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  • BAT group urges APC leaders to review reward system

    BAT group urges APC leaders to review reward system

    The Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group, Bamidele Atoyebi, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to review the party’s reward system to ensure that loyal members are recognised and empowered for their contributions to the party’s achievements.

    Atoyebi noted that party members who worked tirelessly to ensure the APC’s victory through funding and campaigns should be compensated with appointments and empowerment opportunities.

    READ ALSO: Femi Kuti reveals secret of longevity in music industry

    The Convener stated this during the BAT Ideological group’s visit to the Lagos State APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi at the party’s secretariat.

    He stressed that fairness and recognition are essential within the party, aligning with the remarks of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

    He noted that President Tinubu’s philosophy has always been about raising people, citing examples of leaders he had empowered, including Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and others.

  • Osun 2026: Ogunbiyi woos APC leaders ahead of governorship primary

    Osun 2026: Ogunbiyi woos APC leaders ahead of governorship primary

    …’Osun should be the most prosperous state’

    Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc and frontline governorship aspirant, Akin Ogunbiyi, has met with All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen and party leaders in Osun State as part of strategic consultations to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2026 election.

    The meeting, which took place at the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office, was aimed at rallying grassroots support for his ambition. 

    Ogunbiyi reiterated his commitment to transforming Osun into Nigeria’s most prosperous state through a robust focus on agriculture and mining.

    Speaking after the session, Ogunbiyi described the engagement as fulfilling, noting that he officially informed the leaders of his intention and was warmly received.

    “This is my third time contesting for governor in Osun, so I’m not new to the party or its structures. I was well received, and we had fruitful discussions on how to strengthen the APC and secure the party’s ticket. By God’s grace, if we get the ticket, we’ll win the 2026 election,” he said.

    Read Also: Osun 2026: Kinsmen drum support for Omisore

    He also described himself as the most unifying figure among the aspirants, expressing confidence that others would rally behind his candidacy to ensure victory for the party.

    However, Ogunbiyi said, “Peradventure, if I’m not picked, I won’t have any grudges, I don’t do politics of bitterness, If you know my antecedent, I’m the only one that was labelled as doing politics without thuggery and there’s nothing that’s worth dying for. I’m an accomplished young man by the grace of God.

    “I just want to serve my people at this level in Osun State. I’ve been a member of the Osun Development Association and we have a masterpiece on how Osun should be developed. Osun should move from being a civil service state. 

    “Osun should be the most prosperous state in Nigeria even though we don’t have oil but we have gold, we have agriculture, we have so many things we can turn into money.”

  • 9th National Assembly: Buhari, APC leaders to decide zoning

    President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress(APC) leaders will meet after the governorship poll to decide the zoning formula for sharing power at the National Assembly, a source said yesterday.

    President Buhari has, however, told his strategists that “he won’t be a bystander this time around”.

    He said he will be involved in the talks and intrigues on the election of principal officers of the National Assembly.

    The APC said it will also play an active role in choosing the new leaders of the Assembly.

    According to the results of the National Assembly released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  APC won 65 of the 109 senatorial seats, representing about 59.6%. PDP won 42 senatorial seats(40.3%) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) got one (1%).

    As for the House of Representatives, APC won over 230 of the 360 seats, leaving PDP with over 100 slots.

    The horse-trading has started among the senators-elect and representatives-elect.

    Leading the agitation for principal offices  in the Senate are Senators-elect from the North-East, North-Central, South-South, and South-West.

    Some of those aspiring for Senate President are Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan; former Senate Leader Ali Ndume; former Gombe State Governor and outgoing Committee on Appropriation Chairman  Danjuma Goje, Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) Chairman and ex-Governor Adamu Abdullahi and Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Some of the  seven ranking senators from the Southwest are already jostling for either Deputy Senate President or Senate Leader or Deputy Senate Leader.

    The House of Representatives Speaker may come from the Southwest, with the outgoing Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as a leading candidate. He will have a repeat match against Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The APC has not decided on whether or not to retain its pre-2015 poll power sharing formula.

    Some party leaders are said to be pushing for a review of the zoning system since the President has promised an all-inclusive government.

    A source said: “We are actually waiting for the last strands of the general elections before we work out a formula which will guide the election of principal officers in the National Assembly. We won’t allow hijackers under any guise.

    “I think the ongoing agitation is based on the 2015 power rotation system in the party, which was altered by some rebellious members who later conspired with the PDP to produce Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Dogara as Speaker.

    “Some of our leaders are pushing for the undiluted implementation of the 2015 power formula, but others are insisting that we must tinker with the zoning system and align it with the sharing formula in the Executive arm in order to give a sense of belonging to all the six geopolitical zones.

    “In fact, some leaders want the allegation of nepotism  against the APC administration addressed.”

    Asked of the position of the President on the 9th National Assembly leadership, a Presidency source said: “He has told his strategists that ‘I won’t be a bystander this time around.’ But he  did not say his mindset or those he has favoured.

    When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, said: “There is no discussion now on the choice of principal officers until after the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

    “We will take stock after the poll because we need to know what our number is in the two chambers because there are still some results hanging.

    “I can, however, assure you that the party is going to play an active role this time around. We will ensure the emergence of principal officers who will put the nation first and assist the Executive to implement APC manifestoes.

    “Our party wants National Assembly leaders who will work hard and assist the President to execute far-reaching programmes.

    “APC will mandate its members to cooperate with members of the opposition in the National Assembly to see that Nigerians get the best.”

    Responding to a question, Onilu said: “We will not tolerate anti-party activities by newly elected Senators and members of the House of Representatives and we have already demonstrated this. If a serving governor can be suspended by APC, then it should be clear to all that we won’t condone indiscipline.”

  • Obaseki ‘threatens to deal with APC leaders’

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has threatened to deal with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) whose activities led to the party’s defeat in the February 23 elections.

    Government sources said what angered Obaseki was the margin of defeat recorded in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo councils in Edo South.

    Obaseki hails from Oredo.

    The governor was said to have issued the threat at a meeting with the party leaders.

    A source at the meeting, who pleaded for anonymity, said Obaseki challenged the affected leaders to reveal what he gave to them.

    He added that the governor was almost moved to tears as he expressed his disappointment with some of the leaders, especially when it was revealed one of the leaders did not buy generators meant for Ward collation centres.

    Read also: Deeper Life partners CAN, PFN to train church leaders

    “We were shocked when Obaseki started talking. He revealed so many things. He said he was shocked how the leaders sabotaged his efforts. “The governor spoke to a point that he threw away the microphone. None of the leaders could say anything in defence, and he promised to deal with them.

    “We are happy that the governor set up a 25-man team to work with him to win the House of Assembly election on Saturday.”

  • Dickson: APC leaders don’t want me to receive Buhari

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, of plotting to block him from receiving President Muhammadu Buhari in Bayelsa.

    The governor, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the APC chieftains were determined to scuttle the standard procedure of receiving the President irrespective of party affiliations.

    Buhari is expected in Bayelsa today in continuation of his presidential campaign tours.

    But Dickson said the APC leaders are demonstrating pettiness and childishness by preparing a protocol crisis before the visit. He condemned their decision to prevent the president from landing at the Helipad within the Government House in Yenagoa, which he described as the safest location in Bayelsa.

    The governor also urged the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers to play their traditional roles in accordance with standard protocol and procedures.

    He recalled that his administration released the stadium at great cost, in addition to receiving the Vice President who led the Federal Government delegation to campaign for Sylva during the 2015 election.

    The governor called on the President to caution his party members so that the state could play its traditional role in the visit of a serving President to Bayelsa.

    Dickson said if the right steps were not taken to address the situation, the government and its operatives would withdraw from the visit.

    He said: “I wish to alert Mr. President and the public that the so called APC political leaders are planning to take advantage of the proposed visit of the President to create crisis. It is the standard procedure that when the President is visiting a state, he is a guest of the government. The governor is his chief host, irrespective of party differences.

    “As governor of Bayelsa State, I am known for this kind of matured behaviour. In 2015, I personally received the Federal Government entourage led by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, even when they came to campaign against me.

    “We condemn their childish and immature insistence that the President should land in a place other than the most secure and safe location which is the Government House. This has been the practice for every visiting leader.

    “The government of Bayelsa State gave public facilities to the President in 2015 when he was running against Goodluck Jonathan, contrary to Sylva who, when he was governor, stoned Buhari out of Bayelsa. It is part of the norm that the President is received by the traditional rulers’ council in the state.

    “If they continue to undermine the state’s security, the government would have no role to play in this visit. We call on the President to call them to order. If he doesn’t, the government of Bayelsa State and its functionaries shall play no part in the visit.”

    But Sylva described the allegation as unfouded.

  • APC leaders sue for peaceful polls

    As next month’s general elections draw near, Nigerians have been urged to embrace peace, especially before, during and after the elections.

    Opposition politicians are particularly advised not to heat up the polity with various hate speeches and defamatory comments that could fan the embers of discord among the citizenry.

    The advice came from APC leaders in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo area of Ondo State who appreciated various achievements recorded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.

    They noted that the effect of the good performance would translate into massive votes by the electorate across the country.

    At a rally held for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo in the State House of Assembly, Festus Adefiranye, the party stalwarts led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, said the ruling party in the state would work for the victory of Buhari, Adefiranye and other candidates of the party.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monitoring and Performance, Niran Akinniyi and the Chairman of Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, Temidayo Adesuroju and other party chieftains were also in attendance at the solidarity rally.

    The APC supporters urged the people to disregard the rumours that Governor Akeredolu had adopted a candidate from rival political party instead of APC flag bearer for the next month’s general elections.

    They urged the people to mobilise more voters in favour of the ruling party, stressing that much had been achieved by the present administration to lift the country.

    Akinterinwa said Nigeria of today cannot be compared with that of 16 years ago when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, especially in terms of infrastructure, youth empowerment and anti-corruption.

    Adefiranye noted that the economic fortune of the local government would be better served by the APC than any other political party.

    He described the rally for victory in the area as a stepping stone to consolidate on the next level campaign slogan of the APC.

     

  • Group, APC leaders embark on sanitation project

    Within the week, members of the Mainland Independent Group, MIG, armed with shovels, rakes, among other implements, trooped into the streets of Mainland and Yaba local government areas of Lagos State, in a drive aimed at giving the area a new face.

    Leader and Co-ordinator of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Alao Megida, explained that the project was being undertaken in collaboration with APC elders in the afore-mentioned local government areas, and that it was meant to complement government’s drive in bringing about a clean habitable environment, which is fundamentally strategic as a preventive health care measure.

    “Apart from this, our renewed effort under this special environmental scheme is in keeping with the vision of a greater Lagos, and a honour to our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who laid the foundation for this vision during his historic tenure as governor of Lagos State.

    “You will remember that when Asiwaju assumed office as governor, the first thing he did was to clean up the state. He did this within the first six months of his administration. Before this time, Lagos was fast assuming the notorious image of one of the dirtiest cities in the world. But Asiwaju was able to make history by turning around the situation for good, thus achieving a feat which others before him had been unable to accomplish over the years.

    Read also: APC raises the alarm over destruction of Buhari, Ogah’s campaign posters

    “This is why it is important for us all to join hands together in the onerous drive to sustain this worthy tradition because you cannot talk of a mega city with regards to Lagos State, without talking of a conducive and habitable environment. This is why I am advising others across the state to emulate this good example,” said the MIG leader.

    Megida also seized the opportunity to express his immense gratitude to the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tunji Bello, for his untiring assistance in sustaining MIG over the years. “As a keen environmental activist and  an ex-Commissioner for Environment, the on-going exercise is something he so much loves and cherish,” Megida stated further.

  • APC leaders urge Akeredolu to unite party

    Ahead of 2019 election, a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to summon a meeting with leaders of various factional groups within the ruling party to mend fences. The group consists of members of the 2016 Aketi gubernatorial campaign team, chaired by former Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSOPADEC) Chief Adewale Omojuwa.

    At a meeting held in Oba-ile, Akure North local government, the group also called on the governor to warn members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state against attacking innocent people at any event. The politicians decried the alleged disruption of the proceedings at the state assembly recently where many people ,including journalists, were allegedly injured by NURTW members.

    It expressed displeasure over the use of thugs and external militia to cause pandemonium during political and or party programmes such as congresses and stakeholders’ meetings. In a communique jointly signed by Omojuwa and General Secretary, Teniola Oladele, the group expressed the need for Akeredolu to devise a means of bringing all aggrieved groups in the party together as one united and indivisible political family.

    On the post-primary crisis in the state, it advised the governor to direct APC State Working Committee(SWC) to refund money paid for nomination of forms by the councillorship and chairmanship aspirants since the candidates had been picked. “We implore the SWC to ensure refund of various sums of money to members who were deprived of participating in the party primaries, such as N200,000 for House of Assembly aspirants and N300,000 for Representatives.”

     

  • Ondo East APC leaders seek political autonomy

    Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo East at the weekend protested the alleged imposition of local government and House of Assembly candidates.

    They urged traditional rulers, chiefs and the state government to prevail on the affected gladiators.

    A communique issued after an emergency meeting by their leaders Comrade Pius Omolola, Akinseli Ope, Akinfoye Rotimi and Olatunbosun Biodun called for justice and immediate release of the primary’s result for the House of Assembly won by Adedapo Adesimoye.

    According to the communique, Ondo East residents should be allowed to determine their political fate, as the 1999 Constitution lists the area among the 774 local government areas in the country and an autonomous third-tier of government.

    The stakeholders said: “It is very provoking that decisions to appoint people into political positions are decided in the house of an aspirant in Ondo town, which is in Ondo West Local Government Area.

  • Ticket: APC leaders adamant as Ganduje, Masari, Wammako intervene for Sani

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State holds Senate primaries today, there are indications that leaders of the party in the state were not keen to give return ticket to Senator Shehu Sani.

    It was learnt that Senator Aliyu Wammako, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Aminu Masari (Katsina) intervened and pleaded for automatic ticket for Sani.

    Also, the three APC aspirants scrambling for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District with Sani declined to step down for him

    The aspirants are Ibrahim Usman(Sardauna Badarawa); Shamsu Shehu Giwa; Gen. Mohammed Sani Saleh; and Uba Sani, a Special Adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The development has caused tension in Sani’s camp. He is one of the aggrieved sebators who declined defect from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A top source in APC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have a big challenge in Kaduna State. Some of our governors and leaders have made a strong case for automatic re-election ticket for Comrade Shehu Sani but we have not succeeded.

    “With this development, Sani might have to slug it out with the remaining three aspirants.

    “Going by the tense situation in the state and with the control of party structure by governors, Senator Sani might not get the ticket.

    “We are still making last minute moves to work out a deal which will be acceptable to APC leaders in Kaduna State.”

    But a stalwart of APC in Kaduna State, who spoke with reporters anomymously in Abuja, said the party was not disposed to giving Sani a return ticket.

    The source said: “It will be suicidal for APC to give Senator Sani a second term ticket. If he sails through, it means that disloyalty to a party pays.

    “The problem all the interventions encountered is that Sani had gone too far in burning his bridges in Kaduna. A compendium of his comments since 2015 ridiculing President Muhammadu Buhari himself, the APC and Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been circulated to key leaders.

    “This document showed that Sani does not hold even the President in high esteem. So his recent good-boy posture is being dismissed as just the desperate actions of a man who wants to remain in the Senate.

    ”This is a man who printed posters without the APC logo and boasted that he would defect. He has not even tried to mend fences with the people he offended in Kaduna.

    “The party in Kaduna is said to be in no mood to reward disloyalty, after Sani had treated them with contempt for more than three years.

    “We expect him to grumble and moralize after he loses the primary. We will not be surprised if he even creates some drama.”