Politics

Internal Wrangling Takes Toll On APC, PDP

Published

3 years ago

March 20, 2022

The intrigues that have rattled the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken a toll on both parties and threaten their electoral fortunes in the 2023 elections, according to findings by Sunday Independent.

The ruling APC is presently embroiled in a leadership crisis, which President Muhammadu Buhari fears may make the party suffer a worse fate than that of the PDP in 2015.

In the PDP, the governors of Rivers and Edo States, a few days ago, got into a feud over the structure of the party.

Obaseki and Wike are currently at daggers drawn over the purported verbal attacks on the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, by the latter for threatening to quit the party if their supporters were not integrated fully into the PDP.

The rift between Wike and the Edo governor stemmed from a comment made by Shaibu suggesting that many supporters of Obaseki, who defected with the governor from the APC to the PDP are not happy and did not feel accepted into the new party.

Shaibu asked the national leadership of the PDP to “integrate” his supporters and those of his principal into the party, threatening that there are possibilities of an exodus.

This did not go down well with the Rivers governor who tongue-lashed Shaibu, calling him an ingrate, just as he also asked the national chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to constitute a disciplinary committee against Shaibu, stressing that if this was not done, he (Wike) would invoke sanctions of the party against the deputy governor.

However, Obaseki, who saw the attacks on his deputy as unacceptable, described Wike’s action as most unfortunate and uncalled for, saying, if Wike was one who showed respect and courtesy to his colleague-governors, he would have ordinarily reached out to him to express his concerns about the views made by Shaibu, rather than embark on unwarranted public onslaught.

This, however, led to exchange of verbal attacks between the duo, with Obaseki accusing Wike of attempting to cow, intimidate, cajole and threaten others into doing his bidding.

Wike on his part, alleged that the Edo governor has refused to be grateful to the party and the people who supported him to be re-elected when he left the APC.

Meanwhile, concerned leaders of both parties have called for caution ahead of the forthcoming general elections, warning that if care is not taken, these crises may spell doom for them in the electoral exercise.

The leadership crisis in the APC has compelled President Buhari to caution their leaders to get their acts together unless they want the party to suffer a fate worse than that suffered by the PDP prior to the 2015 general elections.

The party’s internal crisis took a turn for the worse a few weeks ago when the Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello, controversially took over the APC leadership from his Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni.

Buni was reportedly butted out of office as APC’s acting chairman for alleged anti-party conduct ahead of the party’s much anticipated National Convention.

It was gathered that the party’s governors masterminded Buni’s dismissal, having noted the latter’s alleged plot to sabotage the March 26 event.

His removal, according to the governors, was also sanctioned by President Buhari before the president commenced his latest medical trip to the United Kingdom.

However, the President, in a statement last week, signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, did not acknowledge his role in the party’s leadership crisis but cautioned its members against repeating the PDP’s mistakes while in power.

“Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.

“But parties splintered by competing egos destined themselves to the worst possible fate,” Buhari noted.

Politics

Ward Leaders Suspend Nasarawa APC Chairman Over Anti-party Activities

Published

11 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

The leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Gayam Ward of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, have suspended the state’s chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, over alleged anti-party.

The ward leaders who converged in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday said Bello’s action had caused embarrassment to the party and undermined the credibility of its collective effort to take the party to greater heights.

Speaking with newsmen while announcing his suspension from the party, the chairman of the ward, Ibrahim Iliyasu, narrated that his action constitutes a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

He said, “We, the undersigned Executive Members of the All Progressives Congress, Gayam Ward in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, hereby write to formally suspend you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, from the party (All Progressives Congress) with immediate effect.

“This decision arises as a result an investigation of complaints by ward members of your anti-party activities contrary to Article 21 of the APC Constitution (as amended) which outlines the conduct expected of members and the disciplinary measures to be taken against infractions.

“Specifically, we have credible evidence and reports that you have openly promoted and campaigned for a member of another political party, in direct violation of Article 21 (i), (ii), and (vii) which prohibit; (a)Engaging in acts that tend to bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute; (b)Engaging in anti-party activities; (c) Membership, promotion or support of rival political parties.”

He added, “Your actions have caused embarrassment to the party, undermined the credibility of our collective efforts, and constitute a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

“In line with the powers vested in us as ward executives under Article 21 (D) (i)-(iii) of the APC Constitution, and having consulted widely with stakeholders within the ward, we have resolved as follows; That you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect pending further investigation and disciplinary action by higher party organs.

“That this resolution shall be communicated to the Lafia Local Government APC Executive Committee, Nasarawa State Executive Committee, and the National Working Committee (NWC) for ratification and further necessary action.

“We urge you to refrain from parading yourself as a member of the party pending the conclusion of this process. Accept the assurances of our highest esteemed regards as always.”

Other leaders of the Gayam Ward who were present during the press briefing and approved his suspension include the Ward Secretary, Ibrahim Kwande; Ward Legal Adviser, Adamu Musa Alkali; Ward Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Dahiru; Ward Women Leader, Fatimah Ibrahim, among others.

Meanwhile, the suspension of the APC Chairman came barely 24hours after the state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Douglas Otaru, issued a statement alleging plots by a governorship aspirant to remove Aliyu Bello from his position.

“For clarity, the ward officials lack the constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence, suspend, or expel a State Executive Committee Member. We strongly caution that any party official found to be involved will face disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution,” Otaru said in his statement.

Politics

2027 Coalition: Atiku, Secondus, Other PDP Leaders Meet In Abuja

Published

11 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a former Senate President, David Mark, a former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and several other prominent figures of the Peoples Democratic Party have commenced a high-level, closed-door critical meeting in Abuja.

The strategic gathering, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, is part of ongoing consultations ahead of the formal unveiling of a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

In addition to Atiku and Lamido, other PDP stalwarts present at the meeting include a former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).

Sources at the venue confirmed that the meeting presided over by Mark is focused on determining whether the PDP leaders will fully integrate into the proposed 2027 coalition party or maintain their positions within the party while forming an electoral alliance.

Earlier reports by The PUNCH revealed that the coalition has chosen the African Democratic Congress as its political platform and has selected Senator Mark to serve as interim chairman, with an official unveiling scheduled for Wednesday.

Other PDP figures in attendance include Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.

Details shortly…

Politics

INEC Unveils 2025-2026 Election Timetable, Resumes Voter Registration

Published

14 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has unveiled a comprehensive electoral timetable for 2025 and 2026, including five major elections and the nationwide resumption of Continuous Voter Registration.

This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The electoral body, in a statement on its official X handle, said it is gearing up for a busy period, with a series of crucial polls scheduled across various states.

In the statement, the INEC Chairman said, “The five major elections highlighted in the new timetable include bye-elections in 12 states, slated for August 16, 2025, followed by the Anambra State Governorship election on November 8, 2025. Looking into 2026, the schedule includes Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti State Governorship election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun State Governorship election on August 8, 2026.”

Yakubu also announced the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. “Online pre-registration will commence on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration across the country from August 25, 2025. For Anambra State, ahead of its governorship election, the CVR will begin earlier, next week, and will be conducted simultaneously in all 326 wards to ensure the compilation of a new voters’ register at least 90 days before the election, as required by law”, he said.

During the meeting, Yakubu welcomed two newly appointed National Commissioners, Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf, as well as six recently sworn-in RECs attending the meeting for the first time.

He emphasised the critical role of RECs in election management, urging them to proactively implement policy and procedural issues without constant prompting from the Headquarters.

Addressing concerns regarding the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the review of election results, the INEC Chairman stated that the Commission is working on a supplementary regulation and guidelines to provide clarity.

He assured that this document would be uploaded to INEC’s official platforms for public information as early as this week.

“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the General Election approaches. You are full-time Commissioners,” Professor Yakubu remarked, underscoring the continuous nature of electoral duties and the need for sustained commitment from all officials.

“You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed”, he said.

The meeting, which followed extensive consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and election security agencies, aimed to address key issues arising from these engagements and strategise for improved electoral service delivery across Nigeria.