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Poll: Fayose, Mu’azu Bicker Over Jonathan’s Defeat
Ekiti State Governor has insisted that his call for the dissolution of the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) was in good faith, and in the overall interest of the party, saying; “I have no apology on my position on the NWC because their responsibility as a party does not take away their failure in the last general elections.”
The governor, who also challenged the NWC to provide evidence of money released to him to prosecute the last elections, added that “only N30 million was received for the last two elections and to the glory of the Almighty God and support of Ekiti people, we won all elections out rightly. I therefore demand for the mode with which money was released to me by the NWC.”
In a release issued in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Governor Fayose reiterated his commitment to the PDP, pointing out that if it remained only him in the party, he would continue to defend its course.
“If it remains only me, I will continue to defend the course of this party because some people are born to stand up at difficult times, and I believe I am one such people born to stand up for the PDP at this difficult time,” he said.
Reiterating his call for the dissolution of the NWC, Governor Fayose said; “In saner climes, when a war commander leads his troupe to an embarrassing defeat, such commander does not need anyone to tell him that he needs to leave the war front for another commander to take over.”
While describing the attack on his person by the NWC as unfortunate, the governor said it was sad that the NWC members, especially the National Chairman were refusing to allow new people to manage the party after managing it into its first national electoral failure.
“How do we explain the PDP losing so scandalously in Bauchi State, despite the presence of the National Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Minister and the State governor?
“I am even more particular about the National Chairman because he sold the party to the opposition. I have cogent evidences of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections and if they go any further, I will expose all his underhand deals.
“I want to say it again that I have no apology for calling for the resignation of the NWC members, especially the National Chairman. After all, someone resigned his position as the National Chairman for Alhaji Mu’azu to assume office.
“Lastly, let me say it categorically that they can only attempt to destroy this party for the moment, not forever. Sooner or later, they will all fade away and PDP will rise again,” the governor said.
But in a swift reaction, former Bauchi State governor and National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has disclosed that he would have delivered his home state to President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 election if he had his way.
He regretted that he was handicapped as it was not him but the people that voted.
Disclosing this through his Twitter handle, yesterday, the embattled chairman accused those blaming him for the poor outing of the party during the election as “being economical with the truth” stressing that he did his best for the PDP.
According to him, “I gave my best and all to the campaign of Mr. President and the party. We went to every state in Nigeria to campaign; those who insinuate that I did not do my best for our great party and Mr. President during election are being economical with the truth.
“If I had my way, everyone in my state “Bauchi” would have voted for President Jonathan but it’s the people that vote not me, those who blame us for not delivering maximum votes to the president in the north seem to have forgotten that it’s the people who vote.
“The perception of President Jonathan and our party in the north was at an all-time low because of the lies that were told by politicians.” He said he never regretted supporting Jonathan and would gladly do so if given another opportunity.
“I have repeatedly reminded many that I, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu have been in the PDP since 1999 as a matter of principle and strong ideology; I will support President Jonathan again and again if the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
He continued in the Twitter message that “Some even ridicule and insult us that we betrayed President Jonathan. How can one betray himself? The APC has nothing to offer someone like me. I am too principled to betray my party. I have been here since 1999; the unity of Nigeria to me is greater than sectional or ethnic interests. I can never regret supporting our leader President Jonathan.
“I have always preached against ethnicity and tribalism and the voting pattern in the election was a concern to me personally, In the face of abuse, insult and open ridicule by our friends and brothers we supported our leader President Jonathan faithfully.
“Those who are busy pointing accusing fingers are yet to come to the realization of what has happened but we have gone beyond that, the unity of Nigeria to me is greater than sectional or ethnic interests. I can never regret supporting our leader President Jonathan,” the PDP National chairman tweeted.
A cross-section of civil servants, during the 2015 May Day celebration in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene