Bode George, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his views on the Labour Party (LP), stating that it was formed out of anger and lacks the structural foundation required to win national elections. In a press address, George called on the 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reconsider his political alignment and return to the PDP. He emphasized the widespread recognition of the PDP across the country, contrasting it with what he perceives as the limited reach of the Labour Party. “The Labour Party doesn’t have the root. I have traversed every state in…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
In a decisive move, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, a civil society organization, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The CSO contends that the defected lawmakers, no longer recognized as members of the assembly, should face legal consequences for committing the offense of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony. In an open letter dated December 12, 2023, addressed to the IGP, the Centre’s Legal Adviser, Kalu…
In a recent development, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that the 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have officially vacated their seats. The pro-democratic group, led by Daniel Okwa, convened a press conference on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the unfolding political events in Rivers State and highlighting the potential threats to democracy. Okwa cited Section 109 (g) of the Nigerian Constitution, emphasizing that the defection automatically results in the forfeiture of their seats, necessitating fresh elections. “The 27 controversial lawmakers must simply comply with…
Hon. Amiru Ahmed Keta, a member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly representing Tsafe West and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Culture, and Tourism, has justified the supplementary budget presented by Governor Dauda Lawal. Speaking to newsmen in Gusau, the state capital, Keta addressed questions about the supplementary budget, emphasizing the need for additional funds to address developmental gaps left by the past administration. Keta clarified, “The past administration abandoned a lot of developmental projects that have a direct bearing on the people of Zamfara State. Immediately the committee on the budget presented the supplementary budget to…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has raised concerns about the whereabouts of Governor Ademola Adeleke, demanding clarity on his location and health status. The statement, issued by Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal on Monday, comes approximately one month after Governor Adeleke embarked on a working vacation outside the state, according to information provided by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. The APC argued that the people of Osun deserved to know the governor’s whereabouts and health condition, expressing worries about the lack of updates two weeks after his departure. Lawal emphasized that the absence of information had led to…
The South-South Youths Initiatives emphasized the importance of public service over party politics in a statement on Monday, urging Rivers lawmakers to focus on their responsibilities to the people of the state. Oscar Imaete, president of the group, addressed the recent defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioning that the reasons for defection might not be resolved even in their new political affiliation. The lawmakers who joined the APC are reportedly loyal to Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the remaining four supporting state Governor…
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended an invitation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him to join their ranks, asserting that his presence is crucial for the party. Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, emphasized the party’s current position in power during a press conference in Port Harcourt, following the defection of 27 state lawmakers to the APC. Responding to queries about Wike’s potential move to the APC, Okocha stated, “I don’t think so. Whatever their reason is, when they get to the bridge they…
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Enemi Alabo, a prominent member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, provided insights into the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Alabo pointed to internal divisions within the PDP as a primary catalyst for the mass defection. He highlighted a lack of clarity concerning the party’s leadership, citing ongoing court cases related to the PDP secretariat. The lawmaker expressed frustration over the challenges faced by Rivers State PDP members, including the recent incident of the assembly chambers being set ablaze…
The Senate, in a session on Monday, expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed completion of road projects by contractors nationwide. Senator Mpigi Barinada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, conveyed this concern during the 2024 budget defense session with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works. Senator Barinada, while addressing the Minister, underscored the Senate’s commitment to preventing the wastage of government funds and taxpayers’ money. He criticized the situation where contractors, despite being mobilized, were not actively present at their project sites. “We frown at a situation where contractors will be mobilised,…
In a decisive move, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaiama Ward 1, Kaiama Local Government, Kwara South Senatorial District, has officially expelled the suspended Youth Leader, Prince Haliru Mahmud Dantsoho, from the party. A letter dated 11th December 2023, bearing the signatures of the Ward Chairman, Mohammed Nurudeen, and 16 out of 17 executive ward members, outlined the reasons behind Dantsoho’s expulsion. The primary charge against him was gross misconduct, particularly for disseminating unsubstantiated allegations against the party leadership through videos circulated on social media. The letter, titled ‘Expulsion From The Peoples Democratic Party As a…
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has convened an emergency meeting with members of the State Executive Council at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The urgency of the meeting stems from the recent defection of 27 members out of the 32-member House of Assembly from the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). This political shift occurred during a sitting of the House, where the lawmakers were observed brandishing APC flags in a group photograph after the session. Governor Fubara’s call for an emergency meeting reflects the gravity of the political…
The Action Alliance (AA) has opted not to contest the results of the Kogi State Governorship Election conducted on November 11th, 2023. This decision was revealed during an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Addressing the media in a press conference held on Monday in Abuja, Hon (Dr) Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, the national chairman of the party, clarified the party’s stance. Omoaje stated that the Action Alliance has distanced itself from a legal suit filed at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition challenging the election outcome. The national chairman underscored that the party is not inclined to…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly initiate the process of conducting fresh elections in the 27 constituencies of Rivers State that have become vacant due to defections within the Rivers State House of Assembly. The PDP contends that, in accordance with Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the seats of the 27 former lawmakers have become vacant following their defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the party, emphasized that the…
The Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has pointed fingers at the Federal Government, attributing the deteriorating economic conditions in Nigeria to its recent decisions, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the Naira. In a statement released on Sunday by its Chairman, Waheed Lawal, to mark the 2023 World Human Rights Day, the coalition expressed concern that these government actions have exposed Nigerians to unprecedented hardship. According to Lawal, “The effects of the inflation scourge are more evident on the poorest of the poor of the country where malnutrition and hunger rates are surging daily as millions…
The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Speaker Godswill Akpabio, is taking strides to curb the undue influence of state governors on local government affairs in Nigeria. This move comes as a response to longstanding concerns about governors manipulating local government administrations for their interests. In March 2022, the upper Chamber of the National Assembly passed a bill aimed at granting full financial and administrative autonomy to local government areas. The bill sought to amend the constitution, abolishing the state joint local government account and establishing a special account for direct allocation to local government councils from the federation account.…
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken decisive steps in addressing regional security and political challenges during the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Sunday. Leaders of ECOWAS have initiated a mechanism to review the activation of a standby force for counterterrorism operations, particularly in regions affected by terrorist groups. The commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region was reiterated in a communiqué read by Dr. Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission. Additionally, ECOWAS leaders resolved to convene an extraordinary summit focused on…
The Osun State Government is urging residents to come forward with information that could assist in identifying the parents of a recently discovered abandoned day-old baby in the Dagbolu Area, Ikirun, Osun State. The appeal was made through an official bulletin from the Osun State Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, as reported by the media in Osogbo on Monday. Commissioner for Women, Children, and Social Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and Permanent Secretary, Abimbola Babatunde, jointly signed the statement. It revealed that the newborn, named Temitope Daniel, was found inside a carton in Zone ‘B’ Area, Dagbolu, by an unnamed resident.…
In a bid to counter Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seven opposition parties recently announced the formation of the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP). However, the coalition faces internal challenges and disarray among its members. The participating parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), gathered at the SDP headquarters in Abuja on December 7, 2023. The CCPP aims to strengthen democracy by providing a robust opposition to the APC but insists it won’t lead to a merger of the involved political entities. Concerns have arisen as some leaders attending…
The Chief Imam of Tede in the Oke Ogun geo-political zone of Oyo State, Alhaji Ahmad Tijani Adedigba, has passed away. Until his demise, he served as the Chairman of the Oke Ogun League of Imams and Alfas. Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde expressed sorrow over the news, describing the late Adedigba as a remarkable leader and advocate for peace. The governor highlighted the significant contributions of the deceased in fostering religious harmony within the Oke Ogun area of the state. In a statement released to the media on Sunday, Governor Makinde conveyed his condolences, stating, “The late Chief Imam was…
President Bola Tinubu, who serves as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, has urged leaders in the region to prioritize the delivery of good governance. Tinubu emphasized that such a focus is crucial for achieving collective prosperity and preventing authoritarian takeovers and unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa. Speaking at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Sunday, Tinubu highlighted the significance of good governance as a catalyst for securing popular support and fostering socio-economic transformation and…