Politics

If I, four govs quit PDP, party won’t win – Wike

Published

4 years ago

October 15, 2022

Governor Nyesom Wike

I don’t recognise Ayu as chairman

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says if he and four other governors in his camp leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party will lose the 2023 election. The governor said this on Friday during a live media chat at the state government house in Port Harcourt.

He said that without the participation of himself, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP would find it difficult to win the election.

Wike who insisted that no meaningful progress would be made with regard to the crisis as long as Iyorchia Ayu continues to remain the party’s national chairman, added that he (Ayu) lacks integrity for reneging on his promise to step down if someone from the North wins the PDP presidential primary election.

When asked about the allegations he made in a previous interview accusing Ayu of being corrupt by collecting one billion naira from an unnamed individual in Lagos, Wike said that not only did Ayu do that, he also collected N100 million respectively from a governor and the National Working Committee (NWC) for same project. He said that if he reveals all he knows about Ayu, even Ayu’s children would denounce him.

He also reacted to the statement made by Atiku using the national honours bestowed on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a vindication of his decision to choose Okowa as a running mate. He said that Atiku’s comment shows the type of leader he is but however added that the presidential candidate has denied authorizing the tweet, which many saw as a jibe at Wike.

Wike noted that he too had received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2014 and had just received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari inviting him to receive another award based on his achievement on the area of infrastructures.

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Wike denied reports that the PDP candidate deployed former governor of Rivers, Peter Odili and Delta, Onanefe Ibori to plead with him to soften his stance, insisting that the last batch of people he met over the issue were members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT).

“Odili was not contacted by the PDP to meet me.” On whether he would listen him if PDP asked Odili to beg him, he said: “All I would say is that even he, knows what is right and what is wrong. He’s a reasonable father. He won’t say so. Do you ever see him in the government house or in Abuja, or with members of the former governors’ forum? If PDP wants me, they will come to my state and talk to me.”

He also denied the allegation about his agitation having something to do with the general fear that exists about Northern domination.

He said, “Those supporting Ayu are political hypocrites, taking the crumbs from the table after the master has eaten. Zone the chairmanship to anywhere in the South. It will be okay for us. If I take this, what will I tell my children tomorrow? There are stages in guerrilla warfare and we’re not going to back down. They should not come and talk to Wike.

“The people they’re sending to me have different ideas about the issue but I keep insisting that we must do things the way our party has always done. Ayu knows the presidential candidate and chairman can’t come from the same area….They are just playing games and they’re not the only ones that can play games. If you play game, I will play game with you. There is no divided house; it is just that people are not doing the right thing. Have I left the party? No. I am campaigning for PDP in my state, so there is no issue.

“We met in London with the presidential candidate one-on-one but what came out of it? We have made a concession that we are remaining in the PDP. What concession have they made? I supported so many states – Ondo, Cross River, Imo, Edo. Cross River came to me. Shouldn’t they be happy that I’m supporting the party financially? I have no interest in becoming minister or anything. I have been chairman of council, chief of staff, minister, governor. What else do I want? If we say we’re leaving the party today, the party can’t win in our states.”

Speaking on the the solution to the crisis, he said, “Give the people what is due to them. Implement what you said. Why is it so difficult? I see some elders – elders are supposed to look inwards and say, listen, this is wrong. Some are elders because of their age. Those who are the party leaders, if they don’t think it’s injurious, why are you bothered?”

On the Executive Order 21 that prohibits political parties from holding rallies in public schools unless they make some non-refundable deposit, he said that the money is to be used to effect necessary repairs in case of damage.

He said the Celestine Omehia’s case had nothing to do with vindictiveness over the latter’s alleged support for Atiku, adding that he would have done so since 2015, when Omehia sacked him and other council chairmen on May 29, 2007 for placing an advert in support of Amaechi. On the AIT lands, he said they don’t have any Certificate of Occupancy since 2003 when the 43.8 hectares of land was allocated to them. On the employment of 50, 000 political appointees, he insisted that he had no regret, adding that he would soon increase the number from 50,000 to 100,000 because it is a way of providing employment for his people.

Politics

2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Donald Duke

2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has pledged to work towards reducing the price of petrol to about N300 per litre if elected president in the 2027 presidential election.

Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, made the pledge during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he outlined his proposed approach to the petroleum sector and Nigeria’s wider economy.

The PRP candidate said petroleum products for domestic consumption should be priced based on the cost of production rather than being fully exposed to international market prices.

He proposed allocating about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day for domestic consumption, while selling the remaining crude on the international market.

Asked what petrol could cost under his proposed administration, Duke said: “I will try and bring it to about N300.”

He acknowledged that the target could appear ambitious but maintained that his proposed crude allocation and domestic pricing model could make it achievable.

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Duke argued that fuel prices have a direct impact on transportation, businesses and household expenses, making affordable energy important to economic activity.

“Fuel drives your economy. It should be available. It should be affordable,” he said.

The former Cross River governor also indicated that he would pursue a different economic approach from the policies of President Bola Tinubu if elected.

His proposal comes amid continuing debate over petrol prices, fuel subsidy removal, domestic refining and crude oil allocation in Nigeria.

The N300 target is part of Duke’s proposed 2027 economic agenda and would depend on the implementation of the policies he has outlined if he wins the presidential election.

2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre

Politics

2027: Obi Makes U-Turn, Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

Published

11 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Obi Makes U-Turn, Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the major problem with the policy is the corruption surrounding its implementation.

Obi made the declaration during a recent interview with the BBC, where he was asked directly whether he would bring back the subsidy if elected.

“Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he said.

The position marks a significant shift from comments Obi made in August, when he said the removal of fuel subsidy should not be reversed simply because proceeds from the policy were allegedly being mismanaged.

Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Obi said at the time that he supported subsidy removal but argued that the savings should be properly invested in healthcare, education and other productive sectors.

“I subscribe, and I maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it,” he had said.

Obi has now drawn a distinction between the subsidy itself and what he describes as the corruption associated with the scheme.

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“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” he told the BBC.

The latest position also comes shortly after his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said an NDC administration would introduce fuel subsidy in its own way if the party wins the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso had argued that the party would seek ways to make petrol more affordable while improving domestic refining and petroleum production.

The fuel subsidy debate has remained a major political and economic issue since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced its removal on May 29, 2023.

The decision caused petrol prices to rise sharply and has remained a contentious issue amid concerns over inflation, living costs and household purchasing power.

The Federal Government has continued to defend subsidy removal as a necessary economic reform, while opposition politicians have proposed different approaches to reducing the impact of petrol prices on Nigerians.

Obi also addressed the question of opposition unity ahead of the 2027 election, rejecting suggestions that he should step aside for another candidate if opposition parties eventually agree to a consensus candidate.

“We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” he said, arguing that opposition parties should focus on mobilising more voters.

On corruption, Obi said his approach would begin with his own conduct and that of his family. He also contrasted his proposed leadership style with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he would exercise greater control over his administration if elected.

With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Obi’s renewed pledge to retain or restore fuel subsidy is expected to keep the policy at the centre of economic and political debates, particularly as parties present competing proposals on petrol pricing and the cost of living.

2027: Obi Makes U-Turn, Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

Politics

2027: Galadima Alleges APC Offering N50m, N200m to Lawmakers to Step Aside

Published

11 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Buba Galadima

2027: Galadima Alleges APC Offering N50m, N200m to Lawmakers to Step Aside

Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is offering millions of naira and vehicles to some opposition politicians and lawmakers to withdraw from the 2027 elections.

Galadima made the allegation during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, claiming that the alleged financial inducements were part of efforts to reduce opposition competition ahead of the elections.

According to him, members of State Houses of Assembly who agree to step aside for APC candidates are allegedly being offered N50 million, while members of the House of Representatives are allegedly being promised N200 million and a vehicle.

“Every member of the House of Assembly who agrees to forfeit his ticket for the APC candidate is currently being given N50 million, and members of the House of Representatives will be given N200 million with a car,” Galadima alleged.

He further claimed that some politicians had already withdrawn from the 2027 race after allegedly receiving the financial incentives.

Galadima also alleged that a woman from Zamfara State was coordinating the purported distribution of the money from a hotel in Abuja.

“There’s a lady from Zamfara State who is sharing the money in a hotel here in Abuja,” he alleged.

He further claimed that the woman had recently met with APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, allegedly presenting the names of candidates who had withdrawn from the contest.

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Galadima alleged that some of the politicians had written resignation letters and collected the money.

However, he did not provide publicly verifiable evidence during the interview to independently establish the alleged payments, identify the lawmakers involved or confirm the purported distribution arrangement.

The allegations come amid increased political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians moving between opposition parties and the ruling APC.

In recent months, the APC has received politicians from opposition parties, including candidates who withdrew from some State House of Assembly contests before joining the ruling party.

Galadima presented the alleged financial inducements as part of what he described as a broader strategy to reduce competition against APC candidates.

He also alleged that President Bola Tinubu and APC governors were uncomfortable with facing strong opposition candidates and wanted to ensure that APC candidates encountered limited competition in some constituencies.

Those claims remain allegations by Galadima and have not been independently established.

The NDC chieftain has remained vocal about opposition efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In September, Galadima said he was part of a group of opposition politicians working under the coordination of former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Fayemi subsequently rejected the claim through his media team.

Galadima has also previously spoken about the NDC’s strategy for the 2027 election, including the party’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

The party has attracted prominent politicians, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, amid continuing political realignments ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has previously rejected suggestions that the party uses financial incentives to influence political movements, saying politicians who joined the APC did so voluntarily.

The APC and Yilwatda have not publicly responded specifically to Galadima’s latest allegations that money and vehicles are being offered to lawmakers to withdraw from the 2027 elections.

The claims are therefore expected to fuel further debate over political defections, electoral competition and campaign financing ahead of the 2027 polls.