Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has declared that the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have lost political relevance in the state, following their poor performance in the recent by-elections.

Speaking after the polls, Soludo said the opposition coalition, which included LP and ADC and was largely aligned with former Anambra governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had sought to use the by-elections as a test of its strength.

According to him, the outcome was a clear verdict from the people.

“They wanted to use the by-elections in Anambra to test their popularity, but the people spoke overwhelmingly,” Soludo said.

The governor maintained that the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had reaffirmed its dominance in Anambra, stressing that the results showed that both the Labour Party and ADC have been rejected by the electorate.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had conducted the by-elections across different parts of the state, giving political parties an opportunity to assess their grassroots strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While the Labour Party enjoyed significant momentum in Anambra during the 2023 elections, Soludo insisted that the latest results prove that APGA remains the party of choice in the state.

He described the outcome as not only a victory for his party but also a confirmation that Anambra people continue to stand with APGA as their political platform for grassroots development.

The governor also used the opportunity to urge opposition parties to accept the people’s verdict and work with his administration in the interest of the state.

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of  Saturday’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, faulting the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate as winner.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Ibadan.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Folajimi Oyekunle of the PDP as the winner of the poll.

Adewale Olatunji of the APC emerged runner-up.

The APC reaffirmed the party’s commitment to participatory democracy and the sanctity of free, fair as well as credible elections in Oyo State.

In the statement the APC declared that “Regrettably, established cases of irregularities which characterised the by-election brought back the ugly memory of Obasanjo’s era when elections were dubbed do-or-die affairs by the PDP.”

The party alleged that some PDP chieftains distributed huge amounts of money for vote-buying across polling booths, while some INEC officials allegedly allowed individuals without PVCs to vote in several wards.

“Handlers of the Park Management System (PMS) allegedly mobilised and equipped hundreds of members to intimidate residents and compromise the poll.

“Some of these people allegedly unleashed terror across Yemetu, Bodija, Sango and Agbowo,” APC alleged.

The party said it was compiling details of irregularities and a final decision would be made public soon.

The Oyo APC urged members to remain calm and keep faith with the party’s leadership at all levels.

However, the Director General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Dr Abisoye Fagade, has declared that the failure of All Progressives Congress, to win Saturday’s bye-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency is an indication that the party has more work to do ahead of 2027.

Fagade made this declaration on Monday during the opening of President Bola Tinubu second term campaign office in Lagelu local government area of the state.

The event was attended by APC chieftains among whom are Senator Hamzat Ademola Adeseun, former Chairman of Lagelu local government area, Chief Timothy Kunle Sanda, Remi Adebayo, Alhaji Bashiru Akanbi, Chief James Ajuwon, Sikiru Adebayo and Mr Gafar Oyebade, among others.

Fagade, while addressing journalists at the event, noted that what happened on Saturday is an indication that APC has many things to do ahead of 2027 general elections in the state. 

He noted that the party has learnt its lesson.

However, he maintained that the party will come back stronger after the defeat.

He said, “Let me comment on what happened in Oyo State on Saturday. What happened in Oyo State on Saturday shows that we still have a lot of work to do.

“And we have been doing it. This one shows that we are serious. With what happened on Saturday, it shows that we will come back stronger. 

“This is my local government and there is no way they will do something of this nature that I will not be there.”

Adeseun while speaking noted that Tinubu’s second term is non-negotiable.

He said, “So, this is our best chance, we have to use it maximally. Tinubu’s second term is non negotiable. If you look at the results of the Saturday’s bye-election across the country, we had 16 bye-elections, APC won in 12, other political parties shared 4.

“That is an indication that is telling us where Nigerians are going. All the people making noice, they are just deceiving themselves. Yoruba will spend eight years”.

Coordinator of the campaign team, Sikiru Adebayo said Tinubu is clearing the mess left behind by his predecessors.

He said, “We have some issues before Tinubu came and he is settling it. We want to sensitive people on the need to give Mr President enough time to right the wrong.”

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A 2027 Presidential hopeful and former Labour Party presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement titled “PVC is the bridge to a New Nigeria”released on Monday, Obi emphasized that the PVC is a key tool for ensuring credible elections and preventing electoral fraud.

He described the PVC as “the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor for a better life, against injustice and bad leadership.

“Today, I want to plead with every Nigerian, young and old to heed this call to action.

Obi also warned Nigerians against selling their votes to politicians, stressing that vote-buying contributes to corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

“Let us know this: those who buy votes are not offering you charity; they only invest in their own corruption. They buy votes so that they can buy their way into our treasury to steal public money. 

“When they get into that office, they will loot the funds that should have been used to build schools, hospitals or provide good jobs. 

“Such people are not leaders, they are criminals in disguise. They are no better than killers, armed robbers, and kidnappers, because they commit the same crime of destruction,” Obi stated.

He further cautioned voters against mortgaging their future by selling votes, noting, “To those who sell their votes, you are not just selling an election, you are selling the very opportunities that would have lifted you and your family out of poverty. 

“You are selling the schools that your children should have attended, the hospitals that should save your loved ones and the jobs that would have given you dignity and a better life.”

Obi called on Nigerians to safeguard their PVCs and use them responsibly. 

“Our democracy is at stake. That is why I urge every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard your PVC, and when the time comes, use it wisely. 

“Vote for leaders of competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Leaders who will put you first. 

“Do not be intimidated, do not be deceived, and do not be bought,” he said.

He reminded Nigerians that power resides with the electorate, not politicians seeking personal gain. “Prove that power belongs to the people, not corrupt politicians, who trade our future for their selfish gain,” Obi added.

End