Political affairs analyst Majeed Dahiru has raised alarms over what he describes as a “deep crisis” within the Peoples Democratic Party, linking the turmoil to the party’s failure to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South, particularly the South-East. Dahiru characterised this decision as a “mortal sin,” a misstep he says has triggered mass defections and weakened the party’s national cohesion.

The latest wave of defections follows Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State’s formal departure from the PDP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Announcing his decision at a press conference in Enugu on Tuesday, Mbah said he was motivated by the desire to advance the state’s interests and the belief that the APC platform would provide greater opportunities for collaboration and transformative development.

Shortly after Mbah’s announcement, three PDP lawmakers from Kaduna State – Abdulkarim Ahmed (Kaduna South), Aliyu Mustapha (Ikara/Kubau), and Sadiq Ango-Abdullahi (Sabongari) – also defected to the APC.

Their resignations, citing the party’s lingering internal conflicts and a desire to align with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” were read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary.

Speaking on ARISE News Night on Tuesday, Dahiru explained that Governor Mbah’s defection was symptomatic of deeper problems within the PDP.

“Before he spoke of aligning with the centre, he made a more profound point: the South-East, and Enugu State in particular, have been loyal and consistent support bases for the PDP since 1998. Yet, their voices were ignored, and the party took the region for granted. That is the real driver of these defections,” he said.

Dahiru argued that while some governors may be attracted to the ruling party for access to the presidency and national caucus, the fundamental cause of defections lies in the PDP’s disregard for zoning.

“In the lead-up to the 2022 presidential primaries, I repeatedly warned that ignoring zoning to the South would sink the party in the post-Buhari era. That warning has come true,” he noted.

He described the ongoing court battles and leadership disputes within the PDP as symptomatic of a deeper malaise caused by the party’s alienation of the South.

“The South-East has historically been the PDP’s oxygen. When 17 Southern governors met in Asaba demanding a power shift to the South, common sense dictated the party should have presented a candidate from the South-East, while the APC took the South-West,” Dahiru said.

The analyst also pointed to the PDP’s missed opportunity to unite the South and reclaim national relevance through former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

“Peter Obi was phenomenally popular and from the right region. He could have galvanised massive support. But the PDP lost that chance, and in doing so, they lost the South-East,” he lamented.

Dahiru highlighted the party’s declining influence, citing Anambra State, a former PDP stronghold, where no one picked up nomination forms for the governorship primaries.

He warned that internal fractures have worsened since the 2023 elections, with the departure of Obi and the continued presence of Nyesom Wike, who has openly supported the APC president, leaving the PDP weakened and in perpetual crisis.

On the broader trend of defections in Nigeria, Dahiru downplayed movements between the PDP and APC, noting the minimal ideological differences between the two parties. However, he expressed concern over defections from the Labour Party, which he said emerged through genuine grassroots mobilisation.

“If there is any party Nigerians should be worried about losing members from, it’s the Labour Party. Unlike the PDP or APC, Labour was built on people’s power. When elected officials leave, it’s a betrayal of that movement,” he said.

Dahiru concluded that Nigeria missed a critical opportunity to strengthen its democracy, as politicians who rose through grassroots movements have increasingly adopted the habits of the old political elite.

“The people sacrificed to build a new movement, but those who came through it are now acting like the establishment they were meant to replace,” he added.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the suit seeking to stop the planned national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party  until Thursday, to allow parties resolve a dispute over the party’s legal representation.

Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling following a heated disagreement between two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chris Uche and Kamaldeen Ajibade, both of whom claimed to represent the PDP in the case.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by the PDP Imo State Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; the PDP Abia State Chairman, Amah Nnanna; and the PDP South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah George.

The plaintiffs sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; the party’s National Working Committee, and the National Executive Committee.

They are seeking an order restraining the defendants from proceeding with the planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and an order barring INEC from monitoring the exercise, pending the determination of their substantive suit.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to restrain the defendants from conducting or participating in any meeting scheduled for October 15, 2025, including meetings of the National Executive Committee, National Caucus, or National Working Committee.

They urged the court to direct all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, by refraining from taking any steps capable of prejudicing the pending application for interlocutory injunction.

In their suit, the plaintiffs stated that they are registered members and current officeholders of the PDP, who also intend to contest positions in the forthcoming national convention but have been sidelined through what they described as “illegal and unconstitutional actions” of the defendants.

They contended that the planned convention violates the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, for failing to comply with the required internal democratic procedures.

According to them, despite the pendency of their case, the defendants continued preparations for the convention, a move they said threatens their legal and political interests.

However, Tuesday’s proceedings were overshadowed by a dispute over who was authorised to represent the PDP.

Uche told the court that he was instructed by the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to appear for the PDP, citing a letter of instruction to that effect.

But Ajibade objected, insisting that as the party’s National Legal Adviser, he alone is constitutionally empowered to brief external counsel on behalf of the PDP.

He cited judicial authorities to support his position.

Faced with the standoff, Justice Omotosho directed both lawyers and their clients to step out of the courtroom for 10 minutes to seek an amicable resolution.

When proceedings resumed, Uche informed the court that the parties could not reach an agreement, adding that he was instructed directly by the National Chairman and urged the court to proceed with the hearing.

“We made deliberate efforts to resolve this minor matter,” Uche said. “My Lord, here is a letter signed by the party’s National Chairman himself. While the National Legal Adviser asked for more time, we have appealed to him to harmonise our positions so that we can move forward.”

Ajibade, however, refuted this, saying he never asked for time, and maintained that the party’s constitution clearly empowers him to brief external counsel.

He further alleged that he was threatened by some individuals during the brief recess outside the courtroom.

“What my learned friend said is not true,” Ajibade told the court. “As National Legal Adviser, I am empowered to handle the party’s legal matters. He (Uche) saw what happened outside—some people threatened to beat me up. Even an aide of a governor joined in the threats. This issue cannot be resolved here in court; it must follow the PDP Constitution.”

Uche later requested a short adjournment to allow the National Chairman, who was present in court, to reconcile with the National Legal Adviser.

He also noted that several parties had applied to be joined in the case.

The plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), however, urged the court to proceed with the hearing if the dispute over representation was not settled, noting that he opposed the joinder applications.

In response, Justice Omotosho said the court would give the PDP an opportunity to resolve its internal differences before proceeding, warning against further delays.

“We will give the party an opportunity to resolve its internal issues,” the judge said. “If they do not, I will not entertain any further delays. Politicians are funny; judicial processes should not be made nugatory.”

The court subsequently heard two separate motions for joinder—one filed by Paul Erokoro (SAN) on behalf of PDP National Chairman Damagum, and the other by Audu Anuga (SAN) for Chief Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Erokoro argued that Damagum was a necessary party, being the chairman of the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, and the convention committee—all central to the dispute.

Anuga also said Odefa and Ogidi were party officers whose interests would be directly affected by the outcome of the suit.

Daudu opposed both motions, arguing that the plaintiffs’ claims did not make the chairman or other officers necessary parties, and that their inclusion would amount to an abuse of court process.

“It is the plaintiffs’ claims that determine who should be joined,” Daudu submitted. “From all indications, the chairman is not a necessary party. A decision can be made without them.”

After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho granted both applications and ordered that Damagum, Odefa, and Ogidi be joined as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants respectively.

He then adjourned the case to Thursday, October 16, 2025, for hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications, directing all parties to respond to all filings within 24 hours.

The judge also noted that the court would await the resolution of the PDP’s internal dispute over legal representation.

“I have listened to the parties,” Justice Omotosho ruled. “Considering the circumstances, I hereby join Damagum, Odefa, and Ogidi as 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants respectively. This matter is adjourned to October 16 for hearing of the substantive suit and all applications.”

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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday held its third quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, where key updates on upcoming elections and party registration were presented.

The meeting was the first chaired by INEC’s Acting Chairman, May Agbamuche-Mbu, following the exit of former Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on October 7.

In her opening remarks, Agbamuche-Mbu acknowledged the former chairman’s tenure, stating, “Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu gracefully bowed out of office, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, institutional strength and integrity.”

She outlined the commission’s schedule of elections, including the Anambra State Governorship Election on November 8, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti Governorship Election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun Governorship Election on August 8, 2026.

Speaking on the Anambra election, Agbamuche-Mbu said, “The commission has completed 10 of the 13 key activities,” adding that the final activities include the publication of the notice of poll on October 25, the end of the campaign period on November 6, and the election on November 8.

She stated that all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to the state and that voter education was ongoing.

The acting chairman said, “The commission is committed to keeping strictly to the remaining activities as detailed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities. Political parties are therefore called upon to be mindful of the last day for campaigns and keep strictly to it.

“The commission has been working assiduously and making arrangements for the successful conduct of the Anambra State governorship election and has had several engagements with the security agencies at national, state and local government levels.

“All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the state, and voter education and sensitisation are ongoing.”

She also provided a report on the by-elections conducted on August 16 across 12 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies, in addition to two court-ordered rerun elections in Enugu and Kano states.

“Declarations and return were made… and Certificates of Return have been presented in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu confirmed that the Continuous Voter Registration, which resumed nationwide in August, will continue until August 30, 2026.

She described the response to registration efforts as encouraging and said weekly updates are published on the INEC website.

On party registration, the acting chairman said the commission received 171 requests for registration of new political parties, but only 14 associations met the requirements to proceed to the next stage. These were evaluated based on constitutional and electoral law provisions.

In response, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, welcomed Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment, stating, “The nation will benefit from her impressive service record and wealth of experience at this moment in our democratic process.”

Dantalle said IPAC had recently submitted reform proposals to the National Assembly, including the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, transferring local government elections to INEC, reserving special seats for women, restoring public funding for political parties, and removing the President’s power to appoint INEC’s leadership.

He described the Anambra governorship election as a critical test for the commission.

“The litmus test of the new leadership is the conduct of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.

“INEC should get its act together and get it right,” he said.

He added, “With new leadership, citizens’ expectations are high, very high. The commission should justify the confidence the nation reposed in it. This is the only way to rebuild trust in the electoral process.”

Dantalle concluded by expressing IPAC’s readiness to support the electoral process, saying, “We are all in it together to build a better, greater, inclusive, prosperous and just democratic society.”

Yakubu was first appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, and was confirmed by the Senate on October 28, 2015.

He became the first person to be reappointed to the position, earning a second term in November 2020—also under Buhari’s administration.

President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in 2023, accepted Yakubu’s resignation and decorated him with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger in recognition of his service.

On Thursday, the National Council of State approved Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman. The appointment is now subject to Senate screening and confirmation.

Until then, Agbamuche-Mbu will continue to oversee the commission’s affairs as acting chairman.

INEC had earlier confirmed that 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the Anambra election on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The electoral body released the final list of candidates and announced the official commencement of campaign activities.

Sixteen political parties met the submission deadline of May 12 and will field candidates in the upcoming election.

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