Politics
Tinubu Denies Meeting G-5 Govs
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has debunked rumours that he had a meeting with the aggrieved five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party popularly known as G-5.
There had been media reports of Tinubu’s purported marathon meeting with the PDP governors in London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.
He was said to have met with Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue), an allegation the Rivers State governor denied on Friday in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the news three days after it broke, Tinubu, in a statement issued on New Year’s eve by his media officer, Tunde Rahman, disclosed that the report was the figment of the writer’s imagination.
The statement read, “As usual with him when the year is coming to an end to take time off his busy schedules, take a little rest and proceed to Saudi Arabia to observe Umrah (Lesser Hajj), Tinubu was in London during the week en route Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“While in the United Kingdom, Tinubu noted some articles in some national newspapers in Nigeria, alleging a secret meeting was held in London between him and the G-5 governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“These reports, to say the least, are not only in bad faith but also evil intentioned. They were published to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.
“The Presidential Standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, HE Asiwaju Tinubu, is neither bothered by these articles nor by their sponsors who are well known. He is resolutely focused on his campaign objectives which are geared towards achieving victory in the upcoming presidential election in order to deliver the APC’s Action Plan aimed at giving Renewed Hope to our people in all facets of their lives.
“But we must point out that the APC candidate is entitled to meeting any political actor or stakeholder that is important to his campaign and plans for the country and that desires to engage with him.
“The truth with respect to his present itinerary is as follows, Tinubu came to London on Boxing Day Monday, December 26, 2022, to spend a few days preparing for his trip to Saudi Arabia. After spending some time in London, he has now proceeded to Mecca where he is at present observing Umrah.
“He is scheduled to return to the country within the next two days to continue with the campaign. We would like to use this opportunity to advise those writing unsubstantiated articles and peddling rumours about him to desist forthwith.”
Okai Austin, a key figure in Kogi State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside his associates Okpanachi Jacob and Peter Onuma, has issued a formal apology to Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo after a media claim accusing him of diverting N13.4 billion from the state’s funds.
In a press conference held in March, the trio had made the explosive allegation, demanding that the funds be refunded.
However, on Tuesday, they withdrew the accusation and publicly apologized in a letter addressed to the governor.
READ ALSO: Isanlu-Fulani Crisis: Gov Ododo Holds Emergency Security Meeting
The letter, issued by Okai Austin on behalf of himself and his co-signatories, stated: “Upon further review and diligent comparison of the relevant facts, particularly those provided by the State Government concerning the disbursement of funds intended for local government development, I came to the realization, after much briefing and clarification, of the significant discrepancies in the information upon which the previous statement was based.”
The trio admitted that their earlier claim was based on inaccurate information and clarified that the funds in question were actually ₦3 billion, not ₦13.4 billion.
They also included documentation detailing the approved distribution of these funds, which was provided by the state government.
“We have no personal animosity, hatred, or ill feelings towards your government, personality, tribe, or any member of your family.
“We hold Your Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, in high regard as the duly elected Governor of our esteemed state,” the letter continued.
Furthermore, they emphasized that their actions were not motivated by partisan differences or tribal bias, but rather from a genuine desire to participate in the democratic process and hold the government accountable.
The apology letter concluded with a full acceptance of responsibility: “We take full responsibility for any damage or inconvenience our assertions may have caused.”
The trio expressed sincere regret for any distress their earlier remarks might have caused the governor, his administration, or the people of Kogi State.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially endorsed Chief Jude Ezenwafor as its candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.
Ezenwafor, a real estate developer based in Abuja, was the only aspirant in the race and secured the support of all 853 accredited delegates from the 21 local government areas of the state.
The party’s primary election took place on Tuesday at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka.
READ ALSO: 2027: Okpebholo Assures Tinubu With Snatch Of 17 LG Chiefs From PDP
In line with party procedure, even though he was unopposed, delegates were issued ballot papers and asked to write down the name of their preferred candidate.
The voting began with 14 national delegates casting their votes before the state delegates took turns according to their local government areas.
Ezenwafor was declared winner by the head of the PDP National Committee overseeing the primary, Col. Chijioke Onwubuya (retd), who announced the results after the votes were counted.
Grateful for the party’s backing, Ezenwafor thanked the delegates and called for unity and hard work ahead of the election.
“I thank all the delegates for the massive support and their endorsement. We are going to work hard to ensure the party wins the governorship election,” he said.
Ezenwafor’s emergence follows his purchase of the party’s N40 million nomination form, making him the sole contender in the PDP’s governorship primary.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has rejected claims of a leadership vacuum within the party, describing any such declarations as invalid.
Abure made this statement during the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Monday.
SEE ALSO: Appeal Court Upholds Julius Abure As Labour Party National Chairman
“There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court judgement did not say the tenure of the current NWC under my leadership has expired,” Abure asserted, reinforcing his position as the party’s leader.
He went on to address the so-called National Caretaker Committee, which some factions within the party have sought to install, calling it an “illegal body” not recognized by any law guiding the Labour Party.
“What happened in Umuahia, Abia State, was not a NEC meeting; as such, the so-called caretaker committee is an illegal entity,” Abure said, emphasizing that the actions taken in Abia were not legitimate.
“The purported caretaker committee is just a meddlesome interloper whose sole purpose is to destroy our party,” he concluded, seeking to reassure party members that the LP’s leadership remains secure under his tenure.
More to follow………….
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