TheNewsGuru

Tag: APC

  • 2027: Our party not distracted – APC to Bauchi Governor

    2027: Our party not distracted – APC to Bauchi Governor

    The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the party is not distracted by 2027 politicking. Lagos APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, made this remark in a statement on Friday.

    Oladejo was reacting to the recent remarks made by Bauchi Gov. Bala Mohammed, in which he accused the APC and the Federal Government of prioritising politics over governance ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Describing the accusation as a misplaced outburst from a frustrated opposition, Oladejo said President Bola Tinubu and the APC remained concentrated on its governance agenda.

    “Tinubu, the APC remains fully focused on its governance agenda — with bold reforms in economy, security, infrastructure, and institutional development.

    “This administration has chosen to face the tough challenges of nation-building head-on, while some in the opposition are busy grandstanding in the media and chasing shadows.

    “We also urge Gov. Mohammed to look to Lagos as an example of what consistent, visionary, and people-centred governance under the APC can achieve.

    “Governance is not a press statement; it is the hard work of delivering real results.

    “The APC is not distracted by 2027. When the time for elections comes, our performance will be our campaign,” Oladejo said.

    He said that while the party respected the right of opposition leaders to express their views, it found it both ironic and regrettable that such a statement would come from Mohammed.

    He urged the governor to direct his energy towards governance of the state rather than toward baseless attacks on the APC and the Federal Government.

    “We encourage Gov. Mohammed to channel his energy into addressing the pressing developmental needs of the good people of Bauchi State.

  • APC cautions Oyo govt, raises concerns over debt portfolio

    APC cautions Oyo govt, raises concerns over debt portfolio

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has expressed concerns over alleged plans by Gov. Seyi Makinde to obtain a fresh loan of N300 billion loan.

    A report on Wednesday said that the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, reconvened during recess on Aug. 16 and Aug. 26 to consider the loan request

    In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan, the APC said that the development raised questions about transparency and due process in governance.

    The APC warned that continuous borrowing may affect the state’s economy and the welfare of its citizens if not carefully managed.

    It alleged that the decision was made without the involvement of its four lawmakers in the chamber, who were not fully briefed before approval was given.

    Sadare said that the party might mobilise residents to embark on a peaceful protest if what it described as “unabated borrowing” continues without clear justification.

    The party said that the latest loan was the third in 2025 alone, following earlier borrowing of N200 billion in March and N110 billion in July.

    The APC compared Oyo with Imo State, where Gov. Hope Uzodimma recently increased workers’ minimum wage to N104,000, citing better financial management.

    It wondered why, despite significant resources, Oyo citizens had not seen direct improvements in their daily lives since 2019.

    The APC further cautioned the Assembly leadership to act responsibly, stressing that excessive debt could burden citizens before and beyond May 2027.

    It urged residents to remain calm, assuring that it would continue to raise issues affecting governance in the overall interest of the state.

  • Delta APC endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori as sole candidates for 2027 elections

    Delta APC endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori as sole candidates for 2027 elections

    The Delta State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a unanimous vote of confidence on and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the party’s sole presidential and gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 general elections.

    The decision was reached on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, during the State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held at the APC Secretariat in Asaba under the leadership of the State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie.

    The meeting had in attendance members of the State Executive Committee and local government chairmen from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

    In his welcome address, Elder Sobotie charged party leaders to remain steadfast, disciplined, and united in strengthening the APC in Delta State under the leadership of Governor Oborevwori.

    He stressed that harmony and loyalty were essential for the party’s victory in future elections, urging members to embrace reconciliation and inclusion across all levels of leadership.

    Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening grassroots mobilization, healing internal divisions, and repositioning the APC as a dominant force in Delta politics.

    The chairman also briefed members on the forthcoming empowerment programme designed to bring relief and tangible benefits to party members and communities across the state.

    The highlight of the meeting was the adoption of a resolution endorsing President Tinubu as APC’s sole presidential candidate in recognition of his visionary leadership, bold economic reforms, and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Similarly, Governor Oborevwori was endorsed as the sole governorship candidate of the party in Delta State for 2027, with members citing his proven record of service, inclusive leadership, and dedication to good governance under the M.O.R.E Agenda.

    The motion for the resolution was moved by Chief Ubu Jiminyevwe Digbame, State Assistant Auditor of the party, and seconded by Pastor Norbert Sochukwudinma, party Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area .

    The endorsement was met with thunderous applause, reflecting the overwhelming support of the State Executive Committee for the two leaders.

    The meeting ended with prayers for unity, peace, and progress led by Sir Joshua Kekeje, Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area.

    In a subsequent statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, Esq., the Delta APC reiterated its commitment to unity, discipline, and service, pledging to mobilize grassroots support that will secure resounding victory for the party in 2027.

  • APC keeps 2027 ticket open after endorsing Tinubu

    APC keeps 2027 ticket open after endorsing Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday in Abuja said party stalwarts wishing to contest the 2027 presidential election may challenge President Bola Tinubu at its primaries.

    Alh. Suleiman Argungu, the party’s National Organising Secretary, stated this while addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat.

    He, however, reaffirmed the decision of the party’s leadership, including its National Working Committee (NWC) and the Sen. Hope Uzodinma-led Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), to endorse Tinubu.

    He added that the Sen. Godswill Akpabio-led National Assembly leadership also supported Tinubu, citing his impressive performance and economic policies that were beginning to yield positive results.

    Argungu stressed that the APC, as a democratic party, would not shut its doors to stalwarts wishing to contest its presidential ticket against Tinubu at the primaries.

    “The aspiration of the people will be the wish of the party. The NWC has endorsed President Tinubu as our next presidential candidate.

    “Other party organs have taken similar positions. Governments across most states and zones have also adopted him.

    “But that does not mean the door is closed. When the time comes, we’ll publish our timetable for aspirants wishing to contest the presidency.

    “Under the APC platform, we’ll not deny anyone the right to purchase forms. Members are free to exercise their franchise,” Argungu said.

    He clarified that the party never closed its doors but wished to acknowledge Tinubu’s efforts in delivering good governance and serving Nigerians diligently.

    He said Tinubu deserved a second term in office because he was performing well for the country and its citizens.

    Argungu was reacting to a question on whether the APC would emulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which reserved a sole presidential form for Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

    While celebrating the APC’s recent by-election victories in some states, he assured Nigerians that Tinubu and the APC remained dedicated to their welfare, security, and prosperity.

    NAN reports that the APC secured 13 of the 16 contested seats in the by-election.

    According to Argungu, this achievement reaffirmed the confidence Nigerians continued to place in the APC.

    “These victories are not just statistics; they show the strength, resilience, and growing acceptance of our party nationwide.

    “They reflect Nigerians’ belief in our capacity to deliver purposeful leadership and good governance,” Argungu added.

  • Some people in Presidency triggered Delta APC controversy – Nwaoboshi

    Some people in Presidency triggered Delta APC controversy – Nwaoboshi

    The All Progressives Congress, APC, leader in Delta State, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, has accused some people in the Presidency who caused crisis in the party.

    Nwaoboshi, talking on the gubernatorial ambition of former Deputy Senate President, DSP, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, said APC in Delta State was a united family until after the presidential election won by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta threatened to expose those behind the crisis and gang-up against Omo-Agege, APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections from getting anything from the present government.

    Though he revealed that Omo-Agege’s guber ambition, to the best of his knowledge, may not materialize under the platform of APC in 2027, he said “the persons l vowed to expose have prevented Omo-Agege from getting anything from the present government. His only concern, which he informed me on a few occasions, is that he needs to be recognised and accorded due respect as a former leader of the party in the state.

    “You remember when people were challenging him then, and I said Omo-Agege is the leader of the party in the state. I challenged them to a debate because I have been around. He is a former Deputy Senate President. There was no contest as to who was the leader of the party. It was some people in the Presidency that triggered it.

    “Some people in the Presidency triggered the Delta APC controversy. The problems, or what you would define as a crisis in the Delta APC before the governor came in, were minimal. Of the two senators that APC had at the time, Omo-Agege contributed over 80 per cent to their being senators. He made them the party’s candidates. I said no, he is the leader of the party.

    “I have advised him as a senior brother and someone older than him in the game of politics. I have told him he cannot run if he remains in the APC and the governor remains in the APC. He cannot win the party’s primary, and it will be difficult for him to win the election. I have had private meetings with him and apprised him of my position.

    “I am talking about the party primary. It is difficult for him to change the system when a sitting governor is running for a second term. I have advised him, and I don’t think so based on my personal meeting with him, our former governor, Ibori, and other leaders” Nwaoboshi maintained.

  • JUST IN: 2 PDP Assembly members defect to APC in Ondo

    JUST IN: 2 PDP Assembly members defect to APC in Ondo

    Two members of the Ondo State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Afe and Tope Agbulu, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Afe, member representing Akoko North-West 2, while Agbulu represents Akoko South-West 2 at the Assembly.

    The letters of resignation of the two lawmakers were read at the plenary by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Benjamin Jayeola.

    The duo cited irreconcilable differences within the PDP in the state as the reason for their resignation.

    Afe stated that he had made a wide consultation with his constituents and major stakeholders before taking the decision.

    According to him, APC, as a political platform, will enable him to deliver more dividends of democracy to his constituency.

    Similarly, Agbulu said that APC is a most viable political platform to serve his constituents, thanking the PDP for its support during his membership with the platform.

    With the defection, APC has 24 out of 26 members while PDP has two members in the Assembly.

    Earlier, the House of Assembly enjoined the state executive council to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for the staff of the Assembly.

    The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Ondo State Chapter had given a 21-day ultimatum for the implementation of CONLESS by the state government.

    The Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Mr Olatunji Oshati(Ose/APC), said that the non implementation of CONLESS in the state was a matter of public interest, adding that the legislative arm had taken it upon itself to intervene.

    Oshati appealed to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to consider the agitation of the Assembly staff.

    He added that other states in the South-West had implemented the salary structure for the staff of their respective Houses of Assembly.

    The majority leader, therefore, urged the staff to exercise more patience and allow intervention of the Assembly for a peaceful resolution.

    Similarly, the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, asked the Assembly staff not to take laws into their hands but allow dialogue instead of confrontation .

    Oladiji, who commended the patience of the staff, assure them that the Assembly’s leadership would discuss with the governor for a resolution.

    He said that the implementation of the salary structure would improve capacity and efficiency of the staff.

    According to him, the legislative arm will continue to protect and defend the interest of the staff.

  • APC suspends 2023 Edo South Senatorial candidate

    APC suspends 2023 Edo South Senatorial candidate

    The Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the suspension of Mr Valentine Asuen, its 2023 senatorial candidate for Edo South, over alleged anti-party activities.

    In a statement on Benin on Monday, Peter Uwadie-Igbinigi, State Publicity Secretary of the party, said the decision was taken in line with the party’s constitution and disciplinary framework.

    According to him, Asue has been suspended from the party in accordance with the provisions of the APC Constitution 2022, as amended as he has been found culpable of actions deemed capable of inciting division within the party.

    “This disciplinary action became necessary following his conduct, which runs contrary to the spirit of unity, loyalty, and collective progress enshrined in our constitution.”

    Uwadiae-Igbinigie explained that the actions of the ex Edo South senatorial candidate contravened Articles 21:2 (ii) & (v), and 21:5 (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) & (h) of the APC constitution (2022), adding that the offences were punishable by suspension or expulsion.

    “These actions have been deemed to amount to inciting division within the party, thereby undermining the cohesion and discipline expected of every member.

    “No act capable of destabilising the party or inciting disaffection amongst members will be condoned,” he stressed.

    Reacting to insinuations of lopsidedness in the appointment of political office holders, the publicity secretary dismissed the claims.

    According to him, appointments made so far by Gov. Monday Okpebholo are evenly spread across the state.

    “Let it be clearly stated that all appointments made thus far by the governor have been evenly distributed across the state without any undue influence from the party’s Secretary, Mr Lawrence Okah.”

    The state APC’s spokesman urged members to remain united and focused on the party’s vision, warning that indiscipline or disloyalty would be met with firm sanctions.

    “The APC remains committed to internal democracy, discipline, and the protection of its integrity.

    “We call on all members to remain steadfast, united, and committed to delivering good governance and democratic dividends to the people,” he said.

    Asuen, a prominent politician and business man, contested the 2023 Edo South Senatorial election under the APC banner but lost to the candidate of the Labour Party, Neda Imasuen, who has since decamped to the APC.

  • By-elections: Shameless opposition berates APC for woeful defeat – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By-elections: Shameless opposition berates APC for woeful defeat – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    As a people, Nigerians – and especially politicians – have practically lost all sense of shame. Otherwise, members of the opposition parties would’ve buried their heads in ignominy for their woeful defeats across the 13 states that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted by-elections on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

    In a decisive routing, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) first claimed 12 of the 17 legislative constituencies: all seats contested in Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba, including one seat each in three opposition states of Adamawa, Kano and Taraba.

    The opposition constituency in Zamfara – declared inconclusive by INEC at close of poll on August 16 – also went to APC during the re-run on Thursday, August 21, bringing to 13 seats in 10 of 13 states secured by the party.

    As the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured the two constituencies in Anambra, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took one of two seats in Kano, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – battling internal crisis that’s depleted its once formidable platform – not only claimed the seat in Oyo State, but also placed second in most constituencies, even as it lost seats in Adamawa, Taraba and Zamfara.

    Rather than take their defeat as self-inflicted, chiefly on account of their fictionalised and disorganised platforms, the boastful, “hungry and angry” pot-bellied politicians revisited concocted, hackneyed, tired and worn-out allegations of “electoral malpractice” by the APC, INEC and security agencies, to “steal their votes” – votes they merited only on social media where they build castles in the air.

    Particularly irksome are members of the “a new-Nigeria-is-possible” Coalition of Opposition Politicians (COP) – residing in African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 General Election – who boasted, and failed to deliver the by-elections to “send a strong message to Tinubu that he is a one-term President (OTP).”

    Whereas prior to and during the polls, reports indicted the major parties for potential or actual committal of electoral malpractice; the opposition covered their tracks, and heaped all blame on Tinubu, APC, INEC and security agencies.

    Condemnable as disruption in a few states is, especially the assaults on eligible voters by armed thugs in Kano; the by-elections have exposed the COP/ADC as overhyped and overrated, as members confronted in-house crises in state chapters, where “all politics is local.”

    In the lead-up to the poll, the major figures in the COP/ADC fanned out across the country, to introduce the ADC to the states, canvass for and register new members, and rally supports for their candidates.

    Such opposition figures include former Vice President and PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, Atiku Abubakar, who leads the COP/ADC; former Anambra Governor and 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nasir el-Rufai; former Rivers Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; former Osun Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Edo Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

    • Alhaji Atiku’s strongholds of Adamawa and Taraba were the first to birth the COP/ADC across Nigeria, but reportedly had a poor reception from Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who’s allegedly “not on the same political page anymore with Atiku.”

    Rumours have swirled about the PDP governor hobnobbing with the APC, and may defect to the platform. So, does the by-elections in Adamawa and Taraba going to APC – even with the tiniest of margins – and not Atiku’s ADC or Fintiri’s PDP tell any story? Perhaps, in the circumstances!

    • Mr Obi – riding the wave of his third-placing in the 2023 poll – has been criss-crossing the country on “humanitarian activities” that’ve irked some state governors as “unlawful campaigning” ahead of the 2027 poll.

    Similarly in his home state of Anambra, Governor Chukwuma Soludo – who praises President Tinubu’s harsh economic reforms as the antidotes to stabilize the system – has declared Obi as “untrustworthy,” and holds him out as such to the people.

    For the by-elections, Obi campaigned in Anambra and elsewhere for candidates of ADC, on the alibi that INEC didn’t approve candidates of the divided LP, which, on eve of the poll, got the nod, via a court order, to field the candidates. But the court fiat didn’t change the situation.

    Like distrust members in other states – who, unable to process the mixed messages from Obi and other ADC and LP chieftains, switched their votes to other parties’ candidates – the Anambra people voted the governing APGA’s candidates, in place of the ADC candidates Obi canvassed for.

    • In Kaduna, El-Rufai, who left the APC for “failing a cabinet post in the Tinubu administration,” and defected to Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a bargaining platform in the COP/ADC, used the by-elections to test run for 2027, and gauge his popularity with Governor Uba Sani.

    On August 13, campaigning on the roof of a moving SUV, El-Rufai waved the ADC flag to the crowd, as he led a massive rally for candidate Alex Adanu in Kujama, Chikun local government, urging, “I appeal to all voters to come out en masse on Saturday and vote for the ADC candidate, Alex Ben.”
    But the ADC lost the poll, as the people, enjoying relative peace and harmony, and even developments under Governor Sani, used the by-elections as “payback” to el-Rufai for his alleged “eight-year maladministration of Kaduna.”

    • In Rivers, Amaechi, who lately rode in “a two-million-man procession” through the streets of Port Harcourt, claims that ADC has registered over 800,000 members since he launched the party in the state a few weeks ago.

    The ADC needs to confirm that huge membership figure with a strong showing in the August 30 council poll in Rivers, for Amaechi to prove his supremacy over former Governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, a staunch supporter of President Tinubu, who Amaechi vows to defeat if he gets the ADC ticket for the 2027 contest.

    “I tell you, I’ve not had an election against Tinubu. I know Tinubu very well. I know his strengths. I know his weaknesses. And I know that if allowed to fly the flag of ADC, I will defeat Tinubu for sure,” Amaechi said on Friday, August 8, on X Space tagged, ‘Weekend Politics’.

    Recall that at the APC presidential primary on June 8, 2022, in Abuja, for the 2023 election, Tinubu beat Amaechi, among a pack of 13 aspirants, to second position by 1,271 votes to 316 votes – a margin of lead of 955 votes. Can Amaechi reverse this marker against the sitting President at the general election in 2027?

    • In Edo, following Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s launch of ADC in Benin City recently with some aplomb, an ally of his claimed to’ve garnered 40,000 members. Yet, the party lost scandalously to third position at the by-elections. For instance, in the Ovia federal constituency, while APC scored 77,053 votes, and PDP earned 3,838 votes, the ADC recorded 925 votes.

    Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo – executing his “Edo Rising” agenda to reverse alleged “misgovernance by ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki” – has turned the state into a “huge construction site,” building roads and flyovers, and reviving education, health, transport and other social services, and embarking on an agricultural revolution for food security.

    And “Edo people have taken notice, and showed their appreciation by massive votes for the APC candidates in the by-elections” to replace the seats vacated by the governor and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa in the Senate and House of Representatives, accordingly.

    • Ogbeni Aregbesola’s reported attack by political thugs in Ogun for his alleged “betrayal of President Tinubu and the APC” is a condemnable act against freedom of choice and association. Yet, with APC claiming the Ogun by-election, the real test for Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary of ADC is the 2026 governorship poll in Osun, which he ruled for eight years (2010-2018).

    As the APC savours its massive victories in the August 16 by-elections, President Tinubu’s hailed all stakeholders at the franchise, and enjoins them to “continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.”

    It’s hoped that opposition members will genuinely process Tinubu’s message, channel the lessons learned to restrategise their winning formula going into 2027, and quit blaming others when they falter and come short of their ballot projections!

  • By-elections: Shameless opposition berates APC for woeful defeat – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By-elections: Shameless opposition berates APC for woeful defeat – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    As a people, Nigerians – and especially politicians – have practically lost all sense of shame. Otherwise, members of the opposition parties would’ve buried their heads in ignominy for their woeful defeats across the 13 states that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted by-elections on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

    In a decisive routing, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) first claimed 12 of the 17 legislative constituencies: all seats contested in Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba, including one seat each in three opposition states of Adamawa, Kano and Taraba.

    The opposition constituency in Zamfara – declared inconclusive by INEC at close of poll on August 16 – also went to APC during the re-run on Thursday, August 21, bringing to 13 seats in 10 of 13 states secured by the party.

    As the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured the two constituencies in Anambra, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took one of two seats in Kano, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – battling internal crisis that’s depleted its once formidable platform – not only claimed the seat in Oyo State, but also placed second in most constituencies, even as it lost seats in Adamawa, Taraba and Zamfara.

    Rather than take their defeat as self-inflicted, chiefly on account of their fictionalised and disorganised platforms, the boastful, “hungry and angry” pot-bellied politicians revisited concocted, hackneyed, tired and worn-out allegations of “electoral malpractice” by the APC, INEC and security agencies, to “steal their votes” – votes they merited only on social media where they build castles in the air.

    Particularly irksome are members of the “a new-Nigeria-is-possible” Coalition of Opposition Politicians (COP) – residing in African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 General Election – who boasted, and failed to deliver the by-elections to “send a strong message to Tinubu that he is a one-term President (OTP).”

    Whereas prior to and during the polls, reports indicted the major parties for potential or actual committal of electoral malpractice; the opposition covered their tracks, and heaped all blame on Tinubu, APC, INEC and security agencies.

    Condemnable as disruption in a few states is, especially the assaults on eligible voters by armed thugs in Kano; the by-elections have exposed the COP/ADC as overhyped and overrated, as members confronted in-house crises in state chapters, where “all politics is local.”

    In the lead-up to the poll, the major figures in the COP/ADC fanned out across the country, to introduce the ADC to the states, canvass for and register new members, and rally supports for their candidates.

    Such opposition figures include former Vice President and PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, Atiku Abubakar, who leads the COP/ADC; former Anambra Governor and 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nasir el-Rufai; former Rivers Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; former Osun Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Edo Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

    • Alhaji Atiku’s strongholds of Adamawa and Taraba were the first to birth the COP/ADC across Nigeria, but reportedly had a poor reception from Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who’s allegedly “not on the same political page anymore with Atiku.”

    Rumours have swirled about the PDP governor hobnobbing with the APC, and may defect to the platform. So, does the by-elections in Adamawa and Taraba going to APC – even with the tiniest of margins – and not Atiku’s ADC or Fintiri’s PDP tell any story? Perhaps, in the circumstances!

    • Mr Obi – riding the wave of his third-placing in the 2023 poll – has been criss-crossing the country on “humanitarian activities” that’ve irked some state governors as “unlawful campaigning” ahead of the 2027 poll.

    Similarly in his home state of Anambra, Governor Chukwuma Soludo – who praises President Tinubu’s harsh economic reforms as the antidotes to stabilize the system – has declared Obi as “untrustworthy,” and holds him out as such to the people.

    For the by-elections, Obi campaigned in Anambra and elsewhere for candidates of ADC, on the alibi that INEC didn’t approve candidates of the divided LP, which, on eve of the poll, got the nod, via a court order, to field the candidates. But the court fiat didn’t change the situation.

    Like distrust members in other states – who, unable to process the mixed messages from Obi and other ADC and LP chieftains, switched their votes to other parties’ candidates – the Anambra people voted the governing APGA’s candidates, in place of the ADC candidates Obi canvassed for.

    • In Kaduna, El-Rufai, who left the APC for “failing a cabinet post in the Tinubu administration,” and defected to Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a bargaining platform in the COP/ADC, used the by-elections to test run for 2027, and gauge his popularity with Governor Uba Sani.

    On August 13, campaigning on the roof of a moving SUV, El-Rufai waved the ADC flag to the crowd, as he led a massive rally for candidate Alex Adanu in Kujama, Chikun local government, urging, “I appeal to all voters to come out en masse on Saturday and vote for the ADC candidate, Alex Ben.”

    But the ADC lost the poll, as the people, enjoying relative peace and harmony, and even developments under Governor Sani, used the by-elections as “payback” to el-Rufai for his alleged “eight-year maladministration of Kaduna.”

    • In Rivers, Amaechi, who lately rode in “a two-million-man procession” through the streets of Port Harcourt, claims that ADC has registered over 800,000 members since he launched the party in the state a few weeks ago.

    The ADC needs to confirm that huge membership figure with a strong showing in the August 30 council poll in Rivers, for Amaechi to prove his supremacy over former Governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, a staunch supporter of President Tinubu, who Amaechi vows to defeat if he gets the ADC ticket for the 2027 contest.

    “I tell you, I’ve not had an election against Tinubu. I know Tinubu very well. I know his strengths. I know his weaknesses. And I know that if allowed to fly the flag of ADC, I will defeat Tinubu for sure,” Amaechi said on Friday, August 8, on X Space tagged, ‘Weekend Politics’.

    Recall that at the APC presidential primary on June 8, 2022, in Abuja, for the 2023 election, Tinubu beat Amaechi, among a pack of 13 aspirants, to second position by 1,271 votes to 316 votes – a margin of lead of 955 votes. Can Amaechi reverse this marker against the sitting President at the general election in 2027?

    • In Edo, following Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s launch of ADC in Benin City recently with some aplomb, an ally of his claimed to’ve garnered 40,000 members. Yet, the party lost scandalously to third position at the by-elections. For instance, in the Ovia federal constituency, while APC scored 77,053 votes, and PDP earned 3,838 votes, the ADC recorded 925 votes.

    Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo – executing his “Edo Rising” agenda to reverse alleged “misgovernance by ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki” – has turned the state into a “huge construction site,” building roads and flyovers, and reviving education, health, transport and other social services, and embarking on an agricultural revolution for food security.

    And “Edo people have taken notice, and showed their appreciation by massive votes for the APC candidates in the by-elections” to replace the seats vacated by the governor and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa in the Senate and House of Representatives, accordingly.

    • Ogbeni Aregbesola’s reported attack by political thugs in Ogun for his alleged “betrayal of President Tinubu and the APC” is a condemnable act against freedom of choice and association. Yet, with APC claiming the Ogun by-election, the real test for Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary of ADC is the 2026 governorship poll in Osun, which he ruled for eight years (2010-2018).

    As the APC savours its massive victories in the August 16 by-elections, President Tinubu’s hailed all stakeholders at the franchise, and enjoins them to “continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.”

    It’s hoped that opposition members will genuinely process Tinubu’s message, channel the lessons learned to restrategise their winning formula going into 2027, and quit blaming others when they falter and come short of their ballot projections!

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357

  • Bauchi APC backs Sen. Buba for 2027, eyes return to power

    Bauchi APC backs Sen. Buba for 2027, eyes return to power

    Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi Local Government Area have reaffirmed their commitment to reclaiming the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They declared support for Sen. Shehu Buba as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

    The declaration was made during a major rally held over the weekend in Bauchi, where party members and supporters gathered in large numbers to show unity and purpose ahead of the next election cycle.

    Speaking at the event, Alhaji Mohammed Danmaliki, Chairman of the Organising Forum, said the time had come for the APC to unite and reposition the state through visionary leadership

    He described Buba’s track record across the Bauchi South Senatorial District, which included Alkaleri, Bauchi, Bogoro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi, and Toro LGAs, as evidence of his capacity to deliver meaningful development.

    “His projects, ranging from water supply initiatives, youth employment, and road construction, to scholarships and support for healthcare and education, demonstrate his commitment to the people,” Danmaliki stated.

    Mr Sabo Mohammed, of the planning sub-committee, noted that Buba’s goodwill extended beyond his senatorial district, saying his popularity across all 20 Local Government Areas would be instrumental in mobilising support for the APC.

    Another party stakeholder, Hussaini Wunti, criticised the current PDP-led government for what he described as inadequate support for small businesses and local development.

    He expressed confidence that under Buba’s leadership, the APC would restore hope and progress in Bauchi State.

    Jibrin Jibrin, s stakeholder also urged residents to rally behind the senator, describing him as a visionary capable of ending what he called “years of stagnation.”

    Representatives from Zungur, Galambi, and Miri districts pledged full grassroots support for the endorsement, promising to work tirelessly to deliver victory for the APC in 2027.

    The stakeholders said that their united backing of Buba marked the beginning of a broader movement aimed at returning the APC to Government House and delivering renewed development to Bauchi State.