The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, on Wednesday, inaugurated its campaign council for the August 16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, charging members to ensure a resounding victory for the party’s candidate.

The PUNCH reports that a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing the constituency, Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, died in July 2024.

The state APC chairman, Olayide Abas, gave this advice while addressing party leaders, stakeholders and supporters during the inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the state capital.

Abas, who expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the late Akinremi, described him as a friend of the masses who delivered beyond expectations before his untimely passing last year.

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He recalled that only representatives from Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress of Nigeria and APC had made the constituency proud since 1999, warning against returning control to individuals he described as hawks and impostors.

Abas commended all aspirants from the constituency for their contributions to democracy and the APC, urging unity among stakeholders to ensure collective success in the forthcoming poll.

“Reps member Akin Alabi (APC- Egbeda/Ona-Ara) as Director-General of the Campaign Council, is mandated to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Adewale Olatunji (Murphy).

“The newly inaugurated council comprises eminent party stalwarts, seasoned politicians, and dynamic administrators,” he said.

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In his remarks, the Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, Gaphar Ojetola, commended members for their dedication and unity, pledging unflinching support to ensure the party secures an overwhelming victory in the election.

Ojetola assured stakeholders that the campaign council would give its best by working tirelessly with all party structures, mobilising grassroots support, and ensuring the electorate clearly understands and embraces the party’s progressive agenda.

Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Monsuru Adeyemo appreciated the inclusiveness of the campaign process, noting that unity of purpose among members remained a critical factor in securing resounding electoral success across the constituency.

The Edo state deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, has tasked leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia North East to show they are on ground by winning the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

He said that the party expects nothing but victory in the federal constituency seat that became vacant following his (Idahosa) election as the deputy governor of the state.

According to a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this when the APC took their ward to ward campaign to Ofumwengbe, Ekiadolor, and Oluku communities in Ovia North-East.

The deputy governor noted that the party ought not to have any challenge winning the election considering the experience and pedigree of the leaders in the council area.

He told the leaders to ensure adequate mobilization of eligible voters across the room and cranny of the local government to secure victory for the party.

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“The job now belongs to you; mobilize, go to market places and speak to at least ten persons, convince them to come out to vote.

“If you are able to convince at least ten persons each, it becomes clear that we would be able to win Oluku Ward.

“But, if you hear the message of this campaign but decide to stand by the strength of your family alone, that is not what we expect of you,” he said.

Idahosa reminded the people of the developmental strides of Governor Monday Governor in the local government within such such short time in office.

He counselled Ekiadolor community not to waste their votes in support of opponents of the APC who do not know how to navigate the complexities of federal politics.

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According to him, “A vote for Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion as the Ovia federal constituency representative at the August 16 bye-election will expedite mass development.”

At Ofumwengbe community, he said the biggest project he had at hand was the presentation of the party’s candidate to the people and called for support.

“I can vouch for her, i know she would be able to perform more than I did while at the House of representatives,” he said.

Idahosa noted that Ofumwengbe is a known APC stronghold and was merely on ground for the campaign for formality sake.

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He said that he expected nothing short of a 100 percent votes here.

On her part, the APC candidate said her venture into politics was to see to the development of the federal constituency.

“I decided to step into politics and represent the people of Ovia federal constituency as I want to see its growth and development.

“I want to see better roads and better schools, I want to see better healthcare and electrification where there is none. I want to see water where there is none.

“I also want to see empowerment where there is none and farmers getting better deals as well as bring the dividends of democracy down to Ovia from Abuja.

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“I want to stand and legislate, make laws to ensure our country is safer and conducive for all the future generations, which is why I am here soliciting for your votes as I assure you – any one contesting against me is a learner,” she said.

Former deputy governor of the state, Lucky Imasuen commended Idahosa for his leadership role.

He said, “Governor Monday Okpebholo never made a mistake in making you his deputy.”

He called Omosede “a brand” whose presence at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly would open doors for the constituency.

Simirlarly, Dr. Pius Odubu, former deputy governor, counseled admonished the people on issue based campaign.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that only nine political parties are participating in the forthcoming Edo State Bye-Elections for Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District.

Briefing journalists in Benin on Wednesday of its activities ahead of the bye-elections in the state, Edo State Resident Electoral Commission of INEC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, said though 14 political parties earlier showed interest and registered for the bye-elections, only nine political parties conducted primaries hence they are the parties the law allowed to participate in the bye-elections.

Recall the Ovia Federal Constituency seat and Edo Central Senatorial District seat were declared vacant after Senator Monday Okpehbolo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa emerged governor and deputy governor of Edo State respectively.

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The state REC listed the parties participating to include Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Prof. Onuoha said five others who indicated their interest to participate in the bye-elections didn’t conduct their primaries.

According to him, INEC officials visited the addresses stated for the day for their primaries but to their greatest amazement, the offices were under lock and keys.

Onuoha said besides those political parties that indicated their interest in the election, the Labour Party (LP) didn’t notify INEC of its intention to participate in the election, adding that the party’s primary was therefore not known or monitored by the INEC officials.

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“Fourteen political parties expressed interest. They gave us their address, we went there and we didn’t see anybody. Those ones include Accord, BOOT Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressive Party (YPP), they closed their office.

“So, 14 expressed their interest but the other nine closed their offices. So, Labour Party didn’t express their interest”, Onuoha said.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, while expressing his sadness over the unwillingness for intending voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), said a total of 101,617 uncollected PVCs are recorded in the seven local government areas that are participating in the election.

He added that out of the 719,504 that registered for the election, only 617887 have collected their PVCs.

He assured the residents of the affected areas of free, fair and credible Bye-Elections in the state,

The REC, who disclosed that all modalities to ensure a smooth exercise have been put in place, urged residents to go out en-mass to cast their votes for their choice candidates.