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Defection: South-East Governors May Defect To APC And Here Is Why

APC National Convention

As the country prepares for the 2023 general elections, there are concerns that we may have only one party at the polls without strong opposition. This concern is fuelled by the defections that have seen prominent politicians cross-carpet from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

From the National Assembly to the various State Houses of Assembly, there has been movement from the opposition PDP to the ruling APC. Only recently, the governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, who was elected on the platform of the PDP switched to the APC – and was welcomed with so much fanfare.

In May 2021, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, formerly of PDP also defected. And now there are reports that PDP governors in the South-East have decided to switch camps too.

According to Daily Indepen­dent, governors from the South-Eastern part of the country who belong to other parties have come to an agreement to join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) so that the region will not be left out in the scheme of things.

Of all the five states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo) that make up the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, only Imo and Ebonyi states are of the ruling party APC, with Ebonyi state, having joined the party in November 2020, when its governor, Engr. Dave Umahi decamped from the nation’s opposition party, PDP.

Abia and Enugu states with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi respectively have remained in the opposition party – PDP – while Anambra state is ruled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with Governor Willie Obiano at the helm.

South-East Governors

South-East Governors

Be that as it may, plans have already been reached by all governors to position the region to attract benefits from the center by aligning under the leadership of the ruling party.

A member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) from the South-East who spoke with Daily Inde­pendent, said the defection of the remaining South-East governors to the APC will happen sooner rather than later. He said:

“Governor Ikpeazu is al­most 80 percent out of the PDP. Ugwuanyi is also on his way out and we are patiently waiting for the direction the Anambra governorship elec­tion will take. With the crisis in APGA, I won’t be surprised if Willie Obiano declares for APC tomorrow.

“I know the South-East governors have always com­plained that APC has done more for them in less than six years than what PDP did in 16 years. And they have also decided to join the party in bloc so as to attract more developments to the region in all the five states.” 

Although the above is the reason they have given for their decision, it has been discovered that there are more personal reasons for the decision to abandon the PDP family at this time, after all, politics, they say, is a game of interest.

Read More: I Won’t Support President Jonathan If APC Field Him In 2023 – Wike

For Enugu, the personal issues and power play between the Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Deputy Senate President, Sena­tor Ike Ekweremadu, who is of the PDP and seeks to replace the incumbent governor in 2023 is the major reason for the decision.

While Governor Ugwuanyi would want to push his own anointed candidate into power as his successor, Senator Ekewremadu, who wields so much power in the State’s PDP is also eyeing the governorship seat come 2023. So moving to the ruling party seems to be the only card on the table for the Enugu state governor.

The case of Abia state seems to be a concluded issue already despite the issues between the incumbent governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and former governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. The decision on who becomes the party leader in the state (a position currently held by the latter) when the governor eventually decamps is the only thing holding an announcement from being made.

However, according to Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, who is also a member of the APC Caretak­er Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, “Abia State governor will formally be received into our party any moment from now.”

In Anambra, the crisis rocking APGA has made it almost clear that the party is losing the state in the next governorship elections. APC at the moment remains the surest party to take over the state, come November 6 and so aligning with the ruling party for Willie Obiano seems like the most logical thing to do if he intends to remain relevant in politics after he leaves office.

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Entertainment

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.

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Lifestyle

#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.

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News

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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