Politics
Group Wants Atiku’s Return To PDP
A group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the PDP Renaissance Group has called on former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to return to the party.
The National Coordinator, PDP Renaissance Group, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen last Wednesday, also called on other PDP chieftains who left the party to answer the clarion call to national duty by returning to the PDP where they properly belong.
Iwuanyanwu who is a known political apostle of the former vice president averred that Atiku had no business whatsoever in the APC.
He stated that the PDP Renaissance Group would be leading a high profile delegation to the former vice president and other eminent leaders who left the party or who have been alienated by the cabal that hijacked the party and brought it on its knees, warning that under no circumstance should PDP go back to Egypt.
“The exit of some of those who were the architects of the political misfortunes of Atiku in the PDP and the high profile conspiracy in the APC to politically extinct him by the same forces now gathered in APC, the former Vice President has no business whatsoever in the APC,’’ he said.
While appreciating the circumstance which compelled Atiku’s exit from PDP, Chief Chyna Iwuanyawu reiterated that with the olive branch being waved and the magnanimity of the present leadership of the PDP, the coast may have been cleared for Atiku’s return back to the PDP.
“Former vice president Atiku has been in a political wilderness, in a strange land, co-habiting with strange bed follows who are ideologically incompatible with his patriotic vision for Nigeria and his democratic antecedents and credentials.
“With the recent resolution of the crisis that nearly consumed the PDP, the leaders and members of the party have learnt great lessons and are totally committed to taking the party back to the vision of the founding fathers of the party, one of whom is the former vice president,’’ he said.
He however expressed satisfaction with the resolve of the present leadership of PDP to stamp out impunity, imposition, god-fatherism and the lack of internal democracy which were at the centre of the crisis that led to a disastrous outing in the 2015 elections.
The PDP stalwart noted that PDP Renaissance Group is a group of party patriots, who came together to embark on advocacy against injustice, imposition and hijack of the party and the national political space by those he described as “Pharaohs” in the party.
He confirmed that members of the group were in support of the reconciliation initiative and the opens door policy of the leadership of the party and stated that “concrete steps must be taken to reach out to aggrieved parties to heal the wound of the past.”
Iwuayanwu stated that the PDP Renaissance Group has been vindicated by the policy thrust of the caretaker committee and commended Senator Ahmed Markarfi for giving the party “a purpose driven-leadership which has enabled us to navigate the storm”.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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