Politics

Dan Orbih, Ihama, Others Absent As Edo PDP Hosts National Chair

Published

4 years ago

March 10, 2022

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter may not end soon as National Vice Chairman, South-South, of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, member representing Oredo at the House of Representives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, senator Roland Owie and other key stakeholders of the party in the state were absent at a rally held in Benin to welcome National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

In recent time, the party had been factionalised in the state comprising the new PDP which is made up of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his loyalists (those who defected from APC to PDP) and the other faction comprising of the old PDP members which comprises national Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, and other old members of the party.

The National Chairman of the party was said to have been invited to the state with a view to bringing all aggrieved members together but in the contrary banners bearing inscriptions as: ‘DAN ORBIH THE TRADER YOUR TIME IS UP’; ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH‘; were conspicuously displayed at strategic locations of the rally ground, indicating the tussle is still on.

Speaking at the rally ground which took place at Garrick Memorial College, Benin, Thursday, National Chairman of the party, Ayu pleaded to all warring factions to sheath their sword, warning that if the party is not united it will lose election at both state and federal levels.

Ayu, who assured every issue resulting to crisis in the state chapter of the party would be amicably resolved, adding that he would put a committee in place that would look into all Issues leading to the crisis.

While challenging all party leaders in the state to rise up to resolving the crisis, the National Chairman said: “I will make sure whatsoever disagreement among you is settled. I have been doing a lot of work behind the scene that you don’t know. I promise every problem will be solved. I am going to put in place a team that will look into all issues.

“We are very close to solving the Edo problem. As chairman of the party, my emphasis have been on unity of the leaders. When the leaders are divided, the followers are always divided.”

Ayu who warned that infighting in the party will lead to lost of election in the state, said the PDP lost the state in the past because of disunity among leaders and followers.

He added: “Do you know why we lost election in this state, it was because of infighting. Those who said they were in Tony Anenih’s camp, and those who said they were in Igbinedion’s camp. The same history is repeating itself. With that division, we lost Edo State.”

He continues: “All our emphasis have been unity, we cannot be talking about winning the presidency if our state chapters are not united. Every state chapter that is facing crisis, we are going to move into it and resolve it amicably and make sure leaders are united. We will make leaders talk to themselves and make sure every issue is resolved.”

On his part, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Senator Walid Jubrin vowed to make everything possible in his capacity to make sure the crisis in the state is put to rest.

Earlier, Governor Godwin Obaseki said Edo is PDP, and PDP is Edo, adding “PDP is in the DNA of Edo State.”

Also in his comment, deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu urged the national chairman to bring together all warring factions, stressing that they are angry.

“We are angry, and we want you to settle all issues on ground.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.