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Rowdy session in Senate as 9 out of 10 Senators defect to ADC …Red Chamber rejects Abaribe’s defection letter …compels him to produce sack letter from APGA

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Senate in session in the chamber

By George Mgbeleke

The Nigerian Senate was on Thursday engulfed in heated argument following the rejection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s defection to the African Democratic Congress, (ADC )from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) along with eight other Senators that dumped the original political parties for ADC.

The decampees Senators to ADC)are( 1),Former governor of Sokoto state,Senator Waziri Aminu Tambuwa (PDP Sokoto South ,(2) Sen.Enyinnaya Abaribe ( APGA Abia-South),(3)Sen Victor Umeh (LP Anambra Central),(4) Sen Tony Nwoye (LP Anambra North),(5) Sen Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (PDP Nasarawa South)

Others include(6) Sen.Akor Bundu ( PDP Abia Central),(7) Sen. Usman Lawal Adamu,( PDP Kaduna Central(8) Sen Ireti Kingibe ( LP FCT),(9)
Binas Dauda Yaroe ( PDP Adamawa North East)

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Dickson Seriaka representing PDP Bayelsa West defected to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

Apparently latching on the lacuna , the Senate leadership , took up Abaribe on why the afore stated section should not be invoked against him and invariably declaring his seat ( Abia South ) , vacant .

Specifically as directed by the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio, his Deputy , Senator Barau Jibrin ( Kano North ) , rose through order 20 of the Senate’s standing rule to puncture Abaribe’s defection from APGA which according to him , has no division or crisis at the National level .

” Mr President as directed by you , I ‘ve gone through the letters forwarded to you and read by you on defections of the Nine Senators from some minority parties into ADC but strongly observed that one of the parties ( APGA) where Abaribe defected from , is not engulfed by any crisis or divisions , particularly at the National level .

” Abaribe’s defection , as clearly stated in section 68 ( 1b and g ) of the 1999 constitution as amended , is clearly against the provisions of the law and warrants you to do the needful as far as Abia South Senatorial seat is concerned “, he said.

” The section states : (1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if – (a) he becomes a member of another legislative house.

(b) any other circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election as a member;

(g) If he/ she defects from the political party that sponsored him for the election without the party having divisions . ”

The President of the Senate accordingly called on Abaribe to respond to observation made against his defection .

Abaribe in his response tacitly admitted that APGA is not divided but disclosed that the party sacked him as a member since September 2025 and that since one must belong to a political party to be in the Senate , he decided to defect to APC .

Apparently dissatisfied with Abaribe’s response , the leader of the Senate , Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele ( Ekiti Central) , in his submission , said the purported sacking of Abaribe from APGA in September last year , is even enough ground for his seat to be declared vacant as stated in section 68 ( 1b ) of the 1999 constitution

Consequently the President of the Senate in his ruling , gave Abaribe one week to either withdraw his letter of defection or come with convincing reason

Meanwhile , Senator Seriake Dickson ( Bayelsa West) , who founded and defected to Nigeria Democratic Party ( NDC ) last week from PDP , officialized it Thursday through a letter read on his behalf by the Akpabio .

The gale of defections has made ADC to be the main opposition in the Senate now with 9 Senators , depleting PDP to 7, while APGA remains 1, NNPP 1, and NDC 1 , which when added to 87 Senators controlled by APC now , totals 106 .

Three seata i e , Nasarawa North , Enugu North and Rivers South East are vacant due deaths of the affected Senators .

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Politics

ADC Verdict: A Defining Moment for Unity and Democratic Stability

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By HallowMace Foundation Africa

At HallowMace, we view the recent judgment delivered by the Supreme Court as more than just a legal resolution, it is a critical intervention that has preserved the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process and averted a looming political crisis in Nigeria.

From our standpoint as a platform committed to democratic values, good governance, accountability, and Parliamentary advocacy, this ruling stands as a powerful reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role as the ultimate stabilizer in moments of political uncertainty.

At a time when internal divisions within the ADC had reached a boiling point, threatening both party cohesion and broader democratic confidence, the Supreme Court stepped in with clarity, authority, and finality.

This is what a functioning democracy should look like.

Beyond Judgment: The Burden of Leadership.

However, while the court has provided a pathway forward, the responsibility of consolidation now rests squarely on the shoulders of political leadership. At HallowMace, we strongly urge the party’s executive leadership under David Mark to recognize the weight of this moment and act decisively.

This is not a time for quiet celebration, it is a time for deliberate reconciliation.

The fractures within the ADC, though significant, are not beyond repair. What is required now is intentional bridge-building: engaging aggrieved factions, fostering open dialogue, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusivity.

A reconciliatory framework anchored on trust, fairness, and collective interest must be urgently established.

Anything short of this risks undermining the very relief that this judgment has provided.

2027 in Focus: Unity as Strategy, Not Slogan.

Looking ahead, the 2027 general elections are no longer distant, they are approaching with increasing political momentum. For the ADC, this ruling offers a rare opportunity to reset, reorganize, and reposition.

But let’s be clear, electoral success will not be built on legal victories alone.

At HallowMace, we believe that unity must move beyond rhetoric and become a strategic foundation. A divided party cannot inspire national confidence, nor can it effectively challenge entrenched political structures. If the ADC is to emerge as a credible force, it must first put its internal house in order.

This means strengthening grassroots structures, harmonizing leadership interests, and articulating a clear, people-centered vision that resonates with Nigerians across all demographics.

A Moment That Must Not Be Wasted.

This is a defining moment not just for the ADC, but for Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. The Supreme Court has done its part in safeguarding constitutional order. What follows now will determine whether this intervention translates into lasting political progress or becomes yet another missed opportunity.

At HallowMace, we maintain that history often remembers not just the crises a system faces, but how its leaders respond in moments of resolution.

The path forward is clear: unity, responsibility, and strategic action.

Nigeria is watching.

The world is watching.

Amb. Anderson Osiebe
Executive Director
HallowMace Foundation Africa

God bless Nigeria!

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Politics

Unaccounted N210trillion : Kyari , Ajia , Wunti reach out to Senate Panel ….Threatens Ojulari again with Warrant of Arrest

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By George Mgbeleke

Having failed severally to appear before Senate Committee on Public Accounts for explanations on yet to be accounted N210trillion in the audit reports of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL), from 2017 to 2023, its immediate past management , reached out to the committee on Wednesday.

The Committee led by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed ( Nasarawa West), however , threatened to issue warrant of arrest against the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari , if he fails to appear before it on May 13, 2026 , rescheduled for another investigative session with the affected officers .

At the session on Wednesday, the immediate past Chief Finance Officer of NNPCL, Umar Ajia was physically present and handed copies of the audit reports containing queries on the unaccounted N210trillion after being put on oath .

Though the immediate past GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer , Bala Wunti , did not attend the session physically but reach out to the committee on phone about their readiness to appear before it .

Kyari as disclosed by the Committee Chairman , called him before the session while Wunti called Senator Abdul Ningi ( Bauchi Central) , that he would surely make himself available at next sitting of the committee .

Earlier at the commencement of the Session , the Chairman of the committee frowned at the letter written to the committee by current GCEO of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari used to explain his absence .

He pointedly told the Chief Relations Officer , Morenike Adewumi who signed the letter dated 29th April 2026 , the very day of the session that , if Ojulari fails to appear on 13th of next month before the committee by 3:00pm, warrant of arrest would be issued against him .

” Ojulari must appear before this committee at the next session , failure which will lead to his being brought before us by force “, he said .

Also expressing his displeasure on repeated failure of Ojulari to appear before the committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North ) said it was totally disrespectful for the NNPC GCEO to present a letter signed by his subordinate for explanation on his physical absence at the session .

” What cannot be explained must be deemed to have been stolen . It is totally disrespectful for the NNPCL GCEO , to send a letter signed by his subordinate to this committee for explanation on wilful absence .

” He needs to be put to where he belongs because If there is no Nigeria , there can be NNPCL , let alone its GCEO”, he thundered .

The committee consequently sent the Chief Relations Officer, Morenike Adewumi and Financial Controller , Tajudeen Kareem to Ojulari on the need for him to appear before it unfailingly on the 13th of next month .

It also directed the two officials to make available, copies of Audit reports of NNPCL to Kyari and Wunti before the next session .

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Politics

INEC Erred in presenting an Expelled member as Our National Chairman-SDP ..Says Dr Gombe remains Our National Chairman -Rolls out 2027 Election Guidelines

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By George Mgbeleke

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for uploading from its website the name of its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam as the party’s National Chairman, categorically noting that Dr Abubakar Sadiq Gombe remains SDP authentic National Chairman.

Making this declaration at a Press conference held at the party’s National Secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja, National Chairman, Dr Abubakar Sadiq Gombe said INEC presumably erred in uploading the name of his predecessor,Shehu Musa Gabam who was expelled by the highest organ of the party NEC based on gross financial misappropriation and malfeasance.

He said,”As a matter of fact, Shehu Musa Gabam is no longer a member of the Social Democratic Party, having been duly expelled from the SDP, and the expulsion was formally ratified by the NEC of the party on March 9, 2026, having being earlier suspended on 24 June 2025, for gross financial misappropriation and malfeasance, investigated by a duly constituted Panel of Enquiry, and found guilty and reported to the Police.

“He was later expelled from the Party on 23 October 2025, and his expulsion was ratified by the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its meeting of 9 March 2026, which was monitored by INEC Team.

“The SDP will not join issues with an expelled member, more so, considering that Shehu Musa Gabam is facing criminal proceedings for his misappropriation of our party’s funds and for gross abuse of office.

On the preparation for 2027 election, the Chairman declared the party guidelines for the 2027 general elections, saying “we are starting Our Congresses from the 1st day of May to 5th starting with the Ward Congresses,state Congresses, Zonal and rounding it up with National Convention which is going to take place on the 9th of May at Abauchi state.

The party he said will sale forms for governorship, State Assemblies,House of Representatives and Senate and lastly Presidential election.

On the resolution of the opposition parties to present a common presidential candidate to contest the 2027 election, Dr Gombe said SDP will present it own presidential candidate independently, noting that has taken that decision and is working for its realization.

“The party is set to go into the 2027 general elections noting that the party has been busy with preparations for 2027 elections. We will not be distracted by whatever. We are focused, our eyes are on the ball and nothing more.

He noted that internal issues of political parties should be the responsibility of the party to take care off. “Parties should be allowed to handle its internal affairs and we are fully incharge of our internal affairs.We are set and not distracted.”
Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Nasarawa State who doubled as former Minister of Information, Ibrahim Maku who came into the venue of the Press Conference identified himself as a member of the party congratulated the leadership of the party for standing tall despite all distractions.
He assured the leadership that Nasarawa State will embrace the party enmass and give it all support in the girthcoming general elections.

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