Politics
GONGOLA PEOPLES FORUM LAUDS GOV. FINTIRI, CONGRATULATES NEWLY APPOINTED MONARCHS
Akpo Ojo
The Gongola Peoples Forum (GPF) has commended Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for reforming and restructuring the traditional institution in the state and giving the indigenous peoples of Gongola a true sense of self- determination and autonomy hitherto denied them for decades.
It also congratulated the newly appointed chiefs and emirs, while calling on the people of the state to come out en masse to support the appointed chiefs and emirs in the newly created chiefdoms and emirates.
General Secretary of the GPF, Chief Leonard Nzadon, in a statement on Monday, applauded the process that led to the current position that has given the people of the new chiefdoms and emirates a new lease of life.
“The action of Governor Fintiri in creating new chiefdoms and emirates and his appointment of their royal highnesses into those positions, demonstrates that our indigenous peoples through good governance have recovered their traditional and cultural rights which were usurped by alien forces through colonialism and indirect rule.
“Gov. Fintiri has charted a very popular path of freedom which is completely in tandem with the ideals of the GPF. This is why we earlier in this movement warned trouble-makers who think they are above the law to watch their steps this time around.
“We want to assure Governor Fintiri that the GPF has already mobilized the people in support of his reforms in the traditional sector to give them freedom.
“No one should be under the kind of feudal serfdom that the indigenous peoples of Gongola were subjected to during the previous dispensation which ought to have been terminated by the introduction of our constitutional democracy a long time ago.
“It is for this reason that the courage demonstrated by Governor Fintiri needs to be supported and appreciated by all. Those who think Governor Fintiri is against a particular group in the state are not only wrong but clearly being mischievous.
“We in the GPF believe that the governor has helped the party that benefitted by the dismantled system by doing what they ought to have willingly surrendered decades ago. Their holding onto and lording it over the majority indigenous peoples actually gave them a very bad image as an oppressive minority!
“The GPF therefore, wishes to state unequivocally that our support for Governor Fintiri’s action in this matter is irrevocable and any attempt to reverse this will be met with the combined resistance of all our ethnic nationalities.
“No one is willing to remain under feudalism any more. The days of empires are over. Democracy has made us free and our people have embraced this with great enthusiasm and gratitude to God and to Governor Fintiri.
“The GPF once more congratulates all the appointed chiefs and emirs. GPF wants to assure your royal highnesses that we stand by you and the people you are to rule over. We advise that in your service to the people, rule with honour, dignity and integrity. Do not disappoint your people and the appointing authorities so that we can make quick and good progress in the renewed hope we all have,” the forum said.
Politics
2027 Shake-Up: Kogi Governor Allegedly Double-Dealing, Campaigns for Opposition in Mopamuro
In a development sending shockwaves through Kogi State politics, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has been accused of orchestrating support for opposition candidates, raising fresh questions about his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to an APC chieftain in Mopamuro Local Government Area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the governor directed his political appointees led by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo to campaign for ADC’s Hon. Leke Abejide in his bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
Eyewitnesses said the rally saw appointees don T-shirts and caps celebrating APC achievements but without any party logos, creating confusion about their political stance.
Many APC faithful reportedly resisted participating, with some sustaining minor injuries after falling off vehicles during the walk.
Following the event, appointees from Mopamuro were allegedly summoned to a meeting where they were given an ultimatum: support the ADC candidate or resign.
The insider claimed this move undermines the rotational arrangement in Yagba Federal Constituency, where Mopamuro is expected to produce the next representative.
“It is astonishing that a sitting governor would order his own appointees to campaign for a candidate of another party,” the source said. “It smacks of double-dealing and raises serious questions about his political intentions.”
Attempts to reach Governor Ododo and Commissioner Fanwo for comment were unsuccessful.
Political analysts warn that if these claims are substantiated, they could spark internal crises within APC and reshape the electoral landscape in Kogi State ahead of 2027.
The Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has distanced itself from a lawsuit currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that it neither authorised nor endorsed the legal action.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the party’s state leadership clarified that the suit, reportedly filed on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees nationwide, does not represent the position of the Lagos chapter.
State Chairman Gbenga Asiru said the chapter was not consulted prior to the filing of the case and did not grant approval to any individual or group to act on its behalf.
“The action represents the personal position of the named plaintiffs and does not reflect the stance of ADC Lagos State,” the statement read.
The chapter reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, the rule of law, and unity within the party, stressing that while individuals have the right to seek judicial interpretation, such actions must not be portrayed as collective decisions.
ADC Lagos added that it remains focused on strengthening its internal structures and advancing the interests of its members and supporters.
The Labour Party (LP) has scheduled May 23, 2026, for its presidential primaries as part of early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the timetable approved by NEC, the party will submit its membership register on April 15, while primaries for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly positions are slated for May 15.
The council also ratified actions taken by the party’s leadership under Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwochocha. These include the conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled for March 26, 28, and 31, respectively, as well as the national convention fixed for April 11.
NEC reviewed recent developments within the party, particularly the invasion of its national secretariat by suspected hoodlums, allegedly backed by “rogue elements,” describing the incident as a grave violation of party order.
“Following a detailed review of the report and recommendations of the Peace, Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee,” the communiqué stated, “NEC exercised its disciplinary authority and approved the suspension of members involved in acts of indiscipline, anti-party activities, and complicity in the desecration of the party’s national secretariat.”
The party further disclosed plans to expand its membership register through a hybrid system that combines digital and manual processes. It noted that the initiative is aimed at modernising its database, strengthening internal democracy, and improving transparency and efficiency in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
To maintain continuity, NEC resolved that all existing vacancies within party structures would be filled through interim appointments. It added that such positions would be occupied in an acting capacity pending the conduct of substantive congresses.
The council also urged members to adopt internal dispute resolution mechanisms to safeguard unity as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.