Politics

Wike, PDP Crisis: ‘Mystery’ Man Who Sued Atiku Surfaces

Published

3 years ago

August 14, 2022

Amid confusion over the identity of the person who took the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to court, a former presidential aspirant on the party’s platform, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, has said he is behind the suit and not the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

His clarification came following Wike’s denial that he sued his party’s presidential flagbearer.

The governor, who is currently romancing All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftains, inviting them to commission projects in Rivers instead of his PDP colleagues, said he neither went to court nor asked anyone to file a suit on his behalf.

He also said reports of the suit emanated from Atiku’s people.

Wike made the comments in Port Harcourt, Friday, during the official commissioning of some projects.

“I want to state categorically that if I wanted to go to court, I will go to court. I have kept quiet and busy delivering dividends of democracy. If I wanted to, I would have gone to court within two weeks after the primary. Because that is a pre-election matter. It is the candidate’s group doing all these. And they’re not doing him any favour. But I wish them good luck,” he said.

But it was widely reported that a suit had been instituted against Atiku, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and the PDP over the conduct of the party’s presidential primary.

Atiku and Wike have been estranged since the former emerged as the PDP presidential candidate and the latter the first runners-up and Atiku, instead of picking Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election, chose Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Prayers

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, Wike and a chieftain of the PDP, Newgent Ekamon, were listed as plaintiffs. In the originating summons, the PDP was said to be listed as the first respondent while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the second respondent. Tambuwal and Atiku were listed as the third and fourth respondents respectively.

Ekamon asked the court to determine eight points including whether the transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku in the primary was illegal and void.

Meanwhile, Ndukwe, a former Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, whose name didn’t appear in the suit, in an exclusive chat with Sunday Vanguard, claimed ownership of the suit.

He said he decided to take Atiku and PDP to court for gross violation of the party’s constitution on zoning.

The erstwhile presidential aspirant argued that PDP had over the years enshrined zoning in its constitution and observed the same for equity and justice but expressed shock that the party for no justifiable reasons decided to jettison zoning in choosing its presidential flag bearer for 2023.

The former Chief of Staff to Abia State governor said he had before the primaries gone to court to challenge the refusal of the party to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

High Court

Ndukwe further explained that when the matter was decided in his favour at the High Court, the defendants appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal which overturned the decision of the High Court.

The former Commissioner for Trade and Industry in Abia State said he decided to take the matter to the apex court for final determination.

He said the necessary parties were on Thursday served with the court processes, adding that it was likely that some people misunderstood it and attributed it to Wike.

His words: “That suit they are saying Wike went to court is my suit. Wike did not go to any court. It’s I that went to court because PDP violated its constitution.

“The matter is now at the Supreme Court. The court processes were served on the necessary parties on Thursday. That’s why they thought it was Wike”.

Ndukwe said he thought PDP had learnt its lessons on the consequences of impunity but regretted that the party still violated its constitution because of vested interest of some people.

Violation

The alleged plaintiff, who is also a former General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, vowed that the party should not be allowed to get away with the gross violation of its constitution.

He argued that nobody compelled PDP to factor in zoning in its constitution, and insisted that the party must be made to obey its constitution not minding who it favoured.

“We decided to move to the Supreme Court. The apex court will hear the matter and decide within 45 days”, he stated.

“I am very optimistic that the Supreme Court will give its judgment based on equity and justice. It is a constitutional matter and nobody will violate the constitution and be allowed to go free.

“ How can PDP not obey the constitution it made for itself? Now they are claiming they are operating the Nigerian constitution that allows for freedom of association. But the question is: was the party forced to make its constitution that recognised zoning?

“ You know there is Nigerian Constitution that allows for freedom of association and you decided to make your constitution which of course is binding on you.

“ PDP agreed on zoning even when other parties were not interested in it, and the party has always respected it. You said zoning is for fairness and equity, so, why is it at this point that PDP wants to throw away zoning?

North

“The party used the same zoning in selecting its hierarchy but when it came to presidential candidates it jettisoned zoning.

“Now, every serious position in PDP is occupied by northerners. The North has the presidential candidate, National Chairman, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Where is South in all these? The South, especially South East, is totally out of the game.

“ Atiku is even thinking of picking his Campaign Director General from the West. So, where is South-East in PDP which the zone invested so much to form and incubated?”

VANGUARD

Politics

No Patriotic Nigerian Will Support Tinubu In 2027 – PDP

Published

10 hours ago

July 22, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party has labeled President Bola Tinubu as a poor choice for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Monday asserted that the party is the only one with the capacity to defeat President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.

He stated, “The PDP is the only party that can unseat the APC. We have the support, the base, and a national spread.

“There is no community without PDP members, because it is truly the people’s party. Nigerians are eager for the PDP’s return.

“With the APC’s numerous failures, I can confidently say that no patriotic Nigerian, group, or political party will support Tinubu in 2027.

“It is clear that President Bola Tinubu is a bad market. So, no one whether individual or group who is experiencing what we’re all going through will vote for Tinubu.

“President Tinubu, as they say in the local parlance, is a bad market, don’t touch it.

“So come 2027, no one, individual, group, or party,who is feeling what you and I feel, who is seeing the insecurity, the collapsed economy, and the general hardship, will vote for Tinubu.”

Addressing the recent defection of some of its members to the APC and the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress, Ologunagba stated that, “Our party is organic and formidable. It is important to make it clear that the people who make up the party are not defecting.

“They are not defecting because of hunger or insecurity.

“The people who form the bulk of our party, as well as Nigerians who are apolitical, look up to the PDP. So, they are not defecting.

“They are not leaving because of hunger or insecurity. Just two days ago, our Anambra State candidate was attacked here in Abuja.

“This highlights the level of insecurity in the country under this rudderless and irresponsible APC government, which is completely insensitive.

“This is a government that asks people to fast while it feasts.

“So, the people the backbone of our party and even Nigerians who are apolitical, still look up to the PDP.”

Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP remains solid despite the noise surrounding defections, stressing that the true strength of the party lies in the loyalty of its members.

He further stated that all organs of the party including the Board of Trustees, the Governors’ Forum, the National Working Committee, National Assembly members, and other party structures are collaborating closely to build a more formidable party capable of delivering new leadership and renewed hope to Nigerians.

Commenting on the Lagos State Local Government elections held on July 12, Ologunagba urged Nigerians to see past the excitement, propaganda, and noise, stating that if the APC truly had the strength it claims, the results of the elections in Lagos would have told a different story.

He continued, “One of their own leaders admitted that the people didn’t vote for them. That was in Lagos, Tinubu’s stronghold.

“This silent vote of no confidence speaks volumes. Only 6% of registered voters participated.

“This shows APC has been rejected. In 2027, it will not be about writing results; it will be about the people speaking out with their votes, and they will vote the APC out.”

Ologunagba stated that the PDP stands apart from the APC and other political parties because it embraces differing opinions without hostility or division.

He stated, “This is why the PDP is different. We have strong organs and institutions.

“We welcome debate and contestation of ideas. We accept disagreement without being disagreeable.

“That is how we keep recalibrating, reconnecting with the people just as our name says: Peoples Democratic Party.”

Politics

PDP Unveils Candidates For Edo N’Assembly Bye-elections

Published

10 hours ago

July 21, 2025

Editor

The two candidates who will represent the Peoples Democratic Party in the August 16 National Assembly bye-election emerged on Monday.

‎Joe Okojie will fly the party’s flag in the Edo Central Senatorial election, while Johnny Aikpitanyi will battle for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat.

Okogie emerged as the winner of the PDP Primary election, which was held in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of the State.
‎
He clinched the ticket after scoring 84 votes ahead of his close rivals, Hon. John Yakubu, who secured 52 votes and Friday Itulah, who got 21 votes.

It was gathered that ‎157 out of the 158 ward and national delegates took part in the primary election, with no void votes recorded.
‎
‎Addressing journalists after the election, Okojie expressed appreciation to the delegates and other aspirants who took part in the election, noting that he will work with leaders and members of the party in ensuring the PDP emerges victorious in the by-election.

‎Aikpitanyi, who was the only aspirant for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat, was confirmed as the party’s candidate by the delegates who took part in the primary election held in Iguobazuwa, Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
‎
In his appreciation to PDP leaders, delegates, and supporters, Aikpitanyi noted, “Emerging as your candidate is not just an honour, it is a solemn responsibility I embrace with every sense of duty, humility, and commitment.

” I recognise the faith you have placed in me, and I do not take it for granted.

“Let us now come together, stronger than ever, to win the by-election and build the Ovia of our dreams. Victory is not for one individual but for all of us who believe in justice, progress, and prosperity.”

The Senate seat was vacated by the incumbent governor, Monday Okpebholo, after he won the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

Also, the Ovia Federal Constituency seat was vacated by the deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, after the electoral victory.

Politics

Falana, Others Slam Okpebholo As Edo Movement Ban On Obi Sparks Reactions, Controversy

Published

20 hours ago

July 21, 2025

Editor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo’s remarks on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has stirred controversy and reactions.

Recall that Okpebholo had last week Friday at a rally warned Obi to obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State.

The statement by the governor has been described by critics as a direct threat to Obi’s life and a dangerous precedent for democracy.

Reacting to the statement, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), urged Obi to take legal action over what he termed an “illegal threat.”

Earlier on Sunday, Falana had asked Okpebholo to withdraw the threats to the life of Obi.

In a statement, the senior lawyer noted that the threat to the life of Obi issued by the “new sheriff in town” in Edo State constituted a violation of Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples (Ratification and Enforcement), which guarantee the fundamental right of every citizen to life.

“However, if Governor Okpebholo does not withdraw the illegal threat because of sheer arrogance of raw power, Mr Peter Obi should proceed to file an application in the Benin Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life.

“Mr Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country,” the statement added.

On their part, the African Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement, accused Okpebholo of intimidation and spreading falsehoods.

The ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking with journalists, warned that such threats were becoming a troubling trend among APC governors.

He stressed that the party was informing both Nigerians and the international community about the situation, against the right to move freely across all states by every Nigerian.

“The African Democratic Congress condemns the restriction order issued on Peter Obi.

“This is not the first time. It is becoming a pattern for APC governors to make the kind of pronouncements credited to Governor Okpebholo, declaring that Mr Obi or opposition leaders are not welcome in their state.

“This is not democratic, and it’s a very dangerous pattern. Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen of Nigeria has the right to go anywhere in this country.

“We don’t need a visa in our country. We don’t need anybody’s permission to go to any part of our country.

“This also speaks to an authoritarian instinct among some of these governors of the APC, and we believe that this can only get worse if it’s not nipped in the bud,” he added.

Abdullahi said, having failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, the strategy is to begin to intimidate and issue threats and warnings not to come to their states.

“This is unacceptable. We will go anywhere in Nigeria that we want because Nigeria is a free country,” he said.

The Edo State government has, however, insisted that the governor’s comments at a rally on Friday were misinterpreted, stressing that his call was a security protocol and not hostility toward the opposition leader.