The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Sulaiman and Kwara succession battle

    Sulaiman and Kwara succession battle

    • By Adekunle Afolayan

    As permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State gather momentum, one question continues to dominate political conversations across the state

    The question is: who has the competence, legitimacy, and capacity to consolidate the reforms of the current administration and move Kwara decisively forward?

    Contrary to propaganda narratives suggesting otherwise, Kwara South is neither politically exhausted nor bereft of credible candidates for the race. Rather, it is uniquely positioned to present what is arguably the most qualified and prepared governorship prospects within the All Progressives Congress (APC): a world-renowned neurosurgeon, academic, physician executive, and successful entrepreneur, Professor Wale Sulaiman.

    Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy, and the APC’s constitution guarantees open participation and competitive primaries for all qualified aspirants, irrespective of regional origin. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has repeatedly emphasized this principle in several fora, stressing that internal democracy and party congresses must determine candidates emergence.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq  has consistently reflected this ethos through his democratic posture and reform-driven governance in the state. It is therefore, within both constitutional and party frameworks for qualified aspirants from Kwara South, Kwara Central, and Kwara North to contest for the governorship in 2027, not as a concession, but as a democratic right.

    Read Also: Kwara Assembly passes 2025 harmonised taxes bill into law

    The political climate across the three senatorial districts confirm this reality. Kwara Central and Kwara North have mobilised openly around their sons, with consultations and declarations already underway. This level of engagement is legitimate and expected. What is neither democratic nor strategic is the suggestion advanced by some stakeholders, that the herculean tasks of making Kwara State the envy of the nation should be decided based on zoning.

    Among all the names currently circulating across the three zones, Professor Wale Sulaiman stands out, not by regional sentiments, but by the credibility of his credentials. A clear-eyed assessment of the field shows that none of the perceived emerging contenders  possess his combined national relevance, international credibility, executive leadership experience, and measurable public impacts.

    His political relevance did not begin in theory. Like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who returned from the diaspora in the 1980s and joined Nigerian politics on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Sulaiman contested the 2023 Kwara South senatorial election on the same SDP platform. He polled over 27,000 votes, emerging third in the competitive contest, powered largely by organic professionals, mass, and youth-driven supports. After the elections, he returned to the APC in 2023, mobilized his supporters for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s re-election and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election. He has been prioritizing party unity and long-term stability over prolonged fragmentation.

     Sulaiman is also a product of the current APC administration in Kwara State. He was the first cabinet-level appointee of AbdulRazaq, serving as Special Assistant on Health Matters. His contributions to health sector reforms and his role during the COVID-19 pandemic form a verifiable part of the administration’s governance records.This positions him, not as a disruptor, but a continuity candidate with in-depth knowledge of the administration’s policy direction, institutionalized culture, and reforms objectives.

    Beyond state politics, Prof. Sulaiman’s public service credentials are  dominant at the national level. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun (FUHSI), where his leadership has strengthened governance frameworks, infrastructural developments and driven institutionalized  reforms. He recently approved the employment of over 200 academicians, 62 of whom are from Kwara. He is also a Member of the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee of TETFund. He has served on multiple ministerial committees, including the Federal Ministry of Education’s monitoring team on high-impact medical school rehabilitation projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Notably, he chaired the Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee for the establishment of Medical Simulation Centres nationwide, reflecting the trust in his administrative and technical competence at the federal level.

    Internationally, Sulaiman’s career trajectory is exceptional. He has held senior leadership positions in  most advanced healthcare systems in the world. He served as System Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery and Co-Medical Director of the Neuroscience Institute at Ochsner Health System in the United States, where he transformed a modest programme into the number one neuroscience centre in Louisiana. He is one of the top 25 in the U.S., expanding its workforce from 10 to over 200 and growing revenue from $50 million to over $400 million. As a Medical Director of the Ochsner Back and Spine Center, he established the region’s first multidisciplinary spine centre, improving patient outcomes, while saving millions through efficiency reforms. He used his leadership position at Ochsner to facilitate training opportunities for many Nigerian healthcare workers in the USA.

    His executive experience also includes serving as Medical Director for Ochsner International in Sub-Sahara Africa, where he led healthcare business development, expanded operations to over 150 employees, and secured a multi-million-dollar hospital management contract with Shell Nigeria. He later served as Chief Medical Director and CEO of Shell Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt between 2017 and 2023, overseeing complex healthcare delivery within a corporate and public-private framework. He currently practices as a Consultant Neurosurgeon in the United States. He runs one of the most respected neurosurgery and spine clinics in Nigeria- RNZ Clinic (Neurosciences).

     Sulaiman’s spirit of giving back to the homeland has been recognized world-wide and in Nigeria. He took a 25% paycut at his job in the USA to free up time to return to Nigeria every month to educate, teach and perform modern neurosurgery and spine surgeries, including free surgeries.  He has organized multiple medical missions that have benefitted thousands of Nigerians. Former President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on him one of the highest national honours,  Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), in recognition of his humanitarian and exceptional services to the country.  His humanitarian footprints in Kwara State, through  RNZ Foundation is unparalleled. Over 3,000 students have been supported through the RNZ JAMB Scholarship Programme, more than 100 confirmed tertiary scholarships, empowerment of over 1,500 farmers, medical outreach services for over 4,000 Kwarans, cataract and glaucoma surgeries for over 100 patients, revolving funds for market women, and numerous community projects, including borehole drilling and vocational trainings. These are data-backed interventions, not campaign rhetorics.

    Kwara has witnessed significant transformations under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration. Therefore, the selection of the next Leader of Kwara State should be based on demonstrable capacity to build on the legacy of AA’s administration, capability, vision, management, leadership, administrative and executive experience, not on ethnic or tribal sentiments; not giving it to the highest bidders, who see politics as a business investments.

    The case for Prof. Wale Sulaiman is therefore, not rooted in the usual ethnic sentiments, but  competence, continuity, and capacity. His blend of international executive leadership, national politics and policy exposure, state-level governance experience, and grassroots humanitarian impacts present a rare convergence in Kwara politics. We therefore call on Sulaiman, to step forward and join the governorship race in 2027.

    • Afolayan, a social critic, wrote from Ilorin, Kwara State capital
  • Oyo 2027: Emphasis should be on competence, not religion

    Oyo 2027: Emphasis should be on competence, not religion

    • By Adekunle Adesuji

    As political conversations gradually shift towards the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, familiar arguments have once again resurfaced. Chief among such issues of contention is the subtle, but persistent attempt to frame succession through the prism of religion. While such narratives may excite sectional sentiments, they collapse under the weight of history, electoral behaviour, and the enduring political culture of the state.

    Across Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Oyo, and Ibarapa zones, the evidence remains consistent: political power in Oyo has never been negotiated based on faith or ethnicity alone. Rather, it has been earned through competence, integrity, organisation, structure, and sustained public trust built over time. This has been the trend since the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

    Since the return of democratic governance in 1999, Oyo politics has followed a clear and predictable pattern. The pattern has always been competence over idiosyncrasy, performance over piety, governance over symbolism.  The electorate, widely regarded as one of the most politically sophisticated in the South-West, has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to separate personal belief from public leadership.

    The ongoing debate to reduce the 2027 governorship contest to a religious calculation, therefore, oversimplifies deeply complex political realities that characterise Oyo State. It has never worked under previous political dispensations. In the foreseeable future, obviously, it is not going to work because the people will always separate religion from politics or any form of sentiment from governance.

    History offers clarity in this direction. Between 1999 and 2003, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), a Muslim, governed the state for four years. His administration was noted for grassroots mobilisation and education reforms, yet he lost re-election due to shifting political alliances and voter dissatisfaction—not religious considerations.

    In 2003, Senator Rashidi Ladoja of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also a Muslim and now the Olubadan of Ibadanland, emerged as governor and served between 2003 and 2007. His tenure was defined by intense intra-party crises and legislative battles, reinforcing the reality that political survival in Oyo State depends more on structure and stability than on faith or religion.

    Again, in 2007, the pendulum swung  when Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of the PDP, a Christian, assumed office. Despite his populist appeal and security-oriented background, Alao-Akala served only one term, exiting office in 2011, perhaps because he was a product of political crisis. His exit also reminded us that religious identity neither guarantees longevity nor shields a governor from electoral judgment.

    From 2011 to 2019, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), later the All Progressives Congress (APC), a Muslim, governed the state for eight uninterrupted years. His tenure, the longest in Oyo’s democratic history, was secured through strategic alliances with pro-people political actors, urban renewal, expansive infrastructure development, and firm political consolidation. Ajimobi was able to secure re-election not because of religious sentiment, but due to his sterling performance in office.

    Since 2019, Governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP, a Christian, has been governing Oyo State. He is on course to complete eight years in office by 2027. His initial emergence was a product of strong political alliance, elite consensus, and grassroots mobilisation, particularly at a time when opposition forces coalesced to challenge a dominant APC structure. He did not win the governorship contest based on religious sentiment.

    Read Also: Oyo police arrest three over alleged cement diversion in Ibadan

    More instructive was Makinde’s re-election in 2023, achieved with a commanding statewide spread. That victory was driven by political negotiation, policy continuity, and a populist governance style – not by appeals to faith. Central to this appeal were the prompt and regular payment of civil servants’ salaries and pensions, as well as the historic takeover of full ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, from Osun State.

    When aggregated, the figures speak clearly. Muslim governors would have governed Oyo State for about 16 years between 1999 and 2019, while Christian governors would have governed for about 12 years by 2027. This near balance decisively dispels any claim of religious exclusion and confirms that leadership in Oyo has been distributed by electoral choice, not religious rotation. With these figures, Christians, Muslims, should be clamouring for additional terms.

    Beyond statistics, voter behaviour in Oyo State has remained remarkably consistent. Market women, artisans, traders, farmers, transport workers, civil servants, youths, and professionals do not always vote based on religious sentiment. Rather, they consciously exercise their suffrage based on the public records of governorship candidates and their political parties. Also, they often vote candidates based on the quality of their manifestoes, character, competence and integrity.

    In Oyo State, therefore, previous governors were not elected on mere religious rhetoric. But they all secured public confidence consequent on the number of roads, schools and healthcare facilities they promised to deliver to the people or the number of jobs, economic opportunity and pro-people programmes they mapped out to create if elected. Infrastructure is neutral and governance outcomes are shared realities, not denominational privileges.

    Even though Makinde, today the undisputed ‘alpha and omega’ of his party in the state, is quietly working on a succession plan, political insiders confirm that such calculations are far removed from religion. Instead, the focus is on continuity of policy, political acceptability, and statewide appeal. His succession plan is another takeaway that the people of Oyo State do not always exercise their suffrage based on their religious sentiment.

    This pattern should be a grave lesson for opposition political parties serious about occupying the Agodi Government House. Winning the race to Agodi is not and has never been won based on denominational or religious considerations. Rather, credible candidates across political divides will be assessed based on their connection to the  grassroots; political structures they have established; the degree of political acceptability they have been able to secure and the level of public trust they have earned across the state.

    These are time-tested considerations that have guided the behaviour of the electorate in Oyo State since we returned to democratic rule in 1999. Will this pattern of voter behaviour change in the next context? Time will definitely resolve this puzzle in the coming months. But one thing is certain as we inch closer to the 2027 governorship in Oyo State. The defining question will not be who worships where, but who can govern better. This is simply because Oyo State has outgrown the politics of religion.

    •           Adesuji, a public affairs analyst, writes from Ibadan
  • Reflections on parliamentary action against insecurity

    Reflections on parliamentary action against insecurity

    • By Musa Abdullahi Krishi

    The year 2025 was a remarkable one for the 360 members of the House of Representatives in several ways. It was a year that the lawmakers spoke in one voice, setting aside political affiliations and cladding themselves in unmatched patriotism.

    A major issue of concern to the lawmakers, and indeed to every well-meaning Nigerian, in 2025 was insecurity. From January to December of 2025, Members of the Green Chamber raised many security-related motions with hundreds of resolutions reached. Disturbed by the situation, the House rose in unison searching for solutions to the menace, at least legislatively.

    Thus, members of the Green Chamber, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, dedicated an entire legislative week at plenary to the issue—from Tuesday, November 25, to Thursday, November 27, 2025—tagged ‘Special Plenary Session on National Security.’ In the end, the representatives of the Nigerian people adopted some far-reaching resolutions—over 50 of them—aimed at arresting the situation.

    Apart from the members of the House, the session also had in attendance officials from the United States Embassy in Nigeria, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rt. Hon. Lanien Blanchette, along with members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers. Some members of the civil society organizations also graced the historic session.

    The special session began with a powerful, poignant, and historic speech by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who set the tone of the all-important legislative business. The Speaker began thus: Honourable colleagues, distinguished guests, fellow Nigerians, we meet at a time of unprecedented national challenges. This moment requires calm heads, careful judgment and thoughtful action, not rushed or sensational responses. The decision of this House to suspend all other matters to focus on national security is therefore neither symbolic nor procedural. It reflects the seriousness of the moment and our duty to speak for our constituents.

    “The last few weeks have been difficult for our country. Communities have suffered severe attacks, including killings and multiple abductions targeting civilians, security personnel, and other vulnerable groups. These incidents occurred in rapid succession and affected different parts of the country, underscoring the scale and coordination of the threat we face.”

    Read Also: Insecurity: Kalu urges governors to secure states, backs Tinubu

    Though there were several security issues prior, the abduction at the Government Girls Science School, Maga, in Kebbi State; the unfortunate invasion and abduction of students at the Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State; and the kidnapping of worshippers in Kwara State, seemed to be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The lawmakers felt compelled to act urgently with a purpose.

    Echoing the position of the House on measures taken against insecurity before the special session, the Speaker remarked, “We stand firmly behind all ongoing operations and support every lawful measure aimed at delivering justice and restoring safety to our communities.”

    The purpose of the perpetrators of insecurity, the Speaker said, “is to instill fear, weaken public confidence, and give the illusion of being everywhere at once. Nigeria must reject this tactic. We must resist fear and stand firm against those who rely on cruelty and spectacle to advance their evil ideologies.”

    Despite the security challenges, the Speaker noted, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has taken steps to reform the security architecture with a visible shift in coordination among the services and a more deliberate effort to regain the initiative.

    Speaker Abbas took exception to the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States Government through the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 introduced in the US Congress. He announced that the House had conveyed its resolutions on the matter to the US Congress, the Department of State, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

    He added, “It is true that in some communities, Christians have been targeted, just as Muslim communities have suffered similar attacks in others. These acts have been carried out by violent groups pursuing their own agendas. They do not reflect the policy or practice of the Nigerian state. Terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and extremist violence have brought suffering to Nigerians of all faiths. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and every institution of government remains committed to protecting that right.”

    He emphasized dialogue with the US Government and the rest of the international community in resolving the matter and changing the narrative.

    The Speaker’s remarks resonated well with his colleagues. Thereafter, members took turns to highlight issues around insecurity as they relate to their respective constituencies. The House received briefings from the regional leaders, with the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara from Lagos State, kick-starting what became a session packed with revelations. She lamented the security situation around the country, particularly the spate of abductions and kidnappings, which she described as acts of terror.

    Lamenting the situation, Hon. Sada Soli, the leader of the North-West Caucus, described the perpetrators of insecurity as criminals, arguing that reversing the trend would require a holistic approach involving social, economic, and environmental strategies, as well as strengthening institutions.

    Similarly, the leader of the North East Caucus, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, submitted that Borno State became the cynosure of insurgency and terrorism for over a decade, spreading to other parts of the region. He called for more funding of the security agencies as well as better welfare for the troops fighting the scourge.

    Also, speaking for the North Central, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, a former deputy speaker, bemoaned attempts to give a religious coloration to the wave of insecurity in the country. He revealed that at some point, some security agencies were infiltrated by criminals and former members of the Boko Haram group.

    The Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, who spoke for the South West, lamented that insecurity has brought about barriers and divisions among the people, calling for urgent actions to be taken.

    For the South East, Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo noted that the situation called for a rethink, citing poor policy implementation as a major albatross in tackling insecurity.

    Hon. Solomon Bob, who spoke on behalf of the South South, argued that the perpetrators of insecurity should be appropriately addressed as terrorists, as they criminally disturb the peace in the society.

    Key Resolutions

    After exhaustive deliberations on the security situation, the lawmakers adopted the resolutions, major among them was on terrorism financing, calling on the federal government not only to publicly identify individuals and organizations funding terrorism but also to sanction and prosecute them, rather than the occasional announcements on freezing the accounts of such people/organizations without naming them.

    The House equally urged the Executive arm to create dedicated courts to attend to issues around terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping for transparent and speedy dispensation of justice.

    The lawmakers also called for a total ban on ransom negotiations, as well as penalizing government officials who engage in such practices.

    Additionally, they asked the federal government to decisively overhaul the country’s security architecture by providing better remuneration and welfare for security personnel.

    It is also on record that the House called for the strengthening of intelligence and technology to institute better intelligence sharing among security agencies, as well as enhance the use of drones and satellites for border surveillance, among others. The lawmakers were also particular about community policing and illegal arms control.

    Another major resolution passed was calling on the government to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and weak governance, by creating jobs and massive investment in the education sector. There was also a resolution calling for the establishment of military bases in volatile regions, high-risk areas, and strategic locations.

    They, in addition, recommended immediate massive recruitment into the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies in line with recent presidential directives, as well as strengthened welfare for security personnel through improved salaries, insurance, housing, medical care, and compensation frameworks.

    There were other specific resolutions, which included fiscal measures for security enhancement: all security expenditure should be placed on ‘First Line Charge’ to guarantee predictable and timely funding, and all approved security budgets must be fully and promptly disbursed; a phased strengthening of cashless transaction frameworks nationwide; security coverage for schools, worship centres, markets, and other soft targets should be strengthened; all public CCTV systems should be reactivated, upgraded, and, where necessary, complemented with new installations and integrated into a national and sub-national surveillance grid.

    Other resolutions also noted that intelligence gathering should be strengthened at the community level and systematically linked to national systems; border security should be treated as a national emergency, with deployment of modern technologies; and a central Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre be established for real time interagency coordination, among others.

    Having ended the year 2025 with a resolve to contain insecurity in Nigeria, the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen-led House is set to resume legislative business in 2026 on the same trajectory – with a renewed hope that the security situation in the country will improve tremendously.

    • Krishi is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives
  • ‘I’ll continue to encourage development of Ogun West’

    ‘I’ll continue to encourage development of Ogun West’

    The Senator representing Ogun West District at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has aseured that he would continue to support events and activities that promote tourism, cultural development and unity in the senatorial district and beyond.

    Adeola also reaffirmed his commitment to the facilitation of infrastructural projects capable of transforming his district.

    The senator spoke at the grand finale of the 2025 Isaga Day Festival, held at the weekend, in Isaga town, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State where he was the chairman of the event.

    He disclosed that he had attracted over 300 projects to complement the delivery of good governance by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, in Ogun West and other parts of the state.

    He added that the constituency projects including roads, healthcare, educational development, security and empowerment had been facilitated and completed by him  in over two years in the saddle.

    Adeola who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations and native of Isaga settlement, Ago Pahayi in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, lauded the people of Isaga for organizing a colourful and violence-free event.

    He stressed that he would continue to support cultural development, particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio-economic development.

    Read Also: Siege of underdevelopment is broken in Ogun West, says Adeola

    The senator lauded the Onisaga of Isaga-Orile Kingdom, Oba Joseph Oladele Olusoji Tella, for his commendable strides in cultural renaissance and peaceful community development, which has enhanced unity among the indigenes of the ancient town across the 32 settlements in Nigeria and the neighbouring Benin Republic.

    “Your Royal Majesty has brought in legacies of unity by attracting and bringing together all sons and daughters of Isaga Orile from across various communities in Ogun and Lagos State and worldwide to identify and contribute to the development of their original homestead”, he added.

    Adeola, who disclosed that he has facilitated the construction and completion of an ultra  modern palace, internal roads fitted with street lights, town hall, blocks of classrooms and furniture in the  Isaga-Orile Kingdom, disclosed that work would soon commence on the construction of a pavilion and modern market in the town.

    While reiterating his commitment to the infrastructural and socioeconomic development of Ogun West, the senator otherwise known as Yayi, said work had commenced on the repair and upgrade of 10 major electric infrastructures affecting about 100 communities in perennial and months long black out in senatorial district and beyond.

    Adeola, however, saluted Governor Dapo Abiodun for his support for tourism development through promotion of different festivals in the state such as Ojude Oba, Oronna Ilaro, the Lisabi, Iganmode and Akesan Day celebration among others. 

    “I am aware that the governor’s pro-active policy in the primary areas of security is responsible for a violence- free- state and drastic reduction in criminal activities. I also commend our governor for the numerous construction projects in the area of roads, hospitals and educational institutions across the state with a flagship project in the area of aviation through the construction and commissioning of the Gateway Cargo Airport at Iperu.

    “There is no doubt that your policies and programmes are complimentary of that of the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level”, the senator submitted.

    In his remarks, the Committee Chairman of 2025 Isaga Day Festival, Gboyega Aramide, noted that the event with the theme “A Legacy of Unity and Progress”, was aimed at bringing indigenes of Isaga together, strengthening relationships and building bonds.

    “This festival provides a unique opportunity for Isaga sons and daughters – both at home and in the diaspora – to reunite, interact and celebrate together, in honour of our founding fathers whose history dates back to around 1750, long before the Dahomey War of 1862.

    “Many of the Isaga people dispersed by the war settled in places such as Abeokuta, Ilaro, Iju, Ado-Odo, Mushin, Surulere, Isolo, Irogun and even Dahomey where they retain the name “Isaga” in remembrance of their origin”, Aramide stated.

    The Onisaga of Isaga-Orile Kingdom, Oba Olusoji Tella, said that the festival served as a platform to mobilize the people for development, fosterunity, strengthen communal bonds, open doors to visitors and investors.

     The monarch represented by Babatunde Tella, commended Senator Adeola for facilitating various developmental projects to the town, noting that the construction of the ultra modern market in Isaga-Orile would put the ancient town on the global map as a result of its strategic location along Sokoto-Badagry Road.

  • Delta North APC coalition calls for inclusion of founding members

    Delta North APC coalition calls for inclusion of founding members

    • Urges Yilwatda to introduce transparent harmonisation

    The Delta North All Progressives Congress (APC) Coalition for Equity has called on the national leadership to ensure fair and inclusive integration of founding members in Delta State.

    The call was made in a communiqué issued after the Coalition’s Expanded General Stakeholders Meeting held yesterday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Coalition, Barrister Alex Ikpeazu, and the Secretary General, Hon. Kemmer B. Emina.

    The meeting was attended by delegates and representatives from all nine local government areas of the Delta North Senatorial District.

    In the statement, the Coalition expressed concern over what it described as the growing marginalisation of long-standing and foundational APC members in the state following recent political developments.

    The group acknowledged and welcomed the defection of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, describing it as a development that strengthens the party.

    However, it warned that party unity must be built on fairness and recognition of loyalty.

    According to the Coalition, most government appointments and key decision-making positions are currently dominated by the Governor’s former PDP political structure, leaving out many APC members who remained loyal during the party’s difficult years.

    “These foundational members stood by the APC through intimidation, repeated electoral losses, and political isolation,” the communiqué said, adding that the current situation has caused widespread dissatisfaction at the grassroots level.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Obanikoro launches online APC membership drive

    The group noted that such exclusion contradicts the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and reward for loyalty promoted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The Coalition stressed the need for urgent corrective measures to prevent internal discontent and strengthen party unity in the state.

    As part of its demands, the Coalition called on the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to introduce a transparent harmonisation framework that will ensure: fair and meaningful inclusion of foundational APC members in government appointments, boards, and agencies; balanced integration of the Governor’s political structure with the existing APC party machinery in Delta State.

    The coalition also demanded zoning of the next APC State Chairmanship position to the Delta North Senatorial District, to be occupied by a long-standing APC member, citing the fact that Delta South and Delta Central had produced past and current state chairmen; development of a sustainable party structure based on unity, equity, inclusiveness, and shared ownership.

    It further demanded formal involvement of the Delta North APC Coalition for Equity in discussions and decisions affecting appointments and party restructuring in the Delta North.

    The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to the success of the APC in Delta State and Nigeria at large but insisted that lasting stability and electoral success could only be achieved through fairness, mutual respect, and inclusive governance.

  • Kalu accuses Otti of political desperation, sure of APC’s victory in 2027

    Kalu accuses Otti of political desperation, sure of APC’s victory in 2027

    Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) has accused Governor Alex Otti of what he described as a “vitriolic and desperate political attack.”

    The senator accused Otti of descending into personal insults rather than focusing on governance, warning that such antics would not derail his commitment to strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia ahead of the 2027 elections.

    In a statement by Head of Media, Senator Kalu Media Office, Sunday Maduka,
    Kalu said the Governor’s comments reflect insecurity and a fear of the APC’s rising influence in the state.

    He described Otti’s attacks as a “shameful spectacle” and a diversion from the administration’s failures to deliver on promises to the people of Abia.

    Kalu stated: “His diatribe, which is laced with invectives and drips with political desperation, against me for simply affirming my unwavering loyalty to APC, is nothing short of a shameful spectacle. This is not governance. It is gutter politics at its lowest. It is a frantic attempt by an administration to deflect from its own inadequacies.

    Read Also: Benjamin Kalu, Alex Otti and Abia 2027

    “The exercise of my fundamental right as a loyal party man and patriot, and the expression of my commitment to bolstering APC’s presence in Abia State ahead of 2027, including supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and ensuring a strong APC governorship candidate, is not a crime. In doing these, I am fulfilling my duty to my party and the people of Abia State.”

    Kalu further urged Otti to focus on addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, youth unemployment, and security rather than engage in petty political confrontations.

    He insisted that Abians are discerning voters who will judge leaders based on performance and not invective-laden propaganda, adding: “I remain undeterred in my commitment to the APC. This is not personal ambition but a dedication to Nigeria’s unity and prosperity.

    “Otti’s negativity will only strengthen my resolve to mobilise every resource legally, ethically, and vigorously, to ensure APC’s triumph in 2027. If he chooses to stay in his sinking Labour Party ship, so be it; we will fight on the field of ideas, policies, and people power.”

  • BREAKING: Eagles trash Mozambique 4-0 to reach AFCON quarterfinals

    BREAKING: Eagles trash Mozambique 4-0 to reach AFCON quarterfinals

    The Super Eagles delivered a commanding performance to secure a 4-0 victory over Mozambique, booking their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Nigeria were rampant from start to finish, asserting their dominance with pace, precision and ruthless finishing. 

    Ademola Lookman opened the scoring with a well-taken effort to set the tone, before Victor Osimhen struck twice to put the contest beyond Mozambique’s reach. A late goal from Adams capped a flawless display by the Eagles.

    Read Also: Morocco 2025: Super Eagles target  18th quarter-final berth against Mambas

    The result underlined Nigeria’s growing confidence and attacking depth as they continue their quest for continental glory, shutting out Mozambique with a disciplined defensive display and relentless pressure going forward.

    The Super Eagles will now await the winner of the Round of 16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo as they prepare for a crucial quarterfinal showdown.

  • Kidnappers kill victim in Edo

    Kidnappers kill victim in Edo

    Abu Momoh, one of the two brothers abducted last weekend in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, has been killed by their abductors.

    Late Abu was kidnapped with brother, Ibrahim, a medical doctor, on January 2 at their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Edo North.

    Their father, Tahir Momoh, who confirmed the killing, said the corpse was discovered on Monday morning.

    He said he has been buried.

    “It is true that he was killed. He is the younger of the two brothers and he has been buried. The elder brother is still with the kidnappers.

    “This is a very sad day for us and we hope that his elder will be released to us,” he said.

    Checks showed that Abu was killed along Orley River, Down City Pride road, Igbira Camp.

    A community source said he was shot dead while trying to escape.

    “I was told that he attempted an escape and he was shot by the kidnappers.”

    Read Also: Kidnappers abduct medical doctor in Edo

    One of the leaders of Auchi community, Abdul urged the police to focus on the Igbira camp due to incessant kidnappings in the area.

     He said many persons have been abducted within the vicinity.

    “I think it’s time the police beam a searchlight on the Igbira community in Auchi as the number of kidnapping around that area is alarming.

    “The problem is these boys don’t want to work but are looking for easy money. The earlier their criminal activities are halted, the better for Auchi and other communities around that area.

    “The government should also take action so that the people can see that they are important,” he stated. 

  • Okowa, Morka rally APC chieftains, members for Tinubu, Oborevwori

    Okowa, Morka rally APC chieftains, members for Tinubu, Oborevwori

    Former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress Barrister Felix Morka have urged chieftains and members of the party to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ahead of the 2027 polls. 

    The two APC leaders made the appeal on Monday  during the Ika Federal Constituency Leaders/Stakeholders meeting at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area to keep APC members abreast of the ongoing e-registration of the party. 

    The stakeholders’ meeting attracted party bigwigs from the constituency including Hon. Doris Uboh, Evangelist Moses Kamaya, chairmen of Ika North-East and Ika South LGAs, Samuel Ekene Kerry and Hilary Fada Ibude, respectively. 

    Others were Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barrister Chiedu Ebie, Secretary to Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, Monday Odigwe, Hon. Jerry Ehiwarior, among others. 

    Morka, the Convener of the meeting, said the gathering marked more than a routine political meeting, noting that it was their first collective assembly since the historic moment of April 2025, when a political earthquake reshaped Delta State. 

    Read Also: Okowa, Otuaro meet, pray for Delta’s peace, unity and sustained devt

    He said on that defining day, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, courageously led the entire structure and machinery of the former ruling party in the state into the All Progressives Congress.

    The APC image maker said a clear deadline has been set: January 31, 2026 and failure to register means exclusion—not only from membership recognition but from participation in the upcoming congresses at ward, local government, state, and national levels. 

    “You cannot vote. You cannot be voted for. This process is simple, guided, and urgent. That is why our State Treasurer, who also serves as the State Coordinator of this programme, is here today to provide direction.

    “Let me be clear: new congresses will elect new party leaders at every level. Registration is the gateway. We must take this exercise seriously. As leaders, we must return to our villages and wards with a singular mission—mobilise, register, and strengthen the APC from the grassroots up.

    “This is not a time for petty divisions, unnecessary suspicion, or internal anxiety. The President expects unity. Shoulder-to-shoulder solidarity. A party determined to carry the Renewed Hope message to the farthest corners of our nation and to convince even the harshest critics that hope is not a slogan—it is a living reality.”

    Morka said President Tinubu had demonstrated uncommon courage, noting that from his first day in office, he confronted challenges others avoided. 

    He said the President dragged the elephant in the room into the open and dismantled long-standing obstacles that held the nation’s economy hostage. 

    He said those are bold, historic steps, and they demand APC faithful full support.

    “We must stand with Mr. President as he continues the difficult but necessary work of rebuilding Nigeria,” he stated.

     Okowa contended that looking at the calibre and number of leaders gathered at the event, there should be no fear—politically or otherwise.

    Okowa noted: “If we resolve, collectively and immediately, to work together, we can command political dominance across all 26 wards of the Ika Federal Constituency.

    “Ika South and Ika North East have always delivered strong electoral outcomes. With everyone now united in one party, we can deliver far more than ever before.

    “Let us remember this: Delta State is a model. Our Governor was the first to align openly and decisively with Mr. President. Because of that, the eyes of the nation are upon us. The results from Delta will speak loudly across Nigeria.

    “We must not waste our strength fighting one another. Internal battles weaken us. Victory comes from planning beyond the immediate, thinking strategically, and executing with discipline.

    “There is still much work to be done, and we are capable—if we agree to work as one. Let me clarify a critical point: the e-registration exercise is not being funded by council chairmen. It is a collective responsibility. Ward leaders, councils, and party faithful must all contribute. This is a party project, owned by all of us.”

  • No date yet for e-registration in Edo APC

    No date yet for e-registration in Edo APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is yet to fix a date for commencement of e-registration of members.

    Time-table for the party’s congresses showed that membership e-registration was to commence on December 1, 2025 and end on January 30, 2026.

    Checks showed that the Edo APC was yet to begin e-registration of members.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Obanikoro launches online APC membership drive

    Edo APC Secretary, Lawrence Okah, confirmed that the party was yet to begin membership e-registration.

    Okah said the National Secretariat of the party was yet to give its nod for the registration to commence.

    “Yes, we are yet to start registration. We are waiting for the National,” he confirmed.