THE BEAUTY AND INTRIQUES OF POLITICS IN NIGERIA

The political clime was well heated in the outgoing week, with defections, withdrawals, accusations and counter-accusations very widespread.

The centre of activity was the National Assembly where over two scores of lawmakers decided to switch allegiance to other parties.

While Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, continues to play the dumb game, a gubernatorial candidate was caught lying about his educational status.

Here are some of the political high points from the past week.

Sunday

–          The PDP in a statement criticised the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for his efforts to persuade R-APC members from leaving the party

In its reaction, the APC said the PDP is only looking for life after death as it struggles to hide its bad image under the new coalition.

–          Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa State described as “malicious and false” an online report alleging that he gave N70 million to organisers a rally in Yola by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party.

–          In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kassim Afegbua, on Sunday, the rAPC said it is too late for President Muhammadu Buhari and the party to start making peace and reconciliation moves to stop their defection from the ruling APC.

Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa State described as “malicious and false” an online report alleging that he gave N70 million to organisers a rally in Yola by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party.

–          In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kassim Afegbua, on Sunday, the rAPC said it is too late for President Muhammadu Buhari and the party to start making peace and reconciliation moves to stop their defection from the ruling APC.

  “If the minister refuses we will suspend him from the party,” the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole said, as he threatened to sack the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, from the ruling party, APC.

–          As fall out of the APC primary, the Secretary to Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti, resigned his appointment and defected to the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

–          Contrary to online reports, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, debunked speculations about juicy offers being made to him and his associates as part of the on-going discussions with the presidency and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

–          Ahead of expected defection, Acting Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chukwudi Onyema, declared that he will become the House leader in a few days.

–          The PDP expelled Ogun State senator, Buruji Kashamu, alongside three others; Bayo Dayo, Segun Sarki and Sanimu Sodipo from the party.

–          The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, summoned Senate President Bukola Saraki over the killing of 31 persons following an armed robbery attack in his home state of Kwara.

In a statement Monday night, the Force Headquarters circulated a June 23, 2018 letter which Mr Idris wrote to Mr Saraki, asking him to turn himself in to clarify grey areas in his statement.

–          Mr Saraki, in a swift reaction said the invitation was an afterthought designed to achieve political purpose.

“I have been reliably informed that the police invitation was planned by IG as a ploy to stop an alleged plan by some Senators and House of Representatives members from defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also said that if I was detained betweenTuesday and Wednesday, that will abort the so-called defection plan,” he said.

–          Mr Kashamu said that his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party would not stand, as it did not follow due process.