The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed that it is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of “a highly respected” party chieftain, Chamberlain Dunkwu.

Dunkwu, president of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, tragically passed away after collapsing at his residence on Saturday morning, March 7, 2026. His sudden death came just hours before he was scheduled to attend the “Swim to the Future” programme, a key talent discovery event he had helped organise at the National Stadium Swimming Pool (Package B) in Abuja.

According to Leadership, sources close to the family confirmed that efforts to revive Dunkwu were unsuccessful.

Apart from leading the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Dunkwu also served as deputy chief of staff (legislative) to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Previously, he was a special adviser on members’ affairs to the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In its condolence message, signed by national spokesperson Felix Morka, the APC described Dunkwu as “an energetic, selfless, and loyal party man who contributed enormously to building and strengthening the party in his native Ika federal constituency, Delta State, and beyond.”

The APC’s statement reads on X: “Dr. Dunkwu lived a vibrant life of service and philanthropy that touched many within and beyond his homeland. His exit has created a yawning void that will be difficult to fill. Our Party prays God to grant his immediate family the fortitude to bear this huge loss. And may He comfort all members of the APC family in Ika Federal Constituency, Delta State and around the country at this difficult time.”

It added: “Amazing Grace! Amazing Grace! May His Grace lead you home, and may it be true for you as proclaimed in the old hymnal: “To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me someday to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.” Fare thee well, dear compatriot!”

ABUJA, FCT

MARCH 8, 2026

PRESS STATEMENT

APC MOURNS DR. CHAMBERLAIN DUNKWU

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of a highly respected Party Chieftain, Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu, at 54.

The late Dr. Dunkwu was an energetic, selfless… pic.twitter.com/dA8I3XiEAc

— APC Nigeria (@OfficialAPCNg) March 8, 2026

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, Sheleru Olalekan, over alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking.

The 45-year-old, who previously served two terms representing Orimedu community and currently works as a legislative aide, was arrested on March 2, 2026, at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, operatives recovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, from one of the rooms in the suspect’s house during a search.

“In his statement, Sheleru admitted ownership of the exhibit and the property where it was recovered.

“He said he had previously served two terms as a Councilor representing Orimedu community in Ibeju-Lekki local government council,” Babafemi said.

In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers on March 3 intercepted a 32-year-old businessman, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba, Abuja.

A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 1,000 pills of tapentadol 250mg concealed inside baby diapers. The suspect reportedly confessed that he was transporting the consignment to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.

“On same day, 3rd of March, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kabba/Obajana highway, Kogi state, intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.550kg concealed inside a standing fan carton belonging to 36-year-old Cameroonian, Mey Ali Muhamat  who hails from Maroua, Republic of Cameroon. The suspect was travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon enroute Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri,” the statement added.

In Niger State, NDLEA operatives on March 4 intercepted a commercial bus along the Mokwa–Jebba road coming from Ibadan in Oyo State with 500 pieces of improvised explosive device components concealed in a sack.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the intended recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, in Pelegi, Mashegu Local Government Area.

In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives in Yola on the same day recovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine from the false bottom of a truck conveying 2,000 cartons of local drinks.

Similarly, officers arrested Muhammed Ali, 20, at Gadar Tamburawa in Kano State on March 3 with 11,283 pills of tramadol.

In Ogun State, operatives conducting a raid in Ogere arrested two suspects, Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, with 46 kilograms of skunk.

In Delta State, two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — were arrested on March 7 in Ogwashi-Uku with 18.63kg of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine-based syrup and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.

NDLEA operatives also destroyed 1,910.25kg of skunk on two farms in Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, where two suspects, Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, were arrested. Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was apprehended in Ikhin town, Owan East Local Government Area, with 176.50kg of skunk.

The agency said its commands across the country also continued the War Against Drug Abuse enlightenment campaign in schools and communities, including sensitisation programmes in secondary schools in Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers of the Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control efforts nationwide.

Source: Punch

Fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections may trigger a shake-up in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as some ministers are reportedly weighing resignation to pursue their political ambitions in their home states.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that at least four cabinet members are already positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.

Among those being mentioned are:

1. Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power)

2. Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare)

3. Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs)

4. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. Minister of State for Labour

The Independent National Electoral Commission recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 20.

By law, it is required that holders of appointed offices resign before the primaries.

According to 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

By implication, ministers, commissioners, special advisers, and other political appointees must resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.

Only Tinubu can order Adelabu’s resignation – Aide
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.

The minister is believed to be preparing for another shot at the Oyo State governorship race after he was defeated by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.

Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who contested under the platform of Accord Party in 2023, has remained a key figure in the state’s political calculations.

During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu hinted that he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”

In a trending video in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his intention to run for governor in Oyo, recalling how he lost to Makinde in 2019 and 2023.

“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said last year.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that interested individuals are already jostling for the seat of the minister.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, an aide of the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed his intention to contest for the state governorship seat.

Awogboro said President Tinubu had yet to direct the minister to resign his appointment for his governorship ambition.

“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro said.

Awogboro said the minister would resign from office at the appropriate time to pursue his aspiration.

He said Adelabu remained focused on delivering on his current national assignment but would comply with all political and legal requirements at the right time.

“The minister will resign at the appropriate time. Perhaps he is not the only minister in the cabinet who intends to contest in 2027. Others with political ambitions will also do the needful when the time comes. The masses should rest assured of that,” he said.

He dismissed concerns about the resignation, noting that Adelabu had previously demonstrated his readiness to relinquish high office when necessary.

According to him, the minister voluntarily resigned his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018.

However, the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the APC, Olawale Sadare, said no aspirant had officially declared interest in the 2027 elections because the party had not opened the process for such moves.

Sadare explained that the party would provide a level playing field for interested members once the appropriate time arrived.

“Anyone nursing an ambition at this stage should focus on consultations, especially at the grassroots level. When the time comes, they will have the full opportunity to pursue their political goals,” he added.

He, however, disclosed that individuals eyeing various political positions had begun consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections.

Pate, Tuggar battle for Bauchi governorship
Indications also emerged that Pate and Tuggar might be contesting the governorship seat of Bauchi State.

Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, previously contested the governorship position.

Pate’s governorship ambition dates back to 2015 when he indicated an interest in contesting for the Bauchi State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party.

He contested the governorship seat in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party after suffering a defeat at the APC primary.

In 2023, Pate also failed to pick up the APC governorship ticket.

His recent political engagements, particularly initiatives centred on youth employment and empowerment across parts of the state, have intensified talks that he may be preparing to rejoin the governorship race.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Coordinator of Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, said although it was not yet official, indications suggested that Pate had agreed to participate in the governorship race following pressure from supporters.

Abdulhamid explained that a group of Bauchi indigenes who believed in his leadership capacity visited him in Abuja to encourage him to join the contest.

He said, “A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest and he has accepted the contest.”

Another supporter, Garo Misau, said he was among residents of Bauchi State urging Pate to run for the state’s top political office.

Misau described the minister as highly qualified for the position.

He said, “Pate is eminently qualified for the seat of governorship in Bauchi State. Not only Bauchi State; any state in the country that has a son like Professor Pate will want him to lead it. He has an international reputation of capabilities and humanitarian impact.”

Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.

Tuggar, who previously contested the position, is said to have sustained political activities across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”

When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a time table released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”

Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a member of the Tuggar Foundation from Toro Local Government Area, Ahmad Tilde, expressed confidence that the minister possessed the qualifications to lead Bauchi State.

Tilde said many residents across the state believed Tuggar had the capacity to govern effectively.

“If not Tuggar, then who do you think can? As far as I am concerned, this is the view of many people I know in Bauchi State, Tuggar is the next governor of the state.”

Speaking on whether the APC had been formally notified of the ambition, Tilde noted that the matter remained unofficial.

“Although I am confident that Tuggar will contest, it is not official yet because it is not time for declaration,” he stated.

Both Pate and Tuggar were sighted at the Bauchi State APC convention held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, further fueling speculations about their political ambition.

Onyejeocha to return to National Assembly
Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour, had spent 16 years (2007–2023) as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency of Abia State.

A top credible source told Saturday PUNCH that the Abia State indigene was planning to return to the National Assembly.

“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back,” the source said.

Attempts to speak with her proved abortive as she did not take her calls or respond to a text message sent to her as of the time of filing this report.

-PUNCH