Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Nigeria’s former military and civilian leaders to step in and rescue the country from what he describes as the “heartless and mindless policies” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement titled “Nigerian Democracy in ICU,” Lukman urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-military leaders General Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former National Security Adviser Aliyu Gusau, to take urgent action to address the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

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He noted that the country’s economic woes have worsened under the current government, leaving even the working class struggling to survive.

Lukman expressed concern over the weakening of democratic institutions, pointing to the dysfunction of political parties.

He criticized the APC, describing it as a “private limited liability company” controlled by President Tinubu, while also noting that other major parties, such as the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, are embroiled in leadership crises. According to Lukman, these issues are denying Nigerians alternative political choices and meaningful opposition.

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“The absence of functional political parties, whose structures should meet regularly as outlined by their constitutions, is proof of the destruction of democratic frameworks. Meetings are not happening, and opposition parties are being manipulated into terminal crises,” Lukman said.

He further questioned whether the country’s former leaders, including Obasanjo, Babangida, Abdulsalami, and Gusau, could be the “doctors” to pull Nigeria’s democracy out of its current Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

While acknowledging that some of these figures have questionable democratic credentials, Lukman argued that their intervention is necessary given the manipulation of opposition parties by the presidency and the dominance of Tinubu over the ruling APC.

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“Although some of these leaders contributed to the current state of the nation, they have a duty to help fix it,” Lukman said, citing Obasanjo’s political practices and Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) as examples of policies that shaped Nigeria’s present challenges.

He argued that these leaders now have the responsibility to assist in reviving the country’s democracy by restoring functional party structures and encouraging internal political competition.

Lukman warned that without strong political parties, Nigerian democracy would remain fragile, with party leaders too weak to hold elected officials accountable.

He called for a revival of political parties with leadership structures that can compete with those of elected officials.

“If these leaders are serious about rescuing Nigerian democracy from its ICU, they must engage with opposition political leaders to rebuild party structures and restore internal competition,” Lukman said.

He stressed that this would be essential for regaining the trust of Nigerians and ensuring elected leaders remain accountable, rather than allowing the current government to continue with its “impulsive and undemocratic policies.”

Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reaffirmed their decision to recognize Siminalayi Fubara as the rightful leader of the party in Rivers State, despite the ongoing power struggle with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Fubara, the current governor of Rivers State, has been locked in a battle with Wike over control of the party’s structure in the state.

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During a recent meeting in Taraba State, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed their unwavering support for Fubara.

In a communique released after the meeting, the forum condemned the use of court rulings to determine the outcomes of party congresses in Rivers and pledged to work with the National Working Committee (NWC) to correct the situation.

“The Forum notes the political impasse in Rivers State where court judgements are employed to determine the outcome of party congresses,” the communique read.

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“The PDP Governors’ Forum stands firmly with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and will engage the NWC to ensure that he assumes his rightful leadership position within the party in Rivers State.”

Wike, clearly angered by the governors’ stance, threatened to retaliate by causing unrest in their states, particularly singling out Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed.

In a heated response, Wike warned that governors meddling in Rivers State politics would face consequences in their own territories.

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“I don’t care if you’re from Bauchi or anywhere else,” Wike said. “If you try to interfere in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you’ll never have peace in your state.”

In response, Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, maintained that the forum would stand by its decision to recognize Fubara as the leader of Rivers PDP.

He made this clear during a press briefing after meeting with members of the NWC, led by the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

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“We had a very productive meeting with the NWC delegation, and they fully support our position that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the rightful leader of the PDP in Rivers State,” Mohammed said. “This is in line with the established practice of the PDP, where sitting governors are recognized as party leaders in their respective states.”

Mohammed further stressed that efforts were being made to resolve the rift between Wike and Fubara, acknowledging their mentor-mentee relationship.

He expressed hope that the two would eventually reconcile for the good of the party.

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Addressing the broader issue of PDP leadership, Mohammed also noted the constitutional irregularity of having a National Chairman from the North East, a position traditionally reserved for the North Central.

He cited the party’s constitution, which mandates that leadership positions return to the region where they were originally allocated.

“The North Central has been vying for this position, and we are working with the NWC and the party to ensure they get the opportunity to assume the responsibility,” Mohammed said, referencing a past instance where the North East benefitted from a similar constitutional arrangement.

Mohammed expressed confidence that the PDP remains strong and capable of producing Nigeria’s next president.

Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State, who also serves as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has confirmed that efforts are underway to return the party’s national chairmanship to the North Central region.

This follows consultations between the PDP Governors’ Forum and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaludden Ajibade (SAN).

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Speaking with journalists in Bauchi after a meeting with the NWC, Governor Bala noted that the acting chairman’s current position is a “constitutional anomaly,” as the national chairmanship was originally zoned to the North Central.

He emphasized that, per the party’s constitution, leadership vacancies should be filled by individuals from the region where the position was initially allocated.

“The North Central has long aspired for this leadership role. We are working closely with the NWC to ensure the chairmanship returns to this region,” Bala said.

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He further recalled a precedent from the North East, where former Governor Ahmadu Muazu stepped in as National Chairman after Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s resignation, arguing that this was a similar constitutional arrangement.

However, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has argued that there is no explicit requirement in the PDP constitution mandating that the national chairmanship must always remain in the North Central.

He explained that the deputy chairmen of the party are positioned to maintain regional balance—one for the North and one for the South.

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“The constitution only states that if a chairman leaves, the deputy from that region takes over,” Damagum clarified

On Tuesday night, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, engaged in a private meeting with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara.

The BoT had reached out to Wike in August, requesting a meeting to address ongoing issues within the party, particularly those affecting Rivers State.

This request followed a previous meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

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The meeting, which is still in progress, was closed to the media, and no details have been released as of the latest update.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has announced its decision to boycott the local government elections scheduled for September 21 in Imo State.

IPAC’s state chairman, Ichie Levi Ekeh, criticized the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) for failing to adhere to the election guidelines, claiming that the commission has not published candidate and voter lists, nor provided necessary forms in time.

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Ekeh, who also leads the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the state, expressed frustration with ISIEC’s handling of candidate registration and the imposition of non-refundable fees.

He alleged that candidates were charged N200,000 for chairmanship positions and N51,000 for councillorship positions without proper communication with the political parties.

In response, Chief Charles Ejiogu, ISIEC Chairman, countered IPAC’s allegations, asserting that the commission has followed all guidelines and is well-prepared for the election.

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Ejiogu defended the fee structure and stated that training for electoral staff is on track, with 15,000 ad hoc workers set to support the election across 305 wards and 4,758 polling units.

IPAC’s boycott reflects ongoing concerns about fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

With just three days left before the governorship election in Edo State, major political parties are intensifying their efforts to secure voter support.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP) are engaging in last-minute strategies to sway undecided voters.

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The PDP, led by Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has received spiritual backing from the City of Conqueror Ministries International, which held a special prayer service for peace and Ighodalo’s success.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of the APC has been meeting with teachers and civil servants, highlighting his administration’s achievements and urging them to campaign for his preferred successor, Ighodalo.

Meanwhile, Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, organized a roadshow to rally support.

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The APC’s Amb. Terry Igiebor distributed N50,000 grants to 150 women and youths in Orhionmwon, urging them to vote for APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa. APC Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Omorede Osifo praised Okpebholo’s potential to surpass the achievements of former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

LP candidate Olumide Akpata has been visiting riverine communities, demonstrating his commitment by reaching out to often-overlooked areas.

His efforts have been well-received, with local support growing as he promises a fresh approach compared to the PDP and APC.

Each party is working vigorously to secure votes and ensure their candidate’s victory in the upcoming election.

The Sokoto State Government has submitted a petition to the state commission of inquiry, accusing the previous administration led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of misappropriating N16.1 billion in shares.

These shares were reportedly sold through the Sokoto State Investment Company between 2018 and 2023, with the proceeds allegedly unaccounted for.

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Amanzi Amanzi, the commission’s counsel, revealed that the petition, filed by Permanent Secretary Abdullahi Yabo, requests an investigation into the transfer and sale of the state-owned shares and the missing funds.

According to Amanzi, the petition alleges that all government shares were sold during Tambuwal’s tenure, but the resulting funds were not properly recorded.

“The petition highlights that the state’s shares were transferred to the Sokoto State Investment Company Limited in 2018, and over the next five years, the shares were sold without clear documentation of the proceeds,” Amanzi explained.

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Additionally, the petition claims that N4 billion of the proceeds may have been distributed through private and corporate accounts.

The commission is also addressing other petitions related to land issues, encroachments, and similar concerns.