Politics
Ekiti PDP aspirants protest against Fayose, want congress annulled
Some People’s Democratic Party governorship aspirants in Ekiti State yesterday protested against the outcome of ward Congress conducted last Saturday.
They called on the National Working Committee of the party to cancel the congress and order a rerun.
The aspirants expressed anger over how former governor Ayodele Fayose allegedly hijacked the congress conducted by a committee chaired by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel to his advantage.
The ward congress was staged by the PDP to elect three ad-hoc delegates to participate in the January 26 shadow poll of the party.
The protesting aspirants are former Ekiti State governor, Mr Segun Oni, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Alhaji Lateef Ajijola and Mr Yinka Akerele.
The aggrieved PDP chieftains , who paraded the streets carrying placards with their hordes of supporters, appealed to Senator Iyorcha Ayu-led NWC to cancel the congress that was allegedly skewed in favour former governor Ayodele’s political group.
While addressing party members, Senator Olujimi, who spoke on behalf of other aspirants, said that the ward congress didn’t take place in any part of the state, adding the purported result being bandied around was allegedly concocted by Fayose.
She faulted the five-man panel sent by the PDP national secretariat to supervise the congress, lamenting that the exercise was shrouded in secrecy to subvert the people’s will, transparency, inclusive participation of all the aspirants.
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She stated that the exercise was devoid of democratic ethos and ideals as many PDP members across the 177 wards in the state waited in the sun for hours expecting the arrival of electoral materials, only to be told that the election had been conducted
“There was no adhoc ward congress and we want an absolute cancellation. What really happened was that one person hijacked all the materials and went to write all the list. If you hijacked the materials and you are writing the names of the delegates, then, you will surely face the consequences.
“It’s not about me. It’s about our party and future. What is important is fairness and justice. Any place where there’s no fairness and justice, peace will be eluded. So, all the peace agreement has been broken. When you broke the peace agreement, what do you expect us to do. To fold our arms? No, we won’t,”she said.
She alleged the exercise was deliberately designed from the outset to favour Fayose to ensure his preferred aspirants secure the party’s flag in the June 18 governorship election in the state.
Olujimi described the ugly development as unfortunate and fraudulent, regretting that it had placed a strong moral burden on the democratic credentials of the party, which many believe as the bastion of democracy.
She called on the leadership of the party to swiftly intervene by allowing substantial compliance and adherence to democratic norms devoid of manipulation, warning that the development if allowed to persist would be a threat to the victory of the party in the poll.
She said, “There is a need to listen to the people of Ekiti. The party must do the needful. They must call a meeting. And the meeting must be a meeting of truth. Without that, the poll here would be very tough for our party.”
Politics
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is set to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on its findings and recommendations ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The committee met at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to finalise its report for presentation to the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC, which will then present it to the NEC for ratification.
Following a meeting with the PDP National Assembly Caucus, Oyinlola emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that any successful political party must be united. He described the discussions as productive and critical for addressing the party’s declining political fortunes.
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Oyinlola also addressed the upcoming Ondo Governorship election, stating that the committee has considered the election while touring the South-West region and is developing strategies to support the party’s efforts.
When asked about internal disputes, Oyinlola confirmed that the committee is focused on reconciling party members who have disagreements. Regarding rumours of possible suspensions, he dismissed them as speculation, pending discussions with the NWC.
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
Politics
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Speaking at a recent event to commission infrastructure projects in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose made his support for Oyebanji clear, emphasising that his loyalty to the governor transcends party lines.
“I don’t care what people say about me,” Fayose declared in response to criticism from his party. “Whoever is not pleased should take their party away.”
His comments come amid growing tensions within the PDP, where some members have threatened Fayose with expulsion for his actions.
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Fayose praised Governor Oyebanji’s performance, citing his developmental strides and the unity among Ekiti leaders as key reasons for his endorsement.
“All former governors of Ekiti are standing behind Oyebanji for a second term,” Fayose noted, underscoring the broad support Oyebanji has garnered due to his achievements in office.
Governor Oyebanji, during the event, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
He pointed out that under his leadership, over 40 towns have been connected to the national power grid, boosting local economies through significant infrastructure projects.
Fayose’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election and is seen as a significant boost to Oyebanji’s chances of securing a second term.
Despite Fayose’s strong ties to the PDP, his support for the sitting governor indicates a potential rift within the party as the state prepares for the upcoming election.
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Politics
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Tensions are reaching a boiling point within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as key party leaders lock horns over political appointments following the recent election.
The power struggle between former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s camp and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s faction has escalated into a full-blown conflict, with both sides accusing each other of greed and overreach in the allocation of “juicy” positions within the state government.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as an attempt by Oshiomhole’s camp to monopolize appointments in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
A source from Ize-Iyamu’s camp told News Direct:
“We will not allow one greedy man to singlehandedly nominate appointees into all the juicy positions or take the lion’s share in nominating political appointees beyond his senatorial district.
“He plans to boss the governor into a tight corner to take command over his government.”
The rift was fuelled by accusations that Oshiomhole’s influence over the incoming governor is growing disproportionately, and there are concerns that the former governor, through his loyalists, is attempting to seize control of key positions in Edo State’s administration.
On their part, Ize-Iyamu’s supporters believe the positions should be distributed equitably across all senatorial districts.
A source from Oshiomhole’s faction dismissed the position, saying:
“Those that didn’t contribute significant votes in the election should take the back seat.
It is not a monkey work, bamboo chop thing; but, if the governor insists he wants to play to their music, we will not hesitate to dance naked and tell the tribunal how we rigged the election that brought him because he knows he didn’t win at the poll.”
The current political tussle appears to be centred on distributing 12 commissioner slots and other high-ranking appointments.
Ize-Iyamu’s camp has argued that it is unfair for one individual, particularly someone from a different senatorial district, to control so many key positions. A senior member from Ize-Iyamu’s faction said:
“We insist 12 commissioners and other juicy appointments are too much for one man who is merely a senatorial leader. We must resist this masked intruder vehemently.
“His puppet can concede his two Ovias to support the Edo North slot, but certainly not in my Edo South or Okpebholo’s Central. We are not fools.”
Meanwhile, political watchers in the state say the deepening feud between these two factions could have serious implications for the stability of the APC in Edo State.
There are also fears that the dispute over appointments could weaken the party’s unity, especially with the looming possibility of litigation at the election tribunal.
While the Oshiomhole camp has implied that it could reveal damaging information regarding the election process, Ize-Iyamu’s camp remains defiant, stating that they can defend their victory without relying on Oshiomhole’s influence.
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
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