Tag: APC

…party rakes in N450m from sales of nomination forms

Ahead of the December 13, 2025, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, former National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and eight other aspirants have entered the race for the party’s ticket for the August 8, 2026, Osun State Governorship Election.

At the close of sales of nomination and expression of interest forms on Thursday night, nine aspirants, eight men and one woman had obtained the forms.

Those in the race include former deputy governor Senator Iyiola Omisore; development financier Babatunde Hareter Oralusi; former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; former PDP chieftain, Bar. Oyedotun Babayemi, and the immediate past deputy governor, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi.

Others are business magnate and insurance expert Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle; the only female aspirant and former Osun lawmaker Dr. Mulikat Abiola Jimoh; and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Read Also: Lagos APC lauds Tinubu’s security emergency declaration

According to the timetable released by the APC National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Arugungu, aspirants must submit their completed forms and required documents by Monday, December 1, 2025.

Screening will be conducted in Abuja on December 3 and 4, while the results would be published on December 5, followed by a screening appeal on December 6.

The primary election will hold on December 13.

The Nation gathered that party leaders and key stakeholders are scheduled to meet on Saturday to discuss the possibility of adopting a consensus candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

However, a party chieftain, who spoke in confidence, criticised the move, saying the meeting was coming too late.

“What happened to the previous meetings? The aspirants were never informed of the outcome. The leaders allowed aspirants to purchase forms, and now they are trying to push for consensus. If we truly want to reclaim the state, the party should allow a primary election. Whoever wins should be supported by others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC has realised N450 million from the sale of forms to the nine aspirants.

Eight male aspirants paid N50 million each, while the only female aspirant paid N10 million for the expression of interest form, in line with the party’s free nomination policy for women and youths under 40.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has said that many members of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s cabinet and appointees would give his administration a low rating as it marks its third anniversary.

Speaking during a press conference at the party’s state secretariat along the Osogbo/Ibadan Road on Thursday, APC leaders declared that they are fully prepared to defeat the governor in the 2026 election.

The party’s Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, criticised the administration for what he described as poor performance despite increased federal allocations resulting from President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

According to him, the state relies heavily on federal allocation without making efforts to boost internally generated revenue.

He accused the governor of favouritism in project execution and appointments, alleging that most completed projects and political positions are concentrated in Adeleke’s hometown and community.

Olabisi also faulted the prolonged two-month strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which he said has left thousands of cases unresolved and crippled judicial activities in the state.

Similarly, former Commissioner for Information, Chief Sunday Akere, stated that as many as 60 percent of Adeleke’s cabinet members and appointees would score his administration low. He argued that the state has drifted toward “systemic failure” under the current government.

Akere further alleged that the administration operates with only two arms of government, contrary to the constitutional requirement for separation of powers and functional institutions, warning that the situation reflects deeper governance challenges in the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring a national security emergency and approving the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers.

The Lagos State APC Spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, said the decision reflected the President’s decisive and courageous leadership.

He described the move as a historic escalation of Nigeria’s security response, noting that the approved recruitment  would lead to intake of 50,000 new officers.

Oladejo said the Lagos APC viewed the declaration of a security emergency as a significant shift from previous approaches to tackling insecurity across the country.

He said the President’s directive demonstrated an intention to strengthen the country’s security architecture in both manpower and operational capacity.

According to him, the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers shows the administration’s resolve to adopt a more proactive and offensive posture in confronting criminal activities.

“The recruitment approved by President Tinubu signals a renewed national strategy that prioritises intelligence, presence, and operational readiness,” he said.

Oladejo added that the President’s decision would “further empower security institutions to overwhelm criminal elements threatening Nigeria’s peace.”

The spokesman said the party also welcomed Tinubu’s call on the National Assembly to review existing laws to enable the possible establishment of state police.

He described the call as a bold departure from what he termed longstanding limitations that had hindered states from deploying more localised security solutions.

Oladejo said the Lagos APC regarded the push for legislative action as evidence of the administration’s readiness to address structural gaps in the country’s policing framework.

“This is the type of leadership Nigeria has needed for decades — leadership that is ready to take hard decisions for national safety,” he said.

He added that the reforms proposed by the President could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to decentralise policing.

According to him, empowering states to create their own police formations would improve response time and help address security challenges unique to each region.

Oladejo said the party believed the President’s position demonstrated an awareness of the need to modernise Nigeria’s security institutions to deal with emerging threats.

The spokesman said that the Lagos APC would continue to support what he called the President’s efforts to stabilise the country and protect citizens.

He said the party remained confident that the measures announced by the President would contribute significantly to improving security outcomes nationwide.

Oladejo restated the party’s alignment with Tinubu’s security initiatives ,aimed at effectively securing the country.

(NAN)

All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State have said the party won’t need to campaign in the area for 2027, citing projects, empowerment programmes and appointments facilitated by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno.

They spoke at the Maiden Home Going Weekend organised by APC at a rally in the council secretariat field, Afaha Ikot Ebak.

Chairman, Ntiedo Usoro, said APC had grown into a formidable political force in the state due to sacrifices and strategic decisions of Senate president, particularly his defection from PDP. He said Akpabio’s “unthinkable” political move at the time “watered the seed” that produced APC-led government and the state’s attainment of No. 3 position in the country.

Usoro stressed importance of the voter registration and urged indigenes, aged 18 and above, to register and obtain their PVCs to support APC in 2027. He reaffirmed the resolve of people to return President Bola Tinubu, Akpabio, and Umo Eno to office in 2027. He said the political and economic progress witnessed in was due to their leadership. “Essien Udim owes Senate president honour for what he has done for the people, and we must reciprocate the respect and collaboration Governor Eno has shown by delivering block votes in 2027,” he said.

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Member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Ukpong Akpabio II, said the governor had directed members to return home for meetings, but Essien Udim chose to hold a rally as a demonstration of support. He said the turnout and enthusiasm showed that the APC would not need to campaign in Essien Udim. “In 2027, the sound of votes from Essien Udim will echo at INEC. The President, Senate president and governor do not need to campaign here. We will do the work, vote, protect the votes and ensure they are all returned to office,” he said.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Dr. Anthony Luke, said his appointment into the State Executive Council was by the benevolence of Governor Eno, and he owed the Governor total loyalty. “I have no reason not to follow my boss, the Governor, into the APC. Essien Udim also has no reason not to support their son, the Senate President, and ensure the Governor returns for a second term,” he said. He added that infrastructural development across all wards in Essien Udim, facilitated by the Senate President, made it obligatory for the people to support him in 2027.

Goodwill messages were delivered by several leaders including the Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Umoh; Envoy Nsentip Akpabio; Sir Nse Ntuen; Engr. Camillus Umoh; Sir Sunyiekekere Inokon; Engr. Oliver Ebong; and Sir Victor Udofia. The event also featured a march past by all wards in the LGA, led by their chairmen, leaders, political appointees and party members.