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Lawan Heads APC ‘Reconciliatory Committee’ to Appease Aggrieved Members
The Nigerian Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has been appointed as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ten-member National Reconciliation Committee.
The decision is in line with resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in November 22, 2019, to resolve the festering crisis within the party across some states.
“The Committee is empowered to address grieviances of party members and resolve existing conflicts, all with a view to fostering unity and oneness within the party,” read a short statement signed by the APC Spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Wednesday evening.
This development is coming barely 48-hour after the party lifted a controversial suspension on five key members.
The five members whose suspension were lifted include the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; ex-Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun; ex-Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha; the DG of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; and a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru.
The party is also battling a raging political fire in Edo, the home state of its chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, where there is a battle of supremacy between him and his estranged protege, Governor Godwin Obaseki
Meanwhile, among the five members ‘pardoned’, only Mr Okechukwu has reacted to the development. Messrs Akeredolu, Amosun, and Rochas are yet to issue any statement in relation to this.
Bisi Akande, the first interim chairman of the party, has also been named the vice chairman of the new committee.
Other members of the committee include the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Tanko Al-Makura (a senator); Kashim Shettima; Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; Aliko Koki; Khairat Gwadabe-Abdulrazak and Binta Garba. John Enoh will function as the secretary.
The date for the inauguration has not been fixed.
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Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
