Politics

Mohammed Now PDP President, Says Board

Published

11 months ago

September 18, 2024

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustee on Wednesday, says Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state is the President the party now.

The Chairman of the Board, Sen. Aldolphus Wabara, stated this in Bauchi when he led members of the board on a consultative meeting with the governor.

According to him, the Board decided to visit the governor in his capacity as the governor of Bauchi state and the Chairman, PDP Governors Forum and consult with him and other governors.

He said: “We have come to consult with you and by extension, your other colleagues. We are not happy with what is happening in the party and I don’t think Nigerians are happy with what is happening in the party.

“You will recall that a few months ago, this same board wanted to swing into action but the interpretation then was that it would be a duplication of functions, otherwise, what is happening now would have been nipped in the bud a long time ago.

“And of course you as the President the PDP has as of now, when you advised against it, we said our President has spoken.

“So, we couldn’t do otherwise but like the saying goes that God’s time is the best, the founders of this party know that we missed it last year, we missed it in 2019 but they have asked us to come and start early to cross the T’s and dot the eyes for 2027.

“That is why we are here. The problem in Rivers State, the problem of the NWC but we know how to address and resolve issues in PDP,” he said.

Wabara added that the board would not allow any factionalization of ideas as it knew that the party was suffering including Bala Mohammed.

Responding, Mohammed said that the Board of Trustee is the conscience of the party and there was no party on the continent of Africa that has an array of human capital that the PDP has.

“God has endowed us with people, men and women with experience and capacity but certainly, he has tested us with losses here and there and we need to cover a lot of grounds to reunite the party, bring us together for the common good.

“As the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, we discussed with the major organ of the party, the NWC, on the areas you have discussed and raised now.

“And you can see that the governors are United, they are together in most of these major areas. I cannot talk without the mandate of the governors.

“The governors are with you and I will make sure that every disparaging body, entity or person is brought together,” he said.

Politics

2027: You Will Lose 80% Of Northern Muslim Votes If…, APC Forum Warns Tinubu

Published

8 minutes ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has warned President Bola Tinubu that dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election could cost him 80% of northern Muslim votes.

The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, advised Tinubu to maintain the status quo and retain Shettima, citing the success of their ticket in the 2023 election.

Zazzaga argued that those calling for Shettima’s replacement didn’t vote for Tinubu in 2023 and won’t vote for him in 2027, even if he drops Shettima.

“Those that are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party,” he said.

The APC Forum also countered claims that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would lead to losses in the Middle Belt, pointing out key positions held by prominent Middle Belt Christians in the APC government, such as APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt… We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central,” the statement read.

Zazzaga further accused some individuals of seeking Tinubu’s defeat in 2027, saying, “The truth is most of these people are not Tinubu’s supporters, they don’t really want him to win reelection in 2027.”

He also warned against alienating northern Muslim communities while focusing on northern Christians, stating this approach could backfire.

The APC Forum’s advice to Tinubu, NIGERIAN TRIBUNE gathered, is to stick with the winning formula from 2023.Online newspaper subscription

“We advise Mr President not to gamble with the 2023 election. President Tinubu will lose 80 percent of northern Muslim votes if he decides to change Shettima,” the statement stressed.

Politics

I’m Not Desperate To Be President — Atiku

Published

30 minutes ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

…says ADC members will choose presidential candidate

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Saturday said he is more interested in a better Nigeria, adding that he is not desperate to be the country’s president.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

Abubakar said this while speaking at an affirmation ceremony for new defectors into African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos on Saturday.

Atiku, who was the guest speaker at the programme, was represented by Professor Ola Olateju of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.

The former vice president said he was not desperate to lead the country, but was very eager for a better, secure and prosperous country.

“Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria. So, it’s not about him being the president. It’s about having a better government, a good government that will be able to deliver for Nigerians.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

“It’s not a personal thing for him and that’s why some of us are with him. It’s not about Atiku must be president at all costs.

“ADC, to us, is not a political party. It is a movement, a movement of Nigerians for a better Nigeria,” Olateju spoke on behalf of Abubakar.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

He said that the movement in ADC was for the repositioning of the country and taking it to great heights.

“It’s no longer politics as usual. It’s a new beginning. It is a new journey, a new beginning.

“We need a new beginning in Nigeria and that’s what Atiku is championing. It’s not about a personal thing that he must be president, No, it is not a matter of must.

“The must is for him to see Nigeria deliver as wished by all. We are expecting a better Nigeria.

“We want Nigeria to be able to deliver. We want Nigeria to be able to take care of Nigerians,” he added.

Claiming that Nigerians were facing challenges with the removal of fuel subsidy and attendant inflation, Abubakar said that a better Nigeria was possible with good leadership.

He said that God was ready to use the coalition members to bring about a change in the country.

On who would likely emerge the ADC presidential candidate in 2027, Atiku said that this would be determined by the members of the party.

“It is not a thing we can predetermine. Whoever emerges through free and fair contests, we are all going to support.

“Everybody has a right to contest; we are going to rally round anyone that emerges. We are not imposing anyone on the people.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

“The point is better Nigeria, not Atiku for president at all cost, not Obi for president at all costs.

“Whoever picks the ticket shall be the representative of Nigerian people and will represent the collective voice and aspiration of Nigeria,” he added.

Politics

Crisis Rocks Sokoto APC As Defunct CPC Bloc Alleges Marginalisation

Published

14 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

A fresh crisis is rocking the Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have accused the party of sidelining them in appointments and decision-making.

Speaking at a CPC reunion meeting held on Saturday at Sokoto Guest Inn, the group’s leader, Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Gusau, alleged that despite forming a large segment of APC members in the state, they have been systematically marginalised.

Gusau recalled that after the 2025 general elections, former President Muhammadu Buhari promised CPC loyalists ministerial slots, federal board chairmanships, and special assistant positions—commitments that, according to him, were never fulfilled.

“We played a crucial role in the formation and success of APC, yet our contributions have been ignored. If these grievances are not addressed, we may be left with no choice but to seek alternative political platforms ahead of 2027,” Gusau declared.

The development has heightened internal tensions in the Sokoto APC, raising fears of a possible implosion as the 2027 elections approach.

Analysts say the crisis mirrors similar complaints from CPC loyalists across northern states, who feel increasingly alienated under the dominance of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) bloc since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence.

In Sokoto, the situation is further complicated by the ongoing supremacy battle between Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Senator Ibrahim Lamido, a rivalry that has split the party into two factions.

Political observers warn that if left unresolved, the crisis could cost the APC its stronghold in the North-West. Stakeholders are now urging the party’s national chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yildwata, to intervene and reconcile aggrieved members.