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

VIDEO: Akpabio, Oshiomhole Clash Amid 2027 Intrigues

Published

14 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

What began as a routine legislative procedure on Wednesday spiralled into a high-voltage confrontation in the Senate, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a dramatic face-off that exposed simmering political tensions tied to the 2027 power game.

The immediate trigger was procedural: Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order just as Akpabio moved to confirm the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.

But the refusal of the Senate President to recognise him—despite repeated shouts of “point of order!”—quickly transformed the moment into a charged standoff.

Oshiomhole appeared determined to be heard, repeatedly interrupting proceedings in a manner that unsettled the chamber.

Attempts by Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno to restore calm failed, as the Edo North senator pressed on.

In a stern and calculated response, Akpabio asserted his authority, invoking the Senate Standing Orders and reading out provisions that underline his sweeping powers to control debate, interpret rules, and discipline erring lawmakers.

“The rules and laws governing the Senate Chamber… are clearly defined,” he said, before reeling off his constitutional and procedural powers.
He did not stop there.

“Let me be clear… many people may not have seen this order,” Akpabio added pointedly, in remarks that drew murmurs across the chamber.

As the exchange intensified, he issued a direct warning: any senator who becomes unruly would be asked to leave.

“This is the final warning,” he declared but beneath the surface, the clash carried deeper political undertones.

Multiple sources within the National Assembly suggest Oshiomhole’s insistence on raising a point of order may not have been merely procedural.

The former Edo State Governor is widely believed to be nursing ambitions for the Senate Presidency in 2027 and Wednesday’s confrontation is being interpreted in some quarters as an early signal of discontent with the current power structure.

At the heart of the tension is a controversial amendment to Senate rules, which critics say has effectively narrowed the 2027 Senate Presidency race to a select circle of insiders—years before the first vote is cast.
For figures like Oshiomhole, the development is said to be deeply unsettling.

Insiders claim the amendments are part of a broader political calculation to shape the leadership of the next National Assembly.

According to multiple accounts, the move is allegedly backed by powerful interests within the ruling establishment seeking to ensure that the Senate leadership remains firmly aligned with the executive arm.

Critics argue that the strategy is designed to shut out independent or unpredictable contenders, preempt internal rebellion, and ultimately shield the executive from robust legislative scrutiny.

Within this context, Wednesday’s drama is being viewed less as a spontaneous breakdown of order and more as a clash rooted in control, ambition, and the future leadership of the Senate.

To some observers, Akpabio’s firm handling of the situation was a necessary assertion of order.

To others, it signalled the use of institutional authority to silence dissent at a politically sensitive moment.

Either way, the explosive exchange has laid bare a Senate increasingly defined not just by lawmaking—but by high-stakes maneuvering ahead of 2027.

Watch the video here

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

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

Published

8 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.