Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Nentawe Yilwatda, to closely collaborate with his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in preparing the party for the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda revealed this during a condolence visit from Ganduje at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, following the death of his mother. He acknowledged the significance of Ganduje’s political experience and indicated his willingness to rely on it as he adjusts to his new role.

He stated: “My doors are open, the office is open, the partnership remains open, and the friendship remains open. So never lock your door against me — and I know you will not — because we have worked together long before this time.”

Yilwatda added that President Tinubu had specifically encouraged him to work closely with Ganduje.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked me to work with you, to reach out to you as well about partnership,” he said.

“I told him I would regard you still as a Chairman in partnership with me. You are still the co-Chairman of the party (APC). I am only a coordinator. My duty is simply to coordinate the membership of this party. But the party belongs to all of us.”

Reflecting on Ganduje’s political pedigree, Yilwatda said “We are all collective leaders of the party. Moreover, by experience and by virtue of politics, you have been there long before me. Since the time of the NPN, you have been part of the political scene.”

He recounted a childhood memory to emphasize Ganduje’s long-standing involvement in politics.

“At that time, I was only in primary school. I recall that we used to see Governor Rimi come to Jos in the 70s and 80s to visit Solomon Lar. One day, he came to commission a project at my school. I was just in Form 2, waving at them along with my classmates, I never knew what politics truly meant. By then, people like you had already mastered the ropes of politics, while we didn’t even know the definition of politics.”

Reiterating the importance of Ganduje’s mentorship, Yilwatda added:
“So I need your experience. I need your guidance. The learning curve still rests with you. I will depend heavily on your experience, your connections, and your contacts to ensure we solidify this party and build it together, so that we can win more elections.”

In response, Ganduje pledged to maintain a harmonious relationship with his successor, defying the trend of strained ties between predecessors and successors in Nigerian politics.

“One important thing is that the problem between successor and his predecessor, which is one of the issues that APC has solved,” Ganduje noted.

“So, in order to show examples, I am sure you know that since 1999 the problem between former Governors and their successors has always been an issue up till now in many states of the federation.”

He emphasized that the cordial bond he shares with Yilwatda should serve as a model for Nigerian democracy.

“Not only in governorship, but in other positions, especially in politics. So our relationship is the beginning to solve that kind of problem, not only in APC but in the whole atmosphere of democracy. I have to congratulate you for this new appointment.”

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, has announced that the party will not present a presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, reaffirming its tradition and aligning with its support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Ezeokenwa dismissed suggestions that Governor Charles Soludo’s recent courtesy visit to President Tinubu was aimed at lobbying for support in the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Instead, he said the visit reflected mutual admiration between the two leaders and an ongoing ideological alignment between their political visions.

“Let me begin by stating that this press conference has been necessitated by the persistent falsehoods, deliberate misinformation, and baseless allegations being circulated in the media by the supporters and cronies of the APC Senatorial candidate for the recently conducted Anambra South Senatorial by-election, Mr Azuka Okwuosa,” Ezeokenwa said.

He also criticized Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC governorship candidate in Anambra, for attempting to undermine the credibility of the election process.

“This, of course, includes Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC Governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025 Anambra Gubernatorial election, who despite the infamous role he played in attempting to subvert the will of the people at the said election, as well as several electoral infractions he committed, has volunteered himself as the chief purveyor of falsehood, all in the bid to discredit the excellent work of INEC officials and security agencies in ensuring the credibility of the said by-election.”

While acknowledging that APGA typically avoids responding to misinformation, Ezeokenwa said this occasion warranted a response to ensure historical accuracy.

“This press conference is aimed solely to provide a factual counter-narrative and ensure that the truth is documented for posterity,” he said.

He described the August 16 by-election as a milestone for Nigerian democracy.

“The successful conduct of the by-elections has yet again marked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an important pillar of our democracy and further demonstrated the institution’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and the will of the Nigerian people,” he stated.

On the relationship between Governor Soludo and President Tinubu, the APGA chairman emphasized that their mutual respect is longstanding and not driven by political favors.

“Even the President has continuously alluded to the long-time friendship that has existed between him and Professor Soludo.”

Ezeokenwa maintained that APGA’s decision to back Tinubu is not transactional but rooted in ideological consistency and shared values.

“Governor Soludo’s support and, by extension, APGA’s decision to back President Tinubu’s re-election do not proceed from a quid pro quo consideration… it flows from tradition and as a mark of the mutual understanding between the President and the Governor.”

Although he wasn’t privy to the specific conversations during Soludo’s visit to the president, Ezeokenwa pointed out that Soludo has consistently called for unity among progressive-minded politicians.

“Mr. Governor has never hidden his call for progressives to align and work together.”

He praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the fuel subsidy removal on his first day in office.

“The Anambra governor has been vocal about his admiration for the courage that Mr. President has demonstrated in engendering very necessary and crucial reforms of the economy, especially from day one when the president removed the subsidy.”

Ezeokenwa advocated for greater ideological unity among like-minded political parties, hinting at the possibility of a coalition between APGA and APC.

“And so, these and many more issues are, for me, what I may consider pivotal in discussing the relationship between our party and Mr. President’s party.”

“And this call, for me, is ideologically based, that we cannot continue to have the proliferation of political parties professing similar ideologies when these political parties can actually come together in some sort of either strong partnership or loose coalition, especially when the ultimate goal is to advance progressive ideals or progressivism, which we profess.”

He highlighted APGA’s legacy as Nigeria’s oldest progressive political party.

“APGA as a political party is the foremost progressive party in Nigeria. From 1999 till date, under the present dispensation, we were the first to be registered with the word ‘progressive.’ And, of course, before you have started having the All Progressive Congress, the Young Progressive Party, and all manner of progressives.”

“Mr. Governor (Soludo) believes that the mainstay of every political party must be the ideologies that that particular political party professes. And, if you look at the manifestos of most of these political parties, you will see that they are virtually the same. Either you are left of the centre or right of the centre. It’s that simple.”

The ongoing controversy within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the zoning of its 2027 presidential ticket to the South has intensified, as prominent northern aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has declared his intention to challenge the decision at the party’s upcoming national convention.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Olawepo-Hashim described the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) zoning directive as undemocratic and insisted that only the national convention has the constitutional authority to determine such matters.

“This zoning decision will not stand,” he said.

“In 2000, as deputy national publicity secretary, I led a petition to the convention challenging NEC’s extension of the NWC’s tenure and the convention overturned it. That precedent stands.”

The PDP’s national convention is scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, from November 15 to 16.

Olawepo-Hashim argued that limiting the party’s presidential ticket to a specific region undermines internal democracy and shuts out capable aspirants.

“Zoning is neither democratic nor constitutional. In 1999 and 2003, Obasanjo contested against Ekwueme and Rimi. More recently, President Bola Tinubu won the APC ticket after defeating 14 other aspirants. Why should PDP exclude others from contesting?” he asked.

He further stated that any candidate unwilling to face an open contest is unfit to lead Nigeria, especially given the country’s pressing economic and security challenges.

“Nigeria is bleeding. We don’t need sectional politics. The president must serve all Nigerians, not just the North or South. Let the best candidate emerge through a transparent contest.”

Hashim also pointed out the historical marginalisation of the North Central region, noting that it has never produced a President or Vice President.

“It would be unfair to deny us the chance now. I have no intention of backing down. No political party should block any Nigerian’s right to aspire,” he said.

Meanwhile, key PDP figures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have thrown their support behind Olawepo-Hashim’s 2027 ambition.

At a meeting attended by over 170 stakeholders, including council chairmen, ward leaders, former candidates, and party executives, the NEC’s zoning decision was firmly rejected.

Soko Dobo, a PDP chieftain in the FCT, stated, “The North Central region stands firmly behind Olawepo-Hashim. We’re mobilising nationwide to secure delegate support. Even the National Chairman said zoning doesn’t bar others from contesting.”

In a show of unity, a motion supporting Hashim’s candidacy was moved by Ismail Dogara and seconded by John Gabaya, Executive Chairman of Bwari Area Council.

The gathering ended with chants of solidarity from youths and women:

“Where you go, we go.”

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as the transparent and credible conduct of the Anambra South Senatorial by-election held on August 16.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, APGA’s National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, praised the electoral umpire for demonstrating professionalism and commitment to democratic principles.

“The peaceful and successful conduct of the by-election once again positions INEC as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s democracy,” Ezeokenwa said.

“It reflects the Commission’s determination to uphold the will of the people through free and fair elections.”

While commending the process overall, the party leader acknowledged that there were pockets of disturbances, including reports of violence, attempted abductions of election officials, voter intimidation, and bribery.

Despite these challenges, Ezeokenwa applauded the people of Anambra for their large voter turnout and orderly conduct and praised INEC for the prompt distribution of materials in accordance with its guidelines.

He also took a swipe at opposition elements, accusing them of hypocrisy.

“Those crying foul now are the same ones whose hands are stained with acts of electoral banditry,” he said.

“Anambra people will not tolerate blackmail or attempts to derail the transformation taking place in the state.”

Ezeokenwa emphasized that APGA remains focused on delivering good governance under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and warned that the party would not condone attempts to undermine the people’s mandate.

The APGA chairman expressed gratitude to INEC, security agencies and accredited observers for their roles in ensuring the integrity of the election, but insisted that serious electoral infractions must not be ignored.

“Hostage-taking, threats and bribery are not just minor issues, they are direct attacks on democracy. We call on INEC and security authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible without delay,” he said.

The Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has launched a mobilisation campaign to rally support for Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in Enugu, the forum’s National President, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, said the drive stems from their belief that Obi is “the most credible Igbo” candidate deserving of national trust. While Obi has not officially declared which party he intends to contest under, Obioha emphasised the need to reassure Nigerians that “he will be on the ballot in 2027.”

The campaign will roll out in the Southwest in the coming days and will run through to the 2027 elections.

Obioha reiterated NIF’s long-standing position that presidential power should rotate to the Southeast, arguing it would be unjust for that region to miss its turn after the Southwest has occupied the “turn of the South.”

“In 2023, we rallied behind Obi and regarded him as the most credible candidate. Though Nigeria voted, we believe the result didn’t reflect the will of the people. With zoning, 2027 belongs to the Southeast, a call for fairness,” he said.

He also urged Igbos, especially below 18 years old, to register as voters, affirming that voters have become more vigilant since 2023 and will resist any attempt to manipulate results.

As Anambra State celebrates its 34th anniversary, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for sustaining and accelerating development across the state.

In a goodwill message delivered through his media aide, Mr. Emma Madu, Udeze paid tribute to Anambra’s founding fathers and past leaders for their contributions to the state’s progress, while describing Soludo as “exceptional” in delivering results within a short period.

“Previous administrations laid important foundations, but Governor Soludo has raised the bar with transformational achievements in just three years,” the Speaker noted.

He pointed to the state’s improved ranking in economic and industrial performance as proof of the governor’s impact, citing progress in road construction, healthcare, education, employment, security, agriculture, and urban renewal.

Udeze also praised the governor for delivering a long-awaited, modern Government House and Lodge, a project that had been stalled since Anambra’s creation in 1991.

According to him, strong collaboration between the executive and the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly has been instrumental in advancing people-centered policies and legislative reforms.

He urged affluent indigenes and business leaders to embrace Soludo’s “Think Home” agenda by investing in the state’s industrial growth and supporting security initiatives.

The Speaker also called on residents to pray for continued peace and prosperity, pledging full legislative support for Soludo’s re-election bid in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.