The NWC commended party members and stakeholders for their commitment to upholding the rule of law and reaffirmed its commitment to the party’s constitution, operational guidelines, and democratic principles.
Tinubu is first real politician to become Nigeria’s president – PDP leader
Segun Sowunmi, former spokesman for ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has declared President Bola Tinubu as the first true politician to ever ascend to the presidency of Nigeria.
In an appearance on TVC News, Sowunmi compared Tinubu’s political career with that of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, and Goodluck Jonathan, claiming that none of them could be considered “real politicians.”
Sowunmi explained that while Obasanjo and Buhari were military men and Jonathan rose to power due to unforeseen circumstances, Tinubu’s success in politics places him in a unique position.
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He stated: “Obasanjo and Buhari couldn’t call themselves politicians because they were soldiers. Jonathan couldn’t call himself a politician because he came in over the misery of others, but Tinubu is a politician.”
Sowunmi also spoke on the challenge faced by the opposition under Tinubu’s leadership.
“In the present dispensation of the APC, President Tinubu-led federal government, the first thing we need to accept and which we are accepting now is that our work is cut out for us,” Sowunmi added.
He concluded by stressing the need for fresh, quality minds to rethink the dynamics of democracy and opposition in Nigeria, especially in light of Tinubu’s political experience.
PDP finally affirms Udeh-Okoye as national secretary, edges out Anyanwu
The battle over the seat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary came to a close on Wednesday.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC), has finally endorsed Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the rightful occupant of the position.
By that decision, Senator Samuel Anyanwu who has been dragging the seat with Udeh-Okoye has been sent packing.
The NWC decided after weeks of ambivalence over the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division that sacked Anyanwu and affirmed Udeh-Okoye as the party’s scribe.
Recall that the PDP Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT) had, weeks ago, directed the party leadership to swear in Udeh-Okoye as substantive National Secretary.
However, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had been foot-dragging over the directive, causing anxiety among party stakeholders.
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But rising from a meeting on Wednesday, the Damagum-led NWC finally effected the directive of the Governors and the BoT and ordered by the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division.
The NWC’s decision was conveyed through a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
Ologunagba stated that the decision was reached after extensive deliberation on the recommendations of legal experts engaged by the BoT to review the Enugu Appeal Court judgement.
The legal experts had clarified that the status quo ante bellum, ordered by the Appeal Court, Abuja on January 13, 2025, referred to the earlier order of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division on December 24, 2024, which affirmed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary.
The statement added that the party’s leadership has begun the process of transmitting its resolution affirming Udeh-Okoye to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies for formal recognition.
The NWC commended party members and stakeholders for their commitment to upholding the rule of law and reaffirmed its commitment to the party’s constitution, operational guidelines, and democratic principles.
Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC amid party crisis
In a significant political shift, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lost yet another member of the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This marks the second defection in just two days, highlighting the ongoing turbulence within the opposition party.
Salisu Garba Koko, the lawmaker representing the Koko/Besse/Mayama federal constituency of Kebbi State, formally announced his defection to the APC during a plenary session.
His decision was conveyed in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, signaling his official departure from the PDP.
Koko cited the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP as the key reason for his defection, stating that the party’s instability had made it increasingly difficult for him to remain a member.
However, rising under a point of order, Minority Leader, Kingsley China dismissed the claim of a protracted crisis in the PDP, saying what is happening is also happening in other parties.
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Chinda said while people might look for excuses to defect to other parties, it was wrong to allege that there is a protracted crisis in the PDP.
He however asked the Speaker to do the needful in accordance with the constitution of the country by declaring the seat of the member and all others that have defected vacant for them to go back to face their constituents in another round of election.
Also, Ben Etanebene (LP) Delta wondered whether those defecting will return to INEC to change their certificates of return which already has their name, party and federal constituency.
He supported the call by the Minority Leader for the seat of the defectors to be declared vacant, emphasising the operating word in the Constitution is shall, which makes it mandatory for the seats to be declared vacant.
But Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said only the Courts of the land can declare the seats of members vacant, adding that the House will act on the content of the letter sent to it by members.
Another PDP Rep member joins APC over party internal crisis
Another member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, Amos Gwamna Magaji has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Magaji, who represents Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, said he was leaving the PDP as a result of unresolved crisis in the party right from the national to local levels.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services, is a two-time member of the House and Chairman of the Kaduna caucus in the House of Representatives.
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He is also Deputy Chairman of the House Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies and Commissions looking into the recommendations of the Stephen Oronsaye report
He has also served in the House committees on Defense, Reformation Institutions, Rules & Business, Christian Pilgrimage, Police Affairs, F.C.T Area Councils and represent Kaduna state in the House Committee on Constitution Review.
Magaji is the third member of the PDP defecting to the APC since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly after Chris Nkwonta and Eriatheke Ibori-Suenu.
Objecting to Magaji’s defection, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, asked the Speaker to declare the seat of the Kaduna lawmakers vacant.
Citing section 68(1g) of the Constitution, Chinda said members of the House were lawmakers not law breakers, stressing that while the law allow any member to leave the on whose platform he was elected, it also spelt out the consequences associated with the action which include losing his seat.
He said the lawmaker has not complied with the provisions of the law and should therefore be made to lose his seat.
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