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Alleged anti-party: Fayemi nails self, says Adeyeye
Former Minister of Works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye has said that the recent condemnation of the formation of South West Agenda for 2023, (SWAGA) by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, is a confirmation that the governor is out of tune with party developmental practices and a seal on earlier allegation of being the mastermind of the suspension bid on Ado Ekiti Ward 8 Caretaker Chairman, Clement Afolabi
Media aide to the Chairman of the South West Agenda for 2023, (SWAGA) Sen. Adeyeye, Mr. Gboyega Adeoye, said this while reacting to a statement credited to Governor Fayemi that SWAGA was formed against a standing order by party hierarchy that no group should be formed within the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Adeoye, in a statement issued on Friday and made available to newsmen described the reaction as mere kicks of a confused, dejected bigot, just as he expressed disappointment that a leader whose house is gradually being decimated could settle for “petty name-calling as response to critical anti-party indictments.”
According to him, “the nucleus of our statement was on the bid to suspend Hon. Clement Afolabi, the Caretaker Chairman of Ado Ekiti Ward 8, which coincidentally is the home Ward of one of our Leaders in Ekiti APC and current Senior Special Adviser to Mr President on Strategy and Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
“We, as well as the overwhelming majority of the people of Ekiti State know where such plot was coming from and we promptly reacted to check the consequence of an irrational plot we feel would further divide the party. Rather than facing the message, they are after the messenger,” the statement said.
Governor Fayemi, who reacted through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Segun Dipe, had stated that: “Just last year June (2020), the Lagos APC, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved all groups within the party into the APC structure in the state,” noting that “a communique duly signed by the Governor’s Advisory Council, which is the highest decision-making body within the Lagos APC, all groups, including the two most powerful – The Mandate Group and Justice Forum – ceased to exist. The resolution, Tinubu himself said, was to restate the often-stated position that the only group known is the APC and not any of the factional groups.”
But, Adeoye, in the statement questioned, “Our response to this is a further explanation from the mischief makers on how the formation of SWAGA is connected with how a party squabble was resolved in Lagos?”.
He continued, “I think our people really need some education on SWAGA, which is an idea of a group of party loyalists from the western part of the country to present a common, credible and articulate candidate from the South West for the 2023 presidential election.
“By APC standard, it is expected that presidency should rotate back to the South after the expiration of the incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari’s eight years tenure. And these like minds put heads together to present a front to search for an aspirant that can bid favourably and creditably with whoever may aspire from the other geographical parts of the south. And they found a suitable person in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“SWAGA has been operating openly since January and it has been inaugurated in four western states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ondo States with funfair. And we ask: Why is it now that preparation is in top gear to launch in Ekiti that this noise gets audible; how does a bread suddenly became stone at the turn of a toothless man?
“And to nail their own coffin the statement added in testimony to their illusion that: “the comments credited to the governor during last week’s ‘The Platform’ event in Lagos was a testimony of his altruistic and democratic acumen.
“While fielding questions on the agitations by the youths, Governor Fayemi said the young people should stop agonising and start organizing. And that if they don’t like what APC is doing, there’s only one way: Let them organize, go to a party of their choice and vote against us”, the statement added.
Adeoye further opined that the statement is self-indicting as it is expected of a leader, close to governance, to use such opportunity to enlighten the public on the intricacies of leadership at this time of global crises, engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of the crash of oil price in the international market and the attendant negative effects on our economy.
“To this, we say there can never be a better way to a leaders’ viciousness and democratic ignorance. Leaders build, leaders educate, leaders don’t destroy”, the statement concluded.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
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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