POLITICS
APC Convention: Integrity Group Warns Amaechi, El-Rufai

… Insists no Consensus Yet
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Worried over the alleged endorsement of the former governor of Nasarawa State Senator Abdullahi Adamu by President Muhammadu Buhari as the consensus candidate for the National Chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming National Convention, a group under the aegis of APC Integrity Group has advised the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Ameachi and the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai not to allow their personal ambitions destroy the party.
The group made which includes; members of the legacy parties – Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) – accused Amaechi and El-Rufai of being behind the alleged endorsement of Adamu by the President.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Coordinator, Malam Dawu Mohammed and Secretary Comrade Chinsom Nwakanma, the group said the issue of endorsement of any candidate by Buhari is a fluke and should be disregarded because the President is close to all the candidates and would not adopt any one of them without consulting the rest.
According to them, the aspiration of securing the Presidential and Vice Presidential tickets of the party through a preferred National Chairman, which the Minister of Transportation and governor of Kaduna State are pushing for was capable of destroying the party.
However, the Integrity Group urged the National Chairmanship candidates, North Central governors and the National leadership of the party to reach a consensus among candidates and that election should be conducted if consensus fails. Owing to this, on Wednesday the Senator Sani Musa campaign organization rejected the purported endorsement report of Senator Adamu by the President.
In a statement it issued in Abuja, the organization said; “the campaign organization of Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, a leading aspirant for position of the National Chairman of the APC, has urged its teeming supporters across the country to ignore the news making the rounds on the purported endorsement of a fellow aspirant by the President. This is a blatant misinformation and should be ignored. “What turned out to be a group picture of Distinguished Senators taken shortly after Wednesday’s plenary was misconstrued by mischief makers to depict a tacit endorsement of another aspirant. “The campaign organization notes with disappointment the brazen desperation of the supporters of the aspirant in subjugating their selfish interest at the expense of national interest, party loyalty and the long-term stability of Nigeria’s democracy. We urge our supporters to remain calm, focused and law abiding. As reiterated earlier, let us continue to exercise more patience as we await further directives from President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of our great party.”
Similarly, another candidate, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha has also dismissed the alleged endorsement of Senator Adamu.
Mustapha in a reaction he gave through his media aide, Dapo Okubanjo, said the race is still open.
Okubanjo said; “Mallam Saliu Mustapha is a core party man, so he expects that once a decision is taken on a matter as important as that of a consensus candidate, it will be passed on by the party leadership through official channels.
“And until that is done, he believes that the race is still open to all contenders who showed interest in being the next National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The Integrity group in their position paper said, “we have observed with dismay the plan by some persons to destroy the APC by trying to foist a national chairman on the party.
“This would not be the first time that a Minister and a governor would be accused of obtaining a false signature from the President through his Personal Assistant (PA).
“We are calling on the governors and leaders of the party to speak out on the issue before such falsehood would destroy the party.
“As an Integrity group we are not against any candidate but think it would be logical that a member of the legacy parties emerged as National Chairman, as had been suggested by the former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
“If we allow co-joiners of APC to hijack the party, it will spell doom of our democracy.
“We also call on the handlers of Mr. President and Personal Assistants to be circumspect in what they do with some persons, as their actions can be injurious to the country and the party that the President leads.
“We sincerely believe that for us to have a formidable government, we must have a formidable party, therefore we object to a leadership foisted on the party by few for their Presidential and Vice Presidential ambitions.
“The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi or any other person has a right to support a candidate, as we have seen in some reports on how he (Ameachi) brought in Senator Abdullahi Adamu to the race, but foisting him on the President or the party in whatever guise is what we frowned at, as that could be a plot that is very destructive to the APC.
“We expect this issue to be resolved and resolved amicably by the leadership of the party, which include the Tripartite Committee.”
“Also, we expect that the recently signed electoral act should become operational by Ministers or political appointees with interest in Conventions or congresses to resign.”
POLITICS
Youth Leader Urges Stakeholders to Rally behind Dickson for 2027

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A Youth Leader from Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Alhaji Letugbene has called on stakeholders in Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State to close ranks and work together to return the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson to the National Assembly come 2027.
Letugbene, who made the call recently said, Senator Dickson has performed creditably since he was elected and should be supported by all to continue his good work in the Senate, as there is no doubt in his political experience and leadership abilities and competence. He particularly, appealed to the stakeholders and people of Ekeremor to rally round Senator Dickson because he remains the only and best option for the people of Bayelsa West who are clamouring for true representation.”I want to call on my people in Ekeremor to join us to work together to return Senator Seriake Dickson back to the Senate in 2027.He has done well since he was elected and I’m convinced he will even do better for us” he said.According to him, Senator Dickson deserves the support of Ekeremor because he has impacted every community, noting that as a two-term governor, he cited several key projects in the LGA and appointed sons and daughters into key positions of trust, while as a federal lawmaker, he continues to impact the people positively.Letugbene, who is the National Vice Chairman of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), also asserted, that Senator Dickson has taken the gauntlet left by the late Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark, to face fire for the Ijaw Nation when it mattered most, noting that he stood his ground against intimidation and oppression to speak truth to power when issues affecting his people are on the front burner in the Red Chamber.He said Senator Dickson has remained vocal, courageous and fearless in the National Assembly, condemning the marginalization and oppression of the Ijaw Nation as well as other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, while demanding equity, fairness and justice for the people.Letugbene, however, bemoaned the actions of a few misguided stakeholders from Ekeremor who are whipping up sentiments against Senator Dickson through propaganda and claims that Sagbama is marginalizing Ekeremor over the Senate seat, urging them not to spread falsehood as the zoning formula in the area no longer existed and that anyone is free from either LGAs to contest the Senate and House of Representatives election in 2027.The ex-agitator, who passed a ‘vote of confidence’ on Senator Dickson, also enjoined beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme from Ekeremor LGA to support the federal lawmaker because of his assertive and unwavering commitment to the upliftment and betterment of Bayelsa West, the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta in the Nigerian Federation.POLITICS
Ribadu, Mustapha’s Strategic Leadership Drive APC Reconciliation Success in Adamawa

From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest for internal cohesion and electoral strength with the formal submission of a comprehensive reconciliation report by the committee led by elder statesman, Senator Mohammed Mana.
The peace initiative, which has been widely applauded by stakeholders, is the outcome of a coordinated effort spearheaded by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the APC National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu. The reconciliation committee was constituted after wide consultations among key political actors in the state, and with strategic input from the NSA, who is widely regarded as a stabilizing figure in Adamawa politics. His role, sources said, was pivotal in setting the tone for an inclusive and credible reconciliation process.Working in close alignment with the NSA, Comrade Mustapha Salihu provided administrative coordination, strategic direction, and political leadership that anchored the peace-building effort and culminated in the successful submission of the report.Speaking at the event, Salihu described the development as a “New dawn” for the APC in Adamawa and a critical step toward repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.“This report marks a turning point in our collective efforts to strengthen the APC in Adamawa. It is the product of genuine dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and a shared commitment to unity. I sincerely thank all those who played a role in making this happen, particularly our National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his guidance and fatherly support throughout this process,” Salihu said.He emphasized that the reconciliation is not just about settling disputes but about laying a solid foundation for future electoral success by fostering inclusivity and rebuilding trust among party members.In recognition of these efforts, the Adamawa APC Unity Forum, led by Abubakar Hamma, issued a statement commending the leadership of both NSA Ribadu and Comrade Salihu.“The roles played by the NSA and our Zonal Vice Chairman were instrumental. Their guidance, commitment, and strategic oversight gave the committee the credibility and confidence it needed to deliver this crucial mandate. Their patriotism has rekindled hope in the APC project in Adamawa,” the statement read.Similarly, the Coalition of APC Youths Forum in Adamawa, led by Hon. Khalil Sajo, expressed optimism about the party’s future in the state, declaring that the reconciliation efforts had repositioned the party for victory.“We now have a united front. The distractions are over, and thanks to leaders like NSA Ribadu and Comrade Salihu, we are entering the 2027 race from a position of strength,” the youth leader added.It will be recalled that Comrade Mustapha Salihu recently donated a newly acquired 20-room duplex complex equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to serve as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Adamawa State APC Secretariat. This, among several other gestures, reflects his unwavering commitment to the party’s growth and organizational readiness.Political observers believe that with this successful reconciliation and the backing of respected national figures like Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Comrade Salihu, the APC in Adamawa is now better positioned to challenge for electoral dominance in the coming years.POLITICS
Why Northwest Governors Root for Tinubu as 2027 Sole Candidate

From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West Zone has boldly declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on a clear path to victory in the 2027 presidential elections, citing the disarray in the opposition and the party’s growing unity and strength across the region.
This assertive position was contained in a communiqué read by the Coordinating Governor of the North West and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, following a high-level stakeholders meeting of the APC held on Saturday in Kaduna. The well-attended meeting brought together key political heavyweights including the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Governors of Kebbi and Jigawa States, Deputy Governor of Katsina, Ministers, National and State Assembly members, and other top presidential aides from the zone.Governor Uba Sani noted that the stakeholders extensively assessed the state of the party and the performance of elected and appointed officials, and resolved to consolidate on the party’s political dominance across the zone.“One of the key takeaways from our robust deliberation is the undeniable fact that the opposition is in disarray,” he said. “But we must not be complacent. We must continue to deliver on our mandates and deepen the trust of our people. If we remain focused, the opposition stands no chance of recovering.”The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, applauding what they described as his “progressive governance, inclusive leadership, and unwavering support to the North West.” Speaker Abbas moved the motion, which was seconded by Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and greeted with thunderous approval.Governor Sani further highlighted the President’s “uncommon support” for the North West, including the appointment of 12 ministers from the zone, two service chiefs, and major investments in security, infrastructure and agriculture.The communique concluded with a rallying call for unity and proactive grassroots mobilization as the APC prepares to extend its winning streak into the next election cycle.“The North West is firmly behind President Tinubu. With our collective commitment and strategic planning, 2027 will be another resounding victory for the APC,” Uba Sani affirmed.