Politics
Kogi Mass Defection: Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello the Master Strategist
By Ben Abah
The mass defection of thousands of members from various political parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today July 5, 2025 in Kogi State has sparked widespread for Former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello’s leadership acumen. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The defection, which saw prominent figures such as Hon. Samuel Aro, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Salaudeen (Erukutu), Hon. T.J. Faniyi, and Commodore Folorunsho Daniel was Bello’s Masterstroke that boost his credentials as one of the top leaders of the Party.
Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello’s activeness in APC has borne fruit, with thousands of members defecting to the party. Bello’s role in driving this development has been instrumental, and his vision for a one-party system in Kogi State is becoming a reality.
Former Gov. Bello while Speaking at the Occasion said, “Despite the intention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to make Nigeria a one-party system, Kogi would be a one-party system.” This bold statement reflects his commitment to the party’s ideals and his determination to deliver results.
Given his efforts in bringing Kogi State to the brink of becoming a one-party system, many are now speculating that Bello deserves the national chairmanship of the APC.
His leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in strengthening the party’s presence in the state, and his influence extends beyond Kogi State.
Governor Ododo during his speech, expressed his gratitude to former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “Leaders and members of our great party, we are here today because someone has provided us the platform. On this note, I rise to appreciate His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we want to tell Mr. President that we in Kogi State are not ingrates. I am standing here to tell Mr. President that we in Kogi State, we are not hungry and we are not angry, perhaps anyone says Nigerians are hungry and angry, we are not part of them.”
While addressing the crowd, Governor Ododo also thanked the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, promising to drive his mandate of leadership with him throughout his administration. He warmly welcomed the defectors to the APC, saying, “I welcome all the decampees to the All Progressives Congress (APC).” He also promised to address security challenges in the Yagba East Local Government Area, warning indigenes and traditional rulers to desist from partnering with criminals.
The Acting APC National Chairman, Alhaji Bukar Dalori, represented by Mazu Bawa Rijau, formally welcomed the defectors to the party and handed over the party flag to the Decampees. He said, “On behalf of the National Acting Chairman of our great Party , I formally welcome you to the party.”
Bello’s contributions to the APC’s growth and development make a strong case for his candidacy for the National chairmanship. His ability to deliver results and build a strong party structure in Kogi State demonstrates his potential to lead the party at the national level.
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Politics
KOSIEC Releases Timetable for 2026 Local Government Elections
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has officially released the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2026 Local Government Council Elections in the state. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
According to the document signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, the elections are slated to hold on Saturday, October 17, 2026, across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
The Commission, in the exercise of powers conferred on it by Section 197 (1)(b) and Paragraph 3 of Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, outlined key activities leading up to the polls.
The timetable indicates that the Notice of Election was issued on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, which requires such notice to be given not later than 360 days before the election date.
The commencement of political activities is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, followed by the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising therefrom between Monday, November 10, and Sunday, December 12, 2025.
Between Monday, December 15, and Friday, December 19, 2025, political parties are expected to collect nomination forms from the Commission’s headquarters, while submission of list of candidates will take place from Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9, 2026.
The screening and publication of personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) is fixed for Friday, January 16, to Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during which the details of all aspirants will be displayed at the KOSIEC headquarters and local government offices across the state.
KOSIEC noted that all dates contained in the timetable are subject to change by the Commission as circumstances may demand, provided such adjustments remain within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the entire electoral process, assuring all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, and the electorate of a level playing field.
KOSIEC further urged political parties to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Kogi State Electoral Law in their preparations for the election, noting that compliance is key to credible outcomes.
The Commission calls on all stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society groups, and the media, to continue their partnership toward ensuring peaceful, transparent, and credible local government elections in 2026.
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Politics
Kogi Youth Group Canvas Support for Senator Sunday Karimi.
Youths under the aegis of Awareness Front International has urged the people of Kogi West Senatorial District to continue to give maximum support for the Senator representing them at the upper chamber, Senator Sunday Karimi. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Speaking during an enlarged meeting of the group in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, the President of the Group, Comrade Hamza Abdulrahman, said Senator Sunday Karimi has proven beyond doubt what quality representation means to the people.
According to him, the Senator, apart from moving quality motions for the advancement of democracy and its dividends, he has also demonstrated uncommon passion towards the welfare of all kogites.
His words, “Let me categorically tell everybody, Senate Sunday Karimi is a politician who has the fear of God. A very mature one who embraces everybody , erasing barriers enshrined in party, religion, social or cultural affiliations. He is a shining example for a true democracy we all crave as citizens.”
Abdulrahman maintained that Karimi contributions to curbing insecurity challenges through the construction of army forward base at the West, incentive to motivate community policing, loan schemes, students’ scholarship running into hundreds of millions, recognition of traditional institutions, roads and other infrastructural development can never be traded for greed and mediocrity displayed by the narrow minded individuals in the society.”
He urged the people castigating his position over the recent rally to maintain decorum emphasizing that there is a clear cut differences between an elected representatives of the people and those handpicked to serve the bidding of their principal.
His words. “Politics is all about the ultimate wills of the people and before distinguished Senator Sunday Karimi speaks, he must have embarked on thorough consultations. Modern politics is not about intimidation, the spread of ruse and display of brigandage. Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion which through logicality should be presented in a democratic settings.
“Why is he a senator if he can not come up with an idea, if he cannot express his view. Those chairmen making noise about are products of warped system where people’s wills are submerged. In actuality, that’s not good for democracy and that’s the basis for their outbursts.
The President of the Group reaffirmed his confidence in Tinubu’s led administration emphasizing that with his experience in politics, he will definitely understand the political gimmicks that was stage managed.
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Politics
2027 Election: Women Afairs Minister Seeks Maximum Women Inclusion
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at the weekend said women inclusion in governance is not optional but necessary conditions for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The Minister stated this at the national conference of League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in Abuja.
She said women advancement is imperative and central to building a stable society.
She noted that the chosen theme: “The Power of Women’s Voices and Votes: A Critical Tool for Electoral Victory,” could not have been more timely or more relevant.
She said, “The outcomes of that meeting reaffirmed a universal truth; that inclusive governance and gender equality are not
optional aspirations, but necessary conditions for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
“The advancement of women is not merely a social cause but a global imperative; central to building stable societies, strong economies, and sustainable peace”.
On what the government is doing, she said in order to advance the cause of women in Nigeria, the Federal Government established the Ministry of Women Affairs, “Nigeria took a major step by establishing the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as the National Institutional Mechanism for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and replicated the same at the State levels.
“This Ministry remains the cornerstone for coordinating national action, mainstreaming gender perspectives, and protecting
the rights and welfare of women, children, and vulnerable groups”.
She added that guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, helped the Ministry in advancing transformative reforms that place women, children, the family, and vulnerable groups at the very heart of our national renewal.
The Minister commended the leadership and members of
NILOWV for their unwavering commitment to promoting women’s civic engagement, political participation, and leadership in Nigeria.
“For nearly three decades, NILOWV has remained a formidable voice for gender equality and democracy”, she said.
The Founder of League of Women Voters of Nigeria NILOWV, Dame Dr. Esther Uduehi, in her keynote message said all Nigerian women are members of NILOWV.
“We are able to bring women from different communities together. As long as you are a woman you are part of league of women voters.
“Exclusion of women does more harm to our society, we need to always create awareness on this”.
She commended all He-for-She because without them they wouldn’t have been able to achieve much.
She also commended the National Assembly (NASS) for what they are doing for special seats for women.
The National President of NILOWV, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said the group was able to get over 1.2m signatures for the memorandum in the grassroot for special seats for women in NASS and were able to mobilise over 500,000 women for town hall meeting in Abuja.
She said the group is in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. And they have been able to show strength of numbers.
“2027 cannot be decided without the special seat bill being passed into law. That is why 2027 is critical for every Nigerian woman”, she said.
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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