Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Monday, 23rd May 2022.
Read all the major political news, political event highlights, and happenings in Nigeria for today on a single page right here.
Presidential Ambition: Emefiele Withdraws Suit Against INEC, Malami
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has withdrawn the suit filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Independent National Electoral Commission over his presidential ambition.
The counsel to the CBN governor, S.T. Maliki, told the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, that a notice of discontinuance had been filed and served on the defendants in the matter.
Maliki stated this on Monday shortly after the matter was called.
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2023: Why I Will Never Support APC, PDP – Mr Macaroni
Popular content creator and skit maker, Debo Adedayo, professionally known as Mr Macaroni, has revealed why he would never support the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
According to Mr Macaroni, he would rather join another party and hope that it becomes a top platform.
The comedian further stated that everyone has the righg to support any party they wish to.
Mr Macaroni in a series of tweets on Monday, said things cannot change in the country if Nigerians keep recycling leaders from the APC and PDP.
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2023: APC To Screen Tinubu, Amaechi, Others On Tuesday
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed a new date for the screening of its presidential aspirants ahead of the 2023 general election.
The ruling party had on Sunday shifted the screening scheduled for Monday indefinitely.
APC wrote, “The Screening Exercise for Presidential Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier scheduled to be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2022 is hereby postponed. A new date for the exercise will be announced shortly.
“Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
However, the National Organising Secretary of the party, Suleiman Argungu on Monday disclosed that the screening would be held on Tuesday, 24th of May.
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Power Tussle Mars Edo PDP’s Primaries As Obaseki Prefers Ex-APC Loyalists
The Edo State wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently preparing for the uncertain 2023 polls from a seemingly weak position. The party has cracked along the line of Governor Godwin Obaseki and Chief Dan Orbih.
Signs of internal bleeding in the party emerged on Sunday when the two PDP stalwarts conducted parallel primaries.
The party was expected to join other states across the country to conduct primaries to recruit candidates for the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.
Naija News sources said on Monday that parallel primaries were held by the two power gladiators simultaneously at different locations across the state.
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2023: Seven Political Parties To Present One Presidential Candidate Against PDP, APC
At least seven political parties in Nigeria have agreed to work together and possibly present a single presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections in the country.
Naija News understands the parties joined forces to unseat both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
The parties involved are the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) Social Democratic Party (SDP) Allied Peoples Movement (APM), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Labour Party (LP) and National Rescue Movement (NRM).
It is however understood that each of the parties will still hold primary elections to choose its presidential candidates before a screening committee works on the candidates that have emerged to present a common consensus front.
The parties would also present candidates for other elective positions in the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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Adeleke’s Billboards Set Ablaze As Osun PDP Primaries Witness Violence
The People’s Democratic Party’s Primary Election in Osun State has taken a violent turn as Senator Ademola Adeleke’s campaign billboards have been set ablaze in Ejigbo Local Government Area.
Naija News gathered that a mob was seen smashing and tearing down billboards in several parts of the town.
Senator Ademola Adeleke is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the Osun 2022 election.
According to sources, the mob action may have been sparked by supporters of popular candidates who lost in the primaries.
After the election, there have been feelings of betrayal among some of the aspirants who are seeking to return to their elective positions but felt left out by Senator Ademola Adeleke.
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2023: Nwajiuba Gives Condition For North To Support S/East APC Candidate
The former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, on Monday, gave the condition that would make the North support a south-east presidential candidate under the All Progressives Congress.
According to Nwajiuba, the North would support a candidate from the South-East if the South-West hopefuls quit the race.
The presidential aspirant said in all fairness and national justice, the south-east should produce the next president of Nigeria.
Nwajiuba would be hoping to clinch the ticket of the ruling party ahead of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and others.
The former minister while speaking with ThisDay said aspirants from the north would be willing to rest their ambitions if their counterparts from the southwest tow the same path.
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Benue 2023: APC Settles For Direct Primaries
Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday adopted the direct mode of primaries to be used in choosing candidates to fly the party’s flag for the 2023 general elections.
The decision was reached at the end of the stakeholders’ critical meeting in Makurdi.
A statement released on Monday disclosed that the state party leader and Minister For Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume explained that the decision was to ensure fairness amongst aspirants and give the delegates rights to select leaders of their choice for a better Benue.
According to Senator Akume, the Governor Samuel Ortom led PDP in the state has created a great setback and Benue needs to be repositioned with quality leaders.
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2023: PDP South East Presidential Aspirants May Present Peter Obi As Consensus Candidate
The South East presidential aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly working to present former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as the sole candidate from the region at the presidential primary in Abuja.
Naija News reports that the opposition PDP had fixed its presidential primary for Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29.
It was learned that the aspirants might present the former Anambra governor as their consensus candidate to battle it out with other aspirants from other regions.
According to Daily Trust, the aspirants such as former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; Industrialist, Sam Ohabunwa and Nwachukwu Anakwenze, may have concluded arrangements to present Obi as the consensus candidate from the South East.
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Catholic Priest Suspended For Interest In Benue Governorship Seat Defends Himself, Vows To Return To The Pulpit Later
The Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia who was recently suspended after declaring interest in contesting the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the next Benue State Governor has reacted to the suspension.
Alia said the suspension didn’t come to him as a shock as he was prepared to face and make sacrifices since he took the decision to join the governorship race.
Naija News recalls the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese in Benue state, Most Rev. William Avenya on Saturday evening announced the suspension of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia from priesthood over involvement in partisan politics.
Avenya in a letter dated 21/5/2022, disclosed that the suspension takes immediate effect.
However, Alia said his resolve has not been dampened by the decision adding that he understands why the Church took such a decision.
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2023: Zulum Speaks On Begging For Vice Presidency
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Saturday noted that he is not desperate to emerge as the running mate of any presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 presidential election.
There have been numerous campaign posters showing Zulum as running mate to politicians under the ruling party.
Zulum addressed the issue when he hosted the former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in Borno State.
Amaechi had visited the state to meet with APC delegates from the state ahead of the May 29 primary elections of the party.
Zulum in his statement said he has an open mind in receiving all presidential aspirants of the ruling party because he does not have any particular ambition other than his current job.
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That will be all for today. You can read more political and other Nigerian news on Naija News
This article was originally published on Nigeria News