Politics
Resignation: APC bigwigs at ‘war’ over 8 vacant Ministerial Positions
Intense lobbying has commenced in states and Abuja as top shots of the All Progressives Congress (APC) jostle to replace eight ministers who left the federal cabinet last week to pursue their 2023 ambitions.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, asked members of his cabinet who have picked forms of the party for various elective positions to resign.
Sequel to the directive, a valedictory session was organised on Friday for the ministers including, Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Ogbonnaya Onu( Science, Technology and Innovation), Timipre Sylva (Petroleum Resources, State), Emeka Nwajiuba (Education, State), Uche Ogah (Mines and Steel Development), Pauline Tallen (Women Affairs) and Chief Tayo Alasoadura (Niger Delta Affairs, State).
Reports from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Plateau and Ondo states, revealed that high power networking has since commenced by those jostling to replace the former federal cabinet members.
It was gathered that many chieftains of the ruling party in the affected states have been waiting for the exit of the ministers since the introduction of section 84(12) in the Electoral Act, which barred ministers from participating in the party’s convention, congress, and primaries while still serving in office.
In some states, the development rekindled the hopes of aggrieved members of the party to benefit from the government. The president had only sacked two ministers Sabo Nanono (Agriculture) and Saleh Mamman (Power).
The swift moves by the chieftains were a result of the pledge of the president that he will not waste time in replacing the former cabinet members.
In Imo, Nwajiuba’s resignation ignites old rivalry
In Imo State, the resignation of Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, has ignited the old rivalry between the two powerful factions of the party in the state. Nwajiuba was the first presidential aspirant to purchase the party’s nomination and expression of forms.
The fight for Nwajiuba’s successor is being fought from three angles. The camp of the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma, that of Senator Rochas Okorocha and the minister’s camp. The feud between Okorocha and Uzodinma had polarised the party in the state.
Okorocha is said to be using his new rapprochement with the president to recommend one of his aides to replace Nwajiuba.
It was gathered that Nwajiuba is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that he produces his successor.
The former minister is said to be extending his lenses to Senator Frank Ibezim, who was his assistant before he won the rerun for the Imo North senatorial zone in 2021.
President Buhari had singled-handedly chosen Nwajiuba as a minister because of his long-standing relationship with him.
Some top politicians of APC extraction in the state loyal to Uzodinma have begun eyeing the post, expecting to get the governor’s endorsement.
It’s hoped that Uzodinma, as leader of the party in the state, may recommend a replacement to President Buhari, to make up for his sidelining during Nwajiuba’s appointment.
However, Special Assistant to Uzodinma on Local Media, Modestus Nwamkpa, said that it’s entirely the president’s prerogative to fill the vacant position.
He said, “Though Governor Uzodinma may have input, just like other interested parties, the bulk stops ultimately on the table of the president.
“Don’t forget the president appointed Nwajiuba in the first place and so he also has the prerogative, maybe in consultation with the party hierarchy, to fill the vacant position.”
He said that the party has absolute confidence in the president to make the right choice.
Tallen: Pendulum swings among 3 persons
Following the resignation of Pauline Tallen, who hails from Plateau State, as Minister of Women Affairs, the names of three persons have been mentioned as a possible replacement.
They are; Architect Pam Dung, a former Coordinating Chairman of the National Prototype Housing Scheme at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, former state Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande and Bashir Musan Sati, the former state Secretary of the APC.
However, political observers say the possibility of any of the said politicians being appointed as the minister is dependent on the approval of Governor Simon Lalong, who may possibly get the nod of the president.
Men likely to replace Alasoadura
Sources within APC in Ondo State told Daily Trust that Mr Olusola Iji may be considered as a replacement for the ministerial seat. Iji was said to be one of those penciled down at the time Alasoadura was picked for the position.
Iji is currently heading the campaign for Governor Akeredolu’s wife, Betty who is going for Senate in her Imo State.
Others who may also be considered include Bunmi Ademosu, Ademola Adegoroye and Boye Oyewumi.
Bunmi Ademosu and Ademola Adegoroye are from Ondo Central where Alasoadura hails from.
No clear position on who replaces Amaechi
There is no clear position on who will replace the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, our reporter learned from Port Harcourt.
Some of the chieftains of APC in Rivers State who spoke with our reporter under the condition of anonymity said that the picture is not very clear over who will replace him.
A chieftain of APC in the state said that everything about the resignation of the minister remains very ambiguous to them.
Addressing Kaduna State APC delegates on Sunday, Amaechi said he was yet to resign saying however that he would resign on Monday (today).
The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Senibo Chris Finebone said that he is not aware if people are lobbying for Amaechi’s replacement.
Sylva yet to resign as petroleum minister – Aide
However, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva is yet to resign his position.
His Media Assistant, Julius Bokoru, told Daily Trust that his boss has not resigned from his position.
Sylva was among the serving ministers that purchased N100 million APC presidential form to succeed President Buhari during the 2023 election.
Though it was not clear if the Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State has withdrawn from the presidential race just like the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige did.
When it was probed further about Sylva’s presidential ambition, Bokoru simply said ‘Well, I cannot speak further on that for now.’
Also, the Bayelsa State Chairman of APC, Barr Dennis Otiotio, told Daily Trust that he was not aware if Sylva has resigned from his position.
Already, some party chieftains loyal to the former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, are plotting for his return to Federal Executive Council (FEC) if Sylva resigned.
Lokpobiri, who is the leader of one of the APC factions in Bayelsa State operating from a different office in Yenagoa, with its leadership different from the one loyal to Sylva, is said to have been projected to take the slot of Bayelsa State if Sylva resigns because of his ability to use the position to empower the party faithful in the state and unite the party ahead of the general election.
A chieftain of the party who spoke with Daily Trust on condition of anonymity said with Lokpobiri at the Federal Executive Council, Bayelsa APC will be more united compared to what is going on at the moment where factions have threatened the popularity of the party in the state.
Buhari will decide on ministers who made u-turn – Shehu
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, has said only President Muhammadu Buhari will take a decision on the fate of ministers who attended the send forth ceremony but later withdrew participation in the coming primaries of the ruling party.
He said this in response to an enquiry from Daily Trust yesterday.
A text message sent to him read: “On Friday, the President bade farewell to ministers who had shown interest to run for elective positions in 2023. But a few hours later, some of the ministers who attended the ceremony made a U-turn and withdrew their participation in the party primaries.
“Some lawyers had said that it was illegal for them to return without being re-nominated by the president. Will the president re-nominate them for Senate screening and approval?”
In a terse response, the presidential spokesman said: “That is for the president to decide.”
Daily Trust
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
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