Politics

PDP BoT submits report this week, rules out Ayu’s removal

Published

4 years ago

October 9, 2022

The reconciliation committee set up by the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party to meet with aggrieved party members, especially Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his allies, may submit its report this week, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.

It was, however, gathered that the committee ruled out the possibility of removing the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, as demanded by Wike as a precursor to further negotiations.

One of our correspondents learnt that due to the timing, especially with the commencement of campaigns, the committee believed it would be counterproductive and damaging to the party if Ayu was forced out of office before the elections. The committee believed the only way out was to pacify Wike to show understanding.

A member of the committee, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the panel was able to establish that the party’s leadership mismanaged the crisis that erupted after the presidential primary. The crisis stemmed from Wike’s dissatisfaction with the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate and his choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Independent of the previous committee set up by the party to meet with Wike to resolve the crisis, the then Chairman of the BoT, Walid Jibrin, early in August set up another committee whose members were drawn from the BoT to intervene in rifts in the party.

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The Adolphus Wabara-led committee has concluded its reconciliation tours that took it to Ibadan, Makurdi, Umuahia, Enugu and Port Harcourt to meet with governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Wike of Oyo, Benue, Abia, Enugu and Rivers states, respectively. The committee, according to findings, would meet with the National Working Committee before presenting the report.

However, the source said, “We have started putting the report together. We hope to get it ready next week (this week). We agreed not to talk to the press about the issue. We are making progress.

“We listened to Wike and I must admit that he has good intentions for the party and our presidential candidate. When we met him, he explained his grievances to us and we almost agreed to everything he said. It is the fault of our leaders. They did not handle it well.

“They ought to have called him and others immediately after the primary and hold meetings with them. We cannot do without him. We need him in our campaign council. He has charisma for campaigns, he has people around him and he also has some governors with him, and the money to spend.

“But I think it is too late in the day to ask Ayu to go. It is practically not possible. We may have to listen to him and appeal to others like Wike to allow us to manage the situation now because we cannot afford to lose the elections.”

Meanwhile, despite the meetings between Atiku and Wike within and outside the country, and subsequent meetings of their allies, the crisis has yet to be resolved.

In further demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the party over Ayu’s continued stay in office, Wike and his allies boycotted the inauguration of the party’s presidential campaign council on September 28.

Apart from Makinde, who openly demanded Ayu’s removal, Ortom on Friday asked the national chairman to either resign or beg if he must retain his seat.

Wike’s camp adamant

Speaking on the likelihood that Ayu may retain his seat based on sources in the committee, an ally of Wike, Senator Olaka Wogu, said the group would have to meet to decide on the next line of action. He noted that it would be unfortunate if the party failed to address their concerns.

He told one of our correspondents, “There is no way anybody can tell what the Wike group will do. That will only emerge when the group meets. We have a group and the stakeholders own the process. Wike is not by himself; there are other governors, former governors, senators, BoT members and prominent members, who are sympathetic to his cause and are star members of the party.

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“The issue is, what do they want to do with this defiance; do they want to stand against it or accept it? But like I said, whatever the group decides will be a product of consultation.

“Certainly, you can expect that if that (Ayu’s refusal to step down) is the position the party has taken, in spite of the hue and cry of these members of the party, it’s unfortunate and regrettable and it is something that the Wike people are likely to view in those lights.”

Asked when the group might meet, he said he was unaware of the next meeting date, noting that its meetings were usually informed by developments. “I don’t think there is any day that at least one important member of the party is not talking to Wike. He is continually being spoken to by very senior members of the party and indeed Nigerians,” Wogu added.

On whether or not the Wike group would concede the party’s decision, he said, “Every opinion is legitimate to the opinion holder, so those who feel they should concede have their reasons and the Wike group not conceding has its reasons too. The Wike group members have not asked anything for themselves; it has been on the basis of equity, justice, fair play, unity and honour. You said you would do this, do it.”

He said the group’s demands were not personal, adding that when people stand on principles, it could be a lonely road and it could be misunderstood, but that the other party should also have a rethink.

PDP, Atiku speak

Meanwhile, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council says it is reaching out to all stakeholders to enlist their support for the elections.

Asked if the council was reaching out to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has not been seen partaking in the party’s activities in recent times, the Media Adviser to Atiku, Mr Paul Ibe, said, “Nothing will be off the table; whatever will be for the good of the PDP and the nation will be done. Everything will be done to ensure that whatever outstanding issues are resolved.”

When asked if the former President was still a member of the party, considering insinuations during the party primaries that he was holding talks with the APC, Ibe stated, “Has Jonathan told anybody that he is not a member of the party? So, nothing has changed.”

Party expresses confidence

The Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, has expressed hope that the rift would soon be settled.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Osadolor said, “It is only natural that the reconciliation committee goes back to brief the party that set it up ab initio to report on the progress made so far. It will make recommendations and take further directives.

“The aim is to have a united house and a unified campaign council. Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for leadership and to rescue her from the pain and disappointment that they are currently undergoing. As a party, we will not only do this, we will do it with utmost dispatch.

“It is one party and one umbrella. It is in the interest of all of us to be united and focused on the issues Nigerians are looking up to us for. We cannot afford to be using time to salvage the nation to be dwelling on issues not bothering Nigerians,” he added.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the spokesman for the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said it would be hasty to say the reconciliation committee had concluded its assignment.

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On his part, the Director, Strategic Communications of the National Campaign Management Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu, said the party “is 90 per cent ready for the task ahead.” Momodu, who contested the presidential ticket of the party, but lost to Atiku noted, “In terms of preparation, we are ahead of other political parties.

I can assure Nigerians that we are going to the elections as a united party. Our internal issues will be over soon.

“Atiku is prepared. You only need to come to the campaign headquarters to see things for yourself. The young ones believe in him.”

The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the party and spokesman for the campaign council, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “The rallies in Kano, Bauchi and Ibadan did not portray us as a party in crisis. On Monday, Atiku will be in Uyo to take the message to the South-South that indeed, there is no alternative to the PDP in 2023.”

‘Crisis not resolved’

A former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, has queried claims by Ayu that the party will win the 2023 presidential election with seven million votes.

Nwuke, who represented the Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State, said, “Atiku is not a colossus. Yes, Atiku has no power of his own to remove Ayu, but Atiku can work with all men of goodwill, who wish the PDP well, to address threats and imbalances that may suffocate the party.

“That is the point Atiku is missing. There is no reason to cry over spilt milk if Atiku has refused to see reason. We can only wish the flag bearer and his supporters well if they believe going to the election with Ayu is a plus.”

Nwuke, who is a former Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, said he and others would remain in the PDP as Wike had reiterated but that the deficiency they identified should be dealt with for the sake of inclusiveness and the party.

“I don’t know how the seven million votes will come, but I know that Nigerians have yet to cast their votes. Ayu is rather boastful that he and others working for Atiku will rake in seven million winning votes. What else can we pray for? God help them,” he added.

Campaigns begin Monday

The PDP says it will officially commence its presidential campaign in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday.

The National Publicity Secretary in an interactive session with journalists on Saturday said the party was prepared for an issue-based campaign, adding, “The PDP will take our campaign to all the states, local government areas, wards and polling units across the country under the Unified Campaign Structure as approved by the National Executive Committee of our party.”

A separate statement by the Director of Field Operations of the campaign organisation, Umar Bature, said NWC members, governors, candidates of the party, National Assembly members, members of NEC and BoT, state executive members, former governors, ex-ministers were expected to attend the event with their supporters.

Politics

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi)

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

A political pressure group, Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference, has rejected the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, arguing that only aspirants with verifiable local roots and a longstanding commitment to the region should represent Ogun West.

The group, however, threw its weight behind the governorship aspiration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing him as a true son of Ogun State whose ancestry and political journey are closely tied to the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilaro on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Hakeem Adetunji, said the organisation, which he claimed has about 5,000 members across Ogun West, was compelled to respond to what it described as attempts to portray opponents of Senator Adeola’s ambition as enemies of the district.

According to Adetunji, the group’s opposition to Adeola is rooted in his alleged lack of historical involvement in the political struggles of Ogun West and what it described as his failure to support previous governorship aspirations from the senatorial district.

Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference

“We are here to rewrite our story because, over time, people have called us bastards simply because we do not support Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s governorship ambition,” he said.

He argued that during the 2011 governorship election involving the late General Adetunji Olurin and the 2015 election in which Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) contested, Senator Adeola was not part of the political movement for Ogun West.

Adetunji further alleged that in 2019, Adeola worked against the region’s governorship interest and repeated the same pattern in 2023 by opposing the candidacy of Biyi Otegbeye, who emerged as the sole governorship candidate from Ogun West.

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According to him, the senator allegedly deployed his political influence, resources and network to frustrate Otegbeye’s ambition in pursuit of his own governorship aspiration.

He maintained that the issue extends beyond politics, insisting that Ogun West deserves a candidate who shares the history, identity and aspirations of its people.

“Today, some people expect us to forget where we are coming from and abandon our history. We cannot do that. Senator Adeola does not share our historical background or political journey. That is why some of us cannot align with his governorship ambition,” Adetunji stated.

The group consequently endorsed Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, saying his family roots and connection with Ogun State make him a more suitable choice to lead the state.

“Some of us have identified with the aspiration of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu because we see him as one of us,” he added.

Another member of the conference, Adeshola Hakeem, also questioned Senator Adeola’s claim to Ogun West, alleging that the lawmaker only identified with the district after relocating his political interest from Lagos State.

He argued that governorship representation should not be determined solely by political popularity but also by genuine community identity, historical contribution and consistent grassroots engagement.

The group’s position comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Ogun West intensifying its longstanding campaign to produce the state’s next governor.

However, Kayode Odunaro, media adviser to Senator Adeola, dismissed the allegations, describing the conference as a faceless group pursuing a political agenda.

Odunaro maintained that the senator’s indigeneship is well established and no longer a matter for public debate, insisting that Adeola remains qualified to contest the governorship election under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.

The latest criticism follows Governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement of Senator Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for Ogun West after consultations with party leaders across the senatorial district.

Governor Abiodun had said the decision was aimed at ensuring Ogun West, which has never produced a democratically elected governor since the state’s creation in 1976, finally gets the opportunity to occupy the state’s highest political office.

As political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 election, debates over indigeneship, zoning, political loyalty and regional equity are expected to remain central issues in Ogun State’s governorship race.

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Politics

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Published

5 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Senate President, David Mark

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit that sought to nullify the appointments of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that the suit filed by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, lacked merit and was not justiciable because it bordered on the internal affairs of a political party. The court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to interfere in such matters except where there is a clear breach of the law or violation of a member’s legal rights.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, David Mark and Aregbesola, effectively dismissing Abejide’s claims.

The judge held that the plaintiff failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been infringed by the emergence of the current party leadership. He also ruled that Abejide did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the suit, a requirement under the ADC Constitution and established legal principles governing disputes within political parties.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled that the transition of leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark did not violate either the ADC Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2026.

Justice Liman explained that the July 2, 2025, gathering at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was merely a stakeholders’ meeting where Nwosu announced his intention to hand over the party’s leadership. According to the court, the formal emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola occurred during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court held that the process complied with the party’s constitution and all applicable electoral laws.

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Justice Liman consequently declared that David Mark’s emergence as National Chairman and Aregbesola’s appointment as National Secretary were valid and lawful.

The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel. Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the defendants, while his lawyer was directed to pay ₦10 million in costs pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Abejide had instituted the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, seeking to invalidate the leadership transition within the ADC. He argued that Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola was unlawful and asked the court to nullify the process.

He also sought perpetual injunctions restraining David Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary and asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising them, alleging that their emergence failed to comply with the Electoral Act.

However, Justice Liman rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and affirmed the legality of the leadership change, leaving the David Mark-led National Working Committee firmly in charge of the party.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the ADC leadership as the opposition party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections. It also comes weeks after INEC reinstated David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee on its official portal following a Supreme Court decision that set aside an earlier Court of Appeal order affecting the party’s leadership recognition. Despite Thursday’s ruling, other suits challenging the ADC leadership remain pending before the courts.

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Politics

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Published

5 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Kenneth Okonkwo and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson, in a move seen as strengthening the party’s communication strategy ahead of the next general election.

Okonkwo announced his appointment in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and pledging to discharge the responsibility with wisdom and dedication.

“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Okonkwo said.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying the former vice president prefers dialogue, consultation and compromise whenever disagreements arise within the party.

“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, his concerns over the political interests of the South-East were addressed during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He explained that the consultations provided assurances that the interests of the South-East would be protected within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the prevailing political realities.

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“At a dialogue with His Excellency and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East were discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he added.

Okonkwo also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in promoting reconciliation and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their encouragement and prayers.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he said.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo openly criticised the ADC’s vice-presidential selection process.

He had argued that choosing a running mate from the South-South would further deepen what he described as the political marginalisation of the South-East, the only geopolitical zone yet to produce either a President or Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite his reservations, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.

Okonkwo’s acceptance of the spokesperson role suggests that consultations within the party have helped bridge earlier differences over the composition of the presidential ticket.

A lawyer, actor and seasoned political communicator, Okonkwo previously served as a spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign and has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics. His appointment is expected to bolster Atiku’s public engagement and media outreach as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.