Politics
APC may lose if presidential ticket is given to northern candidate -Akeredolu
The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has warned the All Progressives Congress against giving its presidential ticket to a northern candidate.
In a post on Facebook on Thursday, Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, charged the party to work hard to retain power by rotating the Presidency to the South.
The PUNCH had reported that APC governors are divided over the zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket.
“APC must work to retain power. We must rotate power to retain power !!! Rotate to the South. …Shikena (That’s all),” he said.
Apart from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, other APC presidential aspirants are the Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former ministers Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio, and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
Serving governors who are also aspiring to be president are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).
Others are former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and serving senators Ibikunle Amosun, Ajayi Boroffice, and Rochas Okorocha.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in 2011, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Nicholas Felix, Ahmad Rufai Sani, Tein Jack-Rich, Ikeobasi Mokelu are also in the presidential race.
READ ALSO:
- Kano dealer jailed over N2.8m fraud gets N100,000 fine option
- ‘Without me, you wouldn’t have been governor’ — Tinubu hits Dapo Abiodun
- Russia has seized a fifth of Ukraine – Zelensky
Akeredolu had also in May warned the All Progressives Congress against zoning the 2023 presidential slot to the northern part of the country, saying that would lead to a crisis.
According to him, it is the turn of the southern part of the country to produce the next president.
Akeredolu said the agreement reached when APC micro-zoned party’s offices during its National Convention must be adhered to.
The statement read, “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has started the process which will eventually culminate in the presentation of elected political leaders, who must steer the affairs of the country for another term. We have been able to hold the party’s Convention successfully. New officers of the party have emerged in a process that is widely acknowledged as rancour-free. The level of understanding and maturity displayed by all and sundry has been commendable. Known adversaries have been forced to accept the emerging fact that our party is formidable and ready for the next general elections.
“The current socio-economic crises are surmountable. It is commendable that the Government is addressing these issues without drama. The Federal Government and leadership of our great party will come out stronger. We cannot, therefore, afford any internal bickering which holds the potential promise of causing distrust and militating against cohesion, harmony and the zeal to achieve set objectives.
“The current democratic dispensation is anchored on the unwritten convention driven by a principle of Equity. Political expediency dictates, more appealingly, that while adhering to the spirit and letters of the laws guiding conduct of elections and succession to political offices, we must do nothing which is capable of tilting the delicate balance against the established arrangement which guarantees peace and promotes trust.
“Our party just elected officers on the established principle of giving every part of the country an important stake in the political calculus. The focus has now shifted to the process which will culminate in the participation of our party in the general elections scheduled for next year. All lovers of peace and freedom must do everything to eschew tendencies which may predispose them to taking decisions which promote distrust and lead to a crisis, the end of which nobody may be able to predict.
“The leadership of the party ensured that the principle of rotational representation guided its decision at the just-concluded Convention. The party Chairmanship position has gone to the North. All other offices have been filled on this understanding. This is the time the leaders of the party must make a categorical statement, devoid of equivocation, on the pattern of succession.
“The party Executive Committee has fixed a fee for the purchase of the nomination form for the office. It is expected, fervently, that it will proceed to complete the process by limiting the propensities for disagreement to a region for possible micro-management. It is very expedient that we avoid self-inflicted crises before the general elections.
“It is the turn of the Southern part of the country to produce the next President. The party leadership should have no difficulty in making pronouncements on this very important issue, just as it has fixed various fees for the purchase of forms. This must be done without delay. The principle of Federal Character is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. It will be disingenuous for anyone to argue against rotation at this period.
“We must not keep our party men and women guessing about the position of the leadership of the party. This is the time to weigh in and take control of the process. No statement must suggest, even remotely, that the party harbours certain sentiments which may predispose it to consider throwing the contest open. This is certainly not the time for equivocation.”
Politics
Supreme Court declares Wike’s ally Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary
Supreme Court declares Wike’s ally Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary
The Supreme Court on Friday declared an ally of Nyesom Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, as the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The apex court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had ruled against him by recognising Sunday Udey-Okoye as secretary of the party.
A five-member panel of the apex court held that the issue of who is the National Secretary of the PDP borders on the internal affairs of a political party which is not justiciable.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, who delivered the lead judgment of the Supreme Court, consequently struck out the judgment of the trial court delivered in October 2024 and also set aside the majority judgment of the court of appeal which had in December affirmed the sack of Anyanwu as PDP’s National Secretary.
READ ALSO:
- Why we want Natasha out of Senate – Kogi Central constituents
- FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
- More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option
Justice Tukur subsequently affirmed the minority judgment of the appellate court delivered by Justice Ekanem, which had nullified the judgment of the trial court on account of lack of jurisdiction.
Besides, the apex court held that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, who initiated the suit at the trial court lacked the necessary legal backing to do so since he did not show how he was affected by who is the National Secretary of the PDP.
In its decision, the Supreme Court agreed with Anyanwu’s argument that both the Court of Appeal and the trial court in Enugu lacked the authority to hear the case, as it involved the internal affairs of the PDP.
PlatinumPost reports that Anyanwu had earlier left the position of secretary to contest for Imo governorship election, only to return after losing the guber poll.
Supreme Court declares Wike’s ally Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary
Politics
Updated: Atiku, Obi, El-rufai, others form coalition to unseat Tinubu
Updated: Tinubu reacts as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others form coalition
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has formed a coalition with some prominent opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, attended by several opposition politicians, including former key members of the All Progressives Congress who have since defected.
But the Tinubu-led administration has reacted saying the coalition was driven by hate and not genuine.
The event was convened to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Among those present at the event were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
Others are a former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Chief Peter Ameh and Soni Monidafe, among others.
When asked whether the emerging coalition would serve as the main opposition against the APC in the 2027 elections, Atiku said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”
Many are wondering how leaders with differing ideologies, ambitions, and party affiliations can work together.
In his reaction, spokesperson for the Tinubu-led government, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement referred to the Abubakar-led coalition as “the coalition of Tinubu haters.”
“They are not politicians after the public good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu,” Onanuga said.
The presidential spokesperson added that Tinubu remained focused on governance and would not be distracted by a coalition of politicians driven by selfish interests.
Politics
Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State
Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State
The Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday separately approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
They however mandated a review of the situation at any time, but not later than six months.
The National Assembly also imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.
The Senate resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.
The House of Representatives was the first to approve the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
In a voice vote, the lawmakers backed Tinubu’s decision, two days after the President made the move.
A total of 240 House of Representative members attended the preliminary which was presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
While deliberating on the decision, the House made some amendments including that a committee of eminent Nigerians would be set up to mediate on the matter.
They also noted that the National Assembly is empowered to make law for a state where its house of assembly is unable to perform its functions.
This contradicts the Federal Government’s plan for the Federal Executive Council to take up that duty.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu wielded the big stick in Rivers, declaring a state of emergency in the state.
He also suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state.
Legal experts, governors, and prominent Nigerians including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi to have condemned the proclamation, demanding a reversal.
However, the Federal Government has doubled down on Tinubu’s decision and argued that it was needed to bring peace to the oil-rich state.
-
International2 days agoUK announces new passport application fees starting April 2025
-
Auto3 days agoLanre Shittu Motors offers support for EV bus design competition in universities
-
metro3 days agoIbas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator
-
metro3 days ago
Soldiers take over Rivers Government House after state of emergency declaration
-
metro3 days agoPipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration
-
metro2 days agoCourt lifts order stopping Senate probe on Natasha Akpoti
-
metro17 hours agoMore trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option
-
metro2 days agoTanker explodes on Abuja bridge, many feared dead, 30 vehicles burnt