We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, yesterday, said it is determined to return to government in 2026.

The Osun APC leadership directed party officials in wards and local government areas across the state to resume meetings and other political activities in preparation for future elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the acting state chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, said no effort would be spared to ensure return of the party to power and continue its good and people-centric leadership.

The meeting, which was held at the instance of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, was aimed to bring together members of the party with a view to charting a new course for the progress and success of the party and its members.

Lawal, who commended leaders and members of the party for their loyalty, resilience, perseverance and commitment throughout the litigation period, said right mechanisms had been set in motion to properly and genuinely restructure the party for the betterment of all.

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According to him, the main motive behind the meeting was to re-strategise and further foster unity between and among members of the party as they resolve to wrest power from the incumbent government in the state.

“I want to start by appreciating Oyetola for initiating this meeting.

“As we all know, this family meeting is very crucial particularly at a time like this that we have made frantic efforts to put our house in order and work towards reclaiming power from the incumbent administration.

“As a party, we recognise the fact that after the Supreme Court judgment, we have not met with a large house like this, so, this is to let the whole world know that we remain united, resolute and committed to strengthening the party, promote internal democracy and, indeed, set the motion for the all-round success, progress, growth and development of our party and the state.

“I want to assure you all that former governor Oyetola is solidly behind the party and he had promised to continue to support the party. Though what happened is divine and we have taken it in good faith as God’s will just as we believe that APC will come back to government soon.

“Let’s return to our various units, wards and councils to start mobilising our people across the nooks and crannies of the state as we know that the journey to reclaim the state for our party has begun right from now.

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Peter Obi rigged Atiku out in Anambra, witness tells tribunal

Ndubuisi Nwobu, witness for Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of PDP in the February 25 presidential election, has told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, rigged Atiku out in the presidential election in Anambra State.

He stated this on Wednesday while giving his testimony before the tribunal. Nwobu, who is Atiku’s 11th witness, told the tribunal that “magic happened to the votes of the PDP candidate at different collation centres in the state during the election”.

Nwobu, who is Anambra PDP chairman and also the state collation agent of the party, told the tribunal that after the counting of votes, presiding officers refused to upload the results.

He said that he visited about 30 polling units out of the 4,720 polling units in the state on election day, and was allegedly forced to sign the result sheet of the election at the state collation centre because he would not have been given a copy if he declined.

“I signed the result sheet when it was obvious that without signing, a copy would not be made available to me. Results were entered at polling units. But every effort made to get the presiding officer to upload it on IREV proved abortive.”

When asked if result sheets were signed by agents of the PDP at polling units before they were taken to the collation centre, Nwobu said “yes”.

He said in some instances, he had to intervene to prevent voters and other party agents from attacking INEC officials.

“Even in certain instances, I had to intervene to ensure that some of the polling officers were not attacked by voters and other political party agents,” Nwobu said.

75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume

No fewer than 75 senators-elect are backing Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President ahead of next week’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume said last night.

Ndume, who was re-elected from Borno South, said Akpabio, who enjoys the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will succeed Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Ndume, the Director-General of Akpabio-Barau Campaign (ABC), who spoke on a Channels Television programme chided the leadership of the ninth Senate for being rubber stamp lawmakers.

Akpabio may even turn out as the consensus candidate because as talks are ongoing to convince other senators, who are still showing strong interest to contest against him.