APC women leader confesses to acting as bandits’ informant in Katsina state

Aisha Abubakar, a women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, has confessed to acting as an informant for bandits and receiving only N5,000 from a N9 million ransom and a motorcycle paid for the release of kidnap victims. In a viral interrogatory video, Abubakar detailed her involvement in the kidnapping of five members of the family of Alhaji Sanusi, the Tsaiyaya Ward APC chairman. She disclosed that she was approached by Zainab, who is currently at large, to provide information on Alhaji Sanusi and the APC chairman’s family, enabling a successful kidnapping operation. “After the ransom, including N9 million and a motorcycle, was paid, I was given a share of N5,000, with a balance of N15,000 to be paid after I returned from a wedding ceremony in Zaria,” Abubakar revealed. She also confessed to participating in a cattle rustling operation in Tsaiyaya, for which she received N20,000. She said other key actors involved in the community’s criminal activities included Yahaya, Audu na Bani, and the children of Bashar.

APC South-South Region Urges Tinubu to Contest Again In 2027

The All Progressive Party (APC) in the South-South region has called on President Bola Tinubu to re-contest for the office of the president in the 2027 election.  This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the APC Congress South-South Zonal Executive after a meeting in Calabar, Cross Rivers, on Sunday. It commended Tinubu for his policies, projects, and programmes, adding that the economic reforms were targeted at repositioning the country. The committee reaffirmed its unwavering support for the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration in areas of good governance, economic reforms, national security, and infrastructural development. Tinubu had on May 29, 2023, declared an end to petrol subsidies, a move that saw Nigeria’s headline inflation rising to 33.95 per cent in May, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The data revealed that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.54 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023, which was 22.41 per cent. The NBS report also revealed that the Food inflation rate in May 2024 was 40.66% on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023 (24.82 per cent). Despite the rising inflation rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also implemented several money-tightening policies which have been criticised by the World Bank. Different tax policies to increase revenue have also been put in place by the apex bank. As if the inflation was not enough, the Federal Government is currently battling the duo of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on a new minimum wage. FG has insisted on N62,000 despite rejection by labour. But the committee has expressed optimism with Tinubu’s reforms and also commended the president for his commitment to the coastal road project, and the commencement of the construction from both ends of the project. The committee said it has resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region, to be headed by the Coordinator of the South-South geo-political zone, Senator Bassey Otu. The communiqué said the move is to bridge any existing gap, foster collaboration, and work towards a common goal of strengthening the party’s presence and influence in the region. It also resolved to mobilise available party assets towards winning more states; particularly using the forthcoming elections in Edo State as a test case. “Resolves to mobilise efforts towards the e-registration program of the All Progressives Congress by creating the required awareness to engender inclusivity, participation, and ownership of the party,” the communiqué added. It also passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Sen (Dr) Godswill Akpabio, as the Leader of the APC in the zone, and on Victor Giadom and the zonal executive members of the party. The meeting concluded with a call to action for all party members, to actively participate in the re-building and strengthening of the APC in the zone.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Withdraws Lawsuit Against APC, Aiyedatiwa …says President Tinubu intervened

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made a surprising announcement, withdrawing his lawsuit against the APC, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The lawsuit, originally filed in response to alleged irregularities during the governorship primary election, has been withdrawn by Senator Ibrahim as a gesture of respect for President Bola Tinubu. At a press briefing held in Abuja, Senator Ibrahim disclosed that his decision to withdraw the lawsuit came after President Tinubu’s intervention, which involved both telephone conversations and a lengthy physical meeting at the Villa lasting over an hour. He stressed that the withdrawal was not a personal matter but a pursuit to safeguard internal party democracy, which he believed was compromised during the primary election. The primary election, conducted on April 20, 2024, across Ondo State’s 18 local government councils, saw Governor Aiyedatiwa declared as the winner. However, Senator Ibrahim contested the outcome, leading to legal action against the APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa, and INEC. Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for his guidance and assurance during their meeting, Senator Ibrahim highlighted the president’s commitment to enhancing internal party democracy. He also acknowledged Governor Aiyedatiwa’s prior visit to his residence in Asokoro before the withdrawal of the lawsuit. “I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal. It is simply to improve internal democracy, to which the President has pledged commitment. My respect for the President is unwavering,” the Lawmaker affirmed.

APC Suspends Jimoh Ibrahim 

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the Lawmaker representing the people of Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the National Assembly. He was suspended for anti party activities by some members of the ward executives of the party at Igbotako ward 2, in Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State. The Executives of the Igbotako Ward II, in a letter after the end of their meeting, suspended the Senator for his actions and activities, which they said, violated the party’s Constitution. They also cited that the suit instituted by Jimoh against the APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as his involvement in anti-party activities influenced their decision to suspend the Senator from the party. It would be recalled that after the primary election of the All Progressives Congress which produced Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party, Jimoh who is an Aspirant in the contest approached the court, seeking the nullification of the exercise. The letter read, “We, the members of the APC Exceutive Committee of Igbotako Ward (1 in Okitipupa 1 ocal Goverment Arca of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, during our meeting, We deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members, We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities In accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution”.

Buhari’s Ex-aide Reacts To Ganduje’s Suspension 

Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has reacted to the suspension of the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Ganduje was suspended by his ward in DawakinTofa local government area of Kano State over alleged corruption. Speaking to journalists, the legal adviser of the ward, Haladu Gwanjo, said the former Kano Governor is alleged to have committed gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds during his administration in Kano. Reacting in a post via his X handle, Ahmad said if the suspension of Ganduje was conducted in accordance with due process, then he is no longer a party member. The former presidential aide added that constitutionally, Ganduje cannot serve as the national chairman since he has been suspended. Ahmad stated that the current situation is similar to the tactics used during Senator Adams Oshiohmole’s tenure. He wrote: “If the widely reported suspension of the national chairman of our great party was conducted in accordance with due process, then he is no longer a party member, and constitutionally, he cannot serve as the national chairman since he is not a registered member of the party. “This situation has a resemblance to the tactics used during Senator Adams Oshiohmole’s tenure. There must have been maneuvers happening behind the scenes.”

BREAKING: Kano APC sanctions ward leaders over Ganduje’s suspension

The Kano State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken action against Ganduje Ward Leaders who suspended the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the Kano State Chairman of the APC, announced the sanction during a press briefing in Kano on Monday. He stated that the Ganduje Ward leaders have been suspended for six months due to their involvement in anti-party activities. Abbas explained that the State Working Committee made the decision based on the resolution of the party’s Dawakin Tofa Local Government Committee, which also recommended the suspension. “We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and the state working committee has agreed to sanction them for six months and they stand suspended,” Abbas stated. Earlier on Monday, the Ganduje Ward leaders in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area had announced the suspension of Dr Ganduje, alleging corruption during his tenure as Governor. The ward’s legal adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, cited gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds, particularly referencing the “dollar video” scandal. However, the State Working Committee declared the suspension invalid, null, and void, asserting that it cannot stand.

Why APC suspended Ganduje 

The Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa local government area in Kano State has taken the step of suspending Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision was conveyed by the ward’s legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, during a press briefing in Kano on Monday.  The suspension comes in response to bribery allegations leveled against Ganduje by the Kano State Government. “We decided to suspend Dr. Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo stated. He said the suspension subsists until he clears himself from the allegations.

Bayelsa Guber: APC, INEC tender conflicting documents

The All Progressive Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday, tendered conflicting election results on the November 11 governorship election before the State Governorship Tribunal, sitting in Abuja. A former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Silva, and his party, APC, had dragged INEC, elected governor, Senator Diri Duoye, his Deputy , Lawrence and the People Democratic Party (PDP) before the tribunal. When the matter was called up, the electoral body tendered its own certified true copies of its results, while the APC polling units agents tendered various results in respect of the places the party was represented. The conflicting results, which were objected by the parties, were, however, admitted as exhibits by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunele Adeleye, for the tribunal’s consideration during the hearing of the petition. Specifically, the petitioners are asking the tribunal to hold that election took place in three different local governments where INEC claimed that election was not conducted due to alleged diversion of electoral materials. They were also allegations of bypass of the BVAS machines . The affected local governments are Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe Local Government Area LGAs. Led in evidence by the counsel of the petitioners, Tunde Falola, the APC’s witness, who was a poling agent, Odungele Moses, maintained that the election took place in PU unit 15 ward 4 and tendered a result which he claimed was issued to him by the election presiding officer on the election day. However, during cross-examination by counsel to the governor, Chris Uche SAN, the witness admitted that although 16 political parties participated in the election, only APC, which he represented as an agent, signed the result he tendered. He, however, did not give reasons why others did not sign. Another witness, Mallory Afin, who also testified for the petitioners, tendered APC results, which had the same serial number and number of accredited voters 169 with INEC but had different results recorded for the political parties. During cross examination by counsel to Governor Diri, it was discovered that the results tendered by APC in ward 002 were prepared and signed by the same presiding officer for ward 015. The witnesses were also cross examined by Charles Edosonwon SAN, who stood for INEC, Chukwuma Machukwu-Umeh SAN, who stood for the Deputy Governor and Tayo Oyetibo SAN who represented PDP. The witnesses, though, denied the allegations of parading fake election results but admitted that only INEC has statutory powers to conduct elections and to possess superior documents. Hearing continues Thursday,15th February.

No Vacancy  – APC Reacts As Yahaya Bello Moves To Unseat Ganduje As National Chairman

APC has told the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, that there is no vacancy within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated this Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the resolutions reached at the 141st meeting of the NWC. Bello had commenced the move to unseat Abdulahi Ganduje as the national chairman of the party after posters promoting him for the position of the chairman were seen at strategic places in the nation’s capital on Monday. Morka’s words: “There is no vacancy in the office of the national chairman. Our national chairman remains the chairman. This is democracy, people do what they want. We have total confidence in the leadership of the party. Those who are posting these papers around should desist from doing so.” Morka revealed that the ruling party would flag off the update of the party’s membership register in Niger State. According to him, “To flag off the update of membership registration nationally in Niger State, then flag off in one state in each of the other geo-political zones.” He also denounced the failure or refusal of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly to swear in 16 APC House members adjudged by the Court of Appeal as the duly elected members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.  He said the stubbornness of the Speaker and the governor of the state in this matter was wrong, undemocratic and violently contemptuous of the authority of the Court of Appeal, the highest court for the determination of election petition matters as it concerns the House of Assembly.

Lagos PDP Chairman Kidnapped 

The Lagos State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Philip Aivoji, has been abducted. He was abducted along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around 6 p.m on Thursday, according to sources. The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Hakeem Amode, confirmed the abduction. He called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure his release. Amode stated that the chairman was returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke. He said, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning. “The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace. “Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown. “We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers. We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”