Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed serious concerns regarding the state of affairs within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that the party risks losing his backing in the upcoming Abuja Area Council elections. Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike criticized the PDP for what he described as a lack of preparedness for the 2027 general elections. He underscored the ongoing internal conflicts and persistent impunity within the party as major red flags. “For anyone to say they want to lead the opposition, it’s not just by words — it demands real sacrifice,” Wike stated emphatically. He also noted that the PDP Governors’ Forum, though perceived as powerful, operates more like a pressure group rather than an official decision-making body within the party. This, according to him, weakens its ability to effectively shape the direction of the opposition party. The FCT Minister stressed that unless the PDP takes immediate steps to restructure and resolve its internal crises, he will withdraw support during the FCT Area Council elections scheduled to hold soon. “If the PDP does not put their house in order, I will not support them for the Area Council election,” he declared. For more political coverage, read our feature on 2027 Nigerian General Elections: Early Signs and Political Forecasts. For official election updates, visit INEC Nigeria – the Independent National Electoral Commission. This development is significant in light of Wike’s influence in Nigerian politics. His recent appointments and shifting political affiliations have kept the media and public watching closely. With the FCT Area Council elections being an early barometer for 2027, the internal state of the PDP could play a critical role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s opposition politics. Why This Matters BUY ANYTHING ON KONGA BUY NOW READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
The Renewed Controversy Over PDP’s Running Mate Choice The debate over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) running mate selection during the 2023 presidential election has resurfaced. A report recently brought to light suggests that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was initially favored over Ifeanyi Okowa, a claim that contradicts former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s previous statements. Leaked Report Reignites Political Tensions The controversy was reignited by Mr. Lere Olayinka, an aide to Nyesom Wike. The PDP committee’s report, signed by former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu and other key leaders, was dated June 14, 2022, and reportedly sighted by LMSINT MEDIA. The report, titled “Report of the Advisory Committee for the Selection of Presidential Running Mate,” indicated the following preference order: The committee’s decision was based on the broader interests of the party. The report was signed by notable PDP figures, including Umar I. Damagun, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Bala Mohammed, Olusegun Mimiko, and David Mark. Atiku’s Claim vs. Wike’s Camp Response Atiku Abubakar, in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, claimed that the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike coming second and Udom Emmanuel third. He defended his decision to pick Okowa based on the committee’s recommendation. However, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, accused Atiku of distorting facts. He urged the former Vice President to seek forgiveness, stating: “Someone needs to show this to Atiku so that he can seek forgiveness before Ramadan ends.” Olayinka further alleged that Atiku misrepresented the committee’s findings to justify his choice of Okowa. Atiku’s Camp Responds to Allegations Atiku’s media team dismissed Olayinka’s statements as an “emotional outburst” and reaffirmed that Okowa’s selection was based on intellect, composure, and statesmanship rather than party politics. In a statement, Atiku’s media office emphasized: “While we understand that bitterness often finds expression in misplaced aggression, we must remind Wike and his team that a bitter heart isn’t capable of charity, nor does it inspire unity, healing, or truth.” They reiterated that Atiku had no apologies for choosing Okowa over Wike, as the decision aligned with his vision for national leadership. Internal Party Division and Political Fallout The renewed controversy reflects the ongoing internal tensions within the PDP. While Wike’s faction insists on the validity of the leaked committee report, Atiku’s supporters maintain that his choice was the right decision for the party and the nation. This division highlights broader challenges within the PDP as it seeks to rebuild its political strategy ahead of future elections. Conclusion The verbal war between Atiku and Wike’s camps over Okowa’s selection as PDP’s running mate in 2023 underscores lingering political rivalries. As the PDP navigates these internal disputes, the party’s ability to unite and strategize for upcoming elections remains a critical concern. For further insights into Nigeria’s political landscape, check out our in-depth analysis on Nigerian Political Party Leadership and Election Strategy and Political Alliances. ThisDay Live’s analysis on PDP’s internal conflicts READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa on Election Manipulation in Nigeria Achike Udenwa, a former governor of Imo State, has made a shocking revelation about the electoral process in Nigeria. He asserted that politicians with substantial financial resources could manipulate elections by purchasing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the army to secure victory. Speaking on State Affairs, a political podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Udenwa lamented the decline in Nigeria’s democratic values. He stated that voters no longer scrutinize the backgrounds, integrity, and competence of candidates before supporting them. “Our society has deteriorated to the point where people no longer ask politicians about their past records, character, or leadership abilities. Instead, if a candidate has enough money, they can simply buy their way to victory,” Udenwa said. Elections in Nigeria Are Bought, Not Won – Udenwa When asked whether politicians could influence INEC, security agencies, and voters through financial incentives, Udenwa responded emphatically: “You can buy everybody.” He expressed concerns over the commercialization of elections, warning that if left unchecked, the practice could prevent credible leaders from emerging. He called for electoral reforms to restore fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s democratic system. APC Involvement in PDP Crisis Udenwa, who is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, also commented on the ongoing crisis within his party. While acknowledging PDP’s internal challenges, he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exacerbating the situation through external interference. “There are external forces working against the PDP, trying to destabilize it from within. We are still battling the crisis, and I believe PDP will survive,” he stated. Although Udenwa refrained from naming individuals allegedly used by the APC to create disunity within the PDP, he insisted that the opposition party was aware of the ruling party’s involvement. Urgent Need for Electoral Reforms The former governor’s revelations underscore the urgent need for electoral reforms in Nigeria. Strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring financial transparency in campaigns, and enforcing stricter penalties for electoral malpractice are essential to safeguarding the country’s democracy. For more insights into Nigeria’s electoral process and reforms, visit Premium Times for in-depth political analysis. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for 2023, Atiku Abubakar, claims that if he had won the presidency of Nigeria, his reforms would have “benefited from more adequate preparations” and “more sufficient diagnostic assessment of the country’s conditions.” Abubakar claimed that his policy changes would have “protected our fragile economy against a much deeper crisis by preventing business collapse” in a post on his X account on Sunday. He called President Bola Tinubu’s administration “overkill” for raising the energy cost, floating the currency rate, and eliminating the gasoline subsidy. In order to “first eliminate revenue leakages arising from governance, including the cost of running the government and the government procurement process,” the former vice president stated that he would have set an example. He also said that “alternative approaches to conflict resolution such as diplomacy, intelligence, improved border control, deploying traditional institutions, and good neighborliness” would have been used by his administration. According to Abubakar, he would have established an economic stimulus fund (ESF) “to support MSMEs across all economic sectors with an initial investment capacity of approximately US$10 billion.” The former vice president claimed that even though he supported eliminating the gasoline subsidy, his government would have implemented the measures using “a gradualist approach.” “The abrupt and total elimination of subsidies would not have occurred. We used a gradualist approach while I was vice president, and we finished phases 1 and 2 of the reform before the end of our term, which is instructive,” he added. According to Abubakar, his government would have a “managed-floating system” of foreign exchange. “We would not be able to run an open, private sector-friendly economy under a fixed exchange rate system, so it was out of the question,” he stated. READ ALSO: Police Arrest 17 Nigerians, 113 Foreigners For Cybercrimes, Hacking But, considering Nigeria’s fundamental economic circumstances, implementing a floating exchange rate regime would be overkill. “We would have urged our central bank to handle foreign exchange in a gradualist manner. It would have been better to have a managed-floating system. We love to have you back, Kindly Subscribe to our Newsletter.
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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the current administration for its “trial-and-error economic policies,” asserting that he would have taken a different approach if he had been elected President. In a statement he personally authored, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate from the last election accused President Tinubu’s government of implementing a “palliative” economy, something he believes should not have been done. Atiku attributed the country’s current economic difficulties to the reforms introduced by the present administration. He noted, “Unleashing reforms to establish a suitable exchange rate, cost-reflective electricity tariffs, and the price of PMS all at once is excessive.” While he supports the removal of subsidies, Atiku emphasized that his administration would have opted for a gradual approach, similar to what countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have done in recent years. He stated, “I’ve received numerous questions about what I would have done differently as President. The focus should be on President Tinubu and the critical actions he needs to take to alleviate the suffering caused by his experimental economic strategies.” Atiku expressed that his administration would have been more strategically planned, emphasizing thorough preparations, better diagnostic assessments of the country’s situation, and more extensive consultations with stakeholders. He pointed out that his reform agenda, outlined in his policy document “My Covenant With Nigerians,” was designed to protect the fragile economy from deeper crises and to support businesses effectively. He further argued, “Implementing reforms for exchange rates, tariffs, and fuel prices simultaneously is clearly overkill. Additionally, the Central Bank’s aggressive monetary tightening is problematic. As importers of petroleum products, removing subsidies without a stable exchange rate will lead to adverse effects.” Atiku insisted that a more strategic response to the fallout from reforms was necessary, highlighting the importance of not overestimating the benefits of reforms or underestimating their costs. He acknowledged that reforms can fail and that he would address institutional weaknesses proactively. He added, “I would have led by example. Any fiscal reforms aimed at improving liquidity must first address governance-related revenue leakages, including unnecessary government expenses. I and my team would not have indulged in luxury while citizens suffered.” The former Vice President emphasized that his reforms would be designed with empathy, advocating for a strong social protection program to genuinely support the poor and vulnerable instead of relying on a “palliative economy.” He outlined specific measures he would implement, including launching an Economic Stimulus Fund (ESF) with an initial capacity of around $10 billion to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across all sectors. Additionally, he proposed a targeted skills-to-job program for youth, addressing both graduates and those currently not engaged in education or employment. Atiku reiterated his long-standing call for subsidy removal on PMS, criticizing the opacity and potential for corruption in its administration. He highlighted the significant profits derived from oil subsidies that benefit certain elites within public and private sectors. He prioritized three main areas: READ ALSO: A Man Jailed For Attempting To Sit 2019 UTME Exam For Daughter In Abuja In summary, Atiku Abubakar presented a comprehensive vision for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, contrasting it sharply with the current administration’s approach. We love having you back, Kindly Subscribe to our Newsletter.
