Politics
In Letter to Bagudu, Buhari Directs Return to Status Quo Ante in APC
•I hold no grudge against anyone, declares Yobe governor
•President says Buni be allowed to conclude convention plans
• Warns govs to cease fire, stop further acts that can divide party
•CECPC cancels NEC meeting scheduled for today
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, broke his silence over the crisis rocking the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and directed immediate return to status quo ante of Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party which is headed by Mai Mala Buni.
Buhari, who gave this instruction in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, also warned governors of the party to cease fire and stop further acts capable of dividing the party.
This is as Buni has welcomed Buhari’s intervention as the father of the nation and promised to work with all stakeholders, including governors whom he described as his colleagues with whom he shares same goals of a united party with internal democracy.
The Yobe governor, who spoke exclusively to THISDAY as he headed to Abuja, declared that, “I hold no grudges against anyone”, and went on to cancel the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party earlier fixed for today.
Buhari, in a two-page letter dated March 16, 2022, personally signed and addressed to Bagudu, intervened with straight and strict instructions in the uncertainties currently rocking the APC.
According to the president, the multiplicity of cases currently rocking the party has the prospect of invalidating the activities and actions of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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In the letter, which was also copied to the CECPC, the acting CECPC Chairman, Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) as well as the Inspector General of Police, the president said the intervention had become necessary since the party could not change the leadership of the CECPC without infringing on the time limit set by INEC, and the fact that the current uncertainties and controversies “pose a real threat to the party.”
He, therefore, directed that the issue of the leadership of the CECPC) should immediately returned to status quo ante.
The president also asked all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers to desist from any behaviour or utterances that would likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeorpadise the transition to the convention.
According to him, the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee, should accordingly be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned, unfailingly on 26th March, 2022.
The two-page letter, conveyed in the president’s official letterhead, read:
“As you are, no doubt aware, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently facing a litany of controversies and some level of uncertainties that may ultimately question its status and affect the status and feasibility of its proposed National Convention.
“In addition, it has come to my attention that, because of recent events, the APC is faced with a multiplicity of court cases pending against it in various courts across the country. As a result of this, the party faces the possibility and prospect of the invalidation of all its activities and actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Furthermore, the party has demonstrated its inability to proceed with the issue of effecting change in the leadership of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), in a way that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set and required for giving the INEC sufficient notice of the time and venue for holding its convention.
“No doubt, these controversies and uncertainties, as enumerated above, pose a real threat to the party; and may lead to a possible nonrecognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC. This may ultimately even lead its implosion and non-existence.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the party to, as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigations and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together.
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“In view of the foregoing, therefore, I would like now to direct as follows:
“First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECC), should immediately return to status quo ante;
“Second, all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers should desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention;
“Third, the Mai Mala Buni-led CECC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned — unfailingly, on 26th March, 2022.
Thank you very much.”
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, yesterday, further reaffirmed the position of the president.
Meanwhile, Buni, while speaking on the situation in the party, said as a large political party, there was bound to be disagreement, but that members must rise above personal interests for national interest to work together, adding that the zoning arrangement reached still stood and that he was returning to ensure a smooth and well-planned convention.
“I’m happy that since I travelled out, everything is going on well in the party under the leadership of my good brother, HE Governor Habu of Niger State,” apparently referring the Abubakar Sani Bello by nick name.
He, however, moved swiftly to reassert his leadership over the affairs of the party.
In a terse statement, the National Secretary of the CECPC, whose fate had been unclear since the crisis, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, announced the cancellation of “Purported APC NEC Meeting” scheduled to hold today by Bello.
“As directed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni, a purported emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), slated for Thursday, March 17, 2022 is hereby cancelled,” the statement stated.
THISDAY
Politics
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt on the ability of a newly formed opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Shekarau described the alliance, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as a gathering of individuals with personal political ambitions rather than a structured and unified opposition front.
His remarks came just two days after the coalition’s formation was announced, with the stated goal of challenging Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, Shekarau remarked, “This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership.”
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He further argued that a coalition featuring prominent figures does not necessarily equate to an effective political alliance.
“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau stated.
Emphasizing the legal framework for political mergers, he pointed out that only registered parties could formally unite, making the recent gathering an informal arrangement rather than an officially recognized coalition.
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Politics
PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027
PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027
Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hasn’t made its official position known on the coalition being put together by some key leaders of the opposition to wrestle power from the ruling party at the federal level, All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027, Sunday Vanguard understands that the PDP may join forces with them on one condition: The process will not lead to its loss of identity.
The PDP was in power for 16 years before the APC dislodged it from the Presidential Villa in 2015 when then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost reelection to former President Buhari.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, had, last week, announced his decision to join the coalition with other members of opposition parties to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Atiku was responding to a call by a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El-Rufai, to key members of opposition parties in the country to come together and fight Tinubu and APC in 2027.
El-Rufai had made the call while dumping the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In his response, the former PDP presidential candidate confirmed that he, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, and El-Rufai, among others, had kick-started a movement aimed at defeating Tinubu’s APC in the 2027 elections.
He spoke at a press conference organized by Nigeria’s key opposition leaders and political stakeholders to discuss the President’s controversial declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.
When journalists asked whether the emerging coalition would be the major opposition force against the APC in 2027, Atiku did not mince words.
“Yes,” he declared.
Clarity
Sources within the PDP told Sunday Vanguard at the weekend that the party will expect the former presidential candidate to give clarity to his decision soon.
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A member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter was “yet to be discussed at the official level,” said, “We expect him to shed more light on his decision as we proceed.
“For now, he is still a high ranking member of our party the PDP.
“We have been following his public statements and engagements and he hasn’t announced to anyone that he is leaving or has left our party.
“Yes, he left the party on two previous occasions over the past two decades -first to join Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election; and in 2013 or thereabouts to join others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Note, however, that on each of these occasions he returned to the PDP.
“Now, whether he is planning to leave to join others or he wants others to come join us to beat the APC rigging machine in 2027, only he can explain. “For now, from my interactions with members of his team, one thing is clear, this time around, Atiku’s move is a strategic step towards unifying opposition forces against the ruling APC.
‘Significant shift’
“His announcement of the formation of a coalition signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as opposition leaders seek to present a united front against the current administration.
“The proposed coalition is expected to bring together key political parties and stakeholders, including prominent figures like Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
“It’s worth noting that Atiku’s decision might not be universally accepted within the PDP, as some members may have different opinions on the best strategy to challenge the APC in 2027.
“Nevertheless, Atiku’s move demonstrates his commitment to opposing the current administration and his willingness to work with other opposition parties to achieve this goal.”
Identity
The party chieftain further explained that a majority of leaders and members of the PDP are resolute in their desire to ensure that the party retains its identity.
According to him, a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, spoke the minds of most leaders and members of the PDP when he dismissed El-Rufai’s call to dump the party and join the SDP.
Lamido said in an interview, “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP.
“He (El-Rufai) once said that there are no elders in Nigerian politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”
Lamido equally questioned El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his motivation for seeking power.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole”, he said.
While restating his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido said the party which he helped to form hasn’t done anything wrong to warrant him leaving to join another.
His views resonated with another leader and foundation member of the PDP, Chief Bode George, who has told whoever cares to listen that he is in the PDP to stay.
PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027
Vanguard
Politics
PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling
PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, delivered on 20 December 2024, which affirmed the removal of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that matters concerning the leadership or membership of a political party are internal affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention. The court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter initially brought by Aniagwu Emmanuel.
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However, the judgment, expected to bring an end to the crisis, has left the PDP leadership and members in disarray, as both parties in the suit—Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye—are claiming victory. The development threatens to disrupt the fragile peace the party has enjoyed since its organs unanimously endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye following the High Court’s ruling in Enugu.
PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling
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