Politics

Aregbesola’s omission from presidential campaign surprising – APC faction

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2022

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola

The faction of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State backed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed surprise over his omission in the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday, the group’s publicity secretary, Abiodun Agboola, said it was surprising that Aregbesola was left out.

He, however, said as a loyal party man, Aregbesola and his men would work for APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential poll.

Agboola said, “Actually, we were surprised that his name was not included in the list when it came out. We don’t know what is responsible for that but we felt that with his closeness to Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu), he was supposed to be given a prominent role in the campaign.

“As a true party man, he will definitely contribute towards the success of Asiwaju during the next election. But we felt that he deserved to be there. He knows Asiwaju very well; he knows him in and out. Asiwaju also knows his capabilities. At a certain point in time, he was the DG of Asiwaju when he was campaigning for the governorship in Lagos State.

READ ALSO:

“We felt he deserves more, but if the party hierarchy says that he has to come in as a member of the Executive Committee, there must be a reason behind that which is not known to us. He is a party man who is loyal to the party. Ogbeni Aregbesola will definitely play his role during the next election.”

When contacted for reaction on Monday, Onanuga and Keyamo declined further comment on Aregbesola’s exclusion, saying The PUNCH should refer to their DG statement at the unveiling of the Action Plan and PCC inauguration at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Dr Simon Lalong, the Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council and the Governor of Plateau State calmed party supporters when he announced that members who did not make the PCC list have important roles to play at the regional, zonal, and grassroots levels.

Lalong disclosed that the majority of party chieftains, including Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige; embattled Senator of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Chimaroke Nnamani; and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, who were dropped from the campaign list, were given different roles to play at regional, zonal, state local government, ward and unit levels.

Related Topics:APC Aregbesola Featured Presidential campaign

Up Next

Atiku’s victory uncertain, but PDP’ll win all other elections in Rivers – Wike

Don't Miss

2023: Afenifere goofed, can’t decide for South-West – Sowore

Politics

Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

Published

15 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Hon. Victor Giadom, has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to align politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, if he hopes to record any meaningful political success in Rivers State.

Giadom gave the advice on Tuesday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where political leaders and supporters gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to the former Rivers State governor.

Describing Nyesom Wike as a dependable leader and the dominant political force in Rivers State, Giadom assured the minister of the unflinching support of the Gokana people, stressing that no rival political structure exists in the area.

“I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu, and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana,” Giadom said.

He added, “Gokana is a no-go area for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”

Similarly, former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Sen. Magnus Abe, said the people of Gokana had already made their political choice, firmly aligning with Wike and President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO:

“Wike is a leader that unites, and that is why we are united. If you follow Wike, you will not go home empty-handed,” Abe stated.
“The Ogoni people are with you. Please tell President Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign — we are already for him.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, pledged continued loyalty to the FCT minister.

“Anywhere you go, we will go,” Maol said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Mr. Confidence Deko, pledged total support for Wike, attributing the people’s loyalty to his developmental contributions to the area.

“This local government is for you because of what you have done for us,” Deko said.
“Please tell President Tinubu that the people of Gokana appreciate him. The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”

In his response, Wike said the visit was to appreciate the people of Gokana for their sustained support and goodwill over the years.

He commended their unity, particularly in backing President Tinubu, noting that unity remained the foundation for progress.

“When you are united, good things will come,” Wike said, urging residents to remain patient and continue to listen to their leaders for guidance at the appropriate time.

The FCT minister further assured the people of his continued partnership with them, revealing that members of both the APC and PDP in Rivers State were united in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“That is why you see PDP and APC members here,” Wike said, describing the alliance as a broad-based political collaboration aimed at advancing development in Rivers State and across the country.

Align With Wike or Lose Gokana, APC Chieftain Warns Gov Fubara

Politics

Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

Published

17 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the omission as further evidence of what it termed INEC’s “biased disposition” against the party.

According to the PDP, INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and subsequently issued reports confirming that the process complied with electoral laws and democratic standards.

The party said INEC later released nomination portal codes for the submission of candidates’ details but allegedly blocked the PDP’s access to the portal days before the submission deadline.

READ ALSO:

As a result, the party said it resorted to manual submission of its nomination documents at INEC’s office, adding that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents.

The PDP maintained that INEC ought to have exercised caution by including the name of Oluwole Oluyede, whom it described as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no contrary submission challenging his nomination.

“There was no court order restraining INEC from recognising our candidate, and the commission’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries,” the statement said.

The party further disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the final list for the election.

“While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again remind INEC of the expectations of Nigerians that the commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in the management of the electoral process,” the PDP stated.

The party warned that actions perceived as undermining electoral integrity could damage democracy and public confidence in the commission.

Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

Politics

Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis

Published

18 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has formally invited Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the ruling party, urging him to join in the interest of unity and development in the state.

The invitation was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who spoke on behalf of the immediate past APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Abbas said the call for Governor Yusuf to join the APC was driven by the need for reconciliation, unity, and collective progress in Kano State.

“The APC is ready to receive Governor Abba Yusuf with open arms so that, together, we can combine our strengths for the progress of Kano State,” Abbas said.

READ ALSO:

The planned defection of the governor has reportedly deepened divisions within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on whose platform Yusuf was elected in the 2023 governorship election.

Sources within the party say the move is strongly opposed by the NNPP national leader and political benefactor of the governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is said to be against Yusuf joining the APC.

Abbas assured that upon his formal defection, Governor Yusuf and other NNPP stalwarts would be received into the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje, in what he described as an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility.

He added that the APC remains committed to building a more united, stable, and prosperous Kano State, regardless of political affiliations.