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Edo Bye-Elections: Labour Party Missing As INEC Unveils Political Parties Participating

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that only nine political parties are participating in the forthcoming Edo State Bye-Elections for Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District.

Briefing journalists in Benin on Wednesday of its activities ahead of the bye-elections in the state, Edo State Resident Electoral Commission of INEC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, said though 14 political parties earlier showed interest and registered for the bye-elections, only nine political parties conducted primaries hence they are the parties the law allowed to participate in the bye-elections.

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Recall the Ovia Federal Constituency seat and Edo Central Senatorial District seat were declared vacant after Senator Monday Okpehbolo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa emerged governor and deputy governor of Edo State respectively.

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Bans Kabaka’s Firm, Others From Collecting Revenue

The state REC listed the parties participating to include Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

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Prof. Onuoha said five others who indicated their interest to participate in the bye-elections didn’t conduct their primaries.

According to him, INEC officials visited the addresses stated for the day for their primaries but to their greatest amazement, the offices were under lock and keys.

Onuoha said besides those political parties that indicated their interest in the election, the Labour Party (LP) didn’t notify INEC of its intention to participate in the election, adding that the party’s primary was therefore not known or monitored by the INEC officials.

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READ ALSO:Edo: Aggrieved APC Members In Oredo Accuse Party State Secretary Of Marginalisation, Want Okpebholo’s Intervention

Fourteen political parties expressed interest. They gave us their address, we went there and we didn’t see anybody. Those ones include Accord, BOOT Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressive Party (YPP), they closed their office.

“So, 14 expressed their interest but the other nine closed their offices. So, Labour Party didn’t express their interest”, Onuoha said.

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The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, while expressing his sadness over the unwillingness for intending voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), said a total of 101,617 uncollected PVCs are recorded in the seven local government areas that are participating in the election.

He added that out of the 719,504 that registered for the election, only 617887 have collected their PVCs.

He assured the residents of the affected areas of free, fair and credible Bye-Elections in the state,

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The REC, who disclosed that all modalities to ensure a smooth exercise have been put in place, urged residents to go out en-mass to cast their votes for their choice candidates.

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2027: Jonathan May Get Automatic Ticket, If… – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, if he returns to the party and plays a more active political role.

This was revealed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, during an exclusive interview in Abuja. Woyengikuro emphasized Jonathan’s continued influence within the party and the nation’s politics, describing him as the PDP’s national leader.

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Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from [former President Olusegun] Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.

READ ALSO:Renowned American Actor Jonathan Joss Shot Dead

He confirmed that the PDP has been consulting with Jonathan and his associates, aiming to bring him back into the party’s mainstream leadership as part of a larger strategy to reposition the party and address Nigeria’s growing political and economic challenges.

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“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage this country — for our generation and for those to come,” Woyengikuro added. “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”

When asked directly if the party would consider granting Jonathan an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded emphatically:

For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. You can quote me anywhere — I want him to come. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation.”

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READ ALSO:2027: Shocker As Patience Jonathan Throws Wight Behind Tinubu, Vows Rigorous Campaign

He further asserted that Jonathan’s return would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Woyengikuro also praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and a strong candidate from the South capable of bridging Nigeria’s generational divide.

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These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he concluded.

The PDP is expected to intensify its internal consultations in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

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PDP Announces National Convention Zoning Committee Inauguration Date

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The People’s Democratic Party, on Wednesday, announced that the inauguration of its National Convention Zoning Committee will take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as part of preparations for its 2025 Elective National Convention.

The party invites key stakeholders to a significant event aimed at shaping the party’s future leadership structure.

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This is contained in a press release by PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on the party’s official X account.

READ ALSO:2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

The inauguration is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm WAT at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

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The event will bring together PDP governors, members of the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, serving and former National Assembly members, as well as other key stakeholders.

“This is to formally inform and invite all our governors, BOT, NWC, NEC, serving and former NASS members, and all our stakeholders to the inauguration of the National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) of our great party,” the statement read.

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Oyo By-election: APC Unveils Campaign Council

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The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, on Wednesday, inaugurated its campaign council for the August 16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, charging members to ensure a resounding victory for the party’s candidate.

The PUNCH reports that a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing the constituency, Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, died in July 2024.

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The state APC chairman, Olayide Abas, gave this advice while addressing party leaders, stakeholders and supporters during the inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the state capital.

Abas, who expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the late Akinremi, described him as a friend of the masses who delivered beyond expectations before his untimely passing last year.

READ ALSO:Edo Bye-Elections: Show You Are On Ground, Idahosa Tasks APC Leaders

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He recalled that only representatives from Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress of Nigeria and APC had made the constituency proud since 1999, warning against returning control to individuals he described as hawks and impostors.

Abas commended all aspirants from the constituency for their contributions to democracy and the APC, urging unity among stakeholders to ensure collective success in the forthcoming poll.

Reps member Akin Alabi (APC- Egbeda/Ona-Ara) as Director-General of the Campaign Council, is mandated to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Adewale Olatunji (Murphy).

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“The newly inaugurated council comprises eminent party stalwarts, seasoned politicians, and dynamic administrators,” he said.

READ ALSO:Edo: Aggrieved APC Members In Oredo Accuse Party State Secretary Of Marginalisation, Want Okpebholo’s Intervention

In his remarks, the Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, Gaphar Ojetola, commended members for their dedication and unity, pledging unflinching support to ensure the party secures an overwhelming victory in the election.

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Ojetola assured stakeholders that the campaign council would give its best by working tirelessly with all party structures, mobilising grassroots support, and ensuring the electorate clearly understands and embraces the party’s progressive agenda.

Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Monsuru Adeyemo appreciated the inclusiveness of the campaign process, noting that unity of purpose among members remained a critical factor in securing resounding electoral success across the constituency.

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