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  • Osun LG crisis deepens as APC, PDP clash over allocation of funds in 2026

    Osun LG crisis deepens as APC, PDP clash over allocation of funds in 2026

    The lingering crisis over the control of local governments in Osun State has deepened as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continue to trade claims of legitimacy, with the ‘reinstated’ APC-backed local government executives indicating readiness to allocate council funds in the 2026 fiscal year.

    The APC and PDP had been at loggerheads since February 10th, 2025, after the Appeal Court reinstated APC council executives who had been sacked by the Federal High Court in 2022. However, another election was held which the PDP won all the seats.

    Subsequently, APC and PDP had been laying claim to the control of the councils. But the Federal Government directed the APC chairmen to open accounts on behalf of the councils, whose allocations were paid into the accounts.

    The state government kicked against the move, saying that only civil servants should be signatories to the account of councils and not the APC ‘sacked’ executives nor any appointed treasurer.

    Meanwhile, the PDP council chairmen had presented their 2026 fiscal year budget before the Osun State House of Assembly, while the APC chairmen presented their budgets before the Local Government Legislative Council.

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    The APC factional Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, Hon. Abiodun Idowu, declared that there was no legal or administrative impediment preventing local government executives from accessing and utilising their statutory allocations from 2026 without interference from the Osun state governor.

    Efforts to speak with the media aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, were abortive as his phone number was not available as at the time of filing this report.

    A source, however, said: “We have a peculiar situation in Osun State. The PDP chairmen are the ones legally recognized executives, and Governor Adeleke is ready to give thema  free hand to operate, but APC illegality is affecting the implementation.”

  • Osun local govt crisis escalates as APC, PDP clash over 2026 budgets

    Osun local govt crisis escalates as APC, PDP clash over 2026 budgets

    The long-standing dispute over control of local governments in Osun State has intensified, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading claims of legitimacy, as the ‘reinstated’ APC-backed council executives signal readiness to access and allocate 2026 fiscal year funds.

    The tussle dates back to February 10, 2025, when the Appeal Court reinstated APC council executives who had been sacked by the Federal High Court in 2022. A subsequent election saw PDP winning all local government seats, yet both parties continue to assert control over the councils.

    The Federal Government directed APC chairmen to open accounts on behalf of the councils, into which allocations were deposited. 

    The Osun State government opposed this, insisting that only civil servants, not the APC ‘sacked’ executives or appointed treasurers, should be signatories to council accounts.

    In a further twist, PDP council chairmen have presented their 2026 budgets to the Osun State House of Assembly, while APC executives submitted theirs to the Local Government Legislative Council.

    Hon. Abiodun Idowu, APC factional Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, maintained that there is no legal or administrative barrier preventing local government executives from accessing and utilising statutory allocations for 2026, independent of the governor’s approval.

    Attempts to reach Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, were unsuccessful at the time of filing. 

    A government source, however, described the situation as “peculiar,” noting, “The PDP chairmen are the legally recognised executives, and Governor Adeleke is ready to give them a free hand to operate, but APC illegality is affecting the implementation.”

  • PDP may set up joint caretaker committee

    PDP may set up joint caretaker committee

    • ‘Saraki’s peace formula is solution’

    Concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have begun moves to broker peace between the two factions of the party.

    The peace move is said to be in accordance with the formula suggested by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    According to party sources, PDP leaders who are interested in averting uncertainties ahead of the 2027 polls have reached out to the factional leaders – Chief Nyesome Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Alhaji Saminu Turaki – to consider the option of withdrawing pending court cases and agree on a new national convention date.

    A source, who was privy to the proposed reconciliation deal, said: “The PDP has to return to the Saraki suggestion to restore sanity and survive.”

    From the beginning of the protracted crisis, Saraki had urged PDP leaders to manage their affairs in a way that they would not need to resort to litigation.

    The former Senate President, who also cautioned against factionalisation, had envisaged that going to court would stall the progress and unity of the party.

    Saraki said factions would only play into the hands of the foes plotting the party’s future electoral downfall.

    He also advised the gladiators that the leaders should manage the party to get to the National Convention, where they can fix all the issues, review the constitution, and chart the way forward.

    Also, a Lagos chieftain of the PDP, who decried the neglect of Saraki’s advice, said party elders were trying to bring the two camps into amity.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Six Rivers PDP Reps defect to APC

    He said: “The party leaders did not listen. They pushed the matter until there are resultant court cases and factions. With the litigations, Saraki advised that the best move is to stop the convention and set up a caretaker committee that will be used to resolve all the issues and reconcile the various factions and groups.

    “Still, the feuding parties refused to listen, and they went to hold a convention that has now become an exercise in futility. With the decision of the INEC, the PDP has now become a flock of sheep without shepherds, a ship without a captain.”

    The party elder added: “The next move is to return to the Saraki formula. As the former governor of Kwara State has counselled, the leaders should not wait for the court to give judgment in any of the cases.

    “The party leaders should move among themselves and start talking about resolving the disagreements. I am happy about the latest peace effort.”

  • APC chieftain to PDP: resolve your differences or merge with ADC

    APC chieftain to PDP: resolve your differences or merge with ADC

    A former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve its internal wrangling or merge with the All Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Aliyu, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), gave the advice yesterday in an interview on a national television programme.

    “I call on my brothers and sisters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to put their acts together. In my opinion, the Peoples Democratic Party should merge with the African Democratic Congress,” he said.

    Aliyu noted that if the PDP was truly “dying,” one way to revive it is by merging with the ADC.

     “The way things are going, either amongst themselves they don’t come together to concede, some concession is needed, if they truly want democracy in this country to thrive,” he said.

    The APC chieftain emphasised that some of them need to concede certain things so that the Peoples Democratic Party can come back.

    “Honestly, it’s sad in this country that the Peoples Democratic Party looks to be dying, and I hope the African Democratic Congress gets its act together too, and we need vibrant opposition because we need to oppose the government so that the people will get the best of the system,” he said

    Aliyu said it is not in the place of the APC to make the opposition parties come together.

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    “Remember the All Progressives Congress is a conglomeration of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and so on,” Aliyu said.

    “However, they came together and formed the All Progressives Congress. So, if the Peoples Democratic Party is dying, why can they go on my advice and join the African Democratic Congress?

    “Those in the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party are respected Nigerians. We respect them. These are people who have contributed in one way or the other for the growth of this country,” Aliyu said.

    The APC chieftain said the ruling party was not afraid of any opposition because “the country belongs to all of us and not to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

    He added: “It does not belong to him, not to you, but it belongs to all of us.”

    His comment comes on the heels of defections of key PDP stalwarts, including governors, National Assembly members, and others to the APC.

    The main opposition party is also embroiled in a crisis, with two factions laying claims to the leadership of the party, which ruled Nigeria from 1999 to 2015.

  • PDP may set up caretaker committee 

    PDP may set up caretaker committee 

    …Two factions consider Saraki’s peace formula 

    Concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have commenced moves to broker peace between the two factions in accordance with the peace formula suggested by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. 

    According to party sources, party leaders who are interested in averting uncertainties ahead of the 2027 polls have reached out to the factional leaders – Chief Nyesome Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Alhaji Saminu Turaki – to consider the option of withdrawing pending court cases and agree on a new national convention date. 

    A source, who is a party to the proposed reconciliation deal, said, “PDP has to return to the Saraki suggestion to restore sanity and survive.”

    From the beginning of the protracted crisis, Saraki had urged PDP leaders to manage their affairs such that they would not need to resort to litigation.

    The former Senate President, who also cautioned against factionalisation, had envisaged that going to court would stall the progress and unity of the party. 

    Saraki said factions would only play into the hands of foes plotting their future electoral downfall. 

    He also advised that the leaders should manage the party to get to the National Convention, where they can now fix all the issues, review the constitution, and chart the way forward.

    Also, a Lagos party chieftain, who lamented the neglect of Saraki’s advice, said party elders are trying to bring the two camps into amity.

    He said, “The party leaders did not listen. They pushed the matter until there were resultant court cases and factions. With the litigations, Saraki advised that the best move is to stop the convention and set up a caretaker committee that will be used to resolve all the issues and reconcile the various factions and groups.

    “Still, the feuding parties refused to listen, and they went to hold a convention that has now become an exercise in futility. With the decision of INEC, PDP has now become a flock of sheep without shepherds. A ship without a captain.” 

    According to the party elder, “the next move is to return to the Saraki formula. As the former governor of Kwara State has counselled, the leaders should not wait for the court to give judgment in any of the cases.”

    He added, “The party leaders should move among themselves and start talking about resolving the disagreements. I am happy about the latest peace effort.”

  • PDP may set up caretaker committee

    PDP may set up caretaker committee

    • …Two factions consider Saraki’s peace formula

    Concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have commenced moves to broker peace between the two factions in accordance with the peace formula suggested by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    According to party sources, party leaders who are interested in averting uncertainties ahead of the 2027 polls have reached out to the factional leaders – Chief Nyesome Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Alhaji Saminu Turaki – to consider the option of withdrawing pending court cases and agree on a new national convention date.

    A source, who is a party to the proposed reconciliation deal, said, “PDP has to return to the Saraki suggestion to restore sanity and survive.”

    From the beginning of the protracted crisis, Saraki had urged PDP leaders to manage their affairs such that they would not need to resort to litigation.

    The former Senate President, who also cautioned against factionalisation, had envisaged that going to court would stall the progress and unity of the party.

    Saraki said factions would only play into the hands of foes plotting their future electoral downfall.

    He also advised that the leaders should manage the party to get to the National Convention, where they can now fix all the issues, review the constitution, and chart the way forward.

    Also, a Lagos party chieftain, who lamented the neglect of Saraki’s advice, said party elders are trying to bring the two camps into amity.

    He said, “The party leaders did not listen. They pushed the matter until there were resultant court cases and factions. With the litigations, Saraki advised that the best move is to stop the convention and set up a caretaker committee that will be used to resolve all the issues and reconcile the various factions and groups.

    “Still, the feuding parties refused to listen, and they went to hold a convention that has now become an exercise in futility. With the decision of INEC, PDP has now become a flock of sheep without shepherds. A ship without a captain.”

    According to the party elder, “the next move is to return to the Saraki formula. As the former governor of Kwara State has counselled, the leaders should not wait for the court to give judgment in any of the cases.”

    He added, “The party leaders should move among themselves and start talking about resolving the disagreements. I am happy about the latest peace effort.”

  • Council funds: PDP accuses Fed Govt of double standard

    Council funds: PDP accuses Fed Govt of double standard

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused the Federal Government of playing double standard in the release of local government funds.

    It queried why the Federal Government would continue to release allocations to unelected local government administrators in Edo State, but withheld allocations to councils in Osun State on grounds of legitimacy.

    State Chairman of PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, who spoke at a news briefing in Benin City, said elected chairmen in Edo State were forcibly removed through executive action and not by any lawful or constitutional process.

    He said seven local governments had obtained valid and subsisting judgments of the High Court restoring their elected chairmen, but Governor Monday Okpebholo refused to obey the courts.

    Said he: “These local governments are: Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon, Akoko-Edo, Etsako West and Etsako Central.

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    “This illegality becomes even more dangerous when compared with Osun State, where the Federal Government withheld allocations on the grounds of legitimacy, yet continues to release funds in Edo State to unelected local government administrators, despite clear court judgments.

    “This contradiction exposes a deliberate double standard and a broader APC strategy to weaponise federal institutions against opposition-controlled states. This is playing with fire.”

    Aziegbemi said there was no evidence of huge allocations to the state and no corresponding improvement in infrastructure.

    “No visible expansion of social services. No renewal of public institutions. No measurable uplift in the lives of ordinary Edo people.

    ‘’Roads are deteriorating, not improving. Public utilities are struggling. Local government areas are functionally paralysed. Basic governance is absent.

    “This stark disconnect between massive federal allocations and negligible outcomes raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, value for money, and the priorities of the current administration.”

    Reacting, Edo Commissioner for Communication and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said Edo PDP members behaved like sheep without shepherd.

    He said the Edo PDP were crying because the state feeding bottle had been removed from their well salivated mouth, and are now coming to the reality that Edo State is now beyond their grip.

    “What local government administration are they talking about? The ones that were handpicked in a most monstrous selection process during the infantile years of Godwin Obaseki?

    “We are too busy cleaning up their mess, that one will not have the time to make such ripostes.”

  • PDP faction dissolves executive committees in 14 states

    PDP faction dissolves executive committees in 14 states

    The Nyelsom Wike/Samuel Anyanwu-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the State Working Committees (SWCs) of the party in 14 states.

    The states are Borno, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobi, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Delta, Taraba, Kano, and Lagos.

    In a communique at the end of its National Working Caretaker Committee, the faction also announced January 9 as the date for the conduct of state congresses of the faction, adding that a date for the national convention will be announced later.

    The faction dismissed claims by the Tanimu Turaki led faction of its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the claim as false.

     Insisting that the party remains strong and indivisible, the communique said the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led remains the only genuine and legitimate PDP.

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    The faction announced Prof Adenike Ogunse as Women Leader, Deji Doherty as Deputy National Secretary, Senator Olaka Ogunwu as Treasurer, Jungu Haruna Mohammed as Publicity Secretary and Amb Ibrahim Bala-Aboki as the Youth Leader.

    But the Turaki-led faction blamed the opposition party’s woes on the government, which it accused of normalising absurdity.

    A statement by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said: “It is common knowledge that since the beginning of this APC/Tinubu-led administration, things that were previously considered absurd have become normal and are unabating.”

    The PDP scribe demanded a probe into an allegation by a  House member Abdussamad Dasuki that the is disparity in the version of the Tax Act enacted by lawmakers and the one signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    It urged the government to delay the law’s takeoff billed for January by at least six months.

    The statement reads: “We call on the APC-led federal government to prioritise governance over politics. It should intensify investment in critical infrastructure in the areas of security, education, roads, and health care across the country.”

  • PDP faction dissolves 14 state executives as Turaki group attacks APC govt 

    PDP faction dissolves 14 state executives as Turaki group attacks APC govt 

    The Nyelsom Wike/Samuel Anyanwu led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the State Working Committee of the party in 14 states of the federation.

    The states are Borno, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobi, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Delta, Taraba, Kano, and Lagos.

    In a communique at the end of its National Working Caretaker Committee, the faction also announced January 9, as the date for the conduct of state congresses of the faction, adding that a date for the national convention will be announced later.

    The faction dismissed claims by the Tanimu Turaki led faction of its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the claim was false.

    While saying that the party remains strong and indivisible, the communique said there is only one genuine and legitimate PDP, headed by Honorable Abdulrahman Mohammed.

    The faction announced Professor Adenike Ogunse as Women Leader, Engineer Deji Dohaty as Deputy National Secretary, Senator Olaka Ogunwu as Treasurer, Jungu Haruna Mohammed as Publicity Secretary and Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki as the youth leader. 

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    Meanwhile, the Tanimu Turaki led faction accused the government of normalising absurdity in the country.

    A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said, “It is common knowledge that since the beginning of this APC-led administration, things that were previously considered absurd have become normal and are unabating. 

    “A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, drew public attention to the disparity between the version of the Tax Act enacted by the parliament and the gazetted copy. 

    “This disparity must be comprehensively investigated and not treated with the customary levity that this administration has shown toward very serious issues of governance. Nigerians are interested in knowing how the insertions and substitutions got into the gazetted copy.  

    “The leadership of the House of Representatives must not attempt to sweep it under the carpet, as it has done with the now popular rumour that the country is operating two budgets within a fiscal year. 

    “Consequently, we demand that the commencement date of the tax Act be shifted from January 1, 2026, for at least six months to allow sufficient time for the investigation of this anomaly, publication and circulation of the enacted version, and more importantly, the mounting of sufficient enlightenment campaigns on the new Act.”

  • I was abandoned by PDP – Fubara

    I was abandoned by PDP – Fubara

    …says ‘I didn’t think twice before defecting to APC’ 

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abandoned him during a challenging period, which resulted in his six-month suspension from office. 

    He also described his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the easiest political decisions he has ever made.

    Fubara made the remarks to journalists following his maiden visit to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday night.

    Reflecting on his departure from the PDP, the governor said he has no regrets, noting that the opposition party was largely absent during his trials. 

    “If I have to be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn’t. Whatever I suffered during the political crisis, 90 percent of it was imposed on me by the party,” he said. He humorously added that during the crisis, he felt neither inside nor outside the party, describing himself as “at the balcony.”

    On joining the APC, Fubara described the move as simple and motivated by gratitude. “I think my transition was one of the easiest things I have done in my life. Showing appreciation and gratitude is easy,” he said. 

    He added that his defection was aimed at supporting President Tinubu and collaborating with other progressives to develop Rivers State and Nigeria at large, calling the decision straightforward given his political journey.

    On his visit to Muhammadu Buhari House, Fubara said, “I can’t belong to a house without first coming into the house and understanding how it is arranged. I felt it would be proper for me to visit the national secretariat to familiarise myself with the members and the operations. This way, when I come here next time, it won’t feel as if I am a new person.”

    “So, I am here to assure you that I have come in, and we will work together to ensure that this party becomes greater than it is. The greatness we all desire from this party is the success of Mr. President. We cannot grow or expand if Mr. President is not succeeding. I can assure you that we are already showing evidence of success in my state through what we are delivering and the number of people affirming their support,” he said.

    Assuring members of the NWC of his commitment to the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor said, “Because you (NWC members) are standing with Mr. President, we are now standing with Mr. President. On behalf of the good people of Rivers State, my supportive members of the National Assembly, and members of the State Assembly who are with us, I can assure you that your new home is Rivers State,” he said. 

    APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, expressed happiness over the defection of the governor to the party.

    Yilwatda, who was represented by the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said, “I will say that, as a party, we are very happy that you have decided to join because, with your orientation, you are progressive and true, and, of course, you complete the circle for us in the South-South region.

    “The geopolitical zone is the first that is completely APC. For people who are political watchers, if you have the South in any political party, I think the strength and the energy of that political party are more than half the power.

    “So we are very confident that you are joining our party. The strength of our party, if it was at Power 15 before, it is now much better—it has become Power 100,” he said.

    The governor, who arrived at the secretariat at about 6:50 pm, to the waiting hands of the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Welfare Secretary, Hon. Donatus Nwapa, and Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), was also at hand to receive the governor. 

    Clad in a white kaftan and a black cap, the governor told the National Secretary, “I am supposed to join the Progressive Governors meeting, but I feel I should come here before the meeting.”