From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja 

More than 100 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onicha-Igo, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The defectors declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Receiving the new members at an event held in Ofu LGA on Wednesday, prominent APC stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by Engineer Friday Michael (MON), alongside representatives of the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.

Michael, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Good Shepherd Hospital, described the large turnout as evidence of growing support for the APC, expressing confidence that the party would record an overwhelming victory in the 2027 elections.

He said the defectors had chosen to join the ruling party because of what he described as the developmental strides of the current administrations.

“Those members of the opposition parties defecting to the APC today have seen the light in our party. They can see the good work the current administrations are doing, and they are optimistic that if President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo are re-elected in 2027, they will witness more development across the board,” he said.

Welcoming the defectors, Michael assured them of equal treatment within the party, regardless of when they joined.

“As we welcome them into the APC family, they should be assured that they will receive equal treatment like other members. Our common goal is to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo so they can sustain their development agenda for the people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large,” he added.

He commended Governor Ododo’s performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education and civil service welfare, maintaining that discussions on power rotation could be considered after the governor completes a second term in 2031.

Michael also urged residents and eligible voters to remain committed to the APC, stressing that continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development and improve the welfare of the people.

He said his political engagement was driven by a desire to strengthen the relationship between government and the grassroots, adding that cooperation among political leaders, community stakeholders and residents would help bring government programmes closer to the people.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Governor, his Director of Protocol, Daniel Abutu, emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation and sustained engagement in securing victory for the APC in 2027.

According to Abutu, effective grassroots mobilisation and constructive engagement were essential to building public confidence, strengthening the party’s structures and ensuring that communities benefited from the dividends of democracy.

The event also featured renewed calls for support for the APC’s Kogi East senatorial candidate, Joe Erico, and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants stressed the need for unity, political participation and sustained grassroots engagement to advance the party’s interests.

The gathering underscored the role of grassroots political stakeholders in strengthening party structures, integrating new members and consolidating the APC’s support base across Kogi East and beyond.

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​From Dan Amasingha, Minna

​An Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC), Usman Isah Ndamaka, was moved to tears yesterday as he appeared before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna.

He offered an unreserved apology over the death of 37 miners while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

​Ndamaka, who was the officer in charge of the command’s detention facility when the incident occurred on September 17, admitted full responsibility for the tragedy, describing it as a grave mistake.

​The judicial panel was set up by the Niger State Government to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatalities, which reportedly occurred following the arrest of 58 suspected illegal miners comprising 33 males and 25 females.

​Recounting the events that led to the deaths, Ndamaka explained that the facility was originally designed to accommodate between 28 and 30 detainees.

​He stated that while female suspects were separated and relocated to another facility, accommodating the remaining male detainees presented a severe logistical challenge.

​According to him, the suspects arrived late in the evening during a heavy downpour, making an immediate transfer difficult. An attempt to relocate some of the detainees to the old command facility failed after the Mining Marshal rejected the arrangement.

​Ndamaka told the commission that heat, severe overcrowding, and distress caused the male suspects to scream and shout inside the cell.

 However, he admitted that fear of being overpowered prevented him and his subordinates from unlocking the door

​”An error has already been committed. I am very sorry for the death of the miners under my custody,” Ndamaka said in an emotional testimony. “It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch. I am pained, and I admit my mistake.”

Also testifying, the head of the NSCDC investigation unit, Chief Superintendent of Corps Sunday Oluwadere, confirmed that he profiled and investigated the suspects following their arrest and recovered several exhibits.

Under cross-examination by the Niger State Head of the Legal Aid Council, Mrs. Bolanle Jibogun, Oluwadere expressed regret over operational shortcomings during the handling of the suspects.

​Earlier, the Chief Consultant Pathologist at the General Hospital, Minna, Dr. Alfa Sule, informed the panel that post-mortem examinations were required to determine the precise cause of death.

​Dr. Sule stated that conducting the autopsies requires coroner approval, while obtaining toxicology and histology samples for forensic laboratory analysis in Lagos requires the consent of the deceased persons’ families.

 He projected that full forensic results would be ready within two weeks once samples are dispatched.

​Following the incident, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the arrest of 22 officers, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Siaka Zubeiru Anirive. 

The officers were escorted to the corps’ national headquarters in Abuja for administrative procedures.

​Eight personnel have so far testified before the judicial panel as proceedings continue.

Bayelsa State Government and the South-South Governors Forum (SSGF) have extended their condolences to the government and people of Delta State on the passing of a former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

They also commiserated with the Uduaghan family, his wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan and their children, on the painful loss.

Dr.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who is also chairman of the SSGF, said the state and the South-South governors received the news with a profound sense of sorrow.

They described Uduaghan as an exceptional public servant, who was committed to the transformation of Delta State before, during his time as governor and after he left office.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State and the South-South Governors Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to our brother-governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the people of Delta State over the death of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

“We also express our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Uduaghan family, his wife and children.

“The late former governor was reputed as an exceptional public servant, a consummate bridge-builder and a gentleman.

“His shining legacies, remarkable leadership and people-centred governance style endeared him to many in Delta State and beyond.”

Governor Diri prayed that the Almighty God comfort the family and the people of Delta State at this moment and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.