Politics

Osun 2022: Group Expresses Fear, Says APC Risks Losing Next Year Guber Election

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2021

The Progressives Vanguard, a youth group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has expressed fears that the party risks losing next year’s gubernatorial election if something drastic was not done.

The group’s position, which was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Jamiu Ganiyu, and made available to DAILY POST, noted that the manner which issues were being handled within the party without due diligence and caution, had put the ruling party in dire strait.

Ganiyu also stated that despite the foregoing, there were no meaningful moves to correct the aberrations, particularly in strategic strongholds of the party in the state.

He explained that, the group had been following many controversies that the ruling party had found itself in recent times with keen interest.

He warned that the party may lose its traditional stronghold in Ife and Modakeke Zones in the 2022 gubernatorial election in the state unless drastic measures were taken to correct the aberrations already perpetrated by party leaders.

According to him, “At present, Modakeke APC is in shambles as a result of high-handedness, overzealousness, and self-serving actors who deliberately created crises where none exist for their self-glorification.

“The party has returned to its yesteryears of sharp divisions, violence, deprivation which has eroded many fruitful efforts that were achieved before the 2014 gubernatorial election which gave the progressives a resounding victory of over 10,000 votes to the ruling party then. The same energy was sustained till the 2018/2019 gubernatorial and national elections respectively despite the dwindling fortunes of our party generally in the State, Modakeke APC continued to achieve victory.”

For more than two years, Ganiyu lamented, “the once United family had crumbled and recent actions by the state actors have polarised the party further while party structures have completely lost touch with reality.”

He complained that the zone was robbed of representation in the composition of the caretaker committee of the party in the State and rejected the idea of forcing a minority on the majority, recycling of unpopular and unqualified candidates.

“There are other Issues that call for deeper reflection and require prompt action to avert the imminent danger ahead. This was reflected in the manner in which the caretaker management was composed where democratically exercise organised by the party was completely jettisoned followed by the recently concluded wards and local government congresses where 30 percent was apportioned to the majority while the minority took 70 percent.

“The resultant of this grievous act has started playing out with the defection of immediate local excos of the party and other stalwarts to the Peoples Democratic Party while other aggrieved individuals in their large numbers deserted the party structures,” he said.

He alleged that the ill-treatment Senator Iyiola Omisore was meting out to the core progressives in Ifeland was another factor playing out at the moment, where founding members of the party are being treated as second-class citizens.

“With the recent increase of Modakeke polling units from twenty-nine to eighty-seven by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), this would provide convenience and motivate electorates more than ever before in Modakeke and environs.

“The earlier this issue is critically looked into, the better for the progressives”, the statement concluded.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”

Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.

“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”

On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.

“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”

The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.

“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”

Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.

Politics

Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

Published

13 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.

George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.

Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.

Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”

He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.

“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.

In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”

However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.

“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”

“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”

“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”

“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

Politics

2027: Power Minister Declares Oyo gov Ambition, Begins Consultation

Published

1 day ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, on Friday, met with All Progressives Congress leaders and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones in Oyo State, respectively.

Addressing party members in Ogbomoso at the residence of one of the leaders of the party, Ayoade Adeseun, the minister said the meeting was part of his consultations across geopolitical zones in the state towards realisation of his governorship ambition in 2027.

He, therefore, allayed the fear of the party stakeholders that APC would not impose any aspirant in 2027, saying, “I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”

While seeking their supports towards the realisation of his ambition, Adelabu pleaded for forgiveness from aggrieved members, saying they should be concerned of how the party will come back to power in 2027.

He said, “I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027. I’m ready to put to test all experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections.

“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best.

“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election, I’m here to seek for your support and backing, I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”

He also called on people in the zone to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for more dividends of democracy.

“This is another turn of Yorubas to serve their two terms as President of Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot to benefit if Tinubu is re-elected,” Adelabu added.

In Oyo town, Adelabu pleaded for their supports, saying “I will run all inclusive government where everybody will be involved in governance of the state and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027.

“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.

“Oyo is like a second home to me, my supporters, followers, associates and allied are all here, they have been supporting me in the past and they are ready to support me again.

“I will give what is due to Oyo. Oyo zone deserves better treatment because it is symbolic, Oyo is historical, symbolic and blessing to the entire state.”

Adeseun and son of former governor, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, urged members of the party to come together and ensure emergence of the APC in 2027.