Politics
Ambode, Bankole, Dogara named members of APC strategy committee
A former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; a former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, have named as part of a 61-member high-powered strategy committee raised by the ruling All Progressives Congress aimed at rebuilding the party.
John Akpanudoehede, national secretary of the caretaker/extraordinary convention planning committee (CECPC), in a statement issued on Monday, said the committee had been constituted as part of efforts to rebuild and reposition the party.
While Daniel and Bankole recently defected, Ambode renewed his membership of the party in February. The former Lagos governor was denied the APC’s ticket for reelection in 2018.
Akpanudoehede said the committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday.
The committee is made up of 12 serving APC governors, senators, house of representatives members, and other party chieftains, while Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Jigawa state, will serve as chairman.
Other members of the committee are Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the House of Representatives; Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, and Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo.
Also on the committee are Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, 11 governors, former and serving members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council and some party chieftains.
Daniel and Bankole have given reasons for their defection to the ruling APC.
They spoke after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at the State House in Abuja.
Buni and Governors Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) accompanied the duo to the Presidential Villa for the meeting.
Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, Buni said he was at the State House to present the new party members to the President.
The Yobe State governor said President Buhari was happy with the defectors.
Explaining why he joined the ruling party, Daniel said, “Why APC? There are too many options in the party. One thing is sure: we are going through health and economic challenges. We must do less of political contestations and give support.
“One thing that is for sure is that the entire world is going through challenges that are global, economic and health-related. When you are in a situation like this, as I usually opine, we should do less of partisan contestation. All of us must come together to support whoever is in power.
“What we have decided to do is to come and give our support to the President so that, jointly, we can continuously navigate the country. That is what is relevant.”
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Politics
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has urged Lagos residents to prevent a repeat of the 2023 presidential election outcome in the state, as his political support group unveiled 57 campaign vehicles for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Tompolo, grand patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, made the call on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a campaign event in Lagos. He was represented by Kestin Pondi, who presented the vehicles to the movement’s state coordinators for grassroots mobilisation.
Tompolo urged supporters to intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing the need for a stronger campaign structure across Lagos communities.
“What happened in 2023 must not repeat. He must win convincingly in 2027,” he said through his representative.
He also encouraged eligible residents to take advantage of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in the election.
Tompolo argued that Tinubu’s experience as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 should inform residents’ assessment of his leadership. He urged voters to support the president’s re-election, describing the administration’s policies as reforms that require more time to consolidate.
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The position reflects the campaign group’s support for Tinubu, although the effects of the administration’s economic and other policies remain subjects of public debate.
The unveiling of the 57 campaign vehicles is part of the movement’s strategy to expand its grassroots presence and take its message directly to households and communities ahead of the election.
The group has also organised campaign activities in other states. In Kano, it unveiled 50 vehicles in September, while its activities in Katsina and Taraba included the presentation of vehicles and the inauguration of state coordinators.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the event, expressed support for the administration, saying Nigeria was moving towards economic stability under Tinubu’s leadership.
The campaign mobilisation comes as political parties and support groups begin strengthening their structures ahead of the 2027 general election.
In the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, defeated Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. Tinubu, however, won the national election and was declared president by INEC.
The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’s latest initiative signals an effort by Tinubu’s supporters to strengthen their organisation in Lagos and secure a different result in the state in 2027. The vehicles are intended to support campaign activities and grassroots outreach as the political contest approaches.
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
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Politics
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Former Edo Governor insists he witnessed Obi’s private jet use, calls for religious test to settle dispute
BENIN CITY — A fresh political controversy has erupted following claims by former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi frequently uses private jets despite public claims to the contrary.
Speaking in a recent interview on SYMFONI TV, Oshiomhole challenged Obi to a public oath-taking, proposing that both men place their hands on a Bible to settle the dispute.
“Obi is a Christian; I’m a Christian. Please bring a priest, bring your Bible, and I’ll put my hand on it, and let Obi put his hand on it,” Oshiomhole said, emphasizing their shared faith as the basis for the challenge.
The former governor alleged that he personally encountered Obi at the Executive Jet Wing in Lagos on at least two occasions. According to him, on one instance Obi was alone, while on another he was accompanied by his wife. Oshiomhole further claimed that he himself had flown a private jet from Benin and landed at the same time as Obi.
The remarks come amid a broader political exchange regarding Obi’s travel arrangements, which have been a subject of public debate. Obi’s media adviser, Dr. Valentine Obienyem, has since disputed Oshiomhole’s claims, pointing to a long history between the two politicians, including instances where Oshiomhole had previously praised Obi and invited him to campaign in Edo State.
The proposal for a Bible oath has sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with some describing it as an unusual but telling escalation of the ongoing verbal duel between the two prominent figures.
As of press time, neither Peter Obi nor his media team had responded directly to the specific challenge issued by Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
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Politics
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
LAGOS — The political landscape ahead of the upcoming general elections was thrown into fresh turmoil yesterday following explosive allegations by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who claims that his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, is secretly working to install Atiku Abubakar as president. In a statement made available to journalists, Sowore alleged that Obi is not genuinely pursuing the presidency but is instead positioning himself for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in an Atiku-led administration.
According to Sowore, the former Anambra State governor has been surreptitiously directing his teeming supporters to work for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, rather than campaigning for his own party. “Obi is positioning himself to become Atiku’s SGF,” Sowore stated bluntly. “He is secretly directing his supporters to work for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku. This is a betrayal of the movement that trusts him.” The allegation suggests a complex political realignment where the NDC and ADC are allegedly operating in a synergistic, if covert, manner. Sowore’s claims imply that the Obi movement is being used as a vehicle to siphon votes and energy toward Atiku’s bid, with the promise of a high-ranking position in the cabinet as the reward.
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The accusation, if proven, could have significant implications for the opposition’s unity. Sowore, a vocal activist and former presidential candidate, has historically positioned himself as a critic of the political establishment, often accusing major party candidates of engaging in backroom deals that undermine the will of the electorate. The claim that Obi is eyeing the SGF role—typically the highest administrative office in the presidency—suggests that he may not be confident in winning the top seat, or that a consensus power-sharing arrangement has been struck behind closed doors.
The statement, however, raises questions about the current state of party coalitions. The article identifies Obi as the “NDC presidential candidate” and Atiku as the “ADC presidential candidate,” party labels that differ from their traditional political affiliations (Labour Party and PDP, respectively). This suggests a major realignment of political platforms in this election cycle. Neither the Obi campaign nor the Atiku campaign has issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
The news has sparked immediate debate on social media, with supporters of both camps expressing confusion and anger. Sowore’s supporters have praised him for “exposing the truth,” while Obi’s loyalists have dismissed the claims as a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a crowded political space. Political analysts suggest that if Sowore’s claims hold any weight, it could lead to a massive voter apathy among the youth demographic that has largely backed Obi’s previous bids.
As the election date approaches, the political arithmetic appears to be shifting rapidly, with accusations of secret pacts and strategic positioning becoming the order of the day. Sowore has vowed to continue exposing what he describes as the “unholy alliances” shaping the future of the nation.
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
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