Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Saturday, 13th August 2022.
Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.
Despite Peter Obi’s Presence At Redemption Camp, Adeboye Keeps Mum Over 2023 Election
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, failed to make comment on the 2023 election amidst the presence of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi at Redemption camp.
Naija News earlier reported that the introduction of Peter Obi at the Church Service on Friday night was greeted with loud cheers from the congregation as it took a few minutes to put the over-joyous crowd under control.
Amidst the loud ovation, the lady who introduced Obi, said: “It’s Jesus we are celebrating.”
However, when Pastor Adeboye mounted the podium, some of the crowd waited in anticipation for the man of God to comment on the 2023 elections due to the presence of Obi, but he rather focused his attention on the sermon.
Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Lalong Writes Catholics, Begs For Forgiveness
The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has written to Catholics, tendering an apology over comments he made referencing Pope Francis.
Recall that while defending his decision to accept his appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Lalong had told State House correspondents that as a born, baptised and confirmed Catholic, who has the highest award from the papacy, Knight of Saint Gregory the Great, the Pope has not told him there was anything wrong leading the campaign of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
His comments had received widespread backlash from Christians, especially Catholics, for dragging the name of the Holy Father into politics, with some calling for his suspension as a Papal Night for alleged blasphemy.
In a letter to the Catholic Church through the Bishops’ Conference, Lalong admitted making an error when he linked Pope Francis with Nigeria politics.
Tinubu: Governors Reportedly Plotting APC Chairman’s Removal, Replacement
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adamu Abdullahi, may not serve to the end of his tenure as plots have begun to remove and replace him with a Northern Christian.
Strong indications have emerged that APC governors and other stakeholders wants Adamu replaced by a Christian from the North-Central and this might be carried out during the ruling party’s upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for September.
Naija News recalls that Adamu had in March emerged as the APC chairman after backing from President Muhammadu Buhari despite APC governors throwing their weight behind a former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura.
A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) told Saturday Sun that the ongoing financial audit, non-payment of staff salaries and inability of the party to meet other financial obligations, were already generating concerns.
He said APC governors, who are worried about the fallout of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, are planning to replace Adamu with a Christian from any of the six North Central States.
While stating that Buhari had not been briefed over fears that he might not support the move, the source said the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, is in support of any move to appease Christians.
2023: Wike, Okowa, Ortom, Tambuwal, Other PDP Governors Divided Over Ayu’s Removal
There is division among governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over plans to remove the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Naija News reports that removing Ayu is one of the conditions tabled by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for peace to return to the party.
Wike and his loyalists – which includes some governors – are calling on Ayu to resign as he had promised to step down if the presidential candidate of the party comes from the northern part of the country just like him.
However, some governors opposed to Wike’s demand believe that even if Ayu should step down, it should not be now to avoid a crisis that might rock the political boat of the party and lead to its defeat in the election.
The crisis has polarised the PDP Governors Forum, as well as other organs of the opposition party, including the National Working Committee.
It was gathered that members of the PDP NWC are also divided as they owe allegiance to governors that facilitated their elections into the party’s organ.
I Can Lead Nigeria Without Majority In National Assembly – Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has expressed confidence that he can lead Nigeria without having the majority of lawmakers in the National Assembly.
This is coming after political activist, Reno Omokri warned that Obi might get impeached if he emerges president in 2023.
Omokri said Obi might not find it easy leading the country without the majority in the Senate.
Obi during an interview on News Central TV noted that he had no lawmaker in the House of Assembly while he was the Governor of Anambra State.
The presidential candidate said if lawmakers in the national assembly see that he is doing the right thing as president, they will align.
Gana Speaks On Wike Challenging Atiku’s Candidacy In Court
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Board of Trustees (BOT), Jerry Gana, on Friday spoke on Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike challenging the outcome of the presidential primary of the party.
Gana in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, in Abuja said Governor Wike is not behind the suit challenging the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.
A suit had emerged on Friday challenging the candidacy of Atiku and calling on the court to declare Governor Wike as the authentic candidate of the party.
Governor Wike, however, denied being behind the suit and accused Atiku’s men of filing the suit against the former vice president.
According to Gana, the report that Governor Wike filed the suit is false.
Osun 2022: YPP Speaks On Dragging Adeleke Before Election Tribunal
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has denied media reports that it dragged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16 Osun governorship election, Ademola Adeleke, before the Election Tribunal.
Naija News reports that the party was reacting to a report that it filed a petition at the Tribunal seeking to nullify the election over non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
In a statement on Saturday signed by its Spokesman, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, the YPP said it never filed a petition to seek the nullification of the governorship election.
He said if the party was interested in filing a petition, it would have been done through the office of the National Legal Adviser whose office is saddled with such responsibilities.
The party, however, described the news as completely false, and misleading and should be disregarded by members of the public.
You Are Destined To Be In APC – Gbajabiamila Woos Wike
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabimila has extended an invitation to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Gbajabiamila, Wike is destined to join the APC and the party can’t wait to have the Rivers State Governor.
Naija News reports Gbajabiamila made the call to Wike on Friday in Port Harcourt as part of his speech while speaking during the commissioning of the official quarters built for members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Governor.
The House of Reps Speaker expressed optimism that very soon the state lawmakers and the Governor will all dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the APC.
2023 Presidency: PDP Speaks On Rift Between Atiku, Fintiri
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that there is a rift between its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Naija News reports that there are claims that Atiku and Fintiri are at loggerheads over the outcome of the PDP presidential primary held in Abuja.
It is understood that loyalists of the former Vice President have accused Fintiri of backing Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over his statesman.
Reacting to the claims, the Secretary of the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP, Idris Yahaya, said there is no rift between the two leaders, stressing that the relationship between both men remained cordial.
He admitted that there had been attempts to create problems between the two, adding that one of such attempts is the claim that Fintiri allegedly worked against Atiku at the Abuja convention.
Yahaya said that the rumours were the handiwork of self-serving politicians, who specialised in cooking up crises for their benefit.
2023: Atiku Won’t Allow Wike To Pull Down PDP – Dino Melaye
The former lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye on Friday said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar would not allow the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, pull down the party.
The spokesperson for the Atiku presidential campaign further stated the rift between the former vice president and Wike is minor.
Melaye accused certain persons of escalating the disagreement between the PDP chieftains.
The former legislator stated this during an interview on Channels TV on Friday.
Wike Reveals Those Behind Suit Against Atiku, PDP, Tambuwal
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, of filing a suit in the court challenging Atiku’s victory in the presidential party primary.
Naija News had earlier reported that a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, allegedly instituted by Wike and one Newgent Ekamon, had been filed against the PDP presidential candidate; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; and the PDP over the conduct of the presidential primary of the party which was held in Abuja on May 28 and May 29, 2022.
Distancing himself from the case in a statement on Friday through his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike accused Atiku loyalists of initiating the court case.
2023: Dino Melaye Reveals The Most Difficult Presidential Candidate To Campaign For
The former lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye on Friday revealed the most difficult presidential candidate to sell in 2023.
According to Melaye, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, is the most difficult presidential candidate to campaign for in the forthcoming election.
Dino noted that the failure of the ruling party and the current administration marketed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
He further stated that there is no way you can defend the presidential ambition of Tinubu without looking stupid.
Dino stated this during an interview on Channels TV on Friday.
The former lawmaker, who was recently appointed as the spokesperson of the Atiku campaign council, lambasted the Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo for saying ‘nonsense’ while campaigning for Tinubu.
PDP Crisis: Provide Evidence My Camp Behind Lawsuit – Atiku Tackles Wike
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has asked the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to name those in his (Atiku) camp behind the suit challenging his victory at the presidential primary.
Naija News had earlier reported that a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, allegedly instituted by Wike and one Newgent Ekamon, had been filed against the PDP presidential candidate; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; and the PDP over the conduct of the presidential primary of the party which was held in Abuja on May 28 and May 29, 2022.
But while denying being behind the lawsuit, Wike had claimed that Atiku loyalists were responsible for initiating the court case.
Reacting to Wike’s comments, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, described the Rivers governor’s claim as ridiculous.
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
