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APC ramps up membership e-registration in states

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The All Progressives Congress has intensified its electronic membership registration exercise in Benue, Ekiti, and Enugu states as part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In Benue State, the APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, urged party members to actively participate in the ongoing e-registration exercise, while also encouraging residents to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Omale made the call on Thursday while receiving a delegation of stakeholders from the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency at the party secretariat.

He stressed the importance of unity, commitment and early mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Let me use this opportunity to encourage our party members to actively participate in the ongoing e-registration exercise and also urge the people of the state to turn out massively for the continuous INEC voter registration exercise,” Omale said.

The party chairman reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to justice, equity, fairness and inclusive governance, assuring members that the party would continue to carry the people along in all its programmes.

Leader of the delegation and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Musa Ujor, commended the governor and passed a vote of confidence in the party leadership at all levels.

Elders and stakeholders from the constituency also expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for what they described as inclusive governance, while endorsing President Bola Tinubu and the governor for a second term.

They cited the appointment of the Deputy Governor, the allocation of key ministries such as Finance and Health, and the position of APC State Chairman to indigenes of the Otukpo/Ohimini axis as evidence of the governor’s goodwill.

See also  Panic in ADC as EFCC goes after key members

The delegation, comprising elders, women, youths and critical stakeholders, pledged to mobilise total support for the APC and Governor Alia in the 2027 elections.

In Ekiti State, an APC chieftain and governorship aspirant, Kayode Ojo, called for fairness, justice and inclusiveness in the ongoing e-registration exercise.

Ojo urged his supporters across the state to fully participate in the exercise, saying it provided an opportunity to address concerns over the alleged removal of some members’ names from the party register ahead of last year’s primaries.

In a statement issued by his campaign spokesperson, Femi Awojobi, Ojo also invited members of other political parties to take advantage of the exercise to join the APC.

“I encourage Ekiti residents from other political platforms to seize the opportunity presented by the e-registration exercise to formally join the APC and contribute to the collective vision of national development under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Ojo said.

He appealed particularly to supporters whose names were allegedly removed from the party register to re-enlist, describing the e-registration as a vital step toward strengthening internal democracy.

Ojo lauded President Tinubu for endorsing the e-registration initiative, describing it as a significant move to restore confidence among party members and ensure equal rights within the APC.

Earlier, the Ekiti APC had appealed to members to fully participate in the exercise. The State Coordinator of the e-registration and Commissioner for Youth Development, Adesola Adedayo, said the exercise would strengthen the party’s structures and improve documentation at the grassroots.

“This exercise is very important as it will strengthen our party’s structures and ensure proper documentation of members at the grassroots,” Adedayo said.

See also  Tinubu praises Alimosho APC leader as a Reliable Political Ally

In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah said the APC was targeting the registration of at least two million members as the party flagged off its e-registration exercise in his ward at Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Mbah described the exercise as a defining moment following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in October 2025, declaring that the era of “fragmented politics” in the state was over.

“We no longer want to be on the sidelines. We want to be at the centre and play dominant politics. This requires that we support the party at the centre,” Mbah said.

He explained that the target of two million registrants was necessary to reposition Enugu politically and ensure that the state fully benefited from federal programmes.

The governor assured party members that the e-registration was not meant to displace existing members but to strengthen the party through inclusiveness and discipline.

Deputy National Chairman of the APC (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, and Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, said the exercise was aimed at digitalising the party’s database and aligning it with modern political realities.

Eneukwu said the e-registration would enable the party to accurately determine its voting strength and improve internal organisation, adding that the requirement of a National Identification Number would enhance credibility and transparency.

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Abia community donates ₦100m for Otti’s re-election bid

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The Ukwa La Ngwa people of Abia State have donated ₦100m to purchase the nomination form for Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, on Saturday.

It was stated that the donation was announced on Friday during a grand civic reception organised in honour of the governor at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

Some Ukwa La Ngwa at the grand civic reception organised in honour of the governor at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba…Photo Credit: Abia State Government

The Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Ukwa La Ngwa Civic Reception and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, disclosed that the amount had been raised collectively, adding that the group was ready to contribute more if necessary.

Speaking at the event, Otti thanked the people for the reception and endorsement.

“The time we came in here this afternoon, the mammoth crowd was intimidating. I want to thank all of you.

“Thank you for the endorsement. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the encouragement,” he said.

The governor said his administration would continue to prioritise the interest of the people, stressing that governance in Abia was no longer driven by self-interest.

“One thing you can take home is that because this is your government, your interest will always come first. This is not about party or partisan celebration,” Otti added.

He disclosed that Ovom Road would be commissioned on February 25, the same day the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel, a five-star facility to be handled by Radisson Blu, would be flagged off.

“Our style is not to flag off and go home. We want the five-star hotel to start functioning by next year,” the governor said.

See also  Panic in ADC as EFCC goes after key members

Otti also urged residents of Aba to register for their Permanent Voter Cards and to take responsibility for security and cleanliness in their neighbourhoods.

“The number of people in Aba is ten times larger than the number of votes that come from Aba. The only way to show your strength is to get people to come out and register,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the occasion and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the event was a reflection of the people’s verdict on Otti’s performance.

“This is not a political party rally; it is a people’s verdict. It is the collective affirmation of the masses to celebrate a man who has demonstrated that good governance is achievable and real.

“Let no one be deceived: Abians will never again surrender their mandate to any cabal. Any attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2027 will be firmly resisted,” Wabara said.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Darlington Nwokocha, said Otti’s performance across sectors had earned him widespread support.

Earlier, the leader and spokesperson of the Ukwa La Ngwa people, Chief Theo Nkire, described the governor as “a great achiever” who had transformed Aba into “a world-class industrial hub.”

Traditional rulers from Ukwa La Ngwa also pledged their support, while the event featured cultural displays and was attended by several dignitaries, including the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe.

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Annulled PDP convention: Turaki fumes, Wike’s camp celebrates

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The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has appealed the Federal High Court ruling that voided the party’s November 2025 convention and recognised a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Turaki said, despite the court verdict, the party remained legally intact and unshaken as it awaits the pronouncement of the appellate courts.

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had, earlier on Friday, invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025.

The court also directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP.

Justice Uche Agomoh further ruled that the caretaker committee headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP until a valid national convention is held.

The PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, at which Turaki and other members of the NWC were elected for a four-year term.

However, Wike, alongside Abdulrahman and Anyanwu, insisted that they remained in office as acting national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

Although the governors oversaw a smooth transition from the former PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction went ahead on December 8 to constitute a 13-member caretaker committee, appointing Abdulrahman, Anyanwu and others with a 60-day mandate.

As a result, both the governors’ faction and the Wike-aligned camp have been seeking recognition of their leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which has so far declined to recognise either group.

Consequently, several court cases have been instituted to resolve the dispute ahead of the 2027 general election.

But reacting, Turaki described the judgment as an academic exercise, urging the Court of Appeal to consolidate all pending party-related cases to produce a single binding judgment for all parties.

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Turaki said the NWC had filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution and would pursue the matter to its legal conclusion.

He explained that they went to court to seek an order of mandamus directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Ibadan Convention and enable official party communications with the Commission.

Turaki said, “More importantly, the judgment is in material conflict with subsisting orders and previous judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

“Consequently, we have filed a Notice of Appeal as well as a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, and we are determined to pursue this matter diligently and to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this judgment is only one among several decisions of the Federal High Court on this subject matter, and the core issues arising therefrom are already before the Court of Appeal. In that sense, this particular judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.

“Let me assure all members of our great party that, notwithstanding this judgment, the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact, firmly in place, and fully committed to the ongoing rebirth of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Turaki called on PDP members and supporters nationwide to stay calm and steadfast, emphasising that there was no reason for concern, and affirmed that the Rebirth movement continues to progress steadily.

When asked if he was concerned about the PDP cases pending in the Appeal Court, Turaki clarified that he was not, noting that the lawyers on both sides had filed their briefs on time.

See also  Acting INEC chair outlines preparations for Anambra poll

He stated, “There are more than two matters pending before the Court of Appeal. First, there is the judgment of Justice Lifu. There is also the judgment of Justice Omotosho, and another judgment given by Justice Abdulmalik. In all these three matters, we were sued and defended those cases. We have appealed against the orders made against the party in those cases.

“On whether there is concern that the appeals have not yet been heard, there is no concern. There are processes required before an appeal is ready for hearing. Each party must be given fair hearing and must file briefs within the time stipulated by law. Counsel on both sides have commendably compressed the time for filing briefs and complied promptly. All briefs are now in the court files. Sometimes replies are also required, and those will be filed as needed.

“There are many appeals ready for hearing in the Abuja Division. The court previously implemented a special plan in the Lagos Division, where multiple panels were set up and over 500 appeals were disposed of. There are also over 400 appeals ready in Abuja, and it is hoped that similar special panels will be created there. If that happens, this political case should receive priority.

“It is also desirable that the appeals be consolidated so that one binding judgment will apply to all parties. Many of the PDP cases are interconnected, and determination of the key issues in one will likely resolve the others and bring closure to related matters pending in various courts across Nigeria. We are hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon constitute a panel to hear and determine all these appeals.”

Meanwhile, Wike’s bloc has welcomed the court ruling, calling on all members to embrace unity, reconciliation, and adherence to due process.

See also  ADC faction denounces David Mark as party chair

The Mohammed-led PDP Caretaker Committee, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungude Mohammed, on Friday, reaffirmed that the party’s legitimacy stems only from adherence to its Constitution, laws, and valid court orders—not from unlawful claims or impersonation.

The statement read in part, “The landmark judgment, which further nullified the conduct, outcome, and entire proceedings of the purported convention held in Ibadan on the 15th and 16th of November 2025, represents a decisive victory for the rule of law, constitutionalism, and internal party democracy. It reaffirms the long-standing position of the PDP that legitimacy can only be derived from strict compliance with the Constitution of the Party, extant laws, and valid court orders, as opposed to seeking self-help through impersonation or unlawful assertions of authority.

“The National Caretaker Working Committee therefore congratulates all its members and supporters for their patience, resilience, and unwavering faith in due process throughout this period, and further calls on all members to remain calm, law-abiding, and united as we move forward in the spirit of reconciliation, progress, and renewed commitment to the ideals of our great Party.

“We appeal to all aggrieved members to sheath their swords, as this victory belongs to the entire PDP family. Our doors remain open for genuine reconciliation and integration. This will strengthen unity, deepen internal cohesion, and refocus collective efforts toward building a stronger and more formidable PDP.

“We commend the Judiciary for once again rising to its constitutional responsibility as the impartial arbiter in political and constitutional disputes.”

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2027: Akeredolu’s Widow Declares Support For Peter Obi

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The former First Lady of Ondo State, Betty Akeredolu, has thrown her weight behind Peter Obi as the preferred presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a post shared on her verified 𝕏 handle on Friday, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu reaffirmed her support for the Obidient Movement, quoting a report that linked her with Obi’s political ambitions and writing simply: “Obi or nothing.”

Her declaration comes amid heightened debate within the ADC, where supporters of Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are said to be jostling for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

Obi, who recently aligned with the ADC through a broader coalition, has received growing support from his followers, many of whom have called for the presidency to be zoned to the South, with Obi presented as the party’s standard-bearer.

Reacting to rising tensions, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned party members and supporters against stoking division.

Speaking during a live 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) Spaces conversation last Saturday, Abdullahi urged party loyalists to avoid preaching division and exceptionality,” that could undermine internal cohesion.

He also addressed proposals for the 2027 elections to be held earlier, possibly in 2026, describing the idea as a double-edged sword.

According to him, while an early election could expose the ADC to unresolved internal grievances, it could also offer a strategic advantage, especially as many Nigerians are dissatisfied with the current administration.

Abdullahi further revealed that he had held consultations with key opposition figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, in a bid to build unity within the ADC-led coalition.

See also  ADC faction denounces David Mark as party chair

“These discussions are focused on strengthening the party and ensuring we are well-positioned for the next general elections,” he said.

The ADC is expected to hold its presidential primaries in June, amid increasing pressure to finalise zoning arrangements and manage growing interest from political heavyweights within and outside the party.

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