POLITICS
Akwa Ibom APC Group Endorses Udom Ekpoudum for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Seat

By Jude Opara, Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, some stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state have endorsed aspiration of DIG Udom Ekpoudum (retd) to contest the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
The group in a communique at the end of a meeting of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) on Sunday in Uyo further argued that the endorsement was very apt given that since the creation of the state, the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency is the only one that has not produced a senator.
The communique which was signed by over 50 delegates also indicated that the motion was moved by the Senatorial Chairman, Dr.
Amadu Atai and seconded by his Co-Chairman, Chief Godwin Afangideh.The communique reads in parts; “That the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District Senatorial seat so zoned to Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency for the 2023 elections, call on DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) OON to run for the office of the Senate for Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District on the platform of the APC in 2023”.
The meeting which was attended by members from the 10 Local Government Areas that make up the District, deliberated extensively on the state of affairs in the Senatorial District as it affects the APC.
It added; “The meeting deliberated extensively on the Senatorial District zoning arrangement, as it affects the four Federal Constituencies that make up the District. From the data provided at the meeting, it was observed that:
“Ini/Ikono Federal Constituency had its slots for two tenures with Sen. Aloysius Etok;
“Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency had its share for five tenures since inception of democracy in Nigeria from 1963 with Sen. Raymond Umoh, Sen. Nsima Akpabio, Sen. Emmanuel Ibokessien, HE, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, CON and Sen. Christopher Ekpenyong;
“Ukanafun/OrukAnam Federal Constituency had its share for three tenures with Sen. Donald Etiebet, Sen. Akaninyene Ukpanah and Sen. Itak Bob Ekarika and Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency had none till date”.
The meeting also did an assessment of the performance of the Party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and lauded the Chairman of the Committee and governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni and the National Secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe for piloting the affairs of the party since two years ago.
The group also extended its gratitude to President Muhammmadu Buhari for always supporting Akwa Ibom State in general and Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District in particular.
Some of the stakeholders who signed the communique include: Atuekong Don Etiebet CON, HE Obong Nsima Ekere,
Obong Umana Okon Umana, Chief Arc. Ekong Etuk, Archbishop Samuel Akpan,
Prince Mandu Ekpo and Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong.
Others are; Dr. Amadu Atai, Hon Dr Ita Udosen, Otuekong Sunny Jackson, Evang Ime Albert Akpan, Sir Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, Hon Justice Andrew Okon, Hon Justice Ekerette Ebienyie, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) OON and Rt. Hon. Barr. Iquo Inyang.
POLITICS
Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those in the race for the APC ticket not to waste their resources as the victory of Governor Isiaka Adeleke is practically a done deal.
In a video post on his Facebook page, Jackson Ojo said Governor Adeleke has won the heart of the people of his state with his transformation of all the 30 local governments in the State and prompt payment of workers and pensioners.
According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke has already done 80 percent of his campaign ahead of the election.
Jackson Ojo, who is a Security Expert and global affairs analyst, from Osun State, stressed that he has always advised political office holders to perform while in office as this is the greatest strategy and tactics to win future elections.
He stressed that the abysmal performance of the APC at the Federal level and the poor performance of previous APC governors in Osun state will count heavily against any candidate that is presented by the party to contest against governor Adeleke.
The former APC chieftain added that he is not patronizing the governor for any personal gain as there is nothing that the governor can give him that God has not already given him.
He stressed that his intervention in the Osun governorship race is to stop opponents of the governor from wasting their resources for an election they can never win.
His words: “Two weeks ago I resigned from partisan politics, so I am no longer member of any political party in Nigeria. When I speak now I am not speaking in favour or against any political party. So, I am very free to air my views
“This is my views on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. I still see some people struggling for governor in Osun state come 2026.
“That is highly impossible for an APC aspirant. What is the APC government doing at the national level, what are the doing in the Senate, what are they doing in the House of Representatives to encourage Nigerians?
“If we are in a place like America or United Kingdom (UK) APC will not be able to win ordinary councillorship again in this country. Is it in the management of economy, education, health, security and others?
“In all these areas put together they have not scored up to 10 percent. I can boldly mark them today they they have woefully failed in area of agricultural development, educational development, health development, security, economy and infrastructural development. In all ramifications this party has failed.
“Look at the antecedents of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola tried a bit, yes, but then Aregbesola left the State aground.
“When Baba Jeje, Mr. Go Slow, the unfortunate Minister of Blue Economy or whatever they call it, came there was nothing to write home about during his tenure as governor of Osun State. He came, he bartered the state, he rubbished the State, he insulted the state, he disgraced the State on the platform of APC.
“Now another APC is coming out now thinking of winning? Winning where, defeat who?
“Governor Adeleke does not know me, there is no benefit Adeleke can give me that God has not given to me. I can’t be a Commissioner in Osun state. No. I can’t be Special Adviser or whatever. I can’t even take their contract. I don’t think they can award the kind of contract that I need to an individual.
“But then, Adeleke has tried. If you go to my community you will see the way he has positively turned the community. Even if I am the governor of Osun State I don’t think I can do what Adeleke has done in my town and that transformation cuts across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State. All the communities, all the local governments, all.
“This man is no longer paying half salary of quarter salary. This man is not owning workers, he is not owning pensioners. This alone has spoken, this alone has done 80 percent of his campaign.
“If you perform well in office that is the highest strategy and tactics that you can use to win the heart of the people.
“Come 2026 whoever is putting money on ground in Osun state to go and contest governorship in Osun state, honestly that person has money to waste. It is sadaka, the money they have stolen they want to come and do sadaka. It is Adeleke till 2030.”
POLITICS
Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
”Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.
“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.
“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.
“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.
“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.
“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.
“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.
“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.
“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”
POLITICS
Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.
He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.
“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.
“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.
“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.
Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.
This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.
Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.
Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.
He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.