Politics

Jonathan’s Men Begin Mobilisation For Tinubu

Published

3 years ago

December 26, 2022

Supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan have commenced grassroots mobilisation in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The group, under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, had earlier endorsed Tinubu in November.

In a statement issued after the grassroots campaign commencement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the national secretary of the coalition, Francis Wainwei, disclosed that they were against the idea of having another northerner to replace President Muhammadu Buhari after eight years.

Wainwei, whose group made a cash donation of N1 million to support Tinubu’s campaign in the two geopolitical zones, vowed to do everything to ensure the next president emerged from the South.

The CNPDN was among the few coalitions that openly pushed for Jonathan to contest for the presidential ticket on the platform of the APC earlier this year.

Jonathan, who promised to consult widely in the build-up, reneged at the last minute, paving the way for Tinubu to clinch the party ticket.

But Wainwei, an indigene of Bayelsa State, told newsmen on Monday that their supporters had unanimously resolved to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, the group’s primary reason for throwing their weight behind a southern presidential candidate was to promote national unity, equity, fairness and justice.

The statement read, “Our position that the next president of this country should come from the South is driven by same vision and principles. We believe strongly that such will strengthen the unity and peace of the nation. It will give a better sense of belonging to the people of southern Nigeria and foster a more viable peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“We were surprised by the betrayal of the same cause by some of the southern governors, especially the South-South governors, except Nyesom Wike, who had earlier declared for a southern President, to abandon same and started pursuing their personal interests instead of the collective interest of the region.

“We therefore call on the South-South governors who have betrayed their people by supporting another northern candidate to take over from Buhari after eight years of a president from the North, to resign immediately.

“This is because the people of the South-South zone can no longer trust them with their common heritage as they have placed their personal interests above the collective interest of their people.

“Our call on them to resign is also premised on the fact that they recently received huge sums of money via the 13 per cent derivation fund and squandered same in pursuit of their personal interests at the expense of their people.

“We are also calling on the South-South states’ Houses of Assembly to impeach the said governors if they fail to resign as requested. We shall mobilise our members across the South-South States to force the said governors to resign or get impeached.

“We can’t allow such selfish governors to continue to govern us anymore. We must all place the collective interest of our people above our personal interests for our region to experience holistic and accelerated development.

“Tinubu is the easiest means to electing a President from southern extraction in 2023. He has nationwide acceptance and has the requisite political experience to navigate Nigeria to greatness as president of Nigeria.”

Politics

2027: Jonathan May Get Automatic Ticket, If… – PDP

Published

4 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, if he returns to the party and plays a more active political role.

This was revealed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, during an exclusive interview in Abuja. Woyengikuro emphasized Jonathan’s continued influence within the party and the nation’s politics, describing him as the PDP’s national leader.

“Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from [former President Olusegun] Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.

He confirmed that the PDP has been consulting with Jonathan and his associates, aiming to bring him back into the party’s mainstream leadership as part of a larger strategy to reposition the party and address Nigeria’s growing political and economic challenges.

“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage this country — for our generation and for those to come,” Woyengikuro added. “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”

When asked directly if the party would consider granting Jonathan an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded emphatically:

“For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. You can quote me anywhere — I want him to come. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation.”

He further asserted that Jonathan’s return would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Woyengikuro also praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and a strong candidate from the South capable of bridging Nigeria’s generational divide.

“These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he concluded.

The PDP is expected to intensify its internal consultations in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Politics

PDP Announces National Convention Zoning Committee Inauguration Date

Published

4 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The People’s Democratic Party, on Wednesday, announced that the inauguration of its National Convention Zoning Committee will take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as part of preparations for its 2025 Elective National Convention.

The party invites key stakeholders to a significant event aimed at shaping the party’s future leadership structure.

This is contained in a press release by PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on the party’s official X account.

The inauguration is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm WAT at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The event will bring together PDP governors, members of the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, serving and former National Assembly members, as well as other key stakeholders.

“This is to formally inform and invite all our governors, BOT, NWC, NEC, serving and former NASS members, and all our stakeholders to the inauguration of the National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) of our great party,” the statement read.

Politics

Oyo By-election: APC Unveils Campaign Council

Published

6 hours ago

August 6, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, on Wednesday, inaugurated its campaign council for the August 16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, charging members to ensure a resounding victory for the party’s candidate.

The PUNCH reports that a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing the constituency, Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, died in July 2024.

The state APC chairman, Olayide Abas, gave this advice while addressing party leaders, stakeholders and supporters during the inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the state capital.

Abas, who expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the late Akinremi, described him as a friend of the masses who delivered beyond expectations before his untimely passing last year.

He recalled that only representatives from Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress of Nigeria and APC had made the constituency proud since 1999, warning against returning control to individuals he described as hawks and impostors.

Abas commended all aspirants from the constituency for their contributions to democracy and the APC, urging unity among stakeholders to ensure collective success in the forthcoming poll.

“Reps member Akin Alabi (APC- Egbeda/Ona-Ara) as Director-General of the Campaign Council, is mandated to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Adewale Olatunji (Murphy).

“The newly inaugurated council comprises eminent party stalwarts, seasoned politicians, and dynamic administrators,” he said.

In his remarks, the Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, Gaphar Ojetola, commended members for their dedication and unity, pledging unflinching support to ensure the party secures an overwhelming victory in the election.

Ojetola assured stakeholders that the campaign council would give its best by working tirelessly with all party structures, mobilising grassroots support, and ensuring the electorate clearly understands and embraces the party’s progressive agenda.

Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Monsuru Adeyemo appreciated the inclusiveness of the campaign process, noting that unity of purpose among members remained a critical factor in securing resounding electoral success across the constituency.