News
SDP Chieftains, Others Defect To APC

SDP Chieftains, Others Defect To APC
SDP chieftains, others defect to APC. The SDP chieftains’ defection was formalised at an event held in Abuja on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
The 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Yusuf Buhari, and the Kano governorship candidate, Bala Gwagwarawa, have defected to the APC.
Also defecting are the Kano State Working Committee, 38 local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 state assembly and six House of Representatives candidates.
The SDP chieftains’ defection was formalised at an event held in Abuja on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
Addressing the defectors, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said their move proves that plans to challenge the APC in 2027 via SDP were doomed.
He noted this development as a blow to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who had recently joined the SDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr Barau said, “Those traversing the nation, trying to build the SDP into a viable platform to rival the APC in 2027, have failed utterly. That mission is dead on arrival. Nigerians have rejected it. Even prominent figures like Sule Lamido have distanced themselves from the party.
“Today, the vice-presidential candidate, Kano’s governorship flag-bearer, and other SDP stalwarts have joined the APC. More are expected to follow suit in the coming days.
“If we delayed this meeting till tomorrow, nearly all SDP candidates nationwide would have joined us. We shall receive them officially in due course.”
APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje welcomed the new entrants, promising them full rights and privileges within the party, describing the defection as a move “from darkness to light.”

SDP Chieftains
He lauded the APC’s role as a model of transformative leadership under President Tinubu, promising continued progress and national development.
Former Governor Kabiru Gaya noted that the SDP was already depleted by the time Mr El-Rufai joined, rendering it ineffective.
“The SDP is dead. Its vice-presidential candidate is here, the Kano candidate is here, all key stakeholders are now with APC.
I commend the Deputy Senate president for securing these heavyweight politicians for our party. It’s a great victory for APC,” he said.
News
Tinubu Sworn In Rivers State Administrator

Tinubu Sworn In Rivers State Administrator
Tinubu Sworn In Rivers State Administrator. President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (Rtd.), as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with key government officials, including State Chief of Protocol Ambassador Adekunle Adeleke, in attendance.
Ibas’ appointment follows the state of emergency declared by President Tinubu, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Administrator
During a national address, Tinubu clarified that the judiciary in Rivers State remains unaffected and will continue to operate as mandated by the Constitution.
He also noted that while the administrator cannot enact new laws, he is permitted to draft regulations necessary for governance, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President.
Following his swearing-in, Ibas has returned to Port Harcourt to officially assume his new role.
Video Credit: @galaxytv
Economy
Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor, Cites Constitutional Breach

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor, Cites Constitutional Breach
Nigerian rapper and activist Falz has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of its governor.
On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the emergency measure, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state lawmakers for six months, citing political unrest. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as the state’s administrator.
Reacting on Twitter, Falz argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the president to suspend an elected governor.

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor
“There is ABSOLUTELY NO LAW that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A Governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment,” he wrote.
He further questioned whether the situation in Rivers justified such extreme action, asking, “Is Rivers State at war? Is there an actual breakdown of public order? Is there a threat to the existence of the Federation?”
Economy
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Inducted as Honorary Member of International Military Sports Council

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Inducted as Honorary Member of International Military Sports Council
In recognition of his contributions to sports development, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has been inducted as an Honorary Member of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The induction ceremony, held at the NSC Secretariat on Tuesday, was presided over by Major General Maikano Abdulahi, President of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa and Vice-President of CISM.
Major General Abdulahi highlighted Mallam Dikko’s pivotal role in the success of the last Africa Military Games hosted in Abuja, noting that the event owed much of its success to the NSC’s support under Dikko’s leadership. “The last Africa Military Games was successful largely due to the support of the NSC under his leadership. We have also noted the ongoing sports reforms in Nigeria under his watch. We hope for further collaborations for the good of sports in Nigeria, Africa, and the world generally,” Maj. Gen. Abdulahi stated.

Shehu Dikko
With this honorary membership, Mallam Dikko will have access to the officers’ mess at the CISM headquarters in Brussels, further solidifying the bond between Nigerian sports administration and the global military sports community. The recognition reflects the growing influence of Nigeria in the realm of international military sports and highlights the positive strides being made in sports reform under Dikko’s guidance.
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