“Furthermore, we are determined to champion initiatives aimed at rebuilding affected areas and exploring avenues for compensation and support for our displaced farmers, whose resilience remains the backbone of our state’s economy.”
Politics
APC National Secretary Basiru woos three Osun PDP senators
APC National Secretary Basiru woos three Osun PDP senators
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu second term bid is attracting more support from opposition party members.
The three senators from Osun State – Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Lere Oyewumi (Osun West) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) – all elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared support for President Tinubu.
The support for the president’s reelection also received a boost as Benue State APC National Assembly Caucus endorsed him for a second term.
The National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, enjoined the three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators from Osun State to consider joining the APC after declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
In the last one year, no fewer than 10 senators and 30 House of Representatives members had defected from the opposition to the ruling party and pledged to support the President for another term.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja under the Osun PDP Senators’ Caucus, the lawmakers said their decision followed a strategic meeting where they unanimously agreed that Tinubu’s leadership was the right path forward for Nigeria.
“This is more than an endorsement—it’s a bold declaration of confidence in President Tinubu’s vision and delivery,” the senators stated. “From infrastructure to food security, national stability to economic reform, his administration is already producing tangible results that cannot be ignored.”
They pointed to marked reductions in food prices, improvements in national security, and a growing sense of economic stability as signs of the President’s effectiveness. The lawmakers also emphasized that their constituencies are fully aligned with this decision, saying, “Osun stands firmly behind Tinubu.”
Basiru, an APC governorship aspirant in Osin State, commended the Osun senators for endorsing President Tinubu for 2027 poll, describing them as ‘Omoluabi (men of good character).
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However, he said in a statement by his campaign manager, Professor Remi Ajala, that the decision of the trio to support Tinubu’s re-election would only be meaningful if they join the APC.
Basiru said: “The public recognition by the PDP senators of President Tinubu’s achievements especially in the areas of infrastructure development, economic reforms, food security, and national security is another testimonial that Nigeria is working under our leader and moving towards the clear path of development and it shows a clear act of truthfulness and statesmanship.
“This shows his leadership and style of governance are bringing positive results to Nigerians, including the electorates and constituents in their different senatorial districts in Osun State.
“We appreciate that these senators have acknowledged the Renewed Hope Agenda and how it is beginning to positively impact their constituencies. This kind of honest leadership deserves to be encouraged and applauded, especially in a time when Nigerians seek real progress.”
Basiru, who represented Osun Central in the Senate between 2019 and 2023, urged the three PDP senators to take their loyalty and support a step further by joining the ruling party.
He said it is is not enough to praise the President from a distance for self-serving purposes, adding that they should wholly align fully with the progressive family at the national and state levels to cement their endorsement.
Basiru added: “Full alliance and alignment with APC at the state level will show true commitment and allow Osun State and her citizens to fully benefit from the President’s bigger vision to integrate development across the length and breath of Nigeria.
“Pitching your tent with the APC will help bring the needed development to Osun APC led-state government when inaugurated in 2026, in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, sustainable economy, healthcare.”
“It will also help end the underperformance and maladministration currently witnessed under the deceptive administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“We call on the three Osun PDP senators to display courage and show real leadership by joining forces with progressive elements and emulating other National Assembly lawmakers who have already moved to the APC. This is the time to act for the good of Osun State and Nigeria at large.”
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Why we endorsed Tinubu, by Benue APC Caucus
Benue APC National Assembly Caucus said it endorsed President Tinubu because of his impressive performance in the last two years.
The Caucus urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to collaborate with the Federal Government to halt rising insecurity in the state.
Two senators – Titus Zam (Benue Northwest) and Emmanuel Udende (Benue Northeast)- led 10 House of Representatives members to the endorsement press briefing in Abuja, where they appealed to their colleagues to support the Tinubu administration.
The federal legislators are Dickson Tarkigir, David Ogewu, Sesoo Ikpagher, Terseer Ugbor, Hon. Asema Achado.
Others are Philip Agbese, Sekav Iyoryom, Regina Akume, Blessing Onuh and Solomon Wombo.
Senator Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the endorsement was in appreciation of the laudable projects implemented by President Tinubu in Benue.
He said: “Our endorsement is rooted in a comprehensive assessment of President Tinubu’s transformative leadership, his unwavering commitment to national development, and the tangible achievements recorded under his administration since May 29, 2023.”
He said “under President Tinubu’s leadership, Benue State has witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, significantly enhancing connectivity and economic activities.”
Zam said President Tinubu approved the construction of 465-kilometer Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway, thereby enhancing connectivity and economic activities across beneficiary states.
He also said the president approved the construction of the Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo-Enugu Road, with a flyover at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi to improve transportation efficiency.
Other projects highlighted include the 1.7 kilometers Buruku Bridge over Katsina-Ala River, approved at a cost of ₦83.8 billion; the dualisation of 9th Mile-Otukpo-Makurdi Road, aimed at reducing travel time and improving connectivity between Enugu and Makurdi, Abuja, and northern Nigeria; and the rehabilitation of the Oju–Cross River federal road linking Benue to the Southsouth region.
Zam pointed out that President Tinubu had contributed to regional development, healthcare and education in Benue State, adding that he also established the North Central Development Commission to address developmental challenges in the region
He added:
“The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), has received increased federal attention under this administration, with improved funding, infrastructure upgrades, and academic programme expansion. These interventions are strengthening the institution’s capacity to train the next generation of health professionals from within and beyond Benue.
“The Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo has benefited from enhanced federal support, including the provision of modern medical equipment, increased personnel, and improved funding for specialist services. This has elevated the hospital’s capacity to serve as both a practical training ground for medical students and a referral centre for quality healthcare delivery in the region.
“The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Infectious Disease Control Centre in Vandeikya to address rising cases of infectious diseases in the state.
“The establishment of the Federal College of Agricultural Technology in Opialu Ojapo underscores the federal government’s commitment to advancing agricultural education and research in the region.”
Zam also highlighted the achievements of the President in Housing, Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Fiscal Support and Social Welfare Initiatives
These include the construction of 250 affordable housing units in Benue State under the Renewed Hope Housing Estates program and the approval of 1,000 housing units in the state as part of the Pulaku initiative.
Zam said: “The allocation of ₦44 billion to Benue State, comprising ₦5 billion post-subsidy removal funds, ₦9 billion Infrastructure Fund, and ₦30 billion Subnational Intervention Fund”, saying, “the administration’s fiscal reforms have led to a doubling of government revenues, reaching over ₦9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024, thereby enhancing the federal government’s ability to support state-level initiatives.”
He urged Governor Alia to close ranks with the Federal Government, through intelligence gathering and neighborhood watch, and make the fight against insecurity a success.
Zam stressed: “On security, we commend the ongoing efforts of President Tinubu in deploying more resources and personnel to safeguard lives and property across Benue.
“However, we believe the fight against insecurity cannot be left to the Federal Government alone. We look forward to seeing more proactive collaboration and genuine intelligence gathering from the state government, as a critical step toward restoring peace and protecting our communities.
“As representatives of the people, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and stability in Benue State.
“Within the full scope of our legislative powers, we will continue to advocate for and facilitate the necessary interventions to end the cycle of violence in our communities.
APC National Secretary Basiru woos three Osun PDP senators
Politics
Why I endorsed Tinubu, omitted Shettima – APC Vice Chair
Why I endorsed Tinubu, omitted Shettima – APC Vice Chair
The National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has responded to widespread criticism following his endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Salihu made the controversial move during the recent APC North-East Stakeholders’ Summit held in Gombe State, which sparked outrage, particularly among supporters of the Vice President, who hails from the region.
Breaking his silence during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday night, Salihu claimed his remarks had been grossly misrepresented, especially by some media outlets. He explained that the intention behind the motion was not to sideline anyone but to galvanize support for the continuity of APC’s leadership at the federal level.
“I think this trouble is largely caused by the constant misinterpretation and ill-reporting by the media,” he said. “You should have played my speech fully or even read the last paragraph before the endorsement.”
According to Salihu, his endorsement of President Tinubu was preceded by commendations of the Vice President and other key appointments allocated to the North-East zone.
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“The last paragraph of my speech before the endorsement was eulogising the Vice President, even recognising him as our son, whom we are very proud of. We stand by him. I even mentioned all the ministers and other juicy appointments given to North-East indigenes, and thanked Asiwaju for that before calling for his endorsement as the sole candidate of the APC,” he explained.
Salihu, who narrowly escaped a violent mob attack during the summit, stressed that the APC’s internal nomination process allows only one presidential candidate to emerge during the primaries and the candidate would later has the constitutional right to select a running mate.
“There is no such thing as a joint ticket during party primaries,” he stated. “Only the presidential candidate emerges, and it is entirely his prerogative to choose a running mate after he becomes the flagbearer.”
While acknowledging that party leaders and stakeholders are often consulted, Salihu was firm in his position that the final decision on a running mate remains solely with the presidential candidate.
“Even though the party and stakeholders may be consulted, constitutionally, it is solely the candidate’s right,” he said.
Addressing the chaos in Gombe, Salihu denied any intentional omission of VP Shettima from his speech and dismissed allegations of an internal rift between President Tinubu and the Vice President.
“Some people thrive on creating tension. We call them ‘crisis entrepreneurs,’ they manipulate situations like this to create confusion and benefit from it,” he said.
He urged party members and the public not to be swayed by what he described as “conspiracy theories” and politically motivated narratives spreading online.
“Party business isn’t conducted on the platforms of social media or pages of newspapers. We operate through the party office. These rumours are simply not reflective of the reality within the party,” Salihu stated.
Why I endorsed Tinubu, omitted Shettima – APC Vice Chair
Politics
Ganduje, APC North-East endorsement of Tinubu without Shettima sparks outrage
Ganduje, APC North-East endorsement of Tinubu without Shettima sparks outrage
There was chaos at the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the North- East, on Sunday, after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, National Vice Chairman of the ruling in the North-East, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
The meeting, which was held in Gombe State, was attended by virtually all ministers, lawmakers, and governors of the party from the region.
Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the APC, also led some key personalities to the event.
When it was the turn of Salihu to speak, he endorsed Tinubu to emerge as an unopposed candidate of the APC but was silent about Shettima.
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The moment he finished his speech, delegates at the forum started to hurl insults at him, with some threatening to attack him physically, but he had to be escorted out of the meeting by security operatives.
To calm the situation, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Bukar Dalori, endorsed both Tinubu and Shettima for a second term.
Kashim Shettima is from Borno, one of the states in the North-East region.
The meeting ended abruptly after the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, also endorsed Tinubu alone, without Shettima.
Our correspondent reports that Ganduje didn’t also mention Shettima’s name throughout his speech, which lasted about 10 minutes.
He had to be also escorted out of the venue by security operatives.
Ganduje, APC North-East endorsement of Tinubu without Shettima sparks outrage
Politics
APC chieftain begs Tinubu to intervene in Osun LG fresh crisis
APC chieftain begs Tinubu to intervene in Osun LG fresh crisis
Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the brewing crisis in the state over the Court of Appeal ruling on the conduct of the council election.
Oyintiloye, who made the plea in a chat with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, said that the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on Friday had started generating tension in the state.
The APC chieftain said although the court struck out a request by APC to relist its appeal against the 2022 Federal High Court ruling nullifying the local government elections, the court did not nullify the judgment of Feb. 10, which reinstated the chairmen and councillors.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the misinterpretation given of the ruling by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state government may result in a crisis in all the 30 local government areas if not quickly checked.
He said that the interpretation given to the judgment by the ruling PDP government that it is now in control of the local government areas and the planned invasion of the council secretariats on Monday may degenerate into a crisis.
The APC chieftain said, “The crisis is obvious because the elected APC chairmen and councillors would resist any unlawful invasion of the council secretariats, which they are currently occupying.”
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Oyintiloye said that the only way the crisis could be averted is for Tinubu to intervene by ordering the deployment of more security agencies to the state.
He said that the loss of lives during the similar crisis on Feb. 17 was still fresh in the minds of the residents, adding that such recurrence should be prevented.
“We don’t want any bloodshed in the state again, and that is why I am calling on the President to intervene swiftly to avoid loss of lives.
“The open declaration by PDP members to invade the council secretariats in the state on Monday can lead to mayhem, and that is not what we need at the moment.
“The state government and the PDP must be cautioned against causing a crisis in the state due to wrong interpretation of the court ruling.
“The verdict of the court on an attempt by the APC to relist the case is very clear, but some people are just hell-bent on causing chaos through misinterpretation of the court ruling.
“We appeal to Mr President to intervene and protect the lives and property of residents in Osun.
“Osun government is already before the Supreme Court to challenge its inability to access local government allocation.
“It is therefore expected of the government to wait for the apex court to take final decision on it,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on Friday dismissed an application by the APC seeking to relist an earlier appeal that was struck out on Jan. 13 for lack of diligent prosecution.
While the state government said that the Court of Appeal ruling affirmed the Federal High Court judgment that sacked the council chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC maintained that the ruling did not nullify the election.
The case originated from a suit filed by the All Peoples Party(APP) against the State Independent Electoral Commission(OSSIEC) at the Federal High Court, challenging the legality of the Oct. 15, 2022, LG Election, which featured only APC candidates.
The APC, which later joined the matter at the Federal High Court, had appealed the judgment after the lower court nullified the election.
However, the appeal was struck out on Jan. 13 due to a lack of diligent prosecution by the APC.
APC’s attempt to have the case relisted was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Friday.
APC chieftain begs Tinubu to intervene in Osun LG fresh crisis
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