Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing ideological differences with the party’s current direction.

In a letter addressed to the chairman of his constituency, Ihedioha emphasized his unwavering commitment to democratic values and good governance in Nigeria despite parting ways with the PDP.

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Having been a member of the PDP since its inception in 1998, Ihedioha underscored his significant contributions to the party’s growth and development over the years.

However, he expressed disappointment with recent trends within the party, stating concerns over its departure from its founding principles and its apparent struggle to implement necessary internal reforms.

Ihedioha’s decision to resign reflects his desire to maintain alignment with his personal beliefs and convictions, even if it means stepping away from the political platform he has long been associated with.

The letter reads, “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members. All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefiting from the party at various levels.

“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.’

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. While the decision was difficult to take, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has emerged victorious in the Ondo State governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), securing the party’s nomination for the November 16 election.

Aiyedatiwa’s landslide win saw him gather 48,569 votes, leaving his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, trailing with 15,343 votes. Chief Olusola Oke secured the third spot with 14,865 votes.

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The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee, Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State, announced Aiyedatiwa’s victory, noting the competitive nature of the primaries and the enthusiastic participation of party members and supporters across the 18 council areas of Ondo State.

Despite reports of violence in some areas like Ifedore, where voting couldn’t take place, Governor Ododo urged party members to focus on unity and support for the APC’s candidate, echoing the sentiments of party leader President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of party unity, stressing that regardless of individual differences, the strength and victory of the APC lie in solidarity and collective support for the chosen candidate.

RESULTS
Total number of voters 117922
Total number of accredited voters 95,178
Total votes cast 95178
Invalid- Nil

Jimi Odimayo 490
Omogoroye Judith 115
Aiyedatiwa 48,569
Kekemeke 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo 492
Olugbenga Edema 395
Jimoh lbrahim 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo 529
Akinfolarin Samuel 15343
Wale Akinterinwa 1952
Olusola Oke 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye 424
Morayo Lebi 290
Diran lyantan 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile 353
Ife Oyedele 462

1:ILAJE LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589

2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474

3: Ondo West LG:
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
AIYEDATIWA: 10610

4: ESE-ODO LG
Aiyedatiwa 298
Akinterinwa 0
Oke 147
Jimoh Ibrahim 174

5: OWO LG

Aiyedatiwa 2,123
Akinterinwa. 345
Oke 225
Jimoh Ibrahim 192

6: IDANRE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 579
Akinterinwa 119
Oke 225
Jimoh Ibrahim 120

7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505

8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG

Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728

9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67

10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 747
Akinterinwa 272
Oke 415
Jimoh Ibrahim 466

11: NO RESULT FOR IFEDORE LGA.

ALL ASPIRANTS SCORED ZERO ACCORDING TO THE RETURNING OFFICER DUE TO AN ALLEGED SHOOTING.

12: OSE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267

13: IRELE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139

14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845

15: AKURE NORTH LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606

16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294

17 OKITIPUPA LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109

18: ONDO EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North Central region have thrown their weight behind the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

They are also demanding that the seat previously held by Abdullahi Adamu be returned to their zone.

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Addressing the media in Abuja on Sunday, APC stalwarts expressed their discontent with what they perceive as the imposition of Ganduje on the party, which they deem a violation of the party’s zoning process.

This move comes following a fresh suspension imposed on Ganduje by a faction of the Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The ward’s Legal Adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, announced the suspension, citing an alleged bribery case involving Ganduje and his wife.

Despite efforts by the Kano APC to thwart the suspension, including the suspension of the ward executives involved, a new court injunction upheld Ganduje’s suspension.

Speaking on behalf of Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders, Muhammad Etsu, emphasized their support for Ganduje’s suspension and called for the return of the party chairmanship to their region.

They argued that it was improper to replace Abdullahi Adamu, a North Central politician, with Ganduje, who hails from the North West.

Etsu appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Executive Committee of the APC to intervene and uphold Ganduje’s suspension while efforts are made to restore the chairmanship position to the North Central.

Sunny Moniedafe, an APC chieftain from Adamawa, echoed the sentiments of the North Central stakeholders, asserting that zoning principles should be respected within the party.

He emphasized that the chairmanship position rightfully belongs to the North Central and should be retained following Adamu’s departure.

However, Ganduje’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Chief Oliver Okpala, dismissed the concerns raised by the stakeholders, attributing them to individuals in need of psychiatric evaluation.

He urged the federal government to take action against those instigating the crisis within the party, accusing them of undermining democratic processes.

Despite the legal complexities surrounding Ganduje’s suspension, the push for the reclamation of the APC chairmanship seat by North Central stakeholders underscores the ongoing power struggles within the party.

Ahmed Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State and chairman of the Ondo governorship election committee, is currently poised to declare the winner of the Ondo governorship primary election, which took place on April 20.

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Accompanied by committee members, Governor Ododo has arrived at the collation center and is gearing up to officially announce the outcome of the election.

Earlier, Governor Ododo had cited logistical challenges as the reason for declaring the Saturday election inconclusive.

He explained that the delayed arrival of materials and personnel to 13 wards in Okitipupa council area necessitated the rescheduling of the exercise to Sunday.

The rerun election is slated to occur in all 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government, involving a total of 9,515 validated registered party members.

This decision was made in response to reports indicating that the exercise did not take place in the local government due to logistical issues.

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The Ebiraland Youth Coalition has issued a stern warning to the federal government, urging them to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a press statement signed by Coordinator Mr. Fache Moses, the coalition expressed concern over alleged plots by individuals in influential positions, along with collaborators from other ethnic groups in Kogi State, to endanger Bello’s life and tarnish the reputation of Ebiraland.

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The withdrawal of Bello’s security detail by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police, despite a standing court order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him, raised suspicions of collusion among powerful interests aiming to harm Bello.

The coalition emphasized their readiness to defend Bello against harassment, even resorting to bare-handed defense if necessary, should the intimidation persist.

“The action of the Police and DSS has now made the former governor vulnerable and the youths of our land will be left with no other options than to defend our own even if it’s with our bear hands if the harassment continues unabated.”

Calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the unjust harassment by the EFCC, the coalition highlighted the need for the commission to respect legal processes and seek lawful means to address any grievances, rather than resorting to questionable actions.

The coalition cautioned youths from other ethnic groups in Kogi State against using social media to vilify Bello and the Ebira ethnic group, warning that such actions could jeopardize the peace currently enjoyed in the state.

Reflecting on past events involving the EFCC’s treatment of former Governor Abubakar Audu, the coalition reminded Kogi East youths of the united stance taken by Central youths in protesting against Audu’s humiliation.

They stressed the importance of solidarity and mutual respect among all ethnic groups within the state.

Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, founder NNPP

Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has voiced his disappointment at Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement for what he perceived as an attempt to hijack the party structure, labeling it a betrayal of trust.

During a press conference in Lagos, Dr. Aniebonam revealed that he had offered Kwankwaso the NNPP platform with the goal of supporting his presidential aspirations for the 2023 elections.

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Highlighting his significant role in establishing and nurturing NNPP from 2002 until 2022, Dr. Aniebonam recounted how he facilitated Kwankwaso’s entry into the party following a plea from Buba Galadima, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, and Prof. Sam Angai.

However, Dr. Aniebonam expressed dismay at recent developments, particularly Kwankwaso’s public unveiling of a new logo and flag for NNPP without consultation.

He emphasized that Kwankwaso’s actions violated the party’s constitution and undermined its integrity.

Asserting his authority as the party’s founder and a life member of the board, Dr. Aniebonam denounced the purported convention held by Kwankwaso’s faction, citing a court ruling declaring it null and void.

He vowed to pursue legal avenues, including potential Supreme Court intervention, to address the internal crisis.

“He joined this party for one good reason that he wanted to be president of Nigeria in the last 2023 general election,” he said.

“After the talks, I placed a call to Kwankwaso and after asking him questions about his intentions for Nigeria, I offered him the platform of NNPP as the sole candidate of the party.”

“All this time. I want to believe Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, my very good friend is not aware of what is happening in that party.

“I want to believe so because, the National Working Committee has been directly involved in the day-to-day activities of the party under the leadership of the National Chairman, so I kept quiet, but now, just last week, I was shocked to see Senator Kwankwaso on a live television programme displaying a new logo for NNPP, displaying a new flag for the party.

“It underscores mutilation of the constitution of the party. Before this time, I was having this feeling that his body language seems to be supporting what is going on, but for him to come openly on a live television programme, then I want to believe something is wrong, and if I keep quiet, it is not for the interest of the party, and that is the essence of this gathering,”

“This means that the issues can only be settled using the constitution. However, we are ready to pursue the interpretation of the constitution up to the Supreme Court,” he added.

Dr. Aniebonam said even if Kwankwaso were to be pardoned, he would no longer enjoy sole candidacy within NNPP, signaling a significant rift between the party’s leadership and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Chief Olusola Oke, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ondo State, has criticized the decision to reschedule the primary election in 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government area, calling it a ploy to deceive party members.

The Governorship Primary Election Committee, led by Gov. Usman Ododo, declared Saturday’s exercise inconclusive, prompting the rescheduling.

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In a statement issued by the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation’s spokesperson, Mr. Ojo Oyewamide, the rerun was denounced as an attempt to create the illusion of a credible primary.

“The purported rescheduling of the exercise in Okitipupa Local Government Area raises questions. How can a primary election, which didn’t occur anywhere in the state, be rescheduled in just one of the 18 local government areas?” Oyewamide questioned.

He further criticized the timing of the rescheduled election, scheduled for noon on Sunday, noting that it coincided with church hours, potentially disenfranchising Christian members of the community.

Describing Saturday’s primary as a mockery of democracy, Oyewamide insisted that the party’s integrity was compromised, turning it into a subject of ridicule in the eyes of both opposition parties and the people of the state.

The statement emphasized opposition to any attempt by the Kogi governor to impose a candidate through what was described as a flawed exercise, asserting its rejection by Oke’s camp.