Politics
Soludo will join APC soon, says Orji Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has predicted that Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, will soon defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a natural progressive whose ideals align with those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kalu, a former Abia State governor and current senator representing Abia North, made the remark while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday.
He said Soludo, who is currently a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), would eventually find political alignment with the APC once ongoing legal issues are resolved.
“Soludo is a progressive like President Tinubu, like me, like the Senate President. He has no alternative but to join us in the APC,” Kalu said.
The senator noted that several governors and politicians across Nigeria were already gravitating toward the ruling party, attracted by what he described as President Tinubu’s visionary and inclusive leadership style.
He added that no one was being coerced into joining the APC.
“No one is forcing anybody to join the APC — not me, not the Senate President, not even the President. People are coming on their own because they see the direction of progress,” he stated.
Kalu, a key figure within the APC since its formation, said he was committed to strengthening the party’s influence in the South East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also pledged support for his younger brother’s political ambitions under the APC platform while ruling out backing any candidate from other parties.
Turning to national politics, Kalu reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms would stabilise the economy and restore public confidence.
“At the beginning, there were rumours about moves to remove the Senate President, but as you can see, everything is calm. The Senate is united and focused on passing laws that will help President Tinubu deliver on his agenda,” he said.
On the current economic hardship, Kalu admitted that Nigerians were facing difficulties but urged patience, insisting that reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification would yield results in the medium term.
“As a businessman, I feel the pain but also see the progress. The macroeconomic indicators are improving, though the micro level remains tough. The key challenge now is ensuring that relief reaches the masses,” he explained.
Assessing the political landscape ahead of 2027, Kalu said President Tinubu remained the most dominant figure in Nigerian politics.
“The 2027 election will be Tinubu versus Tinubu,” he declared. “There is no cohesive opposition. Our party is strong, grounded, and with the people.”
Kalu, who maintains close ties with American politicians, also addressed the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump’s recent comments about violence in Nigeria.
He said Trump’s remarks on religious killings were not misplaced, adding that both Christians and Muslims continued to suffer from extremist attacks.
“Let’s be honest, what Trump said is not a lie. Nigerians are being killed whether they are Christians or Muslims,” he said. “If they attack in Plateau, the victims are mostly Christians; in Zamfara, they are Muslims. These people are terrorists and must be called by their name.”
Kalu revealed that he had spoken with two former US presidents and more than 60 lawmakers in Washington, who expressed willingness to support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts. He said the recent increase in Nigerian Air Force operations might be connected to intelligence sharing with the United States.
He, however, criticised the US and its allies for contributing to regional instability following the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, saying the resulting arms proliferation worsened Africa’s security challenges.
Despite the security and economic pressures, Kalu maintained that Nigeria was on a path to recovery.
“The government is taking the right steps, and I believe President Tinubu will overcome these challenges,” he said.
…Vows to challenge Ododo in next guber election
The Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah, has declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between him and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, following his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.
Jibrin, one of seven aspirants in the contest, alleged widespread irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.
Speaking after the primary, the senator expressed shock that only two votes were recorded in his favour in his own ward, insisting that electoral officials never arrived at the venue for voting.
According to him, he had gone to his ward to cast his vote but discovered that no electoral officer was present, adding that similar incidents were reported across several wards in the senatorial district.
He said the absence of electoral officials and voting materials prevented many APC members from participating in the exercise in affected areas.
The lawmaker alleged that the situation was a calculated move aimed at frustrating his supporters and manipulating the outcome of the primary election.
Jibrin maintained that his performance and projects across Kogi East had strengthened the APC in the district and would guarantee electoral victories for the party, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also said he had remained loyal to Governor Ododo and the leadership of the APC, questioning why he was allegedly being targeted despite his contributions and commitment to the party.
The senator further alleged that the governor moved against him after receiving information that he intended to contest the governorship seat in the future.
“Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” he said.
Jibrin called on the leadership of the APC to investigate the alleged hijacking of electoral materials and ensure fairness and transparency in the party’s internal electoral process.
1. Hon. Hamish Idris – Adamawa State, North Senatorial District
2. Hon. Abdurman Kwacham – Adamawa State, North Senatorial District
3. Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue – Anambra State, North Senatorial District
4. Donald Daunemigita – Bayelsa State, West Senatorial District
5. Sen. Ben Murray Bruce – Bayelsa State, East Senatorial District
6. Sen. Benson S. Agadaga – Bayelsa State, East Senatorial District
7. Daniel Effiong Asuquo – Cross River State, South Senatorial District
8. Oden Ibiang O Ewa – Cross River State, Central Senatorial District
9. Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali – Delta State, North Senatorial District
10. Sen. Usman J. Wowo – FCT (no district listed)
11. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi – FCT (no district listed)
12. Adam Mouktar Mohammed – Jigawa State, South/West Senatorial District
13. Sen. Garba Musa Mai Doki – Kebbi State, South Senatorial District
14. Kollo B. Jiya – Kwara State, North Senatorial District
15. Amb. Olutola John Onijala – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
16. Awolola Muritala – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
17. Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
18. Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu – Nasarawa State, North Senatorial District
19. Usman Muhammed Elegu – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
20. Alhaji Dr. Yusuf Moh’d Agabi – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
21. Ari Ali Muhammed – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
22. Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq – Niger State, Niger/South Senatorial District
23. Hon. Muhammed Bello A. – Niger State, Niger South Senatorial District
24. Bello Bawa Bwari – Niger State, Niger South Senatorial District
25. Ademola Wasiu Alli – Oyo State, Central Senatorial District
26. Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega – Oyo State, North Senatorial District
27. Mr. Kolapoboye Kola Daisi – Oyo State, South Senatorial District
28. Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen – Oyo State, Oyo Central Senatorial District
29. Hon. Hameed Afeez Repete – Oyo State, Central Senatorial District
30. Amb. Pst. Akinremi Alade Bolaji – Oyo State, South Senatorial District
31. Bello Abudullahi Bodejo – Taraba State, Central Senatorial District
32. Gyang Yaya Zi San – Plateau State, North Senatorial District
33. Napoleon Binkap Bah – Plateau State, South Senatorial District
34. Usman Ephraim Gar – Plateau State, Central Senatorial District
35. Oyukaye Flag Amachree – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
36. Chief Dr. Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
37. Jack-Rich Tein T.S – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
38. Banigo Ipalibo – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
39. Chief Barry Balera Mwara – Rivers State, South/East Senatorial District
40. Hon. Hassan H. Kafayos – Yobe State, Yobe North Senatorial District
41. Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
42. Aliyu Abubakar – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
43. Muhammad Bashir Maru – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
44. Hassan Muhammad Gusau – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
45. Abubakar H. Moriiki – Zamfara State, North Senatorial District
46. Bilyaminu Yusuf – Zamfara State, North Senatorial District
47. Isyaka Ajiya Anka – Zamfara State, West Senatorial District.
..As Mbah participates in Owo Ward, advertises APC’s achievements
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Enugu State chapter of the party for what it described as free, fair, credible, and exemplary House of Representatives primary elections in the state.
This was even as Governor Peter Mbah joined other party faithful in Owo Ward, Nkanu East LGA, to affirm the Member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, who was the only aspirant standing for the primary election, as the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Enugu after observing the exercise in Owo Ward and other parts of the state, Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Enugu State, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, expressed satisfaction with the process and outcome of the primary elections in the wards monitored firsthand by members of his team, as well as the reports reaching them from various parts of the state.
“One thing is clear: Enugu State APC has continued to stand out as a shining example in internal democracy, party cohesion, consensus-building, and commitment to the party’s success over and above individual interests.
“You were with us at Owo and we have our men in other parts of the state. This is consensus in action. I believe it is the same with other places we have not monitored, based on the reports reaching us.
“But above all, it is leadership in action. I commend the leader of the party in the state, Governor Peter Mbah, as well as the chairman and members of the State Executive, for the peace and synergy we have witnessed,” Hon. Funkekeme said.
Meanwhile, addressing party faithful in his Owo Ward, Governor Mbah thanked them profoundly for the large turnout and for their peaceful conduct across the state.
“What you have seen here today is what you are going to witness across different federal constituencies in Enugu State. There might be just one or two federal constituencies where we may have a contest.
“So, I think that you people should be proud of yourselves because you are becoming a model of what grassroots democracy should be, what internal party democracy should be; and an example of a rancour-free primary exercise where people are coming out in their numbers to support a candidate of their choice, where there is a contest. This is what democracy means. And this is what APC represents for this country,” he stated.
Mbah urged party faithful in the state to come all out to market the achievements and programmes of the APC government at the state and federal levels ahead of the general elections.
“If you also look at what this party has done at the national level, you will see that the pressure and tensions we had at our macroeconomic level have gone. What it means is that the states and the local governments are now able to serve you better, courtesy of the policies and programmes of our great party.
“So, you should be proud of this party and you should make sure that you carry the news, carry the message of what this party is doing for our country to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
“We have not finished yet. Look at the country. You may only have started seeing the signs. But I can tell you, the foundations have been built. The fundamentals are in place. What Nigerians need to do is to support APC to come back and get the job finished. It is extremely important. We cannot afford to go backwards. We must move forward.
“That is why you cannot afford to stand on the margins. You cannot afford to be passive. You have to be proactive. You have to go from door to door, informing people about what is going on and the benefits supporting APC would bring to our people,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the state’s party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, among other party leaders, joined the team from Abuja in monitoring the exercise at Owo and across the state.
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