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2019 Presidency : PDP dumps consensus, settles for 6 candidates
Barely three weeks to its national convention and presidential primary, the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has foreclosed the option of picking its presidential candidate for the 2019 election through consensus arrangement.
This is coming at a time PDP leaders are making moves to prune down the number of presidential aspirants to six, who will battle for the presidential ticket through balloting at the national convention schedule from October 5-6.
Daily Sun gathered that the PDP leadership and stakeholders, looking for a way to ensure non-contentious presidential primary, have settled for the emergence of its candidate through a process which would see all contestants going through an election, wherein delegates would vote.
Sources revealed that the PDP is opting for a democratic process to pick its presidential candidate in order to avoid an implosion, which may arise if a particular aspirant is pre-picked ahead of the party’s national convention.
It was gathered that the PDP, in a bid to have a united front after the presidential primary election, wants all aspirants to contest and be voted for, so that when the winner emerge there would be no allegation that the aspirants were not given a level-playing field.
Competent sources, however, told Daily Sun that in opting for balloting to pick the presidential candidate, the PDP is looking for someone who has the stature to win the presidential election at the end of the day.
Towards this end, it was gathered, the PDP has listed some qualities its candidate should possess.
Sources revealed that the PDP stakeholders want a candidate who is, first, accepted in the North, where the Presidency has been zoned.
In this regard, the party is looking for a candidate who the North, as a zone, including traditional institution, the elite and down-trodden, would accept as its own, especially since the major opponent, President Muhammadu Buhari, has a northern appeal.
The fear, it was gathered, is that a candidate not acceptable to the North would not stand a chance against President Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Daily Sun gathered that the PDP is also particular about a candidate, who has popular appeal nationwide, not one who is considered sectional in association and orientation, so that he could easily get votes across the country.
It was gathered that the PDP holds these qualities sacrosanct believing that in the presidential election it would be easy to sell such candidate to the generality of Nigerians as a better option to President Buhari.
Sources revealed that the PDP is also working hard to ensure that there will be no acrimony among the presidential aspirants when the candidate emerges at the national convention, so that everybody would work for victory at the presidential election.
The calculation is that those who would lose through democratic process in presidential primary would not feel short-changed, since it is a product of delegates’ votes, and therefore, would be willing to go to their respective states and strongholds to work for the party’s victory in the presidential election.
It was, however, gathered that after the presidential primary, the PDP and the presidential candidate would meet with other aspirants and agree on compensation after the victory at the presidential election.
However, there is an option that some of the aspirants could use proxies to obtain nomination forms for other elective positions, which they could fall back on after the presidential primary.
The thinking is that with the window of substitution of candidates, such aspirants could take up the tickets of proxies for other elective positions.
In a related development, PDP leaders are making frantic efforts to reduce the number of its presidential aspirants to not more than six.
Daily Sun reliably gathered yesterday that the move to reduce the number of presidential aspirants is spearheaded by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT).
The PDP leaders are apprehensive that if all the aspirants are allowed to go for the presidential primary, the party may not be able to effectively manage issues that may arise in the nomination process.
An ad hoc committee set up by the BoT is scheduled to meet with the presidential aspirants in Abuja today, apparently as part of efforts to scale down the number of aspirants.
The BoT chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, had earlier mooted the idea of getting the aspirants to agree to a consensus candidate from among them, which did not go down well with several of them.
A total of 13 aspirants obtained the PDP presidential nomination and expression of interest forms to participate in the party’s presidential primary.
They are: former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former chairman PDP National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi; Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo and former Minister of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki.
Others are former Senate President, David Mark; former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang the founder of Baze University, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed and Stanley Osifo from Edo State.
As part of efforts to reduce the number of presidential aspirants, party leaders in the three geo-political zones in the North are said to be talking with presidential aspirants to arrive at a consensus, to brighten the chances of their zones in clinching the PDP ticket.
Seven of the aspirants are from the North West, three from North Central and two from the North East.
Daily Sun also gathered that the presidential aspirants have equally intensified negotiations among themselves, with the aim of getting some of them to withdraw from the contest.
Senator Makarfi, who is one of the presidential aspirants from the North West, confirmed to Daily Sun in a telephone interview that the aspirants were discussing among themselves.
When asked if there was a possibility of the seven aspirants from North West coming to a consensus, Makarfi said: “Not just from the North West. All aspirants are talking to themselves. It is not a North West affair. It is a Nigerian affair. The ticket is a northern affair. We are speaking with each other.”
A PDP leader from the NorthCentral, who did not want his name in print, told Daily Sun that some northern leaders were also talking with the presidential aspirants on the need for some of them to withdraw from the contest.
According to him, “the Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Consultative Forum have been doing a lot. They have been talking to them. Basically, what they are trying to do is not to force anybody to step down. They want them to see reason to have a manageable number who would go for the presidential primary.
“We agree that all of them are contesting; they have the requisite qualifications to rule the country, but at some points, it goes beyond just qualifying. They are talking to them, making them to have in mind that nobody should approach this primary with aggression. We don’t want a situation where anybody would want to leave the party if not given the ticket.”
Meanwhile, some of the presidential aspirants have continued to kick against the choice of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as venue of the National Convention.
A party source told Daily Sun that owing to the misgiving expressed by some of the aspirants about holding the PDP convention in Port Harcourt, the leadership may consider a new venue.
Journalists for Good Governance Shines Searchlight on Local Government Administration
…Calls for Accountability in Nigeria’s Grassroots Governance
LAGOS, Nigeria — A civil society coalition known as Journalists for Good Governance(JGG) has intensified public debate on transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s local government system, urging media professionals, civil society actors, and citizens to hold grassroots leaders accountable.
Speaking an event in Lagos recently, the acting chairman of the society, Comrade Bunmi Obarotimi said that despite reforms such as the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), systemic challenges continues to hinder effective service delivery and responsible stewardship of public funds.
“Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people — yet too often they remain the least transparent. Without civic oversight and vibrant media, promises of autonomy ring hollow.” the acting chairman said.
The Journalist for Good Governance emphasised crucial roles that journalists can play in uncovering discrepancies in council spending, flagging poor service delivery, and educating citizens on their rights. Their call comes amid wider efforts by media and civic organisations to bridge accountability gaps. The civil society initiatives had previously launched monitoring campaigns to track local government expenditures and have been quietly advocating for transparency in how public money is deployed.
The leaders of the Journalists for Good Governance (JGG) highlighted the importance of physical assessment and citizens engagement on projects to boost people’s confidence, urging local councils to adopt open data platforms and proactive information dissemination in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Experts say the majority of LGAs currently lack operational websites or digital portals, further limiting public scrutiny.
The Journalists for Good Governance initiative aligns with sustained advocacy by civil society groups and governance experts calling for a collective approach to strengthening democratic accountability, and has decided to engage in critical and holistic assessments of how Local Governments is being run and the impact and quality of projects they embark-on and to address deficits in transparency and public trust.
Meanwhile, some state governments have signalled support for improved community engagement. In Lagos State, authorities reiterated a commitment to enhancing community media platforms as vehicles for civic participation and accountability at the grassroots level.
The renewed spotlight on local government administration has reignited public debate over fiscal responsibility and priorities. Controversies such as the widely criticised Adamawa council chairmen’s wives trip to Istanbul — which drew public outrage for perceived misuse of public funds — underscore why watchdog groups say stronger oversight mechanisms are urgently needed at the grassroots.
Citizens and activists have welcomed the journalists’ initiative, calling for sustained media engagement that goes beyond headlines to influence policy and accountability reform.
The civic rights advocates note that real change will require robust legal frameworks, a free press, and empowered communities equipped to demand transparency at every level of governance.
As Journalists for Good Governance mobilises its members, the coming months are likely to see heightened media attention on grassroots administration — from council budgets and service delivery to the enforcement of public information laws and digital transparency initiatives.
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ANOTHER PROPHECY FULFILLMENT BY PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO OVER THE EXIT OF DR. KENOLY, ANNOUNCING FEBRUARY’S OPEN PROPHETIC REVIVAL
ANOTHER PROPHECY FULFILLMENT BY PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO OVER THE EXIT OF DR. KENOLY, ANNOUNCING FEBRUARY’S OPEN PROPHETIC REVIVAL
– Another Prophecy Fulfillment by Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Following the Passing of Ron Kenoly Ahead of February Open Prophetic Revival
– Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Records Another Prophecy Fulfillment as February Open Prophetic Revival Is Announced
In the released prophecies for 2026, renowned Nigerian cleric, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, shared a series of revelations touching on Nigeria’s economy, global events, political transitions, natural disasters, religious transformations, and the future of world leaders.
During a special prophetic session, the prophet stated that he foresaw the departure of two world-renowned musicians in 2026 and urged the Nigerian people and the global community to pray for them.
He urged Nigerians and everyone around the globe to pray for the musicians, among other prophecies, and already gave insight concerning them.
On February 3, 2026, American gospel singer, songwriter, and worship leader Ron Kenoly passed away at the age of 81. Widely known as the “Professor of Praise,” Kenoly was celebrated for anthems such as “Majesty” and “Lift Him Up,” which have significantly influenced modern congregational worship around the world.
He was recognized as a pioneer of the contemporary praise and worship movement, leading Scripture-based worship services that became widely adopted in churches across different nations and cultures.
The development has been described by followers of Prophet Kingsley Aitafo as a confirmation of the prophecy earlier declared in the year.
Meanwhile, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, leader and shepherd in charge of Oneness in Christ, in conjunction with CCC Living Grace Tabernacle, invites everyone to its February Open Revival. It is a prophetic service determined to change lives through miracles, healings, signs, and wonders.
It is not an ordinary service; it is another time for a divine encounter where your faith is strengthened, prayers are answered, and breakthroughs and favour are about to rain. With its theme — Jesus Christ is the same forever — the revival is promised to release the power of Jesus Christ like never before. It is a period of shift and divine encounter.
This revival service is said to hold on the 25th of February, 2026, from 5pm – 8pm at 20, Showole Street, Ewupe, Singer Sango, Ogun State.
It is a season where God is ready to reveal Himself like never before. Members of the public are invited to attend.
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE COMMENDS STATE-FEDERAL COLLABORATION IN ZAMFARA
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has commended the Zamfara State Government for its decisive contribution to security operations through the donation of newly acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other critical operational equipment to troops and security agencies in the state.
This commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Convener of the GCGMSI, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The equipment was formally commissioned on Wednesday, February 18, by the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR (rtd.), in a ceremony at the Government House, Gusau. The event was attended by senior military officers, heads of security agencies, and top officials of the Zamfara State Government.
The GCGMSI, in its statement, hailed the donation as a “transformative and timely intervention” that aligns perfectly with its core objective of advocating for and supporting tangible measures that enhance the operational capacity and welfare of Nigeria’s security forces. The Initiative praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for moving beyond rhetoric to actionable, material support, describing the move as a “blueprint for state-level collaboration in national security.”
“The provision of these assets by the Zamfara State Government is a testament to visionary leadership and a profound commitment to the peace and stability of its people,” the GCGMSI statement read. “It represents the exact kind of synergistic partnership between state and federal authorities that the GCGMSI champions. This initiative will significantly close operational gaps, boost the confidence of our gallant troops, and send a strong message to criminal elements.”
Speaking at the commissioning, General Musa emphasized that sustained collaboration is indispensable in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges. He specifically commended Governor Lawal for his proactive support.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the security of Zamfara State,” the Defence Minister stated. “The provision of these armoured vehicles, surveillance drones, and other operational equipment will undoubtedly boost the morale and operational effectiveness of our troops and other security agencies on the ground. This is a commendable effort that should be emulated by others.”
The newly commissioned assets, which include multiple APCs and advanced surveillance drones, are expected to dramatically enhance the mobility, protection, intelligence-gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security forces, particularly in the state’s remote and difficult terrains where anti-banditry operations are ongoing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to being a reliable partner in the security architecture. He urged security agencies to deploy the new resources responsibly and effectively to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing and deepening such partnerships with state governments across the nation to strengthen coordination and resource allocation in the collective fight against insecurity.
The GCGMSI concluded its statement by urging other state governments to take a cue from Zamfara’s “bold and pragmatic” approach, affirming that such concrete support is vital for achieving lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
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