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Governor’s alleged defection plan, Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment stir up fresh crisis In APC

The recent appointment of Ambassador Bianca Odinaka Ojukwu as Minister representing Anambra State has sparked intense behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, hinting at a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

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Sources familiar with the situation suggest that the appointment is just the beginning of a broader strategy aimed at solidifying the re-election bid of Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

A prominent figure in Anambra’s political scene, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Sun, that Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment was a strategic move to align with Soludo’s ambitions.

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Ojukwu, widow of the late Biafran leader General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is a key figure in the faction of the party controlled by Governor Soludo.

Her appointment, despite not being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signals a shift in the state’s political trajectory. “Bianca’s appointment is not just about her qualifications but is a clear endorsement of Soludo’s political ambitions and the changing tides in Anambra politics,” said a source.

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Ojukwu’s rise to the federal cabinet is seen by many as a precursor to Soludo’s possible defection from APGA to the APC, ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election.

Despite her close ties to APGA, Ojukwu’s appointment to a ministerial position—over APC stalwarts in the state—has raised eyebrows among both APGA and APC members. The appointment is perceived as a strategic move by Soludo to navigate the fractious politics within APGA and position himself for a fresh political opportunity, potentially within the APC.

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A source close to the APC in Anambra revealed that there are growing concerns among party members about Soludo’s potential defection.

“If Soludo moves to the APC and gets the governorship ticket, there will be a massive exodus of APC members to the Labour Party,” the source said, adding that key stakeholders within the APC are already threatening to leave or actively work against Soludo if he secures the ticket.

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The rift within APGA, the party on which Soludo was elected in 2021, has deepened significantly in recent months.

The faction led by Soludo, which is aligned with Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as national chairman, was recently disavowed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to a court ruling.

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Instead, the faction led by Chief Edozie Njoku is now officially recognized by INEC.

This legal recognition of the Njoku-led APGA has created a precarious situation for Soludo.

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Political analysts argue that unless a new court ruling favors Soludo’s faction or he reconciles with the Njoku-led leadership, the governor risks running for re-election without a party affiliation or finding himself sidelined in the upcoming election.

Soludo has consistently refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Njoku-led APGA and has reportedly vowed never to accept its authority. Meanwhile, APGA’s national leadership has shown no hesitation in threatening sanctions against Soludo for alleged anti-party activities.

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Chief Chekwas Okorie, the party’s founding national chairman, publicly criticised Soludo for his disruptive actions and warned that the governor’s continued destabilization of the party could lead to severe consequences.

In response to these mounting challenges, Soludo is reportedly seriously considering an exit from APGA and a switch to the APC. His decision, sources suggest, could be driven by his belief that he will receive an automatic APC governorship ticket for the 2025 election.

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There are also reports that Soludo is exploring the possibility of merging the APGA structure in Anambra with the existing APC framework, thus consolidating his control over the state’s political machinery.

Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment to the federal cabinet is seen as part of Soludo’s broader plan to strengthen his position ahead of this transition. Her surprise emergence has raised eyebrows among both APC and APGA leaders in Anambra, many of whom were unaware of the political undercurrents that led to her appointment.

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The state’s APC chapter, in particular, has voiced its dissatisfaction, describing Ojukwu’s selection as a violation of party loyalty, which could demoralize the party’s grassroots supporters.

Furthermore, Soludo’s rumored intentions to present an APGA member as the APC candidate for the upcoming Senatorial by-election in Anambra South—following the tragic death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah—has added fuel to the fire.

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Sources claim that the APC national leadership, aware of Soludo’s potential defection, has granted him considerable leeway to select the party’s candidate for the by-election.

Although rumors of Soludo’s impending defection to the APC have been circulating since President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2023, both Soludo and his aides have denied any such move. However, the recent developments surrounding Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment and the growing discord within APGA suggest that Soludo’s next political move is imminent—and could redefine the political dynamics in Anambra State for years to come.

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

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The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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