Senator Dino Melaye has dropped a hint of his likely defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Melaye dropped the hint via a post he shared on his verified X account on Monday morning, accompanying it with a picture of the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagun.

“INITIAL PUBLIC OFFER: New Listing on the Stock Exchange: DAMAGUN; Price: Highest Bidder. Opens 2022, Closing with Highest Bidder’ Price. Issuing House: Wadata Unlimited,” he wrote.

The PDP on September 12, 2024 took swift action against one of its prominent members, Senator Melaye from Kogi State, suspending him over alleged anti-party activities.

This decision was made by the ward party executive committee in Ayetoro/Iluagba Ward 1 after reviewing the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate his actions.

The Ward exco explained that he was suspended for anti-party activities and alleged misconduct. It was signed by the Ward Chairman, Abayomi Osamika and Ward Secretary, Yodson Dayo.

The resolution sighted online reads: “Senator Dino Melaye’s conduct has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party and his continued membership is no longer tenable.

“Therefore, the Ward party exco hereby suspends Dino Melaye from the Peoples Democratic party, effective and immediately.

“The suspension is in line with provisions of Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution which empowers the Ward party excos to take disciplinary actions against erring members.”

Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Peter Obi has said that he is not desperate to become president but determined to see Nigeria work.

Obi said this in a post he shared on his verified X account on Saturday morning following media reports about an interview he granted.

“I have been inundated with calls and concerns regarding the interview I granted to News Central TV,” he said.

“In that interview, I took the opportunity it provided to explain my position in detail. However, some fifth columnists have resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative.

“Let me reiterate clearly what I said, which is on record. I do not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges.

“When I was asked about collaboration, I explicitly stated my openness to working with others, provided their intentions were not centred on state capture.

“I emphasized my commitment to partnering with those who share my vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress.

“I also made it clear that I remain committed to the Labour Party, and if anyone wishes to negotiate or join forces, they must disclose their true intentions.

“As I have always maintained, I am not desperate to become president, but I am determined to see Nigeria work.”

Likewise, Obi said he is not desperate for any position at all as he believes he can make contributions as he is already doing without occupying any.

He stated that when 2027 arrives, if he decides to run for any office, it will not be with those whose sole aim is state capture or merely winning an election.

Obi added that he wants them to explain how they will ensure that no child is left behind and how they will bring millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms, ensure healthy living and pull people out of poverty.

The former governor of Anambra State said his statement was unequivocal and he is genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of his words.

“For the avoidance of doubts, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone and it’s unequivocal,” the LP chieftain said.

“I have consistently maintained that I am open to working with those committed to building a new Nigeria.

“My commitment to Nigeria remains steadfast, and I even believe it is possible to contribute to its progress without occupying any office as I am already doing.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to uphold the integrity of the September 21 governorship election in Edo state.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the vow on Tuesday, assuring the people of Edo state that the commission will do everything possible.

Yakubu addressed the media in Benin City after monitoring the mock accreditation exercise aimed at test running facilities for the election.

According to him, the task of electing the next governor of the state tests solely with the people of Edo.

He expressed the readiness and strong commitment of the commission to conducting a free fair and credible election in the state, saying INEC was not a political party and did not have a candidate in the election.

The INEC chairman called all registered voters in the state to come out en masse to vote for the party and candidate of their choice, saying the commission would always protect the integrity of the process and uphold the choice of the people

Prof Yakubu led some national commissioners to visit some polling units in three local government areas (LGAs), Oredo, Egor and Ikpeoba Okha.

He expressed satisfaction with all the levels of preparation at the INEC offices as well as the two centres visited for the mock accreditation exercise, stating that the commission was good to go.

“My assurance to everyone in Edo state is, on the part of the commission, we keep saying this. INEC is not a political party therefore we don’t have a candidate in this election,” he said.

“The responsibility of choosing the next governor of Edo state is entirely in the hands of Edo voters and our assurance to all the registered voters in Edo state is to troop out to vote for the party of their choice and the candidate of their choice and the commission will always protect the integrity of the process and uphold the choice made by the electorate.

“We are satisfied with the level of preparation of our local government offices in the three offices we have visited- Oredo, Egor, and Ikpeoba Okha- as well as the two centres we have visited for the mock exercise. I think we are good to go.”

Yakubu admitted some logistic challenges need to be addressed, explaining that his meeting with the electoral officers in the 18 LGAs of the state was aimed at harvesting the issues to address them.

“Well, there are little, little issues that we are going to address, like some of the non-sensitive materials but with the 11 days to the election, I’m absolutely certain that by the end of this week, we will address those issues,” he stated.

“In addition, I’m also going to speak with all the EOs in the 18 local government, not just the local government we visited and this is going to happen on Thursday after the signing of the national peace accord.

“So, I am going to speak with all the EOs and we will harvest all the concerns. That’s why we are here ahead of the elections so that we can respond to any issues that they may raise.

“It has always been the intention of the commission to organise good elections and I’m giving you assurances on the level of preparation. That is why I’m personally here in Edo state and let me seize this opportunity to appeal to other stakeholders as well.

“Election is a multi-stakeholder activity including the security agencies, the political parties, the candidates, the observers, even you the media, so you should report us very well.”

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has pledged to prevent anyone from taking control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Rivers State.

The former Governor of Rivers State warned that he would instigate a political upheaval in the states of any PDP governor who attempted to meddle in the party’s affairs within the South-South region.

On August 23, PDP governors gathered in Taraba State to address the ongoing crisis within the party in Rivers State and reaffirmed their backing for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, through a statement delivered by its Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, called for a reevaluation of the party congress results to reinstate Fubara’s leadership position in the state.

During the state congress held at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike called on the PDP governors to avoid interfering in the party’s matters in Rivers.

He said, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody.

“I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see, you take.

“Because I heard they got some money from a signature bonus, and so their heads are getting big that they will put a hand in my own state. Prepare because I have the capacity to do the same thing in your state.

“Whether you are from Bauchi, I don’t give a damn; whichever state you are from, as far as I know that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you will never sleep in your state.”

The Rivers PDP has been facing turmoil due to the rift between Wike and his former successor, who did not attend the congress.

Present at the event with the minister were current and former lawmakers from both federal and state governments, previous council chairpersons, and other dedicated party members.

The All Progressive Congress Chairman (APC) in Kogi State, Abdulahi Bello, has called on the opposition to back Governor Usman Ododo‘s administration in advancing the state’s progress.

He issued this appeal in response to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding Ododo’s win in the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election.

Bello, in a telephone chat with our correspondent shortly after the court judgement, said “I feel elated for the Supreme Court verdict of today.

“It’s a demonstration of the court as the last hope of the common man. I will advise the opposition noise makers to put a stop to their noise and join hands with Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to move the state forward.”

Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, remarked in a statement following the verdict that the Supreme Court’s decision validated the people’s widely supported preference.

“With the needless distractions over, we are much confident that your impressive performance within the short period as attested to in all the nooks and crannies of the state, will even translate into a more historic and unprecedented transformation of Kogi,” he reiterated.

David Ijele, the spokesperson for the Muri/Sam Campaign Organization of the Social Democratic Party, stated in response to the ruling that the judiciary requires immediate reform to effectively uphold and safeguard democracy in Nigeria.

“We did our best, Nigeria system happened to us, the whole world knows the truth, and I think there is an urgent call for judiciary reform. If we don’t get our justice system fixed then sorry to say this; banana Republic will be better than Nigeria.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended its congratulations to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, after the Supreme Court confirmed his victory in the 2023 governorship election.

The Supreme Court’s five-member panel unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by All Progressives Congress candidate, Timipre Sylva, challenging the election results.

In a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Governor Diri as a major triumph for democracy.

The statement read in part, “The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, Rule of Law, and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP.

“Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa State is a resounding testament in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in the state.”

The PDP asserted that the affirmation of the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States underscores a significant problem stemming from INEC’s faulty procedures and neglect of the 2022 Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines.

It stated, “The PDP, however, raises serious concerns about the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi states despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The general melancholic disposition in Imo and Kogi States at the news of the judgment validates the concerns and views of our Party and majority of Nigerians that the results of the elections declared in the two States did not reflect the true aspiration of the people as expressed in their votes.

“The upholding of the governorship election in Imo and Kogi States further underscores a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC.

“The judgement also underlines the clamour and demand by our Party and Nigerians for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Law particularly concerning the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.”

The PDP highlighted the importance of strengthening electoral laws and procedures to ensure that elections are determined by votes rather than by violence and manipulation, as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi governorship elections.

It continued, “Such a situation places a lot of pressure on the judiciary, which would have been avoided if the Electoral Commission had ensured strict adherence to the Electoral Act and Guidelines in the conduct of elections in our country.

“Our party restates its position that no candidate should be declared a winner of any election until all legal processes are concluded. This is to prevent the inclination to resort to self-help through the use of violence and manipulation to secure unearned victory, as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi states governorship elections.

“The PDP as a law-abiding Party, respects the decision of the Supreme Court despite our Party’s deep reservations and urges Nigerians to remain calm but determined in the collective quest to ensure the entrenchment of credible elections in our country.”