Politics

Osun APC Members Petition Party Leadership, Seek Disqualification Of Reps Aspirant

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

A group, Concerned Members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has petitioned the National Chairman and Secretary of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore, demanding the disqualification of Mr. Oluseun Odofin, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State.

The group said Odofin was erroneously issued a Certificate of Clearance by the Screening Committee set up by APC because he allegedly concealed crucial information from the committee.

A petition dated May 23, sighted by DAILY POST on Wednesday was jointly signed by Mr. Alofe Babatunde and Ms. Modupe Adedayo, and submitted at the party secretariat in Abuja on Monday.

The group said: “We the above-mentioned concerned members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), of the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State hereby write to appraise your good offices of the non-qualification, forgery of submitted documents, non-appearance before the Screening Committee during the screening exercise and illegally obtaining the Certificate of Clearance of the APC from the screening Committee by Oluseun David Odofin.

“It came to our attention that Oluseun David Odofin was issued a Certificate of Clearance, however, we are of the firm opinion that the same was erroneously issued because he obtained the same by concealing crucial information from the screening committee and forging his resignation documents.

“We have been apprised by our reliable source that the said Oluseun David Odofin is currently serving as a political appointee at the National Assembly, while purposely misleading the Committee that he had resigned his appointment.”

The group insisted that owing to this finding, it was of the belief that his participation in the party’s primary election and possibly becoming party’s flag bearer would jeopardise the party’s interest in the forthcoming general election if the opposing party were to challenge the said primaries in court.

Responding, Odofin described the group as faceless, while also describing the allegation as spurious.

The aspirant noted that he resigned his appointment on March 10 because he knew that allegations like this would come up.

Odofin was of the view that the person behind it was afraid of facing him either at the primary election or at the general election, hence, the person’s decision to engage the services of a “faceless group”.

His words: “I have resigned a long time ago immediately they amended the Electoral Act. I resigned on March 10 because I knew this would come up. I have to meet up with the timing that was why I resigned and sent my resignation letter.

“Two months ago my salary was stopped. I don’t receive any salary anymore. They can go there and check the records if I have been receiving salaries.”

On the allegation that he didn’t attend the screening, Odofin said, “that was why I said these people are faceless. I was screened for two days. The first day we were given a form to go and fill. We filled the form and we came back the following day and submitted the form and we were screened. I was screened and cleared. So, I don’t know what they are talking about.

“I don’t even know what the certificate looks like. I have not seen the certificate, I did not receive any certificate. This is just malicious, spurious. Just to malign my name, just to stop me from participating in the primary. That tells you that someone, somewhere that is so afraid to face me whether at the primary or at the main election is behind this.”

Politics

He Could Barely Garner 300,000 Votes, Yet Promising Tinubu 2.5m Votes, PDP Mocks Okpehbolo

Published

8 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Editor

…Says ‘Baba Sala’ may have risen in Edo

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, on what the party described as “laughable and utterly unrealistic statement…” wherein he promised to “deliver 2.5 million votes from Edo State to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election,” stressing that this a “man who could barely manage 300,000 votes for himself in a governorship election that was marred by heavy militarisation…”

A statement issued on Monday night by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, described the statement as not “only comical but an outright insult to the intelligence of Edo people.”

Nehikhare, who alleged that Okpebholo won the election through fraudulent means, question: “despite all the rigging, concocted figures, deployment of federal might, and blatant suppression of the people’s will, how many votes did Okpebholo and the APC muster? Just 291,000 votes.”

He said: “The people of Edo State remember vividly the electoral heist of September 2024—an operation carried out in open connivance with the electoral umpire and the federal security apparatus, where figures were conjured from thin air to fraudulently force Okpebholo into office. That sham of an election remains a matter of legal contention in the courts today.

“Now, with a straight face, he wants Nigerians to believe he can mobilise 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027—just about the entire number of registered voters across all 18 local government areas in the State. Such a claim is not only absurd but reeks of desperation and sycophancy, clearly aimed at pleasing his Abuja benefactors in a bid to legitimise the September 2024 electoral charade.”

The opposition mouthpiece, who expressed concern that at a time “Edo people are grappling with growing insecurity as a direct result of lack of leadership, while hunger and economic hardship ravage homes daily, and the state collapses under the burden of decaying infrastructure and poor governance, wondered that “Okpebholo’s top priority appears to be seeking applause in Abuja through empty posturing and hollow political promises.”

Nehikhare, while urging President Tinubu not to be “swayed by the noise and exaggerated claims of political opportunists,” urged “Okpebholo to step out of his echo chamber, abandon the obsession with political showmanship, and face the urgent task of governance and delivering real results to the people of Edo State.”

Politics

2027: Bauchi Speaker Responds To Call To Join Guber Race

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has responded to those calling him to declare interest in the 2027 governorship race, saying it’s not the right time considering the fact that a lot of works are to be done.

Recall that Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, during a press conference held earlier this week, urged the Speaker to consider contesting for the top seat, citing his experience and achievements in public service.

Responding to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY, the Speaker, who appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the coalition, however, maintained that governance and the fulfillment of his current mandate remain his immediate priority.

“While we sincerely appreciate the compliments and support expressed by the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, we believe that now is not the appropriate time to declare interest in any political position, including the 2027 gubernatorial race,” he said.

He added, “This is not the time. There is still a lot to do. Our primary focus at this moment is on representation and governance, serving the interests of our constituents faithfully.”

The Speaker stated that when the time is right to pursue such political ambitions, it would be done transparently and in consultation with party leaders, political allies, and the people of Bauchi State.

“We hold a mandate entrusted to us by our constituents, and it is our duty to act in their best interests,” he noted.

He urged the coalition and supporters to continue praying and supporting his efforts in delivering impactful governance.

“Our commitment remains to serve with integrity and to prioritize the welfare of our constituents above all,” he said.

Politics

Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.