News

2027: Opposition too divided to threaten APC – Agbakahi

Published

3 weeks ago

July 21, 2026

Preport

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr George Agbakahi has said the opposition parties in Nigeria are too fragmented and disunited to pose a serious challenge to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Agbakahi made the remarks during a current affairs programme on News Central Television on Tuesday.

He expressed confidence that the APC would secure a decisive victory in the next presidential election.

According to him, the outcome of elections in democratic societies is determined by several factors, including party structure, internal cohesion, candidates’ appeal, track record, and prevailing political and socio-economic realities.

“Politics is dynamic in every democratic election. Globally, there are variables that determine election outcomes, such as party structure, party unity, political dynamics in individual states, candidates’ appeal and their records of accomplishment,” he said.

The APC stalwart, who is also the Leader of the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) in the South-East, argued that party unity remained a major factor in electoral success, describing the APC as one of the most united political parties in Africa.

He said the party’s National Chairman, National Working Committee, NWC, governors and other stakeholders were working in harmony, unlike the opposition parties, which he described as divided and disintegrated.

“The APC leadership is working together with the governors and other party organs.

“On the other hand, the opposition parties are divided, fragmented and disintegrated,” he stated.

Agbakahi dismissed claims that the APC was responsible for the internal crises rocking opposition parties, insisting that they were self-inflicted.

“It’s not true that APC is behind their problems. They are the architects of their own challenges,” he said.

He questioned why opposition figures opted to join existing political parties instead of building new platforms, arguing that the APC itself emerged in 2015 through the merger of political parties.

Speaking on the prospects of the opposition in 2027, Agbakahi maintained that the political landscape had changed significantly since the 2023 elections, adding that the APC had expanded its support base across the country, including in the South-East and South-South.

“It’s no longer like it was in the past. APC has made tremendous inroads across different regions. As long as the election is free, fair and credible, APC will win,” he said.

He said the ruling party would campaign on the achievements of President Bola Tinubu rather than engage in personal attacks against opponents.

According to him, Tinubu would seek re-election based on his record in office, including economic reforms, foreign reserves, foreign capital inflows, trade surplus and infrastructure development across the country.

He said, “I want to let you know that microeconomic fundamentals of the economy of this country are very strong.

“The President, like I said, will run on $52 bn foreign reserves, $20 bn foreign capital inflow, a record of $50.8 foreign direct investment, a record of $18.67 bn trade surplus.”

He also referenced Tinubu’s record as former governor of Lagos State, saying it would further strengthen the President’s campaign.

Agbakahi further argued that the leading opposition figures were familiar faces in Nigerian politics and lacked fresh ideas capable of convincing the electorate.

“The opposition has no clear agenda or policy alternatives to present to Nigerians beyond constant criticism of the current administration.

“Nigerians know them, and they are like old wine in a new bottle and no amount of rehabilitation would change Nigerians’ perception towards these opposition candidates,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government had demonstrated commitment to addressing insecurity through increased funding for the defence sector, noting that the Ministry of Defence received a record budgetary allocation of about N5.41 trillion under the current administration.

The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the party would retain power in 2027, insisting that its achievements in governance and internal cohesion would give it a significant advantage over its political rivals.

News

‘Our Bowling Was Excellent’ — Ali Rahmon Demands Better Batting as Junior YellowGreens Chase World Cup Ticket

Published

34 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

Preport

Nigeria U19 captain Ali Rahmon has praised the Junior Yellow Greens’ disciplined bowling performance in their emphatic five-wicket victory over Ghana in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier in Rwanda.

Nigeria bounced back strongly from their opening-day defeat to Uganda, restricting Ghana to just 93 runs all out before completing the chase at 96/5 in 22.2 overs to secure a crucial five-wicket victory.

Rahmon credited the bowlers for maintaining pressure throughout Ghana’s innings, particularly through a steady supply of dot balls that prevented the hosts from building meaningful partnerships.

“The bowling unit was disciplined and kept the pressure on Ghana. The dot balls helped us control the innings and put us in a strong position.”

However, the captain believes Nigeria still has work to do with the bat. Despite chasing a modest target, the Junior Yellow Greens lost five wickets before reaching the required total.

Rahmon admitted that losing wickets while chasing such a small target is an area the team must address as the qualification campaign continues.

“We did well with the ball, but the batting needs to improve. Losing five wickets while chasing 94 is something we have to look at.”

The victory has revived Nigeria’s hopes of progressing from the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, after the Junior Yellow Greens suffered an opening defeat to Uganda. Keneth Boniface was again influential, taking four wickets against Ghana before contributing 30 runs during the chase.

Nigeria’s preparation for the qualifier included a four-week high-performance camp designed to improve the players’ batting, bowling, fielding, fitness and tactical awareness.

The Junior Yellow Greens have now turned their attention to hosts Rwanda, with the crucial encounter scheduled for Wednesday, August 12. A strong result would further strengthen Nigeria’s bid to progress in the qualification race.

Rahmon and his teammates will therefore be looking for another disciplined bowling display while demanding greater composure from the batting department as Nigeria continues its pursuit of a place at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Business

Celebrating Sunny Adeda: Alpha Choice Boss and Insurance Icon Hits 70th Milestone

Published

1 hour ago

August 12, 2026

Preport

The sounds of celebrations and thanksgiving will rent the air; anniversary chants will serenade the atmosphere in celebration of a great and charming personality, Mr. Sunny Oberuomor Adeda, today August 12th in Lagos.

Sunny, as he is fondly called by close pals and colleagues is a man of amiable character, despite possessing an intimidating built and gait. Sunny is a man of integrity, mixes freely with everyone, even though he is a man of high societal status.

All roads will lead to the house of Sunny Adeda as he clocks 70 years on earth.

Sunny is a hard working man who has indeed paid his dues. In the corporate world, he is not shy to take up responsibilities. His hard working nature propelled him into the insurance industry, where he became a seasoned insurance executive with a distinguished 30 years career marked by progressive leadership and strategic vision.

He rose through the ranks in the insurance sector, hitting the managerial level, making his management capacity second to none.

As he rose through the ranks, he acquired people’s skills, technical and underwriting prowess, culminating into him being an expert in the corporate world. Despite his rise, he remained a man of accountability.

Sunny is a hands-on insurance professional, his years in the industry have seen him deeply involved in policy evaluation, policy implementation, marketing and strategic policy formulation, product designs and business executions while supervising various technical and marketing directorates.

He possesses a demonstrable record of effectively leading and mentoring high performing teams, consistently delivering results in areas such as Life Assurance, Aviation, Oil and Gas, as well as public sector insurance penetration.

His insurance experience spanned over 30 years and across key areas of risk management practice including underwriting, marketing and brokerage operations.

His Professional Journey

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Sunny brings with him a track record defined by technical depth, commercial acumen, and strategic foresight.

He is currently MD/CEO of Alpha Choice Insurance Brokers Limited.

He joined NICON Insurance as a Graduate trainee in October 1980 and worked in various technical departments.

He was appointed Executive Director (Technical) 20th October 1999 to July 2006. He oversaw the transformation of the company into one of Nigeria’s most respected risk management and insurance firms. However, he voluntarily retired from the Corporation at the age of 50 years.

Sunny has led start-ups, pioneered projects, and driven market expansion.

He was Deputy General Manager of NICON Insurance (Lagos Office); Assistant General Manager (Lagos Zonal Office); Assistant General Manager (Aviation); Senior Manager (Aviation); Assistant Manager (General Accident); as well as Assistant Manager (Life).

His governance experience also includes service on the board of NAL Merchant Bank plc, 2000/2001; NICON Hotels Ltd, 1999/2005; College of Insurance and Financial Management, 2008-2009; Aderesa Nigeria Limited (Tega Farms); Alpha Resa Hotels Limited.

He obtained a B.Sc (Hons) Biology, from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba

His professional qualifications include Associateship of the Chartered Insurance Institute – London (ACII); Fellowship by Examination of the Chartered Insurance Institute London – FCII; Elected fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria – FIIN.

He was the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria 2009 – 2011; Elected a Council Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) – 1999; Chairman – Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Committee (MCPD); Member – Fellowship Assessment Committee; Chairman – Accreditation Committee, Office Representative Committee; Pioneer Chairman College of Insurance and Management studies (Chairman) 2008; Member Nigerian Institute of management; Member institute of Directors (IOD).

A commitment to continuous learning is exemplified by his participation in executive development programs locally and internationally at institutions such as Upstream Energy Insurance Module 2011 at JLT Academy, London; Chief Executive & Directors Course, Management School, London -2005; Executive Management Development Course, South Africa – April 2000; Life Insurance Course at the Swiss Insurance Training Centre, Zurich – 1988; Munich Reinsurance Course, Munich, Germany – 2001; Computer Appreciation Course; Budgeting and Budgetary Control; Financial Management; Human Resources Management; Action Centered Leadership; Total Quality Management; Chartered Insurance Institute of London Annual Conference; Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria – Seminars and Conferences.

He belongs to Ikoyi club 1938, Country club 1949 Ikeja, IBB international golf club Abuja, Fountain of Hope International, as well as ENI Club.

His hobbies are Table Tennis, Swimming, Reading and Music. He is married with four children and hails from Delta State.

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