Politics
Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Defects from PDP to APC Amid Party Crisis
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that further strengthens the APC’s dominance among state governors in Nigeria.
The announcement was made through a statement issued by the Director General of Media and Communication in the Governor’s office, Nuhu Anka. It followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders, leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.
According to the statement, Governor Lawal’s decision came “after careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State.”
The governor cited prolonged internal crises, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both national and state levels as key factors prompting the switch.
The final deliberations took place at the Government House in Gusau, coordinated by the Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, alongside senior government officials and key political figures.
The deputy governor publicly announced the defection on behalf of the governor and his team, confirming that Lawal, his political appointees, and supporters would now align with the APC.
Governor Lawal emphasized that the current political realities and ongoing turmoil in the PDP necessitated this “bold step” to prioritize good governance and the future prosperity of Zamfara State.
The defection increases the number of APC-controlled governorships to 31, dealing another blow to the PDP amid its persistent internal divisions.
This development comes after months of speculation about Lawal’s potential move, fueled by the PDP’s leadership challenges and earlier reports of consultations with stakeholders.
No immediate reaction has been reported from the PDP national leadership or Zamfara chapter regarding the governor’s exit.
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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