Politics
Again, Abia PDP expels Wabara as Ortom, others shun Ikimi panel
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The Peoples Democratic Party State Working Committee in Abia State on Tuesday expelled the embattled PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara.
The chapter, in a statement jointly signed by Chairman Abraham Amah and Secretary Peter Nwaokonko, stated that the decision was made during an emergency meeting held after receiving the Disciplinary Committee’s report.
This comes as former Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, embattled PDP factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu and others again refused to appear before the Ikimi Disciplinary Panel.
According to the Abia State PDP chairman, the investigative committee thoroughly reviewed Wabara’s earlier suspension before deciding to expel him.
He explained that the expulsion was due to Wabara’s endorsement of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for a second term in office, which the PDP considered an act of disloyalty to the party.
As of the time of this report, Wabara had yet to issue any statement regarding his expulsion.
This is happening a few weeks after Wabara was suspended by the SWC for alleged anti-party activities
However, the National Working Committee nullified his suspension.
Despite Wabara challenging the suspension in court, the Abia chapter insisted on his expulsion from the party.
Following Wabara’s expulsion, the party asked the PDP leadership to replace him.
A statement issued by the Abia PDP read in part, “Senator Adolphus Wabara is hereby expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party. The Abia State PDP reaffirmed its commitment to upholding party discipline and ensuring that all members operate within the framework of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).
‘’The party remains resolute in preserving unity, loyalty, and respect for party structures. No member, regardless of status, is above the party’s rules and regulations.’’
The party asked the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee to act swiftly by appointing an acting chairman for the PDP BoT ‘’in the interest of the party’s stability and in compliance with our party’s constitution.”
“In line with Article 57(3) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), which stipulates that an expelled member cannot exercise any rights or privileges within the party, the Abia State Executive Committee hereby recommends the immediate appointment of an Acting BoT Chairman by the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our great party,’’ it declared.
Meanwhile, the crisis within the PDP has further escalated with former Benue State governor, Ortom, Senator Anyanwu, and others failing to attend the National Disciplinary Committee led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi.
The committee held its session in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ortom was represented by his legal adviser, Clement Mue, while Anyanwu, in an interview with The PUNCH, disclosed that he had informed the NDC that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court, and addressing the issues related to his invitation would amount to prejudice.
On February 6, the NDC, led by Ikimi, issued a statement summoning Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 other individuals to appear before the committee on February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.
The proceedings of the NDC have been kept confidential, and the identities of the other 10 invitees remain undisclosed.
Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with members accusing others of undermining the party’s interests and calling for disciplinary measures.
In response, the PDP National Working Committee established a disciplinary committee on August 21 to allow members to file complaints, hear both sides, and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.
However, nearly five months after its creation, the crisis has worsened, with both former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu claiming the position of National Secretary.
Despite Ude-Okoye receiving backing from the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the dispute remains unresolved.
Ortom, who raised legal concerns about the authenticity of the petitioners, Anyanwu, who cited medical reasons and the other 10 individuals did not attend the NDC meeting on February 12.
Despite receiving invitations from Ikimi’s committee, both Ortom and Anyanwu, along with the others, also failed to show up on Tuesday at the committee’s meeting at the Legacy House in Maitama.
The meeting, which was exclusively covered by The PUNCH, began at approximately 12:30 pm. In attendance were the Chairman of the NDC, the Secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), and former Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina.
The leaders of the group behind the petition against Anyanwu, the PDP Young Generation Caucus, who were called into the closed-door session, called for the embattled Secretary’s resignation.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the group’s legal director, Alex Ter Adum, and President, Afolabi Adekanbi disclosed that they filed a petition against Anyanwu due to allegations that he had threatened the party with violence.
Adum stated that Anyanwu should have fully utilized the PDP’s internal conflict resolution processes before resorting to the court.
He noted, “Today, we appear before the National Disciplinary Committee of the party. Our petition is specifically against the former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
“Our petition is that Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s actions, immediately after the resolution of the PDP Governor’s Forum meeting of January 31, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State, where he, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, wrote letters to external bodies, including the police, the DSS, and other threatening to bring violence to the PDP Governor’s Forum, the BOT, the National Executive Committee members of the party, and the National Working Committee and to take over the PDP Secretariat.
“This is a clear violation of Article 58, Sub-Article H of the PDP Constitution, which states that no member of the party shall do anything likely to bring the party into disrepute.
“Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was then the National Secretary of the party and an officer of the NWC and NEC of the party, ought to have exhausted all internal channels of dispute resolution if he was aggrieved by the decision of the PDP Governor’s Forum and the PDP Board of Trustees.
“He had no right, as the chief protector of the constitution of the party, to act in flagrant violation of a very substantive provision of the constitution. His actions have brought the party into disrepute and continue to do so, contesting every decision made by all the relevant organs of the party and its leaders up to this moment.”
He expressed hope that the NDC would recommend Anyanwu’s suspension if he was unable to defend the allegations.
Adum added, “We feel that he should come and face the National Disciplinary Committee to defend himself against these allegations.
“But if he is unable to, and the committee finds merit in our petition, which we adopted this afternoon, then Senator Anyanwu should be suspended from the party, expelled from the party, and denied all privileges that come with his membership.
“We are praying and hoping that the National Disciplinary Committee will do what is right and recommend this to the National Executive Committee of the party so that we can restore peace to our party.”
The president of the group explained that they believed the current problems within the party were orchestrated by some individuals, including Anyanwu.
Adekanbi argued, “He claimed to be in defiance of the appeal court judgments. So, he is going to the Supreme Court on that because the Appeal Court has declared Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary.
“There are some activities that went wrong with him. He has written to the DSS, police, and others, trying to cause disturbances within the party.
“So, just take it clearly that nobody is above the party; if there are issues in the party, they have to remain within the party. That’s why we have a committee that can take care of those issues. But for someone to believe they are above the party, writing to the DSS, writing to the police, and whatever, that means the party is no longer supreme.
‘’We know we have a lot of petitions, whatever case in courts, and they want disaster with the National Secretariat. That’s why the NWC, the governors, and others have to rely on that judgment. Who are you not to rely on that?
“So, we want the NDC to make a judgment because once you violate that section of our constitution, you have to be suspended. That’s it. So, we ask the panel to suspend him from the party.”
In his defence, Anyanwu stated that he had notified the committee of his intention to appear before it but emphasized that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
The factional national secretary, in an interview with The PUNCH, declared that since the issue is under Supreme Court review, no one can make a decision on it, and discussing is sub judice.
“I did not attend (the NDC session) because of the pending litigation. I wrote a letter to the committee informing them that the matter surrounding my office is before the Supreme Court.
“So, it would amount to sub judice for me to go before them and for them to start talking about a matter before the Supreme Court. As it is now, nobody can do anything until the court decides,” he submitted.
On his part, Ortom’s lawyer asserted that the NDC has yet to apologise to the former Benue governor for publicly announcing its petition in the media without formally inviting him.
Mue further revealed that they were shown the acknowledged copy of the petition they had sent earlier, adding that the absence of the petitioners had rendered their petition meaningless.
The counsel stated, “I came here regarding the petition written against the former governor of Benue State, His Excellency Samuel Ortom, and 10 other members of the PDP in Benue State.
“ PDP is our party. Though they didn’t write an apology as Ortom requested, but eventually, they showed us a copy of the first petition and the letter they wrote. That’s why we’re here. And when we came, regrettably, those who wrote the petition are not here to defend it.
“So, it’s like that petition is non-existent, and it’s dead on arrival because nobody came forward to admit they are the author of the petition. I think it’s just a matter of name-dropping in the nature of politics we have found ourselves in.
“I have advised them to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution and other extant laws governing this type of proceedings.”
When reached for comment, Ortom’s media aide, Nathaniel Ikyur, explained that the former governor did not attend the session because the procedures being followed by the NDC were legally flawed.
He said the ex-governor had also faulted the composition of the committee.
“The former governor cannot just jump into a process. So, it’s a legal matter, and we’re there to ask questions and ensure that the NDC is operating within the legal framework.
“He was not there because he travelled, and also because the composition of the NDC did not align with the PDP 2017 Constitution, as amended.”
A member of the committee informed The PUNCH that the Ikimi panel requested additional evidence from the anti-Anyanwu petitioners.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid victimization, the insider further revealed that some NDC members believed that the continued absence of those who complained against Ortom made their petition invalid.
‘’While questioning those who petitioned Anyanwu, the NDC observed that the evidence wasn’t convincing enough and demanded that the petitioners provide more.
“As for Ortom and the 10 others, the petitioners failed to show up for the second time. The committee members are concerned that if this continues, their petition may be dismissed. Therefore, the committee has adjourned again, I believe, till April 4 to deliberate further.”
The chairman of the committee refused to comment when approached by our correspondent.
Credit: PUNCH
The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider resigning his position, having failed woefully in discharging most of his campaign promises. And having failed to improve the standard of living of the citizens.
Reacting to the announcement of the British Prime Minister’s resignation, which is not unconnected with the complaints of British citizens about their deteriorating standard of living under his watch, Obi, in a tweet he titled “owning up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility”, advised Tinubu to emulate the British PM and save the country from the worsening economic situation.
Writing on his X handle, the 2023 Labour Party presidential flagbearer said, “This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
“The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
“Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible”
Chief Ikeje Asogwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has emerged the winner of the June 20, 2026 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 9,299 votes.
The by-election was conducted to replace late Senator Okey Ezea, who was representing the district at the time he died on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Nsukka, the Returning Officer of the election, Prof Christian Ezeibe, the Dean, Department of Students Affairs at University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, said Asogwa scored the highest votes in the election to emerge the winner.
“Asogwa having satisfied the requirements of the law in this election is hereby declared the winner and is returned.
“I thank you all for your cooperation, support and maturity that made the by-election a success,” he said.
According to Ezeibe, the number of registered voters in Enugu North Senatorial District was 727, 340 while 184,094 were accredited in the election.
A breakdown of the result scored by five other candidates showed that Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the African Democratic Party, ADC, polled 1,676 votes while Kingsley Aneke of Boot Party, BP, got 1607 votes.
Other candidates are Ejike Simon Eze of Labour Party, LP, 1,027 votes, OssElias Okwudiri Ossai of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, 3,129 votes and Charles Ugochukwu of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, 667 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Asogwa, the senator elect, said the outcome reflected the overwhelming support of the residents of the six local government areas that made up the Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
He promised to give the senatorial zone quality and effective representation to justify the massive support and confidence residents had expressed through their votes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Adenike Oladiji, who declared the results at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, said that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes.
Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
According to her, a total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes, 6,332 rejected votes, and total votes cast.
Voting, which began at about 8:31 a.m, ended officially at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, with more than 300,000 voters casting their ballots.
INEC has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the APC as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, said the incumbent governor polled 319,224 votes.
She also said that while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
2:25 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the collation of results from the 16 LGAs, the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji, says that the results will be transferred to the Form EC8D.
2:22 a.m.
Moba LGA
ADC- 994
APC – 20,500
PDP – 1,572
2:19 a.m.
Ekiti East
ADC- 1,730
APC – 26,359
PDP – 2,795
2:15 a.m.
Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA
ADC- 511
APC – 29,278
PDP – 2,119
The collation officer said that the result from one of the polling units was cancelled due to over-voting.
2:08 a.m.
Ikole LGA
ADC- 812
APC – 26,508
PDP – 750
2:04 a.m.
Aiyekire (Gbonyin) LGA
ADC- 314
APC – 17,133
PDP – 1,563
1:52 a.m.
Oye LGA
ADC- 998
APC – 18,975
PDP – 2,891
1:49 a.m.
Ise/Orun LGA
ADC- 365
APC – 12,908
PDP – 1,627
1:40 a.m.
Ilejemeje LGA
ADC- 579
APC – 8,984
PDP – 1,243
1:37 a.m.
Ado Ekiti LGA
ADC- 1,054
APC – 38,026
PDP – 3,817
1:31 a.m.
Ekiti West LGA
ADC- 674
APC – 28,258
PDP – 3,644
1:26 a.m.
Ido-Osi LGA
ADC- 561
APC – 17,901
PDP – 1,449
1:22 a.m.
Ekiti South-West LGA
ADC- 1,076
APC – 14,705
PDP – 1,800
1:13 a.m.
Ikere LGA
ADC- 245
APC – 11,116
PDP – 9,892
1:12 a.m.
Ijero LGA
ADC- 2,026
APC – 25,506
PDP – 2,479
1 a.m.
Efon LGA
ADC- 201
APC – 8,742
PDP – 2051
12:59 a.m.
Emure LGA
ADC – 732
APC – 14,325
PDP – 851
12:57 a.m. The announcement of results from the LGAs has begun.
12:37 a.m. The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji.
12:35 a.m. INEC has begun the collation of results of the Ekiti State governorship election. The exercise is taking place in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
11:51 p.m. As of 11:50 p.m., 97.18 per cent of the Ekiti State governorship election results have been uploaded on the INEC IReV portal. Results have been submitted from 2,376 out of 2,445 polling units.
9:27 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has said that the official collation of the governorship election results from the LGAs will commence at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
9:21 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has explained that 19 political parties were contained in the ballot paper for the Ekiti election to avoid the financial cost of printing fresh ballot papers due to court orders.
8:32 p.m. Shogunle also says one person was arrested for ballot box snatching during the election.
8:23 p.m. Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the Ekiti State governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, says the police have not received any report of vote buying in the exercise so far.
7:59 p.m. Yiaga Africa’s Samson Itodo says 24 incidents of violence were reported across 10 local government areas during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
4:35 p.m. INEC has commenced the upload of polling unit results from the Ekiti State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), after the official close of voting.
As of 6p.m. on Saturday, the commission had uploaded 846 results out of the 2,445 expected polling unit results, representing 34.60 per cent of the total.
4:30 p.m. INEC says that all 2,445 PUs were successfully opened for the governorship election earlier in the day. According to the body, 2,257 PUs (92.31 per cent) opened on schedule before 8:30 a.m, while 188 PUs (7.69 per cent) experienced minor delays but commenced voting before 10:30 a.m.
4 p.m. Voting was still ongoing as of 4 p.m. at Polling Unit 006, where the PDP candidate cast his vote, as some of the voters insisted that they must exercise their civic responsibility.
3:35 p.m. Channels Television correspondent provides an update on the election as collation begins at different polling units in the state.
3:40 p.m. Chairman of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Organisation and Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has said that the outcome of today’s governorship election will be a referendum on the performance of the President Bola Tinubu government, its acceptance, and the popularity of the party in Ekiti State.
3:13 p.m. Yiaga Africa urges citizens and stakeholders to keep a close eye on the preparedness, transparency, and neutrality in the Ekiti State governorship election.
2:43 p.m. Sorting of votes has commenced at Polling Unit 001, Ado D Ijigbo in Ado LGA. Various party agents and security agents are currently monitoring the exercise.
2:37 p.m. Sorting and counting commenced at Polling Unit 008, Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere Local Government Area.
But the exercise became rowdy at the polling unit as party officials and members argued over the validity of ballot papers.
1:50 p.m. Social Democratic Party candidate Olugbenga Obafemi has cast his vote in Ekiti governorshjip election.
12:31 p.m. Candidate of the APC and incumbent governor Oyebanji has dismissed allegations of voter harassment and intimidation raised by the PDP’s Oluyede, describing the conduct of the election as satisfactory.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area, the governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Olayemi, said anyone making such allegations must provide evidence to substantiate their claims.
He urged eligible voters who had yet to vote to come out and discharge their civic responsibility peacefully.
11:05 A voter and resident of Ikogosi, Fatokun Babatunde, commends INEC and security agencies for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the election process so far.
He also urges the people of Ekiti State to reject violence and uphold peace, stressing that despite political differences, they remain one people united by a common heritage and shared future.
10:19 a.m. Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area, awaits the arrival of the APC governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who is expected to cast his ballot shortly.
Channels TV correspondent Eyitope Kuteyi reports a surging crowd at the polling unit, alongside a heavy security presence comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
10:10 a.m. Africa Democratic Congress candidate Dare Bejide has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
Bejide, however, raised concerns about alleged vote buying
10 a.m. An observer and First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sebastian Anyia, says the election process has so far been peaceful and orderly, with voter turnout proving encouraging.
He expresses optimism that the smooth conduct witnessed will be sustained across all 16 local government areas until the conclusion of the exercise.
9:58 a.m. The PDP governorship candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
He voted in polling unit 006 in Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere LGA.
Oluwole expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, saying that most voters at his polling unit had yet to cast their votes due to a problem with the BVAS.
9:56 a.m. Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oluwole Oluyede has arrived at his polling unit in Ikere LGA to ast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
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