CPC, N/Central jostle for APC national chairman after Ganduje exit - Newstrends
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CPC, N/Central jostle for APC national chairman after Ganduje exit

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CPC, N/Central jostle for APC national chairman after Ganduje exit

Barely three days after Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stepped down as national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the party has begun pushing to fill the vacancy.

Multiple sources within the bloc told Daily Trust yesterday that the CPC faction is agitating for the chairmanship in the name of fairness and justice.

Ganduje resigned on Friday via a letter submitted to the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, citing ill health. His resignation was formally confirmed in a statement on Saturday by APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka.

However, credible sources told Daily Trust that a key reason Ganduje resigned was that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had finalised plans for the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and longtime rival of Ganduje, into the APC. While serving as governor, Ganduje was known to have virtually barred Kwankwaso from entering Kano.

Since his resignation, the APC has witnessed renewed calls from the North Central, particularly the CPC bloc, for the chairmanship to be zoned to the region.

Daily Trust reports that the APC was formed in 2013 through the merger of legacy parties including the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP).

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Recently, some CPC members criticised the APC leadership for allegedly sidelining the bloc. Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, a key CPC figure, recently quit the APC in protest and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yesterday, the North Central APC Forum endorsed former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, the only CPC governor from 2011 to 2019, to succeed Ganduje.

In a statement signed by the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the group said its endorsement followed wide consultations among stakeholders in the region. It argued that Al-Makura hails from the same state as former chairman Abdullahi Adamu, who was forced to resign before completing his tenure, and that the CPC bloc remains the only major legacy group yet to produce a national chairman.

The forum also described Al-Makura as a loyal party man who had accepted the consensus candidacy of Adamu during the 2022 APC National Convention without dissent. It said he possesses the clout, loyalty, and experience necessary to lead the party, and enjoys respect among serving and former governors alike.

Zazzaga added that Al-Makura has handled key party assignments in the past, giving him deep insight into the party’s workings nationwide.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, a North East APC chieftain, Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, said the chairmanship should go to the North Central and the CPC bloc, noting that Al-Makura was widely tipped to take over from Ganduje. He described the agitation as “real and legitimate,” adding that “the APC will not make a mistake.”

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In a separate interview, elder statesman and former presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie, also backed the North Central, saying the region had long felt marginalised since Adamu was replaced by Ganduje.

“The North-Central has not been quiet in expressing their alienation from that office. When Ganduje took over, it felt like a sidelining of the region. It’s only fair to return the chairmanship there,” he said.

Similarly, members of the defunct CPC in the 7th National Assembly held a meeting in Abuja, calling on President Tinubu to address what they described as continued marginalisation of their bloc within the APC. At a press conference, former House of Representatives member Aliyu Gebi said the CPC group had been unfairly excluded from party leadership and deserved proper recognition.

“We cannot sit here and pretend marginalisation doesn’t exist,” Gebi said. “We were thrown out of a vehicle that we created.”

Others at the meeting included Senator Ibrahim Musa, Hon. Sanusi Aliyu, Hon. Mohammed Tukur, Senator Ahmed Sani, Hon. Ibrahim Chachangi, Hon. Yusuf Bala, and the APC National Vice Chairman (North West), Hon. Garuba Datti.

CPC, N/Central jostle for APC national chairman after Ganduje exit

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City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

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City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

Prominent business leaders and influencers have donated buses worth millions of naira in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, signalling a growing grassroots mobilisation effort by his backers across Nigeria.

The donations were led by Cletus Uzoezie Oragwa, founder of Zenco Oil, alongside Chief Christian Okonkwo of C-Energy Oil and popular nightlife entrepreneur Obi Cubana. The buses were handed over to CityBoyMedia, an affiliate of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven grassroots support platform actively engaging communities in the Southeast and beyond to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

During the presentation ceremony, the donors emphasised that the buses would enhance the movement’s logistics, voter mobilisation, and outreach efforts in key regions, particularly rural communities. The initiative underscores the role of private sector support in bolstering campaign infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Obi Cubana, who has previously been prominent in civic engagement and social advocacy, signalled stronger political alignment with the Tinubu-led administration. In recent events, including hosting Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, in Abuja, Cubana reaffirmed his commitment to youth mobilisation and inclusive political participation through the City Boy Movement.

Also present at the event was social media personality Cubana Chief Priest, who expressed support for the administration and reiterated his opposition to former presidential candidate Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.

The donations coincide with a wider surge in pro-Tinubu mobilisation activities nationwide, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allied groups intensify efforts to consolidate support and ensure a strong grassroots presence. Political observers note that contributions from private citizens and business figures play a key role in sustaining momentum for the campaign.

This initiative highlights the intersection of political support, business influence, and grassroots mobilisation, reflecting strategic efforts to galvanise youth engagement and strengthen the administration’s electoral prospects.

City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

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Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode

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Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode

 

LAGOS — A retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has described the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a symbol of ethical and people-centred leadership, saying his “servant mindset” continues to offer lessons for today’s political class.

Olurode spoke in Lagos on February 11, 2026, at a commemorative event marking the fifth anniversary of Jakande’s passing, where he delivered a tribute titled “Jakande’s Servant Mindsets Remain Evergreen.”

Reflecting on Jakande’s legacy, Olurode said the late governor’s decisions were largely driven by public good rather than personal gain.

“An analysis of Jakande’s actions… reveals that his major actions weren’t self-interest driven but motivated by a consuming concern for the enhancement of public goods,” he said.

He noted that Jakande’s tenure expanded access to education, healthcare, roads and employment, with benefits reaching ordinary citizens rather than a narrow political circle.

According to him, the former governor demystified governance by taking it to the grassroots and maintaining close contact with the masses.

Olurode also recalled the period following the 1983 military coup, when praise for Jakande’s achievements continued despite the prevailing political climate, citing an incident where a government official described the ousted governor as a “superstar.”

Highlighting Jakande’s personal style, he said the late leader avoided flamboyance, cut the cost of governance and remained accessible even after leaving office.

“Jakande shunned flamboyance and the wasteful paraphernalia which many Nigerian leaders artificially surround themselves with,” Olurode added.

He urged contemporary leaders to embrace ethical values, inclusivity and accountability, noting that Jakande’s legacy endures decades after his single term in office.

The event also featured reflections on Jakande’s contributions to Lagos State and tributes to his family, including his wife, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola, and their children.

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El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has raised alarm that he could be arrested at any time by Nigeria’s security agencies, claiming his outspoken criticism of the federal government and the alleged targeting of political opponents may make him a potential target. In an interview with BBC Hausa, El‑Rufai said that although he has not yet been detained, he believes his arrest is imminent, noting that several close associates have already been picked up by security forces. “About four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said, highlighting what he described as political pressure and intimidation of opposition voices.

El‑Rufai alleged that the APC-led federal government is using security and anti-corruption agencies to intimidate dissenting politicians, forcing some to either defect to the ruling party or face punitive action. His remarks come amid heightened political tension in the country and follow the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who faces charges including abuse of office — allegations he describes as politically motivated. Critics say selective targeting of opposition figures undermines democratic principles and escalates mistrust in governance, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. El‑Rufai’s warning has intensified debates about the independence of law enforcement agencies and their role in political matters.

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Once a key figure in the APC, El‑Rufai has become a vocal critic of parts of the current administration. He claims that officials linked to his past administration have faced repeated investigations and detentions without formal charges, alleging these actions are politically motivated. In a confidential memo dated February 10, 2026, he stated that several former aides and associates had been detained and arraigned on what he called “phantom charges” designed to tarnish reputations and limit political competition.

While he insists he has committed no wrongdoing, El‑Rufai has called for due process and transparency, stressing that Nigeria’s political space must remain free from intimidation and unlawful targeting of opponents. His statement underscores growing concerns about political intimidation and the misuse of security agencies, highlighting the need for institutional independence and protection of opposition voices as the country navigates an increasingly charged political atmosphere.

El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions

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