reports that Anueyiagu made this statement on Thursday during a press briefing in Awka, where he also called on both the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements to merge their structures into a unified platform to boost their chances in future elections.

He argued that both movements are driven by a shared goal of promoting good governance, adding that a merger would strengthen their political influence across the northern and southern regions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, such an alliance would mark a shift away from what he described as a failing governance system that has not met the expectations of Nigerians.

Anueyiagu also referenced the 2023 presidential election, noting that the combined votes of Obi and Kwankwaso would have created a significantly stronger electoral force.

He said, “The Obidient and Kwankwasian movements are strong independent bodies serving the same purpose to give Nigeria good governance.

“In the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi scored over eight million votes, while Rabiu Kwankwaso recorded over one million votes. If combined, the figures present a formidable force.”

He added that lessons from the last election had strengthened supporters’ determination, expressing optimism that a united front would yield better political results in the future.

Anueyiagu stated, “The experience of the 2023 election has taught us valuable lessons. I believe that bringing these forces together will help salvage the country and deliver positive results.”

He further emphasised that national renewal requires unity beyond ethnic and regional divisions, urging Nigerians to collectively pursue accountable leadership and improved governance.

According to him, “National rebirth is not the responsibility of one tribe but a collective duty. Nigerians must come together to confront hardship, restore accountability, and build a better future.”

In a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group described the ruling as a “dangerous bend” for the party.

reports that the Supreme Court, in a split 3–2 decision delivered on Thursday, dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction, with three justices holding that the case lacked merit.

The faction argued that the judgment has effectively left the PDP without clear leadership.

Ememobong expressed confidence that the party’s existing structures would intervene to stabilise the situation and restore leadership direction moving forward.

According to the statement, the Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court which nullified the Ibadan convention.

The majority judgment—delivered by Justices Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Stephen Adah, and Garba—held that the appellants acted in contempt of a subsisting Federal High Court order. They ruled that parties in contempt could not be heard by the apex court, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.

However, the minority judgment delivered by Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Umar held a different view. They ruled that the dispute was an internal party matter and therefore not justiciable in court.

They further argued that the Federal High Court was not dealing with any action involving a government agency, but rather a leadership tussle within the PDP, which should not have been adjudicated by the courts.

The dissenting justices also faulted the majority for raising issues on its own without giving parties the opportunity to respond, stating that such an approach contradicts established Supreme Court practice.

They insisted that courts must not determine issues not properly argued by the parties before them.

The judgment also affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision suspending certain party officials, including Ajibade, SAN, and Anyanwu.

Reacting to the outcome, the faction said the ruling places the PDP in a precarious position and warned that it could have wider implications for Nigeria’s multi-party democracy if not carefully managed.

However, it maintained optimism that the party’s internal organs would take steps to resolve the crisis and restore leadership stability.

reports that the meeting had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, several ministers, and other members of the Federal Executive Council.

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Meanwhile, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as rising public debt and increasing government borrowing.

In a statement released on Thursday, Obi said countries must avoid reckless borrowing without a clear and productive repayment plan.

He argued that many of the loans being taken by the current administration do not meet legal requirements or basic economic logic.

reports that Obi’s comments come in response to President Tinubu’s recent remark that debt is not a “leprosy.”

However, Obi disagreed, insisting that borrowing could become dangerous if mismanaged, describing it as something that can turn into a “leprosy” or even a “deadly cancer” when not properly directed.

He further expressed concern that Nigeria’s borrowing pattern appears to be focused more on consumption than on productive investment.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain urged the Tinubu administration to ensure that borrowed funds are effectively utilised for the benefit of Nigerians, rather than being justified without tangible impact on development.