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Any Party That Can’t Control Kano, Rivers, Lagos Is Out, Kwankwaso Hits Atiku

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Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
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The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, saying any party that can’t control Lagos, Kano, and Rivers states should forget about the 2023 presidential election.

Kwankwaso made this known when he commissioned the Mgbutanwo Internal Roads in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State at the invitation of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The former Kano governor also hit some PDP leaders whom he described as rigid and selfish.

He said, “Many people have made so many mistakes; many people don’t understand. Some leaders are very rigid, rigid in the sense that whether they are failing or winning, they will stick to one idea, they will stick to one candidate not minding the consequences, not minding the feelings of the people involved

“We have seen people in my former party that all they want is to get the presidential ticket. They are ready to do anything to have a ticket.

“Any party that cannot control two of the three states – Kano, Lagos, and Rivers is out. He (Wike) has been saying it and people have not taken note of it. Anyway, by now, with Kwankwaso out of that party, and Wike struggling to be there or not to be there, somehow things are moving, certainly, Lagos is not their own, and one begins to wonder how they will win the election of 2023.”

Kano had over 1.8 million cumulative votes – the highest by any state in the 2019 presidential election – while Lagos had over one million total votes and Rivers about 600,000 total votes – all mainly shared between the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar. Other states with heavy numerical voter strength based on past elections include Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Plateau, and Bauchi, amongst others.

‘I Foresaw PDP Crisis’

For months, Wike and four other PDP governors known as the G5 have kicked against what they called northern dominance within the party. The G5 also called the Integrity Group has demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman as a precondition to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Kwankwaso on Monday told the Rivers governor that he saw very early what he (Wike) now sees in the PDP, hence his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2013 and later to the NNPP in March 2022. Kwankwaso also said he left the APC and returned to the PDP in 2018 because the ruling party proved to be worse than the PDP.

“Unfortunately, some of us see what you, your excellency, did not see in time. That was why we decided in 2013-14 to bring some changes in the political architecture of this country, that was why we formed the APC believing that the party was going to be a progressive party that will sort out the issues were concerned about at that time.

“Unfortunately, this party proved overtime in the opinion of many people especially in the PDP that it is worse than the PDP itself,” he said.

The former minister thanked Wike for standing firm and for telling the truth, saying he is a member of his socio-political movement, Kwankwasiyya.

“Let me thank you for standing firm. I thank you for telling the truth at any given time, not minding what they think or do.

“Your excellency, without putting on red cap, I can tell you, you are a member of the Kwankwasiyya any day, anytime because in Kwankwasiyya you don’t have to put on red caps; many people in this country put on their red caps in their hearts. It is there and I believe you are one of us.”

Kwankwaso further said Wike’s Integrity Group is doing the right thing by consulting and weighing its choices, noting that posterity will judge the group if it fails to take necessary actions.

“Let me at this point congratulate Governor Wike for leading the Integrity Group.

“I believe they are good people and I know that by the grace of God, the Integrity Group will do the right thing as soon as possible because I believe they are people of integrity, and of course, the posterity will judge them based on the action they take,” he stated.

While Wike and his allies have not been seen to campaign for Atiku, it is not clear whether they will support Kwankwaso; Peter Obi of the Labour Party; or APC’s Bola Tinubu in the contest for Aso Rock’s top job which has been described by analysts and keen observers as a three-horse race.

 

 

 

 

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Politics

Ododo, Okpebholo Rally Kogi, Edo Indigenes in Osun Behind APC Candidate

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA and his Edo State counterpart Gov. Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday led a massive mobilisation of Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo urged Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State to reciprocate the developmental strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by voting overwhelmingly for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in the August 15 election. He maintained that governance should be judged by tangible achievements rather than rhetoric, insisting that the APC had earned the people’s trust through visible projects and people-oriented policies. “Governance is not by propaganda; governance is a serious business. Our campaign is issue-based. Tell us what your party has done for the people, and we will tell you what the APC has done,” he declared.

Governor Ododo highlighted several landmark interventions of the Tinubu administration in Kogi State, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the establishment of a Special Agro-Processing Zone and a Free Trade Zone, the rehabilitation of critical federal roads, improved security support, and increased resources for sub-national development. He described the President as a leader committed to equitable development across the country and called on the electorate not to succumb to intimidation or political deception. “Don’t be intimidated. On August 15, go out, cast your vote for the APC, let your vote count, and show Mr. President our appreciation for his unwavering support to our people,” Governor Ododo charged.

Addressing the Large Crowd of Igala Community in Oshogbo at the rally, the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, passionately called on all Igala sons and daughters resident in Osun State to deliver overwhelming votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 gubernatorial election.

Dr. Ocholi described himself as a living beneficiary of the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that his appointment to the TETFund Board was a testament to the President’s inclusive style of governance and commitment to rewarding competence across the country.

He stressed that the Igala Kingdom has recorded significant gains under the APC-led Federal Government and urged the community to reciprocate the goodwill by voting massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 Presidential Election and all APC candidates. According to him, supporting Oyebamiji and Bola Tinubu is not only a vote for continuity and progressive governance but also a demonstration of gratitude for the numerous opportunities and benefits the current administration has extended to the Igala people.

The event was attended by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and other top APC leaders, who reaffirmed the party’s determination to secure victory at the polls.

The rally attracted a massive turnout of APC faithful, Kogi indigenes, market women, youth groups and other non-indigene communities, all of whom declared their readiness to deliver overwhelming votes for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 governorship election.

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NDC Youths Endorse Former ESUT Pro-Chancellor, Ohaa, for Enugu 2027 Guber Race

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing in Enugu State has unanimously endorsed the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during the maiden executive meeting of the NDC Youth Wing held in Enugu on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Youth Coordinator, Mr Jideofor Ude, described Ohaa as an “astute public servant” who had served in various capacities in the state and the country.

According to him, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa served as Accountant General of Enugu State, FCT Permanent Secretary and Pro-Chancellor,  Enugu State University of Science and Technology among other positions.

He called on members to unite behind all candidates fielded by the party, with particular emphasis on Ohaa’s governorship bid.

The meeting was attended by the NDC State Chairman, Mr Ibuchukwu Obetta, and the 17 Local Government Coordinators of the Youth Wing.

Ude expressed appreciation to Obetta for what he described as his strategic leadership and commitment to the growth of the party in the state.

Ude assured the chairman of the youth wing’s commitment to working with the party leadership to advance its objectives and strengthen its grassroots structures across the state.

Outlining the youth’s plans for the election cycle, the coordinator said that activities would commence in earnest in line with the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ude urged all NDC candidates in the state to collaborate with the Youth Wing in driving grassroots mobilisation and youth participation in the electoral process.

The youth coordinator charged the 17 Local Government Coordinators to be proactive in implementing party programmes at the grassroots to ensure effective youth representation.

Ude further encouraged members to submit ideas and policy contributions ahead of the forthcoming NDC Youth Leadership Summit, where the Youth Wing was expected to unveil key programmes and initiatives for the 2027 elections.

In his remarks, the state chairman, Obetta, commended the youth wing for its dedication and proactive approach to party affairs, pledging continued support for its activities and growth.

He also addressed the ongoing leadership dispute within the state chapter, saying he was pursuing all legal avenues to resolve the matter.

Obetta maintained that he remained the duly recognised State Chairman by the NDC national body and urged members of the youth wing to remain focused and avoid distractions as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

The meeting also featured the presentation of appointment letters to the Local Government Coordinators.

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Ex-Tinubu Aide Denies Breaching APC Primary Rules, Says He Resigned Before Contest

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Former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarewaju, has denied allegations that he failed to resign his appointment before contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat.

 

 

 

Olarewaju, who won the party’s primary in May, said he resigned from his position effective March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective offices.

 

 

 

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti by his media office and signed by Moses Owoyemi.

 

 

 

The statement described reports alleging that the former presidential aide breached constitutional and party regulations by participating in the primary election without resigning as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts.”

 

 

 

According to the statement, Olarewaju fully complied with all constitutional, legal and party requirements before contesting the primary election.

 

 

“His resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office. It is incorrect and misleading to suggest that Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not amount to evidence,” the statement said.

 

 

The media office added that the resignation was a matter of public record and could be independently verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and published media reports.

 

 

It also dismissed claims that Olarewaju circumvented due process, describing him as a public servant whose career has been marked by integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the law.

 

 

The statement attributed his victory at the APC primary to years of grassroots mobilisation, accessibility and commitment to the people, saying the exercise was conducted transparently and in line with the party’s guidelines.

 

 

It said accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas freely elected Olarewaju as the party’s candidate and commended party leaders, delegates and members for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.

 

 

The media office also applauded other aspirants for accepting the outcome of the primary in the interest of party unity.

 

 

It said Olarewaju remained committed to fostering unity within the APC and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general election, urging members of the public to disregard claims not backed by verifiable evidence.

 

 

 

While acknowledging that post-election grievances were common in politics, the statement advised aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to seek redress through the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms or appropriate legal channels rather than the media

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