Politics
Atiku Hails Adeleke For Defying FG, Proceeding With LG Poll
Published
6 months agoon
By
Editor
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for going ahead to conduct the local government election in the state.
In a post via his official X handle on Saturday, Atiku called for a peaceful and hitch-free election and urged security agencies and electoral officials to perform their duties with the highest sense of responsibility to the public.
He wrote, “As residents in Osun State go out to the polls today to elect council chairpersons, I once again urge for a peaceful and hitch-free exercise.
“The local council election is the heartbeat of a democratic system, given that its outcome impacts closely on the lives of the citizens.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Adeleke Votes As Osun LG Poll Commences
“I commend Governor Ademola Adeleke for going ahead with the exercise and urge security agencies and polling officials to perform their duties with the highest sense of responsibility to the public.”
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Nigeria Police, had called for the suspension of the election in the state based on credible intelligence obtained.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police said the credible intelligence indicates a high likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned council election be held in the state.
However, the Osun State Government rejected the security advice from the Nigeria Police Force, which called for the suspension of the election.
READ ALSO: Suspend LG Polls, Police Tell Adeleke
In a statement signed late Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government stated that the grounds for rejecting the advice were based on the rule of law and aversion to police partisanship.
The state government also accused the police of pursuing partisan interests rather than obeying court orders and working against the rule of law.
An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa on Friday held that vacancies existed in all the 30 LGAs in the state and mandated the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to fill the offices.
READ ALSO: Court Asks Osun Electoral Commission To Conduct LG Poll
Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, while ruling on a motion on notice filed by the Peoples Democratic Party in a suit number HIL/M/.192025 against the Osun State Electoral Commission and Hashim Abioye, the OSSIEC chairman, also directed law enforcement agencies to provide security during and after the local government election.
Aderibigbe held that vacancies exist in Osun LGAs after the election conducted by OSSIEC on October 15 2022, was invalidated by the Federal High Court in a judgement delivered on November 30, 2022.
He also said the judgement of the Federal High Court was confirmed by the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on January 13, 2025.
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Politics
FULL LIST: APC Sweeps Rivers Elections, Wins 20 Of 23 LGAs
Published
20 hours agoon
August 31, 2025By
Editor
The All Progressives Congress has emerged victorious in a landslide victory in the Saturday Rivers State local government elections, securing 20 out of the 23 LGAs.
According to The PUNCH, the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Michael Odey, announced the results at the commission’s Headquarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday afternoon.
According to Odey, the Peoples Democratic Party managed to clinch the remaining three LGAs.
The full list of chairpersons-elect is as follows:
READ ALSO:Group Fumes As Rivers CJ Inaugurates LG Poll Tribunal
1. Abua/Odual: Ofori Owolabi (APC)
2. Ahoada East: Solomon Achoma (APC)
3. Ahoada West: Eugene Epelle (APC)
4. Akuku Toru: Bob Fubara (APC)
5. Andoni: Lucky Promise (APC)
6. Asari Toru: George Onegiyeofori (APC)
7. Bonny: Abinye Blessing Pepple (APC)
8. Degema: Michael John Williams (APC)
9. Eleme: Obarilomate Ollor (APC)
10. Emohua: Chidi Loyd (APC)
11. Etche: Njoku Boniface (APC)
12. Gokana: Dekor Confidence (APC)
READ ALSO:Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date
13. Ikwerre: Charles Wobodo (APC)
14. Khana: Bariere Thomas (APC)
15. Obio/Akpor: Gift Worlu (PDP)
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Shedrach Ogbogu (PDP)
17. Ogu/Bolo: Vincent Nemioboka (APC)
18. Okrika: Akuro Tobin (APC)
19. Omuma: Obasi Uchechwuku (APC)
20. Opobo/Nkoro: James A. James (APC)
21. Oyigbo: Okechukwu Akara (APC)
22. PHALGA: Allwell Ihunda (PDP)
23. Tai: Mbakpone Okpe (APC)
The RSIEC Chairman also disclosed that certificates of return will be presented to the winners on Monday, September 1.
This election marks the first time the APC has gained such dominance in Rivers State since the return of democracy in 1999.
Politics
Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027
Published
20 hours agoon
August 31, 2025By
Editor
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party risks serious setbacks in its 2027 presidential strategy if it opts for former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi as its standard-bearer.
In a long post on his X account on Sunday, Keyamo said the opposition party remains in a “non-enviable position” after failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a decision he said cost the PDP support in its traditional strongholds in the South-South and South-East.
Keyamo argued that nominating Jonathan carries a constitutional danger tied to section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which he suggested could bar anyone sworn in twice as president from contesting again.
“If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” Keyamo wrote, warning that such a legal challenge would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
READ ALSO:APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race
“The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.
“If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it.”
He added that the party would bear responsibility if it ignored the legal risk and lost its candidacy after nominations closed.
“All the arguments … will not be decided on social media, but at the Supreme Court,” he said.
Keyamo also dismissed the likelihood of a successful South-West flagbearer for the PDP.
READ ALSO:Jonathan, Obi Can’t Match APC’s Strength For 2027 – Mustapha Salihu
“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive S/West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for a fresh two terms in office.
“And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West. You need a majority of at least 3 to 4 regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency.”
On Peter Obi, the minister said bringing the former Labour Party candidate into the PDP fold would not solve the party’s problems.
He suggested doubts about Obi’s credibility, plus his past one-term pledge, could dilute support among his core followers.
READ ALSO:Stolen Jewellery: Patience Jonathan Ex-aides’ Lawyer Laments As Adjournment Hits 42
“The principled ones amongst the ‘obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit … and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore,” Keyamo wrote.
Concluding his assessment, the minister blamed the PDP’s current predicament on what he called its “original sin” of not zoning the 2023 ticket to the South.
“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics,” he said, adding that unless “something EXTRAORDINARY happens, the Party may have to wait till 2031.”
The PDP has not publicly responded to Keyamo’s comments.
Politics
Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC
Published
21 hours agoon
August 31, 2025By
Editor
The former Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Marafa has confirmed his resignation from the All Progressives Congress.
Marafa, who confirmed his registration to Channels Television via text message on Sunday, left the ruling party after a meeting with his political structure last Wednesday and Thursday.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the leaders of the group unanimously resolved to dump the APC over what they described as injustice, neglect, and worsening insecurity in Zamfara State.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil
They expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation, citing recent statistics that placed Zamfara as the state with the highest number of kidnapping cases in the country.
The group also accused the Federal Government of politicising insecurity during the recent Kaura Namoda bye-election, alleging that security forces were deployed to secure the APC’s electoral victory rather than protect lives.
“The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people. We shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State,” the communiqué, issued on Friday, partly read.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Subsidises Kidney Dialysis Cost By 76% In Federal Hospitals
On political appointments, Marafa’s loyalists faulted what they termed the deliberate marginalisation of Zamfara, despite the state’s contribution to the APC’s 2023 presidential victory.
They noted that while other states in the North-West secured multiple ministerial slots, Zamfara got only one, and communities devastated by banditry attacks have received little or no federal intervention.
The statement, signed by Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara (Chairman) and Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe (Secretary), added that the group will soon announce its next political direction in line with the aspirations of the Zamfara people.
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