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Direct Primaries: CSOs Reject AGF, Malami’s Claims On N500bn Cost

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A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has rejected the claims made by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, that direct primaries proposed in the Electoral Act will gulp N500bn.

Abubakar Malami, had in a phone-in programme on Radio Kano reportedly explained that President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment following the huge amount the proposed direct primaries would cost the nation, apart from other reasons.

In a statement jointly issued Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Executive Director, Adopt A Goal Initiative; Kenneth Eze, Executive Director, Speak Out Africa Initiative; and Jude Feranmi, the convener, Raising New Voices Initiative, the CSOs rejected the AGF’s claim.

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They said it would cost the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the 18 registered political parties less than N10bn to organise direct primaries.

The CSOs noted that they considered it a public service “to respond to the disingenuous claims and reasons for the executive veto of the amended electoral bill made by the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.”

READ ALSO: Bandits Issue Monday Ultimatum To Seven Zamfara Communities To Pay Ransom Of N37m Or Face Consequences

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According to the statement, “Henceforth, media organisations and platforms interviewing Mr. Malami should endeavour to ask him to present a position paper or a financial document to substantiate his claims that it would cost political parties and INEC hundreds of billions naira to organize direct primaries.”

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Joe Igbokwe Reacts As Wike, APC Secretary Lock Horns Over Fubara

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and social media commentator, Joe Igbokwe, has condemned the verbal war between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the ruling party, Ajibola Basiru.

DAILY POST reports that following the renewed hostility between Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the APC Secretary had expressed support for the governor.

However, during an event in Rivers State on Monday, Wike asked the APC National Secretary to stay away from Rivers politics.

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READ ALSO:Rivers: You Cannot Bring The Spirit Of PDP Into APC – Bashir Ahmad Warns Wike

Reacting, Basiru, in a statement, asked Wike to resign his appointment and focus on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers State politics.

Wading into the matter, Igbokwe, in a post on Facebook, said the face-off is uncalled for and unnecessary.

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He said, “The altercations between Hon. Minister FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary APC Nigeria, Ajibola Basiru, are totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It is a needless distraction.

“If out of annoyance you remove your cap and throw it away, a made man will pick it up and use it forever. Let the misunderstanding cease to exist now.

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Rivers SSG, Anabraba Formally Joins APC

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The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Benibo Anabraba, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Anabraba had earlier resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Monday morning but did not immediately disclose his next political affiliation.

In a statement from Juliana Masi, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the SSG, confirmed that Anabraba had completed his registration as an APC member.

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According to the statement, “‎Dr Anabraba registered his membership on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Ward 1, Unit 1, Bob-Manuel’s Compound, Abonnema, Akuku Toru LGA of the State.‎”

READ ALSO:Resign As Minister, Face Your Obsession With Rivers – APC National Secretary Slams Wike

“The SSG said the registration formally confirms his identity as a party member and enables him to fully participate in all APC activities, and most importantly to support His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in his Rivers First mission and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”

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Masi quoted Anabraba as saying that a strong collaboration between Rivers State and the Federal Government “is bound to produce greater benefits for the good of the people.”

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Rivers: You Cannot Bring The Spirit Of PDP Into APC – Bashir Ahmad Warns Wike

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Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential media aide, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against bringing disrupting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ahmad has told Wike he cannot the “spirit” of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not needed within the APC.

He stated this in reaction to the war of words between the FCT Minister and APC’s national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

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“The National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru has reminded Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC,” Ahmad wrote on X.

“Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different.

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“His attempt to destabilise the Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.”

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