1. It is no longer news that on October 4, 1993, Bola Ahmed Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the United States Government for his involvement in narcotics trafficking and financial transactions on violation of the U.S laws. This 59-page attested court judgment confirms this.

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has encouraged members of the various security services to refrain from siding with politicians who employ any strategy, including religion, to thwart attempts to preserve life and property.

In order to avoid destroying the nation in the wake of the campaigns leading up to the general elections in 2023, Wike stated that Nigerian politicians must also put an end to the politics of religion.

National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, ruled out the possibility of inaugurating the controversial Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and formally kick-starting the party’s campaign next week.

There were speculations that the two important functions would be conducted next week following the return of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the country yesterday.

A member of the PCC told Daily Sun that arrangements have been concluded for the campaign kick-off and formal inauguration of the campaign council next week.

He said in the meeting held on Wednesday by the NWC, seven members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and leadership of the PCC, smoothened the frosty relationship among the gladiators.

But a member of the national leadership of the party who declined to be mentioned said it was a remote possibility for the party’s campaign to formally kick off next week.

Sources told Daily Sun that the campaign may not kick off after all because of the inability of both the party’s leadership and PCC to sort out grey areas concerning the controversial campaign council list.

“Yes, unofficially, the campaign has started, but we all know that the differences surrounding the campaign council list have not been sorted out. That is the reason the PCC Director-General, Governor Simon Lalong, confirmed during the meeting on Wednesday that he ordered the suspension of further activities concerning the list to enable them consult further.

“The party’s leadership is still waiting for their response as our national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, reminded them that the leadership must take charge of the activities. The inauguration of the PCC and the kick-off of the campaign is not something we should do in a hurry as the ruling party.

“Again, the PCC leadership has not intimated the party’s leadership the outcome of their consultation concerning the list they suspended. So, what may be practically impossible for now is the possibility of any of the two activities taking place next week. However, we will watch and see how events unfold this coming weekend,” our source said.

Asked if the meeting proposed a tentative date for the much-awaited National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the member of the party’s leadership said that no date was proposed.

“I don’t understand this concerns about holding NEC meeting because the party is functioning very well even without NEC meeting. Let me also dispel the speculations that the future of our national chairman depends on the NEC meeting. There is no iota of truth in that. NEC meeting is not too important now,” the source argued.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the ruling party finally arrived the country late yesterday from London where he travelled for consultations.

Tinubu’s plane arrived at the Abuja international airport at about 6:00 p.m.

His arrival has laid to rest the intense speculations about the state of his health since he left the country over one week.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria over a week after he travelled to the UK.

There have been rumours that the candidate was holed up sick in London and would not return soon to commence campaigns for next year’s election. His campaign council, however, denied the reports, saying he was in London to get some rest before the full take off of political activities.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said the party will not work for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

National Coordinator, APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, disclosed this on Thursday, in Anambra state.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Obigwe, insisted that it was in the best interest of APGA faithful to work against Obi in favour of APGA candidates.

According to Obigwe, APGA faithful have remained committed to working in favour of all its candidates in the elections.

He said anybody expecting APGA to work in favour of the former Anambra State governor in this 2023 election is dwelling in “self-deceit and living in fool’s paradise.”

He said, “I hate being sentimental on important issues and like saying the raw truth without minding whose ox is gored.

“Our self-acclaimed Saint Peter Obi as the Labour Party presidential candidate has nothing in common with APGA as a party and APGA faithful, because he is now a political enemy.

“Labour Party members will work against APGA candidates in the forthcoming general election and it is also expected of APGA faithful to work against Peter Obi and other Labour Party candidates in the election.

“Anybody expecting APGA faithful to work in favour of Peter Obi in this 2023 election is dwelling in self-deceit and living in fool’s paradise.

“Such a thing will not work because no sane person will take the fish in his or her boat to the boat of a political enemy.

“I don’t know how to paint words or to be economical with the truth hence my reason for maintaining my stand that Peter Obi’s ill-conceived presidential ambition is dead on arrival.

“Governor Chukwuma Soludo does not need to tell APGA faithful to work against Peter Obi because they already know that it is the right thing for them to do in the interest of our party, APGA.

“The evil plot of Obi for APGA candidates to suffer bandwagon effect in this 2023 general election will fail.

“It will die a natural death because APGA faithful are committed to working in favour of all APGA candidates in this 2023 general election.”

Renewed efforts by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to resolve the lingering crisis between him and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, failed again as their Thursday meeting could not resolve the crisis.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the governor insisted there that would be no peace deal until the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, resigned his position.

The party has been plunged into crisis since its presidential primary in May. Wike, who lost to Atiku, had expressed dissatisfaction with the exercise, stating that he was unfairly treated by the PDP and was not carried along. Reports said he was further dissatisfied with the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as Atiku’s running mate.

Wike had insisted that Ayu must resign if his camp must reach a truce with the candidate, but Atiku had said he had no powers to remove the chairman. Atiku said if the chairman must be removed, due process must be followed in accordance with the party’s constitution.

After a series of meetings between them and their representatives failed to address the crisis, Wike and some of his colleagues and allies boycotted the inauguration of the party’s presidential campaign council on September 28.

Some of his allies absent at the inauguration are governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Oyo, Benue, Abia and Enugu states, respectively.

Others who also boycotted the event were Prof Jerry Gana; and former governors Ayo Fayose, Jonah Jang, Donald Duke and Olusegun Mimiko. A former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, was also absent.

Meanwhile, in a fresh move to placate Wike, especially as the presidential campaigns began on Wednesday, Atiku again met with the governor on Thursday at his private residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

One of Wike’s close allies, who was privy to what was discussed at the meeting, Senator Olaka Wogu, told Sunday PUNCH in an interview that during Thursday’s meeting, the governor reiterated his demand to the former vice-president that there was no going back on his demand that Ayu must go.

He affirmed that the meeting between Atiku and Wike ended in a stalemate after the governor stood firm on his demands.

Wogu stated, “I just want to set the record straight that no matter what you have heard, the meeting ended because Wike stood firm that there was no basis for any resolution until Ayu stepped down.

“Every other thing can be discussed, whether it is 2027 or not after the needful has been done. This will put the party in a position where the national chairman can go to every state to campaign for the party. There are some states where Ayu may not be welcomed.”

Wogu, a former lawmaker, dismissed reports that Atiku offered to support Wike for president in 2027, stressing that there was no such discussion between them. “Talks are still ongoing between them and I know that there will be continued talks between them,” he added.

When prodded to speak on the reported agreement between them, Wogu said, “There is nothing like that. I told you that talks are still ongoing between them. I won’t lie to you, but I cannot disclose the content of the meeting; the idea is to find whether they can reach an agreement.

“As you know, Wike has stood his ground that Ayu must leave for a sense of fairness, equity and for what is right. He should go. This was even compounded by the fact that Ayu himself said he would go. So, as a matter of honour, he should go.

“Before now, Atiku had said that there were constitutional challenges to his (Ayu’s) removal. So between pleasure and force, we will explore the option. That was what Atiku said in London. This is like a follow-up; they are talking.”

Wogu also expressed his thoughts on the over N100m housing allowance returned by some National Working Committee members of the PDP.

The PUNCH reported on Friday that some NWC members, including the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Woman Leader, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe; and the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, returned their housing allowance into the party’s coffers.

This came after Ayu was accused by the Rivers State governor of inducing the NWC members with huge sums of money in a bid to conceal his alleged financial recklessness.

Commenting on the development, Wogu said, “What is going on now is that we are shocked by the things that are coming out of the NWC. We have a major election to go to and we must inspire Nigerians and show that we want to get it right. We cannot, like Nero, watch while Rome burns.

“We cannot be on these things while the base of the PDP is being eroded on all fronts. The Labour Party is taking PDP supporters; the NNPP (New Nigeria Peoples Party) is taking PDP’s supporters and we are just wasting our time on these things. If Ayu is good enough for the party, we will reap the reward.

“Nigerians are not fools. What may happen is that people may judge us on those standards and those standards are not good enough for us. Nobody should be able to lead Nigeria with such happenings, no matter how you try to shield it from the public.

“How can we watch our youths speak to us as they are doing through their support for Peter Obi and we still don’t want to listen? We don’t want to hear, we are acting with the same arrogance by which we lost power the other time.”

He said while the APC was not in order, the PDP was not taking advantage of it but was rather engaging in needless issues, adding, “I appeal to the PDP to do the needful. We cannot go to an election in disunity and then expect a positive or desirable outcome. If we cannot unite our party, how can we unite a country?”

Responding to a question on whether Wike would officially declare support for a different presidential candidate other than Atiku, Wogu said the governor would make his intention known at the right time.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, had met with the governor on a few occasions, fuelling insinuations that he might be making moves to enlist Wike’s support.

Wogu added, “Wike has said he would openly declare his stand when we get to that point. He had a meeting with his leaders the other time and took a decision to withdraw from the campaign council. It is not unilateral because all the leaders came, spoke at the meeting and the decision was reached. You can’t do this kind of thing by yourself.

“The group has grown beyond him alone. Everybody will sit, people will give their opinions and the decision will be made.”

Following claims that Ayu may not be welcomed in the South-South during the campaigns, a former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Ogbonna Nwuke, said it was an issue of perception.

He said nobody would attack Ayu or inflict any bodily harm on him, but that his presence might remind the southern people that he was unfair to them and that this might be a minus for Atiku.

Nwuke added, “If someone is saying that Ayu will not be welcomed it only means that if Ayu comes for campaign with Atiku, his presence may remind the southern people of his attitude towards them.

“He is a Nigerian and he is free to visit any part of the country. However, he has no right to convince me to do what I don’t want to do.”

Atiku’s aide reacts

Reacting to Wogu’s statement, the Media Adviser to the PDP presidential candidate, Paul Ibe, said, “The question you should have asked Senator Nwogu is why he would want to abridge the rights of Senator Ayu like the rights of every other citizen of the Federal Republic.

“It is a dangerous precedent for anybody to abridge the right of any person and a national chairman of a party who was duly elected at a convention of a party. That amounts to a threat.”

‘2027 claims false’

Meanwhile, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council has denied reports that the former vice-president promised to support Wike for president in 2027 if he (Wike) brings his supporters back to Atiku’s fold.

The spokesperson for the campaign council, Dino Melaye, in a statement on Saturday said, “I speak for Atiku Abubakar that no such discussion (2027 presidency) between Atiku Abubakar and Governor Wike of Rivers State (took place).

“At no time did Atiku Abubakar discuss such with Governor Wike. Atiku never promised or discussed 2027 with Governor Wike or anyone for that matter.”

Another spokesperson for the campaign council, Daniel Bwala, echoed Melaye’s submission, describing the report as a strategy aimed at distracting the council from delivering on its mandate.

He told one of our correspondents, “This is part of those strategies to distract us from our focus on the campaigns. It is a strategy because when we went to Enugu a few days ago, Atiku assured Igbo people that he would be the leader for the actualisation of the South-East presidency.

“Atiku is one leader who has demonstrated genuine leadership in ensuring that the Igbo nation benefits from the promises of Nigeria. This strategy (alleged promise to support Wike) is to create friction between Atiku and Igbo people.”

A former governor of one of the North-Central States however confided in one of our correspondents, “Wike and his group are no pushovers. The Waziri knows this more than any other person, so, I am not surprised he (allegedly) went as far as asking him to return to the PCC with a promise to return the favour in 2027.

“Atiku in 2019 promised to do a single term. So, if he is already thinking of supporting another person in 2027, it means he is serious about it. It is a pity that senior members of our party who could have reconciled these people are not showing interest. Where is Goodluck Jonathan? Well, I don’t want to stir up another conversation as to whether he is still a member of the party or not.”

Meanwhile, a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State and loyalist of Wike, Kassim Afegbua, has asked the Rivers State governor to be wary of the former vice-president.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Afegbua insisted that power should return to the South, saying, “I have repeatedly said it loud and clear: After President Buhari’s eight years, the natural thing is to allow power to go to the South to help promote equity, stability, cohesion and unity of the country.”

Party plans intervention

A former Minister of Transport and ex-member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, told one of our correspondents on Saturday that committed members of the PDP would welcome anything that would move the party forward.

“Anything that can be done to advance the course of the PDP will be a welcome development to all sincere members of the party,” Babatope said.

He also said Wike’s insistence on Ayu’s resignation would not affect the party’s campaign. “It is not going to affect us. We are going to resolve it (crisis) anytime from now. I want to assure you that Wike will not trade the chances of the PDP with anybody, whether Peter Obi, Bola Tinubu, or anybody,” he added.

Atiku reaching out

Meanwhile, Atiku, who was in Gombe for a wedding, opened a campaign office dedicated to the realisation of his 2023 aspiration.

One of our correspondents gathered that the office was donated by Jamilu Ishaku, the first runner-up in the 2023 PDP governorship primary election in the state. He also donated 10 space wagon campaign vehicles.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, Atiku stated, “The PDP is a very popular party and it is the oldest party in Nigeria. We have realised that we made mistakes.”

On the wrangling in the party, Atiku said talks were ongoing.

He added, “I’m still talking to aggrieved members of the party and I believe at the end of the day we will work together.”

We’ll settle – PDP

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party would continue to pursue all its activities in a peaceful atmosphere.

He said efforts were being made to settle all the grievances among party members.

He added, “We appreciate the concern of Nigerians. We want to assure them that the leadership of the party has put out machinery that would settle grievances among its members. We have nothing to worry about. Soon, they would hear from us.”

Also speaking on the developments in the party, a former National Secretary and member of the National Executive Council, Prof Wale Oladipo, noted that the NEC had passed a vote of confidence in Ayu without any objection from any leader in the party.

Oladipo said in an interview, “Apart from our national convention, the next organ charged with making decisions in our party is NEC. NEC in its wisdom passed a vote of confidence in the NWC as presently constituted under the leadership of Dr Iyorchia Ayu. How can I as a member go against the decision of NEC?

“Anyone who had an objection (to Ayu’s chairmanship) ought to have come to NEC to object. After all, a motion was moved to pass a vote of confidence in the present leadership in the party, but before it was seconded, we gave the leaders the opportunity to raise a counter-motion; none was raised. So it was adopted. We have passed a vote of confidence in Ayu and his team and I stand by that.”

Oladipo noted that the controversy over the housing allowance for the NWC members was “unfortunate”. He said the payment did not breach the service manual approved by the party’s national convention.

Oladipo added, “I was the national secretary of the party, it is unfortunate that some people find themselves in high offices without knowing the laws guiding their positions. We have what we call a service manual. The manual is approved every four or two years, as the case might be, by the national convention of our party.

“The national convention is the highest decision-making organ of our party. The service manual must be approved by the national convention. The current service manual was approved by the last national convention. Until it is revoked by another national convention, it is the law guiding the operations of the party.

“There are entitlements for NWC members and part of it is the housing allowance. That is the two-year rent; N14.4m per year. There is nobody (in the NWC) who has not taken a housing allowance before. So, for anybody to turn it into a scandal is very unfortunate.”

Dear Lagosians, please find the list of Rallies in Lagos on October 1st. The Lekki Rally will converge at the designated location and will not proceed through the toll gate. Join us at the Surulere, Festac and Ikeja Rallies tomorrow. Vote Labour Party!
#PeterObiForPresident2023

When the row between Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spilled onto the streets after the party’s presidential primaries in May, I argued that to solve Wike, one had to first fix the candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

In light of Wike’s no-holds-barred interview last Thursday, things may have fallen apart, irretrievably. That interview, perhaps only comparable in seismic scale and onomatopoetic resonance with Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks, has shaken the PDP to its foundations.

The fallouts may well remain the biggest threat to the PDP’s electoral chances next year.

But what was the point, really? Was it to set the records straight? To take his pound of flesh? To avenge the betrayal of his ancestor – Peter Odili – sold down the river under similar circumstances? Or just to bring the roof down and, if possible, escape with the rubble as a trophy?

Wike is not done yet. Still, even in the midst of the wreckage left behind by his last interview, the inescapable question would be: what is his endgame?

I’m not sure his interview would significantly damage either party Chairman Iyorchia Ayu or Atiku. Verbal attacks that would damage politicians will kill them first. And their gift for taking disasters in their stride gets even better during campaign sessions when, to use the title of Simon Kolawole’s imaginative new book, most people would simply say, “It’s all politics!”

But even if Wike’s targets feel any discomfort at all, it still doesn’t answer the question: what is his endgame?

Endgame, mind game

My guess is that his objective is to severely damage both the candidate and the party that neither would be worth anything at next year’s poll. This might sound ridiculous, since the state PDP has fielded at least 48 candidates, believed to be his close allies, for next year’s election under the party’s flag.

Wike is not a fool. If he thought he would be unable to survive and make something for himself or his supporters from the party – whole or in ruins – it’s unlikely that he would play hardball.

Since it’s too late to switch parties at this time, my guess is that he would secure his base in Rivers State where he appears to be very much in control at this time. After the elections, he might for his spectacular labours of sitting in and pissing in, then use his base to negotiate with the party at the centre. That, of course, is assuming the APC wins the presidency, otherwise he would be dead meat.

We saw this arrangement work before when Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, made a deal with Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to turn a blind eye during the presidential election while securing Lagos during the state election. For parties not separated by ideology or principles, how Wike manages his post-election affairs, even if he succeeds, might yet leave him with a permanent label of “buyer beware”.

The conversation has, of course, not been framed in the stark terms I have used here. Wike, who might have been an excellent opposition leader in a parliamentary system, has said that this is not about himself.

According to him, he feels obliged to compel the party to honour its constitution on zoning, particularly since Ayu (a Northerner) accepted that he would step down, if a Northerner emerged presidential candidate.

Those on the other side say that was not exactly how Ayu put it. According to them, he said he would step down if the party (meaning the NEC) asked him to do so. In any case, they argue, why is Wike complaining or, to use campaign spokesman Daniel Bwalya’s phrase, playing God? After all, not only did he bring former Chairman Uche Secondus and later also instigate his removal, he also brought Ayu!

Ayu backstory

Now, that is where the story gets interesting. Inside sources informed me that Wike indeed brought Ayu, but it was an assignment executed for him by his ally and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. A source familiar with what happened said Ayu had assured Wike at the meeting in his house in Abuja that not on his watch as chairman “will one Fulani succeed another”.

At that point, well before the primaries of course, Wike had obviously told himself that he had the party exactly where he wanted it: he would be the inevitable PDP presidential candidate. But the last politician who kept his word was the one who never gave it.

When the sale of the party’s form started in March, it became an open sesame. To forestall a Northern coup, pro-Wike forces set up the Bala Mohammed committee which then took on a life of its own. It spent months looking for a secret in plain sight: that regardless of what the constitution said, it would be an “open contest!”. The rest, of course, is history.

But was there a chance that Wike and Atiku may have patched things up, especially after the famous but highly secretive London meetings? Improbable.

Sources familiar with the outcome of the meetings said even though Atiku seemed disposed to ditch Ayu, he was concerned about a) the impact, especially so close to elections, and b) that he might be unable to get the NEC to do it.

Of course, Wike allegedly assured him it wouldn’t be a problem. He, Wike, had done it before and the head of Secondus on a platter was proof. In case there was any question about a viable replacement this time, however, former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko, was on standby.

‘Owners’ of PDP

But there was an elephant in the room – the disposition of the “owners” of the party. When Atiku returned to Abuja from the London meetings and broached the matter, the “owners” declined. They expressed the view that Wike had crossed the line. He would be tackled at the “appropriate time”. No deal.

Two credible sources said the “owners” in question were former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau; a former Director General of the State Security Services, suspected to be Lawal Daura; and a shadowy but immensely consequential figure at the Villa likely to be Mamman Daura (President Muhammadu Buhari’s relation). A media mogul in the PDP also lent his voice.

Ayu is saved for another day not only by the vital intervention of some of the “owners” of the party but also by his “old boys’” network, reinforced by the promise that either himself or former Senate President Bukola Saraki could become the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation, if the PDP wins.

Now, back to the question: what is Wike’s endgame? To avenge his displacement from within while securing the positions of his allies who are already carrying the PDP flag into the next election. His destination – if not by words, but by conduct – is APC. Everything in-between is in translation.

And my guess is that he might not be a total stranger there. Not only because the main parties are largely different only in name, but also because some members of his cabinet and allies are refugees from APC, a party that has downgraded its funder-in-chief of yesterday, Rotimi Amaechi, from Buhari’s campaign DG to Tinubu-Shettima’s “adviser on infrastructure”.

Pundits may worry about the possible consequences of Wike’s actions on the fortunes of the PDP in Rivers State, and perhaps elsewhere that he may have clout. My guess is that the combined effect of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and Wike’s activities would prove quite daunting, especially in the South-East and South-South that have been the mainstay of the party in about two decades.

If we have seen anything in Nigeria’s politics in the last 23 years, however, we know that in the end, feuding parties know where their interests lie, whatever pundits may think. And, as we say in my neck of the woods, they will be alright!

@OfficialPDPNig Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Sani Yarima, former deputy governor of Zamfara state, Muktar Anka and Ambassador Abubakar Bunu during a visit to Atiku in Abuja today… This photo tells a story!

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are alerted of furtive moves by a compromised National Vice Chairman and a couple of members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to derail our Presidential Campaign and scuttle the deserving victory of our Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar at the 2023 general elections.

This National Vice Chairman and his cohorts who confessed to have been heavily bankrolled are approaching and offering members of NEC sums ranging from N25 million to N28 million each to address a damaging press conference with fabrications aimed at derailing the Presidential Campaign.

The said National Vice Chairman had approached me personally as a member of NEC to inform me of plots to orchestrate a heavily funded Press Conference to be addressed by select NEC members seemingly calling for the resignation of the National Chairman, Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, but actually targeted at frustrating the Atiku Abubakar Presidential bid.

He pointedly confessed to me that the demands and agitation of his group has not been against the Party Chairman, as the public have been made to believe, but against Atiku Abubakar.

He also vowed that nothing will assuage the group which is now bent at derailing the PDP Presidential Campaign.

Central to this plot is the timing of the damaging press conference, which has been scheduled to hold soon after the inauguration of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and official commencement of campaigns with a view to unsettle the PDP Presidential Campaign and scuttle Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential bid.

Part of the scheme is to use the press conference to throw up heavily concocted script which will contain unprintable damaging claims, assertions and allusions that will trigger confusion within the Party and sidetrack the Presidential Campaign

The said National Vice Chairman informed me of how huge sums have been paid to certain media houses and social media influencers to isolate and escalate the damaging content of the press content and throw up negative narratives to frustrate the campaign.

As a loyal and very dedicated Party man, I am obliged to alert PDP leaders, members, supporters and the general public and expose this furtive scheme against Atiku Abubakar, which is completely against the national interest.

PDP members and the general public should be at alert and note the surreptitious real intentions of any press conference by any group of members of NEC, purported to be against the National Chairman.

Any NEC member involved in such a press conference had obviously fallen to the juicy financial offer by the said National Vice Chairman and his paymasters.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is imperative to state that the overwhelming support being enjoyed by Atiku Abubakar across board is not and cannot be bought with money as Nigerians see in him the embodiment of the solution our nation needs at this point.

Chief Chinemerem Madu

National Officer (Imo)/PDP NEC Member

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar is set to begin his campaign for the 2023 presidential elections with a book launch.

The PDP candidate will launch 3 books on his leadership style, and contribution to democratic and constitutional growth in Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 – the day of the official commencement of campaigns for the 2023 presidential election

Atiku’s books which are titled; the Atiku Abubakar story, the Atiku Abubakar landmark constitutional law cases, Restructuring as pathway for unity and development; the Atiku Abubakar files, will be reviewed by Maxwell Michael Gidado, a professor of law at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Dignitaries expected at the book launch include former Vice-President; Arc. Namadi Sambo, former Commonwealth Secretary-General; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, FCT Senator; Philip Aduda as well as the Lamido Adamawa; Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa.

THE WHISTLER reports that Atiku will be going into the campaign for the 2023 presidential polls with a divided PDP house as some stakeholders of the party pulled out of his campaign team over his insistence on retaining Iyorchia Ayu as the party national chairman.

The All Progressives Congress APC Presidential Campaign Council has reaffirmed its inclusion of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani on its 422-member team unveiled at the Weeknd, saying it was never a mistake.

The clarification came as the council also assured APC state governors of its acceptance of the nominees submitted by them, saying they have not been discarded.

Nnamani, a serving senator is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is believed to have travelled out of Nigeria to Europe after making some revelations about some stalwarts of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

DAILY POST gathered that the Governor left the country at midnight on Friday to a yet to be verified country in Europe.

The mission of the Governor in Europe was not immediately known but it is public knowledge that in recent times Wike has been a frequent visitor to London for political reasons.

The Governor, who has been in the eye of the storm over the crisis rocking PDP, made stunning allegations against the national chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu. He alleged that Ayu took N1billion bribe from one of the presidential aspirants for the May 28 PDP convention.

Wike had addressed a televised media chat earlier on Friday in Government House, Port Harcourt, where he opened what can be termed a can of worms.

The Governor is believed to have jetted out of the State in a chartered flight from the Port Harcourt International Airport at about midnight on Friday.

A source in Government House, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the governor’s trip out of the country but could not come clear with the actual destination.

“Oga travelled last night around 12 midnight but I can’t say exactly where he is going to,” the source revealed.

Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of frustrating efforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to micro-zone its presidential ticket to the southeast.

Bwala made the comment on Friday, only hours after the Rivers Governor briefed the press on the PDP’s crisis since its presidential primary election in May.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Bwala said, “The whole gamut of power zoning here or there started with Governor Wike. He virtually had everything he wanted. He brought this chairman (Ayu).

“When a discussion was being held in the party that power should be zoned, I recall very well, Atiku was inclined that it should be zoned to either the southeast or northeast—these are the two geo-political zones that have not benefited.

“Then, he (Wike) said if it was ever zoned to the southeast, he was not going to run.

“The movement then was that it should be micro-zoned to the southeast – among stakeholders from the region. He (Wike) frustrated it because he was interested.

I finally carried out my social experiment. I drove around Ikeja at about 11:50pm, in mufti, in a private car. I passed through two police points. I spent five seconds at the first without a word from the police officer. He simply waved me on.

I spent thirty seconds at the second. Officer: You be Uber? Me: No. it’s my personal car. Officer: Find me something na. Me: I no get anything. Officer: See as you fine. Find me something na. Me: (silence). Officer: Oya, dey go.

On both occasions, immediately I was flagged down, I switched on the cabin light and wound down the glass on my side. I greeted first. In addition to this, in the second scenario, I smiled and deliberately appeared friendly.

Note: They did not recognize me; neither did I identify myself. It never got to that. Papers weren’t even asked for. I am positive there are many people with similar experiences out there. Different strokes for different folks, I know. One thing is sure, however.

Respect is reciprocal. Appreciate those who stand out there all day and night for lesser pay. Don’t be condescending. Don’t be unnecessarily aggressive. Don’t be docile too. Always be firm with your rights. And don’t resort to taking the laws in your hands.

There isn’t Utopia anywhere. Report the few bad eggs and we will continue to do internal cleansing. Thought to share my social experiment. Will tinker with the variables next time.

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has replaced his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, as the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Tambuwal assumed the position on Thursday at the National Economic Council meeting in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, after Fayemi transferred the baton of office to him.

The Director, Media and Public Affairs of NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, confirmed the change of baton in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, Tambuwal will be holding fort until May next year when a proper election is conducted among the governors.

The statement read, “Before making the announcement, the Ekiti State Governor acknowledged the result driven output of the NEC and thanked his colleagues and other members of the council for their support, explaining that yes, we may be occasionally troublesome, coming from the Forum of Governors, and we do test your patience but you have never really expressed any frustration with all our truculent questions and the insistence that the federation must be a true federation.”

“The new President of the FORAF also did not forget to thank the Secretariat of the NEC and through the NEC thanked the President and Commander in Chief of the Country for taking the resolutions of the NEC seriously by implementing them.

“In his response the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo said the NGF chairman had taken the wind out of their sail, because he was “meant to, on behalf of the NEC commend the Ekiti Governor and NGF Chairman’s informed and patriotic services to the council in the last four years and that was enhanced by your chairmanship of the NGF, admitting that the NGF has ensured that we move to a true federation, not just in words but in deeds as well.”

“Professor Osinbajo prayed that Dr fayemi’s services both nationally and globally to development, and to all of the good which the nation deserves and the global community deserves will continue.

“Dr Fayemi formally hands over the Chairmanship of the NGF to Rt Hon Amuinu Waziri Tambuwal on the October 16th.”

Before his new role, Tambuwal served as Vice Chairman of the Forum under Fayemi in the last four years.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expelled Dumebi Kachikwu, its presidential candidate, from the party over “anti-party activities”.

The decision of the party to suspend Kachikwu and seven other members was conveyed in a statement issued on Saturday by Ralph Nwosu, national chairman of the party.

The presidential candidate had supported the call for Nwosu to resign after holding office for 17 years.

In the statement, the chairman said a seven-member disciplinary panel found Dumebi guilty of all the allegations levelled against him.

“The seven-man Disciplinary Panel set up by the African Democratic Congress, ADC to look into the allegations of gross misconduct, anti party activities and gross violations of the Party’s constitution amongst others leveled against Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu and others, sat on the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th of September respectively and submitted its report formally to the leadership of the party on the 15th of September 2022,” he said.

“The panel found Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu and others guilty of the allegation leveled against them, subsequently in accordance with article 15 of the party’s constitution recommended that Mr.Dumebi Kachikwu and others be expelled from the party.

“The NWC met on the 16th of September 2022 to deliberate on the report and accepted the report of the Panel with modification.

“Consequently, the following individuals are hereby expelled from the Party: Dumebi Kachikwu, Kingsley Oggah, Bello Isiyaka, Kabiru Hussain, Kennedy Odion, Musa Hassan, Clement Ehiator and Alaka Godwin William.

“With this development, the party has taken strategic steps to clean its stable and determined to move into reckoning across the country.”

EKITI STATE PDP PLEDGES UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ATIKU
... Passes vote of confidence on Ayu

The Ekiti State chapter of the People's Democratic Party, ( PDP) has pledged its unconditional support for the presidential aspiration of the former Vice President of Nigeria and the PDP presidential candidate ,Alhaji Abubakar Atiku .

The party also passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu for providing credible leadership and direction for the party.

In a statement made available to Journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Raphael Adeyanju said :

" The Ekiti state chapter of the PDP, after a critical review of the interactive session of our Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku with the party leaders and stakeholders of the party in the Southwest , in Ibadan on Tuesday, is convinced that the agitation for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman , Senator Iyorchia Ayu should be suspended in the best interest of the party."

During the stakeholders' meeting, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde , who was the chief host had insisted that Ayu must step down for a Southerner to emerge as National Chairman , since Atiku, a Northerner is the party’s presidential flag bearer.

The Ekiti State chapter of the opposition party maintained that there is a great wisdom in the former Vice President's response that Ayu’s resignation must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution, rules, regulations and practice.

Adeyanju stated that: " Our party believes in the sanctity of our constitution, we must therefore do everything to maintain this sanctity. Any action that undermines the spirit of the party's constitution at this crucial stage can only be considered as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the next presidential election

" If we cannot respect our own rules, guidelines and constitution as a party how will Nigerians trust us to respect the constitution of the Federal Republic , if voted into the office?

"We appreciate the real concern of our zonal leaders and their determination to protect the interest of members against any form of marginalization, but we must also consider the fact that we also have very few months to go into the election, with a ruling party as our main opponent.

" Any hardliner stance at this crucial stance can only lead to a constitutional crisis and unnecessary litigation . These are avoidable distraction that must not be encouraged. We are aware that the next party official that has the constitutional right to succeed Ayu will also come from the Northern section of the country,while major positions will have to be swapped between the Northern and Southern zones of the country. "

The PDP spokesperson explained that major changes can not be affected within the party structure without another national convention that will involve a lot of planning and money.

He said, " Do we have the time and the resources to go into another National Convention now? How many party members currently holding executive positions will be ready to sacrifice their positions at this crucial period? Can you trust party members not to go into litigation over issues like these?
That is why we wish to appel to all stakeholders to suspend all agitations till after the election.

"We are ready to kickstart Atiku's campaign in Ekiti as soon as possible and we enjoin all our leaders to participate actively as it is obvious that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the only candidate that unites our nation as this critical moment"

Hon . Raphael 'Wumi Adeyanju
Ekiti State PDP Publicity Secretary
15/09/2022

Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, has been appointed the acting Chairman of the Police Service Commission(PSC). He appointment followed the resignation of the former Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith, on Wednesday.

The retired Justice of the Supreme Court would act pending the appointment of a new Chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari.

PSC Head of Press and Public Relations​Ikechukwu Ani, who made this known in a statement, said Members of the Management of the Commission met Wednesday, and nominated her.

He said the acting chairman who has since assumed duty promised to run an inclusive administration based on the rule of law.

Ani’s statement made available to Daily Sun reads; “The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police has formally resigned his appointment. His resignation which has been accepted by Mr. President takes immediate effect. Alhaji Smith retired on health grounds. Following his resignation and in pursuant to Schedule 2(4) sub-section 2(2) of the Police Service Commission Establishment Act 2001,Members of the Management of the Commission met yesterday, Wednesday, September 14th, 2022, and nominated a colleague, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, as the acting Chairman pending the appointment of a new Chairman by Mr. President.

Justice Ogunbiyi who was until her nomination the Commissioner 1 in the Commission and next in hierarchy to the former Chairman, expressed her appreciation to her colleagues for the confidence reposed on her and pledged to run an inclusive administration based on the rule of law.

She said the Commission deserves the best and promised to ensure that the Management will do everything possible to give the Staff, a Commission they will be proud of. “We will do our best by the grace of God and I believe our best will be good enough” she noted.

Meanwhile the Joint Union Congress of the Commission has suspended it’s strike action to allow the new Management to look into its demands.

The present Management of the Commission was inaugurated on the 25th of July 2018 and is expected to exit on the 24th of July 2023”.

Ahead of the proposed rally to commemorate second year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest, tagged “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” slated for October 1, 2020 or any other date, in Lagos State, 10 plaintiffs, including nine lawyers, have approached the Federal High Court, seeking to halt the rally.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop the Labour Party (LP), its candidates and supporters from staging the proposed rally. Specifically, they asked the court to restrain the LP, its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his vice, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure and their loyalists from holding the rally, pending the hearing and determination of their motion-on-notice of September 12, 2022.

The plaintiffs are Adedotun Ajulo, Salamatu Suleiman Lewi, Hakeem Ijaduola, Ogunbona Akinpelu, Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Mogbojuri Kayode, Wuyep Mantim Nadom, Dimimu Mabel, Kolawole Salami, and Wale Abe Lawrence.

The first 10 defendants are Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Governor of Lagos State. They filed an ex parte motion before Justice Daniel Osiagor, through their counsel, Mr. Dada Awosika (SAN), leading Temilolu Adamolekun and others. The plaintiffs argued that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020, under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in a post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public. They prayed the court for four reliefs.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the first, second, third and fourth defendants; their associates and loyalists from conducting the scheduled END SARS rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally on the first of October, 2020 or any other subsequent date, at the Lekki Toll Gate until the hearing and determination of the motion-on-notice dated September 12, 2022.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the first, second, third and fourth defendants and their loyalists from further planning and promoting the Scheduled END SARS Rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally”….

“An order of interim injunction restraining restraining the fifth, sixth, seventh defendants from allowing or granting permissions to the first, second, third and fourth defendants, their agents and the organisers of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” at the behest of the first, second, third and fourth defendants from carrying out the said anniversary on October 1, 2022 and any other subsequent date…

“An order of interim injunction restraining the eighth Defendant (LCC) from granting permission to the first, second, third and fourth defendants; their agents, privies, allies and loyalists, to make use of the Lekki Toll Gate or any space under and within the control of the eighth defendant for carrying out the said anniversary on October 1, 2022, and any other subsequent date…

Justice Osiagor directed the plaintiffs to put all the defendants on notice. The judge made the order following Awosika’s application. He adjourned the hearing of substantive motion till September 23, 2022.

I recently visited my senior brother, H.E. @GEJonathan to exchange views on an array of serious national interest questions. -PO

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal Has Resigned As Chairman Of The People's Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.

Tambuwal Announced His Resignation At The Party’s National Executive Committee Meeting Going On In Abuja.

Sokoto State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Mutawallen Sokoto) has been appointed the Director General (DG), PDP Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 general elections!

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has emerged as the new Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.

Makinde emerged as the new chairman few minutes after the former chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State resigns from the position on Thursday.

The oyo state governor emerged as the new chairman at the ongoing PDP National Executive Council Board meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, putting to rest the clamour for his (Ayu’s) resignation by some aggrieved party members.

A total of 397 members of the NEC including past national chairmen of the party, the immediate past Vice President of the country, Namadi Sambo, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, among others were accredited for the meeting.

All the 397 members of the NEC present at the meeting voted in support of Ayu to continue as the chairman of the party.

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar are arrogant because someone in the presidency is backing them.

Wike said the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, had refused to honour his promise to resign and yield his position to the South because he was banking on the presidential backing.

But the Governor reminded them the same forces at the Presidency promised someone the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but failed to deliver it.

The Governor said in due time he would reveal the identity of the person at the Presidency backing Atiku and the PDP.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is set to hold the 2022 edition of its private sector economic forum ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

According to a statement issued by the chamber, the forum is scheduled to hold on three separate dates at the Commerce House, Victoria Island, Lagos.

LCCI said the forum would provide a first-hand opportunity for presidential candidates of the three leading political parties to speak to the organized private sector on their economic blueprint for Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is expected to speak on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 9.30 am; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 9.30 am while Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would speak on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 9.30 am.

As part of its public policy advocacy, the chamber said it will continue to explore ways of creating a conducive business environment in Nigeria through positive engagement with governments at all levels.

“The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has over the years offered a platform where governorship and presidential candidates from major political parties in Nigeria present their plans for private sector development in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The LCCI has hosted this series of forum successfully over the last four political transitions (16 years) in the country.

“While the LCCI is non-partisan, private sector operators are however interested in the economic agenda of the candidates and their plans to make a better Nigeria in the next dispensation.”

LCCI said the event would be streamed on social media platforms and would also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions from the presidential candidates on their manifesto.

The Executive Chairman of Kanke Local Government Council of Plateau State, Henry Gotip has been reportedly abducted by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that gunmen stormed the residence of the Executive Chairman at Kwang in Jos South Local Government Council of the state in the early hours of Wednesday, and started shooting and abducted the council boss.

The council boss is also the Secretary of ALGON in Plateau State.

Sources said that the council boss was whisked away to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 1 am.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, has confirmed the kidnap and assured that the police are on top of the situation.

OONI TAKES STUNNING KOGI BEAUTY, MARIAM AJIBOLA ANAKO, AS WIFE

Latest reports from the ancient town of Ife holds that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has gotten a new wife.

After months of speculations that Ooni was set to take a new wife,he finally did.

This was revealed to our correspondent in a video uploaded by Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Publicity to Ooni.

It was learnt that the name of the new wife is Olori Mariam.

Arrangements started in March when Ooni sent a high powered delegation to her family to request for her hand in marriage

Unconfirmed sources say she is an Ebira girl and her family lives in ilorin.

Those who know her describe her as a nice and calm girl.

Inside sources say she is a lady the Ooni will enjoy because of her humility.

Her mother is from Erin-Ile in Kwara. It is the Yoruba speaking part of Ilorin.

I blame us for fighting for a better life for you people