politics
Vehemently protests this primitive invasion of the PDP secretariat by the APC on the instructions of Governor Ben Ayade
Security forces, led by the Police, were seen yesterday morning guarding the erstwhile PDP Secretariat in Cross River State at 42 Murtala Mohamed Highway, as some men began the painting and cresting of the building with APC colours, logo and flags.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its reaction yesterday said the party “vehemently protests this primitive invasion of the PDP secretariat by the APC on the instructions of Governor Ben Ayade.”
The party added: “This invasion amounts to criminal trespass, malicious damage to property, and constitutes conduct likely to lead to a breach of the public peace. We are surprised that it is Governor Ayade, who has the constitutional responsibility, as Chief Security Officer of the state, for maintaining law and order that is promoting this type of dubious and vicious conduct.”
A statement signed by Mr. Effiok Cobham, the Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee in Cross River State and made available to our correspondence also said “PDP has a subsisting tenancy over the property. We have the tenancy agreements and receipts evidencing payment of the rent for the current tenure in respect of the property. The lessor of the property has clarified that the tenancy of the PDP in respect of 42A Murtala Mohamed Highway is still subsisting. Protesting the primitive action of the APC, the Lessor lamented: “I understand that the property is right now being painted with APC colours and I am calling to say that I have no agreement whatsoever with APC. I hereby state that PDP’S tenancy is still subsisting and they remain my legal and recognised tenant.”
This face-off is even as local government council chairmen, a National Assembly member and many political appointees in government have begun registration as APC members in Cross River State.![]()
For example, one of the two members of the National Assembly that have decided to follow Ayade, Hon. Mike Etaba, representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, spoke after his registration as an APC member in his local ward.
He said, “I am an Ayade foot soldier for all seasons and I will continue to stand with Governor Ben Ayade beyond 2023.
We must continue to play politics with ethics, devoid of violence. The decision by Governor Ben Ayade to affiliate with the centre is a smart choice and we will continue to follow who ‘know road’ for the generality of all Cross Riverians.”
On the issue of the new secretariat for the APC, the local government council chairman of Calabar Municipality, Elder Effefiong Nta Eke, noted that the state governor, who was the leader of the PDP, decided to defect to the ruling APC for the benefit of the state.
“So, the scenario you are seeing here is that the leader has moved to a new party; so every component, including the secretariat of the former, must follow the leader to the new.”
Asked if the decision to use the former PDP secretariat for the APC will not breed conflict or violent reactions, he said no. According to him, it was the governor that was paying the rent and when it expired some time ago, those who claim to be founding members of PDP did not contribute a dime until Ayade came and renewed the rent.
Ayade, he said, is not taking anything belonging to anybody. He is taking what belongs to him. He paid the rent, so the rent follows him to the APC.”
The police, in a statement signed by DSP Irene Ugbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Police Command, for the Commissioner of Police, warned against any attempt to disrupt the renovation “work going on at a building on No: 142 (a) along the Murtala Mohammed Highway Calabar.
politics
Just IN : INEC declares Soludo winner of Anambra gov poll
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
Soludo, who polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.
According to INEC, a total of 16 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.
The state had 2,788,864 registered voters, out of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.
From the results announced, Soludo of APGA won in all 21 local government areas of the state in a landslide victory.
Announcing the results at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Sunday, Omoregie said, “The number of registered voters was 2,788,864, while accredited voters were 598,229. The total valid votes stood at 584,054, rejected votes were 11,244, and the total votes cast amounted to 595,298.”
He added, “After collating the results as tallied into Form EC8E, it is now my privilege to declare the figures each candidate scored according to their political parties.
“There were a few areas affected by incidents, leading to cancellations in some wards across Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka South, and Onitsha South LGAs, amounting to 10,481 affected votes. However, the margin of lead between the top candidates did not affect the overall outcome of the election.
“I, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, hereby declare that the election was peaceful. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having scored 422,664 votes — the highest number of valid votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law — is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Breakdown of results:
Total registered voters: 2,788,864
Total accredited voters: 598,229
Total valid votes: 584,054
Rejected votes: 11,244
Total votes cast: 595,298
Votes by political parties:
A – 224
AA – 1,145
AAC – 292
ADC – 8,208
APC – 99,445
APGA – 422,664
APM – 892
APP – 73
BP – 126
LP – 10,576
NNPP – 525
NRM – 36
PDP – 1,401
SDP – 241
YPP – 37,753
ZLP – 453
politics
2027 Election: Preserve Your Reputation as a Statesman — Oshiomhole Advises Jonathan, Says Only Your Enemies Want You to Contest
Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan against yielding to pressure to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that doing so would damage his legacy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole said that only those who do not wish Jonathan well would encourage him to return to the political arena, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would easily defeat him if he chose to run.
“How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when PDP was truly PDP,” Oshiomhole said.
“If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election.”
The former APC national chairman advised Jonathan to preserve his reputation as a statesman and avoid a return that could erode the respect he earned after conceding defeat in 2015.
“If I were able to advise him, I will say, Sir, maintain this status. You governed for eight years, you don’t have to govern for nine,” Oshiomhole said.
According to Oshiomhole, Jonathan “has managed to demonstrate that out of power, you can be relevant and at peace.”
He praised Jonathan’s historic concession speech in 2015, describing it as one of his most admirable legacies.
“Looking at how he ascended to that office, if I were him, I will spend the end of my life trying to find relevance, which he has already found, and speaking because that conceding defeat, and that is memorable quote about my blood, sorry, blood of a Nigerian is not worth my ambition, he should just allow those legacies to be,” he said.
Oshiomhole further argued that Jonathan’s political base in the South-South had weakened since his departure from office, making a comeback unrealistic.
“We will defeat him flatly if he comes out because now the South-South is no longer PDP. So where is he going to start from?” he asked.
Jonathan, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the 2015 presidential election to the late Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
politics
Fubara sacks appointees affected by Supreme Court’s judgement, Says Nelson Chukwudi
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Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sacked all commissioners and other appointees administration affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement.
The Governor announced the decision during a valedictory session he organised for his cabinet to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, confirmed that during the event, which held in Government House, on Wednesday, Fubara relieved all the commissioners and other public officers affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement of their appointments.
The Governor called on all stakeholders to work with President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful, secured and prosperous country.
He also thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years..
“He called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all,” the statement said.
The Governor also reiterated commitment to serve the State with renewed vigor and thanked all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.
The Court, while recognising the 27-member Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the only authentic legislative arm of government, nullified all legislative decisions made in favour of Fubara during the crisis including the passage of budgets; screening and confirmations of commissioners and other public officers holders.
It was gathered that over 19 of Fubara’s commissioners, whose appointments were screened and confirmed by Oko-Jumbo were affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement.
The judgement rendered the appointment of Iboroma Dagogo, SAN, who was screened and confirmed as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice invalid.
Other commissioners affected by the judgement are Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.
Also, Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, suffered a similar fate.
It was also gathered that the Governor could consider the inclusion of some of them in the list of fresh nominees he was preparing to send to the House of Assembly.
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