Politics

Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC amid party crisis

Published

10 months ago

February 12, 2025

Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC amid party crisis

In a significant political shift, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lost yet another member of the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This marks the second defection in just two days, highlighting the ongoing turbulence within the opposition party.

Salisu Garba Koko, the lawmaker representing the Koko/Besse/Mayama federal constituency of Kebbi State, formally announced his defection to the APC during a plenary session.

His decision was conveyed in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, signaling his official departure from the PDP.

Koko cited the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP as the key reason for his defection, stating that the party’s instability had made it increasingly difficult for him to remain a member.

However, rising under a point of order, Minority Leader, Kingsley China dismissed the claim of a protracted crisis in the PDP, saying what is happening is also happening in other parties.

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Chinda said while people might look for excuses to defect to other parties, it was wrong to allege that there is a protracted crisis in the PDP.

He however asked the Speaker to do the needful in accordance with the constitution of the country by declaring the seat of the member and all others that have defected vacant for them to go back to face their constituents in another round of election.

Also, Ben Etanebene (LP) Delta wondered whether those defecting will return to INEC to change their certificates of return which already has their name, party and federal constituency.

He supported the call by the Minority Leader for the seat of the defectors to be declared vacant, emphasising the operating word in the Constitution is shall, which makes it mandatory for the seats to be declared vacant.

But Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said only the Courts of the land can declare the seats of members vacant, adding that the House will act on the content of the letter sent to it by members.

Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC amid party crisis

Politics

Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bola Oyebamiji

Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

The race for the Osun 2026 APC governorship ticket has taken a major turn as seven aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the primary election and endorsed Bola Oyebamiji as the consensus candidate.

President Bola Tinubu meet with APC Governorship Primary aspirants in Aso Villa

The decision followed a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, where party unity and the need to avoid a divided primary dominated discussions. After the engagement, the aspirants agreed to back Oyebamiji to strengthen the party’s chances ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

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Those who stepped down include former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh. Their withdrawal comes amid heightened calls from senior APC stakeholders urging a united front to prevent internal crises.

However, the absence of former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore at the meeting raised further questions. Omisore, recently disqualified from the primary — a decision he dismissed as “a joke” — has been at the centre of growing tensions within the party.

Party insiders say the endorsement of a consensus candidate is intended to streamline preparations, reduce litigation risks, and project stability as the APC positions itself to reclaim Osun State.

Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

Politics

Accord Clears Adeleke as Sole Aspirant for Osun Governorship Primary

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Trends Admin

Accord Clears Adeleke as Sole Aspirant for Osun Governorship Primary

The screening committee of Accord has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke to contest in the party’s gubernatorial primary scheduled for today in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

In a statement, Ibe Thankgod, chairman of the screening committee and national organising secretary of the party, said Adeleke emerged as the sole aspirant after meeting all requirements for nomination.

“The committee subsequently cleared Governor Adeleke as the sole aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket and concluded all required documentations with relevant bodies,” the statement read.

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Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the governor, confirmed the development, noting that Adeleke has been presented with a certificate of clearance.

He added that the governor has assured the party of his readiness to fly the Accord flag responsibly and secure victory in the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke officially joined Accord on Tuesday, days after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the move was driven by the need to sustain his administration’s “delivery of good governance and democratic dividends,” which he claims have received both local and international commendation.

Accord Clears Adeleke as Sole Aspirant for Osun Governorship Primary

Politics

APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Trends Admin

APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee has officially arrived in Osun State to oversee preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Committee chairman Sheu Umar Dange met with Tajudeen Lawal, state executive council leader, and local government APC chairpersons at the party secretariat along the Osogbo-Gbongan Road on Tuesday.

Dange assured stakeholders that the committee would carry out its duties impartially and in accordance with established APC guidelines. “We are ready to conduct the delegate congresses in all 332 wards in the state. Our activities will be conducted without bias, and we welcome any complaints to address them fairly,” he stated.

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The committee’s primary role is to supervise the ward-level delegate congresses that will select delegates for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Chiedu Eluemunoh, secretary of the Congress Committee, emphasized that only revalidated APC members would be eligible to vote, and an Appeal Committee will handle complaints starting December 10, 2025.

Eluemunoh added that all ad-hoc personnel required for the smooth conduct of the ward congresses are already in place and encouraged members to present any challenges during the process.

Welcoming the committee, Tajudeen Lawal assured that the State Working Committee would provide all necessary support to facilitate the successful conduct of the delegate congresses, which are crucial for strengthening the APC ahead of the Osun gubernatorial election.

The arrival of the committee marks a key step in the party’s preparations as it seeks to maintain unity and transparency in selecting delegates across the state.

APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections