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  • Civil society groups urge Adeleke, APC to resolve Osun LG crisis

    Civil society groups urge Adeleke, APC to resolve Osun LG crisis

    A coalition of civil society groups has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve the lingering crisis crippling the operations of local governments in Osun State.

    The Osun Masterminds (TOM), through its Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, decried the shutdown of council activities since the February 12, 2025, Appeal Court ruling that reignited tensions.

    Oyedokun-Alli warned that the paralysis of grassroots governance is worsening public service delivery, tax collection, healthcare services, and citizen documentation across the state.

    According to him, “The primary healthcare system has also practically collapsed. Since primary healthcare centres draw funding from the Local Government coffers, it is evident that activities of the health centres would have taken a bad hit, exposing rural dwellers to worse health conditions than they ever experienced. Our State cannot afford to get into a widespread health emergency this way, when we are unable to provide basic healthcare.

    Read Also: 2026: Adeleke not leaving PDP for APC, says forum of Osun commissioners, SAs

    “The pains of common people in the State’s rural communities, occasioned by the continued inactivity of the local governments, are enough reason for responsive governments at all levels to urgently collaborate to find lasting solutions.

    “An impasse of the nature that has crippled Local Government administration in Osun is such that can be amicably resolved by government stakeholders if there was any true commitment to development.”

    The coalition pleaded with all parties in the interest of our people to find solutions to the ongoing crisis so that development is not halted.

  • Defection: Delta APC stalwart urges Oborevwori to embrace old, new members

    Defection: Delta APC stalwart urges Oborevwori to embrace old, new members

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been urged to carry both old and new members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) along following his defection, alongside the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State, to the ruling party.

    A top APC chieftain and National Leader of the Southern Youth Movement (SYM), High Chief Promise Lawuru, popularly known as “Ozigizaga,” made the call during a press conference in Warri on Monday.

    Lawuru emphasised that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to freedom of association and advised Governor Oborevwori to create a strategic framework that accommodates all members of the party.

    He said, “Nigeria is operating a multiparty system, so people should not use the developments within the PDP and APC to judge the country’s political landscape. For instance, in every general election, almost 30 political parties participate, which shows that Nigeria cannot operate a one-party system.”

    Commenting on the mass defection, Lawuru described it as part of democratic dynamics, saying: “What you are seeing today—the mass defections from PDP to APC—are ingredients of democracy; everyone has freedom of association, and that is exactly what has taken place.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    While welcoming Governor Oborevwori and his team to the APC, Lawuru advised, “My words to the governor are for him to apply wisdom in addressing party matters and in the governance of the state.”

    “In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, we must prioritise unity and collaboration. Therefore, he should see everyone as one big family because the current situation of the governor is like someone with two wives; if you want to cheat the senior for the junior, there will be a fight. And if you want to cheat the junior for the senior, there will be trouble.

    “So, he (Oborevwori) should design a methodology to take along the old members of the APC and the new members in an equal manner.”

  • UPDATED: Oborevwori, Okowa, others formally join APC

    UPDATED: Oborevwori, Okowa, others formally join APC

    …you are “co-owners”, Shettima tells defectors

    In a historic political shift on Monday, Delta State Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and a host of their supporters formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Vice President Kashim Shettima assuring them that they are now “co-owners” of the ruling party and not mere guests.

    Speaking at a grand reception in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Vice President Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, welcomed the defectors, hailing their decision as a bold endorsement of the APC’s enduring promise and national vision.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima stressed the need for unity and collaboration, emphasising that the new members were joining as equals in the ruling party.

    “You are not guests in this house; you are now co-owners. This is now as much your party as it is ours,” VP Shettima said, describing the new APC entrants as giants in Nigerian politics.

    The Vice President highlighted the significance of their decision to join the APC, saying, “The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the enthusiasm of its members, but in the conviction it inspires among those who once stood across from them.”

    Welcoming the new members into the party fold, Senator Shettima noted that they were joining the party “not as defectors but as brothers and sisters who have found their rightful place among” the APC faithful, even as he maintained that they were joining the governing party not as guests but as family and “as fellow architects of a better Nigeria.”

    The Vice President explained the APC’s philosophy of governance and party politics, pointing out that “what sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity; it is our acceptance that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.

    “Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how great or small, is welcomed to air their grievances, challenge our direction, and shape our future,” he added.

    Shettima also reflected on the party’s journey right from inception. “Since its formation in 2013, the APC has been both the dream and the drama of Nigerian democracy. So many predictions have been written about us as though we were an experiment doomed to fail,” he said.

    He credited the party’s longevity to its collaborative approach, observing that “dialogue, not dictation, has been our shield against disintegration,” just as he said there was no way the party could have survived this long without listening to one another.

    “Today is not merely a day of receiving new members. This is a declaration that the spirit of our great nation is alive — a spirit that dreams beyond personal ambition, beyond party lines, and sees the larger arc of history. Nigeria is greater than all of us, and what we do here today is a step towards strengthening her promise,” the Vice President further stated.

    Earlier, National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said it was a historic day, even as he described the defection of the Delta State Governor as a political legacy.

    Ganduje thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing good leadership that has attracted more credible persons into the APC fold.

    “The National Working Committee of our party is happy with this decision of the Governor, and we are impressed with the cordial relationship existing between the Governor and his predecessor, Dr Okowa,” he said.

    Formally accepting the Delta State Governor into the APC, Ganduje handed over the flag of the party and a broom, the main symbol of the APC, to Oborevwori.

    The national chairman thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima and all APC Governors who attended the occasion, informing them that more eminent Nigerians are on their way to the APC.

    On his part, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said it is a special day for APC because of the wealth of experience of the Delta State Governor.

    He said the ideology of the APC protects national interest and the improvement of the lives of Nigerians.

    “We are joyful and hopeful. Our party, the APC, protects national interest and expands the hope horizon,” Governor Uzodinma said, while commending the developmental strides of the Delta State Governor, saying they are progressive.

    He continued: “Today, when I was driving into Asaba this afternoon, I saw development, I saw the performance of the governor, I saw infrastructure. The state looks like an APC state.

    “So, I’m not surprised that the governor, in his wisdom, decided to join our great party because what we are known for is what he is already doing in Delta State”.

    Speaking on behalf of the new APC entrants, Governor Oborevwori insisted that what happened in Delta State was a movement, not defection, explaining that all stakeholders of the state were part of the decision to move to the governing APC.

    The governor, who said Delta State could no longer be in the opposition, thus the change of gears, added that the state decided to reciprocate the love of President Tinubu, whom he said loves the state and has done a lot for it.

    “All our members in the National Assembly have agreed that when plenary resumes, they will defect on the floor of the two chambers of the Assembly.

    “All the state and ward executives of our party and representatives at all levels will move. We want to be in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is in line with my agenda,” Oborevwori said, assuring that there will be no faction in the Delta State APC.

    Also, former Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, said the people of the state decided to change their path for the common good of the citizens.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    “This decision is in the best interest of the state. We need to connect to the centre to gain more democratic dividends. It is in the best interest of the state and the people. We need to embrace each other with the oneness of heart. I believe a great result will come forth from this decision,” Okowa assured.

    He pledged support for President Bola Tinubu and his successor, Governor Oborevwori.

    State Governors in attendance were those of Kwara, AbdulRahman-AbdulRazaq; Gombe, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Benue, Hyacinth Alia; Nasarawa, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Cross River, Bassey Otu; Borno, Babagana Zulum; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji; Kogi, Usman Ododo, and Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru.

    Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Senator Adams Oshiomole; Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, among many others.

  • JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    It was a carnival-like atmosphere on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, as a massive crowd of Deltans gathered to witness Vice President Kashim Shettima formally receive Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Cenotaph, venue of the event, was transformed into a sea of yellow — the signature colour of Governor Oborevwori’s political family — as party faithful turned out in their thousands, defying the scorching sun to dance and celebrate to music blaring from strategically positioned loudspeakers.

    The grand event attracted an array of dignitaries, including APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, 16 APC governors, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), federal lawmakers, and ministers.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, described the political realignment as a “tsunami of unimaginable proportions,” praising Governor Oborevwori and immediate past Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for their statesmanship and the unity displayed in leading the defection to the APC.

    Tinubu commended the cordial relationship between the two Delta leaders, expressing confidence that their move would strengthen the APC’s dominance and foster greater political stability in the state and the nation at large.

    He said: “What can be greater than the promise of this day. This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South region and barely in the history of this country.

    “A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.

    “The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly. So many members of the House of Representatives, the Governor and his entire cabinet, and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?

    “The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is, in fact, among those who once stood across from them.

    “This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.

    “This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today.

    “I want to pay special tribute to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor

    “Senator Okowa, you are indeed a great leader and Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him, for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader,” he said.

    “We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be apart.

    “What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity; it is our accepting that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.

    “Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances.

    “Your Excellencies, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the other great men and women, we welcome you to the APC today.

    “I bring them the warm assurance of His Excellency President Bola, Ahmed Tendul, GCFR, and all members of the APC.

    “Now that you have come we are all co-owners because according to the constitution of the party, the Governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state, this is now as much as your party as it is ours.

    “You have brought to us a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful.

    “This is a declaration that the strength of our great nation is alive, a spirit that brings your ambition, your party alliance and sees the larger set of history.

    “Nigeria is greater than all of us, and what we do here today is a step towards strengthening our promise. We welcome you, Your Excellency, not as defectors but as brothers and sisters who have found your rightful place amongst us.

    “We welcome you not as guests but as family, we welcome you as fellow architects of a better Nigeria and may this day be remembered not just by what it signifies today but for the enduring fraternity and vision of source for tomorrow.”

    Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the defection as a historic movement in the best interest of the state.

    He pledged to unify the party to ensure total victory for the party in the coming elections.

    “What you have seen here today is a movement, it’s not a defection, it’s a movement. We have done consultation with the National Assembly, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, at the senatorial level, at the local government level, at the ward level, and we all decided that we must all join.”

    “This is Delta state we cannot carry last, when we stand for something we remain committed to it, we have been in opposition for almost 10 years.

    “Do we need that? Mr. President has supported us, he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. The love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it.

    “We cannot do it in our own party. You have to be inside to do it, and to do it well. We have to do it at our party.

    “When you consult widely, you see everybody will come with you, and you can see that the love is organic, you can see my relationship with governors, you see all the governors here

    you see the large numbers of governors yesterday 9 came yesterday and slept today see all of them here I want to bless all of you. I want to thank all of you.

    This is a movement, this is not defection. We have agreed we will move together and when we move together, what is in the national we will be able to grab it.

    “Our members in the National Assembly they are all the next, they have agreed they will all defect on the floor of the house.  Mr Speaker and we have justification to move.

    “All of us want to be in the Renew Hope Agenda, which is in line with my MORE Agenda.

    “For us in Delta State, it’s a statement, and I believe other governors will join because it’s a movement, and when you have a movement, you don’t fail.

    “There are some things people say in the newspaper, that there is confusion, there is a faction.

    “As I have come, there will be no faction again. Let me tell you, APC is not like PDP. The Governor takes charge, and we are taking charge.

    “I don’t believe in any faction, everybody must queue and we will unite the party to move this state forward for the benefit of our people and to bring development, peace and unity to our state and Nigeria.”

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the cordial relationship between the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Ganduje said the National Working Committee of the party was highly impressed because of the cordial relationship existing between the predecessor and successor which, according to him, is very difficult see in the country.

    “So, we have to thank Dr. Okowa for that good relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important, which is accepting, welcoming, and also embracing the Governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.

    “Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidentally, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive Governor.

    “So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party; we believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self accountability and we thank you for coming in,” he said.

    Read Also: Shettima arrives Asaba to receive Oborevwori into APC fold

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the ceremony was quite historic and special in the life of the APC as a political party in Nigeria.

    Senator Uzodinma who disclosed that members of the APC were happy with the new political development in Delta State, said that the All Progressives Congress meant well for the country.

    “We are here to identify with you. We, therefore, urged all Deltans to continue to support their Governor as he consolidates on the achievements his administration has recorded so far,” he added.

    On his part, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, explained that the decision to change political direction was made for the common good and in the best interest of the state.

    “It was not about personal ambitions but the need to connect to Abuja, where significant goodwill and resources exist, especially since the state is a major contributor.

    Reflecting on his experience as a former governor in opposition, Okowa emphasised that while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is performing well, aligning with Abuja would strengthen his efforts.

    “After thorough consultations with stakeholders, it was clear that a bold, strategic, and patriotic move was necessary for the state’s future.”

    He stressed the importance of unity among all members, both old and new, encouraging everyone to embrace each other and work together with a shared purpose.

    He called for strong support for both the President and the Governor, believing that this unity would allow them to dominate the political landscape of Delta State. 

  • 2026: Adeleke not leaving PDP for APC, says forum of Osun commissioners, SAs

    2026: Adeleke not leaving PDP for APC, says forum of Osun commissioners, SAs

    The Osun State Executive Council has dismissed speculations that Governor Ademola Adeleke may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

    Speaking at a press conference held at the Government Secretariat, members of the Forum of Commissioners and Special Advisers reiterated their unwavering support for Governor Adeleke, declaring their commitment to his vision of taking Osun State to greater heights.

    Speaking on behalf of the 35 commissioners and special advisers, Barrister Dosu Babatunde said, “We express our total solidarity and unwavering support for the Governor of Osun State and leader of the PDP in the state, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.”

    Babatunde dismissed the rumours of mass defection, describing them as baseless and mischievous fabrications from opposition elements.

    “We read and heard with great consternation the many insinuations being mischievously bandied about by certain political quarters, particularly the opposition, about the looming mass defection of Executive Council members from the ruling PDP.

    “This is not only a political fallacy taken to the extreme but a careless and unguarded insinuation by the usual disgruntled members of the opposition,” he said.

    Read Also: We’ve not lost any genuine supporter of our project from 2022 to date — Adeleke

    He added that the people of Osun would once again demonstrate their support by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026.

    Responding to questions from journalists, Babatunde reaffirmed, “Governor Adeleke remains a PDP governor. Many other governors across Nigeria are applauding his developmental efforts in Osun State.

    “He is not moving to any other political party; it is even wicked to suggest such. We, the Executive Council members, are very close to him and have resolved to stay in the PDP and continue building it to greater heights. The Governor’s developmental strides will continue within the PDP.”

  • Foundation chief picks APC form for LCDA chair

    Foundation chief picks APC form for LCDA chair

    Olukayode David Ishola (ODI), national president of Jagaban Fans Club and Seyi Tinubu Grassroots Foundation, has picked All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form to contest for chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State.

    Speaking shortly after collecting of the form, ODI described his ambition as a people-driven mission. “This is not just a political aspiration. This is a people-centred mission,” he said.

    “ Bariga deserves transformational leadership – one that listens, one that acts, and one that delivers real impact across our communities.”

    Read Also: Minister urges institutes to develop climate-smart seeds

    “ I want to appreciate Seyi Tinubu for his support and President Bola Tinubu. They are behind me

    “While we seek a free and fair primary, I am confident that the election will be a beacon of transparency and fairness, empowering the most exceptional candidate to emerge and represent our party.”

    His campaign platform focuses on key development priorities. Recognised as a unifying figure, ODI has built a reputation for bridging diverse interest and mobilising grassroots support in the LCDA. His campaign theme: “Leadership with purpose,” aims to deliver bold, inclusive and sustainable policies that will unlock the potential of Bariga.

  • Shettima, Ganduje, APC govs storm Delta Monday to welcome Oborevwori, Okowa, others to APC 

    Shettima, Ganduje, APC govs storm Delta Monday to welcome Oborevwori, Okowa, others to APC 

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma, and twenty other APC governors, will on Monday formally welcome Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, into the ruling party.

    The Nation gathered that as of Sunday, 27, ten APC governors — including those of Imo, Cross River, Edo, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Yobe, Katsina, and Gombe states — had already arrived in Asaba, the Delta State capital, ahead of the event.

    More governors are expected to arrive on Monday to join the high-profile ceremony.

    Also present in Asaba are APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and former APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

    The defection ceremony is scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m. at the Cenotaph in Asaba, with the venue already adorned with fresh coats of paint and APC flags fluttering at strategic locations.

    Meanwhile, the leadership of Delta APC has urged members to welcome the influx of new members with open arms, describing it as a sign of consolidation and growth ahead of future elections.

    In a statement, APC State Publicity Secretary Valentine Onojeghuo hailed the defection as a “landmark event” that has “shattered the political firmament” of Delta State.

    The statement reads, “Marks a new dawn for the progressive family in Delta State and symbolizes unity, inclusivity and our collective commitment to the growth and development of our dear Delta State under the leadership and guidance of our amiable governor, H.E. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as he charts a new course for the destiny of the State through the M.O.R.E. agenda in conjunction with the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

    Read Also: Shettima champions Nigeria’s human capital drive at World Bank/IMF Spring meetings

    Former Deputy Senate President, Oharisi Ovie Omo-Agege also welcomed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the party.

    In a statement he personally signed, lauded President Tinubu’s “political sagacity and visionary leadership,” expressing gratitude also to the APC National Chairman and the National Working Committee for their steadfast support.

    He assured that all arising issues are being addressed “with prudence and foresight,” following thorough consultations with the APC national leadership, the Progressive Governors Forum, and local stakeholders.

    “This is a moment for unity, understanding, and a shared commitment to the progress of Delta State and Nigeria,” he stated, while calling on party members, executives, and supporters to storm Asaba on Monday, April 28, 2025, for a massive welcome rally.

    The defection, according to Omo-Agege, “reaffirms our commitment to progressive governance, promising a brighter future for our people and a more prosperous, secure, and united Nigeria.”

    The Executive Director (Business Development), NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete expressed excitement at the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    In welcoming Governor Oborevwori and several prominent PDP leaders, including former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, into the governing party, Okotete, a former APC National Woman Leader, said this development will not only strengthen the party but also enhance its chances of achieving greater success in the coming years, particularly in the South-South geopolitical zone and beyond.

    Okotete, in a statement, said: “This momentous decision marks not just a political transition, but a bold affirmation of vision, courage, and commitment to the development of Delta State through inclusive, progressive governance. Your Excellency, your entry into the APC is a powerful testament to our party’s rising influence and capacity to unite all well-meaning leaders under one formidable umbrella of growth and transformation.

    “As we welcome the Governor and all the PDP members in Delta state into our fold, I call on every APC member—leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots supporters alike—to embrace this new era with open arms and renewed purpose. Let us put aside all divisive tendencies and prioritize loyalty to the party, unity of purpose, and service-driven governance.

    “Our collective strength lies in our unity. And today, with Delta State now firmly aligned with the centre, we stand at the threshold of greatness. Together, let us consolidate our efforts towards the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, support the leadership of Governor Oborevwori, and ensure the continuous growth and dominance of the APC in every corner of our state.

    “A progressive Delta is not a dream—it is our present reality. Let us build it, protect it, and be proud of it”. 

    Recall that several APC leaders including Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo SAN, Delta APC Founding Leader, Olorogun Otega Emerhor; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Sen. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas; his Delta Central counterpart, Sen. Ede Dafinone have all welcomed the defection of the governor to the party.

    Also, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi hailed the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key member from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a bold and strategic move.

    In a statement by his media aide Mr.Ike Abiagom, Nwaoboshi said Delta State APC family welcomes Governor Oborevwori and other PDP leaders into its fold, describing their entry as a significant boost to the party’s strength and structure across the state.

    Nwaoboshi said the political realignment would bolster President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign. 

    He described the development as a game changer for Delta APC,and praised the governor’s bold decision to join the APC.

    He added it was a strategic step toward unity, progress, and the advancement of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    Nwaoboshi maintained that the defection signifies a turning point for governance and political collaboration in the state and urged all APC members to embrace the new entrants with open arms, stressing that unity within the party would be crucial for delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

    He said, “As you step into this new chapter with the APC, be assured of my unwavering support and that of many other progressives who believe in building bridges rather than walls. Together, we shall work to consolidate this momentum and build a Delta State that is not only united but strategically positioned to benefit immensely from its new alignment with the Federal Government.

    “We look forward to working together for the betterment of Delta State and in strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership.I urge all APC faithful to welcome Governor Oborevwori and incoming members with open arms.”

  • 2027 must not become north vs south battle, APC chieftain warns politicians

    2027 must not become north vs south battle, APC chieftain warns politicians

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Coordinator of the Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ) supporters group, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has cautioned ambitious politicians against turning the 2027 general elections into a war between the North and South.

    In a statement on Sunday, Alawuje stressed that any politician who places personal ambition above national unity is sowing seeds of discord among Nigerians.

    “As 2027 approaches, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. What we need is courage, sacrifice, and genuine love for this country — not selfish ambition or reckless political manoeuvring,” he said.

    “Let me make it clear: 2027 must not be turned into a war between North and South. Those who seek to sow such seeds of division are enemies of Nigeria’s progress.”

    Read Also: Nigeria’s annual nursing enrolment rises to 115,000 — FG

    “We must speak the hard truth, no matter whose pride it hurts. Silence in the face of looming danger would be a betrayal of our nation. I will not be silent. I say without hesitation: if any other political actor insists on prioritising personal ambition over national unity, they will be planting the kind of dangerous seeds that could haunt this nation for another thirty years, just like the painful memories of June 12. We cannot afford to repeat such a grave mistake.

    “By acting wisely today, we can secure a future where, by 2031, power can transit naturally, peacefully, and honourably. Only then can we rightfully tell any Southern aspirant: “Your time will come.” But if selfishness prevails now, there may be no peace to pass down tomorrow.

    “The reality is simple: by both moral and political understanding, leadership has already shifted toward the South after the North’s turn. Anyone attempting to bend this balance is not only selfish but dangerously shortsighted.

    “Nigerians, we must reject every agenda that places personal ambition above the collective good. We must rise above tribal, religious, and regional manipulations and protect the soul of our nation. If we fail to do so, we risk plunging Nigeria into another generation of chaos.

    “Let history record that when Nigeria’s destiny was at stake, we chose unity, justice, and selfless patriotism over ego and selfishness,” the statement said.

  • CPC bloc leaders reaffirm loyalty to APC, Tinubu at Adamawa meeting

    CPC bloc leaders reaffirm loyalty to APC, Tinubu at Adamawa meeting

    Prominent members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, which played a pivotal role in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC), have reiterated their unwavering loyalty to both the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

    At a meeting convened in Yola by CPC leaders from Adamawa and attended by representatives from Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi states, members of the CPC in APC expressed their continued support for the party and President Tinubu, aligning with the stance of the bloc’s leader, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his address, the convener and chairman of the Adamawa State CPC Bloc (in APC) Reunion meeting, Sen Ahmed Moallahyidi, urged all APC members, regardless of their origin, to rally behind President Tinubu and contribute to the success of his policies.

    Moallahyidi stated, “Our party, the APC, is still in power today under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu… If we allow internal disagreements or personal interests to divide us, we risk handing over our hard-earned mandate to the very opposition we worked so hard to defeat. We must rise above anger and impatience.”

    Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman (North East) and another key figure from the CPC, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the bloc’s full support for President Tinubu. “We, the members of the CPC bloc that joined the APC, are resolute. We have a leader in President Muhammadu Buhari. We look to him to give us direction. He has given the direction. He remains in the APC. So do all of us,” Salihu stated.

    “The CPC bloc in the APC is one hundred percent behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the APC. This is why we invited our brothers from Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba. All the leaders here came with the mandate of their people, and we are sharing the same view and same perspective.”

  • Edo APC chairman demands justice for murdered inspector

    Edo APC chairman demands justice for murdered inspector

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, Chief Jarret Tenebe, yesterday demanded justice over the gruesome murder on July 18, 2024 near Benin airport, of Police Inspector Onuh Akoh from No. 45, Police Mobile Force, Abuja.

    Tenebe, who spoke in Benin, the state capital, stated that he was compelled to alert the nation and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to a growing conspiracy of silence and protection around the killers of Akoh.

    The police inspector lost his life in an attack on the then reinstated Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and the then APC’s governorship candidate in Edo for the September 21, 2024 election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, now governor.

    The then Edo Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, who was present at Benin airport during the violent attack, where political thugs opened fire, resulting in the tragic death of Akoh, who was attached to Okpebholo, pledged to arrest, name, shame, and prosecute those responsible for the cowardly act, but he was later transferred out of Edo state.

    Edo chairman of APC said: “It is no coincidence that fifteen individuals who attended the factional Edo Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) stakeholders’ meeting, held on April 24, 2025 in Benin City, where Dr. Tony Aziegbemi (Edo Chairman of PDP) was at his best making wild and unsubstantiated claims, are the very same faces linked to the brutal murder of Inspector Akoh.

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    “These individuals have now resurfaced, attempting to rebrand themselves as political stakeholders, when they are in fact complicit in a crime that has shaken the conscience of Edo people.

    “We have it on good authority that these known non-state actors, armed and sponsored by the state government under the Godwin Obaseki-led junta, were directly involved in the killing. Since that tragic incident, they have been protected and shielded from justice. This deliberate obstruction of justice is not only a disservice to the memory of Inspector Akoh, but also a clear and present threat to democracy and law enforcement in Edo State and Nigeria.

    “The APC calls on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately order the arrest of these individuals who are currently being harboured in the homes of top PDP leaders across Edo State. The Police must not allow political influence to override the rule of law. Those who killed Inspector Akoh must be brought to justice without further delay.”

    Tenebe also demanded that the Nigeria police must rise above political interference and do the needful, with Edo residents, other Nigerians and the world watching, while declaring that justice for Akoh was not negotiable, and that anything short of swift and decisive action would amount to a betrayal of the oath to protect lives and uphold the law.

    Edo chairman of the governing party noted that it must be made clear that if the police continued to fail in this regard, the APC in the state would explore all lawful avenues to ensure that justice was served.

    Tenebe stated that he and other critical stakeholders owed it to the memory of Akoh, his family, and the good people of Edo state to stand firm against the alleged negligence by the Nigeria police.