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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Abe Declares Wike APC Leader In Rivers

    Abe Declares Wike APC Leader In Rivers


    Senator Magnus Abe has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, stressing the need for party unity ahead of the forthcoming bye-elections.

    Abe made the statement on Monday while speaking to journalists after aspirants aligned with Wike emerged winners in the APC primaries for the Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II contests.

    “As far as Rivers State is concerned, the Minister of the FCT is the leader of the APC here,” Abe said, adding that there was no confusion or dispute over leadership roles within the party.

    He called on party members across the state to revalidate their membership and rally behind the APC.

    “We are all working together in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Rivers State will deliver the highest percentage of votes for the Renewed Hope family in this country,” he said.

    Abe said the party’s focus was on unity and collective commitment ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for February 21.

    The APC primaries were held to select candidates for the by-elections, which will fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

  • APC Chieftain Faults Musawa’s VP Comment Ahead Of 2027

    APC Chieftain Faults Musawa’s VP Comment Ahead Of 2027

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and public affairs analyst, Abimiku Dangana Solomon, has criticised comments attributed to the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, on the choice of a vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Solomon expressed concern over Musawa’s recent interview on Channels Television, where she reportedly suggested that only a Northern Muslim vice-presidential candidate could guarantee President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

    Solomon described the position as divisive, arguing that it undermines national unity and reduces Nigeria’s complex political landscape to narrow religious and ethnic considerations.

    He also faulted Musawa’s alleged claim that Northerners possess a unique “sophistication of politics” and hold the “political key to Nigeria,” describing the assertion as condescending and historically inaccurate.

    “More troubling is the suggestion that only a Hausa, Fulani, or Kanuri Northern Muslim vice-presidential candidate can secure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027,” Solomon said, adding that such a view ignores the diversity of Northern Nigeria.

    According to him, the narrative marginalises Northern Muslim minorities and Christian communities, while suppressing the aspirations of millions who believe in a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.

    Solomon, who is a member of the North Central Tinubu Action Group (NC-TAG), cited the 2023 presidential election to argue that voting patterns in the North are not monolithic.

    He noted that President Tinubu lost several Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Muslim-majority states in the North-East and North-West, winning only Zamfara, Jigawa and Borno, while recording victories in non-Hausa, non-Fulani and non-Kanuri states such as Benue, Niger, Kwara and Kogi.

    “Katsina State, the minister’s home state, and Kanuri-dominated Yobe State were both won by the opposition PDP, despite the APC fielding a Northern Muslim vice-presidential candidate,” the statement added.

  • Kano Governor Abba Yusuf Returns To APC

    Kano Governor Abba Yusuf Returns To APC

    Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), days after resigning from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    The governor announced his return to the ruling party on Monday, barely three days after quitting the NNPP over what he described as prolonged internal crises and legal disputes that had weakened the party’s cohesion nationwide.

    Yusuf had formally resigned from the NNPP last Friday, fuelling speculation about his political future and a possible return to the APC.

    His defection follows a wave of exits from the NNPP in Kano State, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jibril Ismail Falgore; his deputy, Muhammad Butu-Butu; the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain; and 19 other lawmakers.

    The lawmakers had earlier announced their defection to the APC, further consolidating the ruling party’s position in the state.

    The development marks a significant realignment in Kano’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.

  • Wike Allies Clinch APC Tickets In Rivers Bye-Elections

    Wike Allies Clinch APC Tickets In Rivers Bye-Elections

    Aspirants loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for two forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections.

    The APC conducted its primary elections on Monday ahead of the Ahoda East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II bye-elections, which are meant to fill vacant seats in the state legislature.

    Napoleo Ukalikpe emerged as the party’s candidate for Ahoda East Constituency II, while Mrs Bulabari Henrietta Loolo clinched the ticket for Khana Constituency II.

    Loolo is the widow of the late Hon. Dinebari Loolo, who represented Khana Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly until his death in September 2023.

    The emergence of the candidates underscores the growing influence of Wike’s political camp within the APC in Rivers State.

    This comes despite Governor Siminalayi Fubara being widely regarded as the party’s leader in the state, with Wike’s loyalists producing the APC flagbearers for the two bye-elections.

  • APC Chieftain Warns Against Altering Tinubu/Shettima Ticket

    APC Chieftain Warns Against Altering Tinubu/Shettima Ticket

    Professor Haruna Yerima, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, has cautioned the party against altering the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Yerima warned that attempts to change the current ticket could undermine the party’s prospects in the next election.

    “The same elements who opposed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in 2023 are now pushing for a change, but tampering with the ticket would be politically disastrous for the APC in 2027,” he said. He described proposals to impose a Christian candidate from the North-Central or North-West as both short-sighted and politically naive, noting that these regions have already been adequately represented in federal appointments.

    Yerima highlighted the current federal positions held by individuals from the North-Central and North-West, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Minister of Defence, APC National Chairman, INEC Chairman, NNPCL Group CEO, and the Chief of Army Staff. He also dismissed claims that international figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, influence Nigeria’s vice-presidential selections, calling such narratives the work of “political jobbers and fifth columnists.”

    Praising Vice President Kashim Shettima, Yerima described him as loyal, competent, and effective, with a strong political record. His comments follow concerns raised by Borno State House of Assembly Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan over Shettima’s exclusion from party banners during a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri, amid speculation about potential replacements for the vice-presidential slot.

  • Ganduje in Kano for Abba Yusuf’s APC Entry

    Ganduje in Kano for Abba Yusuf’s APC Entry

    Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has arrived in Kano ahead of the formal declaration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s membership of the ruling party.

    Ganduje returned to Nigeria from London, where he attended the graduation of his daughter, Fatima, who earned a master’s degree from King’s College London. Fatima is married to Idris Ajimobi, son of the late former Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

    According to a statement by his Chief of Staff, Muhammad Garba, Ganduje arrived in Abuja early Monday and is expected in Kano to participate in a series of political activities, including the APC’s electronic membership registration programme initiated during his tenure as national chairman.

    He is also expected to take part in events marking Governor Yusuf’s anticipated defection to the APC, a move seen as part of efforts to strengthen party structures and consolidate recent political realignments in Kano State.

  • Amosun Urges South to Retain Presidency

    Amosun Urges South to Retain Presidency

    Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general election, citing the need to uphold Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement. Amosun said the South should be allowed to complete eight years in the Presidency after former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, arguing that continuity is essential for political balance and national stability.

    Speaking in Abeokuta during events marking his 68th birthday, the APC chieftain described Tinubu as a unifying figure for the South and urged Nigerians to respect the rotational principle. “In the interest of Nigeria, we should observe the rotation. The South has waited its turn, and President Tinubu represents that aspiration,” Amosun said, adding that supporting Tinubu’s re-election would serve the broader national interest.

    Amosun reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and called on his supporters to remain committed to the party’s structure in Ogun State. He noted that he and former Governor Olusegun Osoba were foundational figures in building the APC in the state and insisted he would not undermine a party he helped establish.

    The endorsement aligns with similar calls by former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro, both of whom have urged that power remain in the South until 2031. Dogara also cautioned northern politicians against disrupting the zoning arrangement, while Okiro praised Tinubu’s leadership style and expressed confidence that his policies would yield stronger results if given a second term.

  • APC Registers Kano Governor Yusuf After NNPP Exit

    APC Registers Kano Governor Yusuf After NNPP Exit

    Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to formally register Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as a member on Monday, marking a major political realignment in the state. Yusuf, who resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) last week, is expected to pick up his APC membership card at a brief ceremony at the Kano Government House, alongside dozens of elected officials defecting with him.

    Party sources said at least 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen will also be registered. Yusuf will automatically assume the position of APC leader in Kano State and is expected to launch the party’s electronic registration drive. In a statement issued by his media aide, Sunusi Bature, the governor said his decision was driven by the need for stronger cooperation with the Federal Government to enhance security, accelerate infrastructure development, and improve service delivery.

    The defection has triggered mixed reactions across the state. While APC chieftain Ahmed Dankabo described it as a turning point that would reposition Kano at the centre of national politics, Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo reaffirmed his loyalty to former NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The development also led to the resignation of the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Yusuf Kofarmata, who cited concerns about political pressure and the need to preserve the integrity of his office.

    Kwankwaso, Yusuf’s former political ally, condemned the defection, describing it as a betrayal and accusing the state government of coercing officials to join the APC—an allegation the government has not addressed. The move comes amid ongoing tensions within the NNPP in Kano, as the APC prepares to consolidate its growing influence ahead of future political contests.

  • Wike Not APC Member, Fubara Is Rivers Leader — Bwala

    Wike Not APC Member, Fubara Is Rivers Leader — Bwala

    President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, stressing that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the ruling party.

    Bwala made the assertion on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, amid heightened political tension in Rivers State following impeachment moves against Governor Fubara by the State House of Assembly.

    According to Bwala, the position of the APC national leadership is unambiguous. He said the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has affirmed Fubara’s status as the APC leader in the state.

    “In Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore cannot speak for the party,” Bwala said. “He may be influential within the PDP in Rivers, but in the APC, the leader is Governor Fubara.”

    Bwala added that President Tinubu supports due process, internal party democracy and adherence to the rule of law, noting that the APC leadership has aligned firmly with Fubara on the Rivers situation.

    On the impeachment proceedings, Bwala said the party expects the governor to be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without obstruction, citing court orders that reportedly halted the impeachment process.

    “There are court orders stopping the impeachment. The party is clear that no one should prevent the governor from governing,” he said.

    He also clarified that Wike’s appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not grant him authority within the APC, describing his ministerial role as service to the Federal Government rather than to the ruling party.

    “The President rewards service, but not at the expense of what is right or lawful,” Bwala stated, urging all stakeholders to respect constitutional and legal processes.

    Governor Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in December 2025 and has since been endorsed by party leaders for a second term in the 2027 elections.

    Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly recently initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including claims of financial impropriety and constitutional violations.

  • APC Stakeholders Endorse Zoning, Back Yilwatda as Chairman

    APC Stakeholders Endorse Zoning, Back Yilwatda as Chairman

    Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, a coalition of party stakeholders, the Concerned APC Stakeholders Forum, has endorsed the retention of the party’s zoning formula and the continuation of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the forum’s convener, Dr. Dominic Alancha, said the position was intended to promote stability, unity, and electoral preparedness within the ruling party.

    Alancha described zoning as a key mechanism for ensuring inclusiveness, fairness, and national balance within the APC, warning that any attempt to alter it could spark internal tensions and weaken party cohesion.

    The forum urged the National Executive Committee (NEC), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party elders, and key stakeholders to uphold the existing zoning arrangement in the interest of equity and unity. It also recommended adopting micro-zoning at the state level to deepen balance and strengthen grassroots structures.

    On leadership continuity, the forum formally endorsed Yilwatda, citing progress in internal reconciliation, party administration, membership expansion, and strategic repositioning under his leadership.

    “Retaining the current National Chairman will allow the APC to consolidate reforms, strengthen institutional discipline, and enhance readiness for future elections,” Alancha said.

    Alancha also announced his intention to contest for the position of National Deputy Publicity Secretary, noting that effective communication of party policies was crucial to shaping public perception and sustaining support for the party’s agenda.

    The forum called on APC stakeholders to prioritize collective interest over personal ambition, stressing that unity and continuity were essential for the party’s continued dominance.

    It reaffirmed loyalty to the APC and pledged support for President Tinubu’s administration, expressing confidence that the party would enter the 2027 electoral cycle stronger and secure broad voter support.