Politics

PDP: Makinde, Wike camps confident as Appeal Court rules today

Published

3 weeks ago

March 9, 2026

Ahead of today’s Appeal Court ruling on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, factions aligned with the party’s governors and those loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have expressed confidence that the judgment would favour them, insisting that legal precedents and statutory provisions support their positions.

The National Publicity Secretary of the National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the Court of Appeal scheduled the consolidated cases involving the PDP for judgment on Monday.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman (Acting National Chairman) and Samuel Anyanwu (Acting National Secretary) and backed by Wike, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed that the leadership dispute within the PDP had been scheduled for judgment at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Both factions, in separate interviews with our correspondent, expressed confidence that the judgment would be in their favour.

Governors of the PDP had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and other members of the NWC on November 15 for a four-year tenure.

The governors also supervised the transition of leadership from former acting chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9.

Meanwhile, a faction loyal to the FCT Minister constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary, among others, with a 60-day mandate.

Efforts by both the Wike-aligned group and the governors’ camp to convene meetings at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, on November 18, 2025, turned chaotic, leading to disorder and physical altercations.

Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force sealed the secretariat, which has since remained closed.

Both factions subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission refused to acknowledge either group, resulting in prolonged legal battles.

One of the consolidated suits before the Appeal Court is suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which produced a ruling that halted the party’s convention until it fully complies with provisions of its constitution, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act (Nigeria).

The case was instituted by three aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party: Austin Nwachukwu (PDP Chairman, Imo State), Amah Abraham Nnanna (PDP Chairman, Abia State), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).

Another significant suit was filed by former Governor Sule Lamido (Adamawa). In that matter, Justice Peter Lifu issued an order restraining INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention that excluded the plaintiff as a contestant.

Three other cases, including one originating from the Oyo State High Court, are also challenging the legality of the party’s November 15–16 convention.

Another suit concerns the closure of the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, listed as FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which was filed against the Nigeria Police Force.

On February 12, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria heard all the consolidated cases relating to the PDP leadership dispute and last week informed the parties that judgment would be delivered today, Monday.

The outcome of the cases currently before the Court of Appeal is pivotal and will determine the leadership of the party.

On their expectations regarding today’s judgment at the Court of Appeal, the Wike-aligned faction stated that precedents set by the Supreme Court of Nigeria support their position, expressing confidence that victory is assured.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed, stated, “Yes, we are very optimistic in the sense that the provisions of the law, and the precedents already established by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, give us strong confidence that the judgment will be in our favour.

“You cannot violate the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of the party in conducting a convention.

“Not only were these violated, but there was also disobedience to existing court judgments. You cannot do that and expect it to stand, because what they did amounted to building something on nothing. So we are quite optimistic.

“As regards the insinuation they have been relying on that it is an internal party affair and that the courts do not have jurisdiction over such matters, the Supreme Court judgment recently delivered in respect of the case involving the now elected chairman of Bwari Area Council under the APC has already settled that issue.

“In that judgment, the Supreme Court clearly stated that the issue of internal party affairs is not absolute. There are certain actions which, if taken, fall outside the purview of internal party affairs of a party.

“So, based on that judgment and the precedents we already know, we are quite optimistic that this judgment will be in our favour by the grace of God.”

When asked about their next course of action if the judgment goes against them, Mohammed expressed confidence that the outcome would favour them, adding that their focus would be on immediately organising a proper national convention for the PDP.

He stated, “I am not looking at the possibility of the judgment going against us. By the grace of God, it will not go against us.

“We are not approaching this matter from a pessimistic perspective. Rather, we are focused on what our next steps will be once the judgment is delivered, which includes preparations for the national convention. So we are not pessimistic about it for even a second.”

In his response, the Turaki-led NWC spokesman said the leadership had confidence in the judiciary, expressing optimism that the judgment would reinforce democracy and strengthen the multi-party system in Nigeria.

Ememobong stated, “Our party is also expected to be in court tomorrow as the Appeal Court rules on matters affecting the leadership of the party.

“Our optimism lies in the fact that we submitted ourselves to the jurisdiction of the courts and we believe in the judiciary in its complete sense.

“When you look at the case, you will see that the law, as it is, especially the position of the Supreme Court, supports our matter.

“So we are hopeful that justice, according to law, will be done. At the end of the day, democracy must survive. The multi-party system must survive because that is more important.

“We are optimistic that the case before the court is meritorious and we are very hopeful that justice according to law will be done.”

When asked what their response would be if the judgment did not favour them, Ememobong stated that their next course of action would depend on the reasoning contained in the court’s decision.

He stated, “First, every judgment is based on reasoning. So you listen to the reasoning of the court. It is just like when the Supreme Court gave a judgment on the ‘unsure option.’

“Within that judgment, even the dissenting judgment laid the foundations upon which a political solution that was later arrived at is being implemented today.

“So you do not pre-empt the judgment. You listen to the reasoning of the court. Away from law school, it is the judge and the court that are called to interpret the law, because at the time some of these laws were made, certain situations being interpreted today were not in operation.

“So the court now becomes the institution that interprets the intention of the lawmakers. It is the reasoning of the law and the reasoning that grounds the judgment that we will listen to. Until you listen to that reasoning, you cannot honestly analyse or take a decision on the basis of a judgment.”

The PDP Governors Forum also expressed confidence in the judiciary and called on all party members to stay calm ahead of the judgment.

In a statement on Sunday, its Director General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, reaffirmed that the party remained committed to offering Nigerians a strong, credible, and people-focused political alternative.

The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), under the chairmanship of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, on behalf of the forum, wilfully addresses the party members and faithful as Nigeria awaits the ruling of the Appeal Court tomorrow, Monday, March 9, 2026, on the leadership crisis within the PDP.

“We stand at a defining moment for our democracy. The judiciary, as the custodian of justice, carries the weight of ensuring fairness, impartiality, and the preservation of national stability.

“Whatever the decision may be, the PDP reaffirms its respect for the judicial process and its commitment to peace.

“We call on all party members and leaders to show maximum restraint, calm, and be law-abiding before, during, and after the judgment, as leadership will meet immediately to review the judgment and chart the necessary post-judgment line of action,” the statement read.

The party described the judiciary as an impartial institution.

“The judiciary has always remained the only impartial and people-oriented arm of government whose tireless defence of the constitution has ensured the stability of our democratic governance,” the statement added.

It called on members with political aspirations to contest the 2027 general election to have faith in the party’s ability to provide the platform that would ensure their electoral victories.

“Notwithstanding the fact that INEC has already published the timetable for the general election, the party will ensure the protection and realisation of their political ambitions,” he said.

It added, “Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, the PDP remains resolute in its mission to provide Nigerians with a strong, credible, and people-centred alternative.

“No ruling can erase the will of Nigerians for a fair and competitive political system. We are prepared to participate fully in the democratic process, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and respected.

Doherty seeks speedy judgment

Earlier, a governorship aspirant of the PDP in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, urged the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to expedite judgment in a pending appeal concerning the leadership of the party.

In a letter dated March 5, 2026, addressed to the head of the appellate court in Abuja, Doherty said a swift determination of the appeal would provide clarity for party members and electoral stakeholders ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

According to him, the outcome of the appeals could significantly shape the party’s internal processes ahead of its primaries and ultimately influence the credibility of candidates presented to the electorate.

He warned that uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure might complicate preparations for primaries and raise legal questions about the legitimacy of candidates fielded for the elections.

“The pendency or outcome of these appeals will significantly affect not just the internal preparations and processes leading to the PDP’s party primaries and related electoral activities but also the validity and legitimacy of the ballot options that will be presented to the Nigerian public on election day,” Doherty wrote.

The Lagos politician added that the implications could extend beyond the party itself, potentially affecting the validity of electoral outcomes for various offices if the leadership dispute remains unresolved before key electoral milestones.

Doherty referenced the timetable released by INEC, which schedules the commencement of party primaries for April 23, 2026.

He argued that a ruling from the appellate court before that date would help guide the party, electoral authorities, and other stakeholders.

“In view of the time-sensitive nature of election engagements and the need for clarity, I most respectfully crave the indulgence of Your Lordship towards swift determination of the consolidated appeal,” he stated.

He added that an early judgment would provide “invaluable direction” to all parties involved, particularly the electoral commission, which is responsible for supervising party primaries and accepting candidate nominations.

Doherty, however, acknowledged the court’s constitutional independence and discretion in scheduling and delivering judgments, stressing that his request was made with “the utmost respect” for the judiciary.

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Politics

APC, PDP Abuja conventions of varied colours

Published

11 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

General Editor, Politics, Taiwo Adisa reviews the national conventions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Abuja, observing that the two achieved predetermined ends.

Before the November 15, 2025, national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Senate President Bukola Saraki acted like the Nostradamus of our political space when he dropped the advice that the party should rather put in place a caretaker committee. The party, however, shunned the advice, went ahead with the convention, and landed in further travails. But the group supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Nyesom Wike, went ahead to set up a caretaker Committee before the tenure of the former chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, ended in December 2025.

That caretaker committee now appears to be the cornerstone of Wike’s control of the party, even as many other bigwigs have started joining the trail.

Within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the groundswell for the affirmation of Prof Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee was unmistakable ahead of the March 28 convention. There were hardly any issues as the ruling party spoke with one voice and tested its adoption of the consensus option, a move that would possibly be perfected during the forthcoming primaries for the various elective posts on offer for the 2027 polls. As expected, the APC convention sprang no surprises, and all went well. President Bola Tinubu, who spoke at the convention, spoke of unity among Nigerians as he chided the opposition parties for failing to put their houses in order.

Of all the conventions, the gathering of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola National Stadium is the one that generated intense heat.

The night before

All eyes were on the Wike-led PDP ahead of the March 29-30 convention. The day before the convention, a report indicated that the faction of the party led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) had headed to the Supreme Court to appeal the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the Ibadan convention. There was palpable tension in Abuja, as members of the PDP were largely unsure of the exact situation. There were concerns about whether INEC would monitor the convention, even as some members of the Turaki-led faction went to town with the indication that the convention would not hold because an appeal had been lodged with the Supreme Court. That, however, was doused in the evening house when Wike appeared on an inspection tour of the Velodrome location of the convention. He told the nation that all was well with the planned convention.

The two remaining governors of the party were clearly against the convention. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, sanctioned the return to the Supreme Court, despite the push for reconciliation. One of the leaders who also spoke against the convention is presidential hopeful Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who stated that a parallel convention might not be advisable.

The Saraki intervention

The former Senate President had attempted to play the peacemaker before the end of last year and was at a stage appointed to lead the search for peace by the Wike-led faction. As the convention drew closer, Saraki appeared on Channels Television, where he expressed his desire to attend the March 29 convention. It was gathered that he was also privy to several top-level meetings held in Abuja between Tuesday and Friday, centering on the need for a convention that could guarantee that the teeming members of the party are not disenfranchised in the 2027 polls.

As stated by a Saraki insider: “The view of the former senate president is primarily about the fate of the members as he advised that the feuding leaders of the PDP should take concrete steps to protect the interests of the members.”

He was also said to have insisted that the party must seek to put in place an NWC that would be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while he urged party leaders to utilise the opportunity of the convention to scale the hurdle of having a leadership that is recognised by INEC.

Wike’s victory lap and convention proper

Having established that there was no court injunction stopping the conduct of the convention, the Wike group moved fast enough, and the venue was the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja. It was an irony that at the same venue in 2022, Wike had lost the presidential primaries to former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar, a development that had some spiralling effects on the PDP, leading it to the greatest haemorrhage it has ever witnessed since its formation in 1998.

So, for Wike, it was a triumphant entry for the FCT Minister at the Velodrome, and every observer saw the joy in Wike on the day. He danced around the complex and was very energetic in his steps. The fact that the convention could hold for him was a victory for his caucus. After all the preliminaries at the convention ground, including the nullification of earlier motions ratified by the previous National Executive Committee, which named Damagum as substantive national chairman, the convention went ahead to elect Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara as the new chairman. Whether he is a factional chairman or he would assume the full powers as the chairman of the PDP would be known after the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Questions over Saraki’s role

Several Nigerians have questioned whether Saraki was with Wike on this route or if he was working to prepare a platform for the 2027 presidential contest. He is a member of the highest decision-making organ of the party, being a former number three man in the country, so he is one of the elders. So what was Saraki driving at, roving around the Wike group and seeking an elusive peace with the other group? Sources close to the former governor of Kwara State said that he had seen the PDP as the veritable platform through which his supporters in the state could seek political power in the next election.

Said a source close to the former Senate helmsman said: “It is believed that he sees the PDP as the only platform that is capable of presenting a solid opposition to the ruling APC with its broad national outlook and structure. Remember, the PDP has never changed its name, and that makes it resonate with a lot of Nigerians.

“Then, Saraki’s supporters back in Kwara have affirmed that they want all their aspirants to contest elections on the PDP platform as it is their sure bet for regaining power in the state. A meeting of the party’s stakeholders in Ilorin last Wednesday agreed that its delegates from the state should attend the Abuja convention and that if they observe that INEC was present and other necessary recognition to validate the activities and resolutions from the convention are present, they will hold another meeting to finally decide on their political future.

“Saraki is of the view that the popularity of the PDP in Kwara State is unmistakable and that his supporters prefer the platform to mobilise the grassroots. Since all politics is local, the former Senate President is determined to listen to his supporters and pursue plans at the national level that will give maximum advantage to his supporters back home. Thus, the survival of PDP and its ability to field candidates in the 2027 polls is important to Saraki.”

It was also learnt that the former Senate president was calculating that the PDP was better placed to benefit from the possible implosion of the ruling party, which he said has become so big that its fall could be imminent. He believes many of the defectors to the APC and others who have gone to displace or put at a disadvantage will either return to the PDP or work for the PDP. He also told his supporters that a prominent gubernatorial aspirant who previously left the PDP for APC in Nasarawa State, David Ombugadu, has returned to the PDP and that many others are willing to return if they fail in the primaries.

To his joy, the convention was attended by INEC, and a stage could be set for a huge happening within the former ruling party, as the Wike group has been offered the legal right to run the party. Only a Supreme Court’s reversal, as hoped by Tanimu Turaki’s faction, could change Wike’s Abuja dance steps.

What next for PDP?

The former ruling party appears to have boxed itself into Wike’s corner for a long time, when the former Rivers State governor was left to cater for the soul of the party. The fact that many of the party’s governors refused to attend to its welfare strengthened the former Rivers man, and today, maybe he is reaping the fruits of his tenacity in funding the party over the years. However, a thick cloud still hangs in the air, and only the Supreme Court validation would clear the fog. As things stand, the Turaki faction may have to find avenues to fix its ambitious members in a platform that could enable them to contest elections, if words are not coming in early enough from the Supreme Court. As stated by a source, the task of reconciliation should be the duty of the Wike-led team, now that a convention recognised by INEC has been held. “The new NWC must move to withdraw all cases in courts and encourage the other faction to do the same,” the source said, adding that leaders like Saraki must continue to ring the bell of unity and peace. Incidentally, Gbenga Hashim also stated during the week that reconciliation is still possible even after the convention. Hopefully, elders like Sule Lamido, Bukola Saraki, Senator Abba Moro, and Chief Dan Orbi, among others, would serve the party with their wealth of experience to find a lasting peace under the umbrella.

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Politics

Ganduje, Badaru meet Tinubu amid defection surge

Published

13 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received in audience former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, in separate meetings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting came a day after the former governor of Kano State and New Nigeria People’s Party chieftain, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, defected to the African Democratic Congress.

Also defected alongside Kwankwaso were former deputy governor and 2023 governorship candidate of the APC in Kano, Nasiru Gawuna; former deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, and a host of supporters.

There were reports that some lawmakers from the state were planning to join Kwankwaso in the ADC.

Our correspondent spotted Ganduje, dressed in a green ‘Babanriga’, leaving the State House at approximately 4:15 pm, while Badaru departed about 15 minutes later at 4:30 pm.

Both men declined to speak with journalists about the purpose of their visits.

Ganduje served as APC national chairman from August 2023 until July 2025, when he resigned from the position.

He was succeeded by Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who was formally elected as substantive national chairman at the party’s 4th Elective National Convention held on March 27, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.

Prior to his role as party chairman, Ganduje served as Kano State governor from 2015 to 2023.

Badaru, a former governor of Jigawa State (2015-2023), served as defence minister in Tinubu’s cabinet before his recent resignation from the position.

The separate timing of their exits suggested the meetings were individual consultations rather than a joint session with the President.

The visits may be connected to ongoing party reorganisation following the recent APC national convention and defection surge in Kano and Jigawa states.

It was reported that some chieftains of the party loyal to Badaru may be heading to the ADC in Jigawa State, following the crisis with Governor Umar Namadi.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ganduje had accompanied Governor Abba Yusuf and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, to the House of Representatives to witness the defection of eight NNPP members of the House to the APC.

Speaking to newsmen after the event, Ganduje assured that Kano will deliver President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 elections.

He played down the defection of Kwankwaso to the ADC and assured that the party would be victorious in 2027.

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Politics

27 Reps dump PDP, others for APC, ADC in a defection tsunami

Published

13 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The wave of political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election continued on Tuesday as 27 members of the House of Representatives switched political platforms, with the All Progressives Congress gaining 14 new members and losing two.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, while presiding over Tuesday’s plenary, announced the defections, lamenting the decision of two of his colleagues to dump the APC for the opposition.

The defections strengthened the fortune of the ruling party in the Green Chamber as its membership rose to about 280 out of the 360-member parliament.

The Peoples Democratic Party, which has lost many of its members, comes a distant second with 38 members, the African Democratic Congress has 15 members, while the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party are left with 12 and five members respectively.

The Accord and the Action Peoples Party have two members each.

Recall that during the inauguration of the 10th House in June, 2023, the APC had 181 members, while the opposition parties had 179, with the PDP leading with 115 members.

Last week, The PUNCH exclusively reported the imminent defection of the House Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese.

On Tuesday, the Benue lawmaker left for the LP, anchoring his defection to the lingering political crisis between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

With his defection, Agbese, who represents Ogbadigbo/Okpokun Federal Constituency, became the first lawmaker elected on the platform of the APC to dump the party for the minority party.

Other defectors included Ademola Akani and Lanre Oladebo Omoleye (PDP to Accord), Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and Anthony Nwogu (LP, Imo) to APP.

On his part, the House Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, led the defectors from LP to the ADC.

“I am leaving LP due to the crisis in the party. The crisis has affected the collective pursuit of a common agenda, and we believe that the decision to join the ADC will enhance my contribution to national development,” he said.

Others who left for the ADC included Harris Uchenna (LP, Anambra), Yahaya Tongo (PDP, Gombe), Oluwaseyi Sowumi (LP, Lagos), Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi (APC, Kaduna, who recently defected from PDP to APC), Mani Maishinko (PDP, Sokoto), Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) and Umar Yabo (PDP, Sokoto), all left their parties for the ADC.

Mustapha Tijani, Mohammed Shehu, Dankwa Idris, Hassan Shehu, Tanimu Yusuf, Mohammed Ciroma, Sani Madaki, and Tijani Jobe all swapped the NNPP for the APC.

The APC also gained Ja’afaru Yakubu (PDP, Taraba), Sadiq Tafida (PDP, Taraba), Ibrahim Mohammed (PDP, Kebbi) and Hassan Shinkafi (PDP, Zamfara)

Sani Madaki, who was until his defection the Deputy Minority leader of the House, said his decision to leave the NNPP was a result of the protracted crisis in the party, leading to a legion of court cases and what he discovered about the Kwankwasiyya movement.

He said the crisis in the party has divided its members along the line of supporters of the founders of the party and the former Kano State governor, Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin and former APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, were at the session to welcome eight NNPP defectors from Kano State to the APC.

On Monday, the leader of the Kwankwassiya movement and NNPP chieftain, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, dumped the party for the ADC.

He was joined by supporters, including the former deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo and the 2023 governorship candidate in the state, Yusuf Gawuna.

Announcing his decision to join the APC in a statement on Tuesday, the lawmaker representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Mohammed blamed protracted leadership crises and internal divisions within the opposition party.

He said the PDP had been “deeply enmeshed in unresolved leadership tussles and litigations” that had weakened its effectiveness as a political platform.

“The persistent leadership crisis and internal conflicts within the party have made it increasingly difficult for committed members like myself to contribute meaningfully to its growth and democratic responsibilities,” he said.

The lawmaker confirmed that he has formally communicated his resignation to his ward leadership in Nasarawa I Ward, Birnin Kebbi, and has also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

PDP senator joins APC

In a related development, the senator representing Niger South, Peter Jiya, on Tuesday defected from the PDP to the APC, citing deepening internal disputes within his former party.

The defection, which adds to the growing wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, was formally conveyed in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Jiya stated that he had resigned his membership of the PDP with effect from March 10.

“I wish to notify you and the Senate that I have resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party effective today,” the letter read.

Explaining the reason for his decision, the lawmaker pointed to unresolved internal conflicts within the party.

“This action is premised on quarrels and irreconcilable divisions within the party,” he said.

Jiya further announced his decision to continue his political career under the APC.

He also expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunity to serve.

The development comes barely 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission formally recognised a faction of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Agbese dismisses gov ambition

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, said his defection was driven by the wishes of his constituents, as he dismissed speculation linking it to a governorship ambition in Benue State.

Speaking to journalists, he said, “Well, first and foremost, let me thank the people of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency for the opportunity to be here.

“Secondly, we are about to kickstart another round of the tournament, and the people, of course, having critically examined the machinery that brought us here, and they realised some faults, have decided to board another plane, which is the Labour Party.

“So let me thank Her Excellency, Senator Nenadi Usman, the national chairman of the Labour Party, and the entire leadership, for accepting us to be part of the Labour family.”

He added, “I want to categorically put it on record that our defection is about service to our people. It is about making ourselves available again for service come 2027 and our people, the largest population of our people, have taken a very firm position, to say that the Labour Party is the only available vehicle that will take us to the expected destination, come 2027, and as a servant of the people, we have no choice than to be part of the Labour family. That is why we’re here today.”

Agbese, who described himself as the new political leader of the party in Benue, pledged loyalty to the LP and ruled out importing internal wrangling from his former party.

“This is a new family. I’m just coming in, and as the new political leader of the party in Benue state, we also have our national leader, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti. He is the national leader of this great party.

“So I think there is a need for us to step down our old behaviour from the APC, wear a new lens and see things differently.

“So, not until we do that, we don’t really know, but I believe that Senator Nenadi Usman has accepted me into this party and to lead the party to victory.”

Explaining why he did not join the ADC, Agbese said the decision reflected the preference of his constituents.

“The people of my federal constituency are completely different kinds of people. They respect multi-party democracy,” he said.

On rumours of a governorship bid, Agbese said, “I do not only believe in leadership. I also believe much more in servantship. And today we have also adopted the responsibility not to even be servants again, but to become labourers.

“There’s no governorship ambition in sight at the moment. We cannot rule that out in the near or far future, but at the moment, I think it is about the people.”

He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

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