Politics
2027 polls: PDP govs reject Wike bloc’s consensus chair
This is as Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Credible senior PDP members aligned with the governors-backed National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to reveal the development, said they would pursue all available legal avenues to ensure the crisis is resolved in their favour.
Meanwhile, very high-ranking members of the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee, who requested anonymity because they are not authorised to speak on the matter, revealed in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that all geopolitical zones had agreed on consensus candidates for NWC positions ahead of the March 29–30 National Convention.
The insiders revealed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed have emerged as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, of the PDP backed by Wike.
After nearly a year of internal crisis, the PDP became divided into two opposing factions.
To worsen the situation, the governors’ camp, backed by Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), proceeded with a convention on November 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and other officials were elected into the National Working Committee.
In response, the Wike-led faction established a 13-member National Caretaker Working Committee in December, appointing Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, alongside other members, to oversee the party for 60 days pending a substantive convention.
On February 12, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated suits arising from the leadership crisis and delivered judgment on March 9.
A panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that the processes leading to the Ibadan convention breached the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution.
Consequently, the court nullified the convention and declared the election of Turaki and other NWC members invalid.
In a related development, a separate Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill in Ibadan granted all parties the opportunity to pursue an amicable settlement.
Although both factions had recently shown signs of reconciliation, fresh positions by the governors and lingering disagreements over the convention indicate that the peace efforts may have stalled.
A source within the governors’ camp disclosed that the reconciliation efforts broke down because the Wike-aligned PDP faction was determined to hold the convention.
He stated, “You see, the reconciliation efforts have collapsed. From our side, we indicated readiness for dialogue, but when discussions were held with the other camp, the Wike group insisted that our members must participate in the convention by purchasing forms and contesting.
“As far as we are concerned, that convention process is fundamentally flawed and illegal. As a group, we are determined to examine all legal options and pursue an alternative legal means to resolve the issue.
“We will carefully review the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, along with all related matters, and take appropriate steps to protect the party and ensure our members have a viable platform to contest.
“You can see that the NWC met today (Tuesday) for about four hours, and it was a productive session. The meeting will continue tomorrow.”
The Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, declined to speak on the decision at the NWC meeting held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
He simply stated that the meeting would continue on Wednesday (today), after which the party would address the situation.
However, a source in Wike’s camp revealed that his faction zoned the position of National Chairman to the North- Central and National Secretary to the South, adding that zonal leaders were directed to meet and agree on consensus candidates for all NWC positions.
He also disclosed that he emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of National Organising Secretary from the North-West.
The source continued, “In the North-West, the zonal meeting held this afternoon confirmed that the status quo will be maintained. Sokoto retains the National Organising Secretary position, Katsina takes the National Youth Leader, while Kano takes over as Deputy Treasurer. Jigawa selected the Zonal Vice Chairman. All positions were agreed upon by consensus.
“So far, South-East also retains the National Secretary in Imo State for Senator Anyanwu. Okechukwu Osuoha, who was previously Deputy Legal Adviser, has become Auditor. Chidebere, the former South East National Vice Chairman, is now Deputy Public Secretary.
“In the Southwest, the positions have been allocated as follows: Woman Leader to Oyo, Treasurer to Osun, Deputy Secretary to Ekiti and Zonal Vice Chairman to Lagos. In the North-East, the Deputy-Chairman North goes to Taraba, Publicity Secretary to Bauchi, Deputy Woman Leader to Gombe, and Deputy Financial Secretary to Borno. The Zonal Vice-Chairman was assigned to Adamawa.
“For the South-South, the National Vice-Chairman South goes to Rivers, Financial Secretary to Cross River, Deputy National Organising Secretary to Delta, and Deputy Youth Leader to Akwa Ibom. Then the National Vice Chairman, South-South to Edo.”
A reliable source, who attended the North-Central caucus meeting, disclosed that the zone agreed on the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, as their consensus candidate.
The source added that Wike reportedly urged former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Kogi State Deputy Governor Philip Salawu to step aside in favour of Mohammed.
“The meeting concluded tonight with the North-Central zone agreeing that it should produce the National Chairman. Religion was also a factor, given that the Secretary position was zoned to the South-East; they wanted the National Chairman to be a Muslim, anticipating that the person emerging would otherwise be a Christian.
“Additionally, the party’s National Leader, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appealed to former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Kogi State Deputy Governor to step aside and allow the incumbent Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, to emerge as the consensus candidate.
“As a result, Abdulrahman Mohammed was announced at the North-Central meeting tonight as the consensus candidate for National Chairman in the forthcoming PDP national convention. The decision also reflected the view that he had effectively performed in the acting role, earning the support of zonal leaders and stakeholders.”
When reached for comment, the Wike-backed PDP Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He described consensus as the best option for the party, noting that the National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and other party leaders were justified in adopting that approach.
“As far as we are concerned, we believe consensus is the best way to go in an effort to bring out candidates, whether party or primary, whether it is an intraparty working committee, an election or a primary election for the purpose of leading candidates into elective positions.
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“Once you have consensus, it means there’s consent of all stakeholders—the aspirants and the stakeholders—as opposed to imposition. And, you know, when you take away the election process, it saves a lot of time, resources, and animosity. So, it is the best way to go. And I think the party is not wrong.
“The leaders of the party are not wrong. And the NEC of the party was not wrong to have advised the various regions to adopt consensus as a means of electing party leaders.”
Relatedly, a former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned the PDP leadership backed by the FCT minister against conducting another factional convention.
He warned that such could further fracture the party.
Olawepo-Hashim described the plan as a serious threat to the unity and survival of the PDP, stressing that both camps had earlier agreed to pursue a unity convention before the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal.
According to him, the reconciliation process was derailed by what he termed the activities of a “fifth columnist,” who allegedly sabotaged efforts in pursuit of external interests.
“I urge the Wike faction not to renege on the gentleman’s agreement already made. This is about the survival and integrity of the PDP,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
The PDP chieftain also warned against alleged moves to tamper with the executive committees of state chapters, particularly in Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano States, noting that such an action would violate the party’s constitution.
He maintained that the tenures of state executives are fixed and cannot be arbitrarily altered, cautioning against exporting the national leadership crisis into otherwise stable state structures.
Olawepo-Hashim identified the authentic state chairmen in the affected states as Raymond Dabo (Plateau), Adamu Ninga (Nasarawa), Edward Masha (Kaduna), and Yusuf Kibiya (Kano), insisting that their mandates must be respected.
He warned that imposing parallel structures in states without internal disputes could deepen the crisis and weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.
The former presidential aspirant further cautioned that key actors in the ongoing dispute risk emerging as political losers if they fail to resolve their differences and adhere strictly to an agreed framework for power-sharing and the harmonisation of the National Working Committees of the rival factions.
Olawepo-Hashim called on all stakeholders to return to the negotiation table and conclude work on a unified leadership structure, stressing that any factional convention would ultimately produce ‘’a lose-lose outcome for the party.’’
He reiterated that unity remains the only viable path for the PDP to regain its strength, credibility and electoral competitiveness.
The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.
He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.
The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.
The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
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