Politics

Ondo Poll: APC Aspirants Absent At Meeting With Aiyedatiwa

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, met with the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in the state, calling on them to promote unity for the progress of the party.

The meeting came barely three weeks after Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the seventh executive governor of the state following the death of his predecessor and principal, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Monday’s meeting was the first Aiyedatiwa would hold with APC chieftains after he assumed office as governor.

At the moment, activities towards the governorship election in the state coming up later in the year have started gathering momentum.

The APC had ruled out giving Aiyedatiwa an automatic ticket for the election.

At the Monday meeting, many of the Ondo APC bigwigs eyeing the seat of the governor were absent.

At the meeting held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, only one governorship aspirant, Mrs Oladunni Odu, who is Secretary to the State Government, was present.

Some of the governorship aspirants, who did not attend the meeting, were Chief Olusola Oke, Mr Wake Akinterinwa, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, Mr Gbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo and Olamide Ohunyeye.

Also, only one member of the National Assembly, Abiola Makinde, attended the meeting.

The National Vice Chairman (South-West ) of the party, Mr Isaac Kekemeke, the Minister of Interior, Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of State for Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande, were absent from the meeting.

It was gathered that an invitation was not extended to the absentees as the meeting was called at the instance of Governor Aiyedatiwa ahead of the forthcoming primary of the party in April.

Stating the reason for his absence, one of the aspirants, Oke, said, “I received the invitation for that meeting at 2:00 a.m. today (Monday). I saw it on my phone and the meeting is 11:00 a.m. and already, I am in Abuja going to attend an important function.

“I responded to it that the notice came too short and I couldn’t attend, but I had no reason not to attend the meeting. I would have attended if I had been notified earlier. I don’t know if it was sent late deliberately or not.”

Similarly, another aspirant and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, said he was not invited to the meeting and he could not attend such an event.

“I was not invited to the meeting; my close associates were not invited too,” Akinfolarin stated.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, said every stakeholder was invited to the meeting.

“They were all invited through their local governments,” the CPS stated.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, Aiyedatiwa urged the chieftains of the party to embrace peace and unity ahead of the coming governorship election in the state, appealing to them to forget the past and move the party forward. He also declared that there was no vacancy in the governor’s office currently.

“We must all come together as one family to work together for the progress of our party knowing for sure this is an election year, an election to the office of the Governor of Ondo State even though the seat is not vacant currently. Let us work together In oneness and in peace so that our party, the APC, will continue to govern this state,” the governor said.

The state Chairman of the APC, Mr Ade Adetimehin, commended the governor for the timely engagement of the party stakeholders, stressing that party leaders must put the past behind them to foster unity ahead of the coming governorship election.

Those present at the meeting included members of the state House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Mr Olamide Oladiji, former deputy governors, Alhaji Ali Olanusi and Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, a former state chairman of the party, Ambassador Sola Iji, former SSG, Sunday Abegunde, member of the House of Representatives, Mr Biola Makinde, Chief Segun Ojo, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, among many others.

Politics

PDP Reprimands Members Backing Tinubu, Threatens Sanctions

Published

2 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has issued a stern warning to members endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election, describing such actions as anti-party activities.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, the party said it had reviewed what it described as “persistent public media outbursts” by some members who have openly declared support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has reviewed the anti-party activities of certain members of the Party, particularly those endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

“Of serious concern is the persistent public media outbursts against our Party by some prominent members whose actions and utterances including their public declaration of support and willingness to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Presidential election in violation of the provision of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) constitute a serious threat to the stability and sustenance of our Party.”

The PDP noted that such actions violate Section 10(6) of its constitution, which prohibits members from aligning with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP or its elected officials.

“Specifically, Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution provides that “NO MEMBER of the Party SHALL align with other Parties or groups to undermine the Party or any of its elected government”.

“Such anti-party activities have continued to impact negatively on the PDP leading to division, disaffection and heavy hemorrhaging of members with the capacity to diminish our Party’s electoral fortune if not immediately checked,” the statement noted.

Citing Section 59(1) of its constitution, the NWC issued a strong reprimand to the members involved, warning that failure to retrace their steps would attract stiffer sanctions.

The party urged all members to remain loyal and focused as it prepares for its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Politics

By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

Published

4 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has assured the people of Ovia Federal Constituency of continual infrastructural development as part of effort to improve the economic well-being of the people.

Idahosa, however, urged the people of support ahead of the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

The state’s deputy governor, gave the assurance during the party’s campaign at Oduna and Oghede Wards for the by-election.

Idahosa urged the people to keep faith with the APC, as the party never failed in its campaign promises in the state.

According to him, “unlike the other parties, especially the PDP, we have never failed to keep to our electoral promises in Edo state.

“Experience has taught you not to rely on the PDP that failed you for the past eight years in the areas of roads and Gele-gele Sea Port.

“We have always been different and be rest assured that this time, we don’t intend to deviate from the norm which we are known for; delivery of democratic dividends in Edo state.

“As a matter of fact, you all can attest to the fact that our people oriented governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has started making the difference around you here just within six months in office.”

The deputy governor appealed to the people for support to enable the governor continue with the execution of more projects in the areas.

Speaking on Omosede Igbinedion choice as APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Idahosa said,
“the APC is a party that wants the best for the people.”

High point of the campaign was Igbinedion granting of scholarship to two girls that showed bravery by opening canvassing support for her.

Politics

Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents

Published

1 day ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State Hon Dennis Idahosa, has urged the people to show their readiness to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections by using the House of Representatives bye-election scheduled for August 16 as a template.

Idahosa hinged his call on the fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown his readiness for governance within a year in office and deserved to be supported by the people.

The deputy governor stated this when the APC campaign team birthed at Uhiere, Okokhuo, and Isiuwa, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election is for the people to show “capacity” and nothing more.

“The Executive Governor of our dear state, and my Principal, Monday Okpebholo, by the grace of God, through your support, has promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.5 million votes.

“The efficacy of that promise starts on August 16 with the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election.

“This is not a normal election, it is an election to show capacity. The results you give to Omosede unlocks the key to accessing the dividends of democracy.

“The margin of winning is important. This is why we are all here to convince you to ensure that we get at least 70 percent votes from the registered voters in this area,” he stated.

The deputy governor who led the APC team for the campaign said the party’s candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, had the capacity to entrench the dividends of democracy to the area.

At Isiuwa, NIFOR Community, Idahosa praised the people for making the area an APC stronghold.

He said he was not there for the campaign but to introduce their daughter to them and asked them for their support to the party’s candidate for the bye-election.

Similarly, Idahosa also appealed to the people of Okokhuo community for support.

Omosede who was full of praises in visited wards, said “this is the first time, in a long while, since 2015, I am here with a broom, a symbol of development and advancement.

“You know, the umbrella is tattered and scattered, and you know the PDP has fallen. I am grateful to you all who took the time to be here.”

She told the people to hold her accountable for every campaign promise she made.