Politics
PDP Reconciliation Committee to Meet NWC Over Party Crisis
The National Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to meet with the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday.
This meeting comes at a critical time for the PDP, as the party faces internal conflicts and divisions.
Damagum currently serves as the acting chairman of the PDP, which has been grappling with internal crises.
The meeting will take place at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, where discussions will focus on the findings of the reconciliation committee.
The committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun State, met earlier on Monday to conclude its investigation into the ongoing tensions within the party.
Oyinlola, who chairs the reconciliation panel, explained that the NWC will be briefed on the committee’s recommendations following its work to address the internal strife.
Oyinlola emphasized that the committee’s findings and proposals would eventually be submitted to the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) for approval.
The NEC, which is regarded as the PDP’s highest decision-making body, is scheduled to meet on Thursday.
This body includes key members of the party such as state governors, current and former presidents, vice presidents, the chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairpersons, NWC members, and founding party members.
When asked about possible suspensions of party members, Oyinlola was quick to dismiss such reports.
He stated that any speculation regarding suspensions should be treated as mere rumours until after the meeting with the NWC.
“As far as we are concerned, I will take that one as a rumour because we are meeting with the national working committee tomorrow.
So, after tomorrow, you can ask me,” Oyinlola said.
He further outlined the committee’s broader agenda, noting that part of their role involves engaging with members of the National Assembly to understand the underlying causes of the PDP’s recent political challenges.
According to Oyinlola, the committee has had productive conversations with the party’s lawmakers and has gathered several suggestions aimed at strengthening the party’s unity and competitiveness.
“We have had useful discussions with them. I think some suggestions will help our party to unite and remain formidable. That’s what has happened this evening,” he remarked.
Unity, Oyinlola stressed, is a fundamental requirement for the PDP to succeed politically.
“One obvious thing required for any party to be able to go into a battle and win is that it must be united.
That’s what we are going for,” he said, signalling that the reconciliation efforts are focused on ensuring that the party can face future elections as a cohesive force.
As is customary within the PDP, a series of other meetings involving key party organs will be held ahead of the NEC session.
These include meetings of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly caucus, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and the national caucus.
These gatherings are expected to set the stage for the NEC meeting, where critical decisions regarding the party’s future will be made.
The outcomes of the reconciliation process and the NEC meeting will likely shape the direction of the PDP in the coming months, as the party seeks to resolve its internal challenges and regain its political strength.
Politics
“Alex Otti Strayed, But He’ll Come Back to APC”- Keyamo Says at Abia Airport Ceremony
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently stirred political conversation when he described Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, as a “prodigal son” during the ceremony for the Abia International Airport.
Keyamo hinted that Otti, who has switched political allegiances over the years, might eventually return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alex Otti’s political journey has seen several shifts. Originally a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), he joined the APC in 2020.
However, in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, Otti moved to the Labour Party (LP), a decision that ultimately led to his successful gubernatorial campaign and his victory as Governor of Abia State.
His victory signaled a significant political shift in the state, traditionally dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During his speech, Keyamo chose to focus on Otti’s political journey in a light-hearted manner, likening him to the biblical prodigal son.
“Today is not a day for politics,” Keyamo remarked.
“But yes, he strayed away. He was with us, and he strayed away like the prodigal son.”
The ceremony was a significant moment for Abia State, with the proposed Abia International Airport set to be located in Nsulu, in the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
Keyamo revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to approve the location of the airport was influenced by his admiration for Governor Otti’s leadership and the support he commands among the people of Abia State.
“The President’s motivation was also the fact that he loves the governor of this state,” Keyamo stated.
“He loves his spirit. I know the comments he has made about the governor and how much people here love him.”
Entertainment
“Jagaban Will Fix It All” — Yul Edochie Praises Tinubu’s Policies And Administration
Nollywood actor Yul Edochie recently praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the noticeable improvements in electricity supply and national security across Nigeria.
The actor, known for his outspoken nature, stated that several states are now benefiting from up to 22 hours of consistent power supply each day.
He attributed this development to the current administration’s policies.
Edochie also acknowledged that incidents of terrorism have significantly declined, which he credited to the strategic approach of President Tinubu.
He referred to the president as a “master strategist” and “silent achiever,” pointing to Tinubu’s leadership style that, according to him, delivers results without much public fanfare.
In a post shared on his Instagram page, Edochie wrote that Nigeria’s security and infrastructure are gradually improving thanks to Tinubu’s governance.
He expressed confidence that more positive changes are on the way, addressing his audience with optimism that the president, popularly known as Jagaban, is committed to solving the nation’s challenges.
Politics
“Nigeria Would Be More United and Prosperous If Peter Obi Had Won 2023 Election” – Abaribe
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has expressed his belief that Nigeria would be in a better state today if Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had emerged victorious.
According to Abaribe, an Obi-led administration would have steered the nation in a more inclusive and equitable direction compared to what is currently being experienced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the senator criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a deepening culture of nepotism.
He argued that Peter Obi’s leadership style would have been starkly different, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity.
“If Peter Obi had won, you would likely see a better Nigeria today.
First of all, he would not practice nepotism at the level we are witnessing now. It’s not in his character; that’s just who he is.
He would have led with a sense of fairness, not just for a select few but for all Nigerians,” Abaribe stated.
One of the examples Abaribe cited to support his claim of nepotism was President Tinubu’s decision to appoint four ministers from Ogun State, while several other states received only one ministerial appointment.
This, according to the senator, mirrors a trend that began under former President Muhammadu Buhari but has intensified under Tinubu’s leadership.
Abaribe noted that Buhari’s favoritism toward certain regions and groups was largely unchallenged, creating a precedent that Tinubu has seemingly built upon.
However, Abaribe was adamant that Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, should stop expecting fairness from any president.
Instead, he urged people from the region to focus on rebuilding and revitalizing their communities.
“It is high time we in the South-East stopped waiting for the federal government to prioritize our needs.
We must take the initiative to make our region more livable, cohesive, and prosperous.
Relying on external fairness has not served us well over the decades,” he said.
The senator also addressed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in exile, in Finland.
Ekpa has been accused of instigating violence in the South-East from abroad, with his messages reportedly fueling unrest in the region.
Following his arrest, Ekpa reportedly denied being the so-called Prime Minister, further raising questions about his credibility.
Abaribe highlighted that Igbo leaders and communities have long condemned the actions of Ekpa and others like him, who, from the safety of foreign countries, issue directives that exacerbate violence at home.
He stressed that their influence has caused significant harm to the people of the South-East.
On the issue of violence in the region, Abaribe called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He argued that Kanu’s release would play a key role in de-escalating tensions, as many individuals currently causing chaos in Kanu’s name might cease their activities once he is freed.
“Kanu’s release is crucial. His prolonged detention has given room for others to exploit his name for personal or destructive purposes.
Letting him go will take away that excuse and could help restore calm to the South-East,” Abaribe stated.
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