Politics
APC group flays Adamu, says he is not a committed party person
**Threatens legal action against him, Omisore, others
A prominent group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aiges of Progressives Right Group (PRG) has flayed the National chairman of the Party Abdullahi Adamu over ongoing leadership crisis facing the party
The group however passed a vote of confidence on the party’s National Vice Chairman, North-west Salihu Moh Lukman
The group said it warned against emergence of Adamu as APC national chairman because the former Nasarawa state governor “is not a true party man at heart.”
Lukman had dragged the national chairman and the national secretary to Court for failure to call for meetings of the organs of the party and give financial account.
In a statement signed Monday evening by the national convener of the group, Ibrahim Dikko Yusuf, said his group will resist any attempt by the Chairman and some members of the NWC to stifle Malam Salihu Lukman or fail to attend to all the pertinent issues raised.
“This conspiracy to stifle internal democracy by spawning candidates was as high up as the National Chairman of the Party, Sen. Abdullahi Adam himself. A man many of us warned was not a party member at heart. A man who was causing trouble in his state of origin against a sitting Governor. A man who made us lose prominent members like Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. He defected to SDP and won the seat.
“Of recent our great party has been engulfed by a confidence crisis at the highest administrative level of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC). It is on record that some well-meaning members of the party have severally raised the need for the party to toe the line of progressivism by ensuring strict adherence to the constitutional provisions of the party; allowing all organs of the party to function; engaging party leaders and members in regular meetings olive to the vision of the founding fathers of the party.
“The issue of accountability. This is one key factor that distinguished APC from other parties in 2015 and earned us the victory at the polls over the incumbent PDP administration, but down the line, especially in the last three years, our party has been bugged by the PDP syndrome and our leaders have resorted to impunity and flagrant disobedience of the party constitution.
“In the build up to the National Concention that produced the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC, it will be recalled that our National Leader, President Muhammadu Buhari directed a refund of nomination fees to all aspirants who voluntarily stepped down for the party’s consensus arrangement, a year after this directive, it is sad that the NWC has failed to honour it, despite being tbe direct beneficiaries of the arrangement. No one has been paid their money back.
“Despite the huge revenues that accrued to the party from the sale of nomination forms to aspirants for the just concluded general elections, Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC is still owing members on party assignments. Sadly the affairs of the party had been conducted discretionally at the expense of tbe party’s constitution.
“When we read the open letter by the National Vice Chairman (North West), Malam Salihu Lukman to the National Chairman on these very pertinent issues, we were happy that things may have started to take shape.”
The statement said it expected a more robust and sensible response borne out of respect for the party and its members “but alas we were shocked to read in the news of a planned National Working Committee meeting to be called presumably to discipline the party chieftain, based on the recommendation of the National Legal Adviser.
“Let it be clear that as members of this party, we will resist any attempt by the Chairman and some members of the NWC to stifle Malam Salihu Lukman or fail to attend to all the pertinent issues raised. We stand by Malam Salihu Lukman and we call for the party to return to the path of constitutionalism.
“The Chairman must be accountable. He must call for a NEC meeting immediately and render the necessary accounts.
Failure of which we will institute an action in court against the chairman, National Secretary and the Legal Adviser of the party. They are managers of the party, not owners. This must be made very clear to them.”
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.
***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.
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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