Politics
Lagos LG chair aspirant withdraws for Obasa’s son
The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola, has withdrawn his interest to vie for the chairmanship position of the LG in the upcoming July 12, 2025 council election.
Abiola said he stepped down for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Abiola, who is a political protégé of the Speaker, says his decision was borne out of his loyalty to Obasa, denying that he was forced to step down.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola affirmed his loyalty to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola reaffirmed his commitment to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
He emphasised that his withdrawal was a voluntary and conscious choice in support of Obasa’s son.
On Monday, Agege stakeholders had urged Obasa to allow his son, Abdulganiyu, to contest the council chairmanship, citing the Speaker’s significant contributions to the development of Agege and his long-standing political influence in the area.
In response to rumours that he had been pressured to withdraw, Abiola made it clear that he remained deeply appreciative of Obasa’s role in his political career.
He further pledged his full support for the Speaker’s leadership, stating that he would never act against the party’s direction or Obasa’s guidance.
“I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,” Abiola stated. “He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015.
In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time.
“In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman — all through the party’s and Speaker’s support.
So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence?
”Although Abiola admitted to having aspired to the chairmanship, he made it clear that he respected the party’s collective decision.
“Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree.
Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that,” he stated.
Abiola also expressed his commitment to serving the people, stating that he believed greater opportunities would come in the future.
“I trust my leader. He knows what’s best and can recommend me for even greater responsibilities when the time is right,” he said.
“I’m still young and full of energy. I’ll work for the party and ensure we achieve victory.
”Abiola said he had instructed members of his Obasa Youth Alliance to fully support the party’s decision.
Politics
Wike: Fubara not Rivers APC leader ,” lacks political structure
Wike, who spoke at a media parley with journalists in Port Harcourt, explained that party leadership is determined by operational structure at the ward level and not by political office.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has become the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, following the governor’s recent defection to the ruling party.
Wike also said that the recent defection of Fubara from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) came too late and without any political structure to strengthen his new party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike, who spoke at a media parley with journalists in Port Harcourt, explained that party leadership is determined by operational structure at the ward level and not by political office.
“Every member registers only in his ward, and that party authority flows from that structure.
“There is nothing like 001 in the state. You register in your ward, and your local government is in your ward. Everybody registers in his own ward. You could be the first person to register, but not in the sense that by becoming governor you automatically become leader of the party,” Wike stated.
He acknowledged that, in principle, governors often lead their parties in their states but insisted that leadership is not conferred by office alone. “Leadership is not because I am a governor. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he added.
Politics
Wike tells Fubara “Supporting Tinubu won’t earn you return ticket as governor 2027”
Earlier this month, Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, told Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “Supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not guarantee you a return ticket for the 2027 governorship election.”
Wike made the remark at the weekend during a visit to Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike and Fubara have been locked in a fierce struggle for political control in the state, a conflict that plunged Rivers into a prolonged crisis.
The standoff culminated in the burning of the State House of Assembly complex and, later, the declaration of a state of emergency in the state by President Tinubu.
The crisis also led to the reported defection of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers loyal to Wike to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development that sparked several court cases…
Earlier this month, Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He later announced his defection at a meeting with government officials at the Government House in Port Harcourt, pledging his support for the President. Fubara’s defection came days after some members of the state assembly had joined the APC.
Politics
Lagos APC to begin e-registration in 20 LGAs
The e-registration will cover both existing members, who are expected to undergo revalidation, and new members who wish to join the party. The exercise will be conducted simultaneously in all 245 wards of the state,” said Ojelabi.
Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will commence the electronic registration and revalidation of its members across 20 local government areas in the State.
The Chairman of the Lagos APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed that the exercises will be held between January 5 and 28, 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of future elections.
He said that the exercise which would be followed by congresses across the state is designed to create a credible, comprehensive, and verifiable database of party members across the state.
” The e-registration will cover both existing members, who are expected to undergo revalidation, and new members who wish to join the party. The exercise will be conducted simultaneously in all 245 wards of the state,” said Ojelabi.
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