Politics
Wike insists Ayu must resign now, not after elections
- Says it’s hypocritical to condemn APC Muslim-Muslim ticket
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike says he has accepted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party but insists Iyiorcha Ayu must relinquish his position as the party’s national chairman.
He said this after Atiku rescheduled his campaigns to enable new emissaries sent to the governor to intervene in the lingering crisis in the party.
The camp of Wike, comprising five governors and other influential members of the party, had shunned the campaign council over the refusal of the national chairman to resign.
Atiku and the campaign train expected to be in Kebbi State on Wednesday and Zamfara today (Thursday) had to be rescheduled in order for party to woo Wike camp into the Atiku project.
Speaking when he hosted Cross River State PDP governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly candidates and local government party chairmen at his private residence in Rumueprikom, Rivers State, on Thursday, Wike said efforts for amicable resolution of the crisis rocking the PDP had been frustrated by “rent seeker” in the party.
The governor said nobody could convince him to change his position on the PDP national chairmanship moving to the southern Nigeria.
The governor, during the meeting which was attended by the party’s South-South national vice chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, said the crisis in the party had lingered because some vested interests, whom he described as “hyenas and rent seekers,” had remained obstinate and averse to justice, fairness and equity in the party.
“We have finished presidential primaries; we have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying remove presidential candidate? Is Wike saying remove vice presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for? All I am saying, and I will continue to say, is that you have taken president, give us (national) chairman.
“Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, if I am saying remove the vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this?”
The governor said he could not be convinced to support the current status quo, where the PDP presidential candidate, national chairman and the Director General of the presidential campaign council are all from the North.
He said the refusal to cede the national chairman position to the South would be a recipe for crisis.
“He (national chairman) said, if the presidential candidate comes from the North, he will resign , which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.
“I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, I have accepted the vice presidential candidate. What’s the problem again? You, fulfil your part. Let the South have something; that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.”
The governor also said it is hypocritical for some people in the PDP to criticise the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, while supporting that a particular region of the country should retain the presidency for another eight years.
He insisted that for the sake of peace, the PDP should adhere to the tenets of its constitution, which recommends that when a presidential candidate emerges from the North, the national chairman should be from the South.
The governor said the clamour for the chairman of the PDP to be zoned to the South would persist until justice, fairness and equity prevailed in the PDP.
He said, “This is period that power game is being played. If you don’t have it now, forget it. If anybody tells you, let (Iyorchia) Ayu resign after election is conducted, then you are a foolish person. This is the time decision is being made. This is the time the presidential candidate, national chairman and the leader of campaign will sit, when election is won in February, before the president is sworn in, decisions would have been made.”
Politics
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other political leaders planning to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have been told to follow due process.
The Forum of State Chairmen of the SDP said new members could only be admitted from their wards.
They rose from an inaugural meeting of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chairmen in Abuja yesterday to give the directive.
The forum said there would be no sacred or preferential treatment for new joiners.
Last month, El-Rufai through his X handle announced his membership of the SDP, a move the Kaduna State chapter of the party rejected.
The party stated that he is not a recognised member.
It’s Assistant National Secretary (North West) , Idris Inuwa, at a news conference said El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumour as he was yet to follow due process.
Welcoming new members after its meeting, the Chairman of the forum and Lagos State Chairman, Femi Olaniyi, said the forum resolved to welcome the influx of new members, including prominent politicians from across the country but gave conditions to be fulfilled.
Olaniyi said, “New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the chairmen.”
“New members cannot admit or register themselves as members of the party,” he added.
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On the ongoing moves by some opposition elements to join the party ahead of 2027, the SDP sub-national leaders warned that “democratically elected structures of the SDP at the state and national levels must not be truncated or dissolved to appease new joiners or at the whims of any individuals or interests. Elected officials should be allowed to serve out their terms.”
Admitting that the merger talks with the party may warrant some structural adjustments to accommodate new members, the state chairmen warned that fundamental issues such as changes to the party’s name, logo, insignia, slogan, or any drastic alterations to the party’s Constitution or Manifesto must not be undertaken.
According to them, such issues and changes should be thoroughly discussed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party before taking any action.
The forum passed vote of confidence in the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC).
They also hailed members nationwide for their outstanding efforts in building and positively repositioning the party.
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Politics
One battle down, two to go, Natasha speaks on INEC rejection of her recall petition
One battle down, two to go, Natasha speaks on INEC rejection of her recall petition
Lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, has reacted to the rejection of a petition to recall her by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral body had said the petition for the recall of the senator did not meet the requirement of the Nigerian Constitution.
It said in a tweet on its official handle, on Thursday, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
INEC said the number of constituents who signed the petition against the suspended lawmaker fell short of 50% of registered voters in the constituency as required by the constitution.
The development comes after the suspended lawmaker accused the electoral body of bias in the attempt to recall from the Senate.
Reacting through her official Facebook page, Natasha wrote, “Oh God it’s victory for the people. One battle down, two more to go.
“Deep gratitude to my beloved husband, awesome support team, magnificent people of Kogi Central and great people of Nigeria at large.
“INEC Nigeria, you did well. Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan Proudly Kogi Central.”
Politics
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has officially announced his intention to contest for re-election in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna. The former senator, known for his vocal stance on national issues, expressed his commitment to representing the people of Kaduna Central once again and addressing key challenges facing the region.
“Any politician contesting an election depends on the political equation that determines the position to vie for. If the conditions are right and the equations are favorable, I will offer myself to contest specifically for the Kaduna Central senatorial district,” he stated.
He further emphasised that his ambition remains secondary to ensuring the re-election of Governor Uba Sani for a second term.
“For now, our priority is to see that the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, is re-elected. We will work with all our might and strength to achieve this. We know there will be challenges and opposition, but we are well prepared for all forces,” he added.
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Sani also used the occasion to urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s peace and unity during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Additionally, he condemned the recent killing of hunters in Edo State, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
“If citizens cannot move freely across the country, then we are not truly a nation. If individuals take the law into their hands for any reason, it means there is no government or authority,” he lamented.
He called on all Nigerians who desire a better country to work towards peace and unity for the preservation of democracy, despite the challenges being experienced.
Sani also urged the government to uphold fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, as a crucial step towards national stability and development.
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
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