The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressive Congress

  • 2026: Ekiti APC dismisses allegation over deputy governor’s certificate

    2026: Ekiti APC dismisses allegation over deputy governor’s certificate

    Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has dismissed as baseless and politically- motivated, the controversy trailing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate of the Deputy Governor and APC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

    The controversy followed the release of particulars of governorship candidates and their deputies by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which showed Mrs Afuye sat for the WAEC examination in June 1978 at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti.

    The deputy governor obtained credits in Literature-in-English and Economics and passes in History and Mathematics.

    Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the allegations as a desperate attempt by the opposition parties to gain relevance ahead of the election.

    The party spokesman accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Democratic Congress (ADC) of sensationalising the issue to undermine public confidence in the ruling party, insisting Afuye met all constitutional requirements to contest as deputy governor.

    Dipe said Afuye’s academic credentials were duly screened and cleared by the party and relevant authorities, stressing that the deputy governor had served the state diligently since assuming office.

    He added that the APC would not be distracted by the antics of PDP and ADC, urging the opposition parties to focus on presenting their alternatives to Ekiti voters, rather than resorting to what he termed smear campaigns and recycled allegations.

    However, the development has continued to attract criticism from the opposition parties.

    The Southwest PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, in a statement yesterday, described the development as embarrassing and a “slap” on Ekiti State, which he said was widely regarded as a centre of academic excellence.

    “This is a source of embarrassment for all Ekiti people. A state widely celebrated for academic excellence and intellectual prowess deserves better. It is disheartening that the APC is presenting a candidate with such a record for the sensitive office of deputy governor.

    “Imagine someone who today submits a low-level and an unconvincing school certificate being expected tomorrow to represent a governor at meetings of professors and technocrats. What exactly does such a person have to offer?

    “Ekiti is known nationwide as a state of scholars, a state with one of the highest concentrations of professors. It is often said, jokingly but truthfully, that almost every household has a professor. Is it not dehumanising for such a people to be represented by a mere school certificate holder?” he queried.

    Similarly, Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of ADC, Gboyega Aribisogan, faulted the O’Level result submitted by Mrs Afuye to INEC, citing what he described as unresolved doubts about its authenticity.

    He said Ekiti State regarded for its academic reputation, should not be led by people with questionable credentials and low education, recalling that similar concerns were raised in 2022 when she emerged as APC deputy governorship candidate.

    Read Also: Northern Nigeria: between theocracy and modernity

    He said: “This is not the first time these questions are coming up. As far back as 2022, when she was announced as a deputy governorship candidate of the APC, even members of her party openly discussed the doubts surrounding her qualification.

    “At a point, a group of people went to the archives to verify whether she truly sat for GCE. What later emerged was that she did not complete her education at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti which she claimed to have attended.

    “Her colleagues from school reportedly said she did not finish there. Rather, she sat for GCE outside the school, and that is where the problem of a doubtful certificate started.

    “Many of our professionals and alumni spoke out against her nomination then, but because of the dictatorial tendencies within the APC structure at the time, the issue was swept under the carpet and she was imposed as deputy governor.

    “As we head for another governorship election, our people are talking again. At the appropriate time, people will do the needful and this can lead to another round of litigation that may truncate the ambition of both the governor and the deputy governor.”

  • Commissioners to APC govs: Replicate Tinubu’s agenda for youths

    Commissioners to APC govs: Replicate Tinubu’s agenda for youths

    Nigerian Youth Commissioners’ Forum has called on the governors under the All Progressive Congress (APC) to replicate President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Youth Agenda in their states.

     Chairman of the group and Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adesola Adedayo, stated this at the two-day agenda-setting programme held by the Progressive Congress Forum in Abuja.

     Adedayo, who stressed the importance of the Renewed Hope Youth  Agenda, said the initiative, if replicated, would help the APC-controlled states to harness the potential of young people and  provide them with opportunities for growth and development.

    Adedayo added that the initiative would have a positive impact on the lives of the youth and contribute to the country’s overall development and growth.

    Read Also: The Osimhen Conudrum: Why Al-Hilal have advantage over Juventus in pursuit of Nigerian

    He commended the PGF for its unalloyed commitment to forge a uniform youth development template that would align policies in APC- APC-controlled states with the manifesto of the party.

    “President Tinubu’s campaign on a mantra of renewed Hope youth agenda and APC governors replicating the same in their states will ensure uniformity, and this will fast track aggressive harnessing of the youth potentials across 22 states being controlled by APC”, he said.

    The youth commissioners, who also visited the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, after the strategic agenda-setting engagement, said the forum is ready to collaborate with the federal government to bolster the youth’s relevance in business, governance, and politics of the country.

  • Dickson in romance with Sylva for soft-landing, says APC stalwart

    Ex-militant leader and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Eris Paul has alleged that Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, was in strange romance with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, to negotiate a soft landing for himself.

    Paul, who is fondly called Oguboss, in an open letter called on the APC leader to thread with caution in his dealings with Dickson accusing the governor of persecuting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Addressing Sylva, the ex-militant leader said: “Your new friendship with Dickson is veined and not blue from the usual cool. Sealing my lips does not close my eyes, victories are not won by people on knees around you.

    “Peremabiri community is having a court case with Henry Dickson, our chiefs were forcefully arrested and taken to court in the night for not supporting him.

    “We vigilantly still stand threats from the almighty Dickson every day, when you think of soft landing for a man who never bears soft landing for his own state, please also consider the place of your followers.

    “13 persons were sacked in my family from the civil service, including my biological parents, my country home in Yenagoa was bombed. Attacks on my life have been ceaseless for over seve  years.

    “I am saying  that the scars of others should not be forgotten and teach us cautions. If we were not all loyal and forced to wear a bulletproof or distrust before now, we would have not been commanding so much respect from the people.

    “Your Excellency Chief Timipre Sylva Sir, can i ask for caution, or insist for some form of carefulness with Henry Sariake Dickson?  Henry Sariake Dickson visits you in your Abuja resident or has been on his knees begging for soft landing does not make him a loyalist or your friend

    ‘Having a normal knees would make life more easier for Dickson, but not like the knees of someone shedding crocodile tear.  Sariake Dickson is begging you but his supporters are pulling the hairs off your followers in Yenagoa.

    “Remember that some of us have left all the luxury of the state capital, including our families, to the village. Despite that Dickson is attacking us & our communities till date”.

    But the People’s Democratic Party Youth Network (PDPYN) described the claims of the ex-militant leader as untrue and called on Bayelsans to ignore the rumour peddled by unscrupulous characters.

    The Secretary-General of the PDPYN, Mr. James Oputin, urged Bayelsans to ignore the unfounded rumour which he described as a product of mischief.

    He said that the politicians behind the rumour were scared of the growing internal cohesion within the PDP ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state contrary to their expectations.

    Read Also: Dickson disengages special adviser

    Oputin also advised the members and supporters of the PDP to ignore the false story designed to malign the leadership of the party in Bayelsa.

    He said that the surreptitious design to put unnecessary doubts in the minds of well meaning supporters of the party in the state should be resisted.

    The PDPYN scribe said that Governor Dickson and the leadership of the PDP did not need any meeting with leaders of the All Progressives Congress to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

    He stated also while it was possible for Governor Dickson to host Chief Timipre Sylva in his capacity as the minister from Bayelsa in the Federal cabinet, it was sad that some APC members were peddling deliberate misinformation to deceive Bayelsans about a meeting that did not take place.

    Oputin stressed that the same set of people from the All Progressives Congress were behind the story that Sylva supported David Lyon because he wanted to give the governorship to the PDP.

    He advised the uninformed people behind the fake story to focus their attention on their electoral campaign rather than the failed attempt to plant discord within the PDP.

    Oputin noted that the PDP and its followers would not be distracted by disgruntled elements of the APC who are battling to divert attention from the challenge of marketing a gubernatorial misnomer as their candidate in Bayelsa.

    He insisted that Bayelsa is the stronghold of the PDP and would continue to remain so.

    He challenged those behind the rumour to prove the veracity of their story by providing photographic evidence of the said meeting to convince Bayelsans or remain silent.

     

  • All I did as governor was in the interest of Oyo State – Ajimobi

    The immediate past governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has disclosed that all his decisions as governor were in the interest of the state.

    The former governor and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Akin Oke, also appealed to all aggrieved members of the party in the state to embrace reconciliation for the sake of the party’s progress.

    They enjoined them to approach future political challenges with a resolve to be selfless, forgiving and more committed to the cause of the APC and Nigeria.

    Addressing leaders and chieftains of the party from the nine local government areas of Oyo South Senatorial district during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday at the party’s State Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Sen. Ajimobi took his time to explain the rationale behind some of his actions and policies which generated controversies among the populace.

    His words; “While we are expecting the courts to do justice to some of the cases emanating from conducts of the last general elections in the state, especially as it concerns the seats of the senator representing Oyo South at the Red Chamber as well as the governor of the state, I would like to admonish every member of our great party to eschew bitterness and preach genuine reconciliation.

    “There are insinuations in some quarters about some of the policies and undertakings of our eight-year administration which some people considered controversial but in all honesty, I meant well for the state. All my actions were geared towards facilitating development for the whole state and also thus make life more meaningful for the masses.” Ajimobi stated.

    In his welcome address, the party chairman in the senatorial district, Prince Adefisoye Adekanye, appealed to members to “remain faithful and committed in view of current challenges as what happened in the 2019 general election was an eye opener. We have all realized the need for loyalty to our party, renewed commitment to its cause and entrenchment of peace among ourselves”.

    Read Also: Ajimobi: my wish is for Makinde to succeed

    Both the State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, and Secretary, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, in their separate addresses sued for peace and harmony to accommodate various interests. “We are not leaving any stone unturned to make Oyo APC stronger and better. All avenues for genuine reconciliation are being explored and we are optimistic about getting the desired results in the end.” Oke said.

    Hon. Olaoya and party chairmen from the nine local government areas gave updates on the efforts made so far to bring back all aggrieved members who left the party during the crisis which engulfed it before the general elections. According to Olaoya; “The State Executive Committee has put in place various committees made up of experienced and passionate individuals to bring back all the aggrieved members and we are satisfied with the success being recorded on daily basis.”

    Dignitaries at the meeting include the governorship candidate of the party in the last general election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Olalekan Alli, Executive Chairmen of the local governments and LCDAs, former state lawmakers, members of the State Working Committee, party leaders and chieftains across the senatorial district.

     

  • Tinubu: Ogunleye was a true progressive

    The All Progressives Congress national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Ogunleye, who died yesterday at 79 as a true progressive and an Afenifere to the core.

    In a statement on the demise of Ogunleye by his Media Office signed by Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said: “The progressive family lost another of its foremost leaders today with the passing of former Ogun State Deputy Governor Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Ogunleye, at 79.

    “Alhaji Ogunleye was an astute administrator, very principled politician and pure Afenifere. He played his part in the socio-economic and political development of Ogun State as deputy to former governor Olusegun Osoba and made important contributions to the country, particularly within the progressive camp.

    “Before he became Ogun deputy governor in the early 1990s, he was the state Auditor of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was also Ogun State Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, which he later left to become the National Financial Secretary of Action Congress before the party transformed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).”

    The statement added: “He was a committed party man who believes in party discipline and supremacy and believes that whatever the party says should be the overriding thing.

    “Alhaji Ogunleye was one of us. He felt the ACN in Ogun was sidelined in the scheme of things in the build-up to the 2011 general election, particularly in the choice of governorship candidate.

    “Of course, I spoke with him at the time and tried to convince him against leaving the party. But Baba was already committed to his course of action and was not ready to change his position. He returned to his natural home when he rejoined the progressives by pitching his tent with the APC after the 2015 elections.

    “We pray that Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul a peaceful repose in paradise. May He also comfort his family and all those he left behind.”

  • Arrested INEC staff: APC tells police to deepen investigation

    The  All Progressive Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State chapter has alleged that the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, is trying to sabotage police investigation on an alleged illegal possession of card readers by an INEC staff

    The Chairman of the party, Mr Ini Okopido made this known at the weekend during a press briefing at the party secretariat, Uyo, the state capital.

    Okopido said that earlier last week, the INEC staff, Ejike Nwankwo was arraigned by the Akwa Ibom State police command with some card readers in the trunk of his car, believing that the devices were used during the last general elections. He also alleged that the said card readers were some of those used in rigging the elections in the state.

    “This press conference is called to update you on the recent arrest by the police of an INEC staff for illegal possession of some card readers used in the last elections.

    “As you are aware, earlier this week the Akwa Ibom State police command paraded a staff of INEC, Mr. Ejike Nwankwo, who was arrested with some card readers in the trunk of his car.

    “These card readers, we understand, were some of those used during the last general elections. We believe that the card readers found with Mr. Nwankwo were some of those pre-loaded card readers used in rigging the elections in favour of the PDP and Udom Emmanuel, he said.

    The party chair, who alleged that the PDP are mounting pressure on the police to kill the matter, explained that the aim is to show that such event did not happen.

    Read Also: Breaking: INEC declares PDP winner in all Zamfara elections

    “Why are Akwa Ibom State government officials and PDP chieftains in the state piling pressure on the police to kill this matter? They are putting pressure on the police, so that it shows that the matter did not exist”

    Thanking the police for their effort in revealing the development, however, Okopido urged them to remain in carrying out  their investigation they unravel the circumstances of the illegal possession of those card readers.

    “We wish to thank the police for their diligence and hard work in making this arrest which has undoubtedly brought to the fore dubious machinations of INEC under Mike Igini, the REC.

    “We thank God that the Nigerian police is up-to-date and we believe that they will do their investigations unravel the circumstances of the illegal possession of those devices

    “We request the police to get to the bottom of this stranger-than-fiction drama.

    Okopido also raised concern on the collaboration between PDP and INEC, adding that such relationship is questionable and suspicious as it is abnormal for a political party to defend INEC.

    “Gentlemen of the Press, have you noticed the speed with which PDP chieftains in the state and officials of Akwa Ibom State government rise to defend Mike Igini’s illegal actions? Isn’t it pretty curious that members of a political party that contested a disputed election have now turned themselves into INEC’s spokespersons?

    ”It simply means that PDP and INEC in Akwa Ibom are one and the same thing. They have fused together like husband and wife. Shame to them!

     

     

  • Sanwo-Olu ‘ll deliver, says APC chieftain

    Lagos Statecchieftain Shakiru Seriki has said the governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will deliver on his electoral promises when sworn-in.

    The APC leader, who spoke during his 80th birthday prayers in Epe, said Sanwo-Olu has all it takes to make Lagos better than where he met it.

    He said Lagos made remarkable progress under the progressives, adding that the various leaders, who governed the state, have not disappointed.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: technology is new economy

    He urged politicians to close ranks to make the state better; stressing that honesty and truth should remain the hallmark for service.

    He said: “Sanwo Olu is going to serve Lagos people diligently. He is familiar with governance and equally aware of what transpired in the state. What happened prior to the election was a lesson for all and I am sure he understood what happened.

    “As a leader of the party in Epe, I give thanks to God that I made my contributions to the wellbeing of the party in the division. I was instrumental to the emergence of notable party stalwarts in the state. These are people who served meritoriously in the position entrusted upon them.”

     

  • Shittu a serial betrayer, dictator, says Oyo APC

    The All Progressive Congress, Oyo state chapter has described the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu as a serial betrayal, dictator and failed politician.

    The party in reaction to the Ministers remarks that the aggrieved members of the party under the aegis of Unity Forum that joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a fallout of the APC state congress and primaries ahead of the recently concluded general elections, were still members of the APC.

    In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde, the party noted that the Unity Forum led by Shittu and those it described as his co-travellers could not win a mere state parliamentary seat despite leaving the APC with two senators, six federal House of representative members and eight states parliamentarians, an indication of their self over-bloated popularity.

    The statement reads “What an interesting ‘vomit’ coming out of a serial betrayal, who betrayed the then Ifedapo LG State Constituency and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) who gave him life time opportunity, freshly coming out of School, when his colleagues were thinking of National Service before beginning to apply for job, to go and represent them as Member of Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979 to 1983.

    “He thereafter ditched UPN in 1983 general election to work for the emergence of NPN Government of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo in 1983, for lesser portfolio of state commissioner, a reminiscence of 2019 that he, Barr Adebayo Shittu boasted that he would lead his co-travellers in the Unity Forum to work against the Party, APC that he is benefitting as a serving Minister.

    “Of course, we are not surprised about Barr Shittu behaviour because he has only revised his 40 years old betrayal tactics or antics.

    “Barrister Adebayo Shittu’s Unity Forum which the whole world knew metamorphosed to Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) is again claiming that they never left APC, because with their four-fold figures of the APC as their membership strength, yet they found it difficult to win just one state parliamentary seat.

    Read Also: ICT mainstay of economy, says Shittu

    “They left APC with two Senators, Six federal house of representative members and eight state parliamentarians but after 2019 general elections, they ended up with nothing, Unity Forum indeed has four fold strength of Gov Ajimobi led APC.

    “Yoruba adage comes in handy, which translate thus that, a farmer who planted 100 heaps of yam but lied to have planted 200, after harvesting the real and authentic 100 will certainly suffer from the 100 unplanted lies of heaps as Barr Shittu and his co-travellers were brought down from their fantasy Island after the 2019 general elections.

    “That APC lost the gubernatorial election is an ill-wind that does not profit anyone but the whole world has known the ‘leper-like’ parasites pretentious characters who have overvalued their public image that were using APC to embellish themselves.

    “Who should have been referred to as a failed politician than Barr Shittu who had failed to win any election since 40 years ago that was used to sample-test his integrity.

    “Again, who is a dictator than Barr Shittu who find it difficult to maintain backroom staffs. Can Barr Shittu tell the whole world why he can’t pay the peanuts he promised Victor Oluwadamilare, Sikiru Olubodun, Sheikh and others?

    “It is hoped that Barr Shittu would be so honourable to behave like former Minister Kemi Adeosun and keep his peace but if he wouldn’t, we would be ready for him as long as he chooses not to behave as expected of his status.”

     

  • Breaking: APC’s Ganduje leads Kano rerun

    Results of the Kano supplementary election from 26 local government areas so far collated indicated that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) scored 34,969 votes while the main opposition party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polls 6,602.

    The difference at the moment stance at 28,367 votes against the previous PDP’s 26,655 as the difference of 1,712 votes stand out as APC votes.

    At the time of filing in this reports, two local government areas, Gama ward in Nassarawa and Kibiya local government areas are still being awaited.

    Read also: Bauchi re-run: Absence of Returning Officer delays announcement of result

    The INEC collation officer for the Kano rerun election, Professor Bello Shehu is expected to announce the final results for the two awaited local government areas in due course and subsequently declare the winner.

  • Group alleges plot to alter PDP’s results in Bayelsa

    The Southern-Ijaw Democrats for Good Governance (SDGG) has alleged a plot by the leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to tamper with the results of the rerun election in wards 16 and 17 of Southern Ijaw local government area.

    The leader of the group, James Igba, said the APC were working in connivance with alleged compromised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for outright cancellation of results in ward 17.

    “What they want to do is to cancel ward 17, thereby creating confusion and muddle up the Southern-Ijaw electoral process and pave the way for allocation of fictitious votes to their preferred candidate.

    “Already there are speculations of a secret meeting held at Ughelli days before the election with intention of rigging the PDP.

    “But the truth is that we already have the figures of votes delivered at the polling units.

    Read also: Supplementary polls: Attacks on media, observers, INEC mar polls – CDD

    “We also have figure of voters with PVCs in the areas, we also have evidence of the election that took place in Koluama which was conducted under heavy security presence.

    “Therefore any attempt to pad the results, or cancel any area, to favor the APC will be firmly resisted.

    “We therefore urge INEC, especially the state REC to be fair and professional in the discharge of his duties

    “We were also shocked to see military personnel who were not on official duty at the voting areas, even when INEC had already high presence of assigned security personnel on ground”.