Connect with us

Politics

Two Rivers senators, six Reps dump PDP for APC

Published

on

 

APC strength rises in Senate, House

The political landscape in Rivers State took a fresh turn on Tuesday as two senators and six members of the House of Representatives defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senators are Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, and Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East.
Also defecting were six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, who announced their decision separately at the Green Chamber, citing similar reasons of internal disarray within the PDP.

The defections in the Senate were formally announced during plenary after the upper chamber suspended its rules to allow the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and other party leaders into the chamber to witness the development.

Both senators, widely regarded as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said their decision was informed by persistent and unresolved internal divisions within the PDP.

With the latest defections, the APC further consolidated its dominance in the Senate, raising its numerical strength to 78 senators and securing a comfortable majority in the chamber.

The lawmakers’ exit from the PDP adds to the swelling number of political heavyweights aligning with the ruling party amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State.

Observers note that the development followed recent political moves by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has reportedly strengthened ties with the APC, signalling a possible recalibration of political forces in the oil-producing state.
Despite criticisms trailing the wave of defections and fears that Nigeria could slide into a one-party state, the Senate leadership maintained that the country’s democracy remains vibrant.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele dismissed the concerns, insisting that the growing number of lawmakers joining the APC would not weaken democratic pluralism.

According to him, the ruling party remains a responsible stakeholder in the nation’s democratic process and is committed to collaborating with minority parties in the interest of national development.

Bamidele added that the APC was focused on ensuring that democratic governance delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians, particularly in areas such as food security and healthcare delivery.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the influx of lawmakers into the APC placed a greater responsibility on the party to uphold internal democracy.

Akpabio assured that all members of the party would be treated fairly and given equal opportunities to participate and grow, stressing that justice and inclusiveness were essential for national cohesion.

He expressed sympathy for the opposition parties and urged them to urgently address their internal challenges to remain competitive within Nigeria’s democratic system.

Comments

Politics

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

Published

on

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.

‎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.

‎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.

‎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.”

‎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.

‎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.

‎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.

‎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.

‎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.

‎Azeez said the traders had confidence in Oseni’s leadership and ability to fulfil his promises.

‎“We believe in your achievements so far. By the grace of Almighty God, you shall defeat your opponents hands down,” he said.

‎The chairmen of the four sections of the market also pledged their support for Oseni, President Tinubu and other APC candidates.

‎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.

Continue Reading

Politics

Oyo APC: Makinde Would Have Sold Nigeria If He Were President

Published

on

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has launched a fresh attack on Governor Seyi Makinde, saying Nigeria was fortunate not to have elected him President in 2023, alleging that he would have “sold the country to interested buyers” for personal gain.

The opposition party made the claim while responding to Makinde’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which the governor reportedly described as ill-conceived during the unveiling of candidates of the Allied People’s Movement for the 2027 elections in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday.

Makinde, who was represented at the event, also declared his determination to ensure that the APC is voted out of power in the 2027 general election.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, dismissed the governor’s remarks, insisting that no amount of criticism would persuade Nigerians to replace President Tinubu with Makinde.

The party said Tinubu’s record, experience and leadership credentials were far superior to those of the Oyo governor, adding that Makinde’s political ambition for the presidency stood little chance in 2027.

“The difference between President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in terms of experience, reputation and results is like the distance between heaven and earth. No amount of warped criticism or shadow boxing will make Nigerians choose a failed governor over a performing President,” the statement read.

The APC further argued that although Tinubu’s economic reforms had attracted criticism in some quarters, they had also received commendation from international financial institutions and development partners, who, according to the party, acknowledged the administration’s efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy.

 

It also accused the Makinde administration of failing to translate increased federal allocations into meaningful development in Oyo State, alleging that the state had little to show in critical areas such as infrastructure, security and job creation.

The party further alleged that Makinde had transferred many of the state’s assets to private interests, claiming that if he had been President, he would have considered selling national assets as a solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“As a matter of fact, Governor Makinde would have considered selling Nigeria as the best option if he had been President and faced with the challenges President Tinubu inherited in 2023. Nigerians will never make the mistake of entrusting him with the country’s mandate,” Sadare stated.

The APC maintained that President Tinubu remained focused on repositioning the country despite prevailing economic difficulties and expressed confidence that Nigerians would renew the party’s mandate in the 2027 general election.

Continue Reading

Politics

Oyo : Oseni seeks reconciliation, urges aggrieved APC members to close ranks

Published

on

‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has called on aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State to put the outcome of the primary behind them and embrace reconciliation in the interest of the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

‎The appeal came on Wednesday at an enlarged meeting of APC leaders and stakeholders in Ibadan North East Local Government Area, where Oseni urged members to close ranks and work together to reposition the party for victory at the polls.

‎In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the time had come for party faithful to move beyond the disagreements that followed the primary election.

‎He said: “The primary election has come and gone. As loyal party members, our responsibility now is to unite behind the decisions of our great party and work together for its success. There is no victory without unity.”

‎The chairman House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) noted that while it was natural for party members to hold different opinions during the contest, the APC’s overriding interest must remain paramount, urging those with reservations to seek redress through dialogue rather than division.

‎According to him, “I appeal to every leader, stakeholder, member and supporter of our party to sheathe the sword, forgive one another and embrace genuine reconciliation. Our shared commitment to the APC is greater than any individual ambition.”

‎The APC senatorial candidate said the challenges confronting the party could only be overcome through collective resolve, mutual respect and sustained engagement among members across the state.

‎”The people of Oyo State expect a strong and united APC that is ready to provide purposeful leadership. We cannot afford to remain divided when there is so much work to be done. This is the time to rebuild trust, strengthen our structures and move forward together,” he said.

Oseni expressed confidence that with reconciliation, discipline and the support of party leaders and members, the APC would emerge stronger from the primary process and be well positioned to secure victory in Oyo State in the 2027 general election.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Entertainment

Advertisement

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Advertisement

Trending