Politics
Sokoto Governor Praises Tinubu and Shows Confidence in Matawalle’s Efforts to Address Insecurity

Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State has expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and conveyed a strong vote of confidence in Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for his role in tackling insecurity in the region. The governor’s remarks were made during a visit by Matawalle, who was leading a delegation at the Government House in Sokoto.
According to a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, the governor described Matawalle as a “tested, trusted, and reliable” figure whose involvement is expected to help bring lasting peace to Sokoto State and the broader North West zone. This visit is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in areas severely affected by banditry and terrorism.
Governor Sokoto thanked the Federal Government for its continued support and emphasized the importance of unity in addressing the security challenges facing the state. He urged Sokoto residents to refrain from spreading false information, which he believes does not contribute to solving the insecurity issues.
He stated, “Let me thank Mr. President for ordering you and other Security Chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State until we flush out these criminals. Hon Minister, you are tested, trusted, and reliable, and this visit shows that insecurity will soon be over in Sokoto State and the North West zone. My government is fully committed to partnering with you to secure the lives and property of every citizen in this state.”
Earlier in the day, Matawalle visited the 8 Division Headquarters, where he met with troops from Operation Hadarin Daji. Accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers, Matawalle reviewed ongoing operations and issued a direct order from President Tinubu to intensify efforts against the bandits and terrorists in the region.
Matawalle reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to resolving the security threats, stating, “The safety of the people of Sokoto, and indeed the entire Northwest, is a top priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President has made it clear that we must leave no stone unturned in our efforts to restore peace to this region.”
He assured that the troops would receive full support from the
Federal Government, including necessary resources and strategic guidance, to ensure the success of their mission. Matawalle praised the efforts of the troops, acknowledging the challenging conditions under which they operate and committing to provide ongoing support to enhance their effectiveness.
Politics
Lagos Assembly Crisis: ‘No plan to defect to Labour Party’ — Lawmakers

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have denied allegations of defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party.
In a statement signed by Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, the Assembly members refuted rumors circulating online, claiming that 25 members were planning to leave APC for an unnamed political party. A similar claim surfaced recently, suggesting that 27 members were considering joining the Labour Party due to leadership disputes within the Assembly.
Ogundipe stated that these claims had been unequivocally refuted, with members expressing their unwavering commitment to APC and their confidence in resolving internal issues through established party mechanisms.
“To avoid any confusion, no APC member of the Lagos State House of Assembly is considering defection. As true progressives, we acknowledge that challenges may arise, but we remain committed to addressing them through democratic and lawful processes,” he said.
He added that the party leadership is fully engaged, and any outstanding issues would be resolved amicably. Ogundipe urged the public to disregard the baseless reports designed to mislead and create unnecessary tension.
“We reaffirm our loyalty to the leader of our party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ogundipe concluded, emphasizing that the Lagos State House of Assembly would continue focusing on its legislative duties, enacting laws that promote the development of Lagos State.
Finally, he advised those spreading falsehoods to desist, reaffirming the Assembly’s dedication to its legislative mandate.
Politics
Atiku Abubakar Denies Plans to Leave PDP for New Political Party

The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting that he is preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday, Atiku’s camp described the rumors as baseless and misleading.
“We have observed that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party,” the statement read.
The former vice president’s media team clarified that Atiku remains committed to the PDP and is actively working on forming a broad coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
“Atiku is advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive,” the statement added. “It is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping the PDP ship.”
The statement further emphasized that Atiku’s focus remains on uniting opposition forces to “rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been vocal about the need for a strong opposition alliance to counter what he describes as the failures of the current administration.
The media office urged Nigerians to disregard speculations about Atiku’s defection, reaffirming that he remains a committed member of the PDP.
Politics
Anambra guber: Concerns over PDP aspirants’ inability to pick forms

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially adopted the indirect primary method for selecting its candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship election. This decision was announced by the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Bashiru stated that the decision aligns with the position of the Anambra State chapter of the APC. He also confirmed that the Abdullahi Ganduje-led NWC will meet with aspirants and stakeholders next Tuesday to finalize the modalities for the primary. Dismissing speculations that the party had already endorsed a preferred candidate, Bashiru emphasized that all seven aspirants remain in contention.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing concerns over its inability to attract aspirants for the Anambra governorship race. With the deadline for the sale of nomination forms fast approaching, no candidate has yet purchased the party’s N40 million expression of interest and nomination forms.
The PDP had recently expressed confidence in reclaiming Anambra, following a peaceful zonal congress in Enugu, where party leaders unanimously re-elected the Ali Odefa-led executive. However, reports indicate that high costs and internal crises within the party are discouraging aspirants.
With uncertainty surrounding the PDP, aspirants are now turning to alternative platforms such as the APC, Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for their governorship ambitions.
As the election race intensifies, political observers will be watching to see how the PDP resolves its internal challenges and whether the APC’s chosen primary process will unify or divide its ranks.
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