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

Ward Leaders Suspend Nasarawa APC Chairman Over Anti-party Activities

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

The leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Gayam Ward of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, have suspended the state’s chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, over alleged anti-party.

The ward leaders who converged in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday said Bello’s action had caused embarrassment to the party and undermined the credibility of its collective effort to take the party to greater heights.

Speaking with newsmen while announcing his suspension from the party, the chairman of the ward, Ibrahim Iliyasu, narrated that his action constitutes a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

He said, “We, the undersigned Executive Members of the All Progressives Congress, Gayam Ward in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, hereby write to formally suspend you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, from the party (All Progressives Congress) with immediate effect.

“This decision arises as a result an investigation of complaints by ward members of your anti-party activities contrary to Article 21 of the APC Constitution (as amended) which outlines the conduct expected of members and the disciplinary measures to be taken against infractions.

“Specifically, we have credible evidence and reports that you have openly promoted and campaigned for a member of another political party, in direct violation of Article 21 (i), (ii), and (vii) which prohibit; (a)Engaging in acts that tend to bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute; (b)Engaging in anti-party activities; (c) Membership, promotion or support of rival political parties.”

He added, “Your actions have caused embarrassment to the party, undermined the credibility of our collective efforts, and constitute a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

“In line with the powers vested in us as ward executives under Article 21 (D) (i)-(iii) of the APC Constitution, and having consulted widely with stakeholders within the ward, we have resolved as follows; That you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect pending further investigation and disciplinary action by higher party organs.

“That this resolution shall be communicated to the Lafia Local Government APC Executive Committee, Nasarawa State Executive Committee, and the National Working Committee (NWC) for ratification and further necessary action.

“We urge you to refrain from parading yourself as a member of the party pending the conclusion of this process. Accept the assurances of our highest esteemed regards as always.”

Other leaders of the Gayam Ward who were present during the press briefing and approved his suspension include the Ward Secretary, Ibrahim Kwande; Ward Legal Adviser, Adamu Musa Alkali; Ward Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Dahiru; Ward Women Leader, Fatimah Ibrahim, among others.

Meanwhile, the suspension of the APC Chairman came barely 24hours after the state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Douglas Otaru, issued a statement alleging plots by a governorship aspirant to remove Aliyu Bello from his position.

“For clarity, the ward officials lack the constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence, suspend, or expel a State Executive Committee Member. We strongly caution that any party official found to be involved will face disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution,” Otaru said in his statement.

Politics

2027 Coalition: Atiku, Secondus, Other PDP Leaders Meet In Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a former Senate President, David Mark, a former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and several other prominent figures of the Peoples Democratic Party have commenced a high-level, closed-door critical meeting in Abuja.

The strategic gathering, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, is part of ongoing consultations ahead of the formal unveiling of a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

In addition to Atiku and Lamido, other PDP stalwarts present at the meeting include a former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).

Sources at the venue confirmed that the meeting presided over by Mark is focused on determining whether the PDP leaders will fully integrate into the proposed 2027 coalition party or maintain their positions within the party while forming an electoral alliance.

Earlier reports by The PUNCH revealed that the coalition has chosen the African Democratic Congress as its political platform and has selected Senator Mark to serve as interim chairman, with an official unveiling scheduled for Wednesday.

Other PDP figures in attendance include Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.

Details shortly…

Politics

INEC Unveils 2025-2026 Election Timetable, Resumes Voter Registration

Published

8 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has unveiled a comprehensive electoral timetable for 2025 and 2026, including five major elections and the nationwide resumption of Continuous Voter Registration.

This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The electoral body, in a statement on its official X handle, said it is gearing up for a busy period, with a series of crucial polls scheduled across various states.

In the statement, the INEC Chairman said, “The five major elections highlighted in the new timetable include bye-elections in 12 states, slated for August 16, 2025, followed by the Anambra State Governorship election on November 8, 2025. Looking into 2026, the schedule includes Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti State Governorship election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun State Governorship election on August 8, 2026.”

Yakubu also announced the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. “Online pre-registration will commence on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration across the country from August 25, 2025. For Anambra State, ahead of its governorship election, the CVR will begin earlier, next week, and will be conducted simultaneously in all 326 wards to ensure the compilation of a new voters’ register at least 90 days before the election, as required by law”, he said.

During the meeting, Yakubu welcomed two newly appointed National Commissioners, Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf, as well as six recently sworn-in RECs attending the meeting for the first time.

He emphasised the critical role of RECs in election management, urging them to proactively implement policy and procedural issues without constant prompting from the Headquarters.

Addressing concerns regarding the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the review of election results, the INEC Chairman stated that the Commission is working on a supplementary regulation and guidelines to provide clarity.

He assured that this document would be uploaded to INEC’s official platforms for public information as early as this week.

“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the General Election approaches. You are full-time Commissioners,” Professor Yakubu remarked, underscoring the continuous nature of electoral duties and the need for sustained commitment from all officials.

“You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed”, he said.

The meeting, which followed extensive consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and election security agencies, aimed to address key issues arising from these engagements and strategise for improved electoral service delivery across Nigeria.