Politics

50,000 NNPP members may decamp to APC in Kano

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2024

50,000 NNPP members may decamp to APC in Kano

In what promises to be a seismic shift in Kano’s political landscape, over 50,000 members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) are reportedly set to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The anticipated defections come in the wake of growing disenchantment within the NNPP, coupled with renewed vigor within the APC following strategic appointments and robust mobilization efforts.

Central to this political momentum is the recent appointment of Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the position of Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.

Ata, a political stalwart in Kano, has galvanized support for the APC, particularly among grassroots members who see his appointment as a reaffirmation of Kano’s relevance in the national political sphere.

Political observers attribute the defections to the NNPP administration’s perceived inconsistencies and faltering governance in Kano. Many who initially joined the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are reportedly disillusioned, describing their experience as a betrayal of the ideals they were promised.

One such member, Alhaji Sani Musa from Gwale Local Government, shared his frustrations. “Wallahi, we were deceived by mere slogans and promises. Kwankwasiyya seemed like the answer to Kano’s problems, but look at us now—policies that don’t touch the masses and leaders who have become distant from the people. APC has shown us they know how to balance governance with action.”

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Similarly, Ibrahim Aliyu from Dala expressed regret over leaving the APC for the NNPP in the first place. “Baba, I won’t lie to you. Many of us moved to Kwankwasiyya because of emotions and pressure. But APC has done internal housekeeping, and with Tinubu’s focus on inclusivity, we are ready to come back home. NNPP is like a basket full of holes—leaking everywhere.”

Fatima Umar, a Kwankwasiyya member from Kumbotso, highlighted the empowerment programs initiated by the APC as a significant draw for younger voters. “For us women and the youth, NNPP failed woefully. We need action, not just talk. APC under Tinubu and Abdullahi Ata is delivering results. I’m ready to work for APC to bring more progress to Kano.”

The expected defections, described by insiders as a “political tsunami,” are a culmination of months of strategic groundwork laid by APC leadership at both the state and national levels led by the National Chairman of the APC, former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

According to sources within the party who preferred anonymity, a massive rally will be organized in Kano before the year ends to welcome the decampees officially. “This rally will be historic. We’re bringing back thousands who now realize APC is the only party with a vision for Nigeria’s future. The NNPP administration has been nothing short of a disappointment,” the official remarked.

Another NNPP member on the verge of defecting, Malam Adamu Yakasai from Kano Municipal, minced no words in his criticism of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

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He said : “The NNPP has lost focus. Instead of uniting the state, they’ve divided us further. Kano is known for politics that touches the common man—tebur siyasah—where the people’s voices are heard. But in NNPP, it’s just ‘I, me, myself.’ APC is the platform where teamwork and progress happen.”

The APC’s recent success in luring members from the NNPP is also tied to an event held in Abuja. The Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril recently received hundreds of NNPP defectors at the Press Center of the Senate, further boosting the party’s morale. The decampees publicly threw off their Kwankwasiyya red caps and received new caps from the Deputy Senate President in a show of removing the NNPP garb and putting on the new era of APC. This, coupled with Ata’s appointment, is seen as a demonstration of the APC’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and competence.

As the political atmosphere in Kano heats up, local analysts believe the defections could place the NNPP on a “serious political back foot,” as one commentator put it. The loss of over 50,000 members is expected to weaken the party’s grassroots strength and raise questions about its ability to remain competitive in subsequent elections.
For many of the decampees, returning to the APC represents a second chance to align with a party they believe has the structures, policies, and leadership to take Kano and Nigeria forward. As the political climate continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the coming months will test the resilience of both the APC and the NNPP in Kano, a city that remains the heartbeat of northern politics.

The upcoming rally which is expected to take place at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Sabon Gari area of Kano at a date to be determined is anticipated to be a grand affair, with party leaders and supporters eager to showcase the strength of the APC as it welcomes back thousands of former adversaries. For now, the stage is set, and all eyes are on Kano as the city braces for what could be one of the most defining moments in its recent political history.

50,000 NNPP members may decamp to APC in Kano

Politics

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Published

7 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

IIiya Umar Damagum

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Few days after governors on the platform of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) handed down an ultimatum for things to change in the party, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun has moved against the FCT Minister and his loyal lawmakers, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Damagun in a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 13th November 2024 and released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere urged the electoral umpire to conduct a bye-election to fill up the 27 seats, they vacated to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Wike has been accused of being behind the crisis in the PDP over his disagreement with the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, his successor.

The crisis which started over control of resources divided the party in the state with 27 lawmakers in the state assembly siding Wike and defected to the APC following Wike’s acceptance to serve in the government of the APC.

He has also been accused of working in cahoots with Damagun to damage the PDP by not organising the National Executive Committee which would lead to the acting Chairman’s ouster.

After a series of agitation, the latest being from the PDP Governors’ Forum over the weekend, Damagun has demanded that INEC conduct elections as soon as possible, apparently moving against the FCT minister.

He argued in letter titled, ‘DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTION IN 27 STATE CONSTITUENCIES OF RIVERS STATE WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION’ that it’s “unlawful” for the 27 members to defect.

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The members defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.

Damagun said, going by provisions of the Constitution, the lawmakers are no longer members of the Assembly.

The PDP acting chairman therefore urged the Commission to perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting fresh elections to fill the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies by the unlawful act of the former Assembly members.

Parts of the letter read, “The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP who sponsored their elections to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.

“The Commission may recall that our Party, the PDP nominated all our 32 State House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State for the 2023 General Election on the 7th of July 2022 via your electronic candidate election nomination portal (See attached acknowledgement).

“The Commission may also recall that following the nomination, the Commission conducted election into the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 18th of March, 2023 and our Party won 32 seats in the state Assembly. The elected State House of Assembly members were inaugurated and sworn-in on June, 2023.

“However, on Monday, 11 December, 2023 a period of just six (6) months after inauguration, 27 out of the 32 members publicly announced their defection from our Party to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This defection is a gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended).

“The only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in our political Party. It therefore means that the defections of the 27 members are without lawful excuse and these members have vacated their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the operations of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby demand that the Commission performs its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a Fresh Election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 State Constituencies by the unlawful act of the Assembly members. Find attached the list of the 27 State Assembly Members and their Constituencies.

“While thanking the Commission for its commitment to deepening democracy in our country, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Politics

Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe

Published

9 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe

Nigeria would have been better than what it is currently if Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), had won the 2023 elections, the senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said.

Abaribe, who spoke on ‘Politics Today,’ a Channels Television programme, on Monday, said Obi would not have been as nepotistic as the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“Number one, he would not be as nepotistic as this government; he won’t; it’s not in him. That is just who we are; we feel for the other people.”

The lawmaker called attention to Tinubu’s appointment of four ministers from Ogun alone, noting that many other states have just one.

“I say it, and I don’t think so. We are seeing it everyday. I just gave you one example. How can Ogun state have four ministers? Why does he favour Ogun state? Oyo state has only one minister,” Abaribe said.

”The nepotism of Buhari, which nobody followed, has now deepened under President Tinubu because Buhari did it, and nobody said much. I was the only person shouting.”

He said that rather than waiting for presidents to be fair to the people of the south-east, it is high time people of the zone went back to revamp it, make it more livable, better, and more cohesive.

“It’s obvious that if we continue to look at whoever becomes president, they will look at us and do us right. Apart from Obasanjo and maybe Jonathan, I do not think that we have seen that same type of fairness,” he said.

Politics

Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Seyi Tinubu

Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has been tipped for the seat of Lagos governor in the 2027 governorship election.

This was according to a video making the rounds on various social media platforms, which Peoples Gazette saw on Sunday.

The video highlights the president’s son’s biography, focusing on his education, career, and humanitarian activities as a Nigerian. It also documents his involvement in youth development in the country.

This biopic comes on the heels of some groups’ endorsements of Mr Tinubu’s son as a potential successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

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On Tuesday, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders issued an endorsement in Owerri, Imo, suggesting that the younger Tinubu would be welcomed to contest the governorship seat in Osun or Imo.

He was also endorsed by Friends of Seyi, a group emphasising his vision and intellectual wherewithal to govern the country’s commercial nerve.

APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, however, described the gale of endorsements as a ploy to undermine the president in a Facebook post.

“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor? This is a needless distraction,” said Mr Igbokwe. “To pull PBAT down is their target. Ruling Lagos is not the job of boys.”