Connect with us

Politics

Secondus And The Unceremonious Ousting Of PDP Chairmen

Published

on

The unceremonious ousting of Prince Uche Secondus from office as National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, has once again reminded one of the banana peel that comes with the office.

Since the formation of the party 1998, none of its national chairmen have bowed out ceremoniously.

When Prince Secondus was elected national chairman of the party on December 10, 2017, many expected that his time at the helm of the party will usher great things with many looking forward to December 2021 that he is expected to complete his four year tenure. But like his predecessors, he was ceremoniously kicked out following crisis that hits the party, which climaxed in his expulsion from the party by his ward in Andoni local government area of Rivers state and a Rivers state court order restraining him from performing the functions of the National chairman and from parading as the party’s henchman.

Secondus failed to understand that as a national chairman of a party like PDP, he is expected to be just, fair, matured, incorruptible and have ability to manage every interest appropriately. Furthermore, as chairman, he was expected to suppress his personal interest for that of the party to thrive and nonpartisan in managing the affairs of PDP.

When you factor these and juxtapose them with the events that dominated the tenures of Secondus and other former PDP Chairmen, you will understand the reason they were disgracefully removed.

PDP National Chairmen And How They Fared

Solomon Lar: the protem national chairman, led the party to presidential success in 1999. Upon assumption in office, the President Olusegun Obasanjo, shoved him aside by forcing him not to seek a fresh term.

Barnabas Gemade, who emerged as national chairman and successor of Lar in 2001, had issues with the then President almost immediately after assuming power. The President became uncomfortable with him and suspected him of nursing presidential ambition in 2003 against him (Obasanjo). Gemade also had political issues with political stakeholders in his Benue state, including then Governor George Akume, Senator David Mark and others. As a result of these, he was eased out of the party and declared “retired” politically.

Audu Ogbeh: Gemade’s successor as national chairman, was heavily partisan as he was committed to playing the script of Vice President Atiku Abubakar. His pro-Atiku stance could not be tolerated by President Olusegun Obasanjo, who wanted to have firm control of the party. He ended up becoming a victim of Obasanjo/Atiku power play and was forced to sign an already prepared resignation letter by Obasanjo in a dramatic fashion.

Col Ahmadu Ali, who succeeded Ogbeh, was literally Obasanjo’s “lapdog”. He was used against internal opponents of the then President. He conducted a scandalous membership reregistration exercise to freeze out loyalists of Atiku Abubakar, which include Atiku Abubakar himself, Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa state, Audu Ogbeh, his predecessor, and several others. This forced them to switch to Action Congress after failing unsuccessfully. The camp of President Umaru Yar’adua, Obasanjo’s successor, prevented him from seeking second term so as to get him kicked out and have full control of the party structure.

Vincent Ogbulafor, the successor of Ali was heavily partisan as well and loyal to Yar’adua’s political dynasty. He stood against elevation of vice president Goodluck Jonathan to be acting President when Yar’adua was in comatose. He was kicked after Jonathan took over as President following the demise of Yar’adua (by resurrecting some financial misdeeds during his ministerial reign).

Dr Ezekwesili Nwodo, who tookover from Ogbulafor was in power struggle with his Governor, Sullivan Chime of Enugu state. He was also accused of playing the script of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar penultimate to the 2011 National Convention (presidential primary election). He got kicked out on the eve of the Convention by the Jonathan’s camp.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was not the choice of the northeast stakeholders before his emergence but won anyway as the choice of President Jonathan. As Chairman, he power drunk, engaged in power struggle with Governors of the party, dissolved States Excecutives at will, and too heavily partisan towards Jonathan. To secure the support of Governors for 2015 election, President Jonathan bowed to the demand of Governors of the party to oust him. Tukur became a sacrificial lamb.

Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the famed “game changer” who succeeded Tukur, fell from the throne due to sabotage. He was accused of betraying the party to favor opposition All Progressive Congress in the 2015 election, and was forced to step aside.

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff: The former Borno state governor who became successor of Muazu came with his own plans. He became power drunk, sought to transmute into becoming Presidential candidate and highly selfish. His tenure as National chairman is one that members of the party will not easily forget.

Prince Uche Secondus, the now “former” chairman was partisan while in office, acted unfairly to certain stakeholders, notably Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, exhibited selfishness in Rivers state by seeking to install his cousin as next Governor of the state in 2023, allegedly sought and took bribes from every interests without meeting their demands, he allegedly cares about his financial hunger than party’s advancement, and was alleged to have perpetuated gross misappropriation of party funds among other infractions. His exit, in my own opinion, is a welcome development.

As the party prepares for October Convention to elect new national executives, it will be in the best interest of whoever will emerge as the National Chairman of the party to learn from the failings of his immediate predecessor and other predecessors and act appropriately so as to break the jinx of unceremonious exit of PDP national chairmen.

Tamunotonye ‘Tonyebarcanista’ Inioribo is a public affairs communicator and member of Peoples Democratic Party.

 

Politics

ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent

Published

on

By

Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.

Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.

“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.

Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.

“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.

He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.

He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”

Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”

However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.

She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”

Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.

“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.

She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.

“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”

Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.

“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term

Published

on

By

Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.

He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.

He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.

According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”

He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.

“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.

He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.

“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.

The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.

He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.

Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.

Continue Reading

Politics

Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party

Published

on

By

Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.

 

In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.

 

“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.

 

“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”

 

The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

Continue Reading

Trending