Politics
Four Edo lawmakers decamp to APC
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Four members of the Edo State House of Assembly, elected on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defecting lawmakers are: Hon. Donald Okugbe (Akoko-Edo Constituency II – PDP), Hon. Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon Constituency II – LP), Hon. Richard Edosa (Oredo West – PDP) and Hon. Sunday Ojiezele (Esan South East – PDP).
They pledged their commitment to working with the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration, to drive development in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Richard Edosa cited internal divisions within their former parties as the primary reason for their decision.
“There are divisions in the PDP from the national level down to the state, local government, and ward levels. The party that gave us the platform to win the election also created the atmosphere that made us leave. We believe in unity and progress, and that is what the APC represents.”
He further expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Okpebholo, stating:
“We believe in the governor’s vision for Edo State, as well as the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. That is why we have decided to join forces with the APC to move Edo forward. We promise to work together with the governor and the party to build a new Edo State.”
With this defection, the APC has now gained a majority in the Edo State House of Assembly. The Minority Leader, Hon. Eric Okaka (APC – Owan East), commended the lawmakers for their bold decision, attributing it to Governor Okpebholo’s performance and leadership style.
“Before now, we were in the minority, but with this defection, we are now the majority in the House. We will work closely with the governor to ensure Edo State experiences rapid development for the benefit of our people.”
The Chairman of APC in Edo State, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, officially received the lawmakers at the party secretariat, presenting them with the party’s symbol. He assured them of equal treatment within the party and hailed their defection as a strong endorsement of Governor Okpebholo’s administration.
“These lawmakers bring a wealth of experience and have recognized that the APC is the party of progress. They have seen the clarity of Governor Okpebholo’s leadership and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Edo people.”
He reiterated the party’s commitment to economic growth, education, social harmony, and security in the state.
With the APC now holding a majority in the state assembly, the defectors’ move is expected to strengthen Governor Okpebholo’s legislative support and influence the upcoming political landscape in Edo State.
Politics
Rare political resignation: Serving LG chairman dumps ruling APC in Sokoto
In a rare political development that has sent shockwaves through Sokoto State, the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Kalanjeni, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and simultaneously stepped down from his elected position as council chairman.
The twin resignations were contained in two separate letters made available to journalists in Sokoto on Tuesday.
In a letter dated May 5, 2026, addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Kalanjeni Ward in Tangaza Local Government, Kalanjeni announced his immediate departure from the ruling party.
I wish to formally inform you of my decision to resign from the APC with immediate effect. This decision is borne out of purely personal reasons. I appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party.”
Resignation from Office
In a separate letter dated July 7, 2026, addressed to the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kalanjeni formally resigned as Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area with immediate effect.
Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, effective immediately from today.”
Reasons Cited
The embattled chairman explained that the “difficult decision” followed extensive consultations with family, political associates, and community stakeholders.
He also cited administrative constraints, stating:
“Due to recent unavoidable administrative challenges, I find that I am no longer able to execute the responsibilities of this office to the high standard expected of me.”
Despite the abrupt exit, Kalanjeni expressed appreciation to the people of the council:
“I am incredibly grateful to the electorate, the council’s legislative arm, and the entire staff for the privilege and opportunity to serve our people. I wish the incoming leadership and administration continued success.”
Politics
2027: APC moves to beat INEC deadline, set to upload Tinubu, running mate this week
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is on course to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) July 11 deadline for the submission of its presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections.
A senior member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the upload of candidates’ details was at an advanced stage, with the details of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate expected to be uploaded by the middle of the week.
“We are progressing smoothly with the uploading of the details of our National Assembly candidates,” the source said.
“We hope that on or before next Wednesday, we shall upload the details of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate. We are completely sure of meeting the July 11 deadline for uploading all our candidates on the INEC portal.”
Checks at the APC’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department at the Muhammadu Buhari House headquarters in Abuja on Sunday indicated that the party’s technical team has continued to interface with the INEC portal without disruption.
Sources in the department said the details of most principal officers of the 10th National Assembly and several serving lawmakers had already been uploaded.
They added that the details of four serving governors — AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State — had also been uploaded to the INEC portal.
The race to meet the deadline followed a review of the party’s primary elections. The APC recently submitted a revised list of candidates to INEC after the NWC removed six senatorial and 19 House of Representatives candidates who had earlier emerged from the party’s May primaries.
The changes affected constituencies in Abia, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Ebonyi, Ondo, Kaduna, Niger and Kwara states and followed the recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
The revised list was forwarded to INEC in a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the party received more than 700 petitions from aggrieved members after the conclusion of its primaries.
“The party received over 700 petitions from aggrieved members following the conclusion of our shadow elections,” Morka said.
He declined to state when the final list of candidates would be released publicly, saying the party’s immediate focus was to ensure compliance with INEC’s nomination requirements.
“Our absolute immediate priority right now is ensuring that our designated candidates properly complete and return their Form EC9 nomination documents for upload ahead of the strict INEC deadline, rather than focusing on the public release of the list,” he said.
Despite the changes made by the appeal committee, the final list submitted to INEC retained many of the party’s leading figures, including four serving governors who secured the party’s tickets to contest Senate seats in the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Senator Ogoshi Onawo resigns from ADC over incessant legal battles
Lawmaker representing the Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, has officially resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His resignation was contained in a letter dated July 2, 2026, and addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman in Galadimawa Ward, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The lawmaker attributed his decision to the party’s lingering internal crisis and protracted legal disputes at the national level.
In the letter sighted on Sunday by our correspondent, Onawo said his resignation takes effect from June 15, 2026.
The lawmaker said the persistent internal wrangling and legal battles within the party made it difficult for him to pursue the developmental mandate entrusted to him by the electorate.
“It is driven by my firm belief that the prevailing circumstances within the current party structure and the endless legal battles it is currently embroiled in no longer provide the cohesion, support, and enabling environment for me to focus squarely on effectively representing my constituents and to fully realise the developmental and progressive mandate they entrusted to me,” he said.

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