Politics
APGA Chair, Njoku threatens Soludo, others with suspension
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Edozie Njoku has said that the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo was on the verge of being suspended from the party due to his alleged protracted anti-party activities.
Njoku said 80 percent of the APGA’s leadership has agreed that Soludo and others to be suspended for anti-party activities, adding that their names would soon be announced by the party in a bid to sanitize it and instill discipline, decorum and orderliness on members.
The APGA Chairman said these at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after the proceeding in a case involving the party.
He said: “Remember what the Chairman of the APGA BoT said, that we the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should take action so that we don’t look like toothless bulldogs.
“One of those people to be suspended is the governor, and I am saying, are we going to suspend the only governor we have?
“But, if the only governor we have is pretending or playing to the gallery, making these honest people to go in and commit anti-party activities, we must nip this in the bud.
“I don’t know what Soludo is playing at and I don’t know what his problem is, but he must conform himself under the party,” he said.
Njoku said the suit (before the Federal High Court) was aimed at securing an interim injunction for INEC to stop recognizing him as the authentic National Chairman of APGA.
“Unfortunately for them, the court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, refused to grant the application, insisting that they must put the National Chairman of APGA and others on notice,” he said.
Njoku accused Soludo of thwarted every move by the Supreme Court and INEC-recognized NWC to restore peace to the party by allegedly engaging anti-party activities.
“If you remember, just about a week ago or two weeks ago, we just left the Court of Appeal where a stay was applied at the Court of Appeal to stay me being recognized by INEC despite the fact that the Supreme Court said in their own words that the removal of Chief Edozie Njoku as national chairman of APGA is not justiceable.
“They went to Awka and filed the suit, suddenly the the judge in Awka was very smart, and he pulled out of it.
“They came to the Federal High Court again. They filed another one behind our back, they were applying for an interim injunction behind the back of the national chairman of the party, behind the back of APGA, behind the back of the orders of the Court of Appeal, which asked that they should enforce the judgment as pay or affirm the enforcement of the judgment, as per the Buhari High Court.
“They went forward behind the back of APGA and INEC were very smart, and INEC have written that everything they said is not true.
“The local government elections are going to take place in Anambra on the 28th but what we should understand about this is that Charles Soludo, the governor, I don’t know, he should know that it’s a political system he’s not an emperor.
“He has gone forward to get the House of Assembly to adopt, to make a law whereby the party cannot field their candidates.
“They went to the field and conducted something behind the back of the party, where they assembled certain people who are conducting anti party activities” Chief Njoku said.
“Soludo must know that if there is anything filed in this court, it is going to be filed by APGA. He cannot bring someone not recognised by the law, and who is already facing a contempt charge, which is a man called Sly. He has already been served with Form 48, alongside Oye, who is going to be sentenced soon.
“In all these things, we must realize that there is law and order in Nigeria. That you are a governor, with so much resources does not mean you should waste the resources of people of Anambra State trying to chase shadows.
“A Supreme Court judgment has been enforced at the lower court, and has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal. You went for Stay at the appellate court and the court said, no, we cannot stay this man.
“Now, you have come to the lower court again to deceive those people. What effect will the lower court have on the judgment of the Court of Appeal? None. You are just carrying us around, we are spending money on SANs left, right and centre because you feel you have Anambra State money to spend. It is highly unfair to those poor masses in Anambra state.
“Soludo must now try to think back and understand that the money being given to him from the federation account is not given to you for selfish interest, but for the betterment of Anambra State.
“They are pushing us far to the limit, and they are believing that the Governor of Anambra State is bigger than the Party. No one is bigger than the Party. Maybe, they are playing on the fact that I want peace, that I will not change.
“If you recall, I have been preaching peace, peace and peace because it is not in the interest of the party for us to start suspending elected officers, to suspending a governor, to start suspending House of Assembly members, to start suspending the Senator from Abia,” he said.
Njoku disclosed that the party was not planning to restrict nomination of candidate for the next governorship election in Anambra, but will throw it opened to every interested member.
He urged those interested in becoming the governor of Anambra State to come forward and be prepared to go through the primary process which, he said, would be seamless.
By Francesca Hangeior
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has rejected the planned coalition against the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was one of the outcome of the PDP Governors meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State between Sunday and Monday.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, read the communique to journalists.
Governor Mohammed said they were open to welcoming anyone or parties that want to join the party.
The Presidential Candidate of the PDP and that of the Labour Party in the last election, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been canvassing for a coalition that will oust the APC in 2027.
The communiqué also expressed solidarity with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating, “We restate our commitment to stand with him until the end amid the challenges posed by the declaration of a state of emergency in his state.”
Addressing the worsening security situation in the country, particularly in Borno, Katsina, and Edo States, the forum expressed alarm, stating, “The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country.”
The PDP governors called for a “review and reorientation of priorities and strategies,” emphasising the need for a bottom-up approach to tackle security breaches effectively.
They condemned the recent attacks in Plateau State, stating, “We extend our condolences to the government and people of the state, especially those who lost lives and property during this unfortunate mishap.”
Looking ahead, the PDPGF announced plans to hold a meeting on May 27, 2025, to establish a zoning committee.
The committee will consist of Governor Douye Diri as Chairman, Governor Dauda Lawal as Vice Chairman, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang as Secretary.
“This committee will address party office allocations ahead of the convention scheduled for August 28-30, 2025, in Kano.”
The forum, however, expressed gratitude to the host governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, stating, “The Forum expresses its gratitude to the host Governor, the government, and the good people of Oyo State for their hospitality.”
By Francesca Hangeior
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has expressed confidence that the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under President Bola Tinubu, will create Anioma State.
Nwoko made the statement over the weekend in Delta State during a visit by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to addressing the regional imbalance by establishing Anioma State, which would promote development in the region.
In a statement released to our correspondent in Lafia, Michael Ogar, the senator’s media consultant, quoted Nwoko as describing Ganduje’s visit as a significant step toward achieving fairness and regional balance in Nigeria.
“This is the clearest signal that the dream of Anioma State is not only alive but is now anchored at the very heart of national policymaking. Our people deserve inclusion, and this is the pathway to lasting justice and balance in the Nigerian federation” The statement reads
The event, which marked the formal reception of members of the Delta Unity Group from Ika Federal Constituency into the APC, was attended by notable APC chieftains from Delta and Edo States. Among them was Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, who played a prominent role at the event and described the occasion as “a defining moment for Delta politics and for the Anioma people.”
Addressing the enthusiastic APC supporters, stakeholders and other interest groups, National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Dr. Ganduje said the agitation for the creation of Animals state was a done deal.
Making the historic declaration, Ganduje stated unequivocally that “the creation of Anioma State is a done deal.”
The APC National Chairman affirmed that the rulling party is fully aligned with the long-standing aspiration for Anioma State and assured the gathering of the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC governors, the National Assembly, and the wider leadership of the party.
“The creation of Anioma State is not just an aspiration, it is a commitment that reflects equity, justice, and the unity of our nation,” Ganduje stated.
By Francesca Hangeior
The special adviser to the president on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, has accused Senator Ali Ndume of planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition coalition.
Bwala made the allegations amid ongoing political tension between both men.
The accusation comes after Ndume, the longest-serving lawmaker in the National Assembly since 1999, criticised President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration in Rivers State. Ndume suggested the president should instead declare a state of emergency on security and the economy.
In a move seen as politically symbolic, Ndume also stated that Tinubu should be concerned if former President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer in support of his administration. His comments came shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures paid a visit to Buhari in Kaduna.
Ndume, however, clarified that he is not opposed to Tinubu personally but is critical of some of his policies. He added that he holds the president in high regard and considers him a mentor.
He alleged that Ndume has a history of disloyalty and had engaged in similar conduct in the past.
“Let me tell you today — and I want everybody to hear this, especially the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje: Senator Ali Ndume’s spirit and soul are with the coalition; it’s only his body that’s still in the APC. He is already on his way out,” Bwala said.
“He did the same thing during his time with Senator Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, when he felt he wasn’t being supported.
“That’s how he moved to the PDP. But before he made that move, he kept meeting with them. All the while, he was there as a snitch.
“He was giving intelligence and information to the other side. Now, the reason I say the national chairman has to be very careful and observant is because he’s dog-whistling for these people. It would be better to handle it the way El-Rufai did.
“El-Rufai just said, ‘I’m leaving.’ You give more honour and credit to el-Rufai because he didn’t stay behind to be a snitch. He left.
“But this one, he claims loyalty. Yet, from a strategic point of view, he thinks, ‘If I stay and keep shooting from within, people will say, Ah, this one is even a member of the party.”
Meanwhile, key opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir el-Rufai have intensified efforts to form a coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027. El-Rufai and some of his allies have already defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in preparation for future political realignments.
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