When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convened its long-awaited 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja a couple of weeks ago, casual observers might have dismissed it as just another routine gathering.

But for veterans of Nigeria’s political terrain, this was no ordinary assembly. It was a statement of survival, a fragile rebirth for a party once dismissed as politically extinct.

Unlike the previous NEC sessions that collapsed into chaos, rancour and dramatic walkouts, the 102nd NEC meeting held firm.

For a political organisation battered by post-2023 recriminations, sabotage and bitter internal feuds, the very fact that the NEC convened and ended in one piece was extraordinary.

In Nigerian politics, where the optics could be as decisive as the outcomes, that survival was itself a victory. The PDP has always lived dangerously, walking the thin line between collapse and resurgence. Its history is fraught with crises that would have killed lesser parties.

In 2006, the “Third Term” saga nearly tore it apart. In 2014, the dramatic walkout of governors at the Eagle Square convention gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC). After the 2019 elections, leadership feuds once again paralysed its national secretariat.

The 2023 elections represented another low. The G-5 rebellion led by Nyesom Wike openly defied the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The PDP lost not only at the federal level but also its claim to being Africa’s largest political party. Many analysts wrote its obituary.

Yet, the 102nd NEC showed that, true to form, the PDP retains a survival instinct. Each cycle of crisis has forced a reinvention. The party’s resilience lies not in the absence of fractures, but in its ability to patch them together enough to remain relevant.

The path to the 102nd NEC 2025 was strewn with landmines, explosive issues that could have sunk the party if mishandled. Three things stood out. The National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, became the lightning rod of factional anger.

A determined push to unseat him threatened a constitutional crisis, one that could have crippled the party’s organisational framework. Saraki’s committee diffused this by insisting on compromise, revalidating Anyanwu’s mandate, and avoiding a destabilising legal showdown.

Former Rivers governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, loomed over the PDP like a storm cloud. His defiance in 2023 was still raw. His sympathisers within the PDP remained influential and outright confrontation risked another split.

Saraki’s strategy was containment, not confrontation, keeping Wike’s bloc engaged without letting it dominate until the amiability leading to the NEC.

Perhaps the most critical fault line was between PDP governors and the National Working Committee (NWC). Without their cooperation, no opposition party could stand.

Saraki recognised that APC’s strength in 2023 was rooted in the unity of its governors behind Bola Tinubu. He worked to rebuild consensus between PDP governors and the NWC, a task that paid off at the 102nd NEC when both camps spoke with rare unison.

The meeting did not just avoid implosion; it produced outcomes that could shape PDP’s future. Both the National Chairman and Secretary were affirmed in their positions, silencing rumours of imminent removal and ending months of uncertainty.

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has called on political actors in the state to sheathe their swords, saying the progress and prosperity of  Rivers  State must be placed above personal or partisan interest.

This is as Ibas said his administration has planted the seed for reconciliation, but said it’s the people who nurture it to take root.

He urged all stakeholders, including leaders,  elders,  politicians, and citizens, to put the  State first at all times.

Ibas spoke during an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of Transitional activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Notable politicians in Rivers State, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike were absent at the event.

Aside from the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, many monarchs in the state were visibly absent at Thanksgiving.

However, Permanent Secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of boards, agencies, parastatals, and service commanders in the state graced the occasion with their presence.

Ibas said last week that he has ‘successfully achieved’ the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.

Recall that he was appointed Administrator of the State on March 18th  for an initial period of six months, by the President who declared a State of Emergency in Rivers following rising political tensions and the attack on oil pipelines in the state by suspected militants.

Tinubu also suspended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly for the period, which will elapse on September 18th.

In his address at the event, the Administrator stated, Six months ago, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, declared a state of emergency in River State.

At that moment, our beloved state stood at a crossroad, torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust.

By God’s grace and with the support of Mr. President and all of you, we have worked through those difficult days together.

“Today, as a people, we return thanks to God for preserving our lives, granting us peace, and allowing the successful conduct of the local government council elections across the state and thus laying the foundation for the return of democratic governance in Rivers State,” he said.

Quoting some Bible passages he said thanksgiving is a solemn testimony of God’s faithfulness to the State, saying, “We have survived storms Political, social, economic, and through it all, God has been faithful.”

Ibas continued, “The seeds of reconciliation have been planted. These seeds need your deliberate nurture to take root.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

“The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

“We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms

The Director-General of the All Progressives Grand Alliance campaign organisation, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, has said that the party and its candidates remained focused on the future of Anambra as the campaigns for the November 8, 2025, governorship election in the state gather momentum.

As the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship election draws closer, political campaigns have intensified, with candidates and their supporters trading words over credibility and competence.

APGA, which currently holds power in the state, has the governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, as the governorship candidate and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, as his running mate.

In a statement issued on Friday, Chukwulobelu, who is also the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, said the issue of who has the basic qualifications to govern Anambra has remained a legitimate issue in the electioneering process, both now and in the future, adding that Anambra is far too sophisticated to be governed by semi-illiterates and/or people of easy virtues.

The statement read in part, “The 2025 Anambra governorship election is on November 8, and various political parties/candidates are exercising their constitutional rights to campaign for the office. Frustrated by the general opinion polls that the Soludo-Ibezim ticket is the consensus of Ndi Anambra for the election, some candidates are beginning to show desperation with the intent to distract or destroy.

“We are working hard to earn every vote based upon the value that we have created and will still create for the people. But the issue of who has the basic qualifications to govern Anambra will remain a legitimate issue in the campaign — both now and in the future! Anambra is far too sophisticated to be governed by semi-illiterates and/or people of easy virtues.

“The recent tantrums and despicable obscenities by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Uche Ekwunife, are one example. Our response is that we will remain razor-focused on the issues about the future of Anambra, and no number of fabricated obscenities can distract us. We will not take the bait to get into the gutter with them. And we will not dignify them either!

The Senate has reiterated its call on Journalists to always educate Nigerians on the content of its Standing Orders to avoid misconceptions about actions taken against any erring senator during plenary sessions.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at one day capacity – building workshop for members of the Senate Press Corps, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator YemiAdaramodu, APC, Ekiti South Stressed that one of the rules Nigerians need to be educated on is section 6( 1) of the Senate standing rules which empowers the President of the Senate to allocate and re – allocate seats to Senators at any time necessary.

Adaramodu who was referring to the genesis of the crisis between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central and the Senate in February this year, said that the refusal of any Senator to obey the rules , will always lead to avoidable crises.

He said : ” Journalists like lawmakers, are supposed to have the knowledge of the standard rules together so that when somebody fails to observe the rules either in the Senate or House of Representatives , you let the public know in your reports .

” If you are supposed to sit on seat number 10 and you go and sit on seat number 13 , you will not be recognized by the president and if the affected person insists that he or she must be recognized , ‘ katakata’ will surely come up .

” Also, seats allocated to Senators are not permanent , the reason why the President of the Senate as mandated by provisions of rule 6(1) , can re- allocate seats of Senators .

“The National Assembly is not a banana republic where there are no laws . Our laws must be obeyed by us and understood by Nigerians who are to be educated on them by those of you covering the theSenate .

” In fact , parliamentary reporters like those of you covering the Senate , are expected to be educated and knowledgeable like lawmakers themselves and even more knowledgeable.”

Activist Aisha Yesufu has said that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is motivated by personal grievances against President Bola Tinubu.

Yesufu, in a post on X yesterday, explained that El-Rufai’s decision to align with opposition voices was not about joining Peter Obi or herself, but about seeking revenge after being sidelined by his political allies.

“El-Rufai came because he has been hurt by his team mates and he needs revenge. It’s personal to him and he wants by all means for Tinubu to be removed, which is a goal that currently unites us,” she said.

The activist stressed that her focus remained on ensuring Nigeria has rule of law, citing the unresolved disappearance of AbubakarIdris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

She added that different roles exist within a movement, describing some as hardliners and others as bridge-builders, while calling for patience in the quest for justice and accountability in governance.

“People have paid for genocidal acts even after decades. It can happen in Nigeria too. Let’s get a nation with good governance and rule of law,” Yesufu said.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member House of Assembly will return to office on September 18.

Indications that the suspended governor, his deputy, as well as the state lawmakers will return to office were rife last week after a closed-door meeting between the President and the Sole Administrator in the Presidential Villa, where Ibas was given a matching order to submit a comprehensive handover note of his six-month emergency rule before his 10-day vacation ends.

President Bola Tinubu, had, on March 18, proclaimed an emergency rule in Rivers and suspended the state governor, his deputy and the Assembly for six months to douse the political tension between the governor and the former governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The action of the President was aimed at addressing escalating political and security challenges in the oil-rich region, following the increasing tensions between Fubara and various political factions, including former allies like Wike.

According to the president in the broadcast, wherein he declared the emergency rule in Rivers, “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy”.

The President then appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as the Sole Administrator to run the affairs of the state for the six months that Fubara and the lawmakers are suspended.

In the handover notes, the sources said, Ibas is expected to explain all the funds he inherited from Fubara, revenues accrued within the six months of the emergency rule and their respective sources “as well as expenditures during his stewardship and the various projects the funds were channeled into within the period under review, with clear specifications.”

The President may likely make a pronouncement to lift the emergency rule on September 18, a date that would make it exactly six months since the state of emergency was proclaimed.

Source said Fubara, as a condition for reinstatement, agreed not to seek re-election in 2027. “He is expected to serve out his current term and vacate office without rocking the boat,” the source stated.

Fubara was also said to have accepted Wike’s leadership and consented to allowing him to nominate candidates for all local government elections under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across the state. These nominees are to be elected without internal opposition in the election expected to take place before the end of October.

“On his return, the suspended governor will also pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, who were suspended from the state assembly. In exchange, the lawmakers will cooperate and work peacefully with the governor to enable him to complete his tenure,” a source said.

On February 28, the Supreme Court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced that.

“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case, the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is, there is no government in Rivers State.”

The apex court held in the said judgment that the 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected “are still valid members of the state House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”

The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which up till the day the emergency rule was declared, was not been facilitated.

Tinubu had said, while declaring the emergency rule, that, “With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.

“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th  March 2025 and I so do.

“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the President said.

Some leaders from Warri federal constituency yesterday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja.

The protesters argued that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, was not done in accordance with the recently concluded delineation.

They carried various placards with inscriptions such as ‘CVR today is a political fraud in Warri Federal Constituency,’ “Warri Federal Constituency, no ward, no units for CVR,” “INEC give us the final report,” among others.

The demonstrators also demanded the electoral umpire to immediately release the final report of the Supreme Court ordered delineation of electoral registration areas, wards, and polling units in the Warri federal constituency.

The reports said that they also carried a huge banner bearing the map of Ijaw and Itsekiri communities in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The demonstrators were demanding an immediate stoppage to the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, arguing that the exercise was not done in accordance with the recently concluded delineation.

They also demanded that the electoral umpire to immediately release the final report of the Supreme Court ordered delineation of electoral registration areas, wards, and polling units in the Warri federal constituency.

According to them, the release and implementation of these records will help them to participate in the ongoing voter registration process.

The National Assembly has formally declined Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume legislative duties.

Last week, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had notified the Senate of her intended return on September 4, 2025 the date she claimed marked the end of her six-month suspension.

Acknowledging Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter, the Senate stated that her six-month suspension remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case she instituted against the Senate.

In a letter signed by Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate clarified that her suspension took effect on March 6, 2025, and emphasized that the matter is still subjudice (under judicial consideration).

The Senate insisted that no administrative action could be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.

It would be recalled that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, following allegations of insubordination after she rejected a change of her designated seat during plenary.

The suspension, based on recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.

The lawmaker had argued that her ordeal was linked to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has begun mobilizing former members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Abbas, who joined the House in 2011 on the CPC platform, said the bloc remains united and ready to work for Tinubu’s re-election, describing their loyalty as “unconditional.”

His spokesperson, Abdullahi Musa Krishi, said the Speaker made the pledge during a meeting with President Tinubu and other ex-CPC leaders at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

“On behalf of all CPC members, I assure you of our unconditional support. More than 90 per cent of those who played active roles in CPC are represented here”, he said.

Abbas assured Tinubu that the group would not only stand with him but also set up a nationwide movement to mobilise grassroots support for his second term.

He explained that this was the first time in years that such a large number of former CPC members had gathered to openly show appreciation to Tinubu. According to him, more than 90 percent of CPC veterans were represented at the meeting.

To strengthen their efforts, Abbas announced the creation of a structure called Former CPC Members for Asiwaju at state, local government, ward, and polling unit levels to drive support from the ground up.

The Speaker also commended Tinubu for playing a key role in the political journey of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, the founder of CPC, and for honouring him after his death.

He further pointed out that CPC’s influence is visible in Tinubu’s government, with several former members now serving as governors, ministers, and lawmakers.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NyesomWike, yesterday said President Bola Tinubu is fulfilling his promises of developing the capital city and its satellite towns.

Wike declared that residents of the capital city can hold the current government and leaders accountable for their electoral promises.

The minister spoke during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of Karu road, from Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction, and other Karu township roads.

Wike said: “You have to hold us accountable when you have fulfilled part of your covenant by voting for people, ask them this question, you told that when we vote for you, this is what you are going to do for us, have you done it?

“And so Mr President made a promise that he was going to develop the city at the same time develop the satellite areas. I don’t know why they should include Karu as a satellite town, Karu is a city. The only problem that is being associated to satellite towns are the bad roads and now the roads will come up.

“Just as the Minister of State said, some few weeks ago, we were in Karu to flag off the provision of water to satellite towns for Karu, Orozo, Karishi area and which is being carried out by CGC.

“Remember that from Nyaya to Karishi, the express road used to be too bad but today we have been able to fix that road.”

The minister also urged the people of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, to support the current Chairman, Christopher ZakkaMaikalangu in the upcoming council election.

Wike informed AMAC residents that Maikalangu has access to the government that he can leverage on to bring developmental projects to the council.

He said: “That’s why I will always want you to support those that can go to the government and say look my area is bad and the government will listen to them. Do you know that there are some people you will elect and they can’t talk to the government, do you know that?

“There are people you elect that have the audience of government. And that is why the Chairman of AMAC, Maikalangu – he has always been on my neck – he has always told me ‘sir, even though you have done Nyaya to Karishi, it will be unfair as the Chairman of AMAC because this Karu road has been a concern to us, do me that favour to and see whether you can under emergency reconstruct and dualize this Karu road.’

Wike urged residents to support Maikalangu because he has been very supportive of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, hence “we will listen to him.”

“Because he’s been a young man who has been very supportive of this Renewed Hope Agenda, we felt it would be better to encourage him and listen to him, so we are here today.

“If I were you, continue to support him because it means that he has the people of Karu at heart, it means that he has the people of AMAC at heart and that is why we say in politics if you fall for me, I fall for you; if you do for me, I do for you; if you love me, I love you; if you hate me, I hate you; if you push me, I push you,” he added.