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Damagum: Continuous postponement of NEC meeting unsettles PDP stakeholders

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The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no signs of abating, as efforts to replace Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum remain mired in setbacks, primarily due to repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

For the umpteenth time, the party deferred its much-anticipated NEC meeting scheduled for Friday. The meeting was meant to address internal disputes and appoint a substantive National Chairman to complete the suspended Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure. This delay has frustrated party members, some of whom accuse the current leadership of intentionally stalling to prolong Damagum’s tenure.

A String of Postponements
At its 98th NEC meeting on April 18, the PDP resolved to address outstanding issues by August 15. However, that deadline was shifted to October 24, then further postponed to November 28. Party officials explained that the most recent delay was to prioritize unity ahead of the Ondo gubernatorial elections, where they hoped to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The postponements continued, with PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu announcing an indefinite delay on Friday, citing the funeral of Akwa Ibom State’s late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, as the reason. However, insiders and stakeholders see this as a deliberate ploy to allow Damagum to remain in office until the party’s next national convention.

Accusations and Divisions
The delay has sparked discontent within the party. Critics, including representatives from the North Central zone, argue that the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) is disregarding the PDP constitution by failing to replace him with someone from their region. Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan described the situation as a “disrespect for constitutional order” and urged the party to respect regional balance by appointing a North Central member to complete Ayu’s tenure.

Meanwhile, allegations of anti-party activities have further fueled tensions. PDP lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere accused Damagum and Anyanwu of secretly meeting with APC officials, claiming their actions signal an effort to collapse the PDP into the ruling party. He called for their immediate removal, warning of “irreparable doom” if the leadership crisis persists.

Governors’ Roles and 2027 Ambitions
The crisis has been exacerbated by conflicting ambitions among PDP governors, with some allegedly prioritizing their aspirations for the 2027 presidential and vice-presidential elections over the party’s immediate stability. A party chieftain, Austin Okai, criticized the governors for failing to act decisively, noting that many are playing “double standards.” He claimed that Damagum and other key NWC members are no longer functioning effectively, further eroding the party’s relevance.

Okai also alleged interference from the APC, accusing some PDP governors of aligning with the ruling party to destabilize opposition parties, including the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He urged the governors to “stop the politics for 2027 and fix the party first.”

Governors’ Forum Steps In
In an attempt to break the deadlock, the PDP Governors’ Forum issued a statement advising the NWC to convene the NEC by February 2025. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the Forum, stressed the need for urgent consultations and a timeline of activities to resolve the leadership crisis and pending litigations.

While the party remains embroiled in internal strife, its ability to position itself as a credible opposition to the APC continues to dwindle, raising questions about its future viability.

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BREAKING: Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC Chair

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President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.

At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.

“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.

Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.

During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.

“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.

He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”

Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.

Profile

Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013)  and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and has four children.

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Dangote denies owning truck that killed eight in Ondo accident

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Dangote Group has denied owning the truck that crushed a pregnant woman, a child, and six others to death in an accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The company issued the clarification in a statement on its X account on Wednesday.

The statement followed reports that a cement-laden truck suffered brake failure and rammed into traders and other road users.

Reacting, Dangote Group said the truck involved in the tragic incident does not belong to the group or any of its subsidiaries.

It added that vehicle registration records confirm the truck is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.

“Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries.

“Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group,” the statement reads.

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VIDEO: Sowore Arrested at Federal High Court Premises, Abuja, After Meeting Nnamdi Kanu.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.

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Police operatives have arrested former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Sowore was forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, 2025, shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, who has been leading campaigns for Kanu’s release, was confronted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the officers surrounded him moments after he exited the courtroom, refusing to disclose specific details about his alleged offence.

When questioned by onlookers, one of the policemen stated that they were acting on the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear.

https://www.facebook.com/punchnewspaper/videos/%F0%9D%90%95%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%8E-%F0%9D%90%8F%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%A5%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%9C%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AC%F0%9D%90%AD-%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%B0%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A7-%F0%9D%90%9C%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%AD/1310221830312344

Credit: Punch

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