There is ongoing turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as calls for the replacement of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum intensify, revealing deepening divisions among the PDP Governors’ Forum.

A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, speaking anonymously to DAILY GAZETTE, indicated that alongside Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Damagum enjoys the backing of at least four governors: Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

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While Enugu and Zamfara state governors, Peter Mbah and Dauda Lawal, remain neutral, seven other PDP governors are advocating for Damagum’s ousting.

This faction is led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, and includes Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.

According to the source, “Oyo State Governor Makinde leads three other governors who are friends of Wike, and they are backing Damagum to continue in his acting role.”

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Since Damagum took over after Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court-ordered removal, he has faced increasing scrutiny and calls for resignation from party leaders.

Tensions escalated when Damagum and other NWC members supported Wike’s controversial Rivers State PDP Congresses and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.

The conflict between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor intensified on August 24, as other PDP governors expressed support for Fubara, calling for a review of the Rivers State Congresses.

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In response, Wike threatened on August 31 to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they continued to meddle in Rivers State affairs, which prompted the PDP Governors’ Forum to label his threat as irresponsible on September 3.

Wike has stood firm, stating he will not retract his threat concerning actions in PDP states.

While hosting five NWC members in Bauchi, Mohammed dismissed Wike’s threat and suggested that the North Central region would propose Damagum’s successor.

In a display of support for Damagum, Makinde assured him on Wednesday of the backing from his group to help reposition the PDP.

“I am glad that the National Working Committee of our party is here. Let me say it clearly that we are 100 percent in support of the Damagum-led NWC. Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition the party,” Makinde declared.

The source further noted that Enugu and Zamfara state governors remain indifferent to the leadership crisis.

He remarked, “Wike is not alone. He enjoys the support of the PDP governors and other party stakeholders. Makinde has always been Wike’s close friend; governors of Taraba, Plateau, and most surprisingly, Adamawa State are with them.”

Fintiri, the Adamawa State governor, publicly expressed his support for Damagum on X, stating, “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights.”

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The North-East caucus of the PDP has officially endorsed Damagum’s leadership, with Fintiri emphasizing that he should complete former Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure unless the court rules otherwise.

He urged party members to respect the court’s decision, stating, “The performance of the party in the North-East region during the 2023 elections was unprecedented at all levels.”

Conversely, Osun State Governor Adeleke publicly opposed Damagum, asserting that the party must adhere to its Constitution regarding succession.

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“I stand by the Constitution of our great party, which clearly spells out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Adolphus Wabara, held a closed-door meeting with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Wabara described the discussions as peaceful, following a similar meeting with Wike on Tuesday.

The PDP BoT convened this latest meeting to gauge sentiments regarding the party’s challenges and to encourage calm, as well as to propose recommendations for resolution.

Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has affirmed that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is gearing up for the 2027 general elections by strengthening its state chapters across the country.

Kwankwaso, who was represented by a three-man delegation during a visit to the NNPP state secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State, said the party is determined to establish itself as a major player in Nigeria’s political landscape.

According to a statement by Osun NNPP Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, the delegation, comprising Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar, Dr. Muhammad S. Khalil, and Alhaji Abdusalam Abdulateef, conveyed Kwankwaso’s message.

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The national leader expressed optimism about the party’s progress in various states, particularly Osun, and stressed their readiness for the challenges ahead.

The statement quoted Kwankwaso as saying, “I am pleased with the reports coming from states, especially Osun. We are fully aware of the challenges ahead of us in 2027, but we are prepared. Nigerians have begun to see through the intentions of current leaders, who continue to spread poverty and plan to manipulate voters with crumbs again in 2027.”

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He further emphasized that the NNPP is committed to the welfare of the masses and has begun mobilizing support nationwide.

“We are equipping our state offices and providing vehicles to facilitate movement. Strengthening our state chapters is a priority for the party,” Kwankwaso added.

Osun NNPP chairman, Odeyemi, praised Kwankwaso for prioritizing the welfare of his supporters and assured that the party leadership in Osun would continue to work hard to recruit more members and build a stronger party.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed operatives across all local government areas in Edo State to combat vote buying during the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized the commission’s dedication to safeguarding electoral integrity.

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He pledged to protect voters from financial inducement as they exercise their voting rights.

The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has deployed operatives to all local government areas in Edo State to address voter inducement during the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The EFCC is committed to upholding electoral integrity by shielding voters from financial manipulation in the democratic process.”

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Olukoyede reiterated that vote buying is a criminal offense, warning that the commission would not tolerate it in any election.

He added, “The EFCC has consistently played an active role in monitoring electoral processes nationwide, in line with its mandate to combat economic and financial crimes. Our operatives are on the ground to monitor the elections closely. We aim to ensure voters cast their ballots freely and fairly, without any financial inducements. Vote buying is a financial crime, and the EFCC will not allow it to take place anywhere.”

The Edo State government has raised an alarm over plans by political thugs to attack Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in several Local Government Areas of the state.

Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made this known while addressing journalists, revealing that the military had successfully stopped an attempt to overrun the INEC office in Oredo Local Government Area, located in the state capital.

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Nehikhare expressed the government’s concerns, stating that political thugs had already taken control of INEC offices in Etsako West and Esan West Local Government Areas, in what appeared to be an effort to hijack the electoral process.

He said, “The soldiers repelled the thugs, and the thugs have since moved across the road from the INEC facility. The soldiers successfully stopped the thugs from invading the INEC facility. We urge the military to carry out similar actions across the other 17 LGAs.”

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The commissioner also highlighted certain collation centers, which are strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Areas.

According to Nehikhare, the actions of political thugs would not intimidate or deter the people of Edo State.

He urged citizens to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes, reassuring them that the military had secured the Oredo INEC Secretariat and was working to protect the people and INEC facilities.

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“We want to encourage the soldiers to please go across the 18 local government headquarters and take possession of these collation centers,” he added.

When contacted for a response, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command said they would follow up, but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.

A Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja dismissed a request made on Friday to halt the upcoming local government elections in Enugu State, scheduled for Saturday.

The application was submitted by the counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, but Justice Peter Lifu ruled against it, stating that stopping the elections would not align with the interests of justice.

Justice Lifu further explained that the evidence presented regarding the delivery of hearing notices to the defendants for the day’s proceedings was insufficient.

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Referring to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, he stressed that suspending the electoral process on September 21 would violate the principle of fair hearing.

The APC had initiated the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1325/2024, in an originating summons, naming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), and Nwanfor Alphonsus Onyeachonam as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, respectively.

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Filed on September 6, the suit contained nine specific reliefs, including “a perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (ENSIEC) from conducting any election in Nigeria, including the Local Government Election in Enugu State, without the plaintiffs’ participation through their duly elected principal officer of the State Executive Committee (SEC) registered with the 1st defendant (INEC).”

The APC also sought “an order directing the 1st and 2nd defendants to recognize only the democratically elected principal officer of the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) in Enugu State, as registered with INEC, for the execution of their constitutional and statutory duties.”

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Additionally, one of the requested reliefs called for “a perpetual injunction preventing the 3rd defendant (Onyeachonam) from presenting himself as the elected principal officer of the plaintiff’s Executive Committee in any election in Nigeria, including the Enugu State Local Government election, or from selling the plaintiff’s nomination forms or collecting payments for such sales.”

This follows a recent ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the FHC, who denied an ex-parte motion seeking to prevent the local government elections in Enugu.

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Instead, he ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and approved the substituted service of court documents to the defendants, along with shortened timelines.

The case was later reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu after being returned to the chief judge, Justice John Tsoho.

The Enugu State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a fire outbreak that occurred at Pinnacle Filling Station on Agbani Road, Enugu, early this morning, Friday, September 20, 2024.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the fire was promptly brought under control with the assistance of federal and state fire services.

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“The fire was swiftly extinguished with assistance from both federal and state fire services, who promptly responded to the emergency,” Ndukwe said.

He confirmed that there were no casualties, but added that three vehicles in the queue for fuel were damaged before the situation was brought under control by police officers.

Ndukwe further explained, “A preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have been caused by fuel leakage from one of the vehicles buying fuel at the station.”

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The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, who was at the scene to personally oversee operations, has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the incident.

Less than 24 hours to the local government elections in Enugu State, the Labour Party (LP) in Nkanu East Local Government Area has called for transparency and integrity in the electoral process scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Labour Party Chairman in Nkanu East, Engr. Daniel Uchenna Anyanwu, and made available to DAILY GAZETTE, the party acknowledged Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts in promoting democratic principles through the implementation of the ENSIEC Bill and funding the electoral process.

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“This is a commendable step towards ensuring that the people of Enugu State can elect their preferred leaders,” the party stated.

However, the party raised concerns over the appointment of the Returning Officer and Electoral Officer for Nkanu East, alleging that they are long-time members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The party also alleged plans by certain political actors to disrupt the elections, hijack sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets, and manipulate the election outcome.

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It called on ENSIEC to take decisive steps to prevent any form of electoral malpractice.

The party stated that it would reject any incomplete or tampered electoral materials at all levels, from the ENSIEC office in Enugu to the 14 wards and 163 polling units in Nkanu East.

“We remain dedicated to grassroots development and will abide by all the rules guiding the election,” the party said.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has demonstrated strong political will by approving the payment of N17.63 billion in salary arrears owed to workers by previous administrations, according to Obinna Odum, a Labour Party chieftain in Ohafia.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE on Friday in Umuahia, Odum praised the governor for his decisive action, noting that it provided significant relief to workers and their families.

He described the approval as a positive sign for the civil servants and a hopeful development for the people of Abia State.

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“This is not only a welcome development but also a huge relief for the workers and a sign of hope for civil servants and the general public in the state,” Odum remarked.

He further encouraged workers to show their appreciation by being more productive, highlighting the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of state employees.

Abia State’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, had earlier announced the payment plan in a public notice.

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The arrears will be paid in a structured 12-month amortization plan, with the first batch of payments already released to affected institutions.

Kanu emphasized that this approach was designed to ensure that other areas of governance would not be neglected due to limited financial resources.

He added that the approval reaffirmed Governor Otti’s dedication to the welfare of civil servants.