By Our Correspondent

As jostling for 2027 presidential election heats up, Taminu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has cleared former president Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate.

NATIONAL POST reports that Jonathan’s emergence was announced by the screening committee on Tuesday.

Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who chaired the screening committee, announced this after the screening exercise.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the PDP, Umar Sani, has confirmed that Jonathan purchased the party’s nomination form.

Sani made the disclosure during an appearance on Trust TV on Tuesday.

According to him, Jonathan’s actions indicate serious interest in returning to partisan politics ahead of the next presidential election.

“In politics, what is important is action. If you are interested, there are processes you have to follow, one of which is the procurement of nomination forms. He has done that,” Sani said.

When asked if Jonathan had indeed obtained the form, Sani replied: “Yes and in fact, he is about to come and submit the forms publicly

By David Owei

In a major move aimed at deepening justice, equity, fairness, and political inclusion within the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ogbia, Nembe, and Brass Local Government Areas have unanimously resolved to zone the party’s 2027 Senatorial ticket to Brass Constituency II and the 2031 ticket to Nembe Constituency II for a single four-year term, respectively.

The landmark resolution was reached during a strategic meeting of party leaders and stakeholders held at the Yenagoa residence of the State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON, and presided over by the Bayelsa East Senatorial District Vice Chairman of the party, Hon. Andy West Majors.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Kelvin LoveDay – Egbo ,Media Assistant to the Bayelsa PDP chairman.

According to the stakeholders, the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, inclusion, and balanced political representation across the Senatorial District, noting that by 2031, all State Constituencies within Bayelsa East would have effectively produced a Senator under the existing rotational arrangement.

The leaders explained that the Senate seat rotation within the district has followed a stable and divinely guided progression since 1999, beginning with Senator Melford Okilo from Ogbia Constituency I, followed by Senator Inatimi Spiff of Brass Constituency I, and Senator Nimi Barigha Amange of Nembe Constituency I.

The rotation later returned to Ogbia with Senator Clever Ikisikpo of Ogbia Constituency III, then moved to Brass through Senator Ben Murray-Bruce of Brass Constituency III, and subsequently to Nembe with Senator Degi Ereminyo of Nembe Constituency III. The current occupant of the seat, Senator Benson Agadaga, is from Ogbia Constituency II.

The stakeholders therefore maintained that in line with the principles of justice, equity, and fairness, it is only proper for Brass Constituency II to produce the party’s Senatorial candidate in 2027, while Nembe Constituency II takes its turn in 2031.

They further resolved that beginning from 2035, the Bayelsa East Senatorial ticket of the PDP shall no longer be subjected to zoning or rotation, stressing that competence, performance, capacity, and the ability to provide effective representation would henceforth determine who emerges as candidate of the party.

According to them, the decision signals the beginning of a new political era anchored on merit, practical development, and quality representation capable of advancing the collective interest of the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the unity and growth of the PDP in Bayelsa East and pledged continued support for the leadership of the party under Hon. Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON, whom they commended for promoting inclusiveness, political stability, and purposeful leadership across the state.

By Our Correspondent

ASABA—Delta North stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have firmly rejected what they described as a “self-imposed and propagandist declaration of victory” by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, insisting that results from the field show Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko won the senatorial primaries by a wide margin.

In a strongly worded statement, the stakeholders accused Okowa of attempting to subvert established party procedures by prematurely claiming victory, despite clear guidelines issued by the APC National Organising Secretary.

According to them, the party had, before the primaries, outlined a strict process for result collation and announcement, including Ward Collation, Local Government Area (LGA) Collation, Designated Constituency Collation Centres, and final submission to the National Headquarters.

“The authority to declare results rests solely with the National Committee. What Okowa has done is a clear violation of party rules and an attempt to manipulate perception ahead of due process,” the statement said.

The stakeholders maintained that figures emerging from across Delta North overwhelmingly favour Senator Ned Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”

They cited results from several wards across the senatorial district:

Ward 7, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1281; Okowa – 26; Void – 35; Total Accreditation – 1342.

Ward 9, Abbi, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1505; Okowa – 420.

Ward 7, Akumazi: Ned Nwoko – 687; Okowa – 5.

Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 415; Okowa – 13.

Ward 10, Idumuesa, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 2719; Okowa – 13.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 450; Okowa – 20.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 1438; Okowa – 68.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 940; Okowa – 9.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 750; Okowa – 200.

Ukwuani LGA Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 251; Okowa – 56.

Oshimili South Ward 3: Ned Nwoko – 1221; Okowa – 41.

Oshimili South Ward 4: Ned Nwoko – 1465; Okowa – 59.

Oshimili South Ward 6: Ned Nwoko – 5398; Okowa – 53.

Oshimili South Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 2335; Okowa – 61.

Oshimili South Ward 7: Ned Nwoko – 1412; Okowa – 21.

Oshimili South Ward 5: Ned Nwoko – 4642; Okowa – 101.

Oshimili South Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 500; Okowa – 115.

Oshimili South Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 3679; Okowa – 49.

Oshimili South Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 1234; Okowa – 99.

Oshimili South Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 1551; Okowa – 103.

Oshimili South Ward 11: Ned Nwoko – 4355; Okowa – 54.

Ndokwa West Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 14.

“These figures are not isolated—they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the stakeholders stated.

They further alleged that the primaries were marred by intimidation and violence in areas where support for Nwoko was most pronounced.

In Ward 9, Obiaruku (Ukwuani LGA), a party member, Igelige Chukunomnazu, recounted how voters were allegedly coerced, counting processes were manipulated, and supporters of Nwoko were attacked. He and others sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Similarly, in Ward 8, Aniocha North LGA, an individual identified as Ernest was reportedly stabbed during the exercise, with video and photographic evidence available.

In Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, stakeholders said violence escalated to the point that the returning officer fled the venue for safety.

Describing these incidents as “coordinated attempts to suppress genuine voter expression,” the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene decisively.

“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election—it is about whether internal democracy will be upheld or sacrificed to manipulation,” the statement added.

They urged the National Committee to disregard what they termed “manufactured narratives” and ensure that the final declaration reflects the true outcome as expressed across the wards.

“For us in Delta North, the result is already evident. What remains is for the party to uphold its own rules and formally affirm the will of the people,” the stakeholders concluded.