Politics

ADC holds convention tomorrow, releases fresh c’mttee list

Published

1 month ago

April 13, 2026

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set to proceed with its national convention scheduled for tomorrow.

The party released updated lists of its convention committee and subcommittees yesterday ahead of the exercise.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the update is aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring a smooth and credible convention.

The party had earlier issued notice of its convention last month, with activities expected to begin from ward congresses through local government and state congresses before the national convention.

This was before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delisted the Senator David Mark-led caretaker committee leadership of the party, warning that it would not be available to monitor the convention.

It called on groups within the party to desist from actions that could prejudice the court’s decision, which directed the party to revert to the status quo ante bellum.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had also stated in an interview that, due to pending cases, the commission would not receive further communications from any faction of the ADC.

He further warned the party against proceeding with its congresses and convention, noting that doing so could amount to a violation of existing court orders.

Despite this, ADC leaders have vowed to go ahead with the exercise, saying notices had already been duly served on the electoral body.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary maintained in a statement that it would proceed with its convention and congresses, describing INEC’s position as a willful distortion of the Court of Appeal’s directive.

The ADC also accused INEC of overstepping its supervisory role and attempting to halt lawful internal processes, insisting that party disputes do not suspend democratic functions, while reaffirming its resolve to proceed in full compliance with the law.

Checks by our correspondents show that the ADC has proceeded with its ward, local government, and state congresses across various states, although the processes experienced setbacks in states such as Katsina, Edo, and Abia.

Daily Trust also learnt that in Adamawa State, an initial disruption caused by a clash between two interest groups within the party was resolved, allowing the state congress to be successfully conducted.

Since the resignation of the party’s former National Working Committee (NWC) last year, former Senate President David Mark has served as national chairman, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola holds the position of national secretary.

However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was the deputy national chairman under the previous NWC, has denied resigning alongside other members of the Ralph Nwosu-led executive.

He insisted that, according to the party’s constitution, he automatically assumes the position of national chairman following the resignation of the former chairman and other executive members.

Despite the internal disagreements, ADC leaders have remained undeterred, continuing with the inauguration of newly elected state executives and chairmen across the country.

In a separate statement, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi congratulated the newly elected officials on the successful and peaceful conduct of their state congresses, describing the process as a clear demonstration of the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law.

The party said the elections were conducted in line with its constitution and relevant legal provisions, commending members and stakeholders for what it described as a mature, disciplined, and orderly exercise.

States where ADC congresses held

States monitored by our correspondents where congresses were held include Ondo, Borno, Gombe, Benue, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, and Lagos. However, our correspondent in Katsina reported that the exercise was put on hold due to a court order.

In Adamawa, a 54-member newly elected state executive of the ADC was inaugurated on Sunday, with Barrister Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin elected as chairman, Shagnah Pwamadd I Maboyefe as state secretary, Moh’d Arabi Mustapha as organising secretary, and Umar Sadiq as youth leader.

In Bauchi, Shuaibu Dankama emerged as the new state chairman of the ADC.

In Ondo, a former caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Bashorun Tola Alabere, emerged as state chairman.

In Nasarawa, a former deputy governor of the state, Mr. John Michael-Abdul, emerged as the new state chairman of the ADC.

In Gombe, Kyaftain Amuga was returned as the party’s state chairman following the successful conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses.

In Benue, a former House of Representatives member, Samson Okwu, was returned as the state chairman.

In Taraba, Hassan Muhammad Adamu emerged as the state chairman through consensus.

In Kogi State, the ADC inaugurated its executives in Lokoja on Saturday, with Hon. Tom Zakari emerging as chairman.

In Borno, a former chairman of the PDP in the state, Kolo Bukar, emerged as the new state chapter chairman of the ADC.

Oyegun, Owie trade words over ADC Edo chairmanship

In Edo State, chieftains of ADC, Senator Roland Owie and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, traded words over the chairmanship of the party.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Benin City, ADC senatorial leader and member of the National Executive Council (NEC), Senator Roland Owie, alleged that Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was attempting to impose his loyalists as state party chairman despite losing the congress.

He said the chairmanship position in Edo ADC was zoned to Edo South, which was later micro-zoned to Oredo Local Government Area.

According to him, two aspirants, Dr. Mike Ehima and Tony Alile, showed interest in the position, leading to a mini-primary conducted between them.

“At the end of the exercise, Dr. Ehima polled 75 votes, while his opponent, Tony Alile, scored four votes,” he said.

Owie added that the local government congresses were generally peaceful and unanimous in several areas.

“But information reaching me indicates that Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is adopting another chairman in place of Dr. Ehima at the national headquarters in Abuja,” he alleged.

He further stated that Oyegun could not simultaneously serve as a national leader and senatorial leader of the party in the state, insisting he should choose one role.

Owie, therefore, called on the party’s NEC to caution Oyegun and restore order within the state chapter.

In his response, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun denied involvement in the congress process, saying he was not part of the officials appointed by the national headquarters to conduct the exercise.

“I am not the state congress officer appointed by the national headquarters in Abuja to oversee the congress. It is only the congress officer who can speak on that, and maybe he will speak tomorrow,” he said.

Reacting to claims by former state chairman Kelly Odion that he remained the party chairman, Oyegun said: “I don’t know where he got that from; it is between him and Abuja.”

‘FG has denied us usage of Eagle Square, National Stadium’

Ahead of its April 14 national convention, ADC alleged that it had been denied access to both Eagle Square and the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja for the conduct of the event.

The allegation was made by Kola Ologbondiyan, chairman of the media subcommittee of the party’s National Convention Committee, on Sunday night.

Speaking in response to inquiries from Daily Trust on preparations for the convention, Ologbondiyan said the party had formally written to the relevant authorities requesting permission to use the venues.

“We have written to the authorities for Eagle Square; it was acknowledged. But since then, they refused to respond to us,” he said.

He added that the party also applied to use the Velodrome at the National Stadium, but was informed by the ministry that it did not have authorisation to grant approval for the facility’s use.

Daily Trust

Politics

Okpebholo’s 2.5m Votes Pledge Sparks Laughter After Tinubu’s Modest 131k Edo Primary Show

Published

13 hours ago

May 25, 2026

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Fresh questions are trailing Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s ambitious promise to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, especially after the APC presidential primary in the state produced just 131,096 votes for the president.

Governor Okpebholo, who doubled as the state returning officer, announced the primary results on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after collation from all 192 wards. President Tinubu polled 131,096 votes while his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, managed a solitary vote. The governor hailed the exercise as peaceful and a sign of strong support.

Hours later, the same governor doubled down on his earlier pledge, describing the 2.5 million target as “possible,” “achievable,” and “already settled” in Edo State. He claimed people were already “shouting 2.5 million votes on the streets” and pointed to federal projects and mobilisation as the magic formula.

Critics Cry “Daydream

”The huge disconnect between the primary figure and the general election promise has triggered widespread mockery across social media and opposition circles. Many Nigerians are asking how a state that produced roughly 131,000 APC primary votes hopes to deliver nearly 20 times that number in a contested national election.

Political observers and online commentators have labelled the pledge as political fantasy. Some pointed out that even total voter turnout in past Edo governorship elections has rarely approached such heights, let alone votes for a single candidate. Opposition voices, particularly from the PDP, described the claim as “overheating” and detached from reality.

One viral social media post asked: “Governor, is the 2.5 million coming from Edo or from dreamland?”Okpebholo’s defenders insist the primary only reflected accredited APC members, while the general election will attract a broader electorate motivated by infrastructure projects and federal support. The governor has repeatedly maintained that “it is settled” and that development efforts will convert sceptics into voters.

Edo State has historically been a battleground with strong opposition presence. President Tinubu’s performance in the 2023 election in the state was modest, making the sudden jump to 2.5 million votes a tall order even for loyal APC members.

As reactions continue to pour in, the governor’s bold assurance has become fodder for memes and late-night comedy, with many framing it as classic Nigerian political optimism or overpromise.

Whether Governor Okpebholo can bridge the massive gap between 131,096 and 2.5 million remains to be seen. For now, his declaration has left many wondering if it’s a statement of confidence or a political daydream.

Politics

Gov Oborevwori Emerged Unopposed as 2027 Delta APC Guber Candidate with 345,375 Affirmation Votes

Published

3 days ago

May 22, 2026

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has emerged unopposed as governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) following 345,375 affirmation votes from members of the party across all the wards in the state during the party’s direct primary election.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Engr. Victor Abba, declared the Governor as sole candidate after announcing the result of the affirmative primary at the collation centre in the party secretariat, Asaba, the state capital.

He said: “I, Engineer Sir Victor Abba, Chairman of the Delta Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer for the Delta State Governorship Primary Election held on the 21st day of May, 2026, hereby certify that the aspirant, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, scored 345,375 votes,” he declared.

Abba said Oborevwori,Gov Oborevwori declared unopposed with 345,375 affirmation votes as 2027 guber candidate having satisfied the party’s constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, was duly returned elected as APC governorship candidate for Delta State.

He praised party members for their unity, maturity and peaceful conduct during the exercise, saying; “we have seen what has happened in Delta State and we are satisfied. The maturity of politics in this state is second to none.

He also commended Governor Oborevwori for infrastructural development, people-oriented programmes and governance initiatives, saying the administration had strengthened the APC’s acceptance across Delta State.

Speaking after voting in his Ward in Okpe Local Government Area, Oborevwori commended the APC leadership for conducting what he described as a transparent, peaceful and exemplary primary election.

The Governor said the large turnout across the state’s 270 wards demonstrated grassroots participation and reflected the confidence party members had in his leadership.

“I must sincerely appreciate our great party, the APC, for the transparent and exemplary model adopted for this primary election. It is a model worthy of emulation by other political parties,” he said.

Oborevwori said the peaceful conduct of the exercise marked a departure from previous political traditions, stressing that adherence to due process eliminated tensions often associated with party contests.

“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he stated.

Former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said the turnout reflected support for Governor Oborevwori’s administration, while Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Governor’s emergence reflected confidence in his leadership.

Other party leaders, including Dr Hilary Ibegbulem, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Hon. Francis Waive and Chief Solomon Areyenka, also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.

The declaration of Oborevwori as APC governorship candidate was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other party leaders.

The outcome further consolidates Oborevwori’s hold on the APC structure in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expressing confidence that his performance and growing support base would strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.

Politics

George-Kelly Withdraws From Rivers APC Governorship Primaries After Fubara’s Decision

Published

5 days ago

May 21, 2026

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A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has withdrawn from the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

His withdrawal comes hours after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also announced his decision to step down from the APC governorship primary race in what observers see as part of ongoing political realignments within the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, George-Kelly said his decision followed a crucial stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the APC, where deliberations focused on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need for unity and strategic alignment.

The aspirant, who described himself as a committed member of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition for President Bola Tinubu under the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said extensive consultations with members of his political team and other stakeholders informed his decision.

“Following that meeting, and after wide consultations with members of my political team and other critical stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity and in deference to the supremacy of the party, to withdraw from the forthcoming primaries,” he stated.

“Accordingly, I hereby formally announce my withdrawal from the race and pledge my unwavering support, loyalty, and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the conclusion of the primaries,” he added.

The withdrawal further signals intensifying political consultations and strategic recalibrations within the Rivers APC as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

George-Kelly said his political journey has always been guided by leadership, loyalty, and respect for constituted authority, stressing his continued commitment to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s political project in the state.

“The 2027 General Elections present us with a defining opportunity, and I remain fully committed to playing my part in securing victory for our President, our party, and the good people of Rivers State,” the statement said.

He also urged his supporters and members of the coalition to remain united and continue working together for the progress of Rivers State and the APC.