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PCC Kicks Over Governors’ Threat To Dump Atiku

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The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors’ loyalists and the camp of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, quarrelled over moves by the governors to endorse their preferred presidential candidate in January.

The governors had vowed not to campaign for Atiku, hinting that they would reveal the presidential candidate they would support, few weeks to the February 25 presidential poll but the Atiku Campaign Council warned that dumping the PDP standard bearer would mark the end of their political careers.

Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states and some political heavyweights from the South are at loggerheads with Atiku following the refusal of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to resign on account of the lopsided leadership of the party.

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Though Atiku and the governors held several meetings in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, Ayu’s refusal to vacate office as demanded by the governors had frustrated the reconciliation moves.

Wike had consistently maintained that in several meetings with Atiku after the party convention, the latter promised to prevail on Ayu to quit; a claim that had been denied by Atiku and his spokespersons.

The governors, who subsequently pulled out of Atiku’s campaign council, have inaugurated their state campaign councils without a word of support for Atiku.

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READ ALSO: atikuPDP Crisis: Hope Beacons As Atiku, Wike’s Camps Meet, Details Emerge

Barring any twist, The PUNCH gathered that the governors would in the days ahead begin campaigns against the PDP presidential candidate in their respective states.

It was gathered that issues of trust and loyalty to the party would feature prominently in their campaign against Atiku.

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Last week, Wike, the arrowhead of the move against Atiku, told the Rivers State chapter of the PDP to await his January directive on the presidential candidate to vote; a remark that elicited a sharp rebuke from his once trusted ally and immediate past National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus.

Wike, The PUNCH gathered, is disposed to supporting the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

An unconfirmed report suggests that the tough-talking governor was not sure of the ability of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, to garner sufficient votes across the country.

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Sources said the River State governor and his colleagues planned to brand Atiku as a serial defector who cannot be trusted with power by the electorate.

An associate of the Benue State governor, who does not want his name in print, said the five governors “have agreed among themselves to support a presidential candidate from the South.’’

Ortom’s stand

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“Governor Ortom is clear about it that it is not right to have another President of Fulani extraction after eight years of a Fulani President. His argument is that when Olusegun Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he was against Peter Odili succeeding him because it would have been against the spirit of fairness. That is why he picked and campaigned for Umaru Yar’Adua,’’ the source stated.

According to him, the position of Governor Ortom is that “it is unhealthy to have not just another Northerner but another Fulani man take over from another Fulani man.

‘’From the get-go, he was in the forefront of the move for a Southerner to take over power in 2023. This is the position of the five governors. Some may be working for other candidates and I understand that Nyesom Wike is working with Tinubu.”

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Confirming this development, the immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi said Makinde may have a soft spot for Obi but expressed doubts that he would ever make his stand public.

“A lot of political games are going on. In Oyo State, the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, has been attending events of the Atiku campaign organisation even though his boss is a member of G-5.

READ ALSO: 2023: Why I Shut Down Atiku’s Campaign Office In Port Harcourt – Wike

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“Seyi (Makinde) is not ready to lose his re-election bid and is therefore keeping his choice close to his chest. He may have instructed his foot soldiers on what to do but he would be wise enough to go with the crowd in the end.

‘’Nothing can be ruled out for now and if he thinks working with Atiku can help his cause, he will go for it. Wherever the pendulum swings, he will take the glory,” he said.

Atiku’s challenge

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All things considered, Odeyemi noted that Atiku had a mountain to climb should the five governors forge a common front against him in the election.

There is no doubt that he is a popular candidate but if these governors unite against him, it is going to be a difficult election for him. This is why we are appealing that the party goes into the election as one united family,” he added.

But the spokesman for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Dino Melaye warned the governors about the fate that would await them should they dump Atiku for an opposition candidate.

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Their political careers, he predicted, would come to an end should they ditch the candidate of their party.

He stated, “No blackmail, hate, or outrageous envy will stop Atiku. I pray it is not true (G-5 governors’ imminent endorsement of their preferred candidate).

“Attacking Atiku will cost them their political future. You don’t fight a man who has done nothing to provoke you. Atiku’s only offence is that he won a presidential primary transparently and openly. No man should play God.’’

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Sounding confident about the PDP standard bearer’s electoral chances, the former lawmaker said, “It is too late to stop Atiku. They should have a re-think while they can. Atiku will be president because the people have decided.

‘’My advice to the G-5 is ‘don’t end your political career because of an inordinate ambition and capricious manifestation that will yield no result.’ If they take that step, it will be the last kick of a dying horse.”

Another spokesman of the PDP Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala noted that the 12 million Northern votes President Muhammadu Buhari often garnered at every election he participated in, are now in the bag for Atiku in 2023.

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“If you don’t know, Atiku has inherited the 12m votes of Buhari already. When you add his 8m plus the 12m, Atiku is already coming to the election with 20m votes,” he claimed.

He also enumerated several reasons the election is Atiku’s to lose.

Bwalla said, “Haven’t you seen that the PDP was the first to inaugurate a campaign council; the first to commence campaign, the leading party in terms of coverage and impact? And we are presently closing in on all the zones.

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“Have you not been reading the wide acceptance of Atiku across board? Look, no one can kill an idea whose time has come; no one! Need I remind you that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for the election is an election of the people over the big man or big men?

“Have you not seen that in the All Progressives Congress rallies in Niger, Kaduna and elsewhere that when they chanted Nigeria, the crowd replied sai Atiku? Or is it Peter Obi whose Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos rallies put together is not up to half of our (PDP) Katsina rally where the President of APC’s party comes from, that can win this election?”

Nwuke faults Melaye

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Reacting to Melaye’s statement on the future of the aggrieved governors, a PDP chieftain and Wike’s ally, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said he was simply arrogating the powers Atiku doesn’t have to the candidate.

Nwuke, who is the Chairman, Publicity and Communications Committee, Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, said the governors could decide who to support for the plum office.

Nwuke, a former member of the green chamber of the National Assembly representing the Etche-Omuma constituency, stated, “Giving what is playing out, I think they are adults and they will be in a better position to answer that question.

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“Except to say that malice may need to be proven by those who say any decision taken that does not support Atiku or any candidate for that matter is something to be seen as anti-party.

“Then, I think it will be proper to wait, go slowly and try to appreciate that position when they take that position. The rest will fall within the realms of speculation if we were to go on without clearly seeing what action they take and how they take them.”

Nwuke said Melaye should be concerned about more fundamental issues.

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“Perhaps from Dino Melaye’s perspective, Atiku will then be God. Atiku is not God. He can be Dino’s God, but he cannot be God to others; in this case, the governors. So, I don’t know how one can arrogate to an individual such extensive qualities.

“We are talking about a presidential candidate rising to the occasion, being able to sell himself. We have been seeing results from the polls carried out in this country and you will be worried that candidates are known to be upfront there to be the clear leader of those poll results.

“I think people like Dino should be worried about that, not arrogating to the candidate the powers that he doesn’t have,” the former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications said.

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He added, “In a couple of days from now, it is obvious that the G5 will manifestly say what they want to do. I can assure you that, that will happen.”

Asked if they have agreed on the presidential candidate to support, he said meetings are being held.

Meetings are taking place. Conversations are going on. At the fullness of time, these gentlemen who are in no way divided will come out with a common position.

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“Whatever that common position turns out to be will be what the G5 will pursue going forward. But note that they have made it clear that the issues they are dealing with go beyond the 2023 elections.

“They have made it clear that the issues are not only of the PDP but issues of great national interest. And because these are matters of national interest, there will be no need to hurry. They will at the fullness of time espouse their position on issues.”

READ ALSO: Atiku Campaign Council Knocks Wike Over Sealed Secretariat

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On when the meeting to decide which candidate the G5 governors will be supporting, he said the interest of the media is understandable.

According to him, “I think the media should be interested in the outcome of the meeting. And through their channels via their channels, I’m sure whatever happens you’re going to be among the first to know.

“They will take a common position and amongst them, you know how they operate. One of them will speak to the media and thereafter that common position I believe will be respected by all.”
PUNCH

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N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

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The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

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READ ALSO:Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.

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The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

READ ALSO:American Pilot Kidnapped In Niger Republic – Report

The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

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According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

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Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.

Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.

We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

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“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.

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PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

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According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.

He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.

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READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.

The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.

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The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Forgery Claim, Says He Signed Convention Letters

Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.

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Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

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Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

READ ALSO:Four Miners Feared Dead, Others Trapped As Illegal Mining Site Collapses In Plateau

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Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?

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“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo

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Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

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El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.

In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.

READ ALSO:Provide Evidence Of My Third Term Ambition’, Obasanjo Challenges Nigerians

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“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

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He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.

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