Uneasy Calm As PDP NEC Takes Decision On Zoning Today – Newstrends
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Uneasy Calm As PDP NEC Takes Decision On Zoning Today

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PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu

Barring any last minute change, the much awaited National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take place at the national headquarters of the party today.

Issues billed for discussion at the gathering are the vexed issue of zoning after the 37-member committee set up by the party submitted its report to the National Working committee (NWC) of the party.

The NEC has the final say on the zoning issue. Another issue that would be discussed is the venue where the presidential primary fixed for May 28 and 29, this year would be held.

Party sources said the romance of former President Goolduck Ebele Jonathan with the APC as to the 2023 presidency would also be discussed.

Ahead of the meeting, members of the two main organs of the party, the NWC and the Board of Trustees (BOT) are also said to be divided over the various presidential aspirants. 17 persons had picked the presidential forms of the party. Two were disqualified by the screening committee chaired by a former Senate President, David Mark.

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The aspirants have been going round the country to woo delegates as the date for the primary draws closer.

A leader of the party, however, told Daily Trust that there was nothing new on zoning because, “What can you zone now after selling forms to everybody; to every aspirant. People from the South, North, everywhere have bought forms, so what are you going to tell them. Even when your strong aspirants are from the North, how do you zone to the South.

“I can tell you APC refused to zone because PDP has not zoned. They want to force PDP to the South. But the party does not want to be forced.”

The source also said the consensus arrangement was not dead and disclosed that, “The final week to the primary is very crucial. I can tell you that a lot of things will still happen. The aspirants were 17, they said two have been disqualified, I can tell you that all the 15 will not go into the election.

Contacted, spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said there was a process in the party and that all information would have to wait till after the NEC meeting.

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Labour Party collapses into APC in Plateau

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Labour Party collapses into APC in Plateau

In a major political development in Plateau State, the Labour Party in the Northern Zone has officially merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant shift in the region’s political dynamics. The formal defection took place this morning at the APC Secretariat, Kalwa House, Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos.

Led by former Labour Party Senatorial candidate, Barrister Gyang Zi SAN, thousands of party faithful pledged their allegiance to the APC, declaring the ruling party the most viable platform for the socio-economic transformation of their communities.

Addressing the APC State Working Committee, Barrister Zi stated that the decision was reached after extensive consultations and careful evaluation of the political landscape. He noted that the APC’s track record, particularly in implementing people-oriented policies and developmental programmes, made it the natural choice for their political aspirations.

“Our resolve to join the APC is a strategic step to build, consolidate and mobilise for the party’s continued success across all levels of governance,” Barrister Zi explained.

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Receiving the defectors, Plateau State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Rufus Bature, described the occasion as a historic milestone for the region. He noted that the mass defection had effectively altered the political arithmetic in the Northern Zone.

“Today marks a turning point in our political journey. The inclusion of our brothers and sisters from the Labour Party signals a broader unity and shared commitment to delivering good governance,” Rt. Hon. Bature stated.

He assured the new members that they would enjoy equal rights and privileges within the party, urging them to actively participate and take full advantage of the opportunities within the APC structure.

In a show of solidarity, goodwill messages were received from the APC leadership in the United Kingdom, and the ceremony concluded with the presentation of the APC flag to Barrister Zi, symbolising his formal induction into the party.

Joining him were all six former Labour Party flagbearers for the State House of Assembly, as well as candidates for local government chairmanship and councillorship positions—further cementing the scope and impact of the defection.

This latest development is expected to significantly influence political alignments ahead of future electoral cycles in Plateau State.

Labour Party collapses into APC in Plateau

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2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu

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Dele Momodu

2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains the best opposition candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Momodu said Atiku stands out in terms of political experience, national reach, and support base.

His words: “You have to be realistic. It’s a game of numbers, and it’s also a game of your network.

“There’s no one in Nigeria today as experienced, as exposed, as networked as Atiku Abubakar from 1993 when he stepped down for Chief MKO Abiola in Jos.”

He said the opposition needs a candidate who can mobilise votes across both northern and southern Nigeria, adding that only Atiku fits the profile.

“For anybody to face a Tinubu, that person has to come from the opposite direction. Which means it must be someone who can get the North to coalesce behind him.

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“So, I pray that the coalition will be able to achieve that. I don’t know if they will, but I’m sure they are working on that. Then it must be someone who has a substantial network in the South. There is no other person I can see who has that kind of network behind him,” he stated.

Citing the example of Donald Trump’s continued relevance in American politics, Momodu said political necessity often trumps past performance.

“Why do you think the Republicans in America will risk a Donald Trump, a man who already lost the election, who already got indicted on many felonies? It is because they need him,” he said.

Speaking on Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement, the PDP chieftain said leadership should be about performance, not geography.

“Democracy as practised in Nigeria is done every four years because it is an examination. You pass, or you fail.

“The only qualification cannot be about where you come from. The only qualification we’re seeing now is that it should be a southerner,” he concluded.

2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu

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Delta Governor Oborevwori dumps PDP for APC 

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Delta Governor Oborevwori dumps PDP for APC 

Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement came after a high-level closed-door meeting held at the Government House in Asaba on Tuesday evening.
The governor’s defection is coming just after a viral video stirred speculation about his political future. In the footage, which sparked online debates, Oborevwori was seen in close company with known APC stakeholders. At the time, his media aide dismissed the clip as “old and misleading.”
Newstrends learnt senior APC figures were present to welcome the governor into their fold, signaling a significant political realignment in the South-South state.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, said Oborevwori’s decision was based on “wide consultations with political stakeholders and in the interest of Delta’s long-term development.”

“This move was not made lightly,” Ahon emphasized. “The governor is deeply committed to the prosperity of Delta State and believes that working with the APC at the federal level will help accelerate growth and deliver better dividends of democracy to the people.”

Governor Oborevwori was elected under the PDP platform in the 2023 gubernatorial election, defeating his opponents to secure the governorship seat. His defection to the APC, however, is already being interpreted by political analysts as a calculated strategy with an eye on the 2027 general elections

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