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See why Bayelsa governor delayed defection to APC

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Facts have emerged on why the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, delayed his defection to the All Progressives Congress two weeks after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party.

A senior official of the APC at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja confided in Saturday PUNCH that Diri had requested the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to hand over the party’s flag to him in a formal reception.

According to the APC official, the arrangement for the official reception delayed the governor’s defection.

Diri had, on October 15, announced his exit from the PDP during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor said the decision followed “extensive consultations” with key stakeholders in the state, adding, “I am not resigning alone. I am here with Mr Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and all the members of our party in the Assembly who are with me on this. So today, I have formally resigned from the PDP for very obvious reasons.”

According to the APC official, who is involved in the party’s plan to receive Diri, the party is done with the arrangements to welcome the governor.

He said, “Governor Diri is coming to the APC, and he will join us on Monday. The party has put up a reception plan, and it is the wish of the governor that the Vice President hands over the APC flag to him. The national secretariat and the VP’s office have worked that out.

“The governor wants an official and befitting reception, and he deserves it. That is why he delayed his defection. But we are done with the arrangements.”

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Similarly, one of the senior administrative officers at the APC secretariat in Abuja disclosed that arrangements were in place to receive the governor into the party on Monday.

“I am aware that the secretariat is preparing to receive Governor Diri on Monday. The governor wants an official reception, and we are working on it. As I am speaking with you, nothing will change the governor’s plan to join the APC,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP has insisted that its leadership would not join the governor in defecting to the APC.

The State Publicity Secretary, Ebiye Ogoli, while speaking with Sunday PUNCH, said there was no reason to leave the PDP with Diri, stating that the party’s leadership remained strong.

Ogoli explained that the leadership decided not to defect with the governor because he is in his second term and will not be contesting again; hence, there was no reason to move with him.

“We are not defecting with the governor. We stand by our last statement. The governor did not compel anyone to move with him. Before we took the decision, we considered the fact that the governor is not contesting again and, therefore, there was no reason to move with him.

“The party remains strong. It is not true that we want to defect with him.”

Findings by Sunday PUNCH also revealed that three members of the State House of Assembly — Godbless Oyinke, Ted Elemeforo, and Wisdom Fafi — have refused to leave the PDP.

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This is as the Deputy Governor of the state, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has dragged the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, Abraham Ingobere; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye; the Bayelsa State Attorney-General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services before a Federal High Court in Abuja to avert a reported impeachment plot.

Ewhrudjakpo, who has remained in the PDP, said there was a plot by the lawmakers to impeach him because he did not resign his membership of the party with the governor.

The deputy governor, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, according to TheCable, sought interim orders of the court to restrain the State House of Assembly from removing or impeaching him in violation of Sections 188(5)–(9), (11), and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on the grounds of his refusal to defect from the PDP to the APC or any other political party before the end of his tenure.

Ewhrudjakpo also asked the court to restrain the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security protection as deputy governor, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

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ADC governorship candidate in Osun promises stable electricity ahead of 2026 election

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The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the August 15 Osun State Governorship election, Najeem Salaam, has declared that his administration would prioritise solving the lingering electricity challenges confronting the state, if elected.

He made the disclosure while featuring on a political programme, Oro Oselu, aired on Uniq FM, Ilesa, Osun State.

In a statement made available by Salaam’s Media Office in Osogbo on Tuesday, the ex-Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly said his focus remains “on governance, development, and policies capable of improving the lives of the people rather than engaging in political abuse and distractions.”

He further said, while many politicians have been trading insults to get public attention, he “Has been engaging investors and stakeholders in the power sector with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the epileptic power supply affecting homes, businesses, and industries across the State.”

Salaam noted that stable electricity remains a necessity for economic growth, industrial expansion, youth employment, and the survival of small and medium-scale businesses, stating readiness “To prioritise solving the state’s energy crisis.”

He added that no “Meaningful development can thrive in an environment plagued by poor power supply” and assured the residents that his administration would “explore partnerships and innovative energy solutions capable of boosting power generation and distribution across the state.”

He maintained that the people of Osun deserve leadership driven by vision, peace, and practical solutions, stressing that his ambition is centred on restoring quality governance and sustainable development to the state.

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Contestants in the forthcoming election in Osun State have been speaking on the plans they intend to implement if elected.

The PUNCH reports that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the poll, Bola Oyebamiji, recently unveiled a 7-point agenda code-named ‘PROSPER’, while the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, has been implementing his 5-point agenda anchored on workers’ welfare, education, infrastructure development and security since coming on board on November 27, 2022.

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Yobe ADC dismisses alliance claims with APC

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State has dismissed claims that loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar within the party had struck an alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The party described the allegation as “false and misleading,” accusing one Prof Muhammad Jawa of attempting to sow discord within the opposition party in the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Yobe State Chairman of the party, Umar Alhaji, the ADC said the publication credited to Jawa did not represent the position of the party leadership.

The party also questioned Jawa’s political credibility and loyalty, alleging that his past activities had continued to generate concern among members.

According to the statement, Jawa’s appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Mai Mala Buni, while retaining links with the ADC, raised suspicion among stakeholders over what the party described as “divided loyalty.”

The ADC further alleged that stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with Jawa’s performance during his tenure as chairman of the MMRR Committee, particularly over the low level of membership registration recorded across the state.

The party also accused him of maintaining close ties with the “Obedient Movement,” which it claimed contributed to his defeat during the party’s last state congress, where he contested for the position of state chairman.

“The outcome of that congress reflected the collective will of party members who had lost confidence in his leadership ambitions,” the statement read.

The ADC maintained that the party in Yobe remained united and committed to providing credible opposition and democratic leadership.

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“At no time has the leadership aligned with the APC as falsely alleged,” the statement added.

The party urged members of the public and supporters to disregard the publication, describing it as “false, malicious and intended to create division within the party.”

The reaction followed comments by Prof. Jawa during a stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu on Saturday, where he claimed that ADC members across the 17 local government areas of Yobe had resolved to align with the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Jawa, who is also the Founder and National Coordinator of the Arewa Strategic Implementation Group for Atiku, said the planned realignment was aimed at promoting political stability and supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.

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Labour Party in Nasarawa elects new chairman

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Members of the Labour Party in Nasarawa State loyal to the Nenadi Usman-led administration have elected a new chairman to pilot the affairs of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a press conference in Lafia, the state capital, on Tuesday, the newly elected chairman, Asoloko Maku, described the recently concluded party congresses as a testament that the Labour Party in Nasarawa State remains united, resilient and ready for action.

He noted that despite the “noise” from detractors, the party had demonstrated that its principles were anchored on democracy and the rule of law.

Maku said, “I am honoured and privileged to address the press today, not just as the Chairman of the Labour Party in Nasarawa State, but as a humble servant and a messenger of hope.

“I accepted the mandate with a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that the confidence reposed in me is a call to duty. I thank Almighty God for this day. I also thank the 13 Local Government chairmen and secretaries present here, who were duly elected during our peaceful congresses.”

He pledged to run an inclusive administration focused on grassroots mobilisation and party unity.

“As your chairman, I pledge leadership that is transparent, inclusive and committed to the grassroots. I reach out to all members, including those with differing views, to join hands with us. The goal is 2027, and we can only succeed together. We are not just a political party; we are a movement for social justice,” he said.

The newly elected chairman assured members that his administration would focus on social democracy and ensure that the resources of Nasarawa State benefit all residents, not just a privileged few.

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Maku also urged party members to remain focused and not be distracted by external factors, noting that legal disputes within the party had been resolved.

According to him, court judgments delivered between 2025 and 2026 resolved the leadership tussles within the party and affirmed the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman.

“The Supreme Court verdict of April 4, 2025, overturned previous decisions that gave legal recognition to Barrister Julius Abure, nullifying the convention that purportedly returned him.

“The Federal High Court ruling of January 21, 2026, confirmed the expiration of Abure’s tenure and removed him as National Chairman, directing INEC to recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee.

“The Court of Appeal judgment of April 21, 2026, unanimously dismissed Abure’s appeal, affirmed Senator Usman as the legitimate leader and awarded N10 million in costs against him,” he said.

Maku added that the Labour Party would continue to champion the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

“We will continue to stand for the dignity of workers, the welfare of the ordinary farmer in Doma, the trader in Mararaba and the youth in Akwanga. We are here to bring a peaceful political revolution that replaces injustice with equity,” he said.

He stressed the need for the party to begin preparations for the 2027 elections immediately.

“The road to the 2027 elections is here, and we must begin preparations immediately. We will rebuild trust, strengthen our party structures and ensure that every vote cast is protected.

“This is a call to action for all Labour Party stakeholders in the state. The time for fighting is over; the time for work is here. Let us join hands to provide a better alternative for our people,” he added.

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Maku further said the party was determined to win elective positions across the state and the country.

“In conclusion, the journey to Aso Rock, Government House, the National Assembly and the State Assembly begins today. Let us work with dedication, honesty, integrity and love. The people of Nasarawa State are waiting for leadership, and the Labour Party is ready to provide that alternative,” he added.

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