The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: APC

  • Court Orders INEC To Replace Uzodinma With Okorocha As APC Imo West Candidate

    Court Orders INEC To Replace Uzodinma With Okorocha As APC Imo West Candidate

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

    The court directed the electoral commission to replace Uzodinma’s name with that of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, ruling that Okorocha won the party’s senatorial primary held on May 18.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday after considering the dispute over the outcome of the APC primary election.

    The judge held that the evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the exercise.

    Egwuatu consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.

    The ruling followed a legal battle initiated by Okorocha, who challenged INEC’s recognition of Uzodinma as the APC’s candidate for the 2027 election.

    In the suit, the former governor argued that the electoral commission should recognise him as the rightful winner of the primary and publish his name accordingly.

    Uzodinma, the APC and INEC opposed the suit. The governor and the party had asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that it was filed outside the 14-day period allowed by law for pre-election matters.

    The dispute centred on conflicting claims over the primary election results and the validity of Uzodinma’s nomination.

    The court’s order places Okorocha in line to represent the APC in the contest for the Imo West Senate seat, subject to the implementation of the judgment and any further legal developments.

  • Onochie Igwesi Makes Enugu APC Campaign Council List

    Onochie Igwesi Makes Enugu APC Campaign Council List

    The Secretary to Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Barr. Onochie Jon-Igwesi, has been appointed a member of the Enugu State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council.

    Jon-Igwesi who was also sworn in for a second term as Secretary to Nkanu West on October 21, 2026, was appointed the state Deputy Director of the Mainstream Media (Print) in the campaign council.

    The 51-Directorate campaign council which is chaired by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and was inaugurated by him on October 27, 2026, was charged to pursue a resounding victory for the party in all the 2027 elections.

    Mbah urged party faithful to campaign hard on the administration’s achievements and be unapologetically APC in doing so, saying the opposition had nothing but propaganda to offer.

    Accepting his appointment, Jon-Igwesi expressed gratitude to Mbah for the opportunity to serve the party and the state. He noted that the confidence reposed in him ought to be justified and he expressed readiness to campaign vigorously for the APC, remarking “Mbah’s administrative acumen and governance scorecard makes the job less difficult”.

    Onochie Jon-Igwesi is a dedicated professional with a diverse portfolio spanning public service, entrepreneurship, media proprietorship, community engagement, education administration, and the legal profession. In 2020, he embarked on media entrepreneurship founding Pacesetter Frontier Magazine.

    He holds degrees in Microbiology and Law; certificates in Public Leadership and Policy; International Criminal Law, Journalism, Business Consultancy and Mediation. He is a school administrator, Rotary International member, and Paul Harris Fellow, driving discussions on peace, governance, and development through the Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards, an initiative of his Magazine.

    Jon-Igwesi is expected to bring his expertise in the print media industry to bear to drive the re-election of all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

  • [BREAKING] 2027: Mbah Leads the Charge as Enugu APC Unveils 51-Directorate Campaign Council (See Full List)

    [BREAKING] 2027: Mbah Leads the Charge as Enugu APC Unveils 51-Directorate Campaign Council (See Full List)

    …Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles

    …Udeh, Nwoye, Igwesi, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates

    …Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday

    The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.

    The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.

    Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.

    Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.

    Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.

    Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.

    Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.

    Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.

    Former National Assembly member and Coordinator of the State Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Rt. Hon. USA Igwesi directs the Support Groups Directorate while Hon. Frank Anioma serves as co-director.

    Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”

    “Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.

    The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

    All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.

    Click to download the full list.

  • 2027: Minister Udeh to Unveil ‘ATM’ Political Group for Tinubu, Mbah’s Re-election

    2027: Minister Udeh to Unveil ‘ATM’ Political Group for Tinubu, Mbah’s Re-election

    …Presents 17 Buses For ‘ATM’ Political Group

    …Says “I’m confident of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah’s Victory”

    Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, is set to unveil his grassroots mobilisation and political support group, “As Tinubu and Mbah Move (ATM)”.

    This is also as the Minister has expressed confidence in the victory of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah in 2027.

    Udeh, who convened a strategy meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the group’s secretariat, ahead of the planned unveiling of ‘ATM’, also presented 17 branded buses to support grassroots mobilisation by the movement in preparedness for the forthcoming elections.

    Announcing the initiative, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria urged members to work towards securing victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in the presidential and governorship elections.

    He said the buses were provided to ease the mobilisation process and strengthen the movement’s presence across communities, wards and polling units.

    Expressing confidence in the victory of Tinubu and Mbah, he stressed that the movement must go beyond the usual boisterousness of political groups and focus on practical activities that would translate into electoral success.

    “I want this group to be different so that it will not end in noise-making. The aim is to make APC win from top to bottom, especially the President and the Governor,” he said.

    Udeh urged members to take responsibility for delivering their respective polling units and wards, noting that grassroots engagement remained central to political success.

    “Politics is local. Everybody should work to ensure that APC wins in their respective wards and polling units,” he said.

    He explained that ATM was established to provide a platform through which members could connect with political leaders and contribute to the party’s activities.

    According to him, active participation in grassroots mobilisation could also create opportunities for members to engage with government officials and seek assistance on issues affecting their communities.

    Udeh, who described himself as not being a career politician, said he valued integrity and fulfilling commitments in his dealings with people.

    He also pledged to spend more time in the South-East during the campaign period to coordinate the movement’s activities.

    Earlier, the ATM Coordinator, Igboke Onyebuchi, said the meeting was organised to establish and ratify the movement’s structures ahead of the planned commencement of local government mobilisation in November.

    He described ATM as a political movement rather than an ordinary group, explaining that some of its membership was by people who wanted to support Governor Peter Mbah and acknowledge his role in Udeh’s ministerial appointment.

    “We are doing this to support the governor for giving such a smart young person the opportunity to be a minister. This has not happened in recent times,” Onyebuchi said.

    He said the movement comprised community mobilisers, union leaders and people from the civic space, many of whom were not career politicians but were willing to contribute to the political process.

    The coordinator said ATM planned to adopt an innovative, community-based approach to mobilisation, with a focus on reaching rural residents and strengthening the APC’s existing grassroots structures, adding that a community map to guide its engagement with residents had been developed.

    Onyebuchi expressed appreciation to Udeh for providing the platform for members to participate in the political process, saying the movement hoped to encourage greater opportunities for young people with strong professional and intellectual backgrounds.

  • APC Secretary, Sowore Trade Words Over Request to Hold Campaign Inauguration at Aso Rock

    APC Secretary, Sowore Trade Words Over Request to Hold Campaign Inauguration at Aso Rock

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, have engaged in a war of words following the opposition party’s request to hold its presidential campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The disagreement began after Basiru described Sowore as a comedian and skit maker, questioning his political relevance and electoral performance.

    The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu on October 21, 2026, seeking approval to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa on November 11.

    The letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the proposed event.

    Reacting to the request during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, Basiru questioned Sowore’s political standing and challenged him to demonstrate electoral strength at the state level.

    The APC chieftain also cited the AAC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the party had failed to establish a significant electoral presence.

    Basiru, however, acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Sowore, recalling their involvement in student activism during the struggle against military rule in the 1990s.

    Sowore responded in a post on his X account later that evening, recalling their shared history and accusing the APC secretary of abandoning the ideals they once championed.

    To support his account, the activist shared a photograph he said was taken in 1998, when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY), a group involved in the campaign against military dictatorship.

    Sowore said the photograph reflected a period when both men were involved in the struggle for democratic governance and civil liberties.

    He also challenged Basiru’s use of the 2023 presidential election results to dismiss his political relevance, describing the election as deeply flawed and disputing the suggestion that opposition candidates should be ashamed of their performance.

    The AAC candidate further recalled assisting Basiru and Kunle Adegoke, popularly known as K-Rad, who is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in their educational pursuits after Basiru’s difficulties at the University of Ilorin in 1992.

    According to Sowore, both men subsequently completed their legal education and built professional careers.

    He argued that the struggle for democracy, justice and human rights should not be reduced to entertainment, accusing Basiru of ridiculing the same activism that helped shape his political and personal development.

    Sowore also criticised what he described as a shift in Basiru’s principles since joining the ruling party, suggesting that political office had influenced his attitude towards their shared past.

    He maintained that political positions were temporary and that the principles of freedom and democratic accountability remained relevant regardless of who occupied public office.

    The exchange has drawn attention to the AAC’s request to hold its campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa, although the request and the proposed logistical support do not, by themselves, establish that approval has been granted.

  • Tinubu Inaugurates APC Campaign Council, Charges Leaders To Deliver 2027 Votes

    Tinubu Inaugurates APC Campaign Council, Charges Leaders To Deliver 2027 Votes

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, urging party leaders and members to unite and mobilise voters nationwide for his re-election.

    Tinubu inaugurated the council on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, charging members to work collectively and ensure the party secures votes across wards, local government areas and states.

    The President reminded party leaders that their previous electoral victories would mean little without success in the forthcoming election.

    “I thank all of you for the last election, but no one gets credit for an incomplete assignment until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your electoral wards, until you deliver the votes,” he said.

    The inauguration marked the start of a coordinated effort to promote the administration’s record, communicate its policy priorities and strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.

    APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged campaigners to explain government policies clearly and demonstrate how reforms could improve Nigerians’ daily lives.

    Tinubu also stressed that electioneering must not distract his administration from governance, saying the country’s economic obligations and need to attract investment required continued attention.

    “Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause,” he said, according to reports of the event.

    Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, who was appointed Director-General of the campaign council, said the campaign would focus on the administration’s achievements and plans for the future.

    He urged members to set aside personal interests and work towards a common goal.
    “It’s no time for ego. We are all one in this business. We have only one agenda. What is that agenda? To ensure that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns as President,” Yari said.

    The council is expected to coordinate campaign activities across the states, local government areas and electoral wards, while engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.

    The inauguration also attracted politicians from outside the APC, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

    The 2027 general elections are expected to be a major test for the ruling party as it seeks a second term for Tinubu amid public concerns over the cost of living and the effects of the administration’s economic reforms.

  • Shettima Mocks Atiku, Says Ex-VP Is No Abraham Lincoln

    Shettima Mocks Atiku, Says Ex-VP Is No Abraham Lincoln

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments about President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful is “no Abraham Lincoln”.

    Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He argued that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must demonstrate maturity, discipline and respect for public institutions, insisting that political ambition should not justify what he considered disrespectful remarks about the incumbent president.

    The Vice-President said Tinubu remained the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, regardless of political differences.

    “Those who want equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle. But the truth is that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

    He added that he would continue to address Atiku respectfully by his name and former title, despite their political rivalry.

    “I will still respect him and call him his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. I will not follow suit with the maverick Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla, no,” he said.

    However, Shettima questioned Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, comparing him to Kenyan independence-era politician Oginga Odinga rather than former United States President Abraham Lincoln.

    “But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency of this country for the eighth time, is no Abraham Lincoln. He is more of Oginga Odinga,” the Vice-President stated.

    Shettima maintained that the presidency was not merely a political prize but a position requiring exceptional character, intellectual capacity and responsibility because of the number of citizens a president is expected to lead.

    He said the higher the office sought by a politician, the greater the expectations regarding the person’s words, conduct and relationship with public institutions.

    The Vice-President also questioned Atiku’s proposal for production subsidies, asking how the policy would be financed and which other government programmes might lose funding to accommodate it.

    Describing the political season as a “masterclass in cinematic comedy”, Shettima asked who would pay for the proposed subsidies and who would benefit from them.

    “A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget,” he said.

    The comments came as the APC intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of its expanded presidential campaign council.

  • APC State Chapters Reject Wike’s Coalition, Urge Him To Join Party

    APC State Chapters Reject Wike’s Coalition, Urge Him To Join Party

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Several state chapters of the All Progressives Congress have rejected the political coalition being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that he should formally join the ruling party if he intends to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

    The disagreement centres on Wike’s continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party while supporting Tinubu, an APC president, and building a political coalition that could back candidates from different parties in state and legislative elections.

    The development has widened differences within Tinubu’s political camp over how support for the President’s 2027 re-election should be organised and whether such support should extend to APC candidates contesting other elective positions.

    Wike, a former Rivers State governor and PDP presidential aspirant in 2023, was appointed Minister of the FCT by Tinubu after the 2023 election.

    The controversy intensified after Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal called on Wike to choose between joining the APC and continuing with the coalition.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s *Inside Sources* on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lawal said Wike could not simultaneously support the APC and candidates of other parties.

    “Our message is very, very clear: Be on one side. You can’t be on two sides. If you’re in APC, please come out and support APC,” Lawal said.

    Asked whether the governors wanted Wike to join the APC, Lawal replied, “Exactly. What’s the essence?”

    He added that he would discuss Wike’s political position with Tinubu, insisting that the minister should clearly identify with one political platform.

    ### APC Chapters Push Back

    The position of the APC governors has received support from several state chapters.

    In Imo State, APC Publicity Secretary Jones Onwuasoanya said Wike should formally identify with the ruling party if he was committed to Tinubu’s re-election.

    He argued that supporting the President while remaining outside the APC created an ambiguous political position.

    Onwuasoanya also said the Imo APC did not recognise the Rainbow Coalition as an alternative political structure in the state.

    In Gombe, APC Publicity Secretary Murtala Usman similarly called on Wike to join the ruling party, warning that the coalition could create confusion among APC stakeholders.

    He noted that the recent movement of some PDP politicians into the APC had already created tensions within some state chapters.

    ### Ondo Demands Support For APC Candidates

    The Ondo State APC also rejected the idea of supporting Tinubu for president while backing candidates from other parties in governorship and legislative elections.

    State party secretary Alex Kalejaiye said the APC’s objective was to mobilise support for all its candidates.

    According to him, the party planned to support Tinubu as well as its senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates.

    Kalejaiye urged Wike to collapse his coalition into the APC so that the party could present a common political platform during the elections.

    ### Jigawa Open To Wike

    The position was different in Jigawa, where the APC welcomed Wike’s support for Tinubu and said it would accept him if he chose to join the party.

    The state APC Publicity Secretary, Bashir Kundu, said the party appreciated Wike’s efforts in promoting Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.

    Kundu also argued that the APC itself emerged from a coalition of political parties and therefore had the capacity to accommodate politicians from different political backgrounds.

    ### Divided Position In Benue

    In Benue State, APC members expressed differing views.

    James Orgunga, an organising secretary of one of the APC factions, praised Wike’s support for Tinubu but said he would prefer the minister to formally join the party.

    However, Daniel Ihomun, publicity secretary of another faction aligned with Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, argued that Wike should remain in the PDP.

    Ihomun said Wike’s activities had weakened the PDP and claimed that a political arrangement involving APC, PDP and Labour Party members existed in the state in support of Tinubu.

    ### Rivers APC Backs Governors

    In Rivers State, where Wike remains a major political figure, the factional APC led by Emeka Beke backed the Progressive Governors Forum’s position.

    The faction’s publicity secretary, Darlington Nwauju, argued that voters could become confused if encouraged to support different parties for various positions during the same election.

    Nwauju said Wike should either join the APC or refrain from interfering in the party’s internal affairs.

    ### Anambra, Kwara Reject Coalition

    Anambra State APC Chairman Emmanuel Anosike described Wike’s coalition as unacceptable to the party, arguing that the minister remained a PDP member.

    He said APC governors already had political structures for mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of 2027.

    In Kwara State, APC Chairman Sunday Fagbemi questioned how the coalition’s proposed voting arrangement would work when presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections are held simultaneously.

    He said APC members were expected to support the party’s candidates across the ballot.

    ### Plateau, Nasarawa Also Oppose Arrangement

    Plateau State APC Chairman Rufus Bature said the party had no knowledge of a Rainbow Coalition structure in the state.

    Bature said Wike was free to join the APC but could not simultaneously maintain political ties with the PDP while operating within the APC’s political space.

    In Nasarawa, APC Publicity Secretary Augustine Ogaba also urged Wike to join the ruling party, while acknowledging his support for Tinubu.

    Ogaba said the state chapter did not recognise coalitions that were not endorsed by the party leadership.

    ### Some Chapters Remain Neutral

    Not all APC chapters have taken a position.

    In Osun State, APC spokesman Kola Olabisi said the decision on whether Wike should join the party was a matter for the national leadership.

    Delta State APC Chairman Solomon Arenyeka similarly said the state chapter was awaiting a formal position from the national leadership.

    In Bayelsa, APC chieftain Doubara Joseph urged Wike to join the APC if he remained committed to Tinubu, while state chairman Warman Ogoriba declined to comment.

    Sokoto APC Chairman Haruna Adiya said the state chapter had no member in the Rainbow Coalition and declined to take a broader position on the matter.

    In Niger State, APC spokesman Musa Sarkin-Kaji said the state chapter had no formal relationship with Wike but acknowledged his association with the ruling party.

    Bauchi APC spokesman Shehu Dauda also said the party did not support divided loyalty.

    ### Wike Defends Coalition

    Wike has rejected the argument that his political coalition is an APC structure or that it is intended to undermine the ruling party.

    Through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the coalition’s support was specifically for Tinubu’s presidential re-election and did not prevent other parties from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections.

    Wike has also pointed to his role, alongside members of the former G5 governors, in supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election without formally defecting to the APC.

    He has maintained that “politics is local” and that political actors should be allowed to determine their alliances at the state level.

    ### Umahi Rejects Coalition In Ebonyi

    Minister of Works David Umahi, a former Ebonyi State governor who moved from the PDP to the APC, said there was no Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi.

    “If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me,” Umahi said, adding that any candidate associated with Wike was not part of his political relationship with the minister.

    Umahi also warned politicians against hate speech and actions capable of creating political tension in the state.

    Despite the opposition from several APC figures, PDP officials continue to maintain that Wike remains a member of the opposition party.

    In Abia State, PDP deputy governorship candidate Abraham Amah described the APC’s invitation to Wike as political courting and insisted that the FCT minister remained a PDP member and national leader.

    The conflicting positions have placed Wike at the centre of an emerging debate within Tinubu’s political camp over whether support for the President in 2027 should be organised through the APC alone or through a broader coalition involving politicians from different parties.

  • Nkanu East: APC Campaign Ends in Nkerefi as Leaders Rally Support for Ogbuekwe

    Nkanu East: APC Campaign Ends in Nkerefi as Leaders Rally Support for Ogbuekwe

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has rounded off its campaign tour with a grand finale in Nkerefi Ward 1, home ward of the party’s chairmanship candidate, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe.

    The event, held on Monday, September 21, attracted APC leaders, political appointees, community stakeholders and supporters, who rallied behind Ogbuekwe ahead of the September 26 local government election.

    The gathering also featured calls for continued support for Governor Peter Mbah’s administration and the APC at the grassroots.

    Prof. GOC Ajah, Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, told the gathering that Mbah had done what he could and called on residents to support the governor and the APC.

    “Mbah has done all that he can. It’s now for us to support him. It’s APC from top to bottom. Nkerefi has no problem. We are targeting the first position. Nkerefi will reciprocate Mbah’s goodwill to us in the fullness of time,” he said.

    Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Chimaobi Okoli, said the gathering was an opportunity to appreciate the people of Nkanu East rather than simply campaign for votes.

    “We are not here for campaigns but to say thank you to the people of Nkanu East,” he said.

    Okoli also highlighted ongoing road construction by Mbah across the local government, saying the projects were reducing the difficulty residents previously faced travelling between communities.

    “There was a time Nkanu East appeared to be like four different local governments due to how lengthy the journey to move from one community to another was. But Mbah has shortened the journey by the ongoing construction of roads to link all parts of the local government,” he said.

    The Director-General of the Mmirioma Campaign Council, Emeka Nwatu, congratulated Nkerefi for producing Ogbuekwe, urging residents to take ownership of the campaign and the political project.

    The incumbent Nkanu East Chairman, Sydney Edeh, also pledged his support for Ogbuekwe, saying the candidate would receive the backing required for what he described as seamless continuity.

    “Mike will receive all the support he needs for a seamless continuity,” Edeh said.

    He further told the candidate: “Mike, you will go farther than the position of chairman. I thank Nkanu East for their support to me. Give same support to Mike Ogbuekwe and he won’t disappoint you.”

    Speaking at the event, Ogbuekwe expressed gratitude to the people of Nkanu East and acknowledged Nkerefi’s reported resolution to support the APC.

    “All I have is gratitude. Nkerefi is grateful to Nkanu East,” he said.

    He added: “We acknowledge Nkerefi’s resolution to vote APC. We will work very well to support Peter Mbah. We see Mbah’s works throughout Enugu State, including Nkanu East.”

    Earlier, Monday Diamond Ani, General Manager of the Community and Social Development Agency, called for prayers for Ogbuekwe’s success.

    The grand finale marked the conclusion of the APC’s campaign tour of Nkanu East ahead of the local government election scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026.

    The election will be conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) across the state.

  • 2027: Wike Tipped as APC Campaign Council Coordinator for FCT, Rivers

    2027: Wike Tipped as APC Campaign Council Coordinator for FCT, Rivers

    … President moves to streamline ex-governor’s role in 2027 journey

    … Keyamo tipped as campaign spokesperson

    … To avoid clashes, Akpabio, Barau will not report to Yari

    President Bola Tinubu has moved to give the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, a clearly defined role in his 2027 re-election campaign, with the former Rivers state governor expected to emerge as coordinator of the campaign structure in Rivers State and the FCT, although he retains his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The emerging arrangement, according to sources familiar with the developing campaign structure, is designed to harness Wike’s political network without formally placing him inside the hierarchy of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he has repeatedly said he does not belong to.

    It also comes against the backdrop of a growing disagreement between the minister and several APC governors over how support for Tinubu should be organised ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Wike has repeatedly insisted that he does not require membership of the APC or a position in the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to work for Tinubu’s re-election. He has also rejected suggestions that he was seeking the director general’s position in the campaign council, saying his concern was to deliver Rivers State and the FCT for the President.

    THISDAY learnt last night that the arrangement would, in effect, give the minister a defined presidential campaign responsibility in two strategic territories where he has repeatedly claimed substantial influence.

    But even as the campaign structure is being assembled, the sources said there would not be a single chain of command running through the entire council.

    Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, will serve as Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, but Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, are not expected to report to him, according to sources familiar with the proposed structure.

    The arrangement, THISDAY understood, reflects the political weight of the two presiding officers of the National Assembly and the desire to accommodate the different power centres expected to participate in Tinubu’s re-election campaign for next year.

    Rather than a conventional military-style structure in which every senior campaign official reports to the director general, the emerging framework is expected to give some of the party’s most influential figures distinct spheres of responsibility.

    Although Yari is expected to coordinate the day-to-day operations of the presidential campaign council as director general, Akpabio and Barau will operate independently of him and are expected to have direct lines of responsibility within the bigger campaign structure.

    The arrangement, according to highly placed sources, is part of the effort to accommodate the various political blocs and influential figures expected to play prominent roles in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign without creating unnecessary overlaps in authority.

    According to a very reliable source, that same logic underpins the proposed role for Wike, who will be in charge of the FCT and River as Tinubu plans to ensure that clashes do not happen among the key drivers or top echelon of his campaign.

    Only this month, Wike described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and declared that he remained in charge of political structures in Rivers and the FCT.

    “You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge. So also in FCT. I owe the President to give these two,” he said.

    That assertion, however, brought him into direct conflict with politicians within the APC who believe elected governors should retain control of their respective party structures.

    The disagreement has become particularly pronounced in recent weeks, with Wike accusing some APC governors of working against him, specifically naming Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Wike has also promoted the “Rainbow Coalition”, a cross-party political arrangement designed to mobilise support for Tinubu beyond the formal APC structure. His argument is that politicians should be free to support the President at the presidential level while backing candidates of their choice in state and other elections.

    However, that proposition has proved difficult for APC governors to accept. Reading the resolutions of the Progressives Governors Forum a few days ago, the Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Uzodimma, declared that the governors unanimously resolved not to have anything to do with the Rainbow Coalition.

    “The forum unanimously resolved that its members won’t participate in, support or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the reelection of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels.

    “In other words, the forum has no intention of supporting anybody at any level, that’s not an APC candidate because our candidates are being sponsored by our party. The governors affirm that commitment is exclusively to all APC candidates.

    “Any arrangement that can create confusion, divided loyalty or competing interests will not be entertained. All levels of the party campaign architectures must align with the expectations of Mr President and objectives of the APC,” the APC governors’ bloc maintained.

    However, Wike has reiterated that his support for the reelection of President Tinubu remained sacrosanct, saying he never promised that the PDP will not field candidates in governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections. He also said that Tinubu knew about the rainbow coalition.

    But the position exposed a central fault line between Wike and the governors. While the minister’s immediate political objective appears to be Tinubu’s re-election, he does not appear willing to subordinate his wider political network to the APC’s candidates in every state.

    According to the source, it is this brewing chaos that Tinubu is seeking to nip in the bud by quickly streamlining the role that Wike, who has become his close ally, should play in the upcoming presidential polls.

    The former Rivers governor’s relationship with Tinubu dates back to the 2023 election, when he and four other aggrieved PDP governors refused to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The group, popularly known as the G5, demanded that the PDP resolve its internal zoning and power-sharing disputes before the election. Wike subsequently supported Tinubu, despite remaining in the PDP.

    Since Tinubu assumed office, the relationship has deepened. The President appointed Wike as FCT minister, making him one of the most prominent opposition-party politicians serving in the federal cabinet.

    Wike has since defended the administration’s policies, promoted federal projects in the FCT and repeatedly campaigned for Tinubu’s re-election.

    In Rivers, he has also argued that Tinubu has demonstrated sufficient commitment to the state to deserve the support of its people. But his growing proximity to Tinubu has not translated into an uncomplicated relationship with the APC establishment.

    Similarly, the proposed campaign coordination role is expected to navigate an unusual arrangement in which the current governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor are members of ‘different’ political parties but are both aligned with the same presidential candidate.

    Sources said the proposed structure was intended to reduce this ambiguity by defining Wike’s responsibility around Tinubu’s presidential vote rather than handing him control of the APC’s wider state organisation.

    As the minister responsible for the federal capital, Wike has developed a highly visible political and administrative profile there and has already declared that he would personally coordinate efforts to secure Tinubu’s victory in the territory.

    Although it has become a tradition that ruling parties lose the seat of power during presidential polls, Wike has promised to reverse the trend in the coming presidential election.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is being tipped for a prominent spokesperson role in the campaign. A versatile campaigner whose experience in presidential campaign remains second to none in the landscape.

    He has been a thorn in the flesh of opposition figures, describing them as lacking direction, coordination and the gravitas to oust Tinubu.

    Keyamo brings considerable campaign communication experience to the emerging structure. He served as a spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign and previously played a senior communications role in Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

    His experience has also extended beyond electioneering into government, having served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment under Buhari before becoming the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development under Tinubu.

    Keyamo’s possible return to the frontline campaign communications team is therefore expected to provide continuity with the President’s previous campaigns, while putting one of the administration’s most experienced political communicators at the centre of the campaign’s public messaging, it was gathered. THISDAY

  • Enugu LG Polls: Obuoffia, Akpugo 2 Endorse Ogbodo, APC Candidates

    Enugu LG Polls: Obuoffia, Akpugo 2 Endorse Ogbodo, APC Candidates

    …John Ogbodo is one of the best performing Chairmen – Gov. Mbah

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the September 26 Enugu State local government elections received further endorsements in Nkanu West Local Government Area as stakeholders in Obuoffia and Akpugo Ward 2 declared support for Executive Chairman and chairmanship candidate, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, and other party candidates.

    The endorsements were made during the “Beyond Expectations” campaign train’s engagements in the communities, culminating in a grand finale at Akpugo Ward 2.

    Obuoffia

    In Obuoffia, stakeholders pledged the ward’s support for all APC candidates, with the Chairman of the Nkanu West Traditional Rulers Council and Obuoffia Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Barr. Igwesi Obi Igwesi, describing the choice of Governor Peter Mbah as one without a credible alternative.

    Igwesi said Obuoffia remained willing to demonstrate its solidarity with the governor, while also urging residents to support the APC candidates in the local government election.

    A former member of the House of Representatives and Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. USA Igwesi, also expressed support for the APC candidates.

    He said Mbah would be re-elected in 2027 and urged the people to vote for President Tinubu as well.

    Another stakeholder, Owelle Steve Avah, called on Ogbodo to convey the gratitude of Obuoffia residents to Governor Mbah over what he described as the governor’s numerous infrastructural interventions in the ward.

    Avah said the September 26 election would provide an opportunity for the people to reciprocate the support, saying:

    “Chairman, the coming election for Local Government is our own way to pay you back.

    “We have nothing much to say other than to ask God to help you, Obuoffia will help you, Nkanu will help you, Nigeria will help you”.

    The State Deputy Youth Leader of the APC, Ogonna Aneke, also declared support for Mbah and the party’s candidates, citing what he described as extensive development across Enugu State.

    Similarly, the Secretary of Nkanu West LGA, Onochie Jon-Igwesi, said past political developments had shown that Mbah had prevailed in situations where he was underestimated.

    Tracing the governor’s political journey from his former party, Jon-Igwesi expressed confidence that Mbah would again overcome his critics and secure a second term in 2027.

    Akpugo Ward 2 rally

    At the grand finale of the campaign in Akpugo Ward 2, Ogbodo, who is the incumbent Executive Chairman of Nkanu West LGA and APC chairmanship candidate, appealed to the people to support the governor and the party’s candidates in the election.

    Ogbodo said Akpugo Ward 2 comprises Ndiagu Obuno and Obununo communities and noted that no previous chairman of Nkanu West had come from the area before Mbah supported his emergence.

    “Since the start of politics, no Chairman of Nkanu West LGA has ever come from here until His Excellency graciously found me worthy, and with the support of the people, I became council chairman,” he said.

    He thanked the people for what he described as their recognition of his administration’s work across Nkanu West and appealed to them to extend their gratitude to Mbah.

    Ogbodo also highlighted infrastructure and education projects in the area, including the road linking Amodu, Akpugo, Akpawfu and Amagunze.

    According to him, the road had previously posed difficulties for residents, particularly during burial ceremonies, when ambulances reportedly stopped at a bridge and corpses were carried by hand to burial venues because of the condition of the road.

    He said the situation had changed following the ongoing road construction.

    Ogbodo further said all the Smart Schools in Nkanu West had been onboarded and equipped with modern facilities, including computers, interactive boards, boreholes and lighting.

    “So, we are eagerly waiting for January and February to reciprocate the hard work of His Excellency and all the APC candidates,” he said.

    Representing Governor Mbah at the rally, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, urged residents to vote for Ogbodo and his running mate on September 26.

    “We have only one person to vote for on September 26, John Ogbodo and his deputy,” Onyia said.

    He said he was at the rally to represent the governor and demonstrate the state government’s support for Ogbodo, whom he described as “one of the most performing mayor in Enugu State today.”

    “We fully endorse Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for 2027 because he has done a lot of work and we’re sure that he will do more. Anyone that wants to be Governor of Enugu State will have to wait after his tenure,” he said.

    The SSG further told the gathering that aspirants interested in the governorship from Nkanu West would have to wait, saying, “I know that there are people vying for Governorship in Nkanu West but there is no vacancy there.”

    Several speakers in Obuoffia and Akpugo highlighted infrastructure and education projects in the area as the reasons for their support.

    The campaign ended with APC stakeholders and supporters reaffirming their support for Ogbodo and other party candidates ahead of the September 26 local government election.

  • PDP Defends Wike, Accuses APC Governors of Fear of 2027 Contest

    PDP Defends Wike, Accuses APC Governors of Fear of 2027 Contest

    The Peoples Democratic Party has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following the rejection of his political support for President Bola Tinubu by the All Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum.

    The PDP said Wike remained a major political force whose support could contribute significantly to Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the minister had the constitutional right to decide whom he would support politically.

    The party stated this in a press release issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed.

    The statement followed the position of the APC governors that their members would not participate in, support or endorse any political arrangement capable of undermining the APC or its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The PDP argued that Wike was not the problem of the APC governors, but that their concerns were rooted in their governance records and fear of facing strong opposition candidates at the polls.

    “The APC Governors’ Forum should understand that Wike is not their problem; their problem is their poor governance and failure to meet the expectations of their people,” the party said.

    According to the PDP, Wike’s support for Tinubu did not amount to an endorsement of the APC or require him to abandon his membership and political relationships within the PDP.

    It said the minister, who is serving in the APC-led Federal Government, could legitimately support Tinubu while retaining his political identity.

    The opposition party accused the APC governors of initially misinterpreting Wike’s support for Tinubu as support for the ruling party.

    “The APC governors had initially misconceived Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an endorsement of the APC. They are now beginning to realise that supporting the President does not mean abandoning the PDP or surrendering the political space to the APC,” the statement said.

    The PDP also rejected what it described as the governors’ attempt to prevent Wike from supporting or fielding candidates capable of challenging APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

    It argued that political parties had the right to field candidates for elective positions and that voters should be allowed to determine the outcome.

    “Elections are contests, and every political party has the democratic right to present candidates before the electorate,” the party said.

    The PDP further claimed that the APC governors’ position reflected anxiety over the prospect of facing strong PDP candidates in the next general elections.

    It maintained that the PDP had stabilised and was preparing candidates across elective positions who could challenge APC incumbents and their preferred candidates.

    The party questioned why governors who were confident in their records would be concerned about opposition candidates contesting against them.

    “If they have truly performed and retained the confidence of their people, they should welcome a contest and allow the electorate to decide,” the PDP said.

    The party also highlighted Wike’s political record as a former governor of Rivers State and his performance as FCT minister, describing him as a political organiser and mobiliser whose influence could not simply be ignored.

    It argued that rejecting Wike’s support would be counterproductive for anyone seeking Tinubu’s victory in 2027.

    “It is therefore politically irrational for anyone claiming to support the President to reject a political leader of Wike’s stature and the votes and mobilisation capacity he can bring to the President’s campaign,” the statement said.

    The PDP questioned whether the APC governors were more interested in securing their own political victories than ensuring Tinubu’s re-election.

    “A governor who truly wants the President to win should welcome every credible political force capable of contributing to that victory,” it said.

    The party urged the governors to focus on governance, accountability and their performance in office instead of attempting to determine whom Wike should support politically.

    It also challenged them to account for resources accruing to their states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee and ensure that local governments receive funds due to them.

    Describing Wike as an “asset” to Tinubu’s political project, the PDP said his political influence and mobilisation capacity could contribute to the President’s electoral prospects.

    It, however, maintained that the ultimate decision would rest with voters in 2027.

    “At the appropriate time, Nigerians will decide with their votes. Those who have performed will present their records, while those who have failed will face the judgment of the electorate,” the party said.

    The PDP said it would not be intimidated into withdrawing from the electoral contest, adding that it would field candidates and campaign for an alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

    “The message to the APC Governors’ Forum is simple: Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike is a force to reckon with, not a force to reject,” the party said.

    It added, “The PDP will not be intimidated into abandoning the electoral field. We will field credible candidates, mobilise Nigerians and offer the electorate a genuine alternative come 2027.”