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Pro-Fubara LG caretaker chairmen dump PDP for APP

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Siminalayi Fubara ,Rivers state Governor

 

Ahead of the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State, some Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have defected to the Action People’s Party.

There have been speculations that the governor may dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for the APP following the alleged hijack of the state PDP structure by his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara and Wike have been enmeshed in lingering misunderstanding which led to the political crisis in the state.

However, the governor, while playing host to the Board of Trustees of the PDP led by Senator Adolphus Wabara in the Government House, Port Harcourt recently denied any defection plan and reaffirmed his membership of the PDP.

However, council chairmen loyal to the governor and their supporters who were hitherto members of the PDP have pitched their tent with the APP

Also, almost all the candidates vying for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the forthcoming LG poll are doing so under the platform of the APP, even as campaigns have begun.

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A big billboard of the current CTC Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council,

Ezebunwo Ichemati, with the APP logo campaigning for a substantive chairmanship position, has been sighted while his posters adorn many parts of the metropolis.

Speaking recently, Ichemati promised to provide credible leadership if elected as substantive Chairman of Port Harcourt City.

“We will defend the interests of the party (APP) and the state if elected into office. We will also adhere to the directive to avoid engaging in negative campaigns, “ he stated.

Similarly, the CTC Chairman of Khana LGA, Marvin Yobana, and his supporters have formally announced their defection to the APP.

Speaking at an event in Khana Local Council on Monday, Yobana who did not get the blessing of the governor to contest the LG election said he had moved to the APP.

He said, “I hereby announce that I have moved to APP and I introduce to you the person that would be sworn in after the October 5, election as the executive chairman of Khana, Mr. Martins Ibibo.”

Similar campaign posters of other announced candidates adorn various parts of the state.

Speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers APP Chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, said the party would commence its senatorial campaigns on Tuesday beginning with the Rivers South-East Senatorial District to hold in Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA of the state.

Describing APP as the party to beat, Wokekoro said the party had come to change the narrative in the state.

He stated, “The Action People’s Party, Rivers State branch invites you today as partners in progress in changing the ugly narrative of governance in our state.

“To intimate you of our plans to embark on our campaigns under the guidelines provided by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

“As you are all aware candidates have emerged and have Successfully gone through RSIEC screening. By tomorrow, Tuesday the 24 of September our party intends to embark on Senatorial campaigns and rallies.”

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APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

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Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

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Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

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Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

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Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

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According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

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