Politics

Minister says no automatic ticket for APC defectors

Published

7 months ago

August 9, 2025

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has advised intending defectors to the All Progressives Congress, Enugu State, to perish the thought of automatic ticket or hijacking the party structure.

Nnaji stated that the party will welcome intending defectors, but there won’t be an automatic ticket for anybody, no matter how highly placed.

Nnaji, who spoke in Enugu during an expanded stakeholders meeting of the party, Saturday, revealed that some persons, who he described as politically displaced politicians, have been running from pillar to post in Abuja with a view to defecting to Enugu APC and hijacking the party through the back door.

In what could be interpreted as a veiled reference to Governor Peter Mbah’s rumoured interest in joining the party, which has got many members apprehensive for fear of losing their positions or aspirations, the Minister counselled intending defectors to perish the thought of automatic ticket, insisting that the party would receive them but subject everybody to party primaries.

He said, “APC has come to stay; that is why from every nook and cranny, people want to join APC. And as we said earlier, we want people to come in, but we will not give them a free ticket; they must go to the contest.

“Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.

“We want to populate the party, provided the person is going to look after the party when he gets in, we don’t have a problem.”

He added, “So, if the President of Nigeria wants to come and run for the governor of Enugu State, let him come, we will support him.

“If the former governor of anywhere wants to join us, let him come; we will run the primaries. It will make it even easier, the primary will be the main election. So that when we finish with the primary, we know we have finished.

“But let me tell you, he will not enter, he is afraid, because there are too many IDPs in Enugu, Internally Displaced Politicians, many of them, they are partyless, they don’t have a party.

“That’s why we are urging him to come, but he will not come. He is an internally displaced politician, he doesn’t have party, he is partyless, we want him to come, he will be running from pillar to post, until it is too late.

“But the good thing is that this our mission is being supported by the good Lord who created us, so we are heading to the government house.

“This is part of the confusion that they will be seeing, that they will be meeting until it becomes too late for them. So, we have a focus, we know where we are going and we will keep going there,” he said.

The Minister praised the state chairman of the party, Ugochukwu Agballah and executives of the party from Ward to State level for their hard work and steadfastness; and other stakeholders for their support, saying that they will be rewarded for their efforts.

Three members of the House of Representatives, who recently defected from Labour Party, LP, to APC, including Hon Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), Hon Chimobi Atu (Enugu North/Enugu South) and Prof. Paul Nnamchi in their message pledged their support to ensure that APC wins all the political positions in the state in 2027, including the governorship seat.

Umeha stated that he overcame all manner of discouragement to be the first elected official to defect to APC Enugu State, and was shortly followed by Hon Atu and Hon. Prof Nnamchi, revealing that many more lawmakers, including a senator will soon join APC in the state.

The State Chairman, Agballah stated that APC Enugu State has been growing in leaps and bounds courtesy of Minister Nnaji who has borne the burden of sponsoring the party for more than one year now.

He informed party members to participate actively in the coming continuous voter registration, CVR, exercise by the Independent National Electoral the, INEC, noting that from the end of August, anybody attending a Ward meeting must go with his or her voter card.

He said, “There will be a primary in APC, there will be proper nomination in APC”.

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Politics

Tinubu directs political appointees seeking elective positions to resign March 31

Published

3 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Bola Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026.

Those affected include ministers, ministers of state, special advisers to the president, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, directors-general, and chief executive officers of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions and government-owned companies, as well as other political appointees of the president.

The directive, announced in a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.

The circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, stated that the directive applies to all categories of presidential political appointees seeking to participate in party primaries or contest for any elective office.

According to the circular, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026.

The circular partly read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026. The directive is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include the following: Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies, as well as all Other Political Appointees of the President.

“Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026. ”

Tinubu said the measure was necessary to ensure compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.

He also urged all concerned officials to take note of the directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu emphasised that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.

“He urged all concerned officials to take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria,” the circular read.

The directive comes as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections following the release of the electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Nigerian electoral laws require political appointees seeking elective offices to step down before participating in party primaries to prevent abuse of office and ensure fairness in the political process under the administration of Bola Tinubu.

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Politics

ADC faction rejects Bolaji Abdullahi as national spokesman

Published

3 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A fresh crisis on Tuesday engulfed the African Democratic Congress as a faction within the party issued a strongly worded rebuttal to Bolaji Abdullahi, rejecting his claims to the position of National Publicity Secretary and accusing him of attempting a “failed takeover.”

In a statement signed by Christopher Okechuku, who identified himself as Director of Media and Public Affairs of the “authentic ADC,” the group described Abdullahi’s recent remarks as “a bundle of falsehoods” and “a confession of a failed conspiracy.”

Okechuku questioned Abdullahi’s legitimacy within the party, challenging him to clarify his membership status.

“You ask Nigerians to take you seriously as a spokesman for the ADC, yet you cannot honestly answer a simple question: when did you officially register as a member of this party?” he said.

“The ADC was built by genuine progressives, not political mercenaries who arrive when they smell opportunity.”

The statement also dismissed claims allegedly made by Abdullahi that Bola Tinubu was plotting to impose leadership on the party, describing the assertion as baseless.

“If President Tinubu is supporting the restoration of constitutional order within the party, then it simply shows respect for the rule of law,” Okechuku stated.

“Your attempt to drag the presidency into your internal crisis is a cheap ploy to play the victim.”

The faction further accused Abdullahi and his associates of undermining the party’s constitution in pursuit of power, insisting that due process must be followed in any leadership transition.

“The ADC Constitution does not provide for a takeover by a cabal of newcomers. Your actions expose a clear ignorance of the rules governing the party,” the statement added.

Okechuku also alleged that some state party chairmen who initially aligned with Abdullahi had been abandoned after being used to advance what he described as an illegitimate agenda.

“You lured some state chairmen with promises, only to dump them without compensation. Their roles have now been taken over by new collaborators, many of whom are not even legitimate members,” he claimed.

The statement further criticised the composition of Abdullahi’s alleged camp, accusing it of being populated by politicians with questionable records.

“The ADC is not a dumping ground for disgraced politicians seeking image rehabilitation. We reject this alliance of individuals with a history of plunder,” Okechuku said.

Reaffirming the position of his faction, Okechuku maintained that the party’s structure remains intact under what he described as its legitimate leadership.

“Your attempt to hijack the ADC has failed because it was built on lies, constitutional breaches and greed.

“The ADC is not for sale, nor is it for rent to political jobbers,” he concluded.

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Politics

Damilola Marshal, KWAM1’s daughter declares ambition for Lagos Assembly

Published

4 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Damilola Marshal, daughter of Fuji maestro King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, and currently the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, has announced her intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The lawyer shared her plans in an Instagram post on Tuesday via her handle, expressing her commitment to serve the people of Surulere Constituency 2.

“I am excited to share that I, Barr. Damilola Ayinde Marshal, am stepping forward to serve the good people of Surulere Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly,” she wrote.

Damilola Marshall (L) and Wasiu Ayinde Marshall. Photo Credit: The Nation

Damilola, who has practised law for 12 years, said her professional experience has shaped her understanding of governance, justice, and the needs of her community.

“I am a woman of excellence and results. I am ready to serve and lead. With my background, I am fully prepared and ready to fight for what truly matters. I promise to be the voice of the youths in the House.

“As a young woman, I believe this is exactly what my people need right now, and that is why I decided to step forward,” she added.

In her post, she appealed to voters to support competence and progress, signing off with the message: “Youth Lokan!!! Igbega Eko, Ajumose wa ni.”

She is set to replace Mosunmola Rotimi Sangodara, who currently represents the constituency under the same APC.

Damilola, KWAM1’s second daughter, is a law graduate from North America University, Houdegbe, Cotonou, Benin Republic and was called to the Nigerian bar on December 15, 2015. She was also awarded a Master of Laws from the prestigious University of Lagos in 2022.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appointed Damilola as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism in May 3, 2024.

The appointment was confirmed in a viral video showing KWAM1 publicly thanking the governor during the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena, noting that it was his daughter who asked him to convey the message.

The announcement has attracted attention on social media, with posts from prominent Nigerians, including Davido and Dayo Amusa, applauding her declaration.