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Only Wike-led PDP is recognised – Kelechi Anosike

Published

1 month ago

June 26, 2026

Preport

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has insisted that only the Wike-led faction of the PDP is recognised by law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing the existence of any other faction of the party.

Anosike, while declaring his support for the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, argued that the other factions are not recognised by INEC and that it would be a waste of time to run under any of them.

“There are not two PDPs. We have only one PDP, and it is the one recognised by INEC, with Nyesom Wike as our national leader. The others have moved to different parties,” he said.

He also claimed that, in Abia State, he remains the only candidate of the party and that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and four other political parties have aligned with the PDP in a bid to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking on the performance of Governor Alex Otti, Anosike said the administration had failed to adequately cater to the needs of young people in the state. He claimed that many Abia residents, particularly youths, had abandoned the Labour Party and were now supporting the PDP ahead of the next election.

“The Abia State government has neglected the people, especially the youths. There is no meaningful programme targeted at them. About 75 per cent of the youths are with us, and more are joining every day.

“They have adopted our party. Nigerians will see endorsements from these parties and understand that we are serious,” he added.

Responding to claims that he is being sponsored by influential political figures, the PDP candidate dismissed the allegations, insisting that his ambition is driven solely by divine direction.

“Nobody sent me. It is the Almighty God who sent me and is driving this process,” Anosike said.

He also denied reports linking his candidacy to former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Anosike cautioned the Otti-led administration against what he described as the intimidation of opposition voices, urging the governor to be open to criticism and public scrutiny.

“If you have nothing to hide, there is no reason to clamp down on people expressing their opinions. If you believe you have performed well, present your achievements and defend them.

“During debates, we will ask critical questions and expect answers. Arresting people for speaking their minds only raises suspicions,” he said.

The PDP candidate further accused Governor Otti of focusing mainly on road construction while neglecting other critical sectors of the economy.

According to Anosike, infrastructure development alone is insufficient to improve citizens’ welfare, arguing that the state government has failed to address growing poverty and economic hardship.

He also claimed that the Otti administration has benefited from increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Previous administrations received as little as N3 billion monthly, whereas the current government receives as much as N30 billion.

“With such resources, road construction alone should not be celebrated as an extraordinary achievement,” he said.

News

No agreement between me, Ortom, Akume to work for Atiku – Benue PDP’s Aondoakaa

Published

49 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

Preport

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, has said there is no agreement between him, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume; and former governor Samuel Ortom to work for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in 2027.

Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General of the Federation was reacting to claims that he had an understanding to support Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2027.

A group known as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria, ICTN, had claimed that the former Minister of Justice, Ortom, and the SGF had a pact to work for Atiku in 2027.

Responding, Aondoakaa described the ICTN as a faceless group, stressing that “there was no such meeting, agreement, negotiation or political arrangement involving himself and the other leaders as alleged.”

Aondoakaa said, “The report is built entirely on unverified allegations, the attempt to portray him as a political bridge between Chief Ortom, Senator Akume and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not only false but devoid of any factual foundation.

“Those making the allegation have failed to provide a single piece of evidence showing where such an arrangement was discussed, when it was reached or what role he supposedly played in it.

“The attempt to drag the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, into the concoction also does nothing to make the story more credible. Mentioning prominent names cannot transform fiction into fact.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no meeting or arrangement involving Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator George Akume to work for the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. No such arrangement exists.”

News

NFF Presidential Aspirant Segun Solanke Warns: ‘Cameroon Will Come All Out Against Super Falcons On Sunday’

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2026

Preport

An aspirant for the seat of president in Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Segun Solanke has warned the country’s female national team, Super Falcons that The Lionesses of Cameroon will come all out against them during Sunday’s clash in Casablanca, Morocco.

Solanke, who is the chief executive officer of Olumo United FC of Abeokuta and Provazios Sports Academy, stated this while speaking on ‘Hot Seat’ segment of Sports247’s television programme, Inside Naija Sports, during which he warned that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) quarter-finals clash between both sides will not be an easy tie.

Solanke reasoned further that the Cameronians are encouraged to seek victory against the Falcons with the way debuting Malawi defeated the 10-time champions in their opening match of the ongoing competition in Morocco.

However, while stating that the encounter will be close to call, Solanke went on to predict that the Falcons will eventually come out victorious, because he believes they have the right quality of players, experience and determination to win.

“Cameroon will want to come at them because they have seen what Malawi did. They will feel that they can do better than what Malawi has done.

“It will be close, but I know our girls are very capable. All they need to do is just believe in themselves, and I’m sure they’ll be able to win the game and move to the next stage,” Solanke asserted.

He went on to infer that the Falcons lost their first match of the championship due to lack of proper and adequate preparations outlined for them by the NFF, something that he promised will not occur once he takes over as president of the nation’s football governing body.

“One of the steps we need to take is making sure we get our teams ready on time. It’s all about planning. There shouldn’t be any reason for poor preparations.

“We shouldn’t have a situation when we want to go for any competition, then we just quickly rush our players to camp, then we tell them to go and win.

“That shouldn’t be happening. So, by the time we get there, we will make sure that every programme is properly planned and adequate preparations are put in place for everything.

“We will make sure that we already have every competition we are going to go for put on the table and we will plan towards it. We must plan ahead, and we don’t have to rush into anything. It’s all about proper planning and starting at the right time,” Solanke asserted.

He outlined more parts of his manifesto ahead of next month’s NFF election, as he spoke further during the Sports247 television programme that airs weekly on NTA NEWS24 and can be accessed continuously on YouTube.