Politics
Fresh Details Emerge On How Oyetola, Others Blocked Adeleke’s Defection To APC
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s reported plan to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was allegedly frustrated by influential figures within the ruling party in Osun State, according to fresh claims made by the Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council (ICC), Rep. Bamidele Salam.
Salam disclosed that Adeleke had seriously considered leaving his former political platform for the APC after receiving invitations and holding consultations with key stakeholders within the party.
However, he said resistance from some APC leaders in Osun eventually stalled the move.
Speaking during an interview, Salam claimed that while the governor was willing to align with the ruling party, certain interests within the APC were uncomfortable with the prospect of his entry and worked against it.
According to him, opposition to Adeleke’s proposed defection came mainly from individuals who feared that his arrival in the APC would alter the political calculations ahead of future elections in the state.
He stated that the governor had responded positively to discussions about joining the party and explored the possibility through consultations with major political actors.
However, the process reportedly ran into difficulties after some APC members openly opposed the move.

Salam alleged that attempts were made to discourage the governor’s entry into the party through public statements and political pressure.
He argued that the resistance showed that some influential figures within the APC were unwilling to accommodate Adeleke despite earlier efforts to bring him into the fold.
“But what happened was that, there are people in the APC, especially in Osun State, who felt very uncomfortable with Governor Adeleke joining the party led by the Minister of Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola,” Salam said.
He further claimed that the governor eventually abandoned the idea after it became clear that there was no consensus within the APC regarding his admission.
Salam insisted that Adeleke had done his part by considering the invitation and engaging in consultations, but was met with opposition from party stakeholders who did not want him in their ranks.
The lawmaker also referenced recent comments allegedly made by former Osun governor and APC chieftain, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, regarding resistance to Adeleke’s planned move.
According to Salam, concerns within the APC were linked to fears that Adeleke’s entry could affect the political ambitions of some party members ahead of the next governorship contest.
Speaking on Adeleke’s current political position, Salam said the governor remains comfortable in the Accord Party and has continued to strengthen the platform since leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He explained that Adeleke’s departure from the PDP followed prolonged leadership disputes within the party at a critical period when preparations for candidate nominations were ongoing.
Salam said the uncertainty surrounding the PDP leadership structure forced the governor and his supporters to seek an alternative platform before electoral deadlines expired.
“The Governor left the PDP then, because the party had no definitive leadership and the window for the nomination of candidates was about to close,” he said.
According to him, the decision to move to the Accord Party has significantly improved the party’s profile in Osun State and attracted fresh political support from different parts of the country.
The ICC chairman also spoke about preparations for the forthcoming Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. He expressed confidence that Adeleke remains popular among voters and is well positioned ahead of the poll.
Salam, however, raised concerns over security challenges in the state. He condemned recent incidents of violence and killings and called on security agencies to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to intensify efforts to protect residents and guarantee a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the governorship election.
The lawmaker alleged that political violence and intimidation had become major concerns in parts of the state. He called for increased surveillance and stronger enforcement measures to prevent any breakdown of law and order as campaigns gather momentum.
Salam concluded that a free and credible election can only be achieved if security agencies remain neutral and provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and political actors throughout the electoral process.
Politics
Obasanjo’s Son Picks Side In 2027 Race
Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has backed the re-election of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He expressed his support after joining the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), popularly known as the “Tinubu Must Stay” movement, to promote the president’s re-election agenda.
Olujonwo said his decision to join the movement was informed by his longstanding association with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his belief in the need to sustain the policies and reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
He was formally received by the leadership of TMS at a forum in Abuja, where he expressed support for the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and called for increased public awareness of its policies and achievements.
Olujonwo, who serves as president of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) and Project One Nigeria, as well as Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Housing, said he had been associated with the APC since 2014.
Explaining his political background, he said he was familiar with the party’s formation and its relationship with key political figures, including his father, former President Obasanjo, the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu.
“I have been in the APC since 2014. I was there when my father hosted the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form the movement. I am not new to the party,” he said.APC party merchandise

He argued that some of the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration were not being adequately communicated to Nigerians, adding that misinformation had contributed to negative perceptions of the government.
Olujonwo cited developments in the education sector, infrastructure and access to student loans as areas he believed deserved greater public attention.
“There is a lot of noise out there, and people are distorting what is going on. ASUU has had no strikes. Students have access to loans. Nigeria has become a massive construction site and an investors’ haven again. These are things we need to promote,” he said.
His decision to join the movement comes as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, in which Tinubu is expected to seek another presidential term.
The move also places the son of the former president within a political platform established to defend the current administration’s policies and encourage public support for continuity in governance.
Welcoming Olujonwo to the movement, the National Coordinator of TMS and Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said his background gave him an understanding of the importance of economic reforms.
Inuwa drew a comparison between the economic reforms introduced during Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and those being pursued by Tinubu, arguing that both periods involved policies intended to reshape Nigeria’s economy.
He cited telecommunications liberalisation and banking reforms under the elder Obasanjo as measures that helped establish the foundation for subsequent economic development.
“You grew up in a family that led the second wave of reforms in Nigeria. Telecommunications liberalisation, banking reforms—these laid a solid foundation. Being raised in that family, you understand what reforms mean,” Inuwa said.
He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of government policies, warning that reversing ongoing reforms could undermine investor confidence and disrupt economic progress.
According to him, maintaining policy consistency would be important for attracting investment and sustaining developments in key sectors of the economy.
“We are building investors’ confidence. The naira is becoming strong. Our stock exchange is one of the fastest-growing. The Dangote Refinery is a game changer. If we start reversing these policies, we’ll go back to where we were,” Inuwa added.
Also speaking at the event, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director-General of TMS and a former coordinator of the Obidient Movement, praised the economic policies implemented during Obasanjo’s presidency.
Ngogbehei highlighted the former president’s role in securing debt relief for Nigeria and supporting the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, describing those measures as important contributions to the country’s economic development.
He said TMS intended to promote discussions about government policies through evidence, research and public engagement rather than propaganda.
“We’re happy you have decided to take this step. Your father was one of those who revolutionised this country. The debt was paid off, and major innovations were introduced in liberalising the economy. This is not about propaganda. We will engage respectfully, factually and transparently,” Ngogbehei said.
The organisation said it had established structures across the country, including a Board of Trustees, national coordinators and specialised directorates, to support its activities.
It also plans to use digital platforms, virtual town hall meetings, policy research and fact-checking initiatives to promote the government’s policies and address what it considers misinformation about the administration.
Following Olujonwo’s reception, TMS announced plans to expand its engagement with professional associations, youth organisations and community groups across the country.
The planned activities are intended to increase public participation in governance and communicate the administration’s policies to Nigerians across different states and geopolitical zones.
Meanwhile, Olusegun Obasanjo has previously expressed concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges, arguing that the country has sufficient natural and human resources to become prosperous.
In an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, the former president questioned why Nigeria continued to struggle with poverty despite its agricultural potential, vast land, water resources and large population.Buy Maps
“Give me one reason why Nigeria should be poor. Is it the land that we don’t have or the desert that we are in or the people that we don’t have or the water that we don’t have or the rain that we don’t have?” he asked.
Obasanjo also criticised policies that encourage the importation of goods that could be produced locally, arguing that such practices discourage domestic farmers and undermine local production.
He recalled how restrictions on rice imports were introduced in 1979 to encourage domestic production, claiming that subsequent administrations reversed the policy and allowed imported rice to compete with locally produced varieties.
“When our successors came, one of the first things they did was to lift importation of rice, not to encourage production of rice but to encourage importation of rice, and the farmers couldn’t sell their own rice,” he said.
Politics
PDP Moves to Sanction Wike Over Alleged Support for APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has indicated plans to take disciplinary action against members accused of working against its interests, with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among those facing criticism over his alleged support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Access Services
PDP chieftain Emmanuel Ogidi disclosed the party’s position during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.
He discussed the lingering crisis within the opposition party and the steps its leadership intends to take against members accused of undermining its activities.
Ogidi described the situation as internal sabotage and maintained that the party could no longer afford to tolerate actions that weaken its structure, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
He accused Wike of maintaining a relationship with the PDP while allegedly supporting the interests of the APC, arguing that such conduct raised serious questions about loyalty and commitment to the opposition party.
“You can’t serve two masters. He (Wike) is supposed to be serving us in PDP, but he is serving APC. This is a threat to democracy. APC is using him to destroy democracy, and it’s deliberate, but we are very conscious of that and very soon you will hear what will happen,” Ogidi said. Access Services
The PDP chieftain’s comments suggest that the party may be preparing to take a firmer position against members it believes are contributing to its internal difficulties.

However, he did not disclose the specific disciplinary measures being considered or when any formal decision concerning Wike would be announced.
Ogidi also indicated that the party had moved beyond the demands previously presented by Wike’s camp during efforts to resolve the disagreements within the PDP.
His comments point to growing frustration among party members who believe that the disagreements have continued for too long and are affecting the party’s ability to prepare for future elections.
The dispute involving Wike and the PDP has remained a major issue within the party since the 2023 general elections, when divisions emerged over its presidential candidate, the distribution of party positions and disagreements surrounding the political future of its leadership.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, was a prominent PDP member before President Bola Tinubu appointed him as FCT minister in 2023.
His appointment placed him in the cabinet of an APC-led administration despite his continued association with the opposition party.
His role in the federal government has since generated disagreements among PDP members, with some questioning how a senior party figure can serve in an administration controlled by a political opponent while remaining associated with the PDP.
Ogidi, however, insisted that the PDP belongs to its members and supporters rather than any individual or faction.
He argued that no group should be allowed to dictate the party’s direction or prevent it from enforcing its rules.
He further warned that the party’s willingness to reconcile with aggrieved members should not be interpreted as an acceptance of indiscipline.
According to him, efforts to bring members together must be accompanied by accountability for actions considered harmful to the party.
The PDP remains one of Nigeria’s major political parties, but prolonged internal crises could affect its candidate-selection process, campaign planning and efforts to attract voters ahead of 2027.Nigeria travel guide
Despite these challenges, Ogidi maintained that the PDP remained strong and capable of overcoming its current difficulties.
He dismissed suggestions that defections, court cases and disagreements over zoning had rendered the party incapable of competing in future elections.
He said the party was focused on ensuring that its forthcoming convention was successful, describing the exercise as an important step in its preparations for the 2027 polls.
Nevertheless, the exact nature of the proposed action against Wike and other members remains unclear, pending any formal announcement by the party’s authorised organs.
The FCT minister has not been quoted in the remarks provided as responding directly to Ogidi’s latest comments.
The allegations against him should therefore be understood as the position expressed by the PDP chieftain rather than an established finding of wrongdoing.
Politics
2027: ‘False Battle’ – APC Breaks Silence On Rift Between Wike, Governors
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports of a disagreement between its governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that both sides remain committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the reported disagreement as a ‘false battle’.
He maintained that there was no genuine conflict between the minister and members of the Progressives Governors Forum.
Morka clarified this on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s News Day, following Wike’s inclusion in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to him, the governors and the FCT Minister share a common political objective of ensuring Tinubu’s victory in the next presidential election.
“It was a false battle to begin with. I mean, I don’t think there was any real tension between those positions because they united in their extraordinary commitment to the re-election of the president,” Morka said.
He noted that the Progressive Governors Forum comprised governors elected on the APC platform, while Wike, a former Rivers State governor, was a member of Tinubu’s cabinet and a vocal supporter of the President.

According to him, publication of the presidential campaign council list had also clarified the roles of those involved in Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He said: “Governors, who are not of the APC, now [are] front and centre, coordinating some of our activities in their respective jurisdictions.”
Morka described the development as a new phase in Nigeria’s democratic politics, arguing that the President was bringing politicians from different parties together around a common objective.
The APC spokesperson claimed that the collaboration was unusual in a presidential system, stressing that Tinubu was transcending party differences by building a coalition of political actors to support his administration and re-election campaign.
He said: “We’re seeing a president who is transcending all of the divides and really nullifying what I call the politics of difference between these partisans and bringing them together under the same umbrella to pursue a common agenda for the good of the people.”
