Category: Politics

In a statement on Monday, the governor’s media aide, Olayinka Oyebode, alleged that some faceless individuals have linked Mr Oyebanji, Mr Fayemi and some leaders and office holders in the state to the ADC.

The ADC coalition includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Messrs Fayemi, Aregbesola and Amaechi all served in the Muhammadu Buhari administration as ministers, thus fuelling speculations that Mr Fayemi could also join the ADC.

The coalition aims to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

But Mr Oyebode described the allegation that APC leaders in Ekiti planned to join the coalition as another tissue of lies from the camp of some disgruntled elements in the state.

“But keeping quiet in the midst of such a bare-faced falsehood would amount to a disservice to the good people of the state, some of whom could be hoodwinked into believing the misleading report.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the public office holders mentioned in the report, remain firmly rooted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and have no link, neither do they have any plan whatsoever to join the ADC.

“While Dr Fayemi and other leaders of the party mentioned in the report are eminently qualified to defend themselves, it is on record that Dr Fayemi attended the recent APC Caucus meeting held in Iyin- Ekiti, where the caucus endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for a second term, a decision that was widely published in the print, broadcast and online media.

“It should also be noted that Governor Oyebanji had since inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, remained in the progressive fold. He is one of the very few that has never moved out of the progressive movement in Ekiti State.”

He said that there are attempts by some mischief makers to use his association with Mr Fayemi to cause a rift between him and President Tinubu.

“Unfortunately for these jesters, Mr President is a strategic politician who can see through their shenanigans and hidden agenda.

“Ekiti people are urged to disregard this childish media attack, which is being sponsored by some desperate politicians interested in contesting the Governorship election in the state.

“While these desperate politicians have no clue about how to market their candidature to the Ekiti electorate or connect with the people, they have resorted to attacking the government on social media and heaping up every unimaginable and unintelligent lie against the governor in order to mask their frustrations.

“Now that theIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the date for the primary election, we expect them to be bold enough to come out and sell their candidature to party members and Ekitikete rather than seeking an ignoble way to gatecrash.” Premium Times

According to the newspaper, they reliably learnt that coalition commenced moves to test the strength and capacity alliance through next weekend’s local government election in the nation’s former federal capital.

Sources informed the Nigerian Tribune that the interim secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, reportedly met with some candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and their Peoples democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend in Lagos towards adopting consensus candidates for Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos.

The discussion for collaboration comes on the heels of fresh information on the role played by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the emergence of the former governor of Osun State as the interim secretary of the ADC.

Recall that Aregbedola served as the commissioner for works during the tenure of Bola Tinubu as the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007.

He became the governor of Osun State under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), formed by Tinubu.

Sources within the ADC told the Nigerian Tribune that Aregbesola hosted the PDP and Labour Party candidates shortly after he flew in from Abuja on the need to present a united front at the election coming up on Saturday.

The election is slated for the 20 LGAs and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.

However, only the ruling APC is fielding candidates in all the LGAs and LCDAs, as both the PDP and the Labour Party are concentrating their efforts on only the 20 LGAs.

The APC conducted primaries at its Ikeja headquarters to select candidates for the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.

The Labour Party chairperson in the state, Pastor Dayo Ekong, said the party would field chairmanship candidates on Saturday.

Ekong explained that the candidates emerged from primary elections held in only 26 of Lagos State’s 57 councils, stressing that the Labour Party would not present candidates in 30 councils for strategic reasons.

“The ADC interim secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, met with ADC, PDP, and LP in Lagos. It was an exploratory talk on possible accord to present consensus candidates at the local government elections slated for Saturday this week in Lagos,” one of the sources said.

Further details of the discussion could not be ascertained as of presstime on Sunday, but another source said similar talks at different levels would be held before the elections.

While addressing his supporters at the airport in Lagos on Thursday after the ADC unveiling on Wednesday in Abuja, Aregbesola had promised to deliver Lagos State to the coalition through the platform of ADC, but cautioned his loyalists against mudslinging.

In the meantime, information has emerged on the decision of Aregbesola’s acceptance to be the secretary of the ADc after the initial rejection of the offer based on strategic political reasons.

He reportedly accepted the appointment following discussion former President Obasanjo had with him on the offer.

“The former President had called him to accept the seat. Obasanjo has also called him to discuss his seat with the former governor. They have an excellent rapport,” the source stated. Tribune

In a statement issued Saturday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the defection claims as false, unfounded, and politically motivated, urging the public to disregard what he described as fake news.

“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party,” Governor Adeleke said.

He reiterated his commitment to implementing his administration’s five-point agenda, promising to intensify efforts in delivering good governance and democratic dividends to the people of Osun State.

Governor Adeleke’s political career has been one of twists and turns. He entered politics in 2017, shortly after the death of his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Osun State’s first civilian governor.

At the time, Ademola Adeleke defected from the APC to the PDP to contest and eventually win the Osun West Senatorial bye-election, succeeding his late brother in the Senate.

In 2018, he contested for governor under the PDP but lost to Gboyega Oyetola of the APC in a controversial election marred by vote suppression and irregularities allegations.

Undeterred, Mr Adeleke launched another gubernatorial bid in 2022. This time, he defeated incumbent Governor Oyetola in a tightly contested race, riding on popular support, particularly among youths and grassroots voters.

Governor Adeleke’s latest denial comes as political tension builds ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, in which he is widely expected to seek re-election. His performance in office and loyalty to the PDP will likely shape both internal party dynamics and his poll prospects.

Party insiders and analysts say the recent rumour of defection may be part of efforts to destabilise the PDP in the state or sow disunity ahead of party primaries.

Governor Adeleke said he remains committed to the PDP’s values and to fulfilling his electoral promises.

“My commitment is to the good governance of Osun State and the continued delivery of democratic dividends to our people,” he said.

He called on citizens to remain focused and avoid distractions, noting that his administration is determined to sustain developmental gains across all sectors. Premium Times

This commitment is rooted in Nigeria’s unwritten power rotation agreement between the North and South.

Amaechi emphasised the importance of adhering to this agreement, which allocates eight years to each region.

Since President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, would have completed a four-year term by 2027, Amaechi believes another southerner should serve only one term to maintain the balance of power.

“For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that unwritten agreement that says North eight years and South eight years,” Amaechi stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He recalled his past opposition to the PDP government when it reneged on a similar agreement.

“I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would serve four years. And after four years, that government reneged. And I said no, that would be unfair. That will be instability at its peak because the North will react.”

Amaechi also criticised President Tinubu’s administration, stating that life has become more difficult for ordinary Nigerians under his leadership.

“This time around, the South must be allowed to complete their tenure,” he said.

He, however, stressed the need to respect the zoning arrangement to ensure national stability.

Announcing his decision on Thursday via his X handle, Obi said the coalition’s adoption of ADC was a deliberate step toward building a united front to “dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity.”

“Yesterday, the coalition members formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 Nigeria General Elections with Distinguished Senator David Mark serving as the National Chairman and H.E. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola serving as the National Secretary,” Obi wrote.

His alignment with the coalition comes amid rising tensions within the Labour Party. Just days earlier, the party leadership reportedly issued him a 48-hour ultimatum to clarify his position regarding the coalition talks. Obi’s move now signals a formal shift away from the LP.
Describing the coalition’s mission, Obi stressed the urgent need for capable leadership that prioritises Nigerians’ welfare.

“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 General Elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first,” he declared.

He framed the decision as a strategic and moral response to Nigeria’s deepening socio-political crises.

“This decision was not made lightly. It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward. No one group can change Nigeria alone. To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls—even when those bridges are uneasy,” Obi stated. Arise News

On Wednesday, coalition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai, unveiled the ADC as the platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Onanuga said the coalition, which includes several former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is composed of “desperados” driven by personal ambition rather than genuine concern for the Nigerian people.

He wrote, “Some members of the hijacked ADC, who were reported as members of the APC, left the APC years and months ago. Let the public not be deceived by the opposition’s narrative about their relevance or whether the APC will mourn their departure.”

He listed former minister Rotimi Amaechi, ex-attorney general Abubakar Malami, former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola among those who have either distanced themselves from the APC or were expelled. He also named Kashim Imam and former APC national chairman John Odigie Oyegun as discontented figures seeking political relevance.

Onanuga warned Nigerians to be cautious of the coalition, stating, “A political party with no clear agenda or ideology—whose members are united only by their hatred for President Tinubu—cannot be good for our country. It will only set us back by decades.

“These politicians are desperados, hungry for power, not for the benefit of Nigerians but for themselves. They want power at all costs because they cannot endure another four years in the political wilderness or be banished to political winter and irrelevance.

“What is certain is that the group will soon unravel due to their irreconcilable personal ambitions.” Vanguard

Amaechi, who was a past governor of Rivers State, also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of colluding to hijack the forthcoming elections in the country.

Speaking in an interview after the unveiling of the interim executive of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Abuja, the former Minister said that things have become so bad that Nigerians can’t afford to eat because there is no money to buy food, adding that inflation is at its peak.

Amaechi, who said that he resigned from the APC on Tuesday night, expressed surprised that he was not expelled from the party after he warned them not to send invitation to him for meetings.

Asked why he decided not to join and support the government, instead he is clamouring to change the government, he said: “No, it’s not about changing the government, if it is about changing the government, there is no need of changing the government, it’s about changing Nigeria.

“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. People can’t buy food. There’s no money to buy food. Everything is gone. Inflation is at its peak. And the federal government is busy going around trying to hijack the election. INEC is helping them to hijack the election.

“No, no, no. What must happen here is that we must start not just a party, but a movement, it must be a movement that brings in Nigerians to on their own take over government, not us.”

Reminded that he is part of the APC government and has spent two years in the party under President Bola Tinubu, he said said that he tendered his resignation from the party on Tuesday night.

He said: “I left APC last night. I never attended one meeting, last time they invited me I warned them. I said, if you invite me to any meeting anymore… In fact, I was surprised that I wasn’t even expelled because I warned them in writing, don’t even invite me to any meeting. You can’t be in a club where majority of people are stealing and you don’t say anything.”

Fielding question on what he thought was wrong with President Tinubu’s government that he was not supporting it, Amaechi said:

“I have never believed that Tinubu is a material to govern the country, I have never, because now, people want (Muhammadu) Buhari to come back. What happens in Nigeria is that when a new government takes over, it becomes worse than the previous government that makes people say let the previous government come back.

“People are asking for Buhari because things were better during Buhari’s administration. Dollar was I think ₦460 or five hundred and something now a dollar is one thousand five hundred and eighty, that is more than one hundred percent.”

Reminded also that some people may argue that the exchange rate may be a deliberate government policy, the former Minister said: “Whether it’s a deliberate government policy or not, any government that does not take into consideration the people you are governing is not a policy. President Tinubu said he is not here to make Nigerians happy.”

Asked if he was not being over ambitious, he simply said, “I have the right to be ambitious, I am not over ambitious.”

The Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, made this declaration during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, following the meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Addressing journalists alongside other NWC members, Damagum emphasised the PDP’s unity and resilience ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He stressed that the party remains strong and intact despite internal challenges, urging members to remain loyal and avoid actions that could weaken the PDP from within.

“If you are a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, we are drawing a line for those who go out to demarket the party. We are watching, and we will take appropriate action at the right time,” Damagum warned.

The Acting National Chairman also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to lure PDP members through intimidation and inducements. He asserted that the 2027 elections would be decided by Nigerians, not by the APC’s tactics.

“To the APC, I send a clear message: you may continue to harass and attempt to lure our members, but the 2027 election will be determined by the Nigerian people, not by your manoeuvres,” he said.

Damagum criticised the APC-led government for its failure to address key national issues such as hunger, insecurity, and the arbitrary expulsion of citizens. He urged the ruling party to reflect on its actions and correct course.

“It is time for you to reflect and correct your ways. The issues of hunger, insecurity, and the arbitrary treatment of Nigerians are overwhelming and unacceptable,” he stated.

He highlighted the PDP’s commitment to democratic principles, adding that its policies are people-centred and not designed to benefit a privileged few. He further described the PDP as the only political party in Nigeria with the resilience and structure to withstand turbulent times.

“We are in a democracy, and the voices of the people must be heard. As I’ve said before, we are not a conquered people. We are law-abiding citizens who deserve to be listened to,” Damagum added.

He called on PDP members to serve as ambassadors of the party and reflect on its long-standing contributions to national development. While acknowledging that some members may be tempted to leave, he expressed confidence they would eventually return.

“To those contemplating leaving, I advise against it. There is no party as accommodating as ours. But if they choose to go, I wish them well, though I am confident they will return,” he said.

Damagum reaffirmed the PDP’s readiness to provide leadership and work towards a better future for Nigeria.

The party’s next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is scheduled for 23–25 July, where strategies for the 2027 elections are expected to be further deliberate. Vanguard

Recall that as part of its strategies to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, leading opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, launched a coalition in Abuja on March 20.

After months of speculation over which platform the coalition would pursue its agenda, the ADC now appears as a key opposition party that will challenge President Bola Tinubu’s APC in the the 2027 elections.

According to a former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbodiyan, who was present at a meeting of PDP leaders that met with Abubakar on Tuesday in Abuja, the coalition unanimously agreed to adopt ADC as their new political platform.

They also endorsed Mark and Aregbesola to lead the party..

El-Rufai confirmed the decision in a poston his X handle.

According to him, Aregbesola stated that he accepted the appointment with humility, a sense of duty, and hope for the party and the nation.

He emphasised that parties should prioritise people’s interests, serve as more than just election-winning platforms, and play critical role in mobilising, organising, and empowering citizens towards their development and emancipation.

Media reports also suggested that a former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, was picked as the interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC.

The new leaders may be unveiled in Abuja today. ICIR