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APC Crisis Deepens As Guber Elections Draw Near …Imo Members Seek Oshiomhole’s Resignation

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As the countdown to the March 9 governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls near fever pitch, with barely five days to election day, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State have called for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over the suspension of the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, just as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani has also kicked against his suspension by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, last week.
The development has worsened the already precarious situation for the APC across the country, deepening crisis and in-fighting continue to destabilise the party, thereby exposing the deep seated faulty foundation of internal democracy in APC.
In Imo, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress condemned the suspension of Governor Rochas Okorocha by the National Working Committee (NWC0.
The party’s Chairman in the state, Daniel Nwafor, while addressing a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, last Saturday, said the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole disregarded the rule of law in the suspension of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
According to Nwafor, the party’s state chapter would not honour the ‘purported suspension’ of Okorocha from the APC, adding that the former governor of Edo State had outlived his usefulness in the party.
Nwafor further noted that the party’s record in the state showed that the governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma was not a registered member of the APC in his ward in the Oru East Local Government Area of the state.
He stressed that it had no governorship candidate in the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial election.
He said, “I was with the APC chairman from Ogboko ward where the governor hails from. There was no letter from the NWC to him to query the governor for any offence.
“The truth is that Oshiomhole is a man who has no respect for rule of law. He has penchant for disobeying valid court judgments and orders.
“We demand his immediate resignation from the APC. Adams Oshiomhole has outlived his usefulness in the APC.
“As a party we will not honour that purported suspension. It is null and void,” the people said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, also reacted to his suspension by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It would be recalled that, last Friday, the NWC suspended the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for anti-party activities.
Also suspended by the APC NWC over anti-party activities were the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
But addressing reporters in Calabar, yesterday, Usani, through the Director General of his Governorship Campaign Organization, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said he has not received any notification from APC regarding any form of suspension.
Usani described the suspension as a ‘joke’, adding that he has been a staunch supporter and loyal member of APC.
He stressed that suspension does not exist if procedures are not taken in line with the party’s constitution.
Usani said: “The constitution of the party is clear on cases of suspension: it clearly sites circumstances and outlines procedures to be taken to warrant and effect a suspension.
“If any suspension exists, Usani’s attention should be drawn to it. If such circumstances do not exist nor procedures taken in line with the party’s extant laws, then a suspension, invariably does not exist.
“The mark of loyalty to the party is the ability of the individuals to adequately represent the party and practice its ideals at all levels of society and helping it to victory in the midst of other contending forces that compete with the party’s interests.
“The loyalty of Pastor Usani to the cause of the APC has made him the symbol of the party in Cross River State and a repository of trust to all true party faithful.
“Usani has shown sufficient loyalty to the party by helping the party poll 722 against the PDP’s two votes in his polling unit and over 3, 000 for the APC versus 423 for PDP in his Abanakpai council ward in the just concluded Presidential elections.
“Usani is the only APC leader in the state to produce his Federal Constituency representative in last Saturday’s general election. These and more define his loyalty to the party.
“To accuse such a man of anti-party activities and claim to suspend him from the party he helped to build is a joke taken too far, and unacceptable.
“To use our party to settle personal and domestic scores is unacceptable, and the perpetrators must be called to order,” he said.

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Independence Anniversary:  Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch 

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A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.

The monarch  stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.

According to him, Nigeria would have been a  developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.

“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.

“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.

“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he  said.

While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.

King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so  far.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.

 

“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.

“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.

The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.

By: Enoch Epelle 

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FG begins payment of N32,000 pension increment to retirees – PTAD

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.

The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.

In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.

It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.

The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.

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Nigeria At 65: NOA urges citizens to foster unity, progress

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the  nation  as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.

Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom,  gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.

Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay  in its diversity

“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.

“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.

“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year,  it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.

“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving  way for a brighter future for all.”

The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.

“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.

He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.

Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.

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