Politics

Opposition Unfair To APC, President Buhari, Says PGF

Published

4 years ago

October 4, 2021

Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has said opposition parties were portraying the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari in bad light in spite of their achievements. Members of the PGF are all the APC governors.

In a statement he issued yesterday in Abuja, PGF director-general, Dr Salihu Lukman, said the opposition parties were taking advantage of passive official communication by the APC and the federal government to achieve their negative objectives.

He said, “A major gap being exploited by the opposition against the APC and the federal government is that official communication both by the APC and the federal government are passive and reactive.

“Consequently, the opposition is succeeding in taking advantage of this reality to unfairly portray both the APC and President Buhari in bad light,” Lukman said.

He continued, “Efforts to engage Nigerians to secure ownership of policy initiatives are quite low, but quite some significant progresses have been achieved.’’

Lukman said since 2015, the federal government had rolled out several initiatives to deliver on APC’s campaign promises targeted at strengthening Nigeria’s public service institutions.

“The false narratives against APC and President Buhari are being promoted by the opposition to suggest that criminal activities of banditry started only when APC took control of the federal government in 2015,” he said.

Lukman stated further that the APC was being portrayed to have failed in ending Boko Haram insurgency, whereas objective analysts would recall that the activities of the insurgents predated the APC administration.

The PGF boss said as at 2015, apart from controlling most parts of the Northeast, Boko Haram had spread to parts of Northwest and North Central, notably, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

“In both the Northwest and North Central, the problems of cattle rustling were rampant. Kidnapping was also there in many parts of the South-South and Southeast. To worsen matters, there was the 2014 corruption case of $2.1 billion meant for arms procurement, which was diverted by People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is true that the problem of cattle rustling in the Northwest and North Central has graduated to banditry and it is assuming a war situation. However, it should be recognised also that the fight against Boko Haram has made significant progress. Unlike before 2015 when most parts of the Northeast were under the control of insurgents, this is no longer the case,’’ he stated.

While acknowledging that there were still challenges in fighting banditry and insurgency, Lukman said the APC-led government was responding creditably.

He said for the APC to achieve the goal of producing a new Nigeria, it must be a party with a united leadership, disciplined and respectful, adding that the process of re-organising APC’s structures must make the party active in facilitating negotiations between leaders at all levels, saying that all agreements reached must be respected by all the parties.

“It is respect for agreements reached by all that can produce a new Nigeria,’’ Lukman declared.

He appealed to the Yobe State Governor Mai-Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to conclude its assignment to amend the party’s constitution speedily.

Lukman said the APC should strengthen and prioritise the processes of disciplinary hearing and enforcement of decisions.

He also suggested that the capacity of the party to regulate the conduct of members and leaders should be strengthened.

Lukman said since the party desired to bring about change, regulating the conduct of members and leaders would be an important catalysing factor to change Nigerian politics and produce the new Nigeria of APC’s dream.”

Leadership

Related Topics:APC Buhari Opposition PGF President

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AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

Published

15 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Trends Admin

AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

Less than 48 hours before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zadna Dantani, has pulled out of the race and declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

Dantani’s withdrawal follows a similar move in Bwari Area Council, where the PDP candidate, Hon. Julius Adamu, stepped down in favour of APC’s Joshua Ishaku Musa, signalling a major shift in political alignment ahead of Saturday’s elections.

In a formal declaration, Dantani explained that his decision was influenced by high-level intervention from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as both “party leader and FCT leader.”

AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

Politics

Updated: Rivers Senator Mpigi Barinada dies at 64

Published

17 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Updated: Rivers Senator Mpigi Barinada dies at 64

Lawmaker representing the South East Senatorial district of Rivers State, Senator Mpigi Barinada is dead.

He was aged 64.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, confirmed the sad development in a tribute post on his official X handle on Thursday.

He wrote, “Good night my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Sen Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate”.

The Rivers Senator was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works.

Updated: Rivers Senator Mpigi Barinada dies at 64

Politics

LP Crisis Deepens as Abure Faction Rejects Otti’s Reconciliation Call

Published

20 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Trends Admin

National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure

LP Crisis Deepens as Abure Faction Rejects Otti’s Reconciliation Call

The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as the Julius Abure–led faction firmly rejected reconciliation efforts initiated by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, declaring it has no interest in any peace move proposed by him.

In a strongly worded response, the factional National Working Committee (NWC) led by Julius Abure described Governor Otti’s call for unity as dishonest, premature, and ill-fated, insisting that the internal dispute within the party is far from being resolved.

The Abure camp was reacting to Otti’s recent appeal for aggrieved factions within the party to sheathe their swords and work towards rebuilding the LP ahead of future elections. The governor had announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee, stating that the interim leadership would determine the appropriate timing.

However, the Abure faction dismissed the move outright, accusing Otti of playing a central role in triggering and escalating the crisis. According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the governor lacks the moral authority to champion reconciliation.

Background: How the Labour Party Leadership Crisis Began

The Labour Party crisis stems from a prolonged power struggle over national leadership, which intensified after the 2023 general elections that significantly boosted the party’s national profile.

At the heart of the dispute are two rival factions: one led by Julius Abure, the party’s embattled national chairman, and another aligned with Nenadi Usman, who heads an interim leadership structure.

The crisis escalated when a court of first instance issued an order that effectively recognized the Nenadi Usman–led group as the authentic leadership of the party. Acting on the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission adjusted its records, delisting the Abure-led NWC from its official portal.

While Abure’s faction has since filed an appeal and maintains that the court ruling is not final, the Usman-aligned camp has continued to operate as the recognized leadership, widening the rift within the party.

Governor Otti, one of the most prominent LP officeholders, has publicly aligned with reconciliation efforts, arguing that internal unity is critical for the party’s survival. However, the Abure faction views his actions as politically motivated interference, rather than a genuine peace initiative.

With legal proceedings still pending and both factions refusing to back down, the Labour Party remains deeply divided, raising fresh concerns about its cohesion and electoral prospects ahead of future political contests.