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Anambra Debt Row: Obi’s Camp Hits Back at Soludo, Demands Evidence of Liabilities

By
Udehi Alambo
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The controversy over the financial legacy of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has intensified, with his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, challenging the debt records released by the administration of Governor Charles Soludo.

Obienyem accused the Soludo administration of using what he described as “revisionist history” to portray Obi’s eight-year administration as leaving behind excessive debts and inadequate development.

The Anambra State Government had earlier released records showing eight external borrowing facilities associated with projects during Obi’s tenure, with the outstanding balance put at $92.35 million, equivalent to about N127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026. Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, said the obligations were still being serviced through deductions from the state’s monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee revenue.

But Obienyem disputed the interpretation of the figures, arguing that the facilities included multilateral and concessionary development programmes involving institutions such as the World Bank, International Development Association and IFAD.

He said treating such development credits in the same category as commercial loans or high-interest borrowing was misleading.

According to him, some of the projects cited by the state government, including the State Education Programme Investment Project, Community and Social Development Project and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, were either not drawn down during Obi’s tenure or were implemented substantially rewrite this story with a catchy headline Sun style tags and Meta description

ECOWAS, France Move to Strengthen Cooperation on Regional Security

By Stella Omona

Abuja

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, General Birame Diop, has reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with France on regional security and stability.

Diop stated this when the French Ambassador to ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, visited him in Abuja, a statement said on Saturday.

The meeting focused on deepening relations between ECOWAS and France, as well as addressing security challenges confronting the West African region.

The two officials discussed threats including terrorism, organised crime, insecurity, cybercrime, cross-border crime, misinformation and disinformation, which continue to undermine peace and stability in the region.

Diop expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship and cooperation between ECOWAS and France, while pledging to contribute to further strengthening the relationship.

“We will add our own values to these relationships that we have inherited from our predecessors,” he said.

The ECOWAS Commission President also underscored the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges and promoting stability across West Africa by subsequent administrations.

Obienyem particularly challenged the presentation of NEWMAP as a conventional loan incurred and spent by Obi.

He said Obi’s administration had lobbied for the erosion-control programme and paid a N500 million counterpart contribution, but that the actual disbursement and implementation of several projects occurred after Obi left office in March 2014.

The argument contrasts with the position of the Anambra State Government, which maintains that the facilities remain loans regardless of whether they were sovereign-backed or concessionary. Mefor said the fact that some of the financing was guaranteed by the Federal Government did not convert the obligations into grants.

Obienyem also rejected claims concerning Obi’s record in education and healthcare, listing projects and interventions he said were undertaken during the former governor’s tenure.

He cited the rehabilitation of public schools, construction of classroom blocks, provision of computers and internet facilities, teacher recruitment and welfare, as well as investments in tertiary institutions.

On healthcare, he pointed to the construction and development of health facilities, including the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Awka, and partnerships with mission-owned hospitals across the state.

He also cited interventions in immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, hospital accreditation and medical infrastructure as evidence that Obi’s administration invested substantially in the sector.

The former governor’s camp further disputed claims that Obi left unpaid pensions and gratuities, saying records should be produced showing the specific arrears allegedly inherited by subsequent administrations.

Obienyem said the disagreement over the Water Corporation should similarly be resolved through documentary evidence showing what was owed, what was paid and by which administration.

He also defended claims about savings allegedly left by Obi, citing a 2020 column by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who was then a former bank chief executive.

According to Obienyem, Otti had described how Obi invested $155 million across three commercial banks shortly before leaving office, with the investment later appreciating significantly in naira terms.

The debt controversy comes after the Anambra State Government publicly released what it described as records of loans and other liabilities allegedly inherited from Obi’s administration. The government said the original value of eight external facilities was about $123.77 million, with $92.35 million outstanding as of June 30, 2026.

Obi has disputed the claims, while the state government has maintained that the records speak for themselves.

Obienyem called for the specific debts, liabilities, dates, amounts, beneficiaries and repayment records to be made public, arguing that the debate should be settled through verifiable financial records rather than political claims.

He said: “If there are debts, let the specific debts be identified; if there are liabilities, let the dates, purposes, amounts and beneficiaries be stated.”

The dispute has become part of the wider political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, with Obi expected to contest the presidency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

This version keeps the claims attributed to Obi’s camp while also presenting the Anambra government’s position, so the story remains suitable for straight-news publication rather than advocacy.

2027: APC Tackles Atiku Over Fuel Price, Economic Proposals

By
Roland Edet
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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has challenged former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to present a clear alternative to the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the comments while reacting to Atiku’s call on the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices and ease the rising cost of living.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Morka said Atiku should explain to Nigerians how he intends to address the country’s economic challenges rather than asking the Tinubu administration to adopt his proposals.

“The last I checked, the former Vice President is a candidate of a political party for the office of president. He should be telling Nigerians exactly what he plans to do to improve the lives of Nigerians,” Morka said.

He further argued that Atiku had not, in his view, articulated a policy proposal that offered an alternative to the measures being implemented by the Tinubu administration.

Atiku had urged President Tinubu to take steps to reduce petrol prices, arguing that high energy and transportation costs were increasing financial pressure on households, workers and businesses. He also offered to make his policy framework available to the government, saying measures capable of reducing the cost of living should be considered regardless of who proposed them.

“A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent,” Atiku said.

He also warned against the planned phase-out of electricity subsidies from 2027, arguing that households, small businesses and manufacturers were already facing high electricity, diesel and alternative power costs.

According to Atiku, the experience following the removal of petrol subsidies should not be repeated in the electricity sector.

Morka, however, accused the former Vice President of supporting fuel subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential campaign before criticising the policy after it was implemented by the Tinubu administration.

The APC spokesman also questioned Atiku’s record on the power sector during his tenure as Vice President, arguing that he had an opportunity to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges while in government.

Morka questioned why Atiku was now proposing solutions to problems he alleged were not adequately addressed when the former Vice President was in office.

The exchange comes as economic policy, petrol prices, electricity costs and the broader cost of living remain prominent issues in the political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Miners’ Deaths: Bago Imposes 24-Hour Curfew on Minna

By
Shehu Danladi
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Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following unrest linked to the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

The curfew took effect immediately after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice.

Under the directive, residents are required to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movements throughout the period.

Security agencies have also been directed to enforce the curfew and take necessary measures to protect lives and property across the metropolis.

The development followed protests and unrest reported in Minna on Thursday over the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were reportedly being held in NSCDC custody.

The incident sparked tension in parts of the state capital, prompting the state government to impose the curfew as authorities moved to restore calm and prevent further escalation.

The government urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies while efforts are made to contain the situation.

Authorities are expected to issue further updates as investigations and efforts to restore normalcy continue.

Army Charges Young Soldiers to Uphold Discipline, Professionalism

By
Akeem Adebayo
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The Nigerian Army has charged newly trained soldiers of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) to uphold discipline, professionalism and loyalty as they proceed to their respective units and formations.

The Chief of Training, Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Okoro, gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026, held at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

Okoro, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Training, Linkages and Integration, Brigadier General Ukeagbu Igbokwe, described the exercise as an important component of the Army’s efforts to develop disciplined, competent and combat-ready personnel.

He said the exercise enabled the young soldiers to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired during their recruit training while testing their abilities under realistic field conditions.

According to him, the training also exposed the participants to teamwork, leadership, endurance, initiative and effective decision-making.

“Remain physically fit, mentally alert, professionally competent and loyal to constituted authority,” Okoro charged the soldiers.

He urged them to uphold the core values of the Nigerian Army, stressing that their conduct both on and off duty must reflect positively on the Service.

The Chief of Training also reminded the soldiers that their professionalism would contribute to sustaining public confidence in the Nigerian Army.

In his remarks, the Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Training, Army Headquarters Garrison Training School, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adamu, disclosed that 45 young soldiers drawn from various departments, establishments and commands within Abuja participated in the course.

Adamu said the participants received training in unit regimentation, basic infantry tactics, physical fitness, weapon handling, map reading, night operations and other essential military skills.

He added that the soldiers’ progress was assessed through weekly examinations, practical exercises and other training activities.

The Army urged the young soldiers to maintain the standards acquired during the training and remain committed to continuous professional development as they take up duties in their various formations.

Niger Mining Deaths: NBA Demands Probe of Mine Owners, Financiers

By
Uche Kingsley
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.

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 persons arrested over suspected illegal mining and held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.

The association also demanded that authorities identify the owners, financiers, controllers and beneficiaries of the mining operations allegedly linked to the detainees, warning that enforcement should not end with workers found at mining sites.

The NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday following the deaths reported on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The association stressed that the deceased were suspects and had not been convicted of any offence.

“Beyond that, the authorities must establish precisely what roles these individuals played in the mining operations in question,” the statement said.

The NBA said illegal mining remained a serious national problem because of its impact on government revenue, communities and the environment, and its alleged links in some cases to organised criminal activity.

While supporting lawful enforcement of mining regulations, the association insisted that investigations must also target those who organise, finance and profit from illegal mining.

“But enforcement cannot stop with the people performing physical labour at a mining site. Where illegal mining operations are organised, financed or commercially exploited by other persons, the law must also reach those who own, finance, control and ultimately profit from those operations,” it said.

The NBA warned against a situation where poverty and vulnerability make labourers easy targets for arrest while the alleged masterminds and beneficiaries of illegal mining remain unidentified.

It urged authorities to establish ownership and control of the mining operations and prosecute anyone found culpable.

The association also cautioned against rushing to conclusions on the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying evidence must guide the investigation.

“The NBA deliberately refrained from making an immediate pronouncement on the cause or circumstances of these deaths. At a time of understandable grief, anger and speculation, we considered it important that the Association charged with defending the rule of law should not itself reach conclusions ahead of the evidence,” the statement said.

However, it described the deaths as an incident of “the utmost gravity” and demanded answers on how 37 people died within a short period while in custody.

The NBA said investigators should examine the conditions under which the detainees were held, the capacity and ventilation of the facility, medical care available to them and the scientific cause of death.

It also called for proper investigation of reports concerning overcrowding, lack of ventilation and the treatment of detainees before their deaths.

“A suspect is not a convict, whether rich or poor, powerful or powerless,” the association said, stressing that the principle should guide the treatment of anyone deprived of liberty by the state.

The NBA further demanded an investigation into reports that some detainees cried for help while struggling to breathe.

It said investigators must establish “who heard those cries, what they knew, what they did, and when they did it.”

The association also called for a wider review of custodial conditions across security and law-enforcement agencies.

It acknowledged measures already taken by the government, including the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and the establishment of investigative mechanisms by the NSCDC and Niger State Government.

The NBA also noted interventions by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Minister of Interior, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full and transparent investigation.

The association said the effectiveness of the response would ultimately depend on the independence and thoroughness of the investigations, transparency of the findings and accountability for any wrongdoing established.

The NBA expressed additional concern over reports that children may have been among those detained or deceased, saying their ages and identities must be officially established.

It said investigators should determine who took children to the mining sites, who controlled the operations and who benefited from their labour.

“A child found working at an illegal mining site may him or herself be a victim requiring the protection of the State, rather than simply an offender from whom the State requires protection,” the NBA said.

The association disclosed that it had constituted a team headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former NBA General Secretary, Jonathan Gunu Taidi, SAN, to engage the families of the deceased, survivors and relevant authorities.

The team is expected to independently examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths.

The NBA also called for the preservation of evidence, proper forensic and medical examinations, and protection of surviving detainees and witnesses from intimidation.

It urged Nigerians to remain calm while the investigations continue, stressing that the deaths require answers based on evidence rather than speculation.

Obasanjo Reveals What Changed His Mind About Charly Boy

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that Charly Boy’s devotion to his parents changed his perception of the entertainer, saying he initially had “no iota of regard or respect” for him.

Obasanjo made the disclosure while featuring on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast hosted by comedian and content creator Isbae U.

The former president said his opinion of Charly Boy, whose real name is Charles Oputa, changed after he visited the entertainer’s home and witnessed the care he gave his father, the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

According to Obasanjo, Charly Boy remained committed to caring for his father until his death and later extended the same devotion to his mother.

“When I first came to know Charly Boy, I had no iota of regard or respect for him,” Obasanjo said.

“But when I went to visit Joseph Oputa, it was in Charly Boy’s house. I didn’t know it was in Charly Boy’s house.

“I saw how Joseph Oputa was being taken care of, and by whom? Charly Boy. So, I started changing my mind about Charly Boy. Until Joseph Oputa died, Charly Boy took perfect care of him.”

Obasanjo also recalled his interactions with Charly Boy’s mother, whom he described as a humorous woman, noting that the entertainer also took good care of her.

The former president said he later questioned Charly Boy about his eccentric public image and unconventional appearance.

“Then one day I asked him, ‘Look, Charly Boy, what’s all this?’ He said all those jaga-jaga things that I see are to make chop-chop,” Obasanjo recalled.

Obasanjo spoke highly of Justice Oputa, describing him as one of the Nigerians he respected most.

“He has a good father, Justice Oputa. Oh, what a great man. I wish Charlie Boy had resembled him,” he said.

Despite his reservations about Charly Boy’s public persona, Obasanjo acknowledged the entertainer’s intelligence, saying sustaining such an unconventional image as a means of earning a living required a measure of intelligence.

Nigeria Targets $2bn Trade With Vietnam

By
Gladys Phillip
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The Federal Government has urged Vietnam to increase bilateral trade with Nigeria to $2bn, as both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation and expand investment opportunities.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, made the call in Abuja during a reception marking Vietnam’s 81st National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Vietnam.

Ahmed said bilateral trade between the two countries had already surpassed $1bn, but stressed the need for increased economic engagement as Nigeria pursues its ambition of building a $1tn economy.

“Currently, we have over one billion trade relationships. I hope, Your Excellency Ambassador, you will increase this one billion into two billion as Nigeria is looking forward to a one trillion dollar economy,” he said.

The permanent secretary said Nigeria and Vietnam had maintained steady cooperation over the past five decades in agriculture, trade and investment, defence and multilateral diplomacy.

According to him, businesses from both countries have continued to contribute to the development of their respective economies.

“ We have a lot of Nigerian companies and Vietnam companies cooperating in contributing to the national development of each country. Nigeria and Vietnam remain important and strategic partners in West Africa and beyond.

“This friendship signifies the spirit of South-South cooperation,” Ahmed said.

He said the Federal Government was committed to broadening the partnership into areas including agro-processing, renewable energy, digital economy, pharmaceuticals, skills development and manufacturing.

Ahmed also called for greater exchange of skills and stronger people-to-people relations, particularly among young people.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria, Le Viet Hoang, said the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations provided an opportunity for both countries to explore new areas of economic cooperation.

Hoang described Nigeria as one of Vietnam’s major trading partners in Africa, noting that commodities exchanged between the two countries included Nigerian cashew nuts, timber and liquefied natural gas.

He said Vietnamese rice, consumer goods, textiles and technology had also gained a presence in the Nigerian market.

The ambassador expressed Vietnam’s readiness to share its expertise in high-tech agriculture, rice value chains, aquaculture and agro-processing to support Nigeria’s food security efforts.

He identified telecommunications, infrastructure, innovation, e-commerce and financial technology as other areas with potential for increased cooperation.

Hoang encouraged Nigerian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, assuring that the Vietnamese Embassy would continue to facilitate the entry of Vietnamese companies into the Nigerian market.

The event brought together officials and business representatives from both countries as Nigeria and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations after five decades of diplomatic ties.

Akpabio Reveals How Wife Survived Six-Month Coma

By
Saladin Babagana
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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has recounted how his wife, Unoma, survived a six-month coma after an operation went wrong at a hospital in Germany.

Akpabio, who said his wife was placed on life support and had been considered almost dead, attributed her eventual recovery to divine intervention after he prayed for her and sought the intercession of St Padre Pio.

The Senate President made the disclosure during a visit to the Prayer Ground of St Padre Pio at St Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.

According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio visited the site to offer prayers for Nigeria, his family and the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recalling the ordeal, Akpabio said his wife remained in a coma for six months following complications from an operation.

He said, “My wife was in a coma for six months in a hospital in Germany. She was 98 per cent dead. I used the picture of Pio to make a sign of the cross on her, instead of taking off the life support machine she was on.

“She had an operation that went wrong. I cried to Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and called on Pio to intercede.

“Miraculously, she woke up. That hospital, to date, is yet to understand what happened. As someone who has experienced the powers in which I am standing, I can understand it more than anyone else.”

Akpabio disclosed that his wife spent additional months recovering after regaining consciousness, noting that she initially struggled to remember him and their children.

He said the visit to St Padre Pio’s prayer ground was also to express gratitude for her recovery.

“This is my 10th time here. When my wife was finally discharged from the hospital, she waited for three months before she could remember my name and those of the children.

“We are here today to give thanks to God and to thank Pio for always interceding for us,” he said.

The Senate President also said he and other Nigerians who visited the site prayed for peace and an end to banditry and terrorism in the country.

He described the prayer ground as holy and said his personal experience had deepened his faith in the intercession associated with St Padre Pio.

“We are all from Nigeria. We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, our families, and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism.

“We are here on this prayer ground, and we are going home fulfilled, that we were able to touch this Holy ground, drop our intentions, which he will take to God on our behalf,” Akpabio said.

He added that he had honoured the memory of Padre Pio through his family and philanthropic activities, including giving one of his sons the baptismal name Pio and establishing the Pio Football Academy.

Akpabio’s visit comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, with insecurity remaining one of the major concerns raised about the country’s political and social environment.

 

Canada Warns Against Fake Immigration Lottery

By
Gladys Phillip
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Canada Raises Alarm Over Fake Visa Lottery, Warns Applicants Against Scammers

 

Canada has warned prospective immigrants and visa applicants against fraudsters offering fake immigration lotteries, special selection programmes and guaranteed visa approvals.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in a public advisory issued on Saturday, said there was no lottery, shortcut or secret programme capable of guaranteeing anyone selection to immigrate to Canada.

The department also warned that no individual or organisation could guarantee faster processing, priority treatment or approval of an immigration application.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” IRCC stated.

The Canadian immigration authorities urged applicants to take precautions when seeking information or processing applications.

According to IRCC, prospective applicants should obtain information about immigration programmes only from official Government of Canada sources and be wary of anyone demanding money in exchange for guaranteed immigration results.

The department also advised applicants not to make payments or disclose personal information except through official IRCC platforms.

IRCC said scammers frequently use social media platforms, emails and telephone calls to target unsuspecting applicants with false claims of special immigration programmes, expedited processing and guaranteed approvals.

“Only authorized IRCC officers can decide immigration applications, and decisions are based solely on eligibility criteria,” the department said.

The Canadian authorities urged applicants to verify immigration information through the official Canada.ca website and report suspicious offers to the appropriate authorities.

The warning comes amid growing interest in Canadian immigration among Nigerians and other prospective migrants, making applicants vulnerable to individuals and organisations seeking to exploit the demand for visas and immigration opportunities.

IRCC therefore advised prospective immigrants to exercise caution and rely on official government channels when seeking information or submitting applications.

2027: Wike’s Rainbow Coalition Attracts Aggrieved APC Leaders

By
Ola Adebayo
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The political realignment around the 2027 elections is gathering momentum as some aggrieved members and former leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in several states align with the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The development has triggered a fresh dispute between Wike and APC governors, with the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, warning against political arrangements it says could weaken the ruling party or its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Wike, however, has maintained that the coalition’s objective is to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and that it is not an APC structure. He has also stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains free to field candidates in governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

According to a report on Sunday, APC figures who are dissatisfied with the party’s internal processes or have lost out in nomination exercises have moved towards Wike’s political camp.

The report identified Kwara, Gombe, Cross River, Osun, Katsina, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ogun, Jigawa and Ondo among the states where prominent APC figures have reportedly defected to the PDP or declared support for Wike’s coalition.

In Kwara, Dr Tajudeen Olesin and members of the Otoge Progressives were reported to have joined the coalition. Olesin said he left the APC after what he described as unfair treatment within the party.

He argued that the coalition provided an alternative platform for politicians who wanted to support Tinubu while pursuing their political interests in their respective states.

“I contested under APC and left the party to join Wike’s camp, and he welcomed me. In PDP, we have agreed that we don’t have a presidential candidate; we are supporting Tinubu,” Olesin was quoted as saying.

The report also named Senator Saliu Mustapha and two members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saba Gideon and Olushola Odetundun, among those who have moved from the APC to the PDP.

In Osun State, Senator Olubuyi Fadeyi was reported to have left the APC after losing his return ticket and subsequently obtained a PDP ticket with Wike’s support.

Two members of the House of Representatives, Shehu Tafoki and Shehu Dalhatu, were also reported to have defected from the APC to the PDP in Katsina State.

Other reported defections include former APC chieftain Idowu Mafimisebi and aspirant Matthew Oyerinmade in Ondo State, former House of Assembly aspirant Mustapha Owolabi in Ogun State, and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, alongside former Gombe South senator Anthony Yaro.

The political development has, however, attracted opposing interpretations within the APC.

A Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Kwara State Governor, Mashood Alaka, alleged that Wike’s coalition was part of a broader political strategy aimed at building alliances ahead of the 2031 presidential cycle.

Alaka questioned the arrangement under which Wike, a PDP member, is supporting Tinubu for the presidency while the PDP continues to field candidates in other elections.

“If you want to stay in the PDP, stay in the PDP. If you want to work with the APC, work with the APC,” he said.

He also argued that the APC could secure Tinubu’s re-election without the coalition.

Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, rejected the claim that the FCT Minister was positioning himself for a 2031 presidential bid.

Olayinka argued that, under the power-rotation arrangement he referenced, the South would have completed eight years in the presidency by 2031 if Tinubu wins a second term.

“By 2031, the South would have finished its eight years, so how can the presidency remain in the South after 2031?” Olayinka said.

He maintained that Wike’s support for Tinubu was based on his desire to sustain the current southern presidency for eight years, after which power would return to the North under the rotation principle he described.

Wike has separately clarified that his Rainbow Coalition is not an arrangement with the APC. In a statement issued by Olayinka, he said the coalition was created to mobilise support across political parties for Tinubu’s re-election, while PDP candidates would still contest other elective positions.

The dispute has also drawn a firm response from APC governors. The PGF said its members would not support any alliance capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or adversely affecting the party’s candidates.

The APC’s South-East leadership has similarly rejected Wike’s coalition and backed the position of the Progressive Governors’ Forum in support of the party’s candidates at all levels.

With defections, competing alliances and disagreements over the relationship between presidential and down-ballot contests, the Rainbow Coalition has emerged as one of the issues shaping political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

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