Politics

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

Published

2 years 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

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.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

9 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.”