Moses Ajayi, chairmanship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has promised to be a listening leader and serve the people of Olorunda LCDA.

Mr Ajayi made this known during an interview with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled local government elections for July 12 across the state’s 57 local councils.

Mr Ajayi stated that, if elected, he would deliver the dividends of democracy and prioritise the people’s welfare.

He pledged to bring tangible development, including better infrastructure, quality education, accessible healthcare, and economic empowerment to the community.

The candidate said his ambition was rooted in a deep commitment to serve the people of Olorunda LCDA sincerely and effectively.

Mr Ajayi, a grassroots politician, assured residents that inclusive growth and sustainable development would be his administration’s focus.

He noted that several parties were in the race but believed Olorunda residents knew who truly deserved their trust.

“I appeal to all residents: do not be discouraged or intimidated by any threats during the election,” he said.

Mr Ajayi encouraged everyone to collect their voter cards and exercise their civic responsibilities freely and without fear.

He urged voters to come out in large numbers and support the PDP during the July 12 election.

According to him, Olorunda needs a listening leader committed to real development in the community.

He reiterated his belief that residents were wise enough to make the right decision at the polls.

“I again appeal to everyone: reject intimidation, collect your voter cards, and vote without fear,” he said.

Mr Ajayi described politics as a game of numbers and called on all eligible voters in Lagos to support the PDP.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have ambushed Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and PDP 2023 presidential aspirant, over the raging crisis in the party, particularly, the controversy over the national secretary.

The PDP leadership has seemingly deployed the party’s political machine for consultation with the INEC, to subtly offset Wike and deflate his stronghold and adopt acceptable regulatory and legal processes to ease out the controversial National Secretary, perceived to, hypothetically, be planted in the PDP by Wike to tentatively scuttle the party’s activities or advance Wike’s interests and dictates.

Accordingly, the PDP successfully held the 600th meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) last Tuesday; and subsequently, held the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last Wednesday; the latter against the decoy of the controversial National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, to frustrate the NEC meeting.

The resilience of the PDP is beginning to build up as Wike is at loggerhead with his ally and member of the PDP G5, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, whose political stout cannot be undermined.

Paradoxically, Wike’s seemingly fallout with Makinde reflects a marked deflation of his political forte in the battle with the PDP. Other members of the G5 include former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and Wike, former Governor of Rivers State.

While Wike has been using his appointment as the FCT Minister to sustain his political relevance and clout, the other three – Ortom, Ikpeazu amd Ugwuanyi – appear to have declined into the sublime and political obscurity; yet, Makinde has incumbency powers at his behest.

This political calculus, tentatively, causes deep offset in the power equation of Wike’s political forte against the PDP.

Invariably, Wike’s albatross in his “battle without limit”, with the PDP, is the weakening of his power bloc initially built on the G5; essentially, losing an incumbent governor that would have been providing reinforcement from within for him.

The controversial National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, had on Tuesday, announced the postponement of the PDP NEC meeting scheduled for Wednesday, citing the breach of agreement between Wike and the PDP governors. Anyanwu had maintained that the postponement was to allow the Saraki reconciliation committee to make progress with its mandate.

However, the PDP leadership urged party stakeholders to ignore the announcement. The PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, at a Media briefing on Tuesday, declared that the NEC will hold on Wednesday as scheduled.

According to the party leadership, “All members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the general public may recall the 600th meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 wherein the NWC resolved to hold the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025, and the Acting National Chairman, H.E. Amb. Iliya Damagum’s Media address on the same Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 on the summoning of NEC.

“Distinguished members of NEC are hereby reminded of the scheduled 99th NEC meeting as earlier summoned to hold…”

The PDP had deployed its political machine at the National Caucus meeting on Monday to appoint a committee comprising Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara State, mandated them to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the status of the law and due process over the controversy of the national secretary of the party.

The three-man committee, on Tuesday, briefed the PDP leaders on the INEC advice regarding the regulatory guideline, acquainting the party that “21 working days must be given based on due process, adding that the due process must commence with a petition from the south East zone that they had lost confidence in Anyanwu as the substantive national secretary.”

The PDP was, accordingly, encouraged to move ahead with the NEC Meeting on Wednesday which the controversial Anyanwu had postponed.

The 99th NEC Meeting was held at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

The PDP utilizing the guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the National Executive Committee (NEC), suspended deliberations on the controversial national secretary, Sam Anyanwu, to the next NEC meeting on June 30, 2025.

Moreover, the99th NEC Meeting was monitored by INEC officials as required. At the meeting, a petition was formerly submitted by the south east zone on their loss of confidence in Anyanwu as the national secretary.

The PDP 99th NEC Meeting subsequently, adopted the petition of the south east members and adjourned for another NEC meeting to June 30, where the issue of a substantive national secretary would be deliberated with consensus building and agreement.

The PDP NEC, thereafter, appointed a committee on zoning, and another committee on its National Convention to elect new NWC members for the administration of the secretariat.

The PDP in a communiqué had declared: ‘’NEC restates our party’s belief in democracy, the rule of law and the supremacy of the will of the people as expressed through their free and unhindered democratic participation into multi-party politics and governance.

‘’The successful convening of the 99th NEC meeting clearly communicates our party’s unity and focus despite challenges.

“NEC also received and ratified the composition of the committee on the zoning of national offices ahead of the national convention.

‘’The members of these zoning committees are Governor Duoye Diri, Chairman; Governor Dauda Lawal, Vice-Chairman; and Kaleb Mutfwang, Secretary. That is the zoning committee.

‘’The members of the National Convention Committee are Governor Amadu Fintiri, Chairman; Governor Ademola Adeleke, Vice-Chairman; and Governor Peter Mbah, Secretary.

‘’NEC also received the resolution of the South-East General Executive with regard to the issue of the National Secretary, and to be considered and deliberated upon in the next NEC which is slated for June 30

‘’NEC reassures Nigerians that PDP remains strong resilient united and determined now more than ever before in leading the charge to rescue our nation from the vicious grip of APC administration.”

Apparently, the PDP has crafted feasible process to ease out the controversial national secretary, an action that could further weaken the Wike political forte from within.

Wike had in a statement narrated that at a meeting of the G5 held in Lagos, he made clear to Governor Seyi  Makinde of Oyo State, that he was the architect of their problems for non-adherence to agreements reached,  and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly.

The Minister stated that there was also an expanded meeting in Abuja involving Governor Seyi Makinde, Governor Umaru Fintri of Adamawa State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, at Saraki’s Guest House, ABuja.

According to Wike, “in that meeting, I made it clear that I had no personal problems with Bala Mohammed, except that he hides under the facade of Chairman of PDP Governors Forum to serially renege on agreements. “

He maintained that at the end of the meeting, they made some resolutions, including:

That Senator Sam Anyanwu remains the National Secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgement.

All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the National Legal Adviser.

The suit on the State of emergency be withdrawn forthwith.

Nobody should deviate from the agreements so reached.

Wike declared that “it is disheartening to note that even before the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation committee began its work, the gentleman’s agreement we reached at Saraki’s House was already being crudely violated.

“To my chagrin, Makinde had connived with Peter Mba of Enugu State to orchestrate the summoning of the meeting of so-called South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude Okoye was not adopted as Secretary, they would pull out of the PDP. I have since granted an interview to the effect that, that resolution of the South-East leaders cannot hold.

“Again, Seyi organized some people in the National Secretariat to insist that the Deputy National Secretary should act as National Secretary, in violation of the agreement earlier reached.

“To attempt to give credence to this farce, a letter was written by the Deputy National Secretary, calling for a meeting of the NEC of the party.”

Wike, in the ultimate denouement, declared: “I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached.

“I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”

Meanwhile, the regulatory guidance of the INEC provided the PDP seeming escape route from Wike’s battle and the national secretary controversy, after which the leaders may recover the PDP.

It would appear that Wike’s fall is becoming imminent; after the PDP may have elected new leaders and NWC members, who the minister may not influence.

 

The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) called for forgiveness, dialogue and unity to resolve the party’s lingering internal crisis.

The Board Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, stated this in his remarks at the party National Executive Committee (NEC) 99th meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.

“No ambition, grievance, or misunderstanding should ever be allowed to override the collective interests of the party and the hopes of Nigerians yearning for the PDP to return to national leadership.

“The journey of the PDP has been long, sometimes turbulent, but always deeply rooted in members collective aspirations for a united, democratic, and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

He said while PDP had faced internal and external challenges, and in most cases self-inflicted challenges, it had also witnessed the enduring strength of members’ ideals, the resilience of its structures, and the loyalty of millions of Nigerians who still believe in the party as the most credible platform for national transformation.

He said that members must be honest with themselves; there was still much work to do.

“Divisions, mistrusts, and lingering grievances within our ranks have at times hampered our progress and blurred our vision.

“As the party of the people, we must recommit to healing these wounds and restoring faith among our members.

“As chairman of the board of trustees, the conscience of the party, I call on all of us leaders, elders, youths, and stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, not just as a political tactic, but as a moral imperative.

“We must open our hearts to forgive, to dialogue, and to debate,” he said.

He urged party leaders to initiate a genuine and structural reconciliation process led by respected elders extending hands of peace to all aggrieved members.

Wabara emphasised the need for the party to remain open to fresh ideas, new members, and all Nigerians who believe in justice, equity, and good governance.

He said that Nigerians were looking for leadership that listens, leadership that delivers, and leadership that reacts, urging PDP to rise to the occasion.

“Let us strengthen our internal democracy, revamp our communication channels, and prioritise policies that directly touch the lives of everyday Nigerians.

“We must begin now to articulate a people-focused vision and present a credible opportunity, not just as critics of government, but as champions of the future.

“Let this 99th meeting be remembered as a turning point, a moment where we chose unity over division, hope over despair, and service over self-interest.

“Let us go back to the grassroots with a renewed spirit, a clear purpose, and a firm resolve to reclaim our place as the party that not only knows Nigeria but truly loves Nigeria,” he said.

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, ov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said, irrespective of intimidation, members of the forum would not abandon their mandates.

He expressed confidence that PDP governors who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would still return to the party.

“We believe this is not the first time people left PDP and came back. I’m sure they will come back,” he said.

He said that the PDP leadership remained strong and would continue to work for the interest of the party.

The Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, pledged commitment of the PDP National Caucus to work with other party organs and stakeholders to revamp the fortunes of the PDP.

Moro dispelled the impression that the PDP was on the verge of collapse due to the recent gale of defection, adding that it will make the party stronger.

“While the defection of very senior members of the party must have a temporary setback, we believe that PDP, with its ideas, will definitely be the party to beat, even in 2027,” he said. (NAN)

By

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the removal of Rep Oluwole Oke as lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP, in a fresh suit filed on Monday by its lead counsel, Raphael Oyewole, prayed the court to make an order of mandamus compelling the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to, forthwith, declare Oke’s seat vacant.

It said this would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), having defected without any verifiable division, merger or faction within the political party.

The PDP urged the court to direct Abbas and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge their constitutional duties as provided by the law by declaring the seat vacant and initiating processes for the conduct of a bye-election into the vacant seat in the constituency.

The party sought an order directing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) to withdraw all entitlements and stop payments of salaries, allowances, including benefits to Oke.

It equally sought an order directing the embattled lawmaker to refund all salaries, emoluments, benefits and allowances received from the date of his resignation from PDP to the date of judgment, having unlawfully retained a legislative seat in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiff (PDP) had, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1040/2025, sued Oke, House Speaker, Clerk of NASS, Tajudeen Abbas and INEC and 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The party sought seven questions for determination and eight reliefs.

One of the questions is “whether by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a member of the House of Representatives, such as the 1st defendant is not liable to forfeit his legislative seat, for resigning his membership of the plaintiff’s political party upon whose platform he was elected, to join another political party, in the absence of a division, merger or faction in the plaintiff political party.”

The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge.

NAN reports that Oke, a six-term lawmaker, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun, had said his decision to leave the PDP was after consultation with his political associates, friends, and family members.

Oke, in his resignation letter, dated April 16 and addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun, also copied the national and state chairmen of the party.

Meanwhile, in a related development, prominent legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has indicated interest in the seat for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, and has begun to canvas support from his people, following the development.

 

 George Oshogwe Ogbolu

Governors and top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have converged at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja for a high-level stakeholders’ meeting aimed at addressing the party’s lingering internal crisis.

Among those present for the Sunday meeting were Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa). Also in attendance were Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)

The meeting also drew key figures from the party’s leadership, including PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Secretary of the Board of Trustees and former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi; and several former governors such as Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

Others in attendance include former Senate President and Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki; Babangida Muazu (Niger); Adamu Muazu (Bauchi); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).

The meeting, convened by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, follows recent resolutions reached at a similar gathering in Ibadan.

Invitations were earlier sent to former governors, National Working Committee members, and Board of Trustees representatives.

Discussions are expected to focus on critical issues including the party’s National Secretary position, the upcoming National Elective Convention, the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for May 27, and strategies to address the wave of recent defections from the PDP.

Courtesy:  Newsdirect

 

 

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a sharp rebuttal to recent remarks by Governor Uba Sani suggesting that Kaduna may soon become a one-party state. The PDP described the governor’s comment as undemocratic and indicative of deep-seated political insecurity.

During an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect in Kaduna on Tuesday, the PDP State Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration for exacerbating the country’s economic and social hardships, cautioning that citizens will not remain passive while democratic principles are eroded.

“The push for a one-party system is not a show of strength. It is a loud confession of fear,” Chief Edward said.

“Why fear opposition if you believe in your performance? Those calling for a one-party state are the same individuals pretending to uphold democratic values. But the people are awake. Even divine justice will side with the oppressed.”

He accused the APC of being indifferent to the escalating hardship across Nigeria, arguing that under its rule over the past ten years, ordinary citizens have borne the brunt of policy failures and neglect.

“Nigerians are dying in silence. The cost of living is suffocating, healthcare is unreachable, and survival has become a daily battle. From Buhari’s eight years to this very moment, it has been an unbroken cycle of suffering under the APC,” he stated.

Responding to Governor Sani’s May Day claim that no worker in the state earns below N72,000, the PDP leader dismissed the statement as “a painful distortion of reality.”

“What does N72,000 really buy in today’s economy? When a bag of cement is out of reach and transport fares have tripled, how does that wage ease anyone’s burden? This government has lost touch with the people’s reality,” he added.

Chief Edward maintained that the PDP remains a viable political force in the state, pointing to its performance in the 2023 general elections where it secured three Senate seats, ten seats in the House of Representatives, and defeated the APC in the presidential election by a margin of over 125,000 votes.

On the issue of recent defections from the PDP, he played down their impact, arguing that many of those leaving the party were only seeking refuge rather than holding any real allegiance to the APC.

“Those leaving are not driven by ideology. They are simply looking for shelter. The PDP is the only credible alternative for Kaduna, and under my leadership, we will guard every mandate with our lives,” he declared.

He disclosed that a reconciliation committee led by Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Mikati has already been activated to resolve internal disagreements and bring back disenchanted members.

“These are trying times, but we cannot afford to give up. The people remain the cornerstone of democracy. We have learnt from our past mistakes, and this time, we are prepared to defend both our voice and our vision for the future,” Chief Edward concluded.

 

By

A former Commissioner for Health in Enugu State, Dr Samuel Ngwu, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This is contained in a Letter of Resignation made known to newsmen on Friday in Enugu and personally signed by Ngwu.

The letter, which was addressed to the Ward Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umunevo Ward 2 in Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, was also copied to the State Chairman of PDP, Enugu State, Dr Martin Chukwunwike.

Parts of the letter reads: “This is to notify you of my resignation from the PDP with effect from 28 day of April, 2025.

“I thank the Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for according me the opportunity to serve my state, Enugu and country Nigeria.

“Sincerely yours, Dr. Samuel Ngwu.”

When contacted on the development, Ngwu, who was PDP Enugu East Senatorial Aspirant in the 2011 General Elections, noted that his reason or reasons for resignation was personal to him.

 

It would be recalled that apart from being a Commissioner between 2015 and 2017 and Senatorial Aspirant, Ngwu was also PDP Enugu State National Delegate between 2011 and 2014 and PDP Federal House of Representative Aspirant in 2014 General Elections.

 

By Danladi Ahmed

FLOWERBUDNEWS:   The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the gale of defections in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as more of a reflection of the party’s internal affairs than a deliberate effort to emasculate the opposition.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group expressed disappointment with the opposition’s resort to blackmail.

It said: “We are indeed disappointed that some opposition figures in the country have resorted to cheap blackmail, by accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of igniting rancour among its members.

“This is, for us, a shameless bid to conceal their inherent failure and lack of political brinkmanship to manage their party’s internal political affairs.

“Notable in the ongoing politics of deceit and cheap blackmail are leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose selfish lust for power triggered a major crisis that led to implosion in the PDP.

“TDF is not oblivious of the fact that the PDP has been consistently ravaged by a self-inflicted crisis since it was dazed and defeated by the APC in the 2015 presidential election, ten years ago.

“Ever since that defeat, the former ruling party has continued to be haunted by its past legacies of abuse of state powers, embezzlement of public funds, monumental corruption, and outright betrayal of trust of the Nigerian people.

“The party’s inability to present a presidential candidate whose personal image and integrity is unblemished, since 2015 till date, further entrenched its widely perceived image as a political party for the looters of Nigeria’s commonwealth.

“The recent gale of defection that hit the PDP in Delta State was not as a result of any imaginary influence or interference of President Tinubu, or the APC as alleged by opposition, but a show of protestation by some members of the party against the scheming of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to remain perpetually, its presidential standard bearer, against the dictates of the party’s internal democracy.

“We are also of the view that the relevant section of the constitution that guarantees individual freedom of association, is not exclusively limited to any individual or group. It is the inalienable right of every Nigerian to join any group or political party of his choice. Therefore, the defection of PDP members in Delta State to APC should be seen within the context of their legitimate rights to freely associate with any group or party of their choice.

“It is our belief that claims of a looming one-party state by the opposition are spurious, baseless and unfounded. The collapse of Atiku’s ill-nurtured political coalition against President Tinubu was not based on external interference by anyone but a direct consequence of the selfishness, dishonesty, and grand mischief which the leprous coalition represented.

The group also called on leaders and members of opposition parties to eschew the politics of selfishness and bitterness that caused the stillbirth of Atiku’s coalition against President Tinubu.

End