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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3 years ago

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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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Peter Obi Defects to ADC, Unveils Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

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3 minutes ago

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December 31, 2025

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Peter Obi with ADC logo
Peter Obi with ADC logo

Peter Obi Defects to ADC, Unveils Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signalling a major realignment in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi officially joined the ADC-led opposition coalition on Tuesday at a well-attended event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, where several national political leaders and influential figures converged.

Among those present at the defection ceremony were former Senate President David Mark; former governors Achike Udenwa and Sam Egwu; former PDP National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo; and ex-Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.

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Also in attendance were Senators Victor Umeh, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Ben Obi; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; Tony Nwoye; Gilbert Nnaji; Onyema Ugochukwu; Hon. Idu Emeka; Hon. Sheumi; human rights activist Aisha Yesufu; renowned economist Prof. Pat Utomi; and Chief Mrs Josephine Anini, among others.

Speaking at the event, the former Anambra State governor said his decision to leave the Labour Party and join the ADC coalition was motivated by the urgent need to rescue and transform Nigeria.

“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026, we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi declared.

He further pledged that the coalition would not tolerate electoral malpractice in the next general election.

“We will resist election rigging by every lawful means in 2027,” he said.

Obi’s defection is widely seen as a significant boost to the ADC opposition alliance, as political actors intensify manoeuvres ahead of the next presidential contest.

Peter Obi Defects to ADC, Unveils Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

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Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

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18 hours ago

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December 30, 2025

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Hon. Victor Giadom, has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to align politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, if he hopes to record any meaningful political success in Rivers State.

Giadom gave the advice on Tuesday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where political leaders and supporters gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to the former Rivers State governor.

Describing Nyesom Wike as a dependable leader and the dominant political force in Rivers State, Giadom assured the minister of the unflinching support of the Gokana people, stressing that no rival political structure exists in the area.

“I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu, and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana,” Giadom said.

He added, “Gokana is a no-go area for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”

Similarly, former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Sen. Magnus Abe, said the people of Gokana had already made their political choice, firmly aligning with Wike and President Bola Tinubu.

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“Wike is a leader that unites, and that is why we are united. If you follow Wike, you will not go home empty-handed,” Abe stated.
“The Ogoni people are with you. Please tell President Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign — we are already for him.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, pledged continued loyalty to the FCT minister.

“Anywhere you go, we will go,” Maol said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Mr. Confidence Deko, pledged total support for Wike, attributing the people’s loyalty to his developmental contributions to the area.

“This local government is for you because of what you have done for us,” Deko said.
“Please tell President Tinubu that the people of Gokana appreciate him. The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”

In his response, Wike said the visit was to appreciate the people of Gokana for their sustained support and goodwill over the years.

He commended their unity, particularly in backing President Tinubu, noting that unity remained the foundation for progress.

“When you are united, good things will come,” Wike said, urging residents to remain patient and continue to listen to their leaders for guidance at the appropriate time.

The FCT minister further assured the people of his continued partnership with them, revealing that members of both the APC and PDP in Rivers State were united in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“That is why you see PDP and APC members here,” Wike said, describing the alliance as a broad-based political collaboration aimed at advancing development in Rivers State and across the country.

Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

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Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

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20 hours ago

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December 30, 2025

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Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the omission as further evidence of what it termed INEC’s “biased disposition” against the party.

According to the PDP, INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and subsequently issued reports confirming that the process complied with electoral laws and democratic standards.

The party said INEC later released nomination portal codes for the submission of candidates’ details but allegedly blocked the PDP’s access to the portal days before the submission deadline.

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As a result, the party said it resorted to manual submission of its nomination documents at INEC’s office, adding that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents.

The PDP maintained that INEC ought to have exercised caution by including the name of Oluwole Oluyede, whom it described as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no contrary submission challenging his nomination.

“There was no court order restraining INEC from recognising our candidate, and the commission’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries,” the statement said.

The party further disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the final list for the election.

“While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again remind INEC of the expectations of Nigerians that the commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in the management of the electoral process,” the PDP stated.

The party warned that actions perceived as undermining electoral integrity could damage democracy and public confidence in the commission.

Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

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