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Oyo APC Loses Lawmaker, ‘Radical’ to Ladoja

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THERE is strong indication that a member representing Ibadan North II state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP ahead of 2019 general elections.

Hon. Olusegun Olaleye, a strong member of the Unity Forum of APC disclosed this in a chat with journalists shortly after Tuesday’s Plenary at the State House of Assembly.

The two term legislator and a former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation in the 7th Assembly said his decision to step out of the APC circle is to pursue is political career and identify with his new leader.

According to Olaleye, the late former Governor of Oyo state, Alhaji Lam Adesina remains his first political leader while High Chief Rashidi Ladoja is the second leader.

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In his words, “I am identifying with former Governor Ladoja in moving the state forward. I am not going to PDP yet but I am in the camp of High Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

Hon Olaleye who wore Ankara attire which was also used by many members of the PDP in Ibarapa East Local Government who attended the plenary to honour the newly elected member of Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibarapa East State Constituency.

Olaleye is expected to officially declared his next political party in the next plenary.

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Ex-Ekiti Governor, Fayose Backs Oyebanji for 2026 Re-Election

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FILES: Gov Biodun Oyebanji (L) and ex-Gov Ayo Fayose

 

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has openly declared his support for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State in the 2026 governorship election.

Fayose made this declaration on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Ikeja GRA Network of Roads in Lagos State.

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose commended the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Lagos for transforming the Ikeja GRA area to rival the elite Ikoyi district.

“This place is now our own Ikoyi… You and your deputy have turned GRA to Ikoyi GRA,” Fayose remarked, applauding the Lagos State Government’s infrastructural strides.

Despite his firm loyalty to the PDP, Fayose stated unequivocally that he would support Governor Oyebanji, a member of the APC, in his re-election campaign.

“I am one Nigerian who will not say what I don’t mean even if they will kill me. I will say it. I am not a member of APC, let me put that on record again. I am not a member of APC and I will never be a member but I will not shy away from the fact that what is good is good,” Fayose declared.

Reflecting on Oyebanji’s emergence as governor, Fayose admitted that initial skepticism surrounded Oyebanji’s nomination but noted that the governor had surpassed expectations.

“When the news of your nomination came about six years ago, there were so many reservations, but you have proved the bookmakers wrong, including myself. You have shown that leadership is not about appearances but about substance. You are a different breed of politician,” he added.

Drawing a parallel between Oyebanji and the inclusive governance approach in Lagos, Fayose said, “You brought everybody together like my governor in Ekiti, Oyebanji, brought everybody together. I always tell people who care to listen, I am a PDP member but I will support Oyebanji in the next election. It is not about politics, it is who Oyebanji is.”

Governor Biodun Oyebanji was elected in June 2022 after defeating PDP’s Bisi Kolawole and Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He succeeded former governor Kayode Fayemi and was sworn into office in October 2022.

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No Crime in Dialogue : SDP’s Gabam Defends El-Rufai Talks, Slams Tinubu’s Cabinet

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The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has defended his party’s recent engagement with former Kaduna State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Gabam insisted that the meeting was a strategic move aimed at repositioning the SDP as a formidable opposition force in Nigeria.

Gabam made this known during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday. The interview was closely monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.

Addressing the public reaction to his meeting with El-Rufai, Gabam questioned the uproar, suggesting that critics were unnecessarily amplifying the situation.

“Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant, he’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi? If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?” Gabam queried.

He explained that the meeting was part of the SDP’s broader strategy to assess Nigeria’s socio-political landscape in 2024 and strengthen its position as an opposition party.

“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments. So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the APC’s rise to power, Gabam highlighted that the current move mirrors the strategy employed by the APC when it successfully unseated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

“It’s the same things APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they re-organised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP. So, we are not doing anything wrong. I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria,” he stated.

Gabam didn’t hold back in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, expressing doubt over its ability to deliver on the president’s promises. He argued that the ministers lack the competence required to implement Tinubu’s vision effectively.

He also decried the current state of the economy, noting that Nigerians are enduring unprecedented economic hardship.

“No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election,” Gabam warned, suggesting that history could repeat itself if the administration fails to address pressing national challenges.

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Rivers LG Chair Appoints 130 Special Assistants, Calls for Diligence

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The Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has appointed 130 special assistants.

The announcement was made on Wednesday through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, where Ihunwo stated that the appointments take immediate effect.

The appointees include Helen Nyekwere, Josephine Wogu, Daisy Worgu, Wagwu Hilda, Ogbonna Stella, Goodness Ogbonna, and Grace Amadi, among others.

“I have appointed the following persons as my Special Assistants,” Ihunwo stated. “I congratulate them and call on them to serve diligently in the interest of Obio-Akpor Local Government. Their appointments take immediate effect.”

This marks the second time Ihunwo has made such a significant number of appointments. In July 2024, during his tenure as the caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, he appointed 100 special assistants.

Ihunwo, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recently drew attention for removing the name of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the administrative block of the council secretariat.

The action is viewed as part of the ongoing political rivalry between Wike and Fubara, who have been locked in a power tussle in the state.

The chairman emphasized that the new appointees must prioritize service to the people, reiterating his commitment to the development of Obio-Akpor.

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