Politics
Marafa’s Loyalists Quit APC, Cite Neglect Of Zamfara

Supporters of former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Marafa, have announced their resignation from the All Progressives Congress, citing what they described as injustice, marginalisation and deliberate neglect of the state by the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The group, operating under the aegis of the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum, met in Kaduna on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27 and 28, 2025, to deliberate on the worsening political, security and developmental situation in the state.
At the end of the meeting, the forum issued a communique signed by its chairman, Bashir Mafara, secretary Mannir Tsafe, and seven others, formally announcing their exit from the APC.
The communique partly read, “After broad consultations and critical review of the prevailing circumstances, the political structure of Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa OFR, CON across the 147 wards in Zamfara State unanimously resolved as follows:
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“The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people.
“That we shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State.”
The group expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state, pointing to official data and community reports on rising kidnappings and killings.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, hasn’t been able to address the persistent and senseless kidnappings and killings of innocent citizens in Zamfara State, despite the explicit promises made during the 2023 presidential campaign.
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“The situation continues to worsen, leaving communities devastated and hopeless,” they said.
The group claimed that reports indicate that out of the 4,722 people kidnapped over one year in Nigeria in 2024, 1,203 are from Zamfara State, followed by Kaduna State with 629.
It added that the Zamfara Circle Community Initiatives reported that 25 villages suffered attacks in one week after the just concluded by-election, with 145 people kidnapped and 21 killed.
The senator’s loyalists also accused the government of politicising insecurity for electoral gains.
On the alleged marginalisation of Zamfara in political appointments and projects, the communique added, “Despite the fact that Zamfara State was one of only two states in the entire North-West geopolitical zone that delivered victory to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election spearheaded by Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa OFR, CON as State Coordinator which the President himself categorically acknowledged during his speech shortly after his declaration as the winner of the 2023 election by INEC, the state has been sidelined in all facets of human developments including protection of lives and properties, infrastructural developments as well as fair representation in political appointments.
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“The state was given only a Minister of State, while most states in the Northwest got two slots.
“But more unfair is the allocation given to the Southwest that corners the entire financial sector, with some states getting multiple ministerial slots and countless agencies.
“For example, Lagos state, where President Tinubu lost the election, has enjoyed overwhelming patronage in terms of appointments and developmental projects, underscoring the deliberate marginalisation of Zamfara state, where Mr. President won.”
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The forum concluded by accusing the APC leadership of betraying its founding principles of fairness and justice.
“The above actions and omissions negate the fundamental principles of justice, fairness, equity and accountability upon which the APC was founded.
“Conscience demands that genuine progressives must stand for truth and resist injustice, no matter how uncomfortable,” it said.
Politics
2027: Oyo Gov, Makinde Speaks On Successor

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the choice of who would succeed him in 2027 rests solely with the people of the state, not with political godfathers or entitlement claims.
Makinde said this on Thursday in Ibadan while flagging off the zonal stakeholders’ consultative forum and engagement meeting on the 2026 Budget.
According to the governor, the decision of who becomes the next governor of Oyo state rests on all eligible voters in the state.
“Oyo State has gone beyond the era of politics based on entitlement or propaganda.
“Rather, the people of the state are now more politically enlightened and they will only support leaders who present credible plans and demonstrate capacity for development,” he said.
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Makinde, while reflecting on his own experience before coming into office in 2019, noted that leadership must be about accountability, not entitlement.
He recalled that many people doubted his capability when he first sought the governorship position, because he had not held any political office.
“In 2018, when I was consulting to become governor, there was no yardstick to measure me. I had never been a councillor or a local government chairman, but I asked the people to trust me and judge me by my actions,” he said.
The governor urged political leaders to focus on policies and projects that directly impact the lives of citizens rather than engaging in political theatrics.
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He said his administration’s approach to challenges has been to present a clear roadmap for Oyo State’s development, “one that people can read, evaluate, and hold us accountable to.”
Makinde expressed optimism that the people of the state would continue to support leaders who prioritise progress, inclusivity, and the well-being of citizens over personal ambition.
Speaking at the 7th Stakeholders Consultative Forum, the governor said that his administration would continue to consult and engage with residents of the state on the making of the state’s annual budgets, with a view to knowing their aspirations and prioritising their needs.
He maintained that the stakeholders’ engagement was to enable his government to serve the residents of the state better through a bottom-up approach to development, noting that his administration began the tradition in 2019.
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According to him, his government first separated the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning from the Ministry of Finance in order to ensure better management of the state’s resources and to avoid discrepancies.
He stated that the stakeholders’ engagement had resulted in better budget performances and economic development of the state.
Makinde reiterated that his government would continue to serve the interests of the people of the state by putting in place institutions that would ensure that the environment was safe and ready to attract investments.
He added that the state was growing rapidly and that this development had stopped rural-urban migration with the construction of Moniya-Iseyin Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Oyo-Iseyin Road, among other infrastructural projects, which have opened rural communities.
READ ALSO:Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation
Makinde is currently serving as governor for the second time.
The governor, whose term ends in 2027, had earlier this month advocated a single term of five or six years for elected political office holders across all levels of government in Nigeria, against the current double term of four years each.
He said a single term of five or six years is enough for any government to focus and serve the people and deliver on its mandate.
(NAN)
Politics
Court Extends Freezing Order On Osun LGs’ Bank Accounts

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, on Thursday, extended its earlier order, restraining the United Bank for Africa, Plc, from paying, releasing, or tampering with funds belonging to the 30 Local Governments in Osun State.
Akintola, who gave the order during the sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, said it would remain in force until tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2025, when the case is scheduled for further hearing.
He explained that the extension became necessary to ensure that all parties in the case were granted the right to a fair hearing in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
In his ruling, the judge said, “The case is adjourned till Friday, October 10, 2025, for further hearing, while the interim injunction shall continue to subsist.”
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Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunmbi, told the Court that the Peoples Democratic Party had filed an application seeking to be joined in the suit.
He, however, disclosed that his team would oppose the application.
“Even though the PDP has a constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36, we shall oppose their application for joinder. The case is narrow and straightforward; there is no need for multiple parties.”
The SAN also noted that Kasim Gbadamosi (SAN), who holds the brief of Kunle Adegoke (SAN), for the All Progressive Congress ex-council chairmen, had filed a fresh application in addition to an earlier one on the same matter of joinder.
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Responding, Gbadamosi said he intended to withdraw the new application, arguing that the issue of jurisdiction did not require a formal application.
“I will withdraw the application. The issue before the court is jurisdictional, and as such, it doesn’t require a formal application.”
He further argued that the case before the High Court amounted to an abuse of judicial process since a similar matter was already pending before the Supreme Court.
“The matter is premised on a case already before the Supreme Court and should therefore be struck out,” he stated.
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Also, the counsel to UBA Plc, Mutalib Ojo (SAN), aligned with the argument, urging the Court to adjourn the case sine die (indefinitely) pending the determination of the matter at the apex court.
“We observe that this suit is predicated upon a case already before the Supreme Court. Consequently, it should be adjourned sine die until the determination of that matter. UBA is not a party to the Supreme Court case; we are merely a neutral party in this process,” he submitted.
After hearing all arguments, Akintola adjourned the case till tomorrow, Friday, for ruling.
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Recall that the court had earlier granted the following interim orders as sought by the claimants: An order of interim injunction restraining UBA from paying, releasing, disbursing, or tampering with funds in the disputed local government accounts.
An order of mandatory injunction directing UBA to place a “Post No Debit” restriction on all affected accounts pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
The affected accounts include those of the 30 Local Governments in Osun State, from Atakumosa East to Osogbo, each identified by name and account number with UBA.
The suit, filed as Suit No. 1/1167/2025 before Court No. 5 of the Ibadan Judicial Division, is being handled by Olalekan Adeoye, Esq., on behalf of the claimants.
A second case on the same matter filed by the local government chairmen elected under the PDP was also adjourned for hearing tomorrow.
(PUNCH)
Politics
2027: PDP Northern Group Endorses Jonathan For Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Support Group, a coalition of loyalists and affiliate organisations within the opposition party, has endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement was among the key resolutions adopted at the group’s 8th meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, between Wednesday and Thursday, October 8–9, 2025.
The meeting drew participants from all 19 northern states to deliberate on the party’s state and strategies to strengthen it ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a communiqué signed by the Northern Coordinator, Hon. Yusuf Abubakar, and the North-West Zonal Secretary, Hon. Adamu Ahmed Narayi, the group described Jonathan as a unifying figure and symbol of peace and progress.
It lauded his leadership qualities, democratic values, and continued loyalty to the PDP.
READ ALSO:Jonathan Dragged To Court Over Bid To Participate In 2027 Election
“There is no going back on Goodluck Jonathan to redeem our party’s image in 2027. He remains a loyal party man who never abandoned the PDP and continues to command respect across the country,” the communiqué stated.
The group dismissed debates over Jonathan’s eligibility to recontest, maintaining that the issue had long been settled.
It also urged the PDP to embark on a coordinated media and grassroots mobilisation campaign, especially in the North, to promote Jonathan’s candidacy and highlight the potential benefits of his return to power.
The communiqué reaffirmed confidence in the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum, commending his ongoing reconciliation and peace-building efforts aimed at restoring unity within the party.
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“We remain optimistic that the PDP is not beyond redemption. With genuine commitment and collective sacrifice, our great party will reclaim power at the national level and in other states currently under the APC,” it added.
However, the group expressed concern over what it termed “the negative conduct” of some party leaders allegedly undermining unity and reconciliation efforts. It accused certain National Working Committee (NWC) members of anti-party activities and “divided loyalties.”
The communiqué specifically mentioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging that his actions were divisive and detrimental to the PDP’s cohesion.
“Minister Nyesom Wike’s actions have been detrimental to the PDP’s unity despite his claims of being a member. His continued recruitment of party members to sow discord is unacceptable and must be addressed decisively,” the group stated.
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It urged the PDP leadership to take disciplinary action against members sabotaging reconciliation efforts or collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reaffirming its commitment to party supremacy, the group said its loyalty remains with leaders genuinely devoted to rebuilding the PDP into a strong and united political force.
“The PDP retains strong grassroots support across the North. The party must seize this opportunity to rebuild its structures, restore its lost glory, and take bold steps to ensure unity, discipline, and progress,” the communiqué concluded.
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