Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Commences Statewide Campaign, Describes APC Candidate As Misfit

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

Editor

Ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election, the Edo State of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday commenced its statewide campaign, where it boasted of victory, and tasked security agencies to be fair to all participants in the exercise.

The rally which was held in Ubiaja , the headquarter of Esan South West Local Government Area had top leaders of the party including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; former deputy governor, Mike Ogiadomhe; state chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi; Sen Odion Ugbesia; local government council chairmen; deputy national youth leader of the party, Tim Osadolor amongst others.

Speaking, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku described Governor Godwin Obaseki as a cerebral man who has laid a foundation only the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq have the capacity to continue.

“This is Edo State that has produced Professor Ambrose Alli as governor, Chief John Oyegun, a top Permanent Secretary as governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor as governor and we have an Obaseki whose barins is a fire as governor. Are you going to vote for somebody who lacks capacity and education?, ” he questioned.

On his part, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, a chieftain of the party said contrary to reports, he was not on the run.

He added, “After waiting for 24 years to produce the governor, we cannot afford to produce Okpebholo (APC Candidate) because he lacks capacity. I have left the APC for good. I am now in PDP, and we in Esan have unanimously agreed to vote for Asue Ighodalo. I saw Oshiomhole jumping, somebody should tell him that his era is over, if they win, they will take Edo backward.”

The wife of Obaseki, Mrs Betsy Obaseki said the PDP was the first to ensure fairness by bringing Ighodalo as the candidate, adding that others were just copying the PDP.

“Surprisingly, they brought somebody who is not competent, but remember that Edo is always first that believes in fairness and equity, and that is why the governor worked to bring the candidate from here.”

Speaking, Ikimi called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a free and fair election in the state.

“My message to the IG of police, the DG of DSS is that they should ensure security on the election day for everybody. I have only one vote and let our votes count,” he added.

For the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, said Obaseki has laid a solid foundation that he would continue in a few years time, and that the people would be seeing the results.

He said, “We are ready to continue where our governor stopped. We will take Edo State to the next level. If a man wants to build a house, he has to start from the foundation. Governor Obaseki has started the foundation, and we will continue from where he stopped. The works they have done for the past eight years will soon begin to show.

“By the next one year, we will begin to miss the governor, but myself and Osarodion Ogie will do our best to maintain his good works. We all know the suffering on the ground, we all know the problem in Nigeria.”

Rounding off the campaign, Obaseki said it took him time to convince Ighodalo to come out of his comfort zone to contest, adding that he was not looking for comfort or affluence which he said he already has.

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Politics

FULL LIST: APC Sweeps Rivers Elections, Wins 20 Of 23 LGAs

Published

10 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has emerged victorious in a landslide victory in the Saturday Rivers State local government elections, securing 20 out of the 23 LGAs.

According to The PUNCH, the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Michael Odey, announced the results at the commission’s Headquarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday afternoon.

According to Odey, the Peoples Democratic Party managed to clinch the remaining three LGAs.

The full list of chairpersons-elect is as follows:

1. Abua/Odual: Ofori Owolabi (APC)

2. Ahoada East: Solomon Achoma (APC)

3. Ahoada West: Eugene Epelle (APC)

4. Akuku Toru: Bob Fubara (APC)

5. Andoni: Lucky Promise (APC)

6. Asari Toru: George Onegiyeofori (APC)

7. Bonny: Abinye Blessing Pepple (APC)

8. Degema: Michael John Williams (APC)

9. Eleme: Obarilomate Ollor (APC)

10. Emohua: Chidi Loyd (APC)

11. Etche: Njoku Boniface (APC)

12. Gokana: Dekor Confidence (APC)

13. Ikwerre: Charles Wobodo (APC)

14. Khana: Bariere Thomas (APC)

15. Obio/Akpor: Gift Worlu (PDP)

16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Shedrach Ogbogu (PDP)

17. Ogu/Bolo: Vincent Nemioboka (APC)

18. Okrika: Akuro Tobin (APC)

19. Omuma: Obasi Uchechwuku (APC)

20. Opobo/Nkoro: James A. James (APC)

21. Oyigbo: Okechukwu Akara (APC)

22. PHALGA: Allwell Ihunda (PDP)

23. Tai: Mbakpone Okpe (APC)

The RSIEC Chairman also disclosed that certificates of return will be presented to the winners on Monday, September 1.

This election marks the first time the APC has gained such dominance in Rivers State since the return of democracy in 1999.

Politics

Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

Published

10 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party risks serious setbacks in its 2027 presidential strategy if it opts for former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi as its standard-bearer.

In a long post on his X account on Sunday, Keyamo said the opposition party remains in a “non-enviable position” after failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a decision he said cost the PDP support in its traditional strongholds in the South-South and South-East.

Keyamo argued that nominating Jonathan carries a constitutional danger tied to section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which he suggested could bar anyone sworn in twice as president from contesting again.

“If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” Keyamo wrote, warning that such a legal challenge would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

“The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.

“If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it.”

He added that the party would bear responsibility if it ignored the legal risk and lost its candidacy after nominations closed.

“All the arguments … will not be decided on social media, but at the Supreme Court,” he said.

Keyamo also dismissed the likelihood of a successful South-West flagbearer for the PDP.

“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive S/West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for a fresh two terms in office.

“And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West. You need a majority of at least 3 to 4 regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency.”

On Peter Obi, the minister said bringing the former Labour Party candidate into the PDP fold would not solve the party’s problems.

He suggested doubts about Obi’s credibility, plus his past one-term pledge, could dilute support among his core followers.

“The principled ones amongst the ‘obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit … and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore,” Keyamo wrote.

Concluding his assessment, the minister blamed the PDP’s current predicament on what he called its “original sin” of not zoning the 2023 ticket to the South.

“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics,” he said, adding that unless “something EXTRAORDINARY happens, the Party may have to wait till 2031.”

The PDP has not publicly responded to Keyamo’s comments.

Politics

Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC

Published

11 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

The former Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Marafa has confirmed his resignation from the All Progressives Congress.

Marafa, who confirmed his registration to Channels Television via text message on Sunday, left the ruling party after a meeting with his political structure last Wednesday and Thursday.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the leaders of the group unanimously resolved to dump the APC over what they described as injustice, neglect, and worsening insecurity in Zamfara State.

They expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation, citing recent statistics that placed Zamfara as the state with the highest number of kidnapping cases in the country.

The group also accused the Federal Government of politicising insecurity during the recent Kaura Namoda bye-election, alleging that security forces were deployed to secure the APC’s electoral victory rather than protect lives.

“The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people. We shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State,” the communiqué, issued on Friday, partly read.

On political appointments, Marafa’s loyalists faulted what they termed the deliberate marginalisation of Zamfara, despite the state’s contribution to the APC’s 2023 presidential victory.

They noted that while other states in the North-West secured multiple ministerial slots, Zamfara got only one, and communities devastated by banditry attacks have received little or no federal intervention.

The statement, signed by Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara (Chairman) and Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe (Secretary), added that the group will soon announce its next political direction in line with the aspirations of the Zamfara people.