A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun , Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said that recent defections by some party members will not weaken the party’s structure, popularity, or electoral prospects ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye described the defections as a common feature of politics, particularly during electioneering periods.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some prominent members of the APC in the state have recently resigned from the party ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.

Oyintiloye, however, maintained that the development poses no threat to the APC’s readiness and determination to reclaim power in the state.

According to him, the party remains the most formidable political force in Osun, with a strong grassroots presence across wards, polling units, communities, and local government areas.

“The APC in Osun is bigger than any individual or group.

“Our party is built on a solid foundation that has endured for decades. We have a resilient structure, loyal membership, and an ever-expanding support base across the state.

“Those who think the APC has been weakened by the exit of a few members are out of touch with realities on the ground.

“The strength of our party resides in the people, and the people remain firmly with the APC,” he said.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, added that the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s governorship candidate has boosted members’ morale and generated enthusiasm among voters.

He said Oyebamiji’s acceptability, competence, humility, accessibility, and public service experience have positioned him as a preferred choice among the electorate.

“There is no community in Osun today where the AMBO movement is not gaining momentum.

“The support he enjoys cuts across political affiliations, religious divides, age groups, and professional backgrounds. His popularity is organic and continues to grow daily.

“No other candidate in the race currently commands the level of goodwill, credibility, and political momentum that he enjoys across the state,” he said.

The APC stalwart noted that ongoing consultations, stakeholder engagements, reconciliation efforts, and grassroots mobilisation have strengthened internal cohesion.

He urged party leaders, elected officials, and members to remain united and intensify mobilisation efforts, stressing that victory would depend on collective commitment and hard work.

“This is not the time for distractions or pessimism. It is the time for greater unity, deeper engagement with the people, and stronger mobilisation.

“Our structures are intact, our supporters are energised, and our candidate enjoys overwhelming acceptance.

“We are confident, prepared, and fully positioned for victory,” he said.

Oyintiloye also called on party faithful to remain steadfast, assuring them that the APC is on course to reclaim power and deliver people-oriented governance.

He further urged the party’s leadership to sustain unity efforts and address members’ grievances to prevent further defections, stressing that every member has a vital role to play in the party’s success at the polls.(NAN) (www.nannews.com)

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Commissioner resigns from office, dumps APC joins PDP

Mr Felix Igboke, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring, has resigned his position and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Igboke, who officially announced his defection on Sunday during a PDP gathering attended by party leaders, executives and supporters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of the state, said he defected with more than 10,000 supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described his return to the PDP as a homecoming, noting that his political journey began with the party.

Igboke said his decision was informed by the need to align with a political platform capable of advancing the interests of the people and promoting inclusive development in the state.

“I am happy to return to the political platform that built me. I served as a councillor, development centre coordinator and chairman of Onicha Local Government Area under the same party before I joined the APC.

“I am grateful to the PDP family in Ebonyi State, especially the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma-Odii, the incoming governor,” he said.

Mr Chukwuma Igwe, the state chairman of the PDP, who welcomed the defectors, described Igboke’s return to the party as a major boost to its fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Igwe said the PDP had regained its strength across the state and was well-positioned to reclaim power in the next election cycle.

According to him, the influx of thousands of supporters into the party demonstrates growing public confidence in the PDP and its leadership.

Also speaking, Mr Eni-Uduma Chima, the PDP candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency seat in 2027, said the party was experiencing rapid growth across Ebonyi.

Chima expressed optimism that the increasing support base would translate into electoral victories for the PDP in future elections.

He urged party members to remain united and committed to strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots level.

The event attracted party faithful, community leaders and supporters from various parts of the state, who pledged their continued support for the PDP. (NAN)
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EFCC: Death of 16-year-old suspect sparks questions as EFCC reveals what happened

The death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser during an operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement tactics, with many Nigerians demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The teenager reportedly died in May 2026 in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, Benue State, after an encounter involving EFCC operatives.

His death has since generated allegations of extrajudicial killing, with critics questioning the commission’s account of events.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCC maintained that Sesugh was not killed in custody and outlined what it described as the chain of events that led to his death.

According to the commission, operatives arrested 26 suspected cybercrime suspects on April 28, 2026, during an operation conducted by its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.

The suspects were subsequently profiled, arraigned and remanded by a court.

The anti-graft agency said Sesugh and two other detainees escaped from custody on May 4 after being granted access to a toilet facility.

The commission claimed the trio broke through the roof of the toilet and fled. To support its account, the EFCC published images on its X handle showing what appeared to be a damaged roof structure at its detention facility.

The agency further stated that intelligence received on May 21 led operatives to a hideout in the Kanshio area where Sesugh was allegedly staying.

According to the commission, the operation turned violent when the teenager and other suspected cult members allegedly opened fire on EFCC personnel.

“Operatives of the commission returned fire in self-defence. All the suspected cult members, including Sesugh, fled owing to the exchange of fire between them and EFCC operatives.

“However, Sesugh was later sighted lying in a pool of blood by the roadside. He was promptly taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead,” the commission stated.

The EFCC stressed that the deceased was neither granted bail nor in its custody at the time of the incident.

Despite the explanation, the commission’s account has been met with widespread scepticism on social media, particularly on X and Facebook, where many users questioned how three detainees allegedly escaped from a secured facility without immediate detection.

Critics also queried why no public alert or declaration of the escapees as wanted persons was issued after the reported jailbreak.

The controversy comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of some EFCC operations across the country.

In recent months, the agency has faced criticism over allegations of rights violations, indiscriminate arrests and the use of force during enforcement actions targeting suspected internet fraudsters.

One of the most controversial incidents occurred at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where EFCC operatives reportedly visited to verify a medical report linked to an ongoing investigation.

The operation allegedly degenerated into a confrontation with hospital personnel, prompting accusations of assault, intimidation and disruption of medical services.

The incident led to an indefinite strike by health workers, condemnation from professional bodies and threats of legal action by the Nigerian Medical Association.

Similarly, EFCC operations in Ondo State earlier this year drew criticism after scores of people were arrested during raids on entertainment venues in Akure, with some residents alleging excessive force and wrongful arrests.