The Osun House of Assembly on Monday confirmed the three nominees to serve on the ‘Appeal Tribunal’ for the upcoming local government election in the state.

Those screened and confirmed are: Mr Oluwaseun Ajoba, Mrs Lateefat Agbaje and Mr Tajudeen A. Giwa.

The members of the tribunal were screened following their formal nomination by the Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo.

Mr Adewale Egbedun, Osun Assembly Speaker, after the confirmation, commended his colleagues for the successful exercise.

He also congratulated the nominees, urging them to prioritise the interests of the state in their upcoming responsibilities.

The Assembly, on Friday, requested that the nominees appear for screening today (Monday), after a letter of their nomination was received from the state Chief Judge.

The legislative said that the screening exercise was in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 (4) of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment No. 1) Law, 2024.

The Osun Local Government Election is scheduled to hold on Feb. 22 (NAN)

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning another shooting by using thugs who will disguise in PDP branded attire.

According to the party, this is to carry out sporadic shootings in the State with the intent to cause chaos and crisis.

In a statement signed by Chris Osa Nehikhare,  Publicity Secretary 

Edo PDP Caretaker Committee , and made available to journalists in Benin City , said it is the efforts by the APC to tarnish the image of our party and stir unrest in the State.

Stating that, “It has come to our attention that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is planning to deploy another set of armed thugs, disguised in PDP-branded attire, to carry out sporadic shootings in the State with the intent to cause chaos and crisis.

According to Nehikhare, “we want to draw the attention of the security agencies to this planned attack on our nascent democracy and call on them to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice,” he stated.

He further stated that, “We want to dissociate ourselves from these planned shootings and violence and wish to inform the public that this is yet another in a series of clandestine efforts by the APC to tarnish the image of our party and stir unrest in the State.

“While we condemn in the strongest terms the violent behavior of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we want to draw the attention of the security agencies to this planned attack on our nascent democracy and call on them to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.

“We also warn the APC to desist from the repeated assault on democracy in the last few months and allow the rule of law to be the guiding principle for governance and politics in Edo State.”

He  called on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the international community, and concerned citizens, among others, to raise their voices against these divisive and destructive tactics of the APC to protect our democracy, guarantee the safety of Edo State, and uphold the rule of law, he concluded.

In reaction, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state, John Mayaki, said the Peoples Democratic Party is  orchestrating a sinister plot to stage-manage violent attacks on themselves, so as to blame the ruling party.

According to Mayaki, “the plot  is to tarnish the reputation of the APC,  distract the public from their failure in government and whip up public sentiments over the ongoing elections petition tribunal hearing.” 

Mayaki called on the APC leadership in Edo state to prepared for the  calculated attempt at self-sabotage by the PDP, because it is aimed at blackmailing the APC, while creating a false narrative of chaos. 

His words: “there is no level these people will not take their desperation. They will abuse democracy and blame it on their opponent. These gimmicks have been hatched to curry public sympathy over the ongoing governorship election petitions tribunal. I call on our people not to be distracted by the PDP’s divisive and destructive agenda.”

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra, says he is not desperate to become president of Nigeria.

Obi spoke at the fourth convocation ceremony of Nexford University, the US-based online school.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election decried the state of leadership in the country, describing it as “an imposition on the people”.

Obi urged the graduating students to embrace the spirit of servitude so as to lead effectively and “ignite the needed change”.

He added that he is “desperate to see the country work”.

“All of these that we are saying is for you to use it and ignite that change and support.

“When people say I am desperate I say ‘No’. I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s president’. I am desperate to see Nigeria work because it can work.”

He said Nigerian youths must help to reignite the “right leadership that the country requires for development.

“James Robinson, one of the Nobel laureates in economics, last year said it openly that Nigeria is a country that knows what to do to prosper and refuses to do it,” Obi added.

“How can you allow drivers and people who are at their destinations to drive you? You will lose. They have passed their destinations. They have passed their time.

“That is what you should help to reignite. Use what you have henceforth to help us change the society. Do not go and be part of this. You are a victim of Nigeria. Because our age and the one before refused to do what is right and we are suffering for it.”

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picked Obi as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election.

Four years later, Obi contested for the presidential office under the LP but polled third behind Abubakar and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).