Politics

Oyo Guber: Olubadan-in-Council Breaks Silence On Next Gov

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2023

Editor

Barely 48 hours to the governorship election in Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, on Thursday, declared that it had no anointed candidate among the array of candidates vying for the state’s top position.

Some online media earlier reported that the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde, who is aiming for a second term under the Peoples Democratic Party had received the traditional leaders’ endorsement.

The Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade, who debunked the claim on behalf of the council in a statement, said there was nothing like that, saying, “The governor actually invited us to a meeting in his Ikolaba residence which we attended as traditional heads.

“At the meeting, he told us that he would be contesting on Saturday and sought our support and prayer. There and then we told him that God would grant him his heart’s desires. We did not do or say any other thing than offer him prayers which we are expected to do as elders and custodians of our tradition and culture.

“I blame the media for their wrong interpretation, and a misplaced one for that matter, because, by our positions, we are fathers of all and we are not expected to have favourite among our various children contesting the same position. If you look at the gubernatorial candidates in the race in the state, I don’t think we would have less than 98 per cent of them as sons of Ibadanland. So, what kind of a father would choose just one and neglect others?

“What’s more, our revered father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who heads the council, said to have endorsed the governor was not even in the know of the meeting talk less of being part of it. So, how would the head of a council be absent at a meeting where such a vital pronouncement would be made?”

The council urged the general public to discountenance the earlier report as nothing but the inner wish of the writer and promoter and which remains at variance with the exalted positions as fathers of all.

“We have no anointed candidate among the gubernatorial candidates contesting the seat in the state come this Saturday.” Ajibade explained.

Politics

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

Published

50 minutes 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

2 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.