Politics

Now conservative Canadian province is looking to secede from its liberal-leaning neighbors

Published

12 months ago

May 23, 2025

Aconservative Canadian province plans to secede from its liberal-learning neighbors, and some residents are even open to becoming the 51st American state.

Alberta, a western province known for its oil and gas resources, has just about had it with the overwhelmingly liberal country – especially since a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, took office.

The area, often referred to as ‘Canada’s Texas’because of its political views and oil industry, is home to a small batch of conservatives who have recently gained momentum amidst Trump’s controversial call for the US to take over Canada.

Despite Carney being from Alberta, he plans to continue on the same path as his predecessor Justin Trudeau and not allow the US leader to take control of the country or allow provinces to separate.

But now that the liberal movement continues in Canada, many of Alberta’s about five million residents feel that they are different enough from the rest of the country to branch off on their own.

‘If there was a referendum on it, I would not hesitate to say separation,’ Bob Gablehaus, a local resident and retired government worker, told The New York Times.

‘I don’t like the way the liberals treat Western Canada. I think it’s unfair,’ he added.

Gablehaus is not the only one who believes the province could be better off leaving the rest of the county behind as approximately 30 percent of Albertans were in favor of independence if the liberals won a fourth time in office, according to polling numbers before the election.

Alberta, a western province known for its oil and gas resources, has just about had it with the overwhelmingly liberal country and are now thinking of seceding

Prime Minister Mark Carney (pictured Wednesday) took office in March 2025, succeeding Justin Trudeau

When Trudeau was in office, many Alberta residents disliked his climate-focused agenda because they said it limited the province’s ability to make money through the export of its minerals and fossil fuel.

Danielle Smith, also known as Alberta’s ‘MAGA-style conservative leader,’ is not in favor of Alberta seceding, but plans on negotiating the province’s relationship with Ottawa’s federal government to untangle the area’s oil industry.

Despite not being in favor of it, Smith said her conditions will most likely lead to a vote about where Alberta stands in the country.

Now that there has also been a change in Canada’s leadership, Smith said it is the perfect opportunity for her to talk to the federal government about her ideas.

Without waiting a full 24 hours to present her conditions to Carney, she introduced a new bill that would make it easier for citizens to launch a referendum.

‘The federal government has taken hostile actions against Alberta and against the Constitution and against our right to develop our resources,’ Smith told the outlet.

The new rules she’s presented will drastically slash the amount of signatures needed from 600,000 to 177,000, and will also give petitioners an additional month to get people to sign.

‘The world looks at us like we’ve lost our minds,’ she told Albertans this month.

Danielle Smith (pictured in 2024), also known as Alberta’s ‘MAGA-style conservative leader,’ is not in favor of Alberta seceding, but plans on negotiating the province’s relationship with Ottawa’s federal government to untangle the area’s oil industry

‘We have the most abundant and accessible natural resources of any country on earth, and yet we land lock them, sell what we do produce to a single customer to the south of us, while enabling polluting dictatorships to eat our lunch.

‘For Albertans, these attacks on our province by our own federal government have become unbearable,’ she continued.

Some groups have already collected thousands of signatures, including Dennis Modry, the founder of a volunteer organization leading a referendum campaign known as the Alberta Prosperity Project.

‘It’s a very serious turning point,’ the retired surgeon said, adding that he has so far gathered about 240,000 signatures.

Similarly, Sean Fuller, a tattoo artist located in Leduc, Alberta, said many people feel like they ‘are Ottawa’s piggy bank.’

‘Ottawa needs a wake-up call from Alberta. Most of us feel like we are Ottawa’s piggy bank and we don’t get anything in return for that,’ Fuller explained.

‘Maybe, if there is enough political noise over here, maybe Carney’s new government will have to pay attention.’

One resident, Paulette McCulloch, has even been selling ‘Alberta, U.S.A’ merchandise, including baseball caps and mugs, to spread her support for the province to break free.

‘We’re being abused badly,’ the 83-year-old said. ‘We’ve got to do something about it.’

While many are for Alberta seceding, the push for a referendum on the topic is infuriating Indigenous people who live there.

Several First Nations leaders have rejected Smith’s proposal, accusing her of violating their rights and sparking a nation unity crisis, the New York Times reported.

Carney has long made it clear how he feels about separatism as he has tried to steer his country into a better place, especially with the ongoing trade war brought on by Trump.

‘Canada is stronger when we work together. As an Albertan, I firmly believe that you can always ask a question, but I know what I would respond,’ he said following his first official visit to the White House this month.

Others have opted to give Carney a chance and see if he will truly better the country.

Doug Hayden is one of those people, as he credited Carney and his liberal team for ending an unfavored carbon tax on consumers that was introduced by Trudeau’s administration.

‘He changed relatively quickly. These two parties probably have more in common than they have differences,’ Hayden said.

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Politics

Fubara To Contest Rivers Governorship Seat Under NDC

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.

Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.

The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.

He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.

The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.

Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.

After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.

He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.

Politics

Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

Published

11 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

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Politics

Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

Published

11 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.