The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has clarified that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the authority to decide whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be formally adopted for the 2027 elections.

Earlier this year, during a visit to Anambra State, Governor Charles Soludo, APGA’s sole elected governor, reiterated the party’s longstanding policy of supporting the party controlling the federal government.

Soludo reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, citing their 22-year friendship and the administration’s economic reforms as reasons for his backing.

Despite speculation about opposition governors, mainly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsing Tinubu or defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ezeokenwa emphasized that any formal adoption for 2027 would be a collective NEC decision.

“Adopting the president is a decision that the NEC of the party will make at the appropriate time. For now, we support the president to continue his mandate to the people of Nigeria,” Ezeokenwa said.

The APGA chairman also dismissed rumors that Governor Soludo might defect to the APC, asserting that the governor remains firmly committed to APGA.

He noted that Soludo’s working relationship with President Tinubu is closer than that of many governors within his own party.

“In APGA, we are progressives, and the president is also a progressive. Both leaders have collaborated effectively, and Governor Soludo remains loyal to the party under which he was elected,” Ezeokenwa added.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has dismissed speculation that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo might defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his close friendship with President Bola Tinubu and advocacy for progressives working together.

Ezeokenwa told journalists in Abuja that it makes little sense for parties with similar ideological leanings to be in conflict at the polls.

He noted that Soludo’s recent landslide victory in the gubernatorial election solidifies APGA’s control in Anambra State, and the governor will remain in the party to continue supporting APC where appropriate.

Highlighting Soludo’s performance at the polls, Ezeokenwa said the governor secured 77% of votes, winning in 319 out of 326 wards, a record surpassing that of previous APGA governors in the state.

He described the result as an “A” for Soludo, reflecting both his popularity and APGA’s dominance in the region.

The APGA chairman also praised President Tinubu for supporting the idea of state policing, saying it enables governors to truly act as chief security officers in their states.

Responding to questions about Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti potentially joining APGA for his second-term election, Ezeokenwa welcomed him, describing such a move as a “homecoming” rather than a defection.

He stressed that while APGA remains open to new members, the party will ensure ideological alignment and will not become a vehicle for opportunistic political migrations.

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a divided judgment in the case instituted by the Osun State Attorney General against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), challenging the Federal Government’s alleged unlawful seizure of funds meant for local government councils.

In a majority decision of six to one, the court struck out the suit, ruling that the Osun Attorney General lacked the legal standing to file the action on behalf of the state’s 30 local government councils.

According to the apex court, only constitutionally elected and sworn-in local government officials have the legal right to institute or defend actions relating to their administration and finances.

Despite dismissing the suit, the Supreme Court declared that the Federal Government’s withholding of local government allocations was unconstitutional, describing it as a “grave violation” of the 1999 Constitution and of the court’s earlier pronouncements affirming financial autonomy for local councils.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the Federal Government had acted improperly and urged immediate compliance with constitutional provisions mandating the direct release of funds to local government accounts.

He also dismissed the contempt allegations raised by the AGF against Osun State, insisting that it was, in fact, the Federal Government that stood in violation of the Constitution by refusing to disburse the funds.

Justice Idris further pointed out that there was no documentation showing that Osun’s Attorney General had been explicitly authorised by the local councils to initiate the suit.

In a lone dissent, Justice Emmanuel Agim argued that the Osun Attorney General had the right to bring the matter before the court.

He criticised the Federal Government’s withholding of funds, warning that such conduct risks undermining local governance across the country.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, counsel to the Osun Attorney General, represented the state throughout the proceedings.

Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced on Friday during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule.

The defectors include key lawmakers such as the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Speaking on the mass defection, Amaewhule said the lawmakers were leaving the PDP due to deep divisions within the party.

He confirmed he had already informed his ward of his decision and declared his full alignment with the APC.

“APC is my new party,” he said.

“I am happy to be part of the All Progressives Congress so we can join forces with Mr President.”

The Speaker praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as significant efforts in security, national development, and support for Rivers State.

“Mr President means well for Nigeria. He has shown love to Rivers people by bringing them into national governance,” Amaewhule added.

Factional APC Chairman in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, was present at the plenary to formally welcome the defecting lawmakers.

DAILY GAZETTE notes that during the height of the political crisis in the state last year, 27 PDP lawmakers had also defected to the APC, but later reversed their decision after their seats were declared vacant by the faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Governor Okpebholo,

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has dismissed his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fred Itua, and appointed Dr. Patrick Ebojele Akhere as his replacement.

The announcement was made in a statement issued Thursday night by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.

According to the statement, Dr. Ebojele is a seasoned journalist, media scholar, public administrator, researcher, and lecturer, with an extensive record in media practice, public affairs, and academia.

His appointment is aimed at enhancing communication between the Edo State Government and its citizens, ensuring transparency, clarity, and effective dissemination of government policies and programmes.

“The Edo State Government wishes to inform the public that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Dr. Patrick Ebojele Akhere as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,” the statement read.

“Dr. Ebojele brings a distinguished professional background in journalism, public administration, and research, which will strengthen the government’s communication channels with the people of Edo State.”

Regarding the outgoing CPS, the statement noted, “Mr. Fred Itua will, after the handover, await a new assignment to be communicated in due course. The government appreciates his service and contributions during his tenure.”

Dr. Ebojele’s appointment signals Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to fostering transparency and improving public engagement through effective media communication.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to nominate the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, for an ambassadorial post, stating that he would never have made such an appointment if he were president.

Atiku, who ran in the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the nomination as raising “serious concerns” and warned that it could be perceived as a political reward rather than a merit-based appointment.

“Let me state without ambiguity: under no circumstance would I, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nominate the immediate past INEC Chairman for an ambassadorial position,” Atiku wrote on his X account on Thursday.

He argued that the nomination “presents terrible optics for an administration already struggling with credibility” and could send the wrong signal to the electoral body.

“It risks appearing as a quid pro quo rather than a recognition of merit. It sends the wrong message to the current @inecnigeria leadership; that partisan, compromised, or poorly executed elections may ultimately be rewarded,” he said.

Atiku further described the move as “morally indefensible,” noting that an electoral umpire at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most disputed elections should not become a beneficiary of its outcome.

“This is not the path to strengthening our democracy or restoring public trust in our institutions,” he added.

President Tinubu’s nomination of Yakubu is currently awaiting legislative approval.