PDP

By Kamal Alkasim

The PDP candidate’s manifesto during his campaign focused on community welfare, women’s empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced education opportunities for children.

The Premium Times reported that the PDP defeated its contender from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya Shehu, who scored 17,788 votes.

Declaring Mr Kasim as the winner, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, said the election was peaceful and smooth.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mohammed Kasim, has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship in the local government elections held across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday.

Mr Kashim polled 22,165 votes to defeat his rivals in the election.

Mr Kasim’s manifesto during his campaign focused on community welfare, women’s empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced education opportunities for children.

The elections were in two categories: the chairmanship and the councillorship.

PDP pulled through in the election at a time it is facing its most devastating crisis, which has led to division in its national leadership and loss of governors and lawmakers elected on its platform to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its top figures, such as the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Although the outcome of the local election does not necessarily mirror the PDP’s popularity at the national level, it is a significant victory for the party in a section of Nigeria’s capital, reflecting the country’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition.

It may also point to the fact that APC’s enhanced dominance, driven by high-profile defections from opposition parties to its fold in the last year, may not have taken strong hold in many local areas of the country.

INEC conducted the local elections across the six council areas of the FCT, including Gwagwalada, on Saturday. The rest are the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje.

Kamal Alkasim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared two All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as winners of Saturday’s by-elections in Rivers state.

TheCable reported that the by-elections were conducted to fill vacant seats in the state house of assembly — Ahoada East constituency II and Khana constituency II.

Napoleon Ukalikpe of APC was declared the winner of Ahoada East constituency II with 3,980 votes, while his closest challenger, Godstime Egor of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), scored 38 votes.

For the Khana constituency II seat, Bulabari Henrietta Loolo of APC won the poll with 7,647 votes, while Anthony Ndor of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) garnered 47 votes.

Ahoada East constituency II seat became vacant following the resignation of Ehie Edison, who is now the chief of staff (CoS) to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.

Dinebari Loolo’s death in September 2023 created the vacancy for the Khana constituency II seat in the Rivers House of Assembly.

TheCable observed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) were absent from the ballot sheets for the by-elections.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has dissolved the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

The court, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, also voided a major congress the party planned to hold.

Furthermore, the court recognized the caretaker leadership faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as the party’s legitimate leadership. This faction is reported to enjoy the support of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, pending the conduct of a proper party congress.

However, the Tanimu Turaki faction has vowed to appeal the judgment.

“We have contacted our lawyers to explore all legitimate avenues to appeal and protect our position,” said Ini Ememobong, the publicity secretary for the faction’s executive committee.

He added that despite the court’s ruling, the Turaki-led leadership remains valid in their view.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the need for purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and improved service delivery.

In a letter dated December 29, addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Ampang West Ward, Mangu Local Government Area, Governor Mutfwang expressed that the current political reality necessitated a shift in platform.

He wrote: “Given the realities of the moment and guided by my commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and service delivery, I am compelled to seek an alternative political platform.”

Rumours of the governor’s potential defection had been circulated, with reports suggesting he had been in talks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His official exit from the PDP appears to confirm those earlier speculations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as poor public communication surrounding reported United States military strikes against terrorists in parts of northwest Nigeria.

The opposition party urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a more proactive and transparent method of addressing sensitive national security matters.

Reports had earlier emerged that on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, former United States President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out what he called “numerous precise strikes” against terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria. He claimed that the targets were militants responsible for attacks on Christians in the region.

Trump stated that the operation took place under his authority as Commander-in-Chief. He said the strikes focused on ISIS-linked fighters who have operated for years in areas affected by violence and insecurity.

According to him, the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.” He also said he had earlier warned the groups to halt the killings or face consequences.

The Nigerian government later acknowledged that strikes had taken place in parts of northern Nigeria through the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Authorities, however, did not disclose details about the operation or clarify the level of Nigeria’s involvement.

In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025, by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Nigerians first became aware of the reported operation through verified social media accounts linked to Trump and other American officials. The party said this happened long before any formal reaction came from Nigerian authorities.

The party noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only released what it described as a “vague statement” several hours later. The statement, according to the PDP, merely offered passive confirmation that Nigeria was aware of and cooperated in the operation.

“While international cooperation in the fight against high crimes like terrorism is very much appreciated, the Peoples Democratic Party is deeply concerned about a communication structure where foreign powers break the news of security operations in our country before our government does,” the statement read.

The PDP warned that such an “inverted communication approach” does not protect the interests of Nigeria or its citizens. The party referred to reports that the United States military had in the past entered Nigerian territory and carried out operations without the prior consent or knowledge of Nigerian authorities.

The opposition party said the Federal Government ought to have taken the lead in informing the public about the operation. It added that such an approach would have helped in properly sensitising Nigerians instead of waiting to confirm information that was already circulating widely.

“The government should not be in a position of merely reacting to foreign announcements on security operations within its territory, unless it was taken unawares like the rest of the citizens,” the party stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why it invited the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to a meeting amid the leadership dispute within the party.

The Commission stepped into the internal crisis after summoning representatives of both camps to its national headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The intervention followed growing tension within the opposition party.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the decision became necessary after the electoral body received contradictory letters from the factions involved in the dispute. He noted that the conflicting communications made it important for the Commission to hear directly from all sides.

According to Amupitan, the meeting was intended to provide a platform for dialogue and clarity ahead of future electoral activities.

“We felt that by rubbing minds together, it’ll be a good opportunity for us to forge the way forward concerning the elections,” Amupitan said.

He also stressed that INEC remains guided strictly by existing laws in carrying out its duties.

“Actually, INEC sits on the tripod of three legal regimes, the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the regulations that have been made,” he said.

Amupitan further assured that the Commission would act within the limits of the law in addressing the situation.

“So we are determined to ensure that we follow the provisions of the various laws, the Constitution, and the regulations that we have made.”

The PDP has been grappling with internal disagreements, which have raised concerns about its preparedness for forthcoming elections. INEC’s move is seen as an effort to ensure order and compliance with electoral regulations as political activities intensify nationwide.

By Uzair Adam

The governor of Zamfara State has intensified efforts to secure major political concessions from the federal government as part of conditions for his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources familiar with the development said the governor is seeking full control of the APC structure in Zamfara ahead of his anticipated move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.

He was said to have held a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Paris, France, alongside the governors of Enugu and Taraba states.

At the meeting, he reportedly expressed willingness to join the APC if his demands were met.

The Paris meeting, held months ago at the Peninsula Hotel, was described as a turning point, prompting the governor to return home and tighten his conditions for defection.

Insiders alleged that he has consistently pressed the Presidency to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and hand over the APC structure in Zamfara to him as part of the deal.

The resignation of Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence was said to have renewed the governor’s push, with reports suggesting he urged the Presidency to act swiftly in easing Matawalle out of the cabinet.

Political analysts say the governor’s demands reflect his desire to secure full influence within the APC if he eventually joins the party.

There are also claims that the governor is receiving backing from certain security quarters to facilitate reports capable of weakening Matawalle’s standing in government.

Sources alleged that once the minister is removed, the governor plans to mobilise his PDP structure and loyalists into the APC to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 elections.

Observers note that the governor sees Matawalle as a major obstacle to his political ambition, especially within the northwest.

Matawalle has recently gained recognition for key security interventions, including the rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and efforts to restore peace in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara.

The unfolding power struggle now signals a potentially significant realignment in Zamfara and the wider northwest as both figures compete for control, influence, and relevance ahead of future elections.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC), led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken drastic disciplinary actions against several high-profile members.

At its 103rd NEC meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the faction announced the expulsion of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.

Prominent chieftain, Chief Bode George, was also expelled.Furthermore, the committee ratified the suspension of several other leaders, including former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.

In a sweeping move, the NEC also ratified the dissolution of the State Executive Councils in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti States.

Presenting the memo for the expulsion, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, stated that the action was a consequence of the affected members’ disregard for court judgements.

He argued that their actions had brought the party into disrepute.These decisions mark a significant escalation in the internal crisis rocking the main opposition party.

By Anas Abbas

Heavy tension gripped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja today, after gunshots reportedly rang out as rival factions attempted to stage simultaneous meetings.

According to reports, an eyewitness says the incident occurred at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat, where competing groups are vying for control of the National Working Committee.

The shots triggered panic and prompted a security response, although the exact number of persons involved remains unclear.

At the moment, there has been no official confirmation of fatalities or injuries. The situation remains fluid as party operatives and security agencies assess what led to the outbreak of violence.

This escalation underscores lingering fractures within the PDP, following recent reports of parallel leadership claims and protests at the same venue.

As of now, neither the party’s national leadership nor the relevant security authorities have issued a comprehensive statement on the gunfire incident.

By Anas Abbas

The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alongside him, 15 other PDP lawmakers.The 15 lawmakers announced the defection in a submitted letters of defection, according to a statement by the Speaker.

The defectors include high-ranking figures such as Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu, Wukari 1.

However, and othe representatives from key constituencies: Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol 1), Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2), Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1), Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2), Nelson Len (Nguroje), Umar Adamu (Jalingo 1), Joseph Kassong (Yorro), John Lamba (Takum 2), Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).

Bonzena noted that the decision was not personal but driven by what they believe is in the collective interest of Taraba State.

“Our people should not misinterpret this decision … It is for the interest of the state,” he said.

With the mass defection, the Speaker announced that all 24 members of the House of Assembly are now APC members, effectively eliminating the minority party presence in the chamber.

Welcoming them, former Speaker Peter Diah, now with the APC, described the move as a hopeful new beginning for Taraba.

Bonzena, for his part, expressed his optimism that the shift would mark a fresh era for the state, aligning with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.