Politics

2023: Atiku, Saraki, Wike, Others To Lock Horns As PDP Throws Presidential Ticket Open

Published

4 years ago

April 6, 2022

Saraki, Atiku and Wike

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its presidential ticket for the 2023 election open, abandoning zoning, which has generated heated controversy in recent times.

Stakeholders of the party had taken different positions on zoning, with Iyioricha Ayu, National Chairman of the party, said had come to stay.

Last week, a meeting of the PDP zoning committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State ended without a definite outcome.

However, on Tuesday, the 37-member committee met for over three hours, after which they said recommendations had been sent to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

But sources told Daily Trust that the committee affirmed that even though zoning is part of the party’s constitution, it decided to throw open the presidential contest due to exigency of time and the fact that they are in the opposition.

The source said “Our Party was encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms. So that aspirants can know their fate.”

The committee was also said to have commended the contestants who have chosen to unite themselves and work for a consensus candidate.

Already, 13 presidential aspirants have purchased the presidential forms.

READ ALSO:

Daily Trust had earlier reported that the opposition party would not adopt zoning for the election.

A member of the committee from the North had said more than half of the committee members have keyed into the zero zoning arrangement to enable all aspirants to participate in the primary exercise during which a presidential candidate will emerge.

“It is too late to stop aspirants from contesting and because our ultimate goal is to win, the majority of us have agreed that the race be thrown open to all. We are going for a zero-zoning arrangement.”

“The polity of today requires a national leader that is going to reinvigorate the cohesion and unity of the country. What Nigeria needs is not a zonal president, what we need is a Nigerian president. And, therefore, we are throwing it (contest) open,” he had said.

The source said Ortom apologised when his neutrality was questioned over his endorsement of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and zoning of the presidency to the South.

“He apologised saying that he was misquoted. It was at this point that it was resolved that henceforth, members of the committee should not speak to the press,” he said.

While hosting Wike in Makurdi, Benue State capital, recently, Ortom had said “On southern presidency I stand.”

The claim of the founding member was corroborated by another member of the committee, who said the work of the committee was almost concluded.

“We have reached a resolution but we decided to make further consultations. We have reached a midcourse that all aspirants should ‘market’ themselves,” he said.

DAILY TRUST

Related Topics:2023 Atiku Featured PDP presidential ticket Saraki Wike

Up Next

2023: We’ll Bar Parties That Violate Electoral Law – INEC

Don't Miss

El-Rufai, Tinubu seek stiffer actions against bandits, terrorists

Politics

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Published

27 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has officially resigned from his ministerial position to focus on his bid for the Oyo State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation, dated March 26, 2026, was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political appointees intending to contest elective offices to vacate their posts before party primaries.

In a resignation letter, Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Tinubu administration, stating, “It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector under your Renewed Hope Agenda. My decision to resign is to enable me to fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State and dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”

The minister’s exit follows a government directive issued via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which required political appointees to resign by March 31, 2026, if they intended to contest elective offices in the 2027 elections. Other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) and Yusuf Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs), have also resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in Bauchi and Kebbi States, respectively.

READ ALSO:

Adelabu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has previously contested the Oyo governorship under the APC in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. His resignation signals renewed focus on securing his party’s ticket and intensifying the Oyo State political race ahead of the 2027 elections.

His tenure as Power Minister coincided with public scrutiny over persistent electricity outages, which he addressed in a press conference, issuing a public apology to Nigerians. He acknowledged that erratic power supply had affected households, businesses, and industries, especially amid rising temperatures, and pledged to improve the situation before leaving office. During his term, Adelabu also oversaw key sector reforms, including a N501 billion bond issuance aimed at resolving long-standing liquidity issues in Nigeria’s electricity market.

As of his resignation, the federal government has not announced a replacement for the Ministry of Power, leaving a crucial cabinet role vacant ahead of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects. Political analysts say Adelabu’s departure is likely to reshape both the federal cabinet and the Oyo governorship contest, as party stakeholders prepare for the primaries and eventual general election.

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Politics

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Published

2 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.

Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.

Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.

READ ALSO:

He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.

According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.

In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.

She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.

Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.

She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Politics

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

Published

7 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.

Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.

According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.

Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.

READ ALSO:

“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.

He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.

The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.

Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.

Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC