Politics

Guber Polls: PDP Inaugurates National Campaign Councils For Ondo, Edo

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2024

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, has denounced a statement credited to President Bola Tinubu, to the effect that he would take Edo for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Damagum, who spoke during the ongoing inauguration of the National Campaign Councils for Ondo and Edo States, in Abuja, on Thursday said the President and his party should be made aware that “Edo, no be Lagos.”

He said the ruling party should also be made aware that the PDP and the people of the two states would not allow anyone to “grab, snatch and run” with their mandate.

The party chairman equally said the people of Edo State were pleased with the record of performance of the outgoing PDP government led by Godwin Obaseki and were prepared to reward the party with their votes.

For Ondo State, he said the PDP and its members in the state had learnt their lessons from the last four years in opposition.

Damagum said, “Today, we are inaugurating these two campaign councils. I just have two or three words to say to you. Most of those of you that are selected have done this job before and have done it effectively.

“I want to remind you that the party you belong to is truly a democratic party.

“From the way these candidates emerge, it has shown that we are truly democratic. And also this should give you the faith that what you are going to embark on will yield the desired fruits.

“I’ve just been watching the remarks especially on Ondo, Amin Edo, where the President said he’s taking Ondo for his patch.

“Like we’ve always said, he has tried it before, and we have a slogan that ‘Edo no be Lagos.’ So, I want to use this opportunity to stress that we are in a democratic dispensation and there are rules that have to be adhered to.

“We will not sit down and allow anybody to snatch, grab, and steal. We will be battle ready for any thief that rares his head to steal our fortune.

“We have done so well in Edo State. We thank the Governor. We are very proud of him. And our records in that state speak volumes.

“And it is part of our pride. And it will be one we will use to continue giving them that dividend that they have enjoyed during Godwin Obasiki.

“So Edo is there for us because we have done very well and we will take it back to the PDP. Edo State has always been PDP.”

In his remarks, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature (Retd), said the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri will chair the Edo State Campaign Council to be assisted by his Delta.

State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and Dr. Agu Kefas of Taraba State.

He also said. “Mr. Chairman, he has about 148 members and we pray for the success of this committee.

“The committee from Ondo is chaired by Senator Ademola Adeleke, who unfortunately has not been feeling well to attend today. He made sure that his deputy will attend.

“We have Barrister Caleb Muftwan from Plateau will also be deputy and as well as Dauda Lawal from Zamfara State will be the second deputy.

“This list has about 177 members. Ondo is very large and we believe the composition of this membership will have cut across all our party members in those two states and we pray that we deliver these states.“

While speaking on behalf of the campaign councils, the Chairman for Edo State , Governor Ahmadu Finitiri of Adamawa State, said, “We are ready for Edo. We will not leave anything to chance. We will leverage on Obasaki’s performance.

“We have a low hanging political fruits in the two states. We should go with all seriousness.

“We will match APC. With technology, rigging is very minimal. PDP has bright chances in the two states. Edo has registered over 2000 since new registration has started.”

Speaking earlier, a member of the PDP National Executive Council who is also a member of the campaign team, Chief Tom Ikimi, said, “On behalf of those state members who are here, I salute you all. I’d like to thank the working committee for this occasion.

“That is the inauguration of the campaign council, national campaign council for Edo State. Let me assure you that we have already won the election in Edo State.”

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Politics

By-Election: Edo Is Home To APC — Deputy Gov, Idahosa

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon Dennis Idahosa, says irrespective of the setback experienced during the immediate past administration of the state, Edo is originally home to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this during the final campaign round for the Ovia federal constituency by-election in Ovia South West local government area that took place at Iguobazuwa.

The deputy governor expressed optimism that the party will come victorious in the bye-election scheduled for Saturday.

Idahosa, who was the occupant of the seat before his election as the state’s deputy governor, said he was sure of the APC candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, securing a minimum of 90 percent votes for the by-election.

“All that is needed is for us to fully mobilise and encourage our supporters to come out enmass to exercise their civic responsibilities on Saturday.

“It is very obvious that from our engagement with the people these past days and across various communities in the federal constituency, we are sure of not less than 90 percent of total votes cast.

“In fact, is not for the misdeed of the immediate past administration, Edo is home to the APC, it has always been right from the AC to ACN, and before the APC”, Idahosa stated

Meanwhile, the APC candidate for the bye-election, again reiterated her commitment to the betterment of the federal constituency.

Omosede Igbinedion noted that her synergy with the deputy governor was sure to attract developmental projects to the federal government.

She appealed to the people to come out on Saturday without fear or intimidation, to do what is required of them, cast their votes for the progressives party.

Notable leaders at the grand finale of the campaign at Iguobazuwa were the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Osamwonyi Atu, former deputy governors of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, and Chief Lucky Imasuen.

Others are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party former governorship candidate,Mr Lawrence Okah, the state Secretary of the party, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chief Billy Osawaru, amongst others.

Politics

Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.

Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.

The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.

But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.

Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.

“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.

“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.

“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.

“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.

“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”

Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.

Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.

“Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”

He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.

The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)

Politics

JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.

Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.

He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”

Details shortly…