Politics

I won’t reveal APC secret to capture all South-West states – Ganduje

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

I won’t reveal APC secret to capture all South-West states – Ganduje

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that the ruling party will capture all the South-West states.

This, he said, would start by winning the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State.

He stated this when he led members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Sunday.

Other prominent APC leaders at the meeting are Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Talabi Olatokunbo.

Isaac Kekemeke (APC, Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Ajibola Bashiru; (APC National Secretary), Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, among prominent members of the party in the South-West were in attendance.

Ganduje said the ruling party was working hard to ensure it spread its tentacles ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He declared that both Oyo and Osun states must be under the capture of the APC to boost President Bola Tinubu’s support, especially in the South.

Even as he said that the party would not reveal its strategy in winning the states in the region, Ganduje urged leaders of the APC to close ranks and ensure unity among members and followers of the party.

He said the governorship election in Ondo is a walkover for the APC, stressing that all the leaders at the national level had thrown their weight behind incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

READ ALSO:

“In this geopolitical zone, we must deliver 100 per cent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo State, you must be at the forefront of the two other states – Oyo and Osun – we will capture them, but I will not reveal our secret. We are strategising. Everything must be 100 per cent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“In this coming election, we are solidly behind Governor Aiyedatiwa. We have made arrangements at the national level to have a successful election and I announce Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman National Campaign Council.

“This election is a task that must be done. We are encouraged by this large crowd of stakeholders. It shows there is unity, solidarity, and vigour in the party. We are expecting 90 percent votes in the forthcoming governorship election. You have to visit house to house. Neighbour to neighbour and ensure that people come out to vote,” he said.

Ganduje, however, pleaded with the party’s aspirants who contested the governorship ticket with Aiyedatiwa to sheathe their sword and rally behind the governor in November election.

“Let me remind those who contested the primary election with Aiyedatiwa that are not losers because there is no victor, no vanquish in the exercise.”

On his part, Sanwo-Olu said the party becomes stronger when the people come together in unity.

He stated that the party could not afford to lose Ondo to the opposition parties, arguing that all warring factions must set aside their differences and support Aiyedatiwa in the election.

“The entire party formation has come to Ondo to appreciate you. You may have gone through turbulent time and feel aggrieved, but it is more important that we come together again as one.”

“Nobody should be left behind because all of you are important to the delivery of our victory in the coming election. This gathering is to embrace all of us and for all of us to agree. This message of unity must go around the 18 LGAs of the state. Mr. President is fully aware of what we are doing here, and he has given his consent to this.

“When we come together, we are even bigger than whatever force that wants to come within. We need everybody in that train in respect of our difference. It is the reason why we need to work together as one.”

I won’t reveal APC secret to capture all South-West states – Ganduje

Politics

Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC

Mr. Rasheed Kashamu, Ijebu-North 1 lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection, announced on Monday during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was communicated through a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide. Kashamu, who served as Deputy Minority Whip, cited irreconcilable differences and factional divisions within the PDP at both state and national levels as reasons for his move.

Elemide noted that Kashamu’s decision was aimed at aligning with progressive forces in Ogun State and supporting the development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “After reviewing the current state of affairs of the PDP, marked by unresolved leadership crises, he resolved, in consultation with his supporters, to join the APC and back the ISEYA agenda of Governor Abiodun and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the Speaker said.

READ ALSO:

Kashamu formally joined the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, accompanied by his supporters, while lawmakers welcomed him into the Assembly’s majority caucus. His wife, uncle, and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun seeking the confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as Auditor-General for Local Governments following the retirement of Mr. Lamidi Mulero.

Elemide directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on December 17 and to submit 30 copies of his curriculum vitae and credentials by 10:00 a.m. on December 16, as part of the confirmation process.

This development marks a significant political shift in Ogun State, strengthening the APC’s presence in the House of Assembly ahead of upcoming elections.

Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC

Politics

Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly

Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary

Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s primary election on Monday.

The primary, held in Osogbo, saw 528 delegates accredited, including 482 local government and ward delegates and 53 special delegates. Of the votes cast, 520 were validly credited to Salaam, while eight votes were declared invalid, confirming his landslide win.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, officially declared Salaam as the party’s flagbearer, empowering him to lead the party into the 2026 gubernatorial race.

READ ALSO:

In his acceptance speech, Salaam thanked delegates and ADC leadership for their confidence, vowing to champion the party’s vision and represent the people of Osun State effectively in the upcoming election.

Salaam’s nomination adds momentum to a highly competitive political landscape in Osun State, where other parties, including the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), have also concluded their nominations. Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the Accord Party ticket, while the APC confirmed Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its flagbearer.

Political analysts note that Salaam’s experience as a legislative leader and grassroots mobiliser positions him as a strong contender in the 2026 Osun governorship election, signaling an intense contest across major parties.

Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary

Politics

El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he commented on which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, describing the claim as fake news.

The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said it was the South’s turn to produce the next president. Reacting on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai categorically denied making such a statement.

“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality,” he said.

El-Rufai stressed that he did not express such views in any speech, interview or social media post, noting that his opinions are only conveyed through his verifiable official platforms.

READ ALSO:

He also faulted the practice of attributing opinions to him based on articles written by others, even when such articles are shared on his platforms as part of broader national discourse.

“It is wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation,” he said.

The former governor warned that the spread of misinformation and irresponsible politicking on social media poses a serious threat to public trust and democratic debate.

“These clarifications are crucial as we confront the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news,” El-Rufai stated, adding that fake news platforms should not be accorded any credibility.

He further urged journalists, media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, cautioning that failure to do so undermines the integrity of the media.

“In this age of falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever,” he said, lamenting what he described as the growing alignment of some media actors with unverified social media narratives.

El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no political views should be attributed to him unless they are explicitly expressed on his official social media accounts or during interviews with reputable media organisations.