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Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing concerns over the direction of the party and what he described as the abandonment of its founding principles.

Sylva announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The former governor said he took the decision after extensive consultations with members of his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.

Sylva Announces Immediate Exit From APC

In the resignation letter, Sylva described himself as a founding member of the APC and said his decision to leave the party was effective immediately.

He said his departure followed a careful assessment of the party’s current direction and the growing gap between its present politics and the ideals upon which it was established.

“Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC, with immediate effect,” Sylva stated.

Former Bayelsa Governor Criticises APC Leadership

Sylva also criticised the leadership and political direction of the APC, alleging that the party had moved away from the standards and principles that originally shaped it.

According to him, the approach to politics within the party has contributed to the erosion of basic standards of decency and morality.

His resignation comes as political activities and realignments continue to gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with politicians and political groups increasingly reassessing their affiliations.

Sylva’s decision could further fuel speculation about the political calculations taking shape in Bayelsa State and beyond as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle.

The battle for the 2027 governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has taken a fresh and more intense turn as former governorship aspirant Abayomi Semako Hunye insists that the contest is far from over.

Hunye, a former commissioner and immediate past Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), has continued to challenge the emergence of Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s candidate.

The latest development came on Saturday, August 22, when Hunye unveiled Abayomi Odunowo as his running mate, signalling that he intends to remain active in the 2027 governorship race despite the APC’s recognition of Adeola.

The move has deepened an already tense dispute within the Ogun APC, with the two camps now presenting sharply different positions on who should represent the party at the election.

How Adeola Emerged as APC’s Preferred Candidate

The dispute dates back to April 13, when Governor Dapo Abiodun announced Adeola as the APC’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election during a strategic caucus meeting involving the party’s major stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by former governors Olusegun Osoba, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, alongside other aspirants including Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Isiaka, Tunde Lemo and Isiak Akinlade.

Hunye, who is also of Yewa extraction like Adeola, was absent from the meeting.

During the gathering, Abiodun declared Adeola as the person the party had agreed would succeed him as governor.

Despite the consensus arrangement, Hunye proceeded to obtain the APC governorship nomination form approximately two weeks later.

His N50 million nomination form was reportedly obtained on his behalf in Abuja.

The development set the stage for a major confrontation within the party ahead of the governorship primary.

APC Primary Ends With Controversial Zero Vote for Hunye

At the APC governorship primary held across Ogun State, Adeola was declared the winner with 304,055 votes out of 305,287 accredited voters.

Hunye was officially recorded with zero votes despite being the only other challenger in the contest.

The result immediately became a major point of contention, with Hunye and his supporters rejecting the figures announced by the party.

Adeola subsequently thanked former governor Olusegun Osoba and Governor Dapo Abiodun for their roles in his emergence and promised to build on the achievements of the current administration if elected governor.

The senator also pledged to work for the development of Ogun State and ensure that the confidence placed in him by the party’s leadership was not taken for granted.

The APC later named Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as Adeola’s running mate.

Hunye Camp Claims He Actually Won the Primary

Hunye’s campaign organisation refused to accept the official result, claiming that figures gathered from its agents across the state told a completely different story.

The group claimed that Hunye secured 453,765 votes, while Adeola received 304,055 votes.

It therefore described the official declaration in favour of Adeola as unacceptable and argued that the announced figures did not reflect the outcome of the exercise.

The campaign maintained that Hunye was properly screened and cleared to participate in the primary and questioned how an aspirant who took part in the process could subsequently be recorded as receiving no votes.

The dispute eventually moved to court, with Hunye challenging the validity of the primary and seeking to have the result nullified over alleged irregularities and disenfranchisement.

Why Hunye Says He Must Continue the Contest

Despite the legal battle, Hunye has continued to participate in the political process.

According to him, recent amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework make it important for an aspirant challenging a primary election to continue taking part in subsequent stages of the electoral process.

Hunye argued that failing to campaign while challenging the primary could create complications if the court eventually rules in his favour.

Explaining his decision to unveil a running mate, he said he had studied the relevant constitutional and electoral provisions and concluded that he needed to remain active in the process.

He argued that the campaign stage was another important phase of the election and that his participation would prevent anyone from later claiming that he had abandoned the contest.

For Hunye, the matter therefore remains open until the court delivers its decision.

Ogun APC Insists Adeola Is the Only Recognised Candidate

The Ogun State chapter of the APC has, however, rejected Hunye’s position.

State chairman Yemi Sanusi issued a disclaimer maintaining that Adeola remains the party’s recognised governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

According to Sanusi, the names of Adeola and Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun had already been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC’s governorship candidate and running mate.

The party urged members and the public to disregard any contrary claims and rely on official communications from the APC and relevant electoral authorities.

Sanusi maintained that Hunye had no authority to present himself as the party’s candidate.

Hunye Fires Back: ‘I Never Declared Myself APC Candidate’

Hunye subsequently pushed back against the APC’s disclaimer, insisting that he never claimed to be the officially recognised APC candidate.

Instead, he said his position was that the dispute over the party’s governorship ticket remained before the court.

He argued that the APC should allow the judicial process to run its course rather than treating the dispute as settled before judgment.

Hunye maintained that the legal battle over the ticket could not be considered concluded until the court made a final determination.

He also accused party leaders of attempting to intimidate him into abandoning the case, insisting that he had no intention of withdrawing.

“If the court rules against me, I will support Adeola. But if it rules in my favour, I will embrace everybody,” Hunye said.

APC Accuses Hunye of Being Suspended From the Party

The dispute escalated further when the APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, described Hunye as an impostor and alleged that he had already been suspended from the party.

Basiru said Hunye was suspended on April 7, 2026, following allegations of activities considered injurious to the party’s image, anti-party conduct and actions allegedly capable of creating division among members.

According to the APC, the suspension followed a petition from Hunye’s ward in Ipokia Local Government Area and was subsequently ratified at the local government and state levels before being communicated to the party’s national headquarters.

Basiru therefore argued that Hunye had no authority to represent the APC or claim its governorship ticket.

The national leadership reiterated that Adeola remained the party’s duly nominated candidate following the governorship primary.

Hunye Questions APC’s Suspension Claim

Hunye has strongly disputed the party’s claim that he was suspended in April.

He said he was never formally served with any suspension letter and questioned whether the proper disciplinary procedure had been followed.

According to him, any genuine suspension should have involved notifying him of the allegations and allowing a disciplinary panel to consider the matter.

Hunye also pointed to the actions of the APC after the date of the alleged suspension as evidence of what he described as contradictions in the party’s position.

He said the party sold him a governorship nomination form on April 28, screened him in May and eventually cleared him to contest.

He disclosed that he was assigned number 62 during the screening process, while Adeola was assigned number 53, adding that some aspirants were disqualified during the process.

Hunye questioned why the party would allow him to obtain a nomination form, pay the required fees, participate in screening and receive clearance if he had already been suspended.

He also repeated his objection to being credited with zero votes during the primary.

“I was not in the police station. I was not in the hospital. How would I pay N50 million for something and be absent?” he questioned.

Hunye Raises Fresh Questions About Adeola’s Political History

Beyond the primary election, Hunye said his court challenge also raises questions about information contained in Adeola’s electoral documents and his previous political career.

He pointed specifically to Adeola’s years in public office in Lagos State.

According to Hunye, Adeola served eight years in the Lagos State House of Assembly, eight years in the House of Representatives and four years in the Senate.

Hunye said these records and other issues form part of the matters being examined through the legal process.

He maintained that the APC could not simply push him aside after years of involvement in the party and its political struggles.

APC Takes Dispute to Police, Seeks Hunye’s Arrest

The disagreement took another dramatic turn when the APC petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, over Hunye’s activities.

In the petition dated August 24, the party accused Hunye of impersonating the APC’s governorship candidate and allegedly misleading members of the public.

The APC asked the police to investigate Hunye and, if offences were established, prosecute him.

The party also asked the police to restrain him from continuing to present himself as a governorship candidate, arguing that the situation could threaten public peace and electoral stability in Ogun State.

The APC maintained that Adeola was the authentic candidate of the party after the governorship primary and described Hunye’s continued activities as unauthorised.

The development has added a new dimension to what began as an internal party dispute and later moved into the courts.

Ogun 2027 Ticket Battle Remains Unresolved

For now, the Ogun APC has firmly backed Adeola, while Hunye continues to challenge the process that produced him.

Adeola has the backing of the APC leadership and has already been presented by the party as its candidate, while Hunye is relying on his ongoing legal challenge and continued participation in the political process.

The competing claims have created an unusual situation in which the party recognises one candidate while another aspirant insists that the final outcome remains subject to judicial determination.

With the case still pending, the dispute could remain one of the most closely watched political battles in Ogun State as the 2027 election approaches.

A former national chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has called on Nigeria’s opposition parties to rally behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Lukman warned that allowing several opposition candidates to contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could split the opposition vote and ultimately strengthen the incumbent’s chances of securing another term.

He argued that the outcome of past elections in Nigeria and other countries shows that a fragmented opposition often struggles against an incumbent with an established political structure.

According to him, opposition parties targeting the same electorate must be willing to put aside their individual ambitions and work together if they genuinely want to challenge Tinubu at the polls.

“The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent.”

Lukman said competing opposition parties could end up weakening themselves by dividing their supporters, resources and political structures among several candidates.

He added that the situation should push opposition leaders to rethink their strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy.”

Opposition Parties Set for Fresh Unity Talks

Lukman’s comments come as several opposition political groups prepare for a meeting aimed at building a stronger platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are among the groups expected to participate in discussions scheduled for Monday, August 31.

The planned engagement is focused on finding common ground among opposition forces seeking to prevent Tinubu from securing a second term.

The major challenge, however, remains whether the different political blocs can agree on one candidate and resist individual presidential ambitions.

With the 2027 election approaching, the ability of the opposition to maintain unity could become one of the biggest factors shaping the presidential race.

APC chieftain Bashir Ahmad has dismissed claims that United States President Donald Trump will refuse to meet Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, describing the allegation as a politically motivated attack.

The controversy followed a statement from US lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, which claimed that a private meeting between Tinubu and Trump, reportedly being pursued by the Nigerian president, would not take place at the UN General Assembly.

The firm further alleged that some senior members of the Trump administration had made it clear that Trump would not hold a private meeting with Tinubu over allegations linking the Nigerian president to heroin trafficking.

Bashir: Allegations Against Tinubu Are Not Convictions

Reacting to the claim, Bashir Ahmad strongly criticised the statement, arguing that serious allegations should not be presented as established facts without credible evidence or due process.

He described the claim about Trump refusing to meet Tinubu as a political attack being presented with an unwarranted level of certainty.

According to Bashir, Tinubu remains the democratically elected President of Nigeria, and allegations against him cannot automatically be treated as proven facts simply because they are repeatedly circulated.

He stressed that accusations of such seriousness must be examined through credible evidence and proper legal procedures rather than being used to support a particular political narrative.

APC Chieftain Questions Claim About Trump-Tinubu Meeting

Bashir also challenged the assertion that Trump would deliberately refuse to meet Tinubu or that the Nigerian president would be embarrassed during the UN General Assembly.

He argued that such claims should not be treated as official until they are confirmed by the White House or the appropriate US diplomatic authorities.

“Unless the White House or the relevant diplomatic authorities make such a position official, these claims are nothing more than speculation presented as fact,” Bashir said.

The dispute comes ahead of the UN General Assembly, where world leaders are expected to gather for high-level diplomatic engagements. Any meeting between Tinubu and Trump would likely attract significant attention given the importance of US-Nigeria relations.

For now, Bashir maintains that claims about a planned Trump-Tinubu snub should be treated with caution until there is an official statement from the US government.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cletus Obon, has criticised the composition of the party’s presidential campaign council, arguing that some of those appointed may have been included because of political patronage rather than their ability to contribute meaningfully to the campaign.

Obon made the remarks while discussing the composition of the campaign team, where he questioned whether the party had selected the right people for the task ahead.

Cletus Obon Identifies Strategic Errors in Campaign Team

The APC chieftain said the party could have made better choices when putting the campaign council together, warning that the current arrangement contains what he described as strategic mistakes.

According to Obon, the campaign council should be made up of individuals whose experience, influence and expertise directly support the objectives of the campaign.

He argued that the presence of people who do not have a clear role in the campaign could weaken the effectiveness of the team.

“As an APC member, I can say we may not have made our best choices in the general composition of the campaign list. We may be reserving our best for the worst; there are strategic errors in the list.”

APC Leader Says Some Appointees Have Little Business on the Council

Obon went further, questioning the relevance of several individuals listed as members of the campaign council.

He claimed that some of those included do not have sufficient reasons to be part of the campaign structure and suggested that their appointments may have been driven by the desire to reward political allies.

“Most members of the campaign council have no business being there; some of them were put there as an act of patronage,” he said.

His comments could fuel further debate within the APC over how campaign responsibilities are distributed and whether political considerations are influencing decisions that should primarily be based on competence and strategy.

The criticism also comes at a time when political parties are expected to build strong campaign structures capable of mobilising supporters, communicating their message effectively and navigating the increasingly competitive political environment.

Nollywood actor Zuby Michael has offered his opinion on why some Igbo talents may struggle to receive strong backing from influential figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

The actor suggested that fear of creating future competition could be one of the reasons some industry executives are reluctant to invest heavily in young Igbo talents.

Zuby Michael Says Fast Learning Can Make Igbo Talents a Threat

Speaking during an interview, Zuby Michael claimed that many Igbo people are quick to learn new skills and can become successful within a relatively short period when given the right opportunity.

According to him, an executive may spend years mastering a particular aspect of the entertainment business, only to discover that a mentee can learn the same skills much faster.

He explained that this possibility can make some people hesitant to mentor or fully support upcoming talents.

“Igbo people are fast learners and they are capable of making it big with just a little. You might decide to mentor an Igbo person and what took you 10 years to learn, he will learn it in one year and six months.”

Actor Says Mentors Fear Creating Their Own Competition

Zuby Michael further argued that the situation becomes more complicated when a mentee eventually decides to establish an independent career.

He said some executives fear that an individual they helped train could leave after learning the business and eventually become a direct competitor.

“And if you don’t treat him well, he will leave you and start doing the same business you taught him and become your competition. So, people are scared of that.”

The actor maintained that this fear can affect the level of support available to some Igbo entertainers trying to establish themselves in the industry.

Zuby Michael Says Even Igbo Executives Can Be Reluctant to Help

The Nollywood star also claimed that the issue is not limited to executives from other ethnic groups.

According to him, some Igbo industry figures may also hesitate to support fellow Igbo talents because they fear being outshone by the people they mentor.

He suggested that concerns about betrayal, competition and losing one’s position can sometimes influence how established figures choose to support emerging entertainers.

“Industry executives, including some Igbos, don’t like supporting Igbos because they feel like they will get betrayed by their mentee outshining them.”

Zuby Michael’s comments have sparked discussion about mentorship, competition and the challenges faced by upcoming talents seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Nigerian financial commentator Gehgeh has criticised content creator Mavo over an alleged disclosure concerning singer Shallipopi’s financial situation, questioning why someone close to the musician would make such private matters public.

Gehgeh spoke while reacting to the controversy surrounding an alleged private conversation between Mavo and Shallipopi, describing the situation as a betrayal of trust.

“Mavo, you’re a bad person. Shallipopi is like a brother to you; what would you gain from letting the streets know he’s broke?” Gehgeh said.

According to the financial commentator, personal financial difficulties should remain private, particularly when they involve someone regarded as a close friend or brother.

Gehgeh Urges Shallipopi to Forgive Mavo

Despite his criticism, Gehgeh appealed to Shallipopi to forgive Mavo, suggesting that the singer had played an important role in the content creator’s rise within the entertainment industry.

“Shallipopi forgive Mavo; he doesn’t know it’s with your music pattern that he blew up,” he said.

Gehgeh’s comments have added another layer to the growing conversation around the alleged private exchange, particularly over whether personal struggles should be discussed publicly by people within an individual’s inner circle.

He also warned men against freely discussing their financial problems with people they may not completely trust, noting that private conversations can eventually find their way into the public space.

For Gehgeh, revealing another person’s financial difficulties goes beyond embarrassment, as it can also weaken the trust and loyalty expected in close friendships and relationships.

Nigerian comedian and actor Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has sparked reactions online after sharing his experience with a driverless Uber ride in the United States.

The comedian recorded a video of the vehicle transporting him without a human driver, expressing amazement at the technology and how seamlessly the car took him to his destination.

In the video, AY showed the car moving on its own while explaining that the vehicle was his Uber for the trip.

“See na this car dey drive by itself. Na my own Uber be this, e don dey carry me go where I dey go,” he said.

AY Explains How He Accessed the Driverless Uber

According to the comedian, the experience went beyond simply entering a self-driving vehicle.

He revealed that he used his phone to unlock the car and also initiated the ride through his mobile device before the vehicle began driving him to his destination.

The experience appeared to leave AY impressed by the level of technological advancement he encountered in the United States.

He used the moment to draw a humorous comparison between modern technology abroad and some of the practices he associated with Africa.

Comedian Takes Aim at African ‘Juju’ Practices

While discussing the driverless vehicle, AY questioned Africans who argue against claims that Western countries are technologically ahead.

He jokingly contrasted the sophisticated technology behind the self-driving Uber with what he described as Africans using “juju” for harmful purposes.

“When oyinbo dey tell una say them no be una mate, una go dey follow them dey argue,” AY said.

“Una go dey use una own juju dey do different thing, dey kill people for Africa.”

His comments appeared to be a humorous observation about the contrast between technological innovation and traditional beliefs, rather than a detailed discussion of the technology powering the vehicle.

AY Shares Birthday Moment From the US

AY disclosed that the driverless Uber experience took place on his birthday.

The comedian’s video has drawn attention online, particularly because autonomous vehicles remain a striking example of how rapidly transportation technology is developing in parts of the United States.

His reaction also reflects the growing curiosity among Nigerians and other Africans experiencing self-driving technology for the first time.

With driverless vehicles becoming increasingly visible in some American cities, AY’s unexpected birthday ride provided him with an opportunity to showcase the experience while adding his trademark humour to the conversation.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Mary Remmy Njoku has sparked conversation about relationships after speaking about men who become uncomfortable when their wives begin earning more money or achieving greater success.

Njoku shared her thoughts while addressing how couples can react when the balance of financial success changes in a relationship.

According to the actress, many women naturally celebrate when their husbands become more successful because they view their partner’s achievements as a benefit to the entire family.

She, however, believes some men may find it difficult to show the same level of support when their wives become the bigger earners.

Mary Remmy Njoku: Some Men Feel Threatened by Their Wives’ Success

Njoku said a woman’s financial success can sometimes make her husband feel insecure, even when she has not done anything to make him feel inferior.

“When the woman starts earning significantly more, some men begin to feel emasculated, inadequate, or disrespected. Even when she has done absolutely nothing to make them feel that way,” she wrote.

The actress explained that the woman’s increased income can then become an issue during disagreements, with ordinary relationship problems being connected to the difference in their earnings.

She noted that some arguments may suddenly turn into accusations that the woman is acting differently simply because she now has more money than her husband.

“Suddenly, every little disagreement becomes, ‘It’s because you have money more than me.’ And that’s the real issue,” Njoku said.

‘Their Ego No Go Gree’ — Actress Calls Out Insecurity

Njoku suggested that the real problem in such situations may not be the woman’s behaviour but the man’s perception of what her success means for his own position in the relationship.

She maintained that a woman becoming more successful should not automatically make her husband feel less important or inadequate.

The actress also stressed that couples should be able to celebrate each other’s achievements instead of turning financial success into a competition.

For Njoku, genuine love and partnership should mean supporting a spouse when things go well for them, regardless of who earns more.

She ended her message with a blunt Nigerian expression that captured her view of the situation: “But their Ego no go gree.”

Her comments have since drawn attention online, particularly around conversations about marriage, financial independence and the pressure some couples face when traditional expectations about who should earn more are reversed.