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Kwara APC Crisis Deepens As Eleven Lai Mohammed’s Loyalists Suspended

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The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has taken a new dimension as the party suspended eleven party members loyal to the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji, Lai Mohammed.

They were suspended for taking the party and the Kwara State chairman Hon. Abdullahi Samari Abubakar to court.

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The Minister’s group had opposed to the removal of Bashir Bolarinwa as the caretaker chairman of the party in Kwara state, leading to the protracted crisis which has broken the party into two factions and pitted Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq against the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a struggle for the control of the party.

The eleven party men had, however approached the court to demand the removal of the approved State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Samari contrary to the directive of National Executive Committes (NEC) of 25th June 2020, where it was resolved that no member of the party should institute any action in court.

READ ALSO: Defection: APC Nat’l Chair, Govs Storm Yola, Formally Receive PDP BoT Member

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The suspension letter, a copy obtained Thursday in Abuja, was signed by the National Secretary, Caretaker/Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Sen. James Akpanudoedehe, and addressed to Kwara state chairman Hon. Abdullahi Samari Abubakar.

The Minister’s men suspended include: Joseph Tsado, Bamidele Ogunbayo, Issa Fulani, Imam Abdulkadir, Morufu Olaniyi Yusuf, Saludeen Lukman, Kerebu Fatai, Bola Ajani, Nurudeen Fasasi, Salman Shehu Babatunde and Abdullateef Ahmed Kolawole.

The letter read, in parts, “The Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee considered the decision of the Kwara State Caretaker Committee dated 5 February 2021 on the resolution of the Kwara State Disciplinary Committee to suspend erring members who Instituted SUIT NO: CV/241/2021 BETWEEN JOSEPH TSADO AND 10 ORS VS ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 2 ORS against the party.

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“After due consideration of the decision, the members of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee found the decision meritorious on the grounds that the members who instituted the above mentioned suit against the Party had flouted the directive of the National Executive Committes (NEC) of 25th June 2020, wherein the NEC resolved that no member of the Party should institute any action in court and to withdraw all pending cases in Court in order to explore the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the party.

“Consequently, the Caretaker/Extraordinary. National Convention Planning Committee ratifies the decision of the Kwara State Caretaker Committee and upholds suspension of the following Party members.

READ ALSO: Buni-led Committee Summons Lai Mohammed Over Kwara APC Parallel Secretariat

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“TAKE NOTICE; that this suspension constitutes a bar on the above-named persons from participating in the on-going registration and revalidation of membership exercise.”

The APC national secretariat approval followed a notice of disciplinary action letter signed by the state Caretaker Committee Chairman, Samari Abubakar and Mohammed Mustapha Salman Secretary of the Caretaker Committee.

The letter read: “We write to inform you that our State Caretaker Committee in Kwara State constituted a Disciplinary Committee to hear and determine the complaint against Plaintiffs in SUIT NO: CV/241/2021 BETWEEN JOSEPH TSADO AND 10 ORS VS ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 2 ORS.

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“The Plaintiffs instituted the above mentioned suit against the Party and flouted the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) wherein all members were directed not to institute any action and withdraw their cases in Court in order to explore the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the Party.

READ ALSO: ‘Alfa Haruna Not Our National Coordinator’, APC Youth Group Raises The Alarm

“The Kwara State Caretaker Committee has received and adopted the report of the disciplinary Committee in respect of Joseph Tsado & 10 Ors. This is pursuant to Article 21 (B) (i) & (iii) of our Party’s Constitution (October 2014 as amended).”

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Ward Leaders Suspend Nasarawa APC Chairman Over Anti-party Activities

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The leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Gayam Ward of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, have suspended the state’s chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, over alleged anti-party.

The ward leaders who converged in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday said Bello’s action had caused embarrassment to the party and undermined the credibility of its collective effort to take the party to greater heights.

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Speaking with newsmen while announcing his suspension from the party, the chairman of the ward, Ibrahim Iliyasu, narrated that his action constitutes a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

He said, “We, the undersigned Executive Members of the All Progressives Congress, Gayam Ward in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, hereby write to formally suspend you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, from the party (All Progressives Congress) with immediate effect.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dalori Chairs First APC NWC Meeting Following Ganduje’s Resignation

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This decision arises as a result an investigation of complaints by ward members of your anti-party activities contrary to Article 21 of the APC Constitution (as amended) which outlines the conduct expected of members and the disciplinary measures to be taken against infractions.

“Specifically, we have credible evidence and reports that you have openly promoted and campaigned for a member of another political party, in direct violation of Article 21 (i), (ii), and (vii) which prohibit; (a)Engaging in acts that tend to bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute; (b)Engaging in anti-party activities; (c) Membership, promotion or support of rival political parties.”

He added, “Your actions have caused embarrassment to the party, undermined the credibility of our collective efforts, and constitute a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.

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“In line with the powers vested in us as ward executives under Article 21 (D) (i)-(iii) of the APC Constitution, and having consulted widely with stakeholders within the ward, we have resolved as follows; That you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect pending further investigation and disciplinary action by higher party organs.

READ ALSO:FCT Polls: APC Releases Names Of Primary Election Committee Members

That this resolution shall be communicated to the Lafia Local Government APC Executive Committee, Nasarawa State Executive Committee, and the National Working Committee (NWC) for ratification and further necessary action.

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“We urge you to refrain from parading yourself as a member of the party pending the conclusion of this process. Accept the assurances of our highest esteemed regards as always.”

Other leaders of the Gayam Ward who were present during the press briefing and approved his suspension include the Ward Secretary, Ibrahim Kwande; Ward Legal Adviser, Adamu Musa Alkali; Ward Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Dahiru; Ward Women Leader, Fatimah Ibrahim, among others.

Meanwhile, the suspension of the APC Chairman came barely 24hours after the state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Douglas Otaru, issued a statement alleging plots by a governorship aspirant to remove Aliyu Bello from his position.

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For clarity, the ward officials lack the constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence, suspend, or expel a State Executive Committee Member. We strongly caution that any party official found to be involved will face disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution,” Otaru said in his statement.

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2027 Coalition: Atiku, Secondus, Other PDP Leaders Meet In Abuja

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Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a former Senate President, David Mark, a former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and several other prominent figures of the Peoples Democratic Party have commenced a high-level, closed-door critical meeting in Abuja.

The strategic gathering, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, is part of ongoing consultations ahead of the formal unveiling of a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

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In addition to Atiku and Lamido, other PDP stalwarts present at the meeting include a former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).

READ ALSO:Coalition Slams US Deportations, Urges FG To Protect Nigerians Abroad

Sources at the venue confirmed that the meeting presided over by Mark is focused on determining whether the PDP leaders will fully integrate into the proposed 2027 coalition party or maintain their positions within the party while forming an electoral alliance.

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Earlier reports by The PUNCH revealed that the coalition has chosen the African Democratic Congress as its political platform and has selected Senator Mark to serve as interim chairman, with an official unveiling scheduled for Wednesday.

Other PDP figures in attendance include Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.

Details shortly…

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INEC Unveils 2025-2026 Election Timetable, Resumes Voter Registration

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has unveiled a comprehensive electoral timetable for 2025 and 2026, including five major elections and the nationwide resumption of Continuous Voter Registration.

This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held in Abuja on Tuesday.

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The electoral body, in a statement on its official X handle, said it is gearing up for a busy period, with a series of crucial polls scheduled across various states.

In the statement, the INEC Chairman said, “The five major elections highlighted in the new timetable include bye-elections in 12 states, slated for August 16, 2025, followed by the Anambra State Governorship election on November 8, 2025. Looking into 2026, the schedule includes Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti State Governorship election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun State Governorship election on August 8, 2026.”

READ ALSO:FCT Polls: APC Releases Names Of Primary Election Committee Members

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Yakubu also announced the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. “Online pre-registration will commence on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration across the country from August 25, 2025. For Anambra State, ahead of its governorship election, the CVR will begin earlier, next week, and will be conducted simultaneously in all 326 wards to ensure the compilation of a new voters’ register at least 90 days before the election, as required by law”, he said.

During the meeting, Yakubu welcomed two newly appointed National Commissioners, Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf, as well as six recently sworn-in RECs attending the meeting for the first time.

He emphasised the critical role of RECs in election management, urging them to proactively implement policy and procedural issues without constant prompting from the Headquarters.

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Addressing concerns regarding the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the review of election results, the INEC Chairman stated that the Commission is working on a supplementary regulation and guidelines to provide clarity.

READ ALSO:INEC Creates AI Division To Strengthen Electoral Credibility

He assured that this document would be uploaded to INEC’s official platforms for public information as early as this week.

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“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the General Election approaches. You are full-time Commissioners,” Professor Yakubu remarked, underscoring the continuous nature of electoral duties and the need for sustained commitment from all officials.

“You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed”, he said.

The meeting, which followed extensive consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and election security agencies, aimed to address key issues arising from these engagements and strategise for improved electoral service delivery across Nigeria.

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