Politics
Omo-Agege gets support of Obidients in Delta for gov poll
Chances of candidate of All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, for the March 11 governorship election in Delta State has received a boost from a coalition of support groups for Peter Obi movement.
Speaking at an interactive session with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in Asaba, the Lead Coordinator of the Coalition of Obidients Movement in Delta Central, Mr Ochuko Edafe, said the Obidients vote individuals and not parties.
Edafe who was responding to Omo-Agege’s remarks addressed the Obidients on the pains of misgovernance experienced by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in the past eight years and the need to join forces with the APC to enable it to form a government in the state, said the APC governorship candidate has the needed experience to govern the State.
He said, “We Obidients follow the footsteps and watch the character of our Principal, Mr Peter Obi, and when we came down home to our State, Delta, we decided we are going to look out for the same character and among all the people running for governor of Delta State, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has those qualities and character and as you can see, he is a man of the people who is ready to meet with the people anytime.
“We are not card carrying members of any political party. We look for qualities of a good leader and we have chosen to work with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. He is the most credible candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Delta State. That is where we have pitched out tent and that is where we have decided to follow.
“We know everything that is happening in Delta State and now that we have the opportunity to remedy the situation we want to maximize it. Since 1999 till date there has not been a Senator who performed like Senator Omo-Agege.
“People ask why don’t we follow the Labour Party governorship candidate and we say, we follow Peter Obi because he is credible and that is why we say, the only credible candidate as far as Delta State governorship election is concerned is Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. I want to assure you that the way the February 25 presidential election went that is the way it will go on March 11, expect more votes for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.”
Senator Omo-Agege who spoke earlier, expressed bitterness about the burden of suffering Governor Okowa has placed on Deltans, saying he as governorship candidate of the APC was on the same page with philosophical views on how Deltans can live a better life and called for an alliance to fight the battle of the March 11 governorship election.
Omo-Agege said, “We are not happy with the way Okowa has punished our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who gave the best part of their lives serving Delta State and upon retirement Okowa refused to pay them their gratuities and pensions. On that, we are all on the same page.
“We are also not happy that our students who are in tetiary institutions in Delta State are being made to pay so much money by way of school fees and levies. We know when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan left office, tuition was N25,000. Today under Governor Okowa tuition is N300,000. Are we happy about that?
“On that one, I, Ovie Omo-Agege Delta APC governorship candidate and you are on the same page.
“I want to make a commitment to all of you today, I feel your pains, we are on the same page. We want a Delta State where there will be job opportunities for our children when they leave school, where we will have good infrastructure, good roads, good schools, good hospitals and where workers will be paid their gratuities when they retire; a Delta State where we have 24 hours electricity, where companies operating across the Niger can come here to do business and create jobs openings for our youths.
” For us to get all of these, you have to elect a governor. I am the only one standing to fight and chase out Okowa, all other persons are pretenders who are enlisted into the battle to protect Okowa’s interests. I cannot do it alone, I need your help. I want all of us to come together. Between now and Saturday, go out there and canvass on behalf of Ovie Omo-Agege.
“When I emerge governor it is you that have emerged governor. When it is good for me, it is good for you. By God’s grace, if I emerge governor, come to me and tell me, this is what we want you to do for us. We are going to run a participatory government. We are going to bring you into government. I want to thank you, please do not rest. You started this and you have to finish it.”
Politics
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Mr. Rasheed Kashamu, Ijebu-North 1 lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, announced on Monday during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was communicated through a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide. Kashamu, who served as Deputy Minority Whip, cited irreconcilable differences and factional divisions within the PDP at both state and national levels as reasons for his move.
Elemide noted that Kashamu’s decision was aimed at aligning with progressive forces in Ogun State and supporting the development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “After reviewing the current state of affairs of the PDP, marked by unresolved leadership crises, he resolved, in consultation with his supporters, to join the APC and back the ISEYA agenda of Governor Abiodun and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the Speaker said.
READ ALSO:
- Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
- Muslim Cleric Murdered in Kano Mosque, Police Probe Mob Vigilante Killing
- Osun State Loses Philanthropist Prince Tunde Ponnle, UNIOSUN Benefactor Dies at 94
Kashamu formally joined the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, accompanied by his supporters, while lawmakers welcomed him into the Assembly’s majority caucus. His wife, uncle, and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun seeking the confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as Auditor-General for Local Governments following the retirement of Mr. Lamidi Mulero.
Elemide directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on December 17 and to submit 30 copies of his curriculum vitae and credentials by 10:00 a.m. on December 16, as part of the confirmation process.
This development marks a significant political shift in Ogun State, strengthening the APC’s presence in the House of Assembly ahead of upcoming elections.
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Politics
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s primary election on Monday.
The primary, held in Osogbo, saw 528 delegates accredited, including 482 local government and ward delegates and 53 special delegates. Of the votes cast, 520 were validly credited to Salaam, while eight votes were declared invalid, confirming his landslide win.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, officially declared Salaam as the party’s flagbearer, empowering him to lead the party into the 2026 gubernatorial race.
READ ALSO:
- Muslim Cleric Murdered in Kano Mosque, Police Probe Mob Vigilante Killing
- Osun State Loses Philanthropist Prince Tunde Ponnle, UNIOSUN Benefactor Dies at 94
- Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
In his acceptance speech, Salaam thanked delegates and ADC leadership for their confidence, vowing to champion the party’s vision and represent the people of Osun State effectively in the upcoming election.
Salaam’s nomination adds momentum to a highly competitive political landscape in Osun State, where other parties, including the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), have also concluded their nominations. Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the Accord Party ticket, while the APC confirmed Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its flagbearer.
Political analysts note that Salaam’s experience as a legislative leader and grassroots mobiliser positions him as a strong contender in the 2026 Osun governorship election, signaling an intense contest across major parties.
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Politics
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he commented on which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, describing the claim as fake news.
The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said it was the South’s turn to produce the next president. Reacting on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai categorically denied making such a statement.
“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality,” he said.
El-Rufai stressed that he did not express such views in any speech, interview or social media post, noting that his opinions are only conveyed through his verifiable official platforms.
READ ALSO:
- Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
- Lekki Tollgate: No Massacre, Soldiers Fired Blank Bullets — Lai Mohammed Insists
- FRSC Moves to Prosecute TikTok Star Peller Over Alleged Reckless Driving, Live Streaming Incident
He also faulted the practice of attributing opinions to him based on articles written by others, even when such articles are shared on his platforms as part of broader national discourse.
“It is wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation,” he said.
The former governor warned that the spread of misinformation and irresponsible politicking on social media poses a serious threat to public trust and democratic debate.
“These clarifications are crucial as we confront the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news,” El-Rufai stated, adding that fake news platforms should not be accorded any credibility.
He further urged journalists, media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, cautioning that failure to do so undermines the integrity of the media.
“In this age of falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever,” he said, lamenting what he described as the growing alignment of some media actors with unverified social media narratives.
El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no political views should be attributed to him unless they are explicitly expressed on his official social media accounts or during interviews with reputable media organisations.
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
-
metro3 days agoNigerian Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Borno FOB, Kill Terrorists
-
Health3 days agoBauchi Gov Approves 100% Salary Increase for Doctors, Health Workers
-
metro3 days agoAdelabu–Ayodele controversy: Cleric knocks minister, gives reasons (Updated)
-
metro2 days agoEnd Biafra Agitation, Tinubu Has Integrated Ndigbo Into National Development — Umahi
-
Business2 days agoNigeria FX Market: Dollar Demand Surges, Naira Slides Slightly in Festive Season
-
International2 days ago(UPDATED) Sydney Bondi Shooting: Anti-Semitic Attack Leaves 16 Dead, 40 Injured
-
Politics2 days agoAshimolowo Casts Doubt on Obi’s Northern Support as Opposition Coalition Wobbles
-
Politics2 days agoPeter Obi Poised to Dump Labour Party as Leadership Crisis Worsens