Politics

Edo 2024: Imansuangbon Tip To Emerge LP Governorship Candidate – Investigation

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2023

There are strong indications that the leadership of the Labour Party in Edo State may have concluded to throw their weight behind the governorship aspiration of Barrister Ken Imansuangbon, a frontline governorship aspirant in the 2024 Edo governorship.

Imansuangbon, popularly known as “the riceman”, a few months ago dumped his former party, the PDP and defected to the Labour Party. He was received by both the national and state leadership of the party in a grand reception amid jubilation.

Some of the aspirants seeking the LP governorship tickets are Dorry Okojie, Olumide Akpata, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Pastor Azemhe Azena, Stephen Ogbemudia among others.

It was learnt that the decision of Imansuangbon to seek the platform of the LP to pursue his aspiration is already creating buzz in the party as he is perceived to have the political war chest and spread to take Labour party to Osadebey avenue, the number seat of power, a strong factor the party is said to consider.

Some top members of the LP are said to be working behind the scene to ensure that the ticket of the party is given to a candidate with strong political experience and capacity to get the votes comes 2024 governorship battle.

A source within the party said, “The Labour party is open to all because we want everybody to come on board in the battle to take over Edo state. Beyond the increasing number of aspirants seeking to be our governorship flag bearer, we are also looking at experienced politicians who can bring in the votes from the three senatorial districts because 2024 is a serious business and for greenhorns”

Meanwhile, youths of the Labour Party across the three senatorial districts of Edo State have begun mobilisation and sensitisation of party members to deliver Imansuangbon as the party’s governorship candidate.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release a time table for next year’s governorship election but aspirants of various political parties have embarked on grassroot mobilisation of voters.

The LP youths said their choice of Imansuangbon was because they believed he possessed the charisma to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Coordinator of the LP youths, Comrade Richard Asemota, spoke in Ekpoma after an enlarged meeting of the youths from across the state.

Comrade Asemota said they have activated the grassroot wing to help take the Imansuangbon message to the people in their homes.

Asemota stated that the LP does not need a greenhorn as its governorship candidate but an Imansuangbon that has supporters across the 195 political wards in the state.

His words, “We are here today to tell the world about our focus and where we are heading in the Labour Party. We, the Youth Wing, have decided to pitch our tent with Imansuangbon. The law allows us to choose our leaders.

“Our purpose is to come out this time before the release of the timetable because we do not want to confuse anybody. Our support is for Imansuangbon and we will not relent.

“The Imansuangbon course we have chosen to pursue. We are not stopping anybody from supporting other aspirants but we have chosen Imansuangbon as our preferred choice.

“All the party structure from the unit level to the state in terms of youth’s mobilisation has been activated. We will work for Imansuangbon to emerge as our party candidate.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.