Politics

[EXCLUSIVE] Edo Polls: Why Some APC Guber Aspirants May Be Forced To Drop Ambitions

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Some governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election may be forced to drop their ambitions, INFO DAILY has exclusively gathered.

This is as a result of some criteria put before them by a five-man committee set up by leadership of the party in the state to screen the 26 aspirants with a view to pruning the number.

Recall that INFO DAILY had reported that the APC suspended sales of expression of interest and nomination forms for the Edo State governorship election occasioned by a meeting convened by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole purposely to discuss the September 21st election.

At the end of Saturday, January 13th meeting, a five-man committee was set up by leaders of the party with the responsibility of interfacing with the 26 aspirants and pruning the number to a reasonable size, and coming up with a credible aspirant who will bear flag of the party.

The committee was given Monday, January 15 to submit its report to leaders of the party during a similar meeting fixed for the same Monday.

At Monday’s meeting, a source and leader of the party told INFO DAILY that the five-man committee saddled with the responsibility of screening the aspirants and pruning the numbers, came up of some criteria as regards who is qualified to contest the governorship election on the platform of the party.

Some of the criteria given to aspirants of the party during Monday’s meeting were that anyone aspiring to contest the governorship election must have won his or her unit during the last general election.

In addition, he or she who wants to bear the flag of the party in the September governorship election must have evidence to show as regards he or she contributions to the party in the past years.

Our source who pleaded that her name should not be mentioned said: “The five-man committee that was asked to screen the aspirants, the criteria they are looking for are: your unit results in the last general election; your membership of the party; your contribution to the party; your CV and your manifestos. These are the documents the aspirants have been asked to submit today (Tuesday, January 16.)

“After today (Tuesday’s) screening, it is expected that the committee would make its recommendations to national leadership of the party and stakeholders from the state in another meeting slated for Thursday.

“Hopefully, after the screening, those that are likely to make it are: Davide Imuse. He will make it because he won his unit, that I am very aware of. Apart from Imuse, other aspirants from Edo central lost their units during the last general election.

“Coming down to Edo South. General Charles lost his unit. I am not sure about pastor Ize-iyamu, but I guess he lost his unit too. But in Edo North, all the aspirants won their units,” our source disclosed

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.