News

FULL LIST: Lagos PDP Spokesman, Others Join APC

Published

3 weeks ago

June 9, 2025

The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party’s spokesman, Hakeem Amode, has dumped his party for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Amode, along with other PDP chieftains announced their defection at a news conference on Monday in Ikeja, Lagos.

He disclosed that he and other defectors were motivated and inspired by the visionary leadership of the 2023 PDP governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, who had earlier moved to the APC.

“It is with great honour and a profound sense of responsibility that we stand before you today to announce a pivotal decision; one that marks a significant turning point not just for us as individuals, but for many committed political stakeholders who have journeyed with us over the years.

“Today, we have decided to collapse the entire PDP structure in Lagos State, from ward to the state level , to allign with His Excellency Jandor to decamp en masse to the APC.

“The PDP, both at the national and state levels, has lost its way.

“The party has deviated from the founding ideals that once made it the largest and most respected political platform in Africa.

“Today, its future is riddled with tension and uncertainty.

“The PDP is in a coma and may not survive unless urgent measures are taken,” Amode said.

According to him, the tenure of the defectors within the PDP had been lengthy and eventful, characterised by both achievements and setbacks.

He said that majority of the defectors had the privilege of serving the PDP in various capacities, worked for change and did their best for their former party

He said, “However, after thorough introspection and extensive consultation, we believe it is time to chart a new course.

“This decision has not been made lightly.

“It reflects our commitment to taking control of our political destinies in order to better serve our people and the loyal supporters who continue to stand by us.”

Amode said that the PDP in Lagos, under the leadership of Philip Aivoji, had been fractured and disunited.

“Poor leadership and a lack of cohesion have cost us dearly

“Today, we, alongside several former PDP candidates at various levels, national, local government executives, ward leaders, and key stakeholders across Lagos, formally resign from the PDP and align ourselves with the APC.

“We have submitted our letters of resignation to our respective ward chairmen, local government chairmen, and the state leadership of the PDP,” he said.

“Today, we have decided to collapse the entire PDP structure in Lagos State, from ward to the state level , to allign with His Excellency Jandor to decamp en masse to the APC.

“The PDP, both at the national and state levels, has lost its way.

“The party has deviated from the founding ideals that once made it the largest and most respected political platform in Africa.

“Today, its future is riddled with tension and uncertainty.

“The PDP is in a coma and may not survive unless urgent measures are taken,” Amode said.

According to him, the tenure of the defectors within the PDP had been lengthy and eventful, characterised by both achievements and setbacks.

He said that majority of the defectors had the privilege of serving the PDP in various capacities, worked for change and did their best for their former party

He said, “However, after thorough introspection and extensive consultation, we believe it is time to chart a new course.

“This decision has not been made lightly.

“It reflects our commitment to taking control of our political destinies in order to better serve our people and the loyal supporters who continue to stand by us.”

Amode said that the PDP in Lagos, under the leadership of Philip Aivoji, had been fractured and disunited.

“Poor leadership and a lack of cohesion have cost us dearly.

“We have submitted our letters of resignation to our respective ward chairmen, local government chairmen, and the state leadership of the PDP,” he said.

Amode, who noted that the decision to leave the PDP was not driven by personal ambition, clarified that defecting to the APC was to serve the society better.

“We are determined to work with our new partners in the APC to deliver the true dividends of democracy to every corner of our great state.”

Safurat Abdulkareem, a two-time State PDP deputy governorship candidate, said that the defectors were determined to follow the progressives to make the state better.

Also speaking, a former state PDP Deputy Chairman, Chief Ola Apena, said the PDP had no relevance in the state anymore.

“The PDP is dead. There is no more PDP.

“The party is in complete limbo and we don’t know whether it will be up,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of 2023 PDP state House of Assembly candidates, Mr Ibrahim Balogun, who flew the party’s flag in Kosofe, said he wasted time by staying in the PDP for 18 years.

“We will work for Tinubu in 2027. We are going en masse into the APC.

“Jandor is a visionary leader to follow because he is a man of the people,” Balogun said.

Jandor, who congratulated the defectors, said, ” We have successfully collapsed the entire structure of the PDP into the APC now.

“There is no point in belonging to a political party that has no determination and purpose of winning elections. The PDP is a social club, not interested in winning.

“Lagos State PDP leadership is ensuring that the party does not win and the party had been doing this for over two decades now, wasting people’s destiny.

“I congratulate these PDP leaders for joining me in the APC.

“The PDP is a sinking ship. In Nigeria of today, there is no other viable platform apart from the APC,” Adediran said.

Other PDP leaders, who dumped the party for the APC included Prince Rufus Adeniyi, a former PDP Assistant State Organising Secretary (Lagos West) and Mr Jerry Afemikhe (Olori Odo), a former PDP House of Representatives Candidate in Surulere Constituency I.

Some 2023 PDP Lagos State House of Assembly candidates who dumped the party included Messrs Keshinro Abiodun (Epe 1);Akeem Jinadu, (Eti-Osa 1); Ibrahim Balogun (Kosofe 2).

Messrs Taofeek Obanikoro (Lagos Island 1); Tunde Pratt (Lagos Mainland 2); Saheed Aregbesola (Oshodi-Isolo State 2), Sulaimon Thompson (Surulere 1)and Taofeek Kuye ( Ajeromi-Ifelodun State 1) also dumped PDP for APC.

Mr Adeyemi Kazeem:former PDP Chairman, Ojo Local Government;Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye,media aide to the 2023 Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate were also among those who defected.
(PUNCH)

News

NiMet Predicts 3-day Thunderstorms, Rains

Published

6 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thundery, rainy weather activities from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, predicted thunderstorms (with or without rain) during the early morning hours over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kaduna States in the northern region.

According to the agency, the rest of the region will be sunny with patches of cloud.

“Thunderstorms with rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“In the central region, morning thunderstorms with rains are expected over parts of Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, while the remaining parts of the region are anticipated to be sunny with cloud patches.

“Isolated thunderstorms (with or without rain) are expected over parts of Plateau, Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger States during the afternoon or evening periods,“ it said NiMet envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of morning light rains over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

It anticipated afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

“For Tuesday in the northern region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected in most of the region with chances of morning scattered thunderstorms with heavy rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa, Bauchi and Kaduna States.

“Thunderstorms with light rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Bauchi States,” it said.

According to it, morning thunderstorms with light rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi and Benue States in the central region.

The agency anticipated thunderstorms with light rain over parts of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau States later in the day.

It forecasts cloudy skies over the southern region, with a chance of morning rains in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The agency predicted thunderstorms with light rains over the southern region during the afternoon or evening periods.

“For Wednesday, morning thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Sokoto states in the northern region.

“Thunderstorms with heavy rains are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Taraba and Adamawa States during the afternoon to evening periods.

“For the central region, cloudy skies are anticipated over the area during the morning hours.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected across the region in the afternoon to evening periods.

“For southern region, there are prospects of light rains across the entire region throughout the day, “ it said.

According to NiMet, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. The public should take adequate precautions and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions.

“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,“ it said.

News

Gov Yusuf Renames Two Institutions To Honour 22 Kano Athletes Killed In Crash

Published

6 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has renamed two key institutions in the state in honour of its 22 athletes who died in a motor accident while returning from the National Sports Festival in May.

Yusuf made the announcement on Sunday in Kano, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammed.

It would be recalled that the accident occurred within 5 kilometers from Kano, as the state contingent returned to the state from Ogun.

He said that the state would forever remember the athletes.

“The athletes made the state proud and will be remembered for their sacrifices towards sports development in the state.

“The Kano State Sports Institute has been renamed Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Institute, while the Kano State Sports Commission will now be known as Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Commission.

“The young athletes are heroes of Kano who fought for the successes we recorded in the National Sports Festival.

“The state government will cater for the education of their children and engage their widows in empowerment programmes.

“The parents of those who were unmarried would also be considered in our empowerment plans,” the statement read.

The governor commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for donating N110million to the deceased families, to cushion the effects of their losses.

News

Otuaro Lauds President Yar’Adua For Establishing Presidential Amnesty Programme

Published

8 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has applauded the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for proclaiming amnesty for former agitators of the Niger Delta and also establishing the progamme.

In a statement, Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the PAP boss, said Otuaro spoke at the 2nd President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Conference and Awards, organised by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success in Abuja on Saturday.

The event, which was themed: “Electoral Management Institution: Midwife of True Democracy, Development, and Prosperity,” the PAP boss was to also received a corporate service award in recognition of his efficient administration of the PAP.

Represented by his Special Assistant on Data and ICT, Monabe Mitee, Otuaro noted that Yar’Adua also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs before inaugurating the PAP as part of his response to the civic demands of the region’s people.

The PAP boss, while describing him as ‘a selfless leader and a patriot,’ said Yar’Adua, who governed the country from May 29, 2007, to May 5, 2010, was deeply concerned about the need for guaranteed sustainable peace, stability, and development in the region.

The PAP Administrator, while paying tribute to the former Katsina State governor’s memories, extolled his exemplary and exceptional leadership as well as his high ethical and moral values in public service.

“President Yar’Adua was a listening leader, and this was evident in his response to the civic demands of the Niger Delta people.

“He not only proclaimed amnesty for the region’s freedom fighters at the time, but he also established the Presidential Amnesty Programme which I am heading today by the benevolence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and as a precursor to the programme he also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” Otuaro said.

He further said that Yar’Adua operated an efficient administration in Katsina State as a governor and left indelible development footprints with profound impacts on education and infrastructure across the state.

He said Yar’Adua had a deep understanding of the burden of leadership and brought this to bear in the governance of the country when he was elected president in 2007, ‘showing an unwavering commitment, zeal, and dedication to fix and transform Nigeria’ through his seven-point agenda.

Otuaro noted that the insight and reasons that informed the organiser’s initiative were noble, saying they had provided a platform to celebrate, honour and immortalize Yar’Adua and his legacies.

The PAP Administrator added, “He also ran a government of national unity to demonstrate his faith in a nation united by common aspirations for the attainment of national development, peace, security, progress, and shared prosperity and greatness.

“I believe that President Yar’Adua would have contributed much more of his quota to the country’s development process if his tenure had not been cut short by his protracted illness and eventual demise in office.

“He would be remembered for his selfless service. He was, indeed, a patriot!”