The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has expressed shock and deep sorrow over the sudden death of its newly elected Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Karamo Yesiro.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Yesiro’s passing came barely 24 hours after his re-election as the party’s assistant publicity secretary at the Lagos State APC Congress held at Onikan Stadium.

The deceased was expected to be part of the newly elected Lagos State APC executives meant to be inaugurated at the party’s secretariat on Thursday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the party described Mr Yesiro’s passing as a painful and tragic loss.

Mr Oladejo said that the late party chieftain died shortly after being entrusted with the responsibility of serving in the State Executive Council.

“The Lagos State Chapter of the APC received with profound shock and deep sorrow the news of the sudden demise of our newly elected Assistant Publicity Secretary, Hon. Karamo Yesiro.

“Yesiro’s death came at a time when his energy, commitment and passion for progressive politics were most needed.

“Having just been entrusted with the responsibility of serving in the State Executive Council, he embodied dedication, loyalty and an unwavering belief in the ideals of our party,” Mr Oladejo said.

The spokesman noted that although his tenure was tragically cut short, the late Mr Yesiro left a lasting impression on colleagues and members of the party.

“His enthusiasm, humility and readiness to serve left a lasting impression on colleagues and members alike.

“He was a vibrant party man whose contributions to the growth and stability of the APC in Lagos State will not be forgotten,” he added.

Mr Oladejo said the party leadership and entire membership extended heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s immediate family, political associates, friends and supporters.

“On behalf of the leadership and entire membership of the Lagos APC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, political associates, friends and supporters during this difficult time.

“We pray that Almighty God grants his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss and grants his soul eternal rest,” he said.

He added that the party stood united in mourning the painful departure of the late Assistant Publicity Secretary.

“Karamo Yesiro will be remembered for his service, commitment and belief in the progressive cause. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Mr Oladejo said.

(NAN)

Major opposition parties in the country are expecting mass defections from theAll Progressives Congress (APC) from April.

According to a report by The Sun, the defections will be fallout from primaries to be conducted across the 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, and 990 seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the country.

With the elimination of indirect primaries from the new Electoral Act, lawmakers seeking return tickets are worried that their state governors will work against their emergence.

Already, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised election timetable ahead of the 2027 polls, as well as the conduct of primaries by the various political parties.

The aforementioned publication gathered from some members of the state and national assemblies, who plan to return to the parliament, that recent defections by governors of the opposition to the ruling APC would pose serious threats to them.

The lawmakers, who do not want to be mentioned, said the governors who joined the APC were insisting on producing candidates ahead of the general elections next year, without any recourse to those they met in the party.

One of the lawmakers from Delta State told the publication that part of the negotiations and agreements reached by the governors with the APC and President Bola Tinubu was the freedom to allow them to handpick flag bearers for next year’s general elections.

He said some of the governors were unwilling to accommodate the APC members they met in the party when they defected, but insisted on bringing in fresh candidates, predominantly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said that, to avoid being caught unawares, the aggrieved members of the APC have opened talks with the PDP, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Labour Party (LP) to accommodate them and offer them return tickets to parliament.

“Governors control the structures of political parties in the states. Today, almost all the PDP governors have moved to the APC. They came with their own structures and allies. Unfortunately, the governors already reached agreements with the leadership of the APC and President Tinubu to allow them produce candidates for next year’s general elections.

“Some of us know that we will not get the tickets. Our only option is to open negotiations with the PDP, ADC and LP. Hopefully, we will use our popularity to campaign and hope that we win our re-elections next year,”one of the lawmakers revealed.

Determined to reduce the mass defections, the APC is planning to conduct its National and State Houses of Assembly primaries towards the close of the window permitted by INEC.

A source in the APC said if the plan scales through, aspirants who will be denied tickets will be unable to defect and secure tickets from the opposition parties before the end of May this year.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting came amid growing rumours of possible political realignment by some opposition governors.

However, the discussion centered on security challenges in Bauchi State, especially the worsening situation in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

Governor Mohammed briefed the President on renewed bandit attacks that have forced several communities to flee their homes.

He raised concern over the activities of armed groups operating from forest areas in Gwana, Kafin Duguri, Mansur, Yalau, Futuk, and Digare.

According to the governor, thousands of armed bandits are believed to have taken control of ungoverned forest zones.

He said the attackers now launch regular raids, recruit local youths and former illegal miners, and push families to seek safety in nearby states, including Gombe.

The security situation worsened on February 22, when bandits attacked a Joint Task Force base in Gwana.

Two soldiers and a vigilante member were killed during the assault.

Several residents were abducted.
Security forces later neutralised some of the attackers during counter operations.

Governor Mohammed disclosed that he has visited the affected communities repeatedly to assess the damage and encourage local vigilantes.

He praised residents for standing their ground but stressed that the scale of the crisis requires stronger federal intervention.

He requested more military deployment, improved equipment for security agencies, and firm directives from national security chiefs.

The governor warned that without urgent action, displacement and loss of lives could increase.

President Tinubu, in response, assured him of federal support to complement Bauchi State’s efforts.

He directed security agencies to strengthen operations in the troubled areas and prevent further attacks.

The President also pledged that the federal government would not allow criminal groups to dominate any part of the country.

Addressing political speculation surrounding the visit, Mohammed said the meeting was strictly about security and governance.

He dismissed claims of a possible defection to the ruling party.

The Bauchi governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the People’s Democratic Party.
He added that while individual politicians may choose their paths, his focus remains on protecting lives and restoring peace in his state.