Politics

Edo Assembly Speaker, Two Other Lawmakers, Formally Join APC

Published

3 months ago

May 6, 2025

Editor

Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC alongside Hon. Sunny Ifada, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Hon. Nosa Nosayaba.

Their defection to the APC now makes the party having 18 out of the 24 members of the Assembly.

The defection ground rally held today , May 6, 2025, also saw the former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, and 17 Local Government Chairmen, numerous councilors, joining the APC.

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru who received the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC.

He emphasized the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.

He commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.

He noted that the wave of defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.

On his part, Okpebholo welcomed the new entrants into the APC fold, promising that the state is on a path to an accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people.

“From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” the governor stated.

He declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“We will lead the South-South in supporting Mr. President. We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” he affirmed.

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described the Speaker’s return to APC as a homecoming, further describing Agbebaku as one of the original builders of the party in the state.

“This defection is a testament to the governor’s impressive performance. Out of 24 Assembly members, APC now holds 18 seats, providing the needed legislative support to move the state forward,” Oshiomhole said.

He expressed optimism that the governor’s achievements would earn him a second term in 2028, just as Edo State would deliver for President Tinubu in 2027.

Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the wave of defections to the visible development strides under Governor Okpebholo.

“The governor’s performance speaks volumes, and his results are drawing others back to the party,” he said.

Speaker Agbebaku, in his remarks, praised the governor’s developmental focus, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West LGA as signs of inclusive governance.

“We are here to support the governor and the president to move Edo forward,” he declared.

Politics

By-Election: Edo Is Home To APC — Deputy Gov, Idahosa

Published

13 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon Dennis Idahosa, says irrespective of the setback experienced during the immediate past administration of the state, Edo is originally home to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this during the final campaign round for the Ovia federal constituency by-election in Ovia South West local government area that took place at Iguobazuwa.

The deputy governor expressed optimism that the party will come victorious in the bye-election scheduled for Saturday.

Idahosa, who was the occupant of the seat before his election as the state’s deputy governor, said he was sure of the APC candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, securing a minimum of 90 percent votes for the by-election.

“All that is needed is for us to fully mobilise and encourage our supporters to come out enmass to exercise their civic responsibilities on Saturday.

“It is very obvious that from our engagement with the people these past days and across various communities in the federal constituency, we are sure of not less than 90 percent of total votes cast.

“In fact, is not for the misdeed of the immediate past administration, Edo is home to the APC, it has always been right from the AC to ACN, and before the APC”, Idahosa stated

Meanwhile, the APC candidate for the bye-election, again reiterated her commitment to the betterment of the federal constituency.

Omosede Igbinedion noted that her synergy with the deputy governor was sure to attract developmental projects to the federal government.

She appealed to the people to come out on Saturday without fear or intimidation, to do what is required of them, cast their votes for the progressives party.

Notable leaders at the grand finale of the campaign at Iguobazuwa were the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Osamwonyi Atu, former deputy governors of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, and Chief Lucky Imasuen.

Others are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party former governorship candidate,Mr Lawrence Okah, the state Secretary of the party, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chief Billy Osawaru, amongst others.

Politics

Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

Published

2 days ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.

Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.

The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.

But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.

Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.

“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.

“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.

“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.

“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.

“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”

Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.

Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.

“Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”

He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.

The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)

Politics

JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members

Published

2 days ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.

Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.

He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”

Details shortly…