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.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the party’s leadership.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that Abejide’s suit lacked merit and upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, its former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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The judge ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the ADC, describing the matter as non-justiciable. He further held that Abejide failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been violated by the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
Justice Liman also ruled that the lawmaker failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court, a factor that further weakened his case.
The court resolved all three issues raised in the substantive suit in favour of the defendants.
On the question of whether David Mark and Aregbesola emerged as the party’s leaders in accordance with the law, Justice Liman held that the transfer of leadership from former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu to Mark did not violate any provision of the ADC constitution.
The court further agreed that the July 2, 2025 meeting, where the leadership transition began, was a stakeholders’ meeting that preceded the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025.
According to the judgment, the NEC meeting, which was monitored by INEC, validly produced David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the party.
Justice Liman consequently declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola complied with the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and all relevant party regulations.
The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel.
Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million each to all the defendants, while his lawyer was fined ₦10 million in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, was filed on February 15 by Abejide against the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and INEC as the first to fifth defendants respectively.
In the originating summons, Abejide sought eight reliefs before the court, including an order nullifying Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to David Mark and Aregbesola during the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
He argued that the handover was illegal, unlawful, null and void and urged the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
The lawmaker also sought a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising the duo as leaders of the ADC, maintaining that their emergence did not comply with the requirements of Section 82 of the Electoral Act and other relevant provisions.
However, the court rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, affirming that the leadership transition was valid and carried out in accordance with the law.
The judgment marks a significant legal victory for the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, effectively ending the legal challenge against the party’s current leadership and strengthening its position ahead of political realignments and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, as his official campaign spokesperson.
Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for entrusting him with the responsibility.
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“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.
The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as a testament to Atiku’s leadership style, noting that the former vice president embraces dialogue, inclusiveness and compromise rather than taking offence when associates express differing opinions.
According to Okonkwo, discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC addressed concerns surrounding the political interests of the South-East within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the current political realities.
He said the engagement reassured stakeholders that the interests of the South-East had been recognised and safeguarded despite the prevailing challenges.
Okonkwo also appreciated Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their efforts in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their prayers and encouragement, while seeking continued support as he assumes the new role.
“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.
The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo publicly criticised reports that the ADC was considering a South-South vice-presidential candidate, arguing that such a decision would further marginalise the South-East, which has not produced either the President or Vice President since 1999.
Despite the concerns, the ADC later named former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.
The Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State, Peter Azubuike, has expressed confidence that the party will record a landslide victory in the 2027 general elections, declaring that it would emerge victorious “before 2 p.m.” if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were to conduct an election today.
Azubuike made the assertion on Monday while addressing journalists at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
According to him, the Labour Party has overcome its internal challenges and is now fully united and mobilised ahead of the next general elections.
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He maintained that the party remains the strongest political force at the grassroots in Abia, pointing to its current political representation across the state as evidence of its popularity.
“If INEC conducts an election today, we will win before 2 p.m. because we are the only political party with a strong grassroots presence. We have 184 councillors, 17 local government chairmen, and 20 members of the Abia State House of Assembly. That is evidence of our widespread acceptance and grassroots support,” Azubuike said.
The LP chairman also defended the party’s adoption of the direct primary system for selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as a transparent process that promotes fairness and reduces internal disputes.
He dismissed reports suggesting that only one nomination form was sold in some constituencies, insisting that several aspirants contested for party tickets in different areas.
“It is not true that only one form was sold. In several constituencies, multiple aspirants purchased forms. In fact, not all sitting lawmakers secured the ticket. A clear example is the Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, where the incumbent did not get the return ticket,” he stated.
Azubuike said the party had continued to strengthen its structures from the ward level to the state level and remained optimistic of another overwhelming victory in 2027.
He further stated that the faction of the Labour Party led by Senator Nenadi Usman is the one recognised by INEC, adding that the leadership had already been granted access to the electoral body’s portal for uploading candidates.
The party, he added, remains committed to internal democracy, grassroots mobilisation and effective leadership as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
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