Rising from a meeting in the early hours of yesterday, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and leaders of thought within the party resolved not to abandon the party for any coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, had recently hinted that the party was going into a coalition with other opposition leaders to chase the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of power in 2027.

But the party leaders and the governors who met on Wednesday night through Thursday morning in Abuja, believe that rather than build any coalition, the energy and resources should be channeled to building the PDP.

Among those present at the meeting were two former Senate presidents, David Mark and Bukola Saraki, former governors of Kaduna, Jigawa and Sokoto states, Ahmed Makarfi, Sule Lamido and Senator Aminu Tambuwal.

Others were former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri and former Defence minister, Lawal Batagarawa, with the governors represented by two of their colleagues – Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.

Sources told Daily Sun that at the meeting held under frank atmosphere, the leaders decided to rebuild the PDP.

“And they also briefed the governors on their plan to achieve their aim of building the party and they want the governors to work towards the same aim.

“They resolved that there is no need to abandon the party and be working on any coalition. They instead insisted that rather than work to build any coalition, the efforts to start a coalition should be deployed to build the PDP, using the same resources, energy, time and strategy they want to use for the coalition, for the PDP.

“They noted that all the parties with no exception, including the APC, have their challenges and internal crisis. As such, PDP leaders should work to reconcile the differences and rebuild their structure instead of seeking any new platform,” one of the sources told Daily Sun.

Evang Prince Nicholas Chukwujekwu Ukachukwu was a friend of the Late Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

In 2019, Prince Ukachukwu contested for Senate on the platform of APGA against the late Senator Ubah who was the candidate of YPP.

At the end of the election, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah won. He defeated Chris Uba of PDP, Andy Uba of APC and Ukachukwu of APGA.

Chris Uba went to court.
Andy Uba went to court.

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu invited Ifeanyi Ubah to his house and told him that he was not going to challenge the outcome of the election.

He accepted defeat and promised to support Ifeanyi Ubah to succeed in the Senate.

In 2023, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu knowing that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah had done so well in the Senate refused to contest against him again. He supported him to defeat, Chris Uba of PDP, Chris Azubogu of APGA and Obinna Uzo of Labour Party.

Towards this journey of 2025 Anambra state governorship election. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah went to Ikukuoma to consult him.

When he met with Ikukuoma at his Abuja residence, Ifeanyi Ubah told him that he came to inform him that he would contest the 2025 governorship election against Prof Soludo.

Ikukuoma thanked the late Senator for founding him worthy to consult him. He thereafter told Ubah that he had wanted to contest the governorship election but since he has already declared that he would no longer contest.

He promised to use his resources, mobilize his supporters and ensure that he delivers Nnewi South LGA to Ubah.

That was the deal sealed. And the late Senator left with these assurances from a dependable ally.

But along the line, death struck and we lost one of the best political angels of our time – a man with a heart of gold. Humane, tough and consistent in giving.

Having lost Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Evang Nicholas Ukachukwu stepped out.

Initially, I doubted his capacity to fight this battle knowing that Prof Soludo is mean.

But following the events leading to the APC primaries closely. I came to agree with Hon Ben Umeh , Nwachinagbaluogu na Orumba that the spirit of Ifeanyi Ubah has found his way into Prince Evang Nicholas Ukachukwu.

The capacity with which Ukachukwu bulldozed his way into APC and pushed every rivalry out is reminiscent to the what Ifeanyi Ubah has been doing to opposition.

The financial capacity he has exhibited has a spirit of Ifeanyi Ubah touch.

There is every spirit of Ifeanyi Ubah in this November 8th journey that Prince Ukachukwu is undertaking.

He has started like Ifeanyi Ubah, it is certain he will finish strong like Ikemba Ndigbo and send Prof Soludo and APGA out of Agu Awka come November 8th.

It is expected that all lovers of Ifeanyi Ubah should align with Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and support him to conclude the journey which Ebubechukwu Uzo started last year.

President Bola Tinubu has responded to the death of former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu.

It will be recalled that Chukwu passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74.

The former footballer has left a void in the hearts of many football enthusiasts.

In his reaction, Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, joined the football community in mourning Chukwu’s passing.

He stated that Chukwu brought joy to millions of Nigerians and stood as a pillar of the Nigerian brand.

“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism,” the statement partly read.

“He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched.”

Chukwu captained the Super Eagles to Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON glory on home soil in 1980.