The Cracks Peter Obi Saw First

Peter Obi speaking during a political event as debate continues over his departure from the ADC coalition and subsequent controversies surrounding the party's presidential primary.

Peter Obi’s departure from the ADC coalition was initially dismissed by critics as political calculation. However, allegations of irregularities and public disagreements following the coalition’s presidential primary have reignited debate over the concerns he raised before leaving. This article examines whether the coalition is confronting the same challenges it once promised to overcome.

FCT Council Polls: Between Political Triumph and Democratic Questions

Nyesom Wike speaking during a broadcast on the outcome of the FCT area council elections in Abuja

The APC’s sweeping victory in the FCT area council elections has been hailed by Minister Nyesom Wike as proof of democratic renewal under President Bola Tinubu. However, critics argue the results raise deeper questions about political dominance, opposition strength, and the true state of democracy in Nigeria’s capital.

PDP Expels Southeast Ex-Vice Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oguduokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has officially removed Ali Odefa, the suspended National Vice Chairman for the Southeast, from its membership.  Odefa’s troubles began on September 11, 2024, when the ward executives suspended him, citing accusations of anti-party activities.  This suspension was later upheld by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki on November 29, 2024. Following an internal review, the party’s disciplinary committee presented its findings, concluding that Odefa’s alleged actions were contrary to party regulations.  Acting on this recommendation, the ward leadership announced his expulsion. The PDP confirmed that this decision aligns with its constitutional guidelines, effectively terminating Odefa’s membership.

EFCC Siezes Okowa’s Passport 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international passport of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta State Governor, amid investigations into an alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion.  The funds, linked to the 13% oil derivation allocation from 2015 to 2023, reportedly lacked proper accounting under his administration.   Okowa, who also faces allegations of investing N40 billion in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and acquiring an 8% equity stake in a major Nigerian bank, was taken into custody on November 4, 2024.  He has since been granted bail, with a requirement to submit his travel documents to the EFCC as investigations continue.   The agency is scrutinizing these transactions for potential mismanagement, as they aim to prevent any attempt to evade justice.  Okowa has denied the accusations, attributing them to political motives, and expressed confidence in clearing his name.   The EFCC’s probe into Okowa’s administration has reignited public discourse on the financial accountability of former governors.

House Of Reps Member Defects From PDP To APC

The member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gummi dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC with immediate effect. The defection was announced on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas while reading a letter from the lawmaker during plenary on Wednesday. Gumi in his letter, said his defection is a result of the lingering and unresolved internal crisis within the PDP. “It is noteworthy to state here that the PDP has two chairmen in my constituency, Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency. One was unconstitutionally removed while the other decamped with me, hence the party lacks structure in my constituency, and this has made it difficult for me to provide good representation and prompt delivery of dividends of democracy to my constituents,” the letter read. After reading the letter, Speaker Abbas asked Gummi to stand up for recognition as he welcomed him to the APC.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde officially enters 2027 presidential race

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially announced his intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 elections. Supporters of Makinde have already begun showing their backing, using the hashtag #MakindeForPresident to spread his campaign across social media platforms. Currently, the governor is hosting members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) press corps in Ibadan, where he is showcasing his various development projects across the southwest region. Interestingly, the official social media accounts of the PDP have also started using the #MakindeForPresident hashtag while sharing photos and videos of these key projects. Makinde has positioned himself as a leading candidate within the opposition party, and the social media campaign suggests that his bid for the presidency has now officially begun.

Atiku writes National Assembly, seeks six-year term for President

Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has written to the National Assembly, requesting an amendment to the Constitution to allow for a six-year single term for the President and state governors. In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South. It is noteworthy that during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, he advocated for a six-year single term for the presidential seat. Following the 2023 general elections, Atiku has continued to support this tenure proposal. He stated, “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, flowing between the North and South on the single term of six years respectively.” Atiku urged the National Assembly to “amend Section 135(2) to read: ‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.’” Additionally, he proposed the “substitution of an aspirant” in Section 285(14)(a) with “a voter.” The former Vice President also suggested that the minimum educational qualification for a person to run for election should be the Ordinary National Diploma instead of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(a) to read: “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.” Furthermore, he recommended the insertion of a paragraph in Section 65(2)(a)(i) to read: “Evidence of certificates of all educational qualifications of a candidate shall be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission or an affidavit by the candidate in the event of loss of his/her educational certificates, qualifications obtained, and dates, stating the schools attended.” Atiku also advocated for political parties to have more power in the candidate selection process. He proposed an “amendment to Section 65(2)(b) to read: ‘He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission 30 days before the conduct of the political party’s primary and he is sponsored by that party.’”

‘We are sorry,’ Fubara’s kinsmen apologise to Wike

The Elders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party has apologised to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing rift between him and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara. The elders, led by the Executive Director of Finance at the Niger Delta Development Commission, Boma Iyaye, apologised to Wike on Saturday at the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples Congress organised in his honour in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Iyaye stated that the Ijaw people were sorry for the embarrassment and public display of disregard for the minister by Fubara. He said, “On behalf of our people, we are apologising to you for what our son is doing to you. We are sorry. We are sorry because it is not in our nature to pay evil for good. You have done well for us, and we will continue to say thank you. “Your Excellency, do not, because of this bad behaviour of our son, run away from us. Continue to be our brother. Continue to have us in mind. We have never set our feet on the number one seat of Rivers State. You made it possible for us to become the governor of Rivers State.” The Chairman of the Elders Forum, PDP Rivers State, Ferdinard Anabraba, berated the Fubara government, saying that the Ijaw nationality would not forget Wike. “The aberration we are seeing in the administration of Rivers State is only a demonstration of lack of political discharge of an individual, and by no means the opinion of Ijaw people. “We, the Ijaw, see you as the light of Rivers State. You are indeed a notable strategist in Nigeria’s contemporary politics. And without doubt, you are the most celebrated Ijaw politician of national recognition,” he said.