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2027: Sen. Dickson Dumps PDP, Joins Newly Registered NDC

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Senator Seriake Dickson receiving the flag of the NDC

The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.

The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.

According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.

“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”

Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.

“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.

The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.

“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.

“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.

“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.

The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.

The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.

According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.

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Why I left APC –  Iyabo Obasanjo Explains

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Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying repeated rejection, lack of consultation and what she described as disrespect from the party leadership in Ogun State forced her decision.

Obasanjo, a former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi..

A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The former lawmaker, who recently sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election, expressed disappointment over the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s consensus candidate.

She said while she had willingly agreed to support any candidate that emerged through a consensus arrangement, she was neither consulted nor carried along before Adeola was unveiled.

According to her, some of her supporters were also prevented from entering the venue of the unveiling and allegedly intimidated.

Still, Obasanjo said she chose to accept the outcome for the sake of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night he emerged.

She revealed that the senator later requested a meeting with her supporters, during which three demands were presented to him.

According to her, Adeola promised to get back to the group within one week, but over two months later, no response had come.

For Obasanjo, the silence reflected a deeper pattern of disregard.

“I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate,” she said.

“Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night.

“Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received.

“The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed.”

Despite her grievances, Obasanjo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Chief Sanusi and leaders of the Ogun Central Senatorial District for the support and courtesy she enjoyed while in the party.
She specifically appreciated the senatorial leadership led by Chief Soremi.

Obasanjo only returned to active partisan politics earlier this year after registering with the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She later declared interest in contesting the Ogun governorship election on the platform of the party.

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Insecurity: Makinde Lacks Capacity to Govern, Should Resign – APC

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.

Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.

Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.

Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”

He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”

The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.

“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.

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2027: Makinde emerges APM presidential candidate

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.

Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.

The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.

Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.

He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.

The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.

According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.

The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.

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