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Security agents foil thugs’ attempt to disrupt PDP NWC meeting in Abuja

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Security operatives in Abuja on Wednesday dispersed suspected political thugs attempting to cause crisis at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters, as the party National Working Committee (NEC) met.

A staff member of the PDP national secretariat, who pleaded anonymity, said that the suspected thugs were led by Emmanuel Okoronkwo, an aide to Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, who was ousted by the court as PDP national secretary.

He said that the thugs came with the mission to block the NWC members from accessing the party headquarters for their meeting.

He added that it took the intervention of some personnel of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service, and Nigeria Civil Defense Corps to dispel the thugs who were harassing the party staff members.

The PDP have been engulf with crisis as Anyanwu, and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye both claiming the position of PDP National Secretary.

While the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld Ude-Okoye as PDP National Secretary, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on the matter.

According to the PDP members “the party staff, with the support of security personnel, confronted the thugs and dispersed them.

“The leader of the thug Okoronkwo was arrested and the other thugs were cleared from the PDP premises,” the source said.

Emmanuel was earlier featured in a video clip circulating online threatening that whoever did not have his party ID card or has not business to be at the party secretariat should not come around the Wadata House.

“If they are tired of the party, they can go to SDP, but any body coming here to cause problems where there is a case in the court, should prepare from his house before coming.

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“Already I am ready, I am here with the men, everybody is here. If they are one billion let them come.

“If you are coming here without party ID card, you will not enter. If you don’t have business here nobody will enter.

Meanwhile, the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, chaired the party NWC meeting, with Ude-Okoye attending as the National Secretary..

Security personnel including Police, DSS, and Civil Defense and there vans were seen stationed inside and around the Wadata Plaza.(NAN)

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‘Jaji Is Nothing Without Matawalle, Yari’— Zamfara APC Slams ‘Serial Betrayer’

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Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have launched a scathing attack on Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, the lawmaker representing Birnin Magaji/Kaura Namoda Federal Constituency, accusing him of disloyalty and political betrayal.

The group, speaking through its spokesperson, Abdulkadir Suleiman Zurmi, claimed that Jaji owes his political rise to former Zamfara governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, as well as Senator Abdullaziz Yari.

They alleged that despite benefiting from their support, Jaji has turned against them.

Zurmi likened Jaji’s actions to “biting the fingers that fed him”, arguing that Matawalle had helped resurrect his political career after the 2023 election.

“Nigerians, especially the people of Zamfara, should note that Jaji holds no significant influence in the state’s political landscape.

“Now that Matawalle and Yari have helped him, he is turning against them. Jaji cannot even win an election on his own if left to handle it independently.”

“There is no way a leopard can change its skin.”

The group also questioned Jaji’s claims of spending 25 billion naira (approximately $27 million) during the 2023 presidential election, challenging him to disclose the source of such a vast sum.

They suggested that his statements reflect “a clear malfunction of the brain” and argued that he lacks any legitimate business that could generate such funds.

Jaji, who was recently suspended from the APC, has also accused of working against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Furthermore, they criticized Jaji for allegedly favoring Governor Dauda Lawal of the PDP while sidelining APC leaders. The group cited 2024 political event in Birnin Magaji, where Jaji reportedly invited Lawal but failed to acknowledge key APC figures.

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The APC members urged Jaji to realign himself with the party, respect senior politicians, and cease what they described as “double-dealing.”

The statement warned that continued attacks on President Tinubu and party leaders could harm his political career.

The group accused Hon. Jaji of undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interests, despite his associates securing key appointments in the administration.

“Despite two of his close associates, Mansur Khalifa and Dan Maigoro, directly benefiting from presidential appointments, he continues to work against the president due to his strong ties with the PDP and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal Dare. His actions within his zone openly demonstrate his support for the PDP, revealing where his true loyalties lie”

“During the 2023 presidential election, Jaji was reportedly involved in efforts to block Tinubu’s emergence, though APC leaders like Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle ensured the party’s victory.

“Additionally, Governor Dauda Lawal suspended All Progressive Congress members in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, except two APC members jaji’s loyalist as a reward for Jaji’s role in sabotaging the party’s success in the state in favor of the PDP.

Jaji’s unsuccessful bid for Speaker of the House, allegedly against Tinubu’s wishes, has fueled speculation about his political opposition to the president.

“Despite his fallout with the presidency, his associates continue to benefit from government appointments, raising concerns that these positions are being used to undermine Tinubu.

“Jaji is forging an alliance with the opposition to strengthen Dauda’s influence in Zamfara, an act seen as a betrayal of the APC.”

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Zurmi said Matawalle has served as a commissioner, a member of the House of Representatives for 12 years, a one-term governor, and is currently the Minister of State for Defence.

Similarly, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari is a former governor of Zamfara State, a former member of the House of Representatives, and is now serving as a senator.

“Therefore, the position of a House of Representatives member should not inflate one’s ego or lead to misconduct, as it does not compare to their political stature.

You shamelessly betrayed Abdulaziz Yari, despite owing your rise and status to him. Instead of loyalty, you repaid Yari with insults, accusations, and slander. Your manipulative nature drives conflicts and stirs divisions for personal gain, pretending to protect interests while proving yourself untrustworthy. The hypocrisy is clear— you criticizes Yari yet use his name when convenient. The world has seen through you and this isn’t going to work.”

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Motion to name INEC headquarters after Humphrey Nwosu suffers setback in Senate

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A motion to name the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the late former Chairman of National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, on Thursday, suffered set back in the Senate.

This followed the senate’s consideration of the motion titled, “Motion to Immortalise Prof. Humphrey Nwosu”, sponsored by Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) during plenary.

Abaribe said that the motion was supported by all the senators from South-East as well as the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta ) and Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi), among others.

He had urged the senate to immortalise the late Nwosu by naming the INEC headquarters after him and to posthumously honour him with a national award.

The senator also said that official condolences should be extended to Nwosu’s family in recognition of their sacrifice in supporting his work for a better Nigeria.

“Mr President, I propose that we observe a minute of silence in honour of Prof. Nwosu, given that his burial is tomorrow (Friday),” he said.

When the motion was put to a voice vote by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, it was, however, greeted with a resounding ‘Nay’ by some of the senators.

The only prayer that was observed was a minute silence in honour of the late NEC chairman.

Earlier in the motion, Abaribe noted that the late Nwosu was the NEC chairman from 1989 to 1993.

“He was responsible for supervising the 1993 presidential election.

“We recognise that his courageous defence of the democratic electoral process during the 1993 elections led to the famous June 12 event, which ultimately confirmed MKO Abiola as the winner.

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“His unwavering commitment to electoral integrity played a key role in establishing June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.

“Additionally, we note that Nwosu laid a strong foundation for the present day Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Sadly, he passed away on Oct. 20, 2024 at the age of 83 and will be buried tomorrow (Friday) in his hometown in Anambra,” he said.

Contributing, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), expressed the regret that when it mattered most, Nwosu’s courage failed him.

“We cannot distort history in this unit. We must be seen to have sentiments that reflect the average feeling of the average Nigerian.

“Prof. Nwosu, when it mattered most, his courage failed him,” he said.

Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo) said: “Mr President, it is important that we will not sit here to distort history. We are legislators and we are representing the people.

“Get a cross section of Nigerians and ask them what they think about Prof. Nwosu, they will tell you he was a hero.

“So for us to sit here now and begin to distort history is not fair for our democracy.”

Also speaking Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) said: “This is one issue I have tried as much as possible to avoid.

“Mr President, many of my colleagues have pulled up here and said he conducted the freest and fairest election.

“There are three different meanings and three different expectations that we should look at.

“Conducting elections, releasing results and announcing results. Yes, he conducted the election; yes, Prof. Nwosu released the result. But you and I know, releasing results is not the same thing as announcing results.

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“He failed at the critical moment when he was supposed to save this democracy”.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, commended his colleagues on the manner in which the debate was conducted.

“You did very well. You marshaled your points. You said your views. And no rancour at all. This is how debates should be in an august institution like the senate.

“I subscribe to all these. I have my view. But I try not to be partial. I believe in June 12,” he said. (NAN)

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Lawmaker urges intervention in Benue, Zamfara Assembly crises

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Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue) has called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to intervene in the crises affecting the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly.

Agbese made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja after submitting a petition to the House, endorsed by more than 200 lawyers.

As Deputy Spokesperson for the House, he expressed concern that the troubling situation in Rivers should not be allowed to unfold in other states.

Agbese warned that passivity could lead to the Executive branch assuming greater control, diminishing the legislative role to a mere rubber-stamping body.

“The alarming developments in Benue and Zamfara, characterised by impunity, anarchy, and lawlessness, as well as an attempt to undermine the powers of a coordinate arm of government, demand our urgent intervention.

“The petitioners have asked the House to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution to take over the functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, following an investigation,” Agbese stated.

He said that the goal was to restore constitutional order, uphold the rule of law, and protect fundamental human rights in the affected states.

The petition was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further legislative action.(NAN)

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