Category: News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has made public the roster of individuals vying for Senate seats who have been disqualified from taking part in the party’s primary elections.

According to a statement from Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the list was released to inform party members and the public about the outcome of the screening process.

In the statement, Morka explained that the screening was carried out by the party’s designated committees, strictly following the laid-down rules and procedures.

The APC urged all aspirants and their supporters to remain calm and respect the decisions made, emphasizing that the process was transparent and fair.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidacy for Ekiti Central ahead of the 2027 elections, running unopposed in the party’s screening process.

His nomination was confirmed in a list of approved senatorial aspirants for Ekiti State released by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Arugungu.

Other cleared candidates for the Ekiti South district include Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, former Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi, and Bamidele Faparusi. For Ekiti North, the party approved Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Senator Ayo Arise, Oladipupo Bamisaye, and Chief Oluwadare Owolabi.

This marks Bamidele’s third consecutive term as the APC flagbearer for Ekiti Central, following his initial victory in 2019 when he defeated incumbent Fatimat Raji-Rasaki in a competitive primary. He also clinched the ticket uncontested in 2023, a feat attributed to his strong legislative record, constituency service, and oversight duties.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the Senate, has accused state authorities of manipulating the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election. He claims that the panel tasked with overseeing the primaries has been taken captive by agents loyal to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

In a statement released by his campaign director, Ekene Kerry, Nwoko asserted that government officials are working to block his re-election bid. He specifically pointed to Okowa, who recently joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the mastermind behind the alleged scheme.

The campaign organization highlighted that state government appointees are reportedly serving as returning officers at ward and local government levels, manipulating results to favor Okowa. They also warned that supporters of Nwoko face threats of violence, but vowed not to be intimidated.

Nwoko’s team recalled that during the 2023 elections, Okowa lost Delta State to the Labour Party while Nwoko won his senatorial race. They argued that the people have already rejected Okowa and will do so again. The campaign called on the APC national leadership and security agencies to intervene and ensure a free and fair primary.

“Our supporters must not be cowed. They should come out peacefully and vote for Senator Ned Nwoko,” the statement concluded.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the list of senatorial aspirants who did not pass the party’s screening exercise, and former Senator Ben Murray Bruce is among those named. According to DAILY POST, the APC on Monday published the names of candidates who will not be participating in the party’s Senate primary elections, scheduled to take place across the country on Monday.

Bruce, a former lawmaker representing Bayelsa East, is joined on the list by other aspirants from Bayelsa West and Bayelsa East districts. Specifically, Donald Daunemigita (Bayelsa West), Ben Murray Bruce (Bayelsa East), and Benson S. Agadaga (Bayelsa East) were all disqualified.

This development means these aspirants cannot proceed to the next stage of the nomination process unless the screening committee reviews or reconsiders their cases. The APC primary elections are set to hold as scheduled, and the party has yet to announce whether there will be an appeal process for those affected.

A prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Daniel Onjeh, has announced his exit from the Benue South APC senatorial primary scheduled for the 2027 general elections. Onjeh disclosed this decision through a video statement made public on Monday, attributing his withdrawal to what he termed the ‘undemocratic nature’ of the primary process.

The former senatorial candidate described the move as tough yet unavoidable, given recent developments within the party in Benue South. ‘As promised, I have been keeping you informed about the Benue South APC senatorial primary. Now, I have arrived at a difficult but well-considered decision,’ he stated.

Onjeh, who identifies as a founding member of the APC in Benue South, highlighted his instrumental role in establishing the party in the region. He recounted his efforts during the party’s early days, which included mobilizing support and financing registration activities following the merger that formed the APC from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). ‘I traveled from village to village, engaging with okada riders, farmers, and everyday citizens. I spread the party’s message with the zeal of a Jehovah’s Witness. That is how we built the APC in Benue South,’ he recalled.

The APC stalwart expressed disappointment that his dedication and contributions to the party’s progress seemed undervalued. ‘Despite previous plots and intrigues against me, I stayed loyal to the party due to my commitment to its advancement. Regrettably, it now feels like all those sacrifices have been overlooked,’ he added.

Onjeh also mentioned ongoing discussions about his next political steps but confirmed that he would not take part in the Benue South APC senatorial primary. ‘I formally announce my withdrawal from the Benue South Senatorial Primary because of the undemocratic conduct that has marked the process,’ he declared.

The Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his role in preventing internal conflicts before the party’s primaries, attributing the peaceful atmosphere to his consistent efforts in reconciliation and consensus-building across the state.

Speaking to journalists in Minna, APC Publicity Secretary Musa Sarkinkaji revealed that the governor and party leaders held numerous late-night meetings with aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders to forestall divisions that could have weakened the ruling party. “Governor Bago and the party leadership spent many sleepless nights working to reconcile aspirants, ensuring that primaries across Niger State were peaceful and credible. Their timely intervention helped avert crises and facilitated consensus in several key districts,” Sarkinkaji stated.

According to him, these interventions successfully eased tensions in major senatorial zones, leading to consensus agreements that circumvented the need for fiercely contested elections in certain areas. Specifically, in the Niger North Senatorial District, aspirants voluntarily stepped down to support Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, enabling the district to adopt an affirmation process rather than a competitive primary. Similarly, reconciliation in Zone B allowed Senator Sani Musa to continue unopposed via affirmation.

The APC spokesman confirmed that both Niger East and Niger North senatorial districts would now conduct affirmation exercises as a direct outcome of the governor’s reconciliatory moves. He noted that the party had over 100 aspirants vying for House of Assembly tickets across the state, a scenario that could have sparked serious internal disagreements without the prompt intervention of the governor and party executives.

Sarkinkaji pointed out that the only remaining contentious issue was in the Niger South Senatorial District, where multiple aspirants declined to step down despite several rounds of negotiations. In response, Governor Bago directed that the district proceed with open primaries, emphasizing that delegates must be free to choose the party’s candidate through transparent voting. “Although consensus proved elusive in Niger South due to the high number of aspirants, the governor insisted that delegates decide via transparent voting. The APC remains dedicated to free, fair, and peaceful primaries,” Sarkinkaji added.

He assured party members that strict measures have been implemented to guarantee the integrity of primaries in affected areas. Election officials were selected from within the districts to enhance trust and credibility. Sarkinkaji also cautioned against spreading rumors that could cause confusion or tension during the primaries, particularly concerning House of Representatives elections. He reaffirmed that the APC leadership in Niger State remains committed to unity, stability, and internal democracy as the 2027 political season approaches.

Violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Ondo State on Monday, as gunshots rang out across multiple wards in the Ondo Central Senatorial District. Suspected political thugs stormed the venues, causing chaos and endangering lives.

The attackers, believed to be backers of a rival aspirant, targeted Ward 5 Okelisa on Amudipe Street in Akure, the state capital. There, they assaulted supporters of the incumbent senator, Adeniyi Adegbomire, who is also vying for the party’s ticket.

Adegbomire had a narrow escape after his vehicle was struck by gunfire. Security personnel swiftly whisked him away from the scene as bullets flew. The thugs fired indiscriminately into the air and also shot at the senator’s car, leaving visible bullet marks.

Journalists covering the event, pupils from Ebenezer Primary School, and local traders were forced to flee for safety as the gunfire intensified. The assailants also wielded machetes, attacking voters and disrupting the vote-counting process at the ward.

Speaking to reporters, Adegbomire condemned the incident, calling it a deliberate sabotage. He claimed that the process was leaning in his favor before the thugs intervened. According to him, his supporters were being counted, and he had around 360 backers, while the other aspirants had fewer. When it became evident that he was leading, the thugs invaded.

Adegbomire alleged that the thugs were deployed to prevent his supporters from accessing the polling stations. He reported that similar attacks were occurring across the senatorial district, with his supporters being turned away and told to go home if they weren’t voting for a particular candidate. He accused the opposition of using hired thugs to intimidate voters.

In a significant political development, the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has been affirmed as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Borno South senatorial election scheduled for 2027. This announcement came in a statement issued on Monday, after Ndume was returned unopposed via an affirmation process during the party’s primary held in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Ndume’s emergence as the consensus candidate followed the voluntary withdrawal of his primary challenger, Abdullahi Askira, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly. Askira stepped down last month after extensive consultations and appeals from party leaders within the district, prioritizing party unity over personal ambition.

With this ticket, Ndume is poised for a potential fifth term in the National Assembly if he wins the 2027 general elections. The lawmaker expressed gratitude to APC stakeholders, delegates, and party faithful in Borno South for their trust in him to continue representing their interests. He specifically commended Askira for his loyalty and decision to drop his aspiration in deference to the party’s leadership.

Ndume stated, ‘I want to thank our elders in the Borno South Senatorial District for their unwavering support. I assure them that I will always promote their interests. I must commend Hon. Askira, who heeded the appeals of party leaders and stepped down. His loyalty is exemplary.’ He also called for continued unity and collaboration among party members as Nigeria gears up for the general elections.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, has called on opposition parties to adopt the All Progressives Congress (APC) approach to credible competition and internal polls. She maintained that the APC has set a benchmark for democratic conduct within its ranks.

Afuye noted that reports from across the country highlighting the peaceful and credible outcomes of the APC senatorial and House of Representatives primaries demonstrate the party’s unwavering dedication to internal democracy and political integrity. She made these remarks in Ikere Ekiti after voting at Atiba/Aafin Ward during the APC senatorial primary for Ekiti South Senatorial District on Monday.

Key contenders in the Ekiti South senatorial race include the incumbent senator and Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi; and former House of Representatives member, Bamidele Faparusi.

Following the primary, Afuye commended party members for their orderly conduct and urged all candidates to accept the election results gracefully. She emphasized the need for contenders to avoid inflammatory remarks that could incite their supporters to violence or disrupt the state’s peace.

She acknowledged that a few concerns were raised during the House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, describing them as part of the democratic process. She assured that the party would review these matters and take appropriate action to address members’ grievances.

Afuye praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for remaining neutral during the primary and for rejecting the practice of name-dropping by some candidates. She stated, “No political process is entirely flawless. When issues arise, the party has mechanisms to handle them. The APC is a party of justice and fairness. No one will be cheated in this primary.”

She added, “Governor Oyebanji has shown neutrality. He respects the people’s will over imposition. Whatever happens in this primary should be seen as a family matter. Infighting is counterproductive. Losing today doesn’t mean you can’t win tomorrow. Those who win should embrace others. That’s the essence of democracy.”

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially revealed the winners of its House of Representatives primary elections held across the state on Saturday.

Philip Shaibu, who chaired the Ogun State APC National Assembly Primary Elections Committee, announced the outcomes at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta after collating reports from various federal constituencies.

In Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Funmi Efuwape emerged as the party’s flagbearer. For Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Olumide Osoba secured the nomination.

Moruf Afuape clinched the ticket for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, while Toyin Taiwo won in Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency.

The committee further declared Olanrewaju Bashorun as the winner for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, and Adijat Adeleye as the candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency.

In Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency, Joseph Adegbesan emerged victorious, and Razaq Dadah obtained the ticket for Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency.

Gboyega Isiaka was also named the winner of the primary election for Imeko Afon/Yewa North Federal Constituency.

The party confirmed that the results followed the successful conduct of primaries across the affected constituencies in the state.