Politics

PDP’s Performances Incomparable, APC Has Failed Across Nigeria – Chieftain

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2021

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the southeast region, Innocent Nwachukwu, has predicted that the main opposition party in Nigeria will sack the All Progressive Congress-led government in 2023 polls.

He insisted that the governing party has recorded bags of colossal failures in every facet of governance of the country.

Nwachukwu regretted that the APC-led administration has murdered the peace of Nigeria as the country is faced with imminent comatose, necessitated by the dwindling economy, insecurity, Infrastructures deficits and marginalisations, and as well as successionist agitations by most ethnic nationalities in Nigeria under the watchful eye of the ruling government.

The PDP chieftain who made his feelings known in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Sunday, said that the current mood of Nigerians is teethed towards ensuring the ouster of the APC Federal Government.

He stated that the citizenry can no longer stay save in the once united Nigeria, coupled with poverty and hardship which he alleged has been institutionalized by the present ruling government’s draconian policies and programmes.

He expressed optimism that the PDP will emerge stronger and solidified her goodwills among millions of Nigerians, at the end of its forthcoming national convention.

He applauded governors, federal and state lawmakers and other leaders of the party for their impressive performances in their various states despite challenges instigated by the APC which regrettably among the factors, is economic instability in the nation.

“You don’t need to be told that APC has failed woefully in all indices. The party has been unable to fix the economy it battered at the assumption of office. Insecurity is another major problem, the ruling party is incapable to bring a lasting end. Everywhere in the country has fared a share of the wicked and unwarranted killings by terrorists, bandits and Killer herders. The ruling party lacks focus towards ensuring the security of lives and property of her people.

“I strongly believe that the obvious failure and woeful failures of the government is enough to ask the governing party to start packing her loads, because, the citizens have seen differences in governance. Nigerians don’t need to be told to vote out APC. The indices are there. Under PDP, the country enjoyed a stable and robust economy where the poor and the rich meet their needs. In the current APC administration, escalating the infrastructure deficits of the nation with no commitment and sincerity to take decisive actions to address the challenges,” he said.

Nwachukwu used the medium to commend the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in Abia State for her developmental strides, which according to him, has turned the state into becoming a safe destination for business Investments such as the ongoing establishment of Aba Economic city that has impressively encouraged and promoted the small and medium scale business enterprises, whereby thousands of Abians and residents of the state have become self-dependent and productive.

The Business Mogul further lauded the supportive role of the Abia legislative arm of government amiably led by Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, which he opined, ushered in the inflow of local and foreign business investment, and as well as Infrastructural development in God’s own state.

Nwachukwu also dismissed the boasts by major opposition parties in the state to wrest power from the PDP in the 2023 general election, stressing that long before now, the parties had been unable to gain the massive supports of Abia electorates, despite one of it controlling the affairs of the country at the centre, attributed it to lacking visionary leaderships and defined manifestos that do not capture basic needs of the Abia masses.

He posited that people are comfortable with the PDP and her governments at all levels in Abia State, as the electorates will never attempt to enthrone a political party without direction, ideas, and vision into the governorship seat of the state come 2023.

He added that the PDP’s unprecedented achievements recorded in all facets of the governance of the state would further endear the majority of electorates to retain the party in power in coming elections.

Nwachukwu, however, urged the people of the state to remain steadfast in their faiths with the PDP-led administration, reassuring that the party will never relent, but would continue with her unwavering commitment to enhancing welfare of the citizens through its visionary policies and programmes.

Politics

Rivers: 70 CSOs Ask NASS To Summon Ibas To Give Account

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, on Monday, urged the National Assembly to summon the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), to give an account of his stewardship in Rivers State for the past six months.

The groups, under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said the call had become necessary, considering that the mandate handed to Ibas after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by President Bola Tinubu would expire by Thursday.

“This is very important, especially when you consider the fact that funds belonging to Rivers State which were initially seized by the Federal Government, were released to the Sole Administrator after he was appointed. There is need for accountability,” the CSOs insisted.

More so, the Situation Room, in a statement it issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Democracy, said it was worried that the nation is still grappling with systemic corruption.

“Today is not just a day of reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria but on the state of the nation and provides an opportunity to identify areas where improvements are needed.

“Nigeria is at a crucial juncture in its democratic journey, having marked 26 years of democratic rule this year, since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“In July 2025, the Situation Room released a report on the ‘Current State of Democracy in Nigeria’ where it noted that as at 2025, democracy in Nigeria still remains fragile, marked by institutional weaknesses, electoral distrust, and public disillusionment.

“Although some progress has been made, three fundamental principles that form the bedrock of democracy – cultural values, political leadership and the electoral process – are being confronted by systemic corruption, growing disillusionment and erosion of cultural values.

“In addition, over the couple of months, we have seen systematic attempts to decimate political opposition and render our electoral process to be a choiceless ballot for the voters.

“These tactics include state-sponsored infiltration and destruction of other political parties, harassment of journalists and punitive targeting of civil society organisations to make it difficult for them to freely operate and determination to undermine the independence and autonomy of the election management body.

“The current State of the Economy presents some paradox – while the Government lauds itself for bold reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, which freed up funds for State allocations, infrastructure development, and fiscal restructuring, challenges persist.

“The country continues to struggle with inflation, a weakened currency, rising debt, and widespread poverty, posing serious threats to economic stability.

“The failure of our democracy to deliver dividends to citizens, the failing public service delivery, lack of social amenities in standard healthcare and education, expanding impunity as well as indiscipline in public finance management and accountability emphasises the strong link between democracy and poverty.

“The 2023 general elections, despite technological upgrades like the BVAS, were marred by logistical failures, voter suppression, lack of transparency in the election results transmission and judicial controversies.

“Concerns over judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and weakened democratic institutions remain prevalent.

“Situation Room continues to condemn the breach of the 1999 Constitution and the events that led to the declaration of the State of the Emergency in Rivers State.

“This is not good for our democracy; it shows Executive overreach and a troubling erosion of democratic norms despite calls from well-meaning Nigerians to stop the State of Emergency, ” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Convener of the CSOs, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and two Co-Conveners, Franklin Oloniju and Mimidoo Achakpa, further read.

Politics

INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

“The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

“We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

Politics

How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.