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APC rules out automatic tickets for defecting govs
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Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ruled out the granting of automatic tickets to governors, including Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who joined the party recently, as well as Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is expected to join soon.
A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the issue, explained that defection from another political party to the APC does not guarantee an automatic ticket.
Supporting this position, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, described the ruling party as democratic and progressive, stressing that all members would be allowed to fully enjoy and exercise their rights.
Reacting, the National Publicity Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Oladipo Johnson, said the development was expected, adding that the governors involved had made the wrong decisions.
Among the PDP governors who have defected to the APC are Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State (South-South), Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State (South-South), Peter Mbah of Enugu State (South-East), Agbu Kefas of Taraba State (North-East), and, most recently, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State (South-South).
The APC leadership in Kano State has also indicated that the defection of the state governor is imminent.
Beyond the governors, several other prominent politicians—including members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, as well as former governors, former ministers, and other party leaders—have also defected from the PDP to the APC.
Although the defectors have given various reasons for joining the ruling party, some Nigerians argue that the real motive is to secure re-election to their respective offices.
Reacting, a member of the APC National Working Committee said the defections were driven by President Bola Tinubu’s numerous achievements, noting that it would ultimately be up to the people to decide on their re-election.
He said, “I believe it is wrong to assume that people are defecting solely to secure re-election. Many of those joining the All Progressives Congress are doing so because of the achievements of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is delivering positive results across various aspects of national life.
“That said, it is important to recall that the APC, sometime last year, clearly stated its position and made it known that even the President would not be granted an automatic ticket, despite enjoying overwhelming support from the National Working Committee, members of the NEC, zonal leadership, and governors who have publicly declared their support should he choose to run again. However, this does not limit the contest solely to President Tinubu. The party has made it clear that the process will be open to any Nigerian who is a member of the APC and wishes to contest for the office of President.
“This same principle applies to all governors, whether they have been long-standing members of the party or recent entrants, including the governors of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers states, and others. There will be no automatic tickets for any of them. They must contest and earn their tickets through the party’s democratic process. Their achievements in their respective states will be a major factor, as it is the party members who will ultimately decide who flies the APC flag.
“If party members support them and they emerge successful in the process, they become the party’s candidates. However, the APC will not arbitrarily hand over tickets to anyone simply because they are governors or because they defected to the party. That is not the party’s position or intention.
“Presently, the party continues to expand its membership, with new members joining almost daily. As such, all members will be given equal opportunity to aspire to any position. Ultimately, it is the party’s membership that will determine who emerges as candidates and, together with Nigerians at large, decide who governs at the state and national levels. As a party, we will continue to support our governors in appropriate ways, respect all members, and ensure that they enjoy their rights and privileges while fully participating in every stage of this democratic journey.”
Speaking further, the Director of Publicity, in another exclusive interview with The PUNCH, stated that automatic tickets are not being considered for any governor or holder of elective office.
Ibrahim added that the APC leadership is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants, irrespective of their status.
He said, “The issue of automatic tickets is not something that is on the table now, not just for Kano but for anybody. The party has not decided on giving anybody an automatic ticket, even in the case of the President.
“What the party said it would do, and did, was to give him a vote of confidence, in the event that he decides to enter the race for 2027 based on his performance. The party will support him, but it did not say it would stop other people from indicating interest or contesting alongside him.
“So they will be given their democratic right to contest. Now, if that position is true for the President, what about any other person below the President? The party has not looked into the issue of giving automatic tickets to governors and others. What the party has done, and still stands by, is that it will give a level playing field to everyone, regardless of status. Everyone will be given equal rights to contest.
“Where there is a need for consensus and consensus is reached, then the party will go for that option in order to have a friction-free election.”
Attempts to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off as of press time.
Reacting, the PDP Publicity Secretary said their regret was only beginning, adding that many of them would end up disappointed in the APC.
Ememobong, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said they abandoned the PDP for selfish reasons rather than in the interest of their people.
He said, “We have said it before that their defection is not in the interest of Nigerians or even the people they govern in their respective states. The move was purely driven by selfish motives.
“We also know that the APC is not a party that truly values its members, so this outcome was expected. We saw it coming, and this is only the beginning of their regret. The APC will continue to treat them as outsiders, and that is simply the reality.
“Over time, they will realise that their influence within the party is limited and their expectations of preferential treatment will not be met. Their constituents, too, may begin to question their decisions, seeing the long-term consequences of abandoning the party that initially supported them.”
The NNPP Publicity Secretary said they were not surprised, noting that the APC tempted them with numerous promises that were unlikely to be fulfilled.
He said, “Well, even before now, I had asked some of the governor’s aides in Kano State as well: what is your guarantee that you will secure a second-term ticket from the party you might be joining? We must also remember that the governor himself has not spoken up until today.
“As is usually the case in the APC, they try to lure you in, and once you are in, they do not provide the ground rules. By the time you realise, it becomes difficult to exit. We are not surprised because the APC will promise them many things, and they may not fulfil any of them.
“This situation is usually far from palatable for the governors, and it often leaves them frustrated, with their political expectations unmet and their ambitions constrained by party realities.”
(PUNCH)
… As Former CFO Dismisses Missing Funds Claim, Defends Company’s Accounts
A dramatic session unfolded at the Senate on Wednesday as the Senate Committee on Public Accounts ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged unaccounted funds amounting to ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The committee’s directive followed Kyari’s absence from an investigative hearing examining 19 audit queries raised against the national oil company by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Lawmakers insisted that the former NNPCL chief had repeatedly failed to honour invitations despite several opportunities granted to him.
The hearing took another twist when former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, strongly rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was missing from the company’s accounts. He argued that the figure being cited as unaccounted for exceeded the total revenue generated by the corporation during the period under review.
During deliberations, some committee members urged restraint. Senator Saliu Mustapha and Senator Tony Nwoye informed the committee that Kyari was reportedly receiving medical treatment in Germany and should be granted another opportunity to appear before lawmakers.
Their plea, however, met stiff resistance from other members of the panel who insisted that verbal explanations were insufficient. Senator Abdul Ningi argued that any claim of illness should be backed by documentary evidence rather than mere verbal assurances.
The strongest push for enforcement came from Senator Victor Umeh, who formally moved a motion calling for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the former NNPCL chief. The motion received immediate support from the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi.
Nwaebonyi told the committee that granting Kyari another opportunity to appear voluntarily would amount to chasing shadows. He noted that the committee had already convened nine separate meetings on the matter, with three of them presided over by him, without securing the former NNPCL chief’s appearance.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL. The time to issue a warrant of arrest is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate,” he declared.
Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo announced the panel’s decision, directing security agencies to ensure Kyari’s appearance before the committee.
“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” Dankwambo ruled.
While the committee intensified pressure on the former NNPCL boss, Isa mounted a vigorous defence of the company’s financial records. He described the allegation of ₦210 trillion in missing funds as impossible, insisting that the figures did not align with NNPCL’s audited financial statements.
According to him, the company generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion in revenue during the period under review, even before accounting for production costs. He argued that it would be mathematically impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing when the total earnings were significantly lower than the amount being alleged.
“To be clear, if money had gone missing during our tenure, we would not have had the confidence to publish audited accounts. For over four decades, NNPC accounts were either not prepared, not published, or not submitted to the Auditor-General. The fact that audited accounts were released demonstrates transparency,” he said.
Isa also dismissed allegations that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the claim as false and harmful. He challenged the committee to verify the matter independently with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Warning against the consequences of inaccurate financial allegations, the former CFO said unsubstantiated claims could damage Nigeria’s international reputation and affect investor confidence. He recalled how a previous petition allegedly disrupted efforts to secure about $2.5 billion in Chinese financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, despite sovereign guarantees backing the deal.
He further urged anti-corruption and intelligence agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, to investigate the allegations thoroughly and establish the facts. “When people claim ₦210 trillion is missing, they should be asked where exactly it went,” he stated.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return in two weeks as lawmakers continue their probe into the audit queries and the financial operations of the NNPCL during the period under review.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday ordered the unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and other detained leaders of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement application, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa granted the order while ruling on a motion filed on May 4, 2026.
The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024: Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo & Ors v. Federal Government of Nigeria & Ors, also has July 13, 2026, fixed for continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
The court had earlier ordered that the detained persons be produced before it, a directive which was reportedly not complied with by the military authorities.
Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, appeared alongside Andrew Ubido, Esq., while Magdalene Irorere held brief for the 3rd and 5th respondents during the proceedings.
Following the ruling, members of the Okuama community expressed relief and joy over the court’s decision.
Victor Akemor, speaking on behalf of some community members, described the ruling as a welcome development.
“This is great news. Finally, we have reason to celebrate. The court is indeed the hope of the common man,” he said.
He also called on the Delta State Government to assist in facilitating the implementation of the court order and commended community leaders and legal representatives for their efforts.
The detained individuals, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, President General of Ewu Kingdom; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Malaka; and Mabel Owhemu, have been in custody for nearly two years.
One of the detainees, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died while in detention.
The Okuama leaders were arrested by military personnel between August 18 and 19, 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers near the community.
More than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopia may soon be transferred to Nigeria as both countries conclude arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, arrived in Addis Ababa for the signing of the pact alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the agreement is scheduled to be signed on Wednesday.
She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the lengthy process of negotiations, judicial reviews and ratification of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated in a post on her X handle.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the affected Nigerians are being held.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a product of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, anchored on humanitarian considerations, justice and bilateral cooperation.
She said that while the Nigerian government continues to urge its citizens abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and protect the nation’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas are treated fairly and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
The minister added that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in bringing the agreement to fruition.
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