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LG Chairmen Intimidating APC Members To Vote Against Ambode, Party Sources Claim

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As the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) set the stage for the Lagos State governorship primary election, competent sources have alleged that the chairmen of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) are intimidating the party members to vote against the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

An APC chieftain from Kosofe Local Government Area, who spoke with THISDAY in confidence, confirmed the development Tuesday morning, alleging that the State Executive Committee (SEC) and State Working Committee (SWC) “are not ready to conduct credible and transparent primary”.

Specifically, the source alleged that every council chairman held an emergency meeting with all ward chairmen, ward executives, councillors, supervisory councillors and party members at large Monday night, directing them to vote for Ambode’s main challenger, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The source also alleged that the council chairmen told their members that the SEC and SWC had already discarded the open secret ballot system contrary to the guideline the Electoral Committee of Lagos State Governorship Primary Election had approved for Option A4 at a stakeholders’ meeting with the party leaders Monday night at the Lagos APC Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba.

With Option A4, the THISDAY source said, the council chairmen warned that all members would be tracked and monitored, adding that any member that queued behind Ambode contrary to the directive of the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, shall face the consequence of their action.

Besides that, the source alleged that the Chairman of Lagos APC, Prince Babatunde Balogun, had directed all electoral officers at the 377 wards in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs not to accept membership slips, which according to him, indicated that members who registered between 2015 and 2018 would not vote.

According to the source, the directive is already generating mixed reactions, indeed palpable tension all over the state already.

“There are no ballot paper and voting materials across the state. These people have set the stage for manipulation. We will not be a party to illegalities,” he said.

Another APC chieftain from Oshodi Local Government Area confirmed the meetings of council chairmen with ward party executives, members and political office holders Monday night, noting that the chairmen at the meetings instructed the APC members to vote for Ambode’s opponent.

“In Oshodi, for instance, there were two distinct meetings. Chairman of Oshodi Local Government Area, Mr. Bolaji Ariyo, held a meeting with all ward executives, political officers and members last night on the directive of the APC national leader. He told them at the meeting that Tinubu had given directive that all meeting should vote Sanwo-Olu,” he said.

The source also noted that the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oshodi Branch, Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Olu Omo), held another meeting with area boys in Oshodi, directing them “to use intimidation and violence to cow Ambode’s supporters”.

“Across all LGAs and LCDAs, NURTW leaders held similar meetings with area boys Monday night with a clear directive to ensure that Ambode’s supporters do not come close to the voting centres. The trend may spark violence if the situation is not properly handled,” he said.

Credit: Thisday

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‘Purge yourself of anti-Atiku sentiments’ - Dele Momodu tells Bode George

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dele Momodu, has urged former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George to stop harbouring what he described as anti-Atiku sentiments.

In a post on X, Momodu stated that Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has a legitimate right to pursue his presidential ambition.

He was reacting to a video interview in which George criticised Atiku for allegedly placing his personal ambition above party interests.

Recall that Atiku and George were previously members of the PDP before the former VP defected to the ADC.

George, in the interview, openly faulted Atiku’s continued presidential bid.

“There’s someone who has been bragging so much, and whom I pity so much.

“Despite elder statesmen’s efforts to make peace reign, this person insists that it’s his ambition. He keeps insisting he would run, but is his ambition greater than that of Nigeria?” George had said.

Reacting, Momodu wrote, “Baba mi sir, you know I love and respect you a lot, kindly purge yourself of anti-Atiku sentiments.

“It is his right to contest, sir, while it is your right not to support him. Atiku has never bragged to anyone about his political dreams. Never.”

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Threats won’t stop Nigerians from voting Tinubu out – ADC tells Wike

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his reported declaration of war against anti-Tinubu candidates ahead of the February 21, 2026 elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday, the party described the comment as irresponsible and dangerous.

According to the statement, it would not stop Nigerians from deciding who to vote.


The ADC said the minister’s remarks were troubling, especially at a time when the country is facing economic hardship, insecurity and political tension.

“We consider the Minister’s declaration of war against so-called anti-Tinubu candidates not only irresponsible, but dangerous in the current fragile atmosphere of our nation. At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity, and deep political distrust, the last thing the country needs is inflammatory rhetoric from those entrusted with public office.

“Nigeria must not be turned into a ground for settling political scores; it is a constitutional democracy. Power ultimately belongs to the people, not to any President, any Minister, or anyone who wrongly assumes that holding public office means owning the country,” the statement warned.

The party said it was reminding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nyesom Wike and other officials of the administration that Nigerians cannot be bullied or pressured.

It added that any attempt to threaten or force voters into submission only shows fear and exposes what it described as growing anxiety within Wike, Tinubu and the APC over their level of public support, as well as a widening disconnect between the government and many citizens.

“If Wike, the APC and its leaders are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate.

“The ADC will not sit idly by and watch political actors truncate our democracy. Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal. We are prepared to mobilize democratic institutions, civil society partners, and the Nigerian people themselves in defense of the sanctity of the ballot,” the statement added.

“If they are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate,” the ADC said.

The party also vowed to resist any attempt to interfere with the outcome of the election.

“Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal,” the statement read.

The ADC insisted that no declaration of war or political pressure would override the voice of the electorate in the February 21 polls.

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2027: ‘Our votes must count’ – Peter Obi warns

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has declared that votes must count in the 2027 general elections, warning that anyone who attempts to undermine the process would face legal consequences.

In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Monday, Obi stressed that unlike in previous elections, Nigerians would insist that every valid vote is counted and properly recorded.

He urged citizens to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots to witness the counting and transmission of results, insisting that electoral transparency is critical to safeguarding the country’s democracy.


“Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes MUST count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria.

“I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging.

“Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law,” Obi said.

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