POLITICS
Duke Dumps PDP, Joins ADC
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
As 2027 elections gradually gathered momentum in the country, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has dumped his former party the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has formally registered in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality as a full member.
Donald Duke was Governor of Cross River State from 1999-2007 having served for eight years and is adjourned to be the best governor the state have had since 1999
Recall that this is the second time Duke is dumping the PDP.
He had earlier pitched a tent with the SDP where he became the party’s presidential flag bearer amidst controversy.It was also gathered that shortly after the registration, Duke collected his ADC membership card amidst ovation from the people.
Meanwhile, political pundits are saying that since the three wise men of Cross River State politics, former Governor Liyel Imoke, Senator Gershom Bassey and Donald Duke have all dumped PDP to join ADC, this might be the opportunity to actualize the plans of the three men to rule the state, after Duke and Liyel had ruled remaining Gershom Bassey.
The ADC leadership in Bakassi had urged all Cross Riverians to identify with the party, saying ADC was poised to institute transformative change in the country.
Rising from a stakeholders meeting, which consisted of chapter executive members, ward chairmen and secretaries of the party in Bakassi local government area, leaders of the party said the time was ripe for Nigerians to take back their country from the All Progressives Congress (APC) which they accused of misrule.
A release made available to our reporter in Calabar said, “We invite our family and friends, who are still undecided, to join the ADC today, as the party is poised to bring about transformative change in Nigeria.”
The press statement, signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, reaffirmed support to the national leadership of the party.
“We express our unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of Senator David Mark, National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, while pledging loyalty to all recognized organs and structures of the party at all levels as we work towards building a strong and united party,” it stated.
POLITICS
APC E-Registration: Benue Records Over 383,496 Members in First Phase
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) have registered over 383,496 members in Benue State in the e- registration exercise embarked upon by the party.
Recall that the e-registration was flagged off in Benue state on January 12th, 2026 with Governor Hyacinth Alia enrolled at his polling unit in Mbangur, Mbadede Council Ward, Vandeikya Local Government Area as 001.
The Benue State APC Organizing Secretary/Publicity Secretary, James Ornguga who announced this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, disclosed that Benue State ranked 2nd in the North Central behind Kwara state.
He also said with this figure, the State is ranked 11th out of the 36 states, stressing that the registration has been suspended at the moment.
He added that the party would resume the e – registration after the National Convention of the party slated for between March 25th 28th, 2026.
“The person in charge of the ICT at the National Secretariat of the party had a zoom meeting with all organizing secretaries across the states and told us that the exercise would be temporarily halted so as to collate the number for our national convention. After the convention, the exercise will resume.
“So far, the exercise has been impressive with a massive turn out of members. The good thing about this e-registration is that there are no manipulations. Members are registered using their BVN. There were no issues as both the SGF and the governor’s agents cooperated and all the registration was collated into one portal.
“We appeal to those yet to be registered to be patient as they will be captured as soon as they exercise resumes”.
POLITICS
Transmission of election results electronically and manual recipe for Chaos – Atiku
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has warned that the decision of the Senate to approve dual election transmission of election results through electronic and manual means will spell doom and cause chaos for the 2027 general election.
The Former vice President stated this at the residence of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida while speaking to journalists shortly after a closed door meeting with the elder statesman.
He explained that the decision to grant electronic transmission of election results alongside using manual means is deliberately done to orchestrate chaos in the transmission of results.
According to him, the amendment of section 60 of the electoral act by the Senate was to afford Nigerians the opportunity of real time electronic transfer of election results at different levels.
“But what we got is a mixture of manual and electronic which is going to cause chaos
“I think there is urgent need for all opposition parties to come together, so that we do not allow this issue to rest, where they want it to rest”
On his plans to contest the 2027 Presidential election, the former number two citizen of the country said, noted that the issue of contesting does not even arise as he and other ADC leaders are now busy trying to firmly build the party from the ward, Local government, State and at the national level.
“We are now busy mobilising for membership and register as many members as possible”
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also debunked the notion that the party has a zoning policy in place, noting that it has never inserted such in its constitution.
“ADC as no zoning in ADC constitutional provision, it only PDP that has it”
Speaking on the controversy over the alleged forging of the recently gazetted tax law, the Former vice President described APC as a party of Forgets.
“What do you expect from APC, generally they are a party of Forgets and election riggers
“They forge everything, they forge certificates, they forge age declaration, they simply forge everything that is the hallmark of APC”.
POLITICS
Reps Constitute Seven-Man Sub-Committee to Audit Gas Supplied to Gencos
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating power sector reforms and expenditure between 2006 and 2024 has constituted a seven-man sub-committee to conduct a forensic audit of the usage of gas supplied to electricity generation companies (Gencos) across the country.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Representative Harrison Nwadike, who questioned the rationale behind the continued supply of gas to the moribund Sapele Power Plant over the past one year.
Nwadike said the committee made the discovery during its recent oversight visit to the plant in Sapele, Delta State, noting that despite receiving gas supplies, the facility has not generated electricity.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Representative Al-Mustapha Aliyu, said there were widespread concerns among Nigerians that Seplat Energy Company was not supplying adequate gas to Gencos as required, thereby strangulating power plants and short-changing the country.
However, responding to the allegations, the Managing Director of Seplat Energy, Ibiada Itoto, dismissed the claims, insisting that the company has remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s power sector reform agenda.
According to her, Seplat’s primary objective has always been to ensure the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s power sector, rather than undermining it.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Gas, Seplat Energy Company, Olubukola Fasoyin, disclosed that the Sapele Power Plant is currently indebted to Seplat to the tune of ₦20 billion for gas supplied.
Despite this, Representative Nwadike, who moved the motion for the forensic audit, alleged that Seplat may have committed an economic crime by allegedly being an accomplice to a power plant that has diverted gas supplied for electricity generation over the past one year.
Reacting, Chairman of the Committee, Representative Aliyu, expressed shock, disappointment and surprise that a company of Seplat’s stature allegedly lacked the internal structure to detect foul play in the utilisation of gas supplied to power plants.
Meanwhile, the committee constituted a seven-man sub-committee to carry out the forensic audit. Members of the sub-committee include Representative Afam Victor Ogene as Chairman, while Kafilat Ogbara, Salisu Magaji, Faud Kayode Laguda, Harrison Nwadike among others will serve as members.


