National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party has taken steps to address grievances arising from the screening process of aspirants for the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election by setting up the Ondo State Governorship Screening Appeal Panel.

In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Screening Appeal Committee is tasked with hearing appeals from aspirants dissatisfied with the decisions of the Screening Committee.

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Following indications that two out of the seven PDP aspirants for the Ondo State Governorship Election were not cleared to contest the party’s primary by the Senator Sam Egwu-led 8-man panel, the Appeal Panel has been convened to provide a fair avenue for redress.

Scheduled to convene on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, at the NWC Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja FCT, at 10:00 am, the Appeal Panel will consider petitions and appeals from affected aspirants.

Heading the 13-member Appeal Panel is Ex-Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna, with Hon. Adewale Aribisala serving as the Secretary.

Other members include Hajiya Hadiza Adado, Mrs. Nosa Aladeselu, Barr. Onwe Solomon Onwe, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Engr. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, Chief Ali Odefa, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, Dr. Emmanuel Nkavoa Bovoa, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, Hon. Abdulmaleek Abduraheem Danga, and Bimbo Ogunleye- Admin Secretary.

Ologunagba emphasized that all Governorship aspirants, critical stakeholders, leaders, and members of the PDP in Ondo State should take note and adhere to the guidelines provided.

The Labour party governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Enugu state, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, has urged people of the state to embrace the spirit of Easter by demonstrating love and pursuing national renewal, drawing inspiration from the sacrificial virtues exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ.

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Amidst prevailing challenges of hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty, Edeoga urges citizens not to lose sight of the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

He emphasizes the need for collective resolve in navigating through these difficult times, fostering unity, and pursuing national rejuvenation.

Highlighting the significance of Easter, Edeoga underscores the importance of embodying its core values of love, compassion, and justice in everyday life.

He reaffirms his dedication to promoting peace, stability, and progress within the state, urging Christians to reflect deeply on the message of Easter and its profound implications for societal transformation.

The politics of Rivers State is witnessing a seismic shift as the longstanding feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged mentor turned rival, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, escalates, with both sides intensifying efforts to consolidate power ahead of the anticipated showdown in 2027.

Since the inception of the crisis, which has defied numerous mediation attempts, including intervention by President Bola Tinubu, stakeholders have increasingly rallied behind either Wike or Fubara, setting the stage for a protracted battle that analysts predict will define the state’s political trajectory for years to come.

Fubara, embarking on his bid for a second term, aims to assert his independence and showcase his leadership prowess without relying on political godfathers. Conversely, Wike, determined to exert his influence, seeks to thwart Fubara’s reelection bid and assert his dominance over the state’s political landscape.

In a recent public address, Wike exuded confidence, declaring his invincibility in the upcoming elections and emphasizing the unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions in Rivers State under his leadership.

Observers note that Wike has strategically consolidated his grip on power by assuming control of both the PDP and APC leadership structures in the state. Following the dissolution of the APC state working committee, Wike’s ally, Chief Tony Okocha, was appointed as chairman of a caretaker committee, signaling Wike’s influence over the party.

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Additionally, Wike has orchestrated the defection of 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC, maintaining their allegiance to him and effectively challenging Fubara’s authority.

Addressing the political imbroglio, Wike emphasized his refusal to intervene in the affairs of the legislature, rebuffing Fubara’s attempts to sway their allegiance and emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles.

In a calculated move to bolster his support base, Wike has secured key federal appointments for his loyalists, strategically positioning them to influence the state’s political dynamics in the run-up to the elections.

Meanwhile, Fubara has been actively recruiting former allies of Wike to his camp, aiming to weaken the minister’s grassroots influence, pivotal in securing victory in the state.

In a significant display of support for Fubara’s administration, prominent PDP leaders, including Uche Secondus, rallied behind the governor, signaling a shift in allegiance and bolstering Fubara’s bid for reelection.

Earlier, former coordinators of Wike’s Grassroots Development Initiative pledged their allegiance to Fubara, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding the PDP’s mandate in the state.

Fubara, during a state event, subtly criticized his predecessor’s leadership style, advocating for inclusivity and dialogue over authoritarianism. He underscored his commitment to transparent governance and legacy-building, contrasting with Wike’s confrontational approach.

In response to Wike’s recent remarks, Fubara maintained a measured stance, urging for peace and restraint in the face of escalating tensions. He emphasized the need for constructive engagement and underscored his administration’s commitment to democratic ideals.

As the rift between Wike and Fubara deepens, stakeholders express hope for a resolution, urging both parties to prioritize the state’s interests over personal ambitions. However, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain, with the specter of political confrontation looming large over Rivers State’s future.

After nearly a decade of waiting, retired employees of the Abia State government are finally experiencing relief and joy as Governor Alex Otti fulfills his campaign pledge to settle the backlog of pension arrears accumulated by past administrations.

On Thursday, tears of happiness flowed freely among the senior citizens as they began to receive credit alerts, signaling the arrival of long-awaited funds into their accounts. Some retirees were pleasantly surprised to find substantial amounts, with figures reaching as high as N1.8 million and beyond.

Governor Otti, speaking during a gathering at Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) in Aba, confidently assured the pensioners that their days of waiting were over. He declared to the congregation that by the end of the day, all retirees would have reason to smile as their accounts would reflect the payment of their pension arrears.

True to his word, credit alerts began to inundate the phones of pensioners across Abia State and beyond, marking the fulfillment of Otti’s promise and bringing immense relief to the recipients.

Confirming the heartwarming development on Friday, Comrade Chukwuemeka Irondi, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for honoring his commitment to the retirees. He lauded Otti’s dedication to the welfare of pensioners and praised him as a reliable leader who cares deeply for the people of Abia.

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While the exact amount received by each retiree is yet to be confirmed, Chief Emeka Okezie, the Coordinator of the Concerned Abia Pensioners (CAP), revealed that payments began as early as Wednesday. Okezie, who had led protests against the previous administration’s neglect of pensioners, expressed satisfaction with Otti’s proactive approach in addressing the plight of retirees.

In appreciation of Otti’s efforts, CAP announced plans to organize a solidarity march to express gratitude for the governor’s compassion and decisive action in resolving the pension arrears issue.

Although Otti’s initial deadline to clear the arrears by December had passed, he later clarified that the task was more extensive than anticipated due to the discovery of arrears dating back to 2014. Despite this setback, Otti remained resolute in his commitment to the retirees, assuring them that their pension arrears would be settled by the end of March 2024.

The payment of pension arrears marks a significant milestone in Governor Otti’s administration, underscoring his administration’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of retirees and ensuring financial security for elderly citizens in Abia State.

Following a recent meeting with its 36 state chairmen, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken decisive action by dissolving the State Executive Committees of 19 states along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In response, caretaker committees have been appointed to oversee party affairs at the Ward, Local Government, and State levels in the affected states.

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The announcement was made via a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday.

Under the authority of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and in accordance with Section 29 (2) (b) of the PDP Constitution, the NWC approved the appointment of caretaker committees to fill the void left by expired tenures in various State, Local Government, and Ward chapters. These caretaker committees are tasked with managing party affairs for a period of three months, with specific effective dates as follows:

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– Abia: LGA – from March 22, 2024; Ward – from March 15, 2024
– Akwa Ibom: LGA – from March 21, 2024; Ward – from March 7, 2024
– Bauchi: State, LGA, Ward – from March 23, 2024; LGA – from March 21, 2024; Ward – from March 7, 2024
– Benue, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Niger, Ondo, Rivers: Various effective dates for LGA and Ward levels
– Ekiti, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba: Ward – various effective dates in March 2024
– FCT: LGA – from March 21, 2024; Ward – from March 7, 2024

Furthermore, the NWC clarified that no replacements should be made for vacancies in the caretaker committees resulting from death, defection, or resignation.

In its directive, the NWC urged all party leaders, stakeholders, and members to collaborate in ensuring the stability, growth, and success of the PDP across their respective states, local government areas, and wards. This move underscores the party’s commitment to maintaining cohesion and effectiveness at all levels of governance.

In response to the recent defections of six Labour Party (LP) members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Harrison Ogara, representing Igbo-Eze South Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has refuted claims of a leadership crisis within the LP.

Addressing the developments on Saturday in Enugu, Ogara dismissed allegations of internal strife within the LP, labeling such assertions as false and misleading.

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According to him, there is no basis for the defections to the PDP, emphasizing that the purported crisis is unfounded.

“While acknowledging Governor Peter Mbah’s commendable performance, it is possible to remain loyal to him within our respective parties,” Ogara asserted highlighting the collaborative efforts across party lines in the past nine months.

“We have worked cohesively as a team, regardless of our party affiliations. Personally, I have been able to support Governor Mbah’s initiatives from within the Labour Party,” he added.

Ogara likened the accusations of a leadership crisis to unjustly tarnishing the party’s reputation, suggesting that the defections were driven by ulterior motives rather than genuine concerns within the LP.

“It appears they sought an exit route to join the PDP, abandoning the platform that facilitated their positions in the House of Assembly,” Ogara remarked, insinuating a lack of loyalty to the LP among the defectors.

The Enugu lawmaker maintained that the LP remains united and focused on its objectives, refuting any suggestions of internal discord. As the political landscape evolves, Ogara affirmed his commitment to supporting Governor Mbah’s agenda while remaining steadfast within the Labour Party.

Tension and speculation gripped Edo State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released its list of candidates for the forthcoming September 21 governorship election, with the notable absence of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu’s name raising eyebrows.

The INEC list, unveiled recently, featured candidates from 17 political parties set to contest the pivotal election. However, the omission of Shaibu’s name fueled curiosity and ignited discussions across the state.

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Among the prominent figures listed were Ighodalo Asuerinme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okpebholo Monday of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

Additional candidates included Osirame Edeipo of the Boot Party (BP), Enabulele Bright of the Accord Party (AP), and Obazele Paul Agbone of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Notable mentions also went to Key Ndidi of the People Redemption Party (PRP) and Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Uwaifo Osaro emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), while Aner Abdullai Aliu represented the Social Democratic Party (SDP). New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) fielded Azena Azemhe Friday, while Osifo Isiah stood as the candidate for the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Furthermore, Ugiagbe Odaro Syvelster represented the All People Movement (APM), Areleogbe Amos Osalumese stood for the All Peoples Party (APP), and Akhime Kingson Afere represented the Action Democratic Party (ADP). Additionally, Udoh Obersifo David was listed as the candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), while Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena represented the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Speaking on the unveiling of the candidates’ particulars, Timidi Wariowei, the state’s INEC head of voters education and publicity, reiterated that the process was conducted in accordance with electoral laws. He emphasized that both political parties and the general public could now review the profiles of the candidates and their running mates.

As Edo gears up for a significant electoral showdown, the absence of Shaibu’s name raises questions and adds an intriguing dimension to the unfolding political landscape in the state.

The Kogi State Government has vehemently denied allegations that it orchestrated an attack on witnesses who testified against it at the ongoing Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

Reports emerged that some witnesses were assaulted in the Okene area of the state, prompting the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to point fingers at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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In response, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, addressed the media in Lokoja, denouncing the accusations as unfounded and illogical.

Fanwo labeled the SDP’s claims as “reckless” and accused the party of orchestrating a fabricated attack for publicity purposes.

“Why would anyone target a witness who has testified against those who paid him to do so?” questioned Fanwo, emphasizing the absurdity of the allegations.

He asserted that the tribunal case is between the involved parties and suggested that the SDP’s allegations were merely propaganda tactics aimed at tarnishing the state government’s reputation.

Despite the SDP’s claims, Fanwo affirmed that the state government had not received any reports of politically motivated violence and expressed surprise at the baseless accusations.

While emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting the people and upholding the state’s integrity, Fanwo reiterated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s dedication to serving the people rather than engaging in propaganda.

The Kogi State Government’s response underscores its stance against unsubstantiated allegations and its commitment to ensuring justice and fairness in the ongoing tribunal proceedings.