PDP DISSOLVES BAYELSA AND EDO EXCOS OVER CRISIS, APPOINTS NEW CARETAKER COMMITTEES
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged into deeper internal turmoil in the Southsouth as the party’s Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) on Tuesday April 22nd announced the dramatic dissolution of its Bayelsa State Working Committee (SWC), led by Solomon Agwanana, and replaced it with a caretaker committee chaired by the Southsouth Zonal Secretary, George Turnah. This sweeping action was revealed in a statement signed by Zonal Publicity Secretary, Prince Etim Isong, following a high-stakes ZWC meeting held at the PDP Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The move, according to Isong, was triggered by what the zonal leadership termed “gross misconduct” and the failed management of festering internal crises that have rocked the PDP in Bayelsa. In a similar vein, the PDP’s caretaker committee in Edo State, earlier chaired by Tony Aziegbemi, was also dissolved and replaced with a new interim leadership under Nosa Ogieva.
Isong said the dual shake-up was aimed at salvaging the party’s image and enforcing constitutional discipline after a detailed review of the party’s dismal performance, especially referencing the PDP’s “woeful outing” in Edo’s last governorship election. He cited sections of the 2017 amended PDP Constitution—Articles 10, 26, 27, 58, and 59—as the legal framework backing the ZWC’s drastic decision.
The Bayelsa caretaker committee includes Tony Gabriel as Deputy Chairman, Ebilade Ekerefe as Secretary, and Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa as Vice-Chairman for Central. Others appointed are Andy Majors (Vice-Chairman East), Evelyn Bolouebi Odi (Vice-Chairman West), and Biobelemoye Ogoniwari (Treasurer).
In Edo, Chief Sunny Okomayin assumes the Deputy Chairmanship, Hilary Otsu becomes Secretary, and Nose Iseleomon is Vice-Chairman South. Ehisota Oriakhi, Richard Ehimigbai, and Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye complete the team as Vice-Chairmen for Central and North, and Treasurer, respectively.
Isong expressed confidence that the ZWC’s intervention would reinvigorate party structures and reestablish discipline, particularly ahead of future electoral contests.
LAGOS APC ANNOUNCES NOMINATION FEES, CONDITIONS FOR JULY COUNCIL POLLS
As preparations intensify for the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday unveiled its nomination and administrative fee structure for aspirants, drawing both anticipation and criticism over its financial barriers and inclusivity guidelines.
According to the party’s official election guidelines, co-signed by State Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and Secretary Dr. Adeola Jokomba, male chairmanship aspirants will pay a total of N5.5 million—N5 million for the nomination form and N500,000 as an administrative fee. Female aspirants will receive a concession, paying N3 million in total, with the nomination fee slashed to N2.5 million.
Further youth-focused incentives were introduced. Aspirants under the age of 40 are entitled to a 50% discount on nomination fees but will still pay the full administrative fee. Persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) will not pay any nomination fee and will only be charged N250,000 for administrative purposes for chairmanship races. For councillorship positions, male aspirants will pay N1.1 million in total, while female aspirants will pay just N350,000. PLWDs pay only N50,000 in administrative fees for councillorship bids.
To be eligible, aspirants must be Nigerian citizens, possess at least a secondary school certificate or its equivalent, and provide evidence of active party membership and loyalty. The party also emphasized that all aspirants must secure sponsorship from a minimum number of registered party members within their ward or local council.
Importantly, any party officeholder intending to contest must resign at least 30 days before the primaries. Aspirants must sign a party code of conduct and undergo clearance by a screening committee before being deemed eligible
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