Politics
2013: Year Of Political Melodrama
Since 1960 when Nigeria gained her independence from colonial rule, one major challenge that has continuously threatened the growth and stability of the oil-rich nation is the entrenchment of democratic culture. The military had had cause to intervene in the governance of this nation because of the inglorious activities of the political elite most of whom are more concerned about the looting of the nation’s treasury at the expense the masses.
It is against this background that the year 2013 has witnessed political upheavals that are detrimental to the sustainability of the nation’s fledgling democracy which was hard-won in 1990 by combined efforts of pro-democracy and civil society groups, the Nigerian press as well as other sections of the society after the military had severally scuttled democratic processes in the country. We shall therefore, review some of the events that shaped the nation’s political landscape in the out-going year.
Rivers State Crisis
The Rivers State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been riddled with crisis following the controversial court ruling that replaced Chief G. U. Ake-led executive with that of Bro. Felix Obuah. Subsequently, the leadership of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council was suspended for alleged corruption by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in compliance with the resolution passed by the State House of Assembly.
Angered by this development, five anti-Amaechi lawmakers in the State Assembly attempted to impeach the Speaker of the House against the wishes of their colleagues who were 27 in number and in majority. This resulted in a free-for-all fight which compelled the National Assembly to take over the functions of the House.
Although an Abuja high court recently ordered that the House should resume its legislative work, the National Assembly has appealed against that ruling. It is also pertinent to note that Governor Amaechi has taken a harder step by dissolving the leadership of Obio/Akpor Council.
In fact, the political class in Rivers State has been polarized between Governor Amaechi’s faction and Hon. Wike’s faction said to be working for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.
NGF Crisis
In May, this year Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was re-elected as the chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum by securing 19 votes against Governor Jonah Jang’s 16. However, the presidency turned a blind eye to Amaechi’s victory by recognizing Governor Jang as the chairman of the forum. The aim, it is believed is to create division in the forum to whittle down Governor Amaechi’s influence in relation to the 2015 general election.
Registration of APC
The merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was formalized following its registration by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as All Progressive Congress (APC).
The ruling PDP was unsettled by this development even though it publicly expressed support for the merger. However, African People Congress (APC) and All Patriotic Citizens (APC) have gone to challenge the registration of All Progressives Congress by INEC, claiming ownership of the acronym.
APGA Crisis
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has been engulfed in crisis following power tussle between Chief Victor Umeh and Mazi Okwu as both lay claim to the national chairmanship of the party. Initially, Mazi Okwu was enjoying the support of the only APGA governor in the country, Mr Peter Obi of Anambra but he was abandoned by the governor who later reconciled with Chief Umeh a few weeks to the gubernatorial election in Anambra State. The court is yet to rule on the APGA matter.
PDP Convention Crisis
Shortly after Governor Amaechi was re-elected the NGF chairman he was suspended by the National Working Committee of the PDP for alleged anti-party activities. But Nigerians were of the view that his suspension was borne out of the fact he defeated the preferred candidate of the presidency (Governor Jang) in the NGF election.
Governor Amaechi’s suspension set the stage for unbridled crises that have destabilised the party. Members of the party that were not on the same page with the presidency were labeled as rebels and were suspended and dismissed from the party for spurious reasons. During the special convention of the party in August, this year some chieftains of the party who were dissatisfied with the impunity being exhibited by the national leadership staged a walkout and formed a new PDP.
Return of Gov. Suntai
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State returned home, having spent 10 months in Germany and United States where he received medical treatments for the injuries he sustained from a plane crash in Adamawa State. His return generated political crisis between his supporters and the deputy governor’s.
It was alleged that the deputy governor wanted his boss impeached because of his ill-health so as to assume office as the substantive governor of the state. With the intervention of then National leadership of the PDP, the deputy governor was therefore, directed to continue as the Acting Governor pending the recuperation of the ailing governor.
Anambra Election
The gubernatorial election that was conducted in Anambra State on November 16, this year was fraught with irregularities. Indeed, it was the worst election conducted by the Attahiru Jeja-led Independent National Electoral Commission since it came on board. Both local and international observers expressed dissatisfaction with shoddy exercise as the INEC chairman equally admitted the obvious irregularities.
It was for this reason that the three major candidates in that election (Senator Chris Ngige of APC, Hon Tony Nwoye of PDP and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of LP) boycotted the supplementary election in the disputed electoral units, insisting that the governorship election should be cancelled for a credible exercise. They have also gone to court to challenge the outcome of the election.
Defection of PDP Governors and Legislators
Following the crisis in the PDP former chieftains of the party, five governors and 37 members of House of Representatives recently defected to All Progressives Congress (APC). Consequently, the APC is now in majority in the House of Representatives.
Sacking of Ministers
The President sacked eight ministers who were either nominated by or loyal to governors that are not comfortable with his leadership style.
Obasanjo’s and Jonathan’s Letters
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his 18-page letter took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan on sundry issues that bordered on ineptitude, integrity and security. The President replied his benefactor’s letter with the inference that the pot is calling the kettle black.
Reward Akwu
Rt Hon. Abbas secured the party’s ticket through an affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards in the constituency.
The wards involved include Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, and Kaura.
The exercise, which began simultaneously in all wards at about 10 a.m., recorded large turnout of APC members who gathered at various party offices across the constituency.
At Kwarbai B Ward, the Speaker’s ward, the process was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the ward APC Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, in the presence of Rt Hon. Abbas.
According to the ward APC secretary, Nafiu Sabo, the ward has over 10,000 registered members, but 220 members were accredited for the exercise.
Before the affirmation, Mallam Balarabe informed members that Rt Hon Abbas was the only aspirant who purchased nomination forms, underwent screening, and was cleared by the APC national leadership to contest the Zaria Federal Constituency seat.
Following a voice vote by accredited members, the Speaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate in the ward, a process replicated across the remaining 12 wards.
At the constituency collation centre, the APC Returning Officer for the House of Representatives primary in Zaria Federal Constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards endorsed Rt Hon. Abbas as the party’s flag bearer.
He explained that although thousands of party members participated in the exercise, only accredited delegates were allowed to vote.
Dr. Kubau declared: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and only one aspirant purchased a form, was screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. After due process, we conducted affirmations across all wards.”
He added that the process was peaceful and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party representatives.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among constituents.
He expressed confidence that Rt Hon Abbas would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after his declaration, Rt Hon. Abbas expressed appreciation to APC members for reaffirming their confidence in him.
The incumbent Reps including Emily Inyang and Godwin Offionio, in separate interviews
protested the handling of the primaries conducted by the leadership of the party in the state, saying it was skewed against them.
The aspirants further described the primaries as a charade and an embarrassment to the state.
According to them, the House of Representatives primaries fell short of the provisions of both the Electoral Act as amended in 2026 and the party’s constitution.
They accused the leadership of the party in the state, backed by Governor Bassey Otu, of violating the party’s constitution in the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries across the state on Saturday.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, particularly expressed disappointment with the primary that allegedly disenfranchised registered members of the party in his constituency.
Hon. Offiono asserted that having failed to arrive at a consensus, the party leadership opted for a direct primary to decide the candidate for the 2027 election.
“But what I witnessed today was not only alarming, but quite disheartening that our electoral system have not shown any improvement, especially now that we have a man of God in the person of the governor as the leader of the party.
“How do you declare a result by 9:00am even when the electoral materials were yet to arrive at Yala.
“As an aspirant, I couldn’t even vote or see the materials for my own primary at my Okuku ward in Yala Local Government Area, where I come from. But no matter what happens I am still in the race and have not stepped down for anybody.
“The governor had all the time in the world to drive the process of consensus but he never did. As a representative, I cannot even see my governor. I called, no response. I sent text no reply. I am treated as an out cast,” he lamented.
In an emotion laden tone during a telephone interview, Hon. Offiono further said: “I could not believe that first term NASS members like me can be treated in this shoddy manner even when I don’t know my offence.
“I have been a loyal party man. I appeal to the governor to do the right thing, follow the Electoral Act and party constitution in electing representatives.”
Similarly, Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency said he still remained in the race and had not stepped down for anybody.
According to him, “If this shenanigan called primary is allowed to stand, it would affect the party’s fortune in the general elections.
“My appeal to the governor is to allow the people to decide. And if they so voted against me, I will rest and not fight over anything.
“There was no stakeholders meeting held to decide on anything before now, and someone can not be unilaterally imposed on us all in the name of compromised primary,” he stated.
A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers State of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Chief Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?”, the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Mr Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Chief Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Chief Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?”, the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee (NWC) to address the matter as it could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
INEC TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION AS POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMIT REGISTER
All 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Commission has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”
He recalled that following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a statement issued on the 27th of March, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Mr Haruna noted that political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
He added, “INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
The Commission restated its commitment to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
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