Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.

He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.

Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.

He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.

 “Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.

 “In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.

“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.

He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.

The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.

Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.

She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.

A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.

He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.

APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.

Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.

The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.

The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.

Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.

According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.

Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.

Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.

He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.

Okpebholo   added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.

The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.

“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.

“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.

“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.

“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.

He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.

He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.

The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.

“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.

He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.

According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

 Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been registered as the first member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, receiving registration number 001 in the ongoing APC membership registration across the country.

This comes as the  Governor conducts the exercise  during the official flag-off of the APC electronic membership registration exercise, held today at his hometown, RCM Primary School, Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area.

Fr Alia speaking after the exercise, Gov Alia  remarked that the State wide registration will commence on Tuesday (tomorrow) and urged  party chairmen and ward leaders to mobilise members for individual registration, noting that registration agents have been deployed to all council wards across the state.

He cautioned  members against agitations capable of distorting the exercise and advises everyone to ensure peaceful coordination at their wards.

He  further commended members of his community for their large turnout, describing his registration as a demonstration of acceptance ahead of his re-election bid. 

Governor Alia also commends the APC National Chairman for introducing the e-registration initiative, saying it will help determine the party’s strength at both state and local government levels. He further appreciates  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the party and for his  interventions which, according to him, have turned Benue State into a major construction hub for development.

The Benue State APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, in his remarks said all 872 wards in the state will conduct registrations, with three agents assigned to each ward to ensure a seamless and credible process. He described the e-registration as a step towards strengthening democratic institutions through technology and urged party members to participate peacefully and in unity.

The State APC Registration Coordinator, James Ornguga, in his remark explained that the exercise requires the National Identification Number and Voter’s identity Card.

 He added  that in areas with poor network coverage, agents will record details manually for later upload.

 Member representing Kastina, Ukum and logo federal constituency at the  national assembly and chieftain of the party, Prince Solomon Wombo, said  the governor’s developmental efforts would  earn him his re-election.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the APC membership card to Governor Alia by the state party chairman.