Tag: APC

 

 

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Lagos: The All Progressives Congress (APC)in Lagos has unveiled Mrs Damilola Sonayon-James as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sonayon-James currently serves as the State Deputy Woman Leader of APC.

Princess Damilola Sonayon-Jame the candidate in Lagos, the State Chairman of the APC and Chairman of the Forum of 36 APC State Chairmen, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, described Sonayon-James’emergence as the outcome of wide consultations and a rigorous selection process.

(Princess Damilola)

 

Ojelabi said that the party considered competence, leadership capacity, grassroots acceptance, party loyalty, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Lagos State in Sonayon-James’ choice.

The chairman said that Sonayon-James distinguished herself through her exceptional commitment to service, unwavering dedication to the party.

According to him, the candidate has also distinguished herself in strength of character, innovative thinking, and proven track record of leadership across the public, private, and political sectors.

He expressed confidence in the APC ticket, describing the Hamzat/Sonayon-James combination as a blend of experience, innovation, grassroots connection, and visionary leadership.

Ojelabi urged residents of the state to support the APC team, noting that a vote for the party represents a vote for continuity, prosperity, inclusive growth, and a greater Lagos.

“Hon. Damilola Sonayon-James is a 41-year-old accomplished governance and development professional with over 15 years of experience.

“Her experience spans public policy, institutional development, sustainability, risk governance, human capital strategy, stakeholder engagement, and community development.

“Widely recognised for her grassroots engagement and commitment to community development, she previously served as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area.

“She (Sonayon-Jamees) championed several impactful initiatives focused on agricultural development, women empowerment, youth inclusion, educational support, community welfare, and social intervention programmes,” Ojelabi said.

According to the chairman, beyond public office, Sonayon-James has remained actively involved in grassroots political mobilisation, women’s leadership development, youth empowerment, and community advocacy across Lagos State.

“Her dedication to service and her close connection with the people have earned her widespread admiration, particularly among women and young people, many of whom affectionately refer to her as “Sisi Eko of APC”.

“Her emergence as deputy governorship candidate further reinforces the APC’s commitment to inclusive youth participation, women representation.

“This reinforces APC’s commitment to the continued advancement of Lagos State as Africa’s leading centre for innovation, opportunity, and sustainable development.”he said.

NAN reports the deputy governor,Dr Obafemi Hamzat, recently emerged the party’s governorship candidate.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Sen. Shuaibu Isa Lau, on May 19, emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the primary election conducted for the 2027 Taraba North Senatorial District election.

The senator, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday was said to have defeeated Hon. Bello Badawaire in the primary conducted by the party’s leaders.

Although stateholders in the state had earleir proposed a consensus candidacy in a bid to unite party members, the plan was jettisoned following disagreement.

“From the six LGA that make up
Taraba North Senatorial District (Jalingo, Lau, Ardo Kola, Karim
Lamido, Yoro & Zing), Senator Lau polled a total of 44,533, while Hon.
Bello polled a distant 11,634 votes,” the statement said.

Lau is a three-time senator, seasoned grassroot politician and a man of the people.

He was formerly elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but defected to the ruling APC in 2025.

His defection, it is being speculated, was part of political strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in assembling seasoned politicians that are rooted with the people in their constituencies.

The statement said another plan to return Senator Lau to the Senate, together with other serving senators, is part of the move of Taraba State’s stakeholders of the party to position the state as a big player in the 11th Senate, for the greater benefit of people of the state.

“Since coming to the Senate in 2015, Senator Lau has consistently been delivering dividends of democracy to his people, which has earned him the nickname ‘Baba Mai Elenteriki,’” it said.

The statement said this was due to his achievement in providing electricity for every part of his constituency, among many other achievements.

 

 

By Sylvester Udemezue

The primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which were held today, 16 May 2027, across all the states in Nigeria and the FCT, have once again demonstrated one eternal truth about politics and democracy: not every dream matures in one season, not every aspiration blossoms at the first attempt, and not every journey to greatness begins with victory. Politics is a battlefield of ideas, endurance, sacrifice, persuasion, courage and hope. It is a theatre where ambition encounters destiny; where preparation meets opportunity; where resilience is tested; and where character is ultimately revealed.

In every political contest, many aspire, many labour, many sacrifice and many dream. Yet, at the end of the day, only a few emerge victorious at that particular moment in time. That is the nature of democracy. That is the beauty of competitive politics. That is the unavoidable reality of leadership contests.

Accordingly, I heartily congratulate all those who emerged victorious in today’s primaries. Your victory is not merely a triumph of numbers. It is a solemn call to higher responsibility, deeper humility and greater service to the people. Victory must never intoxicate its beneficiaries. The mandate received today is not a crown for arrogance; it is a burden of responsibility. It is a call to reconciliation, maturity, inclusiveness and statesmanship. The true measure of political victory lies not merely in defeating opponents, but in demonstrating the wisdom, discipline and largeness of heart required to unite all sides after the contest.

However, beyond celebrating the winners, I believe equal, if not greater, attention must be devoted to encouraging those who did not emerge successful today. This is because politics is not warfare. Politics is not bitterness. Politics is not the end of life. Politics is not a do-or-die affair. Politics is a continuum. Politics is a journey. Politics is a long road upon which today’s disappointment may become tomorrow’s greatest advantage. Every genuine democrat must understand from the outset that victory and defeat are twin possibilities in every contest. Anyone who enters politics believing only in victory may eventually be destroyed by the emotional weight of temporary defeat.

The strongest politicians are not necessarily those who have never lost. More often than not, they are those who lost, learnt, rebuilt, persevered and returned stronger, wiser and more refined. History itself bears eloquent testimony to this truth. Many of the world’s most admired political leaders endured painful defeats before attaining enduring greatness. Some were mocked before they were celebrated. Some were rejected before they were embraced. Some lost elections before they eventually won the confidence of history itself.
This is because defeat, painful as it may seem, possesses its own hidden wisdom.

Sometimes, defeat teaches lessons that victory can never teach. Sometimes, loss builds character more than success. Sometimes, disappointment strengthens vision. Sometimes, delay prepares destiny. Accordingly, those who did not emerge victorious today must never see themselves as failures. Far from it. Participation itself is courage. Aspiration itself is leadership. Offering oneself for service is itself an act of patriotism, conviction and hope.

Indeed, democracy is strengthened not merely by those who win elections, but also by those courageous enough to participate honourably, compete peacefully and accept outcomes maturely. What matters most after defeat is attitude. A politician’s future is often determined less by the fact of losing and more by the manner in which the loss is managed. Bitterness destroys future opportunities. Hostility weakens political families. Division diminishes collective strength. But humility preserves relevance. Maturity commands respect. Sportsmanship earns admiration. And loyalty during difficult moments often lays the foundation for greater opportunities ahead.

I accordingly, respectfully urge all aspirants who did not emerge victorious today to remain steadfast, peaceful and committed to the larger vision and success of their political family. The party must always remain greater than individual ambition. Those who won today need the cooperation, support and goodwill of those who did not win. In the same manner, those who emerged victorious must resist every temptation toward triumphalism, exclusion or political arrogance.

This is the time for reconciliation. This is the time for healing. This is the time for bridge-building. This is the time to remind ourselves that after every primary election, there still remains a bigger contest ahead: the collective struggle to secure victory for the party and deliver good governance to the people.

Democracy flourishes not merely when elections are conducted, but when both winners and losers demonstrate maturity, restraint, discipline and respect for democratic outcomes. Indeed, some of today’s losses may become the very foundations upon which tomorrow’s victories shall be built. Therefore, let no one despair. Let no one surrender to bitterness. Let no one abandon hope. And let no one mistake temporary disappointment for permanent failure. The sun may set today only to rise more gloriously tomorrow.

To the winners: congratulations on your victory.

To those who lost: congratulations on your courage, resilience and democratic spirit.

And to all participants: congratulations for strengthening democracy through your participation, sacrifice and commitment to peaceful political engagement.

At the end of the day, democracy wins when peace prevails over bitterness, when unity survives competition, and when political actors place collective progress above personal disappointment. May wisdom guide all our leaders. May humility guide all our victors. May courage sustain all aspirants. And may hope continue to inspire all those who still dream of serving their people tomorrow.
Warmest regards, All.
Respectfully,
Sylvester Udemezue, Udems.
lawmentorng@gmail.com.
08021365545.
(16 May 2026)

 

By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo

The spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajenbesi (Esq.), has called on the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to tender an apology to civil servants in the state over its past record in government before considering a return to power.

Olajenbesi made the call in a recent press statement while reacting to the APC’s response to his interview on Rave FM, which he described as “largely empty, shallow, and lacking in substance.”

He said rather than address the issues raised, the opposition resorted to what he termed diversion, distortion, and personal attacks, describing it as evidence of a party struggling to remain politically relevant.

“The transformation currently being witnessed across Osun State is not speculative; it is evident, measurable, and acknowledged by the people,” he said.

“This renewed confidence in government has understandably unsettled zthose whose time in office was defined by hardship, stagnation, and administrative uncertainty.”

Olajenbesi added that residents of the state deserve accountability from those who previously held office, rather than political rhetoric.
“The people of Osun State deserve more than noise. They deserve answers,” he stated.

He challenged the APC to give a clear account of its stewardship while in government, particularly regarding what he described as economic strain and institutional decline.

Civil servants, he noted, were among the worst affected during the party’s administration.

“Civil servants in Osun State, in particular, endured significant hardship under APC rule. Salaries were inconsistent, retirees were neglected, and morale within the public service was severely undermined,” he said.

According to him, it is “ironic and deeply insensitive” for those associated with that period to seek a return to power without first acknowledging their shortcomings.

He therefore urged the APC in Osun State to apologise to civil servants before engaging the electorate.

“We call on the Osun APC to tender an unreserved apology to the civil servants of Osun State before seeking to re-engage the electorate. Accountability must precede ambition,” he said.

Commending the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olajenbesi said governance under the current leadership has improved workers’ welfare and restored public confidence.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has restored a measure of dignity to governance, prioritised workers’ welfare, and rekindled public trust,” he said.

He added that voters in Osun State are now more informed and will base their choices on performance rather than political promises.
“Osun voters are discerning.

They will interrogate records, not rhetoric. They will choose progress over regression,” he stated.

Olajenbesi maintained that the future of the state must not be placed in the hands of those whose past, according to him, undermined its development.

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially appointed Senator Uba Sani CON, Governor of Kaduna State, as Chairman of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Campaign Council.

In a letter dated 24th April, 2026, signed by the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru Ph.D., BL, the party described the appointment as a recognition of Governor Sani’s “distinguished leadership, political experience, and commitment to the success of our party in this critical election.”

The letter, addressed to Governor Sani at the Kaduna State Government House, also extends a formal invitation to the official flag-off campaign rally for the Ekiti State governorship election.

Rally Details:
Date: Monday, 27th April, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Venue: Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

 

Courtesy: The Nation

 

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru has described the just concluded Ibadan Summit of Nigeria’s opposition political parties as ”a ruse”.

“The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was an assemblage of individuals, not ten political parties,” Sen. Basiru declared in an interview with the Nation.

He declared:
”For parties to meet, there must be prior authorisation from their NWC or NEC. Without that, it is simply a gathering of individuals.

“If they now claim that ten political parties met to gang up against one party, it contradicts their earlier narrative.

It shows that the political space remains open, but they lack the strength to compete individually”.