The State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano, has described the purported suspension of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the party, as illegal, null and void.
The Ganduje Ward of APC in Dawakin-Tofa Local Government of Kano State had, on Monday suspended Ganduje citing corruption and other vices.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that nine executive members of the ward announced the suspension at a press conference in Kano.
Malam Haladu Gwanjo, the Legal Adviser, who spoke on their behalf, accused the former Governor of “gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds during his administration in Kano”.
“We resolved to pass a vote of no confidence on the National Chairman of the party due to his inability to clear his name from allegations of corruption, particularly the ‘dollar video’ that went viral.
“The APC leaders in Ganduje ward are worried that the party is being subjected to unnecessary embarrassment from the rival New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) over unsubstantiated allegations of corruption levelled against Ganduje’s administration.
“Ganduje ward leaders deem it fit to suspend the national chairman to enable him concentrate on the litigation and other hanging issues so that he could appropriately clear his image and that of his family.
“President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the ongoing fight against corruption has made it necessary for Ganduje to deal with the seeming baggage of corruption hanging on his neck as it is already denting the reputation of the APC-led federal government.
“We, the leaders of the APC in Ganduje ward, after thorough deliberations, decided to suspend the chairman to give him time to clear his name.
“Since Ganduje has been summoned to court to answer for these accusations, we are being proactive as it could potentially hurt the reputation of our political party,” he said.
But the Kano State chapter of the party, in a swift reaction, imposed drastic measures against party leaders who announced the suspension.
In a quick counter move, the Dawakin-Tofa Local Government chapter of the party announced the “immediate sack” of those behind it.
Its Chairman, Inusa Dawanau, told newsmen that those behind the suspension of the national chairman were caught in anti-party activities with records of their meetings with opposition exposed.
The state chapter of the party has also adopted the suspension of the Ganduje ward APC leaders behind the suspension of the party’s national chairman.
“We have sanctioned them for six months; a special investigation panel has been set up to verify the several allegations against them,” the state chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, told newsmen in Kano.
He said that the State Working Committee had adopted the decisions of the Dawakin-Tofa Local Government APC leaders.
“We have already ordered an investigation into the anti-party allegations levelled against them.
“We have evidence of meetings between state government officials and those that suspended the national chairman, so we shall dig into the roots of the matter,” he said.
Abbas declared the suspension as “invalid”.
“It stands null and void. It cannot stand,” he declared. (NAN)
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.
State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.
Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.
“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.
He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)
The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.
Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.
“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.
“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.
“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.
“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.
He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.
Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.
He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested
Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.
He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.
NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.
Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.
Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.
He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.
“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.
He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”
He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.
“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.
He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.
Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.
He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)
