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APC loses two Senators to opposition party, PDP

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…Abaribe to resign as Minority Leader Wednesday  
Two prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate Majority Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Adamu Aliero, have officially defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Also to defect formally tomorrow, Wednesday, is the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, whose  defection to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and exit as Minority Leader was deferred as a result of the inability of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to come with his defection and resignation letter to plenary.
Although an announcement to that effect was made by Senate President Lawan, it was however agreed that Abaribe’s letter be formally read on the floor before his exit as Minority Leader, after a point of order raised by Senator Gabriel Suswam.
On the other hand, the formal defection of Senators Yahaya Abdullahi and Adamu Aliero  from Kebbi State, were conveyed in two separate letters addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read on the floor during plenary on Tuesday.
Both lawmakers represent Kebbi North and Kebbi Central Senatorial Districts, respectively.
The defection of the APC Senators brings the total number of PDP Senators to 39 from the previous 38, with the exclusion of Abaribe who is set to formally defect from the opposition party to APGA on Wednesday.
It also cuts down on the number of APC Senators from 71 to 69 in the upper chamber.
The Senate Leader, in his letter titled, “Defection From APC to PDP And Resignation As The Majority Leader Of The 9th Senate”, said his decision was informed by the democratic challenges and deficits faced by the APC in Kebbi State.
He explained that all attempts to remedy the situation through the intervention of North-West Zone Governors’ and the defunct Abdullahi Adamu-led National Reconciliation Committee failed.
The text of the letter reads, “I write to inform you of the withdrawal of my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and consequently resign from my position as
the Majority Leader of the 9th Senate.
“I came to this decision after a very hard struggle with my conscience and emotions. It is either to remain on the side of my people, or to selfishly look the other way. All politics is local. I cannot therefore in good Conscience, continue to work for the success of this administration at the centre while the people of my state, my primary constituency, continue wallow in abject poverty and destitution under the misrule and manipulation of a despot.
“I have therefore decided to pitch my tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to join forces with my compatriots at home who are struggling against incompetence, imposition and violation of democratic norms, principles and practices.
“The democratic challenges and deficits in my state, Kebbi State, did not just start from the last congresses, but right from July last year when the governor illegally decapitated the State Leadership of the Party, imposed unelected ward, Local government and State executives of the Party.
“This matter was brought to the attention of the caretaker Committee of the Party who failed to bring the Governor to order.
“Efforts by all well meaning individuals including Your Excellency, Mr. President, were equally spurned. The North-West Zone Governors’ entreaties were ignored. The defunct Abdullahi Adamu-led National Reconciliation Committee’s intervention to find amicable resolutions failed. All primarily due to the manipulative intransigence of the Governor.
“At a point I thought of resort to the courts, but decided against that course of action after realizing that political challenges require political solutions in the democratic arena where it is the people and not the judges who are the final arbiters.
“So, after having failed to get justice in my former Party, the APC, I have jumped ship to the PDP together with our teeming supporters in a struggle to democratically bring to an end the misrule and tyranny currently gripping Kebbi State.
“Mr. President, I appreciate and will continue to support your leadership. I cherish and remain eternally grateful to you and all my colleagues for the unconditional support and cooperation rendered to me in the last three golden years of our tenure.
“A tenure that witnessed unprecedented unity, productivity, sense of purpose and patriotism in the conduct of our legislative responsibilities. l also plead with any of my colleagues whom I have offended in the course of our interactions to please forgive me.
“While praying for Allah’s guidance and peaceful journey to the forthcoming elections, please accept the assurances of my highest respect and esteem.”

 

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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