Politics
NNPP: Kwankwaso Never Negotiated APC Defection – ‘High Demands’ Claims Are Lies and Elite Plot
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has dismissed reports suggesting that the National Leader of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, overreached himself in purported negotiations for his defection to the All Progressives Congress.
Responding to the reports, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the claim that the former Kano State governor entered into any negotiation with the APC.
Ladipo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, stated that Kwankwaso never got to the stage where he contemplated defecting to the APC.
“It’s regrettable that such lies are not only being orchestrated by some individuals, purportedly sounding authoritative, but unfortunately, also published as lead stories in major newspapers!” Johnson stressed: “We wish to state categorically and for the record that at no time did Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso have any meeting with President Bola Tinubu or any of his proxies either in the APC or otherwise where issues of defection were discussed.”
“Just days ago, a newspaper carried a lead story about the “details” of why Senator Kwankwaso’s “defection” failed, predicated so shamelessly on account of his purported demands before joining the APC. It was all hogwash, as nothing like that ever took place. It could be assumed that the story was sponsored to discredit Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. But they have failed in this monstrous campaign of calumny.
“This is the truth and nothing but the truth and to this extent, we call on Nigerians to disregard such media orchestrations either as news stories or those peddling the misleading information in their articles and columns. It’s all a hatchet job to tarnish Kwankwaso’s reputation but these mischief makers have failed woefully”.
Following the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the APC, there were reports that the APC fell out with Kwankwaso due to what was described as his “high demands.” Indeed, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, in an interview with Arise TV on Friday, said Kwankwaso misjudged his political leverage in his reported negotiations with the APC. “I will agree with the second outcome you mentioned — that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso overreached,” Yusuf said.
“Again I stress that it is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or Tinubu for his defection to their party. That never happened. “The last time he sat with the President was in January 2024, and there was no discussion about defecting to the APC. Those spreading the defection rumours were probably those who wanted to move to the APC, and who have done so now!
“It is quite clear that there is a conspiracy by the political elite to discredit Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; one fueled by these lies and half-baked opinions and articles with warped conclusions. Some have even concluded that the Senator is a “local champion”, but time will tell. Obviously, some people are trying to preempt Senator Kwankwaso’s next political move and want to stop him from entering into any alliance that they feel would be detrimental to their continued hold on power.“Kwankwaso is a man of integrity and plays his politics well, having the interest of the general public at heart. It is rather heart warming that his political base and the talakawas are not swayed by what is contained in these elitist newspapers and television” Johnson said.
Politics
Tinubu Hails Adeleke’s Re-Election as Proof Democracy Is Thriving
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election, describing the victory as a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress administration.
In a statement from the State House, the President said he telephoned the governor earlier in the day to offer his congratulations.
“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” Tinubu said.
He wished the governor success in his second term and urged him to prioritise unity and development.
“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election,” the President added.
Tinubu also saluted the other candidates for their role in strengthening the democratic process.
“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture. The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.”
The President further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for conducting a peaceful and transparent poll that produced a clear winner.
Politics
BREAKING: INEC declares Adeleke winner of Osun gov poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner of the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
State Returning Officer Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, announced the results at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo in the early hours of Sunday. Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came a distant third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke secured victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11. The winning margin stood at 66,252 votes.
According to the official figures, Osun had 2,339,544 registered voters. A total of 1,010,684 voters were accredited, with 1,005,800 votes cast. Of these, 985,079 were valid and 20,721 were rejected.
Ogunwole declared: “Ademola Nurudeen-Jackson Adeleke having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner of the August 15 Governorship election and returned elected.”
The result followed overnight collation from all 30 local government areas. Adeleke, who first won the seat in 2022, will now serve a second term.
Politics
BREAKING: Adeleke coasts to victory winning 19 LGs, APC’s Oyebamiji secures 11 LGs
The state’s Returning Officer, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, is expected to make the final declaration at the INEC state collation centre in Osogbo.
The incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party, has won 19 Local Government Areas out of the 30 in the state, while his close rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, won 11 LGs in the Saturday governorship election.
Adeleke is awaiting the official declaration from the Independent National Electoral Commission following the collation and announcement of results on Sunday.
A total of 15 political parties participated in the election, but only the Accord Party and the APC made a significant impact across the state.
The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came a distant third with 14,989 votes.
As of the time of filing the report, the state’s Returning Officer, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, is expected to make the final declaration at the INEC state collation centre in Osogbo.
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