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2027: ADC Returns to Grassroots, Sets Up 20-Man Membership Revalidation Committee

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In a decisive move to reposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise, signalling a renewed focus on grassroots mobilisation and internal restructuring.

The initiative was formally flagged off on Wednesday in Abuja with the inauguration of a 20-member Membership, Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration (MRMR) Committee, tasked with admitting new members, sanitising existing records and harmonising the party’s membership database nationwide.

The committee is chaired by Kashim Imam, with activist Aisha Yesufu as Deputy Chairman, while Dr. Sekonte Davies will serve as Secretary.

Inaugurating the committee, ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, Senator David Mark, described the exercise as a critical milestone in rebuilding the party from its base and strengthening its internal cohesion.

Mark said the revalidation drive was more than a routine administrative exercise, noting that the party’s founding ideals of justice, equity, accountability and people-centred governance could only thrive on a credible and verifiable membership structure.

According to him, the committee was constituted following a resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC), prompted by the urgent need to revalidate members across the country, register new entrants, intensify mobilisation and harmonise party records.

“Membership is the lifeblood of any political party. Without a strong, active and verifiable membership base, national relevance and electoral success are impossible,” Mark said.

He explained that the committee would oversee fresh registrations, supervise a nationwide revalidation exercise and design both electronic and manual registration platforms to ensure transparency and credibility.

Mark added that the committee would also harmonise existing membership data, eliminate irregularities and strengthen party structures through proper integration of members.

He disclosed that newly introduced ADC membership cards would be customised by state and embedded with security features to enhance transparency and trust in the process.

Urging committee members to discharge their duties with integrity, fairness and impartiality, Mark stressed that the exercise was aimed at promoting unity and inclusion, not exclusion. He directed the committee to work closely with state and local party leaders and submit an interim report to the NWC within 30 days.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Kashim Imam pledged diligence, transparency and selfless service, describing the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter for the ADC.

Imam said the assignment reflected the premium the party placed on grassroots mobilisation, adding that the committee would work to rebuild the ADC as a people-driven movement.

According to him, the focus would be on inclusive membership, particularly among the poor and marginalised, stressing that Nigeria’s abundant resources should not coexist with widespread poverty.

He assured that members of the committee would mobilise and register Nigerians across urban centres, rural communities, creeks and deserts, noting that work had already commenced ahead of the 30-day deadline for submitting its report.

No Budget, Illegal Spending: Fubara Running Rivers Without Approval — Ewor

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A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor, has raised the alarm that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is running the state without a legally approved 2026 budget, describing the situation as illegal and dangerous for governance.

Ewor made the allegation on Wednesday in Ahoada East Local Government Area during a “thank-you” visit by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

According to him, Rivers State currently has no appropriated budget for the 2026 fiscal year, insisting that any expenditure of public funds without the approval of the State House of Assembly amounts to illegality.

“Rivers State has no budget for 2026. Any money being spent without legislative approval is illegal,” Ewor declared.

He blamed the situation on the lack of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government, stressing that governance cannot thrive where there is no synergy among the three arms of government.

Although the Rivers State Executive Council reportedly approved a ₦1.85 trillion budget proposal on January 2, Ewor said the document has not been forwarded to the House of Assembly for debate and passage.

He linked the development to the lingering political crisis in the state, which earlier forced President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March 2025, before it was lifted in September of the same year.

Earlier, Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Solomon Ochoma, praised Wike for his grassroots approach to governance, saying the visit would strengthen unity and development in the area.

Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Ahoada East I Constituency, Queen Williams, thanked Wike for empowering women during his tenure as governor, assuring him of continued support.

In his remarks, Wike said the visit was to appreciate the people for supporting President Bola Tinubu in 2023 and to mobilise them ahead of the 2027 elections.

He accused his successor of abandoning key projects and halting job programmes initiated under his administration, describing Governor Fubara as an ungrateful leader.

Wike urged Rivers people to continue to align with what he called progressive leadership for the sustained development of the state.

Ex-FCTA Development Control Boss, Mukhtar Galadima, Dumps Neutrality for APC in Taraba

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A former Director of Development Control at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), TPL Mukhtar Galadima, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State.

Galadima officially registered with the ruling party on Monday at the APC secretariat in Ibi, headquarters of Ibi Local Government Area, where he pledged loyalty to the party and commitment to its manifesto.

Recently retired as Director of Development Control, Galadima was reappointed as Senior Special Adviser on Development Control to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He said his decision to venture into partisan politics was driven by persistent calls from the people of Ibi Local Government Area to join the APC, whose ideals, he noted, align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Describing himself as an obedient son of the soil, Galadima said he could not ignore the collective will and aspirations of his people.

He highlighted several contributions made to Ibi and Wukari Local Government Areas during his years in public service, including securing employment opportunities for youths, empowering women and youth groups, and providing solar-powered boreholes to various communities.

Other interventions, he said, include support for Islamic and Christian religious bodies, the ongoing construction of a hospital in Ibi, and active participation in key stakeholder meetings aimed at driving development in the Ibi–Wukari axis.

In his remarks, the APC Chairman in Ibi Local Government Area, Mallam Shaibu Samaila, thanked Galadima for heeding the call of the people and choosing the APC as his political platform.

Samaila said Galadima made the right choice, describing the APC as the most popular and acceptable party in Nigeria and particularly in Taraba State. He called on party members to give maximum support and cooperation to ensure the party’s continued success.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of Galadima’s APC membership card, chanting of party slogans and a rally through major streets of Ibi town.

Despite the short notice, hundreds of party loyalists and residents turned out to welcome Galadima, cheering his convoy as it toured the town in a show of support.

Wike to Rivers Voters: Re-Elect Tinubu in 2027 to Sustain Unprecedented Federal Gains The

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to the people of Rivers State to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 to consolidate the remarkable progress the state is currently enjoying under the present administration.

Wike issued the call on Tuesday during his “thank you” tour to Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

Highlighting the extraordinary federal attention Rivers has received, including massive infrastructure projects, strategic appointments, and significant human capital investments, Wike declared that “Rivers people have never had it this good.”

He urged residents to sustain their support for Tinubu to protect and expand these achievements, noting that the state’s elevated status has drawn envy from other regions.

“Supporting President Tinubu’s re-election will take Rivers to even greater heights,” Wike stressed, while explaining that the visit was to appreciate the people’s steadfast backing and encourage them to repeat their strong showing in 2027.

In response, the member representing Degema in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Abe, praised Wike for his visionary leadership, stating that communities statewide benefited immensely from the minister’s efforts in 2023.

Abe assured Wike of the people’s full readiness to follow his direction in 2027.

Degema LGA Council Chairman, Michael Williams, also pledged unwavering support, affirming that every community structure in the area would mobilise for Tinubu’s second term.

Williams emphasised that Wike’s bold decision to back Tinubu in 2023 has delivered tangible development to Rivers, adding that re-electing the President is crucial to maintaining and building on that momentum.

“Tinubu Stood by Me, Now I’ll Stand by Him” — Asari Dokubo Pledges 2027 Support

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Asari Dokubo, the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri in Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, has pledged his full support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Dokubo made the declaration on Tuesday during a visit to his palace by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike.

“Like you said, my friend, everything that is going to happen, I will be with you in making sure that my friend, the President succeeds,” Dokubo said. “Everything that I am capable of doing, I will do to make sure he succeeds. I was not a traditional ruler when we met in 1992. I never thought I would ever become what I am today. He stood by me in my most difficult period, and it is now my turn to also stand by him and support him.”

Wike, who described the visit as both a thank-you tour and a New Year goodwill gesture, commended Dokubo for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of sustaining support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I know that traditional rulers don’t play politics. You are my friend, and I felt that there’s no way I would come here, where you reside, and your kingdom, without coming to greet you and to say happy new year,” Wike said.

The meeting highlights ongoing efforts by political stakeholders in Rivers State to consolidate support for the President’s second-term bid while maintaining cordial relations with traditional institutions.

PDP Crisis: Turaki-Led NWC Holds Closed Door Meeting With Jonathan

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In a bid to checkmate the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the leadership of the party led by Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday met with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja.

 

The closed meeting with Jonathan, which started around 6pm, it was gathered was to address the crisis rocking the party.

 

Recall that Turaki-led NWC had earlier visit the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when they emerged from Ibadan national Convention to pursue peace in the party.

 

Since Turaki-led NWC emerged from the party national convention held on November 15, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo state, the party has been engulfed in crisis, where Nyesom Wike backed faction had challenged the emergence of the Turaki-led NWC.

 

PDP Crisis Deepens: Turaki-Led NWC in Closed-Door Talks with Jonathan for Peace
By Samuel Ogidan, Abuja
In a fresh effort to resolve the escalating crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Tanimu Turaki held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja.
The meeting, which commenced around 6:00 p.m., focused on strategies to address the internal turmoil plaguing the main opposition party, sources revealed.
This follows a similar outreach by the Turaki-led NWC to former President Olusegun Obasanjo shortly after their emergence, as part of broader efforts to restore peace and unity in the PDP.
The crisis erupted after the party’s national convention on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the Turaki faction was elected. A rival group backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has since challenged the legitimacy of the new leadership, deepening divisions within the party.
Details of the discussions with Jonathan were not immediately available, as the meeting remained strictly private.
More details later…

Inferno on Third Mainland Bridge: LBSL Bus Gutted by Fire, All Passengers Escape Unharmed

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A Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) bus was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday afternoon along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, but fortunately, no lives were lost or injuries reported, the company has confirmed.

The blaze erupted around 1:00 p.m. on the Obalende-to-Oshodi section, involving bus number 240057. Despite valiant attempts by passers-by and emergency teams to extinguish the flames, the vehicle was fully engulfed.

In an official statement, LBSL confirmed that all passengers and crew were promptly and safely evacuated, with zero casualties.

Managing Director and CEO of LBSL, Mr. Idowu Oguntona, announced that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the cause of the incident.

“The safety of our passengers remains our utmost priority, and we take this incident very seriously,” Oguntona said. “We are grateful that no lives were lost and no injuries sustained.”

He extended thanks to those who rushed to help, including Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who personally intervened at the scene.cd8fc0,c39f8c,ddd2e5

LBSL pledged to share the investigation’s outcomes publicly and implement measures to avoid future occurrences.

The company reaffirmed its dedication to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient public transport services across Lagos State.

Aisha Yesufu Takes the Plunge: Joins ADC to Bring Fierce Advocacy into Partisan Politics

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Prominent human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announcing that her move is a strategic shift to channel her advocacy directly into partisan politics for better governance, accountability, and transparency in Nigeria.

The announcement came on Monday in Abuja as Yesufu completed her formal membership registration with the party.

She stressed that real national transformation requires active political engagement.

“Politics is how you bring in the people who bring good governance. If we do not participate in politics, we will continue to be at the mercy of those who get in, who are not supposed to get in in the first place,” Yesufu said.

Far from muting her voice, she insisted that joining the ADC would amplify her advocacy within the political arena.

“I am not leaving advocacy; I am taking advocacy into politics. My voice will never be shut down,” she assured.

Admitting trepidation about the step, Yesufu described it as a frightening but essential path.

“I am very nervous. I am embarking on a journey that scares me. But courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward in spite of fear,” she stated.

Reflecting on her activism, Yesufu recalled a personal pledge on her 48th birthday in December 2013 to dedicate 40 years to serving Nigeria.

“I realized that I was also part of Nigeria’s problem, and I made a covenant with God to dedicate my life to this country,” she explained.

Her involvement in the Bring Back Our Girls campaign after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction deepened her commitment, but by 2018, she concluded that staying outside party structures limited meaningful change.

“We cannot stay outside and wait until candidates emerge before deciding who to support. Being inside the political system is where real democracy begins,” she said.

Yesufu revealed she had never been a card-carrying member of any party until now, crediting her decision to former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who recently aligned with the ADC.

“When my leader called, I answered. Mr. Peter Obi will not walk alone,” she declared.

The activist pushed for greater affirmative action in political parties, urging the ADC to exceed its current 35 per cent inclusion policy.

“We can do 50 per cent and above. There is nothing wrong with that,” she said.

Yesufu also rallied FCT residents to vote in the upcoming Area Council elections on February 21, 2026, noting that local governance directly impacts daily services like waste disposal and sanitation.

“The area councils affect our everyday living… We must not ignore these elections,” she emphasised.

She expressed optimism that the ADC could turn the FCT into a national governance model through sacrifice and prioritising Nigeria.

“FCT can become the model for Nigeria. This is the time to sacrifice, to act, and to put Nigeria first,” she concluded.

Earlier, FCT ADC Chairman Yusuf Tijani welcomed Yesufu, reaffirming the party’s focus on unity and grassroots leadership.

He described the ADC as a “new handshake” for Nigeria, rooted in love, peace, and non-divisive politics.

“ADC is the party that will bring Nigeria together. We do not operate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or tribe. That is the only way Nigeria can move forward,” Tijani said.

He portrayed the party as an institution for nurturing responsible, people-centred leaders, criticising post-1999 governance failures as products of selfish leadership.

Tijani highlighted recent high-profile defections to the ADC, including a serving senator, as evidence of its growing appeal.

“We build leaders in ADC. A leader who does not take care of his people is not a leader,” he stated.

APC Ekiti Calls for Loyalty: Massive Turnout Urged as National E-Registration Kicks Off

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The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged its members to actively participate in the ongoing national electronic registration exercise, describing full involvement as a true test of loyalty and commitment to the party’s future electoral success.

The appeal was made on Monday by the State Coordinator of the e-registration exercise and Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Gold Adesola Adedayo, during a meeting with senatorial coordinators and local government supervisors in Ado Ekiti.

Adedayo noted that the exercise, initiated last year with the training of ward-level agents under the Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee, is crucial for the party’s victories in upcoming polls.

He outlined that registration will run daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm across all 177 wards in the state, targeting members aged 18 and above who possess valid INEC voter cards and National Identification Numbers (NIN).

The commissioner charged supervisors to vigorously mobilise members at the grassroots and provide necessary guidance to ensure seamless participation without obstacles.

Emphasising the importance of sustained membership drives for any political party’s viability, Adedayo said the exercise will help the APC accurately determine its genuine support base and membership strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He particularly highlighted its relevance to Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election bid in the June 20, 2026 governorship election, urging members to see the programme as essential.

Adedayo advised those unfamiliar with the process to contact the State Working Committee or designated ward supervisors for assistance.

“We should be thankful to the National Working Committee of our great party for coming up with an electronic registration exercise for all members,” he said.

“This is in line with international best practices, and the APC is laying a solid foundation for true democracy and party politics as the largest party on the African continent.”

He explained that trained ward agents will reach out to members through their respective ward chairmen for a coordinated process, and will be available to address questions or complaints.

“This exercise is very important as it will strengthen our party’s structures and ensure proper documentation of members at the grassroots,” Adedayo added.

Echoing the call, Ekiti State APC Chairman, Barr. Sola Elesin, led by example on Monday by successfully completing his electronic registration.

Elesin encouraged all members to follow suit, stating that active participation demonstrates loyalty, commitment, and readiness to contribute to the party’s growth and electoral triumphs.

He stressed that proper registration will affirm members as bona fide progressives while bolstering the party’s internal structures and data accuracy for future elections.

“As loyal and committed party members, let us all come out and participate actively. APC is moving forward,” Elesin declared.

Rivers Elders Throw Weight Behind Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election, Embrace Wike’s Renewed Hope Family

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The Rivers Elders Council has officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, pledging full alignment with the “Renewed Hope Family” political movement led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

The declaration came on Tuesday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where the Council’s Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, made the announcement.

Alabraba stated that the people of Rivers State’s decision to back Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election has continued to deliver tangible benefits, describing the Renewed Hope Family as “the way to go” for 2027.

He emphasised that the state’s political stability owes much to that 2023 support.

“The decision to support President Tinubu in 2023 is what has kept Rivers State afloat,” Alabraba declared, praising Wike’s leadership and political foresight for positioning the state strongly.

Hailing Wike as an icon of modern Nigerian politics, the elder statesman highlighted his pragmatic and inclusive style, which promoted ethnic harmony across the multi-ethnic state during his governorship.

“Let me assure you, Rivers people know where to go, and the Renewed Hope Agenda is the way to go in 2027,” he added.

The Renewed Hope Family, also referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition,” unites members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to rally grassroots support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, also commended Wike for developmental projects delivered in Akuku-Toru during his tenure as governor.

“We followed you to support Tinubu in 2023, and today we are enjoying the fruits of that decision. We will do the same in 2027,” he affirmed.

The state lawmaker representing the area, Lolo Opuende, similarly pledged unwavering loyalty to Wike’s Renewed Hope Family.

“In 2027, we will stand by you to return President Tinubu for a second term,” Opuende said.

Akuku-Toru Local Government Council Chairman, Aboiya-a Bob-Fubara, lauded Wike’s humility, statesmanship, and dedication to inclusive governance, noting that the visit would further bolster grassroots leadership.

Responding, Wike explained that the visit was to express gratitude for the people’s steadfast support since 2014, when he first announced his governorship bid.

He praised the locals for embracing the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise cross-party support for Tinubu.

“This is the only state where the two major political parties are working together to return President Tinubu in 2027,” Wike said.

“This is why we are no longer talking about party politics but about Renewed Hope.”