Author: Gabby

Victor Ochei, who once served as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has officially stepped down from the All Progressives Congress (APC). His resignation was communicated through a formal letter directed at the party’s leadership.

In his correspondence, Ochei highlighted his extensive dedication to the APC, noting that he had been actively involved in strengthening the party long before many of its current leaders joined. He emphasized his contributions to expanding the party’s influence and mobilizing grassroots support across Delta State.

Ochei clarified that his decision to leave was not driven by animosity or resentment towards any individual. Instead, he described it as a strategic move to pursue a political path that aligns more closely with his vision for the future. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and urged them to remain committed to democratic values.

The former speaker did not specify his next political destination, leaving room for speculation as the 2027 general elections approach. His departure adds to a series of recent exits from the APC in Delta State, signaling potential shifts in the political landscape.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has issued a stern warning to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against engaging in anti-party activities, amid growing discontent over the conduct of the party’s primary elections.

Speaking during a Sallah homage reception with APC executives at the Government House in Yola on Thursday, Fintiri urged party members to prioritize unity and avoid actions that could undermine the party’s prospects in the 2027 general elections.

The governor’s admonition comes just one week after the primaries for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions, which many party members alleged were marred by imposition of candidates. This perception has fueled resentment among those who felt sidelined, echoing the disunity that contributed to the APC’s losses in the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in the state.

Fintiri emphasized that the candidates who emerged from the primaries were divinely chosen and expressed confidence in their ability to defeat opponents from other parties. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering political stability and ensuring that all APC candidates secure victory in the upcoming polls.

The state APC chairman, Alhaji Hamza Madagali, who led the executive team on the Eid al-Kabir visit, thanked Governor Fintiri for his role in overseeing the primaries and reaffirmed the party’s support for the governor’s leadership.

Fintiri called on all party members to work collectively for the party’s success and avoid any form of disloyalty that could jeopardize their chances in 2027.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the internal turmoil gripping the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the latter’s primaries, with a particular focus on Bayelsa State, which is the home base of NDC leader Senator Seriake Dickson. This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday by Comrade Felix Osuobene, National Coordinator of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Grassroots Agenda.

According to Osuobene, Dickson was observed celebrating the outcome of the APC primaries in the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, where Bernard Kenibai emerged as the party’s candidate. The disputes within the APC, including controversies over screening processes, disqualification of aspirants, and internal discord, have captured national attention. Opposition strategists believe these issues provide a significant political opportunity as the 2027 general elections approach.

Osuobene highlighted that opposition elements in the Sagbama/Ekeremor constituency of Bayelsa calculate that the APC has weakened itself in an area it cannot afford to lose. He noted that Dickson’s celebration of Kenibai’s emergence reflects a view that Kenibai will be an easier opponent to defeat. The controversy centers on the exclusion of Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara, an academic and technocrat with considerable grassroots and elite support, who was seen as the frontrunner.

Osuobene described this exclusion as a critical error by the APC, especially given President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the party field its strongest candidates in the 2027 elections. He outlined three pathways the NDC intends to exploit: voter apathy, silent defection, and propaganda. Voter apathy could arise if aggrieved APC stakeholders feel marginalized and refuse to mobilize for the party. Silent defection involves party loyalists who publicly stay with the APC but quietly deliver votes to the opposition. Propaganda benefits the NDC as it portrays itself as a cleaner alternative while the APC appears divided.

The statement emphasized that the stakes are high in the South-South region, where the APC has historically struggled to build unity. In Bayelsa, excluding a well-regarded local figure from the primary race reinforces perceptions of the APC as non-inclusive and undemocratic—perceptions the NDC is keen to amplify. Even if the APC leadership claims it acted within guidelines, the emotional reactions of supporters could lead to unintended political consequences. Osuobene concluded that the NDC is determined to turn every crack in the APC’s armor into a national conversation about the ruling party’s governance ahead of the elections.

Atiku Abubakar, the newly chosen presidential flagbearer for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming 2027 elections, has urged restraint among supporters, emphasizing that the victory is not yet complete. In a statement shared on his social media platform, the former Vice President called for unity and collective effort to challenge the current administration.

Addressing the party’s internal contests, Atiku stressed that no one lost because the ADC remains a unified front. He highlighted the critical need to recognize the serious challenges facing the nation. “This is not a moment for celebration; we must join forces to rescue our country from the damaging effects of corruption, incompetence, and division caused by the APC government,” he posted on X.

Atiku commended the ADC’s primary election committee for conducting peaceful, transparent, and fair primaries across the country. He thanked party leadership, stakeholders, volunteers, and members for their dedication and patience throughout the process. “With the primaries behind us, the real work begins now. We need to campaign vigorously to win the general election and start the difficult task of rescuing Nigeria and its suffering citizens from this government,” he added.

A governorship hopeful within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, has called on the party’s national hierarchy to either void the recently concluded governorship primary or formally acknowledge him as the victor.

Governor Hyacinth Alia emerged as the APC flagbearer after securing 367,786 votes. Other contenders included Terwase Orbunde with 3,247 votes and Kuraun with 2,923 votes.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Kuraun dismissed the primary outcome, arguing that the event lacked the integrity, openness, and equity expected from a major political party.

He claimed the process was rigged and did not reflect the authentic will of APC members across the 276 wards and 23 local government areas of the state.

Kuraun also asserted that among all aspirants, he was the only one who strictly adhered to APC’s pre-primary guidelines.

“Before the primary, I submitted a full list of my ward and local government agents to the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi, and it was formally received.

“As far as I know, no other aspirant provided such a comprehensive agents’ list covering all 276 council wards and 23 local government areas.

“Crucially, I was the sole aspirant whose agents were physically present and verifiably deployed across the field during the exercise. This is backed by extensive photographic and video evidence captured across the wards and local governments in Benue State.

“Our agents and supporters were visibly present, mobilized, and ready for the democratic process. They wore identification tags, coordinated party faithful, and awaited the distribution of election materials in anticipation of a credible exercise.

“Unfortunately, what transpired was deeply troubling,” he stated.

He alleged that election materials did not reach many designated ward centers, despite reports that they left Makurdi around 1:00 p.m. for distribution statewide.

“My agents and supporters across the 23 local government areas patiently waited at their respective ward centers for the election materials, which reportedly departed Makurdi at about 1:00 p.m. for onward distribution to the designated wards. However, in many instances, these materials never arrived at the approved ward centers for the conduct of the primary.

“Instead, reports and evidence later showed that the materials were taken away or found in the possession of certain government appointees and individuals outside the designated electoral process.

“This unfortunate situation created an opportunity for the diversion of election materials to unknown locations and opened the door for falsified results without actual voting taking place in many areas.

“I challenge anyone claiming victory in that exercise to publicly provide authentic video or pictorial evidence showing actual accreditation, voting, counting, and collation processes across the 276 council wards of Benue State,” he said.

Kuraun also revealed that he initiated the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism as per APC guidelines, but alleged that members of the appeal committee became unreachable when he tried to file his complaint.

“However, when it came time to formally submit my appeal before the Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee, the committee members became unavailable and could not be found anywhere, despite repeated efforts by myself, my representatives, and my legal team to reach them.

“I firmly believe this deliberate unavailability was intended to frustrate my constitutional and democratic right to seek redress within the party framework.

“Faced with this obstruction, I had no choice but to forward my appeal via DHL courier service to the National Chairman of the APC, with copies sent to the National Legal Adviser.

“The complaint was officially acknowledged at the National Chairman’s office on 25 May 2026. Regrettably, to date, I have not received any formal response or been invited for any meeting, hearing, or discussion concerning the complaint.

“On 27 May 2026, I sent a formal reminder and pre-action notice through my solicitors, again urging the party leadership to urgently address the complaint before the statutory timelines for pre-election matters expire,” he added.

The APC aspirant stressed that many party supporters turned out across the state hoping for a transparent primary process and warned against suppressing their participation through manipulation.

He therefore called on the APC National Working Committee to either conduct a fresh governorship primary under independent supervision or declare him the winner.

“Given the overwhelming irregularities, lack of transparency, denial of due process, and failure of the exercise to meet acceptable democratic standards, I respectfully call on the National Working Committee of the APC to:

“Cancel the purported governorship primary election conducted in Benue State on 21 May 2026 and conduct a fresh, transparent, and independently supervised primary election.

“Declare me, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, the valid winner of the primary election, based on the undisputed fact that I was the only aspirant who substantially complied with the party’s stipulated preparatory requirements, including the acknowledged submission and deployment of agents across all 276 council wards and 23 local government areas of Benue State, as well as the overwhelming turnout and visible participation of my supporters despite the failure of election materials to reach designated ward centers.

“Benue deserves credible leadership recruitment processes, not manufactured outcomes. Internal democracy remains the foundation upon which public democratic legitimacy rests. Once internal democracy collapses, governance itself becomes endangered,” he said.

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized Governor Alex Otti for naming the newly constructed Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti, who served as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Abia State during the 2023 general elections.

In a statement released on Thursday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, expressed displeasure over the decision, describing it as a dangerous precedent that could mislead future electoral officers posted to Abia for the 2027 elections. The APC argued that the governor should have honored notable Abia indigenes who have contributed to the state’s development instead of an electoral official.

The party questioned the rationale behind rewarding favorable electoral outcomes with state-sponsored recognition, stating, “We therefore ask, when did favourable electoral outcomes begin to attract rewards and state-sponsored recognition?”

The APC firmly rejected and condemned the naming of the bus terminal after Professor Oti, calling it undeserved, provocative, divisive, and embarrassing to the people of Abia State. The party maintained that immortalizing an electoral officer over proven builders of the state was inappropriate.

Concluding the statement, the APC urged Governor Otti to reconsider and reverse the decision to name the project after Professor Oti.

Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has formally joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defection occurred shortly after he lost the Delta Central senatorial primary election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on Thursday, Omo-Agege explained that his move followed extensive reflection, broad consultations, and honest dialogues with political allies, supporters, and key stakeholders throughout the country. He noted that a central theme emerged from these engagements: Deltans desire leadership that prioritizes listening, acts with integrity, and delivers tangible results.

Omo-Agege expressed gratitude to NDC leaders for reaching out, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas, Governor Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He emphasized that the NDC embodies principles of inclusion, accountability, grassroots participation, and true federalism—values he believes are essential for Delta State and Nigeria.

He declared his intention to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat under the NDC banner in 2027, asserting that his decision is not personal but a response to the mandate given to him in 2019 and the renewed call from his constituents for effective representation. He criticized the current state of governance in Delta State, pointing to poor roads, under-resourced health centers, overcrowded schools, and youth unemployment despite massive federal allocations.

Omo-Agege vowed to focus on securing fair federal projects, advocating for job creation, supporting small businesses, and improving healthcare and education. He called on youth and women to mobilize, register to vote, and use their Permanent Voter Cards as powerful tools for change. He stressed that the 2027 elections represent a defining moment to end the era of empty promises and return power to the people.

He concluded by urging all Deltans and Nigerians to unite under the NDC to reclaim the state and the nation, stating that the work begins now.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has unpacked the purpose behind his recent visit to Rotimi Amaechi, the ex-Minister of Transportation, at the latter’s home in Abuja. The conversation took place shortly after Atiku secured the ADC presidential nomination for the 2027 elections, triumphing over Amaechi and other contenders.

Atiku, who now flies the flag of the African Democratic Congress, shared on X that their talk revolved around Nigeria’s alarming challenges—soaring economic hardship, pervasive insecurity, and the collective duty of patriotic citizens to forge solutions. He emphasized the urgency of rescuing the country from its current state of drift and hopelessness.

During the warm and candid exchange, Atiku also extended birthday greetings to Amaechi, who had celebrated his birthday the previous day. Lightheartedly, he noted that Arsenal’s historic victory could not have been more timely, a jest that Amaechi, an avid Arsenal supporter, received with good humor.

In a touch of Rivers State hospitality, Amaechi apologized for not being able to prepare his signature Fisherman Soup, but promised to serve it when Atiku returns for another visit. The meeting underscores the ongoing political realignments as the 2027 general elections approach.