Politics
Vote Buying: PDP alleges Abiodun, APC making efforts to stall investigations
The Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) and the Nigeria Police Force are frustrating the ongoing investigation on vote-buying allegedly perpetrated by the ruling party across the state, during the last governorship election.
Consequent upon the March 18 governorship election held in the state, the candidate of the PDP, Oladipupo Adebutu, had alleged that the ruling party committed electoral malpractices in an attempt to rig him out.
In a press statement recently signed by the Ogun PDP chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, and made available to journalists, the party said it is not oblivious of an alleged plot by the APC in connivance with the police to scuttle investigations.
“The Ogun State PDP is aware that All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State Chapter and its candidate at the March 18, 2023 Ogun gubernatorial election, Dapo Abiodun is putting unbearable pressure on the police aimed at intimidating and frustrating them in its ongoing investigation of the massive vote buying scheme perpetrated at the last Governorship and State Assembly election across Ogun State by Dapo Abiodun and APC coordinated by an Ijebu businessman with direct funding from the coffers of the Ogun State in a bid to stunt the investigation and to reveal the drain on Ogun State Public Finances used to fund Dapo Abiodun personal ambition to the detriment of the majority of indigenes of Ogun State. A waste of the collective patrimony of Ogun State.
“Dapo Abiodun and the APC are hereby warned to desist from acts geared at jeopardizing the ongoing investigation which will unravel and reveal who really indulged in voters’ inducement prior to and vote buying at the Ogun governorship election with a view of bringing the offenders to book. Ogun PDP is always ready to render its utmost help to the police’s investigation into allegations of vote buying during the 2023 Ogun State governorship election. So that perpetrators of electoral offences; thuggery, violence, destruction of voting materials, falsification of results, voters’ inducement and vote buying will be punished. And served as a lesson to all whose personal ambition will lead them on paths that compromise the integrity of our electoral process which will make our people lose faith in the sanctity of election. A great danger to our democracy.
“The hierarchy of the police and the men of the Nigerian Police Force who displayed stellar performance during the 2023 general election is advised to resist all pressure from Dapo Abiodun and APC and go to the root of the massive deployment of monies through direct cash payment to voters in Ogun State government envelopes and prepaid card funded with Ogun State monies to buy votes during the election through proxies. The police must recover the funds for the prepaid cards for payment into Ogun State government coffers.
“We are aware that to cover its track and divert attention from its compromise of the electoral process, the APC and Dapo Abiodun has been using the instrument of power at the State level and its leverage as the ruling party at the center to hound and harass the PDP with frivolous allegation of vote buying when they were the ones who indulged in massive vote buying with Ogun State Government monies amongst other acts of thuggery, ballot snatching and destruction, result falsification, etc.
“The Ogun PDP and the entire citizenry of Ogun State is watching keenly as the investigation unfolds. Ogun PDP will not hesitate to take necessary legal steps to ensure that the investigations into money laundry, voters’ inducement and vote buying at the Ogun State governorship election of March 18, 2023, is professionally investigated.
“We urge the police to remain steadfast and true to the powers donated to it by the constitution. The future of our democracy to the benefit of all remains application the even application of law to all no matter their party,their standing in society and whether of the ruling party or not. Nigerians are watching closely,” the statement reads.
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
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.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
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.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
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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