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PDP: Hyatudeen Withdraws From Presidential Race, Cites “Obscene Monetisation” Of Primaries As Reason

By
Uche Mbah
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Mohammed Hyatudeen

By Uche Mbah

Days after former two time Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, pulled out of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his Presidential bid under it, another Presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hyatudeen, has also pulled out of the race.

Hyatudeen’s reason runs similar to what Obi gave as reason: Obscene Monetisation of votes. He described the political system as proving to be “acrimonious, corrupt and self-serving.”

While Obi  quit the party completely to join Labor party to continue his presidential quest, Hyatudeen stayed back in the party.

A trained economist who, like Obi, had made his mark in the Corporate world, he sent a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu.

Obi has since joined the Labour Party to actualise his dream.

Hayatu-Deen’s  letter, titled: “Why I am stepping down as a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party,” and dated May 27, 2022, reads in part:

“I have been a keen observer of Nigerian politics for so many decades, but have not been opportuned to actively participate in party politics due to my engagements in managing critical public and private institutions, among others.

“I have observed with great concern and sorrow the recent rapid deterioration of all aspects of our national life – characteriszed by increasing poverty, religious intolerance, banditry and kidnapping, monumental oil theft, corruption, mismanagement of national assets, communal and religious strifes and near collapse of public services and public institutions.

“During my recent nationwide trips, I came face to face with angry and hungry youths, children, boys and girls abandoned by their states who ought to provide them with education and vocational training.

“These had become the recruiting grounds of criminals, religious and political extremists. I planned to ensure that the great potential that had become the hallmark of Nigeria’s development paradigm, should be actualized during our presidency.

“We planned to make Nigeria the continental economic powerhouse which would guarantee high quality of life to the vast majority of our citizens. I planned to provide peace by ending insurgency of all types occasioned by the absence of a robust and coherent plan and lack of engagements with those involved and by improving the capacity of our intelligence services, the armed forces, the police and paramilitary services.

“I planned to put a final stop to the incessant closure of our universities and other

public institutions due to strikes. As we speak, another round of strikes is going on and nobody knows when our public universities would be opened.

“It is because of the foregoing that I found it morally compelling to introduce myself into the political space in order to provide tangible solutions to these problems.

“I was driven by passion and commitment to the cause of salvaging our country which is on the verge of collapse.

“My exposure locally and internationally and contributions to the nation’s economic and political-well being positioned me to take up the challenges facing our dear nation and – the courage to participate in this grueling exercise which most of our elites have shunned away from.

“Regrettably the political system has proved to be acrimonious, corrupt and self-serving.

“For the past three months I had the privilege of intensively interacting with Nigerians from all walks of life. This reinforces my resolve that Nigeria MUST BE saved, otherwise our future is doomed. I joined the contest as a democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent.

“We have endeavoured to forge a consensus which would have facilitated a seamless emergence of a candidate which unfortunately could not be achieved.

“I wish to reiterate that I did not join party politics and to contest for the presidency because of personal gains and inordinate ambition, but in order to serve our country.

“It is therefore based on personal principles and with great humility that I have decided, after wide consultations, to withdraw from this contest which has been obscenely monetized.

“I wish to thank all my supporters, especially those from my state, well-wishers, friends, family, the extraordinary hardworking young men and women of our campaign organization, the party leadership and members for their tremendous support which enabled us to contribute within this short period towards changing the character and direction of the Nigerian political landscape.

“Finally, as a very loyal party member and believer in the democratic process, I will continue to avail myself and my teeming supporters at all times to ensure victory of our great party.”

Anyim Writes Ayu Again As Ebonyi Delegates List Crisis Gets More Messy

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

PDP frontline Presidential aspirant, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has written a second open letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Iyorchia Ayu complaining about the manipulation of the delegates list for Ebonyi State.

The second letter which came less than ten hours after the first, complained that the authentic list of delegates from the state had been changed and replaced with people who were not elected as delegates.

In the first letter, the former President of the Senate had complained that Ebonyi delegates names were completely missing from the PDP’s national delegates list.

The second letter was also copied to Sen. David Mark, Chairman of the 2022 PDP Special Convention.

Titled: “Re: Open Letter on the Absence of Ebonyi State Delegates List”, the letter reads:

“The Chairman may refer to my earlier letter of today the 27th day of May 2022 and captioned as above.

“I am to observe that shortly after my letter, I noticed in an official publication by the party, list of Ebonyi State Delegates alongside other states.

“It is disheartening that by 6pm today, the Ebonyi State Delegates List has changed from what was officially published.

“There is no doubt that the aim of this gamble with Ebonyi State Delegates List is to disenfranchise duly elected delegates from Ebonyi State from participating in the presidential primary election.

“Let it be on record that anybody not on the list originally published by the party, is certainly not a delegate from Ebonyi State”, Anyim cautioned.

2023: Why INEC Extended Primary Elections

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has bowed to pressure from the 18 Registered Political Parties in the country, which  demanded for an extension in the Party Primaries.

The Parties had written INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, seeking for the extension of the June 3 Primary Election deadline.

The nation’s 18 registered political parties had requested a one-week extension after twice failing to persuade INEC to extend its June 3 deadline for the conduct of political parties’ primary elections.

The parties had requested a 37-day extension through the Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC, and when that was denied, they requested a two-month extension.

However, at a meeting with INEC on Friday, the parties requested that the electoral umpire allow them to use the one-week period of inactivity between the earlier June 3 deadline and June 10, when they are expected to begin uploading their candidates’ names to the Commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal.

The Yakubu-led INEC having considered the request of the Parties after a closed-door meeting with the parties, met as a commission and granted the extension.

“Political parties had previously requested a 37–60-day extension of the timeline for primaries and candidate nominations. The Commission was adamant that this request could not be granted because it would interfere with other Timetable activities. The Commission’s position has not changed,” said INEC National Commissioner in Charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye.

He stated that based on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, the parties have requested that the Commission use the 6-day period between June 4th and June 9th, 2022, to complete outstanding primaries and prepare to upload the list of candidates and their affidavits to the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“During this time, the Commission did not plan any specific activities.” From the 10th to the 17th of June 2022, the idea is to simply give parties time to compile the list and personal information of their nominated candidates before uploading them to the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“The Commission has decided to grant the political parties’ request because the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity, which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates, or any of the subsequent timelines, which are both strictly adhered to.” However, this request is only granted in the case of pending primaries, not those that have already been concluded by political parties. He stated that “the Commission will not monitor primaries that have already taken place.”

The next critical activity for political parties, according to INEC, is the online submission of the list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor, which must be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidates indicating that they fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into the various offices via the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“In addition, the Commission has decided to train political party officials to use the portal efficiently and effectively, based on previous experience.” A total of 72 officials will be trained by the Commission, four from each of the 18 political parties.

“Unfortunately, some political parties have yet to submit their candidates for training.” The Commission reminds such parties to do so as soon as possible. The Commission would like to emphasise that only nominations submitted electronically will be considered.

He stated, “Political parties are advised to ensure that their primaries are free of rancour in order to meet the timelines for the remaining activities embodied in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.”

LAHA 2023: Lai Mohammed, Musiliu Obanikoro’s Sons, Folajimi, Ibrahim Lose APC Primary; Temitope Adewale Wins

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Folaji Lai-Mohammed, Son of Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has lost his bid to fly the All Progressives Congress, APC, Flag at the 2023 Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Ikeja Constituency 1.

Folajimi failed in his re-election bid to represent his Constituency for the third time, losing the ticket to Seyi Lawal at the APC Primary held today.

The Kwara State born Folajimi garnered Nine Votes, while Lawal garnered 15 Votes to defeat the Chairman, Energy Committee at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Lawal’s supporters jubilated as Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Comrade Ewuoso Olamide, declared him the winner of the exercise.

Also, Ibrahim Obanikoro, Son of Former Senator, Musiliu Obanikoro lost his re-election bid to represent Eti-Osa Federal Constituency at the APC Primary.

Oyekanmi Elegushi garnered 25 Votes to defeat Ibrahim who polled 23 Votes, while Azeez Raji Rasaki polled Two Votes.

In the same vein, Hon. Temitope Adewale, the lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, has won the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek reelection into the state legislature in 2023.

Adewale won the party’s ticket after polling 27 votes against his opponent who scored three votes.

Recall that the primary election, which was earlier scheduled for Thursday, was later shifted to Friday.

Speaking after his victory, Adewale, who currently chairs the House Committee on Transportation, expressed gratitude to the delegates for seeing him worthy of the ticket.

The lawmaker said winning the ticket of the party ahead of the election was a mark of the special love that he has earned from his constituents over time.

“With what has happened, I am challenged to do more, play roles that would constantly put my constituency on the map of growth and development as well as put issues relating to the constituency on the front bunner at every opportunity.

“With this support from my people, the push for victory at the general election will be an easy ride,” Hon. Adewale said.

Obi Joins Labour Party, Writes Supporters; Says It Is “The Road to Recovery”; Nigerians Doubt Viability Of Vehicle

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Peter Obi Joins Labour Party

By Adesina Soyooye

Mr Peter Obi, two-time Governor of Anambra State, has joined the Labour Party.

He is to fly the Party’s flag as its Presidential candidate.

Obi made his position known today in a letter he wrote to his millions of supporters, especially, Nigerian Youths.

In the letter titled The Road To Recovery, Obi said he has “chosen a route free of rancour and one in line with my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.”

He, therefore, invited Nigerians “to join me to take back our country”.

For him, he said, “The process of getting into this high office is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.”

Obi: “I thank all Nigerians, especially our youths, who have joined me in the mission of rescuing and taking back Nigeria.

“This project is yours and for the future of your children. I am just a facilitator.

“Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles, I have  consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination.

“For me, the  process of getting into this high office is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.

“Therefore, I have chosen a route free of rancour and one in line with my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production and that is the Labour Party,  which is synonymous with the  people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting the Nigerians as one family.

“I invite my fellow Nigerians to join me  to  take back our country.

“Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”

However, not a few Nigerians are questioning the viability of the vehicle he has chosen to his destination – Labour Party, LP.

The party is not popular in Nigeria. It does not have structures across the country. And has no representative at the States or National Assembly. It, also, controls no Local Government Area or State.

More important, Nigerian workers, who ordinarily should own the Party, do not believe in it.

A former National Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, ignored Labour  Party, and ran on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC to become Edo State Governor. He later became APC’s National Chairman.

In Kebbi State, Dr Nasir Idris, the Deputy Chairman of the NLC, has just won the Governorship ticket of the APC.

Opinion among many is that Labour Party and Obi should  enter into an alliance with other opposition parties if they hope to make the desired impact.

However, Obi has a cult-followership among the Youths, especially. It is estimated that he already has about 15 million votes in the bag.

Obi was a Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, until May 20, 2022, when he quit the Party citing issues at variance with his principles.

He was a two-time Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, before he defected to PDP.

Nigeria’s Security Problem Not Ordinary, Adeboye Tells Uzodimma

By
The Source
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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye on Friday told Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that the security challenge facing Nigeria today was not ordinary, but assured that God’s intervention was real and inevitable.

‘’The problem of Nigeria today is beyond human comprehension. A situation where non-state actors dictate to government when people should come out and not to come out,’’ Adeboye said during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Government House Owerri in the company of some of his senior pastors.

Pastor Adeboye said his team and members have been fasting and praying for the restitution of the land for days but that God directed him to visit the places and lands across Nigeria where the forces of darkness were enveloping light, hence the visit to Imo for a prayer session.

He informed the Governor that the reason for his visit was not just to touch his legs on those lands and places where the forces of darkness tend to have taken upper hand, but to proclaim and decree the strength of God Almighty on such places.

He said:  “With the visit, South East from henceforth, there must be light.”

Receiving the General Overseer and his team, Governor Uzodimma described the visit as “a big privilege because Adeboye is believed to be a real anointed man of God.”

Governor Uzodimma said Imo people and his government were not in doubt that Pastor Adeboye’s visit will bring peace, unity and stability to Imo State in particular and the South East in general because they were required for progress and development.

He described Pastor Adebayo as one of the true men of God who, the people believe, in the current situation and challenges facing the country, “as the last hope of the common man.”

“We have seen, we have heard and we believe.”

Governor Uzodimma assured Pastor Adeboye of the support of the people and government of Imo State to make his visit a successful one, and also prayed God to protect him and his team, not only on their visit but in all they are doing “to rescue Nigeria from insecurity and the quagmire it has found itself.”

“I am sure that the visit of Daddy G. O. Adeboye will bring peace, unity and remove all the things that cause distractions on the way of government  and the people will confess with testimonies.”

Present at the visit were the President of  CAN, Imo State Chapter, Rev. Dr. Eches Divine Eches, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamadi Anyaehie, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. COC Akaolisa and other members of the State Executive Council as well as the member representing Okigwe South in the National Assembly Hon. Chike Okafor among other political leaders from Imo State.

LAHA 2023: Obasa Wins APC Primary Election Unopposed

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru  Obasa has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the Candidate for the forthcoming election for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Agege Constituency 1 of the State House of Assembly.

Obasa was declared winner in the election on Friday after polling the entire 25 votes cast by the delegates at the Iloro, Agege Health Centre venue of the exercise, which was monitored by party and INEC officials.

The Speaker won the election without an opponent as an unknown aspirant who earlier appeared as cleared by the party neither showed up nor had his agent at the venue of the exercise.

Addressing jubilant party faithful, loyalists and supporters after the exercise, Obasa described the victory as proof of acceptance by his constituents.

He said he won the primary election because of the belief they have in him as their true and passionate representative.

The Speaker, while thanking the constituents for the trust they have in him, expressed confidence that he would win in the main election so he can continue with the dividends of democracy he had attracted to Agege.

He also expressed hope that the party’s primary election to pick a Presidential candidate would favour Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leading aspirant for the party’s ticket.

Senator Abaribe Dumps PDP, Moves To APGA, Resigns as Senate Minority Leader; To Challenge Ikpeazu In 2023

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

The run in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the past one week has continued unabated. And, if the Party does not move fast, it could become an empty drum in the months leading to the 2023 General Elections.

Joining the long list of those who have dumped the Party is Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. Abaribe on Friday, May 27, 2022, defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

On Thursday, May 26, 2022, this medium had reported that a high profile delegation from APGA, visited Abaribe to woo him to APGA. We had, also, said Abaribe was on his way to APGA.

On Friday, Abaribe confirmed our story when he dumped PDP for APGA.

His entrance to APGA has also put the Senatorial ambition of Governor okezie Ikpeazu in jeopardy. Both men are from the same Senatorial zone, and Abaribe’s camp has confirmed he will run again for the Senatorial seat.

Abaribe had wanted to run for the office of the Governor of the State. But the idea was not well- received by Ikpeazu.

Sensing that he could be disgraced at the Primaries, seeing that delegates are controlled by Governors, he withdrew from the race.

Ikpeazu’s entry into the Senatorial race, left Abaribe high and dry. He had no other choice, than to quit PDP.

His Aide, who confirmed his move to Niche newspaper in a telephone call said:  “It is true. The distinguished Senator has joined APGA. The impunity in the PDP can no longer be tolerated. The party is in a serious crisis now and the injury is self inflicted.

“He will recontest for the Abia South Senatorial seat. He is going back to the Senate to continue with his very effective representation of the people.”

In his letter of resignation from the PDP to his Ward Chairman, entitled:

“Resignation of my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” the Senator wrote:

“I write to inform you of my decision to resign as a member of (the) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“This development is consequent upon the shameful display of illegality, impunity and undemocratic decision of the party and after due consultations with my constituents.”

In another  letter of resignation as a member of the PDP in the Senate and by implication, as  Senate Minority Leader,  addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, Abaribe said:

“This is to notify you and my dear colleagues in the Senate that I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party through my ward. This also means my resignation as (the) Minority Leader of the Senate.”

The letter, titled, “Notification of Resignation from the Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate” concluded: “I wish to thank you and my dear colleagues in the Leadership of the Senate for the warm camaraderie we enjoyed while I was Minority Leader.”

Abaribe was a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, before he went to the Senate after an acrimonious relationship with Kalu.

In the past few days, the PDP has lost a number of high profile members including, but not limited to:

Mr Peter Obi, Alhaji M. Shehu Shagari, Valentine Ozigbo, and more, under the watch of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman.

Sacking Of Imo APC Chairman: Uzodinma Says “The Law is On Our Side; MacDonald Ebere Remains the Imo State APC Boss

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

By Charles Igbo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has reacted to the sacking of the Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr MacDonald Ebere, by the Supreme Court.

The Apex Court had, on Friday, May 27, 2022, sacked Ebere as Chairman, and upheld Dan Nwafor as the APC authentic Chairman.

The Nwafor faction is loyal to former Governor of the State, the embattled Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The fear is that the judgement by the Supreme Court could have a devastating effect on the Imo APC. For instance that it could reduce, as null and void, the Congresses and Election Primaries held in the State Chapter. And that it has handed over the party to Nwafor, and by extension, Okorocha.

But Uzodinma says perish such thoughts. He says nothing has changed. He says that Ebere remains the Chairman of the APC, Imo.

He says the held Congresses and Primaries are not affected in any way, and remain intact.

These are his reasons, in his own words.

“The period under discussion has expired.

“The National Convention  has since conducted fresh congresses.

“The current Exco, non of them are parties to the case.

“They were duly elected and confirmed by the National Convention.

“The National Convention  is the highest organ of the party. Whatever they decided is the final.

“Whatever that is done by the Convention is final as decided by the Supreme Court in Markarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff.

“I did not hear the Supreme Court give any consequential instructions. All they did was to dismiss an appeal.

“So MacDonald Ebere and his Exco remain the authentic Executive of APC in Imo State.

“However, assuming, but not conceding, to the fact, if anything happens, and there is a change of the State Executive, the Primaries and Congresses are being conducted by the national leadership of our party.

“The State Executive does not conduct primaries, nor do they conduct congresses. You can see that the electoral panel that are working in Imo State. They came from Abuja.”

Breaking: APC In Trouble: Supreme Court Sacks State Executive; Upholds Okorocha’s Faction

By
The Source
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Daniel Nwafor

By Charles Igbo

There is serious confusion in the Imo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Supreme Court has dealt it a deadly blow, which is likely to shake the party to its foundation.

The Apex Court on Friday, May 27, sacked the Dr Macdonald Ebere State Executive. The Court upheld the  Mr Daniel Nwafor Executive as the authentic State Executive.

The Nwafor faction was installed by the embattled Senator Rochas Okorocha in the dying days of his Governorship of Imo State, and is loyal to him.

The Ebere faction is a baby of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

By this victory, the Supreme Court has handed over the APC Imo State to Okorocha, with his choice and loyalist, Nwafor as the Chairman.

The implications will be devastating, if not properly managed. The meaning is that all the decisions and actions taken by the Ebere-led Executive has become null and void. This include, but not limited to all the Conresses organised by Ebere and Co.

The “inner” meaning is that the APC may not have any candidates to present in the General elections in 2023 – National and State Assemblies. The Party may be limited to just presenting candidates for the Governorship elections, only.

The Nwafor faction, funded by Okorocha, has been in Court to prove Nwafor is the authentic Chairman.

His faction (Okorocha) did not take part in the Congresses held in the State. They did not also take part in the revalidation exercise of the APC. They dismissed all the exercises as illegal.

The Supreme Court has given them the last laugh.

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