Politics
South’s governors resolute on power shift, says Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reiterated the commitment of governors in the South to power shift in 2023.
Akeredolu, who is the coordinator of the Southern Governors’ Forum, predicted that any political party that refused to field a southerner as its presidential candidate would lose the election.
Akeredolu said the forum is determined to work for the actualisation of zoning.
He spoke yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when he received members of the Power Rotation Movement.
Last year, the governors of the 17 states took a position on rotational presidency on power shift to the zone. They reaffirmed the position at the three meetings held in Asaba, Delta State in May, in Ikeja, Lagos State (July) and Enugu, Enugu State in September.
According to the governors, power rotation between North and South, as introduced in 1999, should be respected.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, last week, renewed the call for power shift to the South.
A one-time Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido rejected the call. He said the process for the emergence of a competent presidential candidate should be left open.
One of the aspirants from the North, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, also cautioned against sacrificing competence on the altar of zoning.
However, Akeredolu said those opposing power rotation were tinkering with the existence of the country.
He reiterated his commitment to a fair and equitable Nigeria.
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Akeredolu said: “In about two or three meetings, we have come out and declared that power must move to the South.
“Only a party that is determined to lose will field a northern candidate. You are now a movement of members of political parties coming together. What we stand for is fair and equitable power rotation. The only thing fair is that after 8 years in the north, it should come to the South.
“Some of us believe in One Nigeria that’s fair and equitable. We have a reason for it and it can be defended. Some people have argued that the Presidency should be based on competence. Are they saying there are no competent ones in the south?”
He added: “My brother governors from the South, all of us are determined. Whosoever we pick, for as long as it is South, we will support him. We are saying the President must come from the South. There are people who merit it in the Southsouth, Southeast, and the Southwest.
“I also support your approach. If you are able to mobilise the youth and do not allow the election to be rigged, then we will win. You should also get our women to support us.”
Bitrus, who doubles as Chairman, Middle Belt Forum explained that the movement was passionate about power rotation.
He said: “We are passionate believers that power should rotate in this country and should move from the north to the south. We launched the 40 million ballot movement. That’s the sensitization of the youth. We launched it for our youth to key in.
“Leaders in the south and middle belt met in Abuja and agreed that power should rotate to the south, that the middle belt and the south should move against any party that fields any candidate outside the southern part of the country,” he said.
Other members of the group are: Ohaneze Ndigbo representative Gen. Collins Ihekire; National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu; representative of Yoruba Council of Elders Ayodele Oni; Afenfere National Publicity Secretary Jaye Ajayi; PANDEF National Publicity Secretary Ken. Robinson and National Coordinator of Power-shift Movement and Forty Million Ballots Kennedy Iyere.
The Nation
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
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.
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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.
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