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  • Why I want to be Island council chairman, by Coker

    Why I want to be Island council chairman, by Coker

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Biodun Coker has said that he is motivated to run for the chairman of Lagos Island Council by his desire to serve the community. 

    He clarified that the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, is not against the right of anyone to contest.

    Stressing that his legacy, leadership, and commitment to Lagos State remains a guiding light for many public officers, Coker said his remarks on the council polls were misrepresented and selectively quoted by individuals who are uncomfortable with the growing support for his candidature.

    He said rivals who have failed to present a credible vision and cannot show any evidence of contribution to development indulge in a campaign of calumny.

    Coker said rather than face the people with ideas and solutions, they hide behind faceless publications and whisper campaigns. 

    He added: “Let them come forward and show us their record—what have they built, improved, or transformed in our community? Leadership is not declared in backrooms or headlines; it is proven in the streets, the markets, the schools, and in the lives of the people.”

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    Coker said in a statement that it is not a sin for the children of public officers to run for public office, adding that “there is no shame in legacy when it is rooted in service, values, and impact.”

    He added: “I am proud of my father’s record in public service, just as I am committed to forging my own through integrity and hard work.

    “In any case, let it be known that my father, Yemisi Coker, has not held any political office since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999.”

  • Youths, APC aspirants reject ‘consensus candidate’ for Yaba LG chairmanship

    Youths, APC aspirants reject ‘consensus candidate’ for Yaba LG chairmanship

    Youths, under the auspices of Concerned Youth of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have rejected the alleged nomination of Joseph Ojo, an APC chairmanship aspirant, as the LCDA’s consensus candidate for the July 12 local government election in Lagos state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state organ of the ruling party had on Wednesday pushed for consensus chairmanship candidates in various local governments and LCDAs ahead of the Saturday’s party primaries.

    The group, in a statement issued by Adebayo Shittu, Coordinator, and Bode Oderinde, Secretary, on Thursday, said Ojo could not be said to be a consensus candidate as his candidacy was not endorsed by most party stakeholders and other aspirants.

    The APC youth group urged the party leadership in the area to stop presenting Ojo as the consensus candidate and allow the will of party stakeholders to prevail.

    The group said: “We have heard that Joseph Babatunde Ojo, a 70-years old is the consensus choice of the leadership of APC in Yaba.

    “This shows that the leadership is insensitive to the plights and yearnings of the people, older and younger generation of Yaba, and we shall ensure this does not see the light of day.

    “Despite having young, vibrant, and energetic youths among the aspirants, it is so disappointing that the APC leadership in Yaba would be parading a 70-year-old man.

    “Elders are supposed to be encouraging young people to seek public office for positive change.

    “We cannot put on people a man who has lost touch with the political situation and does not even have the intention of contesting until he was forcefully dragged in by some individuals.

    According to the group, the consensus is null and void and that it does not represent the decision of the APC and people of Yaba.

    The group called on top party leaders, especially members of the Governance Advisory Council and the party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to call the APC leadership in the council to order.

    The group said that the party might lose the election if the party presents Ojo as its flagbearer.

    Speaking on behalf of 14 aggrieved aspirants in Yaba APC, Ibrahim Adegbola, said that the council did not need anyone above the age of 50.

    Read Also: Why I dumped PDP for APC, by Wole Oke

    “This time is not suitable for someone older than 50 years to aspire for the chairmanship position.

    “It doesn’t give a sense of responsibility to the younger generation.

    “In this contest, we have a 31-year-old aspirant, we also have a 48-year-old aspirant, and so on. These people should be considered because they are very energetic and vibrant.

    “It is not fair that, among all these people, what our leaders can come up with as a consensus is a 70-year-old.

    “You cannot shape a future you won’t be part of. So, give the youth the chance to design how they want their future to look. Our party, APC,  needs to get it right.”Adegbola told NAN.

    NAN reports that over 500 APC aspirants are jostling for the 57 chairmanship seats in the state. 

  • 2027: We are not leaving APC, solidly behind Tinubu – CPC bloc leaders

    2027: We are not leaving APC, solidly behind Tinubu – CPC bloc leaders

    Leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have unequivocally declared their loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and support for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in 2027.

    The group distances itself from the Malam Nasir El-Rufai and Abubakar Malami (SAN) led faction of the defunct CPC, which is currently in coalition talks with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    The leaders of the defunct CPC, led by the former Nasarawa State Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, include Dr. Dikko Radda, Gov. of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Bello Masari, former Kastina State governor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Maitama Tuga Yusuf, the NDLEA Chairman, Gen. Buba Marwa, former APC National Secretary, Arch. Waziri Bulama, Hon. Mohammed Datti Garba – APC National Vice Chairman (North West); Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, former NASS members led by Hon. Babale Ila; Hajiya Aisha, National Vice Women Leader (North West), and Hon. Ginaka Tor.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the CPC bloc in APC and former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Al-Makura, declared their unalloyed loyalty to the ruling party and vowed to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory at the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

    Declaring their position, Al-Makura said, “We have come together today with clarity, unity, and purpose. We are here to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals that brought us together in 2013, to set the records straight, and to send a clear message to all Nigerians that the former CPC majority stakeholders remain strong, united, and deeply loyal to the All Progressives Congress and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

    The former governor dismissed as misinformation reports that the CPC bloc in the ruling party has left the APC. He maintained that the bloc is united and solidly in the APC.

    According to Al-Makura, “Recent developments have seen a flood of speculation and misinformation about the position of the former CPC within the APC. Let it be known clearly that we have not left the APC.

    “We are very much here, standing tall, standing proud, and standing firm within the party that we helped to found through sweat, sacrifice, and patriotic commitment. We remain part and parcel of the APC family.

    “We recall with pride how we in the CPC, in collaboration with other patriots in ACN, ANPP, APGA, DPP, and nPDP contributed enormously to the spirit of unity and national cohesion that led to the defeat of an incumbent government in 2015, and ushered in a new era under the leadership of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari. It is this spirit of sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to Nigeria’s future that guides our every action.”

    Admitting that the country may be facing some challenges, the former governor expressed optimism that the President Tinubu-led administration’s policies and reforms will see the country out of the woods.

    “Today, under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria faces challenging but necessary reforms. As responsible citizens and co-founders of this political party, we believe that now more than ever, we must remain steadfast, patient, and supportive.

    “We commend the bold steps taken by President Tinubu, and we urge Nigerians to trust the process, knowing that the foundation being laid today will lead to a more prosperous and secure future.”

    The group also appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to seek the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism to seek redress rather than resorting to anti-party activities.

    Read Also: Why I dumped PDP for APC, by Wole Oke

    “To our brothers and sisters who may feel aggrieved, we urge them to explore options within the party to resolve their grievances through dialogue, patience, and perseverance. True loyalty is tested not in times of comfort but in times of travail.

    “We urge all to use the structures and constitutional avenues forward, we do so with renewed strength, a deep sense of responsibility, and an unshakable commitment to the APC and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and ultimately, the future of our beloved country.”

    On the relationship of the group with former President Muhammadu Buhari, a leader of the group, Hon. Farouk Adamu said the group is firmly with the former President, whom he said remain a loyal member of the APC and supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

  • Ex-Delta Governor Uduaghan returns to APC

    Ex-Delta Governor Uduaghan returns to APC

    •Kano South Senator Sumaila dumps NNPP

    A former Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Nation has learnt.

    Uduaghan, who collected the APC membership card at his Warri, GRA residence, was received into the party by its Delta South Women Leader, Alero Tenumah; the party’s Chairman in Abigborodo Ward 6, Mr. George Ino, and other party leaders in the ward and local government levels.

    The ex-governor, whose new APC membership card reads: ‘Delta WRN//023/32001’, praised the party’s leaders for their solidarity and honour.

    He assured them of synergy and continuous working relationship towards further development of Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the ex-governor’s daughter and Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, also picked her APC membership card from the ward’s leadership of the party.

    Tenumah urged new members to contribute meaningfully to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    She assured Dr. Uduaghan of a robust working relationship aimed at strengthening the party in Warri North Local Government Area and across the state.

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    Also, the senator representing Kano South, Kawu Sumaila, yesterday dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the Senate.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Sumaila’s defection letter on the floor of the Senate.

    In the letter addressed to the Senate leadership and titled: “Notification of defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC),” Sumaila hinged his decision on compelling and undeniable developments within the party, which he said have rendered the party severely divided and dysfunctional.

    The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 68, subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to the Senate President on behalf of the Senate.

    “I write to formally notify the Senate through your esteemed office of my defection from the NNPP to the APC, the largest party in Africa.

    “My decision to bid goodbye to the NNPP is anchored on compelling and undeniable developments within the party, which have rendered the party severely divided and dysfunctional.

    “Over the past months, I have observed a growing number of litigations that have practically torn the party apart and left its structure fractured.

    “All of these clearly centered on issues of party disunity, functional leadership, and the legitimacy of its operations.

    “These legal battles have not only eroded internal cohesion but have created parallel and conflicting authorities within the party.”

    After Akpabio had read the letter, APC senators moved en mass to welcome Sumaila into the ruling party.

    They led him to his new seat on the aisle of the majority party.

    With the development, the APC now has 65 senators, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 33, Labour Party (LP) five, Social Democratic Party (SDP) two, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) one, bringing the total number of senators to 107 with two vacant seats.

  • Ex-Delta gov Uduaghan officially joins APC

    Ex-Delta gov Uduaghan officially joins APC

    Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Nation has learnt.

    Dr. Uduaghan received his APC membership card on Monday at his residence in Warri GRA, marking his official entry into the party.

    He was welcomed by key party stakeholders, including the APC Delta South Women Leader, Alero Tenumah; Chairman of APC Abigborodo Ward 6, Mr. George Ino; and other leaders from both ward and local government levels.

    Displaying his new membership card—numbered Delta WRN//023/32001—Uduaghan expressed appreciation for the warm reception and pledged his commitment to working closely with the party to advance Delta State.

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    In a show of growing support, his daughter and Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, also picked up her APC membership card from the ward leadership.

    Tenumah encouraged other new members to collect their APC cards and contribute actively to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    She assured Dr. Uduaghan of a productive partnership aimed at strengthening the party in Warri North LGA and across the state.

  • Osun 2026: APC groups mobilise 25,000 youths for West guber candidate

    Osun 2026: APC groups mobilise 25,000 youths for West guber candidate

    No fewer than 25,000 youths have been mobilised across Osun State by two groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure victory for the party’s governorship candidate in the 2026 election.

    The groups, The Progressives Frontliners (TPF) and the Coalition of Osun APC Interest Groups (COAIG), revealed during their monthly joint meeting held in Osogbo that their membership has grown from 15,000 to 25,000 after expanding their reach across the 30 councils.

    Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Comrade Ajibade Abiodun praised the coordinators of the groups in all 30 local government areas of the state, noting that their efforts have increased the number of youths in the West Senatorial District to produce the next gubernatorial candidate for the APC.

    His words, “We are made up of six groups and we have been working assiduously to mobilise youths into the APC fold. Now, as a coalition, we realise that we have over 25,000 youths who have brought new voters into the APC fold in the state.

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    “We realise that most of these youths subscribe to our agenda on the basis that the gubernatorial candidate of our party will emerge from Osun West. We are pleading with our leadership to cede the ticket to the district, as it will further help us secure victory.”

    Also speaking, one of the leaders of the groups, Rukayat Ademola, appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Adebisi Akande, and the Minister for Maritime and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, as well as the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, to consider Osun West for the gubernatorial ticket.

  • JUST IN: NNPP Senator Kawu formally defects to APC

    JUST IN: NNPP Senator Kawu formally defects to APC

    Senator representing Kano South, Kawu Samaila, on Wednesday officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Kawu’s letter of defection on the floor of the Senate.

    After, reading the letter, Senators on the platform of the APC moved enmass to welcome Kawu into the APC.

    Read Also: NNPP chieftain hails journalists

    They thereafter led him to his new seat on the side of the party with majority members

  • Group urges APC to address marginalisation

    Group urges APC to address marginalisation

    A Socio-Political Organisation in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Ikorodu Renaissance Group (IRG), has urged the leadership of the party in the area to ensure fairness in the choice of candidates in the forthcoming local government elections.

    The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Dele Olofin, said this had become expedient, to ensure justice, fairness and equity among stakeholders, through intervention of its leaders led by Chief Abiodun Ogunleye, an ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State

    It said this was in view of the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu needed to balance elective and appointive offices across board in all areas of control

    According to the IRG, it was unfair that while some zones have had a fair share of political Offices, others have been relegated so far in the Scheme of things

    Read Also: Council poll: Loyalists lauds APC’s action on women

    It noted that the scenario had negatively impacted some parts of Ikorodu, especially Ward E4, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), where Liadi Zone had yet to produce a political office holder, despite polling the highest number of votes since the creation of Ikorodu North LCDA in 2003

    The statement reads:”We are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment over the consistent exclusion of Liadi Zone from representing Ward E4 in local government elections despite polling the highest number of votes for the party severally since 2015.” being a significant contributor to the party’s success, with Liadi Zone producing the highest number of votes in all elections, we have been denied the opportunity to present a candidate for councilor or supervisor.

    “This exclusion is not only unfair but also unjust, considering that other zones within Ward E4, such as Mojoda, Araro, Olorunda, and Gbaga, have all had representation in elective and appointive positions.

  • I ’ll reduce youth unemployment in Ojokoro, says APC chairmanship aspirant

    I ’ll reduce youth unemployment in Ojokoro, says APC chairmanship aspirant

    • By Kunle Akinrinade

    A chairmanship aspirant in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Ajibola Sulaiman Larinde, has promised to reduce unemployment, especially among youths in the council area, if given the chance by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Larinde, a public servant and the youngest aspirant in the race for APC ticket, said his job provision and empowerment for youths and women would provide self-sufficiency for residents of the council area.

    ‘’ I am a proud son of Ojokoro and I currently serve in the employ of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). At LSETF, we empower entrepreneurs, support job seekers, and help reduce unemployment across Lagos. I’ve worked closely on projects that have funded over 15,000 small businesses, trained over 100,000 youths, and supported thousands of women and vulnerable residents. Now, I am bringing that experience home to serve my people at the grassroots.

    ‘’Working at LSETF has shown me what’s possible when government works for the people. I have seen barbers become chief executive officers (CEOs), tailors grow their shops, and unemployed youths gain technology skills and land jobs. I want to replicate this impact directly in Ojokoro. We have the talent; we just need the right leadership and support systems.’’

    Read Also: Council poll: APC working on consensus candidates ahead of primaries

    ‘’ I will establish the Ojokoro Local Enterprise Support Unit—to fund and mentor businesses. I will launch Ojokoro Employability Bootcamps, modeled after LSETF’s job placement programmes. I will also create a database of skilled youth so we can link them to job opportunities and startups.With my network at the state level, I will ensure Ojokoro is not left behind in any state-wide development plan.

    Larinde added: ‘’I plan to launch a Women Support Fund, create women-only cooperative clusters, and offer free business clinics for female entrepreneurs.

    For our elderly and vulnerable, I will implement health subsidies, mobile clinics, and food assistance programmes.’’

  • Council poll: Loyalists lauds APC’s action on women

    Council poll: Loyalists lauds APC’s action on women

    Some loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have applauded the Lagos State chapter over the special consideration given to women aspirants.

    The APC, after slashing the fee for nomination form from N1 million to N250,000 for female aspirants, also instructed party chairmen at the council level to ensure certain number of women emerged as councillorship candidates during Saturday primary election.

    According to Segun Adio, the gesture would further aid women participatory in governance.

    Wale Akinade from Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, enjoined the party leadership to choose the best among the aspirants according their manifestoes.

    According to him, in councils where female have spent eight years, male candidates should emerge to contribute their quota.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Eight Reps members dump parties for APC, PDP

    This, Akeem Akingbade, said would ensure equity and fairness.

    They called for a Special Monitoring team to be put in place for proper accountability for the benefit of electorates and effective grassroots governance.

    Tunde Adekunle said there’s a need for re-engineering of the grassroots politics for purposeful administration.

    “Majority of present local government administrators have worked tirelessly to better lots of their areas, while other performance at low ebb. This reflect at our last Presidential election. Part of reason we lost some vital local governments to opponents were due to lack of inclusiveness, exhibitions of flagrant indiscipline, disloyalty to party hierarchy, marginalization of loyal party members and failure to listen to collective advice of electorates,” he said.