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Defections: Bamidele Absolves Tinubu of coercing defectors to join APC

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
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…Says APC Building Govt of National Unity

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele on Tuesday justified the defection of all federal lawmakers from Kebbi State to the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the ruling party “is now running a government of national unity.”

Bamidele, currently representing Ekiti Central in the upper chamber, noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not coerce any member of the opposition political parties to defect to the APC contrary to public criticism.

He made this clarification at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Tuesday when all federal lawmakers from Kebbi State formally announced their defection to the APC.

The formal announcement was witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Nasir Idris and APC National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, among others.

Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senator Garba Maidoki and all members of the House of Representatives had at the weekend informed President Tinubu of their decision to join the ruling party at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Consequently, all the federal lawmakers from the Northwest state formally announced their defection from the PDP to the APC at the Senate Chamber, Abuja yesterday in the presence of the party’s key national leaders.

After their announcement on Tuesday, Bamidele defended the defection of the federal lawmakers to the APC, noting that their decision was based on the overriding public interest and had nothing to do with turning Nigeria into a one-party state.

He, thus, noted that the ruling party “will not close our doors to anyone intending to join the party. In the same way, we will not also discriminate against anyone either on the basis of religion, tribe or any other factor. Our doors will continue to be open for more people to join at all levels.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work with the members of the minority political parties. It is not by sheer coincidence that virtually all political parties from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party have to join the ruling APC.

“Even APGA, which has not joined the ruling party, has also graciously nominated and donated a honourable minister of state to the Federal Government of Nigeria under the APC administration. That is to say what we now are running is a government of national unity,” he said.

Bamidele specifically commended the defectors for their decision to join the ruling APC while reflecting on how the PDP was coercing members of the opposition parties to defect to its fold when it was in government at the federal level.

He said: “We were all in this country when PDP was the ruling party. We saw all the things that happened under the PDP in an attempt to get more states, more seats in the Senate and more seats in the House of Representatives. We are not at the polls. No one is being coerced.

“If anyone is coerced, definitely the person is not Senator Adamu Aliero. All of us know that the person cannot be Senator Yahaya Abdullahi that will be co-opted. Neither will Senator Garba Maidoki with a stint in the private sector before he ventured into politics will defect to APC without clear conviction. They are not all in politics so that they can feed themselves and families.

“As far as we are concerned, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi that I know will rather stay in opposition and be very loud. They all recognise that this is not the time for grandstanding. This is the time for all of us to work together to take Nigeria to the next level.

“One of the defectors has been privileged to be the Governor of Kebbi State, precisely from 1999 to 2007. He even served as the Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today, he is the most ranking member of the Senate.

“Another one has served as the Leader of the Senate in the 9th National Assembly. These are people who know what they are doing. They can never mislead the people of Kebbi State. They can never mislead Nigeria.

“For us in APC, this is a wonderful development. For those who are keenly watching political developments, rest assured that at the end of the day, this can only be for the good and greatness of Nigeria. To the rest of our colleagues on the minority isle, we will continue to work together for the progress of Nigeria.

“I say it again for the umpteenth time. Those who refer to this parliament as a rubber stamp parliament should note that we are at a very critical stage of our national life when all hands must be on deck.

“Today, it is not about which political party you belong to. Once you are in this hallowed chamber, it does not matter which political party you belong to. What matters to us all is the overriding public interest. In the course of collectively serving overriding public interests, three of our colleagues saw the need to cross to the ruling APC.’’

 

 

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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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Supporters Flood Government House as Ado Ward 9 Celebrates Oyebanji’s Second-Term Victory

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Supporters and members of the All progressives Congress in Ado Ward 9 has staged a colourful victory walk to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office.

 

The jubilant supporters, chanting solidarity songs and waving banners, described the governor’s victory at the poll as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his administration by the people of Ekiti State.

They said the massive electoral support received by Governor Oyebanji was a testament to his people-oriented policies, inclusive style of governance and remarkable developmental strides across the state.

 

The victory walk was led by the Leader of Ward 9, Alhaji Ademola Bello; the Ward Chairman, Mrs. Falilat Korede; and the Ward 9 Councillor, Hon. Mayowa Ogunsakin, alongside party faithful, youths and women from the ward.

 

Speaking during the celebration, the ward leaders congratulated Governor Oyebanji on his resounding victory and expressed appreciation to the people of Ward 9 and the entire state for their support during the election.

They noted that the governor’s first term had brought significant improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and workers’ welfare, adding that his re-election would provide the opportunity to consolidate on the achievements already recorded.

 

The leaders also reaffirmed the commitment of Ado Ward 9 to continue supporting the governor’s administration in its efforts to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Ekiti State.

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Ekiti Has Spoken Loudly Through the Ballot, Says Ayodeji Ajayi

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A former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and current Board Member of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi, has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election as Governor of Ekiti State.

 

 

Ajayi, who represented Ise/Orun Constituency in the State Assembly, described Governor Oyebanji’s victory in the just-concluded governorship election as a clear demonstration of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of the state.

 

 

In his congratulatory message, the former lawmaker said the governor’s victory was a reflection of the administration’s commitment to good governance, inclusive leadership and sustainable development across the state.

 

 

According to him, the outcome of the election signifies the appreciation of Ekiti people for the numerous developmental projects and people-oriented policies implemented by the Oyebanji administration since assuming office.

 

 

He noted that Governor Oyebanji has distinguished himself through prudent management of resources, improved infrastructure, support for workers and pensioners, as well as deliberate efforts to enhance economic growth and social welfare in the state.

 

 

Ajayi, commended the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process, describing the election as a triumph of democracy and the collective will of the electorate.

 

 

The EKSWAMA board member also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders for ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.

 

 

He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would bring about greater development, accelerated economic growth and improved living standards for residents across the state.

 

 

“Your re-election is a testament to your exemplary leadership, dedication to service and unwavering commitment to the progress of Ekiti State.

 

The people have spoken through their votes and renewed their mandate because of the remarkable achievements recorded under your administration,” Ajayi stated.

 

 

He urged residents of the state to remain united and continue to support the governor in his efforts to build a more prosperous and inclusive Ekiti.

 

 

Ajayi, further called on political actors to put aside partisan differences and work together with the government in the interest of the state’s development, stressing that the election was over and that the focus should now be on delivering greater dividends of democracy to the people.

 

 

He prayed for divine wisdom, strength and guidance for Governor Oyebanji as he begins another term in office, expressing optimism that the administration would consolidate on its achievements and take Ekiti State to greater heights.

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