Politics
2027: ADC opens to merger, signs MoU with groups

In a bid to become a strong political party in Nigeria ahead of 2027 general election, the African Democratic Congress, ADC has put in place modality to restructure and accommodate other political parties and groups that may want to merge with it.

This was disclosed on Friday, Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with three groups namely, Coalition for The Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), Justice Group and Farmers Club of Africa, stating that the party has set machinery towards holding congresses leading to national convention.

He expressed the hope that over 20 million Nigerians who are willing will join the party, adding that the ADC was also in touch with other political parties as they prepare to conduct national convention and congresses within the next few months.
Nwosu stated that the signing of the MoU was an effort towards building a viable, resilient, people-centered political party that will stand the test of time.
He said: “Our work in this regard is only continuing, but this time with renewed vigor.
“Collectively, we are going to move around to bring all patriotic progressive groups, members of civil societies, and political parties into one democratic redemption accord to leverage our country, Nigeria, and Africa.”
The ADC National Chairman called for open-minded, adding that “the collaborations, coalitions, and merger conversations must resolve this burning issue and great burden.
“We should see what we have come here to do as not just building a party organisation to take over power, as we have seen that such power-grabbing has led our country nowhere.
“Nigeria is fast becoming a desert as far as investment is concerned and a dungeon in terms of criminal activity and corruption.”
The National Chairman called on the parties in the MoU to commit themselves to the essential disciplines that promote harmony, development, innovation, and creativity in leadership.
“We must also commit ourselves to building selflessly for God and humanity so that our nation will arise, shine, and regain its lost glory and influence in Africa and the global space.
“We shall, therefore, aggregate ourselves into critical committees to move around Nigeria and work hard to build a grand coalition of the finest of our people—Nigerians who are desirous of the change we advocate.
“Our goal is to build a self-sustaining party with over 20 million members willing to pay their monthly membership dues of N500 and whose interests are not about self but Nigeria.
“This will be a continuous exercise until we have accommodated all other groups.
COPDEM National chairman Prince Rwang Pam, explained that the association is a political advocacy group with membership is 36 states of the country and Abuja.
Pam assured that his group will mobilise its members and Nigeria towards building a formidable ADC that will take over power in 2027.

Politics
Bauchi governor, Bala carpets APC, says party failed woefully

The executive governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has carpeted the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that the party has failed woefully in governance.

He accused the President Tinubu administration of running lives by creating economic woes which left Nigerians struggling amid his many failures to fulfill promises.

The governor stated this during the inauguration of the newly elected North East executive of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday in Bauchi, advising the party leaders to change tactics ahead of 2027 general election so that PDP can clinch power.
He emphasized the need for the PDP to reclaim power and restore the hopes of Nigerians, stating, “The APC has failed to deliver on its promises; instead, it created more hardship for Nigerians and deepened poverty.
“It is time for a change, and the PDP is poised to reclaim the hopes and dreams of the Nigerian people.”
“The governor charged the newly inaugurated executives with the responsibility of revitalizing the party in the region, reminding them of their critical role in driving change.”
According to him, the upcoming general election is not just a contest for political power but a decisive moment for the country’s future, affecting the welfare of children, national security, and overall prosperity.
While pledging his continued support to the party, Mohammed urged PDP leaders to lead with “integrity, compassion, and dedication to the people,” ensuring they drive meaningful change.

Politics
INEC under Prof. Yakubu is for sale, willing politician can buy Police, Army to win elections – Ex-Imo Governor

The ex-governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa said the Independent National Electoral Commission under the current Chairmanship of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is for sale and any highest bidder could buy the Commission with the right amount of Money to win elections in Nigeria.

The politician said, the country has found itself where rich politicians can buy the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, the police, and the army to win elections.

He stated this while featuring on Edmund Obilo’s State Affairs show, a political podcast, pondering that citizens no longer interrogate character, antecedents and backgrounds of politicians seeking for their votes.
“Unfortunately, our society has grown to such a level where if you say vote for me, I am no longer asking what you can do? What are your antecedents? What type of character do you have? We don’t ask such questions again. And, of course, even if I don’t vote for you, you can buy your way through if you have the right amount of money,” Udenwa said.
When asked if politicians could buy the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the army, and the voters, he replied, “You can buy everybody.”
Udenwa declared that elections in Nigeria are buying, stressing that the practice must be curbed for the correct leaders to emerge.
Commenting on crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he said, the ruling All Progressives Congress was behind the endless crisis in order to weaken opposition.
Achike Udenwa is a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, blamed the crisis on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite acknowledging the PDP’s internal problems, the ex-governor maintained that external hands contributed to the party’s crisis.
“There are external hands trying to destroy the PDP through internal sources. We are still battling the problem, and I believe PDP will not be destroyed.”
Udenwa said the PDP is aware that the ruling party is involved in its lingering crisis; however, he refused to mention the names of people the APC uses to unsettle the opposition party.

Politics
APC constitution review will accommodate wider participation of members – Buni

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to review the party constitution to accommodate the interests of its growing members across the country.

This comes as the APC, at its 13th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, constituted a 7-man ‘Constitution Review Committee’ to improve upon the constitution drafted by its founding fathers over 10 years ago.

The members of the committee are: Hon. Mai Mala Buni – Chairman, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele – South West, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba – South South, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari – North West, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum – North East, among others. The committee is required to come up with a workable document and submit its recommendations to the party’s NEC for adoption.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of the Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, stressed that the idea is geared towards promoting inclusivity and greater participation of party members across the country.
Buni, who noted that the concerns of the party and its members are key to achieving great success, emphasized that areas of the constitution that require adjustments will be fixed to fit into current realities.
“The 13th National Executive Committee (NEC), in its wisdom, appointed us as members of the party to look at certain parts of the constitution with a view to expanding it. We are to expand and look at many critical areas that we will improve upon. And of course, certain areas that will benefit members of the party and ensure wider participation.
“As you are aware, there is nothing like static perfection. Development is about continuous improvement, and of course, laws are made for men, men are not made for laws. Laws can always be adjusted to accommodate the interests of the party and its members.
“A party like the APC, the biggest party in Africa today, has so many leaders. I want to assure you, the committee will deliver. The party is growing, and we have to do many things to accommodate more people. You know, a political party is where you have a lot of competing and conflicting interests. The President, in his wisdom, has seen to all these things, and of course, there has been a clamour for many changes. With that, I am sure we are going to address some of these clamours.
“The caliber of the members of the committee are seasoned and committed party members who are willing to contribute to the development of the party,” he said.
Gov. Buni, however, assured that the committee would make consultations with the founding fathers to produce an improved version of the constitution that will be beneficial to the party and its members. He said, “Those who drafted the constitution of the party, we are consulting them because we know it takes wisdom to produce a party constitution. We cannot discard their wisdom and create something different. We will consult them.
“It is all about inclusivity. We are going to work on that, and by the grace of God, we are sure God will guide us and see us through to deliver the work as expected of us.”
Speaking on whether the schedule of the committee will further cement the party for the 2027 general elections, the Yobe governor said, “The party is initially structured into six geopolitical zones. Each geopolitical zone is headed by a committee, and I happen to be the one in charge of the North East. This new committee is to strengthen and further widen the scope of operations and for proper inclusion. It is all about inclusivity.
“We don’t want to exclude people; we want to include people. That means we want to have a document that will strengthen the party and prepare it for the 2027 election.
“Political parties don’t have a stopgap where you say, ‘You stop here, and then you continue at the end.’ No. It is all about end-to-end, open-ended things. You start from 2023 to 2027; it’s all about preparation. While the President is working and delivering to the nation, it is in preparation for 2027.
“There is no specific time for certain things; it is all about being in government. You are the one expected to be delivering. So, it is part of the delivery. We are delivering it, and it is part of it. We are strengthening the party. You can’t strengthen the party by being static. That is the point I am driving at. We can’t be static and expect to be delivering; you keep improving, and that’s what we are trying to do.”

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