Politics

Fintiri’s Political Group Embroiled In Leadership Tussle Over 20 Bags Of Rice

Published

4 years ago

September 6, 2021

Editor

By Tom Garba, Yola

ATM ambassadors, a political group formed to propagate the good ideals of the administration of Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa state, is embroiled in leadership tussle over alleged twenty bags of rice given to the coordinator, Benjamin Solomon.

The embattled chairman of the group, Mr Benjamin Solomon, was slammed a vote of no confidence over his administration, termed by group members to lack accountability, competence and transparency.

In a rejoinder to make records straight, Solomon maintained that his so called suspension doesn’t stand and he remains the substantive chairman of the group.

Solomon in a statement made available to DAILY TIMES reiterated that the figure given as the majority during the last meeting was a total lie and a display of illiteracy.

According to Benjamin there was no consensus reached to pass a vote of no confidence as the meeting ended up with disagreement among members that attended.

He said the purported suspension was concocted and sponsored by some few individuals who do not understand that a suspension cannot stand without been guided by the bye laws of the association.

“On what bye Laws are they suspending the coordinator? As a committee regarding the conscripting of the bye laws was set up and mandated under the chairmanship of Felix Samari to draft the bye laws has failed to carry out their responsibility till date.

“Who told them they can pass a vote of no confidence on a leader without clear reason or fact? They alleged that I received 20 bags of 50kg rice sometimes in December last year from the office of the Chief of staff in the name of ATM Ambassadors. I tagged this as being shameful, act of display of hunger, and baseless, as I am equal to the task at my capacity to buy same rice to each one of them.

“I have equally noticed that majority of those making noice in the group are civil servants with no idea what politics is all about. They thought politics is a tribal or Adashe group, I have invested so much in terms of my resources; time, knowledge to make sure the group works for the success of Fintiri’s administration but their glutton attitudes is covering their eyes for the mission and vision of why the group is formed,” Ben said

He expressed worry that many of those seeking his removal don’t even have the time or resources to invest to build the ATM Ambassadors movement, rather they are busy building their civil service career.

“They are moved by their personal ego, selfishness, ethnicity bigotry and also motivated by some individuals who want to hijack the platform for their personal political interest.

“Shamefully enough, they alleged that their action was moved by my desire to join the APC. This is totally an action of character defamation, as I am completely a PDP member and a grassroot politician with full allegiance to the ATM Governor and the future President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Waziri Adamawa) and currently vying for the vacant office of the State Youth Leader of our great party the PDP.

“They also alleged that I received money from the Governor in the name of ATM Ambassadors. This is also shameful, baseless and a total display of ignorance to political issues,” he added.

Politics

Two PDP, LP Reps Dump Parties For APC

Published

13 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday lost one lawmaker each in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors — Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Paul Nnamchi — formally announced their switch during plenary, with their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Akpanke, who was elected on the PDP platform, represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State. Nnamchi, elected under the LP, represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Both lawmakers attributed their defections to internal crises within their former parties and their desire to support and align with the policies and programmes of the APC-led Federal Government.

Their decision was greeted with applause by APC members in the chamber, as Speaker Abbas congratulated the duo on their new political move.

Politics

JUST IN: SDP Suspends National Chairman Gabam, Auditor, Youth Leader

Published

14 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Shehu Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of party funds.

Their suspension was contained in a statement issued and made available to Vanguard by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

It reads, “The decision followed resolutions made by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals of the NWC.

“This development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to INEC as demanded from all political parties.

“A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the Newspapers. When the NWC got to know this, it made a resolution to report the fraudulent abnormalities to law enforcement agencies.

“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.”

According to Aiyenigba, “The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough, investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman as per the provisions of the Constitution of the party.”

Aiyenigba alleged that “the misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

“The suspension of these officers has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all relevant agencies.”

He said that “the suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Ogbonna Chukwuma takes immediate effect.”

Politics

Drama As PDP Staff Shut Offices, Reject Anyanwu’s Return

Published

16 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

In a dramatic fashion, management and staff of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat, yesterday shut their offices and staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to forcibly reclaim his position as national secretary.

The protest came after the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, appointed Setonji Koshodeo as acting National Secretary, an appointment the staff had earlier pledged to support.

According to multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, Anyanwu arrived at the party headquarters with suspected thugs and tried to take control of the national secretary’s office.

But staff members, determined not to recognise or work with him, quickly mobilised and vacated the premises, leaving Anyanwu stranded and visibly embarrassed.

One of the protesting staff members said: “Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides.”

As the standoff continued, the PDP secretariat remained deserted, with staff insisting they would not return until Anyanwu vacated the office.

The protest was a show of loyalty to the NWC. Back in May, the staff had publicly pledged to support the committee’s decision, insisting that Koshoedo’s appointment followed the party’s internal procedures.

Another source revealed that Anyanwu was later advised by his aides to leave quietly to avoid further humiliation.

“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” the source said.

Explaining further, the staff added: “When he realised the atmosphere was hostile and there was no one left to work with, apart from the few people he came with, his aides advised him to leave, rather than remain in such an awkward situation.”

The incident has triggered accusations within the party, with some staff alleging that Anyanwu is a ‘mole’ planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to cause chaos within the PDP, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although unconfirmed, these allegations have added to growing tension within the party.

The walkout has raised fresh concerns about the PDP’s internal unity and its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

As the main opposition party, some fear its credibility could suffer if the leadership crisis is not quickly resolved.

The situation highlighted the growing factionalisation within the party and the challenge of staying united.

The PDP has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls to his phone.