Politics

APC defends $1bn Lagos ports investment

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State says the Federal Government’s $1 billion investment in the Lagos ports is part of a nationwide modernisation blueprint.

The APC Spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, in a statement on Tuesday, said this while reacting to opposition parties’ criticism of the project.

Oladejo said that the investment was designed to transform Nigeria into West Africa’s premier maritime hub.

He described as laughable the opposition’s commentary and claim that President Bola Tinubu had neglected Warri, Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt ports, concentrating investments in Lagos ports.

Oladejo said: “This reckless statement only exposes, yet again, the opposition’s chronic ignorance of basic economics and governance.

“Their loud opinions are rarely backed by facts, figures, or even a faint understanding of national policy direction.

“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is not “neglecting” any port.

“It is not a Lagos project – it is a Nigeria project, attracting foreign direct investment from China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, both of whom saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business environment worth their billions.”

He said that contrary to the criticisms, the same administration had been executing some projects in Onne, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri Ports.

According to him, President Tinubu’s administration is executing Onne Port modernisation, including equipment upgrade and digitalisation,while also dredging the Calabar Port to increase draft depth and accommodate larger vessels.

He said that work on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Port complex, under a new concessionary framework; and the Warri Port corridor expansion, with new rail link integration to ease inland cargo movement, were ongoing.

“But of course, the opposition wouldn’t know this – they’re too busy tweeting ignorance and recycling talking points from the political dustbin,” he said.

According to him, the $1 billion Lagos Port investment is not “sabotage”; it is economic foresight.

“It is about creating jobs, boosting exports, and ending decades of inefficiency that has made Nigerian ports some of the most expensive in Africa.

“The Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first fully automated port, is already redefining port management, increasing turnaround time, and boosting revenue to government coffers.

“It is the kind of progress that threatens those whose only skill in politics is complaining without contributing,

“The only sabotage here is the opposition’s attempt to weaponise regional sentiments against national progress,” he said.

He said that Tinubu’s renewed hope remained a national agenda, and not a regional favour, saying “this administration’s commitment is holistic, inclusive, and nationwide.”

Oladejo said that governance is driven by strategy and not sentiments.

He said that Tinubu and the APC remained focused “on building a Nigeria that works – one port, one project, and one policy at a time.”

Politics

ADC registers 553,751 members in Benue within 3 months

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has recorded a total of 553,751 registered members across the 23 LGAs of Benue State, barely three months after its official unveiling in the state.

The disclosure was made on Monday, October 27, during a meeting of the ADC Benue State Executive Committee and 23 LG committee chairmen, held at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi.

The meeting reviewed the ongoing membership registration and the party’s increasing acceptance across the state.

Addressing the session, the State Committee Chairman, High Chief Terngu Tsegba, lauded members of the state, local government and ward committees for their efforts in sensitizing and mobilizing residents in both urban and rural areas, which he said has led to the party’s “overwhelming acceptability and membership large registration”.

Tsegba urged local committees to remain focused and inclusive, saying, “The ADC is a party for all Nigerians built on equality, fairness and transparency in all its processes.”

Those present at the meeting included the State Secretary, Samson Okwu; Publicity Secretary, Stevie Ayua;bProf. Cletus Tyoikyaa; Abeije Egwa; Elizabeth Allagh; Ato Agber and the 23 local government committee chairmen.

Politics

Fmr. Kwara lawmaker dumps APC for PDP

Former Kwara lawmaker and APC chieftain, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his supporters in Offa, citing loss of fairness and justice within the ruling party.

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said he joined the PDP after “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC.

“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013. We started the APC with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.

He accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of poor governance, saying, “We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967 but the current governor does not understand governance.”

He also said the ideals of the 2019 struggle that brought the APC to power had been abandoned.

Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described Popoola’s return as “a homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party ahead of 2027.

However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant.

“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last election,” APC spokesperson Waheed Babatunde said, adding that Offa “will remain progressive and support Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027.”

Politics

Niger political parties sign Peace Accord ahead of LG elections

Political parties and candidates participating in the November 1 local government elections in Niger State have signed a peace accord to ensure a credible and violence-free exercise.

The peace accord, facilitated by the Niger State Police Command under Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, was signed during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Minna.

Those in attendance included representatives of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), government officials, security agencies, and political stakeholders.

Commissioner Elleman emphasized that the police would operate with professionalism, impartiality, and fairness to guarantee a safe environment before, during, and after the elections.

He also urged youths to avoid violence and promote peace.

NSIEC Chairman Mohammed Imam highlighted the commission’s 15-point election guideline, covering the election of 25 council chairmen and 274 councillors across the state’s 4,950 polling units.

IPAC Chairman Isah Makujeri praised both NSIEC and the Police for their cooperation and preparatory efforts, expressing optimism for a peaceful and transparent election.

The peace accord bars the use of religious, ethnic, or inflammatory language, with all parties pledging to adhere strictly to its provisions.

Commissioner Elleman reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and credibility throughout the electoral process.