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Barring any last minute changes, a leadership meeting of the All Progressives Congress will hold next week to determine the fate of the embattled National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.

A prominent member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, confided in one of our correspondents, in Abuja, on Friday that as a precursor to this meeting, the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, and Oshiomhole, met in Paris, France, on Thursday. Tinubu had gone to France ahead of the President’s visit to the country.

It was further learnt that the meeting between Tinubu and Oshiomhole centred on the growing plot by aggrieved party members especially governors to remove Oshiomhole from office.

The former Lagos State governor is one of the party stalwarts backing Oshiomhole who is now under probe by the Department of State Services.

An APC source said, “Tinubu and Oshiomhole met in Paris on Thursday over attempts by governors and some members of the NWC to remove the party chairman. You will recall that it was Asiwaju who paved the way for the emergence of Oshiomhole as the chairman when Chief Oyegun wanted a tenure extension.

“Now that he has come under probe by the DSS and is being asked to step aside, he has run to Tinubu to save him. It remains unclear what their strategy will be to put a stop to the probe.”

It was also learnt that some aggrieved governors had begun reaching out to members of the National Working Committee to ask Oshiomhole to step aside pending the outcome of the DSS probe.

A member of the party’s NWC, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution said, “The fact that Oshiomhole is under investigation for allegedly collecting money from aspirants is bad for the image of the APC government which claims to be fighting corruption.

“It is for this reason that the NWC members are being asked (by interested parties) to push for the suspension of the APC chairman pending the outcome of the probe. The President’s body language and actions in the coming days will determine Oshiomhole’s fate. For now, we are still considering it but we don’t want to make any hasty decision until we are sure that we have the President’s backing.”

Another party source said high-ranking party leaders would meet “next week” to decide the best way to proceed without “further depleting the party’s public image and goodwill.”

It was also gathered that President Buhari, who has taken charge of efforts to resolve the party’s post primary crisis, would be convening the meeting.

Apart from Buhari, those expected at the Abuja meeting include: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Tinubu, pioneer Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (as former chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party), and Prince Tony Momoh (former National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change).

The party source said, “The matter is receiving attention at the highest level. We cannot pretend, the situation involving our national chairman is already in public domain.

“His invitation and subsequent interrogation by the Department of State Services, is an indictment if you ask me; but you cannot pronounce a man guilty without giving him the right of fair hearing.

“The leadership meeting will take place because as you know, we don’t have a Board of Trustees in place. Mr. President as the leader of the party, who in fact, has personally taken over the process of dealing with the post-primary crisis, is convening the meeting to deal with all these issues.”

In response to a question on whether there were charges against the party chairman, he said, “Our party has a constitution, I refer you to Article 21 which deals with the issue of party discipline. Go and read sub-sections i, ii and xi.”

Article 21 of the APC Constitution (April 2014 As amended) which deals with the discipline of party members reads in part, “Subject to the provision of this Article and the right to fair hearing, the party shall have power to discipline party members. The power shall be exercised on behalf of the party by the respective Executive Committee of the party at all levels.

“Offences against the party shall include the following: (i)a breach of any provision of this constitution; (i) anti-party activities or any conduct, which is likely to embarrass or have adverse effect on the party or put it into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute; (xi) in cases of alteration of delegate lists, falsification of nomination results, and or tampering with the processes of internal democracy of  the party, the offender shall be liable to expulsion from the party and be prosecuted.”

Efforts to get a response from the party chairman were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone number of Oshiomhole’s media aide, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem, were neither picked nor returned.

A response to a text message asking him to confirm whether or not his principal had returned to the country and what was his response to the news making the rounds about his encounter with the DSS was still being expected as at the time of filing this report at 8:07pm.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that Oshiomhole was back in the country.

He said, “The APC chairman is back in the country as scheduled. This is contrary to speculations that he was running away. He has been postponing the trip due to the party primaries and  submission of candidates’ names to INEC ”

Asked about the meeting between Oshiomhole and Tinubu in France, the APC spokesman replied, “I don’t have such information yet.”

On the proposed leadership meeting holding in Abuja next week, Issa-Onilu said, “I am not aware but even if such meeting would hold…you see there is no crisis in APC. What people call crisis, I call conflict. I can assure you that we are in peace in the APC. The chairman and the NWC are standing for democracy and you should expect resistance.

However, the Spokesman for Buhari  Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the crisis within the party was being exaggerated by the media.

Keyamo said the crisis was normal for a ruling party, adding that things would become normal very soon.

He said, “Let me say clearly that what is happening now is only normal for a ruling party.”

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Breaking : APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Resigns

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Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano State, cited health reasons for his resignation, stating that he needs to “focus on his well-being.”

Mr. Ganduje’s time as APC chairman has been fraught with controversy and internal challenges.

While his resignation letter attributes his decision to health-related concerns, sources close to the situation suggest that mounting political tensions within the party may have influenced his move to step aside.

There have also been allegations of financial misconduct tied to his leadership, with some party members reportedly protesting against what they described as “excessive financial demands” from his office

 

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BREAKING: At last, Fubara meets with Amaewhule, Rivers lawmakers, as they shared jokes and laughter

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Suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubarahas met with the suspended Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and other aggrieved state lawmakers.

Multiple sources confirmed on Thursday evening the meeting held and ended with Fubara holding the hands of Amaewhule as they shared jokes and laughter.

It was gathered that the meeting, which was held in Abuja, was the first reconciliatory move between the governor and the state lawmakers.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Fubara’s engagement with the lawmakers was fruitful but added that an enlarged peace meeting would hold to discuss peace terms.

“The suspended Governor is determined to make peace. He has started the real engagement,” the source said.Fubara was suspended from office on March 19 following a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu and ratified by the National Assembly to stop the escalating political crisis in the state.

 

The President appointed former Naval Chief, Vice-Admiral lbok Ete-Ibas for the first six months as an administrator for Rivers to allow the warring politicians to reconcile their differences.

 

Though Fubara had met with his estranged benefactor, Nyesom Wike and President Tinubu on the Rivers situation, the Thursday meeting he held with the lawmakers was said to be the most important step towards genuine reconciliation.

Wike had said on different occasions that to actualise genuine reconciliation Fubara must meet with the various stakeholders he offended especially members of the House of Assembly, whom he withheld their salaries and allowances for over two years.

 

It was learnt the Thursday elicited applauses from various stakeholders in the state including the simplified family of Fubara with many of them describing it as a step in the right direction.

 

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Renewed Hope: Jubilation in A’Ibom as Tinubu, Akpabio Welcome Governor Eno to APC on Saturday

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Security has been heightened in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit for the grand reception of Governor Umo Eno into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.

The event, to be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, will be hosted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alongside the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Dignitaries expected at the high-profile reception include members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the APC National Working Committee, party chieftains, and key political stakeholders from across Nigeria.

The planned reception was confirmed in a statement issued by Aniekan Umanah, chairman of the media & publicity subcommittee “The All Progressives Congress (APC) is pleased to announce that all is set for the grand reception of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., and his team into the APC.“The historic event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 21, 2025, by noon at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

  • “His Excellency, Alhaji Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, will formally receive Governor Umo Eno and his team into the party, following an official presentation by the Akwa Ibom State APC Chairman, Obong StephenThe event will be graced by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Leader of the APC, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who will officially welcome Governor Eno into the progressive fold.

“Also expected is the Chief host and President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio GCON, whose presence will further underscore the spirit of unity and political alignment between Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Government. This moment marks a significant milestone in fostering collaboration for the progress and prosperity of the State.

“Other dignitaries expected include members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the APC National Working Committee, senior party chieftains, and key political stakeholders from across the country.

“The APC warmly invites traditional rulers, political leaders, women and youth groups, and all citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State to be part of this historic celebration.

“Come and join us in giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, and other distinguished guests a rousing welcome as we celebrate unity, progress, and the rising hope of Akwa Ibom State under the APC”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, Baba Azare, disclosed that adequate security is being put in place for the event.

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