POLITICS
We Inherited APC that was Collapsed – Gov Buni

….As Buhari Claims to have Impacted every Region
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, yesterday said they inherited a political party that had collapsed and ravaged by crisis from every corner.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has also claimed that his administration has impacted on every region of the country with one infrastructure or the other, based on the needs and peculiarities of the regions.
Speaking at the first National Youth Conference of the APC with the theme; ‘The Future Is A Decision’, which took place at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja, Buni said the conference was holding at an auspicious time especially as the ruling-party undergoes complete rebirth, recovery, rehabilitation, rejuvenation and repositioning.
According to Buni, the future of APC and Nigeria generally depends on the youths, for which reason he said the CECPC cannot afford to discard the young people in the scheme of affairs, saying that; “We must invest in the youth for a better future for the party and country. Therefore, this conference and theme are both strategic and timely for a prosperous future for the party and our beloved country.”
On how the internal crisis of APC gave birth to the Caretaker Committee, Buni said; “I am pleased to say that collectively, we have rescued a troubled party that was heading towards imminent collapse and disintegration, to a very strong, solid, reliable and ever growing political party.”
The governor of Yobe State also commended the APC youths for cooperating with the party by remaining united to its course during her turbulent times, which he noted has translated into the rebirth of a new APC that now gives every member a true sense of belonging and pride as the largest political party in Africa.
“This also explains why the Caretaker Committee under my leadership took a deliberate position of engaging the youth in every process. As part of our strategic approach to youth engagement, a committee on youth, women and people with special needs was constituted during the membership registration and revalidation exercise.
“I am glad to say that reports reaching my office indicated that the active roles played by the youth contributed massively to the success of the membership registration and revalidation exercise. The decision for the future of this party and country cannot be at any other time better than now when the corporate unity and security in the country are being challenged.
“You should therefore exploit all available opportunities to assiduously work towards promoting national unity, democracy and dialogue. I assure you of the support of the party in investing in the unity and future of Nigeria”, he said.
The Chairman of the CECPC also explained that efforts are being put in place to approach the proposed National Congresses and Conventions with a united front so as to produce a strong leadership that would enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all members.
Also in his intervention, President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the APC government places a premium on the development of Nigerian youths economically and politically. He said the signing into law, the #Not too young to run Bill, has removed all hindrance for the youths to contest any electoral position of their choice.
On the security situation, Buhari who admitted that there are some security challenges across the country, warned that no criminal who has taken arms against the country would be spared, even as he said that results of such aggressive moves against criminals have started manifesting.
To this end, he charged the youths on the need to put behind the bitter experiences of the past, and ensure with one another irrespective of tongue, tribe or religion and work towards moving the country forward.
Also speaking at the conference, the Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, charged the Nigerian youths to stop procrastinating but to take action to wrest power from the ruling elites.
The immediate past governor of Imo State who emphasized the need for the youths to be focused and rise to take their rightful place in the political scheme of the country, also cautioned that power is always taken and not given, hence the need for the young ones who will assure the future of the country to assume leadership roles.
POLITICS
S/West PDP National Ex-Officios Lauds NEC for Selecting Ibadan as Convention Venue

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
National Ex-officio members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South West have commended the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and other organs of the party for approving Ibadan, Oyo State, as host city for the November national convention.
In a statement signed by Hon.
Clement Faboyede,on behalf of the National Ex-Officios of the South West, they said the decision to allow Ibadan to host the convention is both strategic and symbolic.
“This momentous decision is both strategic and symbolic. It reaffirms the South West’s pivotal role in the political architecture of our great party and reflects the unwavering confidence our national leadership has in the region’s capacity to deliver with distinction.
“Ibadan—rich in political heritage and democratic values—stands as a befitting venue for such a critical gathering.
“We extend special appreciation to our leader and Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde (GSM), whose visionary and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of the PDP at all levels remains exemplary.
“His dedication to peace, unity, and internal stability within the party has earned him nationwide respect. Under his leadership, Oyo State has experienced transformational development, emerging as a benchmark among its peers.
“Your Excellency, you are a true torchbearer of purposeful governance, and your leadership continues to inspire confidence across the country.
“As National Ex-Officios from the South West, we unequivocally assure the national leadership and stakeholders of our readiness and total dedication to delivering a seamless, peaceful, and impactful National Convention—one that will further reinforce the PDP’s image as Nigeria’s most organized and people-oriented political platform.
“We also reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to the core values of the PDP and pledge our continued commitment to the unity, progress, and electoral success of the party at all levels.
“United by a common vision, we stand fully prepared to welcome leaders and delegates from across Nigeria to Ibadan—a city renowned for its hospitality, orderliness, and political depth.
“Indeed, the South West remains a cornerstone of the PDP’s strength. We remain steadfast in our efforts to deepen internal democracy, foster party cohesion, and mobilize effectively toward future electoral triumphs.
“Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman; the entire NWC; our esteemed BoT members; PDP Governors; and the NEC for this rare privilege and resounding vote of confidence in the South West.”
POLITICS
INEC Warns against Underage, Multiple Registration as Exercise Begins Aug 18

Ahead of Aug.18 commencement date for Continuous Voters registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned against multiple registrations and underage registration in Kebbi.
The INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo, gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
“The INEC will not condone multiple registrations, registration by proxy, under-aged registration and all other illegal forms of getting registered as the commission begins CVR on Aug.
18.“INEC in her efforts to serve Nigerians better will commence the continuous registration of eligible voters for online pre- registration on the said date.
“In-person registration will commence on Aug.25. Nigerians who have turned 18 are now eligible to obtain their cards either via the online registration or present themselves to our Local Government Area offices of their residence for the exercise,” he said.
Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo added that eligible voters, who had lost their voter cards, misplaced their cards or whose cards were mutilated or changed addresses or residences could also present themselves for the physical registration.
“Those whose voter cards are defaced and those who wish to correct their names or date of birth can also present themselves at any of our Local Government offices of their residence for the registration.
“The registration will be conducted at all INEC Area offices of Kebbi State from 9 a.m to 3p.m daily except on weekends and public holidays,” he said.
Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo also revealed that the INEC registered 2,032, 41 eligible voters before the 2023 general elections.
“Out of the registered number, 1,096,449 are male representing 54 per cent and female registration stands at 935,592 and represents 46 per cent.
“The total number of Registration Areas (RA) stands at 225 and the total number of Polling Units stands at 3,743.
“The state has three senatorial zones and nine federal constituencies as at 2023.
“1,847,752 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards representing 97 per cent.
“Though, a negligible number of these voter cards are lying down in our offices, we encourage the owners to present themselves for the collection of their cards at a date to be announced later,” the commissioner said.
POLITICS
Ozekhome Kicks Against Creation of Additional States

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Constitutional and human rights lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has kicked against the agitation for the creation of additional states.The legal luminary maintained that most of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today are not viable and as such saw no reason why more states should be created in the country.
Ozekhome, in an interview, blamed the conditions of the states on the “skewed federal template” being operated in form of a unitary system of government and called for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution. According to him, the present Constitution is not only cumbersome with the center vested with too much powers and responsibilities but was a product of the military class which has ruled Nigeria for quite some times.He spoke at a “Walk for Wellness” campaign embarked upon by the Mike Ozekhome Chambers (MOC) in Abuja.”Some of us are now saying rather than create more states we should collapse the present structure into about six geopolitical zones, which should serve as regional government.”A parliamentary system of government operating on regional bases will be more beneficial to the people because it will catalyze development and competitiveness among the regions. Right now, no state is competing, all of them just go to Abuja at the end of the month to take from the federation account to share”, he said.The senior lawyer lamented that Nigeria has become a sharing country which is not baking anything because they don’t care or even know how to bake anything.According to him, while Nasarawa has the highest mineral deposits of over 36 items, followed by Plateau with 28 items with Sokoto and Kaduna States in that order, the entire country still rely on crude oil “which is fast losing its value across the world.”I will suggest that if we are to retain the state structure, we should retain the states as a federating units, thus having two tiers of government” he said, leaving local government to the states.Adding: “the only state I will have said should be created right now should be in the South East, to bring them to equity with other geopolitical zones in the country.”