The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has elected Mao Ohabunwa as the chairman of its new board of trustees (BoT).

Ohabunwa was elected on Friday after a meeting at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s official residence in Abuja.

At the event, Isah Dansidi emerged as the secretary of the board.

Speaking during the inauguration, Abdulrahman said the move was to restore true values to the party and regain public trust.

The PDP chairman said: “We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law”.

According to him, recent developments in the party, such as internal challenges and disputes, have set the party off from the very principles that formed it.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged receipt of the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspending four of its top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Others suspended are the National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.); the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

Naija News reports that the development was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja.

According to the party, INEC was officially notified through a letter conveying the NWC’s resolution from its 608th emergency meeting, where the affected officers were sanctioned over alleged anti-party activities.

The letter, signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and other top officials, stated that the suspensions were made in line with Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution, suspends the following national officers from the party:

“Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary

“Hon. Umar Bature – National Organising Secretary

“Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) – National Legal Adviser

“Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser.

The above-named officers are consequently suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action,” the letter read.

The commission was also informed that during the period of suspension, the affected officials “shall cease to function in their respective capacities.”

In the interim, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo, has been directed to serve as Acting National Secretary, in accordance with Section 36(2) of the party’s constitution.

Similarly, the National Director of Legal Services and the National Director of Organisation have been assigned to oversee the operations of their respective departments until further notice.

The letter addressed to INEC read, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 608th emergency meeting considered the continued anti-party activities of some National Officers despite the formal reprimand issued by the Party.

The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 57(3), 58 (1XaX(b\{c) and (h) and 59 (1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) (As Amended in 2017) suspends the following National Officers from the Party. 1. Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary 2. Hon. Umar Bature – National Organizing Secretary 3. Barr. Kamaideen Ajibade – National Legal Adviser, 4. Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser, The above-name National Officers are consequently suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. During the period of the suspension, the affected officers cease to function in their respective capacities.

Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the POP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall forthwith act as the National Secretary while the National Director of Legal Services and National Director of Organization are hereby directed to oversee the activities of their respective Directorate.

“While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept thee assurances of the National Working Committee’s highest regards,” the PDP said in the letter signed by Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary and Hon. Yayari Ahmed, National Treasurer and Dr. Woyengikuro Ambrose Daniel, National Financial Secretary.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged that ex-US President Barack Obama, plotted his defeat in 2015.

Jonathan made this allegation in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours’ due to launch on Tuesday.

He said Obama displayed an unusual level of bias during the 2015 elections, describing him as overbearing and ‘condescending’ in his message to Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election.

According to Jonathan, “On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians, all but telling them how to vote.”

Giving the details in the book, Jonathan said, “In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the ‘next chapter’ by their votes.

“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”

According to Premium Times, which obtained a copy of the book hours before its unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan had kept the book secret in order to avoid excerpts of it being published ahead of its formal launch.

DAILY POST recalls that Jonathan lost the 2015 elections to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president would lose reelection.

He assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, getting his own mandate of four years at the 2011 presidential election.

“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” Jonathan said of the video message.

He lampooned Obama, who was American president from 2009 until 2017, for saying all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear but was reluctant to allow the Nigerian security forces drive Boko Haram insurgents away from the Nigerian territories they had been occupying in order to free Nigerian citizens there ahead of elections.

Jonathan also took a harsh aim at former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying the diplomat was nonchalant in his attitude towards his government, despite all efforts to make him understand that the decision to postpone election was in the overall interest of Nigeria.

“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the Northeast and were killing and maiming Nigerians?

“Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear: No President can extend his tenure by one day,” Jonathan said.