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BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Speaker, 15 Members Defect From PDP to APC

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Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule
Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule

BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Speaker, 15 Members Defect From PDP to APC

The political landscape in Rivers State shifted dramatically on Friday as sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection marks a major escalation in the long-running political crisis rocking the state.

Speaking during plenary, Amaewhule announced his resignation from the PDP, attributing the move to what he described as a “clear division” within the party.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided… to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” he declared.

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Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol was among the 16 lawmakers who joined the APC, signalling a coordinated shift by legislators aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. All defecting lawmakers are known loyalists of Wike, who was recently expelled from the PDP over alleged anti-party activities.

This latest move adds a new chapter to the state’s ongoing power tussle. The same group of lawmakers had previously announced a switch to the APC at the height of the crisis between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, before later denying it. The defection at that time triggered legal battles, including attempts to declare their seats vacant.

With the fresh alignment now formalized, the APC gains a significant foothold in the Rivers Assembly, potentially reshaping legislative authority and deepening the divide between the Wike and Fubara camps.

Political observers warn that the development could again ignite constitutional debates around defections under Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, especially in relation to whether genuine party division exists within the PDP.

As Rivers State enters yet another phase of political uncertainty, the implications for governance, legislative stability and party control remain far-reaching.

BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Speaker, 15 Members Defect From PDP to APC

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Haske Dumps APC for APM, Sets Sights on 2027 Adamawa Governorship

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The political contest for Adamawa State’s governorship in 2027 has taken a new turn following Abdulrahman Haske‘s decision to abandon the APC and contest the election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

Haske, a businessman and politician, formally joined the APM at a gathering in Yola on Saturday attended by party officials, community leaders and supporters drawn from across Adamawa.

His decision comes months after he sought the APC ticket for the governorship race. Reports earlier in September had indicated that he was preparing to leave the ruling party, with associates saying his supporters were also moving towards the APM.

Now under the APM, Haske says his political agenda will centre on improving the lives of residents through stronger investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education and healthcare.

He also identified security, job creation and economic empowerment as priorities, while promising greater accountability in the handling of government resources.

Accepting the party’s ticket, Haske expressed appreciation to the APM leadership and pledged to approach the 2027 contest with what he described as integrity, hard work and commitment to public service.

Dantalle, the APM national chairman, said Haske’s emergence followed consultations by the party and reflected its confidence in his leadership capacity.

According to him, the former APC aspirant’s emphasis on inclusive development and youth empowerment made him suitable to represent the party in the election.

At the state level, APM chairman Badejo Bello described Haske as a bridgebuilder who understands the challenges facing Adamawa and said the party was confident his candidacy could provide voters with an alternative in 2027.

With Haske now formally carrying the APM flag, attention will turn to how his new political platform affects the race and the wider alignment of political forces in Adamawa ahead of the election.

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Bamanga Tukur Dies at 90, Tinubu Pays Tribute to Ex-PDP Chairman 

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Bamanga Tukur Dies at 90, Tinubu Pays Tribute to Ex-PDP Chairman 

 

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of former Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman, Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, describing the former governor and minister as a towering statesman whose footprints cut across Nigeria’s political, economic and business history.

Tukur, who also served as governor of the old Gongola State and Minister of Industries, died on Saturday at the age of 90.

In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Tukur’s long career in public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership made him an important figure in Nigeria’s national development.

 

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, where the President credited him with contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

 

He later ventured into partisan politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, before the state was eventually split into the present Adamawa and Taraba states.

 

Paying tribute to the deceased, Tinubu described Tukur as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.”

 

He added, “He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance.”

 

Beyond public office, Tukur established a strong presence in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with business interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

 

He also contributed to African economic integration and business advocacy, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

 

At the political level, Tukur became National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012, serving until January 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

 

He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give his family and other mourners the strength to bear the loss.

 

The family had earlier announced Tukur’s death in a statement signed by his son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur.

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Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

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Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign
Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar

Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

The Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, has said he believes God chose him for the position.

Yari spoke on Friday in Gusau during a meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders as part of efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

He said he would travel across the country to present Tinubu’s achievements and explain why Nigerians should support his bid for a second term.

According to Yari, however, success in Zamfara would depend on the support of party leaders and members across the state.

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He predicted massive support for Tinubu from Zamfara and said the campaign would be driven by the administration’s record rather than attacks on opposition figures.

Yari admitted that some of Tinubu’s economic policies had brought hardship but maintained that certain reforms were necessary to strengthen the economy.

He also defended the government’s tax reforms, saying they were designed to ensure that people contribute based on their income without placing an unfair burden on the masses.

On security, Yari said the government was committing significant resources to fighting terrorism and banditry. He argued that although the spending could have been used for development, tackling insecurity was necessary to create room for economic growth.

Yari said the campaign would focus on the country’s challenges and the government’s plans for the future.

Nigeria is before us as Nigerians” he said.

Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

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