From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has welcomed the appointment of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Osun State Coordinator, PBAT Presidential Campaign Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The council described the appointment as well deserved, pledging that President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Adeleke’s ability to deliver Osun in the forthcoming presidential election would not be misplaced.

It assured the President that the trust reposed in the governor would be justified through unwavering commitment and a strong electoral performance.

In a statement signed by its Director General Senator Olalere Oyewumi, the council promised to deliver 1.5million votes for the President in Osun adding that all the structures of Accord in Osun will work for the re-election of the President.

The council thereafter called on the people of Osun State to give their support to Governor Adeleke just as they did in the Governorship election stressing that Governor Adeleke will continue to deliver on his campaign promises. It noted that a vote for President Tinubu is a support for Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The statement reads,” The Imole Campaign Council welcomes the appointment of Governor Adeleke as State Coordinator of PBAT Presidential Campaign Council in Osun.

“We promise the President, just like Governor Adeleke had said some time ago that we will deliver 1.5million votes to ensure his victory in the coming Presidential election.

“Our message to the people of Osun State is to keep trusting and supporting Governor Adeleke as he continues to deliver on his campaign promises. A vote for President Tinubu is a support from Governor Adeleke”.

 By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of politicizing the ongoing teachers’ strike in the territory, alleging that the industrial action is aimed at discrediting the FCT Administration.

Wike made the allegation while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, insisting that political interests were influencing the strike, which has disrupted teaching and learning in public schools.

The minister questioned the political affiliation of the FCT NLC chairman, alleging that his association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had influenced his role in the dispute.

“It was political, and so we must stop this blackmail. An ADC person who ran for election in the past area council election is the chairman of the NLC in FCT.

“What do you think he would do? To make sure that the government cripples, to use as a campaign that teachers are on strike,” Wike said.

The dispute centres on unresolved issues between the FCT Administration and organised labour, including allegations of unpaid entitlements and promotion arrears owed to teachers.

However, Wike denied that the administration owed the workers, arguing that its efforts to improve public schools through rehabilitation and the provision of basic infrastructure demonstrated its commitment to the education sector.
“We are not owing. Go and see the schools today. What we have done in the schools is the rehabilitation of schools and providing the basic infrastructure.

“Labour cannot continue to blackmail us,” he said.

Wike acknowledged the disruption caused by the strike, expressing concern that pupils and students were bearing the brunt of the disagreement between the government and labour.

He said the dispute would be resolved but warned that the administration was prepared to take legal action against labour leaders.

The minister disclosed that the FCT Administration’s legal advisers were already preparing a court case, signaling a possible legal battle if the dispute remained unresolved.

“Negotiation has to end because it is the children that will suffer at the end of the day, but don’t worry, we will solve it. I will clip the wings of that NLC chairman,” he said.

Responding to criticism of his handling of the dispute, Wike maintained that the administration would act within the confines of the law.

The NLC FCT Council declared an indefinite strike on October 7 over unresolved disputes involving the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The industrial action has disrupted academic activities in affected public schools, leaving pupils and students uncertain about when normal lessons will resume

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its revised Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, featuring prominent political figures, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke; Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo; former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

The revised list, made available to journalists on Tuesday, places President Bola Tinubu at the head of the council, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof.

Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice-chairmen.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are also listed as vice-chairmen.

Senator Abdulaziz Yari has been appointed Director-General of the council, with Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Senator Adams Oshiomhole named as deputies.

Oshiomhole will oversee mobilisation, while former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila will handle administration.

Ibrahim Kabir Masari has been assigned responsibility for logistics and operations, while former Speaker Aminu Masari will oversee parliamentary mobilisation.

Minister of Works David Umahi will coordinate infrastructure mobilisation and sensitisation, while James Faleke will lead election planning, coordination, monitoring and mobilisation.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has been named secretary of the council, with Senator Ajibola Basiru as deputy secretary and Hadiza Bala Usman as assistant secretary.

The party has also established a coordination structure covering the country’s six geopolitical zones to oversee campaign activities across the federation.

For the South-South, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu and Victor Giadom have been appointed coordinator and co-coordinator, respectively.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Tjeoma Arodiogbu will coordinate activities in the South-East, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Oladiran Iyantan will oversee the South-West.

In the North-Central, Muazu Bawa Rijau and Niger State Governor Umar Bago have been assigned coordination responsibilities.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Garba Datti Muhammad will oversee the North-West, while former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Idris Suhaibu will coordinate the North-East.

The revised structure also identifies serving governors and other political figures to coordinate campaign activities at the state level.

Those listed include Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.

Former Governors, Party Chieftains Named Advisers

The APC has also appointed former governors and prominent party chieftains as advisers to the campaign council.

They include former APC National Chairmen Adebisi Akande and Abdullahi Adamu; former Ogun State governors Ibikunle Amosun and Segun Osoba; former Osun State Governor Iyiola Omisore; Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; Senator George Akume; and Wale Edun.

Obafemi George has been appointed adviser on media.

Other appointments cover directorates responsible for election planning, logistics and operations, with party officials, professionals and political figures assigned various secretarial, deputy and membership positions.