Politics
Akeredolu Lashes Out At APC Over 10th NASS Leadership Zoning
Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has faulted the zoning arrangement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the offices of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly, describing it as a “skewed arrangement that reinforces injustice and enhances inequity”.
Akeredolu, in a statement personally issued in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday, noted that the “intentions and motives of the zoning formula represent early signs of steps aimed at attempts to cabin the hard-earned Presidency for our Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a few individuals with eyes on Aso Rock Power Buttons.”
The governor disclosed that “it is trite to aver, that, it stands logic on the head that one geo-political zone, Northwest in this regard, will be favoured with two presiding officers positions out of four while North Central suffers the consequences for its innocence and shrewd loyalty by having none.”
According to Akeredolu, “the move to zone the National Assembly leadership positions on the behest of interested personalities with perceived closeness to the President-elect manifesting, lays the dangerous foundation of distrust, needless suspicion even as it structures nothing but a combination of booby traps. We must avoid all these.”
While saying that it was an insidious permutation that North-East will be deprived in the face of the unsavory generosity dispensed through two slots to a particular geo-political zone, Akeredolu noted that it is also self-repudiating for one to argue, therefore, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives cannot also emerge from the North-East.
“Let the North play a stronger, more robust, and all-inclusive role in the emergence of the positions zoned to the region, especially the Speakership.
“Furthermore, it strikes a huge ingratitude that the role of the Progressive Governors Forum appears unimportant. As leaders of the Party in their respective States, there cannot be a greater disservice to them that a consensus was yet to be reached when the NWC hurriedly released a dangerous tool for the opposition in the guise of a zoning formula. To me, even on this note, it’s unacceptable.
“Does it not also exude a serious discomfort that the aspirants to the Speakership were not consulted, approached, and effectively engaged before the purported zoning formula? It does, and so.
“It is in this regard that I salute the courage of the Speakership aspirants for their show of solidarity, companionship, and applaudable love for the Party in their rejection, resentment, and objection to the brazenly teleguided zoning arrangement that is skewed and targeted against some zones and identified individuals.
“Their action is commendable just as they are urged to ensure they pursue this to a logical conclusion. This is an unworkable arrangement that reinforces injustice and enhances inequity, and I join them in rejecting this zoning formula.
“I call on the NWC of our great Party to follow the path of purity and Justice. It is perhaps expedient that Mr. President-elect interrogates this skewed arrangement and gives direction that reflects our collective commitment to equality and fairness.
“In this particular case, and to avoid a repeat of untoward situations, it is advised that the APC NWC immediately summons the National Executive Committee (NEC)after robust National Caucus/Stakeholders parley to agree on terms that would strengthen our great Party,” the governor stated.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated winners of the legislative by-elections held yesterday across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won four of the five seats, while the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) secured the remaining seat in Bauchi State.
The President’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja, yesterday.
The successful APC candidates include Kallamu MaiJama’a, Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Gombe; and Husseini Datti, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency, Kano.
Others are Okolosi Ator, Udu State Constituency, Delta; and Yakubu Ali, Disina State Constituency, Bauchi.
Adamu Yakubu of the APM won the Sakwa State Constituency seat in Bauchi State.
Tinubu said the victories recorded by APC candidates demonstrated the confidence Nigerians reposed in the party’s capacity to govern effectively and deliver shared prosperity.
“I am encouraged by the support Nigerians at the grassroots continue to show for our party and for the difficult but necessary reforms our administration has implemented over the past three years,” Tinubu said.
He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for the APC and resist being swayed by political opportunism.
“I urge Nigerians to remain steadfast and not be swayed by political opportunism. The benefits of these reforms will become increasingly evident as we enter the next phase of our programme,” he added.
The President urged the winners to justify the confidence their constituents had placed in them through diligent and effective representation.
He also encouraged other candidates to accept the outcomes in good faith and continue contributing to the democratic process.
Tinubu commended voters and security agencies for maintaining peace and order during the elections.
He also applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for successfully conducting the polls.
The President urged INEC to build on the progress recorded in the by-elections and address identified shortcomings ahead of future polls.
He particularly urged the commission to strengthen preparations for the general elections scheduled for January and February 2027.
The coalition described the incident as an aftermath of “primitive and aggressive tribalism” in a statement signed by its spokesman, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, and made available to journalists in Warri at the weekend.
The group described the clash as “an existential assault on human dignity and a fundamental betrayal of the social contract,” while calling on security agencies to strictly enforce the Criminal Code Act against those responsible.
“Those who orchestrated and participated in Friday’s madness and previous actions in this regard must be prosecuted swiftly and publicly,” the coalition said.
While acknowledging the Delta State Government’s directive to law enforcement personnel to investigate the incident, the coalition said the authorities should move beyond directives and ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible.
It said the disruption of activities along the Effurun-Warri corridor affected residents, including market women, daily-wage workers and business owners, who had to bear the consequences of the violence.
The coalition also cited Sections 33 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantee the rights to life and freedom of movement, arguing that the disruption of the corridor amounted to an infringement on those rights.
It condemned the use of violence in political activities, saying democracy should be based on the contest of ideas rather than physical attacks.
“The ballot box is an instrument of human self-determination, not a justification for seasonal bloodletting,” the group said.
The coalition further called on political leaders to publicly disown acts of violence and caution their supporters against hate speech and electoral sabotage.
It urged traditional, religious and community leaders in Delta State to join efforts to prevent further violence and protect public spaces.
“We appeal to the residents of Effurun, Warri, and the Uvwie community not to allow themselves to be weaponised by elites,” the coalition said.
It added, “Delta State belongs to all of us. Effurun and Warri are spaces for humans to flourish, not to be casualties for political gladiators.”
The party described the campaign council as unauthorised, saying the list did not emanate from the NDC and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public and the media.
The NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, made the position known in a statement on Saturday, following the unveiling of the Council by the support group on Thursday.
The 59-member committee comprises zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.
The OK Movement had announced its Director-General, Mr John Ughulu, and National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, as the Director-General and Secretary of the campaign council, respectively.
But Senator Moses said the party leadership was not involved in the constitution of the council.
“The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media,” he said.
The NDC chairman stressed that all candidates of the party remained subject to the authority and discipline of the party and were not contesting as independent candidates.
“All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates. They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party.
“Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council”, Senator Moses said.
He warned members, candidates and support groups against announcing or operating campaign structures in the name of the party without approval from its National Working Committee (NWC).
“Henceforth, no individual or group is authorised to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC),” he added.
Senator Moses acknowledged the contributions of support groups to the party’s activities but cautioned them against creating structures that could function as alternatives to the recognised party organs.
“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party,” he said.
He also urged members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public criticism.
The NDC chairman further disclosed that Mr Ughulu would be referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party over what he described as “his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State” and “repeated disregard for party authority.”
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