President Bola Tinubu felicitates former president and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 89th birthday on 5 March.

The President rejoices with Chief Obasanjo, whose towering influence in the country, Africa, and beyond is significant.

President Tinubu notes the courage and sacrifices of the elder statesman, who previously served the nation as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, handing over power to a civilian president in 1979, and later as the first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, 1999- 2007.

President Tinubu affirms the historic experiences of the former leader, including leading troops to preserve Nigeria’s unity at the warfront, serving time in prison for speaking out against tyranny, and consistently pursuing Africa’s political and economic interests.

As Chief Obasanjo turns 89, the President acknowledges the zeal and wisdom he has brought into Nigeria’s development process through his books and regular interventions, revealing a depth of patriotism to nation-building.

President Tinubu prays for more years of good health, strength, and
wisdom for the former president as he continues to serve the nation and humanity.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)

By Dan Opara

Two members of the Imo State House of Assembly (IMHA) have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the House plenary held on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The lawmakers are: Hon.Clinton Amadi, who represents Owerri Municipal under the Labour Party and previously served as Deputy Minority Leader, and Hon. Princewill Amuchie, the former Minority Leader representing Aboh Mbaise, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Their defection was formally announced by the Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon.Chike Olemgbe, during the plenary session.

According to the Speaker, the lawmakers cited the leadership and developmental strides of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, as a key reason for their decision to join the ruling party.

Correspondents of ThePressman Newspaper who covered the session reported a celebratory atmosphere within the chamber, as members of the Assembly welcomed the defecting lawmakers with songs and applause.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, both legislators expressed satisfaction with their decision and pledged their commitment to supporting the APC-led administration in the state.

With the latest defections, the APC now holds 27 seats in the Imo State House of Assembly, further consolidating its dominance in the legislature.

The purported endorsement of the presidential ambition of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, by leaders of the African Democratic Congress in the South-South has sparked a row within the party.

Some ADC leaders, particularly those aligned with the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, described the move as premature.

This is as the South-South Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mabel Oboh, said the development was “misleading, undemocratic, and a troubling example of how selective narratives can distort political reality.”

South-South ADC leaders, including chairmen and representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, had on Friday declared support for Amaechi’s ambition during a meeting at the Benin residence of the party’s Policy and Manifesto Committee Chairman, John Oyegun.

In a viral video after the meeting, Oyegun said, “We were very pleased to thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone; for not letting loose in his zone, setting up his own personal structure, by ensuring, like any good son, that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it.

“We were pleased, and I can report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.”

So far, only Amaechi and Obi have indicated interest in the ADC presidential ticket from the southern part of the country.

Both have also declared that they would not settle for the vice-presidential slot, insisting they are committed to securing the party’s presidential ticket.

However, the move by the South-South leaders generated controversy within the party, prompting some state chairmen in the zone to distance themselves from the alleged endorsement.

Endorsement is premature – Obi’s supporters  

Reacting to the development, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, said party members should prioritise building the party before discussions about candidates.

He, however, expressed confidence in the movement’s political strength in the South-South.

“This kind of thing coming at this time could cause disunity in the party because we are in a building process, and the building process should be the focus of any aspirant because it is when you build a party that a candidate can emerge,” he said.

Tanko urged members to concentrate on expanding membership and ensuring compliance with electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.

“I will suggest that we all focus on building the party and ensuring that the threat by the ruling party is subdued,” he added.

He referenced provisions in the Electoral Act requiring electronic registration of party members and cautioned that lessons from the 2023 election should guide future preparations.

According to him, mobilisation efforts must be properly organised and membership registration rules strictly followed to avoid technical challenges that could undermine the party’s processes.

“The Electoral Act says that every member must be registered electronically. We know what happened to us in the last election in 2023; the glitch is not easy for us to forget. These people have mastered the art of criminality.

“So, we should do everything we can to make sure that the right people are mobilised into the party and the rules and regulations of the process are completely followed. We should also mitigate any form of glitches that may affect the mobilisation drive of the party,” Tanko said.

He insisted that Obi’s camp remained confident of its grassroots support ahead of 2027.

According to him, reports from those who attended the meeting indicated that what took place was a consultation, not an endorsement.

“But whatever the case may be, as far as we are concerned, we are not perturbed at all; we know we have the people on the ground. If we are to do a numerical assessment, we know in the South-South that we are in the majority. It is not a contest,” Tanko said.

South-South chairmen deny endorsement

The Delta State ADC Chairman, Okolie Austine, denied that an endorsement took place, describing the meeting as one where Amaechi’s ambition was blessed, not adopted.

He said other presidential aspirants from the region would also receive similar blessings from the zonal leaders.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Austine said, “The ADC South-South leaders met at the Benin residence of our leader, John Oyegun, on Friday. Amaechi, being part of the South-South leadership, was in attendance and made his intention to contest for the presidential ticket known to us.

“As expected, we gave him our blessing because he is one of us. That does not translate to an endorsement. It is not yet time for primaries, and our blessing to Amaechi does not mean other aspirants from the zone should not show interest or that we will not bless their ambitions as well.”

Similarly, the Cross River State ADC Chairman, Dr John Ogar, dismissed reports of an endorsement, saying what transpired was merely a courtesy extended to Amaechi.

“As a party, we will support whoever emerges as the ADC presidential candidate. What we did was courtesy. That is the position of the leaders,” he said.

In a statement on Saturday, the South-South Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Oboh, reiterated that the gathering was organised to strengthen internal cohesion, deepen grassroots mobilisation and position the party for future electoral contests.

She stressed that at no time before, during or after the meeting was any motion moved, resolution adopted, vote taken or consensus reached to endorse any aspirant.

“These were not casual attendees. They were seasoned political leaders with decades of experience in governance and party administration. To suggest that such a body would casually abandon constitutional process for an informal endorsement is inaccurate and illogical.

“Consultation is not endorsement, and courtesy is not coronation. Receiving a prominent son of the South-South who chose to brief his regional leaders cannot be twisted into a declaration of support,” she said.

Oboh maintained that the ADC remained committed to internal democracy, noting that the power to nominate and elect candidates rested with the constitutionally recognised organs of the party and ultimately with its members, not a handful of leaders at a zonal consultation.

Endorsement means nothing — South-East chairmen

Meanwhile, ADC leaders in the South-East, where Obi hails from, also downplayed the alleged endorsement of Amaechi, saying it held no binding value within the party’s structure.

They also denied any plan by the South-East caucus to endorse Obi or any aspirant ahead of the election.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Imo State Chairman of the ADC, James Okoroma, said political actors were free to express opinions but such did not amount to formal adoption by the party.

“It is their democratic right; it is their choice. As we approach the election, when we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it,” he said.

Okoroma said he was unaware of any plan by the South-East caucus to adopt any aspirant, adding that such decisions could only be taken collectively by regional leaders.

“It is not a decision that one person can take; it cannot be taken unilaterally. Moreover, we do not have any preferred aspirant. The national leaders of the party will sit down and decide the direction we should go,” he said.

Similarly, the Abia State ADC Chairman, Don Obinna, said endorsements were common as aspirants position themselves ahead of party primaries, especially as internal political activities gather momentum.

“As far as I’m concerned, if you look at the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission, you will know that internal politics have started, and it is not surprising to see politicians and their followers endorsing each other,” he said.

Obinna added that the party was unlikely to adopt a consensus candidate given the number and calibre of aspirants expected to contest the presidential ticket.

“To the best of my knowledge, there is no such plan on ground as we speak. The South-East ADC caucus has not even had a meeting on such a decision,” he said.

“The Electoral Act has cancelled indirect primaries. What we now have are direct primaries or consensus, which is definitely not going to happen in the ADC.

“Every state will determine who will be the flagbearer, so endorsement or non-endorsement does not mean anything to any politically serious-minded person. What we want to do in the ADC is to get it right and, at the end of the day, present the best of the best Nigerians will see,” he added.

Our support rightly interpreted  – South-South vice chair

Explaining what transpired at the meeting, the National Vice Chairman, South-South, of the ADC, Usani Uguru, said the party leaders’ support for Amaechi could be interpreted as an endorsement.

In a statement shared with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, Uguru said, “Whereas the forum ignited certain issues of internal leadership within the ADC in the South-South, the following developments, amongst others, ensued.

“Amaechi declared his interest in bidding for the presidential seat in the 2027 election. He solicited our support as people from his geopolitical base. There was a suggestion for a motion to uphold the request.

“A brief remark was made to recap the request and the importance of having a general opinion on the issue by the regional leader, H. E. Chief J. Odigie-Oyegun. Ultimately, he called for a voice vote to respond to this appeal.

“At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative ‘AY’ while a contra call had no ‘NAY’ response. This applause was a pledge to support him, which can be interpreted as endorsement.”

He, however, said the development did not compel individual actions based on personal conviction and did not imply that support for other aspirants within the zone is non-existent.

“I find it compelling to offer this step-by-step procedure in order to guarantee the integrity of participants and equally secure the harmony of the forum as we look forward to more challenging eventualities in our general struggle,” he added.