Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several political parties have strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for failing to practice inclusive governance, pointing to a persistent pattern of uneven political appointments that favor certain regions over others and violate the constitutional principle of federal character. Although the presidency attempted to defend its record by releasing a geographical breakdown of appointments, the list faced immediate backlash for being incomplete and omitting key high ranking officials from the South West region, which critics argue only exposed deep seated regional imbalance and nepotism. Opposition leaders warned that promoting such ethnocentrism and favoritism in a diverse country like Nigeria threatens national unity, peace, and stability, cautioning that the administration's exclusionary approach is pushing the nation toward unnecessary division.

The Peoples Democratic Party has postponed its zonal congresses for the North-Central, South-South, and South-West regions, which were originally scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025. This decision was made by the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party to show solidarity with the government and people of Plateau State following recent tragic killings, and to allow governors from the affected regions to attend a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum in Ibadan. Following the adjustment, the South-West zonal congress has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while new dates for the North-Central and South-South congresses will be announced later, with the existing caretaker committee continuing to oversee the South-South region in the meantime.

The Peoples Democratic Party is currently facing a severe internal crisis as factions struggle for control over the party's leadership and regional structure. Tensions have peaked following a dispute over the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, with loyalists of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike rejecting the appointments made by the National Working Committee and questioning the legitimacy of those overseeing party affairs. This internal division is compounded by the repeated postponement of the National Executive Committee meeting—now delayed until May—which leaders claim is necessary due to ongoing litigation regarding the position of the National Secretary. While some officials argue that recent actions were taken to stabilize the party and prevent a leadership vacuum, others, including the National Vice Chairman for the South-South, Dan Orbih, have dismissed these decisions as unconstitutional and the result of personal agendas. As competing factions continue to issue conflicting directives and challenge each other’s authority in court, the party remains deeply fractured, leaving members and stakeholders concerned about the future stability and unity of the organization.