POLITICS
Plateau Guber Race: PDP Assures Returnees of Level Playing Ground

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau state chapter has assured returnees from various political parties back to the PDP of a level playing ground with a charge to work for the success of the party come March 11 Governorship and State Assembly elections in the State.
Chairman of the party, Hon.
Chris Hassan gave this assurance when he met with leaders of returnees from ADC, LP, APC, Buhari Friends, Zenith Labour Party among others at the Conference Hall of the campaign organization in Jos the Plateau State capital.He ascribed the developmental stride of the State to the PDP while they were in power. “I want to say here that our founding fathers have left us with the strong ideology of continuing from where they stop.
If you look at what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has done in Plateau State, no any other party has done it. All the developmental structures you see on the Plateau today were done when the PDP were in power.“I know you will not forget that when the party was in government we have two Ministers in Plateau State. We had six Ambassadors in Plateau State, we had 27 Chairmen of Federal Boards, and we saw the physical presence of development in Plateau State,” he recalled with nostalgia.
Hassan explained why the ideology of the PDP continued to attract people to its fold in the State and the country at large. “So, whenever one want to join a political party you either join based on the ideology or like-minds of the party. When you analyse the philosophy of the PDP and the like-minds you will have no choice than to come home. Because the like-minds are people that look like Plateau, citizens that look like Plateau.
“In 2015, we were deceived that we should go for change, you have seen what change has done for Plateau State and Nigeria. The worst case today is that you can’t even access your money. Let us come back home and continue our best in building our Plateau and by extension Nigeria,” he advised.
The PDP Chairman while welcoming them said, “I want to officially welcome you back home, if you remember when the pioneer APC Chairman in the State, Chief Letep Dabang was coming back home (PDP), I have to bring the National Chairman of our party to receive him and he is today our Director General of the Atiku-Mutfwang Campaign Organization in Plateau State. This is an indication that we in the PDP we don’t do segregation, that confirms to you that some of you will end up benefiting even more than me as a Chairman.
“This is the benefits of playing politics with people that you know. So, I want to assure all of you here that the decision you have taking is to the best interest of even your family and Nigeria. When the history of unity and development of Plateau State and Nigeria is going to be written your names will always be there! “
“As the Chairman of the party, I want to say on behalf of the State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee which is the highest decision making body of the party will ensure we accord you with all the necessary support to see you enjoy your being in the PDP. For those of you who have ambition as politicians the best place for you is the PDP.
“We have agreed as a family (PDP) that our elections is going to be five-over-fiver. Atiku for President, Senators and House of Representatives candidates of our party. Meanwhile in Plateau State, we have already settled that one; the settlement is Caleb Mutfwang.
“If you love Mutfwang, you will have to give him members of the State Assembly who will work with him. The job of legislation depends largely on them, you can not have a governor without them to support him for good governance of the state and the country,” he appealed.
The Deputy Governorship candidate of the ADP Hon. Rwang Dantong speaking on behalf of the leaders of the returnees acclaimed that there is no place like home hence their decision to return to where the desired leadership they are yarning for will take back Plateau and restore her lost heritage. Dantong assured the party that they’re going to work tirelessly for the success of the party at all levels in the national and state elections.
POLITICS
CP-PDP to Wike: “You’re Not Recognized as PDP Member”

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The The Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) on Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has crossed the red line and he is no longer recognized as a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the recent outburst by Wike in his latest media parley wherein he boasted that no one has the guts to tell him that he is not a member of the PDP, the CP-PDP declared that he has lost his membership of party by his open cessation of subscription, loyalty and adherence to the mandatory Code of Conduct of members as enshrined under Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
In a statement signed by Obinna Nwachukwu,
Protem National Coordinator, CP-PDP, “For emphasis Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution unambiguously dictates that “No member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the party or any of its elected government”.
“It is instructive to state that the legal claim, validity or legitimacy of membership of any political party or any organization for that matter, is explicitly embedded in the uncompromised subscription and absolute loyalty by an individual to the enshrined Code of Conduct of the organization.
“The self-executory import of Section 10 (6) is that by publicly aligning with the APC and declaring to work for the victory of the APC in the 2026 FCT Council Election and the 2027 Presidential election, the FCT minister, has by such alignment and declaration renounced, relinquished and terminated his membership of the PDP.
“Moreover, the constant outbursts, hauling of insults on the party leaders and the recent declaration to ‘pull out of all agreements’ and ‘to fight’ in the PDP underpins a complete rejection of the letters and spirit of the Code of Conduct of the PDP which action can only be associated with a non-member of the PDP.
“Furthermore, as patriotic Nigerians, the CP-PDP is disturbed by the FCT Minister’s use of his media parleys as channel to attack our party leaders. Such only overheats the polity and creates apprehension in the polity.
“The CP-PDP as a well-meaning body has directed our media professionals to engage their colleagues in the media on ways to check this disturbing trend. It must also be noted that nobody has the monopoly of media outbursts.”
While admonishing Chief Wike to leave the PDP alone and face his job in the APC administration, the CP-PDP restates its challenge to Chief Wike to hold a live media public hearing and allow Nigerians to directly engage him on allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds, land grabbing, racketeering, vindictive revocation and demolition of property as well as alleged exploitation of residents, commuters and businesses with heavy tariffs, multiple levies and fees going on in the FCT in the last two years.
POLITICS
Mid-term Report: Otti’s Govt Lacks Accountability, Transparency, says APC

… Accuses Gov of Running ‘One-man Show’
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed Governor Alex Otti of Abia state, for lack of
transparency and accountability since he came into office in 2023.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners in the state, which held late on Sunday, Abia state APC Chairman, Dr.
Kingsley C. Ononogbu, said Governor Otti has been running a “one-man show” driven by propaganda rather than purpose.Abia state chapter APC chaitman, however, assured the people and residents in the state of a competent hand devoid of propaganda and a one-man show.
According to him, a “better and truly new Abia” is still possible under the right leadership.
The Renewed Hope Partners is a support group of the party solely mobilizing support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections.
According to Ononogbu, the inauguration marks the beginning of the journey aimed at repositioning Abia State for the Renewed Hope Crusade, and I believe so because I can see on the faces of everyone here, the search for a truly new Abia State.
He said: “When we read and listen to social media hype and praises, regarding the state of Abia, one often wonders if it is the same Abia State that we live in.
“Abia State today is nothing but a “A One Man Show” anchored on a very well oiled propaganda machinery. Accountability is long gone. Checks and balances non existent while conflict of interest is now a norm.
“A government of one man show from his private home and for selected friends and cronies. A government where the governor operates as the chief executive, chief accountant and the auditor.
“An administration that would prefer to convert a newly built government house to a 5 star hotel, while operating necodemously from his personal house. And for the roads being built newly, the style of collation, scrutiny, and award of the contracts falls below acceptable standard of state (F&GPC) and best practice.”
The APC chieftain declared that the Renewed Hope Partners must come to terms with the fact that they are support groups of the party and must partner with the party in its collective efforts to reach out to the grassroots across the country.
“When our people are well informed, they will stand firmly to rebuke and resist the sugar- coated lies of the deceitful coalition oppositions.”
He assured that the party will not only win at the federal level in 2027 “but APC will also win in Abia State.”
He also called on all the APC stakeholders in the state to be more united, saying “in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliations as directed by the President and accepted by all the critical Stakeholders of Abia APC , I urge all APC members in Abia State who for one reason or the other have been staying away from the activities of the party in the state to come back home.”
POLITICS
Zamfara North Communities Condemn Gov. Lawal’s Leadership as Total Failure

By David Torough, Abuja
A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.
In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.
“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.
They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”
The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.
Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.
“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.
“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”
Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.
“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.
The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.
“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.
“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”
Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.
“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”
“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .
“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”