Politics
75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume

75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume
No fewer than 75 senators-elect are backing Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President ahead of next week’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume said last night.
Ndume, who was re-elected from Borno South, said Akpabio, who enjoys the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will succeed Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Ndume, the Director-General of Akpabio-Barau Campaign (ABC), who spoke on a Channels Television programme chided the leadership of the ninth Senate for being rubber stamp lawmakers.
Akpabio may even turn out as the consensus candidate because as talks are ongoing to convince other senators, who are still showing strong interest to contest against him.
Explaining why Akpabio was endorsed by the APC, Ndume said: “It is about justice; it is about equity; it is about the constitution. It is about doing what is right and standing for what is just for this country.
READ ALSO:
- Fiorentina player struck by object thrown from West Ham fans
- Shettima to lead discussions on subsidy removal palliatives
- Messi heading for Inter Miami in MLS after PSG exit
“This country belongs to all of us. We all know what has played out in this country that led to the emergence of the president being a Muslim, the vice president being a Muslim. There is a need to balance the equation.
“Section 14 of the constitution is clear on this. That section says that the country should be run in such a way that no tribe, religion, section of the country will feel marginalised. So, the natural thing to do is to get somebody from the South and particularly from the South-South. And that person happens to be Akpabio.
“This is because he is the most ranking Senator from that area.
“He has the experience and he is from the South-South. That is why I am supporting him.
“Many Nigerians and the Senators-elect, I mean my colleagues, are on our side and by God’s grace, Senator Godswill Akpabio on June 13, will emerge as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.”
Ndume, who acknowledged that some APC senators were opposing Akpabio’s ambition, said the party was still talking with them and the tension was dwindling by the day.
He maintained that Akpabio is the candidate to beat.
Ndume said: “When we started, we hit the ground running and in one week, we were able to get endorsement from 60 senators.
“As I am speaking to you, I have 75 senators that have signed the candidature of Senator Akpabio as the next Senate President. Those few former governors of the party who are now senators-elect opposing the candidature of Akpabio does not in any way encroach on the fact that Akpabio already has 75 senators-elect on our side. All advantages are on our side. One, we have the support of the party. Two, we have the support of the president, and three, we have the support of most of the senators, which is most important in this case.
“This campaign is not about Akpabio, it is about a fair Nigeria where equity and justice reign.”
On whether Tinubu can change his mind on Akpabio, Ndume said: “If Tinubu gives you his word, go and put it in your bag. He will not change it.
“In 2019 when I wanted to contest for the office of the Senate President, I went to Tinubu.
“He told me that he had already committed himself to Ahmad Lawan. And he didn’t change that. Tinubu is a man of his word and if you have been following his kind of politics, you’ll know that once he makes his intentions known, he does not change it.”
On the consensus option, Ndume said: “We are looking at a situation where we will have a consensus that will eventually favour Akpabio.
Ndume said Tinubu does not need a rubber stamped – National Assembly.
He said: “He is an experienced legislator, who needs a very vibrant and agile National Assembly this time around.
“This was lacking in the ninth Assembly where the executive will bring a request and they will just endorse without intense interrogation.”
75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume
The Nation
Politics
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers

You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state’s House of Assembly.
Okpebholo assured them of a conducive environment to operate and collaborate for the state’s development.
The governor gave the assurance when he received Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who defected to the APC.
Osamwonyi, representing Uhunmwonde State Constituency, was received into the party by the Chairman of the APC Edo State chapter, Jarrett Tenebe.
Governor Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for joining the APC, stating that their defection has strengthened the party.
He expressed his desire to collaborate with them to drive development and improve the lives of Edo people.
“We congratulate you on returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party, as we have five of you who have joined, and you have made our party stronger.
“A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop the state and make life better for our people.
READ ALSO:
- Why Obi’s 15-year-old supporter is in prison — Lawyer
- Lewandowski shines as Barcelona crush Dortmund in Champions League showdown
- Mo Salah poised to pen new Liverpool deal
“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.
“The next election, especially the 2027 presidential election, we are ready in Edo State. We have kick-started our own campaigns for the president in 2027. We have to mobilise the youth in our state, and you are part of the youth. I promise you that you will enjoy our party, as you have chosen to join us,” he said.
The governor highlighted his administration’s developmental strides, aiming to boost the state’s economy and enhance the lives of its citizens.
He specifically mentioned Uhunmwonde Local Government, stating his commitment to its growth and development.
Okpebholo also announced the kickoff of the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, calling on the youth to join the party’s efforts.
Also speaking, Tenebe stated that the party is now in full control of the State Assembly, as it now has the majority of the members in the house.
“Hon. Osamwonyi joined the party following the developmental strides your administration has achieved in the few months you have led the state,” he said.
Osamwonyi, on his part, said his decision to join the party was a result of the disunity in his former party, the PDP, from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in a very short time in office.
“The division in my party, the PDP, made me join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.
“The several projects captured in the budget for the Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I had no choice but to join the party for the development of my people,” he said.
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Politics
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman

Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling as justification for his takeover.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Apapa cited the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, which he claims validates his position.
According to him, the apex court ruling invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.
“The Supreme Court lambasted the two lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction,” Apapa said during the briefing. “They rightly noted that issues regarding the internal leadership of a political party are non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the courts.”
Relying on Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa asserted that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he is now constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. Alongside his announcement, he named Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary of the party.
READ ALSO:
- Bandits controlling 64 communities in Plateau, says Mutfwang
- Nigerian woman admires polygamy, seeks co-wife for husband
- US honours Soyinka, Okundaye at African Cultural Festival 2025 Pennsylvania
Apapa also revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. At the top of the agenda is a new strategic roadmap for the party, including plans to zone the National Chairmanship to the North and the Secretary position to the South.
“We are also taking proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional again. The time has come for real internal democracy and inclusion in our great party,” Apapa declared.
He disclosed that preparations are underway for fresh congresses at all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—aimed at re-establishing grassroots participation and internal legitimacy. According to him, only financial members will be eligible to vote or contest.
It should be recalled that a separate faction loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti convened a National Executive Meeting earlier today.
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Politics
Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP

Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate
Datti Baba-Ahmed and Abia State Governor Alex Otti were some of the prominent figures that attended the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting was held amid ongoing controversy over the Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
The meeting, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton, was presided over by Nenadi Usman, a former minister of finance and current chairperson of the party’s caretaker committee.
Also present were Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidates for Edo State and Imo State, respectively.
It came 48 hours after Julius Abure, the factional chairman of the LP, threatened to sanction Obi and Otti for convening the meeting.
Many LP lawmakers, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, showed up at the Usman-led NEC meeting.
The LP NEC passed a vote of confidence in Obi, Baba-Ahmed, Otti, the Usman-led caretaker committee, and the Obidient movement.
Usman, in her remarks, appealed to “members of the former National Working Committee (NWC) to sheathe their swords and join in the process of rebuilding the party”.
-
metro1 day ago
Why Obi’s 15-year-old supporter is in prison — Lawyer
-
metro2 days ago
Nigerian woman admires polygamy, seeks co-wife for husband
-
Education1 day ago
Easiest way to pass UTME, by JAMB registrar Oloyede
-
metro1 day ago
INEC names Sam Olumekun as acting chairman
-
metro3 days ago
National grid: FG officially splits TCN, inaugurates NISO
-
Sports3 days ago
Champions League: Arsenal stun Real Madrid 3-0 as Rice delivers free-kick masterclass
-
News3 days ago
Ali Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
-
International3 days ago
I don’t want wahala, I’m not cheating again – Davido