Category: Governance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose;

The convention, which has delegates from 17 states in attendance, saw PDP chieftain Chief Bode George move the motion for the expulsion of 11 key members, citing behaviours he said were “inconsistent with the party’s collective interest.”and former National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu.

Hon. Samaila Buga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State, seconded the motion.

Delegates at the convention unanimously voted in favour of their expulsion, accusing them of engaging in acts of disunity and initiating multiple litigations against the party’s interest.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, then presented the motion for adoption and ratification, and delegates unanimously approved the expulsion

Also present at the convention are Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Other notable attendees include the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Gombe State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and several other party chieftains.

Politics Nigeria recall that the Wike-aligned faction had attempted to stop the convention through the courts.

However, the party obtained a favourable judgment from an Oyo State High Court, allowing the convention to proceed.

The continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains a deeply complex issue for the Nigerian government, situated at the volatile intersection of law, politics, and national identity. According to legal practitioner Barrister Mohammed Tsav, the case is far from a standard criminal proceeding; it involves unique sensitivities that make a straightforward release politically untenable for the authorities. The government perceives Kanu not merely as an individual defendant but as the symbolic figurehead of a movement that directly challenges Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty. This perception elevates every decision concerning his status, ensuring it is weighed with extreme caution against potential national security implications and the risk of renewed civil unrest.

The administration’s primary apprehension, as outlined by Tsav, is that Kanu’s unconditional liberation could serve as a catalyst, reinvigorating protests and potentially emboldening more militant factions within the secessionist movement. This fear creates a political calculus where maintaining his detention is viewed as the safer option for preserving short-term stability in the Southeast region. However, this strategy is not without its own significant perils. Tsav warns that a prolonged incarceration without a transparent and conclusive legal process risks achieving the opposite of its intended effect. Rather than neutralizing his influence, it could amplify his stature, gradually transforming him from an accused criminal into a potent symbol of political persecution in the eyes of his supporters and the wider international community.

This dynamic risks exacerbating the very divisions the government seeks to manage, deepening the chasm of mistrust between the federal establishment and the Igbo populace. Consequently, Tsav advocates for a shift in strategy, urging the government to recognize that a purely legal or security-focused approach is insufficient. He proposes that a sustainable resolution will likely require a political solution, one that embraces dialogue and reconciliation over punitive measures. The underlying argument is that for Nigeria to achieve lasting peace, it must ultimately prioritize healing and national cohesion through justice and inclusion, rather than relying indefinitely on the force of detention.

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, has confirmed he remains in detention at the Kuje Prison, 24 hours after his arrest during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.

Ejimakor assured supporters of his safety on his status in a post on X (formerly Twitter) while expressing concerns about how his case was handled by the police.

The human rights lawyer wrote: “I am safe and sound but still under custody at Kuje prison. The Magistrate refused to listen to our submissions. He insisted on remanding us till Friday and got his way”

Ejimakor also alleged that the authorities deliberately took his case to a particular court in Kuje instead of any of the other available Magistrate courts in the city.

For context: Keep in mind that they bypassed several Magistrate courts in town and headed to this one in Kuje,” he stated.

Ejimakor was among those arrested on Monday during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called on legal regulatory bodies in Nigeria to sanction Ejimakor for participating in the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, Ejimakor’s participation in the protest undermines legal ethics, given that Kanu’s case is still before a competent court.

I spotted Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, among the small group of protesters mobilised in Abuja by Omoyele Sowore,” Onanuga wrote.

I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest. As a lawyer, he should be aware of the principle of sub judice, particularly in relation to the ongoing treason case before the court.”

Onanuga noted the prosecution had already concluded its case and that it was now the duty of Kanu’s legal team to focus on presenting a strong defence rather than engaging in public demonstrations.