Politics

PDP shifts NEC meeting over state congress crisis

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2024

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee have faulted the further postponement of the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting to October 24.

According to the party chieftains who spoke to newsmen, the postponement of the NEC meeting from the earlier date of September 26 to March 24 is a deliberate move to undermine the party’s engagement on crucial issues.

The PDP 99th NEC meeting, initially scheduled for August 15 to discuss issues such as the replacement of the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, was first postponed to September 26 due to members travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.

On September 13, it was reported that the meeting was again rescheduled to October 24.

The party’s leadership, in a document sighted by our correspondent, explained that the postponement became inevitable due to unresolved congresses in eight states.

But the chieftains who spoke to newsmen dismissed the reason adduced for the NEC meeting postponement.

In a document dated September 16, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, explained that the NEC meeting was moved to October 24 to ensure that the congress reports from eight states were complete and could be presented to the NEC as required.

The PDP National Secretary stated that the party would hold congresses in Abia and Ebonyi on a date yet to be announced, while ongoing congresses were taking place in Benue, Ekiti, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, and Sokoto.

The statement read, “Furthermore, pursuant to the directive of NEC to conduct congresses in 24 state chapters of the party, the NWC commenced the congresses but could not conclude the exercise in some states owing to various reasons, ranging from litigation, disagreement among stakeholders, logistical challenges, among others. States where congresses are yet to be concluded due to litigation are Abia and Ebonyi, while those still ongoing are Benue, Ekiti, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, and Sokoto.

“It is instructive to state that without concluding the congresses in these states, congress reports would not be complete to be presented to NEC as required within the earlier stipulated timeframe.

“In view of the foregoing, it is therefore imperative for the NWC to reschedule the September 26, 2024, proposed NEC meeting to a new date. Consequently, the NWC wishes to notify all members of the National Executive Committee of our party that the 99th NEC meeting will now be held on Thursday, October 24.”

A senior NWC member, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the issue, disclosed that many members were dissatisfied with the recent rescheduling. The source claimed that the postponement was intended to serve specific interests rather than the broader interests of the party.

He said, “This latest postponement of the NEC to October 24 did not sit well with our members. They were already prepared for the September 26 meeting to address and resolve issues affecting the party.

“It is unfortunate that this postponement was made to protect certain interests rather than the interests of the entire party. The claim that the postponement was due to litigation delaying the conduct of congresses in eight states is not credible. We wonder if it is feasible to resolve all litigation within a month. What if the litigation remains unresolved? In that case, they would likely reschedule again. The appropriate course of action would have been to hold the meeting and update the NEC on the situation, as litigation could take months and might lead to further delays.”

PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, similarly expressed his opposition to the postponement.

In an interview with newsmen, Osadolor acknowledged that while the reasons for the delay were legitimate, he believed it was intentionally done to frustrate members.

He stated, “The truth is that it is an open secret that there are challenges in some states and the congresses could not be held. However, this does not mean that it is not a deliberate attempt to frustrate party members who are coming to the meeting to address critical issues.

“The reasons for this postponement are cogent and largely unassailable. However, all issues affecting the party need to be resolved as soon as possible.

“Regardless, I am not in support of the further postponement of this meeting. There is an urgent need for party leaders to sit down and resolve all issues so that the party can move forward. All is not well with the party, and the NEC is the most important organ for resolving these issues.”

Politics

Fubara To Contest Rivers Governorship Seat Under NDC

Published

14 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.

Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.

The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.

He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.

The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.

Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.

After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.

He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.

Politics

Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

Published

21 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

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Politics

Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

Published

21 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.