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The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has revealed why the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Wike, Obi dumped PDP because some chieftains in the party insisted that power remained in the north.

Wike disclosed this when he hosted the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.

The Rivers State Governor in a statement released by his assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri said, Obi decided to leave PDP when Lamido told him (Obi) that power would remain in the north in 2023.

Wike said, “I supported that power must come to the south. When Obi came here, I gave him all the logistics; vehicles, and other support and paid for the stadium, but some other persons applied and I refused. You should know me too well by now.

“Obi was running with us. I knew when Obi left. He was principled and he said he can’t stand it, people should say the truth. He went to see Sule Lamido in Jigawa, not in Dutse, but in a village that will take you more than four or five hours drive from Dutse the capital.

“You know what he told Obi? He didn’t tell him that look, you came late and I have chosen somebody. He said it is the north that will produce the next president. That was how Obi left saying why is he wasting time. Ask him, that’s how he left PDP.

“And that was what I saw at the convention ground. Within minutes, knowing that I was going to win, your sons were all the ones who did everything and sabotaged me. I said ok, no problem.

“But I still maintained that look, if you have taken the presidential candidate you can’t take chairmanship again, give us back the chairman and I still stand by that and if you don’t do that whatever you see you take.”

This article was originally published on Naija News

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has settled the lingering crisis between him and the winner of the party’s governorship primary in the state, Ladi Adebutu.

DAILY POST reports that Showunmi’s political difference with Adebutu dated back to years before the 2023 governorship elections.

But, the controversy peaked in the buildup to the 2023 polls when Showunmi went to court, seeking the dissolution of the PDP State Working Committee in Ogun State, for alleged bias, claiming the committee obtained the PDP gubernatorial form for Adebutu.

Showunmi had insisted that his case, which was before the Supreme Court would also nullify the primary elections that produced Adebutu, expressing confidence that he would be declared the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Ogun.

The former aide of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had made similar assertions on a radio programme in Abeokuta today, wherein he accused Adebutu of failing to allow peace to reign in the PDP.

Showunmi said he had on several occasions warned Adebutu about some of those he called his allies, expressing disappointment that many of those who the governorship candidate trusted had left him to join Governor Dapo Abiodun for pecuniary gains.

The Sagbua of Egbaland revealed that he had visited Adebutu more than once since the beginning of the PDP crisis, saying the candidate did not deem it fit to return the gesture.

He explained how his supporters have been pressuring him, asking if they could be allowed to support any other candidate in the March 18 governorship election.

However, the programme took a different twist when Adebutu made an unexpected phone call to the studio to appeal to Showunmi.

Adebutu, in an apologetic voice, clarified that he had made a series of attempts to visit Showunmi or speak with him, but he was always not available in Nigeria.

The two PDP leaders buried their hatchets when Adebutu begged Showunmi to let go of his grievances and join him in the mission to win Ogun State for the PDP.

Adebutu said: “After he (Showunmi) visited me, I’ve been calling him many times. I called his lawyer too. He is always not in Nigeria. The last time I called, he said he was in Brazil, promising to call me when he returned from the swearing-in ceremony of the Brazilian president. Like two weeks ago, I still called his lawyer to help me beg him. There’s no gain in all these brawls. We should not be creating fears in the minds of the masses that the PDP is in disarray. I am begging you, let’s work together to give the PDP brighter chances in the election.

“Please, (to the presenters) beg him, let him allow for a round table for us to reach an agreement. Please, I beg you, my brother, let us work together for the development of our nation and our people.”

Responding, Showunmi said: “The good people of Ogun State, if he has phoned and he has spoken the way he has spoken, I have no alternative than to stand by the PDP, work very hard for the PDP and put all energies into it and see how far we go.

“I want to tell Hon. Ladi Adebutu that we are brothers; before you called me, 75% of my heart is already in sympathy with you because I know what you have contributed to the party. There is no perfect human being. I am not perfect too.

“I give you my words publicly in the presence of all the good people of Ogun State, I will support you all through. It will be PDP from top to bottom.

“All members of the Segun Showunmi political family, you have heard me loud and clear. We are doing PDP. Myself and Hon. Ladi Adebutu have resolved whatever is causing issues between us. I’ve been friend with him for years. I will support him and I am withdrawing the case I have at the Supreme Court immediately.”

Ogun PDP: Ahead guber poll, Showunmi settles rift with Adebutu, withdraws suit

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has said that both Reece James and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be part of their trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Saturday.

Chelsea appear to be regaining confidence after beating Leeds United 1-0 in the Premier League and followed that up with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last Tuesday.

But the Blues will be without one, maybe two first team players against Leicester City as they have sustained several injuries since their last outing against Dortmund.

“Reece has been ill, so hasn’t trained today. He won’t make the game tomorrow,” the Englishman told his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back so he’s looking like he’ll miss the game. Raheem [Sterling] had a little feeling in his hamstring, so looking doubtful tomorrow.”

On whether N’Golo Kante, who has been out injured for months, will play against Leicester, Potter replied: ‘No, N’Golo won’t. We’re looking to build him up. Maybe Everton.”

EPL: Graham Potter reveals Chelsea suffered fresh injuries, gives update on Kante

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has responded to the many criticisms surrounding newly signed midfielder, Mykhailo Mudryk.

Potter had informed Chelsea fans that they may not see the best of the club’s £88.5million signing until next season.

Mudryk joined Chelsea in January after it was reported that the Blues hijacked the deal from London rivals Arsenal.

“He’s a player we believe in a lot,” the former Brighton boss told the press on Friday ahead of their game against Leicester City.

“He’s adapting. When he arrived, he was in a start of a pre-season campaign. To hit the Premier League running, it’s not easy to do.

“Day by day he’s getting stronger. He’s in the squad, chance he can play.’’

EPL: It’s not easy for him – Potter gives update on Mudryk’s form