Politics
Divided PDP: G-5 Governors Finally Abandon Atiku
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday flagged-off its presidential campaign amidst an unresolved internal crisis.
An angry Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his allies, who are yet to be assuaged after the party’s presidential primary, sent a clear signal to the rally.
Though the campaign flag-off was well attended, observers say the absence of Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Seyi Makinde of Oyo is a huge blow to the opposition party’s dream of reclaiming the number one seat in the country.
Present at the event were the party’s presidential candidate and ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri and the former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, among others.
This is not the first time the aggrieved governors are boycotting the party’s major event since Atiku’s emergence.
DAILY POST recalls that in September when the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) was inaugurated, Wike and his allies, including Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, still stayed away.
Their action is hinged on the insistence that the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia AAyu must resign to provide for a sense of equity in the leadership of the party, with the Southern part of the country feeling neglected.
Prior to Ayu’s emergence as PDP national chairman, Wike and his allies were all over attending PDP activities and calling the shots.
However, after Ayu emerged chairman, the PDP, unlike the APC, refused to zone its presidential ticket to the South; it rather threw it open, paving the way for Atiku to clinch the ticket.
According to Governor Wike’s group, Ayu was supposed to step down immediately to allow a Southerner take over and ensure a balanced leadership in the party. But Ayu is not ready for that.
Few days ago, Atiku was said to have made another overture to Wike during a private meeting in Abuja where he reportedly promised to support the Rivers’ Governor in 2027, same promise he made to the South-East during his meeting with PDP stakeholders in Enugu.
Shortly after meeting with Atiku, Wike and his colleagues, who are now called G-5 Governors, stormed Enugu, where they held a closed-door meeting.
Though the G-5 refused to brief journalists after the meeting, a source had hinted that they sealed Atiku’s fate.
“Their stand remains that if Ayu refuses to resign, they will not be part of any presidential campaign of the party.
“Both Atiku and Ayu are obstinate to the calls for the national chairman’s resignation; what it means is that they don’t value the support of these governors. So, the G-5 Governors have also decided not to move an inch from their stand.
“They made that point clear again today in Uyo and there is no going back; these Governors have been the ones sustaining the party, but Atiku and Ayu came from nowhere and want to rubbish them. Let’s see how far they will go,” the highly placed source said.
Speaking to DAILY POST on the latest development, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said the action of the G-5 Governors was not a surprise.
He noted that the G-5 Governors were right to boycott Atiku’s campaign flag-off owing to the PDP’s unjust treatment of Southern Nigeria.
Isizuzoro said, “They have shown that they are true Nigerians. How could you explain a situation where a party’s presidential candidate and the national chairman will come from one region? So, what are they going to tell the people during the campaign?
“How would these Southern and Middle-Belt Governors go and start preaching to people to support Atiku? It will be a misnomer, it will be a bad show.
“We told you the last time that about 18 Governors are behind Peter Obi. Atiku is being deceived by someone in the presidency; he will only survive 2023 if he heeds to the demand of Wike and his group.
“But if he continues to let pride rule over him, what happened to him in 2019 would be a child’s play to the fate that will befall him in 2023. He will come a distant third in that election. It appears that the gods have blinded his reasoning and that is why Ayu has refused to step down. PDP as it is constituted today has no sense of justice and equity.
“You saw that the stadium could not even be filled up; Wike alone is a mass movement; so, you can’t underrate his absence, alongside his four other colleagues.”
“Don’t also forget that Atiku is not sincere towards resolving the crisis at all. Recall that in Enugu he told the people of the South-East that his presidency will be a stepping stone to their dream of having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction. Few days later, he was quoted to have promised Wike of the same presidency in 2027. Is this a leader you can trust? NIgerians are wiser now,” the Ohaneze scribe added.
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
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.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
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.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
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.
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