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  • 4,000 Osun residents benefit from free eye care medical outreach of APC chieftain

    4,000 Osun residents benefit from free eye care medical outreach of APC chieftain

    Over 4,000 residents of Osun state benefited from a free eye care initiative by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun West Senatorial District, Peter Ogundeji.

    The outreach, which was held in Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, and Irewole local government areas of Osun State, was aimed at commemorating the APC leader’s birthday celebration.

    Speaking at Ejigbo with newsmen on Wednesday, Ogundeji explained, “This initiative is to lift the downtrodden who do not have access to healthcare either because of funds or facilities around them. I noticed that many locals do not pay attention to their eye care, hence this outreach is important.”

    He disclosed, “The outreach covers Osun West Senatorial District, especially four local government areas. 1,000 residents benefit in each local government area, so over 4,000 residents benefited from this initiative.

    ‎He emphasised the importance of prioritising personal health, noting that poor health remains a major obstacle to economic progress and overall well-being.

    ‎In his remarks, the APC chairman of Ede-North Local Government, Alhaji Adesina Alabi, commended Dr Ogundeji for the philanthropic gesture.

    He recalled that he (Ogundeji) had previously championed various empowerment programmes and community development initiatives, further demonstrating his genuine concern for humanity.

  • APC to Turaki: Your call for foreign invasion is reckless, unpatriotic

    APC to Turaki: Your call for foreign invasion is reckless, unpatriotic

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the call for foreign invasion of Nigeria by the new factional Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki over insecurity in parts of the country.

    Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary condemned the call in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Morka urged the international community to dismiss the call by Turaki.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Turaki while addressing newsmen over the crisis rocking the PDP, called on foreign powers to intervene in Nigeria to save it from alleged “Christian genocide”.

    He also said the call had become necessary to protect the country’s democracy.

    “Turaki’s call for foreign invasion of Nigeria was reckless and unpatriotic and should not be taken seriously.

    “For a man declared national chairman barely 72 hours ago by a faction of his deeply fractured party, Turaki looked and sounded desperate, at his wit’s end,”he said.

    The APC spokesman described Turaki as confused.

    He said Nigerians expected that Turaki would set himself on an urgent peace-building mission to bring his party’s warring factions together in dialogue, towards finding possible pathways to peace and reconciliation.

    He noted that instead, Turaki’s first official act as PDP’s factional chairman was to call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as a solution to the self-inflicted internal crisis of his PDP.

    Morka said his call was a dangerous threat to national security and sovereignty, adding that it was a disgraceful and unpatriotic call.

    Read Also: Lagos APC to PDP’s Turaki: you can’t return to power when you don’t even have a party

    He recalled that under the PDP’s 16 years in power, with its subversion of opposition parties, there was never a call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as a solution to crisis within opposition parties of that era.

    “Turaki’s call is not only an admission of PDP’s incapacity to manage its internal contradictions, it must be taken as a final certification of its demise.

    “We trust the international community to dismiss the PDP’s disgraceful and unpatriotic call as a pitiful distraction from the failure of its internal democracy and embarrassing disintegration.

    “The heightened desperation of the PDP and other opposition leaders is now clear for all to see. Turaki’s call shows how far they are willing to go.

    “Even to the extent of actively seeking destructive intervention of foreign powers on Nigerian soil in order to serve their sinister political agenda,” Morka said.

    He urged Nigerians to stand firm in support of the APC, and the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu as he continued the task of building progress and prosperity in all areas of our national life.

    (NAN)

  • Scores of Ondo PDP members defect to APC

    Scores of Ondo PDP members defect to APC

    Scores of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

    The defectors, who are grassroots mobilisers drawn from the 18 local governments, said they could no longer remain in the “crisis-ridden” PDP with what they described as a weakened leadership structure.

    The PDP defectors, who are also members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), attributed their switch to APC to President Tinubu’s economic reforms and ongoing infrastructural projects across the state.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors under the banner of Asiwaju Transport Movement yesterday,  Mr. Ojo Adewole hailed President Tinubu for what he called the restoration of the country’s “lost glory” through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He cited several federal road projects – including the dualisation of Benin-Ilesa Expressway, Ore-Ondo Akure Road expansion, Akure-Ado-Ekiti Expressway and the ongoing coastal highway – as major factors that influenced their decision.

    Read Also: Force PRO seeks media collaboration for national security, public trust

    “We were encouraged to join the APC by our Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. We thank him for the opportunity given to us, and we will not disappoint him or the party,” he said.

    He added that the continuation of road projects initiated during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari convinced them that President Tinubu was committed to national development.

    Adewole also recalled that the only PDP federal lawmaker from Ondo State,  Festus Akingbaso, and the three remaining PDP members in the state House of Assembly recently defected to the APC – a development he said had left the state “virtually a one-party system.”

    Receiving the defectors at the APC Secretariat in Akure, the state Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, welcomed them and urged them to mobilise support for a landslide victory for President Tinubu in 2027.

    “This is the party of victory. In the APC, we don’t discriminate -there are no old members or new members; we are all equal,’’ Adetimehin said.

    He noted that the performance of President Tinubu had continued to draw more supporters into the ruling party.

    “President Tinubu has done well for us in this state. We can all see what he is doing. His Renewed Hope Initiatives are favouring us.

    “Work has begun on new road projects in Ondo State, and our people are being given appointments. So, we must work hard to give him a landslide victory here,” he added.

  • Lagos APC to PDP’s Turaki: you can’t return to power when you don’t even have a party

    Lagos APC to PDP’s Turaki: you can’t return to power when you don’t even have a party

    Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has read with customary amusement, the latest declaration by Bello Turaki, who is busy announcing grand plans to “return power to Nigerians.”

    Spokesman for the party, Seye Oladejo, said in a statement yesterday in Ogba, Lagos: ‘’This is a fascinating proclamation – especially from someone who cannot even muster the honesty to introduce himself properly.

    ‘’Turaki is a factional chairman of a broken, scattered, leaderless Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And it is dishonest – deliberately so – for him to pretend otherwise.

    ‘’Before he dreams of returning power to Nigerians, he should first seek legitimacy from his own party members and leaders. A man who cannot unite his own divided platform cannot unite a country. Someone needs to respectfully remind him:

    ‘’You cannot give what you do not have.

    For 16 long years, PDP had all the power Turaki now speaks about so casually. What did they return to Nigerians? A depleted treasury. Collapsed infrastructure. Rampant oil theft. Monumental corruption. A nation pushed to the brink of economic paralysis. A security architecture weakened by mismanagement.

    ‘’If this is the ‘power’ Turaki claims he wants to return, Nigerians must beware of recycled calamity.

    ‘’Turaki forgets a simple fact: Nigerians reclaimed power in 2015 when they voted PDP out. They reaffirmed it in 2019 and reinforced it again in 2023.

    ‘’The PDP has not only been rejected – it has been reduced to a coalition of bitter factions, each one engaged in endless court battles, contradictory rulings and shameless forum shopping.

    ‘’Before talking about returning power, the PDP should first return order to its house.

    Read Also: Force PRO seeks media collaboration for national security, public trust

    How can a party drowning in internal disputes talk about saving Nigeria?

    How can a factional chairman with no consensus backing claim authority over a party that is indistinguishable from a political war zone?

    ‘’Turaki should prioritise: Returning honesty to PDP’s leadership. Returning unity to its fractured structure. Returning discipline to its errant members, and returning sanity to its rampant judicial shopping. Until then, his declarations remain beautifully wrapped emptiness.

    ‘’While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stabilising the economy, re-engineering institutions, executing infrastructure renewal, driving security reforms, expanding investment inflows and repositioning Nigeria for sustained growth; the PDP is busy producing press statements that sound like bedtime stories for its dwindling supporters.

    ‘’Nigeria needs constructive opposition – not political comedians issuing empty promises.

    ‘’Turaki should first earn legitimacy within his own party before attempting to lecture Nigerians about power. Pretence and grandstanding cannot substitute for reality.

    ‘’A factional chairman cannot speak for a fragmented party. A party without coherence cannot promise national salvation. And a platform without credibility cannot return power to anyone.

    ‘’APC remains committed to a future built on stability, reforms, democratic consolidation and genuine empowerment of Nigerians – not the fantasy politics of those who lost power, lost public trust and now seek attention through hollow declarations.’’

  • APC chieftain greets Ondo lawmaker at 60

    APC chieftain greets Ondo lawmaker at 60

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Gbenga Eleduma, has congratulated the lawmaker representing Akoko South East/West Federal Constituency, Adegboyega Adefarati, on turning 60 today.

    In a statement yesterday, Eleduma, also a businessman, hailed the legislator for his exemplary leadership, tireless advocacy and enduring contributions to the uplift of his constituents and the progress of Ondo State.

    He said: “Distinguished Congressman, Adegboyega Adefarati, it is with utmost respect and profound gratitude that I extend my warmest felicitations to you on this auspicious occasion of your 60th birthday.

    ‘’As a beacon of integrity and service in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly, your stewardship as chairman of the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity has illuminated paths of opportunity for countless Nigerians, fostering growth, equity and hope where it is needed most.

    ‘’You embody the noble ideals of representative democracy, diligent, accessible and profoundly committed to the welfare of the masses.

    Read Also: Lagos APC hails NELFUND’s expansion to vocational training

    ‘’In the spirit of our shared progressive vision within the APC, your legacy as a worthy successor to your illustrious father, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, former governor of Ondo State, stands as a testament to selfless patriotism.

    “From empowering our youths and farmers in Akoko to championing national policies that drive economic vitality, you have etched your name in the annals of positive change.

    ‘’On this milestone, I join your esteemed family, colleagues and the teeming populace of Ondo State in celebrating a life richly devoted to public good.’’

    Eleduma prayed that the Almighty God grant the lawmaker robust health, deeper wisdom and boundless grace for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

  • APC puts Kefas reception on hold

    APC puts Kefas reception on hold

    All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday announced the postponement of the reception of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas earlier scheduled for today.

    The party, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, said it shelved the reception to honour members of the armed forces and citizens killed recently by forces of terror.

    Morka said that a new date for the reception would be announced later.

    Kefas had earlier announced his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    The APC spokesman said the postponement was also to show respect for the victims of recent incidents of abduction, especially the innocent secondary schoolgirls in Kebbi by enemies of the state.

    He said: “We salute the courage and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, who put their lives on the line in defence of our liberty and security.

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    “As we mourn our dear compatriots, we pray for the safe return of our innocent students, who were forcefully taken from their families by forces of evil.

    “Our great party commiserates deeply with the families of victims of these incidents,” the APC spokesman said.

    He added that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remained determined to stamp out the menace of insurgency and banditry within the nation’s borders, and bring their “despicable” perpetrators to justice.

  • Kano APC chieftain begs Akpabio, Barau over $10m bribery allegation

    Kano APC chieftain begs Akpabio, Barau over $10m bribery allegation

    A Kano-based chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mal. Alwan Hassan has apologised to the leadership of the Senate for wrongfully accusing them of receiving $10 million to stall the confirmation of Ramat Abdullahi as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    He particularly apologised to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, admitting that the allegation against them and the leadership of the upper chamber of the National Assembly was “not only untrue but also unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership.”

    Last month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent a letter to the Senate seeking Ramat’s confirmation as NERC’s chairman, but after over a month since the letter was read and deliberated upon at plenary, the Senate is yet to announce the confirmation of the nominee.

    The development led to a group of party loyalists from Kano State staging a protest at the National Assembly, while several individuals demanded immediate confirmation of Ramat.

    Hassan, who joined others to protest the delay, accused the Senate leadership of deliberately stalling the confirmation.

    Tendering an unreserved apology at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Hassan said his earlier action was propelled by the information available to him at that time, adding that he has since found out that the allegation lacked fact.

    According to him, “I referenced a claim alleging that they received $10 million in bribes to stall Engr. Ramat’s confirmation. That allegation came from conversations I had while trying to understand the issues.

    “I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership.

    “I therefore retract that statement fully and unreservedly, and I apologise to the National Assembly and its leadership for those accusations.

    Read Also: NERC appointment: Kano APC chairman  appeals for restraint among members

    “I understand the seriousness of governance, particularly the critical role the parliament plays in our democracy,” he added.

    The APC leader then appealed to the Senate to confirm Ramat for the job as requested by President Tinubu.

    “I understand the seriousness of governance, particularly the critical role the parliament plays in our democracy. I do not take that role for granted. And it is precisely because of that respect that I once again, like Oliver Twist, appeal—humbly and sincerely—to the good conscience of our distinguished National Assembly to please take a second look at the case of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi and confirm him.

    “I genuinely believe he is a worthy leader who can help transform the regulation of Nigeria’s energy sector,” he concluded.

  • APC’s broadening coalition reflects Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity, unity – Shettima

    APC’s broadening coalition reflects Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity, unity – Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s broadening coalition reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity, competence and national unity.

    Shettima made this known in Lokoja, when he formally received former governor of Kogi, Alhaji Idris Wada and other prominent politicians into the APC.

    He said the decision of the “elder statesman and partner in building a stronger Nigeria,” to join the party was driven by national interest rather than personal interest.

    “This is not a victory of one ego over another. What we are witnessing is an alignment with a broader national vision and a platform of stability,” he said.

    The vice president described the APC as a political home where progressives converge to build a renewed nation.

    Shettima, therefore, urged new entrants to see the party as a platform for service and development, particularly in Kogi State, where he pledged sustained peace and accelerated growth.

    ” We shall deepen peace in Kogi. We shall expand development in Kogi State. We shall uphold the promise of a renewed Nigeria.

    ” Because you have shown that when leaders choose peace, the people reap progress. The APC does not take your trust for granted,” the Vice-President said.

    He also described the defection of former Kogi  governor,  Idris Wada, and other notable political figures into the APC as a confluence of progressives and a triumph of reason.

    He hailed Tinubu for his deliberate and committed effort to build an inclusive and trustworthy political platform capable of attracting credible leaders from across Nigeria’s political landscape.

    Shettima drew a symbolic connection between the city where the Niger and Benue Rivers meet and what he said was a merging of convictions for national renewal.

    According to him, the movement reflects a growing shift toward political stability, unity and national alignment under the leadership of President Tinubu.

    He commended Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi for providing a calm strength, continuity and people-driven governance.

    The Vice-President also commended the former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi for ensuring a dignified and exemplary democratic transition.

    “The joy of every democracy is the genuine cooperation between a predecessor and a successor. It is a relationship that must be built on patience and trust.

    ‘ Kogi has shown that this is possible even when it is most difficult,” Shettima said.

    He stated that the cooperation between the two leaders in the confluence state stands as “a reassuring national example of political maturity.”

    Earlier, governor Ododo, described the new members as men of value, character and integrity, who have joined the progressives family to serve the people.

    He thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their support at all times, pointing out that within two years of his administration, the President has visited the state three times.

    “Sir, I believe that you will not be tired of our invitation. We are welcoming you, and we are behind you and to let you know that what is happening today, with the coming of our leader, His Excellency Capt. Idris Wada and others.

    “Today, we are here not only to receive and welcome the decampees to the progressives family but to, once again, express our gratitude and appreciation to Mr. President for his leadership,  commitment to the unity, peace and prosperity of our dear nation, particularly, Kogi State.

    “We are here again to appreciate our leaders and every other critical stakeholder of our dear state, who laid the foundation for us to continue with their good job.

    ‘ We are here again to appreciate all our progressives who support good governance and have resolved to join us today to ensure that we move Kogi State forward.”

    Also, the National Chairman of APC, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, said the National Working Committee of APC was in confluence state to rescue the state from the sinking People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We are here to give a platform and to give a life jacket inside the ocean for people who are stranded inside the ocean in that ship called PDP.

    ‘Your Excellency, I’m pleased to present to you the former Governor of Kogi , His Excellency, retired Capt. Idris Wada, who is moving from the sinking ship to become a progressive.

    “I also have Chief Sam Ranti Abenemi,  Imam Alfa, Idowu Ibekunle and the rest who have joined the progressive family today. I welcome you to the family of progressives.

    ”You have taken the wise choice in your political life,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors , Wada, said his decision to joined the APC was motivated by President Tinubu’s performance in areas of infrastructure development, economic reforms and social investment.

    “The reasons for crossing over are numerous but there is no time for me to explain them to you.  APC is a progressives party and is leading Nigeria in the right direction. Mr President made a very bold decision in removing fuel subsidy.

    “Initially, we all felt all kinds of pains but now, fuel price is dropping almost every month,  the exchange rate, which the President unified, has stabilised our currency.

    ‘ The naira is appreciating on a regular basis in the foreign exchange market, ” Wada said.

    Other dignitaries who attended the grand reception include the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu; former Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu; Senator Smart Adeyemi;  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Benjamin Kalu; Alhaji Ali Dalori  among others.

    (NAN)

  • Speaker, 16 other Taraba lawmakers dump PDP for APC

    Speaker, 16 other Taraba lawmakers dump PDP for APC

    • Ex-Kogi Governor Idris Wada, others join ruling party

    All the 16 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the Taraba State House of Assembly have resigned from the party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaker John Kizito Bonzina announced the mass defections yesterday during plenary.

    Bonzina read the letters submitted by the lawmakers, each indicating their intention to leave the PDP and cross over to the APC.

    According to the Speaker, the defections fall under Section 109 of the Constitution, which allows lawmakers to switch parties in the event of divisions within their party.

    In their letters, the lawmakers cited a lingering leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level, claiming the existence of two rival factions.

    They said the situation had thrown the party into confusion and made continued membership untenable.

    The defectors, who confirmed their decisions after the plenary, said the unresolved internal wrangling that once elevated the party’s profile had weakened it.

    The defectors said they had consulted their constituencies before dumping the PDP.

    Jethro Yakubu, representing Wukari I, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, explained that the defections became necessary as the crisis threatening the PDP “has the potential to expunge the party from the country”.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Taraba Assembly speaker, 15 others defect to APC from PDP

    Also, Musa Chul representing Gassol I Constituency, and Nelson Len, representing Nguroje Constituency, stated that remaining in the PDP would jeopardise their political future.

    He said the PDP crisis prompted the defections while their supporters also endorsed the decision to join the APC..

    With their defections, the APC has absolute majority in the 24-member House of Assembly.

    Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, welcomed former Governor Idris Wada to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Shettima said he was in the state to formally welcome Wada and other defectors to the APC on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Besudes Wada, who was a PDP governor, other defectors were mainly from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    The Vice President, who arrived the Muhammadu Buhari Complex in Lokoja, the venue of the event at 4.40 p.m, handed over the APC flag and its symbol (the broom) to Wada and other defectors.

    He told the new party members to see the APC as one family where members are allowed to grow.

    Governor Ahmed Ododo, who introduced the new APC members to the Vice President, said they were good leaders who would also contribute positively to the further growth of the party.

    Ododo said the formal declaration of the new party members had shown that Kogi State belongs to the APC.

    The governor also said President Tinubu had demonstrated his love for the development of Kogi through various Federal Government’s projects being executed in the state.

    He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my father and I am proud to be his son. He is a true leader who has consistently shown me how to be a good leader. He is a committed democrat and I am sure Nigeria will be great again under his leadership.”

    Party leaders at the event included former Governor Yahaya Bello, all members of the state House of Assembly and APC state executives.

  • JUST IN: Taraba Assembly speaker, 15 others defect to APC from PDP

    JUST IN: Taraba Assembly speaker, 15 others defect to APC from PDP

    Members of the Taraba State House of Assembly elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Among the defectors is the Speaker of the House, John Kizito, who read the letters from each of the lawmakers, all indicating their decision to leave the PDP and switch allegiance to the APC.

    The defection, according to the members, was because of the prolonged crisis in the PDP at the national level and the need to align with the centre for federal presence in Taraba.

    The defection is in the wake of the intention of the State Governor, Agbu Kefas, to join the APC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

    With the defection, all 24 members of the state assembly are now on the platform of the APC.