Politics

Edo APC Primary: Our Party May End Up Not Fielding Guber Candidate, Concerned Stakeholders Express Fear

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Editor

Some members of a group, Concerned All Progressives Congress Stakeholders in Edo State on Monday expressed fear that the party risks losing the forthcoming September governorship election if the duly elected and announced winner of last Saturday’s primary, Senator Monday Okpebholo is robbed of his victory.

The group also described as “absurdity and total brigandage” the way and manner the Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state, against all known guidelines and processes in conducting party primaries, went ahead to announce Hon Dennis Idahosa as the winner of last Saturday’s APC governorship primary.

Addressing Journalists, counsel to Concerned APC Stakeholders, Barrister Douglas Ogbankwa, (Esq) on behalf of the group, also condemned the “violent brutalization of members of the Nigeria Union Journalists, (NUJ) who were there to carry out their constitutional responsibility as the watchdog of the society.”

The group noted, “The only recognised and recognisable Chief Returning Officer for the Edo 2024 governorship primaries appointed by the APC National Working Committee is Stanley Uzomaka Ogbuaja. Gov. Hope Uzodinma was only a ceremonial chairman of the process.

“It does not behove on him to declare the results .Dr. Ogbuaja declared the results as required by law, and we are afraid that if any other candidate not declared by the Officer required by law is presented to INEC, the All Progressives Congress may not have a Candidate for the Edo 2024 Governorship Elections.

“This is because the process of the election of candidates is very technical and specific. Any slip that is generated by political expediency shall cost the APC dearly. This is the experience gleaned from judicial precedence on the score. There are a plethora of authorities, which are extant on this issue.

“We wish to state with untainted equanimity, that any other candidate being taunted about as a purported candidate of the APC for the Edo 2024 governorship elections, aside the duly returned candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo , presupposes that APC does not have a candidate in Edo State .

“It means that APC will be given the Rivers State and Zamfara states treatments, which unfortunately are tied to the antics of the same man that is behind this charade, being attempted in Edo State. It was Mark Twain the American Writer that said “History does not repeat itself, at best it rhymes “.

“We humbly and passionately call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , H.E. Abdulahi Ganduje to do the right thing and endorse the legally returned candidate as provided by the APC Constitution.

“We do not want the Banani Scenario as it was in Adamawa State, where the election was voided because the Returning Officer’s duties were hijacked by the Resident Electoral Officer, who is currently being Prosecuted.”

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.