Politics
Protesters Storm Wadata Plaza As PDP Power Tussle Continues
The protest came amidst heightened tensions over the anticipated resumption of Sunday Ude-Okoye, the Appeal Court-declared rightful occupant of the position.
The protesters, chanting slogans such as “No vacancy in the National Secretary’s office” and “Senator Sam Anyanwu remains the National Secretary,” besieged the back gate of the PDP’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Security at the premises was significantly bolstered, with additional police officers deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
A police truck was stationed outside the main gate, while personnel, in collaboration with PDP security, thoroughly frisked workers and visitors before granting access to the building.
Senator Anyanwu arrived at the PDP national secretariat at around midday to a rousing welcome from his loyal supporters, who had been protesting his ouster as National Secretary.
Upon entering his office, Sen. Anyanwu symbolically sanctified his desk with anointing oil before taking his seat. He then conducted a brief inspection of the secretariat offices before summoning a meeting with staff.
During the meeting, Sen. Anyanwu addressed the ongoing legal dispute surrounding his position.
He outlined the legal complexities of the situation and reassured the staff of his commitment to due process with a declaration that he would quit if the Supreme Court so decides.
He urged them to remain focused and law-abiding amid the party’s internal turmoil.
Following the meeting, the embattled National Secretary released a formal statement addressed to all national officers, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The statement sought to explain his legal standing and justify his continued tenure as National Secretary.
In the statement, Sen. Anyanwu argued that his position as National Secretary remained valid, citing legal provisions.
“Once an application for a stay of execution is filed and pending, it operates as a bar to the execution of the judgment until the application is determined,” he stated, referencing past rulings from the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Sen. Anyanwu asserted that he has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and submitted an application for a stay of execution, maintaining that his role as National Secretary is legally protected until the court decides otherwise.
He cautioned against any actions that could undermine his position, describing them as unlawful and detrimental to the party’s unity.
Senator Anyanwu was the sole national officer present at the PDP national secretariat on Monday, as other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were conspicuously absent.
He departed the secretariat at approximately 3:30 p.m.
While Sen. Anyanwu insists on his legal right to the position, the party’s official stance remains that the Court of Appeal judgment is binding unless a stay is granted.
In a rebuttal, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticised Sen. Anyanwu’s actions, stating that the party had not received any notice of motion for a stay of execution or a court order supporting his claim.
“It’s unfortunate that this drama is unfolding. Resorting to self-help is highly condemnable.
“We have evidence linking Senator Anyanwu to the activities of thugs, including communications and financial transactions. This behaviour undermines the rule of law and tarnishes the party’s image”, Mr Ologunagba said.
The National Publicity Secretary emphasised that the PDP was committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate actions that disrupt its operations.
“This party does not engage in self-help. We follow due process. If a stay of execution is granted, the party will comply. However, as of now, no such order exists”, he added.
He further suggested that external forces may be influencing the crisis, hinting at potential interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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