A former member of the House of Representatives, Magaji Da’u Aliyu, has said Northern political leaders are obligated to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that the region had promised to return presidential power to Tinubu’s political camp after Muhammadu Buhari completed his eight-year tenure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Aliyu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Deputy Campaign Director of the North for the Tinubu Support Group, said the understanding was reached when Northern leaders visited Tinubu in Lagos to seek his backing for Buhari’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2015 election.

He made the remarks while addressing supporters in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, where he maintained that the North had no justification for abandoning the alleged agreement.

According to the former lawmaker, Buhari had contested the presidential election three times unsuccessfully before Northern leaders approached Tinubu for support.

“Buhari contested the presidential election three times and lost. We then went to Lagos to beg Tinubu to support Buhari’s presidential ambition,” he said.

Aliyu explained that Tinubu agreed to support Buhari on the condition that presidential power would return to his political camp after the former President completed eight years in office.

“He agreed to support us on the understanding that after Buhari’s eight years in office, power would return to his side, and we accepted the agreement,” he added.

The APC chieftain argued that backing Tinubu for a second term in 2027 would amount to honouring the commitment allegedly made to him.

“For every Northerner, fulfilling that agreement is mandatory. We have no reason not to honour the agreement we entered into,” Aliyu stated.

He also pledged that members of the Northern Tinubu Support Group would deploy their resources towards securing the President’s re-election.

“On our part, we will support Tinubu’s re-election bid with our lives and wealth to ensure that we fulfil the promise we made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aliyu defended Tinubu against criticism over the country’s security challenges, arguing that no human being had the absolute power to guarantee security.

He maintained that lasting peace and stability could only come through divine intervention, urging Nigerians to stop blaming the President and instead seek God’s help in addressing insecurity.

“Let us stop the blame game. Only God has the power to provide security. We should seek His forgiveness, and He will grant us peace and stability,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has unveiled an updated campaign council list ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Nollywood actress Rachael Okonkwo, popularly known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, appointed Director of Creativity and Entertainment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Her appointment is among the latest additions to the party’s campaign structure as it prepares to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Peter Mbah and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The updated list was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Enugu State APC Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, and the party’s Secretary, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie.

The party explained that the changes followed the decision of additional political stakeholders across the state to join its campaign team.

It welcomed the new members, expressing confidence that their participation would strengthen the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, the adjustments largely involve additional members, while the existing leadership structure of the campaign council remains unchanged.

The 51-directorate campaign council is still chaired by Governor Mbah, with Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai; APC Deputy National Chairman (South); Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu; APC State Chairman, Martin Chukwunweike; and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, serving as vice chairmen.

The Advisory Council comprises former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo, former Chief of Naval Staff Allison Madueke, former Minister of Power Barth Nnaji and former Minister of Information Frank Nweke Jr.

Other members include businessman Prince Arthur Eze, Senator Chuka Utazi and former deputy governors Cecilia Ezeilo, Bishop Ralph Nwoye, Sunday Onyebuchi and Okechukwu Itanyi.

Chief Charlie Mbah retains his position as Director-General of the campaign council, while Dr Eric Oluedo will serve as Secretary-General.

For the three senatorial districts, Senator Osita Ngwu will coordinate activities in Enugu West, Senator Ikeje Asogwa in Enugu North and Senator Kelvin Chukwu in Enugu East.

The council also appointed Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr Dan Shere and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye as deputy campaign directors-general for Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu West, respectively.

Barrister Steve Oruruo was named Campaign Spokesperson and Director of Public Communication, with Dr Austin Okolie serving as co-spokesperson and Dr Malachy Agbo as secretary.

The media and communication team will be coordinated by Mazi Uche Anichukwu, who will head New Media and Strategic Communication, while Dan Nwomeh will oversee Mainstream Media.

Dr Collins Ogbu and Dr Reuben Onyishi were appointed secretaries of the two directorates, respectively.

Other appointments include Barrister Victor Udeh as head of the Administration Directorate, while Dr Ben Nwoye and Architect Uche Nwatu will lead the fundraising committee as director and co-director.

Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (rtd.), will head the Security Directorate, with former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo (rtd.), serving as secretary.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology will supervise the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination, which covers federal and state government appointees. Prof. Chidiebere Onyia will serve as its secretary.

Former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh, has been appointed Director of Inter-Party Affairs.

For women mobilisation, APC State Woman Leader Esther Edeh will head the directorate, with APC South-East Woman Leader Oby Ajih as co-director and Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, as secretary.

Senator Chuka Utazi will oversee Parliamentary Mobilisation, while former Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu will serve as secretary.

Senator Ben Collins Ndu has been appointed Director of Contact and Mobilisation, with Barrister Peter Okonkwo as co-director and Lovelyn Obioma Nweze as secretary.

Victor Udeh will also lead the Election Planning and Monitoring Directorate, with the Governor’s Political Adviser, Chief Frank Anioma, serving as secretary.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, will head the Welfare Directorate, while Dame Rita Mbah will oversee Event Management.

Other appointments include Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Charles Egumgbe, as Director of Monitoring, and Engr. Uchenna Nwobodo as head of Works and Venue.

Hon. USA Igweshi has been returned to his 2023 position as Director of Support Groups, with Dr Chiedozie Nwafor appointed secretary.

Meanwhile, actress Rachael Okonkwo will lead the Creativity and Entertainment Directorate, while Monday Diamond, General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency, will head its secretariat.

Chief Arinze Ogbodo has been appointed Director of Town Unions Coordination, with Hon. Charles Chime serving as secretary.

The APC said the revised campaign structure forms part of its preparations to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and secure support across Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims that Governor Douye Diri is not supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that the governor is actively involved in the campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party’s chairman, Chief Warman Weri Ogoriba, described the allegation by the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief George Turnah, as baseless.

Turnah had questioned Diri’s commitment to Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that there was little evidence of the governor’s participation in activities promoting the President’s re-election in the state.

The PDP chairman made the allegation on Friday while addressing party members at the PDP secretariat in Bayelsa.

He challenged those who claim to support Tinubu to provide evidence of their involvement in activities aimed at advancing the President’s political ambition.

Turnah specifically asked whether Diri attended the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja or joined Tinubu and other party leaders at the flag-off of the presidential campaign in Kaduna.

He also questioned whether the governor had visited communities across Bayelsa to mobilise support for the President or erected billboards promoting his re-election.

Turnah said, “Those claiming to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election should be asked to demonstrate what they have done to show their commitment.

“When the President inaugurated the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, was Governor Douye Diri there?

“When the President and the APC flagged off their presidential campaign in Kaduna, was Governor Diri there?

“In Bayelsa State, is there anything to show that Governor Diri has visited communities or participated in activities to demonstrate support for the President’s re-election?

“Is there any billboard mounted by the APC government in Bayelsa State to show support for President Tinubu? There is none.

“Have they inaugurated any campaign council for President Tinubu in Bayelsa State? Let us not deceive ourselves. They are not supporting him.

“We are the ones, the PDP, who are supporting President Tinubu’s re-election.”

However, Ogoriba dismissed the allegation, maintaining that Diri’s public statements and actions clearly demonstrated his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The APC chairman described suggestions that the governor was not backing the President as unreasonable.

He said, “It is laughable that anyone could imagine that Governor Diri was not backing the re-election bid of President Tinubu, as his actions and utterances prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he is in the forefront of the campaign for the President’s re-election.”

Ogoriba also faulted Turnah’s claim that Diri was not supporting the City Boys Movement, a political support group associated with Tinubu’s activities.

According to him, the governor had supported the group in several ways, including attending some of its events.

He questioned Turnah’s understanding of the movement’s activities, arguing that his comments did not reflect the political realities in Bayelsa.

The APC chairman urged residents to disregard the PDP leader’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to create unnecessary political tension in the state.