Category: Politics

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for peace and unity among the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeast Zone and the entire country, urging aggrieved members to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing reconciliation process to come back to their fold.

The governor made the appeal when he received in audience, Thursday, the members of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee led by the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was at the Enugu Government House on a courtesy visit to the governor to brief him on the progressive efforts of the committee.

Mbah, who described Enugu as the bastion of PDP, carrying the party’s banner with pride, enjoined the committee to ensure genuine and lasting peace in their efforts to bring back aggrieved members into the party.

He insisted that the only way the party could win elections was through a united front built on true reconciliation and justice.

“There is no way we can afford to go into a battle with a divided house. So, we must, as a matter of utmost urgency, integrate and constitute ourselves as a whole, which is why the task you are carrying out on behalf of our party is very critical and sensitive and it is one that requires patience, tact and absolute wisdom,” he said.

Mbah further added that the party in the Southeast operated with some peculiarity of brotherhood whose differences could easily be resolved as siblings and members of one family, stressing that the party in the zone had done extensive work to ensure those who left the party were brought back.

“We also believe that the Southeast is a stronghold of the PDP and if we have people who are out now, it is not necessarily their desire to be out. So, what we need at this time is to bring back our aggrieved members to where they belong. And of course, the PDP is still largely the party with the spread that is required to win any election in this country and still appeals to the people of this country.

“I have no doubt in mind that those our brothers who are just waiting for moments like this will be brought back to where they belong and we can forge a strong alliance going into the next general elections,” the governor stressed.

Speaking earlier, the PDP National Reconciliation Committee Chairman said that the disunity in the party was one of the reasons the party lost the 2023 presidential election and other election cycles in the country.

Oyinilola appealed to the grief-stricken members of the party in the Southeast to sheathe their swords and embrace the idea behind the peace and reconciliation process for the good of the party and the wellbeing of Nigerians.

According to him, Nigerians had become disenchanted and disillusioned under the national ruling APC caused by the party’s anti-people policies, saying PDP was the only party that could rescue the country.

Also speaking, the state party chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, said the reconciliation move would rejig the party’s ongoing efforts in the state and bring back disgruntled members.

He expressed optimism in the leadership style of governor in the state, noting that the party was already witnessing mass return of members who left for other parties.

…say suspension engineered by APC backed Pro-Wike group led by Anyawu, Ikpeazu 

Nigeria’s Opposition Lawmakers Coalition has urged Nigerians and party faithful to disregard the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara from the Party.

The Coalition in a statement by its Spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere alleged that the suspension was engineered by the former National Secretary of the Party, Samuel Anyanwu, former governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu and some others who are loyal to the minister of FCT, Nysesom Wike.

Ugochinyere dismissed the purported suspension, describing it as null and void and of no effect whatsoever not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of the Party.

He added that Adolphus Nwabara remains the National Chairman of the BoT and there’s nothing these Pro Wike group can do.

The statement reads, “This is an attempt to ridicule the efforts of Adolphus Nwabara to help find sustainable solutions to these party problems. How can you say you’re suspending the national board of trustee chairman of the party? A member of the National Executive Committee. When i say that Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagum and Wike camp have gone crazy, people don’t believe it.

“The suspension is the figment imagination of these pro Wike group APC in PDP is dead on arrival, you cannot suspend the National board trustee chairman, that the constitution expressly forbids you. You can see that there’s nothing sacred to them, they are out to destroy this party. Now they’ve moved their political madness, attempting to destabilize the board of trustee. But i know the BoT members are eminent and they can see through this political madness. It’s a suspension that was conducted in FCT ministry as far am concerned. The National board of trustee chairman of our party remains, Sen. Adolphus Nwabara and there’s nothing these Pro Wike group can do.”

…Anambra has overtaken Enugu – Ugo Agballah

Ewoh Doris, Enugu

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji has appealed to citizens of Enugu State to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Minister made the appeal in an event held in Enugu on Friday, February 7, 2025 to receive Mr Basil Ani, the defecting chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into the All Progressive Congress.

Nnaji stated that APC has all it takes to transform Nigeria into a global player in the comity of nations, pointing out that the party has done well in repositioning the country since it came into power. He went on to criticize the ruling party in the state, adding that APC is the place to be.

“We are deliberately bringing up an alternative government. A government that is based on the people of Enugu State. A government that will come and listen to the cry of the people.

“We are appealing to our people to keep joining APC, that’s the party at the national level. You can see the number of jobs we have provided, both employment and federal appointments. It has never been this good in the South East and in Enugu State in Particular”, said Mr Nnaji.

On his part, the Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Ugochuchukwu Agballah, commended President Tinubu for providing leadership, adding that the party is stronger now to take on the PDP in the state.

Mr Agballah further said: “A state like Anambra has overtaken Enugu, all because a cabal has held the state captive for 26 years of democracy and APC has come to take back that power”.

He asserted that every state in the Eastern region had the benefit of experiencing another party in government except Enugu.

Mr Basil Ani, former PDP chieftain, in his remarks explained that joining APC wasn’t about agreeing with policies and signing membership cards, “it’s about making a personal commitment, putting values into action, working together not just as party members but as fellow citizens to create the society of our dreams which we know is possible”.

PACESETTER reports that other APC stakeholders at the event were the Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Comrade Fidelis Edeh; the APC Chairman, Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Hon. Nnaemeka Agbo; among others.

…Urges FG to revisit macroeconomic policies over hardship

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum rose from its first 2025 monthly meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital, on Friday, with a resolution backing the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which pronounced the former National Youth Leader of the party, Hon. S.K.E Udeh-Okoye, as the authentic National Secretary of the PDP and advised the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the court decision accordingly.

The Forum equally advised the NWC to reschedule to 13th March 2025 the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party earlier fixed for February.

This was even as the party rued the hardship in the land and called on the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to revisit its macroeconomic policies to mitigate the sufferings of the Nigerian masses.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which had in attendance the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Diri Duoye of Bayelsa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Muftwang of Plateau State, Governor Agbu kefas of Taraba State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal.

The communique rendered by the Forum’s Chairman read, “The Forum employed the occasion to review the performance of member states in particular and the state of the nation in general, as well as developments in the party, as at the end of 2024.

“The Meeting noted that the macro-economic policies of the Federal Government had inflicted hardship and pain on the polity; therefore, the Forum calls on the Federal Government to either revisit or rejig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate and stop the hardship/pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians as no meaningful/impactful achievements in the states will be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed.

“The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee, NWC, on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.

“The Forum having examined all the notices required by law to be given to validly convoke NEC advised NWC to reschedule NEC to the thirteenth (13th) of March 2025.”

The Forum went further to express concerns over what it termed the resurgence of non-state actors and called for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.

It enjoined Nigerians not to despair over the hardship in the land, as it would soon return to power to fix the nation.

“While commending the country’s valiant and patriotic Armed Forces and security agencies for maintaining the frontline in securing the country and the gains of our gallant personnel against bandits in parts of the country, the Forum viewed with deep concern the resurgence of brazen non-state actors. It therefore calls for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.

“Finally, the Forum enjoined Nigerians not to despair in the face of the prevailing hardships with the firm assurance that the PDP will remain committed to returning our great nation to the glorious days of pre-2015 era of manageable costs of living, security of lives and property and greater unity and prosperity for all citizens,” the communique further read.

The Forum commended governors of member states “for pursuing policies and programmes that not only ameliorated the plight of the people but were also aimed at creating the foundation for sustainable development in their various states.

It lauded Governor Oborevwori for the giant strides recorded by his administration in the areas of infrastructure, environmental remediation, people empowerment and combating insecurity in Delta State.

The Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, have reopened talks that could pave way for the return of the erstwhile party member to the PDP fold.

Edeoga, a former PDP Member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, had also served as Special Adviser (Legal) to former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in the 6th Senate as well as Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters to former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; and two-term Commissioner in the Administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi between 2015 and 2022 all on the platform of the PDP before he pulled out of the party after the governorship primary to run on the platform of LP.

However, addressing reporters at a joint press briefing after a closed-door meeting with Edeoga at the former LP flag bearer’s Enugu residence, the Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the PDP, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, told newsmen that the meeting was in line with his agenda to unite the party and bring back all former party members.

“PDP used to be the only party in Enugu State. But in the last election, something happened that things didn’t go the way it used to go. So, when I came on board, I discussed with the governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, that we must do everything possible to get all our people back in the fold. We must do everything possible to see that Enugu State becomes 100 per cent PDP the way it used to be. And we took the decision to consult with some of our very key people, who have been PDP all along.

“Chijioke Edeoga is one of them. When we discussed, he told me in plain language that he owes a lot to PDP and he had become a lot through the PDP. He has been in the State Executive Council of Enugu State under PDP and a lot more.

“We have had a lot of discussions before now and today I came to his house with the members of my executives – the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, and Publicity Secretary, and he is okay and satisfied with our visit. I believe, from what he told us, that we are going to have him back to the party. The only thing is that being somebody, who is not standing alone, who has people who are his team members, it is only right that he should also consult before coming to give us the expected verdict so that we will all go into the next election united as one family that we have always been. We know and we are confident that PDP under Dr. Peter Mbah will eventually become what it used to be as the only party in Enugu State.

“Importantly, he has asked us to tell the governor that he has seen all his good works; that even the blind man can see the good roads. So, our visit has been very successful and when next we will call you , it will be for him to tell you what I call the expected response.

Speaking also, Edeoga concurred with all that Dr. Chukwunweike had said, noting that he would consult his supporters in addition to the discussions with the PDP chieftains.

“Yes, the leadership of PDP in Enugu State came to see me, demanding I should come back to the PDP and I told them I will consult widely because I am a product of several men and women of goodwill. I have enormous respect for the team and the Chairman, but it is not in the nature of Igbo people to hear such a weighty thing and respond immediately. I am going to take it home and I will as early as possible get back to the Chairman and my position will be known. But it has been a wonderful meeting of brothers and former allies,” he stated.