Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of involvement in a series of alleged local and international financial controversies and urged Nigerians to reject his bid for the presidency in the 2027 election.

The party made the allegations in a statement titled, “2027: Why Nigerians Must Keep Atiku Away From the National Treasury,” signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.

The APC cited controversies surrounding the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, the Siemens bribery investigation, the William Jefferson case, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds controversy and a 2010 US Senate investigation into suspicious financial transactions involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas.

The party said the issues had generated questions about Atiku’s record and suitability for public office, describing them as matters documented in official records, court proceedings, government investigations and legislative reports.

On the Mambilla project, the APC referred to a recent International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration award involving a $500,000 payment made in January 2003 by Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya to Douglas, who was Atiku’s wife at the time.

According to reports based on the tribunal’s final award, Adesanya told the tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku. The payment was made through China Castle Investments Ltd., an offshore company controlled by Adesanya, less than four months before Sunrise was purportedly awarded a build-operate-transfer contract for the Mambilla project.

The tribunal found that Adesanya did not provide documentary evidence supporting his explanation for the transaction, including records of the underlying naira payment, exchange rate, instructions from Atiku or his aides, correspondence or documentation establishing its commercial purpose.

However, the tribunal did not find that Atiku personally received a bribe or used his official position to secure the Mambilla contract. Atiku has also denied being indicted over the payment.

The APC also cited the Siemens bribery case, in which US and German authorities investigated a wide-ranging international bribery scheme. Siemens ultimately agreed to pay more than $1.6 billion in fines, penalties and disgorgement to US and German authorities in 2008.

The party further referred to the US investigation involving former Congressman William Jefferson. US court records show that Jefferson discussed and agreed to make a $100,000 cash payment to Atiku in connection with a proposed Nigerian telecommunications venture. Jefferson was later convicted in the United States.

The APC also cited a 2010 US Senate investigation into financial transactions involving Atiku and Douglas, alongside the PTDF controversy, as part of what it described as a pattern of financial questions surrounding the former vice president.

Turning to economic policy, the APC criticised Atiku’s pledge to restore petrol subsidies if elected in 2027.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said in August that his position on subsidy had not changed and that he would restore it if elected.

The APC argued that the proposal could undermine the Federal Government’s economic reforms, while portraying the restoration of subsidy as financially unsustainable.

The party also cited comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who in August described his decision to choose Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the biggest mistake of his presidency.

“If I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him,” Obasanjo said.

Atiku subsequently rejected Obasanjo’s criticism, saying his decision to oppose the former president’s third-term bid was based on his commitment to the Constitution and democracy.

The APC said the controversies it raised should be considered by voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election and accused Atiku of seeking access to the national treasury.

The party concluded by urging Nigerians to reject what it described as Atiku’s return to power, while presenting the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms as an alternative path for the country.

The allegations and political characterisations in the statement represent the position of the APC.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has urged voters, particularly APC members and supporters of his administration, to vote for the party’s candidates across all positions in Saturday’s local government elections and the 2027 general election.

Mbah made the call on Thursday at Amagunze, headquarters of Nkanu East Local Government Area, during an APC grand rally jointly organised by Nkanu East and Nkanu West councils ahead of the Sept. 26 council elections.

The governor cautioned voters against what he described as attempts by some political actors to encourage split voting, urging them to support APC candidates across the ballot.

“Let no one lie to you. Let no one deceive you about splitting your votes by voting different candidates of different political parties for different positions. It is all lies. Vote APC all the way, from top to bottom. There is no room for vote sharing,” Mbah said.

He urged APC supporters to turn out on Saturday and vote for the party’s candidates, attributing some of the development recorded in the state and local government areas to the reforms and support of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

“You have to vote in the coming local government elections because of what you see around you. If our opponents ask you why you should vote APC, tell them to look around. It is as clear as daylight,” he said.

“Remember, don’t take anything for granted. It is not over until it is over. Come out on Saturday and thumbprint for APC.”

Mbah said his administration recognised rural communities as requiring greater attention, adding that sustainable poverty reduction must begin at the grassroots.

“We recognise that our weakest link is our rural areas and that is why we are paying serious attention to providing infrastructure in our rural areas — roads, Smart Green Schools and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, among others,” he said.

He said local government chairmen had been encouraged to deliver projects including boreholes, rural roads and health facilities in their communities.

The governor also said increased funding to states and local governments had created greater fiscal space for development projects, adding that some of the projects would not have been possible without federal support.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, welcomed Mbah and pledged the continued support of the people for the APC and his administration.

Edeh described the council election as an opportunity for voters to demonstrate their support for the APC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Chief John Ogbodo, also commended Mbah for development projects, including the Smart Green Schools programme, while the member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, commended the governor’s development initiatives.

Nnaji said federal lawmakers from Enugu East Senatorial District had been working to complement the state government’s efforts, citing the provision of electricity transformers to each of the 14 wards in Nkanu East and vehicles for party officials and the Neighbourhood Watch in the constituency.

Enugu restricts movement for council elections

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has announced restrictions on vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the state on Saturday, Sept. 26, to facilitate the local government elections.

The election, being conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), will produce chairmen for the 17 local government councils and councillors for the 260 wards across the state.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Thursday, the government said the restriction would run from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and was intended to support the peaceful, orderly and secure conduct of the elections.

The restriction exempts ENSIEC officials and accredited election personnel, security personnel deployed for election duties, accredited election observers and authorised media practitioners, as well as health workers, ambulances, firefighters and others authorised to perform essential election or emergency duties.

The government urged residents, political parties, candidates and supporters to comply with the directive and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process.

It also appealed to eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and in line with ENSIEC guidelines, while security agencies were directed to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order during the elections.

OWERRI, Nigeria (NPA) — Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said adequate funding is critical to providing the security and logistics required for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan stated this on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, while delivering a goodwill message at the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan said although INEC’s funding was constitutionally provided as a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the scale of the commission’s responsibilities required sustained financial support.

He said INEC was responsible for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state House of Assembly elections, as well as voter registration and the registration of political parties.

The INEC chairman added that the commission had statutory powers to request the deployment of security agencies for elections and voter registration, making security an integral part of the electoral process.

“Sometimes, it is not what you would like to do that you are able to do because of financial constraints. The system does make allocations of what is available and what is affordable at a particular time for the expenses and appropriation of the agencies, including the police and also including INEC,” he said.

Amupitan stressed that voter registration remained the foundation of credible elections, warning that an inaccurate or outdated voters’ register could undermine the inclusiveness of the electoral process.

He said election expenditure, including security-related costs, should be treated as a collective national responsibility because INEC conducts elections affecting the three tiers of government.

According to him, adequate funding was particularly important for deploying personnel and electoral materials to local government areas, wards, registration areas and polling units.

He noted that even where security agencies successfully maintained peace, inadequate logistics could still undermine the conduct of elections.

Amupitan said INEC had made security and logistics priorities under his leadership and was working with government and security agencies to address operational challenges ahead of the 2027 polls.

He also highlighted the role of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), describing it as a platform for coordination between INEC, security agencies and other relevant government institutions.

According to him, ICCES, which emerged after the 2011 general elections amid concerns over post-election violence, has evolved into a structured mechanism operating at federal, state and local government levels.

He said stronger inter-agency coordination would be necessary ahead of 2027, noting that the police remained the lead agency for election security.

The INEC chairman said lessons from recent off-cycle elections should be applied to preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly in intelligence gathering, logistics and inter-agency coordination.

He acknowledged that Nigerians expected a highly effective electoral system but said achieving such standards required adequate resources.

“In Nigeria, we want the best. We want our electoral system to be 100 per cent. But sometimes we don’t ask ourselves the question: if we want the nation to be perfect, there must be a cost for it,” he said.

Amupitan urged relevant authorities to provide the resources required by INEC and security agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

He also charged senior police managers to maintain professional neutrality, strengthen intelligence gathering and improve inter-agency coordination to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

The INEC chairman expressed optimism that the Owerri retreat would produce an actionable roadmap for election security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, also urged the leadership and operational personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to support and work closely with the INEC chairman in fulfilling his mandate.

She said effective policing support remained important to safeguarding the electoral process and promoting free, fair, credible and transparent elections.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Works David Umahi has urged people of the Southeast to recognise the infrastructure investments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying they have changed the development narrative in the region.

Umahi spoke on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when bishops and archbishops of the Methodist Church from the Southeast paid him a courtesy visit at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters.

According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister acknowledged past marginalisation of the Southeast but said it should not prevent residents from appreciating ongoing federal projects.

“Yes, I agree that in the past there was so much marginalisation of the Igbo everywhere, not just the Southeast, but President Bola Tinubu has changed the narrative,” Umahi said.

He urged the people of the region to demand more development while appreciating projects already underway.

“We can be looking for more. I agree. We can demand more so that we can meet up with the past marginalisation, but it shouldn’t make us not be appreciative,” he said.

Umahi said the Southeast had not supported Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election as much as it should have, but argued that the administration’s infrastructure projects demonstrated its commitment to the region.

“We didn’t vote for the President as we should, and he’s doing all these things for us,” he said.

He appealed to residents to support the administration and ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

The minister listed the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha corridor, Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Eke-Obinagu Flyover and Second Niger Bridge among major projects in the region.

He said the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road was undergoing reconstruction after years of poor travel conditions, while the First Niger Bridge had undergone rehabilitation and was expected to be commissioned with solar lighting and CCTV surveillance.

Umahi also highlighted the highway corridor linking Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi to Abuja, saying the first two sections covering about 330 kilometres had been awarded and paid for by the Federal Government.

He said the project would reduce travel time to Abuja, with travellers from the Nsukka axis expected to make the journey in about three hours and those from Ebonyi in about four hours.

The minister said political sentiments should not prevent Nigerians from recognising infrastructure development.

“Sentiments must be laid aside. We have to count our blessings,” he said.

Umahi also said his support for Tinubu was not based on personal animosity towards Peter Obi, whom he described as a close friend.

“I am not against Peter Obi. He is my very close friend,” he said.

He argued that borrowing for infrastructure constituted investment when the funds were deployed productively to create jobs, improve security, reduce travel time and expand economic activity.

“We are borrowing to put in infrastructure, and this infrastructure, it is an investment,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Government’s long-term objective was to develop economic corridors around major roads and urged church leaders to help educate Nigerians about ongoing projects and their potential benefits.

Meanwhile, the Methodist delegation, led by the Methodist Church Archbishop of Anambra State, Most Rev. Dr Vincent C. E. Onoh, commended Tinubu and Umahi for infrastructure development in the Southeast and across Nigeria.

Onoh specifically praised the progress on the Niger Bridge, saying the project was 90 per cent complete.

He said the delegation had come to appreciate Umahi for his contribution to infrastructure development and announced plans for a prayer and sensitisation programme across Awka, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

“We have just come as a church to say thank you for what you have done, thank you for what you are doing, and let’s thank you for what we are yet to do,” Onoh said.

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has tasked newly inaugurated local government council chairmen and other public officials with prudent and accountable management of public resources.

Nwifuru gave the charge while declaring open a three-day capacity-building workshop for council chairmen and vice-chairmen, heads of personnel management, public relations practitioners, treasurers and Development Centre coordinators in Abakaliki.

According to a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor, the governor said the workshop reflected his administration’s commitment to human capacity development and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve governance and service delivery.

Nwifuru said the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, the central policy focus of his administration, provided opportunities for citizens to participate in the government’s decision-making process.

He said trained public officers were expected to understand their responsibilities and remain focused on delivering good governance.

“I am happy and very delighted that this kind of summit is being held here in Abakaliki for the benefit of our people. I am impressed with the quality of speakers and speeches that are to be delivered.

“I have said it severally that our LGA chairmen have a lot of work to do. You must understand the processes involved in governance and I am happy that the speakers from various law enforcement agencies will do justice to the topics here.

“I want you to know that serving the public is not an avenue to make money. You need to be very prudent in managing public funds and resources.

“You must at all times know that the legacies you build in the LGA will speak for you. You must be very dedicated to your job, avoid distractions and remain focused on your mission.”

The governor reiterated the importance of continuous training for public officials, saying effective governance required officials who understood the processes and responsibilities associated with their positions.

The lead consultant and trainer, Theodore Anazodo, described the workshop as an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, strengthen their knowledge and bridge gaps in understanding public administration.

“We are blessed to have the blessing of His Excellency to equip us with what we need to know. We need to know what it means to know private and public life, so that at the end of the day, we can beat our chest and say, we did the job,” Anazodo said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is consulting relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on September 21, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held meetings with the party’s National Leader and other members of its leadership on the campaign structure.

The party said the consultations were aimed at ensuring inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign.

According to the statement, Obi and Kwankwaso would nominate the Director-General of the campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman, deputy spokesperson, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other officials in consultation with the party.

The NDC said its leadership had given the presidential candidate and his running mate the freedom to make the nominations.

The party also said the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director would work with the National Treasurer to manage campaign funds, in line with transparency and accountability requirements and the party’s obligations to submit financial reports to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The NDC said a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations from other stakeholders across the country were still being awaited.

The party said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the candidates’ inputs.

It added that a campaign timetable had also been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.

According to the party, funds raised would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso, alongside the National Treasurer.

The NDC said the inauguration of the PCC, earlier scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to the presidential candidate’s travel schedule.

The party also urged its candidates at all levels to direct their supporters and campaign groups towards winning the elections rather than engaging in internal disputes.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the party said.

The NDC urged its candidates to remain focused on their campaigns and said it wanted all its candidates to win, particularly because they were contesting under the party’s platform and not as independent candidates.

On election preparations, the party said its leadership had directed all state and Local Government Area chairmen to immediately convene meetings with candidates and other stakeholders to compile and harmonise lists of party agents for the forthcoming general elections.

The party said two sets of agents would be identified — one for National Assembly elections and another for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

It said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commenced.

The NDC directed state and LGA chairmen to conclude the exercise and submit the final lists within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for appointing the party agents is chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo is the secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.

Obidient Movement questions Tinubu’s absence from UNGA81, demands explanation

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Obidient Movement has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York and called on the Presidency to explain the circumstances surrounding his absence.

The political pressure group, which is aligned with the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, and signed by its Media and Communications Directorate.

The group said the President’s absence raised questions, particularly because the Presidency had earlier indicated that Tinubu would attend the General Assembly.

The Presidency has said Tinubu is currently on a working vacation and extended his stay abroad by a few days. It said he departed Nigeria on August 30, spent a week in London before moving to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Federal Government has also said there was no restriction preventing Tinubu from travelling to the United States and that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had been mandated to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the country’s national statement at UNGA81.

The Obidient Movement, however, questioned why Tinubu could undertake engagements in France but would not personally represent Nigeria at the UN General Assembly.

“Even though we know he is prone to disgracing the country through his endless embarrassing gibberish at such an important global forum, his consistent absence over the last three years only suggests that Nigeria does not take such an opportunity seriously,” the group said.

The movement argued that the UN General Assembly provides Nigeria with an opportunity to present its interests to the international community, engage world leaders and participate directly in discussions on issues affecting the country, Africa and the wider world.

It also noted that French President Emmanuel Macron was attending the General Assembly in New York, while Tinubu remained abroad.

The group raised several questions over the President’s decision, including why he changed earlier plans to attend, why he was available for engagements in France but not the UN gathering, and what domestic priorities required his continued absence.

The group also questioned whether concerns surrounding Tinubu’s historical legal proceedings in the United States had influenced his decision not to attend.

It referred to a 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture proceeding involving funds held in an account in Tinubu’s name. Court records show that $460,000 was ultimately forfeited to the United States under a decree relating to funds described in the proceeding as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or financial transactions in violation of U.S. law. The case was a civil forfeiture proceeding, not a criminal conviction of Tinubu.

The Obidient Movement said the history continued to generate public debate and argued that political leaders should be subject to transparency and accountability.

“Whatever position one takes on that history, the broader question is unavoidable: what message does Nigeria send to its young people when people like Tinubu with a long history of crime end up attaining the highest political office in the country?” the group said.

The group called for greater transparency from the Presidency, including clarification of Tinubu’s travel plans and official engagements.

It also demanded an explanation for what it described as the President’s continued absence from the UN General Assembly for three consecutive years.

Tinubu attended the 78th UN General Assembly in New York in 2023 but was represented by Shettima at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. Shettima is representing Nigeria again at the 81st session and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.

The Obidient Movement said transparency was particularly important ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that Nigerians deserved clear explanations from those occupying the country’s highest offices.

The Presidency, meanwhile, has maintained that Tinubu’s absence does not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and that Shettima has the President’s full mandate to represent the country at the General Assembly.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Obidient Movement has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York and called on the Presidency to explain the circumstances surrounding his absence.

The political pressure group, which is aligned with the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, and signed by its Media and Communications Directorate.

The group said the President’s absence raised questions, particularly because the Presidency had earlier indicated that Tinubu would attend the General Assembly.

The Presidency has said Tinubu is currently on a working vacation and extended his stay abroad by a few days. It said he departed Nigeria on August 30, spent a week in London before moving to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Federal Government has also said there was no restriction preventing Tinubu from travelling to the United States and that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had been mandated to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the country’s national statement at UNGA81.

The Obidient Movement, however, questioned why Tinubu could undertake engagements in France but would not personally represent Nigeria at the UN General Assembly.

“Even though we know he is prone to disgracing the country through his endless embarrassing gibberish at such an important global forum, his consistent absence over the last three years only suggests that Nigeria does not take such an opportunity seriously,” the group said.

The movement argued that the UN General Assembly provides Nigeria with an opportunity to present its interests to the international community, engage world leaders and participate directly in discussions on issues affecting the country, Africa and the wider world.

It also noted that French President Emmanuel Macron was attending the General Assembly in New York, while Tinubu remained abroad.

The group raised several questions over the President’s decision, including why he changed earlier plans to attend, why he was available for engagements in France but not the UN gathering, and what domestic priorities required his continued absence.

The group also questioned whether concerns surrounding Tinubu’s historical legal proceedings in the United States had influenced his decision not to attend.

It referred to a 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture proceeding involving funds held in an account in Tinubu’s name. Court records show that $460,000 was ultimately forfeited to the United States under a decree relating to funds described in the proceeding as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or financial transactions in violation of U.S. law. The case was a civil forfeiture proceeding, not a criminal conviction of Tinubu.

The Obidient Movement said the history continued to generate public debate and argued that political leaders should be subject to transparency and accountability.

“Whatever position one takes on that history, the broader question is unavoidable: what message does Nigeria send to its young people when people like Tinubu with a long history of crime end up attaining the highest political office in the country?” the group said.

The group called for greater transparency from the Presidency, including clarification of Tinubu’s travel plans and official engagements.

It also demanded an explanation for what it described as the President’s continued absence from the UN General Assembly for three consecutive years.

Tinubu attended the 78th UN General Assembly in New York in 2023 but was represented by Shettima at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. Shettima is representing Nigeria again at the 81st session and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.

The Obidient Movement said transparency was particularly important ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that Nigerians deserved clear explanations from those occupying the country’s highest offices.

The Presidency, meanwhile, has maintained that Tinubu’s absence does not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and that Shettima has the President’s full mandate to represent the country at the General Assembly.

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — Ogun State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has urged party leaders and stakeholders in Odogbolu Local Government Area to strengthen unity, reconciliation and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abiodun gave the charge during the APC’s engagement with party leaders and stakeholders in Odogbolu, which marked the conclusion of the party’s recent consultations across the state.

In a statement personally signed by the governor on Tuesday, he said the discussions focused on strengthening the party from the wards and polling units upwards.

“We rounded off our engagements with party leaders and stakeholders with a meeting of our All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

“Our message was centred on unity, reconciliation and the need to further strengthen our party from the wards and polling units upward,” Abiodun said.

He said the party could not afford to leave any member behind as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

“Those who contested our party primaries remain valued members of the APC, and we will continue to engage and reconcile everyone while also welcoming new members who have chosen to join our progressive family,” he said.

The governor urged APC leaders and members in Odogbolu to intensify grassroots mobilisation and focus on issue-based engagement, using the record of his administration and developments across the state as part of the party’s message to voters.

“We appreciate the warm reception and reaffirm our commitment to working with the people of Odogbolu as we continue to deliver development and strengthen our party for the journey ahead,” he said.

The APC has stepped up its preparations for the 2027 elections, including the inauguration of a state campaign council tasked with grassroots mobilisation across Ogun’s 20 local government areas, 236 wards and polling units.

The party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election is Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, who was presented to Ogun APC stakeholders earlier this year following the party’s consensus arrangement.

The APC is expected to face competition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, has also intensified political activities ahead of the election.

Adebutu recently addressed a PDP rally in Odogbolu, where he criticised the APC administration and challenged Adeola over an ongoing dispute concerning the APC candidate’s claimed ancestry. The claims have been publicly disputed and have become part of the political contest ahead of 2027.

The competing parties are expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation and public engagement as preparations for the 2027 governorship election continue.