News
2027: APC Govs Tip Uzodimma As Next Senate President
Ahead of the ward congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), governors have commenced a covert move to take total control of the party’s structures nationwide.
The move, it was gathered, is aimed at laying a solid foundation for the control of the party machinery preparatory to the installation of the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, as the next President of the 11th Senate of the Federal Republic.
Their objective, it was gathered, is the control of the 11th Senate upon its inauguration in June 2027.
Uzodimma, who was elected to a second term in office in November 2023, it was learnt, plans to pick the senatorial nomination form as a sitting governor, since the law does not bar him from contesting any position while in office.
The source, who said deliberations on the plan were still unfolding, stated that the option available to the governor is to resign as governor and focus on securing the Senate presidency with the backing of his colleagues if he wins the senatorial race.
The source, however, noted that the plan will depend largely on the president’s endorsement and on allowing the governors to determine the leadership of the next National Assembly.
But Uzodimma, in response to inquiries from LEADERSHIP, said that although he was not aware of the moves by his colleagues, he received the prophecy of becoming the next Senate President with an open mind.
Reacting through the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, the Imo governor said the move by his colleagues shows the cordial relationship that exists within their fold.
Recall that Uzodimma, on return to the Senate, would be regarded as a ranking senator, having served from 2011 to 2019 before contesting and winning the governorship seat.
Since 2007, the Senate has become the next political destination of governors who have served out their constitutionally required eight-year tenure.
However, a credible presidential source confided in LEADERSHIP that the move was “a way of having a subtle inroad to prepare the ground for their chairman. Most outgoing governors who are serving their second and final terms have secured an understanding with the national leadership of the party and even Mr President to go to the Senate.”
However, as of the time of going to press, it could not be independently confirmed whether President Bola Tinubu had okayed the APC governors’ move to largely decide the National Assembly candidates that will emerge from their states.
The source continued, “For the Imo governor, he is not the one bent on getting there, but his colleagues are the ones encouraging him to do so and they are not relenting; they are pressing hard and using proxies to mount pressure on Mr President and even the national leadership of the party to allow them (governors) to have an unfettered privilege to handpick their preferred choices for both Senate and House of Representatives leadership.
“For now, no one is sure of the exact direction, but it appears they have some issues along the line because they have been told that National Assembly members will work directly with Mr President and that they should focus on their State Assemblies.
“It’s not as if Mr President does not have a good working relationship with them, but you know that in politics, there is no finality on any issue because we had a terrible experience during the Tax Reforms Bills where governors, especially many from a section of the country, dictated to their National Assembly members where to stand. So taking such a risk of handing over the National Assembly tickets to the governors to decide is out of it,” the source said.
I received the Senate President’s prophecy – Uzodimma
Reacting through his media adviser, Nwachuku, the governor said he was not aware that APC governors were rooting for him to be Senate President after his tenure as governor ended.
He said, “You have just informed me; however, I receive this prophecy with an open mind. This is good tidings. If my colleagues are thinking about me in this respect, this goes to show the level of cordial relationship among us, and I commend their sense of reasoning.”
The governor added, “The feelings are relative; everyone feels elated when mentioned in a good light.”
Reacting to claims by governors that they are hijacking the party, Uzodimma said the APC is about to kick-start the process of party congresses and primaries, stressing that the focus is on conducting credible and transparent exercises.
The governor said he is not aware that the process has been hijacked by governors, adding that the APC is a disciplined party with rules and regulations.
“We are working assiduously for credible and transparent primaries and congresses. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” he said.
Leadership
Midnight fire on Saturday destroyed more than 10 shops at the Terminus Market in Jos, Plateau State.
Witnesses said that the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m., after traders had closed for the day.
The latest incident comes three months after a section of the market was gutted by a similar night fire.
Our correspondent, who visited the market on Sunday morning, reports that more than 10 shops were affected, with clothes and shoes burnt to ashes.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately confirmed by market authorities, though some victims suggested it might have been caused by an electrical fault.
Firefighters and emergency responders were said to have acted swiftly to contain the blaze, preventing what many feared could have escalated into a major disaster.
A witness, Mr. Silas Lawrenzo, said that firefighters, including a team from the National Emergency Management Agency, worked alongside the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, and the Plateau State Fire Service to bring the fire under control.
He said the coordinated and rapid response helped contain the flames, limiting damage and preventing the fire from spreading across the busy commercial hub.
The media reports that the market has experienced three separate fire incidents in the past year, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The Inspector General of Police,Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has hailed the professionalism of Nigerian journalists and corrected a misconception about their roles in society cautioning that they should not be treated like beggars, instead accorded the full compliments of professionals deserving of respect
The IGP who commended Federal capital Territory journalists and sought stronger police- media partnership when he spoke as a special guest at the FCT NUJ council congress Saturday, said he has always had a mutually beneficial relationship with the media, recognising their professionalism that is deserving of respect and therefore they should never be treated as beggars
The calm and ever- smiling police chief said, “I have always had a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with journalists. They are professionals who deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars,”
Disu commended them for their role in informing the public and contributing to national development, describing his relationship with the media as one built on mutual respect and professionalism.
He emphasised that journalists should be regarded as respected professionals rather than beggars, noting that the media plays a critical role in society, while calling for stronger collaboration between the police and the media, stressing that a healthy partnership would enhance public trust and improve security communication.
The police chief further urged both police officers and journalists to conduct themselves responsibly at all times, noting that good conduct leaves lasting impressions in society.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, congratulated the new IGP on his appointment and described him as a longstanding friend of the press.
She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of the council’s readiness to collaborate with the police in reporting security matters objectively
Ike also revealed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest to the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to promoting responsible journalism and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening security and governance in the territory.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was today honoured with the *Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025* by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, *Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara*, described the award as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the *Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa*.
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the Authority’s Spokesman, highlighted the invaluable support of the *Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola*, which has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes. Key highlights include:
– Sustained port efficiencies contributing to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
– Successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
– Completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project.
– Technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
– Pioneering election of a Nigerian agency as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) since 1972, with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission to IMO Category C.
These successes position NPA to deliver major 2025 projects, including the $1 billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex, rehabilitation of key ports, new deep seaport developments, and eco-friendly operations.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
Midnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
Journalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu
NPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
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