The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to within 24hrs release socialite and business woman, Aisha Achimugu.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a short ruling also added that parties in the suit especially the EFCC are to report to the court to give report on compliance to the order of court on May 2, 2025.
Recall that Justice Ekwo had on Monday, ordered Achimugu to submit herself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an on going investigation bordering on Money laundering and other offences.
Justice Ekwo, also held that following her appearance at the EFCC office, the antigraft agency is to return with her and make an appearance before the court on Wednesday April 30, for report.
Meanwhile, the EFCC arrested Achimugu at about 5am on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The EFCC is investigating Achimugu on a case involving conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and possession of properties reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
While she was previously arrested and questioned by the EFCC, she was released on administrative bail by the commission.
However, EFCC alleged that she jumped bail and declared Achimugu wanted.
The EFCC in a press statement urged the public to provide information about Achimugu’s whereabouts, “The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering,” the statement read.
The EFCC in its affidavit to show cause, averred that on February 12, 2024, when Achimugu was previously arrested, in their office with her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, she wrote a statement.
The commission said in the statement, that she explained some of the huge funds which passed through her corporate bank accounts.
It said that Achimugu admitted the sum of N8, 710, 000, 000.00. (eight billion, seven hundred and ten million naira) was paid by her partners as an investment fund into the purchase and payment of a signature bonus for the acquisition of oil bloc on Nov. 8, 2022.
It said further investigation however revealed that Achimugu, through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oli and Gas Limited, acquired two oil blocs, namely Shallow Water -PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore-PPL 302-DO for the total sum of $25, 300, 000 (twenty-five million, three hundred thousand dollars) through majorly cash payments made to the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators who in turn made payments to Federal Government via corporate accounts.
The commission alleged that the ultimate sources of the said sum of $25,300,000 used in the acquisition of the oil blocs were not linked to her lawful earnings or income or any business partner.
“That the acquisition of the Oil Blocks was marred by corrupt practices, as bribes were paid to the officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in the process.
“That none of the Oil Blocks assigned/allocated to Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission has commenced exploration/production from inception to date,” the EFCC said.
The anti-graft agency averred that following the decision of the court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024, which dismissed Achimugu’s suit, the commission, in continuation of its investigation, sent letters to some agencies of government, including FIRS, CBN, etc.
It said further investigation revealed that Achimugu operates a total of 136 bank accounts across ten different banks, both in her personal and corporate names.
Displeased with the wanted declaration, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Immigration Service to stop her planned arrest.
Achimugu in an exparte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, among others, sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from threatening or harassing her with arrest, detention and invasion of her “properties or threatening to impede her fundamental right to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy and properties”.
Giving ten grounds why her application should be granted, Achimugu said on March 28, the EFCC declared her wanted.
She said that her declaration as ‘wanted’ was unwarranted, unjustifiable, devoid of probable cause, and calculated to discredit, humiliate, and subject her to public opprobrium, thereby causing irreparable harm to her reputation, personal dignity, and professional standing.
While Achimugu’s rights enforcement suit was scheduled to be heard on April 11, her lawyer Kehinde Ogunwumiju informed the court that the respondents had failed to respond or appear, despite being served with the court’s order.
Justice Inyang Ekwo expressed a desire to hear from the respondents and adjourned the matter to Alril 28, 2025, directing that a hearing notice be served on the respondents.
The judge emphasised that the respondents are given one final opportunity to appear and show cause why Achimugu’s reliefs should not be granted.
At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Ogunwujimi, informed Justice Ekwo that his client (Achimugu), filed an affidavit of facts before the court in the morning.
In a short ruling Justice Ekwo held saying, “The third respondent (EFCC), has granted the applicant bail. Now the court being faced with that will now allow the third respondent to conclude the issue of granting the applicant bail. I am reminded to make this order.
“The Third respondent is hereby ordered to foster the release of the applicant with 24hrs of this order.
“I also make an order that parties especially the third respondent (EFCC) responds back to this court in compliance of the order on 2nd may 2025”.
The matter was also adjourned to same day for hearing of the processes filed.
[Punch]
The African Union has lifted sanctions against Gabon, it said in a statement on Wednesday, after the central African nation was suspended from the organisation following a coup in August 2023.
A meeting of the Peace and Security Council on Gabon’s political transition “reviewed the processes and found them to be generally successful”, the AU’s Political Affairs Peace and Security department said on X.
The statement said Gabon would be welcome “to immediately resume her participation in the activities” of the AU.
Gabon was suspended when General Brice Oligui Nguema took power after overthrowing President Ali Bongo, whose family had been in power for 55 years.
Nguema pledged to hand back the oil-rich country to civilian rule after a two-year transitional period, and was elected president in April with 94 percent of the vote.
According to the new constitution, the president will lead the country with expanded powers.
The decision by the AU to lift sanctions follows a meeting last year between Nguema and Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, in which Nguema asked for support in lifting sanctions.
The country of 2.3 million people has endured high unemployment, regular power and water shortages, and heavy government debt despite its oil riches.
[Vanguard]
Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has hinted at a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency town square meeting held at QIC Central School, Ikot Akpankuk, Eno likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft.
“What Akwa Ibom people want is good governance, not the name of the party,” he said.
“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?
“Whether Ibom Air or Air Peace, board the flight that is ready to take you to your destination. Board the flight and forget the name of the airline.”
The governor’s remarks followed a wave of defections from the PDP, with Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, being the latest to move to the APC along with his supporters.
Eno said the PDP is now fragmented and risks grinding to a halt before the 2027 elections.
He urged the people to remain steadfast in their support for his administration and its commitment to delivering on campaign promises.
The governor also distributed “empowerment packages” to more than 400 beneficiaries, including business grants, vehicles and other support items.
On Monday, the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP held an emergency meeting over the wave of defections that has rattled the party in recent weeks.
After the meeting, Umar Damagun, acting national chairman of the PDP, said the party’s national legal adviser has been directed to take action over the defection of Oborevwori and other members to the APC.
[TheCable]
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, condemned a statement credited to the immediate-past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to the effect that he “regrets” accepting to be presidential running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
Frank, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday,
said even though he was of the opinion that Okowa might have been misquoted, the fact that the former Delta governor has not debunked the claim after over 24 hours showed that he has owned up to it.
He said it was, therefore, necessary to set the records straight in order not to distort history or mislead Nigerians concerning how Okowa emerged as running mate to Atiku in 2023.
He said Okowa’s position was an “afterthought” since he was not only desperate to be running mate but fought, begged and lobbied for the position.
“It is understandable that Okowa is fighting the battle of his life to evade prosecution by the EFCC over corruption allegations against him, but to make Nigerians believe that he now “regrets” taking up the position of vice Presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023 is not only an an afterthought but cowardice in full bloom.
“We know how Okowa begged, fought and lobbied to get the position,” he said.
He equally described Okowa as a serial liar and betrayer, saying his recent defection to the APC has shown him as not only a highly unstable character who suffers from gross integrity deficit but principally driven by parochial survival instincts.
He said rather than Okowa claiming to be regretful, the PDP should rather curse the day it was deceived by Okowa’s armada of lobbyists to invest part of its destiny in a politically hollow and an unfruitful and unprofitable character.
Frank said: “This is not Okowa’s first attempt as a high-level betrayal. The tale of how he stabbed ex-GovernorJames Ibori, his erstwhile godfather, in the back because of power is still fresh in our memory.
“Many of us know how Okowa emerged as Vice Presidential candidate which he was not meant to be because few of us never wanted him because we believed he did not have the capacity and experience to become vice president.
“I’m one of those who felt strongly that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was a better candidate than Okowa as at that time. But because of the interest of some leaders and elders of PDP at that time, who at Okowa’s bidding unknown to many lobbied and pressurized Atiku to pick him.
“Therefore, Okowa lacks rectitude to play victim or feign regret over a job and position he desperately wanted.
“We are still of the opinion that if Wike had emerged in place of Okowa in 2023 as running mate to Atiku, perhaps PDP would be in government at the national level today but we lost out apparently because of the choice of this ungrateful Okowa who never brought real value or political capital to the table.
“Even as a sitting governor and a vice-presidential candidate, his party, PDP, lost Delta state during the last presidential election and because of his emptiness and lack of electoral value his present voyage would equally not benefit the APC.
“I dare say that with his lack of capacity and value, Okowa would remain a liability because even with him in APC, the party would still lose Delta state in 2027 like PDP did in 2023 with Okowa was a sitting governor.”
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, said with the desperation of President Tinubu to remain in office in 2027, APC will accept even criminals into its fold.
“With the likes of Okowa joining APC, it shows the party is now a dumping ground for looters. Okowa did not join the APC because he believed Asiwaju has delivered or that the party is working but because of his atrocities now being investigated by the EFCC.
“However, Nigerians and the international community will watch if the anti-graft agency will soft pedal on his go probe because he is now singing: ‘Tinubu, On Your Mandate We Shall Stand,’” he added.
Frank said Atiku did not have any incline of Okowa’s unreliableness when he picked him, adding that the choice affected Turaki’s long standing relationship with James Ibori, who had advised im against the person of Okowa.
“In fact, Atiku did not know that behind Okowa’s calm mien lies a betrayer and an ingrate. It is only God and posterity that will judge Okowa at the end of the day for making Atiku lose the 2023 presidential election because of his unpopularity,” he declared.
He claimed that neither Atiku nor the PDP would miss Okowa now that he is in APC with his former godson and now Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he practically begged and coaxed to go with him into the APC.
Appeal Court Upholds UNICAL Prof Ogban’s Conviction For Electoral Fraud In Akwa Ibom North-West
AFOLABI
The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence of Professor Peter Ogban, a University of Calabar (UNICAL) academic, for electoral fraud in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election, in favour of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, the appellate court affirmed the earlier judgement of the Akwa Ibom High Court in Ikot Ekpene, which found Professor Ogban guilty of manipulating and announcing falsified election results. The court condemned his conduct in strong terms, citing the grave implications of such acts by someone entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Professor Ogban, a renowned professor of Soil Physics, served as the returning officer for the 2019 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North-West. Investigations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that he altered the final results to inflate Akpabio’s vote count at the expense of his main opponent, Senator Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who eventually won the election as Akpabio lost his re-election bid.
Despite the ruling, Akpabio has consistently denied any involvement in the electoral malpractice.
The conviction followed a rigorous investigation led by the then Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Mike Igini. Under his leadership, the commission pursued the prosecution of two university professors, Ogban and Ignatius Uduk, for their roles in election result manipulation during the 2019 general election.
Similarly, earlier this year in February, the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo sentenced Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo to three years in prison for perjury and the publication of false election results. Uduk served as the returning officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency election in 2019.
In addition to the prison term, Uduk was fined N100,000.
His case, first initiated in December 2020 after a warrant for his arrest was issued, faced multiple delays including a change of counsel, his collapse in the courtroom during cross-examination, and a dramatic request that the presiding judge recuse himself on grounds of alleged bias. Ironically, after the case was reassigned, it returned to the same judge for continuation.
LEADERSHIP reports that Akpabio, however, returned to the Senate in 2023 and eventually become the Senate President.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, has initiated a crackdown measure on tertiary institutions reportedly implicated in fraudulent activities related to student loans.
Senior Special Assistant to the President Bola Tinubu on Student Engagement, Comr. Asefon Sunday Dayo, stated this in a press statement on Wednesday.
Asefon, responding to the alleged alarming reports of unauthorised deductions from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student loans by authorities of various tertiary institutions across the country, vowed to investigate all cases of unauthorised deductions.
A recent report revealed that no fewer than 51 institutions were currently implicated in this scandal.
It stated that these institutions have been found to deduct between ₦20,000 and ₦40,000 from students’ loan disbursements—an action that is not only fraudulent but also directly undermines the integrity and purpose of the student loan scheme, according to Asefon.
“These illegal deductions, coupled with the refusal by some institutions to publicly announce the disbursement of funds to eligible students, represent a grave threat to the credibility of the NELFUND programme,” he said.
The presidential aide added that such practices also cast a shadow on the goodwill and commitment of President Bola Tinubu, whose administration established the scheme to ensure inclusive access to education and relief for Nigerian parents.
“The intent of the loan is to support students, not to become an avenue for exploitation by school authorities,” he asserted.
In light of these developments, he said his office, in collaboration with the Minister of Education, shall roll out a monitoring measure with sanction in the coming days.
Asefon said this includes the establishment of a Monitoring Committee to oversee compliance by all tertiary institutions, and the commissioning of anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to investigate all reported cases of unauthorised deductions.
They will also identify culpable institutions and officials, and ensure that appropriate sanctions are applied to deter further abuse.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a blogger, Adewale Ajimisogbe, for cyberbullying the founder of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya.
Ajimisogbe pleaded guilty to the charges following a plea bargain agreement he entered into with the Police.
He, along with a former MFM member, Ayotunde Richards, was arraigned before the court on March 20, 2024, over a 12-count charge of conspiracy, cyberbullying, and libel.
While the two defendants were jointly charged on three counts of conspiracy to commit felony to wit, cyberstalking, and defamation, Ajimisogbe was slammed with an additional nine counts of libel.
The police prosecutor, Nosa Uhumwangho, informed the court that the alleged offences occurred between December 2023 and February 2024.
Uhumwangho stated that Ajimisogbe, using a blogging platform called “Postreporters,” published a report with the title: “He is a criminal and behind all illegal acts – Ex-MFM Church singer sues founder Daniel Olukoya and others, seeks N15.5 billion in damages for illegal detention and breach of human rights.”
The prosecutor asserted that the actions violated Sections 27 and 24(1)(b)(2)(a)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, making them punishable under the same law.
Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, however, Ajimisogbe later changed his plea after realising the strength of the evidence against him.
As part of the plea bargain agreement, he agreed to plead guilty, issue a public apology, publish a formal retraction, and forfeit N50,000 to the federal government.
The defence lawyer, Ife Ajayi, urged the court to accept the terms of the plea bargain, stating that his client was a first-time offender with no previous criminal record.
Ajayi also informed the court that Ajimisogbe had expressed remorse and offered an unreserved apology to the nominal complainant, whom he regards as a father figure, and promised not to repeat his actions in the future.
The prosecutor, the counsel for the second defendant, Ademola Adewale, and the lawyer representing the nominal complainant, A. Adegboye, did not oppose the application.
After listening to the lawyers, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that, “After careful consideration of the application and the submissions from counsel, the plea bargain agreement is hereby granted. The first defendant is to forfeit N50,000 to the state.”
“That the matter is further adjourned to June 3, 2025 for the trial of the second defendant,” the judge held.
The British High Commission has rejected claims that a man arrested in Delta state over alleged illegal arms procurement is a serving member of the UK military.
BACKGROUND
On Monday, a delegation of Niger Delta stakeholders and a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) petitioned the high commission over an alleged plot to incite unrest in Warri, Delta state.
They asked the commission to probe Micah Polo, a man who was identified as a major in the British army.
Polo, who is Nigerian by birth, was recently apprehended in connection with procuring illegal arms to fuel the alleged planned mayhem.
However, DSS operatives from the Delta command were said to have foiled the move last Friday, arresting the arms supplier during a covert exchange near Asaba.
During the operation, over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition were reportedly confiscated.
Reports said Polo was intercepted in Lagos as he attempted to board a flight to the UK.
The petitioners urged the British government to cooperate with the DSS to uncover Polo’s collaborators, some of whom are reportedly still at large.
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION REACTS
In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the British High Commission clarified the country’s connection to Polo.
“The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces,” the statement reads.
The commission, however, noted that Polo did serve as a junior ranking officer in the UK armed forces reserves but was discharged.
“Whilst in the Reserves he was a junior rank not a commissioned officer,” the statement added.
“We have a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal details of our current and former employees and are therefore not able to release any additional information in this matter.”
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has sparked speculation over a potential political realignment after openly questioning the viability of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a platform for his political aspirations beyond 2027.
Speaking at a constituency outreach meeting on Tuesday in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, the governor likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, suggesting he might consider boarding a “different plane” to reach his political destination—an analogy many interpret as a hint at defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?” Eno asked, addressing a large crowd at the Town Square meeting for the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over internal disunity and instability within the PDP, exacerbated by recent defections, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC.
Despite raising concerns about the PDP’s direction, Governor Eno called on his supporters to remain committed to the goals of his administration, emphasizing that service delivery remains his top priority.
As part of the engagement, the governor distributed empowerment packages to more than 400 constituents. The distribution included Traders and Farmers Grants, substantial MSME funding, and equipment support. Specifically, 154 traders received grants, 116 farmers were supported, four individuals received N5 million each for business development, and 131 benefitted from equipment support.
In his remarks, Governor Eno urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds responsibly and cautioned against investing in Ponzi schemes or other non-productive ventures.
“We need to meet with the people from time to time. Governance doesn’t end at elections,” he said. “We’re here to listen, to assess your needs, and to let you know what we’ve done and what we plan to do.”
Eno also revealed that the administration had so far covered four of the state’s 10 federal constituencies in this engagement drive and assured that all would be completed in time to incorporate their needs into the 2026 budget.
“We will review your requests and prioritize based on available resources. What we can’t do now will be considered in future budgets,” he added. “This government belongs to the people—it is for you, with you, and by you.”
Governor Eno has not formally declared any party switch, but his comments have intensified political discussions about the evolving dynamics within Akwa Ibom and the national opposition landscape.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to, within 24 hours, release the socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, also directed that parties in the suit, especially the EFCC, should report to the court on May 2 to give an update on compliance with the order of the court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that the operatives of the EFCC arrived at the court with Achimugu on Wednesday as ordered by the court.
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Ovation magazine publisher and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dele Momodu, has accused the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, of frustrating Peter Obi out of the PDP.
During the build-up to the 2023 general election, Obi dumped the PDP for the Labour Party (LP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Momodu said Wike was the reason Obi left the PDP.
He explained that ahead of the 2023 election, Atiku wanted the PDP to cede power to the Southeast rather than rotating it within a few regions.
The publisher implied that Wike could have benefited from Atiku’s suggestion if he had not dissociated himself from the Southeast region.
According to Momodu, Wike disqualified himself by saying he was not an Igbo man. He added that the former Governor of Rivers State declared that he was not interested in any Igbo agenda.
Since the PDP was considering zoning its presidential ticket to the Southeast, Momodu alleged that Wike subsequently frustrated Obi out of the party to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
Momodu said, “It was the same Wike people complaining about north-south that brought the committee through our party primary open. That’s why I was able to buy a form. I bought a form because, at that time, Atiku had told them that if they ceded power to the southeast, then it would make sense to him, but if it would still be a rotation between just a few zones, he would not support it. He wanted them to cede power to the southeast. But because Wike had already disqualified himself by saying he’s not an Igbo man, he said he’s from south-south, he’s not interested in Igbo anything, so he succeeded in frustrating Peter Obi out of the party. So, the coast was clear for Nyesom Wike.”
The PDP chieftain further explained that the opposition party did not have a zoning problem until Wike and his allies within the party started using it to push a north-south agenda for the party’s presidential ticket.
Nigerian commercial banks have raised the transaction alert fee from ₦4 to ₦6, effective Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Naija News reports that this information was communicated to customers in a message sent early Wednesday morning.
The banks attributed this increase to a recent rise in telecom rates as announced by the telecommunication service providers.
It is worth noting that the federal government has authorised the telecommunications service providers to implement a general increase in their tariffs.
The commercial bank also noted that SMS alerts to international phone numbers are subject to higher charges.
“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee will increase from ₦4 to ₦6 per message. This adjustment is due to a recent increase in telecom rates as communicated by the telecommunication service providers.
“Kindly note that transaction alerts are important and help you keep track and stay in control of activities on your account.
“If you prefer not to receive transaction alerts via SMS, you can update your preferences by completing the transaction alert form on our website and sending it to gtbankmailsupport@gtbank.com,” a message sent to Naija News correspondent by Guaranty Trust Bank reads.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has said defection should be based on logical reason and ideology.
Naija News reports that Momodu said he was a member of the Labour Party before he defected to the National Conscience Party (NCP), then to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and settled with the PDP.
The former presidential aspirant of the PDP stated this on Wednesday in an interview with Arise News.
“There is nothing wrong… Anybody who knows me knows I am a democrat. I believe in freedom of speech, freedom of association and even freedom of movement. So you can move to wherever you like, but you must be able to defend your action,” he said.
According to him, in Labour Party, his presidential ambition reached a dead end, he had to consult with his political family to decide what he should do.
“I once moved from Labour Party to National Consicence Party. What happened? I was a fledgling presidential candidate. And when I felt a roadblock, I reached a dead end. I had to consult my people, where do we go? Let’s look for a party that is similar in ideology to the one we are leaving. That is why we opted for the National Consicence Party at the time. Then I contested and had about 26,000 votes nationwide,” he disclosed.
The Ovation Publisher stated that his defection to NCP and the total result he got after the election made him change his mind on contesting on smaller platforms.
“Then we learned a lesson that it would be difficult for any fringe political party to win a presidential election. You need platforms, you need so many things to be able to achieve your dream,” he stated.
Momodu said he joined APC and supported former President Muhammadu Buhari, but found out that APC was going in the wrong direction.
“We then isolated two main political parties in Nigeria. At the time that Buhari came, we all supported Buhari in 2014.
“Then I decided APC was going in the wrong direction. So the only option I had to actualize my dream was PDP, that is why I joined PDP,” he added.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi does not require any coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or support from political figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to win the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, the Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Theophilus Ndubuaku insisted that Obi remains a formidable and widely accepted candidate.
He described the PDP as a “crisis-ridden and near-empty platform,” dismissing any speculations that Obi would rejoin the party.
He said, “Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win the 2027 presidential election. He is a sellable candidate. If you recall, he was already coasting to victory in the 2023 elections before the controversial glitches. He even defeated Tinubu in his own stronghold in Lagos, which shows Nigerians want him in power.”
“For as long as INEC conducts a free and fair election, he will win. He can also leverage his local and international connections to make it happen.”
Ndubuaku insisted Obi commands nationwide acceptance across all six geopolitical zones and warned against any return to the PDP.
He said, “No serious candidate will consider the PDP as a viable platform at this point.
“Obi is a disciplined man. If people are suggesting he return to the PDP, on what basis? Compare the PDP’s issues with those of the Labour Party. While LP’s crisis—centering around Julius Abure—has been settled by the Supreme Court, the PDP is still battling a hydra-headed crisis. Moving from LP to PDP would be like jumping from frying pan to fire.”
He further noted that fears about zoning and power rotation are unfounded, especially in light of Obi’s reputation for performance.