Politics
IPAC Re-Elects Peter Ameh For Second Term
The incumbent National President of Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Mr Peter Ameh has been re-elected for a second term of one year in office, yesterday in Abuja.
Ameh, whose tenure would expire on Sept. 5, scored 62 votes to emerge the national president of IPAC, while three votes were voided and three delegates voted against his re-election.
Ameh, who was billed to reel out his manifesto when the delegates asked him to take a bow and go, was first elected in 2018 to replace Tanko Muhammed.
68 delegates comprising political parties’ officials converged at the National Electoral Institute to reelect Ameh, who is of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA).
A mild drama however occurred when Mr Bishop Amakri, National Chairman, Young Progressives Party (YPP), opposed the voice vote, insisting that Ameh must address the delegates.
Amakri, who described the syndrome of taking a bow and go as ‘unacceptable’, and called on delegates not to practice the National Assembly style of “take a bow and go”, was however ‘shouted down’.
In his acceptance speech, Ameh lauded the peaceful conduct of the election, saying that IPAC would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to develop a democratic model for “a free and credible election atmosphere in the country.”
He said that he would work for inclusiveness to create offices that would bring in youth, women and people living with disability into the mainstream of nation’s political system.
“We now have gender office, youth policy adviser and now we are creating IPAC Institute for Multi-Party Democracy and Good Governance,” he revealed.
Mr Damian Akhamhe, Director of Political Finance Monitoring, INEC, commended the conduct of the election, describing it as “peaceful and satisfactory”.
He said: “This is one of the best elections I have observed in IPAC, very organised and straight to the point, there is no argument.”
He however expressed worry over absence of what he called “big political parties”, adding that the exercise would send the right signal on how to conduct elections.
No fewer than 16 contestants jostled for the 13 available positions which include; President, Vice President I and II, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Youth Advisor and Organizing Secretary.
Others are Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Gender Advisor, National Legal Advisor and Audit Control Officer.
Mr Babatunde Ademola of Nigeria Community Movement Party (NCMP) emerged the Publicity Secretary with 43 votes to beat two other contestants.
Ademola described the exercise as a test for excellent democracy in IPAC, saying “I can assure you that working with different mindset in IPAC will stabilize our democracy.”
Other elective positions except the office of Vice-President II which had two contestants were unopposed.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Speedy Execution Of Projects In Rivers
-
Ict/Telecom3 days ago
Scientists Advocate Shared Responsibility To Boost Food Security
-
Business3 days ago
VivaJets CEO Urges Unified Aviation Reforms Across Africa
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Sexual Harassment: Court Sentences UNICAL Prof To 5yrs Imprisonment
-
Sports4 days ago
D’Tigress shift focus to W’Cup qualifiers, After Friendlies
-
Sports3 days ago
Neglect, Mismangement Responsible For 2026 W’Cup Mishap – Barr Green
-
Sports3 days ago
“Rangers No More Chasing NPFL Title Ambition”
-
Ict/Telecom3 days ago
NIGCOMSAT Expands Nigeria’s Digital Broadcast Subsector By 35%