Politics

Edo Poll: APC Clears Air, Says No Aspirant Disqualified

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Contrary to reports in some quarters that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has screened out some governorship aspirants in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election, the party has come to say no aspirant has been disqualified so far.

On January 13, a stakeholders meeting was held by leaders of the party in the state in Abuja where a five-man committee led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere was set up with the responsibility of interfacing with the over 26 aspirants and pruning the number to a reasonable size, and coming up with a credible aspirant who will bear the flag of the party.

The House Representatives Majority Leader-led committee after meeting with the over 26 aspirants reportedly screened and pruned the number of aspirants to 10, later 6 and finally four, a development that has caused tension in the party in the state.

But speaking during a press briefing in Benin on Tuesday, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Peter Uwadiae, said there was no time the committee disqualified any aspirants, stressing that the Prof. Ihonvbere-led committee was not given such power.

The Publicity Secretary who said only the committee set up by the National Working Committee, is constitutionally empowered to screen and disqualify any governorship aspirant, disclosed that the committee set up by leaders of the party in the state was just “a mere adversary committee” and not a screening committee as portrayed.

Uwadiae said: “The Prof. Ihonvbere
committee was put up by caucus of the party in the state. The need for it was that we were advised by the national to ensure that the number of aspirants is pruned down, that was the rationale behind the setting up of the committee. The committee was to look at the aspirants, interface with them, and possibly also advise the party on the need for some of these aspirants to drop their ambition.

“It was not a screening committee as such. Because under our law and constitution, it is only the National Working Committee that has power to set up a screening committee. But the Prof. Julius Ihonvbere committee was necessitated by the increase in the number of aspirants. The national believes that if we allow all these aspirants to go into the field on the day of our primary, there might be rancour and disaffection which will ultimately rob on the party.

“So, I want to let our people know that the Prof. Ihonvbere committee is just an adversary committee, and this is the same way we want people outside to look at it.

“What the committee brought out as recommendation, was a mere adversary recommendation and not recommendation that stops anybody from purchasing forms.

“The Committee never disqualified anybody. The committee merely advised the party on the way to go so that there will be no crisis in the party,” he added.

The Publicity Secretary, while stating that his party believes in unity, fair play and democracy, described his party as disciplined, assuring that nothing would be done outside what the party constitution and Electoral Act spelt out

“We are a very disciplined party. We do our things according to law, dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the party constitution. We will not derail from those statutory provisions,” he added.

He, therefore, urged party faithful not to allow the situation to cause rancour and disaffection among them.

Politics

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

Published

4 hours 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

4 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

4 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.