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APC Rakes In Over ₦‎1.3 Billion From Forms In 3 States

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Ogun APC to PDP: Stop Circulating Fake Videos, Materials

APC Rakes In Over ₦‎1.3 Billion From Forms In 3 States

 

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raked in over N1.3 billion from the selling of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants for Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states’ governorship elections slated for November.

 

 

 

 

The APC pegged the forms at N50m and sold them at its national headquarters in Abuja between February 15 and 22, according to a schedule of activities signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu.

 

 

 

 

 

In Kogi, many aspirants across the three senatorial zones sprang up with each of them promising to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.

 

 

APC Rakes In Over ₦‎1.3 Billion From Forms In 3 States

 

Those eyeing Bello’s seat are Abdukareem Jamiu; Dr Sanusi Ohiare; James Faleke; Ahmed Ododo; Salami Deedat; Shuaibu Audu; Yakubu Oseni; the Accountant General of the state, Momoh Jibril; Yusuf Okala and the Commissioner for Fnance, Ashiru Idris.

 

Others are Edward Onoja, Stephen Ocheni, Abubakar Achimugu, Idachaba Friday, Salaudeen Abdulkudus, David Jimoh, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Muritala Ajaka and Halima Alfa.

 

In Bayelsa, our correspondents report that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, Ogbomade Johnson, Joshua Maciver, Barrister Daumiebi Sunday Festus, Prof (Mrs) Ongobi Maureen and Lyon Pereworimini David are in the race.

 

Meanwhile, there are concerns for Sylva as some stakeholders say he must resign before the poll.

The Nigerian political actors from 1999 to date sees politics and participatory governance as a means of acquiring humongous wealth while totally ignoring the real essence of serving the impoverished Nigerian people essentially starved of basic amenities of life in our various communities that make up the 774 local government structures created to empower Nigerians at the grassroots. It's on record that most of our crooked political actors just simply cook up the books when it comes to budget padding and wall-eye vision of implementation of their ideas of governance projects. The result is the mind bogling craze for material acquisition by our politicians. Conducting forensic analysis of our serial budgets in the country, it won't be a strange development to find budgets showing up in subsequent annual budgets of states or the federal government. Under the ex president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and the present government, corruption has worked on 4 legs with regard to some dare davil acts of some State governors literily playing out James Bond motion pictures in their states. In Bayelsa, Plateau and Delta under the crooked leadership late so called Governor General of Nigeria, late Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, Joshua Dariye and James Ibori of Bayelsa, Plateau and Delta states respectively corruption stuck like a sour thumb. Late governor alamiesiegha was arrested at Heathrow airport in September 2005 and had his passport confiscated. He faced three money-laundering charges after police found £1m in cash at his London address and property in his name worth £10m. Having dramatically returned to Nigeria incognito, he forfeited a £1.25m bail bond he posted with the courts knowing that he is expected to be immune from legal action until the end of his term as governor in 2007. Mr Alamieyeseigha was coy and comical when asked how he evaded British controls to make it back to his village in the Niger delta. "I don't know myself. I just woke up and found myself in Amassoma." Nigerian newspapers quoted unnamed aides who described a journey in drag. Dressed as a woman, the governor is said to have taken a Eurostar train from London to Paris and then flown to Douala, a port city in Cameroon neighbouring Nigeria, where a speedboat took him home under cover of darkness. The disguise was helped by the fugitive's weight loss during his stay in Europe, which included a tummy tuck operation in Germany..Thousands lined the streets to cheer his cavalcade through the province but elsewhere several thousand people marched in protest at his return. Ibori, in 2012, had pleaded guilty to money laundering and other charges in a UK court and was consequently sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. Some of his associates were also convicted and sentenced to prison over similar charges. The UK is now set to return the first tranche of £4.2 million recovered from associates of Ibori to Nigeria.The UK and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja recently to kick-start the process. Malami, who signed on behalf of the federal government, said in consonance with existing framework engaged in the management of previous recoveries, the Federal Executive Council had directed that the repatriated funds should be spent on completing the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway under the coordination of the NSIA. The crystal matter of fact here is that there's hardly any precedent here from the assertions of our revered Attorney General, Abubakar to support his quest to use a coy legal mumbo Jumbo to "acquire" this £4.2millions on behalf of the FEC. This refund by the British Government is a proceed of crime committed basically against Delta State. You can't work in Delta State and receive your salaries in Abuja. It has never worked that way in any clime. The funds confiscated from ex Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye in the UK was indeed recovered by the agents of the federal government, repatriated to Nigeria and remitted back to the coffers of plateau State without a fuss. The funds seized from the late Diepreye Alamieyesiegha in the UK was recovered by the federal government and remitted in strict compliance with section 42 of Nigeria's oft battered constitution. As a matter equity, all states of Nigeria are entitled to equal rights and opportunities. I am not from Delta State. I really don't have to come from the state to defend a noble cause. Malami can not rule on this matter or the FEC allowed to speak from both sides of their mouths on a matter that affects the goose and the gander. Unless this cross-fire between Malami and Delta State government, another tranche of £20 million that maybe repatriated soon will be a matter of another round of cross fire between Malami and Delta state. Malami's claim that the FEC authorised the disbursement of this £4.2 million on different ongoing projects in the country sounds like tragic comedy. You can't spend the money you don't have. The mention of the 2nd Niger bridge that's been the subject of serial budget allocations since 2015 is also a political gimmick and emotional blackmail to the Southeast region. The Lagos-Ibadan highway project has also been on from the ex president Jonathan era. Beyond the politics of funds repatriation, our lawmakers need to effectively collaborate with the new Czar of the efcc, 40 years old Abdulrasheed Bawa to review the Nigerian constitution that offers sitting governors and presidents immunity to illegally acquire stupendous wealth in office. A system that allows a holes in our banking and financial systems that allowed the likes of james Ibori the window to illegally acquire the following before he was arrested, jailed and released: a house in exclusive and reclusive house in Hampstead, North London worth £2.2 million, a property in Shaftsbury, Dorset worth £311,000,.a fleet of adored Range Rovers worth £600,000, a £120,000 Continental Bentley GT, a £3.2 million mansion in Sancton, near Johannesburg, a Mercedes benz Mayback bought for £407,000. The anti corruption fight needs to be reinvigorated in having a holistic second look at our Justice administration systems in Nigeria.

While the Bayelsa election is slated for November, the pundits say Sylva has enough time to resign before the poll.

 

In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma is seeking re-election on the APC’s platform. Similarly, another aspirant, Juliet Awa Obasi, is contesting against the governor.

 

Daily Trust reports that the APC has no valid date for its primaries yet.

 

In the schedule of activities for the elections signed by the National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, the party had slated April 10, for the primaries.

 

However, the April 10, date for the primary has been postponed on the grounds that it coincides with Easter Monday, Daily Trust was hinted yesterday.

 

Sources within the ruling party told our correspondents that the National Working Committee (NWC) would meet and fix a new date for the primaries.

 

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, confirmed to one of our correspondents in a telephone chat yesterday that the party was yet to fix a new date for the primaries.

 

Meanwhile, the APC commenced the screening of aspirants for the three elections during the weekend.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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I will perform like Sen.Adeola Yayi if I’m elected as Senator in Ogun West

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April 27, 2026

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*I will perform like Sen.Adeola Yayi if I’m elected as Senator in Ogun West

 

Hon. Aina Akinpelu made it known to Ogun West People that he will perform like Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, if the people of Ogun West give him opportunity to serve them as a senator representing Ogun West in 2027 election. Hence tagging his Campaign Slogan as Like *Yayi Like Legacy, Like Yayi Like Legacy*!

Aina said ” we need someone that can work for us like Senator Adeola, if we want his good work to continue in Ogun West”.

That is one of the reasons why I’m contesting for the senatorial seat for our incubent senators good work to continue.

“What I did then as a State Legislator when I served my People at Ado Odo/Ọta 1 Constituency is the example of what I will do if I give opportunity to represent Ogun West at the Federal Level

Honorable Aina says,
Just like Distinguished Senator Adeola Yayi, I facilitated numerous “legacy projects” across my Constituency. I also personally funded people-oriented projects aimed at improving the daily lives of my people.

These visible achievements, delivered during my time as Member Ogun State House of Assembly from 2011–2019, are still standing strong across Ota State Constituency 1 till today.

As a grassroots politician who understands how to attract development and influence decisions in favour of his people, I’m fully prepared to take that same quality representation to Ogun West Senatorial District.

As progressive APC members in Ogun West, the time has come to rally behind a candidate who can sustain the standard and performance Distinguished Senator Adeola Yayi has brought to our district. Which is me, says – *Hon. Aina Akinpelu.*

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Third Term Resumption: Ajadi Launches Back-to-School Support for 200 Pupils in Ibadan

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April 27, 2026

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Third Term Resumption: Ajadi Launches Back-to-School Support for 200 Pupils in Ibadan

 

A leading governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the education sector as part of efforts to build a better future for the next generation.

 

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, Ajadi said his administration, if elected in 2027, would focus on harnessing grassroots talents while providing support for vulnerable and underprivileged children.

 

He announced plans to launch a “Back-to-School Initiative” on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, across the seven geopolitical zones of the state, in commemoration of the 2025/2026 third term resumption.

According to him, the programme aims to support over 200 vulnerable pupils with school uniforms, socks, sandals, and other educational materials.

 

He noted that the initiative would complement ongoing efforts by the administration of Seyi Makinde in addressing the challenge of out-of-school children.

 

The initiative, he added, is being implemented in partnership with the Catch Them Young Campaign Initiative to ensure that support reaches pupils in government-owned primary schools across the state.

 

In Ibadan, the first phase of the programme will cover selected schools, including Ode Aje Primary School, Kumapayi Primary School, Olodo; IDC Primary School, Odo-Ona; L. A Special School, Gate; and St. Luke’s Demonstration Basic School, Molete.

 

Ajadi further disclosed that the initiative would be extended to other zones of the state in the coming weeks.

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Zamfara APC Stakeholders Unanimously Endorse Tinubu, Lawal for Second Term

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3 days ago

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April 26, 2026

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Zamfara APC Stakeholders Unanimously Endorse Tinubu, Lawal for Second Term

 

Stakeholders of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have thrown their full weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal for a second term in the 2027 general elections.

 

The endorsement came on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Government House in Gusau. The gathering drew all four former governors of the state, elected officials, elders, and representatives of youth and women from all 14 local government areas.

 

Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal described the meeting as timely, noting that political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are about to intensify.

 

He explained that his decision to join the APC was not merely political but a strategic move to reposition Zamfara, strengthen collaboration with the federal government, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda. He thanked stakeholders for their unwavering support throughout the transition process.

 

Lawal urged party leaders to manage public expectations with maturity and fairness, acknowledging that not all political aspirations can be met immediately. He stressed that leadership goes beyond positions and that political relevance comes from service and contribution to development.

 

He further assured that fairness, equity, and justice would guide his administration’s decisions, and called for discipline and loyalty to the party.

 

In a communiqué read by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Bello Matawalle, himself a former governor, the stakeholders declared their full support for President Tinubu and Governor Lawal. The communiqué also covered discussions on party unity, governance coordination, security challenges, and preparations for the 2027 elections.

 

All four former governors of Zamfara Ahmed Sani Yarima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari, and Bello Mohammed Matawalle were present and made clear commitments to the APC and the re-election bid of the president and the governor.

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