Politics

2023: Akpabio resigns to pursue presidential bid, submits nomination form

Published

4 years ago

May 12, 2022

Contrary to a media report by some online media platforms that Senator Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn from the presidential race, Akpabio, who is gunning for the APC ticket on Wednesday resigned his office as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), following a directive by President Muhamadu Buhari, to all aspiring members, just as he formally submitted his nomination form at the party secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking shortly after he submitted his nomination form to the Organising Secretary of the party, Suleiman Argungu, Senator Akpabio said,” I am a stickler for due process and rule of law. Before I contemplated aspiring for the office of the President, I knew I had to leave office before embarking on nationwide consultations. Doing so while in office, would mean spending public funds on personal aspirations. Now that I have formally left office, I will commence forthwith, my nationwide consultations”.

Akpabio, who described the moment of his submission of the form as a watershed in the political history of the country said, ” this is a very important moment for the youths of this country and Nigerians. The event of today has buried the wild rumour that I had withdrawn from the race. This is the birth and movement for the uncommon transformation of Nigeria and our prayer is, let God’s will be done.

“I am in this office of our great party today, to formally present my duly completed form that will signal the birth of the continuity of the good things this administration has done. There is a need for continuity, so that all the efforts of this administration will not be in vain,” he stressed.

The former Minister appealed to politicians, especially those aspiring for one office or the other to play the game according to rules, saying, “let me appeal to us all that we go about our campaigns with peace and love devoid of name-calling, character assassination, falsehood, and lies, to achieve undue political mileage. Let us engage in clean campaigns for the unity of the country.”

In his brief remarks, after receiving the nomination form on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), from Akpabio, the National Organising Secretary of the party, Suleiman Argungu, thanked the former Senate Minority Leader for his visit saying, ” I am extremely delighted to receive your duly completed forms. I wish you good luck and the best in your aspiration for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Chieftains of the party and supporters of Akpabio’s presidential aspiration across the nation, who accompanied him to the party secretariat, spoke of the need for Nigerians to rally round his aspiration because, he is the only one among the lot, who is an Akwa Ibom man in body but Nigerian in spirit.

“He is the only one who has the interest of the youths, women, and the aged at heart. We want him to replicate what he did in Akwa Ibom State when he was governor in Nigeria,” those were the words of Hon Mohammed Muritala, General Garba Audu rtd, and Barrister Sylvester Okonkwo at the party secretariat.

Related Topics:2023: Akpabio resigns to pursue presidential bid submits nomination form

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2023: My ambition not built on ‘mere promises’ – Akanbi declares for Oyo South senatorial seat

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Politics

Osun 2026: Oyo APC Backs Oyebamiji, Urges Voters to Reject Adeleke

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2026

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As attention shifts to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has urged voters to support its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying the state needs a change of leadership.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed August 15, 2026, for the Osun governorship election. The contest is expected to be closely fought, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking a second term and Oyebamiji flying the APC flag.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC said the need for quality leadership, effective representation and equitable distribution of resources informed its call for a change of government in the state.

The party alleged that Osun had suffered from poor leadership, nepotism and uneven development under the present administration.

“Regrettably, Osun and Oyo states fell into the wrong hands in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and the sad results of this development are evident in the key sectors of both states today,” the statement said.

The party further alleged that political and social divisions had deepened in Osun, while appointments and infrastructure were not being distributed fairly across communities.

It also criticised the relationship between the two states and other states in the South-West, attributing what it described as political differences to the situation.

The APC, however, said the forthcoming election provided Osun voters with an opportunity to change the direction of the state by electing Oyebamiji, whom it described as competent, intelligent and capable of uniting the people.

“Fortunately enough, the good people of Osun State have been offered another opportunity to get it right by electing a competent, intelligent and unifier as their new governor.

“Dr Bola Oyebamiji of the APC is the ideal man for the job and he will not disappoint if elected, as he is prepared to deliver on his electoral promises,” the party said.

The Oyo APC also urged voters to reject violence and what it described as brigandage, promising that an APC administration would prioritise peace, accountability and accelerated development in the state.

The statement came as the major contenders intensified their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll, with Oyebamiji, Adeleke and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, among the leading contenders in the race.

Politics

‎Oyo: Oseni Supports Gbagi/Ogunpa Traders With N50m, 5 Boreholes, 200 Solar Lights

Published

2 days ago

August 12, 2026

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• rallies support for Tinubu, APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has supported traders at Gbagi/Ogunpa Market in Ibadan with a N50m grant, five boreholes and 200 solar-powered lights.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the interventions during an enlarged meeting with the leadership and members of 11 traders’ associations in the market on Tuesday.

According to the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the N50m grant was to strengthen the traders’ businesses and helping them cope with the challenges affecting their businesses.

‎The lawmaker said the five boreholes would improve access to water in the market, while the 200 solar lights would enhance security and trading activities. He added that the lights were also part of his support for the traders’ ‘Light Up Ogunpa’ initiative.

Oseni urged the traders to support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying the Federal Government’s economic reforms were aimed at addressing some of the challenges confronting the country.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and increased investment in infrastructure as some of the measures being implemented to redirect resources to areas with wider social and economic benefits.

“Some of these reforms have come with sacrifices, but we must also look at what they are intended to achieve. Resources that were tied down can now be deployed to infrastructure, education and other areas that directly affect the people,” Oseni said.

The APC chieftain also said the reforms in the foreign exchange market had addressed the previous multiple-rate system, adding that periods of relative stability showed that the measures were beginning to address some of the distortions in the system.

“We may not have reached where we want to be, but there have been changes. The foreign exchange market has been reformed, and now the benefits of these reforms are gradually reaching ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The traders, represented by the leader of the Footwear Dealers Association of Oyo State, Elder Kolawole Alabi, and the President of the First Gbagi Ogunpa Joint Traders Association, Olaitan Adams, commended Oseni for the interventions.

They described the engagement as significant, saying it demonstrated that the lawmaker understood the challenges confronting traders and small business owners.

The traders pledged their support for Oseni, Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists, the lawmaker stressed that the intervention was part of his continued engagement with traders, artisans and other stakeholders across Oyo South.

‎The statement added that Oseni would continue to support initiatives capable of improving livelihoods and strengthening grassroots businesses, maintaining that effective representation must produce tangible benefits for the people.

Politics

‎Rep Oseni Gives Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers N90m Support, Donates 100 Solar Lights

Published

6 days ago

August 8, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Aderemi Oseni, has unveiled a N90 million support package for motor parts dealers at the Araromi Gate Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

‎Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the intervention on Saturday during an engagement with traders at the market.
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‎The package comprises a N50 million interest-free revolving loan and a N40 million grant for traders operating in the four major sections of the market — car, lorry, tyre and iron.
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‎In addition to the financial support, Oseni donated 100 solar-powered streetlights to the market and pledged to take responsibility for the monthly salaries of the market’s Baale and chiefs.
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‎The lawmaker said the intervention was designed to strengthen the businesses of the traders and improve their contribution to the local economy.

He said, “The motor parts dealers are critical drivers of the local economy. We must continue to support them so that they can expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and contribute more to the economy.”
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‎Oseni explained that the N50 million revolving loan would be provided without interest, while the N40 million grant would serve as an empowerment package for traders across the four sections of the market.
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‎He said the provision of solar-powered streetlights was also intended to improve security and extend the conducive environment for commercial activities within the market.
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‎The APC candidate further called on the traders to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Federal Government’s reforms were beginning to produce positive results.
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‎He also appealed for the support of the traders for APC candidates in the state, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.
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‎Earlier, the Chairman of Araromi Gate Market Motor Parts Dealers, Alhaji Ojo Azeez, commended Oseni for his contributions to the development of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.
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‎Azeez said the traders had confidence in Oseni’s leadership and ability to fulfil his promises.
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‎“We believe in your achievements so far. By the grace of Almighty God, you shall defeat your opponents hands down,” he said.
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‎The chairmen of the four sections of the market also pledged their support for Oseni, President Tinubu and other APC candidates.
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‎The meeting was attended by the Baale of the market, Alhaji Raimi Ewebiyi, as well as leaders and representatives of the various groups and sections within the market.