Politics
Yari “yari”, but Akpabio is Senate President
Yari “yari”, but Akpabio is Senate President.
By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.
Ahead of today’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the political intrigues to make Akpabio the Senate President in order to deliver the deal he brokered with Mr President for stepping down for him during APC primary saw all arsenals deployed; moral and immoral. The battle was fierce.
Sensitively to its role as the leading opposition and the direction it provided, the PDP stood with Yari to emerge as the choice of the Senate against the decision of Mr President and the leadership of APC his party.
Before the contest, the Peoples Democratic Party accused the ruling APC of plotting to intimidate and arrest lawmakers-elect seen as championing the independence of the legislature.
The party stated this barely 24 hours after boasting that it would leverage the number of lawmakers elected on the platform of opposition parties to determine the leadership of both houses.
Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State and top contender for the Senate Presidency, was speculated to be one of those being targeted for arrest.
Yari therefore on the information approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek an order of court restraining security agencies from arresting him. The court on Monday, 5th of June, granted his prayers and restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and the Department of State Services from detaining the former governor, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
The Justice Donatus Okorowo led Federal High Court, extended the order on Thursday, 8th June after Yari’s counsel, Michael Aondoaka, made an oral application to the effect.
The information of this planned political bullying against the background of how Okorocha was taken out of APC primary was all that was need to take APC’s threat serious by Yari as an insider.
Being in the company of the “Fada of the Senate”; Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi,
I was privileged to be admitted into some of the caucus meetings before the election to observe their sessions, in one of such 58 Senators were in attendance to give their backing to Yari’s ambition, the mood of the meeting was suggestive of persons who had more than political reason not to vote for Akpabio. I could therefore conclude that all form of intimidation and inducement will be needed to swing the pendulum in Akpabio’s favour.
Details of the refusal of PDP to support Akpabio, who had been announced as the choice of both the President and the ruling party was given in address made to journalists at the party’s national secretariat by, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba who said, “Information at our disposal which is verifiable and some of which we got from reports, is that there are attempts by some APC elements to intimidate, harass and threaten lawmakers-elect with a view to influencing the outcome of the election on the floor of both chambers as to who emerges the Speaker and the President of the Senate.
“There are reports of harassment to arrest those people who are considered to be strong proponents of the independence of the legislature and who are at the forefront of the need to respect those standing rules that provide that members-elect should elect their leadership without any external influence.
“We have these reported actions and plots to arrest such individuals. We as a party that believes in democracy and had the privilege of ‘mid-wifing’ this democracy of ours for 16 years, recognises the fact that the legislature is an ingredient that is very important and key to the sustenance of democracy. So, we need to raise an alarm.”
That alarm, like the sound of a pendulum clock today couldn’t announce Yari’s time as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It went the the way of Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and ex-Minister for the Niger Delta, Senator Akpabio who emerged victorious after he polled 63 votes while Yari scored 46 votes.
It’s indeed a tall fight to take on the President and his man Akpabio, all said and done, now that the battle is over, the dust created in the Chambers by the politics of leadership has to settle for serious work of legislation to begin.
Let me say a big congratulations to the Senate President, His Excellency, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Please, don’t ever forget that you are privileged by this to be the Captain of a class of 107 others, who equally have right to the position you hold in trust for them.
May the dynamism that greeted my 3rd year class at Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege be the Spirit of the 10th Senate.
Please, watch out for; My class and the 10th Senate, a lesson for Akpabio the Class Captain.
Politics
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, I’m calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“I’m calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent
Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent
…Dismisses Claims of Discontent Over Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election, distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has assured the people of the state that he would run an all-inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.
Fondly called Yayi, the senator currently representing Ogun West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly made this known on Thursday, May 21, 2026, shortly after participating in the governorship primary at Pahayi, Ilaro Ward 1.
Speaking with journalists, Senator Adeola Yayi assured party members that he would not disappoint them if elected governor, pledging to deliver good governance while sustaining the developmental strides of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
According to him, “I want to assure the people that I will run an inclusive government and carry everyone along. It will be an administration that leaves no group or interest behind.”
The senator commended party faithful for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the governorship primaries, noting that the exercise reflected the unity and cohesion within the party.
Senator Adeola Yayi further expressed delight that the primary election was conducted peacefully across the state, describing the turnout of party members during the direct primary exercise as a strong indication that the APC remains formidable and well-positioned to record landslide victories in the 2027 general elections.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for sustaining the internal democracy for which the ruling party is reputed, while reiterating his readiness to run an open and inclusive administration.
Fielding questions during the press interaction, the Ogun State APC consensus governorship candidate dismissed claims that some aspirants were aggrieved over his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.
According to him, his emergence was not imposed on the party but was the outcome of extensive consultations and consensus among stakeholders and party leaders across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“I am not aware of any aggrieved aspirants over my emergence as the governorship consensus candidate of our dear party. The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party.
“Rather, it was the result of far-reaching consultations and agreements among stakeholders and leaders of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“To my knowledge, nobody was cheated and nobody was disenfranchised. I received overwhelming support at the Ogun State APC strategic meeting held at the party secretariat. Thereafter, I met with other aspirants, and we are all committed to working together for the betterment of the people of Ogun State”, he stated.
The senator, who was widely cheered across Ilaro metropolis, polled 3,023 votes at Pahayi Ilaro Ward 1, 2,601 votes in Ilaro Ward 2, and 2,419 votes in Ward 3. He later monitored the exercise in Ilaro Ward 2 and Ward 3, where party members and supporters hailed him enthusiastically at every stop.
The massive turnout of APC members across polling units in Ogun West, and indeed across Ogun State, was seen by observers of the scene as a demonstration of the widespread acceptance and popularity of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations among the people, without any form of inducement.
Politics
Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries
*Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries*
Charges Chinda to Be Magnanimous in Victory as a Patriot
The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors (RCA) has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of its governorship primaries, describing the process as a shining example of political maturity and a departure from the state’s history of acrimonious contests.
In a statement signed by Comrade Jude Chuks and issued shortly after the declaration of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the group praised the APC leadership and stakeholders for ensuring a rancour-free exercise.
The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors, a prominent support structure aligned with the broader Rainbow Coalition political movement in the state, noted that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflects growing commitment to unity, dialogue, and collective progress ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We congratulate the Rivers State APC for conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful primary. This achievement underscores the maturing democratic culture in our state and sets a positive tone for the political season,” Chuks read.
The group specifically hailed the withdrawals of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole, which paved the way for Chinda’s emergence, describing the moves as “statesmanlike decisions taken in the supreme interest of peace and party cohesion.
While celebrating the outcome, the Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors charged the new flag bearer to remain magnanimous in victory and demonstrate the spirit of a true patriot.
“Victory at the primary is not an end in itself but a call to higher responsibility. We urge Hon. Kingsley Chinda to extend a hand of fellowship to all other aspirants, stakeholders, and even those outside the APC.
“True leadership demands inclusivity, humility, and the ability to heal divides rather than widen them,” the ambassadors emphasised.
They further appealed to Chinda to prioritise broad-based consultations, youth and women inclusion, and the welfare of Rivers people in his campaign and future governance plans, noting his legislative experience and cross-party relationships as key assets.
The group, however, expressed optimism that, knowing Chinda’s antecedents as a seasoned lawmaker, bridge-builder, and consistent advocate for good governance, he will unify the party, foster inclusive development, and deliver people-oriented leadership that prioritises the welfare of all Rivers people across party lines.
-
news5 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society3 weeks agoSOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT A BATTLEFIELD COMMAND – WHY THE NIGERIAN ARMY’S ACTION AGAINST JUSTICE CRACK IS A NATIONAL SECURITY IMPERATIVE
-
celebrity radar - gossips4 months agoDr. Chris Okafor Returns with Power and Fire of the Spirit -Mounts Grace Nation Altar with Fresh Anointing and Restoration Grace on February 1, 2026
-
celebrity radar - gossips5 months agoProphet Kingsley Aitafo Releases 2026 Prophecy: ‘Nigeria Will Rise, but the World Must Prepare for Turbulence’






