…Says APC’s 2027 Victory ‘A Done Deal’

As the political temperature begins to rise ahead of the 2027 general elections, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has confidently declared that more governors from opposition parties will soon defect to the ruling party.

Ganduje made the revelation on Thursday in Abuja while formally receiving key leaders of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from Kano State into the APC fold, including Senator Kawu Ismaila, who represents Kano South in the National Assembly.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the new members, Ganduje said the defections are part of a calculated political strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to consolidate national support ahead of 2027.

“More governors are coming into APC, I assure you,” Ganduje stated. “We are expanding across the country. With what we’ve seen in Edo and now Delta, APC 2027 is a done deal. We’re not just growing; we’re becoming unstoppable.”

Joining Senator Kawu in the defection were other prominent NNPP figures, including former House of Representatives members, former commissioners, and top party officials in Kano State. Notable names include Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhasan Rurum, Dr. A. B. Baffa Bichi, Hon. Abbas S. Abbas, and Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Lawal, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Senator Kawu described their movement as a “coming together of like minds,” and emphasized that their influence would significantly shift political dynamics in Kano. “If you check the 2023 election results, especially from our polling units where we contested against Kwankwaso, the facts speak for themselves,” he said.

The latest wave of defections follows the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his cabinet to the APC, which Ganduje hailed as a testament to Tinubu’s unifying leadership.

With strategic alignments and mass defections already in motion, the APC appears to be positioning itself for a sweeping victory in the next electoral cycle.

Tensions flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday as members of the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State Oversight staged a dramatic walkout following the repeated absence of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, had summoned Ibas to appear before it to provide crucial insights into the ongoing state of emergency in Rivers and governance developments under his watch. However, for the second time in a week, Ibas failed to honor the invitation.

Originally scheduled for April 17, the meeting was postponed at Ibas’s request and rescheduled for April 24. But when lawmakers convened in Committee Room 301 at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the seat reserved for the embattled administrator remained glaringly vacant.

Ibas’s no-show sparked visible outrage among committee members. After a tense few minutes of waiting, lawmakers began walking out in protest, some shaking their heads in disbelief, others muttering in frustration. Committee Chairman Hon. Ihonvbere offered no lengthy remarks, saying only, “No words. I will issue a statement later in the day.”

The snub is seen as a deepening of the standoff between the legislative arm and the Rivers State administration under emergency rule. It also raises questions about transparency and accountability in the state’s interim governance amid heightened political and security concerns.

***Says Tinubu can’t outplay God, vows immediate takeover of Delta structure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as “very sad and unfortunate” the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to reclaim the party’s political structure in the state immediately.

Speaking at the presentation of Certificate of Return to Chief Jude Ezenwafor, the PDP’s governorship candidate for Anambra State, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said the party was blindsided by Oborevwori’s move, especially given the massive support he and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, received from the PDP.

“It’s very sad and unfortunate, because if there is any state that shouldn’t think of abandoning the party, it is Delta,” Damagum said. “The PDP gave them everything. From the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who was our Vice Presidential candidate, we expected loyalty.”

While refraining from naming names, Damagum made a veiled reference to President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that political maneuvers may work temporarily but cannot triumph over divine will. “You may have your tactics, but you cannot outplay God,” he said.

Damagum vowed that the PDP would take swift action to restore its grip in Delta, beginning with the immediate constitution of a caretaker committee. He urged Nigerians to prepare for 2027, declaring it “not APC versus governors, but APC versus Nigerians,” and called for unity across the country to end the hardship inflicted by the current administration.

Meanwhile, Chief Jude Ezenwafor, upon receiving his Certificate of Return, promised to lead the PDP to victory in the upcoming Anambra election. “The result will surprise the world. PDP is Anambra and Anambra is PDP,” he said confidently.

The Federal Ministry of Defence has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to deepening military and strategic cooperation with the State of Israel, in a renewed push to strengthen national security and build defence capacity across the armed forces.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, made this known during a courtesy visit by Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ship House, Abuja.

According to a statement signed by Sani Datti, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, the two officials discussed frameworks for enhancing defence collaboration, including joint operations, knowledge transfer, military training, and modernization efforts.

“The Ministry will engage in strategic initiatives to replicate successful Israeli military cooperation frameworks in Nigeria, thereby enhancing our national defence architecture,” Ambassador Aduda said, noting the urgency of tackling evolving global and domestic security challenges with robust partnerships.

Ambassador Freeman welcomed the strengthened partnership and extended an invitation to the Ministry’s leadership to visit Israel for further collaboration.

He emphasized that the deepened ties would open new avenues for innovative defence solutions and technical cooperation in the development of Nigeria’s defence industry.

“Renewed Hope is visible, not just a slogan,” says Minister as N10bn backs Life Camp Road Project

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year in office will be marked by the commissioning of transformative infrastructure projects across Abuja — a visible demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda in action.

Wike gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection of key ongoing projects, including the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to Wassa Junction, the Northern Parkway Interchange being handled by Gilmore, and the expansive N5 road project linking Life Camp to surrounding communities.

“By the grace of God, these roads will be inaugurated to mark Mr. President’s second year in office. It will be a packed and impactful anniversary,” Wike said. “This is Renewed Hope in action. These projects are not just plans on paper — they are changing lives already.”

The Minister revealed that N10 billion had already been earmarked for the N5 project under the 2024 budget, which expires in June. He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would approve the 2025 budget promptly to sustain the development pace.

“We’re doing our part — payments are being made, and contractors are working round the clock. There’s no excuse. The people deserve results, and that’s what we’re delivering,” Wike added.

He praised the contractors for the quality of work so far and reiterated the FCT Administration’s resolve to meet its obligations, ensuring that Abuja remains a model of infrastructure excellence under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has berated the six Area Council Chairmen over their failure to pay primary school teachers, despite receiving N4.1 billion in wage support from the FCT Administration. The minister described the situation as a gross dereliction of duty and a shameful betrayal of public trust.

Speaking on Thursday after an inspection tour of major infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike expressed outrage over the ongoing strike by primary school teachers and the protest by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). “I approved the release of funds to the Area Councils to pay teachers. Just yesterday, I got a report that they’ve not done so. I have summoned all the chairmen for an urgent meeting,” he said.

The minister condemned the council leaders’ inaction, questioning their conscience for neglecting those entrusted with educating children. “These are people who take care of our children, and you’re happy not paying them salaries? This is the problem with our system. When you apply the big stick, people cry foul,” he added, insisting that the councils, not the FCTA, are solely responsible for primary school teacher salaries.

Meanwhile, NUT Chairman, Comrade Mohammed Abdullah Shafa, accused the council chairmen of diverting the funds under the guise of ecological projects. During a protest at the FCTA Secretariat, Shafa said, “The Minister intervened and released N4.1 billion, but the chairmen ran away with the money. They’ve failed to honour multiple agreements since December 2024. That’s why we are here—to tell the Minister that his intervention was sabotaged.”

Shafa also emphasized that the unions were following directives from the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to engage in closed-door meetings. “This is a struggle for justice. Let the officials come out and address the workers directly,” he said.

As the strike disrupts learning across primary schools in the FCT, Wike appealed to the NUT for more time, promising decisive action to hold the council chairmen accountable.

***Final training to hold April 26–27 at Bassan Jiwa Hajj Camp

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will this weekend conclude its orientation and educational programme for intending pilgrims ahead of the 2025 Hajj exercise.

Director of the Board, Mallam Kadiri Edah, made this known in Abuja, stating that the final phase of the training will be held on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 at the FCT Permanent Hajj Camp, Bassan Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

According to him, the orientation was conducted in batches to allow pilgrims gain a deeper understanding of Hajj rites and adapt to new guidelines introduced by the Saudi Arabian authorities and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Edah revealed that Islamic scholars have been mobilized to conduct the sessions in seven languages, reflecting the FCT’s diverse population. He noted that the final phase will include practical demonstrations to further enhance pilgrims’ readiness for the spiritual journey.

“The orientation is critical to ensuring that our pilgrims understand the spiritual and logistical aspects of Hajj. We want to ensure that every participant performs an acceptable pilgrimage,” Edah said.

The Director also disclosed that the Board has commenced the visa application process and secured standard accommodation in Makkah. Additionally, reputable service providers have been engaged to handle catering and other logistics for the FCT contingent in Saudi Arabia.

He urged all registered intending pilgrims who are yet to submit their completed application forms or international passports to do so immediately, warning that any delay could jeopardize their travel preparations.

Mallam Edah also encouraged full participation in all remaining programmes organized by the Board, stressing their importance in helping pilgrims achieve a spiritually rewarding and well-organized Hajj experience.

***Says Southwest Zonal Congress a model for unity-building

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is actively addressing internal differences and reconciling various interest groups across the country in preparation for the 2027 general elections, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, has said.

Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja, Ologunagba acknowledged that reconciliation within a political party is complex and often slow due to competing interests—personal, regional, or communal—but emphasized that the PDP is steadily making progress through established mechanisms.

“This election is about the people,” he stated. “Reconciliation is never easy because individuals come with vested interests, but our party has a structure in place to navigate these challenges. That process is ongoing.”

He highlighted the efforts of the PDP’s Reconciliation Committee, which has been engaging stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones to mend fences and unify the party.

“We just concluded a very successful Southwest Zonal Congress,” Ologunagba noted. “Despite differences, the process was seamless, and the turnout was impressive. It demonstrated the PDP’s capacity to manage internal disagreements and come out stronger.”

He described the Southwest as a critical political bloc with a history of leadership in national discourse and praised its example in demonstrating that reconciliation is possible even in the face of entrenched positions.

“The Lagos chapter, for instance, had longstanding divisions, but those were resolved through dialogue and compromise. This is what great political institutions do—build consensus without being disagreeable,” he added.

Ologunagba said the unity achieved in the Southwest would serve as a template for other zones, as the PDP works to reposition itself as a strong contender in the 2027 general elections.

“We are committed to a politics of inclusion, give-and-take, and national interest. The success of the Southwest Congress is a reflection of what we can replicate nationwide,” he said.

The PDP, which held power at the national level for 16 years before losing to the APC in 2015, has been grappling with internal conflicts and regional rivalries in recent years. However, party leaders have expressed confidence that ongoing reconciliation efforts will return the PDP to national prominence.