Politics

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2023

Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Peter Obi

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

The Labour Party faction under the leadership of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa has reacted to the verdict of the Presidential Election Petitions Court, which dismissed the suit filed against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the party’s candidate in the presidential poll of February 25, 2023, Peter Obi.

This was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the party had warned that Obi was only chasing a wild goose by going to the PEPC, adding that it was a shame his legal team failed to advice him properly before going to the tribunal.

While saying that the Party accept the verdict without any bias, Arabambi added that the whole process was a waste of time.

He said: “Peter Obi has just gone on a wild goose chase, imaging (sic) the candidate that failed to fund the Party in order to engage the number of required polling agents, also the filing of the witnesses outside the stipulated time has shown that the legal team is a failure.

“Some of us have been saying that Peter Obi decided to go to the tribunal to justify all the money he collected during the campaign, all that money was corruptly syphoned.

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“Its (Sic) unfortunate that Obi failed to convince the Tribunal those polling units where he was rigged out.

“The tribunal also said that he ‘made generic allegations of irregularities against the respondent without specifying the polling units.

“‘The petitioners allege irregularities and will use spreadsheets, inspection reports, and forensic analysis as evidence in the trial.

“‘The documents promised by the petitioners were not attached to the petition and served on the respondents.’”

Arabambi noted that the positions of the Court had been those the party under Apapa had been canvassing, including that “Obi and the Labour Party did not adequately detail their allegations of corrupt practices, vote suppression, fictitious results, and other irregularities in their petition.

“Labour party noted with all sense of purpose and in full agreement with the Presidential Tribunal that Strikes Out Report From The EU Tendered By Peter Obi From Its Record For Not Meeting The Clarification Guidelines.

“The court said it rejected the reports on the ground that it was not tendered by official of the body which is the author and has custody of the document and also that Peter Obi lawyers were aware that the actual copy of the report was earlier in line with all extant Law that same report had earlier been tendered by Atiku Abubakar and PDP while prosecuting their petition before the tribunal.

“The Tribunal also affirmed that the Nigeria Police, through its IGP, had written to the US to confirm the criminal status of Bola Tinubu and the US government had replied in 2003 stating that Bola Tinubu had no criminal records in the US.”

Arabambi added: “Thus our previous position has now been confirmed that Peter Obi was just all out to defraud our party of donations made towards 2023 General Election which was in a scary Sum of $15m dollars and N12 billion Naira that Peter Obi deliberate (sic) used for cure ABURE Poverty lineage and help other Julius ABURE IPOB irresponsible ethnic irredeemable irredentist supporters in order to have a life line.

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“Our party is also in tandem with the tribunal that the Claim By The Labour Party Concerning the Blurred 18,088 Results Sheets Is Totally Unfounded As The Party Ought To Have Agents At Every Polling Unit Who Will Have A Copy Of The Result Sheet but here Peter Obi fraudulently converted all monies due to our agent across the country and they all refuse to represent the party at all pooling units.

“On Peter Obi request that 25% FCT vote is a requirement before a president can be declared, we noted that this is a shame on the part of Peter Obi legal teams to be told in clear terms that Abuja Is Equal To Every Other States In Nigeria since according to the Tribunal , Residents Of Abuja Don’t Have Special Privileges, Every Nigerian Is Equal.

“Finally, in the hall of fame of absurdities, the prayers presented at the tribunal by Peter Obi and the restrained former National Chairman Julius Abure should be framed for entertainment of future students of Law.

“How does anyone claim to have won an election based solely on pejoratives, assumption, vague rhetorics and zero evidence pointing to such being the case, but on the expectation that the actual winner would be disqualified and by some stroke of black magic the candidate in the 3rd place will suddenly be declared winner, without any proof of having scored the Majority vote is absolute rascality on display by Peter Obi and Julius Abure.

“As a law abiding Party, we accept the verdict, and we are going back to the drawing board to know where we have gone wrong.”

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

Related Topics:Featured LP faction PEPC Peter Obi

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Politics

BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis

Published

38 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

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Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives

BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex‑Governor of Sokoto State, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and deepening divisions as reasons for his departure.

Tambuwal made the announcement on social media platform X on Thursday, confirming that he had communicated his resignation in writing to his ward chairman before officially enlisting in the ADC along with close associates and supporters. “Today, after deep reflection and consultations, I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, and I have communicated my resignation to my ward chairman in writing,” he stated.

While acknowledging the PDP’s historical role in shaping his political career — which includes two terms as Governor of Sokoto State and a tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives — Tambuwal said the party’s internal deterioration made continued membership untenable. “The persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and growing divisions within the PDP have made it increasingly difficult to continue my membership of the party. These developments have unfortunately weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party and have necessitated this decision,” he added.

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Explaining his choice of the ADC, Tambuwal expressed confidence in the party as a platform for democratic progress, integrity, accountability, and inclusive governance in Nigeria. “I am convinced that this decision is guided by my belief that Nigeria needs a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and a clear commitment to national development,” he said, reaffirming his dedication to democracy, justice, and national unity.

Tambuwal’s defection comes amid a series of high-profile defections from the PDP, including lawmakers and political leaders who have left the party over leadership disputes and factional disagreements. Analysts note that his move strengthens the ADC’s position as a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in northern Nigeria where Tambuwal wields significant influence.

The shift also underscores the deepening crisis within the PDP, which has faced repeated defections and legal battles over party leadership. Political observers say Tambuwal’s exit could influence other politicians and voters dissatisfied with the PDP’s internal divisions, reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape in the run-up to the next elections.

BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis

Politics

Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC

Published

15 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC

Four members of the House of Representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a development that further strengthens the governing party’s presence in the National Assembly.

The lawmakers who announced their defection during plenary are Inuwa Garuba, representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State; Abdullahi El-Rasheed, who represents Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, also in Gombe State; and Mohammed Audu, representing Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency of Taraba State. The three lawmakers were elected on the platform of the PDP but have now aligned with the APC.

A fourth lawmaker elected on the platform of the Labour Party also joined the APC, citing political realignment and the need to better serve constituents, although details of the defection were still emerging at the time of filing this report.

The defections were formally communicated to the House leadership during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who read the letters submitted by the affected lawmakers.

In their letters, the lawmakers cited internal crises within their former parties and the need to align politically with developments in their states as key reasons for their decision to move to the APC. They also said joining the ruling party would enable them to attract more federal projects and development initiatives to their constituencies. Political observers note that similar reasons have often been cited by lawmakers who change political parties.

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The defections sparked mixed reactions within the chamber. While APC lawmakers welcomed the new members, some opposition legislators expressed concern over the growing trend of defections in the National Assembly. According to them, frequent cross-carpeting weakens party ideology and undermines the mandate given to political parties by voters during elections. However, supporters of the defecting lawmakers argued that the Nigerian constitution allows lawmakers to change parties, particularly when there are divisions or crises within their original platforms.

The latest defections add to a series of political realignments that have taken place within the National Assembly since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in 2023. The APC, which controls the executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to attract lawmakers from opposition parties. In recent weeks, some senators elected on the PDP platform also defected to the APC, reflecting shifting political alliances ahead of future elections.

Political analysts say the development could further strengthen the APC’s numerical advantage in the National Assembly, making it easier for the ruling party to pass government-backed legislation. However, critics warn that the weakening of opposition parties may reduce the level of debate and oversight expected in a vibrant democratic system. With political activities gradually intensifying ahead of the next electoral cycle, observers believe more defections could occur as politicians reposition themselves within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC

Politics

BREAKING: Three PDP Senators Defect to APC

Published

15 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Three PDP Senators Defect to APC

Three senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers—Amos Yohanna, Aminu Abbas, and Ikra Bilbis—formally declared their exit from the opposition party during plenary at the Nigerian Senate.

Yohanna represents Adamawa North Senatorial District, Abbas represents Adamawa Central Senatorial District, while Bilbis represents Zamfara North Senatorial District.

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Their defection letters were read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate leadership, informing lawmakers of their decision to join the APC.

Although detailed reasons for the defections were not immediately made public, such political movements in Nigeria are often attributed to internal disputes within parties, political realignments, or strategic positioning ahead of future electoral contests.

The development is expected to further consolidate the numerical strength of the APC in the Senate, where the ruling party already holds a majority.

Observers say the move could also have implications for the political landscape in Adamawa and Zamfara states, where party loyalties and alignments continue to evolve ahead of the next election cycle.