Politics
Edo 2020:APC NWC May Disqualify Obaseki Over Certificate Issue
Ahead of the June 22 governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, there are feelers that Governor Godwin Obaseki may be disqualified from participating in the primaries by the screening committeeset up by the national leadership of the party.
A credible source in the party said aside the mode of primaries which has become a subject of controversy, there is a likelihood that Obaseki may not scale the screening session of the APC which may scuttle his chances of becoming the party’s flag bearer in the September 19 governorship election.
According to him, the party said it is trying to prevent a reoccurrence of what happened in Bayelsa when the Supreme Court nullified the victory of David Lyon, the governor-elect, on the grounds that his running mate, Senator Biobarakumo Degi-Eremienyo, presented forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The national chairman and his group want to use some lack of original certificates to disqualify Governor Godwin Obaseki at the screening.
“If they succeed, the implication is that the governor may not even participate in the primary, whether direct or indirect,” the source said.
“The Obaseki group are also spoiling for war. They will soon be releasing documents from when Oshiomhole was governor to nail him, how he was moving monies around.
“Already, they are circulating videos of all the negative things Oshiomhole said about Ize-Iyamu during the 2016 governorship election and how he is unfit to rule the state,” he said.
Also on Sunday, governors elected on the platform of the APC met with the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the fate of Governor Obaseki and the mode of primaries to be adopted.
According to our source, about nine APC governors, led by Governor Atiku Bagudu, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, attended the meeting with Tinubu at the State House, Marina.
“Yes, the APC governors, led by Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, met with Asiwaju Tinubu behind closed doors yesterday. I saw them but I don’t know what was discussed at the meeting,” he said.
In a related development, the Ize-Iyamu campaign organisation on Sunday said Governor Obaseki was plotting to obtain a court injunction to stop Ize-Iyamu from participating in the primaries.
A statement signed by Prince John Mayaki, Director of Communication and Media, Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu Campaign Organisation, and made available to our correspondent, read: “The embattled governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is plotting to procure an interim injunction at the Abudu High Court or any other court in Edo State barring the APC from conducting its internal primary election scheduled for June 22 and restraining Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, his main challenger, from contesting the election, according to reliable sources.
“Also named in the plot are Osarodion Ogie, the Secretary to the State Government, Wole Iyamu, SAN, Solicitor General of the State, and Ken Mozia, SAN.
“These officials, acting on the instruction of Godwin Obaseki, have allegedly induced Justice Eborieme of the High Court in Abudu to grant a baseless application for the interim injunction.
“Civil society groups privy to the plan have issued a stern warning to the Edo State judiciary not to avail itself as a tool to scuttle the democracy of the state.
“As the bastion of democracy, the courts are to protect democratic institutions and processes.
“They are not meant to be used by the government of the state, or any government official, to truncate democratic processes or serve personal political ambitions.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.
The Assembly cited eight specific allegations of gross misconduct as the basis for the move.
This is the third time Fubara and Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.
Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.
Here are the allegations below:
1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds
2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds
3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution
5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members
6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi
7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary
8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities
Lilian Adebayo, the wife of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the party will unseat the ruling All Progressive Party at the 2027 election if Nigerians are true to themselves.
Mrs Adebayo made this assertion known on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after an event in Abuja.
According to her, the opposition party has overcome its crisis after the expulsion of its former chairman, Shehu Gabam and others.
She said Nigerians should vote the APC out in the 2027 general election due to the hardship the party has plunged citizens into.
“There is always a crisis in the party; the SPD has been able to handle its own. The problems in the party have been resolved.
“He has a great chance of winning the election if Nigerians are honest with themselves. If Nigerians think that the ones they consistently vote for would move the country forward, they live in denial,” she concerning the husband.
Recall that SDP recently expelled Gabam and other party executives.
The party’s state chairmen on Wednesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police to investigate Gabam over alleged misappropriation.
In a significant political move, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Mbah announced his decision during a televised broadcast in Enugu after weeks of speculation.
He said, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”
Mbah explained that his decision to join the PDP was informed by the need to reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.
“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically and how we secure the future of our project and our people.
“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
Ahead of the governor’s defection, all members of his cabinet had on joined the ruling party.
Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection in a video posted on his social media handles on Monday. In the video, several government officials were seen openly declaring their allegiance to the APC, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and affirming their commitment to the new party.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh stated.
The officials, including commissioners and top aides, could be heard in the video declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”
The collective defection marks a significant political shift in Enugu State, which has been a PDP stronghold since 1999.
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