PDP supporters shout 'Atiku Atiku' at G-5 govs rally for Makinde - Newstrends
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PDP supporters shout ‘Atiku Atiku’ at G-5 govs rally for Makinde

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Aggrieved five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, popularly called G-5, were on Thursday embarrassed by the shout of ‘Atiku, Atiku’ from the crowd of party supporters at a rally organised by the G-5 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Atiku Abubakar is the PDP presidential candidate for the February 2023 election.

The Thursday’s forum was the official launch of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s second-term bid.

The governors had fallen out with their party’s leadership over the outcome of the presidential primary that produced Atiku. Thus, his name was, obviously, the last thing they wanted to hear among their supporters at Thursday’s rally.

Thisday reports that when supporters were asked to vote other candidates of the party, to the exclusion of the former vice president, the crowd at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, venue of the rally, reacted swiftly in open resistance.
The deafening cries of “Atiku” was a major blow to the G-5, comprising Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Makinde, and Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

And contrary to the widely held belief that the five governors were working against the main opposition party, Ortom said the group was still committed to the party.
He said they were working round the clock to ensure that PDP won all elections in their respective states.

In Abia State, PDP supporters in Ikpeazu’s hometown, affirmed their backing for Atiku, in yet another blow for the dissenting governors.
But in Rivers State, Wike finally approved Atiku’s campaign in the state after an initial resistance.
The G-5 governors, who were all in attendance at the Ibadan rally, in their separate remarks at the re-election campaign tagged, “Omituntun 2.0: Sustainable Development,” were silent on the candidate to support in the forthcoming presidential election.
The Ibadan rally was well attended by party members from within and outside the state, hundreds of thousands of citizens, howeverIn his speech at the rally, Wike, who is the leader of the G-5, said, “Vote for Seyi, vote for the House of Representatives, vote for the House of Assembly. The other one, Seyi, would talk to you. No be so?”
But in response, the crowd started shouting, “Atiku, Atiku, Atiku…” Even when Makinde mounted the podium and tried to douse the strong opposition chants by shouting “PDP”, the response from the crowd was “Atiku, Atiku, Atiku…”
However, Ortom said the G5 governors and other members of the party working with them in the integrity group were “committed members of the PDP in their various states” and would work to ensure that candidates of the party in their states were elected in the forthcoming polls.
The Benue State governor stressed that the problem of PDP at the national level was being prolonged by the failure of the party’s leadership to deploy its internal conflict resolution mechanism to settle issues that arose after the national convention.Ortom was full of praises for Makinde’s commitment to the development of Oyo State. He expressed optimism that the people of the state would return him for a second term.
He thanked the people of Oyo State for their support for PDP and Makinde, pointing out that their massive turnout at the campaign flag-off was an indication that the election in March was a done deal for the party.Ortom said the G5 governors’ decision on the presidential candidate to support would be made public “at the appropriate time”. He declared that apart from the presidential election, the G5 governors would work for all PDP candidates in the 2023 general election.
The Benue State governor stated, “We have challenges with our national leadership. They have failed to resolve the internal crisis in the party arising from the party’s national convention. We shall make our resolve on this known at the appropriate time.”Ortom asked the people of Oyo State to compensate Makinde with their votes for his good performance in the past three years and seven months by reelecting him in the March 11 election.
Wike, on his part, said the people of Oyo State should await the directive of Makinde on who they should vote for in the February 25 presidential election. He said as far as he was concerned, there was no other political party in Oyo State apart from PDP.The Rivers State governor said the only way for the people of the state to appreciate Makinde was to vote for him.Makinde, in his remarks, appreciated the people and party faithful for entrusting the destiny of the state to him. He assured that more development projects and programmes will be witnessed in the state if he was reelected for another term of four years.
Makinde said he jerked up the state’s internally generated revenue from about N1.7 billion to N3.8 billion as at November last year. He promised to do more for Oyo State and its people if reelected, saying he has fulfilled all his campaign promises in his first term.He stated, “In my first term, I promised you the following on agenda Omituntun 1.0 known as accelerated development: economic prosperity, education, improved infrastructure (Awotan, Akobo, Moniya/Ijaye Road), GSM salary date, safe and secure environment (Amotekun), gainful employment with total fulfillment.“My second term will be towards total socio-economic upgrade in the state. This is formally known as the Omituntun 2.0, a sustainable development.”
The PDP supporters in the hometown of Ikpeazu avowed their support for Atiku.
Earlier, the PDP governorship candidate in Abia State, Prof. Uche Ikonne, visited Atiku and pledged loyalty to him.
PDP supporters in Obingwa Local Government Area said they had not only adopted, but also vowed to deliver Atiku in next month’s election.
According to them, party remains supreme in everything, hence, they have no option than to support the party’s standard bearer as party faithful.
In a campaign video, addressing party faithful and stakeholders at Abala Primary School, the chairman of PDP in Obingwa, Seth Agomuo, declared the loyalty and unflinching support of the party members for Atiku.
Agomuo said PDP in the council would give their block votes to all the party’s candidates in the different elections.
He said, “As a party chairman, and a true party man here in Obingwa, I want to clarify something. As far as I’m concerned, and a true party man, candidates have emerged after contested primary elections, such candidates now belong to the party and the party will support them.
“That’s the truth. I’m a true party man. Whether you love the candidate or hate him, that doesn’t matter as long as he emerged from a primary election conducted by the party.
“So, as far as I’m concerned and as far as I’m the PDP chairman in Obingwa, we shall only vote for PDP candidates, from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the Senate, House Representatives, governor, and state House of Assembly.
“We are PDP and that’s our stand. We’re Igbos, but our party comes first before any other thing.”  The G-5 governors had vowed that Atiku’s presidential bid would not get their full support unless the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu vacated his position for a southerner, to ensure equity in the party hierarchy.

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ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

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8 hours ago

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November 9, 2026

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ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised fresh concerns over the handling of its leadership crisis, accusing the Federal High Court in Abuja of delaying the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment that nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.

 

The party’s Presidential Campaign Council said the continued delay had denied affected parties access to the full details of the judgment, despite the payment of the prescribed fees for obtaining certified copies.

 

In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said lawyers representing some of the defendants had formally applied for the certified judgment but were yet to receive the document.

 

According to the council, counsel to the third defendant submitted an application on November 5, the day Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment, while counsel to the first defendant filed another application on November 6.

 

The council maintained that both applications carried the Federal High Court’s official ‘PAID’ stamp, indicating that the required fees had been settled.

 

Shaibu questioned why the certified judgment had remained inaccessible despite the judge’s reported declaration in open court that copies were ready.

 

He argued that the delay was particularly troubling because the judgment directly affected the leadership and future of the opposition party, as well as the political interests of its members.

 

The ADC campaign council maintained that without the certified copy, affected parties could not properly establish the precise orders made by the court or fully determine the appropriate legal steps to challenge them.

 

It described the situation as a denial of access to justice, insisting that litigants should not be subjected to unnecessary difficulties in obtaining official copies of judicial decisions affecting their rights.

 

The council also recalled its earlier objection to Justice Lifu presiding over the case, saying its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had previously raised concerns about the judge’s impartiality.

 

It further questioned the timing of the judgment, which was delivered days after the ADC’s campaign activities in Sokoto, alleging that the circumstances surrounding the ruling and the subsequent delay in releasing the certified copy had heightened suspicions among party members.

 

The ADC had earlier rejected the November 5 judgment and announced plans to challenge it through the appropriate judicial channels.

 

In the controversial ruling, Justice Lifu nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership structure and invalidated actions taken by the disputed executive, including decisions connected to the party’s 2027 presidential nomination.

 

The ruling also recognised the position of Nafiu Bala Gombe in the leadership dispute.

 

The ADC has vowed to pursue every lawful avenue to challenge the judgment, while demanding an immediate explanation for the delay in releasing its certified copy.

 

As of Monday, November 9, there was no reported official response from the Federal High Court addressing the campaign council’s latest allegation.

 

 

ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

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Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

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8 hours ago

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November 9, 2026

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One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

 

ASABA, DELTA STATE – Tension has heightened in Asaba, Delta State, following a protest by members of a task force over the killing of their colleague during Saturday’s violent political clash involving supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

 

The protest reportedly took place on Monday, November 9, 2026, two days after violence erupted during a political procession organised by the Obedient/OK Movement in support of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

 

According to reports, the task force members took to the streets to express their anger over the death of their colleague, who was reportedly among those affected by Saturday’s violence.

 

The protest came amid growing tension over the circumstances surrounding the deadly confrontation, which left one person dead and several others injured.

 

The incident occurred along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, at about 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, during the political procession.

 

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the death and disclosed that five other people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

 

The police said they had received intelligence suggesting a possibility of violence before the procession and subsequently invited the organisers to a security meeting.

 

According to the command, the organisers were advised against holding an open-road procession and encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security could be provided.

 

However, the police alleged that the organisers ignored the advice and proceeded with the procession.

 

Following the violence, the command announced that it had commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash and identify those responsible.

 

The Delta State Government also condemned the incident, describing the loss of life as unacceptable and calling on the police to ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

 

The development has further heightened concerns over political violence and public safety in Delta State as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The circumstances surrounding Monday’s protest, including the full identity of the deceased task force member and the extent of the protesters’ demands, were not immediately clear.

 

 

Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

 

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Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

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1 day ago

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November 8, 2026

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Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate
Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) counterpart, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have presented contrasting development plans for Lagos State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The two candidates outlined their policy priorities during the 2026 Lagos State Governorship Debate held in Lekki on Sunday, November 8, with particular attention to housing, transportation, infrastructure, security, healthcare, waste management and accountable governance.

Hamzat, who described the debate as a job interview, relied heavily on his experience in public service, arguing that his professional background and previous appointments had prepared him for the responsibility of governing Lagos.

He said his experience as a teacher, case manager in New York and systems manager, alongside his years in the Lagos State Government, had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the state’s affairs.

The APC candidate recalled his time as Commissioner for Science and Technology, during which he said he led the development of the state’s residents and structural database.

He also highlighted his tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, citing his involvement in the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including a cable bridge described as the first of its kind in West Africa and the second in Africa.

Hamzat said effective governance required a leader who understood the people, the state and the responsibilities attached to public office.

Presenting his development blueprint, tagged Jacob’s Promise, he said it was structured around seven pillars, seven broad areas of action and 100 pledges.

He identified respect for citizens, hard work and truthfulness as the principles that would guide his administration, adding that government should prioritise actual delivery over public announcements.

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According to him, residents should evaluate candidates based on their experience, the substance of their programmes and their ability to translate promises into tangible results.

In contrast, Rhodes-Vivour argued that Lagos needed a different approach to governance, accusing successive administrations of prioritising the interests of wealthy residents and privileged communities over those of ordinary people.

The ADC candidate said his political activities and manifesto had consistently focused on improving the living conditions of ordinary Lagos residents.

He maintained that the state needed an integrated development strategy capable of addressing interconnected challenges in housing, transportation, healthcare, education, waste management and urban planning.

On housing, Rhodes-Vivour promised to deliver 100,000 housing units within his first four years if elected.

He proposed funding social housing through luxury taxation, developing the eastern foreshore and intergenerational areas, and decentralising housing development across the state.

He also promised to expand Lagos’ railway network, saying his administration would connect the state’s rail lines within two and a half years through a private-sector-driven arrangement.

He said the proposed approach would be transparent, equitable and cost-effective, with the objective of improving connectivity and opening up more communities for development.

Rhodes-Vivour further argued that the state’s high internally generated revenue should translate into improved living conditions and better public services for residents.

He cited communities such as Makoko while criticising what he described as development policies that displaced ordinary residents in favour of elite interests.

The ADC candidate also pledged to address traffic congestion, flooding, waste management and the activities of street touts, popularly known as agberos.

OTHER CANDIDATES PRESENT THEIR VISIONS

The debate also featured governorship candidates of other political parties, including Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Deji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Funso Doherty criticised the state’s revenue and taxation system, arguing that Lagos residents continued to face multiple levies without receiving public services commensurate with the revenue generated by the government.

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He maintained that Lagos was operating below its potential despite its substantial internally generated revenue.

The NDC candidate, who said he had spent about 30 years in the private sector, promised a new direction for the state, particularly in healthcare and essential public services.

He urged residents to hold his party accountable if elected.

Deji Doherty, on his part, highlighted the need to improve electricity supply and create more economic opportunities for residents.

He said his experience as a technocrat and industrialist had informed his decision to seek the governorship position.

On housing, the PDP candidate cautioned against making unrealistic promises, arguing that the cost of land and building materials must be considered before setting ambitious construction targets.

He also raised concerns about gaps in primary healthcare delivery, particularly in some island communities.

DEBATE AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTION

The Lagos governorship debate was organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition of media organisations comprising Channels Television, TVC News, The PUNCH, TheCable and Vanguard.

The exercise is part of a series of debates scheduled ahead of the 2027 general elections, aimed at giving candidates a platform to explain their programmes and respond to questions on issues affecting Nigerians.

The organisers said the debate was designed to promote issue-based political engagement, democratic accountability and informed electoral choices.

The participating candidates were expected to address major concerns affecting Lagos residents, including the economy and cost of living, transportation and infrastructure, flooding and the environment, healthcare and social welfare, security and accountability.

The February 6, 2027 governorship election will determine who succeeds Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of Lagos State.

Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

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