The ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship primaries in Lagos State took a significant turn on Friday as four Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) settled for consensus candidates ahead of voting.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), during proceedings at the APC secretariat in Ogba.

Ogala explained that the committee would give preference to local councils that had already reached consensus on their candidates, allowing for a smoother and quicker process.

He announced that Iba, Oto-Awori, Ijede, and Lekki LCDAs had successfully produced consensus candidates: Isa Jubreel for Iba, Azeez Kareem for Oto-Awori, Motunrayo Gbadebo for Ijede and Hassan Kasali for Lekki.

Despite the general orderliness, a moment of drama unfolded when the chairman invited any aspirants who wished to step down to formally do so before voting commenced.

Responding to the call, the chairman of Kosofe LGA stepped forward to announce that one aspirant, Olayinka Rabiu, had withdrawn from the race.

However, Ogala requested documentary proof of the withdrawal, which could not be provided. As a result, the committee ruled that the withdrawal could not be accepted without proper documentation.

Meanwhile, voting has now begun in the remaining 53 local government areas and LCDAs across Lagos.

Earlier in the day, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, addressed delegates and aspirants, urging them to conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully throughout the exercise.

“We take it very seriously. The President is monitoring what we are doing because this is his state,” Hamzat said.

He emphasized the importance of local government administration to grassroots development and encouraged party members to remain committed to the party’s success.

“There are some local governments that have reached consensus, and their leadership has agreed, so they will be attended to first,” he noted.

Hamzat also thanked the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) chairman for being present to observe the process, adding, “On behalf of the President and the Governor, let’s do it peacefully. As you dedicate your time for the party, God will be with you.”

PDP NWC Members,

A prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, has called for the expulsion of three of the party’s leading figures; Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, and Bukola Saraki, citing their history of defections and disloyalty.

Speaking in Asaba amid the ongoing internal crisis plaguing the PDP, Muoboghare argued that the party must decisively deal with members who engage in what he described as “political prostitution.”

According to him, the future of the party depends on the commitment of genuine loyalists and the removal of those undermining it from within.

Describing the trio as “serial defectors,” the former Delta State commissioner asserted that it was time to take serious disciplinary action against individuals pretending to support the party while acting contrary to its interests.

Muoboghare stressed that PDP cannot make any meaningful progress unless it expels those who, in his view, have repeatedly destabilized the party.

He singled out Atiku Abubakar, saying the party must act firmly to remove him if it wishes to move forward.

“PDP remains the only national party in Nigeria, and it must cleanse itself to move forward. One of the individuals who must be shown the way out for the party to move forward is Atiku Abubakar,” he said.

He went on to accuse the former vice president of switching allegiance between parties multiple times and returning each time with a sense of entitlement, especially toward the party’s presidential ticket.

“Atiku has defected to and returned from all known political parties, and finding no new one to defect to, now attempts to force the PDP into a merger with strange bedfellows to create yet another amorphous party,” Muoboghare claimed.

He continued: “Prostitution, in any way defined, is injurious. These three musketeers who have troubled our party must be shown the way out.”

Muoboghare further criticised Atiku for what he described as using the PDP’s platform to negotiate political deals, saying “Atiku believes he has the right to defect to Labour Party, run to APC, and come back to PDP, only to start using PDP’s name to negotiate mergers with other parties.”

Describing such behaviour as “irresponsible and criminal,” he maintained that figures like Atiku should no longer be tolerated in what he called a “serious-minded party” like the PDP.

Turning his attention to Aminu Tambuwal, Muoboghare referred to him as another unstable figure whose actions have harmed the party.

He accused Tambuwal of playing a role in the crisis that affected the PDP in the 2014/2015 period by undermining the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He said it was unacceptable for such individuals to cause significant damage and then return to the party expecting to steer its course again.

Muoboghare was emphatic: “We say no to them, they have to be expelled for the party to move forward.”

On Bukola Saraki, the PDP chieftain accused the former Senate President of failing the party in Kwara State.

According to him, Saraki’s poor leadership led to the loss of the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He warned that Saraki could defect to any party at any time, whether it be the APC, Labour Party, or APGA, and stressed that today’s PDP, rebuilt by committed loyalists, must sever ties with such unstable politicians.

He cautioned that if Atiku, Tambuwal, and Saraki were not expelled, the party risked facing further defections even from its most dedicated members, adding that the trio had consistently acted in ways that were not in the party’s interest.

Muoboghare pledged that more individuals undermining the PDP would be identified and removed as part of an ongoing cleanup to reposition the party.

“PDP shall rise again, but we will rise without these three,” he declared boldly.

He also directed criticism at Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, lumping him alongside Atiku and describing both as serial defectors.

Muoboghare condemned their reported efforts to broker a merger between PDP and the Labour Party without the backing of the PDP’s National Working Committee or Board of Trustees.

He accused them of using their party platforms for personal gain and said they were partly responsible for the weakness of Nigeria’s current political opposition.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, over the weekend, led dignitaries from across the state to honour elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, on the occasion of his 85th birthday.

The celebration, held Friday evening at Nwobodo’s country home in Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu, drew an array of political and traditional leaders, as well as associates and well-wishers.

Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah extolled the virtues of the octogenarian, describing him as a man whose life epitomizes selfless service and leadership excellence.

“It will be difficult to find words that amply capture the true essence of what Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo represents. Your life is a living proof that the true value of existence is selfless service,” Mbah said.

“Nothing endears one to his people than selfless service. That is what you epitomise. The men and women gathered here today to celebrate you is a reflection of that selfless service that you have provided for the people of Enugu State and Nigeria.”

He continued: “Today, we celebrate an extraordinary journey. We celebrate 85 years of impactful life.

“As Governor at 39 years, you left bold legacies that are still evident today. As a Minister of Youth and Sport, your record remains unbeatable; and it’s still a heartwarming reference point in this country.”

“As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you were an epitome of courage and patriotism. We are indeed very proud of you.

“You are a priceless gift to humanity and to Enugu State and indeed our dear country. We are so blessed to have you.”

“You have also provided a shoulder on which countless leaders stand on. You are a charismatic, yet unassuming leader; a man of all seasons.”

Governor Mbah prayed for continued good health and long life for Nwobodo, adding that the younger generation would greatly benefit from his wisdom and experience.

In response, Senator Nwobodo expressed deep appreciation to Governor Mbah for organizing the state celebration in his honour, describing it as a commendable gesture that reflects genuine leadership.

He also praised the governor’s performance in office so far, describing him as a leader destined for greatness.

“Today, Peter Mbah is a success. Whether anybody likes it or not. He is a success because the results speak for him. Whatever he is in Enugu today was God’s design from time. God gave it to him. God inspires all that he is doing in Enugu today,” Nwobodo said.

“Governor Mbah also listens. He really does. I suggested something to him not long ago. He reflected on it and told me that he would do it. Today, he is already doing it. That is how you know a leader that would go far.”

He went on to highlight the importance of celebrating individuals while they are still alive to witness the appreciation.

“I did not expect an elaborate celebration as this. But the governor insisted on celebrating me so well. He maintained that it was better to celebrate people when they are alive, to say all the beautiful things to their hearing.”

“So, Governor, I thank you for this show of love and thank all of you, who came out in your numbers to celebrate me.”

Among the dignitaries at the event were former Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; members of the State Executive Council; serving and former lawmakers; Council Chairmen led by the Enugu ALGON Chairman, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh; as well as traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Hycienth Ngwu, has applauded prominent Igbo leaders for their commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian presidency remains in the South from 2027 to 2031.

Speaking with journalists on Friday in Enugu, Ngwu, who formerly served as the APC South-East Publicity Secretary, said the continued southern presidency was “very possible to achieve through the re-election of the incumbent President Bola Tinubu.”

According to him, “I appreciate the willingness of eminent Igbo leaders in coming strong to support the retention of the presidency in the South from 2027 to 2031, through the support and re-election of the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He highlighted that recent political developments pointed to growing regional support for President Tinubu’s leadership.

“This vote of confidence expressed by massive supports witnessed in the President’s recent visits to Enugu and Anambra States,” Ngwu said.

“It is also a signal that the South Eastern economic and political leaders are now ready more than ever before to play in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.”

Ngwu praised the President’s economic initiatives aimed at enhancing regional competitiveness.

“The President’s warm disposition to crafting policies that will make the South have a strong competitive and comparative advantage economically should be worthy of our commendation,” he added.

He further expressed confidence that the President’s “Nigeria First” agenda would significantly benefit the South-East.

“President Tinubu’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy would certainly rejig the economy of the South-East more than the economy of other zones,” Ngwu noted.

He cited the administration’s tax reforms as an example of its commitment to economic development.

“The laudable Federal Government Tax Bills seek to streamline and abolish multiple taxes, a major bane of economic growth of our small and medium entrepreneurs,” he said.

“President Tinubu’s policies are on track to making our economy stable and ensuring sustainable growth.”

Ngwu called on people of the region to support their leaders and fully embrace central politics.

He stated, “Ngwu urged the people to align with their elders and eminent political sons and daughters to key into the new dawn and politics at the centre fully.”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of strategic political decisions in preserving the South’s hold on the presidency.

“Truly speaking, no politically right-thinking zone will vote to thwart the zoning arrangement or for a new candidate that, if elected, will ask for another four-year term,” he said.

“We, therefore, need to support the one (President Tinubu) whose policies are impacting positively on us,” he added.