By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday dares Turaki factions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to open an official party bank account and secretariat if they truly believe they control the opposition party’s structure.

Speaking during a live media chat with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and violating court judgments in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the faction opposing the party’s recognised leadership lacked legal standing and could not lawfully operate the affairs of the party.

“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.

He specifically challenged Taminu Turaki, SAN, and other leaders of the rival camp to test their claims by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP.

“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.

Wike argued that no bank would recognise such an account because the faction allegedly lacks the legally recognised party structure and documentation required to operate.

“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.

The FCT minister also warned against attempts to establish what he described as illegal party offices, vowing that any action capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja would not be tolerated.

“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Wike maintained that court judgments had already settled the dispute over the PDP leadership and convention issues, accusing some actors of twisting judicial pronouncements for political convenience.

“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.

The minister further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that the legal processes and decisions available supported his position and that of the recognised party leadership.

According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments outside the established legal context were aimed at confusing party members and the public.

Wike said he remained a committed member of the PDP and was only defending what he described as constitutional order and due process within the party.

The PDP has remained embroiled in internal leadership disputes following disagreements over the party’s convention, caretaker arrangements and recognition of key national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Felix Umande from Makurdi

Barr. Dr Alex Ter Adum has formally declared his intention to contest the Gwer/Gwer West Federal House of Representatives on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released Tuesday, Adum said his decision followed “deep reflection and careful consideration” and was driven by what he described as “a higher civic obligation, one that seeks to reconcile power with purpose, and office with duty.”

Speaking further, he emphasised, “I do so not merely as a candidate, but as a custodian of higher civic obligation.”

Consequently, he has framed his campaign with an ethical approach to governance saying
“Governance, when stripped of vanity, is an ethical enterprise, a solemn covenant between the state and the citizen, sustained by trust and tested by accountability. It calls not for noise, but for clarity; not for spectacle, but for substance.”

Outlining his legislative philosophy, Adum said his focus would rest on three pillars: legislation, oversight, and representation.

On legislation, he pledged to pursue laws that are “Practical, enforceable, and responsive to the lived realities of our people,” rather than “ornamental verbosity.” He said such laws “drive economic vitality, secure justice, and expand human dignity.”

On oversight, Adum promised diligence and independence, stressing that “Where public trust is vested, scrutiny must follow, not as hostility, but as a sacred duty of stewardship.” He added that accountability “must become routine, not exceptional.”

On representation, he explained, it must go beyond “ceremonial presence” to serving as “a living bridge between the people and power, rooted in listening, responsiveness, and respect.”

Beyond legislative duties, Adum said he would build strategic networks to attract jobs, partnerships, and development initiatives to the constituency, while sustaining “principled and visible advocacy on issues that define our collective future.”

He also pledged to institutionalise accessibility and consistent engagement through regular constituency colloquia, describing them as “open forums for transparency, feedback, and of course correction, where leadership is accountable and progress, it is measurable.”

The aspirant described his declaration as “an invitation to a paradigm shift and a different kind of politics, one that moves from distance to presence, from rhetoric to results, from performance to responsibility.”

“If entrusted with this mandate, I will serve with restraint, clarity, and a deep consciousness of history and duty,” he added.

The Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency seat is currently held by Hon. Dr. Asema Achado of the APC. Adum’s entry signals what is expect

_Idoko kicks off senate bid with ranching proposal, promises grassroots politics as critics call idea ‘outdated’

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Benue South Senatorial aspirant Hon. Patrick Ojechema Idoko has come under mixed reactions after unveiling a goat-rearing empowerment scheme as a flagship constituency project at the launch of his campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

Idoko, who began a grassroots tour of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, told supporters he would establish a cooperative ranching system to tackle youth unemployment and steer young people away from social vices.

“I will buy plots of land, about the size of this secretariat. We will fence it round and set up a cooperative for the youths,” Idoko said. “We will then buy about 60 to 80 goats. They will divide themselves into ten groups and take turns caring for the goats on a weekly basis.”

He projected rapid growth, adding, “Before the end of the year, they can have up to 10,000 goats. One goat currently costs about ₦100,000. Goats primarily eat grasses. They will have a ranch and a cooperative that will monitor the goats.”

The proposal has sparked debate across Benue South. While some residents acknowledged agriculture’s economic potential, critics dismissed the plan as “outdated and insufficient” given the scale of socio-economic challenges in the district.

“The idea of ranching is not bad, but we need projects that match the realities of 2027. Our youths need tech skills, industries, and access to capital, not just goats,” a resident in Ogbadibo said.

Supporters, however, defended the scheme as practical and sustainable. “Goat farming is big business. If properly managed, it can lift families out of poverty,” another constituent noted.

Idoko formally commenced his bid in Agbafu, his hometown, where he received parental blessings before moving to Aono Ward 3 and later the Ogbadibo Local Government Secretariat. The two-stage declaration at ward and LGA levels was framed as a show of commitment to grassroots-driven politics.

At Aono Ward 3, the ward chairman described Idoko as the sole aspirant from the area and urged party members to rally behind him. “We have a son who understands our needs and has the capacity to deliver,” he said.

Ogbadibo LGA Chairman, Hon. Sunday Ajunwa, also pledged support at the council secretariat. “We are with you all the way. Ogbadibo is ready for representation that works,” Ajunwa stated.

Addressing supporters, Idoko listed infrastructure development, improved healthcare, economic empowerment, and revenue-generating initiatives as his priorities. He promised a campaign “rooted in grassroots engagement and results-driven representation.”

The declaration drew a large turnout, with notable attendees including Chief Daniel Onda, Comrade Iliya Hassan, Hon. Fab Agada, Chief Adoyi, and Mrs. Enayi Ogbe, among others. Supporters said the crowd reflects “growing acceptance” of his ambition in Zone C.