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  • Only APC exists in Ebonyi, no opposition – Umahi

    Only APC exists in Ebonyi, no opposition – Umahi

    The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared on Saturday that there is no opposition party in Ebonyi aside from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Umahi stated this made during a grand civic reception held in his honour by the Okposi-Okwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

    The event celebrated the minister for his quality leadership and contributions to national development.

    He called on the South-East and the rest of Nigeria to show more support and solidarity for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    “There is no opposition party in Ebonyi. Only APC exists. If you are bold, come and contest against us.

    “We must support President Tinubu. I am happy to be honoured today. I accept it and will bring more infrastructure to Okposi-Okwu,” he said.

    He dedicated the award to President Tinubu, who he said had changed the South-East’s political narrative.

    “The greatest honour is continuous support for the president and commitment to complete projects in the region,” Umahi said.

    He also encouraged all governors to unite in support of national development and progress.

    The Chairman of the occasion, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, praised Umahi as an illustrious and visionary son.

    “Umahi remains a transformer in governance. I congratulate him and pray for greater achievements,” Anyim said.

    In his address, Gov. Francis Nwifuru said the South-East owes a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu and must support him.

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, also commended the community for recognising Umahi.

    “I join the people of Okposi-Okwu in congratulating Umahi for his remarkable impact and exceptional leadership across Nigeria,” said Abiodun.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.

  • Valentine Ozigbo drags APC, INEC to court over primary election

    Valentine Ozigbo drags APC, INEC to court over primary election

    Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in the Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, has filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify Nicholas Ukachukwu’s nomination as APC’s flagbearer at the Federal High Court in Awka.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Ukachukwu won the primary election with a total of 1,455 votes after defeating his closest rival, Ozigbo, with 67 votes, Johnbosco Onunkwo, 26 votes, and Edozie Mad with eight votes.

    The lawsuit filed through his legal team led by Umeh Kalu, and B.C. Igwilo, in a suit that named the APC, Ukachukwu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

    In an accompanying personal statement titled “For a future worth fighting for”, Ozigbo described the primary election as a “well-scripted illusion.”

    Ozigbo said that he has taken the stand, “not for self, but for truth, for justice, and for Ndi Anambra.”

    He said, “On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, I took a consequential step in fighting for truth and justice. I filed a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the deeply flawed process that purportedly produced Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu as the flagbearer of our great party, the APC, for the November 2025 Anambra governorship election.

    “Let us be clear: the April 5, 2025 exercise was not a primary election—it was a well-scripted illusion.

    “A contrived delegate list filled with names unfamiliar to even the most seasoned party leaders was used for the guber primary. Real APC members were locked out while chaos reigned.

    “No accreditation, no order; just thugs, violence, and a herd of hired hands masquerading as delegates.”

    He alleged that Ukachukwu failed to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the APC constitution, further accusing him of nonchalance over the crisis that has engulfed the party in the state.

    He added, “The crux of the matter is that Mr Ukachukwu did not qualify to run under the APC in the first place. He failed to meet the minimum threshold for eligibility. And yet, the party machinery was twisted to serve his ambition.

    “Now, Ukachukwu parades himself, declaring the theatre of deceit that April 5 represents as ‘free and fair.’ It is an insult to the intelligence of our people and a stain on the integrity of our party.

    “While he fiddles like Emperor Nero, APC in Anambra is burning. The house is on fire; mass resignations, lawsuits, broken trust, and the so-called candidate dances, oblivious to the smoke and embers.

    “To be clear, I am not desperate for power. I am not asking for favours. I seek only what is just, and what is right.

    “Our aim is not to fracture the party but to fortify it; to restore its integrity, renew its credibility, and secure its future as a vehicle for true democratic leadership.

    “Let history record that when a corrupt process attempted to masquerade as legitimacy, we did not stay silent. We stood up. We spoke out. We acted for justice, for our children, and for the future we all deserve.”

    The Federal High Court in Awka has yet to fix a date for hearing.

  • NNPP reacts over reports on Kwankwaso’s defection

    NNPP reacts over reports on Kwankwaso’s defection

    The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has denied reports that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, said this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Kano.

    Dungurawa said that Kwankwaso did not need to consult anyone before making any political decision, but emphasised that there were no plans for defection.

    “We have no business with APC, and do not have any intention to defect,” Dungurawa said, dismissing the rumours as mere mischief.

    He described the speculation as baseless and motivated by desperation.

    He expressed confidence that the NNPP administration in Kano State is taking shape and restoring law and order in the area.

    Chairman of APC in Kano State was quoted by the media as saying that the party’s door was open to Kwankwaso and other Nigerians who wished to defect.

  • Ebonyi APC commends Umahi for avoiding rift with Gov. Nwifuru

    Ebonyi APC commends Umahi for avoiding rift with Gov. Nwifuru

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has commended the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, for resisting pressures to engage in a rift with Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.

    Insinuations were rife in the state that the acclaimed “father and son” were at loggerheads over the control of the state’s party structure.

    The Chairman of APC in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, however told NAN on Friday, that it was in the state’s interest that there was no Umahi-Nwifuru rift.

    “Umahi as a leader has made his marks in Ebonyi and Nigeria, realising in the process that there is time for everything. There is a time to reign, step aside and stand as a father.

    “A good dancer dances with wisdom, leaves the stage when the ovation is loudest and refuses to yield to pressure to remain on stage,” he said.

    Okoro-Emegha said that Umahi’s debunk of the insinuations of conflict portrayed him as a patriot who did not want Ebonyi to undergo the political upheavals witnessed in some states.

    “He admitted to have been put under from within to tell the governor certain things but he never did so.

    “His declaration of leaving the governor to decide the party’s affairs is a welcome development as the governor is the party’s leader in the state.

    “The governor knows what is good for the party and when he succeeds, the party succeeds,” he said.

    He urged party faithful to always ignore the antics of naysayers and be committed to its ideals for continuous success.

    It would be recalled that Umahi while declaring open, the commencement of work on the Ebonyi section of 118.km trans-Saharan super highway said he never signed a one-term agreement with Nwifuru.

    “I fought battles to make Nwifuru governor without conditions and I will support him for eight years.

    “I was in control of the state party structure for eight years as the governor and will therefore, not interfere with Nwifuru’s leadership.

    “People think I will return to struggle for power after leaving office but I am not available for such distractions,” the minister had said.

  • Intrigues as Kano APC awaits Kwankwaso’s defection

    Intrigues as Kano APC awaits Kwankwaso’s defection

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kano State says the speculated impending defection of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the party is a welcome development.

    The Chairman of the party, Alhaji  Abdullahi Abbas, stated this while addressing a press briefing in Kano on Friday.

    “APC as a political Institution in its Renewed Hope Agenda has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties.

    “Of recent, the attention of the party has been drawn to speculations of the impending decamping of the leader of the expelled faction of the NNPP, Sen. Kwankwaso, into the party.

    “This is a welcome development, especially given the fact that the APC remains his last political refuge as he has successfully destroyed his relations with all other political groupings in the country.

    “Without prejudice to our desire as a party to welcome new entrants and in respect of the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to political parties of their choice.

    “We wish to state our position as a state chapter of our great party in Kano state,”Abbas said.

    He said the party had already directed its ward chapters to open registers for new decampees irrespective of their political and social statures is in line with the party’s constitution.

    “We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.

    “Also, we want to assure our elected party officials from the ward, local government, senatorial and state levels that they will continue to function as provided by the tenure of their office in the party constitution.

    “For the purpose of seeking any future party or elective position, any old or new entrants, shall be free to exercise his/her constitutional rights of voting or being voted for without any special preference,” the chairman said.

    He, however,said that the party was fully aware that some people were desperate to join the APC.

    Abbas said, “This is because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.”

    “For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasise that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or groupings.

    “We unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola  Tinubu and his Vice, Sen.Kashim Shettima to offer a public apology.”

    “This should be done as a sign of remorse, and respect for future relationships,” he added.

  • 2027 poll: Abuja too important to be left in opposition – Ganduje

    2027 poll: Abuja too important to be left in opposition – Ganduje

    Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said  the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is too important to be left in the hands of opposition political parties.

    Ganduje said this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving some members of the opposition political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) who defected to its fold.

    The decampees were led by the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Chris Maikalangu, at the Abuja old parade ground.

    Ganduje said that the development was a confirmation that the FCT electorate was pleased with the APC and would vote en masse for it to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    He noted that Abuja should not be left in the hands of the opposition parties as the seat of power and the city that served as the rallying point of Nigerians.

    Ganduje, while speaking on how Tinubu appointed Abuja indigenes as members of his cabinet and other appointments, said the gale of defection of opposition members to the APC was a testament of its achievements over the years.

    He said it also spoke of the level of the party’s acceptability in the FCT and other parts of the country.

    The Minister of Special Duties, Zephaniah Jisalo, who addressed the crowd at the event tagged “Abuja Unity rally” ,lauded Tinubu for living up to his campaign promises to carry along Abuja indigenes in his administration.

    Jisalo, who is an indigene of the FCT, testified to Tinubu’s commitment to the empowerment of Abuja people.

    The Minister of State FCT, Hajia Mariya Bunkure, urged the FCT electorate to sustain their support for the APC-led administration, saying it was leaving no stone unturned in uplifting their well being.

    Dignitaries that graced the event include the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, FCT Area Council Chairmen, councillors and stalwarts from across the country.

  • Why I resigned from APC – Former Enugu Chairman, Ben Nwoye

    Why I resigned from APC – Former Enugu Chairman, Ben Nwoye

    The former Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, has said he resigned from the APC due to unresolvable crisis within the party in the State and other South-East States.

    Nwoye, who tendered his resignation to his APC Amurri Ward Chairman, said this in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday.

    According to him, “with a deep sense of responsibility, I write to inform you that I hereby resign as a member of APC.

    “My resignation is as a result of the disintegration of the leadership of the party in Enugu State.

    “The bunch of the Broom which we painstakingly tied together in 2013 at a time when we were called unprintable names has loosened and permanently scattered.

    “All efforts made by the party elders to gather the broom and reassemble it has failed. In its current form, further attempts to reassemble the broom in Enugu State is no longer practicable.

    “What is left of the broom are two skeletal structures. One of each structures is held by two strong men. One of the strong men claims Chairmanship by judicial pronouncement.

    “The other claims chairmanship through arrogant disobedience of the same judicial pronouncement aided by the silent approval of the National Leadership.”

    Nwoye, who was Former Secretary Forum of APC State Chairmen, said that the leadership of the party in South-East was fully engaged in vindictive politics.

    He said that they were not interested in adding another state to the two states the party controlled in the South-East, adding that to them, the supremacy of the party was measured by how low they could go to oppress their perceived political enemies.

    Nwoye said, “These they do, without recourse to the core principles upon which APC stands – Justice, Peace and Unity. To say the least, the Zonal leadership in the South-East has lost direction.

    “In the meantime, the National leadership of the Party is basking on the euphoria of power, being the party under which the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the majority of the members of the National Assembly were elected.

    “The APC National Leadership has therefore maintained willful blindness. Hence, allowing the warring factions to self-destruct and strangulate the party in Enugu State.

    “To worsen the situation, the APC National leadership treats party elders calls for reconciliation with disdain and disrespect. Loyal party members calling for party unity are treated like conquered and captured political warriors.”

    Nwoye noted that loyal party members who did not agree with the position of the APC National leadership on the division that existed within the entire party structure in Enugu State had been transformed into prisoners of political war.

    He said that they had been placed in political captivity in Enugu State.

    “On the basis stated above, I engaged in extensive consultations with my grassroots followers and I have come to the conclusion that it is time to move on.

    “I am not a political prisoner. I have never been and I can never be.

    “The situation in Enugu State is not an isolated case. For example, in Anambra State, the National Leadership did not care to hear the voice of His Execellency, Sen. Chris Ngige, before awarding the gubernatorial ticket to the highest bidder.

    “In Abia State, where are the likes of Dr Ikechi Emenike and Ayim Iyerenye?

    “In Ebonyi State, where is the voice of Sen. Julius Ucha and in Imo State where is His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and Ugwumba Uche Nwosu.

    “These are great men who risked it all and made tremendous sacrifices to ensure that APC gained ground in the South-East. Today, their opinions no longer matter,” he added.

  • 2027: CPC bloc reiterates support for APC, Tinubu

    2027: CPC bloc reiterates support for APC, Tinubu

    Leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have reiterated their loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

    In a press statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the leaders dismissed recent claims and media reports suggesting that they were defecting to opposition political parties.

    The statement, signed by Sen. Umaru Al-Makura, Aminu Masari, Sen. Mustafa Salihu, Farouk Adamu, Almajiri Geidam, Waziri Bulama and Dr Nasiru Ladan.

    It described such claims and media reports as baseless and mischievous.

    Recall CPC was one of the major political parties that merged to  form the APC in February 2013 ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

    The statement reiterated the commitment of the leaders to playing a responsible role in the APC’s growth and Nigeria’s progress, saying they stood firmly with the APC.

    “We categorically state that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave. The CPC bloc remains one of the APC’s foundational pillars.

    “We are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals. We endorse President Tinubu’s economic and governance reforms,” the statement said.

    It called for patience and collective support for the administration as the benefits of its reforms unfolds.

    “We fully endorse the economic and governance reforms led by Tinubu, while these policies may present challenges, they are crucial steps toward rebuilding our economy and securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians,” the statement said.

    It called for enhanced engagement and communication within the APC to foster inclusiveness, reduced tensions, and promote unity, urging its leadership to increase engagement with members at all levels.

    “Strengthening internal communication will foster inclusiveness, reduce tensions, and enhance support for the party’s programmes,” the statement said.

    It advised members of the party with grievances to seek redress through constitutional channels within it rather than resorting to public agitation or hasty exits.

    “We acknowledge that some members may feel sidelined, but such concerns are not unique to any one bloc.

    “We encourage those affected to seek redress through established constitutional channels within the party,” the statement said.

  • Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC in Benin

    Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC in Benin

    Nicholas Asonsere, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, representing Ikpoba Okha Constituency in the Edo House of Assembly, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Asonsere’s defection brings the APC’s strength in the Assembly to 15 members against PDP’s nine.

    He was presented with the party’s symbolic broom by the state’s Acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe at the APC Secretariat on Wednesday in Benin.

    Asonsere described his defection as “self-conditioned,” driven by Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s impactful projects in his constituency, particularly the construction of flyover in Ikpoba Hill.

    “Somebody cannot be developing my immediate constituency, constructing a flyover there, and I’ll be on the left-hand side while he is on the right-hand side.

    “That means I’m not ready to develop the constituency or the people I represent.

    “I personally called the governor to express my desire to join the APC and be part of the progress.

    “The governor’s developmental strides in such a short time, convinced me, he deserves our full support,” Asonsere said.

    Quoting the scripture, the lawmaker noted, “When I was a child, I reasoned like a child, but now that I am a man, I should reason like a man.”

    In his remark, Tenebe described the defection as “a political earthquake,” noting that Asonsere was a key political ally of two prominent PDP figures in Edo South.

    “This is not just any defection. It is a sign that the PDP’s foundation is crumbling. Hon. Asonsere was once a pillar in the PDP and now, he has aligned with the future,” he said.

    The party leader also extended an olive branch to PDP members, urging them to embrace Gov. Okpebholo’s development-driven leadership.

  • 2027: Hours after Atiku visits Buhari, Ganduje leads APC on retarliatory mission

    2027: Hours after Atiku visits Buhari, Ganduje leads APC on retarliatory mission

    Few hours after former VP, Atiku Abubakar visited ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, led members of the party’s National Working Committee on a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State.

    The visit took place hours after former vice president Atiku Abubakar led the People’s Democratic Party delegation on a courtesy call to the former president.

    The delegation included former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; former governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam; former governor of Adamawa, Jibrilla Bindow; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami.

    Speaking with reporters after the meeting, El-Rufai said the visit to the former president was not political and asked “adversaries” not to lose sleep.

    The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory added that the visit was for “unity and brotherhood”.

    The outcome of the APC NWC’s visit remains unknown; there have been speculations of disunity in the party, as some members of its members recently defected to the Social Democratic Party.

    Atiku also cleared the air on Friday, saying that the visit was for the Sallah celebration as against speculated coalition talks.

    In a post on his official X handle, Atiku wrote, “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”