles for the APC” were making “futile attempts to hijack the leadership of the PDP in Abia State”, but vowed never to give them “any breathing space.”

“We will not allow people who claim to be in PDP but their spirit is with the APC to destroy our great party. They go to Abuja and lobby for appointments in an APC-led federal government but come to Abia to destroy the PDP so they can use it as bargaining instrument in 2027.

“It’s better they formally defect to the APC and leave the PDP alone so we can rebuild our party. Abia is a PDP state and nobody will stop the genuine efforts of progressives to rebuild the party and open it up for good persons to join us.

“What’s wrong if Gov. Otti, who everybody can see, is performing, decides to join the PDP? APC is wooing him, APGA is wooing him. What is wrong if PDP also woos him? A performing Governor is always a beautiful bride, and his joining the PDP will brighten our fortunes in 2027.”

Ikpegbu further recalled that in 2010, former Governor Theodore Orji left the Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, before finally joining the PDP, arguing that assuming Gov. Otti makes up his mind to join the PDP, “it won’t be the first time a sitting Governor will be joining the PDP”.

But Otti’s Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, had in quick response to Kalu, said that his Principal had no intentions dumping the Labour Party, the platform on which he came to power.

He also denied any secret meeting between Otti and Wabara in London, adding that even if the Governor decides to join the PDP, “he will not be joining the faction led by Kalu and his likes.”

Politics

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

Published

4 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

10 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

10 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.”