Politics
43 Days To INEC’s Deadline: APC, PDP In Hide-And-Seek Over Zoning
A hide-and-seek is ongoing between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the zoning of their presidential tickets, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Daily Trust analysis of the recent events of the political parties and the body language of their leaders revealed that the two leading parties are deliberately delaying the zoning of the presidential tickets as part of strategies to outsmart each other.
Issues around the zoning of the presidential tickets have created tension and divisions in the two leading political parties, socio-cultural, religious and pressure groups. It is a battle between the North and South in both parties.
It was observed that while most of the APC aspirants are from the Southern part, the majority of the popular aspirants in the PDP are from the North. Some sources said most of the contenders from the South would not mind playing the second fiddle.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had given the
parties up till June 3, this year, to conduct their primaries and produce their flag bearers.
PDP’s card
Ten days after the zoning committee of the PDP submitted its report to the National Working Committee (NWC), the party is yet to convene its National Executive Committee (NEC) where the recommendation of the party would be ratified.
This paper had exclusively reported on April 1 that the party committee, chaired by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom would recommend the jettisoning of the zoning. The committee, according to its members had recommended that the race be opened to all aspirants.
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Analysts said the extension of the sale of forms by the PDP to interested aspirants was part of the ploy to keep the APC guessing. Twice, the party has extended the sale of forms the latest of which was yesterday.
Debo Ologunagba, spokesman for the party in a statement said after a thorough consideration of various issues and concerns in the party, the sale has been extended to today, Friday, April 22, 2022. According to him, the last day for the submission of completed forms has been extended to Monday, April 25, 2022.
Before the sale was extended on Wednesday, 17 aspirants had picked the presidential forms of the leading opposition party.
PDP aspirants
The PDP presidential aspirants are; Atiku Abubakar (Adamawa), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).
Others are; Peter Obi (Anambra), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Nwachukwu Anakwenze (Anambra), Dele Momodu (Edo), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen (Borno), Sam Ohuabunwa (Imo), Cosmos Ndukwe (Abia), Charles Ugwu (Enugu), Chikwendu Kalu (Abia) and Oliver Tareila Diana (Bayelsa)
Spokesperson for the PDP, Debo Ologunagba could not be reached for his response on why the party did not make public its zoning formula, but a chieftain of the party who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, told Daily Trust that “People should not be in haste; this is our party and we know what we are doing.
“We are even ahead of other parties in our preparation for the election. No other party has talked about zoning or done what we have been able to achieve in our preparation,” he said.
APC’s game plan
In the APC, the expectation that the issues surrounding the zoning would be resolved at its NEC meeting held on Wednesday was dashed as no position was taken or made public on the matter at the end of the meeting.
While it is generally believed that since President Muhammadu Buhari hails from the North, the party ticket should be conceded to the southern part of the country, there are tendencies in the party pushing that the North should retain the ticket.
The ceding of the powers of NEC to the NWC, sources in the party said was part of the arrangement to see how the card would play out.
At the end of the NEC’s meeting on Wednesday, its powers were ceded to the NWC under the leadership of Senator Abdullahi Adamu for three months.
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A member of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second-highest decision-making organ of the party told Daily Trust in a telephone chat yesterday that the ruling party was waiting for the PDP to decide first.
The NEC member who craved anonymity said, “We are waiting to see the direction the PDP will go. If they field their presidential candidate from the North, we will equally field ours from the North.
“More importantly, we will not leave anything to chance. We are working hard to retain power. President Buhari must hand over to another APC government. That is our resolve.
“If you are a good observant, you would realise that the PDP is ahead of us in the scheme of things, talking about convention, congresses and others. So we are watching each of their steps keenly.”
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his line.
APC’s aspirants
For now, most of the APC presidential aspirants are from the South. These include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Ogun), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (Kwara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ihechukwu Dallas Chima (Abia) and Usman Iwu (Imo).
The only two aspirants from the North are; Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Adamu Garba II (Adamawa).
Those who are yet to declare but their names are being mentioned are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).
Game normal in politics – Bode George
Former Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George said that despite the politicking, the South must produce the next president, saying zoning cannot be jettisoned.
He noted that both APC and PDP were trying to play each other by not being categorical about zoning.
George in an interview with our correspondent said, “They (APC) are keeping quiet and trying to see us make foolery of ourselves because it would become a national campaign issue.
“Since the chairmanship has now been zoned to the North, automatically they are going to choose a president from the South but they are keeping quiet to allow us to pretend and think that they don’t know what they are doing.
“I am not bothered about this game. We have a norm. We have a culture and that is the political spinal cord of our party. That was what we did that endeared Nigerians to us, turn-by-turn Nigeria Limited,” he said.
Speaking with our correspondent, former member of the House of Representatives and Executive Secretary, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), Dr Wunmi Bewaji said zoning has come to stay in Nigeria. Also, the President of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, told Daily Trust that Nigerians should give the parties time.
“I think at the appropriate time, the parties will come out to address Nigerians on their final decision. The fact that the issue didn’t come at the last APC meeting and the PDP NEC is yet to ratify it does not suggest they have forgotten about it.
“Political process is not a straitjacket thing and they have to consider several factors at their disposal, talk to all the people involved and reach an agreement. Consensus building in politics is not an easy thing, it takes time,” he said.
DAILY TRUST
Politics
Breaking: Saraki loyalist, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, dies at 57
Breaking: Saraki loyalist, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, dies at 57
A top politician, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, has died at the a prime age of 57.
Ibrahim, an ally of former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki, reportedly died early Wednesday morning in a hospital in Abuja.
Newstrends learnt from a family source that Ibrahim died after a brief illness.
Rafiu Ibrahim from Ojoku, Kwara State, was a member of Kwara State House of Assembly in 2009.
He was later elected in April 2011 to represent Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of Nigeria in the 7th National Assembly.
Ibrahim became a senator in 2015 when he was elected to represent Kwara South Senatorial District.
He however lost his re-election bid into the 9th National Assembly to Lola Ashiru of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.
Politics
PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun
PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun
The lingering leadership crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension on Tuesday as members of the G60 in the House of Representatives led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere truncated plans by lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to endorse Mr Umar Damagun as substantive National Chairman of the party.
Trouble started during the closed meeting convened by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda when Hon. Ugochinyere challenged the Caucus Leader’s presentation.
Hon. Ugochinyere, who flared up during the meeting was seen being persuaded by some PDP lawmakers.
However, before the end of the meeting, members of the G60 group left the hall, thereby leaving about 40 lawmakers in the hall where the press briefing took place.
While speaking on the outcome of the closed-door meeting which lasted for over 3 hours, Hon. Chinda said: “We have just concluded the third meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party Caucus of the 10th Assembly and we have resolved firstly to tell all of us and the world that the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives remain united, indivisible committed and out to perform our duty as the watchdog on behalf of Nigerian people.
“In the same vein, we x-rayed the security situation in our country and we resolved that we can no longer take this situation where Nigerian is almost tagged as ‘one life, one minute silence’.
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“The government is therefore called upon to immediately take steps to ensure that the security situation in the country is normalized.
“And the Caucus has also given a three-month ultimatum for government to normalize the security situation in our country. After three months, the Caucus will take further steps to sensitize and mobilize Nigerians to perhaps take their security into their hands.
“The House of Representatives Caucus also agreed to call on all Party Caucuses, the Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the party to embark on reconciliatory measures with a view to resolving all litigations that are pending and have hindered the party in any way whatsoever from having a substantive National Chairman.
“We call on our leaders, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to continue to demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the party and ensure that the party is moved to her pride of place where she enjoyed the position of the largest party in Africa and to take back the Aso Villa which is actually supposed to be our birthright.
“And so for us, we are going back as we resume the session to commence a strong, virile and purpose-driven opposition to give the people a voice in the Parliament,” he said.
While reacting to the recent suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, the Minority Leader urged the Senate leadership “to recall our colleague, our senior brother, a veteran politician, a Parliamentarian per excellence, Abdul Ningi.”
Meanwhile, one of the G60 members who gave insight into the discussions during the closed-door meeting confirmed that the hard stance of the group frustrates the grand plan to pass a vote of confidence on the embattled acting PDP National Chairman.
“Our position remains that Damagun must go for someone from North-central to take over and complete Ayu’s tenure.
“Our Party needs total overhaul and reformation. We currently have in the PDP a national leadership that is in bed with the APC and is working extremely hard to hand over the party to the APC.
“This is quite shameful and disheartening. But we won’t fold our hands and let that happen.
“We are aside other demands insisting on 100 percent formation of Caretaker PDP executive list at all levels without any tampering or inclusion of new names outside the earlier resolution that members of the expiring excos should act as Caretaker for 3 months pending the conduct of substantive election.
“Our party will not be overtaken by APC, we are here to serve the Nigerian people not to the whims and caprices of some selfish politicians,” he noted.
PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun
(Nigerian Tribune)
Politics
Fresh crisis hits NNPP as party’s BOT suspends Kano gov
Fresh crisis hits NNPP as party’s BOT suspends Kano gov
The crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has taken a new dimension as the Board of Trustees of a faction of the party has announced the six-month suspension of Abba Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State.
This decision, revealed by Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the party’s National Secretary, is linked to alleged anti-party activities involving the governor.
During a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Oginni stated that this suspension stems from Yusuf’s failure to comply with a prior summons to appear before a disciplinary committee.
The committee was tasked with investigating his alleged violations of the party’s constitution, specifically his participation in what the party deems an unauthorized national convention organized by the Kwankwasiya group on April 6, 2024, at the Class Event Centre in Wuse, Abuja.
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“We called this conference to intimate you on the developments resulting from the recent invitation extended to Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano to appear before a disciplinary committee,” Oginni explained. He highlighted the necessity of addressing these issues publicly, given the governor’s status as a prominent national figure of the NNPP.
The disciplinary committee, led by Barrister Monday Mawah and with Prince Adetoyese Omakanye as secretary, noted that Gov. Yusuf did not attend the scheduled hearing or provide any explanation for his absence despite being given ample opportunity to defend himself.
“In accordance with Article 39.0, 39(1-4) on disciplinary procedures, His Excellency Abba Yusuf was availed with an unfettered opportunity to explore all openings to resolve the issues being investigated as stipulated therein in relation to allegations of gross misconduct brought against him, he however failed to take advantage of this by not appearing,” Oginni added.
The NNPP’s internal regulations and the 2022 constitution, as amended, mandate strict adherence to party discipline and the supremacy of party directives. The decision to suspend Yusuf was made following a unanimous decision by the National Working Committee (NWC), underscoring the party’s commitment to maintaining stringent internal democratic and disciplinary measures.
Fresh crisis hits NNPP as party’s BOT suspends Kano gov
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