Politics
PDP Accuses APC Of Disrupting Zamfara Congress
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the disruption of its congress in Zamfara State by hoodlums, describing it as a direct assault on democracy.
Thugs invaded the venue of the PDP congress in the state and disrupted the proceedings on Monda
The fierce-looking thugs wielded dangerous weapons, damaged canopies, and plastic chairs, and forced party members to scamper for safet.
The incident forced the PDP members to relocate to a hotel in the state capital to hastily conduct the exercise.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, DeboOlogunagba, the party alleged that thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were behind the attac
The statement read: “Nigerians were horrified as All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs invaded the venue of our congress in Samaru in Gusau, unleashed violence on our members, vandalized materials and vehicles after which they descended on the PDP secretariat, tore the PDP flags as well as Nigerian flags, all in their bid to orchestrate tension in the state and disrupt our congres.
“Nevertheless, the success of the PDP congress in Zamfara State despite the attacks shows that the PDP is in firm control of the state even with Governor Bello Matawalle’s defection to the APC and that we will never relent in our determination to reclaim our electoral mandate taken to the APC by Governor Matawalle and other feeble-minded deserter.
“For those who took benefit of PDP structure to attain power in Zamfara State, only to turn around to inflict violence on the same structure; they have only demonstrated the absence of moral and character in the guise of politics. History will judge their level of inconsistency, betrayal and low-grade moral.
“APC has been in panic mode over the sustained formidability and penetrating popularity of the PDP in Zamfara State and sought every means including violence, threats, and coercion to stop our congress; a scheme that was firmly resisted by our party and the people of the state.
“APC’s pitiable failure to stop the PDP Zamfara congress is a bitter foretaste of the inevitable crushing defeat that awaits Governor Matawalle and his fizzling APC at all levels in the 2023 election.
“Our party salutes the courage and resolve of the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, other leaders, critical stakeholders, and all members of the PDP in the state for resisting the machinations of the APC and ensuring the successful conduct of our state congres.
“The PDP congratulates the newly elected officers of our party in Zamfara State led by the new state chairman-elect, Col. BalaMande (retd), and urges them to remain united and alert for the task ahead as Nigerians chart a new course for our nation in solidarity with the PDP’s rescue and rebuild mission.”
The Senate yesterday received the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu, marking the formal launch of the 2026 federal budget cycle.
In a letter addressed to the upper chamber, Tinubu said the submission complies with statutory requirements and sets out the fiscal parameters that will guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He explained that the MTEF/FSP outlines the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections, and spending priorities that will shape Nigeria’s fiscal direction over the next three years.
The letter was read during plenary by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document.
“It is with pleasure that I forward the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for the kind consideration and approval of the Senate.
“The 2026 to 2028 MTEF and FSP were approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 3, 2025, and the 2026 budget of the Federal Government will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions therein,” the President stated.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved the fiscal projections, pegging the oil benchmark price at $64.85 per barrel and adopting a budget exchange rate of ?1,512/$1 for 2026—figures expected to significantly shape revenue forecasts and expenditure planning.
After reading the President’s letter, Jibrin referred the document to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), with a directive to submit its report by Wednesday, December 17.
The Senate adjourned shortly after to allow committees to commence scrutiny of the fiscal framework and continue the ongoing screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Tinubu’s communication to the Senate came less than 24 hours after he transmitted the same MTEF/FSP documents to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The letter was read on the House floor by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who also urged timely legislative action as required by law.
The MTEF and FSP are statutory instruments mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and serve as the blueprint for Nigeria’s annual budgets.
They outline the government’s fiscal stance, macroeconomic assumptions, revenue frameworks, projected deficits, and sectoral priorities over a three-year period.
The Tide reports that approval by the National Assembly is a prerequisite for the executive to present the Appropriation Bill for the next fiscal year.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
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