Politics

JUST IN: APC Makes U-turn, Adopts Direct Primary For Kogi Gov Election

Published

3 years ago

April 12, 2023

Editor

The ruling All Progressives Congress has adopted the direct mode for the conduct of its governorship primary in Kogi State.

The decision to revert from indirect mode to direct primaries was revealed in a letter written by the acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, dated April 6, 2023 to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission on the development.

The letter partly read, “We refer to our earlier letter dated January 25, 2023, with reference no: APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/023/191 wherein we notified the commission of the mode of primary election for the conduct of the governorship primary election in Kogi State.

“However, our great party, the All Progressives Congress has reviewed the modalities for the conduct of the governorship primary Election in Kogi state and has therefore resorted to adopt the direct mode of primary election instead of the indirect mode as earlier communicated.

“The date for the conduct of the primary election still remains Friday, April 14, 2023.

“Following the above, there shall be a Special Congress to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State scheduled for Saturday, April 15, 2023.”

The race to replace Bello gathered momentum in January when his Chief of Staff, Abdulkareem Asuku; Auditor General, Ahmed Ododo and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Ozigi-Deedat paid N50m to pick up their nomination and expression of interest forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

Other aspirants in the race include the Chairman of House Committee on Finance and Secretary for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, James Faleke; Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Murtala Ajaka and the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi.

The latest move has got political pundits wondering if Bello would be willing to sacrifice his deputy governor, Edward Onoja, who has never hidden his intention to become the next leader for a candidate in Kogi West for the sake of equity.

In a related development, an Abuja Federal High Court, on Wednesday, nullified the state All Progressive Congress’ delegate list for the purpose of nominating a governorship candidate for the party in the November governorship elections.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering Judgment, voided the ward and local government congresses said to have been conducted on February 7 on the grounds that they were not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the APC.

The suit was brought up by a group of aggrieved APC members led by Realwan Okpanachi.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.