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PDP NEC Ends Leadership Crisis As Akinwonmi Presides

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4 years ago

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Picks Abuja to host national convention October 31 •Says we’re more experienced in politics, governance than APC •We must go into warfare united — Tambuwal •PDP’ll do better if trusted again — Atiku

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has apparently resolved the weeks-old leadership crisis that had bedeviled the party, ratifying its October 31st national convention date and selecting Abuja as the host city.

Rising from their 92nd meeting at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Saturday, the highest decision-making body of the main opposition party also set September 9 for its next meeting to receive and approve nominations for appointments into its committees including the national convention planning and zoning committees.

Briefing journalists on the resolutions of the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who revealed these also said that the NEC affirmed the indivisibility of the former ruling party.

NEC also asserted that the the PDP has more experienced hands in party politics and in governance than the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), noting that if given the chance to rule again, the party would do better than before.

The meeting was presided over by the acting National Chairman of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi as the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, complied with the latest order from Cross River state High Court to stay way from it.

Just before it’s commencement, Secondus media aide, Ike Abonyi, circulated a statement saying that the erstwhile party boss had permitted Akinwonmi to preside over the meeting.

The communique read by the party spokesman maintained: “NEC emphasized the indivisibility of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

“Stresses the need to remain united as a party as we work assiduously towards removing the inept, indolent and corrupt APC from government, come 2023.”

“Urges members to continue to make personal sacrifices in the overall interest of the party.”

“Commend PDP governors’ effort in commissioning landmark projects in all states of the federation where our party has been handed over the responsibility of government.”

“Urges Nigerians to take a cue from our deliverables in our respective states as a sign of the improvements that our party wishes to deliver when elected in 2023.”

“The party boasts of more experienced hands in party politics as well as governance, says its internal crisis management mechanism is far better than the operations of the APC as a party and even as government.

“NEC commends all party members for their various involvements in resolving issues that have recently occurred in our party.”

“NEC is confident that the PDP has earned the trust of Nigerians once again and our party will do better when given the opportunity to lead the nation.

“NEC condemns the media gagging and the attempt by the APC and Buhari government to promote obnoxious laws against the freedom of speech as well as media practice 1n Nigeria.

“NEC condemns the harassment and intimidation of media outfits in a desperate ploy by the APC to stifle free speech.

“NEC has resolved that Abuja will be the venue of the PDP National Elective Convention slated for October 31, 2021.

“NEC to meet on the 9th of September to approve the various nominations into the respective national convention committees.”

Speaking at the commencement of the meeting, the acting National Chairman, Akinmonmi recalled that the party had been engaged in series of meetings to resolve its crisis, noting that the meetings had yielded results.

He observed that the APC government has plunged the nation into its worst state in history, saying that the PDP members must unite to salvage it.

While noting that the meeting was called to take decisions on the national convention, he said: “You are aware of the furry activities of our leaders to foster cohesion in the party. I am please to announce to you all that those interventions are yielding desired  results.

“Let me say clearly that Nigerians are looking out to PDP to salvage this country from the mis-governance and backwardness of that the APC-led to federal government has plunged the country into.

“Nigeria is more than ever divided. The insecurity are so worsening that even military installations are not immuned. Our people can no longer go to the farm, our women are being raped, schools are targets of kidnappers, bandits and terrorists, the level of unemployment keeps on ever rising unimaginably, while the value of Naira is now at the lowest ebb.

“Of course, Naira is the worst of all countries in Africa subregion today. We have never had it so bad like this. We must resist every attempt to sew disunity our rank but work together to salvage the country.”

Speaking of behalf of state governors elected under the PDP, the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, told the party leaders that they are going into warfare and cannot win the war divided.

He said Nigerians are waiting for PDP and the party cannot afford to fail them.

The Sokoto governor said: “With reference to the issues of the moment, challenges, disputes and disagreements are part of life, and indeed, politics. But what is important is how they are resolved.

“We have activated all mechanisms that we have in PDP, to resolve all of our issues. And as chairman of PDP said, I concur. We shall continue to hold together, remain together because we are the hope of the people of Nigeria and Nigerians are looking forward to PDP and we cannot afford to fail them.

“The challenges are quite many and it’s important for us to continue to work together as a family. We are going into warfare and we must go to a warfare united, you cannot win if you are divided. So, let’s not lose hope. We must remain focus with our eyes on the ball. And we shall, by the grace of God, score that goal.”

He affirmed that PDP states are doing well saying: “Of course, you know, that whenever I hear any major event activity, or commissioning a project is happening only in PDP states. We shall continue to do our best. And we assure you of our total loyalty to our party.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar observed that the PDP is more experienced than the APC and its government in crisis management, noting that if trusted again by Nigerians, the party will do better.

He said: “If you look at PDP, it has the most experienced people in this country, whether in the executive wing, whether in the legislature, whether in party administration, we have the most experienced and most competent individuals in this party.

“Therefore, PDP in internal crisis management is far far more efficient and far more better than APC and the APC government itself.

“So, II want to use this opportunity to commend and thank everybody who has been involved in trying to resolve the recent crisis. And Nigerians should no longer be in doubt, of our sense of patriotism, and our sense of commitment to get this country moving again.

“We are being taken aback by the APC government and we have shown to Nigerians that, when we are trusted again and we will do even much better than we had done before.”

Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, also said that Nigerians are waiting for the PDP as they have become tired of a ruling party that he said cannot even set up a board of trustees.

He stated: “I want to assure you that the National Assembly, we are with our party. The chairman and Deputy Chairman have this morning made statements to show that there is no crack in PDP.

“As we were coming yesterday, I think we’ve seen from the news that there were alternate Chairman deputies and all that. But today, I think it’s clear to everyone that PDP is one and we’re moving forward.

“I want to thank our chairman of the Governor’s Forum for assuring us that PDP will take over the government in 2023. Nigerians are looking for us.

“Nigerians are tired of that a party that doesn’t even have a board of trustees, not to talk of any other organs of the party.

“Nigerians are tired of the party that is looking for a way to gag you the press. In an interview that was done that showed clearly how things are going bad in this country, and people are being summoned to answer queries at the NBC, which has never happened in this country.

“And so PDP is coming, Nigerians wait for PDP, and in 2023 give us your votes and will we deliver you back to where we came from.

“As I always said, it was the leverage in democracy that was given to the same party that they exploited to tell lies, and use those lies to confuse Nigerians. Now, like they say, everybody eyes are open.

“We have seen APC, and they are full of lies and deceit and they can no longer deceive Nigeria.”

Culled from the Tribune News Nigeria

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Africa

U.S. Signals More Strikes in Nigeria as Abuja Confirms Joint Military Campaign

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2 weeks ago

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December 27, 2025

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The United States has warned that further airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria are imminent, as Nigerian officials confirmed that recent attacks were part of coordinated operations between both countries.

The warning came hours after U.S. forces struck militant camps in Sokoto State, an operation President Donald Trump publicly framed as a response to what he described as the killing of Christians in Nigeria. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were only the beginning.

“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The Pentagon is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out as part of “joint ongoing operations,” pushing back against earlier tensions sparked by Trump’s public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity.

The airstrikes followed a brief diplomatic rift after Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians from militant violence. Nigerian officials responded by reiterating that extremist groups in the country target both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by insurgency and criminality rather than religious persecution.

Speaking to Channels Television, Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence support for the strikes in Sokoto and described close coordination with Washington. He said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly 20 minutes before briefing President Bola Tinubu and receiving approval to proceed, followed by another call with Rubio to finalize arrangements.

“We have been working closely with the Americans,” Tuggar said. “This is what we’ve always been hoping for—to work together to combat terrorism and stop the deaths of innocent Nigerians. It’s a collaborative effort.”

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. An earlier statement, later removed, had suggested the operation was carried out at Nigeria’s request.

Trump, speaking in an interview with Politico, said the operation had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed at his instruction. “They were going to do it earlier,” he said. “And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”

Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed casualty figures or confirmed whether militants were killed. Tuggar, when asked whether additional strikes were planned, said only: “You can call it a new phase of an old conflict. For us, this is ongoing.”

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a population split roughly between Muslims and Christians. While violence against Christian communities has drawn increasing attention from religious conservatives in the United States, Nigeria’s government maintains that extremist groups operate without regard to faith, attacking civilians across religious lines.

Trump’s public rhetoric contrasts with his 2024 campaign messaging, in which he cast himself as a “candidate of peace” who would pull the United States out of what he called endless foreign wars. Yet his second term has already seen expanded U.S. military action abroad, including strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, as well as a significant military buildup in the Caribbean directed at Venezuela.

On the ground in Sokoto State, residents of Jabo village—near one of the strike sites—reported panic and confusion as missiles hit nearby areas. Local residents said no casualties had been recorded, but security forces quickly sealed off the area.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani told the Associated Press. “The government should take appropriate measures to protect us. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, farmer Sanusi Madabo, said the night sky glowed red for hours. “It was almost like daytime,” he said. “We only learned later that it was a U.S. airstrike.”

For now, both Washington and Abuja are projecting unity. Whether the strikes mark a sustained shift in strategy—or another brief escalation in a long war—remains unclear.

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Africa

Nigeria–Burkina Faso Rift: Military Power, Mistrust, and a Region Out of Balance

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4 weeks ago

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December 14, 2025

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The brief detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso may have ended quietly, but it exposed a deeper rift shaped by mistrust, insecurity, and uneven military power in West Africa. What was officially a technical emergency landing quickly became a diplomatic and security flashpoint, reflecting not hostility between equals, but anxiety between unequally matched states navigating very different political realities.

On December 8, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while en route to Portugal. Nigerian authorities described the stop as a precautionary response to a technical fault—standard procedure under international aviation and military safety protocols. Burkina Faso acknowledged the emergency landing but emphasized that the aircraft had violated its airspace, prompting the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian personnel while investigations and repairs were conducted. Within days, the crew and aircraft were released, underscoring a professional, if tense, resolution.

Yet the symbolism mattered. In a Sahel region gripped by coups, insurgencies, and fragile legitimacy, airspace is not merely technical—it is political. Burkina Faso’s reaction reflected a state on edge, hyper-vigilant about sovereignty amid persistent internal threats. Nigeria’s response, measured and restrained, reflected confidence rooted in capacity.

The military imbalance between the two countries is stark. Nigeria fields one of Africa’s most formidable armed forces, with a tri-service structure that includes a large, well-equipped air force, a dominant regional navy, and a sizable army capable of sustained operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates fighter jets such as the JF-17 and F-7Ni, as well as A-29 Super Tucanos for counterinsurgency operations, heavy transport aircraft like the C-130, and an extensive helicopter fleet. This force is designed not only for internal security but for regional power projection and multinational operations.

Burkina Faso’s military, by contrast, is compact and narrowly focused. Its air arm relies on a limited number of light attack aircraft, including Super Tucanos, and a small helicopter fleet primarily dedicated to internal counterinsurgency. There is no navy, no strategic airlift capacity comparable to Nigeria’s, and limited logistical depth. The Burkinabè military is stretched thin, fighting multiple insurgent groups while also managing the political consequences of repeated military takeovers.

This imbalance shapes behavior. Nigeria’s military posture is institutional, outward-looking, and anchored in regional frameworks such as ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s posture is defensive, reactive, and inward-facing. Where Nigeria seeks stability through deterrence and cooperation, Burkina Faso seeks survival amid constant internal pressure. That difference explains why a technical landing could be perceived as a “serious security breach” rather than a routine aviation incident.

The incident also illuminates why Burkina Faso continues to struggle to regain political balance. Repeated coups have eroded civilian institutions, fractured command structures, and blurred the line between governance and militarization. The armed forces are not just security actors; they are political stakeholders. This creates a cycle where insecurity justifies military rule, and military rule deepens insecurity by weakening democratic legitimacy and regional trust.

Nigeria, despite its own security challenges, has managed to avoid this spiral. Civilian control of the military remains intact, democratic transitions—however imperfect—continue, and its armed forces operate within a clearer constitutional framework. This stability enhances Nigeria’s regional credibility and amplifies its military superiority beyond hardware alone.

The C-130 episode did not escalate into confrontation precisely because of this asymmetry. Burkina Faso could assert sovereignty, but not sustain defiance. Nigeria could have asserted its capability, but chose restraint. In the end, professionalism prevailed.

Still, the rift lingers. It is not about one aircraft or one landing, but about two countries moving in different strategic directions. Nigeria stands as a regional anchor with superior military power and institutional depth. Burkina Faso remains a state searching for equilibrium—politically fragile, militarily constrained, and acutely sensitive to every perceived threat from the skies above.

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Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

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2 months ago

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November 14, 2025

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Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

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