The Igbo Community Association said the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, has vowed to stop double taxation in part of Abuja if elected as Chairman of the Ambuja Municipal Area Council in the 2026 polls.

The association’s President-General, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, disclosed this during a conference in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, MC Tagwaye has also pledged to curb what he described as needless demolition in AMAC upon his election during the polls.

“We studied his manifestos. Among other things is his desire to stop double taxation in AMAC.

‘Needless demolition will be curbed legally with a human face. These two affect common residents in the FCT. This is sufficient for us not just because we are Igbo but because we are residents in the FCT,” he said.

Ellis-Ezenekwe called on AMAC residents to rally behind Simon’s candidacy come 21st February, 2026.

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, has criticised the N4.237 trillion 2026 budget proposal presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alleging inaccuracies in the figures, weak fiscal transparency, and questionable spending priorities.

In an open letter dated Thursday, December 11, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Doherty described the budget estimates submitted to lawmakers on November 25, 2025, as flawed and in need of urgent clarification before legislative approval.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has since passed the appropriation bill through second reading and referred it to the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget for detailed scrutiny, with a mandate to report back within five weeks.

In his letter, Doherty argued that the headline figures in the budget were incorrectly presented.

He noted that the proposal outlined a total expenditure of N4.237 trillion, made up of N2.052 trillion in recurrent spending and N2.185 trillion in capital expenditure.

However, he pointed out that the recurrent component reportedly includes about N383 billion earmarked for debt servicing, which he argued should be classified as capital expenditure.

According to him, this misclassification distorts the true size of both the recurrent and capital budgets, potentially rendering the overall figures inaccurate.

Doherty also questioned the internal coherence of the proposal, stating that when sectoral allocations were added together, they amounted to roughly N3.4 trillion, significantly below the total budget figure presented.

“One or both sets of figures cannot be correct,” he said.

Beyond numerical discrepancies, the PDP aspirant criticised what he described as the Lagos State Government’s lack of transparency in the budgeting process.

He argued that the public is routinely denied access to detailed budget proposals until after the Appropriation Act has been passed, limiting opportunities for independent review and public input.

He raised concerns over the scale of spending on consultancy and professional services, noting that such costs allegedly account for nearly 15 per cent of the state’s total recurrent expenditure.

“At that scale, it is unclear what services justify these recurring costs and why such a large proportion of public funds is being devoted to them,” he said.

Doherty also accused the state government of backsliding on transparency despite increased revenues following the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation.

He claimed that information on contract awards was no longer being routinely published by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, as required by law.

On spending priorities, Doherty argued that Lagos State has consistently underfunded key social sectors essential for human development.

He said that over a five-year period, combined spending on education, health, housing, and water supply accounted for only 17 per cent of total government expenditure.

According to him, in a state with a youthful population such as Lagos, education and health should each receive allocations of close to 15 per cent.

He described it as disturbing that the 2025 capital allocation to the Lagos State House of Assembly alone reportedly exceeded the combined allocations for health and education.

Doherty said the consequences of what he termed prolonged underinvestment were visible in poor public school outcomes, persistent housing shortages, and under-five mortality rates.

He also criticised what he called a pattern of overly optimistic revenue forecasts in Lagos budgets.

He noted that while the 2026 budget projects total revenue of N4.237 trillion, actual revenues as of September 2025 stood at N2.07 trillion, against a full-year projection of N3.37 trillion.

“Persistent overestimation of revenue undermines effective planning, prioritisation, and execution of government programmes,” he said.

While acknowledging some marginal improvements in budget preparation, Doherty urged the House of Assembly to demand greater openness from the executive.

He called on lawmakers to ensure that detailed budget proposals for 2026 and subsequent fiscal years are made publicly available during the legislative process, before passage into law.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Lagos State Government were unsuccessful, as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Governor Ademola Adeleke have exchanged words following the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the APC governorship candidate for the 2026 election.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC accused Governor Adeleke of being jittery and restless over Oyebamiji’s emergence through a seamless consensus primary held in Osogbo on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

The party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said the governor’s reaction, conveyed through his spokesman, to comments credited to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, reflected unease within the governor’s camp.

Professor Yilwatda had reportedly said the APC could not afford to lose additional states after the recent governorship election in Anambra State, a remark that drew criticism from the Osun State Government.

The APC also alleged that Governor Adeleke’s administration had performed poorly in governance, citing the dismissal of teachers and health workers employed by the previous administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

“The people of Osun State are tired of mere edifices without adequate manpower in schools and hospitals. The APC’s candidate is prepared to contest and win the August 8, 2026 election,” he said

The party while challenging Governor Adeleke to a televised debate with Oyebamiji, who is tested and experienced, advised the governor to prepare for a transition of power.

Reacting, Governor Adeleke dismissed the APC’s claims and reaffirmed his determination to seek re-election, declaring that he would defeat Oyebamiji by the might of God and the people.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described comments attributed to Oyetola at the APC primary as wishful thinking and illusory grandstanding.

Governor Adeleke characterised the previous APC administration as an anti-people era and alleged that Osun State faced economic and social challenges when he assumed office in 2022.

He said his government enjoyed the backing of the people through people-oriented policies in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and inclusive development.

“The people of the State are fully satisfied with the responsive governance being delivered by the present administration,” he stated.

Governor Adeleke also accused the APC of resorting to anti-democratic practices, questioning the party’s confidence in its popularity ahead of the 2026 polls.

He maintained that his administration was reversing past challenges and restoring dignity to governance.

Edo State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Primary Election Committee, Monday Okpebholo, has urged party members in Osun State to close ranks and work collectively toward winning back the state in the 2026 governorship election.

Okpebholo made the call on Friday night during a stakeholders’ meeting at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, where he said the gathering emphasised the party’s commitment to internal democracy ahead of Saturday’s primary election.

He announced that the party would adopt the affirmation method for the primary, noting that all 1,660 delegates would undergo proper accreditation before being allowed into the venue.

Appealing for calm and cohesion, Okpebholo warned against post-primary divisions, stressing that unity would be critical to the party’s success in the general election.

“I appeal to everyone to remain united after the primary. Do not allow internal grievances to weaken our chances.

“Our collective goal is to return Osun State to the progressive family in 2026, and that can only be achieved if we work together,” he said.

The governor also assured party members that the primary election would be conducted transparently and fairly, in strict compliance with the directive of the APC National Working Committee, NWC.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 must remain a shared objective for members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, across the state.

The governor made this known while addressing party leaders at the APC’s quarterly stakeholders’ meeting, where he urged members to close ranks as political activities gradually intensify ahead of future elections.

Aiyedatiwa stressed the importance of unity within the party, cautioning against internal divisions driven by personal ambitions or conflicting interests.

“We must collectively work to deliver Ondo State for President Tinubu in 2027,” the governor said, adding that party cohesion is essential to achieving that goal.

He warned members against actions that could undermine party leadership or fellow party members, even while supporting preferred aspirants, noting that internal discord could weaken the APC’s electoral chances.

The governor explained that the quarterly stakeholders’ meeting was designed to enhance engagement, feedback and collaboration within the party, as well as to review political and developmental progress in the state.

Highlighting achievements of his administration, Aiyedatiwa said efforts had been intensified in the health sector, with several facilities undergoing renovation and standby ambulances being provided across local government areas.

He added that ongoing development projects were deliberately spread across all local councils to promote balanced growth statewide.

The governor also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the revalidation of Ondo State’s deep seaport licence, explaining that the earlier registration contained errors that failed to properly reflect the state’s identity.

Earlier, the APC Chairman in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, who was represented by the party’s Vice Chairman, Atili Agabra, said the meeting provided an avenue for party members to directly engage with the governor.

He commended the state government for employing youths across various ministries, departments and agencies, describing the administration’s engagement with different party organs as unprecedented.

Also speaking, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaac Kekemeke, reaffirmed that Aiyedatiwa remains the party’s leader in Ondo State.

While acknowledging the presence of other influential party figures, Kekemeke said the governor is the principal mobiliser for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition in the state.

He added that the President has confidence in APC governors nationwide, describing Aiyedatiwa as a strong loyalist and key campaign figure for Tinubu in Ondo.

Kekemeke observed that most criticisms of the government were coming from within the party, noting that opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party no longer pose significant threats in the state.

He urged the governor to continue accommodating diverse interests within the APC and to lead efforts to maintain unity ahead of future political contests.

A former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has said that President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have made the African Democratic Congress, ADC’s dream of ascending political power in 2027 come to pass.

He said that Atiku’s formal move to the ADC is a catalyst that will galvanize massive support from Nigerians in a bid to remove Tinubu and his administration from office through the ballot.

According to Eze, who is a chieftain of the APC, Tinubu and his political leaders have made Nigeria a laughing stock before the international community, adding that the time had come for Nigerians to heave a sigh of relief.

“With this timely, bold and audacious move, the game has started and the battle to rescue Nigeria from the shackles of bad democratic governance and clueless government just begun.

“I am very convinced that Atiku will bring to bear his wide connection, political sagacity, leadership acumen and experience to bear on the new party.

“Now that Atiku has finally joined the ADC, and with Amaechi bringing his winning streak as two-time Campaign Director General of the Muhammad Buhari Campaign Organization in 2015 and 2019 Presidential Elections, the coast is now clear for a new Nigeria,” Eze stated.

“Tinubu has made the enthronement of ADC in 2027 come to fruition considering the level of poverty and his unpreparedness to handle the security challenges facing this country head on,” he added.

Eze, who is yet to join the ADC, however, assured that sooner or later, he will join other progressives that are on the verge of rescuing the country.

He appealed to Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai etc, as well as all supporters of Atiku and all those committed to reclaiming and rebuilding Nigeria to work with unity of purpose in a bid to oust Tinubu from office in 2027.

Eze commended former Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Bindow, Senator Aisha Binani, Senator Abdullazeez Nyako,  Senator Ahmed Barata, Senator Ishaku Abbo, and other Adamawa illustrious sons and daughters who have united under ADC.

He, however, appealed to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi not to be deceived by those advising him to abandon ADC and contest the 2027 Presidential election under the Labour Party or any other political party.

He warned that by so doing, Obi will “be paving way for Tinubu to continue with his maladministration after 2027.”

The President of women in politics forum, Ebere Ifendu, has described as very embarrassing the gale of defections of Nigerian governors into the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST on Thursday, Ifendu raised the alarm that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat.

She was reacting to the gale of defections by some state governors from their own political parties into the APC.

DAILY POST reports that the governors of Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states have all defected to the ruling party.

Reacting, Ifendu said, “It’s an embarrassing situation if I must be honest with you. In politics, we expect that political parties have different ideologies. It’s either you’re a socialist political party like you find in the Labour Party or you are a conservative political party. There must be an ideology.

“And so when you see these people move from one party to the other, you begin to wonder, is it that political parties in Nigeria are not built with ideology? Because when we vote for a political party, we vote based on those things that we believe that the political party is presenting before us.

“And I think that democracy in Nigeria is threatened because people no longer believe in the people they have voted for.

“Let me also say here that a candidate of a political party is carrying the mandate of the party, and not the person’s personal mandate, and so you get elected based on what your party presented, and then you just dump that party to go to another political party. Are we turning to a one party state in Nigeria?

“If there is no opposition, then there is no democracy. So I think it’s very wrong seeing what is happening in Nigeria today.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed claims that he is sidelining members of the State House of Assembly or loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking in Ahoada West during the commissioning of the Ahoda–Omoku Road extension, Fubara said reports suggesting he had shut out some political stakeholders were false.

He explained that his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was strictly for state matters.

“There is this insinuation going around.

“I went to see the President a few days ago, but it was purely for state interest.

I have no disagreement with members of the National Assembly or with our state lawmakers,” he said.

Fubara said he had made efforts to meet with the lawmakers but was waiting for party leaders to convene the agreed reconciliation meeting.

“It was agreed that the minister, our leader, would arrange the meeting. Up till now, it has not been fixed,” he said.

He described claims that he refused to meet the lawmakers as untrue, adding that he had no reason to exclude any stakeholder.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Nigerians to blame governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for any misfortune that may befall the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The party made this declaration via a statement made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians have been attributing the misfortunes in the PDP to Tinubu.

APC has, however, said that Nigerians should not blame Tinubu for the challenges facing the party.

The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Wasiu Olawale Sadare noted that Governor Makinde of Oyo State and his colleagues should be held responsible for the misfortunes in PDP.

Sadare in the statement noted that Makinde has ruined the PDP.

He said, “Rather than look inward for solutions, supposed elders and leaders within the PDP left everything to chance and paved the way for the likes of Gov. Makinde to take over the affairs of their party.

“Because he lacked capacity, experience and other traits required to lead a national party, Gov. Makinde emerged the final nemesis which consumed the PDP as he is now the only governor belonging to the umbrella party in the whole of Southern Nigeria with only three or four left in the North.

“As a matter of fact, Gov. Makinde cannot deliver the PDP from its current comatose condition.

“If virtually all his governor colleagues can leave the party for him, questions should be asked about his mission and vision for the PDP while President Tinubu should be allowed to focus on his job as the president of the country”.

Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Iyiola Omisore, has described as a joke and embarrassment their disqualification from the Osun APC primary election.

Omisore made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST.

The former lawmaker said that there is a limit to what a party can do in candidate disqualification, adding that the Electoral Act says nomination of a candidate is not the prerogative of any party.

DAILY POST reports that the APC Screening Committee had disqualified Omisore and six other aspirants from participating in the December 13 governorship primary over alleged irregularities in their nomination documents.

Those barred from the race with him include Babatunde Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Reacting, Omisore said, “In Osun State, we lost election in 2022. After the loss, we did a post mortem how we lost election led by the former Minister of Health, Isaac Adewale.

“The report was submitted and pointed at the fact that the then governor Gboyega Oyetola made us to lose election. And the report said that there are three or four of his cabinet members who aided the loss.

“So it became a problem for the state all over. So that is why we now believe that way further, we should do a thorough primaries. Unfortunately, former governor Oyetola is now sponsoring one of those aiders of the election losses.

“So the entire state leadership is against his position, and he started to impose the candidate on the state. And I want to really explain that I don’t want you to drag President Bola Tinubu to this matter.

“The President is a leader of the country. He has done well for everybody. He has fair to all concerned.

“So in a bit of it as a mixture and confusion about it, we want to win election 2026 so we cannot go the same way, the same route we went to lose election in 2022.”