Politics

Edo Poll: Aspirant Faults APC Screening Committee’s Report

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2024

Editor

The All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Edo State, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, has described the APC Pruning Committee’s report as lacking in merit.

The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed September 21, 2024, for the Edo State governorship election. The APC slated the primary where its candidate would emerge for February 17, 2024.

The APC had set up a committee as an internal mechanism to screen and prune down the number of aspirants to a manageable level to ensure a rancor-free primary election.

Consequently, the committee pruned the number of aspirants from 29 to 10, and subsequently to six, with two aspirants from each of the three senatorial districts. It further pruned the list to four with two each from Edo Central and Edo South senatorial districts, screening out those from Edo North senatorial district.

Reacting, Dekeri, a member representing the Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, on Monday in Abuja said he was determined to seek the APC ticket in the Edo 2024 Governorship race.

He declared that the race for the APC ticket in Edo state should be a vigorous competition of ideas, values, and leadership qualities.

He stated, “It is important to inform all and sundry that the committee formed was an internal arrangement by the state leaders of our party to help the party and the aspirants conserve resources to properly prosecute the primary election to avoid going into the main election divided, as that may cause grievances by those who may come short of winning the primaries.

“It was resolved and agreed that the committee has to be fair to all aspirants, and as stated in its terms of reference, their role is only advisory. As expected, all aspirants subjected themselves to the screening in accordance with the terms of reference of the committee.

“However, the report presented by the committee totally betrayed the true performance of the aspirants and lacked merit, which was observed even by the State Party leaders who set up the committee. They were proposing an appeal committee to right the wrong before the attention of the house was drawn to the fact that the National Working Committee of our great Party, APC has clarified that the appropriate organ that has the locus standi to screen aspirants after they procure and submit the expression and nomination forms in accordance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act as amended.

“I wish to use this opportunity to thank my teeming supporters and party faithful for their unwavering support for my aspiration as the leading aspirant. In expressing my dissent, I will not waver in my determination and resolve to vie for the APC ticket in the Edo 2024 Governorship race.

“I firmly believe that the goodwill from my beloved Edo people, my experience with the downtrodden and the ordinary Edo person, my dedication, competences, and track record make me the candidate to beat and the best option for the APC to secure victory in the upcoming election.”

Dekeri urged the APC leadership to uphold the essence of democracy and give every qualified aspirant an equal opportunity.

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

1 hour 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

7 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

8 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.”