Politics
Rivers PDP Clears Air On Intent Form Hoarding Allegations
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock over the action of some individuals who embarked on a failed attempt to disparage the integrity of the party by staging an unwarranted protest, last Wednesday, over alleged inability to obtain their Expression of Intent and Nomination Forms for various positions.
A statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Tambari Sydney Gbara, said that “They claimed to be members of the PDP who paid for nomination forms to the account of the PDP, but were denied access to obtain the forms at the state party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
“We doubt if they are actually members of our party, because if they are, they would have been better informed. We want to state it clearly here that all forms are printed and sold at the National Secretariat in Abuja as approved by National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
“Our state secretariat is not selling forms and has no business with the sales of forms; only the national secretariat is saddled with the responsibility of doing so. The truth is that aspirants in the state with the intention to buy forms were directed on how to go about it and obtain their forms; no money was paid to PDP Rivers State chapter for nomination forms.
“Therefore, it is rather too absurd for a group of people to without prior notice, storm the secretariat making frivolous claims of paying money to the National Secretariat of our party, and were told to come and pick up their forms in Port Harcourt. Let us ask those who made this bogus claims the following questions; was it a coincidence that about 40 persons were denied issuance of form at the same time and why did they wait to the last days of issuing of form to protest brandishing what looked like a receipt, if there is nothing sinister. Forms are obtained where payments are made.
“Without much ado, we will advise them to do well by going back to wherever they paid for their forms, to obtain them rather than constituting nuisance and disturbing the peace at the party secretariat. Party faithful are advised not to allow themselves to be used by enemies of the party to truncate the peaceful process going on in the party to elect those that will fly our flag in the forthcoming general election in 2023.
“Our party remains committed to due process, transparency, equity and rule of law in its processes. We enjoin our teaming members and followers to continue to support the party in its avowed determination to build a more united, formidable and stronger political organisation capable of transforming our society for good”, the party added.
By: Enoch Epelle
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”.