Politics
Niger APC crisis gets messier as Party’s Secretary, Kaleel also resigns
The crisis rocking the Niger State All Progressive Congress (APC) may have deepened further on Tuesday, as the Party’s secretary, Barrister Ibrahim Khaleel, tendered his resignation letter.
The former secretary tendered his resignation letter to the acting Chairman of the party, Hon. Aminu Musa Bobi at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday, saying he resigned based on personal reasons.
The resignation of the secretary was happening barely one week after the Party’s chairman, Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro resigned his position also sighting personal reasons.
Although it was gathered that the ongoing resignation of the party executives is not unconnected with the displeasure by the governor, Rt. Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago over the role played by the individual members of the State Working Committee of the party during the party primaries for the 2023 general elections.
Unconfirmed reports alleged that the governor gave all the party executives one week within which to resign from their positions or be forced out of office.
But the Publicity secretary of party, Hon. Musa Sarkinkaji while confirming the resignation of the party’s secretary to our correspondent on Tuesday night, said the resignation of the party officials were based on personal grounds.
According to him “some of them decided to leave when their next political ambition could not be realize, so they decided to move on”.
The publicity secretary dismissed insinuations that the party officials were being forced to resign from their positions, adding that “all they told us was that they were leaving on personal grounds”.
It could be recalled that the former Chairman, Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro during the State Working Committee (SWC) and stakeholders meeting of the party on Friday last week, resigned his position.
The APC Chairman in a press conference at the party’s secretariat, said the reason for his resignation was personal adding that it was aimed at moving the party forward.
The embattled Chairman further stated that his decision to quit his position was based on personal conviction after wide consultations with relevant stakeholders for the good of the APC in Niger state, promising to give his best to the party at any given time his services are required.
Meanwhile there are strong indication that the Vice Chairman, Hon. Abdulmalik Bawa Madaki may resign from his position on Thursday and will be replaced by the Deputy Chairman Hon. Zakeri Yau Raba.
Also it was further gathered that the Zone B Chairman Hon. Adamu Gani will take over from the out gone secretary in an acting capacity.
Politics
NASS caucus assures PDP Will Bounce Back, insists Party is greater than Wike, Damagun
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
Politics
Prince Adewole Adebayo Condemns Ondo Election, Calls It an “Ondo Auction”
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Politics
Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus Reinstated as LP’s Candidate for Ondo Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
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