Politics

Ministerial List: PDP In Dilemma Over Wike’s Nomination

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

The nomination of former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike for a ministerial position by President Bola Tinubu has remained a subject of controversy.

Wike, who prior to the 2023 general election had declared that he would never take up a ministerial position, is believed to have worked for Tiubu’s emergence, against his own party’s candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

He was instrumental to the formation of the G-5 Integrity Group, alongside four other then-state governors. The group worked against the PDP during the presidential election.

His nomination as minister is seen to be a reward for that act.

This thought was put forward by an APC chieftain, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, who said Wike’s ministerial nomination was “compensation” for his role in Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 presidential election.

Ogunlewe said: “It is so easy to decipher. If you are following the development that cumulated in the last election, you would know the role Wike played and you must give him compensation for that role.”

Stakeholders of the opposition party, PDP, met last weekend, and the discussion was said to have centred around Wike and other post-election matters.

But the party is said to be in a dilemma in handling Wike, with some stakeholders warning that his case could further destabilize the party.

This came to the fore as the party recently announced Wike as a member of its Campaign Council for the November governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Commenting on the development, Dirun Odeyemi, a former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, said expelling Wike would not be in the best interest of the party.

Odeyemi noted that expelling Wike would lead to the exodus of some governors from the party.

He told DAILY POST that: “They know the right thing to do at the right time, even though there is an argument for and against, some people believe that Wike’s acceptance and nomination is not new.

“Another school of thought believes that Wike should resign from the party. It will be very difficult to expel him because there is an adage in Yoruba that says when you beat a mad man you will realise that he has relatives.

“It’s not easy to touch Wike because if you expel him, you will be expelling some PDP governors.

“In PDP now, what we should do is to persuade and resolve all the issues within the party.”

Taking to their Twitter handles, some Nigerians dragged Wike over his appointment as a minister, adding that PDP has lost its relevance.

Find some of the tweets below:

@BolanleColer: “From a LION in PDP to a RAT in APC from Malaria to Cancer, the fall of Port-Harcourt Megaphone.”

@mrlurvy: “Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi have been included in the Bayelsa campaign council list of the PDP. Something is fundamentally wrong with everybody at Wadata Plaza. And I am happy it is happening.

“The PDP has lost its relevance. It has no ideals, discipline or foresight any more. I strongly advise that the party be deregistered by INEC.”

@FirstObidient: “Amaechi was used against Goodluck Jonathan and was made Minister by Buhari. Wike was also used against Peter Obi and has been nominated for a ministerial position under Tinubu, why Rivers dey groom Judas?”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.