Politics

Edo Poll: APC, Govt Clash Over Boycott Of Peace Accord

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2024

The All Progressives Congress on Friday stated that it welcomes Governor Godwin Obaseki’s decision to boycott the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

Director of Media for the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, made this known in a statement, expressing hope that the governor’s decision would work against him.

The statement read, “We have just been informed that Governor Obaseki has threatened to boycott next Saturday’s gubernatorial election unless the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner are removed from office.

“These demands by Governor Obaseki are rogue, ludicrous, ridiculous, self-serving, egocentric, and palpably insulting to the good people of Edo State.

“It is laughable that Governor Obaseki, who is not a candidate in this election, is attempting to dictate the terms of the election. He is trying to be clever by half, believing he can choose his referee in a contest where his godson, Asue Ighodalo, is a candidate.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the people of Edo have full confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, as well as the Commissioner of Police.

“Both officers have been working diligently to ensure the September 21 election is hitch-free, fair, and credible. We commend them for their efforts so far and for withstanding Governor Obaseki’s attempts to influence them to serve his selfish interests.

“Obaseki’s latest threat stems from frustration. He appears to have forgotten the meaning of ‘NO,’ hence his threats to withdraw.

“We also commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for the bold decision to disband the Edo Security Network, which had been operating like a rogue squad in the state. We are committed to a peaceful, free, and fair election.

“We welcome the PDP’s planned boycott of the September 21 gubernatorial election and hope it counts against them. We urge all our members to remain calm and confident as we look forward to victory for the APC.

“Governor Obaseki and his godson are simply trying to create self-serving rules for themselves. Elections are not a do-or-die affair, but a process of selecting who will move Edo State forward.

“We are confident of victory in both the election and governance. Should Obaseki and his party, the PDP, backtrack on their boycott threat, we will conclude that they are simply failed politicians, attempting to salvage their situation.”

Responding, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects to the governor, said Afegbua’s comments made him sound like the mouthpiece of the police, and his stance confirmed a wilful collusion.

He stated, “The Edo State Government has noted the childish and infantile attempts by the Director of Media of the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, to misinterpret the events of September 12 regarding the signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

“It is perplexing that Afegbua is now standing in for the Nigerian Police, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party has boycotted the September 21 election in Edo State.

“It is curious that Afegbua would descend to such a low level to carelessly interpret the Peace Accord signing, organised by the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Benin City, as an act of election boycott.

“We clarify that the PDP did not boycott the election, but rather refrained from signing the Peace Accord until the conditions we put forward for ensuring a level playing field were met. This is a reasonable request under the circumstances.

“For anyone still in doubt, why is the Inspector General of Police suddenly rushing to charge individuals his office has held in custody for nearly two months, following our refusal to sign the Peace Accord?

“Afegbua’s comments indicate that the APC is in collusion with the police. His commendation of the Police Chief confirms the APC’s and the Police’s sinister plans for the election.

“We reiterate our position that the IGP and his ‘Rogue Contingent’ are playing out the APC’s script to use ‘Federal Might’ to manipulate the election. This must be resisted by the people of Edo State on September 21.

“Only a level playing field for all participants in the election will ensure justice for the people of Edo State as we approach the polls.”

Politics

Wike Bloc Asks Court To Nullify PDP Convention

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2025

Editor

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order nullifying the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the faction aligned with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2025, has as plaintiffs the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

They are asking the court to declare the convention and all resolutions “null, void and of no effect.”

They want the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the convention.

The move follows earlier legal actions by aggrieved PDP members who argued that proceeding with the convention violated the party’s internal rules, the Electoral Act, and other statutory provisions.

Previous complainants include Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South PDP Secretary Turnah Alabh George.

On October 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained INEC from recognising the convention.

In a separate suit, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido successfully challenged his exclusion from purchasing a nomination form to contest for national chairman, with Justice Peter Lifu ordering that the convention should not proceed unless he was allowed to obtain the form.

In contrast, Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, issued an interim order permitting the PDP to hold the convention as scheduled.

Despite the conflicting rulings, the party went ahead with the Ibadan event under heavy security, during which Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others were expelled.

In the new suit dated November 21, the plaintiffs listed 18 defendants, including INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, and several PDP officials.

They allege the convention was conducted “in flagrant disregard” of three subsisting Federal High Court orders and seek to prevent recognition of the new officers, restore access to party offices at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House, and compel security agencies to enforce the earlier judgments.

The plaintiffs also request judicial determination on whether any authority can lawfully recognise the Ibadan convention in light of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the PDP constitution.

The suit has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no hearing date has been fixed.

Politics

Crack In Edo APC As Group Accuses Party Chieftain Of Acting Opposition’s Script

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

All seems not well with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a pro-APC group known as Sustainable Development and Progress accused a chieftain of the party, honourable
Luqman Mohammed of playing the script of the opposition parties to destabilise the APC in Edo North Senatorial District.

This, according to the group, is responsible for the sharp division in Etsako West Local Government Area.

A statement by the spokesman of the group, Peter Mohammed, the body accused Mohammed and “his cohorts of convening a secret meeting at the residence of a top chieftain of the party where it was decided that the destabilization of the APC would begin from Edo North ahead of the 2027 General election.”

The cracks in the APC were sad to become obvious when Mohammed, who they claimed is an ally the immediate past Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), allegedly led some leaders to suspend Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the leader of ward 11 in Etsako West Local Government Area (Edo North ) of the state.

This action, according to the group, worsed an already tensed political situation in Edo North APC, and in retaliation, the suspended leader, Okwilague alongside other members moved against those that they claimed are behind the suspension—allegedly led by Mohammed.

The APC group also accused the former Edo State House of Assembly member of being a mole and a willing tool planted by the opposition leaders to destabilise the existing peace in the party.

The group alleged that “Luqman Mohammed attends APC meetings during the day and PDP’s meetings at night,” and vowed to expose and resist his efforts.

The group, while stating that Mohammed’s action amounts to “…working against the interest of the party,” alleged that “his recent outburst against the party was part of PDP and ADC’s plots and called for a thorough investigation of the weighty allegations.”

Meanwhile, a communique issued by the Ward Executive Committee and leaders
Etsako West Local Government Area, a resolutions, part of which is the suspension of some executive officers, and members.

The communique reads: “The ward 11 APC Executive Committee and leaders held a meeting on Monday 10 November, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the party secretariat Jattu-Uzairue Etsako West Edo State.

“The meeting aimed to discuss the following. The purported suspension ‘carryout’ (sic) by the Ward Chairman, Secretary and Youth Leader against Uzairue Leader Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.

“Anti-party activities fractionalizing and creating parallel party disobedience in carrying out lawful directives of the party. The meeting was focused to know if those allegedly suspended ‘violate’ article 21 of APC party constitution.

“It was unanimously agreed to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and report back to the house which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino.

“According to the disciplinary committee set up which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino, the Ward Chairman Daudu Jafaru Abubuakar, the Ward Secretary Yusuf Bala Bello and Youth, leader Francis Aliu ‘contravene’ and violated the article 21 of APC party constitution thereby recommended immediate suspension for them.

“At the end of the investigation the Ward Executive Committee (WEC) considered the report of the disciplinary committee which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino. Having carefully reviewed the finding and recommendation, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to approve their immediate suspension from the APC in Ward Eleven.

“Their actions had undermined the unity and integrity of the party, warning them against identifying as a member or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity. The LGA, ‘part’, SEC party and NWC party should as a matter of urgency ratify the above ‘mention’ names.

“It was unanimously agreed again that the Vice Chairman Mrs. Josephine Dokpesi should immediately be the Acting Chairman in line with the APC party constitution and oversee the political affairs of the ward pending time lifting of the suspension of the above ‘mention’ names.

“The entire Ward Executive Committee of Ward Eleven passed an implicit and undiluted vote of confidence on our indefatigable leader, the person of Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.”

Reacting, Mohammed denied allegations leveled against him and blamed the crisis on outsiders who have invaded ward 11 where he is the number one leader, to impose their stooges.

The former Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu is also from the ward.

While defending himself via a telephone interview, the former Edo House of Assembly member and later Board member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), frowned at the composition of the panel established by the State Working Committee to investigate the crisis in ward 11, especially the appointment of Mr. Blessing Agbonmere as head and Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the suspended leader as member of the panel.

Mohammed said Okwilague cannot be a judge in his own case and that Agbonmere is an interloper working to implement a script.

Politics

Oshiomhole Blasts Amaechi, Says He Built Railway To Niger Republic Instead Of Port Harcourt

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Monday criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of poor judgment and misplaced priorities during his tenure in office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole said: “Rotimi Amaechi is the most terrible. Look at the choice of language. A guy who shut down Rivers judiciary because he wanted to appoint his own personal favourite as chief judge of Rivers State. Once he couldn’t have his way, the Rivers State judiciary was shut down for almost two years.

“Look at the crisis in the railway system that he superintendent over for eight unbroken years. He was unable to get the priorities right, playing to the gallery.

“Now he rather constructed a rail, not to Kano, not to Port Harcourt, where he came from, but to Niger Republic.

“Which goods are we sending to Niger Republic? He was a minister. And if you were a minister under Buhari, you will be fair to him, life or death, that Buhari gave anyone he appointed free hand to do the job he assigned to you. That is what Buhari was.”