Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe Defects from APGA to ADC Ahead of 2027 Elections

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe has officially resigned from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aligning with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. The defection, announced in Enugu, is part of a broader strategy by opposition leaders to present a united front against the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abaribe and fellow defectors cited Nigeria’s worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and institutional decay under the current government as key reasons for their move, emphasizing the need for principled leadership and socio-economic transformation.

#EyinnayaAbaribe #ADC #APGA #PeterObi #NigeriaPolitics #2027Elections #OppositionUnity #GoodGovernance

INEC declares Soludo winner of Anambra Governorship Elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Chukwuma Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), winner of the Anambra State governorship election.

INEC announced that a total of 584,054 votes were collated across the state, with Soludo securing 422,664 votes, maintaining a decisive lead over his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Other candidates include ADC: 8,208 votes and PDP: 1,401 votes.

State Collation Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, announced the figures after the collation exercise on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Awka.

Results:

Dunukofia LGA
APC: 3,284 | APGA: 14,892 | LP: 71 | PDP: 16

Awka North LGA
APC: 3,661 | APGA: 15,895 | LP: 299 | PDP: 203

Njikoka LGA
APC: 5,687 | APGA: 22,213 | LP: 311 | PDP: 47

Nnewi South LGA
APC: 9,281 | APGA: 17,286 | LP: 73 | PDP: 12

Nnewi North LGA
APC: 5,441 | APGA: 20,320 | LP: 1,140 | PDP: 45

Bayelsa Governor Duoye Diri, 17 Lawmakers Resign From PDP.

According to the post, the governor has resigned from the party alongside the 17 House of Assembly members in the state.

The Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He made this announcement through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah who communicated the development on his Facebook Page on Wednesday.

According to the post, the governor has resigned from the PDP alongside 17 members of the House of Assembly in the state.

Two other lawmakers from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also tendered their resignation.

While it is unclear where the governor is headed, on May 1, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that no fewer than 27 political aides of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State were dismissed following their participation in the inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter of a grassroots-based political movement, The NEW Associates.

The affected aides were reportedly dismissed after attending the inauguration of the Bayelsa chapter of The NEW Associates and participating in a mega rally held in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Diri's resignation comes a day after the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, also abandoned the PDP.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Governor Mbah announced his defection to APC on Tuesday during a press conference, saying the move was driven by his desire to better serve the people of Enugu and align with the APC’s “vision for development and progress.”

He formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, state and federal lawmakers, among others.

In a broadcast to the Enugu people, Mbah announced his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the APC, citing a desire for a platform where the people's interest would be represented and respected.

Gov. Soludo Bans Graduation Ceremonies, Christmas Parties in Anambra Schools.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has banned graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties in all schools across the state to ease financial pressure on parents and guardians.

Speaking during an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) campaign rally in Awka North on Friday, ahead of the November 8 governorship election, Soludo said the decision is part of efforts to make education more affordable and equitable.

He expressed concern that many schools—government, private, and mission-owned—had turned education into a source of unnecessary financial burden for struggling families.

“This directive applies to all schools in Anambra. We are setting basic standards to ensure poor parents are not made to spend excessively because their children are in school,” he said.

Soludo also announced a ban on the use of textbooks designed for students to write in, explaining that such books prevent them from being reused by younger siblings. “Once a child finishes a class, he should be able to pass on his textbooks,” he said.

The governor criticized schools for organizing elaborate “graduation ceremonies” for pupils advancing from one class to another, describing the practice as exploitative since it often requires parents to pay for special gowns or uniforms.

“Even Christmas parties should not be funded by parents. These are unnecessary expenses,” Soludo declared.

He warned that the state government would begin strict enforcement of the new policy, adding that any school found violating it would be sealed. “We will begin enforcement immediately, and if your school fails to comply, we will close it. You can go to court—we will meet there,” he said.

Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing quality, accessible, and affordable education for every child in Anambra State.

Trade Fair Demolitions: Senator Umeh Condemns Lagos Government’s Action, Labels It Illegal.

Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has condemned the recent demolitions at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, describing them as unlawful and beyond the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Umeh said the move by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning was “a clear breach of the law and an affront to due process.”

“The country is governed by laws and the constitution. I’m disappointed that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came on air to justify an illegal action,” he stated.

According to him, the Trade Fair Complex is a federal property managed by the Federal Government through the Trade Fair Management Board, and therefore not under Lagos State’s control.

“The Trade Fair Complex is a federal establishment where the Lagos State Government moved in with heavy machinery to destroy people’s properties and investments without justification,” Umeh said. “Federal lands are managed by federal agencies, not state governments. Such properties are recorded in the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, not in the Lagos Land Registry in Alausa.”

Umeh, who is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, maintained that the state government had no authority to act on federal land. He emphasized that the Trade Fair Management Board has always handled all administrative functions, including development approvals, property rates, and ground rent.

“The Lagos State Government has never performed any of these duties there until about two weeks ago when they moved in to demolish buildings on September 25,” he said.

The senator further described the demolitions as an “intrusion,” stating that neither the board nor traders received prior notice.

Umeh also refuted claims that the demolished buildings were erected on canals or without proper approval, insisting that all structures were duly approved by the Trade Fair Management Board.

PDP, ADC, LP kick as APC sweeps bye-elections.

By Clifford Ndujihe, Vincent Unumadu, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, John Alechenu, Wole Mosadomi, Ozioruva Aliu, Bashir Bello, Femi Bolaji, James Ogunnaike, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Mohammed Abubakar, Luminous Jannamike & Adeola Badru

THE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, showed its electoral might by clinching 12 of the 16 legislative seats contested in Saturday’s bye-elections across 12 states of the country.

According to the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the APC won all seats on offer in the bye-polls in Ogun, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa and Kogi.

It shared the two seats in Kano with the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP but had no answer to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra; and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo. As it is, the APC won in 12 constituencies; APGA won in two; PDP won in one, and NNPP in one.

On a day President Bola Tinubu saluted the victors across party lines, opposition parties, including PDP, LP, coalition-backed African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, picked holes in the bye-elections, which they said were rigged.

They also warned that repeating same in 2027 would spell doom for the polity.

In Kano, the APC and NNPP shared the two seats contested. The APC defeated the ruling NNPP, in the rerun election for Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituency seat

Declaring the result, the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Yusuf, announced APC’s candidate, Ya’u Garba Gwarmai, winner with 31,472 votes, defeating his closest rival, Mohammed Yusuf Ali of the NNPP, who polled 27,931 votes.

Tinubu Sends Message to INEC, Others Following Outcome of By-Election.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated winners of Saturday’s by-elections held across 16 constituencies in 12 states, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as largely peaceful and credible polls.

According to results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victories in 12 constituencies, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also one.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President hailed the performance of the electoral umpire, noting that the exercise was “mostly devoid of violence.”

Tinubu also congratulated the newly elected APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, describing the outcome as an emphatic first victory under his leadership. He commended APC governors and party leaders for rallying behind the candidates.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” Tinubu said.

The President further expressed gratitude to party members and voters who supported the APC, assuring them that his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda remained firmly on course.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he stated.

By-Elections: Soludo Declares LP, ADC “Dead” In Anambra, Mocks Obi’s Coalition

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, says Saturday’s by-election results prove that the Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) are “dead” in the state.

Speaking in Nanka during APGA’s victory celebration, Soludo taunted his predecessor Peter Obi — who backed ADC candidates — insisting that “ADC does not exist in Anambra. Labour Party is dead.”

In the Anambra South Senatorial District, APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu won with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,847) and ADC’s Donald Amangbo (2,889). He replaces the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

INEC also declared APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe winner of the Onitsha North Constituency 1 by-election, Obi’s home constituency.

Soludo said the results sent “a very emphatic statement” that the ADC-LP alliance failed despite mobilizing top politicians.

The governor, a former CBN chief, is seeking re-election on November 8, 2025, under APGA.

#AnambraDecides #ByElections2025 #Soludo #PeterObi

Kidnappers End Life Of Young Businessman 'Fish Magnet'.

Anambra based popular entrepreneur Ifesinachi Onyekere (widely known on social media as “Fish Magnet.” Onyekere) who was kidnapped days earlier by unidentified gunmen, has been confirmed dead.

According to zagozola the incident occurred on Saturday night in Okpuno, a suburb near Awka, the Anambra State capital. According to eyewitnesses, heavily armed men stormed the residence of Onyekere around 10:30 p.m. in Ezinifite Village. The attackers, who arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus SUV, forced their way into the compound, shot the victim in the leg, and abducted him in his own navy blue Toyota Corolla.

‎Sources say the gunmen made their escape through bush paths in the direction of Nawfia, successfully evading security personnel.
‎
‎Onyekere was not only a respected businessman and the Managing Director of Fish Magnet a thriving aquaculture brand but also the son of the Anambra State Women Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).