Politics
Opposition Rift: Speaker Candidates Abbas, Betara Split Coalition
The coalition of minority members-elect in the 10th House of Representatives has become divided due to contests for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The ’10th Assembly Greater Majority,’ a group of minority lawmakers-elect, is reportedly backing Aliyu Betara, a member from Borno State, while a new coalition has emerged in support of Tajudeen Abbas, who has been endorsed by the All Progressives Congress.
A significant number of lawmakers-elect are withdrawing from the ’10th Assembly – Greater Majority,’ a coalition comprising members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other minority parties in the 10th House.
The discontented opposition members, particularly those hailing from Rivers State and loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike, have announced their intention to establish a parallel coalition called the Minority Parties’ Forum, set to be launched today (Monday).
The new development came as the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority, planned to unveil aspirants for the positions of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in the opposition camp this week.
On May 2, 2023, the coalition had previously stated its intention to nominate candidates for these roles from its own members.
The coalition justified its decision by citing the “divergent opinions” emerging from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The opposition lawmakers-elect expressed their determination to enter the fray by presenting viable and alternative leadership choices, highlighting their coalition’s strength of 183 members compared to the ruling party’s 177.
Consequently, the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority has established an 11-member committee with the responsibility of shortlisting, screening, and ultimately recommending aspirants within a week’s time.
The committee is composed of Nicholas Mutu from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) serving as Chairman, Victor Ogene from the Labour Party (LP) as Secretary, and Abdulmumini Jibrin from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Oluwole Oke, Jonathan Gbefwi, Beni Lar, Ali Isa, Alhassan Rurum, Mathew Kuzalio, Salisu Majigiri, Nnabuife Chinwe, Gwacham Maureen, and Idris Salman.
According to Ogene, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, some members of the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority have indicated interests in running for the leadership positions. He had also hinted that the opposition members might consider and adopt a candidate among the aspirants in the ruling APC.
However, a member-elect, Solomon Bob (PDP/Rivers), in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, disclosed that some members of the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority were pulling out and launching a new group of opposition members on Monday.
Bob alleged that the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority was billed to adopt the current Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Betara, as its candidate.
Ironically, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwey (PDP/Ebonyi), is said to be leading the factional minorities’ coalition which is billed to adopt candidates anointed by the APC. An NNPP member from Kano State, Alhassan Rurum, will be the secretary of the pressure group.
The lawmaker said, “I belong to Joint Task – 10th Assembly; I don’t belong to the Greater Majority. In fact, they are the minor minority now, with the way we are going. We will form another coalition called Minority Parties’ Forum. We are launching tomorrow (Monday). It is parallel to that one, so that we will let the whole world know that there is one Minority Parties’ Forum.
“They cannot come and seek to monopolise the perception out there that the minorities are in one basket and they are (allegedly) pushing for Betara. We have steered the public perception, giving the false impression that all minorities are for Betara. That is not true.”
When asked about the leader of the new coalition, Bob said, “Igariwey is the one coordinating (the coalition) and Alhassan Rurum is the secretary.”
Responding to a question on why Igariwey would oppose Betara’s speakership ambition despite being deputy chairman and chairman of the same committee, respectively, Bob said, “Igariwey has not been with Betara from Day 1. Being deputy to Betara in a term that is ending is one thing, trying to usher in another term is a different thing.”
When asked about the claim by the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority that has more members-elect than the APC caucus, the Rivers lawmaker claimed that the Minority Parties’ Forum would have more opposition members.
Bob stated, “Where will they get the numbers from? Everybody in Oyo State; the 14 members are with us. In Osun, out of nine, they have only one and that is Wole Oke; all the eight are with us. In Rivers, all 13 members are with us. In Akwa Ibom, all 10 are with us. Where, then, will they get the numbers from?”
The PDP member, however, admitted that the Minority Parties’ Forum would adopt the APC candidates. “We are going for Tajudeen Abbas, the person endorsed by the APC,” he said.
When contacted, Igariwey confirmed the development but said the move was only to reposition the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority.
He said, “It is actually another group in the minority caucus. Greater Minority is not our slogan. It is still the same group but the only difference is that we are trying to reposition the group. It is still the same group of minorities being populated by the same people.”
When asked about leaders and members of the Greater Majority who have been attending meetings by the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of members-elect of the APC and opposition parties which has adopted the zoning plan of the ruling party.
Igariwey said, “We are going to have our meeting tomorrow. We will come out with something like a communiqué with which you will be better informed about it.”
Ogene (LP/Anambra), who speaks for the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority, was contacted on the number of aspirants in the opposition coalition who had indicated an interest in the speakership race as well as the emergence of another group.
He, however, referred our correspondent to the coordinators of the group, Messrs Fred Agbedi (PDP/Bayelsa), Jonathan Gbefwi (SDP/Nasarawa) and Dachung Bagos (PDP/Plateau).
However, neither Agbedi nor Gbefwi and Bagos picked up the calls made to them.
Meanwhile, ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th Senate, the South-South Youth Alliance on Sunday said those against the choice of Godswill Akpabio as Senate President were against the “will of God” for Nigeria.
The youth group in a statement issued in Abuja described Akpabio as a “democrat“ who is qualified for the position of the top senate job.
The statement signed by the coordinator of the group, Benjamin Nwizua reads, “Senator Akpabio was a performing governor of Akwa Ibom State who earned the title, uncommon governor. He proceeded to the Senate where he became Minority leader and later minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”
Also, a group of the ruling party under the aegis of the Progressives Foundational Movement has thrown its weight behind Abass as the next Speaker.
The group also pleaded with the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of APC not to bow to pressure and subtle threat to remove Abbas from the list of anointed candidates.
On Sunday, the plea was conveyed through a statement released in Abuja by Aganaba Johnson, the National Coordinator of the PFM (Presidential Front Movement).
However, a different group called the Northern Business Roundtable has urged Senators elected from different party affiliations to unite in support of Abdulaziz Yari, the former Governor of Zamfara State, in his bid for the Senate Presidency.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Larai Kolo, the group’s spokesperson, emphasized Yari’s aptitude and integrity, asserting that he possesses the necessary qualities to lead the Senate.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has cautioned Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo against making comments capable of undermining former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, warning that such remarks could threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eze was reacting to recent remarks by Okonkwo, who reportedly suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had no alternative but to accept Amaechi as his running mate.
SEE ALSO: 2027 Race: Rivers ADC Unveils David Okumgba as Deputy Gov Candidate
He described the statement as “unfortunate, insulting and counterproductive,” saying it could negatively affect public perception of both Atiku and Amaechi.
According to Eze, Atiku’s long political career demonstrates that he is fully capable of making independent decisions on critical political matters without being influenced or compelled.
“Anyone who has followed Atiku Abubakar’s political journey knows that he has a mind of his own and is fully capable of taking decisions on matters of this nature,” Eze said.
The ADC stalwart argued that portraying Amaechi as an imposed choice diminishes the former Rivers State governor’s political achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He highlighted Amaechi’s political record, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation, and presidential aspirant, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures.
Eze also recalled that Amaechi emerged second to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and later finished as runner-up to Atiku Abubakar in the ADC presidential primary.
According to him, Amaechi’s emergence as the party’s vice-presidential candidate should be seen as a strategic advantage rather than an imposition.
“Amaechi’s personality, political experience and national appeal add significant value to the ADC presidential ticket,” he stated.
The former publicity secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) further advised Okonkwo to improve his communication style by learning from individuals with proven expertise in political messaging.
Calling for unity within the opposition party, Eze urged ADC leaders, spokespersons and supporters to avoid comments capable of creating unnecessary controversy or weakening the party’s collective resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Our focus should remain on building a united front. Internal disagreements should not distract us from our collective objective of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative,” he said.
He added: “As things stand, we have a common objective. We need unity of purpose and must avoid comments that could weaken our collective resolve. Responsible communication and party cohesion remain essential to the success of the ADC in the forthcoming elections.”
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has launched a fresh attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as a political strategy aimed at deceiving Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Adebayo argued that the 2023 presidential ticket was built on religious sentiment rather than competence, insisting that Nigerians are now more interested in electing leaders who can deliver justice, good governance and economic prosperity.
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According to him, the APC’s same-faith ticket has failed to meet the expectations of many Nigerians, including those who supported it because of the candidates’ religious affiliation.
“There is nothing like the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Even when the contraption was brought up four years ago and I was in Kano, I was asked the same question while meeting with the Ulamas.
“I told them that if you are hoping for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, you will be lucky to even have a single Muslim out of the two.”
Adebayo maintained that leadership in Islam is defined by justice and competence, not by a leader’s religious identity, describing the Tinubu-Shettima administration as a “zero-zero ticket.”
“It turned out now that it’s not a Muslim-Muslim ticket. From the point of view of Muslims in Nigeria, it is a zero-zero ticket because in Islam, what is expected of a leader in Islamic jurisprudence is not the religion of that leader but justice.”
The SDP flagbearer added that Islamic teachings encourage the appointment of only qualified and capable individuals to positions of responsibility.
“The reason why Muslims get involved in politics is to have a just society, and there are guidelines in Islamic jurisprudence regarding politics. In Islam, it is expected that if you are a good Muslim, you do not give public office or responsibility to anyone who is not fit for that.”
He further alleged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced to manipulate voters through religion instead of presenting credible leadership.
“The whole concept from the beginning was just to defraud the populace by using religious sentiment. What the North and all Nigerians are looking for is a righteous leader, no matter the person.”
Adebayo also criticised the current administration over the country’s socio-economic challenges, arguing that the religious composition of the presidency has not translated into justice or improved living conditions.
He referenced former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying even one of the prominent advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket has recently been seeking justice.
“So when you say you are looking for a Muslim-Muslim ticket and there is no justice anywhere, even one of the proponents, El-Rufai, who was celebrating it, he and his family are now crying for justice. That is the biggest irony you can have.”
He concluded that Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election are more concerned about competent leadership, fairness and better governance than the religious background of presidential candidates.
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a thorough investigation into an incident involving security personnel attached to the convoy of Governor Francis Nwifuru following the circulation of a viral video on social media.
The video purportedly shows a confrontation between members of the governor’s convoy and occupants of a civilian vehicle along the Centenary City–Chiboy Motors axis of the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road.
According to available information, the incident occurred after a Toyota Camry reportedly collided with a motorcycle rider attached to the governor’s convoy, leaving the rider injured. The ensuing confrontation allegedly resulted in damage to the civilian vehicle.
SEE MORE: Nwifuru Suspends Commissioners, Perm Sec, Exec Secs
Reacting to the development, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, called on the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
He urged security agencies to identify and interview those involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The party also called on the Ebonyi State Government to provide clarification on the incident and disclose the identity and conduct of the security personnel involved.
In addition, the PDP urged relevant authorities to review the operational procedures and rules of engagement for security personnel attached to official convoys to ensure the safety of other road users.
Onwe said the party believes the public deserves a full account of what transpired and urged eyewitnesses and other persons with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.
Responding to the controversy, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, said “the viral video captured only part of the incident and did not present the complete sequence of events.”
He appealed to the public “to refrain from drawing conclusions until all the facts have been established.”
Oketa explained that official convoys, like ambulances, fire service vehicles and other emergency responders, are required to move swiftly in the interest of public safety and national security.
He noted that motorists are expected to comply with lawful traffic directives issued by police officers and convoy personnel to ensure the safe movement of official convoys and prevent accidents.
According to him, “Governor Francis Nwifuru remains committed to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and the protection of lives.”
He added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being reviewed and urged road users “to remain patient, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with emergency and security personnel in the interest of public safety.”
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