Politics

Rep Asks Acting IG To Probe Attack On Obi’s Convoy In Edo

Published

3 months ago

February 25, 2026

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Peter Uzokwe, has called on the acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to identify and prosecute those behind the alleged attack on the convoy of Peter Obi.

Uzokwe, who represents Nnewi North-South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing members of the House of Representatives Press Corps.

According to multiple reports, some yet-to-be identified gunmen shot at Obi’s convoy in Benin City as he approached the residence of former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun. Although some vehicles were reportedly damaged, Obi was said to have escaped unhurt.

The lawmaker, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress, condemned the incident, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, “democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not bullets, not violence, and certainly not assassination plots.”

While congratulating the new police boss, Uzokwe urged him to treat the alleged assassination attempt as a test of his leadership.

He said, “We must condemn what happened in Edo State yesterday (Tuesday). This is a litmus test for the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu. I demand an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into this disturbing incident.

“The perpetrators, sponsors, and collaborators, no matter how highly placed, must be identified and brought to justice. Anything short of this will send a dangerous signal that political violence is tolerated.”

Uzokwe furthersaid, “An attack on a presidential aspirant is not merely an attack on an individual; it is a direct assault on our democracy, our constitutional order, and the collective right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders without fear, intimidation, or violence.

“it is unacceptable that in a democratic society, a political figure can be subjected to such grave danger while engaging with citizens. The political space must never be militarised or turned into a battlefield.”

The ADC lawmaker lamented the scourge of political violence and urged leaders to reflect on the consequences of their actions.

He also called on Governor Okpebholo to publicly condemn the incident.

Uzokwe further urged political actors to conduct their activities within the bounds of civility.

“Nigeria’s democracy is bigger than any party or individual. We must collectively resist every attempt to drag our nation into chaos and lawlessness. Political disagreements must remain within the bounds of civility and law.

“I urge security agencies to act swiftly and professionally. I urge political leaders across party lines to condemn this act unequivocally. And I urge Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant.

“Let this serve as a warning. Any attempt to undermine democracy through violence will be resisted by all patriots who believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of the ballot. We must protect our democracy. We must protect our political process and we must protect every Nigerian’s right to aspire, to campaign, and to lead without fear,” he added.

Tuesday’s incident occurred amid heightened political activity and early alignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with Obi maintaining an active schedule of consultations and engagements across the country.

The former Anambra State governor was said to be in Edo State to meet political stakeholders, including Odigie-Oyegun, when the attack reportedly took place.

The development has drawn attention because of the tense political atmosphere in the state following the 2024 governorship election and subsequent realignments among political actors.

Security concerns around political visits to Edo had also been heightened after Governor Okpebholo, in July 2025, warned Obi against visiting the state without prior security notification, a statement that generated controversy and debate over the freedom of movement of political figures.
(PUNCH)

Politics

2027: Daniel-Abiodun Feud Deepens Over Senatorial Ticket For Ogun East

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

… as Govt accuses Daniel of demonising consensus arrangement that made him Senator

…I will defeat Abiodun in free, fair primary – Daniel boasted

The rift between Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, deepened yesterday as the state government accused the senator of opposing the same consensus arrangement that paved the way for his emergence as the district’s senatorial candidate in 2023.

Daniel, despite the unanimous endorsement of Abiodun by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the zone as the party’s consensus candidate for the senatorial seat, still went ahead to obtain the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for a return to the Senate in the 2027 elections.

As at Tuesday, the party leaders also formerly formally presented and endorsed the governor as the consensus candidate of the zone for the 2027 senatorial election, describing the endorsement as a collective decision aimed at ensuring quality representation and sustaining party unity in the district.

However, Daniel argued that only a transparent and credible primary could settle the tussle between him and Abiodun to clinch the senatorial ticket of the party, expressing confidence that he would beat the governor in a free and fair primary election.

“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly” he said.

But, speaking on the development, yesterday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, accused the former governor and of demonising the same process of consensus arrangement that made him Senator simply because it no longer aligns with his personal ambition.

Akinmade expressed shocked that Daniel could resort to what he described as ” cheap propaganda and outright falsehood” move against the decision of the party because of his personal ambition after immensely benefited from the consensus arrangement that made him Senator in 2023.

“Daniel is simply fighting the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023. It is shocking that someone who benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party is now demonising the same process simply because it no longer aligns with his personal ambition.

“The governor ensured a peaceful consensus arrangement that paved the way for Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate. It is therefore ironic that the same individual now seeks to discredit the party and its leadership merely because he could not have his way politically,” he added.

Akinmade urged the people of the state particularly in Ijebuland from Ogun East Senatorial District to remain appreciative of the developmental strides of the Abiodun administration, especially in infrastructure renewal and road rehabilitation.

“Everybody in the state, especially in Ijebuland, appreciates the modest achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Most of the deplorable roads abandoned by previous administrations have now been fixed, while about 29 major road projects have been completed in Ijebu Ode alone,” he said.

The SA also faulted the former governor’s comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those accruing to the current administration, accusing him of deliberately ignoring prevailing economic realities and the sharp depreciation of the naira.
(GUARDIAN)

Politics

2027: APC Clears Delta Speaker, Disqualifies 36 Aspirants

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has cleared the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor and 45 others for the Assembly election primaries.

The party announced this after a two-day screening of aspirants at the APC Secretariat in Asaba.

The screening committee released the result in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Uche Uzochukwu, and Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Nwafor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Asaba, on Wednesday.

According to the committee, 82 aspirants appeared before the panel ahead of the party’s primary election.

It disclosed that 46 aspirants sailed through after detailed verification of the credentials and eligibility requirements.

The committee, however, disqualified 36 aspirants over alleged irregularities and violations of party guidelines.

It explained that Guwor emerged as the only aspirant cleared for Warri South-West.

Of the number, 17 serving lawmakers of the eighth Assembly seeking to renew their mandate were also cleared for the APC primaries, three former commissioners also secured clearance to continue in the race.

They include Funyei Manager (Bomadi), Harry Trakirlowei (Patani), and Orode Uduaghan (Warri North).

The committee listed attempt to induce and bribe panel members among reasons for the disqualifications, while others were accused of submitting unsworn affidavits and failing to present their Permanent Voter Cards.

Some aspirants were also disqualified for failing to provide valid APC membership slips as well as inconsistencies in dates of birth and differences in names on official documents.

The committee also accused some aspirants of failing to confirm payment of party dues.

According to the committee, some nomination forms contained irregular membership numbers and insufficient ward nominators.

The committee also raised concerns over alleged violations of zoning arrangements in some constituencies.

It warned that ignoring zoning agreements could affect the party’s chances during the 2027 General Elections.

The committee said that some aspirants failed to resign from political appointments as required under the Electoral Act.

Others allegedly submitted multiple or invalid affidavits that did not properly disclose facts about their records and certificates.

The committee maintained that the exercise was transparent and strictly guided by APC rules and the Electoral Act.

“The committee carried out its responsibilities with fairness, diligence, and utmost commitment to the integrity of the party.

“We ensured that only aspirants, who met the constitutional and procedural requirements of the APC, were cleared to proceed,” the statement said.

The statement further explained that the screening aimed to strengthen internal democracy within the party, ahead of the 2027 elections.

It congratulated successful aspirants and urged disqualified contestants not to see the decision as final.

According to the statement, dissatisfied aspirants could approach the party’s Screening Appeal Committee for redress.

NAN

Politics

2027: PDP Amends Timetable Ahead Of Primary Election

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has amended the timetable ahead of the party primary election.

This contained in a statement jointly signed by the fractional National Publicity Secretary, ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, on Wednesday.

The statement said the amendment became necessary due to appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the country.

“In response to the appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the country, the Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has amended the earlier published timetable for activities culminating in the nomination of candidates activities as follows:

“End of Purchase of forms – 15th May, 2026

“Last date for the submission of completed forms – 18th May, 2026

“Screening of Aspirants – 19th May, 2026.

“Aspirants for National and State Assemblies will be screened at their respective states, while Gubernatorial and Presidential Aspirants will be screened in Abuja.

“Other activities will remain as previously announced,” the statement read.