Politics

I’ll Not Relinquish My Senatorial Ticket To Akpabio, DIG Vows

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2022

The All Progressives Congress candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Udom EKpoudom (retd.), has vowed that he will not relinquish the APC senatorial district ticket which he won on May 27, 2022 to Senator Godswill Akpabio or anyone, no matter the pressure on him.

The State Chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntuekpo, had, citing security infractions in the May 27 primary in the district, claimed he was directed to conduct a fresh primary by the national headquarters of the party on June 8, 2022, which produced the former Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio as the winner, having scored a total of 478 votes out of 512 accredited delegates.

But a statement on Sunday by Ekpoudum’s campaign Director-General, Hon. Uwem Udoma; Secretary, Obong Etokakpan, and the campaign’s Director of Media and Publicity, Peter Idiong, described the June 8, 2022 midnight primary that produced senator Godswill as “scam, unconstitutional, deceitful and legally defective.”

The statement assured the APC members in the Senatorial district that he will “under no circumstance, relinquish, withdraw or be substituted no matter the degree of pressure and inducement dangled by anyone.”

According to the statement, the mandate freely and expressly given to him to fly the APC ticket for next year’s senatorial election is not a commodity for buying and selling.

“The 2023 DIG Udom Ekpoudom Senatorial Campaign Organisation has observed an absurd, ridiculous and highly provocative conspiracy with respect to the APC Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District Senate primary election, validly won by Udom Ekpoudom. We vehemently wish to reiterate and state as follows;

“That DIG Udom Ekpoudom, the Standard Bearer is a very disciplined, cultured and law-abiding citizen with the national toga of Officer of Niger, hence, he has a high regards for extant laws of any establishment.

“Succinctly, the primary election was properly monitored by INEC as constitutionally required and Udom Ekpoudom, was victorious and declared the winner and the party’s flagbearer.

“Sequel to the aforementioned, we want to state categorically and without any ambiguity, that at no time did our party, the APC put our candidate on notice of any cancellation of the primary election or that of conducting another senatorial primary for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat,” the statement read in part.

The campaign organisation vowed that the mandate given to Udom Ekpoudom to contest next year’s senatorial election remained sacrosanct which would be judiciously guarded and protected.

“The purported “scam election” held on Thursday, June 8, 2022, at the Skills Acquisition Centre in Ikot Ekpene, is nothing but illegal, deceitful, unconstitutional, and legally defective,” the statement further said.

Politics

Anambra Guber: No Competition, Other Candidates Just Raising Funds – Soludo

Published

5 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra says his opponents in the upcoming Nov. 8 governorship election are merely using their candidatures as a means to raise funds.

Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made the assertion on Saturday during an endorsement rally organised by party faithful from the Anambra Central Senatorial District.

The political rally held at Ekwueme Square in Awka was organised to show support for the re-election of Soludo.

He said, “To ensure order, equity, and fairness in Anambra politics, the people came together and agreed on a zoning system among the three senatorial zones.

“Anambra Central started it with Mr. Peter Obi, followed by Anambra North under Dr. Willie Obiano, and now it is the turn of Anambra South, and we will have it for eight years.

“After Soludo, power will shift back to Anambra Central. So, there is no contest or vacancy in Anambra State Government House.

“As far as we are concerned, nobody else is contesting. The other contenders are just doing fundraising, meeting with state governors, and seeking support.”

Soludo expressed gratitude to the people for their solidarity and support, promising to sustain the transformation and development agenda of his administration.

“You have not seen anything yet; this is just the beginning. We are already putting plans in place for a rail network in the state, and it will be unveiled soon.

“We applied for this job, and we will continue working to improve the welfare of our people. With your continued support, Anambra will be transformed. A new Anambra is on the rise,” he said.

Soludo urged APGA faithful to go to their wards and mobilise the electorate to vote massively for APGA on Nov. 8.

Earlier, Mr. Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, read a communiqué on behalf of Anambra Central, endorsing Soludo’s candidacy and reaffirming support for the zoning formula to promote peace, equity, and progress.

The event also featured the conferment of the chieftaincy title “Olu Atu Egwu” on Governor Soludo by the traditional rulers of the Anambra Central Senatorial District.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra governorship election for Nov. 8, 2025, with 16 candidates in the race.
(NAN)

Politics

‘Your Gov Dancing Hip Hop In Port Harcourt’ – Wike’s Aide Mocks Atiku [VIDEO]

Published

6 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Olayinka said while Atiku is preoccupied with what he termed “run kitikiti with kolision,” his state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, was in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, dancing hip hop with Wike.

The University of Port Harcourt awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Wike on Saturday.

During and after the award ceremony, the FCT Minister, in the company of Fintiri and his other friends, was seen dancing to a variety of songs.

Posting a video on his Facebook wall of Wike dancing, Olayinka wrote: “Another Pepper Dem dance from Nyerisi and his friend.

“While one permanent presidential candidate dey run katakata kitikiti for Kolision, the governor of his state, Ahmadu Fintiri, dey Port Harcourt, dey dance Hip Hop with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.”

Click link below to watch:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BWjJJeDu3/

Politics

Why Peter Obi Should Inform Okpebholo Before Visiting Edo – Oshiomhole

Published

12 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has stated that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should extend the courtesy of informing Governor Monday Okpebholo before visiting Edo State.

Oshiomhole made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, amid growing controversy over Governor Okpebholo’s recent warning to Obi against entering the state without prior notification.

The governor had linked Obi’s earlier visit to a security incident that allegedly led to the deaths of three people, an assertion that has sparked backlash and accusations of political intimidation.

Defending the governor’s position, Oshiomhole argued that notifying state authorities before visiting state-owned facilities is a matter of protocol and mutual respect, especially for high-profile figures.

“Let’s be clear, the assets of Edo State are managed by the governor on behalf of the people,” the former Edo State governor said. “If I were to visit a public institution in another state, I would consider it proper to notify the authorities, this is just standard decency.”

Oshiomhole revealed that Obi was planning to visit a state-funded educational institution, noting that such a visit requires coordination with the appropriate government channels.

While acknowledging his long-standing acquaintance with Obi, Oshiomhole clarified their political divergence:

“Peter Obi and I have known each other for years. I respected him then, and I still do. But we don’t align politically, and I don’t agree with many of his positions.”

He maintained that the issue is not about politics or party affiliations but about observing protocol and showing respect for governance structures in any state.