Politics

2023: South-east PDP Backs Southern Governors’ Stance on Zoning of Presidency

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-east geo-political zone has aligned with the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next president of Nigeria should come from the southern part of the country.
This is just as Governor Nyisom Wike of Rivers State has declared his intention to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in the 2023 election, under the PDP.

Furthermore, the PDP south-east also directed that the existing zoning patterns in states and constituencies of the zone must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency of the zone.
According to a statement, briefing newsmen after the Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting of the PDP, held in Enugu, and attended by the leader of the party in the south-east and Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Sam Anyanwu, members of the State and National Assemblies, members of PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) members, among others, the National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Ali Odefa, disclosed that it was unanimously agreed that the PDP should zone the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the southern part of the country ahead of the party primaries.

Odefa added that the PDP south-east stands with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum, “that the Office of the Presidency should be zoned to the southern part of Nigeria”.
On the issue of zoning at the state and constituency levels in the zone, the PDP National Vice Chairman stated: “We said where there are zoning patterns they must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency.”

Odefa added: “We also went ahead to make interventions for our members who are holding political and elective positions in Anambra State who didn’t defect to other political parties in the time of the election but stood by the party (PDP) in times of bad weather, that they should be given support to return back to their various offices”.
He, therefore revealed that the zonal leadership of the party would make a presentation to the National Working Committee for assistance in that regard.

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Wike Declares Interest to Contest for Presidency

Meanwhile, Wike has declared to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in the 2023 election under the PDP.
Wike who made this known when he visited his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom at the Government House in Makurdi, yesterday, said he was making his intention to contest for presidency known for the first time in Benue.
He argued that he was the best Nigerian for the job, boasting that the PDP would remove the APC from power.
“To remove APC from power, I’m the person who can tell them enough is enough. We must take this power and I’m ready to take it for PDP. God is with us that’s why APC keeps failing every day,” he added.

Wike also urged stakeholders to give him their mandates and not to sell their votes, assured that he has the capacity to, “face this evil government.
“He queried those founding fathers who ran away from the party and still want to be recognised, saying,” by the time you ran away, you sold your share as a founding father so you can no longer retain your position of founding fathers.

“I stood for this party; I work for this party since 1998. I have nowhere to run to and that’s why anything that happens to this party I take personally. I have never relented.
“In 2015, those who ran away made us lose election, today, they are crying but some of us stood and said PDP will not die.
“Some people want to use Nigeria to buy back their personal business, they talk about private sector. Mention the private business that survive. Is it banks that your father had? Everybody is an employer of labour. Even in my house I have 50 people who feast from me.

“They should stop deceiving us. I have performed as a governor and carry my shoulders high anywhere. I have the capacity to face this evil government. Just give me the mandate. I will speak the truth to power and nothing but the truth. I have the capacity to move this country forward,” he said.

THISDAY

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Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2026

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Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo

Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis

Senator Ipalibo Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal party crises and a desire to support national development and economic reforms. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, during plenary at the Nigerian Senate, when her letter of defection was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In her letter, Banigo explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with her constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across Rivers West. She highlighted ongoing leadership disputes, internal divisions, and litigations within the PDP as factors that undermined party cohesion, making it difficult to pursue her legislative and developmental agenda effectively.

“I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues in the Senate of my decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently join the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Banigo’s letter read. She added that the APC provides a more stable and progressive platform to advance her constituency’s interests and contribute to national governance.

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Banigo also expressed her support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and reforms, noting that the APC aligns with her vision for political stability, economic growth, and infrastructural development in Rivers State and across Nigeria. She thanked prominent political figures such as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for their mentorship and influence in her political journey.

“This decision is predicated on my resolve to join my political mentors in supporting President Tinubu’s administration and re-election bid,” she stated. She also emphasized her commitment to collaborate with APC lawmakers in the 10th Senate to further legislative initiatives and development projects for her constituents.

Political analysts say Banigo’s defection is part of a wider wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several governors, senators, and House of Representatives members leaving the PDP for the APC. Observers note that such movements are reshaping party dynamics, particularly in Rivers State, and strengthening the ruling party’s legislative presence.

Banigo’s defection underscores the ongoing political fluidity in Nigeria and reflects the strategic alignment of lawmakers seeking platforms that best support their constituencies and national development goals.

Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis

Politics

Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court

Published

11 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Kabiru Turaki

Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court

The Turaki‑led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a recent Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the party’s national convention held on November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and announced plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Turaki, said in a statement that the appellate court judgment, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the results of the Ibadan convention, would impose “untold hardship” on party members if implemented. In the statement, the PDP spokesperson for the Turaki faction, Mr. Ini Ememobong, confirmed that lawyers had been instructed to immediately file an appeal at the Supreme Court to seek a definitive ruling. “We are confident that the apex court will swiftly resolve the dispute in the interest of democracy,” Ememobong said, urging party members to remain united during the legal proceedings.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court decision which held that the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and other national officers, did not comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, including proper conduct of congresses in at least 14 states and valid notice to INEC. The court also rejected the Turaki faction’s claim that the matter was purely internal and awarded ₦2 million in costs against the appellants. The ruling has deepened a long-standing leadership dispute within the PDP, which has seen rival factions contest control of the party’s organisational structure and decision-making processes. Legal analysts note that the case raises important questions about intra-party democracy, constitutional compliance, and the judiciary’s role in political disputes.

Observers say the escalation to the Supreme Court comes at a sensitive time for the PDP, as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. While the Turaki faction asserts that the appeal seeks to protect party members and maintain order, opponents argue that the ongoing legal battle risks undermining organisational cohesion and may affect the PDP’s electoral readiness. Analysts suggest that the Supreme Court’s final determination could set a legal precedent for how internal party disputes are resolved under Nigerian law, particularly concerning the interpretation of party constitutions and the conduct of national conventions.

The Turaki-led faction reiterated its call for members to remain calm and united, assuring that the legal process would soon provide clarity and resolution. The statement emphasized the need to rescue the PDP from elements “masquerading as opposition leaders”, highlighting the faction’s commitment to restoring proper leadership and protecting the party’s democratic structures.

Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court

Politics

BREAKING: Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Defects from PDP to APC

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal

BREAKING: Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Defects from PDP to APC

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Zamfara State Government after extensive consultations with political stakeholders, elders, party leaders, and supporters across the state.

According to the statement, the governor’s decision was largely influenced by the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP, including leadership disagreements and unresolved structural challenges at both the national and state levels.

Officials said the persistent disputes within the opposition party had created uncertainty capable of distracting from governance and slowing development efforts in Zamfara State.

Governor Lawal explained that his priority remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara, stressing that aligning with a political platform that ensures greater unity and stronger collaboration with the Federal Government became necessary.

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The government revealed that the final deliberation leading to the decision took place at the Government House in Gusau, where senior government officials and key political stakeholders met under the coordination of the deputy governor.

In the statement, the governor also expressed appreciation to members and supporters of the PDP for their support over the years.

However, he noted that current political realities and the unresolved crisis within the party made it necessary for him to take what he described as a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.

By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring Zamfara State benefits from stronger federal collaboration.

The state government also called on citizens, political leaders, and party supporters to remain calm and supportive as Zamfara enters a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development.

The statement announcing the defection was signed by Nuhu Salihu Anka, Director General of Media and Communication in the Office of the Governor.