The Forum of All Progressives Congress State Chairmen, on Tuesday, passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The delegation of 37 state chairmen gave the endorsement during a solidarity visit to the secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The embattled national chairman opened up on his purported suspension by his ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, saying the drama looked like a flick from the popular entertainment channel, Africa Magic.

Theheute last week reported how the ward’s Legal Adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, led some party leaders to pronounce the former Kano governor’s suspension.

Gwanjo, who hinged the purported suspension on the alleged bribery case brought against Ganduje and his wife, said the decision was taken by nine executive members of the APC ward.

In a twist, however, Gwanjo and other executive members in Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Ward Local Government visited Ganduje in Abuja, alleging that impostors carried out the suspension move.

The purported suspension move was quickly followed up with a Kano High Court order on Wednesday, restraining Ganduje from parading himself as the APC national chairman.

Despite spirited efforts to abort the move by the Kano APC, which immediately suspended the ward executive members for their roles, the new court injunction proved to be a stumbling block.

The court order was, however, put on hold when the embattled national chairman secured another injunction from the Federal High Court presided over by Justice A.M. Liman.

The ruling was given after Ganduje filed an ex parte motion, seeking to enforce his fundamental right to a fair hearing.

Addressing the audience on Tuesday, the acting chairman of the forum and Lagos APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, said they were solidly behind Ganduje and would defend him against external aggression.

He said, “We are here this afternoon on just one mission. Chairman, we are here to let you know that you’re the captain of the ship.

“We are here to let you know that we are also your foot soldiers in the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and FCT.

“We are here to show our solidarity and sincere commitment to appreciate what members of the National Working Committee have been doing in standing by you, by giving you total support.

“We feel it’s important that the act of that solidarity should not be limited to members of the NWC alone. Today, we bring the solidarities from the 36 states of the federation, including FCT, to tell members of the public through the media that we’re solidly behind you.

“You have started the journey, a journey of growing our party, a journey of expanding our party, a journey of restructuring our party and a journey of making our party the one all will love. And we’re pretty sure that you’re on course.

“You kept on briefing us on every step you are taking and from what we have seen, they (alleged impostors) are not even members of our party. They are coming to derail the process of progression we are witnessing in our party. It is not in our dictionary.

“Mr Chairman, on behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank you for providing leadership and God Almighty will continue to be with you.”

Appreciating the gesture, the APC national chairman fingered the New Nigeria People’s Party and Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, as the brain behind his purported suspension.

According to Ganduje, the whole drama looked like ‘African magic’ to him.

The immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has resigned his membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ihedioha announced his resignation in a letter signed and dated 23th April, 2024, and sent to the PDP chairman of his ward in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise.

Ihedioha who is also a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives said he decided to leave PDP because “the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs.”

He added that PDP longer “carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.”

His letter reads:

“Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members. All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting from the party at various levels.

“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. While this decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria”

The Edo State chapter of Labour Party (LP), has rejected the final list of candidates for the 21 September governorship in the state, released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the list published by INEC, Oluyinka Faith Alufohai is listed as the deputy governorship candidate of the party, instead of Alhaji Asamah Yusuf Kadiri (SAN).

It would be recalled that LP’s candidate for the election, Olumide Akpata, had earlier dropped Oluyinka Faith Alufohai for Alhaji Asamah Yusuf Kadiri, as his running mate.

The State chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi, in a statement on Monday, appealed to the party members not to be disturbed by the development.

He, however, absolved the electoral umpire of what he described as “simply a technical error.”

Ogbaloi noted that the state chapter of the party actually submitted the name of Alhaji Kadiri as its deputy governorship candidate, but was wrongly substituted at the national headquarters of the party due to “technical glitch”.

According to him, “Our team followed all necessary procedures and submitted Alhaji Kadiri’s name and credentials as the deputy governorship candidate, well within INEC’s stipulated window.

“Unfortunately, a technical glitch occurred at the end of the national headquarters of our party during the submission process, resulting in the incorrect name appearing on the final list.

“We are currently actively engaged with INEC officials to rectify this issue immediately and our team has provided all requisite documentation demonstrating Alhaji Kadiri’s valid nomination. We have been following-up with INEC diligently, to ensure it updates its candidate list with the accurate information.

“We recognise the anxiety this error may cause, but urge our supporters to remain calm and steadfast in their commitment to our party’s vision.

“Your unwavering support and activism have been invaluable thus far, and we need you to continue spreading awareness of our platform and championing the positive change we represent.

“The Labour Party is determined to contest the forthcoming September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship elections fairly and transparently. We should not allow this minor administrative hurdle to dampen our confidence or impede our momentum.

“Together, we shall overcome any obstacle, minor or major, as we continue our march towards restoring Edo State to its pride of place nationally.”