Category: News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a statement to dispel any misconceptions regarding the necessity of membership dues for participation in its ongoing primary elections. According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the requirement to provide evidence of paid membership fees applies only to aspirants and their nominators during the submission of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, as well as during the screening process.

In a press release on Saturday in Abuja, Morka emphasized that all duly registered party members are eligible to vote in the primaries without needing to show proof of payment of membership dues. The party urges members and stakeholders to disregard any contrary information and to allow all registered members to participate peacefully in the exercise without hindrance.

Jamila Mani, the Special Assistant on Girl Child Education and Development to the Katsina State Governor, has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency. The primary election took place on Saturday as part of the party’s National Assembly primaries leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Mani secured a commanding victory over her closest opponent, Ahmed Saleh, by amassing 24,989 votes against Saleh’s 1,256 votes. This decisive win underscores her strong support within the constituency.

Meanwhile, in other constituencies across Katsina State, the APC conducted its primaries through affirmation following a consensus reached among stakeholders earlier. The party is currently holding House of Representatives primaries in various states in preparation for the 2027 polls.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Husaini Isah Mai Riga, has called on security agencies to step up their efforts to protect citizens following recent violent incidents in two local government areas. The attacks, carried out by armed men in the Yankamaye community of Tsanyawa LGA and the Lakwaya community of Gwarzo LGA, have raised concerns about public safety.

In a statement released on Saturday, Mai Riga stressed that safeguarding lives and property should be the government’s foremost concern. The statement, issued by his Personal Assistant and Media Director Adam Said Adam, was shared on the party’s Facebook page. The NDC chairman emphasized that the protection of citizens is a fundamental duty that demands the government’s unwavering focus, as it remains one of the populace’s most urgent needs.

Mai Riga also expressed his condolences to those affected by the attacks and offered prayers for the deceased. The statement added that the chairman prayed for continued divine protection over the lives and property of Kano State residents, asking God to keep the state safe from all forms of evil.

Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with Victor Giadom, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-South region, have arrived in Rivers State. Their visit is aimed at overseeing the ongoing primaries for the House of Representatives being conducted by the party.

They are accompanied by prominent political figures, including OK Chinda, an APC governorship aspirant in Rivers, and Kelechi Nwogu, a member of the House of Representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). All aspirants taking part in these primaries are known to be loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In most federal constituencies, consensus has already been reached; however, direct primaries have been adopted as the method for selecting candidates in other areas. This development comes shortly after the release of the final list of screened aspirants for the House of Representatives. According to the list, three loyalists of Governor Fubara were disqualified, while seven allies of Wike were cleared to contest.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State has officially launched the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants aiming to contest the upcoming elections on the party’s platform.

Dr. Effiong Nyong, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, has become the first aspirant to publicly announce his intention to run, signaling his interest at the party’s secretariat in Calabar over the weekend.

In a media chat, Nyong confirmed that he has met all prerequisites for participation, emphasizing the need for the party to field only qualified, credible, and marketable candidates as it prepares for the general elections.

He asserted that the ADC is strategically positioning itself as a viable alternative for governance in Cross River State, citing the poor performance of the current All Progressives Congress administration as a key motivator.

Nyong stressed that the ADC is committed to addressing the shortcomings of the present government and restoring effective leadership in the state. He also ruled out any form of political negotiations or alliances that might compromise the party’s core objectives.

The governorship hopeful reiterated the party’s dedication to providing transparent leadership and driving sustainable development across Cross River State.

Meanwhile, the party’s State Secretary, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, announced that the form sales cover all elective positions, including seats in the National Assembly and the Cross River State House of Assembly.

Ejah described the exercise as a critical milestone in the party’s electoral preparations, reaffirming the ADC’s focus on presenting credible and people-oriented candidates. He assured party members that the process would be transparent and inclusive for all qualified aspirants.

“The ADC stands for a new era of politics built on integrity, competence, and service to the people,” Ejah said. “We encourage capable and committed sons and daughters of Cross River State to take advantage of this opportunity to offer themselves for leadership.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State is engulfed in a deepening crisis as party leaders struggle to forge a consensus for elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections. The push for a unified candidate has met with significant resistance, particularly in the governorship race, revealing stark divisions among key stakeholders.

At the heart of the conflict is Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, who seeks a second term under the APC banner. His ambition is being vigorously challenged by two notable aspirants: philanthropist Chief David Sabo Kente and former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo. These challengers have refused to endorse the consensus arrangement pushed by the state leadership, insisting on a transparent primary process.

In a bid to ease tensions, Governor Kefas held a late-night closed-door meeting with Chief Kente on Friday. Sources indicate the discussions aimed at reconciling aggrieved factions and persuading Kente to support the consensus bid. This meeting came shortly after Kente publicly declared his candidacy in Wukari, denouncing earlier backroom overtures and calling for a credible selection process.

Meanwhile, former Minister Sambo has remained steadfast against the consensus approach, advocating for direct primaries to ensure fairness. He has been rallying party members across all 168 electoral wards of the state, building grassroots support for his own candidacy. Political observers note that the outcome of negotiations between Kefas and Kente will likely determine whether the Taraba APC remains united or slides into a fractious and unpredictable primary contest.

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially acknowledged that former House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda is a bonafide member of the party. This confirmation comes amid widespread speculation regarding his reported defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his involvement in the APC’s governorship screening process.

Chibuike Ikenga, the APC’s Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, made this known while fielding questions about Chinda’s entry into the governorship race under the APC banner. Chinda’s emergence as an aspirant on the APC platform has generated significant buzz, particularly given his recent prominence in the PDP and his role as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.

Addressing the controversy in an interview with Daily Post, Ikenga stated unequivocally that Chinda has met all membership requirements of the APC. He emphasized that the party’s constitution permits any Nigerian to join at any time, including those seeking elective offices.

“He is a member of the APC,” Ikenga asserted.

Explaining the procedure for late entrants, the APC spokesperson noted that aspirants who join close to an election period can apply for a waiver, allowing them to participate in party activities on par with long-standing members. Once such a waiver is granted by the appropriate party authorities, the aspirant becomes eligible to purchase nomination forms, undergo screening, and fully participate in the process.

“Even if it is three days, as soon as you obtain that waiver, you are free to participate,” he added.

On whether Chinda has completed his membership registration, Ikenga said he is aware that the lawmaker has obtained his membership card, though he could not independently confirm if the waiver has been approved by the APC national leadership. “I know. I have a copy of the membership card,” he stated. He further maintained that Chinda’s participation in the screening exercise would be clear evidence that the necessary approvals have been secured.

The APC spokesman also touched on the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State, describing it as a political alliance comprising several parties and groups working together ahead of the elections. According to him, the coalition includes members of the APC, PDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and other platforms. He noted that political coalitions are not new in Nigeria’s democratic history.

In a significant development for Lagos State politics, former Somolu Local Government Chairman Abdul Hamed Salawu, popularly known as Dullar, has stepped down from the contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Somolu Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Salawu made his decision public on Saturday, citing a deep-seated commitment to party cohesion, democratic stability, and the overarching welfare of the APC within the constituency. He emphasized that his withdrawal was a voluntary act aimed at fostering unity among party members.

He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, describing it as disciplined and forward-looking. According to Salawu, national interests should always take precedence over personal ambitions and political maneuvering, a principle he said guided his decision.

The former chairman also vowed to accept whatever outcome the party reaches, promising to do so “peacefully and in good faith without protest.” He called on his supporters across Lagos State to remain calm, united, and steadfastly loyal to the APC.

Additionally, Salawu expressed a hope that future political actors would reciprocate similar understanding and loyalty when internal party decisions do not favor them, reinforcing the need for a culture of sacrifice within the party.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State descended into chaos on Saturday as party members and their supporters clashed at the polling venue.

A video obtained by DAILY POST shows the violent outbreak, with supporters engaging in heated physical confrontations that halted the primary process. The footage, lasting about one minute, captures a large crowd of men, many wearing traditional attire like kaftans and caps, while others are in casual clothing.

In the video, participants are seen fighting, dragging each other, and forcefully pushing a man into a car. The incident highlights the intense rivalry within the party as the primaries proceed.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the altercation began among party loyalists, disrupting the smooth conduct of the exercise. No official statement from the APC or security agencies has been released at the time of this report.

President Bola Tinubu has verified the death of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also identified as Abu-Mainok, a high-ranking Islamic State commander, during a collaborative counterterrorism mission executed by Nigerian and American forces around the Lake Chad Basin. This announcement came through a statement released from the State House on Saturday.

The operation, which took place overnight, was hailed by Tinubu as a “major demonstration of efficient partnership” in the global fight against extremism. He emphasized that the mission was a joint effort between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States military.

“Our courageous military personnel, alongside their US counterparts, undertook a bold combined action that inflicted a severe setback on the Islamic State,” Tinubu stated. He added that initial reports confirm the elimination of the wanted senior IS leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, often called Abu-Mainok, together with many of his associates, following an attack on his hideout in the Lake Chad region.

The President also thanked former US President Donald Trump for his contributions and direction, noting that Nigeria values this cooperative relationship with the United States in pursuing common security goals. He praised the professionalism and bravery of the troops from both nations and expressed optimism about further decisive operations against terrorist strongholds nationwide.

Previously, President Trump had announced on his Truth Social platform that American forces, alongside Nigeria’s military, had conducted a joint strike that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the second-in-command of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) globally. Trump attributed the success to extensive intelligence gathering and strategic coordination aimed at monitoring the terrorist leader’s activities in Africa.