Politics

Guber Polls: PDP Inaugurates National Campaign Councils For Ondo, Edo

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, has denounced a statement credited to President Bola Tinubu, to the effect that he would take Edo for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Damagum, who spoke during the ongoing inauguration of the National Campaign Councils for Ondo and Edo States, in Abuja, on Thursday said the President and his party should be made aware that “Edo, no be Lagos.”

He said the ruling party should also be made aware that the PDP and the people of the two states would not allow anyone to “grab, snatch and run” with their mandate.

The party chairman equally said the people of Edo State were pleased with the record of performance of the outgoing PDP government led by Godwin Obaseki and were prepared to reward the party with their votes.

For Ondo State, he said the PDP and its members in the state had learnt their lessons from the last four years in opposition.

Damagum said, “Today, we are inaugurating these two campaign councils. I just have two or three words to say to you. Most of those of you that are selected have done this job before and have done it effectively.

“I want to remind you that the party you belong to is truly a democratic party.

“From the way these candidates emerge, it has shown that we are truly democratic. And also this should give you the faith that what you are going to embark on will yield the desired fruits.

“I’ve just been watching the remarks especially on Ondo, Amin Edo, where the President said he’s taking Ondo for his patch.

“Like we’ve always said, he has tried it before, and we have a slogan that ‘Edo no be Lagos.’ So, I want to use this opportunity to stress that we are in a democratic dispensation and there are rules that have to be adhered to.

“We will not sit down and allow anybody to snatch, grab, and steal. We will be battle ready for any thief that rares his head to steal our fortune.

“We have done so well in Edo State. We thank the Governor. We are very proud of him. And our records in that state speak volumes.

“And it is part of our pride. And it will be one we will use to continue giving them that dividend that they have enjoyed during Godwin Obasiki.

“So Edo is there for us because we have done very well and we will take it back to the PDP. Edo State has always been PDP.”

In his remarks, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature (Retd), said the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri will chair the Edo State Campaign Council to be assisted by his Delta.

State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and Dr. Agu Kefas of Taraba State.

He also said. “Mr. Chairman, he has about 148 members and we pray for the success of this committee.

“The committee from Ondo is chaired by Senator Ademola Adeleke, who unfortunately has not been feeling well to attend today. He made sure that his deputy will attend.

“We have Barrister Caleb Muftwan from Plateau will also be deputy and as well as Dauda Lawal from Zamfara State will be the second deputy.

“This list has about 177 members. Ondo is very large and we believe the composition of this membership will have cut across all our party members in those two states and we pray that we deliver these states.“

While speaking on behalf of the campaign councils, the Chairman for Edo State , Governor Ahmadu Finitiri of Adamawa State, said, “We are ready for Edo. We will not leave anything to chance. We will leverage on Obasaki’s performance.

“We have a low hanging political fruits in the two states. We should go with all seriousness.

“We will match APC. With technology, rigging is very minimal. PDP has bright chances in the two states. Edo has registered over 2000 since new registration has started.”

Speaking earlier, a member of the PDP National Executive Council who is also a member of the campaign team, Chief Tom Ikimi, said, “On behalf of those state members who are here, I salute you all. I’d like to thank the working committee for this occasion.

“That is the inauguration of the campaign council, national campaign council for Edo State. Let me assure you that we have already won the election in Edo State.”

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Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.