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Presidential Ticket: Ayu Speaks On Wike Allegedly Being In Court, Fingers APC 

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The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyrochia Ayu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) sued the party and its 2023 presidential candidate, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and not Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as widely reported.

It was on Thursday reported that Wike filed a lawsuit against Atiku, his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal; and the PDP over the party’s presidential primary, which was held in Abuja on May 28 and May 29, 2022.

The PDP has been engulfed in a cold war since the emergence of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate in June.

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Atiku’s poor handling of the process which produced Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate split the party into two blocs, with a group loyal to Wike and the others loyal to the party’s candidate.

Reacting to the suit, Ayu in a statement to commemorate the 2022 International Youth Day, signed by his media adviser, Simon Imobo-Tswam described Wike as a strong party man.

The PDP National Chairman also accused the ruling APC of using the governor’s name to institute what he described as a bogus suit against the party.

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He described the alleged APC action as desperate and criminal.

The statement partly read: “While hailing Wike for promptly coming out to dissociate himself from the said suit, Ayu advised party faithful to be wary of APC’s divisive manipulations.

READ ALSO: Presidential Primary: Wike Clears Air On Allegedly Dragging Atiku, PDP, Tambuwal To Court

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“His Excellency, Gov. Nyesom Wike never took the party to court. It is the APC that did it. The first name in the case is a coordinator of the presidential candidate of the APC.

“We know very well that they don’t believe they can win any election. They have decided to divide you. But don’t let any APC manipulation divide you.

“They are the ones sponsoring false stories of the crisis in PDP. PDP has no crisis. It is a united party.

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“Anyone who thinks they can come and brew crises here is deceiving himself. They should wait for us till next year. In February, we will show them that they are the ones with crises.

“I want to make this clear before people start saying: Oh, Wike took the party to court. Wike is a strong party man.”

Ayu said he was happy that Wike came out immediately to deny that he took the party to court.

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2027: Oyo Gov, Makinde Speaks On Successor

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the choice of who would succeed him in 2027 rests solely with the people of the state, not with political godfathers or entitlement claims.

Makinde said this on Thursday in Ibadan while flagging off the zonal stakeholders’ consultative forum and engagement meeting on the 2026 Budget.

According to the governor, the decision of who becomes the next governor of Oyo state rests on all eligible voters in the state.

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“Oyo State has gone beyond the era of politics based on entitlement or propaganda.

“Rather, the people of the state are now more politically enlightened and they will only support leaders who present credible plans and demonstrate capacity for development,” he said.

READ ALSO:I’m Not Ready To Go Into The Gutters With Anyone – Makinde

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Makinde, while reflecting on his own experience before coming into office in 2019, noted that leadership must be about accountability, not entitlement.

He recalled that many people doubted his capability when he first sought the governorship position, because he had not held any political office.

“In 2018, when I was consulting to become governor, there was no yardstick to measure me. I had never been a councillor or a local government chairman, but I asked the people to trust me and judge me by my actions,” he said.

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The governor urged political leaders to focus on policies and projects that directly impact the lives of citizens rather than engaging in political theatrics.

READ ALSO:Senate Fives FG Ultimatum To Submit Budget Performance Report

He said his administration’s approach to challenges has been to present a clear roadmap for Oyo State’s development, “one that people can read, evaluate, and hold us accountable to.”

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Makinde expressed optimism that the people of the state would continue to support leaders who prioritise progress, inclusivity, and the well-being of citizens over personal ambition.

Speaking at the 7th Stakeholders Consultative Forum, the governor said that his administration would continue to consult and engage with residents of the state on the making of the state’s annual budgets, with a view to knowing their aspirations and prioritising their needs.

He maintained that the stakeholders’ engagement was to enable his government to serve the residents of the state better through a bottom-up approach to development, noting that his administration began the tradition in 2019.

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READ ALSO:Makinde, Wife Installed As Aare Omoluabi, Yeye Aare Omoluabi Of Akure Kingdom

According to him, his government first separated the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning from the Ministry of Finance in order to ensure better management of the state’s resources and to avoid discrepancies.

He stated that the stakeholders’ engagement had resulted in better budget performances and economic development of the state.

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Makinde reiterated that his government would continue to serve the interests of the people of the state by putting in place institutions that would ensure that the environment was safe and ready to attract investments.

He added that the state was growing rapidly and that this development had stopped rural-urban migration with the construction of Moniya-Iseyin Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Oyo-Iseyin Road, among other infrastructural projects, which have opened rural communities.

READ ALSO:Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation

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Makinde is currently serving as governor for the second time.

The governor, whose term ends in 2027, had earlier this month advocated a single term of five or six years for elected political office holders across all levels of government in Nigeria, against the current double term of four years each.

He said a single term of five or six years is enough for any government to focus and serve the people and deliver on its mandate.

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(NAN)

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Court Extends Freezing Order On Osun LGs’ Bank Accounts

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An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, on Thursday, extended its earlier order, restraining the United Bank for Africa, Plc, from paying, releasing, or tampering with funds belonging to the 30 Local Governments in Osun State.

Akintola, who gave the order during the sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, said it would remain in force until tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2025, when the case is scheduled for further hearing.

He explained that the extension became necessary to ensure that all parties in the case were granted the right to a fair hearing in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

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In his ruling, the judge said, “The case is adjourned till Friday, October 10, 2025, for further hearing, while the interim injunction shall continue to subsist.”

READ ALSO:Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunmbi, told the Court that the Peoples Democratic Party had filed an application seeking to be joined in the suit.

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He, however, disclosed that his team would oppose the application.

“Even though the PDP has a constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36, we shall oppose their application for joinder. The case is narrow and straightforward; there is no need for multiple parties.”

The SAN also noted that Kasim Gbadamosi (SAN), who holds the brief of Kunle Adegoke (SAN), for the All Progressive Congress ex-council chairmen, had filed a fresh application in addition to an earlier one on the same matter of joinder.

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READ ALSO:Protest Rocks Abuja Over Osun LG Polls

Responding, Gbadamosi said he intended to withdraw the new application, arguing that the issue of jurisdiction did not require a formal application.

“I will withdraw the application. The issue before the court is jurisdictional, and as such, it doesn’t require a formal application.”

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He further argued that the case before the High Court amounted to an abuse of judicial process since a similar matter was already pending before the Supreme Court.

The matter is premised on a case already before the Supreme Court and should therefore be struck out,” he stated.

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

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Also, the counsel to UBA Plc, Mutalib Ojo (SAN), aligned with the argument, urging the Court to adjourn the case sine die (indefinitely) pending the determination of the matter at the apex court.

We observe that this suit is predicated upon a case already before the Supreme Court. Consequently, it should be adjourned sine die until the determination of that matter. UBA is not a party to the Supreme Court case; we are merely a neutral party in this process,” he submitted.

After hearing all arguments, Akintola adjourned the case till tomorrow, Friday, for ruling.

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READ ALSO:IG Squads Occupy Secretariats As Osun LG Poll Crisis Rages

Recall that the court had earlier granted the following interim orders as sought by the claimants: An order of interim injunction restraining UBA from paying, releasing, disbursing, or tampering with funds in the disputed local government accounts.

An order of mandatory injunction directing UBA to place a “Post No Debit” restriction on all affected accounts pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.

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The affected accounts include those of the 30 Local Governments in Osun State, from Atakumosa East to Osogbo, each identified by name and account number with UBA.

The suit, filed as Suit No. 1/1167/2025 before Court No. 5 of the Ibadan Judicial Division, is being handled by Olalekan Adeoye, Esq., on behalf of the claimants.

A second case on the same matter filed by the local government chairmen elected under the PDP was also adjourned for hearing tomorrow.
(PUNCH)

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2027: PDP Northern Group Endorses Jonathan For Presidency

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Support Group, a coalition of loyalists and affiliate organisations within the opposition party, has endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was among the key resolutions adopted at the group’s 8th meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, between Wednesday and Thursday, October 8–9, 2025.

The meeting drew participants from all 19 northern states to deliberate on the party’s state and strategies to strengthen it ahead of the 2027 polls.

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In a communiqué signed by the Northern Coordinator, Hon. Yusuf Abubakar, and the North-West Zonal Secretary, Hon. Adamu Ahmed Narayi, the group described Jonathan as a unifying figure and symbol of peace and progress.

It lauded his leadership qualities, democratic values, and continued loyalty to the PDP.

READ ALSO:Jonathan Dragged To Court Over Bid To Participate In 2027 Election

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“There is no going back on Goodluck Jonathan to redeem our party’s image in 2027. He remains a loyal party man who never abandoned the PDP and continues to command respect across the country,” the communiqué stated.

The group dismissed debates over Jonathan’s eligibility to recontest, maintaining that the issue had long been settled.

It also urged the PDP to embark on a coordinated media and grassroots mobilisation campaign, especially in the North, to promote Jonathan’s candidacy and highlight the potential benefits of his return to power.

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The communiqué reaffirmed confidence in the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum, commending his ongoing reconciliation and peace-building efforts aimed at restoring unity within the party.

READ ALSO:Boko Haram Once Nominated Muhammadu Buhari As Negotiator – Jonathan Revealed

We remain optimistic that the PDP is not beyond redemption. With genuine commitment and collective sacrifice, our great party will reclaim power at the national level and in other states currently under the APC,” it added.

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However, the group expressed concern over what it termed “the negative conduct” of some party leaders allegedly undermining unity and reconciliation efforts. It accused certain National Working Committee (NWC) members of anti-party activities and “divided loyalties.”

The communiqué specifically mentioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging that his actions were divisive and detrimental to the PDP’s cohesion.

Minister Nyesom Wike’s actions have been detrimental to the PDP’s unity despite his claims of being a member. His continued recruitment of party members to sow discord is unacceptable and must be addressed decisively,” the group stated.

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READ ALSO:2027: Jonathan Will Contest Under PDP, Return To Aso Rock — Jerry Gana

It urged the PDP leadership to take disciplinary action against members sabotaging reconciliation efforts or collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reaffirming its commitment to party supremacy, the group said its loyalty remains with leaders genuinely devoted to rebuilding the PDP into a strong and united political force.

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“The PDP retains strong grassroots support across the North. The party must seize this opportunity to rebuild its structures, restore its lost glory, and take bold steps to ensure unity, discipline, and progress,” the communiqué concluded.

 

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