The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Kaduna South Senatorial Zone have resolved to address challenges affecting Southern Kaduna politics and ensure victory for the party in 2027.

The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after the APC stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday in Kaduna.

The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe.

The communiqué was read by Iliya Duniya, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, at the end of the meeting.

The stakeholders deliberated extensively on issues affecting the zone, following reports from the reconciliation committee on its engagements across the local government areas.

They also received briefings from candidates of State and National Assembly

on their preparedness, campaign strategies and challenges.

The stakeholders resolved to work collectively to address the identified challenges and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

They pledged unalloyed loyalty to the APC and agreed to mobilise grassroots support towards the party’s success at the polls.

The stakeholders commended Gov. Uba Sani for his leadership and commitment to the development of Southern Kaduna and Kaduna State.

They resolved to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Uba Sani and all APC candidates across Kaduna State.

The stakeholders also agreed to communicate the achievements of the Federal and Kaduna State governments to the electorate through conventional and social media platforms.

They identified agriculture, security, infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment and economic development as key areas for communicating the administrations’ achievements.

The meeting further resolved to adopt issues based campaigns devoid of inflammatory language, personal attacks, ethnic or religious sentiments.

The stakeholders pledged to promote peace, unity and stability across Kaduna State while mobilising support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The meeting was attended by the Kaduna State APC Chairman, Deputy Governorship nominee, Jerry Adams, candidates and other stakeholders from the zone.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has admonished traditional rulers in the state to be apolitical, insisting that the throne must remain neutral and be father to all.

Makinde stated this on Saturday in Eruwa during the 1st coronation anniversary of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.

At the event, the governor was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Aare Asoludero of Ibarapaland.

Makinde advised traditional rulers to steer clear of politics and embrace all political actors without bias, warning that any of them found engaged in politics would be treated as a politician.

Makinde, who is the 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), said he was ready to traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria in pursuit of his ambition and to seek the support of Nigerians for his presidential bid.

He said his aspiration to lead Nigeria would not be confined to any particular region, stressing that he was prepared to take his message of good governance and development to Nigerians across the country.

“My presidential bid will require me to engage extensively with the people and present my vision for a better Nigeria to citizens in different parts of the country,” he said.

Makinde also expressed appreciation to the Eleruwa and the people of Ibarapaland for the honour, describing the conferment of the title as a recognition that came with responsibility.

He said that the honour would further strengthen his commitment to serving the people and contributing to the development of the country.

In his speech, Oba Adegbola said the honour bestowed on Makinde was in appreciation of his numerous achievements and giant strides across the state.

He pledged, on behalf of all the traditional rulers in Ibarapaland, that they would continue to support the administration of Makinde.

He also presented developmental requests from Ibarapaland to the governor, expressing confidence that the administration would continue to address them.

Among the requests are better road projects and other infrastructure development projects.

Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, described Makinde’s administration as the best Ibarapaland has experienced since Nigeria’s return to democracy.

Ogundoyin commended ongoing projects, including the Ido–Eruwa Road and inner roads in Eruwa, noting that they have renewed confidence that no community would be left behind.

The event also featured the inauguration of the newly completed palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa.

The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials, and other dignitaries. (NAN)

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the media to uphold professionalism, verify information and combat misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Thursday in Lagos, while speaking as the Special Guest Speaker at the seventh annual lecture organised by Freedom Online, with the theme, “2027 Elections, Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future.

He said the media had a critical role to play in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by providing citizens with credible information and holding political actors accountable.

The governor urged journalists and media organisations to go beyond reporting political activities and scrutinise information circulating on social media, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence.

“The most dangerous information will not come from newspapers. It will come from anonymous accounts and doctored videos.

“You are the institution best placed to review, analyse, criticise and verify this information,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor urged the media to report the challenges confronting the country while also highlighting policies and initiatives capable of driving development.

“I am asking you to tell the whole story. I am not asking you to hide the problems; I am asking you to give the same energy to the things that work,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also identified insecurity and economic development as closely connected issues, stressing that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved in an environment where citizens and businesses were unsafe.

“We speak of the economy and insecurity as though they were two subjects. They are one,” he said.

The governor said governments at all levels must continue to create an environment that would attract investment, support businesses and provide opportunities for young Nigerians.

According to him, job creation remains one of the most effective ways of empowering citizens and reducing social vulnerabilities.

“The most effective value is a job,” Sanwo-Olu said, stressing the need for policies that would expand economic opportunities and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

On the removal of the fuel subsidy, the governor said the decision was driven by the need to address an unsustainable burden on the nation’s finances.

“The subsidy was not removed because anybody enjoyed removing it. The subsidy was removed because it had become an unsustainable national burden,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to continue to engage constructively in the democratic process, adding that the 2027 elections should further consolidate the country’s democratic experience.

“Whatever the outcome, I expect Nigeria to add one more milestone to its democratic record,” he said.

Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, said Nigeria’s political and economic challenges required collective efforts and constructive engagement among stakeholders.

Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, said the country’s future depended largely on the ability of political leaders, professionals, the media and citizens to contribute positively to national development.

Also speaking, the Convener of the lecture and Publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, said the annual event was designed to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine critical national issues and proffer solutions.

Akinadewo said the choice of the theme reflected the importance of examining the intersection between elections, the economy, security and the future of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.