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APC Sweeps Rivers, Kano By-Elections; Wins Five FCT Councils as PDP Takes Gwagwalada

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded sweeping victories in Saturday’s by-elections in Rivers and Kano states and won five of the six chairmanship seats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched Gwagwalada Area Council.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results over the weekend.

In the FCT, APC candidate Danjuma Shekwolo won the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election with 17,269 votes. The Returning Officer, Nkiruka Odoh of the University of Abuja, declared him duly elected, having scored the highest number of valid votes and satisfied the requirements of the law. PDP’s Zakwoyi Danlami polled 15,824 votes, while Abdullahi Galadima of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured 4,305 votes.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), APC’s Christopher Maikalangu was returned elected after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) garnered 12,109 votes, while the PDP scored 3,398 votes.

APC also secured victory in Kwali Area Council, where its candidate, Daniel Nuhu, polled 17,032 votes to defeat PDP’s Haruna Pai, who scored 8,575 votes.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC declared Ishaku as the duly elected chairman after he secured 18,466 votes, defeating candidates of other political parties. The Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Nurudeen, announced the result on Sunday in Bwari.

The ruling party extended its winning streak in Abaji Area Council, where INEC declared Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar of the APC winner with 15,535 votes. He defeated the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, who polled 5,357 votes. The PDP candidate scored 4,547 votes, followed by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with 53 votes and the ADC with 37 votes.

However, the PDP claimed victory in Gwagwalada Area Council. Its candidate, Mohammed Kasim, won the chairmanship seat with 22,165 votes, defeating APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who polled 17,788 votes. INEC described the Gwagwalada poll as peaceful and smoothly conducted.

In Rivers State, the APC won both state assembly by-elections conducted to fill vacant seats in the 10th Assembly.

In Khana Constituency II, APC candidate Henrietta Loolo polled 7,647 votes to emerge victorious. The by-election was held following the death of former lawmaker Dinebari Loolo. The constituency comprises 155 polling units across eight wards.

Similarly, APC’s Napoleon Ukalikpe won the Ahoada East II Constituency by-election with 3,980 votes. The seat became vacant after Edison Ehie resigned to take up an appointment as Chief of Staff to the state governor.

In Kano State, the APC secured victories in the Ungogo and Kano Municipal State Assembly by-elections amid low voter turnout.

In Kano Municipal Constituency, APC candidate Aliyu Daneji polled 7,484 votes to win the seat. The Returning Officer, Ibrahim Siraj, declared him duly elected after meeting the legal requirements and scoring the highest number of valid votes cast.

In Ungogo Constituency, APC’s Aminu Sa’ad secured 8,975 votes to clinch the seat, with the Returning Officer, Ali Abdullahi, announcing the result.

Major opposition parties, including the NNPP, PDP, and ADC, were not on the ballot and did not participate in the Kano by-elections.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the winners in the FCT, Rivers, and Kano states, urging them to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended INEC, security agencies, and voters for the peaceful conduct of the elections, stating that the exercise further strengthens Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

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2027: Obi Unsure of ADC Presidential Ticket, Emphasises Commitment to ‘Cause’

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Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said he is uncertain about securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in a video circulating on social media, Obi told supporters that his focus remains on a broader political mission rather than personal ambition, noting that there is no guarantee he will emerge as the party’s flagbearer.

“I cannot be certain that the ADC will give me the presidential ticket. What matters is that we are committed to a cause,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor reflected on Nigeria’s current political climate, questioning how the situation evolved and the potential consequences if ongoing reform efforts are abandoned.

“I keep wondering how we ended up in this situation and what might happen if we decide to stop working on this project,” he added.
Obi also reaffirmed his commitment to his ideals despite reported threats, while expressing appreciation to his supporters for their continued loyalty.

“It’s not easy to be in the opposition in Nigeria, and I’m thankful to those who keep supporting even when there’s no clear reward,” he said.

He, however, raised concerns over the uncertainty of political alliances, warning about the possibility of shifting loyalties among stakeholders.
“How can we be certain that the people we’re working with right now won’t leave us behind tomorrow? I wish we could be sure, but we can’t,” he said.

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Ogun Lawmakers Back Tinubu’s 2027 Bid, Endorse Adeola for Governor

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Senator Solomon Adeola and President Bola Tinubu
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No fewer than 20 members of the Ogun State House of Assembly have declared support for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing his administration’s economic reforms and infrastructure development as key achievements.

The endorsement, announced on Wednesday in Abeokuta, aligns with an earlier position taken by the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, the Majority Leader, Hon. Sherrif Yusuf, said the decision reflects confidence in the President’s efforts to stabilise the economy and expand critical infrastructure nationwide.

According to Yusuf, the administration has made notable progress in fiscal reforms and road development connecting key economic corridors, adding that continuity would help consolidate ongoing gains.

The lawmakers also unanimously endorsed the governorship ambition of Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, describing him as an experienced legislator with a strong record of performance and commitment to public service.

Yusuf highlighted Adeola’s contributions in the National Assembly, including leadership roles in strategic committees and advocacy for development projects and empowerment initiatives across Ogun State.

In addition, the Assembly members expressed support for Governor Abiodun’s future political aspirations beyond his current tenure, noting that his administrative experience and governance record position him for higher responsibilities.

The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to the APC, pledging continued support for leaders whose policies and vision align with the aspirations of the people of Ogun State and Nigeria.

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Aduda Defects to APC, Pledges Abuja Win for Tinubu in 2027

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Senator Philip Aduda at that APC National Secretariat Abuja
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Former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Tanimu Aduda, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the 2027 general elections.

Aduda was formally received into the APC on Tuesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where the National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, handed him the party’s insignia in the presence of key members of the National Working Committee and supporters.

Welcoming the former lawmaker, Yilwatda described the APC as Nigeria’s leading progressive platform, highlighting ongoing economic reforms and major infrastructure projects under Tinubu’s administration. He pointed to the Sokoto–Badagry road project as a strategic corridor expected to boost agriculture, commerce, and national connectivity, adding that recent policies have strengthened the non-oil sector and improved the country’s trade balance.

Explaining his decision, Aduda said his defection was informed by “alignment and realignment,” citing what he described as visible development strides in the FCT. He commended Tinubu for granting the territory autonomy from the Treasury Single Account and establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission, moves he said have enhanced career progression for civil servants.

“I was in the minority for nearly seven years and couldn’t secure a ministerial slot for the FCT. This President has recognised us and given us representation in the Federal Executive Council,” Aduda stated.

He dismissed opposition parties in the territory as weak, expressing confidence that the APC would dominate the FCT in 2027. He also referenced the party’s performance in recent area council elections, where it secured five out of six councils, as evidence of its growing political strength.

Also speaking, FCT APC Chairman, Abdulmalik Usman, described Aduda as a political heavyweight whose defection would significantly boost the party’s electoral prospects. He noted that the APC is well-positioned to mobilise over 1.7 million registered voters in the FCT ahead of the next general elections.

The high-profile defection is expected to reshape political alignments in Abuja, as parties begin early strategic positioning for the 2027 polls.

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