The internal rift within the Labour Party (LP) has taken another turn as the party’s former National Treasurer, Oluchi Oparah, has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for excluding former LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, from its recent activities.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, Oparah described INEC’s actions as a “commendable and principled stand,” particularly its decision to leave Abure out of the groundbreaking ceremony for the commission’s new national headquarters and the INEC, Political Parties Consultative Meeting held on June 26, 2025.

“This decision is fully consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling, which overturned earlier judgments that had erroneously ruled in Abure’s favour,” Oparah stated.

She noted that INEC’s move demonstrated its commitment to upholding the constitutional frameworks that govern political parties in the country.

She went on to commend INEC for its refusal to endorse what she termed “sham congresses and primaries” conducted by Abure’s camp ahead of the June 28, 2025, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections. She criticized the exercises as an “affront to democratic principles.”

Oparah didn’t hold back in her condemnation of Abure, accusing him of clinging to power contrary to the party’s constitution.

“INEC’s clear message is that no individual, regardless of position, is above the law,” she said.

“This should deter party officials who flout their party’s constitution for personal gain.”

She urged the electoral commission to remain vigilant in overseeing internal party activities, emphasizing the importance of discipline and accountability in political leadership.

Oparah said such efforts are crucial in bolstering trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Finally, she encouraged LP members and the general public to resist any behavior that threatens the rule of law, noting that “the strength of our democracy depends on the integrity of its institutions and the accountability of those who lead them.”

The North-Central Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally thrown its weight behind former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, as its preferred candidate for the position of APC National Chairman.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga said the decision followed “extensive consultations” among party stakeholders in the North-Central geopolitical zone.

Titled “Why Al-Makura Deserves to be APC National Chairman”, the statement emphasized Al-Makura’s strong ties to Nasarawa State, the same state as former National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, whose resignation in July 2023 left the region without representation at the top of the party’s leadership.

The endorsement comes just a day after the Forum publicly demanded that the chairmanship position be returned to the North-Central, in line with APC’s existing zoning formula.

“After extensive deliberations among stakeholders in the North-Central region, the North-Central APC Forum has decided to endorse Senator Tanko Al-Makura for the position of APC National Chairman,” the statement read.

“This is in furtherance of our demand that the position of National Chairman should return to the North-Central in line with the APC’s zoning arrangement.”

Zazzaga recalled that Adamu had been selected based on this arrangement during the APC’s National Convention in March 2022.

However, his premature exit opened the door for former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to assume the role in August 2023.

The Forum also stressed that Al-Makura is a key representative of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, one of the three legacy parties that merged to form the APC, unlike the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which have both produced national chairmen in the past.

“Senator Tanko Al-Makura was a two-term governor whose clout and experience are undeniable assets. Both former and sitting governors regard him as one of their own. As a former Senator, he is also seen as integral to the legislature,” the Forum stated.

It also noted Al-Makura’s statesmanlike conduct during the 2022 convention, where he stepped aside in favor of a consensus that brought Adamu into leadership.

“Additionally, during the APC National Convention in 2022, he was among the chairmanship aspirants who graciously accepted the consensus decision that brought Abdullahi Adamu to the role of National Chairman,” the statement noted.

Highlighting his strong credentials, the Forum praised Al-Makura’s long-standing loyalty to the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “a dedicated and unifying figure capable of strengthening the party’s leadership and internal cohesion.”

The statement further emphasized Al-Makura’s wealth of experience in managing party affairs, citing his leadership of several key committees and assignments within the APC.

Among the roles highlighted were his chairmanship of the Ekiti State APC Primary Election Committee in 2018, which led to the emergence of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, and his service as Chairman of the North-East Zone Reconciliation Committee in 2018.

He also participated in the Baba Bisi Akande-led Reconciliation Committee in 2020.

“His rich political experience spans decades. He was Youth Leader in Plateau State for the National Party of Nigeria in 1979, State Secretary in Plateau State for the National Republican Convention in 1989, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1999, Governor under the Congress for Progressive Change in 2011, a pioneer member and signatory to the merger that formed the APC in 2013, and an APC Senator in 2019,” the statement outlined.

The Forum also recalled Al-Makura’s instrumental role earlier in 2025 in keeping the CPC bloc united within the APC, despite internal tensions and speculations about potential defection to opposition alliances.

Describing him as both a “bridge builder and advocate for inclusivity,” the Forum highlighted his advocacy for Nigeria’s disability community, which is estimated to be over 20 million strong.

“As someone living with a disability himself, he has been a strong ally of the community,” the statement concluded.

As internal divisions deepen within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has affirmed that the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will proceed as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Addressing journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Sunday night, Arapaja dismissed a widely circulated notice about a “Special Expanded National Caucus” meeting, describing it as unconstitutional and not recognized by the party’s framework.

“We have called you to, through you, further update all members of the PDP and the general public on the activities of the Party especially with regard to the 100th meeting of the NEC statutorily scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025 and the National Convention scheduled for Thursday 28th to Saturday, 30th August, 2025,” Arapaja said.

Standing alongside other National Working Committee (NWC) membersmembers, including National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Arapaja insisted the NEC meeting was validly scheduled by the 99th NEC session held on May 27.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC assures all Party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja,” he reaffirmed.

He noted that the meeting will feature updates from the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organising Committee.

“As you are aware, the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025,” Arapaja said.

Citing the PDP Constitution, he continued: “By virtue of Section 31(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the Monday, 30th June, 2025 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all Organs and members, and as such no Organ, group or officer of the Party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting.”

In response to the alternate meeting proposed in some quarters, Arapaja stated: “Contrary to a purported Notice being circulated in the social media suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been converted to a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, the NWC states in clear terms that the said Notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.”

He went on to clarify that the PDP Constitution does not make provisions for any such expanded caucus.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 30 of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing for a National Caucus for the Party with its composition, functions and meetings clearly spelt out, leaving no room for any form of expansion,” Arapaja said.

He stressed, “The suggestion, proposal or announcement for a ‘Special Expanded National Caucus meeting’ is therefore unconstitutional and cannot take any decision for the PDP, being not a recognised Organ or Body in the PDP.”

“The PDP is a political Party built on the foundation and pedestal of strict adherence to the Rule of Law, guided by the due process of our Party Constitution and the ethos of internal democracy, which values must be protected and preserved at all time,” he added.

Arapaja concluded by reassuring party members that both the NEC meeting and the upcoming National Convention would hold as scheduled.

“The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the members of the PDP and reassures that the 100th NEC meeting and the National Convention will go on as scheduled by NEC.”

The PDP remains embroiled in internal conflict, especially over the status of its National Secretary and the legitimacy of Monday’s NEC session.

A faction aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, including notable figures like former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and Governors Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang, and Adamu Fintiri, supports the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the postponement of the NEC.

Last Tuesday, Damagum announced Anyanwu’s return and replaced the NEC meeting with an expanded caucus session, citing consultations with INEC, which currently recognizes Anyanwu as National Secretary.

However, another group, including Governor Seyi Makinde and 11 NWC members rejected the reinstatement, arguing that it lacked NEC approval and was procedurally flawed.

INEC reportedly declined to acknowledge the NEC meeting notification due to the absence of the mandatory joint signature of the National Chairman and Secretary, advising the party to adhere to its constitutional process.

Meanwhile, six deputy national officers have endorsed Anyanwu’s return and expressed support for the proposed expanded caucus meeting.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed relief at the possibility of its former presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his departure would be a welcome development.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, NNPP’s National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi, addressed the recent resignation of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the growing speculation linking his exit to a possible arrangement involving Kwankwaso.

Although Ganduje cited health reasons for his resignation last Friday, Olaposi noted the timing raised concerns, especially in light of rumors about Kwankwaso negotiating his way into the APC.

“Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities,” Olaposi said.

“Kwankwaso did not only try to hijack the NNPP but also made the party go through avoidable litigations.”

He added that the party had finally reclaimed its identity after a prolonged dispute involving changes made to its official logo.

“The NNPP Logo that he changed to the Kwankwasiya Movement Logo has just been changed to our Logo by INEC, after years of controversy and litigations,” he said.

Reacting to speculations that Ganduje may have stepped down from his position to smooth the path for Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC, Olaposi expressed skepticism.

“We have reasons to doubt the ongoing propaganda that Ganduje left APC to enable an alleged negotiated arrangement with Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that APC has historically shown a willingness to welcome former members back into its fold.

“It is on record that Ganduje once said that APC is always ready to pardon and accommodate defectors even those who left its fold,” Olaposi noted.

For the NNPP, such a deal, if real, would be seen as a positive step.

“NNPP would be elated if any proposed deal between APC and Kwankwaso became a reality as the ruling party is in a better position to handle the former Kano state governor’s baggage,” Olaposi declared.

He concluded by reiterating the party’s view that Kwankwaso had betrayed the trust placed in him during the last general elections.

“We find it difficult to believe that Kwankwaso who is still struggling to hijack the NNPP is also negotiating to join the ruling party,” he said.

“Kwankwaso betrayed our trust in him by trying to hijack the party from its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who facilitated his free ticket for the 2023 presidential election.”

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, Alhaji Alhassan Yaryasa, has described the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC National Chairman as both wise and timely.

According to him, Ganduje stepped down just in time to avoid being publicly disgraced.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, Yaryasa revealed that had Ganduje not resigned voluntarily, there were strong signs that he would have been compelled to leave.

“We knew there was a plan to bring Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso into the APC and possibly be running mate of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.”

“Whatever the case may be, the decision taken by Ganduje to resign is the best option for him before they disgrace him out of office,” Yaryasa stated.

He further alleged that there were behind-the-scenes efforts to force Ganduje out if he failed to align with the Presidency’s agenda.

Yaryasa, a former Coordinator of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation for Kano South, praised the former chairman’s contributions to the party both at the national and state levels.

He emphasized that Ganduje should be commended for strengthening the party and bringing in influential defectors.

“Don’t forget Ganduje was able to bring key politicians from other parties into the APC, such as senators and Reps members who recently defected from other parties and joined the APC,” he noted.

“So, it’s better for him to leave the position honourably before they force him to resign and disgrace him,” he added.

When asked about the future of the APC national chairmanship, especially concerning the Northwest geo-political zone, Yaryasa called for adherence to party rules and fairness in determining the next appointee.

“Whichever zone is supposed to produce the National Chairman of the party should be given the chance to do so. This is necessary in order to ensure fairness,” he concluded.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has publicly urged former Nigerian military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, to confront his conscience, confess his role in the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, and offer a heartfelt apology to the Igbo people.

This call came in response to Gowon’s recent claim that the war was not targeted at the Igbo ethnic group, but was instead aimed at curbing secessionist threats following the political crisis of 1966.

Ohanaeze rejected this position outright, labelling it a “gross misrepresentation of historical facts” and an “affront to the collective memory and dignity of the Igbo nation.”

According to Ohanaeze, Gowon failed to act decisively during the 1966 Northern riots, which saw widespread killings of Igbo people.

They accused him of failing to protect the lives of Nigerians, particularly the Igbo populace, during those violent episodes, which they described as “unimaginable atrocities.”

The group stated:
“We are compelled to address and clarify the deeply entrenched biases and distorted narratives perpetuated by General Gowon.”

In a scathing critique, Ohanaeze Ndigbo argued that Gowon, now 91 years old, remains “a pawn in the hands of colonial powers and the Fulani oligarchy, both of whom orchestrated his actions during what became an unjust war against the Igbo.”

They challenged the former leader to drop the long-held narrative of Nigerian unity which, they say, is rooted in falsehoods and manipulation.

“He must abandon the military mentality and the rehearsed narratives advocating for a united Nigeria, narratives built upon deceit and instead testify honestly, without fear, to both the Nigerian public and the world,” the organisation insisted.

Furthermore, Ohanaeze called on Gowon to speak the truth about the Aburi Accord, a peace initiative they believe could have averted the full-scale war.

The group claims that colonial interests led to the abandonment of this critical agreement.

“His military aggression against the Igbo was not a reaction to secessionist ambitions; rather, it was a calculated initiative aimed at safeguarding British economic interests in the oil-rich Eastern region of Biafra and retaliating against perceived threats post-1966 coup,” they stated.

In their closing remarks, Ohanaeze offered a moral and spiritual perspective, suggesting that Gowon’s advanced age is a divine opportunity for reflection and atonement.

“God has kept him alive for two reasons: to surrender to his conscience and seek divine forgiveness, and to take the lead in healing historical wounds by promoting efforts in reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the Igbo people.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s 36 state governors to publicly disclose how security vote allocations totaling billions of naira have been spent since May 29, 2023.

The group also urged governors to invite anti-corruption agencies to investigate those expenditures.

In a Freedom of Information request dated June 28, 2025 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded that governors “publicly account for how they have spent security vote allocations since May 29, 2023, and invite anti-corruption agencies to investigate the expenditure.”

SERAP further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to “track and monitor the disbursement of the funds.”

“In the wake of the Benue massacre and well‑documented ongoing cases of insecurity in several states, there is a legitimate public interest for governors to account for how they spend security votes,” SERAP said.

The organisation lamented that governors continue to “grossly fail to guarantee and ensure the security and welfare of the people” despite receiving millions under the guise of security votes. It noted this is “contrary to section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.”

SERAP warned that secrecy in security vote disbursement has “fuelled corruption and weakened the ability of citizens to hold their leaders accountable.”

The group emphasized that governors can no longer claim immunity from scrutiny under the Freedom of Information Act, citing a landmark Supreme Court ruling affirming that the Act applies to all levels of government, including state institutions .

“The Supreme Court has made clear that state governors can no longer hide under their unfounded claim that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to them,” the statement said.

SERAP added that failure by any governor to comply within seven days would trigger legal action aimed at enforcing transparency.

Highlighting the stakes, SERAP referenced a World Bank report which classifies Nigeria as “fragile and conflict-affected,” warning that unchecked insecurity has fueled extreme poverty and declining human development indicators.

“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes.”

“Disclosing details of spending public funds as security votes by your state would serve to engage the Nigerian people in an honest conversation about the security problems in several states and what the governors are doing to respond to them.” SERAP concluded.