NEWS

Enugu APC Blasts Gov Mbah Over Demolitions

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

Aproko

Enugu APC Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah addressing newsmen after the inspection

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu has lashed out at Governor Peter Mbah over ongoing demolition of property for bus terminal projects.

The party which conducted a tour of site of demolitions in the state capital, described the exercise as ill conceived, and an “economic terrorism on the people of Enugu State”.

Addressing newsmen during the tours of the demolition sites on Tuesday, the State chairman of the party, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, called on the House of Representatives to invoke its powers to set up an administrative panel of inquiry to stop “this land grabbing scheme and make sure commensurate compensation was paid to not only land owners of destroyed properties but also those whose businesses were destroyed”.

Agballah, explained that it was important that a national public inquiry be set by the House of reps to stop the impunity going on in Enugu and make sure that the governor was held responsible for desecrating the constitutional rights of the citizens to own property and carry on their lawful businesses.

“We also call on those whose businesses were destroyed to seek redress and make sure they get commensurate compensation for their destroyed businesses and we pledge to fully support them. Enugu citizens should not tolerate this show of unbridled dictatorship, impunity and wickedness.

“The demolition of Holy Ghost/Railway/Okpara avenue axis, Gariki Market, Abakpa Market and Ogige Market in Nsukka had led to untold financial and psychological hardship on affected families, economic decline due to loss of revenue and jobs, deteriorating living conditions characterised by increased poverty, social unrest, increased crime and loss of goods and services.”

The party urged Gov. Mbah to stop further demolition on other areas, parks and market that had been marked, advising that Government must carry out cost benefit analysis before embarking on a destructive project, “if indeed, it’s for the people”.

The chairman explained that the party was forced to break silence because of the “wanton, unbridled, callous and terrorist gestapo style destruction of private homes, private motor loading bays, over a hundred warehouses, a burgeoning industrial cluster of over 200 palm kernel processing plants, which is the biggest supplier of PKO in the entire Eastern Nigeria,10 chemical producing warehouses that were built in the fifties and sixties by the U.T.C, S.C.O.A, Chris Chemist, Maduka and Sons Ltd, Mgbemena Family and Farm Associates, Hogis Engineering Company, Dizzy Oil Co Ltd, FCMB bank, Ecobank, Onitsha south, Eastern Mass transit Co, Chisco Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Oha Community Microfinance Bank and over three hundred shops.

“Completely destroying buildings and educational materials of OSISATECH Polytechnic, the biggest and foremost Polytechnic in Enugu State despite the fact that the owner Rev Fr. Emmanuel Edeh got a court order stopping the demolition. The governor ignored the order as the bulldozers went ahead to level the school. The Red Cross building which houses almost a hundred motherless babies was pulled down while the babies were in the building with no alternative made for them.

“This sudden destruction led to the death of one baby who couldn’t survive the shock. It is only a heartless government that will pull down a building where the motherless babies were sleeping without providing an alternative habitation for them. It is alleged that not less than ten persons died during the destruction of peoples properties. Some weeks ago a decomposing body was exhumed from the debris.

“Only a vicious and soul-less government will destroy the training school of the civil engineering department of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, alongside ten three –bedroom flats that railway workers and some retirees were living that was built as far as 1940s.

“The workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) demonstrated and issued a seven day ultimatum to the state government to negotiate on how to replace its offices, workshops and quarters demolished or face legal action. They stated that over 21 billion Naira in property and equipment was lost by the railway alone in the demolition. It is good news to hear that the House of Representatives has ordered its Committee on Land Transport to commence investigation into the destruction and forceful takeover of properties belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“We would want Nigerians to note that what is going on is another land grab scheme characteristic of the ruling PDP Ebeano hegemony. This was the same tactics that was deployed by his predecessors in land grabbing the zoological parks and gardens which was destroyed in same manner and later parcellated to high ranking members of the Government, same tactics was used to take over the biggest golf course which land was grabbed and percellated to members of the government, same for Ikenga hotels, W.T.C Enugu, IMT Rectors Village, the land zoned for the building of Rangers stadium and even land meant for the conference centre which was initiated in the eighties by the Sampson Emeka Omeruah administration, this was the same tactics used to take over all ventilation and amusement parks and open spaces in Enugu city.

‘These are heritage sites inherited from the Eastern regional government and belongs to all Igbos as Enugu wouldn’t have had all those iconic heritage sites if it was not a regional capital. This is the problem we have with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state right from time. The same PDP destroyed government reserved area. Enugu state governors past and present are the only governors that when in office they will forcefully take peoples land. It doesn’t happen in any other state in whole of South East.

“No investor will invest in a state where this kind of demolition takes place every so often. We still remember how ENTRACO was used in enriching government officials. All transport companies set up by the Federal, States and LGAs have all failed woefully. In Enugu we know how the resources of coal city shuttle, ENTRACO, Coal city taxi, were all failed government initiatives in transport that ended up enriching the government officials.”

The statement in full below:

MBAH’S ILL CONCIEVED DEMOLITION SPREE IS ECONOMIC TERORISM ON THE PEOPLE OF ENUGU STATE: A STATEMENT BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) ENUGU STATE.

Good afternoon gentlemen and ladies of the press. As you are aware for one year we did not comment on the worrisome activities of the Peter Mbah’s government because as citizens of the state and major stakeholders in the Enugu project we want every government to succeed, as the success of every government irrespective of the party that brought it into office will be enjoyed by us all and generations unborn.

Another reason why we have not commented on the activities of the Peter Mbah led government is because we know the government is battling with a widely perceived sense of illegitimacy, because he is widely believed not to have won the legitimate votes cast even though he was declared by INEC and confirmed by the judicial authorities. So we did not want to heat up the system knowing that he may find it difficult to rule this state if we unleash the weapon of opposition against his obviously debilitated government.

The third reason was that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revenue allocation to all States and local government areas have increased exponentially to the extent that Enugu State’s monthly allocation have tripled making this present Mbah government the highest recipient of federal allocation since the creation of Enugu State. It is an empirical fact that from May 29th 2023 to May 29th 2024, Peter Mbah’s government has received not less than N 475,963,652,019 Billion Naira only.

The breakdown is as follows; Federal allocation to the State is 147,778,456,610.09, Local Government Allocation: 64,185,195,409.01,Infrastructure allocation: 34,000,000,000,State IGR not less than: 60,000,000,000,Loans: 170,000,000,000. Making it a total of Four hundred and seventy five billion, Nine hundred and sixty three million, six hundred and fifty two thousand, and nineteen kobo.

We felt that we should not heat up the system because with the humongous allocation which is almost three times what the previous governments received we felt that any serious government with such a bumper revenue will surely succeed. With this revenue we expected that Gov. Peter Mbah should have built at least 2,500 kilometres of roads having covenanted in his manifesto that he will construct 10,000 kilometres of road in Enugu State within four years. 2,500 kilometres is 25% of the total road network he covenanted to build and one year is a quarter of his tenure of four years.

With this mind blowing funds we believed that Gov. Peter Mbah ought to have completed provision of water in Enugu city which he boasted he would complete in 180 days. With this unprecedented revenue we hoped that Peter Mbah would have at least built within this year his ill-conceived smart schools in 80 wards out of the 260 wards he covenanted to deliver in his manifesto within four years. It is also pertinent to note that the ill-conceived smart school projects is another avenue where the government of Peter Mbah is wasting billions of money to build one school per ward, whereas thousands of public schools are lying in ruins. Mbah is yet to construct any single public building in the state, yet he is busy destroying existing building and businesses constructed by individuals before he was born.

With this once in a lifetime revenue we felt Gov. Peter Mbah would have equipped our health institutions, built rural roads, and equipped the security agencies with the needed logistical support to secure Enugu State. There is no landmark project one can point at despite borrowing N 170 billion and increased federal allocation and IGR of N 305 billion, all totalling N 475 billion. We should also remember that when Mbah wrote his manifesto he didn’t know that revenue would triple due to fuel subsidy removal so he has no reason not to meet up with his much touted developmental plans as other states like Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states are currently doing.

We have always suspected that Peter Mbahs government was an unmitigated disaster but with recent developments it is now obvious to all the citizens of Enugu State.

However, we decided to make a press statement after one year to inform the general public that Peter Mbah’s government has failed woefully and should account to the state for the over 470 billion naira that he has collected in a year. Where is this money, where are the projects this money was used for? The state owe it as a duty to know what has happened to this humongous revenue and what it has been used for within one year of Gov. Peter Mbah’s bull in the chinaware government where his achievements is engaging in sophistry, casuistry and paralogism with intent to bamboozle the ignorant folks of Enugu State.

What is called “Tax” in Enugu state has become extortion of sorts under the present administration: ranging from land rent, property tax, cost of lifting a plot of land, sales tax, income tax, rates and levies. And the way government goes about collecting these taxes is brutal, including shutting down businesses that employ thousands of people.

However, a state of emergency that has made us to break our silence is the wanton, unbridled, callous and terrorist gestapo style destruction of private homes, private motor loading bays, over a hundred warehouses, a burgeoning industrial cluster of over 200 palm kernel processing plants, which is the biggest supplier of PKO in the entire Eastern Nigeria,10 chemical producing warehouses that were built in the fifties and sixties by the U.T.C, S.C.O.A, Chris Chemist, Maduka and Sons Ltd, Mgbemena Family and Farm Associates, Hogis Engineering Company, Dizzy Oil Co Ltd, FCMB bank, Ecobank, Onitsha south, Eastern Mass transit Co, Chisco Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Oha Community Microfinance Bank, over three hundred shops, completely destroying buildings and educational materials of Osisatech Polytechnic, the biggest and foremost Polytechnic in Enugu State despite the fact that the owner Rev Fr. Edeh got a court order stopping the demolition, the governor ignored the order as the bulldozers went ahead to level the school. The Red Cross building which houses almost a hundred motherless babies was pulled down while the babies were in the building with no alternative made for them. This sudden destruction led to the death of one baby who couldn’t survive the shock. It is only a heartless government that will pull down a building where the motherless babies were sleeping without providing an alternative habitation for them. It is alleged that not less than ten persons died during the destruction of peoples properties. Some weeks ago a decomposing body was exhumed from the debris. Only a vicious and soul-less government will destroy the training school of the civil engineering department of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, alongside ten three –bedroom flats that railway workers and some retirees were living that was built as far as 1940s. The workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) demonstrated and issued a seven day ultimatum to the state government to negotiate on how to replace its offices, workshops and quarters demolished or face legal action. They stated that over 21 billion Naira in property and equipment was lost by the railway alone in the demolition. It is good news to hear that the House of Representatives has ordered its Committee on Land Transport to commence investigation into the destruction and forceful takeover of properties belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

We would want Nigerians to note that what is going on is another land grab scheme characteristic of the ruling PDP Ebeano hegemony. This was the same tactics that was deployed by his predecessors in land grabbing the zoological parks and gardens which was destroyed in same manner and later parcellated to high ranking members of the Government, same tactics was used to take over the biggest golf course which land was grabbed and percellated to members of the government, same for Ikenga hotels, W.T.C Enugu, IMT Rectors Village, the land zoned for the building of Rangers stadium and even land meant for the conference centre which was initiated in the eighties by the Sampson Emeka Omeruah administration, this was the same tactics used to take over all ventilation and amusement parks and open spaces in Enugu city. These are heritage sites inherited from the Eastern regional government and belongs to all Igbos as Enugu wouldn’t have had all those iconic heritage sites if it was not a regional capital. This is the problem we have with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state right from time. The same PDP destroyed government reserved area. Enugu state governors past and present are the only governors that when in office they will forcefully take peoples land. It doesn’t happen in any other state in whole of South East. No investor will invest in a state where this kind of demolition takes place every so often. We still remember how Entraco was used in enriching government officials. All transport companies set up by the Federal, States and LGAs have all failed woefully. In Enugu we know how the resources of coal city shuttle, Entraco, Coal city taxi, were all failed government initiatives in transport that ended up enriching the government officials.

This is pure economic and ill-conceived hare brained project which is a product of a government with shallow intellect masquerading in yahoo sophistry which cannot stand intellectual inquisition, whose purpose simply is to control the resources that will accrue from the state controlled transportation system. The destroyed area was the recycling hub in Enugu. This place also houses private transport companies, Petrol stations, Shopping centres etc. if it is not terrorism, who destroys the oldest and biggest motherless baby’s home and orphanage in the entire South East, South-South Nigeria which is run by the Red Cross. The building is as old as Enugu town. If this is not a land grab scheme, tell me why the hub must be in the city centre, a place already congested. If this is not economic terrorism, tell me why the government will demolish the biggest private owned polytechnic in Enugu State, why the government destroyed over a hundred warehouses where almost 90% of goods valued at over one hundred billion that are sold in Ogbete are warehoused.

It is important to inform you that part of modern urban renewal fundamental principles is that whenever human, economic and living development catches up with a major market or transport hub, such markets and hubs are relocated to the outskirts of the city. It may be necessary to inform us all here that the present Main market was sited here by colonial authorities in 1929 because here was the outskirts of Enugu in those days. Even the New market was sited in 1975 to its present site which again was deliberately positioned at the entrance of the city, so it is obvious the current government is not genuine in its schemes and project. When the then government in 1975 wanted to pull down and rebuild the Main market they moved the traders to a relief market which is the present day New market. Enugu is already bursting with population explosion, and traffic congestion and urgently needs decongestion, which means that new projects should move to new areas or satellite towns. Like experts counselled, Enugu state government should have known that the focus of modern theory and practice of development is on the development of new satellite towns as a means of much needed urban decongestion, optimization of public utilities and ecological maximization. It is inconceivable for anybody to leverage on an over one hundred year old colonial city Enugu to implement a prototype of Dubai transportation blueprint. Enugu had the best master plan in Nigeria, but successive PDP governors have not re-evaluated the master plan but have continuously and consistently bastardized the master plan.

I have been an advocate of thoroughbreds with strong intellectual and moral standing elected into the office of the Governor of Enugu State. The people should not be elected on the basis of wealth acquisition especially when such acquisitions are questionable. Nowhere in the world do you carry out such projects without implementing the principles of (T.O.D) otherwise called Transit oriented development which is aimed at bringing all commercial activities, buildings, public space together and connecting them to a near excellent transit service to every part of the city. If the principles of T.O.D had been implemented the government would not even think of building the biggest transportation hub opposite the biggest market in the city. This will lead to congestion and a calamitous traffic bottleneck. The intellectual emptiness of the Peter Mbah led government is reflected in this ill-conceived project that seek to apishly imitate other landmark projects by other government and in this instant, the Lagos state government. The Lagos state government transport hubs are well thought out projects that conform to all the principles of Transit Oriented Development (T.O.D). How can you destroy entire markets at Ogige in Nsukka, Gariki and Abakpa markets without first providing relief markets? It is akin to sentencing the citizens to sudden death. How can siting a motor park and destruction of livelihood of the tens of thousands of your citizens be for the greater good? When has the business of parks become the business of government, in this modern time governments are running away from running transport companies, this government is planning to set up a transportation hub, is it his business? Transport hubs have been organized by private people since the end of civil war and they have been doing better than the ones government set up. The people of Enugu state must condemn these nefarious act and use constituted means to stop the perennial grabbing of peoples land by the present government.

We call on the House of Reps to invoke its powers to set up an administrative panel of inquiry to stop this land grabbing scheme and make sure commiserate compensation is paid to not only land owners of destroyed properties but also those whose businesses were destroyed. It is important that a national public inquiry be set by the House of reps to stop the impunity going on in Enugu and make sure that the governor is held responsible for desecrating the constitutional rights of the citizens to own property and carry on their lawful businesses. We also call on those whose businesses were destroyed to seek redress and make sure they get commensurate compensation for their destroyed businesses and we pledge to fully support them. Enugu citizens should not tolerate this show of unbridled dictatorship, impunity and wickedness.

The demolition of Holy Ghost/Railway/Okpara avenue axis, Gariki Market, Abakpa Market and Ogige Market in Nsukka had led to untold financial and psychological hardship on affected families, economic decline due to loss of revenue and jobs, deteriorating living conditions characterised by increased poverty, social unrest, increased crime and loss of goods and services.

Gov. Mbah must not demolish other planned areas, parks and market marked for demolition. Government must carry out cost benefit analysis before embarking on a destructive project, if indeed, it’s for the people.

We know that the state government will unleash its (social) media Rottweilers after every critical voice in the state but that will not deter us from speaking from time to time. Enugu state is bigger than any one individual.

Signed
The Hon Barr Ugochukwu H. Agballah
Chairman, APC
Enugu State.

Related Topics:Bus Terminals: Enugu APC Condemns Demolition Exercise By Govt

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Fayemi Risks APC Sanction Over Remarks Against Party

Published

18 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State, against making comments capable of damaging the image of the ruling party.

Basiru warned that disciplinary measures could be taken against him for comments that may portray the party in a bad light.

The warning followed Fayemi’s criticism of the APC during an interview on ‘State Affairs with Edmund Obilo’, where he said the party had drifted away from the ideals of its founding fathers and was gradually losing internal debate and ideological direction.

Fayemi noted that the growing culture of endorsements and consensus arrangements within the party could trigger internal crisis ahead of
future elections.

“This is not where the party has come from. We have lost our bearing and the vision of the founding fathers of this party,” Fayemi said during the interview.

He also warned that the increasing rush by party members to seek political favour from the presidency was unhealthy for the APC.

“It would be unfortunate if everybody is running to Aso Rock because they want something,” he said.

“Those who don’t get consensus won’t be happy… and you’re waiting for an implosion.”

Reacting to the remarks, Basiru dismissed Fayemi’s concerns and suggested the former governor should leave the APC if he no longer believes
in the party.

“We urge him that since he so much despises the party and wishes the party an implosion, he should go to where whatever he thinks his best ideas can be ventilated,” Basiru told Punch.

“We wish him the best of luck, but he should not stay within our party and be wishing us bad luck. He should go to another political party
if he no longer believes in the party he represents.”

Basiru said the APC would not overlook actions or comments perceived as undermining the party’s interests.

“Let him go and join another party. If he does not join another party, the APC will not hesitate to invoke disciplinary actions to sanction him for anti-party activities,” he said.

The APC national secretary also linked Fayemi’s comments to ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, alleging that the former governor had been engaging opposition figures.

“His statement only further confirmed what Mr Rotimi Amaechi aid, that he was one of those who agreed to form opposition against the APC,” Basiru said.

“We also have it on good authority that he and some of his followers have been hobnobbing with opposition elements, particularly ahead of the Ekiti governorship election.”

He added that Fayemi’s comments at a period when the APC is preparing for the Ekiti governorship poll amounted to an attempt to weaken the party politically.

“Even at this time that the party is conducting its primaries and making preparations for the all-important Ekiti governorship election, it only shows a design to demarket the party ahead of that election,”
Basiru said.

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ADC Youth Leaders Reject Atiku, Endorse Amaechi for 2027 Presidency

Published

18 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

Ahead of the presidential primary election of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, major youth leaders across the 17 Local Government
Areas of Enugu State have declared support for the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, to fly the party’s ticket in 2027.

The youth leaders also vehemently rejected what they described as an “unfortunate statement” made on Friday by the Enugu State Chairman of the party, claiming that ADC members in Enugu State were supporting the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement on Saturday, the youth leaders led by Festus Ifesinachi Omeh said they believe that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027 for the sake of equity, fairness, and justice.

The youth leaders also called on the National Executive Council of the ADC in Abuja to pay urgent and particular attention to developments in Enugu State to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party before the presidential primary election.

According to Omeh, no amount of sponsorship, intimidation, or propaganda can suppress the voice of the people.

Omeh said, “We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the chairman’s statement does not represent the position, mood, or wishes of
the majority of ADC members and youths in Enugu State. It is false, misleading,
and appears designed to create a false impression before the national
leadership and the Nigerian public.

“For the sake of equity, fairness, and justice, we believe strongly that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027. Nigeria cannot preach balance and national unity while attempting to abruptly return power to the North after only one Southern tenure. The right and honorable thing for our great party to have done from the onset was to zone the presidential ticket to the South.

“We therefore reject every attempt by political interests and sponsors hiding behind the state chairman to manipulate the genuine wishes of ADC members in Enugu State.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that ADC youths in Enugu State will not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar. We are fully aligned with and committed to supporting the only Southern presidential aspirant who has officially declared under the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, whom we believe
represents courage, competence, fairness, and national balance.

“We also use this medium to warn against any form of
manipulation, rigging, alteration, or misrepresentation of the votes and
preferences of ADC members in Enugu State during the processes scheduled for
the 25th. The will of party members must prevail. Any attempt to impose
predetermined outcomes will be resisted democratically and lawfully by the
youths and stakeholders of the party in the state.

“Finally, we call on the National Executive Council of the
ADC in Abuja to pay urgent and particular attention to developments in Enugu
State to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party. The
leadership must not allow a few politically sponsored individuals to create
avoidable tension where the overwhelming majority of party faithful are united
in support of Rotimi Amaechi,” he stated.

Leading aspirants for the ADC
presidential ticket include Atiku and Amaechi.

The ADC plans to battle the ruling party, the All
Progressives Congress, in the general elections slated for February 2027.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking re-election in 2027.

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Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has been officially cleared to contest on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

The clearance paves the way for Duke, a seasoned politician and one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s political landscape, to throw his hat into the ring for the party’s presidential ticket.

The PRP presidential primary is scheduled to hold on Monday, May 25, 2026.According to party sources, Duke will be contesting alongside two other aspirants in what is expected to be a keenly contested primary.

His entry is believed to have generated considerable excitement within the party, given his track record as a former governor and his reputation for progressive governance during his time in office.

Political analysts suggest that Duke’s participation could reshape the dynamics of the PRP primaries, bringing both experience and national visibility to the contest.

The outcome of the May 25 primary will determine the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.

Further details on the screening process and the identities of the other two aspirants are expected to be released by the PRP in the coming hours.

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Published

19 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila,
says members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other Nigerians want
President Bola Tinubu to continue in office in 2027.

Gbajabiamila spoke with newsmen on Saturday in Surulere, Lagos, during the APC presidential primary election.

The chief of staff, who arrived at his Ward G2, Adeniran Ogunsanya, at 12.48pm with his mother, Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila, said the massive turnout of party members and supporters reflected growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and reform agenda.

According to him, Nigerians have continued to show understanding of the administration’s long-term economic and political policies.

“This crowd is out here for one reason and one reason only.

“To express their love, to express their desire for continuity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the next four years.

“And you can see the crowd, overwhelming, and we are grateful; we are grateful,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said supporters thronged the venue despite the inclement weather because of their belief in the president’s vision.

“You can see under the hot sun, you can see my 96-year-old mother as well, and the young, the old, men and women, they are all here.

“It turns out there are large numbers because of the good work of this government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That’s why they are here,” he said.

The presidential aide said many Nigerians understood that reforms introduced by the administration were designed for long-term benefits.

“Why do you think they have this strong belief that he is capable of continuing the good work?

“Well, a lot of people in Nigeria, a lot of people, are very discerning.

“They understand the policies of this government,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said citizens were aware that economic reforms usually required patience before yielding positive results.

“They understand that the reward of these policies will be reaped in the long term.

“When you are reforming, you don’t expect the gains in the short term or the very next day, no. It’s a long-term thing,” he said.

He likened the present economic challenges facing Nigerians to the pains associated with childbirth.

“And like the president has always said, it’s like the birth pains of a pregnant woman.

“For eight or nine months, you’re pregnant, you’re uncomfortable, there’s a lot of discomfort, and you’re in pain sometimes.

“But at the end of the day, when you deliver that child, all those pains are forgotten,” he said.

The chief of staff said the reforms introduced by Tinubu were necessary for national growth and development.

“All those pains are completely out of the window, and you begin to enjoy the benefits of your newborn baby.

“So, that’s exactly the best analogy for what’s going on in Nigeria today. It’s a necessary reform the president has put in place,” he said.

Gbajabiamila described Tinubu as a courageous and visionary leader determined to reposition the country.

“It takes boldness, it takes courage, and it takes a man with vision.

“And I know these people here; you ask why they are out here, because they see through all the noise.

“They know that at the end of the day, joy is coming,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians can see beyond current hardships, hence their patience for the reforms to yield desirable returns.

He assured Tinubu would not disappoint if re-elected in 2027. (NAN)

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Published

21 hours ago

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Godwin Chi

President Bola Tinubu has recorded a sweeping victory across several states as the All Progressives Congress (APC) held its 2026 presidential primary election on Saturday.

The exercise, which gathered momentum in the afternoon in
most states, was presided over by governors who were officially mandated by the party to serve as collation officers.

In many of the results already announced, the president defeated Stanley Osifo, his lone challenger, who recorded zero votes in several states.

In Rivers state, Tinubu polled 280,468 votes, while Osifo recorded zero votes across the 23 LGAs of the state, according to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

It was a similar outcome in Edo, where Tinubu secured 131,096 votes, while Osifo got just one vote during the exercise held across the 192 wards in the state on Saturday.

Monday Okpebholo, the governor and returning officer for the election, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent.

Muhammadu Yahaya, governor of Gombe, who announced the outcome of the exercise, also said the APC in the state delivered every vote to Tinubu during the presidential primary held across the 11 LGAs.

Yahaya said Tinubu polled 450,516 votes while Osifo recorded zero votes, noting that the state has 550,516 registered APC members.

Osifo also recorded zero votes in Osun as Tinubu secured another landslide victory with 100,880 votes in the primary, which was described as peaceful by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, who served as collation officer.

“This impressive turnout is not only historic but also a resounding affirmation of the confidence reposed by members of our party in the leadership, vision and Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Oyetola said.

The president also recorded a clean sweep in Ebonyi, securing all 207,579 valid votes cast across the 13 LGAs, while his rival got zero votes.

Announcing the results in Abakaliki, Francis Nwifuru, governor of Ebonyi and collation officer for the state, said the exercise was held simultaneously across 171 wards and 13 LGAs, where the party has 215,490
members.

In Kwara, Tinubu also defeated Osifo, polling 310,990 votes while his lone challenger secured no votes.

Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who announced the results, said a
total of 457,374 party members were registered for the exercise, while 310,990
members were accredited and participated in the voting process across the state.

The same scenario played out in Bayelsa as Tinubu garnered 277,192 votes to defeat Osifo, who polled five votes, according to Doriel Nduwi, the collation officer.

Similarly, in Zamfara, Tinubu secured 321,579 votes against the 42 votes recorded by Osifo.

Dauda Lawal, governor of the state, who announced the result, said a total of 322,435 accredited voters participated in the exercise.

“I therefore declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the 2026 Zamfara State presidential primary,” Lawal said.

‘STRONG AFFIRMATIONS’

Meanwhile, the president received affirmations in some states whose results have not been announced.

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, who personally monitored the primary across 255 political wards in the 23 LGAs, said party members turned out massively for the exercise.

He described the development as a strong demonstration of unity, loyalty, and confidence in the leadership of the APC and Tinubu.

Tinubu also received a similar affirmation in Imo as thousands of party members trooped out to cast their votes for his candidacy.

Speaking after the exercise, Hope Uzodimma, governor of the state, said it is very obvious that “President Tinubu has done enough to deserve a second term”.

“Look at what has happened at the grassroots, how it has been stimulated, starting from the membership registration, which was done electronically, to the validation of members,” the governor said.

“In just one ward, we had 35,000 people. It means that if only our party members vote for President Tinubu, he has already won the election.

“I want to thank President Tinubu for giving time to do politics the way it should be done. And I also want to thank our party members
for coming out massively to vote for him as our candidate for the 2027
presidential election.”

TINUBU TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF RETURN ON SUNDAY

In a post on X, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s senior special adviser on information and strategy, said the president will be presented with a certificate of return and the party’s flag on Sunday.

“President Tinubu to be presented by APC with certificate of return, party’s flag as the 2027 presidential candidate,” he said.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Sunday receive the certificate and flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

“The Presidential Primary Elections Committee will present the certificate and flag at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference
Centre in Abuja after nationwide collation of the primary election results.

“APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee,
the National Working Committee, and the National Assembly, along with party
stalwarts, will attend the event.”

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Drama in Oyo: APC Disowns Viral Guber Primary

Published

21 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo has dismissed as fake the governorship primary election result currently circulating on social
media and some news platforms.

Wasiu Sadare, the state publicity secretary of the party, described the widely shared figures as unauthorised and misleading.

“It’s all fake,” Sadare said

“No official announcement yet. All the results will be announced by the National Secretariat in due course. Thank you.”

The statement comes amid reports of a supposed landslide victory for Sharafadeen Alli, senator representing Oyo south, in the Oyo APC governorship primary held on Friday.

Various unverified tallies have been shared online claiming Alli polled 578,143 votes, followed by Abdulfatai Buhari, senator representing Oyo north, with 37,265 votes, while Bayo Adelabu, former minister of power,
secured 19,193 votes

Sadare said the party’s position is clear, stating that no official result has been released at the state level, and only the APC national secretariat is authorised to announce the final outcome after due collation and verification.

Sadare urged party members and the public to disregard the circulating figures and await official communication from the national leadership of the party.

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NEWS

Lebanon-Israel Tensions: IDF Warns 10 Villages of Imminent Strikes

Published

21 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

Israel warned the residents of 10 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately to avoid planned air strikes against alleged Hezbollah targets.

“In light of the terrorist Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to act forcefully against it. The IDF does not intend to harm you,” military spokesman Avichay Adraee said.

“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the villages and towns by a distance of no less than 1,000 meters into open areas.”

The communities listed by Adraee in a social media post cover a large area of southern Lebanon, and lie on both the north and south banks of the Litani river.

Hezbollah and Israel accuse each other on a daily basis of violating the truce that came into effect on April 17.

At least ten people, including six rescue workers and a girl, were killed Friday in a series of Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

According to the Israeli military, these strikes targeted Hezbollah fighters travelling by motorcycle and weapons-manufacturing infrastructure.

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NEWS

Love Scam Gone Wrong: Thailand Nabs Six Nigerians

Published

21 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals during a raid on a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi province. The suspects are accused of running a romance-scam network that defrauded victims into transferring money.

According to Thailand media outlet, The Nation Thailand on Saturday, the operation, codenamed “Dark Room Crackdown”, was conducted on Thursday at a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district, following investigations into foreign criminal networks linked to suspicious financial transactions.

Officers searched three rooms under warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court, The Nation Thailand reported.

“Police seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained alleged romance-scam chats, scam scripts and AI-generated profile images,” The Nation Thailand reported.

The suspects, Denis, 23; Ejikeme, 24; Ibekwe, 29; Okorom, 26; Nwosu, 30; and Obielu, 35, were arrested during the raid.

Five of the six were found to have overstayed their visas by periods ranging from 695 to 1,560 days, according to The Nation Thailand.

Another media outlet in Thailand, Thai PBS World reported that police said the suspects were living together in the condominium despite holding student visas, with no evidence of attending classes or regular employment.

“Police said that the six Nigerians entered Thailand on student visas, but none of them went to any college here, nor do they have any jobs, but their bank accounts show substantial deposits,” Thai PBS World reported.

During the search, some suspects allegedly refused to open their doors, prompting officers to force entry.

One suspect was reported to have attempted an escape through a balcony, while another was found hiding in a bathroom trying to alert others via text messages.

According to The Nation Thailand, investigators said the group posed as foreign professionals, including pilots, soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors, using fake profiles on platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TikTok, Line and Zalo.

The alleged scheme involved cultivating romantic trust with victims before claiming an overseas parcel had been held by customs and demanding money for its release. Many of the victims were said to be older Thai women.

All six suspects were transferred to Rattanathibet Police Station alongside the seized evidence.

They were initially charged with membership of a secret society and overstaying their permission to remain in Thailand.

Police said further charges related to romance-scam offences may follow after coordination with victims and police stations handling related complaints.

The Nation Thailand reported that all six suspects confessed to the initial charges at the point of arrest.

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NEWS

Kano 2027: Ganduje’s Eldest Son Joins NDC, Buys Reps Nomination Form

Published

21 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Godwin Chi

Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje, the eldest son of the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has picked a nomination form to run for the House of Representatives seat under the National Democratic Congress, NDC.

Abdulaziz will be running for the House of Representatives seat of Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in the state.

Ganduje’s son has been a faithful supporter and dedicated member of the Kwankwasiyya political movement for a long time, even though his father has played an important role in the APC throughout the years.

A viral video showed him talking with Kwankwaso right after getting the form.

In the video, he is said to have informed the former Kano governor about his political goals and his preparation for the upcoming general election.

This development marks another significant moment in the ongoing rivalry between Ganduje and Kwankwaso.

These two influential leaders had a strong partnership in Kano politics, but their political relationship reportedly fell apart years ago.

Abdulaziz has stayed away from his father’s political group for many years and has always associated himself with the Kwankwasiyya movement instead.

His political views became more noticeable after he got into a heated disagreement with his mother, Professor Hafsat Umar Ganduje, and reported her to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a supposed broken agreement.

Abdulaziz wants to run for the same seat that his brother, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, tried to win in 2023 as a candidate for the APC.

Umar lost that election to a candidate from the NNPP, even though their father was the governor at that time and had political influence.

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