Category: Local

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, scores of members from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rauf Aregbesola-led Omoluabi Progressive Group have defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection ceremony took place over the weekend in Ejigbo Local Government Area, where hundreds of defectors were officially received into the APC at a well-attended event held at Ilupeju Multipurpose Hall. Ejigbo APC apex leader and former senator, Mudashiru Husain, welcomed the new members, hailing their decision as a reflection of the growing appeal of the APC despite being in opposition. Husain, a leading contender for the APC’s 2026 governorship ticket, pledged fairness and inclusivity while describing the defections as a “product of purposeful and collective leadership.” “The defection of these numerous members from the PDP and Omoluabi Tendency shows that our grassroots strategy is working. Our goal is to build a broad-based movement to ensure APC’s victory in 2026 and deliver President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in Osun,” Husain stated. He added that his ambition to govern the state was driven by a commitment to progressive ideals, party discipline, and grassroots mobilisation. “It’s not a do-or-die affair, but I’m optimistic that I’ll emerge as the APC candidate and lead us to reclaim Osun,” he said. Leaders of the defecting factions expressed their motivations for switching camps. Hon. Wole Olajire, speaking on behalf of the Omoluabi group, said their move was “from uncertainty to certainty,” while PDP defector Hon. Kareem Mubarak decried his former party’s lack of internal democracy and performance. The event also featured remarks from local APC leaders, including Ejigbo LG Chairman Hon. Ayegbayo Gbolahan, West LCDA Chairman Hon. Olayanju Kolapo, and APC Ejigbo Chairman Hon. Lateef Adegoke, who praised the defectors and committed to strengthening the party’s base ahead of the crucial polls. Ask ChatGPT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially acknowledged the receipt of an application by the promoters of the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) seeking registration as a political party in Nigeria. In a letter dated June 27, 2025, signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC confirmed that the application—submitted by ADA’s Protem National Chairman on June 19, 2025—is currently under review. “The Commission is processing your application in line with the provision of Part 1, clause 2(ii) of our Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022,” the letter stated. While the letter did not indicate approval or denial, the formal acknowledgment and assurance of “highest regards” suggests the process is underway. If successfully registered, ADA would become one of the latest entrants into Nigeria’s expanding political landscape, potentially joining efforts to challenge the dominance of the APC and PDP in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. According to LEADERSHIP, INEC disclosed earlier this week that it has received a total of 110 applications from groups seeking registration as political parties, a signal of rising political mobilization ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Fubara appeared beside Wike and suspended Speaker of Rivers Assembly Martin Amaewhule, signaling a potential thaw in relations following a high-level reconciliation meeting facilitated by President Bola Tinubu earlier this week

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has reportedly resigned as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party. Although no official statement has been issued by the party as of press time, sources suggest the resignation occurred in the early hours of Friday and was allegedly prompted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Indications of the development emerged when Ganduje’s personal aides were seen removing his belongings from his office at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. A staff member who spoke to The Guardian under anonymity confirmed, “They have removed the portrait of Ganduje from his office. Even his personal staff have been moving in and out with files and their personal properties since morning.” The source added, “We are not new to this development. We saw it happen when Abdullahi Adamu and Adams Oshiomhole were there. So we are used to this kind of thing.” Ganduje, a close political ally of President Tinubu, was appointed APC National Chairman on August 3, 2023, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu. His tenure faced internal resistance, particularly from the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, which filed a legal challenge on grounds that the position should have remained within the North Central zone in accordance with the party’s constitution. The suit was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja in September 2024. In January 2025, Ganduje was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by President Tinubu. As of the time of filing this report, the APC has yet to release an official statement confirming Ganduje’s resignation or disclosing the party’s succession plan. Read full details here: News360NG

There was a mild drama on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, as counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, described the proceedings as “a political case.” Pinheiro made the comment during a disagreement over whether defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, could cross-examine the fourth prosecution witness (PW-4) immediately after the conclusion of the evidence-in-chief or defer the session to the next hearing. Emphasizing the significance of the matter, Pinheiro said, “This is the trial of a former governor, hence, political.” He further stressed that he was not prosecuting a regular individual but a political figure “who had even aspired to contest for presidency.” Responding, Daudu disagreed, stating that the matter strictly involves allegations of money laundering, not politics. The exchange prompted a light-hearted remark from Justice Emeka Nwite, who said, “Political? If that is the case, then those handling political cases should prepare to take over the matter.” Earlier, Justice Nwite rejected an EFCC application to “cross-examine” its own witness, ruling that such a move is only permissible if the prosecution first declares the witness hostile. The issue arose during the previous hearing when EFCC counsel Olukayode Enitan, SAN, sought to cross-examine the third prosecution witness (PW-3), Mr. Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor with the American International School, Abuja (AISA), over a court judgment admitted as Exhibit 19. The judge ruled that the EFCC could not cross-examine its own witness without proper legal basis, stating, “The argument of the learned counsel to the prosecution is misconceived.” He, however, allowed limited re-examination strictly based on pages 1, 14, and 15 of the document. Following the ruling, the fourth prosecution witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, testified. He confirmed the authenticity of seven sets of bank statements provided by the bank, which were subsequently admitted into evidence. During his testimony, Bata detailed various transactions, including a ₦10 million cash withdrawal made under the name Abdulsalami Hudu on May 23, 2016 — the maximum amount allowed per cheque transaction at the time. He also confirmed multiple cash transactions on the same date and identified credit inflows totaling ₦1.092 billion on January 30, 2018. The defence counsel interjected, asserting that some of the withdrawals being referenced were related to security votes, a claim not immediately addressed by the court. The witness reported a total of ₦1.968 billion in withdrawals over different dates, as well as several inflows and outflows between May 2 and May 19, 2018. Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s examination-in-chief, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to June 27, 2025, for cross-examination.

Nigerians earning less than ₦250,000 per month will be exempt from paying income tax beginning January 2026, according to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed four new tax bills into law on Thursday, Oyedele explained that the reforms are designed to stimulate economic growth and ensure equity in the tax system, rather than increase tax burdens. He stated that under the new laws, individuals or households earning ₦250,000 or less per month are now classified as poor and, therefore, exempt from income tax obligations. “This tax law will not give you cash in your pocket, but at least it won’t take your cash away if you are poor,” Oyedele said. He clarified that the reforms are structured to eliminate tax obligations for low-income earners, reduce the tax burden for the middle class, and slightly increase taxes for high-income earners. Those earning between ₦1.8 million and ₦2 million monthly — estimated at about 5% of the population — will see their tax rates reduced under the new framework. To determine the exemption threshold, Oyedele explained that the committee evaluated poverty standards beyond global benchmarks, using a Nigerian context that accounts for rural lifestyles and subsistence living. “We drew our own poverty line based on an average Nigerian household of five, with two people working. We estimated that if such a household earns around ₦250,000 monthly, they can meet basic needs, though without luxury. These people should not be taxed,” he said. Oyedele also emphasized the broader goal of the reforms: improving tax efficiency and compliance. He noted that Nigeria currently collects only 30% of its potential tax revenue and that the new laws are aimed at closing the 70% gap without placing undue burden on the poor. He described the reforms as “efficiency-driven, growth-focused, and people-centric,” with the overarching objective of fostering inclusive economic development.

The lingering dispute between the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Smart Iheoma, and the Chairman of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chidi Asonye, has been amicably resolved. According to ABN TV, the resolution was reached following a peace meeting convened to foster mutual respect and collaboration between the local government and the media, in the interest of Abia State’s development. The reconciliation comes after a period of tension triggered by conflicting reports surrounding a sanitation day event in Umuahia. During the meeting, both parties acknowledged the importance of unity and cooperation in advancing good governance and supporting the state’s development agenda. Both leaders expressed their commitment to working together moving forward, with an understanding that open communication and mutual respect are critical for fostering progress in the state.