Politics
PDP chair, Wike tackle Clark as anti-Fubara plot thickens
•Pro-Fubara, Wike assemblies hold parallel sessions, rumble in NWC over Rivers gov
•I won’t quit PDP, says Wike as Ikimi heads disciplinary panel on ex-gov’s anti-party cases
The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umaru Damagum and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday knocked Chief Edwin Clark, after the elder statesman accused both of “colluding” to destroy the party.
This comes as 12 members of the National Working Committee of the PDP, led by Damagum, were allegedly collaborating with Wike to unseat the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
This, it was also learnt, had split the opposition party’s NWC into two, as three other members opposed the move to remove Fubara.
Our correspondent learnt that others allegedly involved in the plan to oust Fubara are the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo and eight others.
However, three members of the NWC, the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyegikuro, were reportedly against the plot.
For months, governance in Rivers State has been nearly paralysed due to the ongoing political feud between Wike and Fubara, both members of the PDP.
The conflict had led to a division within the state House of Assembly, with one faction, led by Martin Amaewhule, aligning with ex-Governor Wike, while the other, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, remain loyal to the incumbent Fubara.
Efforts by President Bola Tinubu and other elder statesmen in Rivers and across Nigeria to reconcile the two sides have been unsuccessful, as the factions engaged each other in legal battles in Port Harcourt and Abuja courts.
Central to these disputes was a case marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, which revolved around the defection of Amaewhule and 26 PDP members of the state House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress on December 11, 2023 to orchestrate the impeachment of Fubara.
During the week, rival factions of the Rivers State House of Assembly held separate public hearings on different bills.
The Oko-Jumbo-led faction held their public hearing on the Rivers Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 on Tuesday while the Amaewhule-led faction held theirs on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill 2024 on Wednesday.
The parallel public hearings deepened divisions in the two camps of the Rivers State House of Assembly, with residents kept wondering.
Jumbo-faction’s Deputy Speaker, Timothy Orubienimigha, said their Assembly was set to create robust laws that would guide the state, adding that the bill was aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for effective emergency management and mitigation in the state.
Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Franklin Nwabochi, who is under the Amaewhule group, said on Wednesday the bill sought to establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission to enforce consumer rights and obligations, while aligning with the new constitutional order.
On Tuesday, a delegation of the PDP Board of Trustees, led by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, paid a visit to Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
On the delegation were some of the founding fathers of the PDP, such Chief Bode George, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.
The BoT chairman said the party was worried by the news that Fubara was planning to leave the PDP over the crisis between him and Wike.
He expressed concern that the PDP might lose Rivers State if the crisis was not resolved.
Fubara, who described the visit as reassuring, however, dismissed the rumour of his planned defection from the party.
A senior member of the PDP NWC disclosed that 12 members of the party’s leadership were allegedly acting on Wike’s orders against Fubara’s interest.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, claimed, “During our meetings, Damagum, Bature, Anyanwu, Koshoedo, National Auditor, Okechukwu Daniel; National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed; Deputy National Treasurer Ndubisi David; National Women Leader, Amina Arong; National Youth Leader, Muhammed Suleiman, and the National Vice Chairmen of North Central, South East, and North West all supported Wike’s agenda.
“Last week’s NWC meeting led to heated arguments. While court injunctions preventing the party from conducting ward congresses were respected in other states, the same was not true for Rivers State.
“Despite the restraining order, Damagum, Bature, and Anyanwu insisted that the process should continue. Only Ajibade (SAN), Ologunagba, and Woyegikuro stood firm in insisting that the PDP should comply with the court order in Rivers. Others supported Damagum to further Wike’s objectives.”
On Sunday, the spokesperson for the opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused Damagum and Anyanwu of scheming to oust Fubara as governor.
On July 8, 2024, the Rivers State High Court issued an ex parte order preventing key state officials from interacting with the defected lawmakers.
However, to the surprise of party members, including the PDP National Legal Adviser, lawyers hired by Wike appealed the order on behalf of the party without its consent.
Though Ajibade reportedly attempted to withdraw the appeal on July 24, a letter dated August 15, signed by Damagum and Anyanwu and sent to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, distanced the PDP from the withdrawal of the appeal.
“The letter, which is now in public, was intended to betray Fubara in the interest of Wike. As a result of the letter from Damagum and Anyanwu, other party leaders are now becoming alert to the situation. Many of them are coming together to rally and ensure the party’s survival,” a national official of the PDP, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the matter, said.
“At this point, the NWC is largely divided with the majority under Wike’s control. So, the PDP is on the brink of collapse, and only the PDP governors can save it. I am telling you that at no cost.”
Another source, who is also a member of the PDP NWC, stated that the party structure in Rivers State would continue under Wike’s leadership.
According to the source, the PDP ward congresses across all states, including Rivers, were conducted successfully.
“While only three NWC members opposed the Rivers congress, the rest approved it. Consequently, Wike’s structure won the ward congress elections in Rivers. Therefore, Wike’s role as the PDP leader in Rivers State remains unchanged, as this same structure was responsible for Fubara’s election,” our source said.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, one of the three NWC members who opposed the move to unseat Fubara, told The PUNCH the party would continue to support the governor.
“We have no reason not to support him because he is the leader of the party in Rivers State. The PDP Constitution is very clear, that the governor of a state is the leader of the party in that state, and issues relating to the state are consulted with him because he is part of the decision-making in that state. Nothing will change that,” Ologunagba said.
“Fubara is a governor under the platform of the PDP. We acknowledge his contributions to the party. He is a silent and diligent achiever in Rivers State. We as a party support him because he is a member of our party and is doing well in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.”
“The position of the party remains the same as communicated in the past. That position has not changed. The party’s stance is consistent with the PDP Constitution and the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on defection. Those former lawmakers of Rivers State cease to be members of the state House of Assembly and the PDP because they defected when there was no crisis in the party. The party is united on this, and the NWC is not divided over it.”
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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