The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr Aderemi  Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Moshood Olayide-Abas on his appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described Olajide’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to the party and his contributions to its growth in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for considering competent and loyal party members for key federal appointments.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our leader, Prince Abas Olajide on this well-deserved appointment. His leadership and commitment to the APC in Oyo State have been exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role,” Oseni stated.

He also congratulated other notable figures from Oyo State who were appointed to federal boards, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their mandates.

“This is not just an opportunity but a call to service. I encourage all appointees to work diligently in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

Oseni expressed optimism that these appointments would further strengthen governance at the national level and reinforce the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.

Less than a month after former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party’s North-West leadership has denied that he is a registered member.

In a statement issued in Kaduna, the North-West Assistant Secretary of the SDP, Idris Inuwa, asserted that neither the ward nor the state chapter of the party has any record of El-Rufai’s membership.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumoured to have joined the SDP. However, neither the chairman of Kaduna North Local Government in Kaduna State nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” he stated.

Inuwa, therefore, urged El-Rufai and other prospective members to follow the proper membership process if they wish to officially join the SDP.

“We advise him and any other interested individuals to adhere to the established procedures for membership registration,” he added.

Furthermore, the North-West Zonal Assistant Secretary rejected the dissolution of the Kaduna State working committee of the SDP by the party’s National Working Committee.

“While we recognise the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasise that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission. The Kaduna State chapter of SDP remains open to all prospective members who comply with the established procedures,” Inuwa stated.

It will be recalled that El-Rufai resigned his membership of the APC and defected to the SDP on 10 March 2025.

In his resignation statement, El-Rufai cited concerns over what he described as the “capricious trajectory” of the ruling party, which he alleged the leadership had failed to address.

With Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election drawing closer, fresh political alignments are taking shape, with various stakeholders strategising to position their preferred candidates for the race to Aso Rock. Amidst this, loyalists of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reportedly initiated discussions with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) about a potential move by the ex-Anambra governor.

Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television and monitored by our correspondent, SDP’s National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, confirmed that Obi’s associates had approached the party to explore the possibility of his defection.

“Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’. I was in that meeting. Some of them are with us, saying that they are preparing the ground, but you have to join SDP. You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us, otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” Agunloye stated.

Obi Remains Silent Amidst Speculations

Despite these claims, Obi himself has yet to publicly declare any intention to leave the Labour Party, the platform on which he contested the 2023 presidential election and finished as the runner-up. While his loyalists may be engaging other parties, there has been no official confirmation from the former governor regarding his political future.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, continues to enjoy significant support from his followers, many of whom believe he remains the best alternative to the ruling establishment. However, with the SDP already boasting seven presidential aspirants, the political equation could become more complex if he eventually decides to make a move.

As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, political observers are keenly watching Obi’s next steps, particularly whether he will remain with the Labour Party or seek a fresh platform to relaunch his presidential ambition.