POLITICS
Edo Guber: Concerns as APC Urge 29 Aspirants Reach a Consensus on APC Ticket

By Jude Opara, Abuja
As political parties prepare for primary elections to select candidates for the September 21 governorship election in Edo state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has in a surprise move urged the 29 aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket for the Denis Osadebey Government House to reach a consensus.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Duro Meseko at a press conference on Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the party said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party met with the Edo stakeholders on the need for the aspirants to talk to themselves to avoid a situation that may lead to unnecessary litigations after the primary.
However, it was observed that the APC NWC has halted the sale of expression of interest and nomination form so as to dialogue with the aspirants as so far only the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning under the last administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, Jeddy Agba, been the only aspirant to have bought his the expression of interest and nomination form.
Meseko, who was accompanied by the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Peter Uwadie Igbinigie, said that the NWC on Monday night, summoned all the 29 aspirants, as well as some Edo state APC stakeholders, following concerns over the rising number so as to agree on a common interest of the party to reduce the number ahead of the party’s primary election.
He also disclosed that the party has settled for a direct primary method to give all party members the opportunity to be part of the selection process, adding that the meeting which was also attended by other stakeholders of the APC in Edo state agreed on so many other measures that would reduce the cases of litigations by aggrieved aspirants after the primary election.
“As preparations towards a hitch-free Governorship Primary Election in Edo State intensifies, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Party from the state on Monday, 15th January, 2024 and resolved as follows:
“That after due consultations with Edo State APC stakeholders, the NWC has approved Direct Primaries as the mode of election to be used to produce the Governorship candidate of the Party for the state.
“In view of the large numbers of aspirants jostling for the Party’s ticket in Edo State, the NWC urged the stakeholders to unite in trimming the number of aspirants.”
Meseko further explained that; “NWC urged all the Governorship aspirants to exhibit Party discipline and patriotism by shunning the attitude of running to the Courts at every opportunity instead of exploring internal dispute resolution mechanisms, especially after Party Primaries.
“It was resolved that for the smooth running of the Party, all members should ensure strict compliance with their financial obligations to the Party, in line with the Party’s Constitution.
“The NWC also resolved that for want of time, the E-registration exercise of the Party for fresh members be conducted after the Primaries in order not to derail the smooth conduct of the Primaries.
“The stakeholders were urged by the NWC to promote unity within the ranks of the Party in order to go into the election as one family bound by progressive ideals and fully geared to reclaim the Party’s mandate in Edo State.”
He however assured that the NWC would conduct a free, credible and acceptable primary election that would be devoid of all the crisis that caused the APC victory at the last governorship election in Edo state.
POLITICS
INEC Presents Certificates of Return to By-elections Winners

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives who emerged victorious in the by-elections held on August 16.
The certificates were handed over on Thursday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by different National Commissioners.
Among the recipients were Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, elected senator for Anambra South, and Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress, who won the Edo Central Senatorial District.
Also presented with certificates were five newly elected members of the House of Representatives.
They include Barrister Omosede Igbinedion of the APC, who won in the Ovie North East and Ovie South West Federal Constituency of Edo State; Mukhtar Rabi’u Garki of the APC, representing Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State and Fidelix Bagudu of the APC, elected for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
Others are Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji of the APC, who emerged from the Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State; and Fola Oyekunle of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State.
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POLITICS
Activist joins ADC, Urges Nigerians to Unite Against APC

A popular human rights and anti-corruption activist, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, popularly known as IG Wala, has snubbed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The activist made his stance known in a statement on Thursday ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He became the latest member of ADC after the emergence of David Mark, former Nigerian Senate President, as the party’s interim national chairman.
In his statement, IG Wala urged Nigerians, both old and young, to rally support for ADC to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said had brought hardship to the country.
According to him, the journey to a better Nigeria is not about fighting each other but about building bridges of understanding.
“For a long time, like many of you, I have felt the sting of political frustration and disappointment. I have pointed fingers and placed blame, convinced that our nation’s problems were the fault of a few individuals.
“This is a common and understandable feeling, but I’ve come to a powerful realisation: our focus on blame has held us back.
“Blaming is easy. It keeps us stuck in the past and blinds us to the real work that needs to be done,” he stated.
Recall that since July ADC has been backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-governors of Kaduna State and Rotimi Amaechi of River State.
Recently Dele Momodu of Ovation Magazine and Dino Melaye, former Kogi State senator, joined ADC.
However, APC has dismissed the ADC ahead of the 2027 election following the party’s performance in the August 16th bye-elections across the country.
POLITICS
Obi Mocks Critics as Homosexuality Allegation Trends

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has dismissed a viral photo trending online which some social media users claimed shows his son, Oseloka, in a gay relationship.
Obi, who is also the former governor of Anambra State, described the circulation of the photo as a desperate attempt by political opponents to tarnish his image ahead of the 2027 general election.
The controversy started after an X user with the handle @Waspapping_ posted a picture of two men celebrating a birthday, alleging that one of them was Obi’s son.
The post quickly gained traction online with the caption: “Peter Obi’s son and his partner are out there enjoying life, but Obidients will turn a blind eye.
Well, congratulations to the soon-to-be couple.”Reacting through his media aide, Valentine Obienyen, Obi strongly refuted the allegation, insisting that the person in the photo was not his son.
He accused his opponents of fabricating lies after failing to find any incriminating evidence against him.
In a statement titled “Fake Picture, False Claim: Obi’s Integrity Remains Untouched,” Obienyen said: “The picture currently being circulated is not that of Mr. Peter Obi’s son. Having searched every corner of his life and found nothing incriminating, mischief-makers resorted to posting this false image, claiming it to be his son. Let it be clear: this is not his son. They should look elsewhere for the scandal they have fruitlessly hunted for years.”
Obi maintained that his record in both private and public service remains clean, urging his detractors to stop wasting their time trying to manufacture scandals