POLITICS
APC Loses Three More Senators to Opposition Party

By Idris Umar, Abuja
Three senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have announced their defection from the party.
The senators who defected about three weeks ago had their letters read out at the start of plenary on Tuesday by
Ahmad Lawan, Nigeria’s Senate President.
The notice of their resignation and defection was contained in three separate letters.
The lawmakers are; Francis Alimekhena (Edo North) and Babba Kaita (APC, Katsina North) who defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Lawal Gumau (Bauchi South) who left the APC for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to source the lawmakers had defected weeks ago, only their letters were read out at the start of the plenary on Tuesday.
Mr Alimekhena said the letter, “My decision is based on the continuing and multifaceted crisis bedeviling the APC, especially my senatorial district”.
There’s Speculation that the former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has secured the Edo North senatorial ticket that is the major reason for Mr. Alimekhena’s exit from the party.
Like Mr Alimekhena, also Babba Kaita and Gumau also cited internal party crisis – especially at the state level – as their reasons for leaving.
“My resignation from the APC was borne out of the marginalization of critical stakeholders by the state government and leadership of the party in Katsina State, where small people like me were not giving a free hand to operate.
Mr. Kaita has already joined the PDP, said “I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the PDP in Katsina State”.
Already, Mr. Gumau has clinched the ticket for Bauchi South senatorial district under the NNPP.
Their letters come about a week after Mr. Lawan read out similar defection letters from the former Senate leader, Yahaya Abdullahi and Adamu Aliero – both from Kebbi State.
The duo, like their colleagues, not only cited crisis in the party as their reasons for leaving but also accused the state governor, Atiku Bagudu, of frustrating the efforts of party members in the state.
There has been a wave of defections in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. These movements are majorly premised on internal party crises and the search for return tickets.
The defection by the three lawmakers reduces the total number of APC Senators from 70 to 67 in the Senate.
In a related development the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has announced FCT senator, Philip Aduda, as the new Senate Minority Leader.
Mr. Aduda was formerly the Senate Minority Whip.
The Senate President made the announcement at the start of the plenary on Tuesday, after reading out a confirmation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sam Anyawu, the PDP asked that Mr. Aduda replace Enyinnaya Abaribe who left the party for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) last month.
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.