Politics
Consequences Await Any Party Without Southern Presidential Candidate – PANDEF
Dire and unpleasant consequences await any political party that fails to produce a presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general election from the southern part of Nigeria.
This is the position of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Afenifere and elements of the Middle Belt under the Middle Belt Forum.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson disclosed that the groups have reached a consensus to mete out punitive measures against any political party that would not float a southern presidential candidate in next year’s general elections in the country.
Hon. Robinson said it was “completely unacceptable” that after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari from the northern region, any political party in the country would consider another northerner to succeed him in office as leader of the country, adding that it was in the interest of fairness, equity and justice that the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum decided to insist on a power shift to the South.
“Any political party in Nigeria that does not zone its presidency to southern Nigeria, the people of southern Nigeria will mobilize and work against that party. That’s our position”, he said.
According to Hon. Robinson who is also the Acting Coordinator of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, “PANDEF is actually working with Afenifere from the south west, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the south east, and elements of the Middle Belt under the Middle Belt Forum.
“We want to believe that they are together with us in all that we have said because these pronouncements have been made under the auspices of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum comprising these aforementioned organisations.
“We have said that if any of the major political parties in the country does not zone its presidential ticket to the South, we are going to work against that party. The position we have taken is that we will wait until the party primaries are concluded”.
Upon the conclusion of the primaries, he said, the groups will meet and review the outcomes of the exercises before taking a final decision on how to respond to the choices made by the parties.
“After the party primaries are concluded, we will see the choices that are presented to us and if one of the two parties (the PDP and APC) gives us a southern presidency and the other does not, we will sit down and discuss to see how we can mobilize and ensure that southern Nigeria punishes the party that is against us”, he emphasised.
According to the national spokesman of PANDEF, only a power shift to southern Nigeria will address the strong feeling of alienation, injustice and domination among the people of southern Nigeria, adding that sensitivity and appropriate action on the part of the northerners will steer the country away from further crisis and anarchy.
By: Opakamaba Dokubo
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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