Politics
Fintiri pledges support for PDP chair Damagum amid party division
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri yesterday pledged his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
The governor, who reflected on the division in the party over its interim leadership, reiterated his confidence in the ability of the acting chairman.
However, Osun State Governor Ademola urged chieftains to stick to the party constitution in whatever decision they may take on the PDP leadership question
Fintiri wrote on his X handle: “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights,”
He urged members to “respect the court ruling and uphold our democracy,” signaling his alignment with those favoring Damagum’s leadership.
Fintiri’s endorsement followed the split in thd PDP Governors’ Forum on whether to retain Damagum as the party chairman or shop for a replacement.
On Tuesday, a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) met with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who expressed dissatisfaction with Damagum’s leadership.
Mohammed said the party should replace him, saying that his tenure “untenable.”
He said the Northcentral zone is constitutionally entitled to fill the leadership vacancy because the last chairman, who could not complete his tenure, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, is from the zone.
Mohammed said: “My brother from the Northeast is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate.”
The governor insisted that PDP should “ensure that the Northcentral is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”
However, at a separate NWC chaired by Damagum at Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde backed the interim leadership.
He said: “Let me say clearly that we are 100 per cent in support of the Damagum-led NWC.”
Adeleke: let’s follow constitution
Adeleke has urged stakeholders to adhere to the party’s constitution in seeking solutions to the crisis.
He said in a statement by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, that on the party constitution he stood.
Adeleke said: “I stand by the constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.
“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.”
He added: “Our party must adhere to its constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”
The Board of Trustees (BoT) members yesterday held a meeting with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly at the party secretariat in Abuja.
BoT Chairman.Adolphus Nwabara, Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and other members also met with Governor Mohammed in Bauchi.
Also at the meetings were Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip, Ali Isa JC, and Pastor Ojema Ojotu.
A source said the advisory body organised the meeting to know the position of the National Assembly caucus on the crisis and obtain its advice.
Politics
Obi Urges Nigerian Graduates to Seek Opportunities Overseas if Needed, Vows to Fix Nigeria for Their Return
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has encouraged Nigerian students to seek better opportunities abroad if local conditions don’t meet their needs.
Obi shared this advice during his visit to Anambra State, where he made donations to Peter University in Achina/Onneh and the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu. Addressing nursing students, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting institutions that nurture skills, professionalism, and character.
Obi advised students that, if career opportunities are limited locally, they should feel free to explore options abroad.
“If things aren’t working here, go where they will work for you,” he said, expressing optimism that, with efforts to improve the country, Nigerians working abroad would eventually return.
Speaking at Peter University, Obi urged students to dedicate themselves to their studies, highlighting education as a transformative force essential for national development.
Emphasizing that investment in education is an investment in the future, he encouraged them to aim for excellence, assuring that a stronger Nigeria would await them.
Politics
Parliamentary system better option for Nigeria -Aregbesola
Politics
2027: Kwankwaso’s visit to Otti sparks possible alliance
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the weekend played host to the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area(LGA).
Speaker of the House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa, some aides of the governor, and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement were present.
Although Kwankwaso said he was in the state to condole with Otti on the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first governor of old Abia State, rumours of a possible political alliance between him and Otti, the only Labour Party(LP) governor in the country, spread.
Onu was buried in Uburu, his hometown in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State on Friday.
Kwankwaso’s visit coincided with a reception held by the governor for 15 Abia indigenes who recently graduated from the Nigeria Police Academy in Kano.
Shortly after he departed the state, political analysts said they were sure that the visit was partly informed by efforts of the Peter Obi-led LP faction to align with other opposition parties ahead of 2027.
‘’Don’t forget that 2027 is near. Do you think the two men would meet like they did now with talking about the next presidential election? That is impossible,’’ one of them told The Nation.
Another said Kwankwaso and Otti were ‘’very much aware that the only way to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progress Congress (APC) from the centre is a formidable alliance.
‘’They know that now is the best time to start talking about how to defeat those in Aso Rock. And that, I believe is the core reason for the visit.”
Last month’s local government poll in the state produced a stunning result with candidates loyal to Otti winning nearly all the chairmanship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP)
The governor backed the winners because of court cases on the authentic leadership of the leadership of the LP.
One faction of the party is led by Julius Abure while the other supported by Obi and Otti is headed by Nenadi Usman, a former Finance minister.
Political analysts argued that if Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Obi, and Kwankwaso fail to put their political differences behind and field an acceptable presidential candidate in 2027, they might end up not making a significant impact.
Otti had while welcoming Kwankwaso recalled how he offered him a ‘’platform in May 2022 to run ’’ as a governorship candidate.
He thanked Kwankwaso for his guidance and patriotism.
His words: “Thank you for your guidance, for your patriotism, for everything that you have done for this country.
“I want to thank you for encouraging me in 2022 not to lose faith, though we were in different parties, and it appeared as if everything was going to be lost.
“That call that you made about the 20th of May 2022, for also making your platform available for me to run if I had wanted to use the platform, the rest is now history.”
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, congratulated Otti on his emergence as governor. He also lauded his achievements in the state
“For the little time I have been here, I have had the opportunity of talking to a few people who confirmed to me that you are doing very well. We have seen your project everywhere” he said.
The governor and his visitor urged the new Police officers to work hard, contribute to the security of the country, and be good ambassadors of the state.
“The challenge is for you to now work very hard, knowing fully well that in this society, the son of a nobody can be the father of somebody,” said Otti.
“If people like us who grew up here without any hope at that time can be here, there is no reason why you can’t get here. But I am challenging you to be the best you can be.
“Always do things right and do the right things. You can always get to where you are headed. Cutting corners does not take you too far, “ the governor added.
Kwankwaso charged the new police officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
“Let me take this opportunity, based on my experience, to advise you to first and foremost fear God.
“Two, you need to be professionals. Now you are fresh, just coming out of the prestigious institute.stay there as professionals,” he said.
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