Politics
PDP holds presidential primaries amid fallout over zoning, Peter Obi’s exit
Despite the six-day grace granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties for the conduct of primaries, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today hold its primaries in order to pick its presidential flag bearer for the 2023 elections.
The party recently attracted anger from many Nigerians with the exit of Peter Obi, who cited “recent developments” within the party as his rationale for leaving. He was considered by many as a frontline aspirant for the party’s presidential ticket, especially given he is from the South-East, and the agitations for the presidency to be zoned to that region.
Obi has since pitched his tent with the Labour Party.
This exit might be construed as a blessing to the other 17 aspirants who paid N40 million each to participate in the primary.
However, two of the aspirants – Cosmas Ndukwe, a former lawmaker, and Nwachukwu Anakwenze, a US-based medical doctor – were disqualified by the screening committee headed by a former Senate President, David Mark.
The 14 other cleared aspirants have since been meeting party delegates, governors and party leaders across the country.
They are Tariela Oliver, the only female among them; Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; as well as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and investment banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Bukola Saraki and Pius Anyim, both former Senate presidents; Ayo Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State; and Dele Momodu, a publisher, are among the others. Sam Ohabunwa, a pharmacist, is also competing, as are Charles Ugwu and Chikwendu Kalu.
The candidates hail from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, underscoring the party’s determination to abandon zoning and hold an open primary.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said the decision was based on recommendations from a committee led by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. The party formed the committee to provide advice on the matter.
Political observers have speculated that the strong contenders amongst the 14 are: Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki and Nyesom Wike.
Considering the nature of Nigeria’s politics, an alliance amongst the less-fancied should not be ruled out as the country looks forward to another administration post-Buhari.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.
The Assembly cited eight specific allegations of gross misconduct as the basis for the move.
This is the third time Fubara and Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.
Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.
Here are the allegations below:
1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds
2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds
3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution
5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members
6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi
7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary
8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities
Lilian Adebayo, the wife of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the party will unseat the ruling All Progressive Party at the 2027 election if Nigerians are true to themselves.
Mrs Adebayo made this assertion known on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after an event in Abuja.
According to her, the opposition party has overcome its crisis after the expulsion of its former chairman, Shehu Gabam and others.
She said Nigerians should vote the APC out in the 2027 general election due to the hardship the party has plunged citizens into.
“There is always a crisis in the party; the SPD has been able to handle its own. The problems in the party have been resolved.
“He has a great chance of winning the election if Nigerians are honest with themselves. If Nigerians think that the ones they consistently vote for would move the country forward, they live in denial,” she concerning the husband.
Recall that SDP recently expelled Gabam and other party executives.
The party’s state chairmen on Wednesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police to investigate Gabam over alleged misappropriation.
In a significant political move, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Mbah announced his decision during a televised broadcast in Enugu after weeks of speculation.
He said, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”
Mbah explained that his decision to join the PDP was informed by the need to reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.
“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically and how we secure the future of our project and our people.
“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
Ahead of the governor’s defection, all members of his cabinet had on joined the ruling party.
Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection in a video posted on his social media handles on Monday. In the video, several government officials were seen openly declaring their allegiance to the APC, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and affirming their commitment to the new party.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh stated.
The officials, including commissioners and top aides, could be heard in the video declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”
The collective defection marks a significant political shift in Enugu State, which has been a PDP stronghold since 1999.
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
Rivers Assembly Formally Serves Impeachment Notice To Gov. Fubara
NCC, CBN Set To Roll Out Refund Framework For Failed Airtime And Data Transactions
-
News2 days agoPanic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
-
Breaking News2 days agoCorruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
-
Politics2 days agoRivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
-
News1 day agoImpeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
-
News1 day agoYour Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
-
News20 hours agoHow Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit