Ahead of the 2027 general election, National Secretary of the People ok es Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu has boasted that the party hD put in place a strong structure, through it’s ‘Rainbow Coalition’ to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state

Anyanwu while reacting to remarks by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who warned APC members against working with political coalitions outside the party, said the Imo state APC has become jittery, adding that the new alignment in the state PDP has posed a major threat to the ruling party 

Senator Anyanwu, PDP frontline aspirant for the 2027 governorship election in the state, said in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, that the alignment between the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition as the only way to end the APC’s control of Imo State.

He accused APC leaders of being afraid of the emerging opposition alliance because, according to him, they were concerned about losing their ability to manipulate elections

The PDP chieftain also criticised the Uzodimma administration over what he described as its failure to address the state’s infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic challenges.

He said the government should have repaired rural roads, equipped hospitals with modern technology, improved the economy and raised educational standards.

He accused the administration of making empty promises and worsening residents’ hardship instead of apologising for its alleged shortcomings.

“Imo people are weary of the 3R government and their tricks,” he said.

“It is embarrassing that instead of the administration in the state to apologize to Imo people for failing abysmally, the administration is busy insulting and provoking Imo people, making empty promises and creating unnecessary hunger.”

Anyanwu urged the APC-led government to acknowledge what he described as residents’ desire for an alternative through the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition.

By Tony Chuddy 

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), restores the candidacy of former Communication and Digital Economy Minister, Mohamed Ali Pantami in the 2027 governorship election in Gombe state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, announced the expulsion of a former governorship aspirant, and  chieftains in the state, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry, over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

The party in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the decision followed the findings of its Disciplinary Committee and consideration by relevant party organs in accordance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution, as amended in 2017.

The PDP said the affected members were found guilty of conduct inconsistent with the party’s constitution, including anti-party activities, gross misconduct and actions capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

Citing Sections 58(1)(a), (b), (h) and (j) of its constitution, which prescribe offences and disciplinary measures against erring members, the statement added that the disciplinary process complied with the principles of fair hearing under Section 57(6) of the party constitution and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The party said their expulsion was effected under Section 59(1)(j), stressing that both men had ceased to be members and would no longer enjoy any rights, privileges or affiliation with the PDP at any level.

Reaffirming the supremacy of its constitution, the party warned that no member, irrespective of status, was above its rules and disciplinary framework, urging members to remain loyal, disciplined and committed to strengthening the party.

**”As govt seals off Sokoto ADC campaign headquarters 

By Tony Chuddy 

Barely 24 hours after the Sokoto state government sealed off the opposition Africa Democraric Congress (ADC) campaign office in the state, ahead of it’s planned presidential campaign flag off, presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed that the opposition party will not succumb to intimidation and must kickoff it’s campaign in Sokoto state on Wednesday as planned.

Atiku said during a press conference at his residence in Abuja,  that despite the alleged intimidation and frustration, his rally would hold in Sokoto as scheduled, adding that he would personally be in Sokoto to lead the campaign rally

The former vice president said, “What is unfolding in Sokoto is not ordinary political competition. It is a calculated campaign to frustrate the African Democratic Congress, obstruct our campaign and deny Nigerians the freedom to choose

“Public facilities that should be available to every political party for legitimate campaign activities have been blocked. Logistical support has been withheld. These are not harmless administrative delays. They are deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field.

“More disturbing still, the information available to us is that the leadership of the Department of State Services is recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto. The objective is to create disorder, give the APC-controlled state government a pretext to impose a curfew and prevent our campaign kickoff from holding as scheduled.

“We know where some of these protesters are assembled: an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road. Trucks are stationed there and dispatched to key points, including the roundabout. These mobilised protesters are causing gridlock. Commuters are being threatened and, in some cases, beaten. Some of the protesters have moved away from the roundabout to find shade.

“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform. Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis. I call on every officer involved to stop immediately and return to the constitutional duty of impartial service.

“For three and a half years, the Tinubu administration has devoted too much energy to weakening credible opposition and too little to solving the problems facing Nigerians. It has pursued a politics of absorption and intimidation, while drawing former opposition figures into the APC and narrowing the space for political competition. The aim is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name.

“The government is afraid of the people’s verdict. It has unleashed a crushing cost-of-living crisis and now appears determined to frustrate Nigerians’ democratic right to choose a different path. Food, transport, fuel, electricity and other essentials have become unaffordable for millions. Families are struggling to feed their children, pay school fees and keep their businesses alive. That is the record this government should be defending before the people, instead of trying to stop a rally.

“The APC has still not recovered from the abysmal failure of its last rally in Kaduna. It should have taken that as a warning that Nigerians are withdrawing their confidence. We will not be intimidated into silence or irrelevance. Our campaign will proceed, and I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state.

“I call on the people of Sokoto to remain calm and peaceful. Do not allow anyone to provoke you or turn a political gathering into a security crisis. I also urge the security agencies to protect commuters, residents and rally participants without favour. The authorities must ensure that our rally can hold peacefully and without interference.

“To the voters of Nigeria, remain resolute. Stand your ground. Democratic freedom is not a gift from any government. It is your right. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you or checkmate your will.

“The ADC will stand with officers who refuse to be used against democracy and who remain faithful to the Constitution. Those who choose to betray their duty and collude in the suppression of political freedom will be held accountable under the law.

“Nigeria belongs to its people, not to any party or temporary occupant of power. We will defend that truth and the people’s right to choose,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto government said it has sealed one of the campaign offices of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, saying the building belongs to Savannah Bank.

This was announced by the state commissioner for Land and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, who he led some government officials to the premises on Monday 

“The purpose is simply to inform the general public that there is a government in town and that it has to be respected

“Last week, there was some misunderstanding between some party supporters and others, and there was a report that some miscreants came here and disrupted the activities of another party.”

He said the clash prompted the government to review the certificate of occupancy and other relevant documents relating to the building, which showed that Savannah Bank owns the property.

“As of today, the records have not changed. On that basis, we have written to the NDIC, which is the custodian of this building, to establish who currently has custody of it,” he said.

“We are yet to receive a reply and are waiting for further direction from them.

“In the meantime, to preserve and protect lives, maintain order and safeguard property, this place is hereby sealed until further notice and pending a response from the NDIC.” 

He urged anyone claiming ownership of the property to present the necessary documents for verification.

“For now, this property is under the control of the Sokoto state government, and that stands,” Dantsoho said.

He warned that anyone who attempts to gain access to the premises without authorisation would face appropriate action, including prosecution.