Politics

Ondo Poll: APC Aspirants Absent At Meeting With Aiyedatiwa

Published

1 year 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

2027: Oyo Broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat’s Posters Flood Ibadan

Published

18 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Editor

The posters of popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Hamzat Oriyomi, have flooded the streets of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in the build-up to the forthcoming 2027 general election.

The posters with the tag, “2027 Oyo n pe o”, had a portrait of the veteran Yoruba broadcaster in black colour, raising awareness for his preparation in the anticipated election without an indication of the office he is contesting for.

Posters of Oriyomi Hamzat’s portrait in black flooded Ibadan streets. Credit: Oyo n pe o/Facebook.

In a video posted by a support group of the broadcaster cited by our correspondent on Wednesday, the founder of Agidigbo FM was seen jeering to the cheers of the masses at the event he attended, where he was constantly being told that the people of the state are calling him and that he has to answer the call.

“Okiki (Hamzat), Oyo is calling you. answer their call.”

Also, a statement on the official page of the ‘Oyo n pe o’ social media pages addressed criticisms directed at the broadcaster’s transition from media to politics.

It read in parts, “The claim that ‘governance is more than speaking into a microphone’ reflects a misunderstanding of leadership. Broadcasting is rooted in communication, empathy, and connection—traits that are fundamental to good governance.”

“Those who reduce Oriyomi Hamzat’s potential to his profession are either misinformed or biased. Leadership is not defined by profession but by vision, courage, and commitment to service.

“We call on Dr. Oriyomi Hamzat to respond to this clarion call to serve.”

In another trending video, a popular Ibadan-based influencer, Funny Thinker, was seen telling Hamzat that the people of Oyo are calling him to answer their call in 2027.

“He said he won’t rest if we don’t, Okiki, the son of Hamzat, we are calling you, please answer us in 2027,” Funny Thinker said.

The veteran broadcaster responded, “You will all be alright.”

While Hamzat is yet to speak on whether he wants to contest in the much-anticipated election, he has also not debunked the popular mantra pushed for him in preparation for the 2027 poll.

However, efforts to speak with him on the posters making rounds proved abortive as he was not reachable for a comment as of the time of filing this report.

Politics

JUST IN: Seek True Peace To Avoid Impeachment, Rivers APC Tells Fubara

Published

1 day ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has warned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara that only sincere reconciliation efforts can prevent his impeachment.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, Tony Okocha, stated that the suspended governor has yet to initiate any meaningful steps to reconcile with the duly elected lawmakers in the state.

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political deadlock between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Following this declaration, the President suspended Governor Fubara and the State House of Assembly, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator for a six-month tenure.

While the Peoples Democratic Party Governors have challenged the President’s actions in court, recent meetings involving Tinubu, Wike, and the suspended governor indicate the beginning of possible reconciliation.

Okocha’s warning was issued amid rumours that President Tinubu may use the June 12 anniversary to reinstate Governor Fubara.

He stated, “I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers.

“The suspended Governor, Fubara, has not made any move to reconcile with the lawmakers.

“Only genuine reconciliation can save him from impeachment, as the Supreme Court judgment stands.”

Details shortly…

Politics

Edo Senator, Neda Imasuen Defects To APC, Says LP In Shreds, No Direction

Published

3 days ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District, has concluded plans to dump his party, the Labour Party, LP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Imasueu, who disclosed this on Sunday, said he would formally declare for the APC on Thursday, June 12 in Benin-City, Edo State capital, saying that he took the decision to decamp to the APC because the LP, in the true sense of it, has lost total direction, with no leadership that could be pointed at.

The senator noted that the party is in shreds, saying, “As we speak today, the Labour Party, LP has lost direction, is a party that you cannot really say who is the Chairman of the party, the party has lost direction. I heard from some quarters that with the crisis in the Labour Party, it may be difficult for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to download the name of the candidate because of the issue of who is the authentic national Chairman of the party.

“Over the past months, it has become increasingly clear to me that the Labour Party as it currently stands, has become disconnected from the aspirations of the very Nigerians it seeks to lead. Internal divisions, lack of ideological clarity, and inability to provide a credible, forward-looking agenda have made it difficult for leaders like me to pursue the reform of the political party.”

According to him, he was leaving the party because of the courage of President Bola Tinubu who has courageously taken some steps and carried out policies that will help in the growth and development of the country, just as he said that the President must be supported in all its ramifications following his vision for the country and what he is doing on behalf of Nigeria, for Nigerians, for the youths.

Imasuen said that it became imperative for him to join the APC, to work with President Tinubu as part of his contribution to the development of the country, adding, “The APC offers a more viable platform through which i can develop my national interest. The APC is a platform through which I can effectively serve my constituents. Advocating for progressive policies, I help move Nigeria forward.”

He said, “I am also very happy that we have somebody like the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is steering the ship of affairs today. I say so because of his courage. It takes courage to be able to do what he has done, and what he continues to do. He has brought about certain policies that I believe that, as a matter of time, will begin to yield dividends. He’s not afraid to take on those issues that many of his predecessors stayed away from, just because they are interested in elections. And for that, I salute him, and that is why I admire him because of that courage that he has to push the ship forward.”

With the movement of Imasuen, APC senators in the 10th National Assembly have increased to 69, strengthening the party’s majority in the upper chamber.

Following the defection, the updated composition of the Senate now stands as follows: APC 69, PDP 30, Labour Party 4, NNPP 1, SDP 2 and APGA 1.

Also with the defection of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC, two PDP senators from the state also followed him.

They are Senators Sampson Ekong, PDP, Akwa Ibom South and Etim Bassey Aniekan, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East.

When they formally announce their movement to the APC at the hallowed chamber of the Senate, APC senators will be 71, PDP 28; LP 4; NNPP 1; SDP 2 and APGA 1.