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APC Things: How Adams Oshiomhole Once Portrayed Ize-Iyamu As Untrustworthy And Now Wants Him To Be Governor

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Adams Oshiomhole, while he was the governor of Edo State, in 2016, portrayed Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as someone who could not be trusted with public funds.

Mr Ize-Iyamu was the governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state’s election that year, and Mr Oshiomhole was campaigning for his successor, Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Today, Mr Oshiomhole is the APC national chairman, and there is a reversal of roles as Edo prepares for the governorship election in September. Mr Oshiomhole wants to remove Mr Obaseki and bring in Mr Ize-Iyamu as the next governor.

A protracted political fight between Mr Oshiomhole and Mr Obaseki has crippled the Edo State House of Assembly (14 lawmakers elected on the APC platform are yet to be inaugurated since June 2019) and factionalised the APC in the state.

Mr Ize-Iyamu, before he defected to PDP, was not just a chieftain of the APC, he directed the campaign for the election of Mr Oshiomhole as Edo governor.

Mr Ize-Iyamu’s return to APC has been a major threat to Mr Obaseki’s second term ambition.

Seven APC governorship aspirants in the state were said to have stepped down for Mr Ize-Iyamu recently.

Why I didn’t appoint Ize-Iyamu into government – Oshiomhole

“It is true we found ourselves in the region of politics working together, but I never gave him government job,” Mr Oshiomhole said of Mr Ize-Iyamu in an undated video of a 2016 APC campaign rally in Benin, Edo State.

The video is an excerpt from Channels TV’s live coverage of the rally.

Continuing, Mr Oshiomhole said, “I kept him (Ize-Iyamu) busy, let him be holding midnight meeting which he is used to. Ask him, since he was the DG (of my campaign organisation), why did I not appoint him into government?”

Osagie-Ize-iyamu

“We kept him away, nothing near government circle, no access to public fund.”

Mr Oshiomhole, in the 10-minute video, said Mr Ize-Iyamu was a “GM of one wuru-wuru” company and accused him of ruining the administration of Lucky Igbinedion in Edo State.

Mr Oshiomhole said the likes of Mr Ize-Iyamu would never be allowed to return to the government of Edo State.

Obaseki has ‘brain’, ‘creativity’ to work for Edo people – Oshiomhole

In the video, Mr Oshiomhole praised Mr Obaseki as one who has used his “brain” and “creativity” to work for the good of the state and the people.

The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, is consulting stakeholders on other measures to halt Covid-19

In the concluding part of the video, Mr Oshiomhole, who was standing on the podium with others, including Mr Obaseki, brought up a song in praise of Mr Obaseki.

“Obaseki, you are what God says you are.

“You are a winner and not a loser.

“You are what God says you are.”

Ize-Iyamu’s reaction

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of Mr Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Organisation, John Mayaki, Saturday evening, and asked him for their response to Mr Oshiomhole’s remarks in the video.

“Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande were very critical of President Buhari before 2015. They both had a re-think as all humans do, and today, both are one of President Buhari greatest admirers,” Mr Mayaki said.

Former Nigerian presidents, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo.

“Same with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who in 2011 held former President Goodluck Jonathan’s hand, campaigning with him everywhere. Have you forgotten what happened later in 2015? Just as former President Obasanjo wrote about his Vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – the former latter supported the later during his presidential bid.

“What about Femi Adesina, who in 2005 heavily criticised Prof. Ibrahim Gambari for defending the killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa by the Gen Sani Abacha government? Are they not working together today?

“Even God at a time, change(d) his mind! Who are we not to change our minds in the face of superior and obvious facts? Comrade Oshiomhole has moved on; he’s now in the same political party with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

“The detractors must accept the new reality and face the fact that their biggest problem today is not Oshiomhole nor Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Their problem is their inability to fulfill any of their campaign promises,” Mr Mayaki said, apparently insinuating that the video was being circulated by Mr Obaseki’s camp.

Mr Mayaki sent a video to PREMIUM TIMES, showing Mr Oshiomhole, while he was still governor, praising Mr Ize-Iyamu as a “friend, a brother, a colleague, and a political warrior.”

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ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent

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Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.

Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.

“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.

Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.

“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.

He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.

He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”

Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”

However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.

She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”

Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.

“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.

She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.

“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”

Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.

“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.

 

 

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Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term

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Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.

He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.

He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.

According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”

He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.

“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.

He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.

“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.

The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.

He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.

Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.

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Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party

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Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.

 

In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.

 

“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.

 

“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”

 

The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

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