Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments 

Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has terminated the appointments of all his political aides, including Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs), in a bold move aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and deepening service delivery. The decision was announced in Akure by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday.

According to the statement, the sack affects all political appointees serving under the governor, who was elected in 2025. The governor thanked the outgoing aides for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours. The mass disengagement comes amid a broader effort to strengthen administration at the grassroots level, ahead of the 2027 elections.

To replace the dismissed aides, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced plans to appoint about 1,000 new political aides drawn from all 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. These new aides are expected to serve as community liaisons, administrative support officers, and coordination aides, improving citizen engagement and service delivery throughout the state.

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Resignations Ahead of APC Primaries

In line with INEC regulations for electoral participation, several political appointees have submitted resignation letters to pursue elective offices in the 2027 general elections. These include:

• Hon. Gbenga Omole, Special Adviser on Transport
• Hon. Fadairo Oluwafemi, SSA on Community Engagement (Central)
• Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole, Chairman, Ondo State Hospital Management Board
• Engr. Razaq Obe, Director General, Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU)
• Hon. Adeola Fynch, Secretary, Akure South Local Government, effective March 20, 2026

Notably, Hon. Adeola Fynch resigned to contest for the Akure South Constituency 1 seat in the State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. Resignations were formally tendered through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.

Implications for Governance

Observers say the shake-up reflects Aiyedatiwa’s intent to broaden representation, strengthen local governance, and inject fresh capacity into the state administration. By recruiting aides from every ward, the governor aims to enhance grassroots engagement and ensure efficient delivery of public services.

Analysts, however, caution that integrating a large number of new aides may require significant orientation and coordination to maintain continuity in governance and policy implementation.

This sweeping restructuring highlights the government’s focus on accountability, community involvement, and electoral compliance, positioning Ondo State for stronger administrative performance in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments 

Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He ‘Ran Away’ From Labour Party Crisis

Abuja, Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has sharply criticised former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of lacking leadership courage and commitment to manage internal party crises. Wike’s remarks came during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2026 National Convention held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Addressing delegates, Wike drew a parallel between Obi’s defection from the Labour Party and the recent departure of some PDP governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Leadership is not an easy task. Leadership requires courage. Leadership requires firmness. Leadership requires commitment,” Wike said. “When crisis came in the Labour Party, it was time it was required for him to show leadership. He ran away because he could not solve problems.”

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Wike criticised both Obi and the defecting PDP governors, claiming they had shown a fundamental absence of the qualities required to lead during challenging political moments.

“The presidential candidate of the Labour Party was given a platform to pursue his ambition. But when challenges arose, he abandoned it. The same thing applies to some governors who ran away when crises emerged,” he added.

Obi’s Political Realignment

Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, officially left the Labour Party in 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Since then, he has become a key figure in a growing opposition coalition that includes Atiku, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, all positioning to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Wike’s comments highlight the intensifying political rivalry within Nigeria’s opposition and reflect ongoing debates about leadership, loyalty, and party realignment as the country prepares for its next election cycle.

Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He ‘Ran Away’ From Labour Party Crisis

Abuja Convention: Wike PDP Faction Confirms Mohammed as Chairman, Anyanwu as Secretary

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially affirmed Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary of the party. The announcement was made during a high-profile convention in Abuja, attended by approximately 2,500 delegates from across Nigeria.

The convention also endorsed a 19-member National Working Committee (NWC) and other national officers aligned with the Wike faction. The resolution for the affirmation was proposed by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and seconded by Usaman Admu, reflecting the faction’s determination to consolidate its control of the party’s structure and strengthen its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

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Other key appointments affirmed include Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman (South), Yusufu Nya Akirikwen (SAN) as Deputy National Chairman (North), Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary, Odeyemei Mackson Oladiran as National Treasurer, and Lado Dan Marke as Deputy National Treasurer. Additional officers confirmed include Eyim Donatus Henry, Dr. Grema Kyari, Umar Mohammed Bature, Efere Augustine, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, Egwu Goodluck Chidiebere, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Barr. Aloysius Chinemelu U. Uba, Osuoha Okechukwu Donatus, Dr. Adaba Yatu, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, and Momoh Dejih Eugene Bashir. Professor Ogunshe Adedayo and Hauwa Ahmed Shinge were affirmed as national women leader and deputy national women leader, respectively.

The Wike-aligned faction described the affirmation as a critical step to strengthen internal party structure, enhance unity, and position the PDP for electoral success. Party supporters emphasized that the appointments were conducted following internal democratic procedures and with the backing of the majority of delegates present.

This move comes amid a long-running leadership dispute within the PDP, with rival factions, including those loyal to Kabiru Turaki, challenging the legitimacy of parallel structures and leadership appointments. Legal actions have been taken in courts by opposing camps to contest parallel conventions and assert authority over party leadership.

By holding the convention in Abuja, the Wike faction seeks to assert dominance at the national level and solidify its leadership ahead of upcoming elections, signaling an intention to play a decisive role in shaping the party’s strategy and candidate selections. Political observers note that the development may reshape internal dynamics within the PDP as the party gears up for the 2027 polls.

Abuja Convention: Wike PDP Faction Confirms Mohammed as Chairman, Anyanwu as Secretary