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2023: Serious crisis looms in PDP if you don’t allow conducted primaries remain in Ebonyi, ‘candidates’ tell NWC, others
As the cancelation of primaries conducted by the Ebonyi Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party tarries, ‘candidates’ of various positions in the forthcoming general elections in the state, have called on the National Working Committee and other critical stakeholders of the party to tread with caution and allow the already conducted primaries to remain.
This is as they noted that the PDP in the state might be unwittingly heading for collapse and failure, should the reverse become the case.
One of the ‘candidates’, Chief Lazarus Ogbe, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference, in Abakaliki, on Thursday, urged the national leadership of the party to allow the will and wishes of the masses to prevail in the matter.
The Ebonyi PDP, had on May 28th and 29th, conducted primaries, thus producing candidates for various positions including gubernatorial. But Senator Obinna and his group boycotted the primaries, which were monitored by officials of INEC and NWC, from Abuja.
Two days, May 31, 2022, to be exact, the NWC, said that the congresses held on May 28 and 29, in the state were null and void, and declared it canceled.
But at the press conference, on Thursday, Ogbe, who is seeking to represent the people of Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone (in the Red Chamber), said, “I am speaking on behalf of the elected candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi State. These are candidates that were nominated and elected on the 28th and 29th of May, 2022.
“We flied the flag of the party on the various positions of elections ranging from House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Gubernatorial.
“We recall that on the 28th and 29th day of May, 2022, the National Working Committee of the PDP scheduled primary elections in Ebonyi State. It’s on record that Ebonyi didn’t do its own primaries, the day other states of the federation did theirs, because of little crisis that emanated in the conduct of election to elect three-man delegates.
“Eventually, the congresses to elect three-man delegates were done in Ebonyi State and this took place in all the 171 wards of the state and they were elected. The three-man delegates in turn was to go to the various wards, State constituencies, Federal constituencies/Senatorial Districts and gubernatorial stage to nominate candidates of their choice, who will eventually fly the flag of the party in the 2023 general elections.
“Consequently, the NWC slated two days for the conduct of the primaries/nominations and on May 28th, the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial were scheduled. The State Chapter of the party duly complied with that directives and conducted very transparent primaries, which were observed and monitored the Independent National Electoral Commission, the security agencies and other relevant authorities.
“The elections were certified to be the most transparent election conducted in recent time.
“Unfortunately, today we started hearing rumours that the same NWC that sent, directed and instructed that primary elections should be conducted in Ebonyi State, on the 28th and 29th of May, 2022, has reversed itself to direct that another primaries, at the same level of nomination, be conducted. No reason was given, because the first one was dully monitored as they sent letters to Ebonyi chapter of the party, INEC and security agencies.
“There was no breach of the electoral and party guildelines; no breach was recorded.
“It’s on this note that we want to appeal to the party to allow peace to reign in the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP.
“The people have gone out to nominate candidates of their choice, and so, re-orderring for another set of congresses would mean igniting a bigger crisis in the party in Ebonyi State and that will mean its collapse.
“I understand that a political party presents one candidate from one constituency, for a party political position. On what grounds is the NWC re-orderring for fresh primaries in the state PDP? Is it that it wants to present two candidates for a particular position? If that is the case, I have never seen where two candidates are contesting for a particular position, in the same party.”
He added, “We appeal to the NEC of PDP, major stakeholders of PDP, the NWC of PDP and, mostly importantly, the Presidential flag-bearer of the PDP to intervene in this situation in order to forestall looming crisis in the state chapter of PDP. This is important to avoid a repeat of what transpired in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections, on the side of the All Progressives Congress; and in Rivers State, on the part of the APC.
“The people have spoken and we urge the party leadership to toe the part of peace and justice. The people have nominated their candidates-from House of Assembly to gubernatorial. The NWC, the NEC, and other organs of the party and its Presidential flag-bearer should intervene in this matter. Aspirants who have been nominated candidates by virtue of the three-man delegates and through the people, should be allowed to contest the general elections.
“If any person has vested interest in a particular candidate, such person should allow the will and wish of the masses to prevail. These people that have been nominated, bought forms and they were cleared and there’s no law says they should not contest. Therefore, we ask our party to toe the path of peace and justice.
“In the case of the Governorship primaries, it was done in the glaring eyes of party faithful, the security agencies. INEC monitored it and it was beamed live on AIT, Channels and others. There was no case of irregularities till date. But it’s just unfortunate that all of a sudden, we are hearing that the primaries have been cancelled. We appeal for peace and caution.”
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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