Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and prolonged detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure.

In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Saturday, Atiku denounced the EFCC’s action as a clear violation of due process.

He accused the anti-graft agency of overstepping its constitutional boundaries, calling the incident part of a growing trend of political intimidation.

“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure,” Atiku wrote, referencing a recent case that sparked widespread criticism.

He continued, “Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.”

“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.”

Atiku emphasized that lawful procedure must be observed in all arrests, noting, “Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law.”

“The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.”

He concluded by alleging that the motive behind Kazaure’s arrest was his consistent criticism of the current administration.

“We are left with no choice but to conclude that Kazaure’s ordeal is a direct consequence of his fearless and unrelenting criticism of this administration,” Atiku asserted.

A leading member of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Bestman Eruba, has stated that the party is willing to offer its platform to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for his re-election bid if the ongoing crisis in the Labour Party (LP) persists.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Eruba praised Otti’s leadership style and development-driven policies, saying they are in line with the YPP’s values.

According to him, the party would not hesitate to give Otti an automatic ticket in 2027 should he need an alternative platform.

“We will yield the YPP platform for Governor Alex Otti whenever he needs political refuge,” Eruba declared.

“He has shown remarkable leadership and excellence in service with a performance record that is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.”

He warned against distractions or conspiracies by individuals or groups that could derail Otti’s progress, emphasizing the governor’s strong track record and broad public approval.

“His style, projects, programmes and policies align with the objectives of our party,” he said.

“The Young Progressives Party will therefore not hesitate to offer him our gubernatorial ticket in 2027 as a veritable platform to consolidate on his agenda to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” Eruba added.

He went further to describe Otti as a perfect fit for YPP’s political philosophy “Otti is working and the only platform that will guarantee sustenance of his remarkable career in public life is the Young Progressives Party where our mantra is service to the people. We have the reach and we have severally shown that we can accommodate ourselves and fix the broken pieces of our relationship.”

Eruba concluded with an open invitation: “YPP is your home, come and coast to victory in 2027.”

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that YPP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Abia, Enyinnaya Nwafor, had also recently declared support for Governor Otti.

Nwafor finished third in the election, behind Otti of the LP and Okey Ahaiwe of the PDP.

Although YPP secured notable wins in the 2023 elections clinching two House of Assembly seats in Osisioma and two chairmanship seats in the November 2, 2024, local government polls, its legislative members have since defected to the LP.

The ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship primaries in Lagos State took a significant turn on Friday as four Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) settled for consensus candidates ahead of voting.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), during proceedings at the APC secretariat in Ogba.

Ogala explained that the committee would give preference to local councils that had already reached consensus on their candidates, allowing for a smoother and quicker process.

He announced that Iba, Oto-Awori, Ijede, and Lekki LCDAs had successfully produced consensus candidates: Isa Jubreel for Iba, Azeez Kareem for Oto-Awori, Motunrayo Gbadebo for Ijede and Hassan Kasali for Lekki.

Despite the general orderliness, a moment of drama unfolded when the chairman invited any aspirants who wished to step down to formally do so before voting commenced.

Responding to the call, the chairman of Kosofe LGA stepped forward to announce that one aspirant, Olayinka Rabiu, had withdrawn from the race.

However, Ogala requested documentary proof of the withdrawal, which could not be provided. As a result, the committee ruled that the withdrawal could not be accepted without proper documentation.

Meanwhile, voting has now begun in the remaining 53 local government areas and LCDAs across Lagos.

Earlier in the day, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, addressed delegates and aspirants, urging them to conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully throughout the exercise.

“We take it very seriously. The President is monitoring what we are doing because this is his state,” Hamzat said.

He emphasized the importance of local government administration to grassroots development and encouraged party members to remain committed to the party’s success.

“There are some local governments that have reached consensus, and their leadership has agreed, so they will be attended to first,” he noted.

Hamzat also thanked the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) chairman for being present to observe the process, adding, “On behalf of the President and the Governor, let’s do it peacefully. As you dedicate your time for the party, God will be with you.”

PDP NWC Members,

A prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, has called for the expulsion of three of the party’s leading figures; Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, and Bukola Saraki, citing their history of defections and disloyalty.

Speaking in Asaba amid the ongoing internal crisis plaguing the PDP, Muoboghare argued that the party must decisively deal with members who engage in what he described as “political prostitution.”

According to him, the future of the party depends on the commitment of genuine loyalists and the removal of those undermining it from within.

Describing the trio as “serial defectors,” the former Delta State commissioner asserted that it was time to take serious disciplinary action against individuals pretending to support the party while acting contrary to its interests.

Muoboghare stressed that PDP cannot make any meaningful progress unless it expels those who, in his view, have repeatedly destabilized the party.

He singled out Atiku Abubakar, saying the party must act firmly to remove him if it wishes to move forward.

“PDP remains the only national party in Nigeria, and it must cleanse itself to move forward. One of the individuals who must be shown the way out for the party to move forward is Atiku Abubakar,” he said.

He went on to accuse the former vice president of switching allegiance between parties multiple times and returning each time with a sense of entitlement, especially toward the party’s presidential ticket.

“Atiku has defected to and returned from all known political parties, and finding no new one to defect to, now attempts to force the PDP into a merger with strange bedfellows to create yet another amorphous party,” Muoboghare claimed.

He continued: “Prostitution, in any way defined, is injurious. These three musketeers who have troubled our party must be shown the way out.”

Muoboghare further criticised Atiku for what he described as using the PDP’s platform to negotiate political deals, saying “Atiku believes he has the right to defect to Labour Party, run to APC, and come back to PDP, only to start using PDP’s name to negotiate mergers with other parties.”

Describing such behaviour as “irresponsible and criminal,” he maintained that figures like Atiku should no longer be tolerated in what he called a “serious-minded party” like the PDP.

Turning his attention to Aminu Tambuwal, Muoboghare referred to him as another unstable figure whose actions have harmed the party.

He accused Tambuwal of playing a role in the crisis that affected the PDP in the 2014/2015 period by undermining the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He said it was unacceptable for such individuals to cause significant damage and then return to the party expecting to steer its course again.

Muoboghare was emphatic: “We say no to them, they have to be expelled for the party to move forward.”

On Bukola Saraki, the PDP chieftain accused the former Senate President of failing the party in Kwara State.

According to him, Saraki’s poor leadership led to the loss of the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He warned that Saraki could defect to any party at any time, whether it be the APC, Labour Party, or APGA, and stressed that today’s PDP, rebuilt by committed loyalists, must sever ties with such unstable politicians.

He cautioned that if Atiku, Tambuwal, and Saraki were not expelled, the party risked facing further defections even from its most dedicated members, adding that the trio had consistently acted in ways that were not in the party’s interest.

Muoboghare pledged that more individuals undermining the PDP would be identified and removed as part of an ongoing cleanup to reposition the party.

“PDP shall rise again, but we will rise without these three,” he declared boldly.

He also directed criticism at Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, lumping him alongside Atiku and describing both as serial defectors.

Muoboghare condemned their reported efforts to broker a merger between PDP and the Labour Party without the backing of the PDP’s National Working Committee or Board of Trustees.

He accused them of using their party platforms for personal gain and said they were partly responsible for the weakness of Nigeria’s current political opposition.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, over the weekend, led dignitaries from across the state to honour elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, on the occasion of his 85th birthday.

The celebration, held Friday evening at Nwobodo’s country home in Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu, drew an array of political and traditional leaders, as well as associates and well-wishers.

Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah extolled the virtues of the octogenarian, describing him as a man whose life epitomizes selfless service and leadership excellence.

“It will be difficult to find words that amply capture the true essence of what Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo represents. Your life is a living proof that the true value of existence is selfless service,” Mbah said.

“Nothing endears one to his people than selfless service. That is what you epitomise. The men and women gathered here today to celebrate you is a reflection of that selfless service that you have provided for the people of Enugu State and Nigeria.”

He continued: “Today, we celebrate an extraordinary journey. We celebrate 85 years of impactful life.

“As Governor at 39 years, you left bold legacies that are still evident today. As a Minister of Youth and Sport, your record remains unbeatable; and it’s still a heartwarming reference point in this country.”

“As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you were an epitome of courage and patriotism. We are indeed very proud of you.

“You are a priceless gift to humanity and to Enugu State and indeed our dear country. We are so blessed to have you.”

“You have also provided a shoulder on which countless leaders stand on. You are a charismatic, yet unassuming leader; a man of all seasons.”

Governor Mbah prayed for continued good health and long life for Nwobodo, adding that the younger generation would greatly benefit from his wisdom and experience.

In response, Senator Nwobodo expressed deep appreciation to Governor Mbah for organizing the state celebration in his honour, describing it as a commendable gesture that reflects genuine leadership.

He also praised the governor’s performance in office so far, describing him as a leader destined for greatness.

“Today, Peter Mbah is a success. Whether anybody likes it or not. He is a success because the results speak for him. Whatever he is in Enugu today was God’s design from time. God gave it to him. God inspires all that he is doing in Enugu today,” Nwobodo said.

“Governor Mbah also listens. He really does. I suggested something to him not long ago. He reflected on it and told me that he would do it. Today, he is already doing it. That is how you know a leader that would go far.”

He went on to highlight the importance of celebrating individuals while they are still alive to witness the appreciation.

“I did not expect an elaborate celebration as this. But the governor insisted on celebrating me so well. He maintained that it was better to celebrate people when they are alive, to say all the beautiful things to their hearing.”

“So, Governor, I thank you for this show of love and thank all of you, who came out in your numbers to celebrate me.”

Among the dignitaries at the event were former Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; members of the State Executive Council; serving and former lawmakers; Council Chairmen led by the Enugu ALGON Chairman, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh; as well as traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu.