In a move that could mirror the political realignment seen in Rivers State, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is reportedly considering asking his supporters to join the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) ahead of the upcoming local government elections in the state.

The governor, who came to power under the Labour Party (LP), is allegedly exploring alternative political platform to secure influence in the state’s local councils, following internal disagreements within the LP.

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DAILY GAZETTE had reported how the Court of Appeal upheld the Federal High Court judgment affirming Barr. Julius Abure as the authentic national chairman of the Labour Party.

The judgment recognized the Nnewi convention, where Barr. Abure was re-elected, and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Abure-led National Working Committee as the only legitimate leadership of the party.

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According to reports, the judgment did not sit well with Governor Otti, who, alongside other party stakeholders, had appointed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s national caretaker committee chairman during a stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that Julius Abure had instructed the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party not to take directives from any other source except the leadership recognized by him.

According to insider reports, Governor Otti is contemplating rallying his political base to shift allegiance to the Zenith Labour Party, a party known to share similar ideals with the Labour Party but with fewer or no internal frictions.

This potential realignment draws comparisons to the Rivers State political scenario, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara faced challenges and shifted his support base to the Action People’s Party (APP).

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Though no official statement has been released by the governor, discussions within the Abia political circle suggest that the move is being considered as a way to navigate internal party conflicts and strengthen Otti’s hold on the state’s political structure.

If executed, this strategy could significantly impact the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, giving Governor Otti a stronger position by placing loyalists in Abia’s seventeen local government areas.

However, it remains unclear how Labour Party officials and other political stakeholders in the state will react to such a shift.

The Edo State Government has formally requested Senator Monday Okpebholo to commence the establishment of his transition team, which will work in tandem with the outgoing administration’s transition team.

In a letter dated October 10, 2024, Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe emphasized that forming this team is essential for facilitating meaningful discussions and sharing crucial information, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities and continuity in governance.

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In July 2024, Governor Godwin Obaseki had already set the stage for this process by inaugurating a 20-member transition committee, led by Eboigbe, aimed at ensuring an effective transfer of power and knowledge to the incoming administration.

Eboigbe’s letter stated, “I hope this message finds you in great spirits. As we prepare for the transition of power, we believe it is crucial to establish a smooth and effective collaboration between your team and our current administration.”

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He further invited Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to promptly form their transition team.

“This will allow us to begin meaningful discussions and share vital information that will ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities and continuity of governance,” Eboigbe noted.

The Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the APC in making the transition efficient and effective, proposing October 14, 2024, for the inaugural meeting between both transition committees.

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“We look forward to your prompt response and to working closely with you and your team in the coming weeks. Together, we can set the foundation for a successful administration that meets the expectations of our constituents. Thank you for your attention,” Eboigbe added.

As of now, the letter has been acknowledged by Mr. Joy Oyere, an administrative secretary at the Edo State Chapter of the APC, but a response from Senator Okpebholo is still pending.

Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has urged Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to step back from seeking election in Nigeria.

Fayose made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasizing that Abubakar should move on from his long history of electoral defeats.

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Atiku Abubakar has made several attempts to secure the presidency, running in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, with three of those attempts ending in primary losses.

Fayose remarked, “With all due respect to him, at this stage, he would probably prefer to stay away from the politics of contesting elections again.”

Fayose noted that by the next election cycle, Abubakar will be around 80 years old, suggesting that the allure of holding the highest office may not be as compelling at that age.

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“By the time Bola Tinubu finishes his term, Atiku Abubakar will likely be 80 or 81. So what will be the attraction?” Fayose queried.

He added, “We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I respect him, but Nigerians are yearning for a younger generation in leadership.”

Despite this, Atiku has expressed optimism about his prospects for the 2027 presidential elections, stating to Voice of America Hausa in May that he would not give up on his aspirations.

“God willing,” he said when asked if he would run again, adding that he would continue to pursue the presidency “as long as God gives me strength, good health, and long life.”

He also pointed out the example of Abraham Lincoln, who contested multiple times before eventually winning the presidency.

On the state of the PDP, Fayose lamented that the party’s once-strong structures have collapsed, allowing figures like Peter Obi of the Labour Party to emerge as a more recognizable voice of the opposition.

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He stated, “We can defeat the APC, but if we don’t have a party, how can we do that?”

He emphasized that when complaints are made about the APC but the PDP lacks cohesion, it diminishes the party’s credibility. “Obi is now the voice of the opposition.”

“The press will call him before they reach out to the PDP, especially with the ongoing suspensions within our party,” he said, highlighting the urgency for the PDP to regain its footing.

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.