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Three APC Members Arrested Over Gov’s Xmas Rice, Lawyer Seeks N10m Damages

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Three members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State have been arrested by the police over Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Christmas rice.

DAILY POST learnt those arrested are Morufu Idowu, Adebayo Rabiu and Wasiu Raji. They were nabbed between Sunday and Monday after being accused of diverting some bags of rice meant for distribution.

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But, a legal practitioner, A.D. Sosanwo, has demanded N10 million in damages from the Nigeria Police Force, Ijebu-Ode Area Command “for unlawfully detaining” the trio, whom he described as his clients.

Sosanwo had, in a petition written to the Ijebu Ode Area Command and copied to the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police explained that his clients were arrested and being detained beyond the specific constitutional period.

READ ALSO: 2023: APC Governors To Meet As Buhari, Members Raise Fears Over Convention

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According to him, the three APC members “were arrested on the order of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi.”

In the petition, Sosanwo said they were arrested by police officers in Ago-Iwoye and transferred to Ijebu-Ode Area Command.

The lawyer explained that the Area Commander had demanded that the bags of rice be returned for the matter to be resolved amicably between the complainant and the arrested persons.

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It was, however, alleged that rather than releasing those arrested or charging them to court, the police had requested to see the former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly from Ijebu North II State Constituency, Hon Dare Kadiri, before the arrested could be released.

When contacted on phone, the former Deputy Speaker explained that the rift started when the SSG reportedly hoarded the bags of rice for his group in the local government, sidelining other groups.

Kadiri further accused the SSG of allegedly withholding till date, a sum of N11 million given to party members for the 2020 Christmas and Ileya Celebration; adding that the bags of rice given to him were not distributed until after six months when the grains were already getting spoilt.

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The lawmaker explained that when the rice and money were released from the State this time, the SSG gave the same to a fractional Chairman, who he claimed had been excluding many party members from the largesse.

He further revealed that some youths came to him in protest and he called the man in whose custody the bags of rice were to take same to the Chairman of the APC in the local government for even distribution.

Kadiri explained how he drove to the factional Chairman’s house to retrieve 10 bags of rice meant for his ward, adding that he handed the rice over to the APC Ward Chairman when the custodian of the items refused to listen to the complaints of the youths.

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His words: “The governor gave the party members 10 bags of rice and N500,000 as a Christmas gift, only for the SSG to hand them over to his group, leaving our own group.

“They took the rice to a fractional chairman who has been sharing rice to only people in their group. The youths came to me, I called the man to instruct him to take the rice from the State to the Local Government party Chairman, but he refused.

READ ALSO: Why Bayelsa Remains Backwards 26 Years After Creation – APC Chieftain

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“I drove down there and removed only the 10 bags of rice given to my ward. I drove to the Local Government party chairman’s house and dropped the 10 bags there. Only for the SSG to order their arrest.”

DAILY POST reports that the duo of the SSG and the erstwhile Deputy Speaker has been up in arms with each other over the control of the APC in Ijebu North.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was yet to be briefed about the case, promising to find out from the DPO of Ijebu-Igbo.

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Also, the SSG neither picked nor returned calls put across to his mobile number, even as he did not respond to a text message sent to his number.

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2027: Bauchi Speaker Responds To Call To Join Guber Race

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The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has responded to those calling him to declare interest in the 2027 governorship race, saying it’s not the right time considering the fact that a lot of works are to be done.

Recall that Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, during a press conference held earlier this week, urged the Speaker to consider contesting for the top seat, citing his experience and achievements in public service.

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Responding to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY, the Speaker, who appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the coalition, however, maintained that governance and the fulfillment of his current mandate remain his immediate priority.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Speaker Knocks Wike Over Threats To PDP Governors, Wants Security Agents To Take Action

While we sincerely appreciate the compliments and support expressed by the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, we believe that now is not the appropriate time to declare interest in any political position, including the 2027 gubernatorial race,” he said.

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He added, “This is not the time. There is still a lot to do. Our primary focus at this moment is on representation and governance, serving the interests of our constituents faithfully.”

The Speaker stated that when the time is right to pursue such political ambitions, it would be done transparently and in consultation with party leaders, political allies, and the people of Bauchi State.

READ ALSO: NYSC Urges Bauchi Governor To Reconstruct Collapsed Camp Fence

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We hold a mandate entrusted to us by our constituents, and it is our duty to act in their best interests,” he noted.

He urged the coalition and supporters to continue praying and supporting his efforts in delivering impactful governance.

Our commitment remains to serve with integrity and to prioritize the welfare of our constituents above all,” he said.

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Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

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The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

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The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

READ ALSO: Atiku, Obi Arrive Abuja For Consultative Group Meeting

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

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The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

READ ALSO: Trump Orders Mass Layoffs At Voice Of America, Other US-funded Media

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A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

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“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

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The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.

 

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Rivers LG Administrator Appointed By Ibas Resigns

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The administrator of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Goodluck Ihemnacho, has resigned.

Ihemnacho is one of the administrators appointed by the state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), for the 23 LGAs of the state.

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The resignation was contained in a letter dated June 20, 2025, addressed to the state sole administrator and obtained by our correspondent.

In the letter which has flooded the social media space, Ihemnacho said his resignation was informed by his desire to return to the private sector.

READ ALSO: Rivers Women Walk Out On Ibas’ Wife, Chant ‘We Want Fubara’

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The resignation letter partly read, “I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the administrator, Ahoada East LGA.

“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for finding me worthy to serve as Ahaoda East LGA from 11th day of April 2025 to 20th day of July 2025.”

Meanwhile there are speculations that Ihemnacho resigned to pave the way for him to contest the forth-coming LG elections in the state, though this has not been verified.

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