Nigerian Party Picks New Leader

The governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria has elected Vincent Ogbulafor as its new leader at a convention in the capital, Abuja.

Mr Ogbulafor is the party's former general secretary and is considered a compromise candidate, able to unite different factions of the party.

His election is seen as a setback for ex-leader Olusegun Obasanjo who was backing his own candidate.

The PDP won heavily in disputed 2007 polls and dominates national politics.

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This article addresses the recent election of Vincent Ogbulafor to serve as the People's Democratic Party's leader in Nigeria. Ogbulafor is the former general secretary; he is viewed as a "compromise candidate" because he connects the different groups of the party. This "compromise" shows that the leaders of the dominant party in Nigeria are seeking to do what would be best for the nation which would be to put aside differences and find a common ground. The election of Ogbulafor was seen as a test of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo's influence on the activities of the nation and its political parties. Obasanjo was backing one of his "allies," Sam Egwu, for this position, but Mr. Edwu was not selected. Many people in the People's Democratic Party are seeking to lower Obasanjo's influence on the goings-on in Nigeria. This shows that many of them are trying to move ahead, rather than staying in the same place they were the entire time Obasanjo was president. Alex Last believes that there was "a lot of backroom dealing before the result was announced" because of the corrupt nature of many of Nigerian leaders.

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Ali, Ciroma Clash over PDP Aspirants

THE controversy over the national convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fixed this Saturday is yet to abate as the National Chairman of the party, Ahmadu Ali and the chairman of the Electoral Panel of the Convention, Malam Adamu Ciroma are divided over the control of screening of aspirants for national offices of the party.

Unrelated though, is the clash of supporters of the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and his predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani yesterday at the PDP secretariat, Abuja. The clash sent workers of the secretariat and national officers of the PDP, including Ali, scampering for safety.

Ciroma had written to Ali that the panel raised an eight-man committee to handle the screening of aspirants after consultation among members. He further said that the essence of the exercise was to add value and to restore confidence of party faithful in the process.

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This article addresses the recent controversy that has arisen between two key leaders of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria. According to the article, National Chairman of the party Ahmadu Ali and chairman of the Electoral Panel of the Convention Malam Adamu Ciroma have disagreed about the process that should be taken to screen potential candidates for the national offices of the party. This shows the dissent that can arise between a single political party; the steps taken to resolve this disagreement will show the power that the government and its leaders have especially in resolving conflict. According to Ciroma, the screening of potential leaders is necessary to insure that the best job will be done. This article also addresses the recent disagreement that arose between supporters of Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and his predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani. This "clash" sent many individuals running for safety as many people were held hostage. This shows the violence that consumes many people in Nigeria including the leaders of the country.

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Tribunal Sacks Orji, Orders Ugochukwu In

THE Abia State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia yesterday nullified the election of Governor Theodore Orji of the Progressive People's Alliance (PPA) and declared Chief Onyema Ugochukwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election in the state.

The tribunal based its decision on what it called Orji’s membership of the Ogwugwuakpu Secret Cult in Okija and his failure to resign his appointment as a public officer of Abia State before contesting the election. His deputy, Chief Chris Akomo, according to the tribunal also did not resign from public office before contesting the election. The tribunal said consequently, Orji did not qualify to contest the election.

The tribunal in the two judgement which lasted two hours, 45 minutes and read by the Chairman of the panel, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf, held that Orji did not come before the tribunal to refute the claims of the petitioner, the consequences of which were that the election of the first and second defendants ought to be nullified.

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This article addresses the recent overturning of the decision of who would be governor of the Abia state. According to the article, Governor Theodore Orji was not "qualified to contest the election;" therefore, his winning was overturned, and Onyema Ugochukwu was declared the rightful winner. This decision shows the power that the government has to completely overturn the decision of who would be governor of a particular state. Also, this shows the corruption of Nigeria because the leaders are not always properly qualified but will still manage to do whatever it takes to win the election if that is what they want.

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Nnamani, Masari, Others Task Yar'Adua on PDP's Drift

CRISIS is, no doubt, becoming the signature of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Whenever it seems some quiet has descended on the self-styled largest party in Africa, a storm is thrown up.


The latest is that some prominent members of the PDP under the aegis of G-21 have written to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in his capacity as the leader of the ruling
political grouping to call former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the national
chairman, Ahmadu Ali, to order.


In the letter titled: "The problem of Peoples Democratic Party: A recipe for its survival," and which was signed by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari and Chief Alani Bankole, father of the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, among others, the group alerted that the party was on the verge of total collapse and they felt that as concerned members, they should draw his attention to the issue so as to see what could be done to salvage it.

Read the full story here.


This article shows the power that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has in Nigeria; and this same power that they would like to keep. This article also mentions how God had placed Yar'Adua in the President's position which shows that Nigeria practices some aspects of theocracy. This article also states that there are personal vendettas for changing certain aspects of the government, including the constitution. According to the article, "the amendments carried out so far in the constitution of the party were not intended to strengthen the party but to suit the wishes of a few individuals." This article also asserts that the PDP has lost some credibility which could cause lower legitimacy because it can make the citizens of Nigeria feel as though their government does not have a right to rule. The letter mentioned in this article draws President Yar'Adua's attention to many important issues, and a true test of his power and ability to rule this nation will be evident in his next steps.


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