The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a sweeping victory in the Lagos State local government elections, winning all 57 chairmanship positions and 375 out of the 376 available councillorship seats.

The results, announced on Sunday by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), confirmed that the APC triumphed across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

However, the poll delivered a surprising twist in Ward D of Yaba LCDA, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Babatunde Dosunmu, secured a rare win, defeating his APC rival.

Dosunmu, a former APC member who recently joined the PDP, emerged as the only non-APC candidate to clinch a councillorship seat.

LASIEC reported that the elections were largely peaceful, though voter turnout was relatively low. Allegations of irregularities were raised in some wards, but officials described the overall conduct as orderly.

The newly elected chairmen and councillors are scheduled to be sworn into office later this month.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed that former Kano State governor and presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is currently in discussions with members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview, Lawal disclosed that several high-ranking political figures from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ADC have been engaging Kwankwaso with the aim of drawing him into the coalition.

He described Kwankwaso as a highly influential and respected political figure whose presence would be a major asset to any political movement.

“I am aware that people have been holding meetings with Kwankwaso,” Lawal said.

“And clearly, Kwankwaso is welcome in the ADC coalition because he belongs to the group of influential figures who can bring a large following.”

He emphasized that members of the ADC coalition are not preoccupied with party identities but are more focused on attracting influential individuals with grassroots support.

“The coalition is not about political parties, but about individuals moving into it. It is not the logo or letterhead paper that we’re after. It’s the people who make up those parties. They can come in individually or in groups. They are welcome,” he explained.

Lawal also commented on the possibility of Kwankwaso joining either as an individual or alongside his supporters, noting that the coalition is open to both scenarios.

“Whether Kwankwaso joins with just his supporters or along with the NNPP, they would be welcomed either way,” he said.

Asked whether the ADC coalition is targeting the structure of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Lawal clarified that the focus is not on entire party platforms but on people.

“It is not the logo or letterhead paper that we’re after. It’s the people who make up those parties.”

He further explained that even if Kwankwaso ultimately decides not to formally join the ADC, many of his followers may still choose to do so independently.

“Even if Kwankwaso himself doesn’t join the ADC, many of his supporters are likely to join on their own.”

In addition, Lawal noted that some local government branches of the NNPP could eventually align with the ADC, regardless of the national leadership’s stance.

He disclosed that influential politicians from across the country are already aligning with the ADC, but often doing so discreetly.

“Big individuals in the states are joining the ADC, but they are not saying they are joining us from the NNPP or the PDP. Atiku joined the ADC and he didn’t say the PDP is joining the ADC.”

Lawal reaffirmed that the coalition’s focus remains on the grassroots, where political strength is built and sustained.

“The coalition is focused on the grassroots level, where politics truly matters.”

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has publicly declared his support for the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to the Senate.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following a dispute with the Senate leadership over a controversial change in the chamber’s seating arrangement.

She alleged that the new seating order was a deliberate attempt to marginalize her.

The controversy deepened when she appeared on a national television program, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of targeting her in retaliation for reportedly rejecting inappropriate advances, an allegation that Akpabio has firmly denied.

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled on July 4 that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unlawful and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

Reacting to the court’s verdict, Senator Dickson emphasized that he had never supported her suspension.

He expressed hope that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would return to her legislative duties promptly.

Opposition parties in Ebonyi State have thrown their weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their unified platform for the 2027 general elections, with a firm vow to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.

The endorsement came during an expanded one-day meeting held in Abakaliki over the weekend.

Addressing party members and political stakeholders, ADC State Chairperson, Mrs. Jenifer Adibe Nwafor, hailed the ADC as the “new bride” of Nigerian politics and described the party’s emergence as a “political tsunami” poised to reshape Ebonyi’s political landscape.

“We are not here for a rally or campaign. This is a serious rescue mission. ADC is not new in Ebonyi or Nigeria, we’ve come to stay,” she declared.

The gathering drew defectors and representatives from various political parties, including the PDP, Labour Party (LP), Action Accord (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and even some from the ruling APC.

Party loyalists from all 13 local government areas were present, along with coalition allies. In a show of solidarity, attendees passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Mrs. Nwafor’s leadership, a motion moved by Hon. Vitalis Igboke of the Ohazurumba Movement and seconded by Dr. Christopher Nwonu, Esq.

During her remarks, Nwafor also addressed internal unity, emphasizing that no parallel factions would be tolerated.

“There’s only one ADC in Ebonyi. No factions. Anyone claiming otherwise must identify openly,” she said, warning against clandestine or unauthorized membership schemes.

Several speakers at the meeting characterized the ADC’s growing coalition as a political wave causing discomfort within the APC ranks.

“This movement has sent fear into APC camps across the country. A storm is coming,” said one contributor during the deliberations.

Among those who spoke were Chuks Obiri, Orji Joseph of the Ohanivo Group Foundation, and Chinenye Ogazi, who all called for robust grassroots mobilization.

They urged members to develop structured leadership frameworks across wards and LGAs, ensure legal backing for the party, and intensify media engagement.

“This is not about money politics. It’s about rebuilding Nigeria,” they emphasized, urging the coalition to focus on educating rural and illiterate voters ahead of the 2027 polls.

The speakers also highlighted the need for transparency, accountability, and a merit-driven leadership model, calling on party leaders to close the communication gap between top officials and grassroots members.

In her closing statement, Mrs. Nwafor expressed optimism and readiness for the political journey ahead.

“We are focused. We are united. We are ready to rescue Nigeria come 2027, starting from Ebonyi,” she declared.

Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, did not show up at his polling unit on Saturday to vote in the local government elections, where candidates contested for Chairmanship and Councillorship positions.

Fashola, who many expected would arrive with his wife, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, was absent throughout the entire exercise, which ran from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This marks a repeat of his no-show during the 2021 local government election, as reported by DAILY GAZETTE.

Journalists had gathered at the polling unit as early as 8:19 am, anticipating his arrival.

While many gave up after hours of waiting, some remained at the site until voting concluded, hoping he would still appear.

The election took place at Polling Unit 002, located at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, the unit where Fashola is registered to vote.

Despite the anticipation, there was no sign of the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

Voting commenced at 8:19 am, shortly after electoral officials from INEC set up for the day. The turnout at the unit was relatively low, with voters arriving sporadically throughout the day.

Of the 1,355 registered voters, only 213 individuals turned out to cast their votes.

As the Lagos local government elections went underway on Saturday, some youths in Alausa, Ikeja, opted to stay away from polling units, choosing instead to play football.

Between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, a period when voting was in full swing, several groups of young people were seen actively engaged in football matches at three different locations in Alausa.

When approached, many expressed disinterest in the voting process, citing distrust in the system and a belief that the results were predetermined.

“You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball, and why will I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the players.

Opeyemi Omoemi, another youth, echoed similar sentiments.

“We all know that it’s the APC that wins all, as usual. So there is no need for me to disturb myself,” he said.

Also on the pitch was Wasiu, who remarked, “Bro, there is no need. I am satisfied with the football than the vote.”

One of the players, Bayo, explained he was underage. “I haven’t clocked 18, that’s why I didn’t vote. The best is to play football,” he noted.

Nearby, a young woman, Seriki Ganiyat, who was busy attending to customers in her shop, said she couldn’t afford to abandon her business for the elections.

“It’s not necessary. I have children to feed. Imagine if I had to leave my shop to go and vote. What for and what will my children eat this night?” she asked.

Their comments reflected the growing voter apathy and low turnout seen across various parts of the state during the elections.

At Polling Unit 003, Ward 7, only 61 out of 1,000 registered voters had participated by 1:05 pm. Likewise, PU 007 in the same ward had recorded just 30 votes by 1:00 pm, while PU 031 had only four voters from a list of 29 as of 1:12 pm.

In PU 026, a single voter had cast a ballot out of 21 registered. PU 027 saw only five votes from 62 registered voters by 1:43 pm.

The trend continued at Ward F, PU 011, where just 45 voters came out from a pool of 908. PU 085 had no votes cast at all by 1:45 pm, despite having four registered voters.

In Ward C’s PU 004, only 30 out of 913 people had voted as of 1:47 pm, and at Ward F, PU 036, 50 voters had shown up out of 986 by 1:51 pm.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially transferred the All Progressives Congress (APC) political structure in Akwa Ibom State to Governor Umo Eno.

The symbolic handover took place on Saturday during the APC Stakeholders Meeting at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, the state capital.

Governor Eno, who recently announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, shared the moment via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, calling it both “emotional and symbolic.”

“I made it clear that this is not an acquisition, it is a merger, and it must be approached with love, unity, and understanding. We all must make sacrifices for the greater good of Akwa Ibom,” Eno wrote.

He emphasized the importance of inclusivity as the APC absorbs new members and unites existing factions.

“I have urged our party leaders, from the wards up, to open their arms and hearts to welcome this move. Let’s build a stronger, united APC together.”

Governor Eno reiterated his commitment to work alongside everyone in the party and to advance the goals of the APC through collaborative leadership.

“My mission remains the same: peace, progress, and prosperity for our people under the ARISE Agenda. Let’s move forward together. God bless Akwa Ibom State.”