Politics
As Atiku promises to open all borders, Katsina emir says his chances bright
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was on Tuesday in Katsina, where he addressed party supporters, promising to restore peace and security as well as open all the nation’s borders if elected President in 2023.
He also promised to ensure that children return to school and face their studies without unnecessary breaks such as teachers or lecturers strikes.
He made the promise just as the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Abdulmumin Kabir, said the chances of Atiku winning the presidential election next year was bright.
Speaking at the campaign rally held at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina metropolis, Atiku said the ruling All Progressives Congress for the past seven years achieved nothing for Nigerians except bringing insecurity and hunger to the people.
Using Katsina State as a point of reference, Atiku said, “What I want to confirm to you is that all the progress made in Katsina State was under the PDP administration. Even this stadium (Muhammadu Dikko Stadium) and all the roads in the state were built by past PDP administrations. The house of assembly complex, the state secretariat, and every other thing that you can think were built by the PDP government.
“To that regard, I want to assure you that it’s high time to leave to the APC and retract our steps to the path of progress. Come to PDP so that Nigeria can progress again.”
Speaking also at the rally, Atiku’s running mate, who is the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, said Nigeria currently is in a challenging situation and needs a man that can be trusted to bring it out of its present predicament.
“In Atiku Abubakar we have someone we can trust. We need someone like him that has enough experience to take us out of the challenges, out of the hunger and poverty out of the insecurity we have found ourselves in.
“There’s no one better than Atiku in the Nigeria of today that will take us out of the problems that we are facing today.”
Emir of Katsina, His RH Kabir, said there was hope for the presidential candidate of the PDP Atiku Abubakar of emerging Nigeria’s president.
The emir made the statement when Atiku Abubakar led members of his campaign team to his palace to seek his blessings ahead of the 2023 presidential elections.
The royal father however noted that he could only support the former Nigeria’s Vice President with prayers as he is not a politician.
Dr Kabir who decried the deplorable state of things in the country noted that Katsina had been among the worse hit states in the country in terms of insecurity.
The royal father however expressed happiness that the PDP presidential candidate promised to tackle the twin evil of insecurity and poverty if he becomes president of Nigeria in 2023.
While sympathising with the good people of the state over the insecurity situation bedeviling them, Atiku donated the sum of N50 million to victims of banditry displaced in the state.
“I sympathise with the people of Katsina and other northern states that are facing security and economic challenges. I want to assure you that if elected as president of Nigeria, I will end all these challenges.
“On behalf of myself, I donate the sum of N50 million to victims of banditry in the state who have relocated to other places as a result of bandits attacks in their communities,” Atiku said.
Among the PDP chieftains in Katsina for the Atiku Presidential campaign rally includes his running mate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; Governor of Akwa Ibom and Sokoto State, Udom Emmanuel and Aminu Tambuwal; former Governors of Niger, Aliyu Babangida, former Governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, Jigawa and Kaduna, former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Maikarfi, among others.
Politics
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Hon. Victor Giadom, has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to align politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, if he hopes to record any meaningful political success in Rivers State.
Giadom gave the advice on Tuesday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where political leaders and supporters gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to the former Rivers State governor.
Describing Nyesom Wike as a dependable leader and the dominant political force in Rivers State, Giadom assured the minister of the unflinching support of the Gokana people, stressing that no rival political structure exists in the area.
“I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu, and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana,” Giadom said.
He added, “Gokana is a no-go area for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”
Similarly, former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Sen. Magnus Abe, said the people of Gokana had already made their political choice, firmly aligning with Wike and President Bola Tinubu.
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“Wike is a leader that unites, and that is why we are united. If you follow Wike, you will not go home empty-handed,” Abe stated.
“The Ogoni people are with you. Please tell President Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign — we are already for him.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, pledged continued loyalty to the FCT minister.
“Anywhere you go, we will go,” Maol said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Mr. Confidence Deko, pledged total support for Wike, attributing the people’s loyalty to his developmental contributions to the area.
“This local government is for you because of what you have done for us,” Deko said.
“Please tell President Tinubu that the people of Gokana appreciate him. The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”
In his response, Wike said the visit was to appreciate the people of Gokana for their sustained support and goodwill over the years.
He commended their unity, particularly in backing President Tinubu, noting that unity remained the foundation for progress.
“When you are united, good things will come,” Wike said, urging residents to remain patient and continue to listen to their leaders for guidance at the appropriate time.
The FCT minister further assured the people of his continued partnership with them, revealing that members of both the APC and PDP in Rivers State were united in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“That is why you see PDP and APC members here,” Wike said, describing the alliance as a broad-based political collaboration aimed at advancing development in Rivers State and across the country.
Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara
Politics
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the omission as further evidence of what it termed INEC’s “biased disposition” against the party.
According to the PDP, INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and subsequently issued reports confirming that the process complied with electoral laws and democratic standards.
The party said INEC later released nomination portal codes for the submission of candidates’ details but allegedly blocked the PDP’s access to the portal days before the submission deadline.
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As a result, the party said it resorted to manual submission of its nomination documents at INEC’s office, adding that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents.
The PDP maintained that INEC ought to have exercised caution by including the name of Oluwole Oluyede, whom it described as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no contrary submission challenging his nomination.
“There was no court order restraining INEC from recognising our candidate, and the commission’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries,” the statement said.
The party further disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the final list for the election.
“While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again remind INEC of the expectations of Nigerians that the commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in the management of the electoral process,” the PDP stated.
The party warned that actions perceived as undermining electoral integrity could damage democracy and public confidence in the commission.
Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate
Politics
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has formally invited Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the ruling party, urging him to join in the interest of unity and development in the state.
The invitation was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who spoke on behalf of the immediate past APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Abbas said the call for Governor Yusuf to join the APC was driven by the need for reconciliation, unity, and collective progress in Kano State.
“The APC is ready to receive Governor Abba Yusuf with open arms so that, together, we can combine our strengths for the progress of Kano State,” Abbas said.
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The planned defection of the governor has reportedly deepened divisions within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on whose platform Yusuf was elected in the 2023 governorship election.
Sources within the party say the move is strongly opposed by the NNPP national leader and political benefactor of the governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is said to be against Yusuf joining the APC.
Abbas assured that upon his formal defection, Governor Yusuf and other NNPP stalwarts would be received into the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje, in what he described as an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility.
He added that the APC remains committed to building a more united, stable, and prosperous Kano State, regardless of political affiliations.
Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis
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