The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State has bolstered its political standing by welcoming more than 10,000 members who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). These new entrants, who include various local government party chairmen and political stakeholders, were formally received on Tuesday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Governor Nasir Idris welcomed the new members and assured them that they would receive equal treatment and be fully integrated into the APC.

• He emphasized that the APC is an inclusive party that accommodates everyone regardless of their political background.

• The Governor encouraged both the new entrants and existing party leadership to collaborate harmoniously to consolidate the party’s strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

• He stressed that every member of the party will be provided with equal opportunities.

Reasons for Defection

• Supporters of ADC stalwart Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, represented by Bello Doya, stated their move was motivated by the transparency and people-oriented developmental strides of the Idris administration.

• Bello Manti, Chairman of the PDP Local Government Chairmen’s Association, stated that he and other party officials joined the APC because they were convinced by the Governor’s inclusive governance and visible performance.

• Manti noted that the APC is viewed as a superior platform for advancing the interests of the people.

Notable Defectors In addition to the PDP Local Government Chairmen’s Association chairman, the party chairmen from the following local government areas also moved to the APC: Dandi, Koko/Besse, Arewa, Zuru, Ngaski, Yauri, Shanga, Danko-Wasagu, Sakaba, and Aliero.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for expressing dissatisfaction that President Bola Tinubu did not reach out to him personally following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. Speaking in Abuja, Akume argued that the President’s priority was executing coordinated intelligence operations to secure the victims’ release, rather than engaging in symbolic gestures like phone calls.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Prioritizing Action over Optics: Akume questioned the utility of a phone call, asking if such a gesture would have actually secured the victims’ freedom. He emphasized that effective security requires discretion and strategy rather than public rhetoric.

• Criticism of Politicization: The SGF accused certain political leaders of attempting to turn a security incident into a political controversy despite the successful rescue of the captives.

• Defense of President Tinubu: Akume described President Tinubu as a “doer” rather than a “talker,” comparing his leadership style to the Roman Centurion whose service was defined by deeds rather than words.

• Government Focus: Akume maintained that the administration remains focused on fighting insecurity through intelligence gathering and coordinated action by security agencies, ensuring Nigerians can live without fear.

Following their 56-day captivity, Governor Makinde has taken responsibility for the welfare and education of the rescued individuals. Additionally, the Governor has continued to advocate for an independent investigation into the incident, supported by the United Nations, to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has officially endorsed Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent, international investigation into the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the state’s Oriire Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Assembly argued that an external inquiry is necessary to expose security lapses, ensure accountability, and bolster Nigeria’s overall strategy against terrorism and mass school abductions. The lawmakers stressed that because conventional responses have repeatedly failed to stop the disturbing pattern of school attacks across the country, new approaches are required.

Senate Opposition

This position places the Oyo Assembly in direct opposition to the Nigerian Senate, which on Tuesday cautioned Governor Makinde against involving the United Nations. The Senate maintained that the incident is a domestic security matter that should be handled exclusively by Nigerian authorities.

Oyo Assembly Responds to Senate

Responding to the Senate’s rejection, the Oyo Assembly clarified that Governor Makinde’s request had been misinterpreted. They emphasized that the call for UN involvement is not an indictment of the Federal Government or a criticism of the security forces.

The statement read, “The governor had consistently commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Amotekun Corps and other security stakeholders for their coordinated efforts that culminated in the successful rescue of the victims after weeks in captivity. The call for an independent international investigation is neither an indictment of the Federal Government nor a criticism of our gallant security agencies. It is a responsible request aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, identifying possible security gaps and making recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence.”

The Assembly argued that commending agencies for a rescue operation does not preclude the government from seeking a transparent review of how the abduction occurred in the first place.

The Necessity of International Scrutiny

The Oyo lawmakers further justified their stance by citing the international dimensions that terrorism and attacks on schools have assumed, making cooperation with foreign institutions essential. They pointed out that many democratic nations have utilized independent investigations to address major security failures without compromising their sovereignty.

Concluding their statement, the Assembly welcomed the Senate’s call for improved training and welfare for security personnel but maintained that this resolution complements, rather than contradicts, Governor Makinde’s proposal for an international probe. Both measures, they asserted, aim to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and secure educational institutions.