Politics

Emergence Of Atiku And The Hopeful End To Edo PDP Crisis

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2022

Editor

The presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held last week in Abuja produced a man many of his political associates refer to as a ‘unifier’; a man who is politically experienced, being privileged to occupy the number two position of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As being referred to by some persons particularly his political associates, the emergence Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential flag-bearer of the party, many believe, would unify the party and bring warring factions in different states of the country under the big umbrella as one family.

For instance, the Edo State chapter of the party has been, in recent time, embroiled in an internecine dispute. The battle is of which faction between the Dan Orbih and Obaseki’s should exercise control of the party structure in the state. Obaseki, immediately after his re-election, as the leader of the party going by the PDP constitution, had made several attempts to take control of the party structure from the ‘old executive’ to replace them with what he referred to as ‘harmonized executive.’

Though the national body of the party at a time tried to wade in to see if it could resolve the logjam with the setting up of the Gov Samuel Ortom-led committee, the report of that committee barely scratched the surface of the deeply rooted crisis. The ruling party was still reeling in that state of chaos and confusion until it went into the serious business of electing party candidates during its primaries. And of course, the rancor and division in the party resulted in the party conducting parallel primaries and consequently producing parallel candidates for different elective positions.

It is, however, of the belief that the coming of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, an old political warhorse, as the party’s presidential flag-bearer would ultimately be the soothing balm that will compel the acrimonious combatants to sheathe sword and embrace peace.

The hope of a possible and quick resolution of the intractable Edo PDP crisis is anchored on the premise of the campaign theme of Atiku as the “unifier”.

Political observers in the state are of the firm belief that the Wazirin Adamawa possesses the clout to restore peace and stability to the crisis-ridden since the majority of the power brokers in the centre of the tussle have at one time or another belonged to his political camp.

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the party’s state chairman and also an apostle of unification, is one of those confident that the end is in sight as regards the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party. His optimism is based on the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as well as the magic wand his aura and clout will bring to bear on compelling the contending political forces to adopt moderate positions rather than extreme positions that tend to tug vigorously on the heart of the party.

Besides, pundits are also of the view that Atiku’s intervention will settle the power tussle between the chief protagonists, Gov Obaseki and Chief Dan Orbih, both of whom seem to hold the ace in the crisis rocking the party in the state.

Joe Ebi, is an Edo-based journalist and affairs analyist

Politics

INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

Published

6 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

“The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

“We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

Politics

How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

Published

16 hours ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.

Politics

Alleged Infidelity: Soludo’s Wife Issues Senator Ekwunife Ultimatum To Apologize

Published

17 hours ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Mrs. Nonye Soludo

…dares her for fidelity oath, paternal DNA test challenge

The wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has issued Senator Uche Ekwunife 72 hours ultimatum to withdraw claims of Infidelity against her and tender a public apology, or face legal action.

She also challenged the senator for both of them to swear an oath of fidelity before the Blessed Virgin Mary or subject their children to DNA tests.

The challenge followed claims by Ekwunife, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, who alleged that Mrs Soludo was once close to former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.

In a statement issued on Friday, Nonye Soludo accused the former fenale lawmaker of fabricating allegations and dragging her children into political disputes.

She described Ekwunife’s comments as malicious and said: “Since Uche Ekwunife claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her for both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament and the Bible.

“I will swear (with my children) that in my 55 years on earth, I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear (with your children or your political ambitions) that since you got married, you have never cheated on your husband,” she declared.

Soludo’s wife also invited Ekwunife to scientific verification through DNA testing.

“I challenge you, Uche Ekwunife, for us to subject our children to paternity tests in three reputable hospitals in London. I will pay all the expenses, including travel for you and your family. If the results confirm that your husband fathered all your children, I will not only congratulate you but also present a cash award,” she added.

The governor’s wife emphasised her Christian upbringing and marital fidelity.

“I married him as a virgin and my fidelity to him in 33 years of marriage and for life is ironclad,” she said.

Declaring that her life has never depended on government patronage, even as First Lady, Mrs. Soludo vowed to sustain her defence “with decency, character, and grace.”

“My weapons are decency, character, and grace. I am a long-distance runner, and I welcome you to the marathon,” she stated.

The confrontation stemmed from Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s earlier questions over Senator Ekwunife’s academic qualifications. The APC deputy governorship candidate responded with sharp criticisms, prompting the governor’s wife to step into the feud.