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“PDP Has Been Retrenched From the Southeast”, Stakeholders Tell Enugu Governor

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After 24 years of dominating Southeastern politics since the restoration of democratic rule in the country in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been retrenched from the zone because of its poor record and poor treatment of leaders from the area, according to the Enugu State Stakeholders Forum (ESSF).


The party no longer controls Anambra, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states.


The Enugu stakeholders in a statement today in Enugu signed by its leader, Professor Joseph Aneke, and countersigned by their secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Agbo , noted that “Enugu as the capital of the Southeast cannot afford to be in an odd position in the zone”.

The stakeholders accused the PDP of pretending to be in charge of the executive arm of the state, saying the pretension would end the moment the Governorship and House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal delivers judgment on the authentic result of the gubernatorial vote.

“The performance of PDP’s various administrations in Enugu State, for instance, except that of Sullivan Chime, has been anything but inspiring”, the stakeholders said.

The forum claimed that the Southeastern people never forgot how the party treated Nigeria’s first Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, whose learning and personal integrity as well as unimpeachable leadership attributes gave the PDP its original reputation of a national movement that enabled it to win the historic 1998/9 general election by a wide margin.

“On two occasions”, it recalled, “Dr. Ekwueme sought the party’s presidential ticket and on two occasions it was denied him simply because he came from the wrong part of the nation.

“Still, the people continued to give the PDP the benefit of the doubt until the 2023 general elections when the party was routed because the people had become fed up”.

It explained: “The people voted overwhelmingly for change in the election by siding unabashedly with the Labour Party (LP) and its candidates”.

“The Labour Party won 88.7% of the presidential vote, two of the three senatorial seats, seven of the eight House of Representatives seats, and 14 of the 24 House of Assembly seats”.

The Enugu stakeholders described the result of the governorship election declared by INEC as “a pure electoral heist which cannot be defended or rationalised”.

Noting that the claim that PDP’s Peter Mbah won over 16,000 votes in his home Nkanu East Local Government Area composed of mostly villages and small towns “is ludicrous”, the forum said that the “figure is amusing to even the INEC national headquarters which announced at a press conference on March 22 in Enugu that it had slashed the number of votes allocated to Mbah to a little over 15,000, though enough to give the PDP a spurious victory”.

Concluded the stakeholders: “The truth is that the PDP has been retrenched from Enugu State and the rest of the Southeast, and it cannot come back”.

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Sanwo-Olu prepares the way for Tinubu’s official visit to Lagos state

President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several key projects executed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, designed to ease traffic congestion across the metropolis.

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President Bola Tinubu will officially visit Lagos state on April 8 and 9, during which he will commission several completed projects by the administration of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said during a press briefing outlining activities for the President’s visit.

Omotoso said that Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub and that the projects slated for commissioning reflect the administration’s investments in transportation, infrastructure, education, and public sector development.
According to him, President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several key projects executed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, designed to ease traffic congestion across the metropolis.

Other projects include the Lagos State Geographic Information Service building, a multi-agency complex named after the President, a newly completed school complex, and the Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub in Abijo, Ibeju-Lekki.

He added that the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle comprises 36 public schools—31 secondary and five primary schools—situated on 11.73 hectares of land in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Omotoso said the redevelopment of the complex demonstrates the government’s people-oriented approach, noting that it serves about 20,000 pupils.

” These projects have been carefully conceived and executed to address the needs of our growing population, ease mobility, stimulate economic activity, and enhance social welfare,” he said.

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Jega loses wife, Hajiya Hadiza

Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.

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The Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has lost his wife, Hajiya Hadiza Jega.

Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the janazah (Islamic funeral rites) yesterday at the National Mosque in Abuja, conveyed the President’s heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

President Tinubu described the late Hajiya Hadiza as a woman of uncommon grace and strength, noting that she played a pivotal role as a steady support system to her husband throughout his years of public service, including his tenure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the President also applauded her contributions to education and community development, highlighting her quiet but impactful influence in advancing social causes.

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Atiku hires US lobbying firm for $1.2m to boost image – Report

One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.

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Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has hired a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to strengthen his reputational standing in the United States.

The PUNCH reported that the details of the deal are contained in documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, which show that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on behalf of the former vice president.

According to the filing sighted on the Department of Justice ’s website on Sunday, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku within U.S. policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.

One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.

Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate meetings between the former vice-president and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress, as well as provide advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy.

“These activities include lobbying and government affairs engagement with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch officials concerning issues related to democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African region,” part of the contract reads.

The firm will also undertake “promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. policymakers and relevant stakeholders” of Atiku’s positions.

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