Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed deep concern over the ongoing turmoil within the party during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on October 13, 2024.

Fayose lamented that the internal suspensions and counter-suspensions have brought the party to a humiliating low, stating, “The current situation in our party has made a mockery of suspension and counter-suspension, especially at that level of leadership. Sadly, the situation has taken the party so low that it is most unnecessary.”

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The ex-governor attributed the party’s crisis to its loss in the 2023 general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He warned that divine intervention may be required for the PDP to regain its strength and effectiveness as a political entity capable of competing for top positions in the country.

“The mismanagement and arrogance of a few today is haunting the party. When the head is sick, the whole body suffers. It will need God’s intervention; it will take a miracle for this party to be put together again,” Fayose remarked.

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Fayose also addressed recent legal challenges facing the party.

A Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling that prevents the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) from removing Umar Damagum as the Acting National Chairman. He noted that this court decision has effectively restricted the party’s leadership options.

When asked about whether Damagum should resign, Fayose indicated that any suggestions he made would be irrelevant in light of the court’s ruling.

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Additionally, Fayose dismissed rumors that he intends to run for the position of national chairman of the PDP, calling such claims irresponsible and emphasizing that he has no interest in seeking any party position at this time.

“That seat is too hot for my age now. I don’t want such and I will never aspire for such,” he asserted.

The crisis within the PDP has also been evident in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been embroiled in a conflict with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

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Fayose previously advised Fubara to maintain harmony with Wike, but the relationship has since deteriorated.

He described the situation as “very unfortunate,” stating, “Even if you want to resolve this matter, how do you put the trust back? It’s too far gone for reconciliation.”

The name of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been removed from the administrative block of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, where he once served as chairman.

The council building has now been renamed in honor of the late Senator Dr. Obi Wali, a distinguished Ikwerre leader, politician, and a key advocate for minority rights.

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The renaming came at the directive of the newly inaugurated council chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, who assumed office on October 7 following his election under the Action People’s Party.

The two-storey, 30-room ultra-modern administrative building, constructed by the previous council administration led by Barrister George Ariolu, was originally named after Wike in recognition of his tenure as council chairman from 1999 to 2007.

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However, Ihunwo, who previously served as Caretaker Committee Chairman for three months, believes that Senator Obi Wali, known for his role in the political liberation of the Ikwerre people, is more deserving of the honor.

Senator Obi Wali, born in 1932, was a prominent political figure who fought for the rights of the Ikwerre ethnic group and left a lasting legacy in Rivers State.

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His contributions are commemorated not only at the Obio/Akpor council’s administrative block but also at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, a major event venue in Port Harcourt, named in his honor.

This renaming is seen as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to his people and their cultural and political advancement.

Dr. Bright Enabulele, the governorship candidate for the Accord Party (AP) in the recent Edo State elections, has announced that he is challenging the results at the Election Tribunal.

He alleges that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) committed fraud to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was declared the winner.

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Enabulele claims that the election results were manipulated, citing his experience at Ward 5, St. Saviour Ivbiyeneva Primary School Unit 1 in the Ikpoba/Okha local government area, where he cast his vote on live television but was officially recorded as receiving zero votes.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City after his legal team submitted a petition to the tribunal, Enabulele expressed his desire for the tribunal to either declare him the winner of the election or annul the entire process and order a fresh election.

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He cited “fraud, intimidation, and the deliberate announcement of incorrect results by INEC” as his reasons for the challenge.

While he acknowledged he has no personal grievances against the declared winner, he criticized the electoral process that led to the results.

“The case is against two parties: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that conducted the election and the APC candidate who was declared the winner. My mandate was stolen due to fraud, intimidation, and the wrong announcement of results,” he stated.

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Enabulele also opposed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) obtaining a court order to inspect the BIVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System), arguing that BIVAS should be preserved as evidence in court rather than being inspected, which he believes could lead to tampering.

“I was informed that the PDP obtained a court order to inspect BIVAS, but I find that wrong. No one should have access to the BIVAS, as it is meant to serve as evidence in court. You cannot go to court without evidence. It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about ensuring that the will of the people prevails. Democracy is about the will of the people,” he concluded.

The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as factional Acting National Chairman, Ahmed Mohammed, formally accepted his new role.

In a letter dated October 13, 2024, and made public by suspended PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, Mohammed expressed gratitude for the support received and called for reflection on the party’s future direction.

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Mohammed stressed the importance of reassessing the PDP’s management, especially given its role as an opposition party in the current political climate.

“Recent events within our Party demand deep reflection on how the PDP is managed, particularly in this critical period in our nation’s history,” he said, emphasizing the need to return to the founding principles of equity, fairness, and justice.

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He admitted that internal conflicts have weakened the party’s ability to effectively serve as a strong opposition, stating, “We have not fulfilled the expectations of a dynamic opposition in a democracy.”

Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the party’s adherence to its Constitution and ensuring transparent leadership.

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His immediate priority is to restore members’ confidence by convening the long-awaited National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on October 24, 2024.

He also urged the North Central Zone to nominate a replacement for former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu.

The PDP’s leadership turmoil deepened recently when a court ruling prevented the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) from removing Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, adding to the party’s internal struggles.

The Senate has moved to issue arrest warrants for the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, after they failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

Other agencies at risk of similar actions include Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited.

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This decision was prompted by Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, who expressed frustration during a plenary session.

He highlighted that multiple invitations had been ignored by these officials and agencies, despite petitions filed by aggrieved Nigerians or corporate entities needing to be addressed.

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In a motion under Senate Order 42, Senator Imasuen called for the issuance of arrest warrants for those who continue to disregard the Senate’s invitations.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the motion, citing Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Senate authority to take such actions.

“You already have the power under Section 89 of the Constitution. Use it to issue arrest warrants against any head of agencies refusing to appear before the public petitions committee,” Akpabio affirmed.

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Senator Imasuen confirmed that fresh letters of invitation had been sent to the officials, warning that failure to comply would result in the issuance of arrest warrants.

He also mentioned that the committee would soon address a petition involving a student whose JAMB results were withheld due to an allegedly unfair report from an examination supervisor.

Faisal Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has passed away following a tragic accident.

According to a family source, Faisal was involved in an accident on Saturday evening along the Kaduna-Zaria highway. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

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His father, Ahmed Makarfi, who is also a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was present at the hospital.

Faisal’s remains have been taken home for burial preparations, though Makarfi has not made any public statements regarding the incident.

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Faisal was a civil engineer by profession. He received his early education at Kaduna International School and Adesoye College in Offa, Kwara State, before continuing his studies at the University of Greenwich in London, where he obtained both his undergraduate and master’s degrees.

He was pursuing his PhD at the same university before his untimely death.

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This marks the second tragedy involving a prominent Nigerian family this weekend.

On Friday, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) lost his 23-year-old daughter, Fatima, who passed away in Abuja following a brief illness.

She was laid to rest according to Islamic rites.