Politics

JUST IN] Edo APC Crisis: State Auditor, Ex-Reps Minority Whip, Woman Leader, 5 Others Recommended For Expulsion

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2023

… Recommends Others For Pardon, Suspension

… It’s Charade That Falls Short Of APC Constitutional Requirements – Osagie

A disciplinary committee set up to look into allegations of Anti-party activities levelled against eleven chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State has recommended expulsion of the current State Auditor of the party, Hon. Roland Alari; former Minority Whip, House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie; Mrs. Esohe Idemudia, woman leader of the local government and four others.

Other chieftains recommended for expulsion include: Mr. Monday Guobadia; Nelson Gomez Iserhienrhien, he was, until his suspension and consequent expulsion, Secretary of the party in the local government; Mr. Festus Iyekeoretin, until his suspension, he was the ward chairman of Isi South (Ward 8) and Mr. Evans Ozabor.

The committee also recommended three out of the eleven alleged offenders – Hon. Jolly Iyekeoretin; Barr. Felix Alari; Mr. Simon Uduogie, to be pardoned while it recommended that Mr. William Amadin be suspended for six months and thereafter reintegrated to the party.

According to the recommendation letter jointly signed by the Committee Chairman, Prof. David Osifo; Secretary, Daniel A. Noah Osa-Ogbegie, Esq., and a member, Dr. Washington Osa. Osifo, Esq, the alleged offenders allegedly worked against the party in their respective wards and units in the just concluded general elections resulting to the party’s failure in the local government area.

The recommendation letter addressed to the party local government chairman, the current State Auditor was accused of refusal to attend leaders’ meetings and campaigns, refusal to contribute monetarily to campaigns and involvement in “the 30 million Naira the PDP shared in Ehor ward on the eve of the House of Assembly election; he openly canvassed for votes against the party in his unit on the day of election for the House of Assembly ; that he organised a party in his house at Ehor to celebrate the loss of the party in his unit and ward in the House of Assembly election, singing songs to mock the party.”

On the other hand, Hon. Osagie was accused in the recommendation letter of refusal to attend leaders’ meeting, openly campaigned against his party , the APC and “That he did not contribute a dime to our campaigns fundraising. That he lost all the three Elections that were conducted on 25th Feb in his unit and ward by high margins.

“On the eve of the House of Assembly Elections; which was Friday 17th March, that he, Hon. Samson Osagie was seen in Rialto hotel, Eyaen at night holding a meeting with some of his ward Leaders including Mrs. Betty Iyayi, LGA Assistant Women leader, Barr. Uyi Ediale, LGA Legal adviser among others. It was gathered that it was in that meeting he concluded plans to sabotage APC and work in favour of the opposition in their various units.

“It is confirmed that he, Hon. Osagie called Hon. Stanley Otabor one of the Legacy PDP members who had agreed to work for the APC that he had resolved to work for PDP and that he (aforementioned Stanley Otabor) should join.

“It is also confirmed that he told one Mr. Igbinidu, a legacy PDP member that he should work for PDP when he (Igbinidu) was ready to work for the APC following prior arrangement the APC made with his PDP group. That the said Mr. Igbinudu was called by Hon. Charles Idahosa and he confirmed it to Hon. Charles Idahosa.

“In his polling unit on the House of Assembly Election Day, it was confirmed by some voters that Hon. Osagie told them to vote for the opposition PDP and when he was asked why, he said that was the order and that the PDP candidate was born at Egba and from neighbouring community, so Egba people must support their own. That was how APC lost the election to PDP.”

On the former Woman leader, the recommendation in the letter says “that she was in the USA at the beginning of campaigns and refused to participate in campaign even after she came back to Nigeria.

“That she did not donate any money to the campaign even after enjoying the opportunity as National delegate in the Presidential primaries.

“That she canvassed votes for the PDP to win Igieduma ward. That perusal of her unit and ward results eloquently point to her acts of sabotage against the Party that has done much for her. The petition also mentioned that she collected money from Governor Godwin Obaseki’s PDP in the House of Assembly election.”

Contacted by INFO DAILY, the former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Osagie said: “The allegations against me were duly answered and all denied but the committees abandoned my response to the allegations and make their unjust ,and unfair recommendations even when they have no cogent evidence to substantiate the allegations.”

“Indeed they were working from answer to questions to satisfy the bid of their pay masters.

“Unfortunately, the entire charade falls short of the Constitutional requirements for discipline in Article 21 of the APC Constitution.”

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Politics

LP Candidate Warns Of Plot To Disrupt Lagos LG Poll

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

The Labour Party, LP, chairmanship candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Engr. Seyi Ipinlaye, has raised concerns over alleged plans by certain individuals to incite violence and disrupt the upcoming Lagos State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

In a statement made available to journalists, Ipinlaye warned of attempts to replicate the “ugly menace” of the 2023 general elections, which he described as being marred by threats, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation.

Ipinlaye called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LAISEC, to ensure a free and fair election, urging law enforcement agencies to be proactive in preventing possible violence and protecting voters in Amuwo-Odofin.

“We are already seeing signs of desperation as Labour Party campaign posters and banners are being torn and defaced. If this continues unchecked, it may lead to voter suppression and possible anarchy,” he said.

Recalling LP’s victories in the 2023 general elections in both state and federal constituencies in Amuwo-Odofin, Ipinlaye expressed confidence in the party’s support base, warning that any attempts to manipulate the outcome could backfire.

He also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government to resist any interference in the electoral process, urging them to promote peace and transparency.

“We want the votes in Amuwo-Odofin to count, just like in Abia State where the governor allowed free and fair LGA elections without interference,” he said.

Ipinlaye concluded by calling on security agencies to remain neutral and act professionally before, during, and after the election to safeguard lives and property.

Politics

Protest Rocks Abuja Over Osun LG Polls

Published

3 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

Protesters under the aegis of the Nigeria Society for Democracy and Good Governance (NSDGG) and the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity (CCSJE) took to the streets of Abuja on Wednesday, demanding that the Federal Government enforce court judgments declaring the occupation of Local Government Council Secretariats in Osun State by All Progressives Congress (APC) officials as illegal.

The protest, which began at the Unity Fountain and proceeded to the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance, highlighted the escalating tension over the alleged disregard for judicial authority and its threat to democratic governance.

The civil society organisations urged the Attorney General, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Minister of Finance to intervene by recognising and funding only the duly elected officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the protesters, the PDP Chairmen and Councillors were validly elected on 22 February 2025, in an election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

However, despite court rulings voiding the appointments of APC officials, the party’s functionaries allegedly continue to occupy council offices across the state.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, Chairman of the CCSJE, Comrade Collins Idowu, described the situation as a ‘profound threat’ to the rule of law and democratic governance.

He emphasised the financial and constitutional dangers of the ongoing crisis, calling on the Minister of Finance to withhold further allocations to illegally occupying APC officials and instead channel funds to the duly elected PDP Chairmen and Councillors.

“The current situation in Osun State is not merely a political issue; it is a profound threat to the rule of law and democratic governance.

“Despite clear court judgments that have invalidated the APC officials’ claims to their positions, they continue to occupy Local Government Council Secretariats, undermining the very foundation of our democracy. This blatant disregard for judicial authority and electoral integrity is alarming and poses significant financial implications for the state and its citizens,” Idowu said.

On his part, the spokesperson for the NSDGG, Ambassador Usman Saidu Calculus, also described the situation as a threat to democracy.

He warned that continued financial support to those without a legal mandate sets a dangerous precedent and may trigger instability and chaos at the grassroots level of governance.

“The NSDGG stands firm in its commitment to promoting democracy and good governance in Nigeria, and we believe that your actions in this matter will reflect the government’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

“We demand that the government act decisively to rectify this situation by recognising the rightful representatives of the people and ensuring that public funds are allocated accordingly. The citizens of Osun State deserve to have their voices heard and their choices respected,” he said.

The protesters submitted letters to the offices of the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance, demanding strict adherence to the rule of law and the full implementation of valid court rulings.

Politics

ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia

Published

3 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Protem State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benue State, Chief Terngu Tsegba, has said Governor Hyacinth Alia is welcome to join the party if he so desires.

Speaking to newsmen Wednesday in Makurdi shortly after the unveiling of the party and his emergence as the Protem State Chairman, Chief Tsegba stated that members of other political parties were already collapsing their structures into the ADC and more were being expected.

He said: “Members of other parties are collapsing into the ADC, and anybody from any party that wants to join the ADC is welcome,e including the Governor of Benue state. If he wants to join the ADC, he is welcome provided he satisfies the requirements of the party.”

The former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Speaker Pro tempore of the House of Representatives explained that they had already resigned their membership of the PDP and were in the ADC to change the fortunes of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.

While expressing optimism that the ADC would take Benue State, Chief Tsegba said an ADC-led government in the state would frontally address the issues of insecurity in the state.

“For us in Benue state, if there is security,y the farmers can go to their farms, small businesses will thrive, and of course, everything will go as planned. So the first issue we are going to confront as a party and as a government is to arrest the insecurity in the state, return our people to their ancestral homes and then grant autonomy to local governments.

“If the Local Government are receiving their allocation directly from the Federal Government I believe most of the things the state cannot do at the local government level, the Local governments would be able to handle them.

“And to do that we will scrap the Bureau for Local Governments and return the allocation to the local governments.”

Unveiling the party earlier, former Governor of the State, Senator Gabriel Suswam stated that the coalition was born out of necessity, as the PDP, APC, Labour Party, LP, and other parties had been plagued by perpetual internal crises prompting the coming together of like minds in the ADC.

Meanwhile the PDP has described its members who joined the ADC as nomadic politicians seeking to destabilise the PDP for personal gains.

The party in a communique at the end of its Benue North West Senatorial District or Zone ‘B’ Stakeholders meeting held in Makurdi cautioned its members against joining any coalition.

Part of the communique read: “On the excitement over the new political platform, the PDP leaders describe former members of the party who have joined the coalition as an assemblage of nomadic politicians who are only seeking to destabilize the party for their personal and political gains.

“They are aggrieved because they were out manoeuvred when they attempted to seize the structures of the PDP for merchandise. They have no capacity to rescue anyone from anywhere. It is a truism that the PDP remains the only party committed to protecting our heritage, land, and people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP in Zone B remains one and indivisible and rooted in the ideals of our founding fathers. We have no dealing with any coalition or the purported new political party in the name of ADC.

“We are not in any coalition with any political party or parties. We therefore encourage our members to disregard any speculations of any coalition at any level. Those championing the coalition are the disgruntled and self-serving elements amongst us who have long enjoyed the support of PDP but now seek to undermine the party’s unity and progress.”
(VANGUARD)