Politics Archives - Page 45 of 88

BREAKING: Adelabu Quits Oyo APC After Failing To Get Guber Ticket

Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has dumped the All Progressives Congress.

Adelabu, who had earlier described the Oyo State governorship primary poll which produced Senator Teslim Folarin as a charade, announced his exit from the APC at an emergency meeting held with his followers in Ibadan on Sunday.

He alleged that the APC in Oyo State had been hijacked and that he would make public his next political destination after consultations with his supporters across the state.

Adelabu said, “My followers have asked me to leave APC, I have left the APC.

“We will sit down with our leaders to decide on the political party to join. We will come back to APC after winning the governorship election, because we are progressives.

“It worked during the time of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, he left Action Congress and went to All Nigeria Peoples Party and later came back to Action Congress of Nigeria.

“Just give us 48 hours to get back to you to announce the next political party to join.”

Adelabu had in an earlier statement said he would contest the 2023 governorship election. He also debunked the claim that he had joined the Social Democratic Party.

“All I can tell the whole world for now is that I am going to contest in the 2023 General elections as a Guber candidate, no matter what. This is the only reason why I left my groovy career as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018.

“No amount of intimidation, threat or harassment can stop me from my passionate ambition of revolutionising the political, social and economic landscape of Oyo State through machinery of government.

“As of today, I’m not a member of SDP or any other political party as being widely circulated by media organisations. Appropriate steps will be taken after consultations in due course,” he added.

2023: How Wike Reacted After Tambuwal Stepped Down To Support Atiku

Presidential aspirant and governor of Rivers state Nyesom Wike reportedly lost his spirit after Aminu Tambuwal withdrew from the presidential race to support Atiku Abubakar

According to some reports last minute intervention of some stake holders in the party worked in favor of Atiku.

At 8: 34pm, the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku, Legit.ng report.

Party sources said he withdrew from the race to support Atiku following the intervention of some elders who feared that should Wike pick the ticket, the ruling party would once again secure the presidential seat in 2023.

Before the commencement of the primary some Northern elders had met with Atiku, Saraki, Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed but the talks had failed as the aspirants had insisted on participating in the election.

However, the elders resumed the push at the venue of the event.

Tambuwal later gave in and withdrew from the election.

Wike’s mood changed after Tambuwal’s withdrawal

It was observed that aspirants from the South, except Udom Emmanuel, were all seated together, just as other contenders from the North were camped together.

Governors of Rivers and Benue states, Wike and Samuel Ortom respectively were seen having conversations shortly after Tambuwal announced his withdrawal from the race. Soon, another aspirant, Ayodele Fayose, also joined in.

Wike, who was cheerful before Tambuwal’s shocking announcement, frowned throughout the exercise.

The Rivers governor looked exhausted while ballot sorting was ongoing with Atiku’s name ringing in the air.

Coming second to Atiku was Wike who polled 237 votes. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, an aspirant had pulled out of the race around 5pm to support Wike.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki came third with 70 votes; Governor Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) came fourth with 38 votes; Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), came fifth with 20 votes; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim came sixth with 14 votes, while Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and Diana Oliver Tariela got one vote each.

Obanikoro Loses Senatorial Ticket To Ex-Deputy Governor Adebule

The former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial primary of the Lagos West Senatorial District on Saturday.

Obanikoro lost the Senatorial primary to the former Deputy Governor Lagos State, Oluranti Adebule.

The former minister polled 119 votes to emerge as the runner-up, while Adebule polled 424 votes to emerge as the winner of the senatorial ticket.

Another contestant, former Commissioner for Transport, Opeifa Kayode scored four votes to emerge third in the primary election.

Announcing the results, the chairman of the Senatorial Electoral Committee, Emeka Okafor, declared Adebule as the winner of the primary election having polled the highest votes.

Reacting to the development, Obanikoro rejected the outcome of the senatorial primary election, saying that the exercise was compromised.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Tunji Adunbarin, the former minister expressed disappointment in the poll.

Obanikoro contended that Adebule was not qualified to participate in the poll, adding that the exercise was “fraught with intimidations and other malpractices which it will address with the party in due course.”

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Tokunbo Abiru, won the APC ticket unopposed with a total of 344 votes.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, also clinched the APC ticket for the Lagos Central Senatorial District.

Eshinlokun-Sanni scored 185 votes to defeat his closest rival, Demola Seriki, who polled 97 votes.

2023: Tinubu Congratulates Atiku As He Emerges PDP Presidential Candidate

A presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar over his victory at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday.

Naija News had earlier reported that Atiku won the presidential ticket of the PDP after defeating all other aspirants with a wide margin at the primary election held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The National Leader of APC commended the former vice president for his patriotism and commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

The former Governor of Lagos State also lauded other PDP presidential aspirants for the orderly and peaceful way they conducted themselves.

He express hope that Atiku would be his opponent if he emerges as the presidential candidate of the APC.

Tinubu said, “As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across Party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour and strife.

“We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue-based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people.

“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administration and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate

“Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary.”

BREAKING: Thugs Chase Akeredolu’s Wife Out Of APC Secretariat In Imo

The Ondo First Lady who hails from Imo had led her supporters to the secretariat to protest the consensus option adopted by the party in choosing its candidate for the 2023 election.

Confusion erupted when her supporters went berserk, insisting that they must be allowed to vote, but the police tried to control the crowd.

In the process, there was stampede as both journalists and delegates who had also arrived for the exercise scampered for safety.

The policemen had to chase Akeredolu and her supporters out of the premises to continue their protest.

Akeredolu, who addressed journalists at the gate of the secretariat, said that its injustice to allow aspirants to campaign only to be told that the party had adopted consensus option.

She said, ” I am insisting that we must go by delegate election. I cannot waste time and resources campaigning only to be told that candidates would emerge by consensus. We must vote and if I lose gallantly, I will accept the result,” she said.

Supreme Court judgment vindicates Amaechi – Media office

The media office of the former governor of Rivers state and presidential aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Nigeria’s apex court (Supreme Court ) today ruled on the appeal filed by Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

The Supreme Court in dismissing the Appeal however pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was mere investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel.

In a statement sent to Vanguard, Amaechi’s media office stated that “The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial. The implication of this is that any indictment from the Commission is null and void and cannot stand.

With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission. It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand.

“From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi. The apex court judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A Commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi.”

Protest As PDP Governors, Chairmen ‘Camp’ Delegates

With less than 24 hours to go, the presidential primary election of the People’s Democratic is being dogged by protests as governors and state chairmen have reportedly taken the delegates out of the reach of aspirants by lodging them in designated hotels.

Some of the aspirants are said to have protested to the leadership of the party.

The governors and state chairmen have kept a grip on the delegates because the initial delegates are being replaced with “recruited delegates” to do specific bidding.

In one of the hotels at Wuse Zone 4 visited by THE WHISTLER after a tip off, delegates were asked not to go out , with one confiding in our correspondent that they were asked to switch off their phones.

When our correspondent visited in the guise of being a relative to greet one of the delegates, he revealed that he was invited as a delegate even though he was not elected.

He explained in local dialect that “You know these people, I was called as former leader of the party to prepare that I was a delegate. Some of the elected delegates have been paid off.”

He pointed out that a hotel far bigger than theirs had its rooms booked for delegates from two states for one aspirants with financial war chest.

When our correspondent visited the hotel, which is also located at Wuse Zone 4, and saw delegates discussing among themselves but they did not accept to identify themselves.

Breaking News: Peter Obi Joins Labour Party Days After Dumping PDP

Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential aspirant, Peter Obi has officially joined the Labour Party.

Naija News reports that this development comes two days after he resigned his membership from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that Obi had dumped the PDP a few days before its presidential primary slated for May 29 and 30 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, Obi said he resigned his membership due to the recent developments in the opposition party.

In a statement on his official Twitter page on Friday, Obi announced his defection to the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

The former governor said he joined the party because it is in line with his aspirations and mantra of taking the country from consumption to production.

Obi said he pitched his tent with Labour Party which he said is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.

The former governor thanked all Nigerians, especially the youths who have joined him in the mission of taking back and reuniting Nigeria.

He, therefore, urged his followers and all Nigerians to join him in taking back the country, promising not to disappoint them.

He said: “I thank all Nigerians, especially our youths who have joined me in the mission of taking back and reuniting Nigeria. This project is yours and for the future of your children. I am just a facilitator.

“Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles, I have consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination.

“For me, the process of achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.

“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family. I invite all Nigerians to join me in taking back our country. Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”

Obi registered as a member of the Labour party in Agulu Ward 2 in Anambra on Friday to the admiration of his supporters.

He is expected to pick the presidential form and participate in the party’s presidential primary election slated for next week Tuesday in Abuja.

Ogun West: Gboyega Isiaka Finally Steps Down For Yayi, Opts For Rep Ticket

A three-time gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka has finally dropped his ambition to run for Ogun West Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to reports, Isiaka popularly known as GNI has opted for the ticket of House of Representatives seat for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency.

It learnt that the decision was taken by the leadership of the party amid last minute political intrigues, apparently to clear the coast for the Lagos West Senator, Olamilekan Adeola who is seeking the APC ticket for Ogun West Senate.

The development followed high level political scheming and power play, it was learnt.

Isiaka and Adeola popularly known as Yayi have been at the loggerheads over the senatorial ticket of APC.

Other contestants are, the incumbent Senator representing the Ogun West, Tolu Odebiyi and a three time House of Representatives member, Isiak Abiodun Akinlade.

While Akinlade has also been reportedly handed over the ticket of the Yewa South/Ipokia federal constituency, Odebiyi who belongs to the former Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s APC bloc would be slugging it out with Adeola in the Saturday’s senatorial primaries.

Isiaka’s Media Aide, Bolaji Adeniji confirmed to Daily Trust that his principal had dropped from the senatorial race.

“Existential realities and Negotiation at the highest level of the party necessitated the change from Senate to Rep seat,” he told our correspondent.

Adeniji added that Isiaka had “won the Rep seat (ticket) this afternoon
and he is already the Candidate.”

When asked if Isiaka actually obtained House of Representatives nomination form along side the Senatorial form, Adeniji responded “Not really. The National leadership of the party did the necessary Housekeeping. You recall I told you its a negotiation at the highest level.”

Also, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi confirmed that he had withdrawn from the House of Representatives race for Isiaka.

Adekunbi in a statement personally signed on Friday said “Taya Kyle once said “sometimes you will think you can’t take it another day. But if you hang in there, one step at a time, you will be able to accomplish more than you ever imagine”.

“On this note, I want to appreciate you all for your support in the course of my consultation, for the position of the House of Representatives of Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency.

“The leadership of the party has decided to field another person on this note, I congratulate my brother Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), I wish him the best in the General Election.

“I will never be able to thank you all enough, who have contributed in little measure to the success we achieved. May God bless you all in return.

“I hereby thank our leader and Governor, H. E. (Prince) Dapo Abiodun MFR and our National leader, H. E. Aremo Olusegun Osoba for their unwavering support.

“On this note, I urge my Supporters in Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency to join hands with those Candidates to deliver an overwhelming support to the party.

“The difference between where we are now and where we are going is time.

“May we see more of us, as we walk into the future.”

Court Clears Jonathan To Contest For 2023 Presidency

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been cleared to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Justice Isa Hamma Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa gave the ruling on Friday.

The presiding judge ruled that the former President is eligible to contest the 2023 presidency.

He also held that Jonathan’s right to vie for the office of president again cannot be stopped by any retroactive law.

Recall that Jonathan was inaugurated as Nigeria’s President in 2010 following the death of his principal, late Umaru Yar’Adua.

In 2015, while running for another term, a court ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest as his first inauguration was done to complete Yar’Adua’s tenure.

However, in 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution which bars Vice Presidents who succeed their principals from serving more than one full term.

However, in an origination summons filed by Andy Solomon and Idibiye Abraham, the plaintiffs are seeking an order of the court stating that Jonathan is not affected by the fourth alteration.

The plaintiffs requested an accelerated hearing via a motion ex parte which was granted by Justice Isa Dashen to allow Jonathan to participate in the APC primary slated for Sunday, May 30.

Having been granted the permission to contest the APC presidential primary, Jonathan will slug it out with the likes of the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Dave Umahi, Governor Ben Ayade, Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Governor Badaru Abubakar, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and among others should he eventually join the race.