The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eke Ward, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, has petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, over what they described as the illegal and unilateral dissolution of their ward executive by the embattled state chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballa.

The petitioners urged the party’s national leadership to prevent what they termed a blatant violation of the APC Constitution.

The petition was signed by key ward officials, including Chairman Chibuzo Onyeama, Vice Chairman Ikechukwu Okafor, Secretary Ezi Ebere, Youth Leader Chidi Eneh, Publicity Secretary Onyeka Nnedu, Legal Adviser Ifeanyi Okeh, Deputy Women Leader Joy Ogbonna, and 20 other executive members.

“We, the undersigned members of the Executive of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Eke Ward in Udi LGA of Enugu State, wish to bring to your attention the alarming attempt by the state chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballa, to destabilise and undermine the strong structure and presence of the APC in Eke Ward.”

The petition, also addressed to Chief Emma Eneukwu, APC Deputy Chairman (South), and the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, alleged that Agballa unilaterally announced the dissolution of their legitimately constituted executive.

“On Tuesday, 25th February 2025, some members of the APC, including Mr. Stanley Nebo, Dr. Anthony Nebo, and Mr. Jude Offu, came to our ward, Eke, at the behest of Agballa, to inaugurate Mr. Remigius Aniagba, a member of the PDP/Labour Party who has yet to join the APC, as the new Chairman of APC Eke Ward, claiming that Agballa has dissolved our legitimate Exco.”

They maintained that the APC Constitution does not empower a state chairman to unilaterally dissolve an existing ward executive, replace it with a new one, or appoint an outsider as chairman.

They also accused Agballa of engaging in anti-party activities.

The petitioners called on the National Chairman to urgently address the issue, noting that Agballa had been involved in similar disruptions in other wards across the state.

According to them, “During the gubernatorial and state assembly elections in 2023, APC won in only five wards in Enugu State: Eke Ward in Udi LGA, Ngwo Uno Ward in Udi LGA, Umuna Ward in Igbo-Etiti LGA, and Nimbo 1 and Nimbo 2 Wards in Uzo Uwani LGA.”

“We achieved this success through unity, determination, and commitment to the ideals of the APC, even in the face of the Obidient movement and the PDP’s influence in Enugu State. It should be noted that Barr. Agballa did not secure a win in his polling unit, much less his ward, Udi Agbudu, in any of the 2023 elections.”

“Rather than helping us strengthen our presence and focusing on building functional ward executives in the 260 wards of Enugu State, where APC lacks active leadership in over 15, Agballa seems determined to destabilise and dismantle our stronghold in Eke Ward, seemingly to drag us down to the level of his ward, Udi Agbudu, where the APC is unsuccessful. He once said to our chairman, Chibuzo Onyeama, ‘You people are boasting because you win elections; I will dissolve your Exco and form a new one.’”

Expressing disappointment, the petitioners also called out Dr. Anthony Nebo, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, for participating in what they termed an illegal exercise.

“What is particularly disheartening is that a respected elder in our party, Dr. Anthony Nebo, Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, allowed himself to be employed in this blatant illegality. It is baffling that Dr. Nebo, given his status and age, would condescend to Eke to facilitate the dissolution of a functional and industrious executive and to inaugurate a non-member of the APC, who has already been rejected by the PDP and Labour Party, as chairman. We strongly feel such actions are beneath him.”

“We cannot work under an imposed non-member as our chairman unless he joins our party and subsequently emerges through the proper congress.”

Reaffirming their loyalty to the party’s leadership in Enugu State, the petitioners urged swift intervention to prevent Agballa from further undermining the APC’s presence in the state.

“We wish to take this opportunity to express and reaffirm our unwavering support and loyalty to Chief Uche Nnaji Nwakibie, the leader of the party in Enugu State, and Chief Emma Eneukwu, OFR, the Deputy National Chairman of APC (South). We humbly implore them to intervene before Barr. Ugochukwu Agballa completely undermines our cherished party, the APC, in Enugu State,” they concluded.

President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the appointments of two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has submitted a revised list of nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary, read a letter from Tinubu announcing the withdrawal of Mohammad Ngoshe, representing Borno State, and Owede Kosioma Eli, representing Bayelsa State.

The two individuals were initially nominated in a letter sent to the Senate on March 12.

However, in the revised list, Tinubu reappointed Umar Mukhtar as the REC for Borno State while nominating Johnson Alalibo Silnikiem for Bayelsa State.

Other nominees, including Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano), Saad Umar (Bauchi), and Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Anambra), remain unchanged.

Explaining the revision, Tinubu stated that the changes were necessary following his decision to approve a second term for the Borno State commissioner.

“In compliance with the provisions of section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for Senate confirmation the appointment of the following five nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the letter states.

“The distinguished Senate is invited to note that this letter, which supersedes my earlier one referenced presidency134/2 dated 12 March, is necessitated by my consideration and approval of the commissioner from Borno State for reappointment for a second term.”

The president urged the Senate to approve the revised nominations “in the usual expeditious manner.”

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State are intensifying efforts to remove Honourable Gabriel Dewan, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who is the only member of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the House.

The party is urging its 22 members in the Assembly to take over the leadership.

The situation arose following the 2023 Appeal Court ruling that nullified the elections of 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, declaring APC candidates as the rightful winners.

This decision left Dewan, who had assumed the speakership after the PDP seats were vacated, in charge even after the APC members were inaugurated.

The development has sparked controversy, with APC leaders arguing that it is undemocratic for a party with only one representative to preside over a House where APC holds an overwhelming majority.

Speaking on the matter, APC state chairman Honourable Rufus Bature described the situation as an anomaly, stating, “In a democracy, the majority will always have their way, the minority their say. But if by the numerical strength of the House, the APC has 22 members, YPP one, and the Labour Party one, and the YPP member is the one presiding over the affairs of the House, it is undemocratic. All they need to do is move for a motion to change the leadership.

“It is either the Speaker is asked to resign or be voted out at the plenary. The party is not instigating disorder or a violent removal, but that is the practice everywhere; Plateau State cannot be an exception.”

Bature further noted that the zoning arrangement in the state had been disrupted, as both the Speaker and the Governor now hail from the same senatorial district—something he said had not happened before.

Reacting to the calls for leadership change, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Honourable Matthew Kwarpo, acknowledged the APC’s position but urged patience.

“It was a clarion call from the Plateau State APC chairman, Honourable Rufus Bature. He argued that the Speaker should come from the majority party in the House. Currently, the Speaker is from the YPP, a minority party,” Kwarpo stated.

He explained that discussions were ongoing at the party level, with input from the PDP and YPP, emphasizing that the current leadership structure was a result of court judgments.

“As a House, we will remain coordinated and patient. At the right time, I know the APC will take charge of the leadership. Yesterday, during his birthday, the governor appealed for calm. There was a lot of social media chaos regarding the speaker’s future. The Governor’s appeal was simple: be patient and allow the process to unfold naturally.”

Kwarpo stressed the need for a smooth transition to avoid political instability, citing crises in other states as a cautionary example.

“The Court of Appeal judgment changed the House’s leadership structure. It will take a gradual process to realign things properly. Even the Speaker himself has acknowledged that he will one day give way to the majority party. I strongly believe that the change should not be rushed or done in a way that would destabilise the state. If you look at what is happening in Rivers State and other states, we do not want that kind of crisis.”

He added that while removing the Speaker could be done quickly, lawmakers were committed to a peaceful transition.

“We want an amicable leadership transition so that members can focus on executing projects in their constituencies. The 23 members in the House are mature, reasonable people. They understand that change must happen—but it should happen at the right time and in the right way.”

Kwarpo added that although the exact timing of the leadership change was uncertain, it would be done in consultation with key stakeholders, including the Governor, to ensure stability in the state.

The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, Yusuf Buhari, alongside the party’s Kano State governorship candidate, Bala Gwagwarawa, and their supporters, have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection, which took place on Tuesday, was facilitated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin.

The defectors were formally received in Abuja by Barau, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Among those who joined Buhari and Gwagwarawa in switching allegiance were 38 SDP local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 House of Assembly candidates, six House of Representatives candidates, and members of the party’s State Working Committee.

The move comes just a week after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC for the SDP.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, Barau dismissed any speculation that the SDP could challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, declaring that such a plan was “dead on arrival.”

“Those who have been moving around the country, trying to woo people to the SDP, and thinking their effort will give birth to a platform that will challenge the APC in the next election, their idea has been confirmed dead on arrival.

“People have rejected that invitation. The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and others who have been mentioned have also said no. To add salt to an injury, those in the SDP are now moving to the APC.

“Today, the vice presidential candidate, the governorship candidate in Kano State, and other heavyweights in the SDP have joined the APC,” he said.

Ganduje, represented by APC National Vice Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, welcomed the new members, assuring them of equal opportunities within the party.

Describing the defection as a transition from “darkness to light,” Ganduje emphasized APC’s commitment to inclusivity under Tinubu’s leadership.

“APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building,” he stated.

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, also dismissed any potential threat from the SDP, asserting that the party had lost its influence.

“The party is dead because its Vice Presidential Candidate is here, the Governorship Candidate is also here, just as its other stakeholders.
“So I’m sure today we are celebrating the burial of that party.

“I will say kudos to the Deputy Senate President for your effort to bring these important and heavyweight politicians to our party,” he remarked.

Speaking on their decision, Buhari said they were influenced by the achievements of Tinubu’s administration.

“When this government came into power under Asiwaju, there were a lot of problems on the ground. Even though we know that the former administration has done a lot, there are still a lot of problems on the ground.

“Amongst them was the issue of insecurity. The subsidy regime has gone upside down. And because of that, President Bola Tinubu had to instil very strong and painful economic reforms. Whenever you try to come up with reforms, there have to be pains.

“But after two years, we are beginning to see the economic policies yielding fruits. The foreign exchange is beginning to stabilize. Prices of goods are coming down. Insecurity is being addressed by our military, by our brave armed forces,” he explained.

On his part, Gwagwarawa said he and his supporters felt the need to return to their former party, citing the APC-led government’s performance over the past 18 months.

“I am part and parcel of the founders of APC. Today, we decided to come back to APC because now the country is being governed by someone who knows politics and the terrain of democracy.

“We are talking about someone who stood for democracy and believes in working hard to make this country better. That is His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set April 16, 2025, as the date for its ruling on an application seeking the dismissal of a defection case filed by the Labour Party against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Labour Party is requesting the court to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant, alleging that they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the hearing, counsel for the defendants, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, argued for the case to be struck out, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment.

Presenting a Certified True Copy of the judgment, the defense counsel emphasized that the Supreme Court had reinstated the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly.

He further pointed out that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who initially raised allegations of defection, had withdrawn his claims at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On the other hand, counsel for the Labour Party, Clifford Chukwu, argued that the issue of defection was a “collateral matter” before the Supreme Court and urged the court not to dismiss the case based on the evidence already presented.

It will be recalled that on February 29, the Supreme Court ruled that, in the absence of substantiated evidence, no legal defection had taken place, thereby upholding the existing structure of the Assembly.

Speaking to Channels Television after the court session, Chukwu stated that he had presented his arguments, and only the ruling on April 16 would determine whether the submissions made by the defendants’ counsel would be upheld.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unnecessary and politically motivated decision.

The move has also drawn sharp criticism from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and other stakeholders, who accuse the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of fueling the crisis for his political gain.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, IYC President Dr. Alaye Theophilus rejected the emergency declaration, insisting that the situation in Rivers State did not warrant such drastic action.

He accused Wike of orchestrating the standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature in a bid to maintain his influence over the state.

“We will never accept the decision of Mr. President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This crisis has been engineered by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We urge the President to reconsider this decision,” Theophilus stated.

He further alleged that the recent attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Trans-Niger oil pipeline, were staged to justify federal intervention.

“It is unheard of for the President to declare a state of emergency when peaceful resolutions are still possible. Governor Fubara has shown a willingness to dialogue, but Wike and his loyalists in the House of Assembly remain confrontational,” he added.

PANDEF, the foremost socio-political group advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta, also condemned the decision.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, described the move as an attack on democracy and a plot to undermine the region’s political stability.

“Declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State is a dangerous precedent. This is nothing but a ploy to destabilize the Niger Delta and impose an illegitimate leadership,” Robinson said.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, outrightly rejected the emergency rule, describing it as unconstitutional.

“The President does not have the power to arbitrarily suspend a democratically elected governor and impose an unelected individual. This is an assault on the will of the people and an attempt to suppress opposition,” Ologunagba stated.

Similarly, the CUPP, through its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused Wike of using his influence within the federal government to manipulate the situation.

“This so-called emergency rule is nothing but a political coup. Wike has been at the center of this crisis, and now the federal government is rewarding him with total control over Rivers State,” Ugochinyere remarked.

Amid widespread condemnation, political and civil society groups have called on President Tinubu to reverse the decision.

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that the action could lead to unrest in the Niger Delta.

“This is a reckless abuse of power. If the government fails to reverse this decision, it risks provoking resistance from the people,” Okaba said.

Despite mounting pressure, the federal government has yet to respond to the growing outcry over the controversial state of emergency.

Meanwhile, supporters of Governor Fubara have vowed to resist any attempt to remove him from office, raising concerns about possible escalations in the crisis.