Politics
APC Chairman Urges Party Governors To Uphold Manifesto
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu, has called upon the governors who were elected under the party’s banner to uphold the principles outlined in the party’s manifesto within their individual states.
Adamu made this statement during a gathering of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC and members of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by the country, Senator Adamu recognized that the APC governors were assuming office during a difficult period, particularly due to the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
His remarks coincided with the appointment of Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo State, as the new Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).
Uzodinma further added that almost all the potential presidential candidates had pledged to eliminate subsidy if elected into office.
He recalled that immediately after those elections, then president-elect, Bola Tinubu, travelled abroad and was away for about five weeks.
He added that to have an important meeting with the governors, the party thought it was advisable Tinubu was on ground before holding the meeting.
He noted that by the time Tinubu returned to Nigeria, the space was agog with the issue of zoning of leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly, which he said took the winds off their sails.
The APC national chairman said, “So we got engaged trying to see how best we can reach some understanding and before we got over that, we had inaugural activities and we are better placed now to settle down, to invite our governors.
“For us, anything that we will want to say to you is adherence to the manifesto as much as you can. We have a general framework for the governance of the country and you represent those who fly the flag of the party and it is expected that whatever you do, you will have in mind the manifesto that the party gives the country.
“You, as the chief executive officers of the states, must key into this manifesto, but there are peculiarities, there are priorities you must have set and you are bound to do as much as you can to meet the expectations of those who voted for us.
“We are in a very difficult moment and you have come at a very difficult period. Even with the timing of the lifting of the fuel subsidy, this is going to be very specially challenging to us, particularly to you because you are where it matters most.”
Adamu added that the party’s governors were the shock absorbers in the various states of the federation.
“You live with the people. You wake up with the people and you work with them. The expectation is that you could have a better appreciation of their pains as citizens of this country. So, a lot of expectations will be on you as governors of the federating units of this great country.”
The chairman assured them that the leadership of the party would cooperate with them.
He told the APC governors, “If you have any problem, turn to us and we will give you the best advice we can. But whatever we do with you, you are the one wearing the shoes and know where it pinches.
“Two years are for actual governance. Before you know, you will finish with the tribunals, it will be getting to two years and you will start seeing posters and billboards flying, newspaper publications. This is a tradition in our democracy, fortunately or unfortunately. We must be ready for that. So, you have no time to waste.
“Fortunately, you are lucky to have a president, who will listen to you. He has come with the same urge, the same desire to deliver. So, you are lucky. But whatever you do, do not forget that you will bear your cross. You will bear your cross. We will not as a party stand in your way for a good programme. If someone does so, please draw our attention so that we will stop it.”
Uzodinmma said, “I want to assure you that the APC governors understand very clearly that the government each of us are presiding over belongs to the party and we know both at the federal and sub-national levels, the government belongs to APC; it is APC-led government.
“Under my watch, we will be very close to the party. The purpose of the forum is to add impetus to the activities of the party and the government. We are only going to act as salesmen that will market the policies and programmes of government.
“APC is the only party we’ve got in Nigeria. The governors of APC seem to be the most active governors in Nigeria. So, my assurance is that we are just constructive partners to work with the party and our loyalty to the party is absolute. And, indeed, the party will become the envy of other parties in Africa.”
Among the governors present at the gathering were Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status following his absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The NDC made the demand in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Monday, September 28, 2026, expressing what it described as “profound disappointment and grave concern” over Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders.
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According to the party, this marks the third consecutive time since Tinubu assumed office in 2023 that the President has failed to attend UNGA in person.
The NDC said Nigerians had for weeks been told by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, that President Tinubu would attend the General Assembly and would be seated close to United States President Donald Trump.
The party, however, said the Presidency announced on September 20 that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been “mandated” to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
The NDC also questioned Tinubu’s reported extended stay in Europe, saying the President left Nigeria on August 30 and extended his stay in Paris indefinitely.
The party alleged that the President had spent more than three weeks outside the country on what it described as a “so-called vacation” without formally transmitting power.
The NDC described the situation as “unpresidential, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” arguing that the country had been left without the President physically present in Nigeria and without the President attending the UNGA.
NDC Raises Constitutional Questions
The party cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
The NDC alleged that Tinubu did not formally transmit such a declaration during his extended absence.
The party questioned why, in its words, the President was “always afraid” of transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly.
It further alleged that at one point Nigeria was effectively on “autopilot,” claiming that the President, Vice President and Senate President were all outside the country.
The NDC therefore called for compliance with Section 145 whenever the President is away or unable to perform the functions of his office.
NDC Questions Diplomatic Cost Of UNGA Absence
The party also challenged the significance of Nigeria being represented by the Vice President rather than the President at the UNGA.
The NDC argued that the annual gathering is more than the formal speeches delivered by world leaders, stressing that UNGA provides opportunities for presidents and heads of government to hold bilateral meetings and negotiate issues affecting their countries.
According to the party, such engagements include discussions on foreign direct investment, debt relief, climate finance, global financial reforms and security cooperation.
The NDC claimed that Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level could result in what it described as losses in direct foreign investment engagements, leverage on global financial reform, strategic security partnerships and Nigeria’s international standing.
The party also argued that the development could diminish Nigeria’s position as the “Giant of Africa.”
It maintained that presidential diplomacy cannot simply be outsourced to representatives.
NDC Contrasts Nigeria’s UNGA Presence With Ghana
The NDC further compared Nigeria’s representation at UNGA with the participation of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The party said Mahama delivered what it described as a “statesmanlike performance” at UNGA 81, addressing issues including Africa’s position on debt justice, climate reparations and restoring trust in multilateralism.
The NDC said that while Ghana commanded attention at the gathering, Nigeria’s presidential seat was empty.
“Mahama spoke for Africa; Nigeria was spoken for,” the party stated.
NDC Criticises 15-Minute Speech Explanation
The party also criticised comments attributed to Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim concerning the duration of a presidential speech at the General Assembly.
The NDC said the argument that President Tinubu could not travel to New York merely “to speak for just 15 minutes” demonstrated, in its view, a misunderstanding of international diplomacy.
According to the party, every world leader is allocated a limited speaking period at the General Assembly, but the importance of UNGA extends beyond the formal speeches.
The NDC argued that the remaining time is used for high-level bilateral engagements, negotiations and diplomatic interactions, describing these activities as the “corridor diplomacy” through which important international decisions are pursued.
The party said the President’s absence therefore meant that Nigeria could not personally participate in those presidential-level engagements.
NDC Issues Three Demands
The NDC called for the immediate disclosure of President Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status.
It also demanded that the President comply with Section 145 of the Constitution whenever he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
The party further called for an end to what it described as an “imperial presidency” that treats accountability as an afterthought.
The NDC said Nigeria, with more than 200 million citizens, could not be effectively governed through delegation and press releases.
“A nation of over 200 million people cannot be run by delegation and press release. Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” the statement said.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received political office seekers formerly affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and their supporters from four states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors are from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states.
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The group, led by Mohammed Hassan Mai Solar and Aslan Aliyu, said their decision to join the ruling APC was influenced by what they described as the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They also cited the political structure of the APC, which they said promotes trust, a level playing field and justice for all.
Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted what he described as major transformations taking place across Northern Nigeria.
Yilwatda pointed to developments in road infrastructure, energy reforms, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various empowerment initiatives as notable programmes of the Tinubu administration.
He urged the new members and their supporters to rally behind the APC, stressing the importance of continuity and progress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, with its Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, directing officials to identify and close operational gaps ahead of the polls.
Amupitan gave the directive on Monday in Kaduna during the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
SEE MORE: 2023 Election: ‘If Something Fishy Went Down, Ask INEC’ — Gov Sule
The meeting forms part of INEC’s six-zone national readiness assessment aimed at evaluating the Commission’s preparedness, identifying challenges affecting its field operations and developing practical solutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Declaring the North-West zonal engagement open, Amupitan said the exercise was aimed at strengthening the foundations of the country’s electoral process and ensuring that avoidable weaknesses do not undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the success of any election is largely determined at the grassroots, particularly at the Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units where electoral officials interact directly with voters.
“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman urged staff to use the engagement to present practical challenges confronting election administration in their respective areas and work with the Commission’s headquarters to develop solutions before election day.
He said INEC was building on lessons from recent elections as it prepares for the larger national assignment in 2027.
Amupitan also warned electoral officials against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that neutrality and professionalism among field personnel would be critical to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
As part of its preparations for the 2027 elections, the Commission is also scheduled to commence Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection on October 9.
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