Alhaji Khamisu Mailantarki, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe State, has officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing along thousands of his supporters.

Mailantarki made the announcement during a political event held in Gombe on Saturday, where he expressed his belief in the leadership of former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, citing his leadership qualities as a key reason for his return to the PDP.

He explained, “We began our political journey with the PDP, later helped form the All Progressives Congress (APC), and then joined the NNPP. Now, we are returning to the PDP, where we feel most at home under the leadership of Dankwambo.”

Mailantarki also criticized the current APC administration in the state, accusing it of neglecting the poor.

He pointed to the government’s actions, such as land seizures and the introduction of a biometric attendance system for public servants, which he argued unfairly burdened workers struggling to make it to the office due to the harsh economic conditions.

“The biometric attendance system has been especially detrimental to those already struggling to cope with the economic challenges, as some states have even reduced workdays to just three per week,” he added.

In his remarks, the PDP Chairman in Gombe State, Gen. Abner Kwaskebe (rtd), welcomed Mailantarki into the party and emphasized the PDP’s enduring influence in the state.

He declared, “In 2027, we will do everything possible to regain leadership in Gombe State.”

Kwaskebe assured that the PDP would embrace both long-time and new members in the spirit of unity, stressing that the party would work towards strengthening its base and fostering cohesion.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure re-election in 2027, despite the recent US election results which saw former President Donald Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.

The APC urged opposition parties in Nigeria not to become overly optimistic following Trump’s victory, asserting that Tinubu’s leadership and policies will lead him to another win.

Trump’s comeback victory in the United States presidential election on Wednesday shocked the world, as the 78-year-old businessman became the 47th president, making history as the oldest person ever to hold the office.

In response to the US election, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, described the result as a testament to democracy.

Ifoh also pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria could learn valuable lessons from the US electoral process, particularly in how the American electorate disregarded the incumbency factor, a major influence in African, and particularly Nigerian, politics.

Similarly, Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), questioned when Nigeria would move past the era of leaders who use the power of incumbency and security forces to stifle opposition.

He praised the US system for its complexity and progression but lamented Nigeria’s reliance on incumbency.

However, APC National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, urged the opposition not to draw parallels between the US and Nigerian elections.

He emphasized that the political and electoral contexts of the two countries are very different.

Ibrahim reminded critics that in Nigeria, the incumbency factor does not always guarantee success, citing the 2015 election where former President Muhammadu Buhari defeated then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.

Ibrahim expressed strong confidence in Tinubu’s chances in 2027, stating that as the president’s economic reforms begin to yield results, Nigerians would rally behind him.

He argued that the benefits of these reforms would start to become apparent by 2026 or 2027, leading to widespread support for the APC and Tinubu’s re-election.

“The reforms may be painful initially, but in the long run, the country will see the rewards,” Ibrahim said.

“It will be difficult for anyone, especially an outsider who has failed the country before and is still grappling with internal crises, to defeat an incumbent president who is delivering results.”

Ibrahim also dismissed concerns about the opposition, which he claimed is still dealing with leadership challenges.

“The opposition is not a threat. The APC is strategically preparing for 2027, and we are confident in the president’s ability to secure a second term. We are not resting; we are already planning for the future.”

He concluded by asserting that the APC and the president are fully aware of the opposition’s tactics but remain focused on delivering the necessary reforms that will ensure victory in the next election.

“When the time comes, the APC will be ready and will not be caught off guard,” he added.

The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a loan of between N2 billion and N5 billion to fund the upcoming inauguration of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, scheduled for November 12.

Obaseki made this claim during the inauguration of a caretaker committee for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benin City.

He expressed concern that, despite the state facing financial obligations amounting to nearly N27 billion for ongoing projects, the APC was borrowing funds for the inauguration, rather than addressing pressing state debts.

He lamented that the outgoing administration was being excluded from the transition process, highlighting that he was not even invited to the inauguration ceremony.

“Instead of using available funds to pay off outstanding debts and project costs, they have resorted to borrowing money for the inauguration,” Obaseki said, emphasizing that this could complicate the state’s financial situation further.

Obaseki also accused the APC of trying to manipulate public perception by spending excessively during this transition period. “They are doing all this to confuse the people and alter their perception of the incoming government. They are presenting it as though it is a brand-new state and government, completely disconnected from the outgoing one.” He said.

Despite the tension, Obaseki assured PDP members that he would remain involved in the party and continue to offer guidance.

He also reiterated his commitment to fighting for the restoration of what he described as the “stolen mandate” of the PDP, insisting that the struggle was not just for the party’s candidate, but for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

In response, Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the APC transition committee, rejected Obaseki’s claims.

He questioned why the outgoing government was not fulfilling its duty to organize the inauguration of the new governor.

“Shouldn’t it be the outgoing administration organizing the inauguration? Does it make sense for someone coming into office to plan their own swearing-in?” Afegbua remarked, dismissing the accusations as baseless and arguing that the APC had no obligation to include Obaseki in the event.

Ahead of the November 12 inauguration of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has officially dissolved his cabinet.

The dissolution took place following a valedictory session at the Government House in Benin on Friday.

Obaseki, whose tenure began on November 12, 2016, is set to conclude his eight-year term on November 12, 2024.

At the session, Obaseki expressed his gratitude to members of the State Executive Council for their support in advancing the government’s vision of making Edo a great state.

His deputy, Godwins Omobayo, moved the motion for the dissolution, which was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.

During the event, members of the cabinet praised Obaseki for his leadership and the opportunities he provided during his administration.

They also highlighted his achievements in various sectors of the state.

The outgoing commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) presented awards and gifts to Obaseki as a gesture of appreciation for his leadership.

The valedictory session culminated in a dinner hosted in honor of the governor, marking the end of his tenure and the transition to the new administration.

Ohanaeze Youth Council, the foremost socio-cultural body representing Igbo youth, has called on Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to reconcile with Chief Edozie Njoku’s leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The council warned that failing to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis within the party would risk setting a dangerous precedent similar to those established by former Governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.

In a statement issued on Friday, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, urged Soludo to embrace the Igbo philosophy of “Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya” (Don’t leave your brother behind) and adopt a reconciliatory approach.

He emphasized that Governor Soludo should support Chief Edozie Njoku’s leadership of APGA, particularly in light of the Supreme Court ruling affirming Njoku as the legitimate chairman of the party.

Igboayaka criticized the prolonged internal leadership crisis in APGA, which has persisted since 2019, describing it as a significant hindrance to the party’s progress.

He blamed Governor Soludo’s reluctance to accept the Supreme Court’s judgment, which confirmed Njoku’s leadership and subsequent recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for exacerbating the situation.

“It is disheartening that a party founded on Igbo principles by Chief Chekwas Okorie in 2002, intended to elevate Ndigbo in national politics, is now grappling with internal divisions caused by opportunistic politicians from Anambra,” Igboayaka stated.

He pointed to the negative role played by Soludo, Peter Obi, and Willie Obiano in the party’s decline, contrasting APGA’s struggles with the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which transitioned from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into a dominant national party under Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

The Ohanaeze Youth President expressed disappointment that APGA, once a beacon of Igbo political ambition, has failed to make substantial political strides in the Southeast, while parties like the ACN—under Tinubu—have grown to become national powerhouses.

Igboayaka warned that the legacy of Peter Obi, Willie Obiano, and Soludo could be defined by their role in APGA’s decline into political irrelevance.

However, he stressed that Governor Soludo still has an opportunity to turn the tide.

By ending the leadership dispute with Chief Edozie Njoku, Soludo could restore APGA’s relevance and rebuild the party into a formidable political force capable of securing victories for Ndigbo in the 2027 elections.