Source	Date	Story Title	Summary of Reports	Subject/Category	Page No/Weblink	No
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	PDP raises alarm over plot to rig Lokoja/Kogi bye election	The Kogi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the August 11 bye election for Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency. In a statement by the party issued and signed by Kabiru Mohammed, on behalf of Engr Bashiru Abubakar campaign organization, it said it heard on good authority that the APC working in collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has relocated the local government collation centers from INEC designated centres to Lokoja and Kogi LGA Secretariat. According to the PDP, "this would be the first time in the history of the state that local government council secretariats would be used as collation centres. The PDP said it has been briefed that the Council Administrators who are interested parties in the bye election, are to use their offices in the Secretariat to manipulate the results. The PDP said part of the plan to manipulate the poll is for security agencies who would be working for government, allow staff and government agents access in and out of the Secretariat. The PDP called on INEC to absolves itself of complicity by making the local government headquarters of INEC in the two LGAs as collation centers, pointing out that "any attempt to test the will of the people would be resisted."	By-Elections, Kogi right.	view	12
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	I wasn’t Aware of Speaker’s Removal, Says Kano Gov	The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that he was not aware of what transpired at the state House of Assembly until he was informed via telephone calls by top members of his party. Ganduje explained that the party member informed him that the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, had been removed by members of the house. He also described the episode as internal democracy, saying that such development is good for any progressive democracy. The governor made the assertion at the Kano State Government House Monday when the new Speaker, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, and his principal officers paid him a courtesy visit.	Speaker impeachment. Kano State.	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Imo Dep Gov Madumere impeached	Imo Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere has been removed from office. Madumere was impeached yesterday by 19 of the 37 members of state House of Assembly. He was immediately replaced by the Head of Service, Mr Calistus Okenze. The impeachment was perfected few hours after the ruling of a state High Court by Justice Ben Iheka which restrained the legislators and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Paschal Nnadi, from any further moves regarding the impeachment process, pending the hearing and determination of the matter. The House took the decision following the recommendations of the ad hoc committee led by Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo APC) investigating the allegations. The report of the committee which was considered during a committee of the whole House stated that Madumere failed to appear before the committee to clear his name in spite of being served on several occasions. The deputy governor was accused of abandoning his official duties for three months without reasons or official permission; failure to perform constitutional duties like attending state exco and state security council meeting, failure to attend meetings with the governor and other government functionaries and alleged “concealment of felonious act in the United States.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	We’ll fight to bring Buhari back with our PVCs — Gov Bagudu	Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, yesterday, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State is ready to fight anybody with their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari returns in 2019. He said Buhari was adopted for 2019 presidential election in the state because of his selfless efforts to restore the lost glory of Nigeria. He stated this during a meeting organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Birnin Kebbi for party stakeholders on the collection of PVCs in respect of the 2019 elections.	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Ata removed as Rurum returns as Kano Assembly speaker	The Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, was impeached yesterday because of alleged incompetence and other sundry offences. There was an attempt to remove him two months ago but he escaped the noose. Ata who is in the good books of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, was replaced by Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum who resigned as speaker over a year ago over corruption allegations. It was difficult to establish a relationship between what transpired at the Kano Assembly yesterday and the last week’s defection of a former governor of the State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who dumped the APC for the PDP. Twenty-seven of the 40 lawmakers of the house endorsed Ata’s impeachment at yesterday’s plenary. Kwankwaso had about six loyal lawmakers in the assembly but they were yet to defect from the APC. Engineer Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari was elected as deputy speaker and Alhaji Baffa Babba Danagundi as majority leader	Speaker impeachment. Kano State.	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Benue: Atiku, Makarfi decry impeachment moves	Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has decried the planned impeachment of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, describing the development as “awkward political development.” Atiku said that any attempt to disregard the rule of law and the Constitution of Nigeria in the impeachment of a governor was a recipe for anarchy. He urged the police to remain politically neutral and avoid aiding lawlessness, adding that partisanship could professionally destroy their image. Also, the former National Caretaker Chairman of the PDP and presidential hopeful, Ahmed Makarfi said he was “appalled that despite numerous judicial pronouncements, more than two third of a 30-member House of Assembly in Benue State would be denied access to, and in fact chased away from the house by the police while giving state cover to seven or so other members to sit and even attempt to impeach a democratically elected governor.” Makarfi in a statement by his spokesman, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, said Governor Ortom was being haunted for the simple reason that some quarters had been slighted by the governor’s decision to move from APC to PDP.	Impeachment move, Benue State.	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Buhari group asks NASS to resume over INEC budget	The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has called on members of the National Assembly to consider national interest above all other considerations in the conduct of their legislative business. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the BMO asked the federal legislators to cut short their recess so as to deliberate on President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for virement in order to successfully execute the 2019 general elections. The group said that the federal lawmakers had every reason to suspend their recess now that the calendar for the 2019 election was set to go into operations.	2019 general elections, INEC	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Osun gov’ship: Aregbesola’s aides tell APC candidate to reach out	Aides of Osun State governor under the aegis of Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) have charged the governorship candidate of the APC, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to work with the aspirants that he contested with for the ticket of the party. The chairman of the forum, Engr. Bashir Lawal and secretary, Mr Tope Mustapha Adeyemi, in a press statement in Osogbo, also urged the aspirants to support Oyetola so that APC would win the September 22 election. The forum recommended the direct primary election used by the APC in Osun and urged other states to do same as a way of reducing the corruption that was associated with indirect primaries.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	12
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	APC sacks Kwara exco, appoints caretaker c’ttee	A caretaker committee led by Bashir Bolarinwa has been appointed to head the Kwara State Executive Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This followed the dissolution of the state party executive led by Alhaji Isola Balogun Fulani, an associate of Senate President Bukola Saraki, by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at a meeting held yesterday in Abuja. In a resolution signed by the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, the NWC also constituted caretaker committees in the wards and local government areas of Kwara State. According to the resolution, “The NWC at its meeting of 30th, July, 2018, examined the unfolding developments within the party in Kwara State, specifically the irregularities that characterized the conduct and outcome of the congresses that produced the leadership of the party at all levels.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Kwara State.	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	I am not bothered by defections in APC, Buhari tells Nigerians in Togo	President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is not bothered by the defections in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Responding to a question during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Togo at the Nigerian Embassy, Lome, Sunday night, President Buhari said most Nigerians appreciated the performance of his administration. “I am not bothered about the defections. Ordinary Nigerians have developed confidence in us and are defending us. I assure you, majority of Nigerians back home are appreciative of our efforts.” Buhari, who expressed delight in seeing the Nigerians who had travelled from the five regions of Togo to welcome him in Lome, said he was pleased to hear them commend the performance of his administration.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Saraki’s aide, others lament vote buying ahead of 2019	Stakeholders, including a senior aide to Senate President, Douglas Baye-Osagie, has described vote buying and inducement of voters as constituting a serious threat to the conduct of credible elections in the country. Baye-Osagie and others raised the alarm when he represented the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the second quarterly symposium organized by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council. At the event themed “2019: The Role of INEC, Politicians and Stakeholders in a Credible Election”, the participants decried the excessive spending by politicians in election processes. Baye-Osagie said money politics and vote buying were fast becoming “a key variable in determining who participates in electoral politics and used to garner votes and voices in Nigeria as godfathers openly confess about purchasing electoral victories.” He advocated for institutions which will promote an inclusive and transparent electoral process.	2019 general elections	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Participate in politics to remake Nigeria, Abiola tasks women	Special Advisor to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Founder of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, has appealed to women to increase their participation in politics to enhance the birth of a new Nigeria desired by all. Mrs. Abiola-Castello, who made the call during the July series of Meet-A-WISCAR programme organised by the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), said although the energy of men in Nigeria’s political landscape was very strong, they have not been able to lead the nation anywhere with their dominance. She said it was against that background that Nigerian women should balance the energy through participation in politics, stressing that critical decisions that affect the lives of children, who are the country’s future should not be left alone to men. The KIND boss said the nation was faced with all sorts of challenges, including not only killings from clashes, but also bad health system, poor educational standards, poverty among others.	2019 general elections	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Saraki, Dogara says Benue impeachment move, desecration of legislative sanctity	Leadership of the National Assembly has condemned impeachment move against Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, by eight members of the House of Assembly, saying it was desecration of legislative sanctity. President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, made the assertion in a statement in Abuja on Monday. The statement was jointly signed by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser to Saraki on Media and Publicity and Mr Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser to Dogara on Media and Public Affairs. Saraki and Dogara deplored alleged complicity of police officers in the development, saying that 22 other members who constituted more than two-third majority of the 30-member assembly, were kept away from the complex.	Impeachment move, Benue State.	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Ibeshi seeks one term as Cross River governor	A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Emmanuel Ibeshi, has formally declared his intention to contest for the gubernatorial position of Cross River State in 2019, pledging to do just one term of four years in office. In his address at the occasion tagged: “Mission to rescue Cross River State,” he lamented that the incumbent, Prof. Ben Ayade, abandoned the legacy projects initiated by previous administrations of Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke. He blamed Ayade for watching helplessly without taking any reasonable action to revitalize Obudu Ranch Resort, including the Cable Car at the facility, the first in West Africa. Ibeshi, who said his manifesto is “Rescue 2019”, listed 23 unfulfilled promises of the Governor Ayade, including vows to commence the construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 260-kilometre Superhighway in 2017, as well as, the construction of two megawatts power plants in the 18 local government areas, among others. The gubernatorial aspirant said plans were already apace to revive and open new phases of development in the moribund Tinapa Business Resort and Obudu Ranch Resort in the Calabar Municipal and Obanliku local government councils respectively.	2019 general elections, Cross Rvers State.	view	12
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Benue Crisis: We’ll Frustrate Efforts to Reconvene from Recess, Says House PDP Caucus	The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives Monday condemned what it described as the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government’s increasing “autocratic, grossly anti-democratic and historically anti-people antics” in the build up to the 2019 general elections. The Caucus particularly condemned the ugly scenario unfolding in Benue State where “eight renegade” members of the state House of Assembly had illegally sat to serve an impeachment notice on Governor Samuel Ortom under the supervision of the military and the police. Addressing reporters, House Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, warned that its members would frustrate current efforts by the executive to reconvene the lower chamber with a view to considering some urgent budget matters including virements among others.The National Assembly is currently on its long recess and is expected to resume on September 26.	Impeachment move, Benue State.	view	12
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 31, 2018	Okorocha too small to pocket Imo APC — Araraume	A former Governor of Kaduna State, Mukthar Ramallan Yero, has declared his intention to run for the state governorship election next year on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he had suffered humiliation and persecution in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government because of his commitment to restore good governance when he returns to office next year. The former governor submitted his letter of intent to contest the governorship position in 2019 to the party, calling for support to vote out El-Rufai and end the era of dictatorship and tyranny in the state. Addressing PDP stakeholders at the party secretariat at Kawo, Yero said: “I have had the opportunity to serve the state in various capacities as Commissioner of Finance, Deputy Governor and Governor. At the political front, my unflinching support and loyalty to the PDP is incontestable.”	2019 general elections	view	12
ThisDaylive Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Kwankwaso Reconciles with Shekarau, Moves against APC	In what appears to be an unprecedented twist in the politics of Kano State, two former governors and erstwhile political archrivals in the state, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, met at the weekend in Abuja. THISDAY gathered that the meeting, which was the first since Kwankwaso’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently, was to bury their differences and form a formidable team that would mobilise the electorate in the state against President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje ahead of 2019 elections. It was also gathered that it was the first formal meeting of the former political opponents in 15 years when Kwankwaso paid a congratulatory visit to Shekarau for defeating him in the 2003 governorship election. According to impeccable sources, the brief meeting took place at Shekarau’s Asokoro residence in Abuja on Saturday night. Although the two Kano political gladiators held the meeting behind closed-doors, an excited Shekarau who was heard telling his visitor “no hard feelings, and I don’t bear any grudge,” at the end of the meeting. In reply, Kwankwaso also said he did not bear malice against him, promising his commitment and collaboration towards the success of the party.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwanso.	view	11
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 30, 2018	Osun PDP accuses APC of fueling plot against its standard-bearer	Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fueling the plot against its standard-bearer, Senator Ademola Adeleke. Its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, said this in a statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital.He urged members to be wary of the spoiler game being sponsored by the APC, especially the court cases against Adeleke. According to him, the APC was scared of what a united PDP could achieve in the September 22 poll, hence it is using its members to unsettle its standard-bearer.Two members of the party had taken Adeleke to court, demanding that he presents his WAEC certificate.Odeyemi however said intelligence report at the party’s disposal had linked the APC to the case. He implored the APC to stop meddling in PDP affairs and face what is left of its disintegrated structure.He described the action as a distraction, and asked its members not to fall for the antics of APC, but work towards ensuring victory for the party. But the APC has denied any meddling in the PDP affairs, and urged the party to face its internal problem.Odeyemi insisted: “We can’t afford to miss this opportunity to wrestle Osun State from the grip of the failing APC. We have it on good authority that the APC has been going about looking for willing hands within our fold to use against us.	Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	view	11
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 30, 2018	Defections defeat essence of party system, says Utomi	Professor of Political Economy and founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Pat Okedinachi Utomi, in this interview with News Editor, MARCEL MBAMALU, x-rays the intricate political calculations in Delta State, stressing that as a public intellectual his romance with politics will benefit Nigerians.	Party defection.	view	11
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 30, 2018	Women want more elective slots in 2019	As the 2019 general elections draw near, some organisations across the country, including Women Radio FM 91.7, Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) and others have advocated for gender equality in political participation. They maintained that until the equation was balanced or at least improved beyond what it was at present, Nigeria’s democracy would continue to face challenges in crucial areas in which the menfolk have failed. Alluding to the Beijing Declaration of 1995 in China, which advocated for more women participation in politics and decision-making, they said it was important for the male gender in Nigeria to concede some critical positions. In a bid to actualise their proposition, the women organisations have planned a summit to set the wheels in motion ahead of 2019.Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio FM 91.7, Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, who spoke on the programme said: “The aim of the summit, scheduled to hold at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is to assemble all women politicians, who have expressed interest to contest various elective offices in next year’s general elections.	2019 general elections.	view	11
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 30, 2018	NYSC warns corps members against misconduct in 2019 polls	The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned corps members against electoral fraud in the 2019 election.NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure, gave the warning yesterday in Okada, Edo State.He addressed 1,989 corps members deployed to Edo State for the 2018 Batch “B” service year. According to him, the NYSC has put necessary machineries in place to ensure the safety of all corps members throughout the service year.Kazaure said any member who violates the electoral laws would be dealt with accordingly, as the scheme is committed to ensuring free, fair and credible elections. The DG also advised them to avoid lone and night movements and be security conscious at all times.He specifically urged the female corps members to avoid provocative dresses, which might put them at loggerheads with the cultural values of their host communities. Kazaure said outstanding corps members in community development projects would be rewarded at the end of the service year.Edo State Coordinator, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, said the corps members had exhibited a high sense of discipline since the commencement of the camp.He requested for a 110 KVA Mikano power generating set from the director-general.	2019 general elections	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Oshiomhole saved APC from collapse — Okorocha	Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that the emergence of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole as chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) saved the party from collapse. He said he and other leaders of the party who opposed the tenure elongation of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun were the “Nostradamus of our time that saw tomorrow.” In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said they had been vindicated by the unfolding scenario currently playing out in the party. “With certain scenarios that have played out within the fold of APC at the moment and in less than one month after the national convention of the party, it is obvious that the emergence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman has saved the party from an impending catastrophe. “It can also be argued that some of the proponents of tenure elongation were innocently doing so without having an overview of the entire disturbing picture behind the scheming for elongation of tenure.	All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	11
ThisDaylive Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Impeached Benue Speaker, 8 Members Reconvene	The crisis in the Benue State House of Assembly worsened on Monday as the Impeached Speaker Terkimbi Ikyange and eight members gained access to the Assembly chamber and held a session. Though THISDAY could not confirm what transpired at their sitting, there are however speculations that they commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Samuel Ortom. It was also gathered that the impeached speaker and the eight members suspended the 22 other members of the Assembly who had earlier impeached and suspended Ikyange. As early as 5am on Monday, about 300 youths in nine vehicles belonging to Benue state livestock guards and Benue state vigilante blocked the entrance of the Assembly complex. Police personnel from the Benue State command and Abuja later arrived and tear gassed the area to disperse the youths.	Speaker impeachment. Benue State.	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	NCP betrayed Fawehinmi for joining CUFF — Chieftain	A factional chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in Lagos, Comrade Bayo Ogunleye, has said the national chairman of the party, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, singlehandedly joined the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). He said the founder of the party, late Gani Fawehinmi, would be turning in his grave in agony, saying the decision to join the coalition by Tanko ran contrary to the ideology of the party. NCP is among the about 30 political parties which formed a coalition to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Tanko had justified the decision in an earlier chat with our correspondent when he said he got the approval of members of the party to go into the alliance which, he explained, did not include merger. He said: “The coalition is about forming a government. Majority of us believe that the government has not delivered on its promises to the Nigerian people. “And for me as the National Chairman of NCP, I was given an express approval. Right from the beginning, the way we are going, we cannot win anything in this party and it has been a history of NCP not winning election, how long can we continue?” he asked. But Comrade Ogunleye insisted that Fawehinmi would be lamenting that the party he founded aligned with those responsible for the present sorry state of the country. “Tanko unilaterally signed that Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” he said.	2019 general elections	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Osun gov’ship: Ex-PDP chair gets ADC ticket	A former chairman of the PDP in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who came third in the recent PDP gubernatorial primary election in the state has defected and picked the ticket of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the September 22 election in the state. Akinbade’s media aide, Mr Kayode Oladeji confirmed this to Daily Trust correspondent in Osogbo. Oladeji said Akinbade’s name would be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kazeem Adio, who voluntarily stepped down from the race. According to Oladeji, quoting the National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, “ADC is pleased to present a leader, an accomplished public servant, and a man always at home with his people to replace him (Hon. Adio).”	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections. African Democratic Congress (ADC)	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	David Mark leads PDP leaders to reconcile Osun PDP on Adeleke candidature	Former Senate President, Senator David Mark and top national leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have started making moves to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in Osun state ahead of the September 22nd governorship election in the state. The move became necessary so that those aggrieved over the primary election of the party would embrace and work for the candidate of the party, Senator Ademola Adeleke to win the election. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi confirmed the development. Odeyemi said the PDP primary stands and that Senator Ademola Adeleke remains the candidate of the party. The PDP spokesman said Senator Mark’s peace and reconciliation team will bring all members of the party together to work for Adeleke for the victory of the party. Daily Trust correspondent gathered that the move has started yielding positive results as there were fruitful talks among the concerned PDP leaders and stakeholders. A reliable source said "Top PDP leaders from Osun including Dr Olu Alabi, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Chief Fadahunsi and Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa are meeting some PDP national leaders in Abuja on the way forward. "The misunderstandings have been ironed out and they have agreed to join hands with Senator Adeleke and also prevail on Dr Akin Ogunbiyi to work for the party to achieve victory in this September election.	Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	PDP will win 10 northern states in 2019 – Sen. Danbaba	The Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win 10 northern states in the forthcoming general elections. Danbaba is among the lawmakers that recently decamped to PDP at the National Assembly. Speaking to some selected journalists in Sokoto on Sunday, he said he did not regret dumping the party that made him Senator because they were not being carried along in the scheme of things. He further explained that he left the party because of lack of equity, justice and fairness to all members. "The APC-led federal government has derailed from its mandate and failed to meet the yearnings of Nigerians," he added. Danbaba who is the vice chairman of the House Committee on Army, lamented that the APC has failed to address the three core issues of security, economy and corruption for which it was voted into power in 2015. "I am the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and I know how much that has been expended on security in the country. We are facing security challenges in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and many states and people are being killed,"he said	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Kwara: Lai asks Saraki loyalists in gov’t to resign	All members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State in the camp of the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, holding various political appointments should resign immediately or risk being sacked. Recall that two senators and six members of the House of Representatives from Kwara State were among those that dumped the APC for the PDP last week. Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the directive at a press conference in his country home, Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, yesterday. He also expressed the intention to dissolve the Senator Bukola Saraki-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State under the chairmanship of Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani earlier adopted by the national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to give way for a new exco. The minister said the new development was as a result of the wide consultations with all the stakeholders in the state which begun on Friday and lasted till yesterday. “For six members of the House of Representatives to decamp from APC in Kwara State to another political party, we don’t need rocket science to know that all of them are no longer with us.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Kwara State.	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Progressives’ party makes case for restructuring	The People’s Progressive Party, at the weekend, said there is the need for all to speak for restructuring as a way of resolving the myriad of problems afflicting the country. The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Damian U. Ogbonna who spoke after the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja, said they were in tune with the call for restructuring which according to him would address issues relating to principles of freedom, decentralizing governance, and ensuring dignity of every individual. Dr. Ogbonna said that the party was also opened to talks with other political parties to ensure that Nigerians were liberated from the clutches of poverty and deprivation. He cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy was at risk of being truncated, saying the rule of law had disappeared amidst unending poverty, joblessness and hunger. “What we have is a cabal willing to poison and destroy the land in pursuit of power to enslave the masses and satisfy their personal goals” he said.	2019 general elections	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	We’re not jittery over defections — Kawu Sumaila	The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps), Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, has said they are not apprehensive about the recent defection of some lawmakers from the ruling party to the opposition party. Speaking to Daily Trust at the graduation of Qur’anic memorisers in Kano, Sumaila said as a politician, he was aware that politics was a game of number. “Therefore, naturally I am not happy, and you need to know that my primary responsibility in Abuja is to liaise between the president and the National Assembly. “And when you are talking about National Assembly, it is a game of number. You need to have not just simple majority but 2/3 majority to be able to pass constitutional amendments, laws or legislations,” he said. The politician said he would be affected by the recent development as it would make his duty more difficult in trying to convince lawmakers from the opposition party whenever the need arose.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Why rAPC members left — Nkire	Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s leadership style is bad and only good for the 18th century, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (r-APC), Chief Sam Nkire, has said. Nkire said yesterday that part of the reasons members were leaving the APC for other parties was the foisting of Oshiomhole on the party against the will of the majority. “Unless the APC reforms and comes down from its high horse to become a people-oriented party which welcomes people rather than driving people away, the exodus will have no end,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Why Buhari must win 2019 presidential election – Akeredolu	Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said that he was confident that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the 2019 presidential election for a second term in the office. Akeredolu told the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Atlanta, U.S. that Buhari had done well and deserved to be re-elected, in spite of obvious challenges. “I followed the achievements he (Buhari) has had within this four short years but he’s not someone that is given to making noise. “A lot has changed in our country and there’s need for continuity; no doubt, we have had our challenges. “No doubt, at the tail end, a number of challenges came about on security. “But that notwithstanding, to get us out of recession within a short time is not a mean feat; people don’t just appreciate it. “To now talk about a number of other things; when you talk about light, where you have light, is anybody talking about it? “To talk about what we have been able to save in terms of cutting corruption, so many lives are affected by that. “So, I believe that within this short four years, President Buhari has done a lot,’’ the governor told NAN. He urged Nigerians to re-elect the president for another term to stabilise the economy and block leakages.	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	view	11
ThisDaylive Online	Monday, July 30, 2018	Former PDP Image Maker, Ibeshi, Joins Gubernatorial Race to Rescue C’River State	Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi, has formally declared his intention to vie for the governorship position of Cross River State in 2019 on the party’s platform, saying his mission is to rescue the state from maladministration. At Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, at the weekend, where he formally threwhis hat into the ring to contest the governorship election in the state, Ibeshi, who presented a 16-page missions statement, declared that he was on a “Mission to Rescue Cross River State.” Aside from the mission statement, Ibeshi also presented a 71-page manifesto on how he would run the affairs of the state, if elected governor, but emphasised that his blue-print was laced to a large extent with a fine-tuning of the templates laid by former Governor Donald Duke, and Governor Liyel Imoke when they, respectively, served the people from May 1999 to May 2015. Ibeshi’s mission statement read in part: “Yes, indeed, we can recall with joy still in our hearts, how the Obudu Cattle Ranch became a global showpiece of attraction, hosting The Mountain Race and Presidential Retreats time after time. “We used to have at least three airlines flying to and from Calabar on regular schedules with visitors, investors and Seminar attendees. At the moment we have just one airline plying the Calabar route; a sad commentary on the ordeals of Cross River State within just three years!!	2019 general elections	view	11
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	INEC to deploy over 3,500 staff for Bauchi South bye-election	The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will deploy over 3, 500 ad-hoc staff for the Bauchi South Senatorial District by-election slated for August, 11th, 2018. This was disclosed by the Director, Voter Education and Public Enlightenment, Yahaya Salihu at the Commission's headquarters in Bauchi. He said that the staff to be deployed for the election were; Collation Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers 1, 2 and 3. Salihu further informed that the adhoc staff will be drawn from Civil Servants of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Members and Students of Tertiary Institutions in Bauchi State. He said that the adhoc staff will be trained on the rudiments of election process in order to have a hitch free bye-election.	Bauchi South Senatorial seat vacancy.	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Osun 2018: Speaker Salaam accepts Oyetola as APC candidate, congratulates him	The speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Salaam who was one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressive Congress that contested in the primary election of the party has congratulated the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who was elected as the candidate of the party. According to a press statement by the Chairman of House Committee of Information and Strategy, Mr Bosun Oyintiloye, the Speaker said he has accepted the outcome of the primary and pledged support for the APC candidate in the September 22 election. In the statement, Oyintiliye quoted the Speaker saying “Note that I bear no grudge against anyone". Salaam, who noted that he fought the primary election with dignity and comportment expected of a leader of the state parliament, said he drew his energy from the huge support from ordinary people in the state. The speaker, however, urged his colleagues in the assembly to strive to deliver on the mandate given to them before the expiration of their tenure in the next few months. "In the next few months, this assembly would be winding up and posterity will surely judge us, using our productivity and delivery.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Shekarau: No overtures from Ganduje, APC	Reports that Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) made overtures to him to return to the party ahead of the 2019 general elections are not true, former Kano State governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, told Daily Trust last night. Shekarau, who is the leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in Kano State, said neither Ganduje nor APC ever sat down with him or made overtures to him before or after Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso announced his defection from APC to PDP last Tuesday. Daily Trust reported yesterday, quoting sources close to Shekarau, that Governor Ganduje offered him to chance to nominate a running mate for next year’s election following plans to drop the current deputy governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar from the APC ticket. The deputy governor said several months ago that he will not run again with Ganduje in next year’s election.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Imposing candidates by political parties still a challenge-IRI	Imposing of candidates for elections by political parties has been identified as one of the major challenges in Nigerian democratic process. This was observed by ‎the International Republican Institute ( IRI) at a three days interactive session with members of political parties in Bauchi. The three day event was held with members ‎of All Progressives Congress ( APC), Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP) with a theme: "Bauchi Citizens Engagement & Communication Development Workshop". In his presentation IRI's Programme Ofiicer, Sunday Alao noted that people should be allowed to choose candidates‎ instead of imposition by party leadership at all levels. He said that parties must create more opportunities for their members to fully participate in the selection of candidates in primary elections.	2019 general elections	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Kaita wins Katsina North APC Senatorial ticket	Hon. Ahmad Babba Kaita, a serving member, representing Kusada/Ingawa/Kankia constituency at the House of Representatives have emerged winner of the All Progressive Congress primaries for the Katsina North Senatorial District. Kaita polled 1,723 votes to defeat his colleague, another serving member at the House of Representative Nasir Zango ( Baure/Zango) who got 1,474 votes. The result shows that, Prof Umar Katsiayal got 29, Ahmed Jano and Salisu ingawa got 2 votes each. The state commissioner of Resource Development and son of former and Late Senator Kanti Bello, Mustapha got 317. Others are the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justuce Ahmed Elmarzuk with 46 votes, Lawal Garba 7, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Umar Gwajo Gwajo 101.	By-Elections, Kaduna.	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	I’ll quit APC — Kwara gov	Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has hinted that he might quit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor, an ardent disciple of Senate President Bukola Saraki, said the APC did not meet the expectations of people of Kwara State. Governor Ahmed made this known yesterday at the State Banquet Hall, Ilorin while reacting to requests of various stakeholders in Kwara Central Senatorial District, prevailing on him and the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to immediately dump the APC. So far, with the exception of Saraki, all the members of the National Assembly have defected from the APC and Saraki himself has expressly indicated that he will also leave. Governor Ahmed, yesterday, recalled how key stakeholders in the ruling APC in the state built the party in 2014 alongside other notable Nigerians with high expectations but were disappointed about the failure of the government at the national level to address insecurity, economic and unemployment challenges confronting the nation. According to the governor, “We formed APC together in 2014 with the hope to meet the needs and aspirations of the people in critical areas of our national life,” claiming the leadership of the APC had failed to intervene on critical issues affecting the party and its members. He said the injustice within the party was unbearable.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State.	view	10
ThisDaylive Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Defection: Oyegun Denies Attacking Oshiomhole	Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has dissociated himself from a statement which blamed his successor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the current wave of defections hitting the ruling party. An online report had quoted Oyegun as slamming Oshiomhole for his arrogance, which he allegedly said was destroying the party. A statement issued by Oyegun’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Edwin Ikhinmwin, said that that former chairman had not issued any press statement or spoken to the press on the concocted statement credited to him. He said he strongly supports the efforts being made by Oshiomhole to bring back peace and reposition the party. The online report which Oyegun denied had quoted him to have said: “When I was called up to handover to Adams Oshiomhole, I pleaded with the leaders of the party to look for someone else even if they don’t want me again. Nobody listened to me. I handed over to him a party fully intact and healthy. Under 4 weeks, Oshiomhole has used his mouth to destroy APC. Who do you blame?”.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC).	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Kwara PDP rejects power sharing with defectors	The leadership of the PDP in Kwara State, yesterday, rejected a power sharing arrangement formulated by the party’s national leadership to accommodate defecting members from the APC. The acclaimed state chairman of a faction of the PDP, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said it was impossible for his team and members of the party to work with the incoming defectors who, he said, were mainly from the political structure loyal to Senate President Bukola Saraki. Two senators, Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) and Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) as well as the six members of the House of Representatives from the state were among federal legislators who defected on Tuesday from the APC. Saraki and Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed are expected to announce their own defection soon. But Oyedepo who spoke on the development on a radio programme in Ilorin, the state capital, said the national leadership of the PDP had set up a committee to interface between his group and the defectors. The first meeting is slated for next week, he said on the programme which was monitored by our reporter.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State.	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Shehu Sani backs reconciliation moves	Senator Shehu Sani has voiced his support for the on-going reconciliation efforts in the ruling APC. Sani, who fielded questions from journalists at the APC national secretariat after a meeting with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said that he remained a member of the APC. “We are confident that the new leadership of the party has the capacity and the ability to address these injustices. In the words of Frantz Fanon, ‘We revolt because we cannot breathe’. So we revolted against the party because it is suffocating us. Now we have a new surgeon who is doing everything possible to put it back on track. That is why we give him the benefit of doubt that the problem can be solved,” he said.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Defection: Time to revisit 2014 conference report	A governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called for revisiting the 2014 National Conference which deliberated on carpet crossing by legislators. Comrade Aremu said the recent mass defections of some members of APC to the PDP called for “quality control of the nation’s political process.” He therefore suggested that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), be further amended to indicate that any elected official, executive or legislative, who carpet-crossed, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit their seat.”	2019 general elections.	view	10
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	Mass defection make APC stronger in Kwara — Lai Mohammed	The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured APC members in Kwara State that the recent mass defections in the National Assembly will make the party stronger than ever in the state. The minister stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday. Alhaji Mohammed said “I want to most sincerely thank all APC members and supporters in Kwara State for their unflinching commitment to ensuring that the party emerges stronger than ever in the state,” he said.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara State.	view	10
ThisDaylive Online	Friday, July 27, 2018	2019: Kaduna Deputy Governor Declares for Senate	The deputy governor of Kaduna state, Mr. Barnabas Bala Bantex, has declared his intention to contest for the Southern Kaduna senatorial seat in 2019. Senator Danjumah Leah of the Peoples Democratic Party is the incumbent senator representing the zone. The deputy givernor’s declaration confirms speculations that Governor Nasir El-Rufai will not run with him in the 2019 governorship election. In a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, Bantex said he wants to offer better representation to the southern Kaduna senatorial zone. He said since 1999, the southern senatorial zone has had the “poorest senatorial representation”. According to him, the performance of governor Nasir El-Rufai has given him the confidence to run for the senatorial election.	2019 general elections, Kaduna State.	view	10
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 26, 2018	APC shocked over Samuel Ortom’s defection to PDP	The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it was stunned by the defection of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullah said: “The governor had left the (reconciliatory) meeting saying he was satisfied with the assurances given by party leaders. We are still working on giving effect to the resolutions from the meeting. Therefore, we are somewhat surprised by Governor Ortom’s decision. “The party reiterates its earlier position that it respects the rights of every citizen to chose their political affiliation but expresses hope that those who have left the party will rescind their decisions. “Even with this development, we don’t think it is too late for reconciliation. We have to continue to talk. As long as people keep their minds open and have the courage to put the real issues on the table, reconciliation is still possible. “We once again call on members across the country to remain calm as the party leadership continues to work hard to position the party strongly for the next general elections.”	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	view	9
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	PDP Hails Ortom’s Defection	The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the defection of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, from the All Progressives Congress and welcomed him back to its fold. The party also urged all its members in APC to return back ‘home’ and salvage the nation. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said the return of the governor to PDP confirmed the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not have the welfare of Nigerians at heart, as they have continually offered flimsy excuses over the mindless killings that have caused untold sorrows across the country, particularly in Benue State. The party said that the Buhari-led federal government had failed in its basic responsibility of protecting lives, property and territorial integrity of the nation. “Painfully, Nigerians are being slaughtered in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, nearly on daily basis.” PDP praised Governor Ortom for showing patriotic courage and boldness in these times of brazen dictatorship. PDP commended the governor for standing firm by the people of Benue State and refusing to mortgage their welfare to a government that has consistently demonstrated cluelessness.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	view	9
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 26, 2018	SDP flays Aregbesola over alleged youth neglect in governance	Youth Leader of the Osun State chapter of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Yemi Lawal, has flayed Governor Rauf Aregebsola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly failing to involve youths in governance. In an interview with The Guardian, Lawal, who was elected recently as youth leader said it was unfortunate for Osun State that previous governments neglected the impact youths could make in driving development. Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Lagos East in the Senate, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his positive impact in the development of the state since he assumed office three years ago. Ashafa, who was among dignitaries at Ambode’s town hall meeting, which is the third in 2018 held at Ibeju Lekki, said the governor has successfully improved on the foundation laid by his predecessors, Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections.	view	9
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 26, 2018	APC suspends Etim-John exco in Cross River	The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the party’s executive committee led by Godwin Etim-John in Cross River State. A letter to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state signed by the National Vice Chairman (South South), Hilliard Eta, stated: “You are aware that the court has barred the illegal executive headed by one Hon. Etim-John from operating until the determination of the case in court.” In Katsina State, the party yesterday rescheduled its primary for the August 11 Katsina North Senatorial District bye-election. The position became vacant on April 4 following the demise of Senator Mustapha Bukar. The ban order on Cross River exco, coming on the heels of the Obudu State Constituency by-election also slated for August 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) further read: “In the light of the above, I hereby advise that all communications relating to the election be directed to the office of the National Vice Chairman (South South).”	All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	9
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 26, 2018	More women eye presidential seat in 2019	More women are expressing interest to contest next year’s presidential election on different political platforms. One of such women, Dr. Helen Solomon, who recently expressed readiness to run for the top political post in the country said Nigeria has not faired well since independence. Mrs. Solomon who has over 20 years experience in business and economic development contended that Nigeria needs a new crop of leaders to change its narrative. According to the Delta State indigene, who is contesting on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), diverse tribes with cultural differences in the country must be seen as one to move the nation forward. She canvassed a new Nigeria where social justice and all amenities will be available to all and not just the rich and the corrupt. She said: “Nigeria needs to break away from self-centered men who have dominated the political space.	2019 general elections	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	Imo APC gets parallel exco	Stakeholders of the APC in Imo State have petitioned the national leadership of the party protesting the alleged emergence of a parallel state executive in the state loyal to Governor Rochas Okorocha. A faction of the party led by Governor Okorocha had conducted its own ward, local government and state congresses where an aide of Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Daniel Nwafor, was elected chairman. But the stakeholders also known as ‘Allied Force’ contended in the petition that the appeal filed against holding fresh congresses had been served to the APC leadership at all levels. The governor’s faction had relied on a July 6 judgement of a Federal High Court in Owerri which quashed the congresses held in the state that favoured the deputy governor, some members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	Kwankwaso’s defection self-deception — Kano APC	The Kano State chapter of the APC has described the defection of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to the PDP as self-deception. The Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Honourable Shehu Maigari, told Daily Trust that Kwankwaso’s defection to PDP would not in any way affect the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during the next round of elections. Maigari said Kwankwaso had overrated his popularity and would be shocked with the outcome of elections next year which would humble him. “Kwankwaso’s defection to PDP can be best described as shouting after attack. Kwankwaso’s alliance with Shekarau in PDP will not last because there is no trust and mutual understanding between them,” he said. He said the people of Kano and Nigerians in general are not fools that could be twisted by the two politicians in order to achieve their political goals.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwanso.	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	‘Impeached’ Benue speaker seeks police help	‘Impeached’ Benue speaker seeks police help By Hope Abah, Makurdi | Publish Date: Jul 26 2018 6:51AM facebook twitter goolge plus linkdin like (0 Likes) ‘Impeached’ Benue speaker seeks police help The ‘impeached’ speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, yesterday, called on the police authorities in Abuja to move into the assembly to restore law, order and integrity of the house. Ikyange was purportedly removed at a sitting of the house on Tuesday for alleged high-handedness. The embattled speaker who spoke to journalists in Makurdi, said a petition would be lodged with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, as soon as possible to avert looming crisis in the state over what he called “unconstitutional change of leadership in the state legislature.” Ikyange said the Tuesday sitting of the house, which purportedly removed him as speaker was illegal, adding that decisions in respect of the other offices said to have been taken by the 22 members present at the said sitting were also null and void.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	I left PDP to vie for Imo gov’ship — Lagos Rep	A member of the House of Representatives from Lagos State, Tony Nwulu (PDP, Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency), has explained why he dumped the PDP for the United Progressives Party (UPP). The Imo State-born Lagos lawmaker who sponsored the Not Too Young to Run bill, spoke to journalists at the Media Centre of the House of Representatives, saying his decision was in line with Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He said the party will enable him achieve his desire to run for the state’s governorship seat in 2019.	Imo State governorship election.	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	APC, Ganduje extend overtures to Shekarau	The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje have extended overtures to former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau asking him to re-join the ruling party ahead of 2019 general elections, Daily Trust learnt. A reliable source close to Shekarau confided in Daily Trust yesterday that some top APC chieftains in Kano and Abuja had commenced discussions with Shekarau and his associates to convince them to return to the APC which they worked hard to form. The overtures were reportedly intensified in the wake of the defection of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and some legislators who left APC to PDP on Tuesday. Kwankwaso had since parted ways with Ganduje and sources said recent moved by the APC in Kano was to join forces ahead of 2019. To actualize this, another source said Governor Ganduje had yesterday in Abuja met with some close political associates of Shekarau. He said, “Among the politicians invited are former commissioners and special advisers who served under Shekarau when he was governor. “The move started several months ago; but efforts were intensified recently after APC realized that Senator Kwankwaso and his followers had concluded plans to leave the party.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	Amaechi never accused Oshiomhole of bad luck — Keyamo	The Minister of Transport and Director General of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, has debunked social media reports that he accused the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole of bringing bad luck to the party. Amaechi who made the denial in a statement by the office’s Director, Strategic Communications, Festus Keyamo, yesterday, described the story as ‘fake news.’ “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state without equivocation that Rt. Honourable Rotimi Amaechi did not at any forum, whether in private or public, utter such words or anything close to those words in reference to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He holds Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the highest esteem possible,” he said. While blaming the story to the “sinking main opposition party” he cautioned the public to ignore such stories and pledged to run an issues-based campaign for Mr President.	All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	9
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	PDP Alleges Plot to Impeach Fayose	The Peoples Democratic Party has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop its nefarious plot to impeach Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayo Fayose, or attract dire consequences. PDP said that the impeachment plot, being arranged in connivance with the Police, was a recipe for crisis in the peaceful state. “The PDP is aware that the plot is a desperate bid by the APC to rush into the Ekiti Government House to remove and tamper with documents and evidence confirming the rigging of the July 14 governorship election, ahead of the sitting of the election tribunal”, the party said in a press statement by its National Publicity Secretary on Thursday. “Having realized that there is no way their daylight robbery at the poll can stand in the court, the APC is now employing all desperate means to subvert the course of justice.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	Defections in N/Assembly not a threat to Buhari — BCO	The National Coordinator of Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Alhaji Danladi Pasali, has said the defection of some senators and House of Representatives members from the ruling APC to the opposition PDP and other parties will not affect the popularity of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. Alhaji Pasali told newsmen at the BCO headquarters in Abuja, that analysis of the defected lawmakers showed that most of them took the decision to save their political ambitions as a result of their grievances at the grassroots. According to him, with or without them, Buhari was already the man of the masses adding that no serious politician would dump the president or the APC at this particular moment. “All of those that decamped to PDP need Buhari in their political careers more than Buhari needs them. Except few among them, the majority rode on the wave of popularity of President Buhari in 2015 to secure their mandates. So, for us at the BCO, we regard this as great political miscalculation and suicide.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	9
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 26, 2018	PDP speakers condemn alleged muscling of senate president, deputy	“It has become apparent that our security agencies have now become willing tools in the hands of the ruling party to achieve selfish political gains via intimidation, coercion and trumped up charges against dissenters. Consequently, our democracy has come under severe attacks.” With the above, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Speakers’ Forum yesterday condemned the July 24, 2018 alleged barricade of the convoy of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the house arrest of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, by suspected security operatives and other agents believed to be acting on behalf of the Federal Government. It noted that the action was “yet another attempt by the executive arm to undermine the country’s hard earned democracy.”	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 26, 2018	Bauchi: Yuguda, Maryam Bagel, Salihu pick tickets for Senate by-election	Former governor Isa Yuguda has emerged candidate of Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) for the Bauchi South senatorial by-election scheduled for August 11. He was adopted as the sole candidate as there was no other contestant on the platform of the party. Yuguda had contested for the Senate ticket against late Senator Ali Wakili in 2015 on the ‎platform of the PDP and lost. Hajiya Maryam Garba Bagel had also emerged candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the by-election. Bagel, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, defected from the APC about a week ago and joined SDP.	Bauchi South Senatorial seat vacancy.	view	9
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Rescue party slashes fees for nomination	The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has announced the cost of nomination forms for its presidential and other positions ahead of its primary election for 2019. The National Chairman of the party, Senator Saidu Dansadau, said this yesterday in Abuja at the launching of the #NotTooPoorToRun campaign of the party. According to him, presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, House of Representatives and house of assembly aspirants will pay N250, 000, N200, 000, N150, 000, N100, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.	2019 general elections	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Youths endorse Atiku for president	The National Youths Mobilization (NYM) has adopted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election. National coordinator of NYM, Hassan Waziri Chinade, said the decision to adopt Atiku followed a rally organized by the youth of the six geopolitical zones of the country in Yola, Adamawa State. The youth comprised delegates from the South West, South South, North Central, North West, North East and South East. “Nigeria is in an auto-pilot with no one in charge,” he claimed. Chinade said, “Atiku Abubakar has promised to reverse these negative trends by leading a government that will invest in its people because people constitute the wealth of any nation,” he said.	2019 general elections , Atiku.	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Presidency: 60 Yoruba groups give conditions for candidates	A coalition of over 60 Yoruba self-determination groups, yesterday, vowed that its support for any political party or presidential candidate would be hinged on restructuring and genuine federalism. The group, under the aegis of Yoruba Self-Determination Advancement Forum (YOSEDAF) comprising members from Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and their kith and kin in Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states, accused the elite in the region of watering down the democratic ideals of Yoruba land in the last 19 years. Convener of the group, Evangelist Kunle Adesokan and Secretary, Mr. Kola Are, stated this at a press conference on the position of the group as the 2019 elections approach. The secretary, who addressed the press conference, said the present democracy had failed to deliver good governance. According to him, development had been a “fleeting mirage for Nigerians since the country returned to civil rule.” “It is only a presidential material like MKO that shares the worldview of imbuing capacities of the young and marginalized groups that can restore confidence in the economy and create a new momentum that will trigger emancipation of our peoples,” the coalition said.	2019 general elections	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Ogundokun Lauds Political Parties for Shunning Violence during Primaries in Osun	A former national publicity secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has commended political parties in Osun State for eschewing violence during the conduct of their governorship primaries. He also enjoined them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the state, before, during and after the September 22 governorship election. In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, he said the peaceful primaries conducted by political parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed that “our mentality about election has changed for good”. He called on the candidates that emerged at the primaries not to see their co-contestants as losers, but rather, work with them to emerge victorious in the coming election. The elder statesman, who also advised politicians to play the game according to the rules, stressed that election is not a do or die affair.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections.	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Defection: Kwankwaso must abide by the rules — Shekarau	A former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has described the defection of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso from APC to PDP as a welcome development but urged him to abide by the rules. Daily Trust reports that Shekarau, a founding member of the APC had to leave the party for Kwankwaso in Kano when serving governors who dumped the PDP for the APC were asked to lead the party in their states. Speaking through his media aide, Sule Ya’u Sule, Shekarau who is the PDP leader in Kano said he hoped Kwankwaso had changed. There were fears that many of those that defected to the PDP yesterday would have to fight for supremacy in their states where some chieftains had institutionalized themselves in the last three years. “I hope the PDP has received a reformed Kwankwaso. I hope it is not the old Kwankwaso I knew,” Shekarau said. “I hope he will this time around abide by the rules and regulations of the PDP. I hope he will not repeat what he did after he joined APC in 2015. At that time, he took over everything leaving us with empty hand,” he said. Shekarau regretted that the party they had labored for was unilaterally handed over to Kwankwaso in 2015.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwanso.	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Oshiomhole: Defectors are Big Masquerades without Electoral Value	The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, Tuesday in Abuja described members of the party in the National Assembly who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as big masquerades without electoral value. Oshiomhole, who made this scathing remarks in the State House in a swift reaction to the defection of 15 senators and 37 members of the House of Representatives from APC, claimed that the president got higher votes than the defectors in their constituencies at the 2015 polls. According to him, Nigerians will go to the poll very soon and the outcome will reveal clearly that the defectors do not constitute any threat to APC. He said defectors were those who cannot adjust to the change being championed by the APC government.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC).	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Benue Assembly impeaches speaker, principal officers	Members of the Benue State House of Assembly have impeached their speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange, and other principal officers. Consequently, they elected Mr. Titus Ugba of Kyan constituency as Ikyange’s replacement. The session was presided over by the Speaker pro-tempore, Alhaji Audu Sule (PDP) from Agatu constituency. The new speaker Uba was the chamber’s majority leader and is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The motion for Ikyange’s removal was moved by Mr. Richard Ujege (APC) of Konshisha constituency and seconded by Mr. Anthony Ogbu (APC) Ado constituency. Ujege cited the alleged highhandedness of the former Speaker as reasons for his and other officers’ ouster. In the new dispensation, Mr. Johnson Ahubi emerged the deputy speaker. The post of majority leader went to Mr. Avine Agbom (PDP/Makurdi North), who just defected to the party while Alhaji Audu Sule clinched the position of deputy majority leader. The majority whip is Kester Kyenge (PDP) Logo state constituency. No fewer than 22 members were at the sitting.	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Benue State.	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	APC ‘unmoved’ as PDP ‘takes control’ of Senate	The All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed its loss of majority seats at the Senate, following yesterday’s defection by 15 lawmakers to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The drama was also replicated at the House of Representatives where 37 legislators abandoned the ruling party. While the plot to jump ship was already anticipated, an early morning blockade by security operatives at the residences of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu seemed to have hastened the action. It is believed the barricade was part of a plan to checkmate the defection. The police had on Monday invited Saraki for questioning over his alleged involvement in the April 5 Offa robbery incident. But before this could happen, armed policemen took up positions, sealing off his street.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Buhari coordinator rejects request to vie for Senate	The Niger State Coordinator of Buhari Support Group (BSG), Alhaji Umar Shuaibu Suleja, has turned down request by members of the group and some APC members from Zone B to represent them at the Senate next year. Daily Trust reports that posters suggesting that Shuaibu would contest for the seat which is currently occupied by Senator David Umaru, had flooded major cities within the zone ahead of the 2019 elections. However, Shuaibu at a meeting with the BSG members and some stakeholders from the zone, yesterday, in Minna, said the time was not yet ripe for him to take such step, adding that the success of President Muhammadu Buhari was more paramount than his own ambition. The BSG Coordinator urged members of the group and all APC members as well as supporters to work towards the return of President Buhari in 2019 to enable him continue the good work he started.	2019 general elections	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Kwankwaso’s defection long overdue — Kano speaker	The Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has said the recent defection of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was long overdue. Speaking to Daily Trust, Ata also said Kwankwaso’s defection would not in any way affect the ruling APC and the victory of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the 2019 general elections. Ata explained that victory in everything, including elections was in the hands of God who gave power to whoever He wants and at the appointed time. “The defection of Senator Kwankwaso from APC to PDP is long overdue. For a very long time, we have not been together. His stay in APC was just symbolic. So if today he announces his defection to PDP, it will not surprise many of us because we knew he has not been with APC for a very long time,” he said. On the rumour that some state legislators had decamped to PDP, the speaker said, “to the best of my knowledge, no single member of Kano State House of Assembly decamped to PDP. I have never heard this and I don’t think our members can do that.” Also speaking to Daily Trust, a member of the Kano Assembly representing Municipal Local Government Area, Alhaji Baffa Babba Danagundi, dispelled the rumour of defection of some APC members to PDP.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwanso.	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Osun PDP governorship primary was rigged, says Ogunbiyi	One of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi has condemned the results of the Saturday’s primary election held in the State, in what he described as “the rigging which characterised the conduct and outcome of the party’s gubernatorial primaries”. He explained that Senator Nurudeen Adeleke, who was declared the winner of the primary did not meet the requirement of Section 177 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). In a petition to the Chairman of the PDP Gubernatorial Electoral Appeal Panel, Ogunbiyi alleged that the senior secondary testimonial Adeleke submitted was not sufficient to meet the basic qualifications as stipulated by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. His petition reads in part: “Senator Ademola Adeleke submitted a document purported to be a testimonial as evidence that he was educated up to Senior Secondary certificate which not suffices to meet the basic qualifications stipulated by the Constitution and the Electoral Act.;the date of issue on the purported testimonial submitted by Senator Adeleke was altered with biro pen; the Principal of Muslim Grammar School, Ede, Osun State, Mr Khalid A. Abbas, who purportedly signed the testimonial had not been posted to the school in question as at the date indicated on the document and the Principal who purportedly issued the testimonial to Senator Adeleke has denied ever issuing or signing it and the denial is very well on record.”	Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	INEC fixes August 11 for C/River by-election	The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, August 11 for the conduct of by-election to fill the vacant seat of Obudu State Constituency. The seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Stephen Ukpukpen. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Frankland Briyai, confirmed this when he met with representatives of political parties, security agencies and the EFCC in his office.	Cross Rivers State by-election, INEC.	View	8
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 25, 2018	Underlying issues and fallouts of defections for 2019 poll.	The politics of carpet-crossing has resurrected. It has become an undying feature of Nigeria’s party politics. Almost always, it comes with great promise of hope to launch a new strategy, deepen our democracy and deliver more democratic dividends. In most cases, the circumstances and excuses for party defection in a multiparty democracy have remained the same, but decamping time is both strategic and dynamic. This, perhaps, explains why there have been more of motions than actions. Historical background Across the states, it is the in-thing straggling all political parties, influencing supporters, party members and politicians. It is worrisome. But this instrument of strategic manoeuvre dates back to the first republic in 1951 and, heralded in the defunct Western Regional House of Assembly. As an overnight affair then, not a few members of the defunct National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC), under the leadership of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe carpet-crossed to the then Action Group (AG), led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The unspoken motive for the mass defection was to sabotage Zik and his party, the expected political success of forming the majority in the Western Region House of Assembly, to enable Awolowo meet the requirement to form the government. That development, however, provided the opportunity for the AG to form the government in the region. In like manner, the first premier of the region, the late Ladoke Akintola, left the Action Group in a messier personality clash and founded the United Nigeria Democratic Party (UNDP), with the aim of launching the Yoruba into Nigeria’s mainstream politics and romped into an alliance with the then Northern People’s Congress, NPC.	2019 general elections	View	8
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	37 Reps defect from APC	35 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC. Detail later....	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	View	7
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Stop shopping for members, APC tells PDP	The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “stop shopping around for supporters” and channel its energy on the forthcoming 2019 general elections. High-ranking members of the ruling party have defected to the opposition, citing the party’s inability to honour its campaign promises as the reason for their defection. More top members of the APC are likely to dump the party before the next general elections hold in February. But, the ruling party in a statement by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said, “We challenge the PDP to face Nigerians on their own merit in 2019 and stop shopping around for supporters.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Aregbesola’s SSG dumps APC in Osun, gets ADP ticket	The Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, has resigned his appointment and defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Action Democratic Party (APD) where he bagged the governorship ticket for the September 22 election. In his acceptance speech at the ADP secretariat, yesterday in Osogbo, Adeoti urged the party members to support him to win the election. Adeoti said he was committed to executing the ADP ideals as contained in its manifesto to the letter. “I therefore want to seek your support in ensuring success for our party by launching all out to mobilise support for our party’s victory come September 22. “Today, we make history in our collective resolve to liberate our dear state from the grip of feudal lords who are so poor in humanity that all they have is money without conscience and humanity.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections. (ADP)	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Saraki: I can’t decide on my political future alone	Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the decision on his political future is not one that he alone can take as it involves all his associates and supporters. The Senate president said he was still engaging people, sharing ideas and receiving different advice before he could take a final decision. Reacting to stories making the round that the presidency has made some offers to him in an attempt to stop him from dumping the APC to another party, Saraki said nobody made any “juicy offers” to him and that the ongoing discussions were not about his personal interest. “As for my political future, we just need to continue to engage with others; listen to advices and exchange ideas because the decision is not that of mine alone. It is for all our supporters and associates to deliberate upon and take a decision based on the overall interest of our people,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Saraki.	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	…We’ll win without Saraki — Kwara APC faction	A faction of the APC in Kwara State led by Bashir Bolarinwa, yesterday, said it is confident of victory in the 2019 elections in the state with or without Senate President Bukola Saraki. The deputy factional chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, at a press conference in Ilorin, assured President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC national leadership not to lose sleep over the defection plans of Senator Saraki and his supporters in the state. The party also kicked against reported plan to give automatic ticks to serving senators, House of Representatives members and others by the APC as demanded by “overambitious politicians.”	2019 general elections	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	‘No appeal panel for Osun APC primary election’	One of the governorship aspirants in the APC primary election in Osun State, Mr Rasheed Adegoke, has said there is no election appeal panel to receive his appeal letter against the exercise. Adegoke said his petition, which was taken to the APC Secretariat at Ogo-Oluwa in Osogbo by the Administrative Officer of Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD) Campaign Organization, Mr Adegoke Adelere, was not accepted by the officials of the party. “All efforts to persuade the officials of the state chapter of the party to receive the letter proved abortive. All efforts to reach Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who presided over the election proved abortive as he did not pick my calls and neither has he responded to the text message I sent to him to complain about the failure to have the appeal committee in place,” he said.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries.	View	7
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Presidential aspirant, Moghalu announces campaign team	Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, the Presidential aspirant for the Young Progressive Party (YPP), has appointed Mr Abdullahi Abubakar, a political consultant, as the Chief Operating Officer of his 2019 Presidential campaign. Prof. Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, also announced Ebere Samuel as the National Coordinator for the Kingsley Moghalu Support Organisation (KIMSO). The announcement is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by Mr Jide Akintunde, spokesperson for Moghalu and his ‘To Build A Nation (TBAN) movement’. Moghalu also announced the appointment of Zonal Coordinators of KIMSO to provide direction for the campaign activities across the six geo-political zones of the country. The zonal leaders are Suleiman Yusuf (North East); Muhammad Kabir (North West); Jennifer Igoh (North Central); Chief Uduma Nnate (South East); Adewole Akinpelu (South West) and Josef Anndotan (South South). According to him, Abubakar will coordinate the operations of the campaign, including logistics, personnel, fundraising and political operations across the 36 States of Nigeria.	2019 general elections, Young Progressive Party (YPP)	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	PDP agrees to change name, fulfils demand by R-APC	The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, agreed to change its name, thereby yielding to pressure from members of the Reformed-All Progressives Congress (rAPC) led by Engineer Buba Galadima as condition for them to fully join the leading opposition party. Addressing newsmen at the end of the PDP’s 80th National Executive Committee (NEC) held yesterday in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said a committee had been set up to work on the modalities of changing the name but declined to mention the chairman of the committee. Our correspondents’ report that in the aftermath of the MoU the PDP signed with some 39 political parties, members of the rAPC who wanted to be in the coalition from the position of strength had demanded a change of name for the PDP and automatic ticket for its members. Yesterday’s decision by the PDP NEC was seen as a breakthrough by rAPC members even though it was not yet clear if their second demand for automatic tickets for their members had been accepted. “The party has set up a committee on harmonisation to commence the process for possible change of name as part of efforts to re-brand the party ahead of the 2019 general elections,” Ologbondiyan said. “Based on the workings of the PDP, R-APC and others, the issue of name change is not about time-frame; the time is now. So let’s follow the trend as it unfolds,” he said. The PDP spokesman said the decision became necessary in order to accommodate other interests willing to return to the party including the R-APC members. He added that the party had designed a template on power sharing so as to give legitimacy to all undertakings. A credible source in the PDP told the Daily Trust last night that they were working for a name that would start with a letter ‘A’.	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Senator Nyako, Monsurat-sumonu dump APC for Obasanjo's party, ADC	The lawmaker representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, Abdul-Aziz Murtala Nyako and Senator Monsurat Olajumoke Sunmonu of Oyo Central Senatorial District have dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, to join the African Democratic Congress, a party linked to former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The announcement of their defection was made on the floor of the upper chamber on Tuesday by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. Thirteen other senators also joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from the APC. They are Sen. Lanre Tejuoso Sen. Shaaba Lafiagi Sen. Barnabas Gemade Sen. Dino Melaye. Sen. Ubali Shittu Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim Sen. Isah Misau Sen. Sulaimon Hunkuyi Sen. Abdullahi Danbaba Sen. Bayern Nafada Sen. Suleiman Nazif Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso Sen Soji Akanbi	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	2019: Goodluck cautions against godfathers imposing candidates against popular choice	Ahead 2019 general elections, former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on politicians not to yield to any form of negative influence by godfathers. He also urged political godfathers to yield to people’s yearning in preparation for 2019, and advised them to steer clear of anti-party activities. Jonathan gave the advice when he received Sen. Philip Gyunka, who visited him in Abuja on Tuesday. He said that though there was nothing wrong with having godfathers, but they should not be clogs in the wheel of progress. “I have no problem with the issue of godfathers because as a Christian, if you are taking a child for baptism, there is this concept of godfather or godmother. “These are people that are supposed to help mentor the children and give advice from time to time. Godfather should not be used negatively. “For example, if you come from a community that participates actively in wrestling with neighbouring communities and you know your son cannot wrestle, you cannot send him. “Even in politics, if you have a son or anybody and you know the person cannot lead the party to victory, and you are sending the person because you are hoping for something, then you do not like the party. “If you like the party you, will ask your son to work with the person that you believe can win elections. “We lost most of these elections because of this issue of imposition of people that are not acceptable to the public,” he said.	2019 general elections	View	7
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Saraki denies juicy offers by presidency, APC	Senate President Bukola Saraki has debunked speculations that juicy offers were made to him by President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for him to jettison his strategic plan to defect from the party. Saraki, however, said there had been discussions on some national issues and described the alleged “mouth-watering” offers by either the APC leadership or Buhari as not only untrue but unfortunate. The Senate President’s reaction followed media reports that the Presidency and APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, had made mind-boggling offers to influential leaders of Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), which had slowed their planned mass defection from the ruling party. The reports claimed that Buhari, his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo and four APC governors met last week Thursday with Saraki to prevail on him and other disaffected members of the party known as R-APC from dumping the APC.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	Senate: 12 aspirants for APC primaries in Katsina	Twelve aspirants are set for the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Katsina North Senatorial District (Daura Zone). Among them are two serving House of Representatives members, Ahmed Babba Kaita and Nasir Zango, and a former speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Umar Gwajo Gwajo. Others are members of the state executive council including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmed El-Marzuq, Commissioner for Resource Development, Mustapha Kanti, Special Adviser on Science and Technology, Rabe Nasir, and Honorary Adviser on Investment, Zakari Ibrahim. The rest are Ahmed Jamo, Lawal Garba, Lawal Haruna, AK Ahmed and Professor Umar Katsayal. The spokesman of the APC in Katsina State, Abu Danmusa, said all the aspirants had notified the party and were set to take part in tomorrow’s primary to be held at the senatorial district. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its primary in Daura were the party intended to affirm its sole aspirant, retired customs officer, Kabir Babba Kaita	Senate Bye-election, Katsina.	View	7
The Guardian.ng	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	PDP expels Kashamu	The People’s Democratic Party Monday announced the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu from the party. Kashamu represents Ogun East in the current 8th National Assembly. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on States and Local Government. Others expelled from the party Samiu Sodipo, Bayo Adebayo and Segun Seriki. Their expulsion was approved by the party’s national executive committee. Although the PDP did not expressly give any reason for expelling Kashamu, he has, however, been battling drug-related scandal for more than a year. Kashamu was indicted in an Illinois court in 1998 over conspiracy to distribute heroin, AFP reported. He was arrested in Britain that December but ultimately convinced British authorities that the drug trafficking evidence in fact related to his brother and that US investigators had confused the two men. A British court approved his release in 2003 and Kashamu returned to Nigeria, where he became a major funder of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	View	7
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July 24, 2018	13 PDP aspirants kick against Ortom’s return	Thirteen governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 elections in Benue State have kicked against the planned return of Governor Samuel Ortom to the party. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the aspirants said while they were not against the return of defectors, they were against the defection of people with negative values to the party. Speaking under the auspices of Forum of Governorship Aspirants, they vowed to resist any attempt to truncate the internal democratic process that had thrived in the PDP chapter in the state. One of the aspirants, John Tondu, argued that though politics was a game of numbers, Ortom had no electoral value to make the PDP the party to beat. He said: “The governor of Benue State today is a liability, not an asset. He is not welcome. “Because of the love we have for the people of Benue State, anything that will cripple our plan to take over the state should not be tolerated,” he said. Echoing this sentiment was Dr. Terhemen Tarzoor, the state PDP governorship candidate in 2015 who alleged that Ortom’s credibility had reached an all-time low, having been shown the ‘red card’ by the APC. The chairman of the forum, Professor David Ker, in his speech tasked the state chapter of the party to work in fidelity with its promise of free and fair primaries, noting that anything short of that would spell doom for the PDP.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Ortom.	View	7
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Ogun 2019: Partitioning of APC and things to come	The recent reported withdrawal of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi from Ogun State Governorship race, has opened a new vista into the 2019 race. Adeola, a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was touted, as one of the gubernatorial aspirants, with the capacity to upset the incumbent governor’s to impose his anointed candidate on the party. Adeola’s withdrawal has not only altered existing permutations and strategies in the succession battle, but has further widened the crisis within the ruling party in the state, which was kept as an open-secret in recent time.The sudden withdrawal, which came as a rude shock to his teeming followers and most political jobbers, had been a subject of intense speculation for some time, until it was laid to rest few weeks ago.	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Okorocha hails peaceful conduct of fresh Imo ward, LG congresses	Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has expressed joy over the conduct of fresh ward and local government congresses by the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday and Saturday. Okorocha, speaking, yesterday, thanked the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for creating the enabling electoral environment for the exercise.According to him, the party had been peaceful before some persons in the opposing camp, known as Coalition, allegedly caused problem of organising lopsided congresses.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Ekweremadu cautions against hate speech, urges Nigerians to lead by example	The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to lead by example in whatever capacity they find themselves and shun hate speech. Ekweremadu made the call in Enugu at the inauguration of the District Governor of Rotary International, District 91422 Nigeria, Dr Dan Ajawara.According to statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, on Saturday in Abuja, Ekweremadu said, “It is not enough to preach against hate speeches. “We must also guard against hate conducts in our various capacities because hate conducts are not only worse than hate speeches, they beget hate speeches, strife, and restiveness. He said people were better influenced by actions that promoted peace, tolerance and love. Speaking on the theme: “Be an Inspiration to the World”, he said: “Perhaps, nothing captures matters of inspiration better than the English idiom, ‘Action speaks louder than voice Ekweremadu was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Rep. Toby Okechukwu,	2019 general elections , Peoples , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	Promises of oil well, automatic tickets won't sway rAPC, says Frank	The promises of oil well and automatic tickets to some leaders of rAPC by the presidency won't stop their planned defection in matter of days, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, said this yesterday in a statement. Frank said that about five governors, 30 serving Senators and 135 House of Representatives members would all dump APC in a matter of days. The rAPC member voiced surprise that the APC leadership and the presidency could result to begging and making promises of juicy positions. Frank, who said the move to retain the support of rAPC members and leaders by the presidency was coming too late, wondered what had changed if the party could not fulfil its promises in the last three years. “In a matter of days, Nigerians will have cause to celebrate our final exit from party of poverty and propaganda to join hands with real progressive group in the country,” he said. Frank said that all the latest moves by President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of APC to persuade the leaders of rAPC were efforts in futility. The Bayelsa State born politician, who called on the leaders of rAPC not to give in to pressure, warned that supporting re-election bid of President Buhari is as good as giving consent to be jailed in nearest future.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	I will return Adamawa to PDP – Atiku	Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar said he would ensure Adamawa returns to PDP. Abubakar gave the assurance Saturday in Yola while speaking at a Mega Rally organized by the state branch of the party. Atiku said that Adamawa was a PDP state and he would do all things possible to bring back the party to power in 2019. Atiku who formally declared his intention to vie for the presidential seat under PDP said he was overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion confirming the popularity of PDP in the state. He criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing Nigeria in areas of economy, security and job security, adding that he would address the the problem when elected president. The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus described Atiku as a leading presidential aspirant in the party that has the capacity to dislodge APC in 2019.	2019 general elections , Atiku.	View	6
This Day Newspaper	Monday, July 23, 2018	Kashamu: Fayose’s Arrogance Caused PDP’s Defeat	The lawmaker representing Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has blamed the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just- concluded governorship election in Ekiti State on what he termed the arrogance of the state Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Kashamu, who spoke with journalists at the weekend, described the party’s loss as “an evil foretold.” He said, “I saw it coming. I was not the least surprised at the outcome. How would the PDP have won when the former interim Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi allowed Governor Ayo Fayose to drive away other stakeholders in the party in Ekiti State and the whole of the South-west? After driving away all the bigwigs and stakeholders in Ekiti State, they could not but work against the party. “Makarfi and others encouraged him to perpetrate all manner of illegalities, and the Prince Uche Secondus-led NWC inherited him and never really did anything to rein him in. They were sold the lies that he could do it all alone.”	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	View	6
This Day Newspaper	Monday, July 23, 2018	UK to Assist INEC Deliver Credible, Free and Fair Polls in 2019	United Kingdom International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, has promised that the country would continue to work with Nigeria through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2019 general elections are successful. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with the Chairman of INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu in Abuja at the weekend. The minister urged the electoral umpire to remain firm and dispassionate in the discharge of its crucial assignment given the importance of Nigeria to Africa and the international community. Mordaunt said, “Nigeria is Africa’s biggest, and one of its most vibrant democracies. It has made huge progress in recent years ensuring credible, free, fair and peaceful elections. It is vital to Nigeria, her people and to the confidence of the international community that this continues as the country heads towards elections in 2019. “We are proud of our unwavering support to INEC and civil society, which has ensured that they have been able to make important improvements to the election process.	2019 general elections, INEC	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	2019: APC wants Ayade to go for poor performance	Not minding its factional status, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has taken a swipe at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying Governor Ben Ayade must be voted out of office in 2019. The party alleged the governor has performed extremely poor, aside being financially reckless. It called on the governor to account for all monies that have come to the state in the past three years, saying at the appropriate time APC government will institute a probe into the matter.But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-party Affairs, Mr. Austin Ibok has described the claims as spurious, saying they are coming from a party that is divided against itself. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant, Mr. Christian Ita, said anyone who does not see the enormous achievements of Ayade might be blind.According to him: “If Ayade has not achieved so much, how come the President came to the state to commission the Rice factory? The industrial Park, the roads in Boki, Yakurr and many others are all part of the governor’s success story.”	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	View	6
This Day Newspaper	Monday, July 23, 2018	Saraki: I’ll Make my Position Known Shortly	The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Sunday stated that he will make his position known to Nigerians on which political party he would join very soon. Speaking with reporters shorty after the 4th convocation of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Saraki stressed that his position would be made public when the time comes. He also congratulated his colleague, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming Osun State gubernatorial poll. According to him, “I congratulate him. Apart from being a member of the PDP, he is a colleague of mine in the Senate. I could see he is popular and well accepted. So, I wish him all the best in the election ahead.” Speaking on the defection rumour, Saraki said he will tell Nigerians which party he belongs when it is time. He said: “As I said recently, when it is time, I will tell Nigerians where I am and I am going to do that very soon.”	2019 general elections, Saraki	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	APC in throes of death over mega coalition — PDP	The PDP has said the ruling APC is heading for extinction following what it termed “mass defection” of its members with the emergence of a mega coalition of 39 political parties scheming to seize power in 2019. The PDP in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, were particularly jittery following their inability to stop the new movement. “Very soon Oshiomhole and President Buhari would find themselves alone in the cursed ‘Black Pearl’ that the APC has irredeemably become.	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	R-APC: Buhari’s overtures won’t save APC	The National Publicity Secretary of the Reformed-APC (rAPC), Prince Kassim Afegbua, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged overtures to its members with a “juicy carrot” will not help the ruling APC. Afegbua, in a statement, told rAPC members’ nation-wide that they were still maintaining the stand they held against the APC. He said no amount of “carrots, intimidation and harassment” could dissuade their shared commitment to rescue democracy. He wondered why the APC leadership had now realised the role r-APC members could play in the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari despite alleged persecution. The statement read: “We members of the r-APC find it very amusing that those who boasted that they won’t lose sleep over our altruistic action, have been hopping from door to door pleading with our members not to leave by dangling juicy carrots and promising them heaven on earth. “Such level of double standard is the reason why the r-APC was birthed in the first place because the leadership is not one that keeps promises and it’s the reason why no one should take the APC serious. “It is interesting to suddenly see Mr. President holding meetings with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, reportedly promising mouth-watering offers; the same leader who was ridiculed, scandalized, demonized, criminalized and called all sorts of names by agents of the presidency just to give the Senate president a bad name in order to hang him.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	View	6
This Day Newspaper	Monday, July 23, 2018	PDP on Life Support Machine, Says APC	The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is down and desperately seeking for help from a coalition to recover. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, APC accused the PDP of trying to hide its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition. “After three years in the wilderness, the PDP is understandably excited with possibility of hiding its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition. “Like the vulture, PDP sees every altercation as a potential opportunity for a feast. “If PDP is not alleging wild conspiracies, they are threatening to boycott elections or announcing fake defections. What is clear with all these is that no matter how long a leopard lives, it cannot change its spots,” it said. APC however, lampooned PDP for failing to put its house in order, a situation that led to the mass exodus which crippled the party. The ruling party said on its part, it was only acting responsibly by seeking to reconcile with aggrieved members. “What President Muhammadu Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of our party are doing, persuading every aggrieved member not to leave the Party, is what responsible and sensible party leaders would do. Party politics is a game of number. “And that game is addition. If the PDP had the same presence of mind in 2015, perhaps the calamity that befell them would have been averted.	2019 general elections.	View	6
This Day Newspaper	Monday, July 23, 2018	2019: Forum Vows to Unseat Masari	A political group in Katsina State, Katsina-Daura-Funtua Network for Justice under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has vowed to unseat Governor Aminu Bello Masari in 2019, describing him as a “deceiver” who has failed to fulfill his 2015 campaign promises to the electorate. The forum also accused the governor of killing the local government system, which according to it, has resulted in the mismanagement of the statutory grants of the 34 local governments of the state. The forum, which has 77 aspirants who contested for the state Assembly seats during the 2015 general election but lost at the party’s primaries, warned people it described as mischief makers to desist from dragging its members to the mud. However, the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Shitu Shitu, has debunked the allegations raised by the forum, saying the action of the forum has nothing to do with members of the party in the state ahead of the 2019 general election. Shitu, in a telephone interview with THISDAY, described the allegations raised by the forum as baseless, saying: “Members of the forum made a request to the state government which the governor is working towards, but they failed to be patient to see what the governor will do. This might be the reason why they formed their forum. The forum cannot unseat Governor Masari.”	2019 general elections	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	Appeal panel disappears in wake of Osun APC primaries	APC officials in Osun have refused to accept a petition by Rasheed Adegoke appealing the state primaries of the APC between Saturday and Sunday, a day after the primaries. Adegoke is a governorship aspirant but the administrative officer of his campaign organisation, Adegoke Adelere, could not find any panel at party’s secretariat in Ogo-Oluwa to accept his petition. An argument ensued at the APC Secretariat as some staff of the party seized working tools of journalists when Adelere was speaking with newsmen on Sunday. In a press statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, Adegoke said, "In line with the statement made by the chairman of the electoral committee of APC that organised the primary election on Friday 20th July, 2018, that complaints could be made to an appeal panel after the primaries, I made efforts to submit an appeal letter to the Secretary of the Panel at about 2 pm on Saturday 21 July 2018. Unfortunately, no member of the appeal panel was present to receive the letter." "All efforts to persuade the officials of the State Chapter of the party to receive the letter proved abortive. All efforts to reach Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who presided over the election proved abortive as he did not pick my calls and neither has he responded to the text message I sent to him to complain about the failure to have the appeal committee in place." "Furthermore, it seems no appeal panel has been set up and it doesn't seem the party intends to set up one in accordance with the dictates of the party's constitution." In his five-page petition, Adegoke expressed his grievances against the conduct of the primaries and the outcome of the exercise.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	Another Okorocha in-law insists on vying for Imo gov’ship	There is confusion in the succession plan of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State as his brother in-law, Mr. Chuks Ololo, has dispelled rumours that he has jettisoned his ambition to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state. Ololo, a board member of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, is married to Ogechi, Okorocha’s younger sister, who is the Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment. Ololo’s ambition was said to be in conflict with that of Uche Nwosu, who is married to Okorocha’s first daughter and at the same time his Chief of Staff. Okorocha had variously asked Ololo to forget his ambition, telling him that he was on his own. The governor had not only endorsed Nwosu but is pursuing the endorsement with all vigour and passion. But speaking in Owerri, Ololo said he was very much in the race, stressing that his mission to govern Imo State was divine.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Ebonyi State PDP retains Umahi, Okorie in micro-zoning	Aspirant faults rotational presidency, seeks female candidate in 2019 Stakeholders in Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the weekend, announced the retention of Governor David Umahi in a micro zoning of elective positions for the 2019 election. This came barely one week after his rumoured interest in defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), There had been some subterranean moves by certain PDP bigwigs to replace Senator Sonni Ogbuoji after his surprising defection to the APC. The move sparked off discontent within the Ebonyi chapter of the PDP, a situation, which also led to speculations that the governor was on his way out of the party.	2019 general elections	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	APC support groups tackle Buhari’s critics	The Coalition of APC Support Groups has upbraided Engr. Buba Galadima’s rAPC, former Olusegun Obasanjo‘s third force and the PDP for allegedly launching campaign of calumny against President Muhammadu Buhari and the new national leadership of the ruling party ahead of the 2019 general elections. The chairman of the coalition, Ambassador Lawal Mohammed Munir, who addressed journalists at the weekend in Abuja, said those behind the attacks were out to cause damage to the collective interest of the Nigerian people. Munir expressed doubt over the competence of Galadima to discharge his call as rAPC leader after his role as the National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He said the result of his past actions led to what happened in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, and several other states where CPC would have won in 2011. “It has become pertinent for us to state that we are now witnessing misguided efforts by some religious groups, leaders and persons of vested interest taking advantage of avoidable situation in our nation to sow discord amongst people,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC)	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Osun 2018: Clergyman wins Accord Party governorship ticket	Ahead of Sept. 22 Osun governorship election, Mr Olapade Okunola, a Pastor at Redeemed Christian Church of God, has been declared winner of Accord Party primary election. Alhaji Dokun Babarinde, who is the returning officer, while announcing the results on Sunday in Osogbo, said Okunola polled 141 votes to defeat his closet rival, Mr Babatunde Loye, who polled 58 votes. Babarinde, who is also the South-West Vice Chairman of the party said another aspirant, Mr Bunmi Ibiloye, polled 12 votes. He said that 215 delegates were accredited, while 211 delegates voted and four others abstained. Babarinde urged the winner to be magnanimous in victory. In his acceptance speech Okunola appealed to his co-contestants to support him in winning the election. Also speaking, Chief Segun Fanibe, the Accord party State chairman, congratulated the winner, saying all three contestants are qualified to govern the state. Fanibe, implored those who are yet to get their permanent voter cards to get it and cast their votes for the party.	Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Peoples Accord Party.	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	PDP meets over demands by R-APC	The National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP would hold emergency meetings today to discuss variety of issues. A reliable source at the PDP national secretariat told Daily Trust in a telephone interview last night that ‎the two meetings would discuss the choice of strong presidential candidate and the demand by some members of the R-APC. Daily Trust had last week reported that sharing formula was threatening the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by 39 political parties with the PDP in the lead. The parties had agreed to field a single presidential candidate that would unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. The PDP alone had over 15 presidential aspirants while many of the political parties that signed the MoU also had their presidential hopefuls. Our correspondent gathered that today’s meetings by the two organs of the PDP would also include discussing some of the conditions given by members of R-APC led by Engr. Buba Galadima. The demands by R-APC included the need for PDP change its name to improve its image as well as giving automatic tickets to its members currently occupying elective positions in the national and state assemblies. However, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin and party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan did not pick their calls or respond to text messages. Another source said the leadership of the PDP and R-APC were all irked by last week’s meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki. “All of them are disturbed that Saraki might change his mind from dumping the APC after his meeting with Buhari; they really want him to join them in the coalition believing that he would come with large followership from the Senate and other places,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	Senate: Oshiomhole visits Bauchi ahead of APC primaries	Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will visit Bauchi State today ahead of the APC primary election for the Bauchi South Senatorial by election scheduled for August 11. Sources close to the party said Oshiomhole would meet the APC leadership in the state, Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and all the aspirants vying for the seat and other stakeholders. The source said the meeting would explore various options, including selection of the candidate through consensus or direct primary election. The APC in Bauchi has about 20 aspirants for the Bauchi South senate by-election.	Bauchi South Senatorial seat vacancy.	View	6
Daily Trust Online	Monday, July 23, 2018	…Why we’re talking to aggrieved members — APC	The APC said yesterday that responsible and sensible party leaders will always reach out to aggrieved members. The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi in a reaction titled ‘PDP: Looking for Life after Death,’ said the PDP might have avoided the defeat it suffered in 2015 if it had taken similar step. “Party politics is a game of number. And that game is addition. If the PDP had the same presence of mind in 2015, perhaps the calamity that befell them would have been averted,” he said. The APC challenged the PDP to face Nigerians on their own merit in 2019 and stop shopping around for supporters. “After three years in the wilderness, the PDP is understandably excited with possibility of hiding its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition. “Like the vulture, PDP sees every altercation as a potential opportunity for a feast. If PDP is not alleging wild conspiracies, they are threatening to boycott elections or announcing fake defections. What is clear with all these is that no matter how long a leopard lives, it cannot change its spots,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	View	6
The Guardian.ng	Monday, July 23, 2018	Discord in APC over direct primary	The resolution by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to introduce direct primary elections for selecting the party’s standard bearers for various elective positions has become a source of new division within the ruling political grouping. The scheme, which was put into play last week in Osun State, is already ruffling feathers among chieftains of the party. Although some see it as a means of infusing the desired change in party politics and cleanse APC’s Augean stable, others received the initiative with skepticism. During his campaign to become the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole promised to institute the direct primary option as a means of not only curbing the recurring schisms in the party, but also ensuring that APC creates the enabling environment for the ideals of democracy to flourish.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	View	6
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Osun APC Postpones Governorship Primary	"The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has announced the postponement of the primary to choose its flagbearer for the September 22 governorship election that was billed to hold Thursday, July 19. The party said its regretted the development but promised that a new date will be fixed. According to the party spokesman Kunle Oyatomi, party members should be should be expecting a new date soon."	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/18/osun-apc-postpones-governorship-primary/	5
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	PDP Accuses Buhari of Plot to Stall 2019 Elections	"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had employed surreptitious tactics to frustrate the conduct of the 2019 general elections having realised that he would lose the presidential election. The party said President Buhari’s request to the National Assembly to vire N242 billion already approved for other projects in the 2018 budget to finance the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies ahead of the 2019 general election was a booby trap deliberately set to drag the elections into a financial controversy and ultimately subvert the entire process. This is coming as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has demanded the cancellation of the results of the last weekend’s governorship election in Ekiti State as declared by the INEC. The main opposition party said President Buhari should have sent a fresh supplementary budget to the National Assembly if indeed he meant well for Nigerians."	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/19/pdp-accuses-buhari-of-plot-to-stall-2019-elections/	5
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	‘THERE ARE NO REAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA’	"Ordinarily, it is the task of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promote the electoral participation in the political process. This is in keeping with the parameters for judging the norms of credible and acceptable elections which are; undeterred participation of stakeholders, free and unfettered competition between political groups and the legitimacy of the outcome of elections. It is also the mandate of INEC to point out the pitfalls of some democratic practices, so that election stakeholders would be well aware of the consequences individual and group decision-making on the overall political arena and political process, especially as it pertains to elections which is our primary concern and as they affect the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria which is our overarching raison d’etre as a commission."	2019 general elections	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/19/there-are-no-real-council-elections-in-nigeria/	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Group seeks legislation to stop vote buying, INEC to conduct four bye-elections	"A Non-Governmental Organisation, United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP), has implored the National Assembly to make laws to stop vote buying during election.Executive Director, Olaseni Shalom made the call in a statement yesterday in Abuja. He blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for failing to curb inducement during the Ekiti governorship election. Election observers had yesterday also confirmed that the major political parties were involved in vote buying during the poll.The group expressed concern that the country had been a victim of series of anti-democratic activities and power hungry politicians. It lamented that there had never been a greater threat to the country’s democracy than the dangerous trend of vote buying.Shalom said: “Vote buying has held our democracy hostage for too long, and it’s a high time that we get rid of the corruption, where billions and trillions of naira are spent to induce voters in states and federal elections. “INEC and the law enforcement agencies have shown that there is nothing that they can do to root out this menace, as evident in recent elections in the country.” UGRFP urged the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, address the national embarrassment of voters’ inducement to protect the sanctity of the people’s constitutional rights. "	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	https://guardian.ng/politics/group-seeks-legislation-to-stop-vote-buying-inec-to-conduct-four-bye-elections/	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Fayemi receives certificate of return, pledges not to fail electorate	"The governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).He promised not to disappoint the people of the state who gave him the governorship mandate. National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun States, Adedeji Soyebi, presented the certificate to Fayemi at the INEC office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.Deputy governor-elect, Bisi Egbeyemi also received his certificate of return at the event. Fayemi promised that Ekiti State would enjoy the benefits of good governance from October 16, when he would take over the reins of power.He commended the electoral body for doing what he described as an “excellent job” of conducting the governorship poll.He contended that the election was “seamless, free, fair, credible and violence-free,” contrary to the claim by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that it was marred by irregularities."	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC)	https://guardian.ng/politics/fayemi-receives-certificate-of-return-pledges-not-to-fail-electorate/	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Anambra PDP, APC disagree over poll’s results	"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State have disagreed over the results of the governorship poll.PDP Chairman, Ndubuisi Nwobu, and a chieftain of the APC, Ike Chidolue, expressed the divergent views in separate interviews in Awka, Anambra State capital. They argued about the process leading to the election, and the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ado Ekiti.Nwobu in the interview said the election results were not pasted at the various polling units as specified by the Electoral Act. According to him, INEC, in collaboration with security personnels, barred the media from covering the collation of the results at the polling units.He further held that APC applied an unconventional formula, including monetary inducements to woo voters and denied people their free conscience to vote. "	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	https://guardian.ng/politics/anambra-pdp-apc-disagree-over-polls-results/	5
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Rescue Rivers from Bad Governance, Pro-APC Group Urges Youths	"As activities gather momentum ahead of the 2019 general election, a political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, the Rivers Unity House (RUH), has called on youths to engage in activities and programmes that will rescue the state from bad governance. Addressing members of the group from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the leader of RUH, Kingsley Wali, said it would be disastrous for the state if the current generation of youths fails to come to the rescue. He said the current generation of leaders of the state had failed the people and called on the youths to come to the rescue. Wali said: “My generation has failed Rivers State. My generation brought violence to the politics of Rivers State. My generation brought unbridled hatred to the politics of Rivers State. Talk about taking corruption to unprecedented level, we brought to Rivers State. “So, I believe and strongly, that if we could stand a chance, if Rivers State stands the benefit of another chance, it is your generation that will start that fight. You will agree with me that it is almost getting late because the generation is seeing the need not to work hard. “All you need to do is to visit somebody with hatred, visit somebody with violence, visit somebody with backbiting and you will make it. If you sit back and do nothing, even the ones behind you will be worse because they have not seen anything good about Rivers State.” He said apart from galvanising genuine followership for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the group is working towards ensuring the restoration of good governance in the state."	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC), Rivers State.	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/18/rescue-rivers-from-bad-governance-pro-apc-group-urges-youths/	5
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	‘Going to Court over Fayemi’s Victory not in Ekiti’s Interest’	"A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr Olusegun Osinkolu, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to put Ekiti first and drop its intention to challenge the election that returned Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the validly elected governor of the state. He said the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) neither breached the law nor committed constitutional infractions in the election, saying attempt by the PDP Candidate, Dr Kolapo Olusola, to challenge the outcome was targeted at derailing the next government. Osinkolu added that though Olusola enjoys the constitutional right to challenge the election, insisting that this could only come when the election was brazenly manipulated or figures concocted in favour of any of the parties. The APC Chieftain congratulated Fayemi and the deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, on their victory, saying the joint ticket was the best for Ekiti considering the parlous condition of the state’s economy."	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC)	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/19/going-to-court-over-fayemis-victory-not-in-ekitis-interest/	5
ThisDaylive Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Wambai: Ortom Didn’t Dump APC, But Shown Red Card	"The North-central Zonal Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Suleiman Wambai, has said Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State did not dump APC, but was only shown a red card. Wambai stated this yesterday during the inaugural meeting of the recently- elected North-central zonal officials of the party in Lafia, Nasarawa State. But he however, stated that nobody is tied down by any individual, or group of persons not to quit as there was freedom of association in the country. He said: “It is sad that this thing is happening in the North- central where we control. We are still in discussion with Governor Ortom and he has not said he left APC. He said he was only shown a red card. “Some persons will be shown a red card and we have to determine whether a red card has been shown to him or not. We must hear from the other contending side. We are in touch with Ortom and there is hope that this thing will come to pass,” he added. The North-central zonal vice chairman said it was normal in a ruling political party, where teeming supporters were there with different types of opinions, hence there was bound to be conflicts and disagreements."	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Ortom.	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/19/wambai-ortom-didnt-dump-apc-but-shown-red-card/	5
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Jonathan holds closed-door meeting with IBB	"Former President Good luck Jonathan was in Minna yesterday where he held a closed-door meeting with former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi, at his hilltop mansion. Daily Trust learnt that Jonathan went to Minna by road in a black Prado jeep alongside a convoy of five vehicles, one of which was occupied by security operatives. His meeting with Babangida reportedly started at about 10.24am with a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Alhaji Hanafi Muazu Sudan, in attendance. The aspirant was said to have arrived at IBB’s house in the same vehicle with Jonathan. Sources said the meeting was centred on the governorship aspiration of Hanafi Sudan. It was also learnt that during the visit, Babangida had summoned some PDP leaders in the state, including the state chairman, Alhaji Tanko Beji, and former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu. "	2019 general elections.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/jonathan-holds-closed-door-meeting-with-ibb-261695.html	5
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	CVR: 10 million Nigerians now on INEC register	"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far registered a total of 10,292,647 Nigerians as part of its ongoing continuous voter registration CVR, exercise, its chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said in Abuja yesterday. Confirming receipt of official declaration of vacancies in respect of Bauchi South senatorial district, Katsina North as well as Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal Constituency in Kogi State, Yakubu said: “The commission is set to conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies in the three constituencies which have a total of over two million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 LGAs.”"	2019 general elections, INEC	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cvr-10-million-nigerians-now-on-inec-register-261692.html	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Okorocha’s move to ‘divorce’ Madumere rankles Imo State	"If the House of Assembly succeeds in impeaching his deputy, Eze Madumere, the Imo State helmsman, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, would make history as the only governor that impeached his two deputies in his eight years governorship. Conversely, Madumere would also go down as the fourth deputy governor to be impeached in the Southeast zone since 1999 when the present democratic dispensation began. Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, former Enugu State deputy governor under the Sullivan Chime administration, was kicked out less than seven months to the end of their eight years tenure. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe became the first deputy governor to lose his seat by impeachment when his principal, Orji Uzor Kalu, found faults with his erudition. In his first term as governor, Okorocha instigated the impeachment of his deputy, Jude Agbaso, after using his elder brother Ochudo Martin Agbaso’s, structure to win the governorship in 2011."	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	https://guardian.ng/politics/okorochas-move-to-divorce-madumere-rankles-imo-state/	5
Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 19, 2018	I’m in talks with PDP — Shehu Sani	"Senator Shehu Sani has said that he has not left the APC despite on-going talks with other political parties on his next line of action. Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) who said this in an interview with journalists in Abuja, said he and some members were “badly treated” in the last three years by former leaders of the APC but quickly commended the efforts of the party’s new national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Shehu Sanni	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/i-m-in-talks-with-pdp-shehu-sani-261694.html	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	Fresh crisis hits Gombe APC as group sues party	"With less than three weeks to its primary elections, a fresh intra-party crisis has broken out in the Gombe State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC).It follows a suit filed by an opposition group within the party called Aldanci Advocates. In suit No GM/9/2018 at the state High Court of Justice, the group is protesting against the May 5, 2018 ward congress election in all the 114 wards in the state.Malam Sirajo Khalid of Shamaki ward in Gombe local government council, alongside other 90 contestants, filed the case before Justice Haruna Habila Kereng of High Court No 11. The group sued the chairman of the APC ward and local government congresses committee, Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila and Saka Abimbola Isau, chairman of the ward and local government congresses appeal committee in the state. In their writ of summons, the plaintiffs prayed that the ward congress election conducted on 5, May 5, 2018 in the 114 wards should be declared as wrongful, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever. They alleged that the congress election was done contrary to the party’s guidelines and constitution. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Gombe State.	https://guardian.ng/politics/fresh-crisis-hits-gombe-apc-as-group-sues-party/	5
The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 19, 2018	PDP alleges N242b election budget plot to frustrate 2019 polls	"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to the National Assembly to vire N242 billion already approved for other projects in the 2018 budget to finance the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies was a plot to frustrate the 2019 general elections. The party further alleged that the request by the President was a booby trap deliberately set to drag the elections into a financial controversy and ultimately subvert the entire process.The PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Buhari’s action was to frustrate the election, having realised he would lose the 2019 poll. It, therefore, called on Nigerians and the international community to note that “this request is a deliberate plot to inject disagreements in the polity, cause confusion in the electoral system and set the stage for a political crisis capable of frustrating the conduct of the elections.” “The President is aware that his request is in no way in consonant with constitutional provisions and extant rules guiding legislative virement of funds already meant for constituency development projects, yet he sent same to the National Assembly."	2019 general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	https://guardian.ng/politics/pdp-alleges-n242b-election-budget-plot-to-frustrate-2019-polls/	5
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Akume visits APC headquarters over Ortom’s ‘red card’ remark	Senator George Akume, a former governor of Benue State, yesterday, held a closed door meeting with the Deputy National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Lawali Shuaibu. Akume was said to have been summoned by the APC national leadership following the declaration by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Monday, that the party had given him “a red card”. Governor Ortom, whose seeming loss of state party structure to Akume was cited as the reason for his remarks, was conspicuously absent at the meeting. After the meeting, the former governor, who was seen off by Sen. Shuaibu, declined to comment on the outcome of the talks. He, however, said that he would re-visit the party secretariat today (Wednesday). Asked to speak on the outcome of the meeting, Akume said, “Today, I have a very lower voice. I’m coming back. We are coming back. We will be here tomorrow (today).”	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Ortom.	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Voter inducement as flipside of security vote regime	Vote vending or buying has gradually become a part of Nigeria’s electoral system. Despite lofty claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it has found the antidote to balloting malfeasance through enhanced card readers, the recent Ekiti State gubernatorial poll put politicians ahead of it in terms of rigging dynamics. Whether the electoral body was powerless, complacent or complicit in the vote bazaar that went on in Ekiti last Saturday, vote buying has become a new ulcer in the electoral environment. The implication of that dubious innovation is that governors would continue to hold the electorate to ransom due to the facility of security vote. For some time now, the lack of a foolproof machinery to audit government expenditure and inability to subject security matters to public scrutiny has provided impetus for state governors to continue to use such votes as slush funds. That was what played out in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Anambra gubernatorial polls. The Director of Claude Ake School of Government, Professor Eme Ekekwe, told The Guardian that though there is nothing wrong with governors budgeting for security, such appropriation must be subject to public scrutiny like every other government expenditure.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	R-APC inaugurates local excos in Zamfara	The chairman of Reformed APC (R-APC) in Zamfara State, Alhaji Nasiru Yakubu Zaki, has inaugurated the factional chairmen of party in the 14 local government areas of the state. Speaking during the inauguration, Zaki who is also the head of Kwankwasiyya, a political movement of ex-governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, said they were the rightful and authentic leaders of the APC.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Lawmakers say victory is sign of APC’s popularity ahead 2019	A member of the House of Representatives, Husain Kangiwa, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory in Ekiti State, as a sign of its popularity ahead of 2019 elections. The lawmaker from Kebbi State, who represents Arewa/Dandi Federal constituency, stated this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birinin-Kebbi. Kangiwa, who is Chairman, House Committee on Governmental Affairs, said the election was also an indication of the party’s preparedness for the 2019 general election. He said: “This victory showed that we are playing politics of reality, and not propaganda like the opposition parties are doing.”	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	HURIWA seeks cancellation of Ekiti election, alleges irregularities	A pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the cancellation of last Saturday’s governorship poll in the state. A joint statement by the HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, disclosed this yesterday. The group said the cancellation became necessary due to the overwhelming evidence of monetary inducements, and the failure of the electoral body to stop the act. HURIWA warned the ‘compromised hierarchy’ of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to thread softly ahead of 2019 elections. According to the group, if the heavily compromised security chiefs are left intact to oversee the 2019 general election, the national security may be endangered, even as votes buying may ignite wide- spread riots.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Buhari demands N242b for 2019 elections	“The aggregate cost of the 2019 elections is estimated at N242,445,322,600.00, but only N164,104,792,065.00 will be spent for urgent needs of the polls because of funds constraints,’’ President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed yesterday. In a letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki to senators at the commencement of yesterday’s session, Buhari asked that the sum of N228,854 billion of the N578,319 billion worth of projects ‘inserted’ by the National Assembly into the 2018 budget be vired or converted for the purpose of funding the election. This will also fund N64,749 billion worth of critical projects, which the assembly had earlier cut off from the budget. The letter, tagged, ‘Request for Virement and Supplementary 2018 Budget’, reads: “As you are aware, the 2019 general election is scheduled to be conducted early in 2019. To ensure that adequate arrangements are made for free and fair elections, it has become necessary to appropriate funds to enable the relevant agencies to commence preparations. INEC and the security agencies have accordingly recently submitted their requests. These have been subjected to the usual budget evaluation. The aggregate cost of the elections is estimated at N242,445,322,600.00.” He added: “In the light of prevailing fiscal constraints, I am proposing that the sum of N164,104,792,065.00 be provided for through virement or supplementation of the 2018 budget. I propose that the balance of N78,340,530.535.00, mostly related to personnel allowances, fueling and other costs not required until the election proper, be provided in the 2019 budget.”	2019 general elections	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	CNPP hails closure of Ekiti broadcaste	The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Ekiti State chapter, has hailed the closure of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), saying the action saved the state from an unprecedented crisis. The CNPP, in a statement yesterday by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olu Akomolafe, berated Governor Ayo Fayose for using BSES to declare Prof. Kolapo Olusola as winner in contravention to the Electoral Act.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Presidency: Atiku, Dankwambo meet over ticket	Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spoken on the need for a united front for the North East geo-political zone to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in 2019. Atiku stated this in Gombe when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo as part of his campaign tour to secure the PDP presidential ticket. He said he was ready to support Dankwambo and other PDP stakeholders from the North East to work towards ensuring that the next president of the country came from the zone. “We are here again back to politics at a very crucial moment in the history of our democracy. In the interest of our people in the North East, there is the need for a united front from this zone as far as the issue of the leadership of this country is concerned. “I want to assure you of my readiness and total commitment to ensure that we, as a zone, also benefit from the leadership zoning arrangement in this country and we can only achieve that if we remain united,” Atiku said. In his response, Governor Dankwambo said the presence of Atiku in the PDP had gingered the party and given them hope ahead of 2019. Dankwambo also said it should be the chance of the North East to produce the next president of the country after atrocities by insurgents that brought disadvantage on the region for many years. “It is not by our choice that I and Atiku are from the North East. Therefore, where we came from should not be the issue, what should matter is the strength and content of our character,” he said.	2019 general elections , Atiku.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	INEC yet to publish Ekiti results on website	Three days after it was officially declared, the result of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State is yet to be posted on the official website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), checks by Daily Trust have shown. INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the poll, Professor Idowu Olayinka, had on Sunday declared the candidate of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the winner of the election. He said Fayemi defeated the deputy governor of the state and candidate of the PDP, Professor Kolapo Olusola, and over 30 others in the election. The result announced by the returning officer showed that Fayemi won in 11 of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes to beat his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes. However, days after the election, the official result of the election was not on the official website of INEC, a development that had led to speculations. An attempt by this reporter to access the result of the governorship poll on the website, http://www.inecnigeria.org, was unsuccessful as only the result of the 2014 governorship election was available. When a search was conducted on the ‘Elections Results’ column on the website, the result showed the 2014 governorship election in which Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the then governor, Kayode Fayemi.	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, INEC.	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Edo APC youths threaten to withdraw support for Obaseki in 2020	Aggrieved youths of Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 18 local councils have threatened to withdraw their support for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election in 2020. They stated this during a press conference at the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and urged National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, to prevail on Obaseki to fulfil his promises to the youths. Spokesperson of the group, Tony Kabaka, said if their grievances were not addressed, the governor’s re-election bid in 2020 would be a repeat of the just concluded Ekiti State governorship election. Kabaka, who regretted supporting the governor in 2016, alleged that the youths had been neglected, while others who did not labour for the governor were brought in from abroad. “If it were the former Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu or Chris Ogiemwonyi we voted for during the election, we would not have been treated this way. Women and elders of the party who voted for him have been abandoned.	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC), Edo State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Umeh a lame duck in Senate — Okorocha	Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has taken on the former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh. He said since Umeh’s election to the Senate, he had not been able to find his feet. Okorocha, who was reacting to a statement credited to Umeh in which he berated the Imo governor for allegedly instigating the members of the State House of Assembly to impeach his deputy, said the senator had enough time to insult him because he was doing nothing at the Senate.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	APC fixes new dates for Imo congresses	The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced new dates for the conduct of ward, local government area (LGA) and state congresses. This followed the nullification of the earlier congresses conducted by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) that took away party structure from Governor Rochas Okorocha. The APC National Organising Secretary, Barr. Emma Ibediro who announced the schedule for the conduct of fresh congresses in Imo State, said ward congresses would hold on Friday, July 20; LGA congresses on Saturday, July 21 and state congress on Monday July 23, 2018.	All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses, Imo State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Protesters storm Imo gov’t house over impeachment	Protesters in their hundreds, yesterday, stormed the Imo Government House, Owerri, berating Governor Rochas Okorocha for allegedly instigating the House of Assembly to impeach his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere. The protesters, as early as 6am, took over major streets of Owerri to register their grievances over what they perceived as “trumped up charges aimed at impeaching the deputy governor.” They also described the state assembly as the worst Imo has ever had, calling them “mere rubber stamp in the hands of Okorocha.” The protest, which brought vehicular and human movements to standstill, saw workers abandoning their vehicles to walk long distances to their places of work. Addressing newsmen, one of the leaders, Mr. Chidiebere Nworgu, claimed that the state was gradually sliding to anarchy, with a one-man business and where an individual treated Imolites with levity.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	No reason to give Tambuwal red card — Sokoto APC chair	The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, has said that there is no reason to give a “red card” to Governor Aminu Tambuwal because he has done nothing to warrant sack. Achida spoke in the wake of a claim by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State who said the APC had sent him out of the pitch by giving him the red card, saying he was looking for another platform. There are speculations that beside Ortom, some other APC governors, including Tambuwal, are planning to leave the APC. But Achida said he was not aware of such move in Sokoto. “My leadership is 100 per cent with the governor. As far as I am concerned, everything is fine,” he said. “We are with him (Tambuwal). There has been nothing incriminating from him, he is with APC 100 per cent; supporting us, giving us everything we need.”	All Progressivs Congress (APC) Sokoto State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Gov’ship: ‘Direct primary election best for Osun’	The forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has said the direct primary election endorsed by the National Working Committee of the party is the best option to choose the candidate of the APC ahead of the September 22 governorship election. Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, yesterday, the chairman of the forum, Alhaji Bashir Lawal, said the process would enable inclusiveness and curb money politics as it would make it difficult for anyone to bribe all the delegates. He added that the process would give every card-carrying member of the party the opportunity to participate in the process, saying that the direct primary election was constitutional and acceptable. “As we all know, direct primary helps in throwing up a credible, suitable and popular choice. For a fact, indirect primary election negates the democratic credentials upon which a progressive party like ours thrives,” he said.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Kwara gov still a strong member of APC, aide says	Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said that he was not given any red card to warrant him leaving the APC. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Dr. Muideen Akorede, said this while responding to a question on whether the governor had been issued a red card by the party. “Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is still a strong member of the party,” Akorede said. There were insinuations that Governor Ahmed would follow Senate President Bukola Saraki to PDP or another party in the coming days, considering that Saraki’s strong ally, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, had jumped ship to the leading opposition party.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	view	4
The Guardian.ng	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	Ekiti Poll: Yoruba group, SERAP flay ‘see and buy’ voting	A group, the Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative (TYLPI) has condemned the act of open votes buying, which characterised the last Saturday’s governorship election. The group said in a statement that the electoral crime was both a national and international shame and the very peak of corruption. It expressed concern at the action, especially as corruption fighting is a cardinal focus of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. TYLPI condemned what it called the age-long act of money inducement of voters, that was brazenly perpetrated mainly the two main political parties, in the full glare of both local and international observers. “The group strongly believes that this is not for the advancement of our democracy and also unrepresentative of the authentic will of the people.” In a similar development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has called for the prosecution of those behind alleged votes buying and other irregularities during the poll.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, July 18, 2018	I can’t join APC with failed leaders — Gov Umahi	Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has dispelled rumours making the rounds that he has plans to defect to the APC. Governor Umahi stated yesterday at the government house, Abakaliki while briefing journalists, that he could not join APC with the kind of “failed leaders (it has) in Ebonyi State.” According to him, he had benefited immensely from being the state chairman of the party, then deputy governor, and ultimately state governor. He said he was focusing on how to attract democratic dividends to the people of the state and not dirty politics. “The clarification is that my relationship with Mr. President is because he is Mr. President, and he is my boss and the relationship is personal	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Ebonyi State.	view	4
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Dogara’s aide dumps APC	The Special Adviser on Special Duties to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bawa, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bawa, a former House of Representatives member, ‎said it became incumbent on him to leave the APC so that he could pursue another course in life. The ex-lawmaker, in a resignation letter to the chairman of the APC in Kaduna North Local Government dated July 14, which he personally signed, did not however disclose his next line of action.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Kwara APC tackles nat’l spokesman over Saraki comment	The APC in Kwara State has blasted the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, for attacking the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki. The party, in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Suleyman Buhari, warned Nabena to stay within the mandate of his new position and stop his campaign of uninformed comments against Saraki. The local chapter of APC was reacting to a statement credited to Nabena calling on Saraki to declare his stand on R-APC. “The Kwara APC has taken note of the immature display of lack of decorum by one Yekini Nabena in a statement he issued calling the Senate president names. Nabena needs to first clarify if he was speaking on behalf of the National Working Committee of the APC or representing some faceless, mischievous elements who are his paymasters.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Kwara State.	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Daily Trust Online	Lawyers condemn vote buying in Ekiti	Lawyers and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) have condemned the “high level” of vote buying by both the APC and the PDP during the just concluded Ekiti State governorship election. Contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2010, many voters in Ekiti were videoed moving in numbers to “cash collection points” in lieu of their votes. Others received credit alerts on their mobile phones. The chairperson of TMG, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, in a statement on the election, said it was largely peaceful; that few isolated cases of violence were effectively dealt with by the police and other security personnel whom it said also conducted themselves in a civil manner. But the group said the incident of vote buying was a bad omen for the country’s democracy, noting that it had the potential to undermine the progress made in the electoral process. On his part, Barrister Gabriel Ojumah, National Convener of United Action for Democracy (UAD), described Nigerian politicians and electorate as “very greedy” in making the deployment of huge funds as basis for winning elections in the country. JK Gadzama (SAN) noted that if US former president Obama had contested election in Nigeria, he most probably might have lost because he may not have money as his opponents. He therefore suggested a different agency to monitor whether a candidate had exceeded expenditure limit or not.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election.	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Osun gov’ship: APC endorses as youths kick direct primary	The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has approved the adoption of direct primary to elect its governorship candidate for September 22, 2018 election in Osun State. The national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who addressed journalists after the NWC meeting, yesterday, said the direct primary was considered based on the demands of stakeholders from the state. Oshiomhole said Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State would head the committee to conduct the primary scheduled for Thursday. He said with direct primary, every card carrying member of the APC would participate in the process of electing party candidates. He added that the method would be devoid of corrupt tendencies associated with indirect or delegates primary. Seventeen aspirants had indicated interest in picking the APC ticket. However, the APC Forum of Local Government Youth Leaders had rejected the idea of direct primary ahead of the September 22 election in the state. The youth leaders who advised the Oshiomhole-led NWC to drop the idea, also canvassed for the zoning of the position to Osun West Senatorial District. The youths advised the party to use the delegate system to pick the gubernatorial candidate as done in Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra states.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Ortom dumps APC	Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has ‘sent him out of the pitch by giving him the red card’. Ortom, who made the remark while swearing in the new Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jerome Torshembe, said the action of his party had rendered him a free man who was waiting outside for the next step to take. “Let party or ethnicity not divide us. As for party, I’ve been given red card and I’m outside the pitch. So, if I have been given red card and I’m standing outside, I’m a free man. So I don’t know what will happen next but I’m waiting. If anyone approaches me, then I will tell the Benue people that I’m joining another football club,” he said. The governor added that he was a child of destiny and that only God would decide what he would be in the days ahead as he stressed the need for his supporters to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. He added: “These challenges that we see today, we shall see them no more. All that we are required to do is not to begin to be wayward in our conduct but to move to the righteous side of God. Once we do that, things will work out for our good.” The governor had last week sacked 16 commissioners in his cabinet and retained only four; and also relieved seven out of 19 special advisers; a move seen as direct onslaught on former Governor George Akume who was instrumental to the appointment of many of them after the 2015 elections. Ortom was said to have made up his mind on the grounds the APC with Akume at its arrow head in Benue had perfected plans to pick another gubernatorial candidate of the party ahead of 2019.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Ortom.	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	We’re in grand alliance to rescue Nigeria — ADC	The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that its alliance with 37 other parties to form the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUFF) is mainly to rescue Nigerians from “the maladministration of the current regime.” Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the chairman of ADC in Ogun State, Dr. Gbolade Oshinowo, said the alliance would unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election. He decried what he described as “hunger in the land” and pointed out that the country had become one with the worst economic indices in the whole world. The chairman, who reiterated that the APC had failed woefully, said “The deployment of 56,000 military and police personnel ahead of the Ekiti State governorship elections was an indication that the president lacked the will to secure the country. He should have sent the same number of personnel to stop the killings across Nigeria.”	African Democracy Congress.	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	2019: Buhari has right of first refusal - Oshiomhole	The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has inaugurated the Delta State chapter of the party chaired by Prophet Jones Erue. Oshiomhole, who spoke during the inauguration on Monday, advised the new executives to work with the aggrieved despite legal victory. He advised them to incorporate those who were not only ‘genuinely’ interested in the unity of the party but also committed to replacing the PDP governor in Delta State with an APC helmsman and producing more senators, House of Representatives’ members and state lawmakers. He said, “I have vested interest in Delta because I come from Bendel and as Bendelites, we are committed to ensuring that APC wins the next election in Delta. “In a democracy, you will be useful according to the amount of peace and unity you are able to help build in Delta state. Given the overall circumstances that led to where we are, I will advise, and on a future date we will meet along with other stakeholders in Delta and without questioning the legal status of putting in place a functional state executive in Delta state...It will require that we make sacrifices where necessary, persuading people who, even in the eyes of the law are properly in office but in the spirit of give and take will be ready to offer to vacate so that we can co-opt other persons in a way that gives every stakeholder a sense of ownership and a sense of belonging. I believe we need that.” “So, my plea to you is that once you have become the state chairman, you are not at liberty to be the agent of any of the aspirants whether for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate or Governorship.	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	view	3
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	No Amount of Coalition Can Stop APC, Says Aspirant	An aspirant into the House of Representatives for Eket Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Godwin Orton has said that no amount of gang up by political parties in the country would wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre. Ortom, a former member of the state House of Assembly, representing Onna State Constituency made the declaration weekend in Eket during an interaction with journalists. He averred that the recent coalition of political parties spearheaded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat the ruling APC administration of President Mohammadu Buhari was a fruitless effort because the gang up was controlled by the selfish machinations of a few powerful individuals who had some skeletons in their cupboard.	2019 General Elections	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Marafa/Yari feud threatens APC in Zamfara	Two factions of the party state executives have continued claiming legitimacy as a result of parallel congresses held in the state; while one of the factions belongs to Governor Yari, the other has the support of Senator Marafa. The foundation for the trouble was laid on May 5 when the governor opted for affirmation during the ward, local government and state congresses, a move that was resisted by the senator who insisted that election should be conducted on the APC guidelines for the ward, local government and state congresses allowed for affirmation where there was a consensus but where there's none, election should be conducted. In a letter to the chairman of the ward and local government congresses committee, Dauda Danladi, on May 5, the Marafa camp stood its ground, insisting that election must be conducted, a request which offended the thinking and calculation of the governor's camp. In the end, the governor had his way through affirmation. The same affirmation repeated itself during the local government congress on Saturday, May 12 when the governor's camp refused to listen. Worried by the action, Marafa's camp organised a parallel congress where the faction's executives for the 14 local government of the state emerged. A similar scenario occurred during the state congress on 19 May as two parallel congresses were held, a development that produced two state executives for the party in the state. Marafa's camp produced Surajo Garba as its chairman and the governor's had Lawal Liman. The biggest of the wrangling was at the venue of the national convention of the party in Abuja on June 23. The two factions produced two sets of delegates. While the delegates produced by the governor's camp were recognised, those from Marafa's camp were denied entry into the Eagle Square, venue of the convention. Angered by the development, the delegates addressed newsmen few kilometres away from the venue, claiming to be the authentic delegates from Zamfara State. The publicity secretary of the camp, Muhammad Bello Bakyasuwa, said they were the legitimate APC executives and delegates from Zamfara State. He said they fulfilled all the conditions stipulated in the guidelines for the congresses, including payment of the prescribed fees for each and every contestant through designated banks but that Yari's faction did not pay for their candidates as required by law.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Zanfara State.	view	3
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	2019: Atiku Begins Nationwide Tour, Set Mega Declaration for July 21	A former Vice President and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will commence a consultation and familiarisation tour across the country beginning from July 16, 2018 ahead of the presidential primaries of the party. The former number two citizen will begin with a scheduled visit to Gombe State today, then proceed to Borno State on Tuesday, Taraba on Wednesday and Adamawa on Thursday. According to a schedule released by the the Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Alhaji Atiku will commence the South-west visitation on July 30 in Lagos while that of North-east will start from Jigawa on August 6with North-west, South-east and North-central scheduled forAugust 7, August 13 and August 15 respectively. An official reception in respect of his presidential ambition has been slated for Saturday, July 21 in Yola by the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP, tagged “Mega Rally” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s timetable released in January mandates all political parties to conduct party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries between August 18 and October 7, 2018.	2019 general elections , Atiku.	view	3
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	2019: Navy Takes Step to Provide Logistics, Security for INEC in N’Delta	Ahead of 2019 general elections, the Nigerian Navy has taken concrete steps to put its platforms and personnel in good stead to provide logistics support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the movement of electoral materials and staff to coastal areas in the Niger Delta. The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Saleh Usman led top officers of the Navy, including the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta), Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, to inspect naval formations in Delta State last weekend to assess the readiness of officers and platforms ahead of the crucial elections considering the coastal terrain of his area of responsibility. The coastal areas in the South-south region have always being a major problem for the INEC in terms of timely distribution of election materials, as well as the movement of electoral officers. But Usman, who spoke to journalists at the end of the inspection, assured of the support of the armed forces operating in the Niger Delta and their readiness to provide both logistics and security for the 2019 elections.	2019 general elections	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Crisis: APC summons Ortom, Akume to Abuja	The Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawal Shu’aibu has summoned to Abuja for an urgent meeting the two main actors in the tussle for leadership of the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ). A competent source, who preferred not to be named, who made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Monday said the deputy party chieftain summoned Sen George Akume and Gov Samuel Ortom to an urgent meeting in Abuja. The source further explained that the meeting followed an announcement by the governor that he was pulling out of the party. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two known gladiators in the APC in Benue, Gov. Ortom and Sen. George Akume have been at daggers-drawn over the control of the party in the state. Gov. Ortom had on Monday in Makurdi shortly after swearing in a new Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Jerome Shimbe, renounced his membership of APC. According to the governor, he has ceased to be a member of the APC, following what he called “a red card” given to him. He said the red card from APC would enable him to join any political party that has an ideology worthy of being adopted by his administration. The governor stated that the strained relationship between him and the party, under which he contested the 2015 governorship election in 2015, had left him without a party. However, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, had on Monday in Abuja, described the alleged exit of the governor from the party as a rumour.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Ortom.	view	3
Daily Trust Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	2019: APGA asks Buhari to sign Electoral Act amendment	The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly sign the 2010 Electoral Act amendment to guide the political parties in their planning for the next general elections. The national chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, who made the appeal yesterday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen, warned that time was already far spent towards the 2019 general elections. Oye who enjoined President Buhari to continue to execute projects that would impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, also charged Nigerians to remain peaceful and law abiding, adding that Nigeria is the only country available for every citizen.	2019 general elections, APGA	view	3
ThisDaylive Online	Tuesday, July17, 2018	Osun Guber Election: Aspirant Withdraws for Oyetola	One of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) from Ile Ife in Osun State, Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi has announced his withdrawal from the governorship race of the party to pave way for the victory of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola during the primary election slated for July 19, 2018. Ibiyemi announced at a press conference in Abuja at the weekend that the similarity of his programme to that of Oyetola, who is the current Chief of Staff to Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made him to withdraw. According to him, he agreed to step down after the examination of his programme by the leaders of APC in Osun East senatorial district, leader of his campaign team led by the former Deputy Governor of the state, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin and the campaign team of Oyetola, led by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Famurewa Ajibola. “ There is no need to continue with the governorship race with the presence of Oyetola that we share the same vision for Osun State, containing similarity in programmes, projects and attributes as aspirants. It is better for me to support Oyetola in sustaining transformation of the state’s economy started by Aregbesola and make APC stronger,” he said. Ibiyemi described Oyetola’s experience as a member of Aregbesola’s cabinet as the best option for APC to win the gubernatorial election on September 22, 2018.	Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	3
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	APC vows to punish breakaway group	"The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday denied the existence of the breakaway Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), warning members of the group could face punitive measures. “While we shall continue to monitor developments in this respect, we will not hesitate to take lawful actions to defend the unity of our party and protect the sanctity of its identity. We are currently reviewing the action of this so-called faction, in order to determine if any aspect of the party’s constitution has been breached with the connivance of any of our members,” the APC said. In a statement, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Ahmed, accused the group of trying to create a false impression that the APC is factionalised. “The All Progressives Congress wishes to affirm that there is no faction in our party and declares the action by these individuals as mischievous and ill-advised,” he said. He said: “Having failed to scuttle the national convention as was their original plan, they have now resorted to this subterfuge as a way of achieving the pre-determined end of causing confusion. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	https://guardian.ng/politics/apc-vows-to-punish-breakaway-group/	2
ChannelsTV.com	Friday, July 6, 2018	"Delivering judgment on Saraki’s appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, the apex court held that the prosecution failed to call material witnesses to support its case against the Senate President. The court agreed that all those who have knowledge of facts were not called to testified in the matter and held that those who tendered documentary evidence against Saraki during the trial were not makers of the document, hence, their evidence on the documents were hearsay and lacked probative value. The Supreme Court also held that the Court of Appeal made a caricature of its judgment when it found as a fact that the entire evidence presented by the prosecution was hearsay and manifestly unreliable and still went ahead to agree that prima facie case was established against the Senate President in three out of the 18 charges. Justice Nweze the ruled that there was no basis for the Court of Appeal to have asked Saraki to defend himself on the three charges, having found the entire evidence of the prosecution as a product of hearsay, He added that the action of the Court of Appeal amounted to forensic summersault and capable of making Ill of jurisprudence. Updated: Supreme Court Frees Saraki Of All Asset Declaration Charges	"Delivering judgment on Saraki’s appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, the apex court held that the prosecution failed to call material witnesses to support its case against the Senate President. The court agreed that all those who have knowledge of facts were not called to testified in the matter and held that those who tendered documentary evidence against Saraki during the trial were not makers of the document, hence, their evidence on the documents were hearsay and lacked probative value. The Supreme Court also held that the Court of Appeal made a caricature of its judgment when it found as a fact that the entire evidence presented by the prosecution was hearsay and manifestly unreliable and still went ahead to agree that prima facie case was established against the Senate President in three out of the 18 charges. Justice Nweze the ruled that there was no basis for the Court of Appeal to have asked Saraki to defend himself on the three charges, having found the entire evidence of the prosecution as a product of hearsay, He added that the action of the Court of Appeal amounted to forensic summersault and capable of making Ill of jurisprudence. “This court will not lend its jurisdiction to such a charade and caricature of justice. It carries grave error in holding that a prima facie case has been established against the appellant,” the court held."	Executive and Legislature faceoff, Saraki.	https://www.channelstv.com/2018/07/06/breaking-assets-declaration-supreme-court-upholds-sarakis-appeal-frees-him-of-charges/	2
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	Falae: 36 parties mull alliance	"The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, has said that the Committee of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP) which has 36 political parties may form an alliance ahead of 2019. Chief Falae said this after a meeting of CCPP held at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja. He said the coalition had agreed to constitute a committee to work on a common blueprint for survival, growth, progress and unity of Nigeria. “We have been consulting one another since February 2018; we are concerned about the situation in Nigeria - political, economic, social, security etcetera. We held a brief meeting in continuation of our dialogue and consultation. We identified implementable and effective solutions to the problems confronting our nation,” he said."	2019 general elections, Social Democracy Party.(SDP)	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/falae-36-parties-mull-alliance-259670.html	2
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	Only PDP government can guarantee security, unity in Nigeria, says Atiku	"Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday declared that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could guarantee the security and unity of Nigeria. He spoke at a mega rally in Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti, where other party leaders joined him to present the PDP’s flag to its candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola. Atiku said the continuation of PDP’s administration in 2019 was key to the liberation of the country from its current insecurity and division. He urged Ekiti people not to be deceived to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and asked them to protect their votes by staying behind until the results are announced. He said: “Since 1992, every great infrastructural and developmental projects in the state had been done by the PDP. All the completed projects that have taken Ekiti to higher level have all been executed by the PDP. “The PDP guarantees you good hospital, road, infrastructure, education and many other dividends of democracy. This is the time to ensure that this administration continues, because it is the key to development.” The former vice president said the PDP was on a rescue mission to bring back peace, security and prosperity to the country."	2019 general elections , Atiku.	https://guardian.ng/politics/only-pdp-government-can-guarantee-security-unity-in-nigeria-says-atiku/	2
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	Court nullifies Imo APC ward congress, orders fresh exercise	"Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, yesterday nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress held in Imo State on May 5, 2018, before the national convention. The verdict on the ward congress affected the outcome of the local government congress. In his ruling, Justice Lewis Allagoa said the APC should be responsible and save Nigeria’s democracy by conducting free and fair congress. The court dismissed a motion by the defendants and insisted it had jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The judge said that from the exhibits available to the court, there was no ward congress in the state as claimed by the respondents, affirming the plaintiffs’ tendered exhibits that convinced the court. Allagoa held that the “press interview between the state commissioner of police, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Osita Izunaso that there was no APC ward congress in Imo State on may 5, was justiciable in law.” The report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the court ruled, confirmed that there was no APC ward congress in the state in May 5, 2018."	All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses, Imo State.	https://guardian.ng/politics/court-nullifies-imo-apc-ward-congress-orders-fresh-exercise/	2
ThisDaylive Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	No Faction in APC, Says Party	"The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that there is no faction in the party. In response to Wednesday’s emergence of a splinter group known as Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC), the party doubted the membership status of the individuals that were behind the faction. In a statement issued on Thursday by its National National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC said it was currently studying the situation and will not hesitate to take lawful actions to defend the unity of the party.“APC wishes to affirm that there is no faction in our party and declares the action by these individuals as mischievous and ill-advised,” it said. The party said having failed to scuttle the National Convention as was their original plan, these individuals have now resorted “to this subterfuge as a way of achieving the pre-determined end of causing confusion”. The statement said the group of individuals that announced themselves as “Reformed APC’ at a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday were mischievous adding that by their actions, the group had attempted to create the impression that the party was factionalised. “This is not true. As a matter of fact, we doubt that these individuals parading as leaders of the so called faction are actual members of our party. We are currently investigating their true membership status within the party. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/05/no-faction-in-apc-says-party/	2
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	CVR: INEC may suspend exercise in August	"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may suspend the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in August. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hint emerged during INEC quarterly consultative meeting with the media on Thursday in Abuja. INEC at the meeting stated that it needed to suspend the exercise in good time in order to complete the procedures required for data processing, production and distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of 2019 general elections. The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) states that “the registration of voters, updating and revision of register voters under this section shall stop not later than 60 days before any election covered by this Act’’. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, speaking at the meeting, said from previous experience, the timeline required from the close of registration to the point of production and issuance of PVCs to prospective voters was about 120 days. “ “This time span is required for the purpose of claims and objections and other backed activities including running the Business Rules and Automated Fingers Identification System (AFIS). ““Another 30 days is required from the date of PVC production to the point of issuance to registered voters for the purpose of quality assurance, packaging and movement from the Central Store to the respective state and Local Government Area offices.’’ Yakubu also disclosed that the commission had ended CVR in Ekiti and Osun states ahead of 2019 general election."	2019 general elections, INEC	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cvr-inec-may-suspend-exercise-in-august-259595.html	2
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	No aspirant can match El-Rufai — Spokesman	"None of the persons that have so far indicated interest in contesting the governorship seat in Kaduna can match Governor Nasir el-Rufai, spokesman to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, has said. Speaking with correspondents in Kaduna, Aruwan said El-Rufai was far ahead in terms of vision, clout, commitment to serve and focus. Those interested in the governorship seat include former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Sen. Shehu Sani, Hon. Isa Ashiru, Alhaji Sani Sidi and Dr. Muhammad Sani Bello, among others. Aruwan said most of the aspirants only wanted power but lacked clear vision for development. "	2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC)	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-aspirant-can-match-el-rufai-spokesman-259669.html	2
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	Oshiomhole mum as aggrieved APC Reps demand auto tickets	"Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives indirectly demanded for automatic return tickets to resolve the ongoing impasse within the party, Daily Trust has learnt. The aggrieved Reps told the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole and some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at a meeting in Abuja yesterday that they were not satisfied with the way most of them were being treated. A lawmaker who attended the meeting that held at the National Assembly said Oshiomhole had conceded that there were issues that needed to be resolved within the party in order to prevent members from leaving it. However, the source said Oshiomhole did not give any commitment regarding the issue of automatic tickets but assured that he would do his best to address some of the issues raised. “Some of us felt that since governors have hijacked the party at the states’ level by installing their choices as party leaders and shutting away most of us lawmakers, the only way to appeal to us is to allow us come back without hassle. “It’s our belief that this would be the way to reconcile us with the governors. But there was no commitment whatsoever from the national chairman. It was only platitude here and there,” the lawmaker said. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomhole-mum-as-aggrieved-apc-reps-demand-auto-tickets-259674.html	2
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	Abiru rallies for voter registration, PVC collection	"The saying that ‘your vote is your power’ is gaining grounds on the build up to the 2019 general election. Politicians and volunteers have continued to urge eligible voters to register for the election and endeavour to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). It was in that frame that All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Otunba Olusegun Abiru, held a mobilization rally at Lagos East senatorial district. During the sensitization programme, which was aimed at encouraging the voters to obtain their PVC, thousands of people converged for a walk round Ikorodu town and its environs, sharing flyers and engaging on one-on-one discussions with eligible voters on the importance of getting the PVC. The walk, which took off at the Ikorodu Ferry at Ebute, proceeded through Oriwu road, Ita Elewa, Eluku, Adeniran Ogunsanya, through Sabo, garage roundabout with a brief stop at Afin Oba Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi’s palace and culminated at Ita Elewa open field. In his remarks on the occasion, Abiru said the walk was in continued efforts to ensure the success of 2019 election and for voters to vote for candidates of their choice, which depends on the PVC. He added: “Therefore we can not ignore the need to posses the PVC which is our political and economic power. I cannot claim to be oblivious of the problems being encountered in the process of PVC collection, I want to encourage you to fight all the odds and disallow the challenges from disenfranchising you.”"	2019 general elections	https://guardian.ng/politics/abiru-rallies-for-voter-registration-pvc-collection/	2
Daily Trust Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	I’m not nPDP member — Sen Na’Allah	"The Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi), has said that he is not an nPDP member and that he would remain in the APC. Na’Allah whose name had been severally mentioned as one of nPDP members told our correspondent in an exclusive interview that he and his supporters would remain in APC. “I’m not going to PDP; I’m not a member of nPDP and everybody knows this. I’m a founding member of APC,” he said. He said he never attended any meeting of nPDP members. "	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/i-m-not-npdp-member--sen-na-allah-259668.html	2
ThisDaylive Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	Ekiti Poll: Atiku , Secondus, Govs Say PDP Will Resist Rigging	"Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus, as well as governors on the platform of the party thursday urged the electorate to resist any form of rigging in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State. The party’s leaders also declared readiness to displace the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the presidency in 2019, starting with the state election. They spoke at the mega rally in Ado-Ekiti where they rallied support for the party’s candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, for the election. Olusola was officially presented with the party’s flag by the PDP national chairman at a rally held at Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Atiku, a presidential aspirant, said the PDP is on a mission to rescue Nigeria from insecurity and other challenges confronting it. Bigwigs at the event included former Caretaker Chairman of the party and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi; former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, and Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin."	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/06/ekiti-poll-atiku-secondus-govs-say-pdp-will-resist-rigging/	2
ThisDaylive Online	Friday, July 6, 2018	Bode George: I’m Not Leaving PDP for ADC	"A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-west, Chief Bode George, has made it clear that he is not leaving the party for the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC). According to him, the visit by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to his home last week was a social and condolence visit, which had nothing to do with joining the ADC. George stressed that such visits are not unusual given his past relationship with the former president, adding that Obasanjo was also his former boss in the military and that such camaraderie is not unusual given what had happened to him. George said he shared similar relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari and other former colleagues in this military. He made it clear that he will never leave the PDP for any other party, adding that party has survived it most turbulent times and is set to take over governance again."	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/07/06/bode-george-im-not-leaving-pdp-for-adc/	2
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	Survey warns hate speech, drug abuse may trigger violence in 2019	"A survey conducted by CLEEN Foundation in 12 states across three geo-political zones, has revealed that hate speech is leading in factors that could cause electoral violence in 2019. In the report, which was released yesterday in Abuja, 84 per cent of respondents affirmed hate speech, while 83 per cent believed that the use of hard drugs could trigger violence in the focal states. The report added that indecent media reports, and other social vices could also be flashpoints. According to the survey, Kaduna State had the highest percentage among 60 per cent of those who strongly agree that hate speech could precipitate electoral violence. Ekiti followed with 57 percent, Rivers, 52 per cent, Akwa Ibom, 47per cent, and Abia state, 41per cent. The survey further showed that Plateau State had the highest; with 63 per cent of respondents who agreeing that hate speech could cause violence during the elections. Adamawa followed it with 58 per cent, Osun, 54 per cent, while Borno had 49 per cent affirmation, among others. The survey also revealed that 87 per cent of respondents believed that the media have very high likelihood of triggering electoral violence through partisanship, favouritism and partiality in their reportage. While 86 per cent said the media could trigger violence through broadcast and publishing of hatred, 85 per cent held that this could be worsened by sectionalism and provocation. "	2019 general elections	https://guardian.ng/politics/survey-warns-hate-speech-drug-abuse-may-trigger-violence-in-2019/	2
The Guardian.ng	Friday, July 6, 2018	Plateau PDP elders urge aggrieved members to return	"Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State have urged aggrieved members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return. The Chairman of the group and former Governor of the state, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun, made the call after their meeting in Jos. He said this was necessary, especially now that the APC’s dam is fast collapsing. He said: “We note with keen interest the emergence of the reformed All Progressive Congress (rAPC), a splinter group of the ruling APC, with notable figures in government as actors. “While we watch the unfolding drama and the ‘collapse of the dam,’ we call on all those who left our great party, the PDP to return home, as the umbrella has been rebranded to not only accommodate all, but also achieve greater democratic gains.” The group also lamented “the incessant butchering of human lives and attendant destruction of homes and properties of ordinary citizens of Nigeria. “These range from Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nassarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Zamfara, which had been on for too long."	Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)Benue State.	https://guardian.ng/politics/plateau-pdp-elders-urge-aggrieved-members-to-return/	2
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	Saraki urged to move Kwara APC faction to new party	Three senatorial chairmen of a faction of the APC in Kwara State have urged the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to take them out of the ruling party to another party. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, yesterday, the three APC senatorial chairmen, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun (Kwara South), Alhaji Jimoh Adesina (Kwara Central) and Alhaji Isiaka Oniwa (Kwara North), said their political leader should lead the people to where aspirations and yearnings of Kwarans would be met, adding that the ruling APC had failed. The spokesman of the chairmen, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun, said the APC, which they laboured tirelessly for in 2015, had failed to meet their yearnings. “Now that another election is on the way, Kwara has considered it fit to implore Saraki to take us to a formidable party that would address the plights of the people if the ruling APC refuses to redeem its campaign promises. “The perpetual persecution, humiliation and wanton destruction of the personality of the Senate president has been on the increase daily. This has almost made him lose focus on his good intentions for the country,” he alleged.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	view	1
Guardian Newspaper/The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 5, 2018	AP dumps standard-bearer, adopts PDP’s Kolapo Olusola	Accord Party members in Ekiti State have announced the dumping of their governorship candidate, Abiodun Aluko.The party’s state leader, Akogun Banji Ojo, who disclosed this at a news conference, also declared their adoption of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.The members, who declared this after an emergency meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday accused Aluko of abandoning his role and not living up to expectations as the party’s candidate. Ojo disclosed that the State Executive Committee has entered into an alliance with the PDP to ensure the victory of its candidate, Olusola Eleka.He alleged that Aluko has not been holding campaigns in any part of the state, with only few days to the election, adding that he deceived them that he had N1.2 billion to prosecute the election. The party also accused him of deceit in all his utterances, and passed a vote of no confidence in him, while also indicting him of disrespect and dishonorable conduct towards the state executive led by the Samuel Odeoba.He said: “The party and the committee members, after verification, had decided to be in alliance and partnership with the PDP, having seen the tremendous job done by Governor Ayo Fayose. “Fayose is the only viable opposition leader in Nigeria, he is not contesting, but he has fielded Olusola, whose antecedents showed that Ekiti is going forward.When contacted, Aluko who denied all allegations leveled against him, accused Accord Party leaders of greed, saying he cannot match the financial war chest of both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).	2019 general elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	...APC will win— Oshiomhole	The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed optimism that the party will win the July 14, 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State. Oshiomhole spoke yesterday in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat while fielding questions from journalists together with the Chairman of Ekiti State APC Governorship Campaign Council, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State. The former trade union leader, who said that all the manipulative tools would be blocked, stated that it might be difficult for the PDP to learn the conventional tools of winning election because of their tradition. “We are very impressed with the amount of work that Governor Bagudu has done along with his colleagues in the campaign council. Our campaign message is fairly straight forward. We have a candidate who is not new to governance. He has his track record. “We also know that in the last election that brought Ayo Fayose to office, how the election was rigged, the money collected from the NNPC, the military officers that were ruthlessly deployed, the young officer who refused to participate in anger in the misuse of the armed offices, who later made the confession that was recorded and played on national television. “All of those manipulative tools will not be used this time around,” Oshiomhole said.	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC)	view	1
Guardian Newspaper/The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 5, 2018	SDP, CCPP plot against APC, mulls blueprint for economic recovery	The Social Democratic Party, SDP, yesterday, agreed with stalwarts of the Committee of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP), to form stronger alliance to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019. The party also said it plans to set up a committee to provide an effective and workable blueprint on ways to resolve the teething socio-economic, political and security challenges bedeviling the country. SDP national chairman, chief Olu Falae, made this disclosure alongside chairmen of CCPP, while briefing newsmen at the national secretariat of the party at 9, Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja. He expressed worry over the growing insecurity, unemployment and continued mis-governance of the APC-led federal government, stressing that to continue to be silent was no longer golden, but that a workable solution must be found for Nigeria to remain one indivisible nation.	2019 general elections	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	136 associations await registration as parties — INEC	A total of 136 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties are still pending before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said yesterday. Yakubu who made this known during the quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held at the Electoral Institute, Abuja, said out of the figure, 74 had failed the initial assessment of the suitability of their names and logos while 62 had passed. According to him, nine associations had undergone verification of their offices and proposed leadership while 16 were either awaiting verification or were yet to supply supporting documents. “We shall continue to operate within the ambit of the law in the registration of political parties,” Yakubu said. He also disclosed that INEC had concluded work on the annual audit of the accounts of political parties for 2013, 2014 and 2015 with internal audit, internal control procedures and preparation of annual budgets as areas of focus. “At this meeting, we shall share the findings of the external auditors with you. The maintenance of relevant books of accounts, fixed assets and membership registers. We believe you will find them useful, especially in strengthening compliance with the legal requirements on party and campaign finance,” he said. He said the focus of the commission was the Ekiti State governorship election, adding that 35 political parties would field candidates for the election.	2019 general elections, INEC	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	IG threatens to dismiss partisan officers	The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, threatened that he will not hesitate to dismiss any officer found hobnobbing with politicians or acting in a way that could invalidate the July 14 election in Ekiti State. The IG urged his men and officers to remain neutral and discharge their official duties as stated in the Nigeria Police Force Act, which demanded service to humanity in dignity and honesty. The police boss gave the warning in Ado Ekiti during a lecture organised for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state and other officers and men of the force to sensitize them on the need to exhibit right attitudes for this coming election. Represented by the commander in charge of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), ACP Abayomi Shogunle, the IGP said allowing the will of the electorate to prevail on the day of election must remain paramount to his officers and all stakeholders in the electoral process.	Ekiti State 2018 Governorship Election, Nigeria Police	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	Ndigbo must take responsibility to get presidency — Sheriff	A former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that Ndigbo must take responsibility and vote massively for President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s presidential election as that will place them in an advantaged position to succeed the present administration in 2023. Sheriff stated this while speaking with journalists in Umuahia, when he paid a solidarity visit to the leadership of APC in Abia State after the South East zonal mega rally held in Owerri. “From what I have seen so far, APC is well positioned to take over government in Abia State in 2019, and from what I have seen, the South East must put up a position to register themselves that after Buhari, they will have opportunity to lead this country. “Nigeria’s politics is all about negotiations; the South East can’t seat down and expect others to give them the presidency; if they repositioned themselves and give him massive votes in 2019, they stand a chance to lead this country in 2023,” Sheriff maintained.	2019 general elections	view	1
This Day Newspaper	Thursday, July 5, 2018	PDP, APC Bicker over Ekiti Governorship Poll	Ahead of the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused each other of plans to rig the election. The main opposition party has also accused the APC-led federal government of planning to shut down the Akure airport in Ondo State on Thursday (today) to stop top party members from attending a campaign rally scheduled to hold in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who addressed journalists wednesday, alleged that the move to shut down the airport is part of the diabolic plot by the APC to stall the PDP rally. He stated that all is set for the PDP mega rally but added that information at the party’s disposal indicates that the federal government is planning to use the excuse that they are carrying out repairs to shut down the airport against PDP members. Ologbondiyan however said that despite APC’s “shenanigans”, PDP is sure of victory at the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state. “ We are very sure that we will defeat the APC again in all the 16 Local Government Areas just like we did in the last election, “ he said. The PDP Spokesman also urged INEC to ensure that the election is free and fair and that there is a level playing ground. Also, while receiving a delegation of the Forum of Serving PDP Local Government Chairmen yesterday in his office in Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, warned the federal government and the APC not to manipulate the Ekiti State governorship election.	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections.	view	1
Guardian Newspaper/The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 5, 2018	Stop sponsoring protests against NASS, PDP cautions APC	The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its vested interests in government circles on the dangers of sponsoring protests against members of the National Assembly. The party remarked that such antics “are capable of destroying the bedrock of Nigeria’s democracy, pitching Nigerians against one another and driving our nation into anarchy.” In a statement, yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said “Nigerians were shocked over revelations in which cabinet ministers and appointees of the President were alleged to have paid the protesters with a view to using them to embarrass the National Assembly.” He recalled how in April this year, hoodlums gained access into the National Assembly, invaded the hallowed chambers of the Senate and made away with the mace, while threatening lawmakers and disrupting proceedings in the parliament. Consequently, the party stated: “Members of the National Assembly are direct representatives of the people and the failure of the Federal Government to recall Senator Dino Melaye, despite the huge resources invested, speaks volume of the real position of Nigerians on the ongoing stand-off between the executive and the legislature.”	2019 general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	National leadership denies alliance with Fayose	The national chairman of Accord Party, Muhammad Lawal Nalado, said yesterday in Abuja that the purported rejection of the party’s governorship candidate, Jacob Abiodun Aluko, by some persons who claimed to be elders of the party in the state is false and unfounded. The party, while dismissing the reported alliance between Governor Fayose and Accord Party, said it was solidly backing their candidate in the election, noting that Aluko’s widespread acceptability in the state will give the party victory. The party urged its loyalists in the state to come out en masse and vote for Aluko in the election, assuring that he had the manifesto to address the challenges facing the people of Ekiti.	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Accord Party	view	1
This Day Newspaper	Thursday, July 5, 2018	Akala Joins Oyo APC Guber Race	A former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala wednesday heeded the clarion calls of his numerous political support groups, which recently coalesced under Akala Support Group, to join the array of aspirants jostling for the sole ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of 2019 gubernatorial race. Two weeks ago, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Bayo Adelabu declared his intention to vie for the same post. The list of those in the camp of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, eyeing the seat also include, Ibarapa-born entrepreneur, Dr. Ayantayo Ayandele; a technocrat, Joseph Tegbe of the KPMG; a former Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN); a seasoned journalist, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan and the Managing Director/CEO of Costain (West Africa), Ayodeji Ismail Karim and a host of others. But Alao-Akala who ruled the state between 2007 and 2011 after an initial stint on the same position, during the 11months his erstwhile boss, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, was impeached, told teeming supporters who besieged his Bodija residence that he was the most experienced and the one with the milk of human kindness to steer the ship of the state after Ajimobi. “In the past few months, the political arena in the state has been agog with intense politicking by governorship aspirants jostling to occupy the Agodi Government House. When I had the privilege of occupying that office several years ago, I endeavoured to put smiles on the faces of the people of the pace-setter state within the available resources.	2019 general elections, Oyo State.	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	‘Accord Party members out to dupe Fayose’	The governorship candidate of Accord Party in Ekiti State, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, has said members of his party supporting the candidate of the PDP, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, are out to dupe Governor Ayodele Fayose. Omoyeni, a former deputy governor in the state, made the allegation in Ado Ekiti while speaking at a news conference, where he also maintained that he remained the candidate of the party in spite of the open support to the PDP by the chairman of AP, Chief Matthew Odeoba and a leader of the party, Akogun Banji Ojo.	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Accord Party	view	1
Guardian Newspaper/The Guardian.ng	Thursday, July 5, 2018	APC stung as Saraki, Dogara, Baraje, others form R-APC	In what came as a thunderbolt, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, in Abuja got a shock a treatment from some of its aggrieved members, who branched off to form the Reformed – All Progressives Party (R- APC). The group, led by a foundation member of APC, Alhaji Buba Galadima and chairman of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, addressed a press conference at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, declaring that the ruling party has dashed the hopes of Nigerians. However, APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has sued for calm, urging party faithful to be patience as he settles down to try to address the many challenges confronting the party, even as he pledged to run an all inclusive party. It was so much like a rehash of similar mass desertion that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one year to the 2015 general election. Galadimma, who read from a prepared text, recalled how in the build up to the 2015 General elections, some political parties and groups came together and formed a brand new political party, the All Progressives Congress.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, R-APC	view	1
This Day Newspaper	Thursday, July 5, 2018	APC National Convention Appeal Committee Submits Report	The Appeal Committee set up to hear complaints and petitions arising from the recent National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wednesday submitted its report to the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The Appeal Committee chaired by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, said during the report submission ceremony at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja that it received 24 petitions. Speaking on how the committee tackled the petitions, Nnamani said : “We treated each case very seriously. It wasn’t our purpose to add kerosene to already raging fire. We made what we consider to be useful suggestions to the new National Working Committee (NWC) that will give our members a feeling of justice. “Justice does not mean you must win your case; it means that you will get a level playing field, that you are given the opportunity to make your case. The appellants had tremendous opportunity of presenting their cases, and they did,” Nnamani said. Oshiomhole who received the report in company of the other members of the NWC, thanked the committee for devoting its time and energy to the assignment. A statement issued by Publicity Unit of the party, quoted Oshiomhole as having assured the appeal committee that the NWC will side by the truth and ensure justice in considering the report.	All Progressives Congress (APC), National convention	view	1
Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online	Thursday, July 5, 2018	Secondus raises alarm over ‘plot’ to stop Ekiti rally	The PDP has raised alarm over what it termed a plot by the APC-led Federal Government ‎to stop its political rally slated for today in Ado-Ekiti, ahead of next Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed that part of the ‘plot’ was to shutdown the Akure airport in the name of carrying out routine maintenance to stop PDP leaders and members from reaching Ekiti. The party also accused the Ondo State government of conniving with the Federal Government to ensure the rally did not hold. ‎The party, however, warned the government to “bury the move to disrupt the activities of the PDP ahead of the Ekiti polls.”	Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	view	1
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Saraki's sister, Gbemisola declares support for Buhari, APC	Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, the younger sister to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has declared her "unwavering support" for President Muhammadu Buhari. She also pledged her commitment to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and across the country in the 2019 elections. The declaration came immediately after her brother dumped the APC and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a message sent to our correspondent, Gbemisola, who is the Chairman, Governing Council of Federal University of Otuoke, Bayelsa state, said she would soon galvanize all her supporters and associates to begin a re-election campaign for Buhari. The message read in full: "I maintain my unwavering support for President Muhammadu Buhari, now and for his re-election in 2019, and for the success of our party, the APC, in Kwara State and across the federation. "All members of my political organisations including GRS Movement (GRSM); GRS Foundation (GRSF); GRS Friends on Facebook (GRSFOF); Paramount Women Forum (PWF) and GRS Grassroots Youth Movement (GRS-GYM) will begin to implement the first phase of our "Get-Out-The-Vote for PMB and APC.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC)	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/saraki-s-sister-gbemisola-declares-support-for-buhari-apc-263667.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	APC queried Bukola Saraki hours after his defection to PDP	The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) queried the Senate President, Bukola Saraki late yesterday night, hours after he announced his defection from the party on his twitter handle. APC was asking him to respond within 48 hours why disciplinary action ought not to be taken against him for breaching article 21 of the party constitution. The NWC, in a resolution signed by the APC National Secretary, Mai Maila Buni, said the senate president had allegedly flouted the laws of the party with his activities. Some of the allegations raised against him includes that “you encouraged and facilitated by providing an enabling environment for the defection of some senators who are members of the APC to the other opposition Parties. “That you have deliberately refused to screen nominees for appointments submitted by Mr President who are members of the party from being confirmed by the senate. This has caused untold embarrassment and ridicule to the party and the government. “That you have organized a public rally in your state where members of the party urged you to decamp to PDP. That as a follow up to the above the Kwara state governor who is known to be your staunch supporter had made public pronouncements suggesting that he will decamp from the party as an indicator to your formal defection. “That you used the office of the senate President to cause avoidable delays in the budgetary process and passage of the appropriation act into law thereby frustrating the implementation of the party’s manifesto and programs and frustrating the APC led Federal Government in the actualization of the campaign promises of the party	Party defection, Saraki.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-queried-bukola-saraki-hours-after-his-defection-to-pdp-263666.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Court stops inauguration of new Imo deputy gov	The inauguration of Imo State Head of Service, Mr Callistus Ekenze, as the new deputy governor of the state was aborted yesterday following an order of an Owerri High Court. The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Pascal Nnadi, could not go ahead with the anticipated swearing in of Mr Ekenze who became deputy governor on Monday following the impeachment of Prince Eze Madumere by the state House of Assembly. The Sam Mbakwe Hall venue of the event was already filled with guests, including Governor Rochas Okorocha and other government functionaries, when the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Militus Nlemadium, walked in and told the audience that the event could no longer hold. He said there was a court order made by the Owerri High Court the day before stopping the CJ from swearing in the deputy governor designate. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, confirmed the development in a statement.	Impeachment, Imo State.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-stops-inauguration-of-new-imo-deputy-gov-263576.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Kaduna APC: Hunkuyi’s political retirement imminent	The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the statement attributed to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi that he will unseat Malam Nasir el-Rufai as governor next year as a baseless boast that does not reflect the reality on ground. The party, in statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Salisu Tanko Wusono, said Hunkuyi was seeking refuge in empty boasts because the process of his retirement from politics would be concluded in 2019. The APC said Hunkuyi should have known that boastfulness could not take the place of political substance. “Hunkuyi boasted in 2003 that he will defeat the incumbent governor. He failed, only to hurry back to the PDP as soon as he was defeated to the surprise of the APP that had given him its governorship ticket. “Hunkuyi failed in every election until the APC gave him its ticket to contest the senatorial election in 2015. This should have prompted some humility and gratitude that the APC had made him electable. But Hunkuyi preferred to delude himself that he made the APC victorious,” Wusono said.	Party defection. All Progressives Congress (APC), Kaduna State.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kaduna-apc-hunkuyi-s-political-retirement-imminent-263577.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Niger Delta group endorses Buhari’s second term bid	A group, Niger Delta Youths, Women and Security Movement for Buhari (NDYW&SMB), said yesterday that its support for the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari is hinged on the peace and development being sustained by the APC administration in the Niger Delta region. The president of the group, Mr Felix Ubokan, who stated this in a statement, said their support for Buhari was not for selfish or political reasons, stressing that they trusted the president and believed in the commitment he made to provide basic social amenities in an atmosphere of peace and dialogue devoid of militancy. “We know this administration has words of hope for the region; our people are patiently expecting its materialization. We have made our people to appreciate the fact that any government on board is ours to support and there is no government without good plans and programmes for its citizens,” Ubokan said. The Niger Delta activist also decried activities of some politicians who were allegedly promoting violence by forming militant organisations “in order to destabilise the region for personal gains and to bring the Buhari administration to its knees.”	2019 general elections	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/niger-delta-group-endorses-buhari-s-second-term-bid-263578.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Kogi not in safe hands — PDP lawmakers	The Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately stop “the reign of terror” allegedly going on in the state. The lawmakers said during a press conference in Abuja yesterday that “lawlessness and anarchy are the order of the day in Kogi State,” noting that unless urgent action was taken to stem the situation, elections could not be safely conducted in the state. They alleged that the state government ‎was using all the security apparatus at its disposal to harass and intimidate them and anybody with alternative views to those of the state governor. Comprising of three senators and five members of the House of Reps, the Kogi PDP lawmakers said, “The governor is using the security apparatus of the state at his disposal to intimidate, terrorise and unleash violence on holders of alternative political views to his. “As stakeholders in Kogi State and representatives of our various constituents, we are worried by the recent developments in the political space in the state,” they said.	2019 general elections, Kogi State.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kogi-not-in-safe-hands-pdp-lawmakers-263579.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	‘Fayemi’ll not be vindictive’	A chieftain of the APC in Ekiti State, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, has said the incoming governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, will not be vindictive while probing the outgoing government of Ayodele Fayose as being viewed in some quarters. Osinkolu, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC was reacting to a statement credited to the Special Assistant to Governor Fayose on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, in which he alleged that Fayemi specifically sought reelection to scheme vengeance against Fayose. But Osinkolu said Fayemi would not make probing Fayose his priority as being envisaged but would surely look into the financial books of the state under the PDP-led government.	Ekiti State Governorship.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/-fayemi-ll-not-be-vindictive-263580.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Oshiomhole swears-in Imo APC chair	The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has sworn in Mr Daniel Madueke Nwafor as the new chairman of the party in Imo State amidst court injunction obtained by one of the factions in the leadership tussle. Oshiomhole who spoke after administering the oath of office to the new state chairman charged him to carry all members along in the operations of the party. He pledged to work with Governor Rochas Okorocha to ensure that varied interests were integrated into the new party structure ahead of the 2019 general elections. Reacting, Nwafor who promised to be impartial in handling the affairs of the party, said the ceremony did affect the court ruling.	All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomhole-swears-in-imo-apc-chair-263581.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Tambuwal: What we’ve now is ‘prison-yard democracy’	Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to reject what he describes as ‘prison-yard democracy’ as represented by the recent alleged high-handedness by some security agencies against democratic institutions in the country. The governor in a statement yesterday condemned the recent happenings in Benue State and Abuja, where security agencies reportedly meddled in the affairs of Benue State House of Assembly and the National Assembly. There are strong indications that Tambuwal would dump the APC for PDP today amidst speculations that he would also vie for the presidency. “It is unfortunate for Nigerians to endure the growling nightmare occasioned by deprivation of most things that democracy should provide,” he said. He said that legitimate political choices and movements, including cross-carpeting, were part of a democratic enterprise.	2019 general elections, Tambuwal.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-what-we-ve-now-is-prison-yard-democracy-263582.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	S’South leader tasks APC on defectors	The Coordinator of the South-South Legacy Movement, (SSLM), Comrade Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the ruling APC to be decisive on the gale of defection rocking the National Assembly. He told Daily Trust yesterday on telephone that ruling party should not allow itself to be taken for a ride by selfish politicians. “In the case of the R-APC, we are dealing with renowned trouble-makers who are fundamentally on ego trip, seeking selfish ambition. “We call on the Presidency, national leadership of the party and APC Caucus in the National Assembly to immediately take bold and decisive steps to redirect the legislature on the path of fulfilling its responsibilities to the expectations of Nigerians,” he said.	All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Saraki.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/s-south-leader-tasks-apc-on-defectors-263583.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Justice Nasir urges caution ahead of 2019	A former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir, has called on politicians at all levels to exercise caution and avoid causing disunity through their utterances as the 2019 general elections approach. Addressing the second Round Table on Mitigating Conflicts and Insecurity in the North, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna, the elder statesman tasked politicians to come together irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic leanings and ensure that the interest of the people was uppermost in whatever they did to move the country forward. “We appeal to all political leaders to cool down ahead of the 2019 elections. Please forget all the selfish interests, negative defence, and ensure positive approach to leadership. The politicians should come together, think of Nigeria, think of our children and our grandchildren. “The people should choose whoever they want as leaders but we should be guaranteed of peaceful governance. This is our appeal to the politicians,” Justice Nasir said.	2019 general elections	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/justice-nasir-urges-caution-ahead-of-2019-263584.html
Daily Trust Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	I’m not interested in Oyo gov’ship — Adedoja	A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, said yesterday that he is not interested in the 2019 governorship contest in Oyo State. Prof. Adedoja ‎who contested the office of PDP national chairman during the December 2017 national convention of the party, said in a statement yesterday that he preferred to use his political experience to build the PDP in the state. “‎I have turned down the requests by some PDP stakeholders in Oyo State to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state because I want to make sacrifice for the development of the party. “I prefer to be one of the key stakeholders and builders of our great party for a cohesive front for democracy to survive,” he said. The ex-minister who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had after the PDP’s convention took the party to court for declaring that he scored no vote after allegedly omitting his name on the ballot papers.	2019 general elections, Oyo State.	https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/i-m-not-interested-in-oyo-gov-ship-adedoja-263585.html
ThisDaylive Online	Wednesday, August 1, 2018	Saraki, Ahmed, Ibeto Finally Defect to PDP	Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to stew in crisis Tuesday as Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, finally left the party and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Saraki’s defection ended weeks of speculations about his political future even as leaders of the APC, including President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, redoubled efforts to persuade him to stay back in the party he helped to form in 2013. But the Senate president, who first announced his exit on his Twitter handle, followed by a statement signed by him, said their interventions came a little too late, explaining that fifth columnist had done too much damage before they stepped in.	Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).	https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/08/01/saraki-ahmed-ibeto-finally-defect-to-pdp/