Politics
2023: Details Emerge as PDP G5 Meet In Ibadan, Take Decision on Presidential Candidate to Support
A report by Nigerian Tribune indicates that the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have finally abandoned their attempt to endorse a single presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
According to the newspaper, members of the G5, Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Wednesday, January 4, for the flag-off of the re-election campaign of the host governor, Seyi Makinde.
G5 Governors reportedly opted out of endorsing just one presidential candidate at the Ibadan meeting.
The governors were said to have conceded that local political realities in different states may make it impossible for members of the Integrity Group to back only one presidential candidate.
Nigerian Tribune stated that its findings showed that Governors Wike and Makinde are not leaning towards the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, contrary to the previous speculations that they may back the flagbearer endorsed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Also, both Okezie and Ikpeazu have allegedly resolved to keep their preferred candidates to their chest for the time being.
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has not hidden his support for Obi as he backed Obasanjo for endorsing the former governor of Anambra state.
A source cited by Nigerian Tribune said the goal of Wednesday’s meeting was for the aggrieved PDP governors to encourage each other to take a position that is consistent with their state’s political reality in order not to jeopardise their personal ambitions.
It was gathered that the Ibadan meeting would produce a common stand where the governors will be allowed to stick to their individual preferences.
The source said Wike and Makinde will be able to openly canvas support for their choice whenever they choose to come out with their position.
As for Ikpeazu and Uguanyi who are yet to indicate their preferred candidates, the meeting alleged resolved to encourage them to silently back their choice should it be other than the presidential the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The governors are expected to continue to manage the situation since they would not want to create the perception of a crack within their ranks.
“So, they will keep on managing the peculiar circumstances because they don’t want to be divided. They won’t want the division to spill over,” the source was quoted as saying.
Earlier, it was reported that Governor Wike said he would not change his mind about working for his preferred presidential candidate despite abuses. The Rivers state governor who is the arrowhead of the G5 said this while kicking off the construction of Akpabu-Egbeda-Omoku Link Road in the Emohua local government area on Wednesday, January 4.
Wike said he would concentrate on mobilising support for his preferred candidate instead of taking issues with his detractors, who, according to him, had already lost focus.
The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.
A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.
Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.
The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.
Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.
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The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.
The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.
Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.
“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.
“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.
“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.
“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.
The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.
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In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”
The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.
“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.
The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.
“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.
INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.
“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.
The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.
INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.
The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.
“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.
The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.
Several opposition political leaders and prominent figures have converged on Abuja for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting, being held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, attracted notable opposition figures including the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.
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The summit was convened by political pressure group G-100 as part of efforts to bring opposition parties together to mount a stronger challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Also attending the gathering are the Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, and G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman, are also among those participating in the summit.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Lukman urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective of advancing the interests of Nigerians.
He stressed that the proposed cooperation was not about forcing political parties to dissolve or abandon their identities, but about creating a platform where they could work together towards a shared goal.
“We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats,” Lukman said.
The summit comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.
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