Latest Political News In Nigeria For Today, Thursday, 25th August, 2022
Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Thursday, 25th August 2022.
Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.
Wike: Atiku Warns Lamido, Babangida, Other PDP Leaders Against Divisive Statements, Blames APC For ‘Party Crisis’
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has called on all stakeholders of the PDP and his supporters to desist from making statements that are capable of compromising the on-going work towards further strengthening the party and bringing all its leaders together.
The former Vice President made the call in a statement to Naija News signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the statement, “it has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.
Atiku pointed out that Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party, adding that this expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery of their impending fall in next year’s general election.
He accused the ruling APC of manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.
Imo: Labour Party Disowns Obi/Datti Campaign Council Inaugurated By Pat Utomi
The Labour Party (LP), Imo State Chapter, has on Thursday rejected the constitution and inauguration of the OBI/DATTI campaign council inaugurated by Prof. Pat Utomi.
The party, in a statement, said that nobody has been appointed to the Presidential Campaign Council in Imo State, hence the action of Utomi was laughable.
Naija News recalls that one Dr. Fabian Ihekweme was allegedly appointed to Imo LP Presidential Campaign Council by Utomi at the Banquet Hall of Immaculate Royal Hotel, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.
Reacting to the development, the LP stated that it was only aware of Utomi being in the state as the National Leader of the National Consultative Forum to attend the endorsement of the party’s flag bearer, Peter Obi, as the presidential candidate of the Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP).
Tension As Police Arrest NNPP Leader In Borno, Take Over Secretariat
Heavily armed security personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly arrested the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Borno State.
Reports reaching Naija News at the moment revealed that the personnel on Thursday (today), stormed and took over the party’s secretariat in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Information about the event is still sketchy at the moment. It was reported, however, that some developments yesterday at the NNPP secretariat situated around the Abbaganaram ward of the metropolis, caused the uproar.
It was gathered that on Wednesday, the leadership of the party hired some persons to repaint the new secretariat ahead of the NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s visit scheduled for the next few days.
However, after the work was done, some hoodlums suspected to be opposition/political thugs reportedly stormed the Secretariat and pasted various posters of their candidates at strategic locations on the premises.
Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Details Of Dogara, Babachir Lawal’s Meeting With IBB, Abdulsalami Emerge
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal has opened up on details of their meeting with the former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News earlier reported that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Babachir Lawal met with the IBB, and former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger State.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, Lawal said the Muslim-Muslim ticket was discussed during the meeting.
According to him, the same religion ticket is existential and designed to oppress, kill and eliminate Christians in the North from the political and economic systems.
Kwankwaso Reacts As Security Operatives Seal NNPP HQ In Borno
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted after security operatives sealed the party’s headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Naija News had reported earlier that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday arrested an NNPP leader in Maiduguri.
It was reported that commotion started yesterday at the NNPP secretariat situated around the Abbaganaram ward of the metropolis after some hoodlums suspected to be opposition party members stormed the party headquarters and were placing their candidate’s posters on the building.
Naija News learnt that the NNPP leadership had earlier hired some persons to repaint the new secretariat on Wednesday ahead of Kwankwaso’s visit to the state.
However, after the work was done, a group of hoodlums reportedly stormed the place to cause nuisance by placing opposition party posters on the secretariat.
Reacting to the incident in a post on his Twitter page, Kwankwaso condemned the sealing of the building.
2023: Atiku Will Defeat Tinubu In Lagos – Melaye
The former lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will defeat the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, in Lagos State.
The spokesman of the PDP presidential campaign, in an interview with Daily Trust, noted that the PDP defeated Tinubu in his ancestral home (Osun State).
The victory of the PDP saw Tinubu’s cousin who is the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola defeated.
Melaye further stated that if the election is held in Lagos today, PDP will win the election.
The former lawmaker noted that Atiku was widely received in Lagos during his visit to the state.
Melaye said that Nigerians want his principal, adding that he will win the 2023 presidential election.
2023: Only A Drug Infested Politician Siphons Nation’s Treasury – HURIWA
No politician in his right mind, according to the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), will siphon the nation’s treasury while in office.
The Rights organization made the submission in reaction to people criticizing the call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to henceforth carry out drug tests on individuals seeking public office in Nigeria.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Abuja on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, National Coordinator, HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, insisted that all candidates vying for various offices in the forthcoming elections should be tested for drugs.
Naija News understands that Onwubiko, in his address at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said it is a matter of necessity for Nigerians to know the mental health of those they want to elect.
He stressed that someone in his right senses will not have the courage to corner billions of dollars from the country’s coffers to himself except motivated and pushed by drugs.
2023: Makarfi Speaks On Wike’s Meeting With Tinubu
The former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has reacted to the meeting between the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Naija News had reported that Wike and Tinubu met in London on Monday night to discuss issues relating to the 2023 presidential election.
A source who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity revealed that the meeting was centred around how the Wike camp would stay in PDP to cause a crisis in the party.
Also speaking with Daily Trust, a source belonging to the Tinubu camp said the discussions were very fruitful, adding that Wike may reach agreements to support Tinubu and the APC in the 2023 elections.
The APC chieftain said it was also discussed during the meeting how they would mobilize their supporters to work for APC in 2023.
The source revealed that Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, were part of the parley from the Tinubu camp while Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) attended the meeting from the Wike camp.
Reacting to the development in a chat with The Punch, Makarfi said the meeting between Wike and some top chieftains of the ruling APC is worrisome.
He, however, called for reconciliation between Wike and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The former governor appealed that those brokering reconciliation should be given a chance to work and not heat up the polity through public comments.
2023: ‘Shekarau’s Talk With PDP Has Reached Advanced Stage’
The former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau in a few days is expected to announce his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This is coming days after Shekarau accused the leader and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of humiliating him.
Shekarau stated this while giving the reason for his plan to dump NNPP ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Naija News learnt that the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima made moves to lure Shekarau.
A source that spoke with The Nation stated that Shekarau rejected the call to return to APC because of a rift with the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
2023: ‘Tinubu Has Not Treated Amaechi Fairly’
An ally of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has accused the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of not treating (Amaechi) fairly.
Recall that Amaechi had come second in the APC presidential primary ahead of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and behind Bola Tinubu.
After the primary, Tinubu, who had consulted widely and met with top politicians, is believed to have sidelined Amaechi, choosing instead to work with his political enemy, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Speaking to The PUNCH, a chieftain of the party in Rivers State, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tinubu had not made an effort to reach out to Amaechi.
2023: After Fall Out With Peter Obi’s LP, NNPP Throws Open Alliance Talks
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has revealed that its presidential candidate, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, is still willing to go into alliance with any political party for the 2023 general election.
The National Chairman of the NNPP, Prof. Rufa’I Alkali, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
Naija News recalls that the party had failed to secure a merger with Peter Obi’s Labour Party due to diverging views on who would become the presidential candidate.
Speaking on the condition of an alliance with any political party, Alkali insisted that any negotiation must not come with the condition that the party’s presidential candidate would step down for the candidate of the negotiating party.
He insisted that the ally must share the same values with the NNPP and such merger must be on equality of partners.
2023: 15 APC Senators Take Decision On Defection
Fifteen lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken a decision on their plan to dump the ruling party.
Naija News learnt that the senators have shelved their defection plans following intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The legislators have also agreed to work for the victory of the party in the 2023 general election.
The ruling party assured the aggrieved lawmakers of rehabilitation with executive appointments if the party wins the 2023 presidential election.
The reconciliation would see the APC hold unto the majority in the Senate, with no threat to the leadership structure in the apex chamber.
2023 Presidency: Peter Obi Set To Visit Canada, US
The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is set to visit the United States of America (USA) and Canada ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Naija News understands that the former Governor of Anambra State will be in Los Angeles, California; Houston, Texas and New York to engage Nigerians in Diaspora on civil leadership.
The LP presidential candidate will also be in Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington DC, and Atlanta to speak with Nigerians in Diaspora on civil leadership.
Obi will be in Toronto in Canada to meet with some Nigerians in Diaspora in a Town Hall meeting.
That will be all for today. You can read more political and other Nigerian news on Naija News
This article was originally published on Naija News