Politics

Osun guber: Crisis in APC as chieftain blames ex-gov for defeat

Published

4 weeks ago

August 17, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political commentator on X, Alubarika, has criticised former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, accusing him of a series of political decisions that, according to him, significantly contributed to internal crises that weakened the party in the state.

In a post on his verified X handle (formerly Twitter), Alubarika said it was important to confront what he described as an uncomfortable aspect of the APC’s political history in Osun, rather than continue to portray Oyetola’s tenure as politically successful solely on the basis of his continued prominence within the party.

He argued that Oyetola’s political challenges began even before he fully assumed control of the APC structure in the state, particularly following the deterioration of relations between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

According to him, Oyetola, who benefited politically from the alliance between the two influential figures, ought to have acted as a bridge between them rather than allowing their differences to escalate.

Alubarika said the breakdown of the Tinubu–Aregbesola relationship ultimately became a key factor that complicated the APC’s political structure in Osun.

He also cited the handling of salary arrears inherited from the Aregbesola administration as one of Oyetola’s major political missteps.

While acknowledging that Oyetola’s position of not taking responsibility for debts incurred by his predecessor may have been administratively defensible, he argued that it was politically costly, as civil servants were primarily concerned with the payment of outstanding entitlements.

“Government is a continuum,” Alubarika stated, stressing that successive administrations inherit both the responsibilities and obligations of the state.

He noted that the unresolved salary arrears generated significant resentment among workers and became a political liability that opponents of the APC were able to exploit.

Alubarika contrasted Oyetola’s approach with that of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who, according to him, cleared the outstanding arrears and leveraged the issue to strengthen his political support among workers and other stakeholders.

The commentator also addressed the controversy surrounding the possibility of Adeleke joining the APC.

He claimed that former Osun State Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore, was among those who strongly opposed Adeleke’s entry into the APC at the state level, while Oyetola allegedly supported the broader resistance to his admission.

Alubarika argued that the opposition was largely driven by concerns over the political implications of Adeleke joining the APC, particularly the possibility of him emerging as the party’s governorship candidate.

He maintained that both Oyetola and Omisore had political interests to protect, suggesting that their positions were shaped by strategic calculations.

However, he said the strategy ultimately did not yield the intended outcome.

Alubarika further claimed that Oyetola was eventually advised to step aside amid concerns over his electoral viability, while Omisore was also excluded from the contest.

According to him, these developments created a political vacuum that eventually led to the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the APC governorship candidate, describing him as the “unfortunate beneficiary” of a difficult political environment he did not create.

He argued that Oyebamiji was subsequently left to manage the political consequences of the party’s earlier internal disputes, including unresolved grievances over workers’ salaries and divisions among party leaders.

Alubarika further contended that internal rivalries and competing ambitions within the APC distracted the party from building a cohesive structure capable of effectively challenging Adeleke.

He added that Adeleke’s eventual defection to the Accord Party underscored the consequences of disagreements surrounding his proposed entry into the APC.

According to him, the situation should serve as a lesson to political parties that electoral structures alone are insufficient for victory without strong leadership cohesion, grassroots engagement, and internal unity.

He rejected what he described as attempts to revise the political history of Osun by portraying Oyetola’s strategy as flawless.

“It was not. It failed. And the APC paid heavily for those failures,” he stated.

He maintained that no political actor can afford to alienate key allies, neglect grassroots mobilisation, or allow personal ambitions to override collective party interests while still expecting electoral success.

“Party structure can win elections, but it cannot indefinitely compensate for poor political judgment,” Alubarika said.

Meanwhile, the commentator disclosed that his WhatsApp inbox had been flooded with messages from individuals, including respected associates, questioning whether Omisore should continue to support the APC following what they described as his alleged unjust exclusion from the political process.

According to him, the issue centres on whether Omisore, as a former deputy governor who was removed from contention under disputed circumstances, should remain aligned with the same political establishment.

The comments have further intensified debate within Osun’s political space over loyalty, ambition, internal party democracy, and the extent to which political actors should subordinate personal grievances to party interests.

The controversy comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the next Osun governorship election, as parties and stakeholders intensify efforts to consolidate their structures and strengthen alliances.

Alubarika’s intervention has therefore added another dimension to the discourse on the APC’s past political decisions in Osun, particularly the roles of its key leaders and the long-term impact of internal disagreements on the state’s political landscape.

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Politics

2027: APC Chieftain Alubarika predicts Tinubu lead in four zones

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.

Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.

According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.

The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.

The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.

In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.

For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.

Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.

The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.

Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.

“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.

“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.

The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC, accuses party of ‘floundering’

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.

Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.

The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.

He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.

The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.

Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.

His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.

The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Politics

All North Central for Asiwaju inaugurates state coordinators

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

All North Central For Asiwaju 2027, a fast growing support group for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to work assiduously to actualize the President’s victory in next year’s general election.

The group disclosed this during the inauguration of its state coordinators by the convener, Chief Ewie Aimienwauu.

The state coordinators inaugurated include Johnson Onoja (Benue) Isaiah Yusuf Mohammed (Kogi) Ibrahim Olayode (Kwara) Jibrin Yaheye Oka (Nassarawa) Panchin Jatau (Plateau) Istifanus Shekwonumwaza Philip (FCT) and Bala Ahmed (Niger).

Addressing the members, Chief Aimienwauu said the “All North Central For Asiwaju 2027 is an association of indigenes and non-indigenes citizens of Nigeria resident in the North Central States of (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja), from all works of life committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for a well -deserved second term at the 2027 general elections.

“We recognise the pivotal role of our Father and Leader of North Central, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to the successful re-election of the President and a resounding victory at the 2027 polls in the North Central region.”

Continuing, he said “we cannot overlook the persistent advent of insecurity in the region. Against this complex background our father and Leader has been able to maintain peace and stability in the region scoring high as the representative and eyes and ears of Mr. President. The region has enjoyed much more strategic appointments under this administration than any one before it. The region has started enjoying relative peace and defeat of insurgency and insecurity with the recent rescue of kidnap victims as a testament. The region has enjoyed more federal government infrastructure and policy dividends not to mention the availing of the Governors and Minister of FCT more allocation for the much-needed dividend of democracy.”

The convener said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done extremely well for the North Central region so far and “is ready to do more when we return him for a second term in 2027. It is against this backdrop of visible tangible progress in the North Central region that we have come together to support our father and Leader of North Central region, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to ensure that he delivers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in all the North Central States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“At the national level, the achievements and projects and policy advantages of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dots the landscape of Nigeria and has started showing up on the dinner plates of our great people. The President has the political will to transform Nigeria into the Eldorado we all have dreamed of and support for him is now. On your mandate we shall stand.”

Also speaking, the Plateau State Coordinator

Pancin Jatau Vrengle, said the inauguration was a significant and inspiring moment, marking a renewed commitment to supporting the vision and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The inauguration has further strengthened our resolve to work assiduously, strategically and collectively for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027. We are committed to mobilising Nigerians in the North Central Zone, communicating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, engaging stakeholders and promoting peaceful, issue-based political participation.

“We assure Mr. President and the leadership of our movement of our unwavering dedication, loyalty and readiness to contribute our time, resources and networks towards securing victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.Together, with unity, commitment and strategic mobilisation, we shall deliver a stronger mandate for Asiwaju.”

Speaking in the same vein, his Kogi State counterpart, Yusuf Isaiah, said: “We sincerely thank God Almighty and our Global/ National leaders particularly His Excellency Sen. George Akume (SGF), High Chief Ewie Aimenwauu, Hon. Marcellanous Njoku and AK Jasper. For giving us the opportunity to be part of this August assignment on ensuring that PBAT is re-elected as the President of Nigeria come 2027.

“We assure the Global/National body of our full commitment to this target.

The message is clear and it will be communicated to all the nook and cranny in Kogi State and North Central in general. By the virtue of our successful inauguration yesterday. It is our prayer that as we have kick-started this must- deliver assignment, the leaders should make available all the necessary resources to enable us to be efficient and effective on ground.”