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Court Ruling: PDP Holds Emergency Meeting, Today
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the Caretaker Committee of Sen Ahmed Makarfi, holds an emergency meeting of party stakeholders, today, over the court ruling that affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the party.
It would be recalled that an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had last Friday ruled in favour of the former Borno State governor.
But the Makarfi’s faction of the party rejected the ruling, saying it was heading to the Supreme Court to contest the judgement.
According to a notice signed by the faction’s Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, the meeting will hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja 2pm on Monday.
Adeyeye said the decision of the Appeal Court which gave victory to Sheriff will be discussed.
The notice of the meeting posted on the party’s twitter handle @OfficialPDPNIG mentioned that those invited to the meeting are “members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly members, former governors of PDP, former ministers under the platform of the PDP, former National Assembly members and party elders.”
Adeyeye urged all invited guests to attend “unfailingly.”
Even as Senator Modu Sheriff extends olive branch to the National Caretaker committee of the PDP to join him in rebuilding the party, the spokesman of the Committee, Dayo Adeyeye, yesterday insisted that it will appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court. In a statement he issued in Abuja, Adeyeye said apart from being a “ big disappointment” , the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division “ is a travesty of justice, a mockery of valid facts and a miscarriage of justice” and “an invidious attempt to destroy the PDP”.
According to him, ‘the Minority Judgement is very sound in law, logic and fact. It gives us hope that we will have our day in the Supreme Court. Whereas the Lead Judgement left out the main issues and laboured unconvincingly to work to a preconceived answer, the Minority Judgement thrashed all the issues and upheld the Judgement of the High Court in Port Harcourt delivered by Liman J on July 4, 2016. We will certainly appeal to the Supreme Court. No reconciliatory effort will stop it.
We need the Supreme Court to make a pronouncement on the issue once and for all. “We maintain that this is a continuation of the attempt to kill the PDP and thereby destroy all opposition in Nigeria.
The rebels in the party who were favored by the two justices of the Appeal Court are snakes within the house working for the Ruling Party, the APC. The great conspiracy to silence the PDP is an assault on the Nigerian democracy. We are however determined to resist this onslaught to the very last.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reacted to a statement credited to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff , where he said Governors Ayo Fayose and Nyesom Wike would be pushed out of the party.
Addressing people of his state on Ekiti Radio-91.5FM and EKTV on Saturday, Fayose said he does not talk to “monkeys.”
Quoting a passage from the Bible, the outspoken governor said all things will work for his good and the good of the PDP.
The Chairman of the PDP’s Governors Forum wondered who Sheriff would lead since most members of the party were on the side of Ahmed Makarfi.
He also urged members of the PDP who are aggrieved by the Port Harcourt Appeal Court ruling to “calm down.”
Fayose said, “On that comment by Sheriff that he will kick me and Governor Nyesom Wike out of PDP, I don’t talk to monkeys. That Appeal Court judgement is just a phase, it will fizzle out. All things will work together for good for me, that’s what the Bible says.
“All the governors, National Assembly members, BOT, etc are on this side. So, who is he going to be leading?
“Whether he is being backed by whatever forces, be it external or internal, good luck to him.
“Let everybody in PDP calm down, there is salvation ahead of us.
“I’m aware that some people are apprehensive of 2018 but I want to say it here that they should worry not. What I know that will happen tomorrow is that I will get to greater heights.
“There are three major important factors in elections, the people is number one, followed by the party and the candidate. You can have a party and candidate, if you don’t have the people, you will fail because the power of the people is greater than the power of those of us in power.
“Here in Ekiti, we have the people.
“I am saying it here that we are under the leadership of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee.
“When we got the judgement at the lower court, affirming the Caretaker Committee, Sheriff was still parading himself as the chairman.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol