Latest Political News In Nigeria For Today, Wednesday, 28th September, 2022
Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 28th September 2022.
Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.
Atiku, Okowa, Tambuwal Attend As Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Others Shun PDP Campaign Inauguration
The Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies have boycotted the official inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council.
Naija News reports that governors in the Wike group that snubbed the inauguration include Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Other party chieftains sympathetic to the Wike’s camp also stayed away from the International Conference Centre, Abuja venue of the inauguration.
PDP chieftains loyal to Wike’s camp include, Chief Olabode George, Senator Jonah Jang, Ayo Fayose, Donald Duke, Dan Orbih, Olusegun Mimiko and many others.
However, the remaining PDP Governors loyal to the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar attended the event.
Yobe North Senatorial Candidate: Senate President Lawan Loses In Court As Machina Is Declared Winner
The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State has declared Bashir Machina as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Yobe North Senatorial seat election.
The court, presided over by Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu on Wednesday also ordered the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Machina as the candidate for Yobe North senatorial district.
Aminu in the ruling held that Machina duly won the APC primary held on 28th May 2022 for the position.
The judge further described the primary election which produced Senate President Ahmad Lawan as “phantom’ and therefore nullified the parallel primary election of 9th June 2022 that produced Lawan.
Court Stops Peter Obi Supporters From Converging At Lekki Toll Gate, Rules On Rally
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has refused to stop the Labour Party (LP) and its supporters from holding the #Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally billed to hold on October 1, 2022.
Naija News reports that Justice Daniel Osiagor, however, ordered Peter Obi supporters not to converge at the Lekki toll gate for their rally.
The judge directed that the rally procession cannot converge at the Lekki toll gate, but that the procession can pass through the toll gate to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.
He also directed the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Police Commissioner to ensure compliance with the order.
Ihedioha Speaks On Calling Peter Obi’s Igbo Supporters Saboteurs
A former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has denied ridiculing Igbo people who are supporting the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives was reacting to several reports in which he was quoted to have described Igbo supporters of the former Governor of Anambra State as saboteurs.
In a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Chibuike Onyeukwu, Ihedioha said the mischievous reports were gotten from a viral video which surfaced online on Tuesday.
Ihedioha said his address at the New Yam Festival of Mbaise people living in Ghana was manipulated and taken out of context by his detractors to suit their mischievous scheme.
The former Imo governor pointed out that he was referring to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were sabotaging the party in the South-East.
You Will Be Insulted – Oyo Law Maker Warns Tinubu Supporters As Campaign Kicks Off
The lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Akin Alabi has warned supporters of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu to prepare to be bullied as elections kick off.
Naija News reports that political campaigns will officially begin today, September 28 in line with the election timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is set to inaugurate his campaign team today while Peter Obi’s Labour Party (LP) and APC have postponed theirs indefinitely.
Speaking on the kick-off of the campaign season via Twitter, Alabi said that Tinubu is the most qualified Nigerian to lead Nigeria.
He advised his fellow supporters to get ready to be insulted for their support but told them to stick to their decision and share it with others.
Peter Obi Postpones Campaign Council Inauguration As Consultation Continues
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has reportedly postponed the inauguration of his campaign councils.
Naija News reports that the embargo placed on political campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been lifted today, September 28, 2022.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday on Obi’s campaign, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi disclosed that the party has no plan to host any inauguration.
He, however, said the candidate would unveil his policy document on the same day he announces his presidential campaign council.
Only PDP Has The Capability To Bring APC Down In Lagos, Southwest – Okowa
Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said that only the party has the capability to beat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming election.
The Delta state governor said this at the PDP Southeast zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu on Tuesday.
Okowa insisted that the PDP has what it takes to win the presidency in all the six geo-political zones.
He argued that the party is getting stronger in the Northwest and Northeast.
2023: Tambuwal Tells INEC What To Do Ahead Of General Elections
The Sokoto State Governor and Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, (PDPPCC), Aminu Tambuwal has said the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) must ensure to conduct a free and fair election in the 2023 elections.
Naija News reports that Tambuwal, during the inauguration of the party’s presidential election campaign council at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja on Wednesday, also pointed out that there’s no crisis in the party.
He made this known whilst making reference to the Rivers State Governor’s camp opposing the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu.
The Wike camp has demanded Ayu’s ouster to pave way for a new Chairman from the South, a call that has been rejected by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Ayu has also been adamant, refusing to resign. The under-pressure National Chairman also failed to attend the inauguration of the PCC.
Tambuwal added that there’s nothing new about parties experiencing crises, noting that feedbacks across the country proves the party is on the right track to win the 2023 presidential election.
2023: Obaseki Speaks On Dumping Atiku, Backing Peter Obi
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has distanced himself from reports claiming he endorsed the presidential ambition of the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi.
Obaseki, in a statement sent to Naija News and signed by his Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, described reports of him dumping the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for Obi as absolutely false and malicious.
According to the statement, the false story is being peddled by detractors with ulterior motives, intent on misleading and misinforming members of the public for their selfish interest.
2023: Why I Stopped My Children From Relocating Abroad – Atiku
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has revealed the reason he forbade his children from travelling and residing permanently overseas.
Speaking with the South-East PDP Stakeholders in Enugu on Tuesday, Atiku said he didn’t allow his children to travel permanently out of the country because he doesn’t believe in migration.
The former vice president said his children will not stay in foreign countries and make a living for themselves no matter the situation.
Atiku said Nigerians are now travelling out of the country due to hardship brought upon the people by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
2023 Presidency: Peter Obi Visits Akeredolu
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Naija News reports that the former Governor of Anambra State first visited Akeredolu on Tuesday at the Government House in Akure, the state capital.
In a tweet via his Twitter handle, Obi said he visited governor Akeredolu to condole with him on the passing of his mother.
He added that the two politicians also discussed the recent tragic killings in the Church in Owo, as well as some other burning national issues.
Two Kano Labour Party Chieftains Dump Party, Join APC
At least two Labour Party (LP) chieftains in Kano State have reportedly dumped the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Reports reaching Naija News at the moment confirmed that the state secretary of the party withdrew his membership and immediately pledged allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also, the LP’s senatorial candidate for Kano central district, Malam Hamisu Magaji, is reportedly on his way to picking a membership card of the APC.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital Communications, Bashir Ahmad made the disclosure on Wednesday, stating that Magaji was all set to join APC and work tirelessly for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s victory in the coming 2023 election.
APC Loses 4,000 Members To PDP In Kwara
The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost about 4,000 members in Kaiama and Ilorin West local government areas to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defectors, while stating the reason for dumping the ruling party in the state, accused the powers that be in the party of sidelining them after the 2019 elections.
They claimed that the APC administration in the state has failed to meet the expectation of Kwarans since they took over power.
Among those that defected at Kaiama, the local government area includes Hon Issa Inuwa Baagee, Hon Abdulhafeez Inuwa and Kararudeen Salihu.
The defectors from Wojibe ward in Kaiama local government area of the state said, “After a wider consultation with our political friends and followers, we have decided to dump Kwara State APC with thousands of followers to Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).”
They accused APC of employing the ‘use and dump’ technique.
‘How Tinubu Threw APC Presidential Campaign Council Into Crisis’
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday suspended indefinitely the inauguration of its presidential campaign council.
The Director-General (DG) of the APC presidential campaign council, Governor Simon Lalong who stated the reason for suspending the inauguration said the ruling party is making adjustments to the list.
However, there had been indications of issues between some APC governors, the National Working Committee of the party and the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu over the list.
Naija News learnt that the controversy around the list of the presidential campaign council started when Tinubu allegedly rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s suggestions.
Sources that spoke with This Day on the development said Tinubu after composing the campaign council alongside some governors reached out to President Buhari for his inclusion as a sign of respect.
The sources disclosed that Tinubu after checking President Buhari’s input, tampered with some areas the President and governors had indicated interest.
APC vs PDP: Ex-SGF Lawal Reveals Why He Visited Atiku
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal has confirmed his political stance ahead of the 2023 general election.
The Adamawa State-born politician got people talking after visiting former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar at his residence on Tuesday.
However, in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday morning, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said he has not dumped the ruling party for PDP as suggested in some quarters.
Lawal said he only visited Atiku to condole him over the death of his long-time aide, Barr. Abdulahi Nyako, which was misconstrued as a defection to the opposition party.
The APC chieftain said he would rather quit active politics on May 29, 2023, when President Muhammadu Buhari would have completed his second term in office.
Lawal added that after the coming election he would return to his farm and remain an elder statesman.
2023: What Ooni Of Ife Told Peter Obi During Visit To His Palace
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at his palace on Tuesday played host to the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Naija News reports that the former Governor of Anambra State and some party stakeholders yesterday visited the palace of the renowned Yoruba monarch. The visitation is considered as part of consultations for his 2023 presidential ambition.
Speaking at the reception, the Ooni of Ife said he is elated that the presidential hopeful has made youth development the thrust of his agenda.
The monarch stressed that any society seeking progress must prioritise youth development and capacity building.
Lalong Allegedly Threatens To Pull Out Of APC Presidential Campaign Council
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, Simon Lalong has reportedly threatened to pull out of the campaign council.
There are speculations that the decision of the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu to appoint the lawmaker representing Ikeja constituency in the House of Representatives, James Falake, made the Governor of Plateau State, Lalong threaten to pull out.
The appointment of Faleke as the Secretary of the campaign council has caused uproar in the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
A source that spoke with This Day claimed that the position of secretary of the council was reserved for the North Central.
The source disclosed that the post was reserved for the region to pacify the minority north, but because Lalong is from Plateau State, it was agreed that the secretary should be taken to Benue State, a critical state in the middle belt.
In the quest to end the controversy around the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party, stakeholders believed that picking a Christian from Benue State would help quell the opposition against the same faith ticket.
That will be all for today. You can read more political and other Nigerian news on Naija News
