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Just in: Tinubu drops Uzodinma as chairman APC Convention Committee

Published

5 months ago

February 6, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has andorsed a major reshuffle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s crucial 2026 National Convention, removing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as Chairman of the National Convention Coordination Committee and replacing him with former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bello Masari.

The move, widely seen as strategic, signals a recalibration of internal party dynamics as the ruling party prepares for a convention that could shape its leadership structure and electoral outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Uzodinma, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), was initially appointed to head the powerful convention coordination committee, a body tasked with overseeing planning, logistics, consensus-building, and political negotiations for the APC’s national convention. However, under the new arrangement approved by President Tinubu, Uzodinma has been reassigned to serve as Treasurer of the Convention Planning Committee, a role that, while still important, places him in a less visible leadership position.

Hon. Bello Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a seasoned party stalwart with deep roots in the APC’s predecessor structures, has now been named Chairman of the Convention Coordination Committee. Party insiders say Masari’s selection reflects President Tinubu’s desire to inject broader experience, balance, and perceived neutrality into the sensitive process of convention planning, especially at a time when internal alignments and ambitions are beginning to crystallize.

Beyond the leadership reshuffle, President Tinubu also approved a significant expansion of the Convention Planning Committee. The membership of the committee has been increased from 73 to 90, an adjustment that party sources say is intended to accommodate more stakeholders and reflect the APC’s diverse political, regional, and ideological composition. The expansion has brought in several prominent figures, including Senator Barry Mpigi and Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, alongside other top party chieftains.

The inclusion of Senator Barry Mpigi has particularly drawn attention within political circles. Mpigi, who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District, is widely regarded as a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his appointment into Tinubu’s cabinet, has continued to play an influential role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Mpigi’s addition to the convention committee is being interpreted by many observers as another signal of Tinubu’s broad-based political approach and his willingness to accommodate figures linked to different power centres.

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Senator Wadada promises to deepen legislative ties, stop inactivity

Published

9 hours ago

July 9, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Aliyu Wadada has promised to revive the committee’s activities after acknowledging concerns over its prolonged inactivity.

Wadada spoke on Thursday at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja.

Specifically, the chairman admitted that the committee had been underutilised, noting that it had met only once in the last three years.

He, however, said issues responsible for the situation had been identified during a closed-door session and would be addressed.

“Of course I feel concerned about it, but when we got into the details in a closed-door meeting, we got to know where the problems are, and they will all be taken care of. The committee will be as active as it should always be,” he said.

Commenting further, the chairman said the committee would focus on its core mandate of promoting and strengthening legislative relations between Nigeria’s National Assembly and parliamentary bodies across the world.

According to him, the committee will deepen engagement with regional and international legislative institutions, including the ECOWAS Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and other parliamentary organisations.

He disclosed that a new work plan had already been developed to guide the committee’s activities.

He added: “The direction is basically around the responsibilities of the committee, which is to promote and deepen legislative relationship within Nigeria and with other legislative bodies around the world”.

The chairman added that the committee’s first major activity would be a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation.

SINL NIgeria Online reports that Senator Wadada assured that the public would be kept informed of the committee’s activities as the new work plan is implemented.

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Just in: FG jerks up salaries soldiers to N100k monthly

Published

9 hours ago

July 9, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers has increased to N100,000 after the Federal Government reviewed their welfare package.

Musa made the disclosure during an interview with News Central ahead of his appearance on the NC Exclusive programme.

He said the adjustment was part of efforts by the government to improve the living conditions of military personnel.

Executive Branch

The former Chief of Defence Staff, however, said the country’s defence sector still requires more funding despite the improvement in soldiers’ earnings and welfare.

He stated that the current defence budget remains inadequate, adding that more resources are needed to effectively support the armed forces and their operations.

Musa explained that soldiers who previously earned about N49,000 monthly now receive at least N100,000 following the salary review carried out by the government.

The minister also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers, saying stronger measures are needed to reduce the increasing cases of abduction across Nigeria.