Politics
Damagum Vows to Take All Necessary Actions to Stabilize PDP
Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will take all actions necessary to promote peace and unity among party members.
Speaking at the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum said the party’s resilience has been its greatest strength in the face of several challenges.
“Despite being faced by internal wranglings, the PDP remains standing, a testament to the resilience of our members,” he said.
“I have a responsibility to this party to keep it safe and stable. I intend to take all necessary actions to ensure the party remains stable.
“Our governors have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, delivering projects and services that have improved the lives of Nigerians. This is a testament to the PDP’s commitment to good governance and development.”
Damagum said the PDP remains the most vibrant party in the country despite its internal crisis.
“If we desire a PDP that truly serves the Nigerian people, we must uphold the virtues of forgiveness, unity, and collective purpose,” he said.
The PDP chairman asked the reconciliation and disciplinary committees to “breathe new life into our party, silencing naysayers and sceptics”.
Damagum denied anti-party claims hurled against him by some members, insisting that he would not be discouraged from executing his responsibilities.
“So, for those interested in seeing Damagum go, this is a build-up to undermine me before we have NEC,” he said.
“But if you bring Damagum down and lose the party, what have you achieved? Because in trying to bring me down, you are also bringing down your party.
“You should be positive whenever you talk if you believe in this party. So, I see this as an opportunity to clear the air. We’ve just had successful congresses.
“I will continue to work tirelessly for the PDP’s success, undeterred by baseless allegations.”
Politics
2027: Aregbesola, Fayemi and Others Poised to Join SDP as Obi and Atiku Factions Forge Alliance – Insider Report
Recent reports indicate that Rauf Aregbesola, the former Governor of Osun State, and Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State, are currently in negotiations to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Additionally, sources reveal that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, along with former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, discontented members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and several ex-Ministers from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are also considering a move to the SDP.
This development occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding a coalition among opposition parties, aimed at presenting a united front to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the upcoming 2027 elections.
According to insider information, the coalition will likely include Atiku Abubakar’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi’s faction of the Labour Party (LP), and Nasir El-Rufai, who has recently defected to the SDP.
The opposition parties are reportedly strategising to unite under an existing registered party. However, should they fail to reach a consensus on a common platform within the party they wish to join, they may opt to align with the SDP instead, as per sources cited by our correspondent.
It is noteworthy that Kola Ologbondiyan, the former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, has suggested that talks of a merger among opposition politicians are gaining momentum. During a recent appearance on the AIT Focus programme, Ologbondiyan expressed optimism that the opposition would present initiatives that could inspire hope among Nigerians.
The former PDP spokesperson asserted that defeating the current government would be achievable, given the proposals that opposition leaders are preparing to unveil.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has welcome the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the party.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Monday morning in what is being seen as a strategic realignment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
His defection was confirmed on Monday, with SDP leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, welcoming him into the party.
Adebayo described El-Rufai’s entry as a significant boost to the SDP’s vision, calling it a “moment of renewed hope for Nigeria.”
He also praised the former governor’s leadership and work ethic, noting that his presence would strengthen the party’s push for reforms.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity,” Adebayo wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) follows his growing discontent with the ruling party’s direction.
The former governor cited a misalignment between his values and the APC’s current trajectory as a key factor in his decision.
Adebayo also used the occasion to call on other like-minded politicians and citizens to rally behind the SDP’s mission of addressing governance failures in Nigeria.
“There is no time to waste. Join us on the march again! God bless Nigeria,” he urged.
El-Rufai, who previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term Governor of Kaduna State, brings extensive political and administrative experience to his new party.
His move is expected to shape political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.
The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.
Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.