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Primate Ayodele’s Caution To PDP Governorship Candidates In Kaduna And Nasarawa Election Tribunal Appeals
Primate Ayodele, the esteemed leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a stern warning to the governorship candidates of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who contested in the last elections in Kaduna and Nasarawa.
His message is clear: Stay on high alert.
The election tribunal had, rather unexpectedly, nullified the victory of the APC governor in Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, and declared the PDP candidate, David Umbugadu, as the winner of the election.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna, the tribunal delivered a somewhat perplexing judgment.
The PDP candidate, Isah Ashiru, claimed that the court declared the election inconclusive, while the APC candidate had a contrary stance.
Primate Ayodele, through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, expressed concerns about the APC’s determination to do whatever it takes to overturn the tribunal’s judgments, even if it means attempting to influence the judges.
He emphasized that the PDP’s influence extends to these states, excluding Kano, which they risk losing to the APC if swift action is not taken by the NNPP.
In light of these circumstances, Primate Ayodele urged the PDP candidates in Kaduna and Nasarawa to closely monitor the cases to prevent any potential manipulation by the APC.
“APC in Nasarawa is working tirelessly to reverse the tribunal’s verdict in their favor, and they are showing great desperation,” Primate Ayodele warned.
“PDP must diligently follow these developments and seek divine intervention for a successful outcome.
Victory should not be taken for granted.”
He emphasized that the PDP holds strong influence in Kaduna and Nasarawa and must be relentless in its pursuit of victory.
Primate Ayodele also raised concerns about those attempting to subvert justice by exploiting religious and political affiliations.
“In Kano, should NNPP not act decisively, APC may seize victory.
The NNPP candidate cannot afford to be complacent; APC is poised to displace him.”
While offering his insights, Primate Ayodele also cautioned the APC against obstructing the course of justice and the rule of law.
He pointed out that interfering with the democratic process could have serious consequences.
“The preservation of our democracy hinges on the upholding of the rule of law.
If the governorship candidates of the PDP in Kaduna and Nasarawa are denied justice in court, it could lead to unrest because divine displeasure may ensue.”
Police authorities have called on the organisers of a nationwide protest billed for April 7, 2025, to shelve the plan.
The Take-It-Back (TIB) movement had scheduled a nationwide protest for Monday, April 7, 2025, citing several national issues.
However, in a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muyiwa Adejobi, described the protest as ill-timed, especially as it coincided with the National Police Day celebration.
“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day,” the police statement read.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole. The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the organisers should instead give room for dialogue with the government.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands,” the police said.
A longlist of notable politicians including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi are in talks to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This is according to the SDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election Adewole Adebayo.
Adebayo said Atiku and Obi’s men are in talks for their principals to team up with the SDP, which recently welcomed a former Kaduna State governor and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (SDP) into its fold.
“People are joining my party, and we are welcoming them. You can see how active I am in welcoming them. The only little issue we have with some of them is to change the culture where if you have not been in an environment where rules are taken seriously,” the SDP chieftain said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“Some of them are doing some Boy Scouts, black market operations, we are dealing with that. But we welcome them into the party. All these people you have mentioned, El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, even former Governor Peter Obi are coming. A lot of people are coming, and we will welcome them.”
When he was asked to clarify if Obi, a former Anambra State governor, is joining the SDP, Adebayo said, “Supposedly, until somebody joins, we don’t know. But people have told me, and the Financial Secretary (SDP) has also informed me, that they are talking. So we will welcome everybody.
“Surely, when we come in, and we don’t become a tower of Babel; if we come in, follow the rules and allow one person to emerge transparently, clearly, without cheating, without criminality the way we did our convention in 2022, people applauded us transparently, no court case, no crisis, no allegations.
“If they can stick to our culture and follow the way we do in the SDP and produce a good alternative to Nigerians, we are going to manifestly defeat the APC and retire President Tinubu to Lagos or wherever he chooses in Nigeria.”
Obi, who enjoys the backing of millions of Nigerian youths, came third in the last presidential election after polling about six million votes.
Atiku was second in the poll won by the APC’s Bola Tinubu.
Despite suggestions to the contrary, Obi has repeatedly said he remains in LP, the party that powered his 2023 presidential ambition.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.