Politics
PDP Vows To Reclaim C’River From APC In 2023
Ex-Cross River State Governor, Mr Liyel Imoke, said in Calabar yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2023 general election.
He told newsmen at the end of a PDP caucus meeting that the party’s confidence stemmed from the fact that it had never lost election in the state.
Sitting Governor Ben Ayade won the governorship seat on the platform of the PDP, but defected to the APC on May 20, 2021.
Imoke said the caucus meeting was summoned to strategise for the 2023 elections.
“We have never lost election in Cross River since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy; a defection is not a loss.
“In 2023, we do not intend to lose; that is why the caucus meeting was convened to rub minds, share opinions and strategise towards winning the 2023 general elections.
“On the issue of zoning, just as at the national level where the issue of zoning is being discussed, we also discussed it at the caucus level.
“It is not my responsibility to disclose what was discussed on the issue,’’ the former minister of power said.
He maintained that the PDP in the state was organised, well managed, and had an experienced chairman with a long history of political participation.
In his remarks, the chairman, Mr Venatius Ikem, said the caucus had robust discussions on varied issues, including zoning and that the public would be informed of decisions taken at the appropriate time.
Ikem stressed that the party was yet to take a decision on the zoning of power or any other position in the state to the southern senatorial district.
“On the issue of zoning power to the southern senatorial district, our party will take its decision at the appropriate time.
“Wherever you hear about the zoning of power or particular positions to the southern senatorial district for now, I am sure the source is not the PDP.
“All party aspirants are assured of a level playing field pending when we make decisions on all matters before us, including zoning,’’ the chairman said.
The Tide source reports that the caucus meeting was attended by stalwarts like Mr Donald Duke, former Cross River governor, Sen. Sandy Onor, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo and Prof. Stella Atu, among others
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.