Politics

Election Cases: APC Accounts Seized Over N8.9bn Debts

Published

7 months ago

February 27, 2025

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, sought a bailout for the ruling party over N8.9bn election debts.

Ganduje revealed that the party’s accounts had been garnisheed following the huge debt resulting from the cases filed by the opposition parties to challenge the elections of President Bola Tinubu, APC governors and legislators.

The former Kano State governor disclosed this at the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC, held a day after the party held its national caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In attendance were President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Goodwill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

Others were the National Chairman of the APC, Ganduje; former Governor of Kebbi and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, members of the National Working Committee; APC state chairmen, among others.

However, some notable bigwigs did not attend the NEC meeting, including the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the embattled former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, erstwhile Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

Others were former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and former Speaker and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Briefing the party leadership about the state of the APC, Ganduje said the N8.9bn expenses were for pre-election legal battles, election cases and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.

He, however, noted that the National Legal Adviser, Prof Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN), had been working to reduce the debt burden.

He said, “Your Excellencies, the current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663 from all the cases outlined above, ranging from legal engagements during the pre-election matters, election cases and appeals for legislative, governorship and presidential elections.

“The details are also contained in the document report from the office of the National Legal Adviser in your folder. The National Legal Adviser has been making frantic efforts toward reducing the debt burden through dialogue and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

“However, we still passionately appeal to the National Executive Committee to intervene accordingly. It is important to note that some of our accounts are still garnisheed.”

The APC national chairman also begged Tinubu to help secure a parcel of land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the construction of a new secretariat.

The former Kano governor stated that the current structure is old and not befitting the status of a ruling party.

He said, “Your Excellencies, as part of our commitment to secure and own a national secretariat complex befitting of a ruling party and one that would conveniently accommodate our national officers, the newly established The Progressives Institute as well as the three wings of the party, we have formally applied for land at the Federal Capital Territory Administration that will drive this project.

“May I, therefore, appeal for the kind intervention of Mr President for this project to materialise?

“Let me once again applaud the Leader of our party, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for initiating laudable programmes that would subsequently ensure rapid inclusivity.”

Ganduje thanked the party faithful for their steadfastness in the face of challenges and assured them that the party would continue to deliver on its electoral promises.

“Though the journey has been very challenging for us as a ruling party, given the big task we have at hand and the expectations from Nigerians, we can sufficiently submit that we have collectively risen to the occasion and challenges,” he said.

He further briefed the NEC on efforts taken so far to appease and reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

“Your Excellencies, we have also embarked on massive reconciliation of aggrieved party members, and this move is gradually yielding desired positive results for the party.

“Through dialogue, we have initiated high-level discussions amongst party leaders and other stakeholders with a view to resolving lingering differences between our members,” he stated.

The NEC passed a vote of confidence on Tinubu in appreciation of his leadership.

When the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement was raised, it was immediately seconded by Oshiomhole.

The former governor hinged his conviction on the economic reforms introduced by the President, which he said had started yielding fruits.

He said, “I congratulate you, Mr President, the Vice President and even the leaders of the National Assembly because, without a collaborative legislative environment, reforms can be deformed.

“But under their leadership, reforms are truly ‘reforming’ everywhere. I thank you once again, Mr President and all the NEC members.”

The NEC also ratified the party leadership to the North-West to put an end to the agitation of anti-Ganduje critics and others who want the chairmanship to return to the North-Central.

Reacting, Tinubu applauded the NEC and the leadership of the party for keeping faith with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President also expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the APC National Working Committee for contributing massively to his electoral victory.

He said, “The place we are gathering today is too small for us and I agree with you that we need a bigger location. I think the minister of national economic planning is here. We will discuss it with the minister in charge, and we will do something about it.

“The National Working Committee is doing a good job and I am happy with them. In all the various states, let us set up reconciliatory committees to liaise with these aggrieved leaders. I am appealing to them, please be calm.

“Let the NEC find a way to celebrate our progressive ideals, and I promise you, our governors and Nigerians, that we will sustain these progressive changes. Everywhere in the world, especially in Europe, we have economic shocks, and we are doing everything possible.”

Tinubu said he was keen to stabilise the APC by resolving the lingering crisis in the state chapters of the party.

Therefore, he asked the party’s NWC to create a team to address the fault lines, appealing for calm during the peace talks.

“I’m grateful to all Nigerians for the electoral successes recorded from one state to the other. Governors, you have embraced these changes, and I thank the leadership of our party. I also thank members of the National Assembly for expeditiously considering the budget.

“We can only build the party on a progressive platform to deliver good service to Nigerians.

“The National Working Committee is doing a very good job; I am pleased with them. However, there are a few conflicts in the various states.

“Let’s set up committees to look into the lingering problems in the states and appeal to these party leaders in various states to please be calm and be collaborative,” the President said.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘At the APC NEC meeting, President Tinubu receives a vote of confidence and pledges to work harder for Nigeria’s prosperity.’

The President’s push for reconciliation follows an emerging crisis in at least seven state chapters of the APC as politicking begins ahead of the 2027 general polls.

In Kano State, for instance, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, has vowed to resign if Abdullahi Abbas retains his position as the state APC chairman.

Similarly, in Benue State, a power tussle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, deepened divisions within the APC.

In Lagos State, the APC is managing a leadership crisis within the state House of Assembly.

The turmoil began on January 13, 2025, when 36 out of 40 lawmakers voted to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, citing allegations of poor leadership, habitual lateness, high-handedness, and misappropriation of funds.

In his absence, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was appointed as the new Speaker.

The crisis has prompted interventions from high-ranking APC leaders, including the President, former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.

The APC is also contending with challenges in Adamawa, Delta, Rivers, Zamfara and Bayelsa.

In Osun State, the APC is stabilising after a group led by the former governor, Rauf Aregbesola, finally left the party.

At the NEC meeting, the President also expressed his determination to work harder for the country’s greater good, assuring that the Nigerian economy was on the path of recovery as the leadership cast a vote of confidence in him.

He said the commendation from the party’s highest decision-making organ was a call for more hard work. He promised not to fail the party faithful.

“I am happy with your vote of confidence, and I accept it. The vote is a challenge to do more work; we will vigorously pursue our sovereignty in food security, investment and development.

“I am happy with food prices coming down, especially as Ramadan approaches. The sun is high, and the sky is bright outside. While the rest of the world unravels, we see growth in Nigeria. We are seeing a gradual return to stability. We are seeing improvements. I thank you, governors,” the President said.

He thanked Nigerians for their continued belief and trust in the ruling party.

The Nigerian leader also pledged to continue working assiduously with other arms of government to ensure the greater good for Nigerians and commended APC governors and executives for their continued and unwavering commitment.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting Tinubu in lifting the nation from its economic and developmental woes.

“The Senate will expeditiously pass bills that would enhance our national development, improve the economy and redirect our national pathway,” he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the President for his vision and courage in making unpopular but essential decisions.

He said the decisions were pivotal for Nigeria’s developmental efforts.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, defended the absence of some party heavyweights.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, he said, “The presence or absence of some party leaders in today’s meeting is not a problem. I have never known the caucus meeting of our party or the NEC to be attended 100 per cent by all of the members.

“I’m not sure that there’s really any political party that attains 100 per cent attendance at meetings. There is a lot of back-end negotiation of the convenience and availability of key leaders who were required to be at the meeting.

“For example, when you have a president as busy as President Bola Tinubu with his schedule, it’s not a tea party to reconcile his movements and schedule to get him to come sit at a meeting for four hours. It’s not that easy.

“So, whatever time you pick will be convenient for some and not convenient for others. That’s just the way it is. So that’s the first point I make about those who came today. Now I can’t stand here and tell you why they didn’t come. But be rest assured that every member of the caucus and NEC were invited.”

According to him, the attendance at the two-day events was comprehensive enough.

“As a matter of fact, we enlarged the list today. We had more members invited than we did previously. So, quite to the contrary, the trend is towards accommodating more leaders as members of NEC,” he stated.

Morka, however, took a swipe at ex-Governor El-Rufai, saying his recent public attack on the party was unbecoming of someone of his status.

The APC spokesman said it was one thing to be aggrieved and another to be seen dragging one’s party and its leaders in the public.

He said, “There’s a difference between party men and people who speak because they have a grievance. Grievance-driven commentaries, to me, are not to be taken that seriously.

“I was prepared to respond to El-Rufai and to suggest to him that some of his recent engagements are unnecessary for someone who occupies the position that he has acquired in this country.

“Men who are respected must also continue to justify the respect that they get. It’s not a good idea that once you are dissatisfied, especially when it comes to personal experiences, you want to visit your grievance on a system of equality. But you are just one individual. Every vote is just one person.

“He’s a highly respected citizen, but my advice and counsel to him is that he needs to think in perspective of his status. Otherwise, if he continues to engage, people have the right to reply. APC and its organs are working as effectively as possible. How else do you explain the vibrancy or the deluge of people into the party?

“Today, we have more than 18 legislators in the National Assembly, if I am not mistaken, who have already defected from the opposition parties into our party. If their parties were working more efficiently, they wouldn’t be coming to join us,” he noted.
(PUNCH)

Politics

Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”

The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.

“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.

Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.

“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.

Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.

Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.

‘Bond with Rivers continues’

Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.

He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.

However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.

Meanwhile, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, thousands were already jubilating when the news of the governor’s arrival at the airport became public knowledge.

The celebration changed into singing and dancing as musical bands supplied appropriate tunes to sustain the tempo as the governor’s convoy drove into the abode where he had been absent for the last six months.

Right inside the Government House, the atmosphere was also electric as workers also celebrated the governor’s return.

Fubara immediately inspected some offices and facilities in the seat of power before answering questions from the Government House press crew, where he expressed happiness with the show of love by the people and residents of the state.
(PUNCH)

Politics

Nigeria Sliding Into One-party State – Catholic Bishops Warn

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have raised the alarm over what they described as the suppression of opposition voices, warning that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a one-party state.

The bishops expressed this concern in a communiqué issued at the end of the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Akwa Ibom State, which ended on Friday.

The communiqué was signed by the Archbishop of Owerri and President, CBCN, Lucius Ugorji; and Bishop of Uromi and Secretary, CBCN, Donatus Ogun.

The bishops cautioned politicians against pushing the nation towards a one-party state which they argued is unhealthy for democracy.

The bishops expressed dismay at the growing preoccupation of politicians with securing and retaining power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than delivering good governance.

They noted that this obsession with political dominance had fuelled corruption, inefficiency, and the neglect of citizens’ welfare.

The bishops further criticised political defections, alignments and realignments, describing them as self-serving moves by politicians with little intention to serve the people.

The communiqué read, “In the face of many live threats, politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate.

“Abandoning their duties, they seem more concerned with the pursuit of their personal political agenda and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027.

“In fact, there seems to be suppression of opposition as Nigeria appears to be tilting to a one-party state, the development of which is not a good omen for democracy.

“We observe that many politicians are merely strategising, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good and make better the lives of the citizens.”

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the bishops demanded electoral reforms that should not only ensure electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.

They also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that judicial credibility was vital to national stability.

Politics

Edo PDP Urges Police To Steer Clear From LG By-election

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday called on the state police command
not to lend any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to Saturday’s bye election.

On Tuesday, an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the state government from going ahead with planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.

In the court papers made available to journalists on Thursday in Benin, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also a party to the suit.

Justice Mary Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDP, through its counsels, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka and P. W. Akwuen, in the suit, B/247M/2025, had prayed the court for leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct by-elections to fill councillorship positions in the affected wards.

The party argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.

Justice Itsueli, who held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene, also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.

In a letter by the PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi to the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika on Friday , he described the election as an illegal exercise.

The statement reads, “I write on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State Chapter, to bring to your attention and emphasize the subsisting order of the High Court of Edo State restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the Edo State Government from conducting any purported Local Government by-elections in 59 wards across the state.

“On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge of the Edo State High Court, granted an order in Suit No. B/247M/2025, restraining EDSIEC and the State Government from going ahead with the planned by-elections.

“The Honourable Court further held that the tenures of the duly elected councilors in the affected wards subsist until September 2026, and therefore, any attempt to declare their seats vacant or to conduct fresh elections would be unlawful and unconstitutional.

“The Court categorically ordered that the Respondents “are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards in the Local Government Areas of Edo State, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.”

“The substantive matter has since been referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court, with a return date fixed for September 30, 2025.

“In the light of the foregoing, we respectfully call on your esteemed office to refrain from lending any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to this illegal exercise. Any participation by security agencies in the purported elections would amount to aiding and abetting contempt of court and undermining the rule of law.

“We trust that, as neutral institutions of state committed to upholding law and order, you will ensure that your men and officers do not participate in or provide security for this unlawful process. The integrity of our democracy, the sanctity of judicial pronouncements, and the credibility of security institutions must be preserved.

“Copies of the court order are attached here in,” he added.