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Category: Politics

Coalition, merger talks won’t distract Tinubu, says Uzodinma

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma spoke with reporters in Lagos on the emergency rule in Rivers State, local government autonomy, and the achievements and constraints of his administration. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

I was one of the earliest speakers the moment it happened. I anchored my reasoning and logic on protection of our economic assets.

When pipelines were bombed, had to prioritise safeguarding production. As chairman of the National Economic Council’s subcommittee on crude oil theft, our efforts have been on how to boost output and any actions threatening our quotas must be condemned.

The president, as Chief Security Officer, acted to quell tensions in River.

By the time I heard that the pipeline was burnt at a time we were crying and making efforts geared towards boosting production. So, anything that would lead to further leakage or reduce the production quota we have, should not be encouraged. Mr President, who is the Chief Security Officer of the country, called some of us, and said he was worried about the growing tension in Rivers State. Of course we were all here and we saw it. What would have happened if those boys in the House Assembly were allowed to impeach my colleague, Governor Siminalayi Fubara? It may be one person today, another person tomorrow. Power belongs to God, I am a Christian and my faith is strong. If you will be a governor, you can only be if God approves and when it is your turn, God will defend and protect you. I am one of the most abused and blackmailed governors when I came in.

Many of our people didn’t give me a chance, they wanted to subdue the decision of our people. When I contested for election, it was clear that I won. Now, the number of votes after cancellation, the ones excluded outside the cancelled one were more than what was announced. The declared one didn’t make a simple two-third which is the required majority before anybody can be pronounced governor. However, because they have access to media and blackmail, he became the Saint and I became the sinner. When the matter was tabled before the court, it saw what was clear and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, why it didn’t include the result, INEC didn’t answer. When it was included, number four became number one, yet people kept talking about it. For my second term, I won 27 local governments, is that also the Supreme Court? I am a realist, I don’t discuss things that have no meaning to me. I am very objective and practical. And that is why what interests me are results. At the end of the day, what has happened? Imo is better under me as a governor, and it is clear.

There are growing calls for state police as a way to aptly tackle insecurity. What is your comment on that?

The National Economic Council at our last meeting had already taken a position on state police. Out of the 36 including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, we have all signed for the creation of state police. You know it will be taken to the National Assembly for legislation. I believe that state police are necessary because with the population of the country, security cannot be micromanaged. It has to be decentralised so that our comparative advantages can have space in the system.

A member of your party, Senator Alli Ndume, is alleging that President Tinubu is favouring the South, especially the Southwest in his choice of appointment. Do you agree with him?

For Sen Ndume, who is my very good friend, we can no longer address the problems of the country in piecemeal. There is no place called Nigeria, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Because Nigeria is a federation, if we look at the operations of the country, we will know that parts of the problem we had were ethnic and religious sentiments. A few days ago, I was in Kaduna with other governors to see former President Muhammadu Buhari. I tried my best to distinguish his style of President Bola Tinubu. Buhari came for eight years and followed the status quo of using no name, no method, no measure to rule Nigeria. He left at the end of the year. President Tinubu with a different style of governance, very bold, reform driven, courageous and we have seen the difference. Even though that any government that embarks on reform at the beginning of it there will be agitation and complaint here and there, you will find out that under Buhari, in 2020, my federal allocation was below N5 billion, but now the least is N12 to 13 billion because things like subsidy for petroleum products had been removed and the money saved. All those wastages and leakages have been blocked. The challenge now is how will the subsidiary leadership use this money? I am able to do Old Mbaise Road with N89 billion without borrowing, and that is because of increase in allocation. I have embarked on…erosion control very close to N150 billion without borrowing from anybody or bank. We repaired Orlu and Okigwe roads because we now make more revenue. We must speak to it. You can never see America or anywhere in the world where someone claims to be from Little Rock Arkansas. Clinton finished as governor of Little Rock Arkansas twice, went to New York where his wife became a senator. So the country is one. We are looking for a merit driven government. Governance that will be performance based our people are interested in results. If you take somebody who read history and make him the Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, and he is not making money. Why not take somebody who is a marine engineer, understands the administration of ports even if he is from the same place with me to make more money and use it to develop Nigeria. The dividends of democracy are to be fertilised to the extent that the product will be enough to satisfy the yearning and appetite of our people. It is not about where you come from. We are Nigerians and we have laws too. So, every man has his own style, target and vision. Sen Ndume and President Tinubu are from the APC. The APC has an internal mechanism for contributing ideas to leadership resolving conflict internally.

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Apart from depending on federal allocation, I want you to shed light on what you are doing to expand the revenue base of Imo State…

When I came in 2020. Our internally generated revenue was less than N400 million in a month. As I speak to you, we’re very close to N4 billion. I installed a land administration system. I automated all the processes for collection of taxes and royalties. We have minimised it to the barest minimum leakages. I stopped the idea of hiring consultants to collect government revenues. We have a single treasury account system. So everything is automated. Both the formal revenue and the informal revenue. We are still counting. I am almost confident that by the end of this year, we will be close to N5 billion a month. No wonder the World Bank under the Safe Tax Programme gave us a special award for all the reforms. I took 18 bills to the House of Assembly. All revenue bills. Last month, I offloaded those whose income is below 100,000 from our tax net. I told them not to be paying tax anymore. How can a woman frying bean cake, who at the end of the month may not make up to N100,000 pay? Why are we flogging her to pay tax? So that population, as part of my stimulus package to stimulate the economy, has been offloaded from the tax net. So we are intentional about our programmes to boost and create a good economy.

How have you been implementing local government autonomy?

Because of the so-called insecurity, and what happened in Imo State, we operated a caretaker committee, but it got to a point that it became necessary that we democratise local government. We conducted a very transparent election. We have councillors and all. The local government system is running on its own, and we don’t have problems with our local government authority in terms of revenue and administration. The only thing which I have let go is that because we updated our payroll system, some local governments were not solvent enough to fund primary health centres and local teachers by the meagre size of money they received, according to the indices of revenue mobilisation of…commission. What we are doing now is to intervene from the state. I am very confident that if the local government works well and those mandated to manage local governments are doing well, it means the state is doing well because there is no state without local government. If we are better at the local government, then we are better at the state level. In like manner, if every state in the country is good, federal government is also good. As a matter of fact, the word autonomy is stretched because neither federal government can work without state government and state government cannot work without local government. Most of the functions and activities of these three governments work together, they are interwoven. The doctrine of separation of power is also part of it. At the local government, you have a legislative council. At the state, you have the House of Assembly. Federal government has a National Assembly. The constitution is very clear on responsibilities. All of us swore an oath to defend this holy book called the constitution, which is what we are doing. We should also support the local government to succeed as much as supporting the federal government to support the states to also succeed because at the end of the day, it is the welfare of our people that is important. For me, it is a good development and I encourage all my colleagues. From what I know, we are all doing that.

Coalition is building up, it appears that you have started campaigning for Tinubu’s second term. Do you feel threatened?

On coalition, the meaning of democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. The meaning of politics is that while some agree, others won’t. What is a coalition? We are practising partisan democracy, not coalition democracy. Partisan democracy means you have to belong to a political party before you can contest in an election. When you think that your party is not alive and you are thinking of switching, you have to come out of the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, before you can now do something. They don’t change a winning team. I started by saying that here. You have seen where we met Nigeria. You have seen where we are going, where we are now. We know where we are going. At the end of the day Nigerians will judge, but it is still a long time now. We have more than two years as a government. If you want to go into a struggle for how you want to win an election, Nigerians gave you the opportunity to rule for four years, and you are barely two years in. That would be a total distraction. I know that this government is focused. APC is also focused. And our eyes are open. We will not let anybody remove anything in our hand.

April 25, 2025
Basiru: APC not turning Nigeria into one-party state

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru has dismissed claims that the ruling party is steering the country towards a one-party system.

Basiru, who spoke on the television last night, dismissed insinuation that defections to the APC is driven by the intimidation of the opposition parties.

He said the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the APC underscored their acknowledgment of the progress being made by the APC administration at the centre.

Basiru said: “How can we turn Nigeria into a one-party state? The country is not our making. I think the problem with Nigeria is that we don’t seem to have people who are very serious in opposition, who take their job seriously. You cannot expect the ruling party to do the work of the opposition.”

Basiru urged the media to assess the inactivity of opposition parties, in contrast with the APC’s efforts at building a robust, grassroots structure across the country.

He added: “Tomorrow is a working day. Go around the headquarters of all other political parties and see whether you find any activity going on. One of the cardinal policies of our party since Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje assumed leadership is to build a functional and efficient party structure in every ward, local government, and state in Nigeria. And that is what we are doing.’

Basiru recalled that when the APC was in the opposition, it maintained its vigour, despite pressures and investigations.

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He stressed: “When we were in opposition, Bola Tinubu, for instance, in the Southwest, was the only surviving governor after the 2003 elections. Even with the harassment people talk about, the now National Security Adviser said that the then-governor was the most investigated by the EFCC.

“After leaving office, he was arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and went through a full trial. He did not abandon the party. Rather, we moved from one state to another, trying to expand the scope of our activities.”

Basiru dismissed the allegations that the APC had resorted to using state machinery and security agencies to intimidate the opposition as unfounded, saying that opposition leaders only indulge in a blame game.

He said: “Look, Amílcar Cabral said: ‘Tell no lie, claim no easy victory.’ When you are in opposition and you begin to lie to yourself about what is wrong with your party—and lay the blame where it doesn’t belong—you’re only making excuses.

“Before today, at least, 15 members of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party (LP), SDP, PDP, NNPP, and others have defected to the APC. Some of them are first-timers. Have they even served two years? Do they have issues with the EFCC? Three senators, including the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, also joined the APC.

“Just today, Hon. Wale Oke from the Oriade/Obokun Constituency defected. Do any of these individuals have pending cases with the EFCC or ICPC?”

Basiru hailed the Delta defections, saying their defections have affirmed the APC’s rising influence.

He added: “Two weeks ago, I was in Agbor when the Delta Unity Group, led by the chairman of the NDDC and including the daughter of former Governor James Ibori, joined the APC. The uproar this has caused is likely because the opposition understands how critical Delta is to their agenda.

“I must give credence to the sagacity of not just the President, but also the Progressive Governors’ Forum and the leadership of our party’s National Working Committee (NEC).

“We are out there, going around like Jehovah’s Witnesses. apologies to members of that religious group. proselytising and spreading our party’s vision across every nook and cranny of Nigeria.”

Basiru denied that the defectors were coerced, saying: “President Tinubu will not coerce anyone. He is a democrat to the heart.”

April 25, 2025
Okumagba welcomes Delta Gov Oborevwori to APC

Prominent leader of the APC in Delta State and former Commissioner of Finance, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has welcomed the momentous decision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire PDP structure in Delta State to join the APC.

In a statement on Thursday, Okumagba stated that this development marks a significant milestone in the political landscape of Delta state and the nation.

According toOkumagba: “Governor Oborevwori’s dedication to the progress and development of Delta State, and indeed Nigeria, will undoubtedly be enhanced by his membership of the APC.”

Restating his warm welcome to Governor Oborevwori to the APC, Okumagba noted that his decision will facilitate the building of a stronger and more prosperous Delta State and Nigeria, noting his wealth of experience, leadership skills, and passion for public service will undoubtedly be valuable assets.

Read Also: Oborevwori, Okowa defect to APC with entire Delta PDP

Okumagba recounted some of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s notable accomplishments in Delta State over the past two years in the areas of infrastructure development; making education more accessible to Deltans; workers’ welfare; peace and security and investment promotion.

These accomplishments, he stated, have earned Governor Oborevwori outstanding commendation across the Nation.

Okumagba affirmed that “Governor Oborevwori’s new positioning will facilitate greater accomplishments and success for Delta State” stressing: “I have no doubt that his vision, dedication, and commitment to excellence will inspire and motivate all Deltans to work towards achieving great things for our state and nation.”

Olorogun Okumagba urged all party members and all Deltans to rally behind Governor Oborevwori’s leadership and work together towards building a stronger, more united, and more prosperous Delta State and Nigeria.

April 24, 2025
Political Tsunami in Delta

There was a major blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State yesterday. The 26-year rule of the party ended abruptly, following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Delta PDP, according observers, almost became a carcass; a ghost of its original self and an absolutely distressed organisation. It was shocking.

The defectors include the deputy governor, Monday Onyeme, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, state and federal lawmakers, local government chairmen and councilors, and party officers at the ward, local government and state levels.

The Atiku camp of the leading opposition party is not spared by the implosion. It became depleted. The parting of ways between the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and his running mate, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, was sudden. The separation occurred without a known quarrel.

Oborevwori joined the PDP as a youth. A loyal party man, he served on the platform as Speaker of the House of Assembly before he was elected governor.

Okowa also served on the platform of the party as a commissioner, Secretary to State Government and senator. He was also governor for eight years.

The mass defection of the entire PDP structure is surprising, although it had been speculated for months. Since 1999, Delta has been one of the strongholds of the PDP. It has produced four governors – Chief James Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Okowa and Oborevwori.

Although opposition parties, including Labour Party (LP) and the APC had produced senators in the state, PDP had always won the governorship polls.

Senator James Manager, pioneer Delta PDP chairman, justified the mass defection. PDP is troubled; it is torn apart by protracted leadership crisis, Manager said. He said the collective decision to defect was motivated by the desire to escape from a boat that was about to capsize.

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Hailing the defection, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said it underscored the collapse of trust between PDP and the defectors. He also said the defection would enlarge the coast of the ruling party and reposition it as a formidable platform for future elections.

As from yesterday, the 2027 calculations in Delta changed. Oborevwori became the undisputed leader of Delta APC, who other stalwarts – Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ned Nwoko, Great Ogboru and Otega Omerhor – have to cooperate and work with to achieve the 2027 goals of the party.

The challenge that would now confront the party is the harmonisation of party structues at the ward, local government and state levels.

Before yesterday, only four states had maintained rare consistency in political choices. From 1999 to date, Lagos, either under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode or Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had remained the stronghold of the progressive party that only changed its name – AD, AC, ACN and APC.

Akwa Ibow has produced four PDP governors – Obong Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, Udo Emmanuel and Umo Eno.

Also, Enugu has remained a PDP state. It produced Chimaroke Nnamani, Chima Sullivan, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Peter Mbah.

Oborevwori’s defection means that the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, is depleted.

PDP’s loss is APC’s gain. In the Southsouth, APC now controls three states – Edo, Cross River and Delta; PDP has three – Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. But two weeks ago, Governor Eno of Akwa Ibom declared his support for President Tinubu’s second term bid.

In Rivers, there is a fierce battle between APC and PDP.

The Southeast is slipping from the grip of PDP. The party only controls Enugu. APC wields control in Imo and Ebonyi. Abia is governed by Labour Party’s (LP’s) Governor Alex Otti. Anambra remains the stronghold of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The scenario has implications for Atiku, who is warming up for the 2027 primary of the party. It is a devastating blow to his bid. Currently, the former vice president appears to be on a false coalition mission, which does not enjoy the support of the PDP governors. The party is ebbing away.

Atiku needs a platform and PDP does not offer a guarantee. It would appear that time is short; it is not on his side, especially when the electioneering would kick off in less than two years.

Feelers suggest that more PDP governors may follow suit. Sources said APC is seriously wooing them.

The 2027 permutations have started. Politicians are returning to the drawing board. The future is pregnant with possibilities.

But, as it is often said, 24 hours is a long time in politics.

April 24, 2025
Agege: I stand with Obasa, party decision – Chairmanship aspirant Abiola

Hon. Oluwagbenga Abiola, Executive Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government and a top contender in the forthcoming July 12 Local Government Election, has thrown his full support behind the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to adopt Abdulganiyu Obasa as the party’s flagbearer.

Abiola, a political protégé of Agege APC leader and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, made the declaration while speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.

His endorsement follows a call by Agege stakeholders—comprising community and political leaders—who, at a news conference on Monday, urged the Speaker to support his son Abdulganiyu for the council chairmanship.

They described the move as a way to reward Speaker Obasa’s longstanding humanitarian contributions to the community.

Addressing speculation that he was being pressured to drop his ambition, Abiola dismissed such claims and instead expressed deep gratitude to Speaker Obasa, whom he described as his political benefactor.

“I will remain forever grateful to Rt. Hon. Obasa for the opportunities he has given me. I pledge my total support for the party’s decision and the leadership of our great party,” Abiola said, affirming his loyalty to both the Speaker and the APC hierarchy.

Abiola said: “Let me just make it clear that I will and can never pitch tend against my leader, Rt.-Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

“This is the man that made me. He appointed me as special assistant on media to the office of the Speaker when he became Speaker in 2015. I won’t be an ingrate.

“After that, in 2016, I became Sole Administrator for Agege LG, being recommended by the Speaker and appointed by the Governor.

“With that appointment, I made history by becoming the youngest local government boss in the state.

“In 2017, when I handed over to the current Executive Chairman, the party and the Speaker also facilitated my appointment as Secretary to the Local Government and in 2021 as the Vice Chairman .

“So, tell me, why would I pitch tent against the decision of such a man that has built me in terms of capacity, political dexterity, and network all over?”.

Abiola said that it was true he had the ambition to succeed the current chairman, but he must submit to the party’s decision “without any reservation”.

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“Yes, I aspired as it is he dream of everybody that has passed through the ranks, especially as vice chairman to become the chairman, but the party has spoken and I concur.

“The party leadership has come together, stakeholders have come together, and they have agreed that they want the Speaker to allow his son become the next Chairman.

“So, I stand by everything that they have done. I stand with and by Obasa. I stand with and by APC Agege and the leadership of APC. I agree with stakeholders’ resolution,” he added.

According to him, since his aspiration is all about service to people, there are still many opportunities for him in the future as a young and vibrant politician.

“I know that the leader I have is one that knows what is best politically and can also recommend me for, even better positions in the nearest future.

“I’m still young. I still have the vibrancy. I’ll work for the party. I’ll make sure the party wins,” he said.

Abiola said that he had directed his teeming youth-based followers under the platform of Obasa Youth Alliance (OYA) to redirect all energy towards actualising the party’s decision.

April 23, 2025
Benue LG tribunals: Save image of the judiciary, Onjeh tells NJC

Former Chairman, Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has raised the alarm over what he described as a coordinated attempt to use the judiciary to destabilise the administration of Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In a statement in Abuja, Onjeh stated that the National Judicial Council (NJC) must immediately break its silence and declare its stance on the recent judgments by some judges of the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal.

According to him, the NJC’s inaction is gradually eroding the integrity of the judiciary not only in Benue State but across the nation, stating if the NJC fails to speak up now, it risks being perceived as complicit in “the subversion of democracy and the rule of law.”

“The National Judicial Council (NJC) must not remain silent. It must intervene now, just as it did when it declared that Governor Alia had no powers to remove the Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, even in the face of the clear, unambiguous, and express provision of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, as amended.

“If the NJC could act swiftly, ostensibly to protect the Chief Judge from suffering any injury, then it must equally act to protect the already sworn-in Benue local government council chairmen, as well as the leadership of Governor Alia, from injury; in addition to preserving the sanctity of the electoral law and the credibility of the judiciary,” Onjeh argued.

He urged the NJC to clearly affirm that it is a principle of law that only candidates who participated in an election have the locus standi to file petitions at the Tribunal—and that intra-party disputes must be resolved internally or in conventional courts, as held severally by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The NJC must also caution the Appeal Panel justices on the true position of the law as to who has the locus to file a petition at any election petition tribunal.

The Appeal Panel, according to Onjeh, is the final arbiter in this matter and its ruling will shape the political and legal landscape of Benue State for years to come.

He added that it must not be allowed to hand over the reins of local governance to those who did not earn the people’s mandate.

Onjeh alleged the recent tribunal judgments annulling several local government elections won by the legitimate candidates of the APC under Governor Alia’s leadership were part of a broader plot by desperate political actors to hijack local governance and weaken the Governor’s administration.

He claimed that, having failed to control the State Assembly and block federal allocations to local governments, these forces are now using the judiciary to “share governance” in the state.

He criticised the Chief Judge of Benue State for allegedly granting unlawful waivers for security deposits to certain petitioners, in direct violation of Section 76, Subsection (1) to (4) of the Benue State Local Government Electoral Law, which mandates such deposits as a prerequisite for filing petitions.

“Sub-Section (4) particularly states that if security is not given at the time of filing the petition, there shall not be any further proceedings on the petition,” Onjeh stated.

Onjeh emphasised that the use of the term “shall” in legal statutes denotes compulsion, not discretion.

However, the Chief Judge, in an unprecedented judicial overreach, cited alleged “public outcry by prospective petitioners” as grounds for granting the waiver.

Onjeh countered that no such outcry was recorded in the public domain, suggesting that any such discussion must have happened behind closed doors, which is unethical and raises serious concerns of bias.

The former student activist and President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) argued that Justice Ikpambese had no right to single-handedly rewrite the electoral laws of Benue State or the Constitution of Nigeria, adding that the job of the Chief Judge is simply to interpret the law and apply it, not to amend or review it.

“Predictably, following this waiver, over 200 APC members—many of them from a faction opposed to Governor Alia—rushed to file petitions.

“This was clearly a coordinated move to flood the Tribunal with meritless cases in the hope of overturning the will of the electorate. Ironically, all of these petitioners admitted they did not even participate in the general election,” he added.

He maintained that the law is crystal clear: only candidates who participated in an election can challenge its outcome, adding that the Tribunals are not meant for settling intra-party squabbles or pre-election disputes.

Those, Onjeh opined, belong in conventional courts. Yet the same Tribunal that rightly dismissed similar petitions from PDP and Labour Party members on the grounds of incompetence has now found a curious justification to entertain and uphold cases brought by APC members against their own party.

He posited that this unilateral decision by the Chief Judge constituted a flagrant violation of the principle of functus officio — the idea that once the Chief Judge had constituted the election tribunal, he no longer had legal authority to interfere in its proceedings, let alone amend existing laws.

The Chief Judge’s actions, according to Onjeh, were ultra vires, exceeding constitutional powers and amounting to direct interference in the statutory role of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Onjeh lamented the inconsistency in the Tribunal’s rulings, noting that while petitions filed by opposition parties were dismissed on grounds of incompetence, those filed by internal APC petitioners — all of whom did not even participate in the elections — were accepted and entertained, leading to nullifications of valid elections.

He further criticised the controversial relocation of the Tribunal sittings from Makurdi to Abuja, reportedly on the grounds of security concerns. Onjeh argued that the claim of security threats was unfounded and merely a ploy to shield the tribunal from public scrutiny.

Onjeh further noted that during the height of insurgency and insecurity in the North East, it was never recorded that any Local Government Election Tribunal was ever relocated out of a state, because of Section 7 of the Constitution.

He added that even in the heat of the insecurity and incessant kidnappings in the South East, it was never reported that any of the Local Government Election Tribunals in any of the South East states was ever relocated to Abuja.

“On whose authority is the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal to Abuja, and who is financing it? The Governor was not even pre-informed of the relocation, because he had earlier given assurances of adequate security throughout the period of the Tribunals’ sittings. How many Chief Security Officers do we now have in Benue State?” enquired Onjeh.

Further dismissing Justice Ikpambese’s claims of insecurity, Onjeh stated that the State, National Assembly and Governorship Elections Tribunals all sat peacefully in Benue State after the 2023 General Election despite the fact that the Governor and His Deputy were respondents; along with senators, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members, and the cases were even between the APC, PDP and Labour, unlike this one in which only APC members were challenging the declaration of other APC members.

Drawing a biblical analogy, Onjeh likened the situation to the judgment of King Solomon. “In the biblical story, when two women claimed to be the mother of a child, Solomon offered to divide the child. The false claimant agreed, revealing her lack of genuine care. That is exactly what the anti-Alia elements want — to divide and destroy what they couldn’t build.”

“Father Alia’s detractors have been squarely defeated by the Reverend Gentleman on several occasions in the past. They are down now, therefore they fear no fall. They don’t care if the baby – in this case Benue State – is split in two, provided they achieve their aim of destabilizing the governor’s administration,” stated Onjeh.

Onjeh warned that it is becoming apparent there is a grand conspiracy to overturn the victories of current LG Council Chairmen in all 23 local government areas of the state, at the Appeal Panel with the aim of installing candidates who never stood for election.

Onjeh hinted at a growing suspicion that powerful individuals at the national level were manipulating the judicial process to serve their narrow political interests. He said the fact that Tribunal and Appeal Panel hearings were relocated from Makurdi to Abuja, in violation of the law, only strengthens these suspicions

“The relocation, allegedly approved by Justice Ikpambese despite a Federal High Court ruling maintaining the status quo, underscores how brazenly the rules are being bent to fit a hidden agenda,” he noted.

The APC stalwart further stated that the relocation of the Tribunal to the NBA House in Abuja is especially troubling because Section 83 of the Benue State Electoral Laws 2007 provides that every petition shall be tried in open court. The NBA House, Onjeh argued, is not a designated courtroom under the law.

He added that the same law stipulates that the relocation of the tribunal even to another proper venue can only be on the condition that all the parties consent to it. “But Justice Ikpambese went ahead to unilaterally relocate the Tribunals to Abuja, without the consent of any of the respondents,” noted Onjeh.

“Furthermore, the FCT High Court, which lacks territorial jurisdiction over Benue State local government matters, inexplicably granted an order allowing the relocation against an earlier order of the Federal High Court. These developments amount to judicial gymnastics and forum shopping with dangerous implications for justice and democracy in Nigeria.”

This calculated judicial assault, according to Onjeh, if allowed to proceed, will be used to finance a political insurgency against Governor Alia. He said those who win these dubious Tribunal cases will gain access to local government coffers, which they can then deploy to fund efforts aimed at sabotaging Alia’s administration. This, Onjeh stated, is not conjecture; but a pattern being closely followed by keen observers of Benue politics.

Onjeh asserted that the judiciary is being weaponized as part of a calculated three-pronged strategy to unseat Governor Alia. First, through legislative sabotage, via efforts to install a puppet Speaker in the Benue Assembly. Second, through failed attempts by the opposition to halt local government allocations to Benue at the National Assembly. And third, the current judicial assault using compromised tribunals to unlawfully hijack local councils.

He posited that the NJC’s continued silence in the face of these judicial infractions might signal tacit complicity, adding that it was because Justice Ikpambese had obviously shown bias in his handling of the Tribunal that the Benue State House of Assembly earlier recommended his removal from office.

“Section 205(1) (a)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides two mechanisms for removing a Chief Judge of a state: upon recommendation of the State House of Assembly to the Governor, and via recommendation from the NJC.

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Governor Alia acted within the first constitutional provision, based on a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly; nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, he still forwarded this recommendation to the NJC,” stated Onjeh.

However, Onjeh said the NJC issued a warning against appointing an acting Chief Judge to replace Justice Ikpambese, threatening disciplinary action. He condemned the move as reminiscent of NJC’s controversial actions in Rivers State, where it was accused of shielding a compromised judicial officer. He said the NJC’s current posture may be interpreted as an institutional endorsement of the Benue Chief Judge’s misconduct.

He emphasised that the NJC’s refusal to investigate the multiple allegations against the Benue Chief Judge — including a publicly recorded vow to “show Governor Alia pepper” — further undermines its credibility.

He called on the NJC to act on the barrage of allegations against Justice Ikpambese, and the recommendation of the Benue State House of Assembly to establish an investigative panel to probe the conduct of the Chief Judge and to penalize any of the judges on the Tribunal whose judgment flouted electoral laws and judicial ethics.

Onjeh reiterated that election tribunals are designed to resolve disputes between political parties, not intra-party conflicts. Aggrieved members of the APC who failed to secure nominations should have pursued their cases as pre-election matters in regular courts, not as post-election petitions.

He drew attention to a suspicious link between the recent surge in insecurity across the state and the current judicial drama. Unlike traditional farmer-herder clashes, he said, the recent attacks appear orchestrated to discredit the Alia administration, instill fear, and justify illegal political takeovers.

Onjeh concluded by urging the NJC to act swiftly to protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s judiciary and democracy. He said the NJC must investigate these violations and affirm that only those who contested elections have the legal standing to challenge them. He added that failure by the NJC to act will only confirm the worst fears of judicial compromise.

“The people of Benue have begun to feel the impact of responsible governance under Governor Alia — prompt salary payments, rural infrastructure, and renewed agricultural prospects. They must not be subjected to this brazen subversion of democracy. The NJC must act now! It must rise to the occasion and reassure Nigerians that the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man—not the last refuge of political desperadoes,” stated Onjeh.

April 23, 2025
Oluboyo: Why I want to be Ondo APC chairman

Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, is among the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains vying for the position of party chairman at the next congress. In this interview with Osagie Otabor, he explains his vision for the party.

Why do you think the APC is still the party to beat?

The magic is not far fetched and one can easily explain it by what I can call the party’s program. You know, every party has its manifesto and Nigerians are continuing to see the improvement in economy and the programmes of the former administration, I’m talking about the PDP. Rome was not built in a day. Things have been spoilt so much. It has gone beyond repairs. But when Buhari came, I know that there were so many areas to be covered. But thank God, after his eight years, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu came. You know, in government, there is no vacuum. So he inherited all the asset and liability of Buhari. He sat down to look at the economy and how it can better. He has started working but the only problem we have in Nigeria is that we are so much in haste. Tinubu has not spent two years in office. By May this year, he would be two years in office. So how do you expect him to cover the lost ground, but I can assure you he will do well. You can see how petrol has been frustrating before. When it go up, it will not come down. But now, when it go ups, it also comes down, so it can go up again, but it will still come come down. So I have hope in this government. I will not deceive you.

What do you see in the future of Ondo APC ahead of its Congress?

I believe you are a journalist, an investigative journalists who will go to the grassroot to know what is going on before you make any publication? As at today, there is no opposition in Ondo state, whether you believe it or not but that is the truth. That is what is on the ground? In the last election, it was 18 zero. We won in all the 18 local government areas. It has never happened in the history of Ondo state where even the candidate of the PDP hails from, we beat him hands down in his Ward, in his unit and his local government. So it has never happened in the history of Ondo state when it comes to politics. Yes, Ondo APC Congress is very close to us, but we have our tradition. It’s one house, unity of purpose and we are focused. That is why since APC took the power for leadership, it has not failed and we will continue to win more, more states. Samething will continue to go on in Ondo State. Ondo state is key. We are lucky we are having Lucky Aiyedatiwa. So if you look at the administration of our present governor. I hope you know what Ondo used to look like in the past, now you can see that there are so many infrastructures coming up. Roundabouts, roads that we speak for us as a state capital and attract investments. You can see the street light and so many things are coming up within a few weeks. Don’t forget, he has just started his own tenure and he has four years to spend before looking forward. So we now know what next after four years, but I can assure you, by the time Aiyedatiwa finished his four years tenure Ondo state people will know that things have changed and that he is a governor that needs to continue.

Do you think the people will continue to vote the APC in Ondo?

Yes, I don’t have doubt in my mind about that. I’m a politician and I’m a grassroot politician. For the first time, I’m having Zonal appointment. I am a

Director in Wemabod but all my life has been in the state. I have so many groups. I know so many people. I know what is going on. I’ve said it earlier thay there is no opposition in Ondo State. If somebody is thinking that one party is coming to sweep on Ondo state, that person is wasting his time. Lucky is a very young, sharp guy. He knows how and where the shoe pinches us, and I can assure you that he will address it. So all what we need to do is to be prayerful and to be patient. I’m an advocate of the efficacy of prayer. I so much believe in prayer. I’m a Muslim. So with prayer, everything is possible.

are well known. What have they done? Once you have been giveWhy do you want to serve as Ondo APC Chairman?

I’m interested. So if the coast is clear, if the people of Ondo State, if the party, particularly the membership of APC, deem it fit that this person should be, so be it. And when you look at my pedigree, my achievements, where I’ve worked, you will see I am due for the APC Chairmanship position. I’ve been Commissioner twice in this state. When I was a commissioner for Natural Resources, I made that place what it is today. It was full of crisis. I was appointed and I left the place without any crisis. There is no crisis because I put crisis mechanism in place. There is no day you do not see them fighting. Before I came there was no Commissioner that served in that place that they didnt lock up. I was once a civil servant. So I made my number available at all time. I am not a sectional leader and I did crisis management, so I know how to manage human resources and the human themselves. I know how to manage it. Even the opposition, some of them are coming. So by the time, if God decide, I become the chairman, you will see a lot of things that will come up. That is if the party leadership give me the opportunity to serve. I’m interested.

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Why do you think you are the best?

I am a human like you. It’s because I’m a human being, and not only that, I know those who are above me, and I know who I’m above. I don’t know maybe you understand that analysis. What I’m saying is that among those who are contesting for now, what are their pedigree? So if you look at their pedigree, if you ask for their pedigree, and you ask for my own pedigree, then you’ll be able to know that what I’m saying is the truth. I don’t want to mention names. I’ve told you where I have served. Presently, I’m a Director in Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odua, and it’s a multi million company. I’ve served, and I’ve been tested and trusted. So if they give me the opportunity, I will demonstrate all the experience I’ve acquired for long. We have so many people that are good too, but we have the best. I think I’m the best. None of them has served as a deputy governor. None of them has acted as a Governor of this state. I’ve acted as a Governor of this state for six months when my boss was not around. So, go and ask them. go and ask for their pedigree. They will say that I’m the best.

What do you think that need to be fix in the Ondo APC?

Let me commend this outgoing Ondo APC administration. There is not much to be fixed. What we need is to harness our area of comparative advantages. Somebody that is there now has spent eight years, if I’m not mistaken. The Constitution can speak about that one. That is what we need to change. Somebody there now has done his best. He is one of the best state Chairman as far as APC is concerned. And in the APC in Ondo state, there is no crisis. So if somebody is telling you that he want to fix or he has something to fix. There is nothing to be fixed. The only thing to be fixed is to maintain the status quo and ensure the continuity. So we need to continue the harmony. We need to continue in peace. We need to work together. So we the party and the government need to be in the same page so you understand. The only area that I can spot is the benefit tomembers of the party. So we need to sit down and see how can we help the masses? First, the masses. What do we do? What are we going to empower the masses, and how are we going to improve the standard of the people living in Ondo state, and also our party member? So that’s the only area. And you see, when you started something, something have to be amended. The foundation has been laid. That’s why I give kudos to the our past leaders and our present leaders including Engr Ade Adetimehin who is the present APC Chairman. That man has done a yeoman’s job. He is the best Chairman when it comes to membership drive. Go and check. people that joined the APC during his time and that is why when election comes up, there is no much opposition. People that are supposed to be in party B are already in party A. Their impact will be in the present party they are. So I’m going to continue on that serious membership drive to the extent that we will not have opposition in Ondo state. Like I’ve said, what members benefit is going to be paramount in my administration, if I’m giving the opportunity. During the Adefarati regime as Governor, there was local content. Local content is very, very important. We have artisans here who knows the job. Before we consider people from outside the state, we first of all look how our people can benefit from this. And when you give out a job out to the local contractor, a competent local contractor, not just any contractor. We have all the materials sourced from Ondo state even the food vendor will also benefit. People that get this contract are doing something, one thing or the other. So they will be able to pay school fees. There’s so many things. I’ve been in government before.

April 23, 2025
Coalition: Governors’ resolution divides PDP

There is division in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the position of the governors on mergers and coalition.

Instead of weakening their resolve, unfavourable resolutions at the latest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum meeting in Ibadan have only strengthened the tenacity of both Wike and Atiku loyalists towards achieving their aims regarding the PDP National Secretary position and actualisation of a political coalition respectively.

In the PDP Governors’ communiqué, they had sought to derail Atiku loyalists’ move towards an anti-APC coalition by stating that “the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger” while loyalists of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike whose strength over the PDP National secretariat appeared to be threatened by a resolution that “the PDP Governors Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy National Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a Substantive Secretary from the South East Zone and NEC respectively at its next meeting.”

While many groups and individuals supporting the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu have commenced strong mobilization against Anyanwu’s removal, a member of PDP’s National Working Committee, Comrade Timothy Osadolor told The Nation that while he is not a fan of Wike, he believes that at present, his removal on the basis of PDP Governors’ resolution would a serious uphill task.

Osadolor who is also PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader stated that even though he is not a fan of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, while the Supreme Court has taken a stand on the issue of PDP’s National Secretary, all those involved must now realize that anything done in breach of the PDP’s constitution over such an issue cannot stand at all.

“As we speak, the law is clear and the PDP’s constitutional provisions regarding the position of national secretary is also very clear; so, if anyone wants to try remove Senator Sam Anyanwu from the position of National Secretary, I am not his fan but it must be stated that to remove Sam Anyanwu who was elected at a national convention, it is only the PDP’s NEC that can sanction such or give powers to any committee to look into such.

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“This is because the constitution of the PDP is very clear – only the NEC can sanction a member of NEC; only the PDP NEC can take disciplinary actions against a NEC member; thus, no power bloc, no forum, no pressure group can override the powers of NEC or the PDP NWC to exercise the powers of NEC.

“If the PDP Governors want Sam Anyanwu removed, I am sure that they know the procedures that must be taken but as we speak, for anybody to be taken out of such position, it has to be done constitutionally,” Osadolor told The Nation.

He also explained that while PDP Governors have taken a stand on the issue of a 2027 political coalition, the prevalent concern of party members is to ensure that PDP – as Nigeria’s largest opposition party – plays the leading or central role-playing in such arrangements without subsuming its identity or having its name altered.

“Firstly, the PDP is not averse to the idea of a political coalition; what we are saying and what we are insisting on is that we are the bigger partner for any such thing and therefore, our brand name must remain intact; so any party or parties that wishes to work with the PDP in a coalition can chose to either keep their identity or subsume it under that of the PDP but clearly, the PDP must take the lead role in any such coalition arrangement.

“We will not say that because we are doing coalition, PD will now allow itself to be turned into PDSP or PDRC; what we are asserting is that we will take the superior position, the pride of place in any coalition talk – that is our position,” Osadolor stated.

However, in response to The Nation’s enquiries from the Atiku camp, the spokesman of Atiku Media Office, Mr. Paul Ibe emphasized that the on-going moves towards actualising a political coalition is a moving train that goes way beyond any political party of individual.

Said Paul Ibe: “We respect the position of PDP governors; governors are major stakeholders in any political party, not just the PDP but the biggest stakeholders in any political party are Nigerians, Nigerians are clear about the direction they want to go, they want to end this government, they want to rebuild this country and to do that, they have to reclaim it first.

“So, the coalition presents Nigerians with a vehicle and this is not just about Atiku Abubakar; he and other political leaders who are involved in this are just the tools towards achieving an end; this (coalition) is all about Nigeria; they have looked at it and seen that without it, we are on a journey to nowhere.

“It is still early but there would be alignments and realignments; twenty-four hours is a long time in politics and when the train gets going, some of the governors would probably meet it at one of the multiple stations.

“Alhaji Atiku has recently said it that when it comes to 2027 (elections), he has not made a determination; when the man himself has not gotten to that point, it would be mischievous of anyone to suggest such but the people who do that are those who want to truncate, to derail this train and its focus.

“The focus of Atiku Abubakar right now is to ensure the birth of the coalition, to join hands with men and women of goodwill – with patriots to nurture that coalition, to ensure that the coalition represents a robust platform for disengaging the APC administration,” Paul Ibe stated.

April 23, 2025
APC caucus endorses Tinubu, Oyebanji for re-election

Ekiti State Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second terms in office. They cite their exemplary leadership qualities and impactful policies as reason for their endorsement.

The endorsement, which was passed at a Caucus meeting held at Iyin Ekiti, was attended by the first civilian Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and the immediate past Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as well as, Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, former Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; serving and former members of the National and State Assembly, Party Chieftains, Among others.

Moving the endorsement motion, which was ratified through a very loud voice vote, Adaramodu (Ekiti South), commended President Tinubu for his decisive economic reforms that have revitalised the country’s economy and his comprehensive security strategies that have addressed the root cause of insecurity in the country within one and half years in office.

He said for these reasons the President deserved to be supported for re-election to sustain the gains and ensure their long term effect.

Describing the President’s reforms as “transformational”, with profound impact on the socio-economic landscape, Senator Adaramodu said “I, on behalf of the National Assembly Caucus and as a true progressive member of our great party, APC, I move that we in Ekiti APC, want to adopt continuity, starting from our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that comes 2027, we are moving that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should continue as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that the Renew Hope Agenda shall continually be renewed”.

Addressing concerns over high-profile political alignments outside the APC, the Senator insisted the party remains unshaken. “We are not worried. What do you expect politicians to do other than play politics? Whether through lies or propaganda, they have to try something.”

While moving the motion for the endorsement of Governor Oyebanji for re- election, the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, said the Governor had demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities characterised by his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Ekiti people and all round development of the state.

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The Speaker praised the Governor for making the party highly acceptable to the people through his sterling performance, people-oriented policies and programs as well as consistently prioritizing the needs and aspirations of the citizens, thereby fostering trust and unity across the state.

The Speaker said: “I, Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, rise to move a motion of utmost importance concerning the leadership of our great party, APC under the leadership of our dear Governor, Biodun Oyebanji who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities characterised by integrity, dedication and deep commitment to the welfare and development of Ekiti and that his sterling performance has resulted in remarkable infrastructure development, enhance security, improved healthcare, education outcomes and the overall social economic growth of the state, I therefore move that this distinguished caucus of our great party APC, in Ekiti pass a vote of confidence in Governor Oyebanji, affirming our unwavering support for his leadership and vision for Ekiti.

“Furthermore I move that this caucus endorse Governor Oyebanji to contest the forth coming 2026 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State”

The State APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, a lawyer who thanked Oyebanji for making the party highly attractive and acceptable to all indigenes of the state through his remarkable developmental strides, maintained that no town in the state was left out of various government’s interventions which include infrastructure development, rural electrification, healthcare improvement, agric revolution, and youth empowerment, among others.

Fayemi said: “Generally speaking, I think we have a lot to thank God for and we must thank our Governor, everywhere we turn to its BAO, our leader and I do exchange notes regularly, when i was coming back to the country yesterday morning, I travelled with somebody from the Senate from London and he said thank you very much for the Governor. He said I went to Ekiti for Senator Bamidele’s conferment of honourary degree, you need to extend Ekiti magic to the rest of the country to help us. This is all due to the way our Governor has conducted himself and how he conveyed his sense of humility and service to the party both at the national and the state levels, and that is why we are all gathered here to happily work together with him to accomplish the task of greater development for the people”. He said.

Oyebanji expressed his gratitude to leaders of the party for their belief in his leadership acumen and also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and for creating a conducive environment that has allowed states to thrive through bold national policies and reforms.

“I stand here this afternoon to give glory to God for a day like this, my appreciation goes to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for us in Ekiti, this support has been the enabler for everything we have been able to achieve in the state.

“After him, I thank the father of the Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, I thank you for your support. I count myself lucky to have former Governor Adebayo and Dr Fayemi in my corner and I count it as a blessing for Ekiti State, not all states have leaders that are committed to the development of their state and the people”, the Governor asserted.

Addressing concerns over high-profile political alignments outside the APC, he insisted the party remains unshaken. “We are not worried. What do you expect politicians to do other than play politics? Whether through lies or propaganda, they have to try something.”

Otunba Adebayo, said stated that the caucus has made itself very clear: “We are all in support of the Governor contesting for another term.

“Everyone is pleased with the work he is doing, and we believe he should seek re-election. He has our full support as he continues his leadership journey.” “Similarly, the caucus reiterated its support for the President, acknowledging the positive strides made under his administration. “The President’s accomplishments have been well noted, and the caucus remains firm in its earlier position, urging him to also run for another term,” he added.

April 23, 2025
Delta 2027: APC can win without Oborevwori
- By George Urhie
Delta State’s political landscape is shifting ahead of the 2027 elections, amid rumours of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his claims that “Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta”.

Oborevwori’s bid to join the APC, seemingly on bended knees in Abuja, appears driven by a promise to deliver Delta State to President Bola Tinubu. Nevertheless, his track record suggests self-preservation is the real motive.

Oborevwori’s motivations appear to be centred on securing his political future, evading accountability for the PDP’s alleged misuse of state resources, and shielding Senator Ifeanyi Okowa from potential prosecution over the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds meant for oil-producing communities.

Driven by fear of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC governorship candidate in 2023, Oborevwori is making a desperate move to block Omo-Agege’s path to the APC governorship ticket, after his previous strategy to undermine Omo-Agege by funding infighting within the Delta APC backfired spectacularly.

The governor views Omo-Agege as an insurmountable obstacle to his re-election ambitions, prompting this last-ditch effort to join the APC.

Besides, Oborevwori’s leadership style would severely undermine the APC’s efforts to bring meaningful change to Delta State and foster progress. His defection would betray not only the Delta progressives who built the APC from the ground up but also the electorate, who want change.

By joining the APC, Oborevwori would consolidate power, potentially turning Delta State into a one-party state under Okowa’s influence, undermining political diversity and democratic processes.

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This would likely elicit massive revolt, leading to loss of trust, electoral backlash, and internal party turmoil, ultimately detracting from the APC’s electoral prospects.

The 2023 presidential election results in Delta State suggest that the PDP is becoming unpopular. The results cast doubt on Oborevwori’s ability to deliver the state to President Tinubu in 2027. Despite having Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, Atiku suffered a 73 per cent loss in the state.

Furthermore, Oborevwori’s performance was lacklustre, with losses in two out of three senatorial districts. The PDP also ceded all three House of Representatives seats in the Delta Central Senatorial District to the APC and the Labour Party (LP).

Additionally, Oborevwori lost the popular vote in his senatorial district (Delta Central) to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy President of the Senate and APC governorship candidate in 2023.

The APC’s strong performance in the district extended to the House of Assembly elections, where the party secured five seats, surpassing the PDP’s four seats. Even Governor Oborevwori’s victory in the governorship election was marred by allegations of rigging and electoral malpractices.

These decisive losses in 2023 underscore PDP’s waning influence in Delta State and the lack of confidence in Oborevwori’s leadership. This has not changed. Consequently, it is unlikely that Deltans would support President Tinubu solely because of Oborevwori’s presence in the APC. Instead, his defection might be perceived as a desperate attempt to eliminate vibrant opposition in the state.

This would make it impossible for Oborevwori to deliver Delta State for President Tinubu.

The APC is strategically strengthening its presence in Delta State ahead of the 2027 elections, focusing on reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation, and effective messaging.

This approach is yielding results, with over 60 per cent of PDP members, including high-profile figures like Senator Ned Nwoko and Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, defecting to the APC.

As the party’s momentum gains traction, its optimism about securing both the presidential and governorship elections in 2027 appears well-founded, making Oborevwori’s potential defection unnecessary.

Interestingly, Oborevwori has the right of first refusal to the PDP ticket, with no challengers. So why would a governor who is not under pressure to leave his party want to join another party, unless he fears losing the election on his current platform?

This lack of confidence in his party is telling. The APC’s strong momentum in Delta State positions it to deliver the change the people have long yearned for and win Delta State for President Tinubu.

Ultimately, Oborevwori’s defection would be counterproductive, undermining the party’s commitment to progress and reform. The APC should prioritise integrity and people’s aspirations by rejecting Oborevwori’s bid.

This would help it maintain its dedication to genuine transformation. Accepting Oborevwori would betray the trust of Deltans who defected from the PDP to the APC, alienate supporters, and potentially damage the APC’s electoral prospects, given the near-unanimous opposition from APC members.

Those advocating for his inclusion should reconsider, as it would likely backfire. The APC should prioritise the people’s interests over individual ambitions in its decision-making.
- Urhie, a political analyst, writes from Asaba, Delta State
April 23, 2025