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2023 Presidency: Party Tinubu May Join Revealed Amid Doubts Over APC Ticket

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Bola Tinubu

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu is “working on an alternative party” to vie for the 2023 presidency.

DAILY POST was informed that his camp is not putting all eggs in one basket to avoid being caught unawares by an “unfavourable outcome” of the APC primary.

President Muhammadu Buhari is said to be considering “a younger person” as a successor.

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In January, he refused to name his preference, saying the person may be killed.

READ ALSO: Support Akume For APC Chairmanship, Borno Gov Begs Buhari, Others

At the weekend, insiders in Ekiti claimed Tinubu plans to test the waters with the governorship election that will be held on June 18, 2022.

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The ambition of the ex-Lagos Governor “does not have the full backing” of Governor Kayode Fayemi, who himself is reportedly interested in the presidency.

Tinubu, well aware of this, is “tactically aligning” with Segun Oni, a one-time Ekiti Governor and Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer.

Fayemi’s ally, Biodun Oyebanji, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), won the APC ticket after defeating Ojo Kayode, Opeyemi Bamidele and Dayo Adeyeye.

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The calculation is that with 54-year-old Oyebanji as Governor, the state government and party chapter may not commit to working for Tinubu’s emergence as President.

The Jagaban of Borgu is disposed to stopping Fayemi from installing a next-in-line not only for refusing to support his bid but daring to join the presidential race.

“The President wants a younger person and that’s not Tinubu. Fayemi wants to be President if the office is zoned to the South”, a source said.

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“If he fails, he may get the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation) position as long as the next President or Vice are not from South-West.

“Tinubu is monitoring all that’s happening and he seems to have pitched his tent with the SDP. The truth is that civil servants like Oni are ready to vote for him.

“With his cold war with Fayemi and Oni’s popularity, Tinubu has developed a soft spot for the SDP. And this isn’t just about Ekiti election, he may contest on the platform if APC denies him a ticket.”

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DAILY POST gathered that Oni’s running mate, Otunba Ladi Owolabi was picked after consultations with Tinubu’s camp. Oni, 67, is from Ifaki while Owolabi, 68, is an Ado Ekiti indigene.

During Tinubu’s visit to Ekiti monarchs a fortnight ago, the state government allegedly frustrated the use of the Adetiloye Hall.

“The authorities stopped the use of the venue because Fayemi isn’t working for his political leader’s ambition. In fact, by the time Tinubu landed, Fayemi left the state via helicopter.

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“They said he had to be in Abuja. He could have briefly showed up at the parley with the Obas but didn’t want to be seen with Tinubu in such a gathering”, another source hinted.

The Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon is Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers. Fayemi hails from Isan.

READ ALSO: 2023: Three ‘Critical’ Things I Want From Senators – Tinubu

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The meeting was eventually held at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, where Tinubu decried “hopelessness, hunger and lack of development” in the land.

“We can not just be talking of airport alone in Ekiti, we should boast of good roads and better education system and better future for our children.

“We are here to answer the call of our forefathers to build a nation that will be united, prosperous and happily developed. I need your prayers to achieve this mandate.

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“We are here to renew the hope of Nigeria and make the country better for our children. I have been on the issue of Nigeria since 70s. (MKO) Abiola was brought out by us, we fought for democracy”, he stated.

The late Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist, won the 1993 presidential election. He contested on the platform of the SDP.

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FCT Area Council Elections: INEC Declares Campaigns Open

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the commencement of campaigns by political parties for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections.

The Commission said this is in line with the provisions of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for political parties participating in the election.

The electoral body stated that political parties are now at liberty to begin their electioneering campaigns in public from Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and conclude at midnight on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

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READ ALSO:Things To Know As INEC Begins Physical Voter Registration Monday

As enshrined in Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission wishes to remind political parties, candidates and their supporters that it is unlawful to use abusive language, carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials,” a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said.

Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaigns, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.”

The FCT Area Council elections will hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

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BREAKING: EFCC Chairman, Former Rivers Sole administrator Ibas In Aso Rock

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The immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, are currently at the State House in Abuja.

Although the reason for their presence at the Villa could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered that President Bola Tinubu had summoned Ibas.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Rivers Administrator Ibas Bows Out, Hands Over To Governor Fubara

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According to Channels TV, Ibas arrived at the State House on Wednesday at around 5:50 pm.

Ibas, who took over the affairs of the state in March following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had last week handed power back to the governor after Tinubu lifted the six-month suspension.

Members of the State House of Assembly had also resolved to probe Ibas’s six-month administration.

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Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

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The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday resumed legislative duties at the National Assembly after months of suspension, describing Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as a “dictator.”

Her return followed the unsealing of her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, by the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.

Upon resumption, Senator Natasha, who has been on suspension, remained resolute, insisting that she has “no apology to tender.”

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She said, “In retrospect, it is actually amazing how much we have had to pay in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail and that crazy lady on Facebook.

“It is amazing what we had to pass through, and I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives in the same manner you have supported me.

“In everything, sometimes it is good to push the institution to the test. We can’t cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as if I were a servant or domestic staff in his house.

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“It is so unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly being run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”

READ ALSO:Defamation Charges: Natasha Accuses FG Of Double Standard

The office had been locked since March 6, 2025, when the lawmaker was suspended from the Red Chamber.

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In a video shared on Tuesday, Adedeji was seen removing the seal.

I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” he declared.

Upon resumption, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been at the centre of a protracted standoff with the Senate leadership, maintained her defiance, stressing that she had “no apology to tender.”

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The embattled lawmaker was handed a six-month suspension in March, barring her from all activities of the 10th Senate over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.

Although her suspension formally lapsed in September, she was unable to return due to legal tussles and resistance from Senate leadership. On July 4, however, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.

READ ALSO:Natasha’s Lawyer Warns Senate Against Defying Court Order

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Following the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Senate notifying it of her intention to resume duties, but the request was rebuffed by the National Assembly.

It, however, remains unclear whether Tuesday’s development restores her full privileges as a senator and if the senator will be allowed to sit with her colleagues when plenary resumes on October 7.

Meanwhile, the Senate leadership has again altered its legislative calendar, shifting the resumption of plenary sittings from September 23 to October 7, 2025.

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The postponement was conveyed in an internal memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze.

The shift in date has raised eyebrows within the National Assembly as it extends the chamber’s annual recess by another two weeks.

While no official reason was given, sources told our correspondent that the delay was intended to allow lawmakers to fully observe the Independence Day celebrations on October 1.

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READ ALSO:Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

In the memo titled “Notice of Shift in Plenary Resumption Date,” Akubueze also apologised to the senators for the belated information.

It read, “This is to respectfully inform distinguished senators that the resumption of plenary sitting of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025, has been shifted to Tuesday, 7th October, 2025.

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“Any inconvenience this short notice may cause is deeply regretted. Distinguished senators are kindly invited to note the postponement and adjust their schedules accordingly.

“Thank you for your kind understanding, and God bless.”

The Senate had adjourned plenary on July 24 for its annual recess.

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At the time, the Senate President justified the move as an act of “chamber reciprocity,” since members of the House of Representatives had also embarked on a break in line with the legislative calendar.

With the latest adjustment, critical debates and pending motions—including oversight inquiries into government spending and executive appointments—will remain on hold.

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