Politics Archives - Page 12 of 19

Court Dismisses Order Seeking to Stop Rivers LG Poll

August 28, 2025 by admin

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday dismissed an ex parte order seeking to stop the August 30 Local Government elections in the state. The Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Jumbo, in his ruling in a suit filed by a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Williams Abayomi-Stanley, against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and its Chairman, said the application for motion ex parte lacked merit and thereby dismissed it. Jumbo, however, granted a motion ex parte order for substituted service to the defendants but directed that the conduct of the August 30th LG elections should go ahead as scheduled and adjourned till September 10, 2025, for a hearing on the substantive suit. Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, counsel to the claimant, Godsent Elewa, said his client was in court to seek for interpretation of a section of the RSIEC law and the Constitution of Nigeria as amended if the president has the powers to appoint a Chairman and members of the commission to conduct local LG polls in the state. Elewa, while narrating what led to the dismissal of his application, however, welcomed the ruling of the court, which granted one of his motions and expressed his readiness to continue with the proceeding on the next adjourned date. He stated, “My client, Williams Stanley-Abayomi, is a Constitutional lawyer and an indigene of Rivers State from Emuoha LGA. The applicant basically is in Court to seek the interpretations of some Sections, particularly section 2 sub 1 and section 3 sub 1 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law number 12, 2018 and Sections 197, 198 and 200 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered.” He, however, said he has nothing against the Court ruling, especially as one of the prayers of his client was granted. “We have two motions ex parte, the first was the motion ex parte for an interim injunction to restrain the conduct of the August 30 local government elections. Unfortunately, the Court dismissed that motion as it lacked merit and adjourned to the 10th of September for all the parties to be served with our substantive processes and for us to argue the main application. “The second order was an order for substituted service to be effected on the first and the second defendants, which are President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation. So these were the two orders the court granted today”, he concluded.

Femi Falana Slams Pay Rise Plan For Politicians Amid Hardship

August 26, 2025 by admin

Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has faulted the plan to increase the salaries of political office holders, describing it as “highly insensitive” amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges. During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Falana criticised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission for what he termed misplaced priorities, arguing that the agency had ignored the daily struggles of millions of Nigerians. “The RMAFC seems to have overlooked the harsh living conditions in the country and the daily hardships endured by ordinary people,” he said. Falana referenced recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that over 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, questioning the rationale behind any salary increment for public officials. “At this point, proposing higher wages for political office holders is not only tone-deaf but also unfair to the majority battling severe economic pressure,” he added. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) plans to review the salaries of political office holders, describing the current pay structure as “inadequate and outdated.” At a press briefing in Abuja on 18th August, 2025, Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that the President currently earns ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than ₦1 million, figures unchanged since 2008. He argued that these amounts are no longer realistic given the responsibilities of the offices and the higher earnings of agency heads. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the proposal, citing growing inequality and the hidden perks politicians already enjoy. Shehu clarified that the RMAFC only determines the salaries of political, judicial, and legislative officers—not civil servants. In addition, the commission has commenced a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula, which has remained unchanged since 1992. The current formula allocates 52.68% to the federal government, 26.72% to states, and 20.60% to local governments. Previous attempts to amend the formula failed due to political resistance. The new review, according to Shehu, aims to reflect current socio-economic realities and reduce overdependence on the federal government. Punch

‎Makinde Drags Wike As PDP Holds Southern Zoning Meeting In Lagos ‎

August 21, 2025 by admin

‎IBADAN – THE Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, sent what appeared to be a subtle dig at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that he does not “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.” ‎Makinde made the remark while addressing journalists shortly after the Southern Zoning Consultative Summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held on Thursday in Lagos. ‎The meeting, which attracted the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Senator Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the party’s National Zoning Committee and Bayelsa state governor, Douyo Diri, Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Peter Mba of Enugu represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, former Osun governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Bode George, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu. ‎Others include 12 of the 17 PDP National Assembly members and key stakeholders of the party from across the southern states. The summit was aimed at fostering unity and charting the course for the party ahead of the forthcoming party’s national congress. ‎Responding to questions on threats of division within the party and attacks from aggrieved members, Makinde hinted at the party’s leadership style, indirectly shading Minister Nyesom Wike. ‎“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are not going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy. ‎“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching,” Makinde stated. ‎The Oyo governor added that despite challenges, recent elections had shown that the PDP remained a formidable force. ‎“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he said. ‎The zoning consultative meeting comes just days before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP scheduled for Monday, where critical decisions are expected to be taken on the party’s future. ‎Governor Makinde, who also reeled out the calibre of party’s national and zonal leaders, stressed that the summit reflected the seriousness of the party to rebuild with a view to providing a more formidable opposition for the ruling party ahead of the next general election. ‎Fielding questions from journalists over another purported meeting of southern PDP stakeholders, Governor Makinde said: “Governor Ademola Adeleke is here. ‎“He came back into the, country this morning and went straight to address some governance issues before joining us. Governor Douye Diri is also here. Governor Peter Mbah, who could not make it physically, sent his deputy governor. ‎“You have the chairman of the Board of Trustees here. You also have at least 12 of the 17 members of the zoning committee from the South. ‎“In each zone, there are representatives of senators, House of Representatives members, and BOT members. So, this shows wide representation.” ‎The governor, however, admitted that political meetings hardly achieve 100 percent attendance but emphasized that “consultation means you keep reaching out, you keep engaging.” He assured that critical party stakeholders not in attendance at the Lagos meeting would be reached out to. ‎When asked about discussions on zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South, Makinde said the party was not yet at that stage. ‎“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat. ‎“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said. ‎

Aare Segelu Congratulates Don, Commends Makinde, Electorates on Ibadan North By-election Victory

August 18, 2025 by admin

‍ Governorship hopeful and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Aare Olayinka Segelu, has congratulated Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, the PDP candidate who emerged victorious in the Saturday, August 16, by-election for Ibadan North Federal Constituency. Oyekunle, popularly known as DoN, defeated his closest rival, Hon. Adewale Olatunji Murphy of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and four other contenders. According to the official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyekunle polled 18,404 votes, while APC’s Murphy garnered 8,312 votes. Other candidates in the race included Dexter Femi Akin-Alamu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olabisi Olajumoke Odususi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hammed Badmus of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Islamiyat Oluwatoyin Abdulkadir of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The by-election, which recorded 217,980 registered voters across 12 wards and 512 polling units, became necessary following the passing of Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, on July 10, 2024. Reacting to the outcome, Segelu, who is also a Germany-based businessman commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his leadership and strategic role in the PDP’s victory. “I want to commend the effort of our leader, Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde. He took the best decision, and the outcome of the election has clearly shown the strength of our party. We won with a margin of over 10,000 votes, and that is a significant achievement. I truly commend his leadership, which continues to prove his worth and gives us something to look forward to,” he said. Segelu also congratulated Oyekunle, expressing confidence in his capacity to deliver. “To the member-elect, Folajimi Oyekunle, popularly known as DoN, I say congratulations. He is not new in the system, and I believe he will do his best to sustain the victory we are celebrating today,” he added. The PDP stalwart equally applauded the constituents of Ibadan North, noting their determination to elect a true representative. “They have demonstrated their capacity and made it clear that they desire true representation. They have voted for their choice, DoN, who has now been declared the winner. Let us all hope and work together to ensure that the people enjoy the true dividends of democracy,” Segelu stated.

Akinremi Immortalized, As Gov. Makinde Names Housing Estate After The Deceased Rep Member

August 14, 2025 by admin

IBADAN – THE Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has unveiled the Prince Olaide Akinremi Jagaban Government Reserved Area (GRA) to immortalise the late All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who represented Ibadan North Federal Constituency from 2019 till his death on July 10, 2024. ‎Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, during the unveiling of the project held at the Dominion University Road, Samonda, Ibadan, also announced that the ongoing reconstruction of UI-Samonda Road linking Sango/Poly Road would be completed soon.‎ The ‎governor maintained that his decision to name the GRA after Akinremi has nothing to do with politics, noting that the state government chose to honour the memories of the late lawmaker for his notable achievements in Ibadan North Federal Constituency and Oyo State. He assured that the project would be delivered to standard as everything needed in terms of infrastructure and other facilities in the estate were already on the ground. Makinde equally appreciated another APC chieftain and Ekefa Olubadan, High Chief Akinade Fijabi, for attending the event despite being an opposition party member. Barrister Lawal said: “Today, what we are doing is very significant. I was with the governor in July 2024 when they called him from Abuja to inform him about the death of Jagaban. He said to me that ‘we have lost a gem in Ibadanland.’ “From that moment till this time, the governor and I thought on how to immortalise this gentleman, and he said immortalisation is not about giving money, building houses and giving out material things but about doing something that would be more enduring. So, the governor said there is a parcel of land at Samonda, which we can use to build an Estate and name it after Jagaban. “So, I am very happy on behalf of the governor that the promise he made that day has come to pass today. This and everything that everyone has said about Jagaban have shown that he lived well in his time. What this means to us is that what we do in life will continue to live after us as human beings. “Let me use this opportunity to say that, as a government, we are doing what we are supposed to do and that is why we are immortalising Jagaban today. “My prayer is that the Almighty Allah should uphold all the things he left. “So, on behalf of the governor, I want to appreciate all of you here. I have inspected this Estate personally and I have seen that all the things needed to build the infrastructure and other things are ready. “The governor has also given the solid assurance that the roads linking this Estate up to Sango would be fixed and they are being fixed right now. “Strictly speaking, what we are doing today is not about politics.” In his welcome address at the event, the chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluseun Olufade, lauded the governor for immortalising a worthy indigene of Ibadan North by naming the GRA after him. He urged political and public office holders to learn a lesson from the uncommon gesture, just as he hailed the governor for executing a lot of infrastructure development projects in the council. In his remarks, the chairman of the day, High Chief Fijabi, commended Governor Makinde for the laudable infrastructural projects he has been executing in the state and for running an inclusive government that cares for everyone, irrespective of political affiliations. He urged the people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency to seal the immortalization of Hon. Akinremi by voting massively for Hon. Folajinmi Oyekunle, the PDP candidate in the by-election to fill the vacant Ibadan North House of Representatives seat slated for Saturday, August 16, 2025. Speaking on behalf of the Akinremi family, Alhaji Abideen Akinremi thanked Governor Makinde for his support to the family since the demise of their brother, assuring that the family would continue to remember the gesture. In their separate goodwill messages and tribute to the late Prince Akinremi, Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun and a member of the Akinremi Legacy Forum, Mr Michael Adegbuyi, appreciated Governor Makinde for honouring him through the generational project. Also speaking, the representative of the contractor, Messrs Gazzle Nigeria Limited, Mr Tomiwa Bickersteth, commended Governor Makinde for the project, which he described as a befitting legacy for the deceased. The event had in attendance a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Barr Hazeem Gbolarumi; member representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Consistency, Hon Anthony Adepoju; members representing Ibadan North I and II state constituencies in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Comforter Olajide and Hon Gabriel Babajide; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi. Others were the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Akin Williams -Funmilayo; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Ademola Ojo; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon Segun Olayiwola; traditional rulers; religious leaders and members of the Akinremi Legacy Forum, among other dignitaries.

Tinubu Will Win 2027 With 15m Votes—Ex-APC Aspirant

July 31, 2025 by admin

A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Nicolas Felix, has dismissed the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress as no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. Speaking in Suleja on Thursday during the distribution of thousands of litres of fuel to Nigerians, Felix expressed confidence that Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election with no less than 15 million votes. On July 1st, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, APC’s 2023 presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, and other opposition figures launched the ADC as a unified opposition platform to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election. Reacting, Felix maintained that while there’s nothing wrong with opposition leaders forming a coalition, he believes they will eventually fall apart just as easily as they came together. He said, “In a democracy, you must have opposition. We are not threatened. They are out there campaigning. So far, we have not heard anything they want to do anyway. “So for us as a party, I don’t see any threat here. There is no threat in this coalition. We want them to coalesce. Like I said the other day, they will gather, but they will scatter because they have nothing to offer. Their intention is not pure. Their motive is not pure. “As far as we are concerned and the APC, come 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to have nothing less than 15 million votes. We know that is going to happen. So there is no threat from the ADC or whatever coalition. Let them come. When the time comes for campaigns, we are going to roll out the scorecard of Mr President. “Didn’t you watch on TV this morning students on campuses singing, celebrating with joy, who just received the NELFund grant, over N100 billion, with no interest, by the way. I lived in America for 21 years; I had never heard that happen. Over N100 billion given to 600,000 students. So these 600,000 students, they will vote. Their families will vote because they know what it takes to go to school. So we are excited, and we know come 2027, it is going to be a walkover for us.” He stated that his decision to regularly distribute free fuel to Nigerians is his way of supporting the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The ex-presidential aspirant stated, “We are giving out free fuel to the community. As you know, this is our Renewed Hope season. We are just doing this to put smiles on the faces of the people. “There is no other motivation, but we just want to give back to the community. We did this in 2023 in Edo State, and we did it here also, and we decided to come back here to make the people happy. As you can see, they are all smiling. We are giving them hope. “This outreach is for everybody, but we know those who need it more. So, I am even more excited seeing the Okada riders because we believe, you know, I would be surprised if I see a G-Waggon here coming to take free fuel. This is more for the Okada and Keke riders. So anybody that comes, we will be able to, you know, just put smiles on their face. We are just giving back. That is what it is all about.” Also speaking, APC Deputy National Women Leader Zainab Ibrahim stated that the party is pushing for sthe wift passage of the Special Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly, calling it a potential game changer for women in Nigeria. She noted that, for the first time, the Ministry of Women Affairs has received over ₦100 billion in budgetary allocation to pursue its key goals and assured that Nigerian women will stand firmly behind the president in 2027. Punch

2027: Obi Free To Contest With Or Without Me — Datti Baba-Ahmed

July 23, 2025 by admin

The 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, is free to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, whether or not he returns as his running mate. Baba-Ahmed stated this on Wednesday while speaking as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme. “They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly. “The Labour Party welcomes him to still come and retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate,” Baba-Ahmed said. The former senator said Nigeria needs leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and not deliver failure. “We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria, leaders that matter, leaders that deliver promises, not those who will promise governance and deliver disaster,” he stated. Responding to concerns that Obi’s recent participation in coalition talks led by the African Democratic Congress amounted to anti-party activity, Baba-Ahmed said it was not the case. “This is not an anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation. The meaning of a coalition is that political parties, interest groups, and individuals are coming together. It’s an unfolding situation. “I attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is welcome to continue to attend those coalition meetings,” Baba-Ahmed said. He also shared his position on the contentious issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that the South should produce the next president. In the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi and Baba-Ahmed ran on the platform of the Labour Party. Obi finished third in the final results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, while President Bola Tinubu was declared winner. Punch

ADC Boils Over Tinubu Endorsement By Adeleke, Oyinlola

July 23, 2025 by admin

The political landscape in Osun State became charged on Tuesday as Governor Ademola Adeleke, alongside former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, openly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The decision, announced in a communiqué issued after a high-profile stakeholders’ meeting, also confirmed Adeleke’s resolve to remain in the PDP, shelving speculations of his defection to the All Progressives Congress. The development, however, drew sharp criticism from the African Democratic Congress, which accused Adeleke of political indecision and insisted that his backing of Tinubu would not save him from defeat in the next Osun governorship election. On Tuesday, the governor’s decision to back Tinubu while remaining in PDP was revealed in the communique made available to journalists at the end of the meeting of PDP chieftains in the state. The rollcall at the meeting included ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, Lere Oyewumi, Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, ex-PDP National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo, among others. The stakeholders resolved, “The PDP in Osun State recognises the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Tinubu, which makes the President the son of Osun State. “Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.” The meeting also declared support for Adeleke’s sole candidature of the party for the Osun governorship election in 2026. “PDP in Osun State reaffirms its adoption and endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the PDP. “Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP. The leadership of the PDP in Osun State is directed to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state,” the communique read. Reacting to the development, the Osun State chairman of the ADC, Charles Omidiji, said Adeleke’s refusal to join the APC may not eventually save him from defeat. Omidiji subsequently declared that ADC, a party that has ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola as its Interim National Secretary, would win the next Osun governorship poll. “If he doesn’t join the APC again, it will only reduce the margin of the loss awaiting him at the poll. “If he had defected, that would have been the end of both the APC and PDP in Osun. But whatever happens, ADC will produce the next Osun governor,” he said. Giving reasons for Adeleke’s decision not to join the APC, despite months of speculations, the communique read, “The majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first instance. “Some APC leaders, based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names. “The majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, but reluctantly agreed to follow Governor Adeleke to whichever party he goes to show their love, support and loyalty to his leadership.” Punch

2027: Adeleke, Osun PDP Endorse Tinubu for President

July 22, 2025 by admin

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and the members of the Peoples Democratic Party in jean Osun have endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 general election. Adeleke made this known in a post shared via his X (Formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, stating that the agreement was made after a caucus meeting held on Monday. He wrote, “Our party in Osun has also endorsed President @officialABAT for re-election in 2027, recognizing him as a proud son of our state.” Addressing speculations about his defection to another party, Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to PDP as the platform gave him the opportunity to serve, and he has also been endorsed for the second term elections coming up in 2026 “Yesterday, I met with the @OfficialPDPNig Leadership Caucus in Osogbo after weeks of consultations with stakeholders across Osun — from traditional rulers and civil servants to market leaders and grassroots party members. “I’m pleased to share the resolutions: I remain in the PDP, the party that gave me the platform to serve the good people of Osun.I have been unanimously endorsed by the Osun PDP for a second term in 2026.” PUNCHONLINE reports that the defection rumour began in June when Adeleke visited President Bola Tinubu in his Bourdillon, Lagos home.

Don’t Visit Edo Without Security Clearance – Okpebholo Warns Peter Obi

July 18, 2025 by admin

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has warned that the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, must get security clearance before coming to the state. Obi had visited Benin, the state capital, on July 7 and donated N15m million to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of projects in the school. The governor, who spoke on Friday while receiving Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in the state, into the All Progressives Congress, condemned Obi’s visit to the state. He asserted that his visit coincided with the resurgence of violence in the state. “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance. “His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state and this will not be tolerated,” the governor stated. Speaking at the event, the governor described Onobun’s move to APC as the final nail in the coffin of the PDP in Edo State. He said that the APC is now firmly in control of Edo State, declaring that all traces of the opposition would be completely erased by the 2027 general elections. He added, “We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu. “Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65 per cent. That is what we call social media winning. When I said I would become the Governor, I meant it. Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and they can see it,” he said. The governor further accused key opposition figures of deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement, claiming some of them were responsible for derailed national infrastructure projects and national insecurity. He said, “Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their villages. Some sold off Nigeria’s assets and even ushered in Boko Haram and kidnappers. These same people now want to form new parties. Today, SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. We do not need insecurity merchants,” Okpebholo declared. Acting Deputy State Chairman of APC, Sylvester Aigboboh, said the defection is a major boost for the party, as it prepares for a major senatorial rerun election coming up next month. He said the remnants in the PDP are expected to join the ruling APC in the coming months, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. In his remarks, Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, said that his defection was both ideological and strategic. “I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot be in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing; Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more,” he said. Onobun was accompanied into the APC by a host of former APC members who had earlier defected with him to the PDP. Their return, observers say, is a major consolidation of political strength ahead of future electoral contests in the State. Punch