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Over 30,000 PDP Members Defect To APC In Edo North

Published

6 years ago

January 25, 2020

Editor

…No One left In Edo North PDP – Oshiomhole

Over 30, 000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saturday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North during a unification rally in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.

Leader of the defectors, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, while disclosing this figure noted that they were joining the APC to work with Oshiomole and governor Godwin Obaseki to succeed in the development of the state.

“A minimum of 30,000 members are leaving the PDP to the APC today. There is nobody left in the PDP in Edo North because aside those who left the APC and are coming back, those who had not leave the PDP since 1999 are also joining us,” he said.

Receiviing the defectors, National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole, said the rally has reinforced his confidence in wining the forthcoming governorship election for the APC, adding that no one is left in Edo North PDP.

While disclosing that he can’t leave local politics because he doesn’t want to be a national chairman who can’t win any election, Oshiomhole said President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated them during NEC meeting to connect to their unit level of politics and listen the views of all members so as to unite the party at the grassroot.

Oshiomole noted that the only permanent position in politics is grassroot while all other position are tenured, adding that by the time his ternure elapsed, he would be coming back to the local politics.

“Some people asked me why I am playing local politics as a national chairman and I told them that every politics is local. I don’t want to be an Abuja politician who cannot win his polling unit, local government and state in election.

“I don’t want to be an Abuja politician because I am a national chairman and on the day of election, I can’t win my unit. I don’t want to be a chairman who campaign and win election in other states and on election day I can’t win my unit, ward, house of assembly member and national assembly member. If I don’t win my place, how will I deliver the president and how will I be a useful national chairman,” he added.

Speaking on the recent Supreme Court judgement on Imo State election, Oshiomole said in reforming the electoral process, APC will push the president and the National Assembly to insert in the electoral law that any INEC official who delibrately declared a loser as the winner of election should be charge to Court when the Court established that a fraud has been commited.

“Everybody knows that you need one quarter of the votes and at least two third local governments in a state to be declared a winner or governor, but INEC recruit a professor of crook who declared Emeka Ihedeoha of the PDP who scored one third in 12 local governments out of 27, so if the professor go free with his loot another person will try it again,” he said.

He added, “That was the mischief that the Supreme Court corrected that they are hiring people to come and make noise. We don’t steal votes, we win votes. So I congratulate the Supreme Court for upholding the constitution of the country.”

He further spoke on the electoral law as saying President Buhari has said that he will take some steps to correct the lapses that have been observed in the electoral process before before he leave office so that the next election will be free and fair and no need to go to Court.

“What that means is that any body who want to rig election is not in Buhari’s country and APC Buhari said he will not rig election for any body and want electoral process where votes counts in the country”, he added.a

News

INEC Accredits 121 Observers For Anambra Governorship Poll

Published

59 minutes ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has accredited 121 domestic and international organisations to observe the Anambra State governorship election.

The development was announced in an advertisement published by the commission in The PUNCH newspaper on Monday.

Accredited foreign observers include the British High Commission, the European Union, and the High Commission of Canada, among others.

On the domestic front, organisations such as Yiaga Africa Initiative, The Electoral Hub, and the Centre for Democracy and Development have been cleared to monitor the exercise.

The observers are expected to assess the conduct of the election and report on its transparency, credibility, and compliance with democratic standards.

INEC had earlier confirmed that 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the election.

The Anambra governorship poll, one of Nigeria’s off-cycle elections, is set to take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The electoral body has released the final list of candidates and announced the official commencement of campaign activities.

Sixteen political parties met the submission deadline of May 12 and will field candidates in the upcoming election.

News

UPDATED: Renowned Evangelist, Uma Ukpai, Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Renowned Nigerian evangelist and spiritual leader of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, is dead.

This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by his family, who said he passed away on October 6 2025 at the age of 80.

The family described his passing as a “glorious transition” from a life of devoted service to eternal rest.

Ukpai, widely recognised as a spiritual general and founding father of faith, dedicated over six decades of his life to evangelism, dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstrations of God’s power.

His ministry impacted millions of lives in Nigeria and around the world, shaping destinies and nurturing spiritual growth across generations.

“He was a faithful soldier of the cross who devoted his life to spreading the gospel with passion and integrity.

“His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire believers for years to come,” his family said.

Over the course of his ministry, Ukpai became known for his fiery evangelistic campaigns, transformative teachings, and commitment to empowering both clergy and lay leaders.

Beyond his spiritual work, he was also celebrated as a loving husband, devoted father, and mentor to countless individuals who regarded him as a guide in faith and life.

The family expressed gratitude for the life and work of Ukpai, highlighting that while they mourn his physical absence, they rejoice that he has “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.”

They assured the public that details of his obsequies would be shared in due course.

Ukpai’s ministry, spanning over sixty years, leaves behind a profound spiritual and social legacy, with churches, educational initiatives, and humanitarian efforts that continue to influence communities globally.

His life, the family said, was a testament to the biblical truth that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

News

JUST IN: FG Enforces No-work-no-pay On Striking ASUU Members

Published

4 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities across the country to strictly enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities currently participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, according to The PUNCH.

The circular was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC.

According to the circular, the Federal Ministry of Education expressed dissatisfaction over reports of the continued industrial action by ASUU despite repeated calls for dialogue, stressing that government would no longer tolerate non-compliance with extant labour laws.

“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the circular reads.

The minister directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in their institutions.

He also instructed them to submit a comprehensive report indicating staff members who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike.

Alausa further directed that salary payment for the period of work stoppage be withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.

He clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, who are not part of the strike, are exempted from the directive and will not face any salary deductions.

The minister also tasked the National Universities Commission to monitor compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receiving the circular.

“Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” Alausa urged the university heads.

The federal government had threatened to enforce the policy amid the ongoing nationwide strike by the lecturers.

The lecturers on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.

ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.

Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).