Politics

PDP rubbishes Shaibu’s defection to APC, Ganduje boasts of victory in Edo

Published

12 months ago

July 21, 2024

The membership of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress swelled on Saturday as the reinstated Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, alongside prominent members with their supporters dumped the Peoples Democratic Party.

The decamping, which took place in Benin at the inauguration of the National Campaign Council by the APC National chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje, put an end to several months of speculation over Shaibu’s continuous stay in the PDP.

The deputy governor fell out with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his ambition to succeed his principal and was impeached after he lost to Asue Ighodalo in the PDP primary.

He was, however, reinstated by the court on Wednesday by the Abuja High Court and this has further caused division between Obaseki and him.

Speaking at the event, Shaibu said he was back to add value to the APC.

He said, “On behalf of the Legacy Group, I announce our movement to the APC. We have come to add value to the party.

“It is time to take back our state. We will not talk too much because action will speak for us. We are not afraid; we are ready to move forward.

“We, the home boys, are ready to take our state back through the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa. We are not trouble makers but if it comes, we will use it to rub our body and move on.”

Ganduje, while inaugurating the National Campaign Council of the party for the September 21 governorship election headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, received the defectors.

The APC national chairman said since Shaibu was a serving deputy governor, the party had 50 per cent of the people of Edo State.

He disclosed that the party would soon organise a grand rally in Benin to be attended by President Bola Tinubu, saying that the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa “are not coming with MOUs but concrete plans to develop Edo State and to connect the state to the centre”.

Also speaking, Oshiomhole, a Senator representing Edo North, lamented that development legacy recorded by his administration in all sectors of the state had not been sustained by the Obaseki’s government.

He said Okpebholo’s major strength is empathy because he contributed millions to boost security in Esan land years back.

Speaking on the recent attack on Shaibu and Okpebholo convoy, which claimed the life of a police inspector, Oshiomhole called on the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye to defend the integrity of his uniform by producing the killers of the police officer.

Wishing Shaibu well in the official endeavours, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, said those who were calling to join the party after Shaibu’s exit were more than those leaving.

He said, “I wish them good luck in their official endeavours. The PDP cannot be depleted because of this.

“Every vote counts but those who are now coming to us because of his exit are more than those who are leaving the party, so we are good. People have been calling me since he left to say they want to join our party.

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Politics

2027: There’s no coalition, I know who’ll get ADC presidential ticket – Omokri

Published

3 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, will not get the sole ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, come 2027.

According to him, there is no coalition against President Bola Tinubu since all those involved cannot settle for one candidate with Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Chibuike Amaechi all indicating interest.

Omokri told Arise News that one thing that political leaders in the coalition all have in common is that they all lost in 2023.

He described the coalition as a loser’s convention, adding that President Bola Tinubu has no reason to be afraid of them.

“You’re forming a loser’s convention. I mean, why should I be afraid of you?

“It happens all the time in the United States, we see people forming a loser’s convention. When you gather negative thinkers together, there’s more negativity,” he said.

Reminded that there is a certain logic behind the coalition which is that the likes Peter Obi and Atiku do not want to split their vote, which collectively beat Tinubu hands down in 2023.

Recall that Tinubu got 37% of the votes in 2023, while Atiku and Obi combined got 54% and both parties feel that they might have won on a joint ticket in 2027.

Omokri, however, noted that there is no coalition, adding, “If Peter Obi says he’s running, if Atiku says he’s running…, if we are seeing Amaechi submitting a proposal to the ADC officially for a one term presidency. I mean, have you seen any coalition there?

“There’s no coalition. What you’re just seeing is egos, different egos. The man, Peter Obi, based on what has happened in the past, it’s very unlikely to get the ticket of the ADC.

“Because if you see what’s happening with the ADC, he doesn’t have that clout within the ADC. I have a good idea who’s likely going to get a ticket. It’s likely going to go to a Northerner.

“And the man [Obi] has said, I’m definitely going to run. So, there is no coalition, there are no general forces, this is just egos going here, right, and there.”

Politics

2027: I’ll defeat Matawalle by 10am – Gov Lawal

Published

3 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Ahead of 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has claimed that he will defeat the former Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, if he makes a come back to run.

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch camp to newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However, the governor said he remains a member of the PDP, while also dismissing speculations that he was about to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking about what would happen if the current Minister of Defense (State) Matawalle decides to seek a ticket for the governorship position under the APC, governor Lawal said he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023 all these forces were there. They were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“What do you think will change now, in 2027 is it not the same Matawalle that I took over from? I’m praying to God that he should be the one under APC, and let’s see what will happen in 2027 I’m sure history will repeat itself.

“He’s (Matawalle) the one that will be an easier race, in fact, by 10am, it should be a walk over inshallah.”

Politics

Tinubu building on Buhari’s reforms – Former SGF, Boss Mustapha

Published

3 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is building on the foundation of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mustapha said this at the public presentation of a book, “According to the President”, written by former presidential aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mustapha highlighted Buhari’s legacy of institutional reforms and praised Tinubu for sustaining and building upon them.

The Ex-SGF stressed that both administrations exemplify a commitment to systemic governance rather than personality-driven politics.

“President Buhari governed with duty rather than drama. He was driven by principles, not applause,” Mustapha stated.

Mustapha also highlighted key policy interventions during Buhari’s tenure, including the Petroleum Industry Act, large-scale infrastructure projects, military retooling, and the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP.

He hailed the former president for advancing reforms in agriculture, power, education, and the digital economy, describing these efforts as part of a broader architecture of inclusive development.