Politics

Why We Need Political Reforms Now – Labour Party

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2023

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Julius Abure, has called for comprehensive electoral reforms to restore public confidence in democracy.

According to him, public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy was waning because of the huge disappointment witnessed during the 2023 elections when the people’s mandate was brazenly snatched.

Abure said this while receiving a delegation of elected members of the Labour Party, in the House of Representatives, who paid him a courtesy visit at the party’s National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Monday.

He said, “This visit is to show that we are one, formidable opposition party. We thank God that we retained our strength in the House. I’m also facing the same challenge.

“You have been the symbol of the people, you will not abandon them. Many have been killed and maimed, you have become the voice of the voiceless. I hope that you will continue to keep faith.

“Opposition is the soul of democracy. It is only in this part of the world that we see opposition as an anthem. There must be a strong opposition for the survival of democracy.

“You are the symbol of a new beginning. Moving forward as a party, we think that a reform of the electoral system is necessary.

“We need a holistic electoral reform. I will say that LP with your support we will begin with mobilisation, political education is important. Leadership is not only the problem, followership is also the problem. The party will be with you in all your struggles and challenges.”

In his remarks, the leader of the visiting delegation, Hon. Ozodinobi Victor, who is also the Deputy House Minority Whip of the House of Representatives said, “This visit is a courtesy visit in the sense that within 8 or 9 months, the leadership of the party led by Peter Obi, did the miracle of the century.

“A party without structure was able the shake the country. This visit was delayed because of court cases. It is to thank Obi, and the National Working Committee and to appreciate the party for giving us the platform.

“We got 35 seats within 8 months and we are looking forward to more. Most of us have settled in. We are working very well. Our colleagues have been supportive. Be rest assured that we will not disappoint this party. None of us will leave this party.”

He further said, “All of us owe our victory to Obi’s goodwill and the NWC. I will remain in opposition until Obi becomes president and I pray it will come to pass.”

Also Afam Ogene, Leader of the LP caucus in the House of Reps. said, “The Presidential petitions are over. We lost three seats but gained two, which puts us at 34, in the House.

“We know our expectations. Opposition doesn’t mean fight but alternate viewpoints. We are ready to put forward these viewpoints. Members were busy attending petitions. We can assure you that upon resumption in January, we will roll out programmes on how to engage in opposition.

“We will not be audio opposition but in truth and spirit.” He on behalf of his colleagues appealed to the party’s NWC to carry out a postmortem on presidential and National and State Assembly petitions in order to prepare for the future.

Politics

By-Election: Edo Is Home To APC — Deputy Gov, Idahosa

Published

8 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon Dennis Idahosa, says irrespective of the setback experienced during the immediate past administration of the state, Edo is originally home to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this during the final campaign round for the Ovia federal constituency by-election in Ovia South West local government area that took place at Iguobazuwa.

The deputy governor expressed optimism that the party will come victorious in the bye-election scheduled for Saturday.

Idahosa, who was the occupant of the seat before his election as the state’s deputy governor, said he was sure of the APC candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, securing a minimum of 90 percent votes for the by-election.

“All that is needed is for us to fully mobilise and encourage our supporters to come out enmass to exercise their civic responsibilities on Saturday.

“It is very obvious that from our engagement with the people these past days and across various communities in the federal constituency, we are sure of not less than 90 percent of total votes cast.

“In fact, is not for the misdeed of the immediate past administration, Edo is home to the APC, it has always been right from the AC to ACN, and before the APC”, Idahosa stated

Meanwhile, the APC candidate for the bye-election, again reiterated her commitment to the betterment of the federal constituency.

Omosede Igbinedion noted that her synergy with the deputy governor was sure to attract developmental projects to the federal government.

She appealed to the people to come out on Saturday without fear or intimidation, to do what is required of them, cast their votes for the progressives party.

Notable leaders at the grand finale of the campaign at Iguobazuwa were the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Osamwonyi Atu, former deputy governors of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, and Chief Lucky Imasuen.

Others are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party former governorship candidate,Mr Lawrence Okah, the state Secretary of the party, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chief Billy Osawaru, amongst others.

Politics

Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.

Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.

The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.

But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.

Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.

“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.

“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.

“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.

“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.

“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”

Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.

Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.

“Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”

He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.

The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)

Politics

JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.

Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.

He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”

Details shortly…