Politics

APC, PDP Post-Primary Crises Hit States

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2022

The contest by politicians for party nominations is expected to be a family affair, as members of the same political leaning seek tickets to represent the party at the general poll. However, the last primary elections conducted by the two major political parties in the country have been anything but civil. In some places, deaths were recorded from the violence witnessed during the primaries while parallel exercises were held in other places.

In Lagos State, two aspirants – Wale Oluwo, a former commissioner and Mr Abdul-Ahmed Mustapha, a former permanent secretary in the state – were prevented from attending the governorship primary election at Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan Stadium). The chairman of the APC Electoral Committee/Returning Officer in the state, Alhaji Adamu Yuguda, said the aspirants were disqualified by the APC screening committee, thereby leaving incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the sole aspirant in what was expected to be a three-horse race.

The aspirants, who got the nomination forms for a whopping N50m each, are calling for the cancellation of the exercise. They were screened on May 14 but were not informed of their disqualification until the primary exercise on May 26.

In the PDP, it was not better either as four of the six governorship aspirants withdrew before the commencement of the exercise over accusation of doctored delegates’ list. One of the aspirants who withdrew from the race and PDP governorship candidate in 2011, Ade Dosumu, has moved to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The Lagos State chapter of PDP urged the party’s National Working Committee to cancel the House of Assembly and House of Representatives primaries conducted by the party.

The PDP chairman in Lagos State, Phillips Aivoji, who addressed a news conference alongside other state executives and party leaders in Ikeja, said the ad hoc delegates’ list brought by the electoral committees for both primaries were compromised.

The party produced two governorship candidates in Ogun State while the third contestant, Jimi Lawal, has demanded for another primary to be conducted.

Lawal threatened legal action if the party failed to investigate the allegation, cancel the primary and order for another, pointing out that the delegates list used at the primary was fake.

A former member of the House of Representatives from Remo Federal Constituency, Oladipupo Adebutu and the 2019 spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Showunmi emerged at the two primaries.

Adekunle Akinlade and Biyi Otegbeye, who contested the APC governorship primaries in Ogun, faulted the delegates’ list and the appointment of Wale Ohu as the chairman for the exercise, thus rejecting the poll that returned Gov. Dapo Abiodun as the candidate of the party.

In Osun State, supporters of a former governor of the state and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, are calling for the cancellation of the national/state assemblies primaries over alleged malpractices.

Following the crisis from the conduct of PDP primaries in Ebonyi State, the NWC of the party approved the cancellation of all the party’s primaries in the state.

Over voting was recorded in Oyo South Senatorial rerun primary election of the APC. A total of 489 votes were cast, whereas the number of delegates was 488.

Assassination, thuggery, victimisation

A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Honourable Shina Peller, who contested for Oyo North senatorial ticket of APC, said there was a plot to assassinate him during the primaries in Oyo State.

Peller, who lost the ticket to Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, accused the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Senator Teslim Folarin, as the alleged mastermind of the attempted assassination plot.

Although Senator Folarin has denied the allegation, pointing accusing fingers at Gov. Seyi Makinde of plotting to malign his integrity, the spokesman of Oyo PDP, Akeem Olatunji, has urged security agents, especially the police, to investigate the senator over the alleged assassination attempt on Peller’s life.

The first lady of Ondo State and APC senatorial aspirant for Imo East, Betty Akeredolu, was forced to withdraw from the race over allegations of intimidation by the leadership of the party in the state.

“This decision has become necessary following brazen irregularities, use of force and intimidation meted out on my person and supporters,” she said.

Disruptions of the exercise were also witnessed in most of the states in the region. Some of the disruptions led to deaths and injuries.

No fewer that three persons were killed during the conduct of the primaries in Lagos. In a viral video, thugs were seen engaging in a free-for-all wielding weapons at Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area secretariat during the APC House of Representatives primaries in the area.

In Bayelsa, Michael Isaiah, nicknamed ‘Tompolo’, was reportedly shot dead at the PDP’s primary for Constituency One in Ogbia LGA.

In Delta, gunmen shot sporadically at the venue of the primaries in Isoko constituency, forcing party members, delegates and security operatives to scurry for cover.

In Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives, some of the aspirants said hoodlums chased them away from the venue of the primary election at Orita Aperin area of Ibadan.

In Osun, delegates were allegedly abducted, according to PDP South West Zonal Youth Leader, Seyi Bamidele, who contested for the Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency.

“The whole exercise has been marred with anomalies. Some delegates that were to vote in the House of Assembly primary for an aspirant for Ifedayo State Constituency PDP ticket held at Iya ni o se Hall, Oke Ila were abducted. They were later released after the exercise had been completed,” he said.

Media scholar and political analyst, Dr. Tunde Akanni blamed the desperation of politicians on the desire for accumulation of material gains from the office, instead of service to the people.

“Money is the root of all evils; I dare echo philosophers. In other words, if candidates believe in truth and fairness, they are not likely to subscribe to heavy monetisation as we witnessed. The simple signal from the spectacle of shame we call primaries is that they’re all too ambitious to mortgage the rest of us, indeed, foreclosing any future for the country. It’s therefore up to us all to rediscover our traditional values which never attached so much importance to money,” he said.

DAILY TRUST.

Politics

2027: NDC Unveils Electoral Committee Members For Primaries

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has released list of Electoral Committee Members to Conduct primary election.

The exercise is for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship and Presidential Primaries across all States in Nigeria and the FCT.

This was contained in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Thursday.

The party had provided updates concerning its upcoming Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Assembly primaries.

According to the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas,
and Barr. Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, National Secretary, the primaries are confirmed to take place across the nation on May 29, 2026, adhering to the previously established timetable of May 28 and 29.

Politics

APC: Fubara Has Been Treated Badly, It’s Dangerous For Tinubu – Otubanjo

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The director of research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Femi Otubanjo, has said the treatment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in the just concluded All Progressives Congress’, APC, primary poses political danger to President Bola Tinubu.

Otubanjo stated this on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he also criticised the role being played by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the political affairs of Rivers State and the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, the handling of Fubara’s political crisis remains one of the most surprising developments in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Otubanjo further argued that Wike, who is not a member of the APC, appears to be dictating political activities within the ruling party in Rivers State.The research director warned that the current political arrangement in Rivers State could negatively affect Tinubu politically, insisting that Wike was pursuing his personal agenda rather than that of the president.

He said: “The treatment of Fubara must be one of the American wonders of Nigerian politics. Fubara has been badly treated. We have a situation in which Nyesom Wike who is not even in the APC is taking the primary decision in the APC. I hope the tactical team of President Bola Tinubu is not sleeping.

“The reality is that what they have done is very dangerous for Tinubu. What has emerged in Rivers today is that Wike is pursuing his own agenda, not Tinubu’s agenda inspite of PBAT and all of that combination.”

“If Wike really wants to pursue Tinubu’s agenda, he must retain Fubara.”

Politics

In Defence Of Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe: The Generational Shift Reshaping Edo Politics

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

By DAN Osa-Ogbegie

For decades, Edo politics remained trapped within a narrow and predictable cycle of political recycling. The same ageing actors moved endlessly from one office to another, from one administration to the next, and from one political alignment to another, as though leadership in Edo State had become the exclusive inheritance of a permanent political aristocracy.

Meanwhile, thousands of intelligent, energetic, and capable young Edo people watched helplessly from the margins while opportunities for leadership, governance, party administration, and public service remained tightly controlled by individuals whose political relevance dated back several decades.

That unhealthy political culture is now gradually changing.

Today, one of the most important political transformations taking place within the All Progressives Congress in Edo State is the deliberate transition from recycled political gerontocracy to a younger generation of political actors. That transition is unfolding under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State and Leader of the APC in Edo State, together with the State Chairman of the party, Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe.

Predictably, such a shift has unsettled entrenched interests.

Those who became accustomed to monopolising political relevance naturally feel threatened by the emergence of a younger generation that is increasingly assertive, visible, influential, and institutionally empowered. Yet, history teaches a simple lesson: no political structure survives indefinitely without renewal.

No serious political party can continue recycling the same exhausted political machinery forever while expecting innovation, grassroots energy, modern governance ideas, and long-term political sustainability.

That reality appears to be clearly understood by Governor Monday Okpebholo and Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe.

Much of the criticism unfairly directed at Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe in recent times stems from the fact that he has become one of the visible faces of this generational transition within Edo APC. Beneath the noise, propaganda, and political bitterness lies an undeniable truth: the party is consciously opening spaces for younger people in ways not seen for many years.

From the youthful Deputy Chairman of APC in Edo State, Sylvester Aigboboh, to several younger commissioners, Special Advisers, members of the State Executive Council, board chairmen, local government administrators, and strategic appointees across government, the evidence of deliberate political renewal is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore.

In Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Austin Imafidon has emerged as one of the young faces of focused governance and grassroots administration. Beyond politics, he has already established himself successfully in business, bringing into governance the mindset of productivity, enterprise, and modern administrative engagement.

In Etsako, Hon. Sunny Ekpeson has continued to attract national attention as the youngest ALGON Chairman in Nigeria, representing a clear departure from the era where local government leadership was treated as the permanent preserve of ageing political operators disconnected from younger demographics.

In Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Eric Osawaru represents another example of the younger political generation now entrusted with leadership responsibilities, while in Oredo Local Government Area, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri equally reflects the growing confidence being reposed in younger administrators within the APC structure.

In Owan, Hon. Aitalegbe Ernest, popularly known as “China Boy,” has also emerged as one of the prominent young political figures gaining traction as the incoming Chairman of the local government, further reinforcing the expanding generational transition currently taking shape across Edo State.

The same pattern is visible across government institutions and strategic agencies.

Pastor Stanley Dave Ighodaro, a successful entrepreneur with thriving business interests in Europe, now heads the Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency. His emergence reflects an increasingly important shift towards bringing professionally exposed and globally minded younger individuals into governance and public administration.

Similarly, Kassim Otono, who serves as Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to the Executive Governor of Edo State, represents another example of younger technocratic involvement within the present administration. His inclusion within such a strategic sector underscores the growing confidence being placed in younger professionals and politically aware technocrats within government.

This is how enduring institutions are built.

A political party that refuses to regenerate itself eventually becomes intellectually stagnant, structurally weak, and electorally disconnected from evolving social realities.

Governor Monday Okpebholo deserves commendation for recognising that governance in a rapidly changing society cannot remain permanently tied to political methods and leadership assumptions developed several decades ago. Contemporary governance demands adaptability, technological awareness, stronger grassroots engagement, administrative energy, and a deeper connection with younger populations.

Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe equally deserves credit for helping stabilise the party while managing this difficult but necessary transition process. Generational shifts are never easy within political systems historically dominated by established interests. Resistance is inevitable. Political resentment is expected. Internal anxieties naturally emerge whenever old monopolies begin to weaken.

Leadership, however, requires courage.

The recently concluded primaries further revealed this evolving direction within the APC. The emergence of candidates such as Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Osazee Igbinovia, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, Omosede Igbinedion, Sir Lucky Eseigbe, and Odianosen Okojie reflects a growing political philosophy that increasingly values capacity, grassroots relevance, contemporary appeal, and generational continuity.

Equally symbolic is the emergence of several young Acting Local Government Council Chairmen who are now candidates of the party in the forthcoming local government elections. That development sends a powerful message across Edo State that political participation is gradually becoming more accessible to younger people with competence, commitment, and organisational value.

For too long, many young people in Edo politics were reduced to political spectators, social media defenders, praise singers, or election-day foot soldiers while actual power remained tightly guarded elsewhere. Such a model was never sustainable.

A society that continuously sidelines its younger generation ultimately weakens its own political future.

The ongoing transition within Edo APC does not amount to hostility towards elders or experienced political actors. Experience remains valuable. Elder statesmen still possess institutional memory and political wisdom that younger actors can benefit from immensely. Mentorship, however, must never become political suffocation. Guidance must never evolve into permanent political domination.

Every generation deserves the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping the future it will eventually inherit.

That is precisely why the current direction of the APC leadership in Edo State deserves objective acknowledgement rather than emotional hostility.

Many of those attacking Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe today are not truly angry about party administration. Their deeper discomfort arises from the reality that political influence is gradually shifting away from old centres of control towards a newer generation of actors who may no longer depend entirely on traditional political gatekeepers for relevance or survival.

Societies evolve.

Political cultures evolve.

Leadership itself evolves.

No generation owns political power forever.

Ultimately, the future of Edo State cannot be built exclusively around recycled political veterans whose greatest political moments belong largely to the past. A forward-looking society must continuously create room for younger leadership, newer ideas, fresh administrative energy, and modern political thinking.

That future is already unfolding within the APC in Edo State.

History may eventually remember Khalifa Jarrett Tenebe and Governor Monday Okpebholo as central figures in the difficult but necessary political transition that began moving Edo away from recycled political dominance towards a broader and younger leadership culture capable of preparing the state for a different era.

Daniel Aroren Noah Osa-Ogbegie is a Benin based legal practitioner and public intellectual from Uhunmwode Local Government Area.