Politics
INEC Explains Non-Registration Of APC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that it did not register the African People Congress (APC) as a political party because it did not meet the conditions for registration.
The INEC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Umenger, told newsmen last week in Abuja that the commission’s letter to APC was unambiguous on the issue.
Umenger said that it was left for the party to prove the commission wrong.
He said: “INEC as a law obeying body, relates with stakeholders in the electoral process basically on what the law of the land says.
“Our relationship with the stakeholders is determined by the relevant sections of the law.
“We don’t go outside the law, INEC has premised the non-registration of APC on its inability to satisfy the requirements of section 222a of the 1999 constitution as amended.
Umenger said that the commission also observed that there were some gaps in the form PA1 which was given to the political association.
“In our acknowledgement, 20 copies of the commission’s prescribed form PA1 were forwarded to the association for completion and return to the commission with affidavit in support of the claims in the form.
“Also, we listed other requirements to include establishment of party headquarters in the FCT with proof of ownership, constitution and manifesto of the political association,’’ he said.
According to him, the requirements also include evidence of payment of registration fee, and the association’s logo.
Umenger said as far as the law was concerned, APC did not meet the conditions, therefore, the commission had rejected the application of the APC to be registered as a political party.
However, the Director said that the party was at liberty to apply for registration under a new name.
“You are at the liberty to apply for registration as a political party but as far as APC is concerned the chapter is closed,’’ he said.
The Protem Chairman of African People Congress (APC), Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu, had criticised INEC for not registering the party.
Meanwhile Labour Party Chairman (LP) in the FCT, Mr Adejobi Peter, has expressed satisfaction on the maturity displayed by politicians and INEC over the controversy surrounding APC.
He also expressed delight on the improved political stability in Nigeria and said that the road toward absolute political stability “will be a gradual process”.
The Chairman, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja last week, gave kudos to the Commission for showing some level of maturity and decorum on the issue.
He particularly praised the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for putting all his experience and intellectual ability in managing the affairs of the Commission.
“Now that we are in the Fourth Republic, we are maintaining some level of stability, politics wise”, he said.
On de-registration of some political parties, Peter expressed optimism that the development would bring sanity to the political process of the country.
“As we approach 2015 general elections, we are going to have more serious political parties coming to play in the political development of the nation for good,” he said.
He allayed the fears in some quarters that the controversy in APC would affect the political stability of the country.
In its reaction the Africa People’s Congress (APC) says it is ready for judicial review of INEC’s decision not to register the political association, its Acting Chairman, Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu, has said.
“Toward this end, the association has raised a 20-man legal team, led by a Senior Advocate to pursue its objective,” he said on Thursday at the association’s world press conference in Abuja
Ikeagwuonu said the team would move out from Abuja on Friday for Obudu on a 10-day seclusion, to enable members have on “in-depth consideration of the association’s legal action.”
He described the decision as “illegal and premeditated”, adding that APC fulfilled constitutional requirements for registration.
“APC wish to announce and declare our resolve to challenge this flimsy decision in court as provided in section 79 of the Electoral Act, “he said.
According to Ikeagwuonu, Section 97 of the Electoral Act states that the decision of the Commission (INEC) not to register any association as a political party may be challenged in a court of law.
The Act adds that “any legal action challenging the decision of the commission shall be Commenced within 30 days from the date of receipt of the letter of notification of non registration from the Commission.
“We shall jealously guard and defend this process until justice is done.
“By the provisions of the section 79 of the electoral Act, judicial review of INEC decision not to register a political association is the final stage in the process of political party registration.”
Ikeagwuonu said that INEC had no right to register any other political party in the association’s name, acronym, symbol or logo, till the matter was finally disposed of by the court.
The Acting Chairman stated that the association had officially written to the INEC National Chairman, a letter of its intention to seek judiciary review.
He added that copies were also sent to INEC National Secretary, Political Party Department and Legal Department, pointing out that all those concerned had received and acknowledged the letter.
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.
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