Politics
PDP crisis: Secondus presides over NEC today, convention tops agenda
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is set to preside over the National Executive Committee meeting of the party scheduled to hold in Abuja on Saturday (today).
The meeting was called to ratify the decision by the National Caucus of the party which had proposed October 30 and 31, 2021 for the party’s national convention.
A top member of the party told one of our correspondents that leaders of the party met with Secondus and agreed that he would preside over the NEC meeting, where other decisions like the composition of members of its zoning committee that would decide on zones where officials of the incoming members of the National Working Committee would come from.
“Secondus is expected to preside over the NEC meeting on Saturday. We need to move on. There is no need fighting again. What the NEC meeting would do is just to ratify the decisions made by the national caucus. The fight is on the need to hold national convention. I think we need to move on,” the source said.
When he resumed at the party’s headquarters on Friday, Secondus told reporters that the PDP was known for respecting court orders.
He said, “It’s good to be back. We are a party that respects the rule of law. We obey court orders, we obeyed the order given last week and we are obeying the one given yesterday. We have a series of meetings today.”
Recall that a Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi and presided over by Justice Nusirat Umar, had on Thursday, granted an interim order reinstating Secondus as the PDP national chairman.
The interim order was granted in respect of suit number KB/HC/M.171/2021.
Claimants in the suit are Yahaya Usman, Abubakar Muhammad and Bashar Suleman, while Secondus and the PDP were listed as defendants.
Apart from issuing a stay of execution on an interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman, the Kebbi court granted “leave to the first respondent (Secondus) to continue exercising all the constitutional powers of the office of chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party as enshrined in both the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and the PDP Constitution pending the hearing and determination of the applicants’ motion on notice.”
Earlier on Monday, a Rivers State High Court had granted an interim injunction restraining Secondus, from parading himself as chairman and member of the PDP.
Justice O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court, sitting in Port Harcourt, granted the order.
This was sequel to the consideration of an ex parte application in suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeabuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).
The judge, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction.
Meanwhile, the proposal on national convention was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the 40th national caucus meeting of the party, held in Abuja, on Friday.
Reading the resolutions after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, said, “we have resolved to submit to the NEC of our party tomorrow (Saturday) recommendation from the National Working Committee for the National Convention of our party to be held between Friday, 30th of October, and Saturday, 31st of October. The venue will be determined tomorrow (today) by NEC.”
On the conflicting court orders over the position of the party’s National Chairman, Tambuwal said, “This distinguished body had empanelled eight distinguished leaders of our party under the able leadership of a (former) President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, to interface with our leaders who are involved in these issues of court, so that all court matters can be now withdrawn and then for normalcy to continue to return to the party.
“I appeal on behalf of this body to all well-meaning members of our party in the interest of the party to sheath their sword and let us embrace peace because Nigeria is waiting for the PDP and I believe that we have the capacity to resolve whatever issues we have internally.”
Earlier, there was mild drama at the beginning of the meeting.
Aides of Secondus moved into the National Executive Committee Hall, venue of the caucus meeting probably in a bid to pave the way for him to preside over the meeting.
This led to an uproar which prompted a three-man delegation, comprising the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin; the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Umar Tsauri, to visit Secondus, who was seated in his office, upstairs.
It was gathered that the delegation prevailed upon him to steer clear to allow for a peaceful resolution of what could have snowballed into a larger conflict.
On their return, the BoT Chairman called the meeting to order and handed over the microphone to the party’s acting National Chairman, Yemi Akinwonmi, to preside over the meeting.
Secondus, who was acting on an order of interim injunction from a Kebbi State High Court, ordering him to resume office on Thursday, was seated at his desk by 9.51 am in preparation for the meeting.
Since he was prevailed upon to stay away for the meeting Akinwonmi, presided.
In his opening remarks, Akinwonmi, who was panting at the time he took over the microphone, said, “Why I’m still panting is that it was too stressful for me, we had up to six meetings yesterday. On getting here today, a letter was served on me.
“I know the letter would be of importance to this meeting and I received it. Coincidentally, I showed the BoT Chairman (the letter), he said that he received a copy too, meaning that the letter was served on me and the BoT Chairman.”
But as Akinwonmi moved to read the contents of the letter, he was told to wait for the meeting proper to start. The meeting started after goodwill messages were received from Tambuwal, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, after which reporters were asked to leave.
In his remarks, Tambuwal said, “I want to assure you that our governors are working together for the benefit of our party, for the benefit of our country. With the assemblage of people here, by the grace of God Almighty, no issue can remain insurmountable.
“I have the confidence that, by the grace of God, whatever issues we have, we shall be able to, at this caucus meeting, resolve them.
“The governors of the party are ready to continue to work for the party, for their respective states and for us to continue to deliver good governance. I believe at the end of this meeting we shall see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Earlier, scores of Secondus supporters stormed the Wadata Plaza Secretariat of the party, in solidarity with him. They held several placards with inscriptions such as “Welcome Back, Total Chairman;” “Secondus Oyoyo.”
Acting on the order of the Rivers State High Court, the party organs, including the NWC, the BoT as well as the party’s Governors Forum ratified the Deputy National Chairman (South), Akinwonmi, as acting National Chairman, after a series of meetings on Thursday.
In a statement by his media adviser, Ike Abonyi, titled, “Secondus resumes office as Elder Akinwomi hands over,” Secondus said he had resumed office and had taken over the party’s affairs.
The statement read in part, “The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, on Friday, took over the affairs of the party.
“Secondus was obeying the purported ex parte order of a Degema High Court in Rivers State but got reinstated after a Kebbi High Court presided over by Justice Nasirat Umar directed him to resume.”
The statement said following his reinstatement “at the brief handover, Prince Secondus pledged to continue providing astute leadership to the party. Elder Akinwonmi also announced his receipt of the court order which he presented to the caucus meeting.”
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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