For many, it was not a shocking move but for others, it was, however, the hottest gist in Nigeria’s political circle right now is that of Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode formally dumping the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
FFK, as he is widely known, served as the country’s Minister of Aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and was a staunch member of the PDP before his latest defection. What is more surprising, however, is the fact that Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode had been one of the strongest critics of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Following his defection, the former minister met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Aso Villa in the company of the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
Speaking to correspondents in the State House after presenting FFK to Mr President, Buni said the President was happy with the defection of the former minister as he described it as a welcome development. He said:
“We are here to present our newest member of the party, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode to the President and leader of the party. He is the newest member of APC and we just received him in appreciation and understanding of the President’s vision and magnanimity.
“The President received him very well. The President is a leader who shares his vision and looks toward greater Nigeria, so he received him very well and commended his courage.”
Revealing why he left the opposition party, Mr. Femi said it was an instruction from God. He said his decision was solely based on the directions of the Spirit of God who has instructed him to join the APC for the unity and stability of the country.
“The point is that I felt it was time to do the right thing, to put Nigeria first and appreciate the efforts that have been made, particularly in the last couple of years in terms of security; fighting insurgency and terrorism.
“It is not always negative and when the time is right, we change direction to join forces and join hands to move the country forward.
“Doing this doesn’t mean we are enemies to anybody. Even if we are in another party, the PDP or any other party or group, we can still work together across party, regional, ethnic or religious lines.”
He has also revealed that the APC he is joining today is very much different than the one he has criticized in the past. Talking to Channels TV, he said the current set-up of the APC is “forward-thinking, and accommodating.”
He also denied claims that he defected to the APC for financial reasons.
“I find that very insulting whether it is coming from your or my critics, I am not the first person that would decamp to the APC, have you asked others this same question?”
Reacting to the defection, Engr. Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State has responded to claims that the former Minister of Aviation was instrumental in his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor labeled the claim ‘a lie from the pit of hell’ and called FFK a liar for insinuating such. Speaking on Channels TV Sunrise Daily, Umahi said:
“For someone to come and say that a whole Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, that he was instrumental to my movement from PDP to APC is an insult on my person, and with all due respect, he has to withdraw that statement.
“He remains my friend and a good one for that matter, but he played no role in my movement and I am sure he didn’t play any role in the movement of the rest of us.”
In other news, Senator Shehu Sani has officially defected from the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the move had been in the pipelines for a while now and he recently invited all the 23 local government chairmen of the PDP in Kaduna State to his residence where he met then to discuss his transition and the 2023 general elections.
Odumodublvck drops 23-track Industry Machine album
Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has officially dropped his highly anticipated 23-track album, Industry Machine, featuring powerhouse collaborations with Wizkid, Davido, Skepta, Seun Kuti, and several others. Produced by Telz and P.Priime, the project seamlessly fuses hip-hop and Afrobeats, underscoring Odumodublvck’s versatility and bold sonic direction. Within hours of its release, the album soared to No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, signaling both widespread acclaim and the rapper’s growing dominance in the music industry.
Among the standout tracks, “Big Time” featuring Wizkid debuted at No. 9 on Apple Music’s Top Songs chart, earning praise for its infectious rhythm, Wizkid’s captivating verse, and Odumodublvck’s sharp lyricism. Fans and critics alike have hailed Industry Machine as a defining moment in Nigerian music, celebrating its high production value and collaborative depth. Speaking on the project, Odumodublvck described it as “a celebration of creativity, hustle, and the evolution of the industry,” cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most innovative and influential rap voices.
For a while now, followers of Nigerian music have been keenly aware of the concept of the ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE.’ The swaggering phrase has been an integral part of the digital vocabulary of Nigerian rapper and singer, ODUMODUBLVCK, hinting at the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2023 mixtape, ‘EZIOKWU’, which spawned several hit tracks and established his reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest Hip-Hop acts.
In the two years since ‘EZIOKWU,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has only grown more unstoppable, racing to the top of charts in Nigeria on multiple occasions while showcasing the full breadth of his amorphous Okporoko sound on songs like “100 Million” and “NOT ALL THAT” as well as on collabs like “JUJU,” “Funds,” and “Flako.”
Seven months after the surprise drop of ‘THE MACHINE IS COMING,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has finally released ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ bringing a thrilling conclusion to months of anticipation with a blockbuster 23-track release that runs through the full gamut of the Abuja rapper’s fascination and beliefs across a variety of soundscapes.
Throughout ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ ODUMODUBLCK glides between euphoric party starters (“BANZA BOY, “VINICIUS,” and “GROOVING”) and gritty Rap joints (“UNAWARE,” “IF YOU LIKE GYM,” and “LAYI WASABI.”). At different turns, he reveals a new layer to his work without losing touch with the uniquely Abuja perspective that broke him through.
#SpotlightAfricaThrowBackSeries Ado-Ekiti Indigenes Celebrate the Life and Times of Late Chief Ogunremi
Ado-Ekiti witnessed an outpouring of tributes as family, friends, and dignitaries gathered to honour the life of High Chief Oluwasesan Ogunremi, the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti and a respected leader of the traditional warlord chiefs in the kingdom.
The funeral began with a Christian wake and service of songs at the open grounds of St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti, before proceeding to the deceased’s compound in the Idolofin axis of the town for the main service. The ceremony, attended by top figures from within and outside Ekiti, featured prayers, thanksgiving, and eulogies in recognition of the late chief’s contributions to his community.
Following the service, Chief Ogunremi’s remains were interred at his residence, accompanied by hymns and tributes from relatives and well-wishers.
A reception later took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, where guests—including family members who travelled from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany—were entertained with a lavish banquet. The event featured a performance by renowned gospel and highlife singer Evangelist Yinka Ayefele, while veteran emcee Olushola Oladele, popularly known as Pa Aristoe, anchored the proceedings.
The gathering attracted prominent personalities such as Mr. Babatope Adebiyi (King Jafil), Mr. Goke Olatunji, Regent Omotunde Adelabu, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, members of the Ewi-in-Council, lawmakers, politicians, business leaders, and artisans.
Born on February 7, 1929, to Mr. Williams Akomolafe Ogunremi and Princess Abigail Ogunremi in Ado-Ekiti, Chief Ogunremi began his education at St. George’s Primary School, Agere, before moving to Lagos for electrical training. He later founded the well-known Micho Electronics and worked with business figures such as Chief Lawrence Omole and Chief Ajanaku in Ilesha.
He married his first wife in Ilesha, where the ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 1970, he returned to Ado-Ekiti and established Micho Motors, expanding his business interests into the automobile sector. His ventures took him across Europe, including Austria, Brussels, Italy, and Germany.
In July 1988, he was installed as the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti by Oba George Adelabu, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. He became widely known for hosting the Udiroko Festival at his Okeilaja palace, a major cultural event that drew indigenes and chiefs before culminating in celebrations at the Ewi’s Palace. He later served as commissioner of the Ekiti State Electricity Board during the administration of Governor Adeniyi Adebayo.
Until his passing, Chief Ogunremi remained an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti. He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Fresh reaction emerges over Saraki’s peace move amid PDP crisis
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance group has praised the reconciliation efforts of the committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, describing the intervention as pivotal in preventing the party from collapsing under internal disputes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 28, Bashir Sulaiman, convener of the group, commended both Saraki’s Reconciliation and Strategy Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum under Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for “restoring peace where many expected chaos.”
“I am very impressed by what Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, and PDP Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, have done to get the PDP back on track,” Sulaiman said.
“They were tasked with resolving disputes and preparing the party for its convention, and they have delivered with precision and dedication.
The PDP has been in turmoil since the 2023 general election, with key figures such as Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Setonji Koshoedo, and Sam Anyanwu embroiled in a tussle for the National Secretary position.
According to Sulaiman, Saraki’s intervention was instrumental in ensuring that the long-standing dispute was finally resolved in favour of Anyanwu.
“Many had predicted that the PDP would collapse under the weight of its internal disagreements. Yet, thanks to Dr. Saraki, his Reconciliation Committee, and the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the party has defied those expectations,” Sulaiman noted.
“The 100th, 101st, and 102nd NEC meetings were conducted without rancour, and lingering disputes have been amicably settled.”
With preparations for the party’s convention and zoning framework now underway, the PDP Renaissance group believes the opposition is on course to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The party is now better positioned to take power back from a government that does not care about the needs of the people,” Sulaiman said.
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