Politics

Tinubu’s ’Emilokan’ Ambition Not Good For Democracy – Utomi

Published

3 years ago

September 26, 2022

Editor

A chieftain of the Labour Party, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said that the “desperate ambition” of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu, to become president is injurious to Nigeria’s democracy.

This is as he asserted that Tinubu is not fit and physically ailing.

Utomi made this known when he appeared on Channels TV Politics Today.

He said, “I don’t think the ambition of Tinubu is for the good of Nigeria. If I was his age, I wouldn’t be seeking political office at his age, certain things are good for certain times. Why is it his turn? What about other people in Nigeria?

“If there is any ‘Emilokan’ (translated in Yoruba as I am next) that is wrong, it is the Emilokan of Emilokan because Ko’kan (Not his turn).

“Our country has suffered so much from having ailing leaders and that was why the vice president stepped up because he thought there was a challenge to that principle and direction.

“Tinubu is not fit, physically you can see he is ailing, you can see it, let’s be true to ourselves, let him go through a medical that will be made public in Nigeria.”

The professor of political economy who also welcomed the endorsement of LP candidate Peter Obi by the Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, said the organisation had affirmed its position as a moral authority in the nation.

“Afenifere has established, over a long period of time a commitment to being principle-centered. it is hard, to begin with, that today. If anything, the challenge of politics today in Nigeria is that there has been a sign of politics without principles.

“All Nigerians can do is to admire and show respect for the leadership of Pa Adebanjo which is principle-centred.

“Afenifere constitutes a moral authority, and when you combine that moral authority with the fact that they have been able to build a clear alliance with PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and together they have been speaking on this matter alongside Ohaneze Ndigbo. You see that there is a certain body of opinion in Nigeria who are major stakeholders who can say this is what is principled and this is what is right.”

Politics

Damagum Is PDP’s Problem – Ex-Benue Gov Suswam

Published

10 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday declared that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, is the problem of the party.

Suswam, who insisted that Damagum is not a leader, said the party has been drifting downwards since he assumed the role of acting National Chairman.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former governor said, “There is no integrity in the leadership of PDP, I’m happy that Wike said it.

Politics

Confusion In PDP As NWC Counters Damagum, Rejects Anyanwu’s Reinstatement

Published

11 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed claims that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, has been postponed.

A statement signed by key members of the NWC on Wednesday also denied reports that Samuel Anyanwu has been reinstated as the party’s National Secretary.

The NWC said the statement comes in response to a press briefing earlier in the day by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

DAILY POST reports that Damagum had announced the postponement of the NEC meeting and said Anyanwu is to resume as National Secretary.

Rejecting Damagum’s declarations, the NWC said his pronouncements were contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which scheduled the next NEC session for June 30 and referred all matters concerning the National Secretary’s office to that meeting.

“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the Party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC),” the statement read.

Citing Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), the NWC emphasized that NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party after the National Convention and that its resolutions are binding on all members and organs of the party.

The NWC described the announcement regarding Anyanwu’s resumption as “misleading” and reaffirmed that the matter remains under the jurisdiction of the forthcoming NEC meeting.

The statement was jointly signed by Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Auditor, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, among others.

Politics

FCT Polls: APC Releases Names Of Primary Election Committee Members

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has unveiled names of members of its primary election committees for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chairmanship polls.

This was contained in a statement on its official X handle on Wednesday.

The committees, appointed for the six area councils, are made up of chairmen, secretaries and members.

The statement said that an inauguration ceremony for the appointed chairmen and secretaries took place on June 25 at the APC national secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja.

“For Gwagwalada area council, the committee will be chaired by Hon Shafi’u Duwan, with Hon Yahaya Shehu Maradun as secretary,” the statement read.

According to the statement, in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Habibu Ibrahim will spearhead the committee, while Margaret Duru will serve as secretary.

It added that Austin Agada will chair the Bwari area council committee, with Sanusi Sa’idu Kiru as secretary.

In addition, the statement revealed that in Abaji, Hon Afolarin Mayowa Samuel would oversee the committee, while Hon Abdullahi Maharazu will act as secretary.

For Kwali, the statement named Akombo Benedict Imoter, as the committee chairman, and would be assisted by Hon Gambo Rimi as secretary.

Barr Yakubu Bello chairs the committee for Kuje area council, while Engr Umar Shehu will serve as secretary.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, On January 22, said it had fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of the FCT area council elections.

According to the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, the last area council election in the FCT was held on February 12, 2022, adding that the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors will end next year.

He further stated said the final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025, adding that campaigns will commence on September 24 and end at midnight of February 19, 2026.