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Ondo Election: LP Candidate, Ebiseni, Protests Exclusion From Channels TV Debate

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Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, have expressed strong disapproval over their exclusion from a debate for gubernatorial candidates organized by Channels Television.

Only two candidates, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), were invited to participate in the debate scheduled for Sunday, November 3.

Prince Olu Johnson Egbodofo, Director of Publicity for the LP campaign, issued a statement in Akure, condemning the exclusion as an “orchestrated perversion of the will of the people of Ondo State.”

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“We want to make it known that our party and candidates are prepared for this debate,” Egbodofo said.

READ ALSO: Ondo Poll: INEC Announces Date For Mock Accreditation

The statement reads: “The attention of the Labour Party and its candidates in the Ondo State Governorship Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, has been drawn to an advertisement by Channels Television promoting a live debate on Sunday, November 3, 2024, exclusively for candidates of the ruling APC and PDP, which Channels mistakenly labeled as ‘the two leading candidates.’”

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As a media-friendly organization, LP officials, including Chief Ebiseni, promptly reached out to Channels Television and debate anchor Seun Okinbaloye, urging the station to provide fair coverage for all major candidates. Ebiseni reportedly received assurances from Okinbaloye that LP’s exclusion would be addressed; however, no adjustments were made as the debate date approached, leading the LP to consider legal and public actions.

Egbodofo emphasized that in past Ondo gubernatorial debates—held by Channels in 2012, 2016, and 2020—no candidate had ever been excluded based on subjective criteria like “leading candidates,” a term he criticized as manipulative and unrepresentative of the political landscape.

READ ALSO: Ondo Poll: INEC To Deploy 4,814 BVAS, Okays 700 Journalists

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For clarity, the Labour Party is the first political party since 1999 to have governed Ondo State for two terms, from 2009 to 2017, during which our governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, and his running mate, Adedayo Awude, served as commissioners,” he noted.

The statement further asserted LP’s status as a significant political force in Ondo State, being the immediate predecessor to the current APC administration, and one of Nigeria’s largest parties. Egbodofo pointed to Ondo’s tradition of electing leaders based on intellectual capability and political experience, listing notable past governors like Adekunle Ajasin, Bamidele Olumumilua, and Olusegun Mimiko.

“We are ready for the debate, even at this late stage,” Egbodofo stated, adding that Channels should reconsider its stance to avoid undermining the democratic process. “If Channels cannot ensure fair representation, it should put this debate on hold to maintain its reputation.”

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APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

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APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

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Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

READ ALSO:Why Kwankwaso-Atiku Alliance Can’t Work — APC Chief

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

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He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

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He said these actions remain unchallenged.

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Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

READ ALSO:APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

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He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

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Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

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READ ALSO:Alleged Christian Genocide: APC Requests To Testify At US Congress

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

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He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

READ ALSO:Trump To Receive Full Menu Of Options To Stop Nigeria Genocide – US Rep, Moore

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

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Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.

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Top NNPP Mobiliser In Kano Resigns, Cites Neglect, Lack Of Recognition

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A key member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Bichi Local Government Area, Hon. Jamilu Kabir Bichi, has resigned from the party, saying he has been consistently sidelined despite his contributions.

Kabir, who was the NNPP Director-General of the 2023 Campaign in Bichi, announced his resignation in a letter dated November 19, 2025, and addressed to the party’s ward chairman.

He described his decision as “painful yet necessary,” explaining that he and his supporters had faced neglect in the party, especially in his home community.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

He said the leadership had failed to acknowledge the sacrifice and effort of loyal members.

Fear grips Nigerians as terrorists go on rampage, target large gatherings
“The leadership’s refusal at all levels to recognize our progressive agenda, loyalty, patience, and endurance has been deeply disheartening,” he wrote.

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Kabir also said many committed members who worked hard to build the NNPP were denied chances to serve in the party or in government after the party won elections.

According to him, this made it impossible to remain in the party.

READ ALSO:Mass Exodus Hits APC, LP, NNPP As Over 5,000 Members Join PDP In Benue

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As a principled individual with a political vision and mission… I can no longer, in good conscience, remain in a party that compromises my values,” he stated.

He thanked his political mentor, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ahmad Garba Bichi, praising his patience, loyalty, and straightforwardness.

Kabir added that he would continue to practice “politics without bitterness.”

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He ended his letter with a prayer, asking Allah to guide the people of Bichi, Kano, and Nigeria, and pledged to stay committed to serving humanity.

 

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