Major events that shaped politics in 2017

In what appeared to be a clear departure from past practices, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the dates for the 2019 general elections in 2017, two years in advance.

The commission scheduled the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, 16th February, while the governorship and State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections have been scheduled for Saturday, 2nd March 2019. It was announced by the chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prince Solomon Soyebi, at a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Prince Soyebi pointed out that the commission believed that there should be certainty with regards to the timetable for elections as obtained in other countries with advanced democracies. He said “in order to ensure certainty in our dates for political parties, security agencies, candidates and all stakeholders, the commission has decided to fix the date for the national elections for the third Saturday in February of the election year, followed by state elections two weeks later.”

He continued, “To that extent, the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, 16th February 2019, while the governorship/ State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections will hold on Saturday 2nd March 2019.”

INEC registered 21 political parties

INEC registered 21 more political parties, according to a statement by the National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu said the new parties were associations that met the constitutional requirements of becoming registered parties.

The new parties are, All Blending Party (ABP), All Grassroots Alliance (AGA), Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Coalition for Change (C4C), Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP), Legacy Party of Nigeria (LPN) and Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA).

Others are Modern Democratic Party (MDP), National Interest Party (NIP), National Rescue Mission (NRM), New Progressive Movement (NPM), Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP), People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL), People’s Trust (PT), Providence People’s Congress (PPC), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP), Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP) and Sustainable National Party (SNP).

The commission had earlier in June registered five associations as political parties. They are, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP), All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM) and Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Buhari appointed chairmen, members

board

A statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha, showed that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed 209 board chairmen and 1,258 board members.

The single largest appointment by President Buhari came after two years since members of the ruling party had been complaining over alleged neglect by the government despite their contributions to the victory of the APC administration.

APC failed to hold convention in 2017

The much anticipated midterm non-elective convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could not be conducted in 2017 despite promises from the party leadership. The party’s governors had to intervene when the APC leaders could no longer handle the issue. Attempts were even made to get the intervention of the then acting President Yemi Osinbajo after the introduction of regular meetings between governors, the National Working Committee (NWC) members and the leadership of the National Assembly. But the issue was not addressed till the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical trip to the United Kingdom. The ruling party must, however, hold the convention this year.

S/Court ended leadership tussle PDP

The intense leadership tussle between Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff was ended by the Supreme Court on July 12, 2017.

A five-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in its judgment gave legitimacy to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

PDP hold two conventions

The PDP held two national conventions within the period. The first was on August 12, exactly a month after the Supreme Court judgement. The second was on December 9.

The August convention was non-elective and extended the tenure of the caretaker committee by four months, to give it enough time to organize the elective convention of December 9.

The non-elective convention also dissolved the PDP executives in Anambra, Adamawa, Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Osun, Ogun and Lagos where previous congresses to elect leaders for the chapters ended in disagreement.

A caretaker committee to run the affairs of the Anambra chapter where two parallel executives existed, was set up, with one of the factional chairmen, Ken Emeakayi, suspended for one month.

The elective convention of December 9, 2017, however, produced the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at the Eagle Square in Abuja, venue of the event.

Atiku returned to PDP

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dumped the ruling APC and returned to his former party, the PDP. Atiku said he rejoined PDP because most of the issues that compelled him to leave had been resolved.

“So, today, I want to let you know that I am returning home to the PDP as the issues that led me to leave it have now been resolved and it is clear that the APC has let the Nigerian people, and especially our young people down,” he said.

'Fresh PDP' emerged

A splinter group emerged from the PDP with the opening of its parallel national secretariat in Abuja.

The PDP, however, described the new development as comical, saying it was the handiwork of the ruling APC, which is jittery over its elective convention that ended the year-long crisis in the party.

At a news conference, the group said the convention that produced the Prince Secondusled NWC was a “charade,” adding that the names of the “authentic NWC” of the PDP would be announced early January, 2018, when political activities would have kicked-off fully.

“We reject in its entirety the selected NWC list and we call on INEC and all other relevant authorities to disregard the purported election of the NWC because they weren’t elected in line with the provisions of our party’s constitution and in accordance with the electoral guidelines for the convention.

“As committed and dedicated candidates and party stakeholders, we have decided to ensure that internal democracy is sustained in the party and that the dreams of our founding fathers who laboured and sacrificed so much to build the party are not destroyed.

“To this effect, we have officially opened a national secretariat of the party here in Asokoro, Abuja, from where the authentic NWC of the party will be operating.

“Today, the PDP that Nigerians have yearned for is born. We hereby declare that the era of impunity, imposition, and manipulation of our party’s internal election process is dead and buried,” the group said.

Those who signed the text of the press conference were a member of the PDP convention planning sub-committee, Prince Obi-Nwosu Emmanuel, deputy director-general of Prof. Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation, Chief Olukayode Akindele; a contender for the office of National Organising Secretary, Chief Godwin Chinedu Duru; an aspirant for the office of National Youth Leader; Comrade Franklyn Edede, and Alhaji Hassan Adamu.