Politics
Why I defected to APC in Cross River, ex-PDP deputy gov candidate
By Francesca Hangeior
The Peoples Democratic Party deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election in Cross River State, Dr Emana Ambrose Amawhe, has stated that her defection to the APC was driven by her commitment and desire to bring development to his constituency and deliver the dividends of democracy to her grassroots.
Addressing APC stakeholders and supporters at the party’s secretariat on Saturday in Calabar, Dr Emana stated that her defection to the APC family is a new beginning of new things in her political aspirations.
“Today’s occasion of the grand defection rally which is a new beginning of new things politically, not just for myself but for over a hundred of my followers who have decided to cross over to the APC from PDP across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State. This is a new season in the entire political landscape of the state,” she added.
She stressed further that the development strides of Governor Bassey Otu are what have endeared her to the party and commended the governor for his effective efforts in restoring peace and security to Akpabuyo Local Government Area, pledging to join hands with the governor and contribute to the development of Cross River State.
On her decision to defect from the PDP to the APC, she said, “I’m drawn to the governor’s exceptional leadership style and dedication to the state’s progress. When a leader performs outstandingly and excellently, it is natural to want to join forces and contribute to the growth and development of our state. I have chosen to partner with our dear governor to effectively serve our people and build a better future for our community. This is beyond politics but a means to effectively serve the people.”
Emana said, “Political parties are open platforms where people choose to align with certain ideologies. Nobody forces anybody to join any political party. There is nobody holding a gun on somebody’s head to join the APC. People voluntarily and willingly join the APC. As for me and my supporters, we have collapsed our structure to partner with Governor Bassey Otu to deliver on his People’s First Mandate and also partner with the renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu to drive economic development for our people.”
Emana, a veteran broadcaster and businesswoman woman, defected alongside thousands of her supporters, including some state working executives of the PDP. She lauded the leadership of the APC for their warm reception and pledged to fully cooperate with the party leadership, upholding its principles to enhance victory for the 2027 general elections and beyond.
In his remarks, the state chairman of APC, Alphonsus Eba, tasked the defectors to be instrumental to the party’s success in future elections at all levels, saying, “We have chosen this day by the approval of the leader, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, represented by the Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey to receive you all into the Party.”
Eba said, “I want to appreciate the due process you have followed. You have all gone through the ward level, and you have made your intent known. You have registered in your polling units and wards. Today, you all are bonafide members of our party.”
Politics
Osun 2026: Accord faction elects Bamigbola as candidate
A faction of the Accord Party has elected Clement Bamigbola as its candidate for the Osun State August 8, 2026 governorship election.
Bamigbola was elected by voice vote by 300 delegates during the party’s primary on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital..
The Chairman of the Primary Electoral Committee, Olufemi Ogundare, declared Bamigbola the party’s candidate.
Ogundare and other party leaders subsequently presented the party’s flag to Bamigbola.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke was elected as the Accord candidate on December 10.
Adeleke, who was the sole aspirant of the party, polled 145 votes out of 150 cast during the primary monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo.
The National Chairman of the Party, Maxwell Ngbudem, presented the party’s certificate of return to Adeleke as the flag bearer.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the Accord in Osun State, Victor Akande, in a statement, urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to beware of the plot to disturb the public peace.
Akande alleged that the opposition parties were planning to sow the seeds of disunity, confusion, and chaos by organising an illegal, parallel primary election in the name of the party.
According to him: “The parallel primary is wrong, fraudulent and provocative.
“This defiant move is not aimed at Accord but is a clear danger to the peace and stability that is based on politics of deceit and impersonation.
“Accord is still a law‑abiding, democratic and peace‑loving political party recognised by the appropriate national leadership of the party and is valid.
“As such, any primary or aspirant who is outside of this arrangement is invalid, null and void.
“The people of the state have opted for peace, performance and meaningful leadership.”
Akande, however, said that nothing could impede the victory of the people at the altar of politics.
Politics
Osun 2026: Gov. Adeleke will deliver best governance – Accord Party Chairman
The Chairman, Accord Party in Lagos State, Mr Dele Oladeji, says the party’s candidate, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, will deliver the best governance if elected in the Aug. 8, 2026 Osun Governorship Election.
Thenews reports that Adeleke emerged as the candidate of the party during its congress on Thursday in Osogbo.
Adeleke, who announced his defection to Accord Party on Tuesday, resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Dec. 2.
Oladeji, in a statement on Saturday in Osogbo, described Adeleke’s candidacy within the party as the “refining stage that forms the fine cut of a diamond.”
According to him, the fusion of Adeleke and Accord Party is the answer to the people’s prayer for a good leader.
“Gov. Ademola Adeleke, a confirmed socio‑economic welfarist on a pro‑people platform, will deliver the best governance that is unprecedented in the last two decades in Osun State.
“He will also set an enviable governance template for the country,” he said.
Also in the statement, Adeleke said he was challenging his opposition candidates to a campaign based on governance records.
Adeleke said his campaign would not be about promises, as is the norm in Nigeria’s political space, but about his three years of governance and a new level of social infrastructural development.
The governor also said he would leave a trail of major, monumental project inaugurations throughout his campaign.
“My governance in the past three years has earned me commendable monikers from the people of the state, such as “Mr Project”, “talk‑and‑do”, “the new Awo”, and “the man of the people”,” he said.
Adeleke reiterated his choice of Accord as his new party, which he described as a perfect alignment and synchronisation of his people‑centered policies with the party’s people‑focused ideology.
“It is the fission of two pro‑people entities, and the people of Osun State, as well as the democratic history of Osun State, will be the better for it,” the governor said.
Politics
PDP Vows To Reclaim Osun, Ekiti In 2026
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Chairman Taminu Turaki, has revealed that its recent meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aimed at seeking guidance and support ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, declaring that the party is “back and ready to take its rightful place” in the nation’s political landscape.
The visit follows tensions within the party, with the Wike-led National Executive Committee (NEC) accusing Turaki’s faction of violating court judgments by conducting what it termed an “illegal convention” in Ibadan that elected Turaki as factional chairman.
Turaki, accompanied by former governors arrived at Obasanjo’s residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Turaki said the objective was to formally introduce the newly elected leadership to Obasanjo and draw on his experience.
“During our recent Congress in Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, former President under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I did not come alone.
“The former Senate President and BOT Chairman of our great party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, is here. Likewise, our National Secretary, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, and two former governors of Niger and Plateau States, Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Sen. Jonah Jang, are also part of the entourage,” he said.
He added, “We came to thank the former president for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power.
“We also came to appreciate his role in building strong institutions that the country continues to benefit from today. Furthermore, we sought his guidance and inspiration as an oracle to help us in the gargantuan task that lies ahead.”
Turaki used a proverb to highlight the importance of learning from experience, saying, “A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots. We have come to see our father here in Abeokuta, and we have spoken to Baba, and Baba too has spoken to us. We are enriched.”
He emphasised the party’s readiness for upcoming elections: “PDP is battle-ready for 2027. As a mark of readiness, we shall first reclaim Ekiti State, followed by Osun State.
“By the time we win these two states, no one will doubt that PDP is on the rise and ready to challenge the APC government’s incompetence and maladministration.”
Turaki also called for unity within the party, saying, “The advice I give PDP members globally is that PDP is back and is ready to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country.
“Since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is more worried than ever. The equation has changed, and PDP is prepared to send them packing in 2027.”
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