Politics
We’ll Not Repeat 2019 Mistakes, Says Kaduna PDP Deputy Guber Candidate
The Kaduna State Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. John Ayuba has assured the masses that the factors that worked against their chances in 2019 will not be allowed to rear its ugly head in the 2023 general elections.
Ayuba who gave the assurance on Monday during a parley with the Southern Kaduna Journalists Forum in Kaduna said, though the PDP fared well in the 2019 general election, there are lapses that the party is working earnestly to correct in the next election cycle.”
According to him the PDP as an opposition party will be more sagacious, tactful and articulate in their campaign strategy to ensure they take power by force from the ruling party that have meted all kinds of inhumane policies.
Ayuba, a financial expert, promised to consolidate on the 800,000 votes in the 2019 general election from the Southern Kaduna region in order to give an edge over the ruling party.
Commenting on Youth inclusion, he noted that administration will give the youth a sense of belonging if they emerge victorious at the polls.
Dr. Ayuba explained that the PDP has since learnt from its past mistakes where youths and women were not given the needed percentage to participate in governance, hence, a change will be affected going forward.
He thanked his principal for nominating him as running mate and pledged to continue to bring his wealth of experience to bear, so as to move the party forward and bring relief to his people of the state.
” I want our people to be strategic in thinking and choosing candidates by checking if the candidate they support has the capacity to win elections at the polls,” Ayuba said.
He commended the people who hitherto do not have PVC, for coming out en masse to get registered and urged those who are yet to do so, to take advantage of the extension by INEC to obtain theirs, so as to participate in electing those that will enhance democratic values.
He decried how the APC led administration in the State and Federal Government failed woefully in providing security for the people which make the masses helpless, and have also thrown them into abject poverty, solicited the support of the People to ensure that the PDP returns to power during the general elections.
While responding to a question as to how prepared his party was to convince the people to vote for his party, Dr. John Ayuba, pointed out that the masses are already tired and are looking up for the PDP to clinch power and restore their lost hope
Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.
Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.
He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?
“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”
The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.
“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.
“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.
Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers State House of Assembly Launches Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by issuing a notice regarding allegations of gross misconduct.
Further details will be provided shortly.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Dr Stella Okotete, has said that female politicians in Nigeria often viewed her as a threat rather than a partner.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the Junior Chambers International Business meeting in Abuja on Sunday, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, themed “Empowering Women, Empowering Communities: Accelerating Action Towards Gender Inclusivity”, Okotete reflected on the challenges she faced as a young woman in politics.
A former national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okotete said, “With due respect, the female politicians didn’t want me around them. They saw me as a young woman who was a threat, not as a partner. My ideas were seen as too bold and too daring, and as a result, I was never given opportunities when nominations were being made.”
She explained that when she was appointed APC’s National Women Leader at the age of 36, it was an opportunity to bridge the gap for young women in politics, enabling them to aspire for greatness, showcase their worth, and gain visibility in governance and the public space.
“I initiated the Progressive Young Women’s Forum, which today boasts of having a former minister. Jamila was our president,” she said.
Okotete recounted how her experience in politics led her to create a support system for young women.
“I founded the Young Progressive Forum because, as a young politician, I noticed that, with due respect, female politicians didn’t want me around them. When I was made the National Women Leader, I had to create this platform so that other women would not face the discrimination I faced—from women, not men.”
She became emotional while addressing the audience, saying, “I’m saying this with a heavy heart because I never saw any woman as a threat, and I still don’t today. That is why, when I said there are no two Stellas in Nigeria, I meant it.
“We must stop the ‘table talks’ and tea parties and start taking real action. If we truly want to see more women in government, business, and the economy, we must support each other.”
Okotete warned that women risk being sidelined by men if they do not create spaces for one another to thrive.
“The men will continue to push us aside if we give them the opportunity. While we often blame men, we, as women, must also make it a priority to support each other. Whenever we have the chance, we must ensure other women are given visibility and opportunities.
“History has shown that when women try to block or dim the light of other women, they don’t go far. They are quickly forgotten, and history does not remember them.”
She urged women to take responsibility for fostering inclusivity, saying, “We are here today, not just as members of JCI, but as individuals chosen by fate to be among the few who will shape Nigeria’s future. We must break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and push for policies that drive development and growth in our nation.”
‘Men must be allies in the fight for gender equality’
Okotete stressed the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in the push for gender equality.
“We must challenge social and cultural norms together. We must also strengthen legal protections and policies, ensuring the enforcement of laws that protect women’s rights, including those against gender-based violence, discrimination, and workplace inequality.
“We must hold institutions accountable for implementing gender-responsive policies. That is why I always try to strike a balance between getting men to work with us and encouraging women to take action for themselves.”
She called on women to foster a culture of mutual support, saying, “We must lead the crusade for gender equality and inclusivity by loving and supporting one another. We must see other women in our workplaces not as competitors, but as sisters and partners.
“When we join forces, we can achieve great things.”
She highlighted the progress made by young women in politics, noting that there are now female commissioners in 20 states, as well as young female legislators in state assemblies and councillors in several APC-governed states.
“We are witnessing a new wave of female leadership in Nigeria, and we must continue to build on this momentum,” she concluded.