politics
EDO 2020 : Obaseki backtracks on exclusion of lawmakers-elect
•Governor names Sanwo-Olu, Lalong, senator in peace panel
•’We insist on indirect primary’
EDO State State Governor Godwin Obaseki began on Thursday the process of truce with 14 elected lawmakers who have been excluded from the affairs of the House of Assembly since January.
He named Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Senator Ehigie Uzamere to lead the peace mission.
Only 10 of the 24-member Assembly were inaugurated on June 17.
The remaining members are not participating in lawmaking.
The three-man panel has a mandate to reconcile the Executive with members-elect.
The exclusion of the 14 members-elect is one of the issues behind the virtually intractable crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement, the governor said the constitution of the reconciliation committee is part of moves to restore harmony and peace in the state chapter of the APC.
Obaseki restated his commitment to peace, saying that a united front would make the party stronger, more cohesive and help to foster more development in the state.
He added that the committee, which commenced work with immediate effect, would reach out to all parties in the dispute and address all grey areas for peaceful resolution of the matter.
Also on Thursday, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu insisted on indirect primary to pick the APC standard bearer for the Septermber 19 governorship election.
In a statement by Special Assistant on Media, Benjamin Atu, the deputy governor boasted that Obaseki will win any form of primary election – direct or indirect.
He alleged that the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was bent on direct primary because he had already written the result.
He argued that indirect mode of primary election was the most appropriate method in view of the guidelines put in place by many APC stakeholders to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Shaibu said: “Despite this confidence and assurance that the victory of Governor Obaseki is not in doubt, we are not ready to go the way of the direct primary.
“Our preference for indirect primary is because we don’t want to secure victory at the expense of the health of those we are seeking to lead.”
He stressed that Obaseki owed the responsibility to safeguard the state and its people against COVID-19 and other situations that may endanger their lives.
Shaibu added: “As the Chief Security officer of the state and first among equals, the governor has decided to conduct the affairs of the state in the way that will ensure safety of its citizens.
“As of today, Obaseki is the governor of Edo State and has the capacity to determine the direction of the state. That doesn’t amount to fear of failure in facing any election but rather putting the interest of the public above desperation to win an election.”
He said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus “doesn’t usurp the sovereignty of PDP states.”
He said: “The sovereignty of the state can’t be submerged at this critical juncture of our lives. The indirect primary will make it more convenient for INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to supervise and will be more transparent.
“The APC national chairman is insisting on direct primary because the result of the yet to be conducted direct primary election is already written by him, just waiting to be announced.”
Also on Thursday, some Obaseki allies got a June 17 date for arguments in their suit seeking to stop a frontline governorship aspirant Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from participating in the APC primary.
The governor’s sympathisers, had through an ex-parte motion, requested the Edo High Court in Benin to bar Ize-Iyamu but presiding Justice H. Ahaomoje declined and gave them 10 days to file their response.
The judge also gave counsel to the plaintiffs/claimants two days to reply.
The plaintiffs are: Pastor Kenneth Asekomhe, on behalf of pro-Obaseki Edo APC; Benjamin Oghumu, on behalf of himself and executive committee of the APC in Orhiomwon Local Government Area and Matthew Ogbebor, on behalf of himself and the executive committee of Ugbogbo Wards 5.
Joined as defendants are: APC, Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu.
Paul Ohonbamu on Thursday resigned from Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration as Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
In his resignation letter, which was addressed yesterday to the governor, Ohonbamu said: “I hereby tender my letter of resignation as a commissioner in Edo State to His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, this 4th day of June, 2020.
“Without setting a precedent, I have decided to step aside as cabinet member and operate outside? it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens.”
The former information commissioner, a lawyer, said: “Whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore, our everlasting farewell take. If we do meet, while we shall smile, if not, it is true this parting was well made”.
It was gathered that Ohonbamu resigned for being sidelined in the state executive council.
Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie immediately announced Ohonbamu’s replacement.
The SSG said: “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. His appointment takes immediate effect.”
The OK (Obi/Kwankwaso) Movement has declared that it will maintain its independent identity while mobilising support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general election. NigerianNews Updates
Movement’s leader John Ughulu said the group remained committed to its original mission of securing the election of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and erstwhile Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Speaking in an interview, Ughulu dismissed suggestions that the movement’s decision to campaign independently would undermine its support for the NDC, insisting that the focus should be on achieving a common political objective.
“What difference does it make when we campaign on parallel lines? The most important thing is that we have one objective,” he said.
Asked whether the movement had decided to retain its independent status rather than formally integrate into the NDC campaign structure, Ughulu said its position had not changed.
“We have always been independent, and there is nothing wrong in that. We are campaigning for NDC party’s candidates. I will appreciate we leave it like that,” he added.
He urged members and supporters to remain guided by the principles upon which the movement was established, stressing that its political mission remained unchanged.
“The members of the OK Movement work on the principles upon which we formed the movement. The mission to bring His Excellency Peter Obi and His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is sacrosanct,” Ughulu said.
His remarks underscore the movement’s intention to retain its organisational independence while supporting the NDC’s electoral ambitions, particularly its presidential candidate, Obi, in the 2027 contest.
The disagreement between the NDC and the OK Movement followed the movement’s announcement of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council to mobilise support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The NDC leadership rejected the arrangement, insisting that only the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had the authority to constitute and announce its official campaign council.
The party also maintained that support groups must operate within its recognised organisational framework rather than establish parallel structures.
NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson reinforced this position, arguing that political movements supporting the party’s candidates should complement, not compete with the party’s machinery.
The OK Movement, however, resisted the party’s position, insisting that its support for the NDC candidates should not be interpreted as an obligation to surrender its independently established structures.
Ughulu maintained that the movement had its own leadership, membership and organisational framework, which it was unwilling to dissolve or merge into the party.
The disagreement escalated after the NDC disowned the movement’s campaign council and referred Ughulu to its disciplinary organ over alleged disregard for party authority.
Despite the controversy, the movement has maintained that it will continue to mobilise support for Obi and other NDC candidates while retaining its independent identity.
politics
Breaking : Imo West Senatorial Race: Court Orders INEC to Recognise Okorocha, Bars Uzodimma from Claiming APC Ticket
A court has reportedly ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West Senatorial District.
The court also reportedly directed Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat.
The ruling concerns the dispute over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West, with the court’s directives addressing the recognition of the party’s candidate and the publication of the relevant details by INEC.
The development could have significant implications for the political contest in Imo West, depending on the terms of the judgment and any subsequent legal proceedings.
politics
Breaking : INEC Confirms Oyebanji’s Re-election in Ekiti, First Consecutive Governorship Victory Since 1999
Governor Biodun Oyebanji casting his vote at his Okeelele Unit 003
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the winner of the Ekiti State governorship election held on Saturday.
The governor was re-elected after polling 319,224 votes over his closest rivals in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Olumayokun Oluyede and African Democratic Congress, Dare Bejide, across the state’s 16 local governments.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof Adenike Oladiji, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the results in the early hours of Sunday at the INEC’s headquarters on Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Oladiji said, “Therefore, I, Adenike, am the returning officer for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election…Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and stands re-elected.”
While the APC polled 319,224 votes, the PDP candidate polled 40, 533 votes, and the ADC candidate amassed 12,872 votes.
There are 988,251 registered voters, and 384,940 are accredited.
Out of the 382,109 votes cast, the total valid votes in the election were 375, 777.
According to INEC result, the PDP candidate, who hails from Ikere Ekiti, lost in his Ikere Local Government area.
While the APC and its candidate, Oyebanji, scored 8,742 votes, the PDP, which came second in the LGA, garnered 2,051 votes.
Below are the full results of the governorship election as collated at the State Collation Centre from the 16 LGAs on Sunday.
Efon Local Govt
Collation officer: Prof. Joseph Ojo
ADC – 201
APC – 8742
PDP – 2051
Ijero LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Olaniran Akanni
ADC – 2026
APC – 25506
PDP – 2479
Ikere LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Kehinde Jayeoba
ADC – 245
APC – 11116
PDP – 9872
Emure LG
Collation Officer: Prof Emmanuel Oluwafemi
ADC -732
APC – 14325
PDP – 851
Ekiti South West
Collation Officer: Prof. Kola Oladunmoye
ADC – 1076
APC – 14705
PDP – 1800
Ido/Osi
Collation Officer: Prof. Otalobi Akintunde
ADC – 561
APC – 17901
PDP – 1449
Ekiti West
Collation Officer: Prof Bolaji Stephen
ADC – 674
APC – 28258
PDP – 3644
Ado LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Toye Fasinmirin
ADC – 1054
APC – 38026
PDP – 3817
Ilejemeje LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Kehinde Mogaji
ADC – 579
APC – 8984
PDP – 1243
Ise/Orun LG
Collation Officer: Dr John Isa
ADC – 365
APC – 12907
PDP – 1627
Oye LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Jide Popoola
ADC – 998
APC – 18975
PDP – 2891
Moba LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Suleiman Adegboyega
ADC – 994
APC – 20500
PDP – 1572
Ayekire/Gbonyin LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Oso Bamidele
ADC – 314
APC – 17133
PDP – 1563
Ikole LG
Collation Officer: Prof. Sadiat Adifala
ADC – 812
APC – 26508
PDP – 750
Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA
Collation Officer: Prof. Michael Adeyemi
ADC – 511
APC – 29278
PDP – 2119
Ekiti East LGA
Collation Officer: Prof. Olabode Olatunbosun
ADC – 1730
APC – 26359
PDP – 2795
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