Politics

Ward Delegate Congress: You’re Free To Approach Appeal Panel, Edo PDP Chair Tells Aggrieved Aspirants

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

Editor

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi

Chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, on Monday, urged aggrieved aspirants to take their protest over the conduct of the state delegate election to the appeal panel that will seat on February 7 in Abuja.

Nine aspirants, including current Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, Hafia Hadizat Umoru, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Dr Earl Osaro Onaiwu and Barr. Arthur Esene, had petitioned the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, and copied the National Vice Chairman South-South of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protesting the process and compositions of those who conducted the delegates election.

The Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Ward Congresses Electoral Committee, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had also resigned his position before the election which gave room for Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, to step in as the committee chairman, a development faulted by the aggrieved aspirants.

Aziegbemi, who said he disagreed with the nine aspirants, describing the election as fair and credible, urged them to be mindful of their utterances which are capable of bringing the PDP to disrepute.

He said the party aimed to ensure it remains in office by winning the governorship election on September 21, stating that the party has carried everyone along and left the door of reconciliation open.

He said, “In line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP, the National Working Committee organissed the election of the adhoc delegates in Edo State.

“I have never seen a well organised and transparent election in the history of the party since I joined in 1999. I challenge anyone with a contrary opinion to bring out any evidence. We printed the register and ensured the election took place in 192 wards. Those who came to vote had to show their membership and voter cards to take part in the process.

“We made sure all the electoral officers moved to their centres on time and all the names of the aspirants were read out to ensure fairness and they could have been voted for if they were not on the ground.

“I urge the nine aggrieved aspirants to take their grievances to the appeal panel headed by Dickson Seriaki on February 7 in Abuja to lodge their complaints and desist from utterance that can tarnish the image of the party,” he added.

Aziegbemi said that 563 delegates were elected, stating that the election to choose 31 delegates could not take place at Etsako Central due to the alleged abduction of nine electoral officers, who he said, were yet to be found.

One of the aspirants, Anslem Ojezua told newsmen that they (the aspirants) would be present at the appeal panel to state their case. He, however, said that the outcome of the panel would determine their next line of action.

“We will be at the appeal panel on February 7 and lodge our complaint and the decision reached will determine our next line of action,” he added.

When asked if the group would approach the court for redress, he said that they would keep their options open.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.