Politics
Shaibu, Ighodalo Emerge PDP Gov Candidates At Edo Parallel Primaries
Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki-backed Asue Ighodalo on Thursday emerged governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at parallel indirect primary elections at different venues in Benin, the state capital.
Shaibu, a former member of the House of Representatives, was declared winner by Moses Batholomew in his official residence on Commercial Avenue, near Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin with 301 of the 563 PDP’s authentic delegates’ votes in Edo.
Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer, emerged the standard bearer at the shadow poll that took place at the Lawn Tennis Court of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Shortly after Shaibu’s declaration as the governorship candidate of PDP in Edo, armed thugs, including members of Edo State vigilance service, were mobilised to the venue and started were shooting sporadically.
But Shaibu and his teeming supporters escaped while the hoodlums continued to shoot at their vehicles with many allies of Edo Deputy Governor injured.
Edo Deputy Governor, in an acceptance speech, dedicated his victory to God Almighty, his teeming supporters, and the good people of the South south State.
As of the time of Shaibu’s declaration, the loyalists of Obaseki were about voting at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for Ighodalo while the consensus aspirant of Chief Dan Orbih-led Legacy Coalition in PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives, decided to withdraw from the skewed race.
When contacted, mobile lines of Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa were not available while the text and WhatsApp messages had not been replied as of press time
Ighodalo polled 577 votes to beat Anselm Ojezua, Arthur Esele, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru and Felix Akhabue, who all scored zero while and one vote was given to Shaibu with six votes declared void out of the 585 accredited delegates.
One of the governorship aspirants, Omosede Igbinedion, the daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Igbimedion, withdrew from the race at the stadium.
The Chief Returning Officer of the Edo PDP governorship primary election committee, Dauda Lawal, who is the Governor of Zamfara State, noted that members of the committee, having carefully sorted and counted the votes, found that Ighodalo scored 577 votes.
Lawal was assisted by Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator James Manager, who were the Vice Chairman and Secretary of the committee respectively.
Ighodalo, in his acceptance speech, thanked Edo Governor and the entire people of the State for their love and support.
He said: “I want to thank you for making me a tool, and I promise you that I will be a useful tool, and by the grace of God, Edo State will move from where Obaseki has carried us, to the next level.
“I want to thank Obaseki for the wonderful work he has done in the last seven and a half years. I know that in a year or two, people will keep talking about Obaseki. We have not seen the value of the work he has done, but he is like a builder laying the foundation for a hundred story building.
“No man is perfect. We will all continue to repair and work on one another’s mistakes.”
Ighodalo also promised to put in his best in the service of Edo State and its residents if elected on September 21.
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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