Politics

Like Oyetola, Tinubu’s Candidacy Is Illegal – PDP

Published

3 years ago

October 8, 2022

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has described presidential candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC as illegal and voided according to the 2022 Electoral Act.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba made this assertion at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.

Ologunagba stressed that the recent court judgment that nullified the candidate of the APC in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Adgeboyega Oyetola, could be extended to the candidacy of Tinubu.

He claimed that the illegality of the role of the APC Caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni, who also doubled as both the state governor of Zamfara State, was illegal based on Section 183 of the Electoral Act.

His words, “Mai Mala Bala was assumed to be Chairman of the APC and the laws say that if you are an executive governor you cannot double as Chairman. This has led the court to nullify the candidacy of the Governor of Osun State, Oyetola.

“The same Mai Mala Buni was the caretaker chairman that sponsored the nomination of Tinubu. We are saying that if the process that sponsored the nomination of the presidential candidate of the APC was illegal, then the nomination of Bola Tinubu is illegal, null and void.”

When asked whether the PDP would go to a court of competent jurisdiction to establish his claim, he said the party had earlier advised the APC concerning the matter and had studied the recent judgment of the Oyetola case.

Ologunagba, however, said, “The PDP will not announce whether we are going to court. When we want to go to court, you will know.”

On the unity of the PDP, given the ongoing differences between the Wike camp and the Ayu camp, he said, “You mistake Atiku to be PDP. Atiku is a product of PDP. I understand that Nigerians are legitimately concerned for the party but reconciliation is not a 100m dash, it is a marathon.”

Ologunagba said the moves made by Atiku to reconcile Wike to the party have shown Nigerians that Atiku was a unifier.

“Nigerians have accepted Atiku as a unifier, The multiple actions of the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and Atiku have given Nigerians reasons to trust us to bring all party members together. You will begin to see more actions. The NWC and the BoT are working. We are united, you saw that play out at the book launch of Solomon Lar,” he added.

On preparedness of the PDP, he said “We are ready and we are compliant with the rules. Some other parties are playing catch up. We signed the peace accord, and Atiku was there. A party candidate did not show up. We don’t want a President by proxy.”

Politics

BREAKING: Two Senators Dump PDP For APC

Published

33 minutes ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Two Senators from Akwa Ibom State have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senators are Sampson Ekong, senator representing Akwa Ibom south, and Aniekan Bassey, the Akwa Ibom north-east.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been gale of defection from PDP to the ruling APC.

While several political bigwigs dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, others have found solace in the APC.

The two Akwa Ibom Senators, according to the letters read by Akpabio, cited the leadership crisis rocking the PDP as their reasons for rejecting the party.

Politics

Wike Backs Edo Gov On Peter Obi Security Clearance

Published

16 hours ago

July 22, 2025

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, over his comments directed at the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Speaking at the inauguration of the New Edo Line Transport Service in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday, Wike advised Nigerian politicians to avoid politicising security and governance issues.

Recall that Okpebholo, while addressing supporters at a rally in Benin City on Friday, warned Obi to obtain security clearance before visiting the state.

Okpebholo further claimed that the last time Obi visited the state and made a donation of N15 million to a nursing school in the state, there was unrest in the state, leading to the death of at least four people.

“If Peter Obi wants to come here, he should seek proper security clearance. We cannot guarantee his safety otherwise, if anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” he had said.

Wike said Okpehbolo was right to insist on prior notice from visiting political figures for security reasons, adding that the governor’s stance was in the best interest of public safety.

The ex-Governor of Rivers State said, “All I am saying is, if you are coming, tell me because I am here to protect you.

“You didn’t say, ‘Don’t come.’ But people play politics. They give people money to go on television and twist facts.”

Wike warned that in a politically charged atmosphere, mischief makers could exploit situations to cause harm and blame innocent leaders.

“Some people can harm anybody and then accuse the governor of being responsible because he knows a coalition member is coming. So governor, you are right,” he said.

Wike also took aim at what he described as “political theatrics” by the former Anambra governor, criticising the trend of publicity stunts to sway public opinion.

“This is not where a presidential candidate will be carrying food to serve. And Nigerians will say, ‘Oh, humble.’ Who told you that is humility? When he was governor, was he serving food? No!” he queried.

Wike further dismissed populist campaign promises by Obi, such as pledges to fly on commercial planes if elected president, describing them as deceitful.

“You think he’s telling you the truth? Nigerians, you like people who play you. You don’t like those who tell you the simple truth,” he added.

Encouraging Okpehbolo to remain resolute, Wike said criticism is inevitable for leaders who take bold decisions.

“If they don’t talk about you, then you are not a governor. Every day I wake up, and nothing is said about me, I say something is wrong. So, don’t put yourself down. Stand firm in any decision you have taken,” he advised.

The minister stated that the ultimate measure of leadership is grassroots backing.

“What is important is, do you have the support of your people? Yes. Once you have that, go ahead,” Wike said.

Politics

‘If Obi Likes, He Should Take My Advice,’ Okpebholo Insist On Security Clearance

Published

17 hours ago

July 22, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Tuesday, insisted that the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should inform him of his visit to the state, noting that the statement is not a threat but advice.

The governor stated this at the commissioning of the New Edo Line Transport Company in Benin.

Recall that Okpebholo’s July 18 statement urged Obi to get security clearance before coming to the state.

The governor had said that Obi’s visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences on June 7, where he donated N15 million for the completion of projects in the school, coincided with the resurgence of violence and the killing of three persons.

The governor said, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed.

“For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.

“His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state and this will not be tolerated.”

However, in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s CPS, Fred Itua, he said that Okpebholo’s statement was given various misinterpretations.

Re-echoing his aide’s statement, the governor said his job was not only to work for the Edo people, but to provide security for the people and visitors to the state.

He said, “I am not supposed to talk much due to the rain. Even when they said I could talk, but just one sentence, everyone was crying.

“What I said was simply advice, don’t come to Edo without telling me.

“When I was saying it, was I chewing hot yam? Do I need one plus three to make my sentence? Do I need to read an encyclopedia before people can understand what I am saying?

“My job is not only to work for Edo people, but my job is to save the lives of Edo citizens and visitors coming into Edo.

” If telling him (Peter Obi) to notify me of his coming as the chief security officer of the state is a crime, so be it.

“I have no regrets about what I have said, and I repeat it: before you come into Edo State, notify me. It is not a threat.

“I went through this sameprocess. I was advised when I came to the airport before the election by the then Commissioner of Police to remain at the airport.

“I ignored the advice and went out. My police escort was shot dead before my eyes.

“I have advised the former Governor of Anambra State, if he likes, let him take it; if he likes, let him dwell on social media; it does not concern me.

“I had a security report and advised the former governor of Anambra state to inform me whenever he is coming to Edo State.

“If he likes, let him take my advice”, Okpebholo said.