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Ondo Guber: PDP, Labour Party, CUPP Protest As INEC Declares Aiyedatiwa Winner
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Coalition of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), on Sunday, strongly wrote off the Saturday Ondo State governorship election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner.
In separate reactions to the outcome of the poll, the PDP, Labour Party and the CUPP said the election lacked all democratic norms, standards and processes
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) particularly described election as the worst yet conducted by the INEC.
In its reaction to the declaration of Governor Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the poll, the main opposition party said in a statement by its national spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, that the party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by INEC in the history of the country.
It said the election runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the PDP, this election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetization and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.
“This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC has utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.
“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in the November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State and we demand that serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive,” it said.
The statement informed that in the meantime, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and “take appropriate action in the defence of our democracy.”
In the same vein, the CUPP and the Labour Party alleged gross irregularities, including vote-buying and other forms of manipulations in the election that 17 political parties fielded candidates.
In a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the coalition, Comrade Mark Adebayo, it alleged widespread vote buying, especially by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and bias by the security agencies that were on ground during the poll.
The CUPP alleged that the fundamental elements of a free, fair, democratic, and credible election were glaringly missing in the conduct of the election.
According to the CUPP, there is no way the APC can win any election in the country, going by the economic hardship the economic policies and programmes of the APC-led administration have inflicted on the citizens.
The coalition alleged a ploy by the ruling APC to foist a one-party state on the country, saying it has alerted its members to be on guard.
CUPP warned that what is currently happening in the country is not democracy but a deliberate policy of state capture by anti-democratic forces who, it said, were determined to undermine and ultimately destroy the nation’s democracy as they did in the First and Second republics.
The coalition, however, said it remained vigilant and determined to ensure that anti-democratic forces were not allowed to bring down the country by scuttling its democratic development as a sovereign nation.
“This is not democracy, but a deliberate policy of state capture by antidemocratic forces who are determined to undermine and ultimately destroy our democracy as they did in the First and Second republics.
“All hands shall be on deck to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the shackles of oppression, repression and the corrosive influence of obnoxious politicking. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it prayed.
Also, Labour Party deputy governorship candidate in Ondo State election, Olabisi Olubunkola Adu has said the party and indeed the Obi-dients will join other aggrieved political parties, stakeholders and youths to occupy the streets of Ondo State and wage a formidable legal battle based on alleged fraud.
Olabisi Adu told newsmen said some of the early reports received from the agents of the Labour Party indicated substantial incidents of vote-buying and intimidation of voters.
She said a stakeholders review meeting is planned for today to x-ray the integrity of the elections and a firm decision will be taken on the fate of the elections during the meeting by all concerned.
She said, “If the election is deemed unflawed and credible, we shall be the first to congratulate whoever emerges as the winner of the elections.”
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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