Politics

Taraba APC Suspends Gov Candidate Few Days To Election

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2023

The crisis in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has taken a worsening dimension with the suspension of its governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, over alleged anti-party activities about one week to the governorship election.

Consequently, the party directed him to “suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend the allegations raised against him in a petition or face heavy consequences.

Several calls and SMS to Bwacha for response were not replied.

His suspension which was contained in a letter dated March 8 and signed by all the Mararaba, Donga Local Government ward executives of the APC, was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday.

The decision came on the heels of another contentious Federal High Court judgment which ordered the independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Bwacha as the governorship candidate of APC in Taraba State.

The PUNCH reports that Bwacha was sacked by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the party did not conduct a valid primary.

Bwacha went ahead to conduct primaries allegedly boycotted by other aspirants.

The suspension letter reads, “The Ward Executives of APC in Mararraba Ward, are in receipt of a petition dated February 22 2023 bordering on series of complaints levied against you (Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha) on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and for all intent and purposes pursuant to Article 21 of the APC constitution as follows:”

(1.) Complaints on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct and insubordination of (sic) the chairman of APC Donga Local Government, Hon. Habu Abdul Rahman as per the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/CS/13/2022.

(2.) Disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment delivered in the case of CHIEF David Sabo Kente Vs Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha on February 1 2023, and infraction on the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 21(ix) of the APC constitution 2022.

(3.) Other infamous conducts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute, contrary to Article 21 (ii) of the party’s constitution.

“The party is dissatisfied with your erring conducts; disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment, infraction on the Electoral Act, and infamous conducts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute.”

The suspension letter stated that consequently, the executives of the party in Mararraba ward had constituted and inaugurated a seven-man fact-finding and disciplinary committee to investigate the issues raised in the petition, make recommendations and report back within 14 days.

Bwacha was admonished to appear before the disciplinary committee unfailingly to be accorded fair hearing.

“Meanwhile, in the interim the party hereby suspends you (Emmanuel Bwacha).

“You are hereby directed to suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend yourself against the petition. Take note that failure to appear before the panel will attract heavy consequences. All members of the party, relevant authorities and INEC are notified.”

Politics

NEC Meeting: Police Manhandle, Arrest Worker At PDP Secretariat

Published

11 minutes ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

Amid the escalating crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party over the position of National Secretary and the forthcoming 100th National Executive Committee meeting, security agents have reportedly manhandled and arrested Thomas Ibu, a staff member in the party’s Publicity Department.

A PUNCH correspondent at the PDP National Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5 witnessed several policemen surround and apprehend Ibu.

The incident prompted other PDP staff members to attempt to intervene, resisting the police’s actions.

However, the security operatives overpowered them and swiftly took Ibu away.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for the arrest remains unclear.

Watch the video below:

Politics

JUST IN: Police Besiege PDP Headquarters Ahead Of NEC Meeting

Published

19 minutes ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

There is a heightened security presence at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja, as armed policemen were deployed ahead of the party’s crucial National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for today.

A party official, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, claimed that the police were sent to prevent the proposed Expanded Caucus Meeting from taking place.

However, some staff members of the party were allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police.

The policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

More to follow…

Politics

Obidient Movement Most Toxic Political Group — Buhari’s Ex-aide

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Muhammadu Buhari’s ex-aide, Bashir Ahmad on Peter Obi’s support base, Obidient movement
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has described the Obidient movement—a youth-led support base of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections—as the most toxic political group.

Ahmad said this in a comment posted on his personal X account (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, saying the group has no other stock in trade than to insult, drag, and ridicule every politician without restraint.

According to Ahmad, people in the Obidients movement resort to personal attacks anytime Peter Obi’s name comes up in a serious conversation that requires intelligent engagement.

“I honestly can’t wrap my head around the attitude and despicable behaviour of those so-called Obidients. Arguably, they are the most toxic political groups we have ever had in this part of the world. From morning till night, they insult, drag and ridicule every politician and leader without restraint because to them no one is ever good enough.

“But the moment you bring up their ‘demigod’ Peter Obi’s name, even in the context of a serious, national conversation, they suddenly lose the ability to engage intelligently and instantly abandon logic and reason only to resort to personal attacks. They don’t offer facts, explanations or thoughtful dialogue, it is always a barrage of insults from them,” he said.

Continuing, Buhari’s former aide on digital media said the Obidient is not what a healthy political movement looks like, adding that there’s no way Peter Obi can win over people with the attitude of the movement.

“Honestly, Obidient isn’t a healthy movement, by far, it is not what a healthy political movement looks like. With their attitude and this kind of behavior, there is no way Peter can win over people from the other side or even the undecided voters. The truth is, no political movement can succeed particularly in a diverse country like Nigeria through aggression, emotional blackmail and echo chambers,” he further said.

According to Ahmad, elections are won by persuading people and not by intimidation or abuse.

He added, “To win elections, you must be able to persuade, not intimidate and to engage, not abuse.

“For us, the ruling party, it is a good thing that they will continue living in denial, even Peter himself has refused to see the damage this toxic movement has been doing to his cause.”
(TRIBUNE)