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2027: Nwifuru’s problem is Ebonyi people, not Wike — PDP

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Gov. Nwifuru

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday dismissed attempts by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State to link his troubles to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, insisting that the governor’s real challenge is the people of Ebonyi State, not the FCT minister, as discontent over his administration grows ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The opposition party said the governor appeared to be searching for political scapegoats at a time when many residents were more concerned about the performance of his administration than political confrontations.

Speaking at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, accused Nwifuru of resorting to inflammatory statements and blackmail because of growing concerns about his political future.

“The truth is that Governor Nwifuru’s challenge is not Chief Wike; his challenge is the people of Ebonyi State, who are yearning for competent leadership and genuine development,” Mohammed said.

The PDP was reacting to comments allegedly made by the governor at a political rally, where he was reported to have threatened to ‘consume’ and destroy opposition figures in the state.

Describing the remarks as reckless and inflammatory, the party warned that such language could further raise tensions in Ebonyi State.

“We call on security agencies and civil society organisations to take serious note of the Governor’s disturbing remarks about ‘consuming’ opposition members and leaders in the state.

“Such language is unbecoming of a public office holder and has the potential to heighten political tensions in the state. Political disagreements must never be reduced to threats or rhetoric capable of endangering lives and undermining democratic participation,” Jungudo said.

Beyond the dispute with Wike, the PDP accused Governor Nwifuru of failing to deliver meaningful development and trying to deflect attention from his administration’s record.

It challenged him to account for key projects and programmes under his watch, including the reported N24 billion spent on renovating the Ebonyi Airport, which it claimed has yet to generate significant economic benefits for the state.

The party also raised concerns about the overseas scholarship programme, the state of basic education, uncompleted two-kilometre road projects across local government areas and funds budgeted for traditional rulers’ palaces.

“Instead of engaging in political blackmail, spreading unfounded allegations and threatening to deploy state resources against the opposition, the Governor should devote his energy to explaining to the people of Ebonyi State why, after more than three years in office, his administration struggles to point to projects that have meaningfully improved their lives,” the PDP stated.

Rejecting what it described as attempts to drag Wike into the dispute, the party maintained that the FCT minister had nothing to do with the governor’s current difficulties.

“Chief Wike is not Governor Nwifuru’s political peer and should not be drawn into the Governor’s self-inflicted challenges,” Jungudo said.

The PDP also signalled its readiness for the 2027 governorship election, naming Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the candidate it believes can challenge the governor at the polls.

“If Governor Nwifuru is worried about the next election, he should direct his attention to the PDP governorship candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, who will confront him at the ballot box.

“The 2027 election will not be about propaganda, intimidation or blackmail; it will be about performance, accountability and the welfare of the people of Ebonyi State,” Mohammed said.

The opposition party also raised concerns about the safety of its members and candidates in the state.

“Should anything untoward happen to any of our supporters, leaders or candidates in Ebonyi State, particularly our governorship candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, or any member of his family, Nigerians already know where to direct their attention and demand answers.

“If the Governor truly wishes to ‘consume’ the people of Ebonyi State, let him do so through visible developmental projects, effective governance and tangible improvements in their living conditions through threats, intimidation and hostile political rhetoric,” Jungudi said.

Turaki bloc commends Nwifuru

Meanwhile, another bloc of the PDP took a markedly different position, backing Governor Nwifuru’s criticism of Wike and accusing the FCT minister of interfering in Ebonyi State affairs.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Interim National Working Committee of the party commended the governor for publicly challenging what it described as Wike’s alleged anti-party activities and political blackmail.

The bloc said Nwifuru had warned the minister against fuelling tensions in Ebonyi State through misinformation and the invocation of President Bola Tinubu’s name, while accusing him of meddling in affairs beyond his official jurisdiction.

“We are certain that Governor Nwifuru is conscious of the ignoble role Wike, then as the Governor of Rivers State, played in pushing his predecessor out of the PDP,” Ememobong said.

The group also cited allegations previously made by former Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Umahi, against Wike, noting that the minister had yet to publicly respond to them.

Reaffirming its opposition credentials, the bloc insisted that the PDP could not be aligned with the ruling party and identified Mr. Eze Alexander as “the candidate of the authentic and uncompromised PDP” in Ebonyi State.

“We reiterate that the Peoples Democratic Party, as an opposition party, is not and cannot be in an alliance with the ruling party. We are a principled political party and will continue to insist on best practices in political contests in a bid to help achieve democratic consolidation in our country,” the statement added.

The group also urged Nigerians to support governors willing to resist what it described as attempts by Wike to ‘put fire’ in their states, underscoring the sharply contrasting positions taken by the two PDP factions over the minister’s role in opposition politics.


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Probe Anyanwu, Mohammed over false information to INEC – Factional PDP petitions IGP

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Ogbeide Associates, Solicitors and Counsel, holding brief for the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, requesting an investigation into the party’s Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and factional National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, over a letter dated November 3, 2025, addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The petition alleges that the letter falsely claimed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had suspended Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as Acting National Chairman and appointed Mohammed in his place.

According to the petition, the NWC’s 608th Emergency Meeting of November 1, 2025, held barely 48 hours before the letter was written, resolved to suspend Anyanwu himself, along with three other officers, over allegations of anti-party activities.

The petition stated that no NWC resolution, minutes, or attendance record has been produced showing that the committee ever resolved to suspend Ambassador Damagum or appoint Mohammed.

The petition further noted that the official attendance record of the 608th meeting shows that Anyanwu was absent, while Mohammed was present at the meeting.

It noted that Mohammed had direct, firsthand knowledge of the meeting’s actual outcome before the disputed letter was sent.

The petition also draws attention to a subsisting Federal High Court judgment of October 10, 2024 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024), which recognised Ambassador Damagum as Acting National Chairman and restrained INEC from acting on any document not bearing his signature—a judgment Senator Anyanwu himself had forwarded to INEC for compliance in November 2024.

The petition notes that the Court of Appeal, on March 9, 2026, affirmed the NWC’s suspension of Senator Anyanwu.

In addition to seeking an investigation of the two named individuals, the petition asks the Inspector-General to examine how INEC handled the November 3 letter, given that the commission was already in possession of both the subsisting court judgment and the NWC’s suspension resolution at the time.

“This petition is not about personalities. It is about whether public institutions can be misled with documents that do not reflect the true position of internal party processes, and whether such conduct will be investigated as the law requires,” counsel for the petitioner said.

The lawyers called on the Nigeria Police Force to treat the matter with urgency, while indicating that the petitioner stands ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the relevant court judgments and internal party records, to assist in the investigation.




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Alleged fraud: Peter Obi officially serves Kenneth Okonkwo

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has officially served a writ of summons on actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo in a defamation suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.

According to court documents dated June 25, 2026, Obi is seeking N8 billion in damages over statements allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, and subsequently circulated on social media platforms.

The legal action is being pursued on Obi’s behalf by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme, SAN & Co. (Madiba Chambers), Awka, Anambra State.

DAILY POST reports that case stems from a growing dispute between the two former political allies, who have recently exchanged criticisms over political developments and leadership issues within the opposition movement.

The writ, issued by the court and marked for service outside Anambra State in neighbouring Enugu State, directs Okonkwo to enter an appearance within 42 days of being served or risk judgment being entered against him in his absence.

In the suit, Obi contends that comments made by Okonkwo during the television interview, which was later uploaded to Channels Television’s YouTube platform and amplified through his verified social media accounts, were false, malicious and defamatory.

The former Anambra State governor is claiming N5 billion as general damages for alleged injury to his reputation, character, integrity, public image, political standing and goodwill.

He is also seeking N2 billion as aggravated damages, citing what he described as the breadth, persistence and repetition of the alleged defamatory statements, including publications made after his lawyers issued a demand letter dated June 9, 2026.

In addition, Obi is asking the court to award N1 billion in exemplary damages, arguing that the defendant deliberately repeated and amplified the allegations despite being notified of his complaint.

Beyond monetary compensation, the plaintiff is seeking several court orders, including a directive compelling Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels Television, its YouTube platform, his social media accounts and in three national newspapers.

Obi is also requesting an order directing the defendant to remove all publications containing the disputed allegations from platforms under his control and a perpetual injunction restraining him from making similar allegations in the future.

The suit further seeks post-judgment interest on any monetary award granted by the court, as well as the costs of the action.




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Aisha Yesufu explains why she rejected House of Reps ticket

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Activist Aisha Yesufu has explained why she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, Yesufu said she rejected the ticket because about 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were contesting for the position.

“About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.

She explained that accepting the ticket would have unfairly affected other aspirants who had spent money and effort pursuing the position.

“The reason I didn’t take it was because of the process. There were about 20 competent people from whom money had been collected during the process who would be shortchanged,” she stated.

Describing the arrangement as unfair, Yesufu said: “The process was unjust; in my view, it was criminal. If we claim to be guided by the law, then why should we do something unjust?”

She added that she would rather lose than benefit from an unfair political process.

“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.

She also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics, stressing that political participation should go beyond voting during elections.




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