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Nigeria on the brink of failure- PDP governors
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have warned that if the alarming drift of Nigeria under the watch of the All Progressives Congress, APC, government continues, the country will become a failed state.
They expressed deep concern and alarm at the deteriorating relations between various groups in Nigeria, even as all the country’s fault lines and differences are being stretched to the limit by the APC government that clearly lacks the capacity to govern.
The governors under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, met in Makurdi, Benue State on Friday, to review the state of affairs in the country and common developments in their states.
Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum cum Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who read the communiqué issued at the end of their meeting observed that due to the rise in ethnic and tribal tensions, religious divisions, and various forms of social and political cleavages, Nigeria is in dire need of leadership at the Federal level to avert the looming disaster.
The meeting was similarly alarmed that security of lives and property of Nigerians are no longer guaranteed under the present government as a result of leadership incompetence and mismanagement of the nation’s affairs, noting that Governors have a role to play in the handling of some of the worsening situations.
They regretted that their hands are tied behind their backs as the entire coercive authority in the country is monopolised by the APC federal government.
“Time has come to take advantage of the ongoing Constitution Amendment process to decentralise the security architecture of Nigeria and involve States and Local Governments.”
He explained that the Governors reaffirmed their conviction that an urgent devolution of powers and restructuring of the country in a way that brings together various groups and tendencies in the country appears to have become imperative and timely now as Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.
The governors charged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to send a new Revenue Allocation Formula that allocates more resources to States and Local Governments to President Muhammad Buhari for National Assembly’s action.
They noted that it is a scandal that 21 years after the 1999 Constitution came into being, no new Revenue Formula is in place.
Furthermore, the governors called for a more transparent and accountable running and operation of the NNPC.
He said PDP governors further condemned the intimidation of their incumbent colleagues by the APC administration using all sorts of weapons like security agencies, unequal access to federal resources, promotion of divisions in the opposition political parties with fake promises and falsehoods.
“We significantly condemn the double standards that are applied by the APC-led federal government to intimidate PDP controlled states. To this end, we call on Mr. President to lift the so called “No flight Zone” and other intimidating tactics, imposed on Zamfara State as similar measures have not been extended to similar states with security challenges like Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Yobe and others. This is mostly politically motivated to ensure that the Governors move over to APC.”
The PDP governors took a swipe at the APC for being unable to have a democratically-elected National Executive Committee as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
According to them, a political party that operates by military fiat with an appointed and unelected Executive Committee from ward to national has no business running the affairs of the country.
” APC cannot deliver democracy to Nigeria; even to constitute a Board of Trustees has been an impossible task for the party since inception. It further expressed surprise that the APC is interested in playing politics and jockeying for power in 2023, when they have done an abysmal and terribly poor job of their current questionable mandate.”
Tambuwal said PDP Governors were distressed that Nigeria is now officially the country with the highest unemployment rate in the world at 33% and second highest poverty rate in the world under the disastrous leadership of APC.
The meeting received briefings from the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, and Chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, and assured Nigerians that help is on the way as the PDP is primed to offer effective leadership come 2023.
The meeting commended the Governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects, across the country.
“It is these legacy projects being undertaken in many PDP-governed states that will be presented to Nigerians as our scorecard at the appropriate time.”
The PDP governors thanked Governor Samuel Ortom for hosting the first meeting of the PDP Governors in recent times outside Abuja and for holding the Party together not only in Benue State but in the entire North Central Zone.
Present at the meeting were the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde; Governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku; Governor of Adamawa State, Rt Hon Ahmed Fintiri.
Also present were the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom; Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Enugu State Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ; Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki and the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Baba Tela represented his governor.
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INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without proper supervision and in defiance of an existing court order.
Chairman Joash Amupitan issued the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, after the ADC insisted on going ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of the leadership faction linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Amupitan stressed that INEC’s actions were guided by legal considerations, particularly a subsisting court order restraining the ADC from taking steps that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings. “Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” he said.
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He explained that the ADC’s plan to conduct congresses and a national convention is already part of a pending legal process, with motions related to the activities yet to be determined by the court. Ignoring the court’s directive, he warned, could result in invalidated elections or nullified internal party decisions, citing precedents in Zamfara and Plateau states where failure to comply with court orders affected electoral outcomes.
Amupitan highlighted the risks of repeating past mistakes, stressing that while the ADC is free to act as it chooses, INEC would not risk supervising illegal or unauthorized party activities. He reinforced the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act and judicial directives to ensure that party events are legally recognised and free from future challenges.
The INEC Chairman’s warning comes amid heightened tension within the ADC, with the faction led by David Mark facing derecognition and ongoing litigation over the party’s legitimate leadership. Analysts note that the statement underscores INEC’s commitment to rule of law, legal compliance, and internal party democracy, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
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Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, amid public criticism. Officials said the decision was driven by tight scheduling, logistical constraints, and aviation safety concerns.
President Tinubu visited Jos North Local Government Area, where he met with families of victims killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack. Speaking to the bereaved, he said, “You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
The visit was attended by political supporters, traditional rulers, security operatives, and other stakeholders. However, Tinubu’s airport-only engagement drew criticism, with some accusing him of insensitivity toward grieving families.
In response, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa before traveling to Iperu in Ogun State. Following a security briefing by Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Ogun trip was canceled, and an emergency visit to Jos was arranged overnight.
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Officials said logistical challenges made a town visit impractical. The airport runway does not support night flights, and the road distance from the airport to Jos township is about 40 minutes. These factors made it unfeasible for the President to visit the conflict site, meet victims in town, and return to the airport safely before dusk.
To ensure engagement, representatives of affected communities were brought to a hall adjoining the airport, allowing Tinubu to meet directly with victims, local leaders, and security officials. Among attendees were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, who had visited Rukuba to assess security operations.
During the meeting, the President consoled victims, listened to their concerns, and assured justice would be delivered. He also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers. Furthermore, he invited community leaders to Abuja for additional talks on long-term solutions to recurring violence in Plateau State.
The Presidency described the visit as a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, rather than a symbolic gesture. Officials emphasized that Tinubu’s approach prioritized safety, efficiency, and direct interaction with key stakeholders while adhering to flight and logistical constraints.
Despite the criticisms, the televised meeting was seen as reassuring by residents, signaling the President’s commitment to peace, security, and community-driven solutions in Plateau State.
Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
News
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
Armed security forces on Thursday surrounded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja as tensions escalated over a planned protest by supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The move comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the party, which has split into rival factions, prompting agitation and nationwide attention.
Eyewitnesses reported a strong presence of Nigeria Army personnel, with armoured vehicles stationed at strategic points around the INEC complex in the Maitama district. The Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also reinforced security, restricting movement and monitoring activities closely to prevent potential clashes.
The heightened security follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal. The commission said this action complied with preservatory orders issued by the Court of Appeal, directing all parties to maintain the status quo until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment.
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The ADC dispute has created two competing camps: one backing David Mark and the other supporting Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman. Both sides have sent conflicting communications to INEC, further complicating the situation and sparking the threat of protests at the commission’s headquarters.
“The names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum,” INEC stated, clarifying that it would suspend recognition of any faction until judicial resolution.
Supporters of the ADC have accused INEC of bias and interference in the party’s internal affairs. Civil society groups and political commentators have urged restraint and neutrality from the electoral commission to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Security operatives set up checkpoints and roadblocks around INEC headquarters, with armed personnel maintaining a visible presence. The deployment is viewed as a preventive measure to avert potential clashes or breakdown of law and order while the legal dispute unfolds.
Political observers note that the heavy security presence at INEC highlights the growing intersection of party politics and public order in Nigeria, as the ADC leadership tussle remains unresolved and could influence upcoming electoral processes.
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
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