Connect with us

POLITICS

Atiku Returns Today to Resolve PDP Crisis, Meets Wike Camp

Published

on

Share

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow morning from Morocco, to lead efforts toward addressing the crisis threatening the success of the opposition party in the coming 2023 elections.

The former vice president had been in Spain for weeks and will leave Morocco tonight where he observed the Eid-el Kabir festival.

He is expected to land in Nigeria tomorrow morning.

The party descended into crisis after Atiku picked the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate while shunning Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor, who came second in the PDP presidential primary.

The Wike camp comprised of a number of party chieftains across the country and some state governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

While Mr. Wike appears to have opened political negotiations with the ruling All Progressives Congress, his loyalists – Mr. Ortom and Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti State Governor – have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Atiku.

Mr. Fayose says he wants power to return to the South, apparently in what appears a tacit support for APC’s Bola Tinubu. On his part, Mr Ortom says he is aggrieved because of the choice of Mr Okowa, instead of Mr Wike, as Atiku’s running mate.

As Atiku returns, it was gathered that he would be personally approaching Mr Wike’s loyalists for reconciliation and try, ultimately, to bring Mr Wike to commit to working for the PDP.

 “I personally think his efforts is coming a little bit too late and might not make significant impact,” said a source familiar with the crisis rocking the PDP. “There is however no harm in trying especially with the Muslim-Muslim ticket of BAT (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) that seems not to sit well with CAN and the Christian community.”

The political survival of the aggrieved politicians also depends on the performance of Atiku and the PDP in the presidential poll, which runs concurrently with the National Assembly elections and two weeks before the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Having already have their loyalists as PDP flagbearers in different categories of the elections, it would be difficult for them to leave the party, political pundits say.

For Mr Makinde, he is running for a second term in office. Those familiar with the politics of Oyo State say his victory depends on the performance of Atiku and the PDP in the presidential poll because of the possibility of a wagon effect should the APC and Bola Tinubu win.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu. [CREDIT: Tinubu Twitter Page]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu. [CREDIT: Tinubu Twitter Page]

Already, Mr Makinde has told his loyalists in Oyo State that they would have to work for Atiku to guarantee their own success too, one person, a flagbearer, who attended the meeting, told PREMIUM TIMES.

In Rivers State, working for Mr Tinubu puts Mr Wike at the risk of losing the governorship election there to the APC, whose machinery in the state is controlled by his political rival, Rotimi Amaechi.

Apart from addressing the crisis which directly threatens his own electoral success, Atiku is also returning to lead the final rounds of PDP’s mobilisation and campaign for the Osun State governorship election holding on Saturday.

He is going to headline the final rally of PDP’s candidate, Ademola Adeleke, this week, those familiar with his itinerary said.

Having performed dismally in the Ekiti governorship election last month, the PDP needs a victory in Osun to boost its chances in 2023.

The APC candidate in Osun, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, is a relative and loyalist of Mr Tinubu. (Premium Times)

POLITICS

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

Published

on

Share


From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor has called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.

The Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the National party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories.” Kula said.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State said it has withdrawn the only case filed by the embattled state chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
It said the said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun,  said this was done in compliance with the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024, wherein resolutions targeting peace were made directing all pending cases filed by members of the party in Benue State against the party or concerning the party and its members be withdrawn within 7 days.
Mr. Ihomun in a statement, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the State Legal Adviser of the APC, Alyebo Mathew Esq, at the instance of the state chairman, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
The party urged all members affected by the directive to withdraw all matters in court to clear the way for proper reconciliation that will ultimately pave the way for peace in the party.

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

Published

on

Share


From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among officials of the North Central geopolitical political zone towards the growth of the party in the region.
He noted that the region has consistently remained a stronghold for the PDP since its inception, attributing it to the party’s ideologies and its developmental impact on the citizens at any given opportunity.


Governor Mutfwang made the commendation during a meeting on Wednesday with PDP officials from the North Central, led by the zonal National Vice Chairman, Hon.
Theophilus Dakas Shan, at Plateau House in Abuja the nation’s capital.

While applauding the dedication, patriotism, and steadfast support of the PDP officials in the region for their role in promoting unity and internal democracy in the party reiterated that such dedication will not be forgotten by the party.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs expressed his gratitude to the zonal officials for their commitment during the 2023 general elections, an effort he said aligned with the party’s principles.
He reiterated that the party’s mission is to govern not for personal gain but for the people’s liberation, voicing his expectation that the PDP will continue to be the people’s party, deserving of significant involvement in its administration.
As the opposition party, the Governor emphasized the need to strive for the governance Nigerians aspire to, stating, “We must offer constructive criticism to the government and ensure the Nigerian people are not shortchanged.”
The Governor announced plans to reform the party into a robust, dependable, and credible political platform that enables Nigerians to run for elections and fulfill the promise of democracy.
The National Vice Chairman of the PDP North Central Zone, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his election and Supreme Court victories.
He pledged full support to his administration, noting that the Governor’s unique position as the sole PDP-elected Governor from the zone will not be taken for granted.
He acknowledged the North Central’s role in electing the National Chairman of the PDP by consensus before the 2023 elections. However, recent political events in Benue State, has set aside the Chairman from office adding that the zone needs to address the matter as a family.
Hon. Shan said plans are underway to hold congresses of the Party and called for unity to ensure that the process is reliable, credible, and universally accepted, thereby minimizing potential litigation.

Continue Reading

POLITICS

FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

Published

on

Share

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing efforts of integrating technology and skills into the education sector.The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who made the appeal while hosting the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englung, on a working visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was important to leverage Sweden’s technical expertise.

The Minister also said the Federal government is seeking the support of the Swedish government in the development of indigenous languages to aid sound educational development in Nigeria.
He said: “The presence of (Swedish) tech companies in education and training is very important for us because one of the major things this ministry is focusing on now is to bring technology and skills into our education system right from the very early stage of education and we feel it is a very important mechanism tool for learning and teaching.
”And so we will be looking at your experiences to see how we can grow from that because what we want is right from primary school we want our students to be exposed to technology and skills so that at that stage they can grow with it and nurture critical thinking capabilities.“Right now education is not all about just providing training for jobs and skills of today, but preparing them to think about the skills of tomorrow and the best way to do that is by nurturing critical thinking capability right at the early stage.“So we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in order for us to develop our plans and integrate skills and technology into the curriculum at all the levels of our education system in Nigeria.”Mamman who noted that some agreements had been signed between Nigeria and Sweden in the past, however, stressed the need for both countries to deepen bilateral relationships by committing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in several areas of partnerships.The Swedish envoy had earlier named some Swedish firms in Nigeria engaged in educational and entrepreneurship programmes.Hahn – Englung who expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen existing relationships, especially in the area of education, noted Sweden’s desire to have more students study in the country’s institutions of higher learning.“We have quite a number of companies especially when it comes to EdTech but then also, we have ideas to see what we can do more together.“We have many Nigerian students going to Sweden every year. They are very competitive students we have noticed but we will like to see that expand more.”

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS1 hour ago

AfDB Signs $75m Loan Agreement to Boost Indorama’s Fertilizer Production, Export Capacity

Share The African Development Bank (AfDB), has signed a 75 million dollar loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and...

NEWS1 hour ago

NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel

Share The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres...

NEWS2 hours ago

Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

Share As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel...

Foreign News2 hours ago

Earthquake Shakes Western Greece

Share A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported. The Greek Geodynamic Institute in...

NEWS2 hours ago

Tinubu’s Refusal to Celebrate 72nd Birthday Mark of Good, Great Leadership – Aide

ShareMr Tunde Rahman, a Senior Presidential Aide to President Bola Tinubu, says the President’s refusal to celebrate his 72nd  birthday...

dailyasset-greetings dailyasset-greetings
NEWS2 hours ago

New Banks’ Minimum Capital Requirement will Enable Long-term Loans, Says ex-ANAN President

ShareA financial expert, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, says the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new minimum capital requirement for Nigerian banks...

NEWS10 hours ago

Board Sanctions 118 Immigration, Civil Defence Officers

ShareThe Board of NSCDC, Fire Service, Correctional, and Immigration Service, has approved the sanction of 118 personnel for various offences....

NEWS10 hours ago

NSCDC Inaugurates Female Strike Force to Secure FCT Schools

Share The FCT Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olusola Odumosu, has inaugurated the corps Female...

NEWS10 hours ago

Tinubu Appoints Bello as new Chairman of CCB

Share President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau...

NEWS10 hours ago

170 Incidents of Electrical Installation Vandalism Reported in 2 years in S/East – EEDC

Share The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), says at least 170 incidents of electrical installation vandalism were reported within two...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc