Politics

National convention: Aregbesola, Lai’s allies, aggrieved chieftains’ supporters dump APC

Published

4 years ago

March 29, 2022

Rauf Aregbesola and Lai Mohammed

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress in at least 12 states has not abated despite the conclusion of the party’s national convention and the charge by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for unity, The PUNCH has learnt.

It was also gathered that the reconciliation committee headed by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who is now the chairman of the party, had yet to submit its full report as only an interim report had been handed over to the APC.

The PUNCH had reported that there were 208 ongoing court cases in different parts of the country by aggrieved APC members. However, with many of the cases being concluded, some losers have now begun dumping the party, while others are now engaged in talks with the Peoples Democratic Party.

In Kwara State, it was gathered that members of the APC faction led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had removed the party’s flag from their secretariat. A visit to the factional secretariat on 26 Abdulrazaq Road, Flower Garden, GRA, Ilorin, revealed that members had deserted the building.

A member of the state House of Assembly representing the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency in the Offa Local Government Area, Saheed Popoola, who is a leading member of the Lai Mohammed faction, announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party on the floor of the Assembly last week.

In a chat with The PUNCH on Monday, the faction said it had exited the APC.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC faction elected at the parallel congress organised by the group, Ibrahim Sharafadeen, disclosed this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents.

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“We have exited the APC officially, but we have not declared for any political party. Our leaders have not made any public declaration on which political party we are moving to. We will make it public very soon,” Sharafadeen stated.

Asked if the faction would move to the SDP, Sharafadeen said no, adding, “That was the sole decision of Popoola, who informed the Kwara State House of Assembly that he had defected from the APC.”

In Sokoto State where there is no APC chairman currently, it was learnt that the PDP had begun making moves to bring aggrieved members into its fold.

An APC chieftain in the state said, “Sokoto State is a peculiar matter. The party has no recognised leadership at the moment, because of the court case challenging the congresses. In fact, only statutory delegates from Sokoto, like former governors and others, were allowed to vote (during the national convention). Others, who emerged from the congresses, were barred.

“We are aware that the PDP is already trying to woo some of the APC members into its fold. And if this disagreement isn’t well managed, the APC may lose in Sokoto again.”

In Zamfara State, the faction led by Governor Bello Matawalle is the recognised one, but the factions led by Senator Kabiru Marafa and ex-governor Abul’Aziz Yari have refused to withdraw their cases from court.

The Mafara faction said it would not withdraw its pending cases before the courts despite the national convention conducted last Saturday.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the telephone, the spokesman for the faction, Bello Bakyasuwa, said the pending cases in various courts would be pursued to logical conclusion.

He said, “We are going ahead with the court cases. We have pending cases at various courts and we will not withdraw the cases, because we are still not convinced that we have been treated fairly.

“We are challenging the legality of Governor Matawalle’s factional chairman, Tukur Danfulani, and the remaining executive committee members, because they were not elected in a legal way.

“We are also challenging the reason why the national headquarters of our great party refused to recognise our factional party executives, who were duly elected during the parallel congress held in the state.”

Bakyasuwa also stressed that the faction would challenge last Saturday’s national convention as due process was not followed during the event.

“We are going to court to challenge the election of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other national executive members of the party, because of a series of illegalities. We were really not happy with the conduct of the congress and we will not let it go like that,” he stated.

On whether the Marafa’s APC faction would remain in APC or not, Bakyasuwa said it was in consultation with lawyers.

“We are in consultation with our lawyers on whether to remain in the party or not. So, I cannot precisely tell you what will happen until after the consultation,” he explained.

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In Osun State, Abiodun Agboola, Publicity Secretary of the APC faction backed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said members of the group would wait for the court to decide a matter it instituted challenging Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s eligibility, which is before an Abuja court.

Agboola told one of our correspondents that the group had no plans to defect from the APC.

He, however, declared that the group would pursue the matter of Oyetola’s eligibility to stand as the governorship candidate of the APC to a logical conclusion.

He stated, “We are not moving to any party and we are not talking to any party whatsoever. We remain members of the APC. The national convention has come and gone. Officers have emerged and they have been sworn in.

“That does not mean that we are going to leave the party. But we have a case in court. We are challenging his (Oyetola’s) eligibility. The case came up before a Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday. We are saying that he is not even qualified to stand as the flag bearer of the party in the election coming up in July. We will wait for the court to decide that case before the next line of action.”

But a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Diran Odeyemi, said the opposition party in Osun State would be interested in negotiating with the APC faction backed by Aregbesola.

Odeyemi, an associate of the Osun PDP governorship flag bearer, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who observed that negotiations should not be ruled out ahead of the poll, added that his party would reach out to all those opposed to Oyetola in the APC, since they had been ostracised by the APC.

He contended that the crises in the Osun APC would be leveraged upon by the PDP to have a good outing in the governorship poll.

PUNCH

Related Topics:APC Aregbesola chieftains Featured Lai National Convention

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INEC Derecognition: ADC Alleges Plot to Silence Opposition

Published

14 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

ADC.s David Mark, Atiku Abubakar and Rauf Aregbesola

INEC Derecognition: ADC Alleges Plot to Silence Opposition

The African Democratic Congress has intensified its criticism of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the commission’s decision to withdraw recognition of its leadership, describing the move as politically motivated and legally flawed.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party rejected INEC’s interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling, insisting that the electoral body acted under pressure from a “jittery” federal government unsettled by the ADC’s growing political influence.

According to the party, INEC’s decision to stop recognising any faction of the ADC—particularly the camp associated with former Senate President David Mark—is not grounded in law but reflects external interference aimed at weakening opposition forces.

The ADC INEC crisis deepened after the commission announced it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party pending the resolution of its lingering leadership dispute in court. INEC also stated that it would not monitor or participate in any party activities, including congresses or conventions, until a final judicial pronouncement is made.

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Reacting, the ADC described the move as a dangerous precedent that raises serious concerns about INEC independence and the future of Nigeria’s democracy. The party alleged that the federal government is actively working to suppress opposition voices and pave the way for a one-party system.

“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. This action clearly shows the commission has caved to pressure from a government threatened by our rising momentum,” Abdullahi stated.

The party further argued that INEC’s position was riddled with inconsistencies, noting that the commission misrepresented the appellate court’s judgment to justify its action. It promised to release a detailed rebuttal to expose what it called contradictions in INEC’s statement.

Amid the growing tension, the ADC warned that the development reinforces fears of government interference in INEC and undermines public confidence in the electoral process.

“What is evident is that INEC has abandoned its neutrality and chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people,” the statement added.

Despite its strong stance, the party said it is currently reviewing its legal and political options and will announce its next line of action in due course. Analysts say the outcome of the dispute could significantly shape opposition politics and party alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC, however, called on its members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and resolute as events unfold, reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles and political pluralism.

INEC Derecognition: ADC Alleges Plot to Silence Opposition

Politics

Badagry women rally behind Ajose, demand APC gov ticket in 2027

Published

9 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Badagry women rally behind Ajose, demand APC gov ticket in 2027

Women across Badagry Division, under the aegis of the Women of Badagry Federation, have unanimously endorsed Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose as their preferred governorship candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 Lagos State election.

The group argued that Lagos cannot genuinely claim fairness, equity, and justice while Badagry continues to be sidelined politically, noting that the division has not produced a governor since the state’s creation in 1967, through both military and civilian administrations.

Speaking on behalf of the group at the Badagry Town Hall, former member of the House of Representatives, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, clarified that the move was not a protest but a legitimate demand rooted in equity.

She stressed that it is Badagry’s turn to govern Lagos State in 2027.

“When Lagos needed stability, Badagry stood for peace. When the party needed support, Badagry delivered. When leadership needed mobilisation, Badagry showed up,” she said.

Onabamiro added that history would remember President Bola Ahmed Tinubu positively if he honours the request, stressing that Badagry remains a critical stakeholder in the state’s future and should no longer be treated as a political bystander.

She also warned against individuals exploiting Badagry’s identity to secure political appointments at state and federal levels without truly representing the interests of the division.

The former lawmaker further described Dr. Ajose as a committed party loyalist who has consistently contributed to the growth of the APC, Lagos State, and the South-West region.

Also speaking, Chief Rasheed Shobaloju, representing the aspirant, maintained that the demand by the women was both genuine and justified.

He reiterated that the appeal was directed at President Tinubu and the APC leadership, expressing optimism for a favourable response.

In her remarks, APC women leader in Badagry, Mrs. Kikelomo Ladipo, assured that women in the division would mobilise massively to support the party in the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, Hon. Funmi Agbaje stated that the women of Badagry are firmly behind Ajose’s ambition, noting that women constitute a decisive voting bloc capable of determining electoral outcomes.

She described President Tinubu as an inclusive leader and urged continued support for his administration’s policies in the interest of national development.

Politics

Arise News Anchor Ikokwu Quits Journalism, Joins Politics

Published

16 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu

Arise News Anchor Ikokwu Quits Journalism, Joins Politics

Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, a renowned Arise News anchor and analyst, has officially resigned from journalism to pursue a career in politics, declaring her intention to represent Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Known for her incisive reporting and commitment to holding leaders accountable, Ikokwu said her decision was motivated by firsthand exposure to governance gaps and a growing belief that professionals must move beyond media commentary to active political participation.

“This transition is a continuation of service, just on a different platform,” Ikokwu said, explaining that her years in journalism deepened her understanding of Nigeria’s policy and governance challenges and reinforced her commitment to ethical, informed leadership.

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Ikokwu emphasised that her career in media brought her into close contact with citizens’ daily realities, from their struggles to broader policy failures, which strengthened her resolve to contribute constructively from within the system.

Her move reflects a broader call for competent Nigerians with integrity and fresh ideas to step into leadership roles rather than remain on the sidelines. She urged more citizens to engage in politics actively, noting that shaping Nigeria’s future requires courage, responsibility, and collective action.

Prior to her political decision, Ikokwu had built a distinguished career as a journalist, foreign correspondent, and media strategist, covering major governance and policy issues that sharpened her insight into public service.

Her announcement has sparked discussions on the growing trend of media professionals transitioning into politics, signalling a new generation of leaders emerging from non-traditional political backgrounds.