The Peoples Democratic Party National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, has said members vying for presidential election without respect for the party’s constitution are the problem of the party.

Orbih insisted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike is not the problem of PDP.

He disclosed this during the official handing over of the PDP secretariat he donated to the party on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State Capital.

The PDP chieftain charged members to set aside their differences and work to reposition the party.

Orbih called on the acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagun to bring about the of repositioning the PDP.

He said: “PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet.

“Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines.

“We must put our differences aside and work with sincere party members to rebuild and reposition the PDP for future political battles ahead.

“People are mocking the PDP and asking where we are, but I tell you today, the PDP in Edo is fully back.”

In a significant gathering in Abuja on April 16, 2025, prominent leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now integrated into the All Progressives Congress (APC), unanimously reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to the APC and expressed their full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.

The meeting underscored their commitment to the party’s unity and the success of Tinubu’s administration.

The leaders in attendance included distinguished figures such as Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura, former Governor of Nasarawa State; Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, former Governor of Katsina State; Hon. Aliyu Adamu Farouk; Osita Okechukwu, a seasoned political strategist; Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a prominent legal practitioner; Yusuf Salihu; Capt. Bala Jubrin; Uche Oferoh; and Hon. Ayuba Bulama, among others.

Their collective resolve strengthens the APC’s cohesion as it navigates Nigeria’s political landscape under President Tinubu’s stewardship.

The leaders emphasized their dedication to fostering party unity, resolving internal challenges, and ensuring the APC remains a formidable force in Nigerian politics.

They lauded President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly his economic reforms and efforts to address national security, expressing confidence in his vision for a prosperous Nigeria.

The summit also served as a platform to strategize on mobilizing grassroots support and reinforcing the APC’s dominance ahead of future political engagements.

This reaffirmation underscores the enduring legacy of the CPC’s ideals within the APC and signals robust backing for Tinubu’s presidency as it navigates critical national issues.

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU INAUGURATES NATIONAL CENSUS COMMITTEE, GIVES THREE-WEEK DEADLINE FOR REPORT

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated a high-level committee on the forthcoming national population and housing census on Wednesday. The committee will submit an interim report within three weeks.

The President said the census is crucial for national development, accurate planning, and effective decision-making in healthcare, education, security, and economic planning.

Nigeria’s last census was in 2006, nearly two decades ago. It recorded a population of 140,431,790, with 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.

President Tinubu stressed the pivotal role of a technology-driven process in ensuring credible and verifiable results and the need for collaboration among all relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Underscoring the critical financing factor in the exercise, the President enjoined the members to look at domestic and even international resources.

“Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.

“We expect you will touch on the technology area because the census must be technology-driven. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise. The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation,” he said.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila represented the President at the event held at the State House in Abuja,

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who chairs the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, assured the President that the committee will deliver its report within the three-week deadline.

The minister recalled President Tinubu’s advice to ministers during their retreat in 2003, urging them to think creatively and work with the resources available, even under harsh economic conditions.

Bagudu noted that despite global economic challenges, Nigeria is making steady progress under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing improved foreign exchange stability and a positive growth trajectory.

He said the committee will recommend practical solutions, including strategies for mobilising domestic and international resources to fund the census.

The Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, also a committee member, emphasised that accurate data is critical for planning across all sectors and that a credible census is the foundation for such data.

The National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will also serve as the committee Secretary, said the commission has already begun preparations for the national population and housing census in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other relevant stakeholders.

According to him, the focus has been on identifying key requirements and laying the groundwork necessary for the President to make an informed decision on the actual conduct of the census.

Kwarra assured Nigerians that the National Population Commission remains committed to ensuring a credible, technology-driven enumeration that will support effective national planning and development.

The eight-member committee also includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Principal Secretary to the President, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff).

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
April 16, 2025