News
‘APC Implosion In 2017 Imminent’
The crisis of confidence
rocking the hierarchy and other strata of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would lead to an implosion in the next three months except urgent remedial actions are taking by President Muhammadu Buhari to stave off such development.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, expressed this sentiment, yesterday in Abuja while appraising recent developments in the party, adding that by 2019, APC could cease to exist totally.
“You are aware that there are several realignments going on now in the country and my party has only now and January 2017 to put its house in order. If we don’t harmonize all the contending interests, some of us would be exploring new avenues to pursue our various political agenda”, he said.
Frank said the only way to rescue the party would be for the president to intervene and support calls for the resignation of its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
He reminded the president of how Chief Odigie-Oyegun as chairman of ANPP frustrated him (Buhari) out of the party, forcing him to go and form the defunct Congress for Progressive Change CPC.
“The same thing is now happening in the APC and Mr President has to act fast because that same thing that drove him out of the ANPP then is also about to drive some people out of the APC because of Oyegun”, he stated.
Frank, who said he was speaking the mind of most members and other stakeholders of the party, added that “at the appropriate time, more leaers of the party would speak out”.
He said he would soon write formally to the president and his vice as well as the leadership of the national assembly to seek their audience in other to adequately brief them on the circumstances that have necessitated the calls for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation.
“I will also consult the governors (of our party) to make them understand the danger inherent in their silence in the face of the wave of crisis that has enveloped the party.
“This is like a rescue mission I am about to embark on. This struggle to rescue our party is not personal. It is because I love this party so much and I am a very loyal party man and I believe in this party.
“I am also going to pay a visit to our former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; I will also visit Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the past national chairmen that made the merger to work. I am going to pay visit to my own former national chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, of the then New PDP, Chief Bisi Akande of the then ACN, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu of the then ANPP, Chief Tony Momoh of defunct CPC and Governor Rochas Okorocha who led a section of the APGA to make the APC. This visit is one that I will start anytime soon”, he said.
Frank explained that he decided to first visit Baraje “since he was the chairman of the New PDP that led us to join the APC”.
He also asserted that he remained the acting spokesman of the party, saying the attempts to name a new spokesperson would force him to sue the party.
“I am still in charge as the acting Publicity Secretary of the party. Oyegun cannot hand-pick anyone. It is very clear that there is a constitutional procedure and if they do not follow due process, I am going to take the party to court to determine whether Oyegun has any such powers to carry out such appointment”, he said.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.