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#EdoDecides24: Jubilation in APC camp as INEC set to declare Okpebholo winner, official figure emerge

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#EdoDecides24: Jubilation in APC camp as INEC set to declare Okpebholo winner, official figure emerge

According to the official figures flying around with authentication from INEC, the candidate from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, is currently in the lead in the Edo State governorship election.

Okpebholo is leading by over 48,000 votes compared to his closest rival Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Of the 16 local government area results declared so far at the INEC Collation Centre in Benin City on Sunday, Okpebholo who represents Edo Central in the Senate, has won 10. He has 244, 549 votes as against Ighodalo’s 195, 954.

The PDP candidate has won six of the local government councils declared so far. Labour Party (LP)’s Olumide Akpata is in a distant third with just 13, 346 votes.

After the declaration of results from the 16 local government areas, the INEC Collation Centre went on break. The Returning Officer for the election, Faruk Adamu Kuta, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, called for the recess around 2:19 pm.

He said the break is to allow for the arrival of results from two more local government areas. The centre will reopen by 5 pm when the winner of the governorship election is expected to be announced.

The collation centre opened some minutes before noon in Benin City, hours after the election took place in the South-South state.

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Already, the PDP is protesting the results and had earlier held a press conference where it claimed the election was marked with irregularities. The briefing was organised by the party’s campaign organisation for the poll and led by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.

At the event, Ighodalo alleged that the exercise was marred with inconsistencies and fears the election may go down as the “worst” in the country’s history.

“From our perspective, the way these elections are going, they’re probably going to be the worst elections in the history of this country,” the PDP flagbearer said.

Members of the party are also demonstrating in Benin City, saying the results being collated are not in tandem with the wishes of the people and not what the party’s agent collated.

But the APC earlier called for caution, asking Nigerians to wait for official results from INEC.

“Consistent with the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the sole authorised body empowered to collate results at the ward, local government, and state levels, and to officially declare the result of the election,” the party said late Saturday.

“We urge members of the public to disregard this attempted misrepresentation and await INEC’s final verdict on the election.”

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It also accused incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of attempting to subvert the electoral process after the latter visited INEC’s collation centre.

 

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BOMBSHELL: Wike states why Peter Obi can never be Nigeria President

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According DailyPost, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has claimed that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party will never emerge Nigerian President again.

Wike, who spoke on Sunday during an official Thanksgiving Service for the Successful Completion of Projects Commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja said Peter Obi’s time has passed.

According to him, Obi’s supporters are only following emotions, stating that they barely know the former Anambra Governor.

He said, “They say Peter Obi will be President, President where? Out of emotion, most of you are just following someone you don’t know.

“For eight years, Obi was a governor but he never conducted local government election. Now he is saying that democracy is not working but it worked in his time.

“Only Obi was governor and chairman of all the local governments in Anambra State at the same time. The time has passed, he won’t have the opportunity again”.

Recalls that Wike had in April this year, revealed that he did not support Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election because the LP candidate “had no chance of winning”.

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ADC: ‘Coalition of corruption’ – More knocks for Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others over ‘rebranded’ agenda

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The coalition comprised of influential political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, as part of the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), represents a significant strategic effort to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

With Atiku Abubakar at the forefront, these leaders are united by a common goal: to mount a formidable challenge against the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has faced its share of controversies and criticisms.

This coalition aims not only to secure a win for its chosen candidate but also to address the pressing socio-economic issues that have affected many Nigerians, such as unemployment, education, and healthcare access.

However, recent reports suggest that the road ahead is fraught with complexity, as various factions within the coalition engage in strategic negotiations and maneuvering to determine the party’s presidential nominee.

Ultimately, the coalition’s success will hinge on their ability to unite behind a candidate who genuinely embodies the aspirations and needs of the Nigerian people, paving the way for a more inclusive and responsive governance.

Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has described the newly formed ADC coalition as a gathering of political actors responsible for Nigeria’s longstanding woes, warning Nigerians not to be deceived by their “rebranded” agenda.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Joseph, who also leads the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, said the coalition is “deeply insulting to our collective intelligence,” adding that its members are the same figures who built the “Emilokan” brand of governance now embodied by President Bola Tinubu.

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“Today, these same failed leaders have rebranded themselves overnight, claiming they want to ‘rescue’ Nigeria. From what, if not the very destruction they orchestrated?” he asked.

Joseph said the political coalition lacks sincerity and is driven not by values or vision, but by desperation and self-preservation.

“It is a tragedy that these old political figures—who once had power and opportunity to do right by Nigerians but instead enriched themselves—are now aligning for selfish interests under the pretense of national salvation,” he said.

He argued that the future of Nigeria does not lie in “defecting politicians or recycled coalitions,” but in the hands of ordinary Nigerians.

“The next election belongs to the ordinary Nigerian who has suffered silently for too long, the Nigerian youth, cheated and sidelined for decades, the market women, who have been used and discarded, the Christian community praying for true change, the Muslims yearning for justice, equity, and a functional nation,” he stated.

Aiming for the key figures behind the coalition, Joseph questioned their credibility and motives.

His words: “Atiku Abubakar and his PDP camp cannot even resolve their own internal crises.

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“Peter Obi is incapable of leading the Labour Party, Nasir El-Rufai is angry because he didn’t get a ministerial appointment, despite the pain he left behind in Kaduna, and Rauf Aregbesola left no meaningful legacy either as governor or as minister.”

He said the coalition leaders were all part of the political class that created the national rot that President Tinubu merely inherited.

“What we are witnessing is not a coalition for Nigeria, but a coalition of corruption, a coalition of greed, and a setup for yet another failed government in new clothing.

“It is the same old wine in a new bottle. Nigerians must not be fooled,” he noted.

 

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Kwankwaso: ‘He does not have pedigree to match Tinubu’

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Kwankwaso

“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso ended shortly after the 2023 presidential election.”

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says its 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso do not have its platform for contest against President Bola Tinubu and or any other presidential candidate at the moment in 2027.

The NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major made this known in a statement on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Major was speaking on the backdrop of claims by Elder Buba Galadima that Kwankwaso will stay and run for presidency on the NNPP platform.

Galadima, who claimed that there is no evidence that Kwankwaso is joining the All Progressives Congress as speculated, said they would “strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics” urging Nigerians to support Kwankwaso to take over as president.

Agbo stated that the NNPP platform is closed to Kwankwaso and Galadima, who had long been expelled from its fold for anti party activities.

‘The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima and so, they no longer speak for us nor can they use our platform for any political contest.

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“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso ended shortly after the 2023 presidential election.

“We cannot even allow Kwankwaso for whatever reason to return on the NNPP fold because of the problems and internal wranglings he created for us.

“Kwankwaso led us into unnecessary litigations and even changed our party logo to the Kwankwasiya logo, all in an attempt to hijack the leadership of the party.

“It was the Court’s interventions that led to INEC changing back to our Logo that they submitted after a Kangaroo convention in Abuja,” he said .

He said that Kwankwaso must be counting on another free ticket like he got for the 2023 presidential election but it would not happen again.

“Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership.

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and we will not readmit them because they betrayed our trust massively.

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“He does not have the pedigree to match President Tinubu in any contest and so his ambition is dead on arrival,” he said.

The NNPP chairman insisted that though it is Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to seek to contest for any office, he should do so without getting the party involved in any of his antagonisms against the President.

He disclosed that the NNPP is being approached by some intending aspirants and shall dwell on that at the appropriate time.

“Whoever will emerge as the NNPP 2027 presidential candidate will do so, following due process and constitutionality.

“We will no longer handover our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer on the party,” Major added.

He urged Nigerians to disregard utterances against the Presidency and APC by Kwankwaso and his group, claiming they are speaking for the NNPP.

“The NNPP as a party believes in constructive criticisms of issues and not against personalities or other political parties. We advise Kwankwaso to float his own party and use it for his own agenda.

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“NNPP has moved on and can’t be dragged into unnecessary controversies again,” he added. (NAN)

 

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I’ll remain in PDP, but support Peter Obi if… – Lamido

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I'll remain in PDP, but support Peter Obi if... – Lamido

The former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has vowed to support the erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, if he emerges as the coalition’s flagbearer.

Lamido stated this while responding to a question from newsmen as to whether he would support Obi, who has offered to spend a single term of four years if he wins the 2027 presidential election

According to him, he is ready to support Obi or anyone committed to rescuing Nigeria. He, however, stated that he would not leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said, “If the coalition produces Peter Obi or anyone else committed to rescuing Nigeria, I will support them. But I remain PDP. We should have outgrown tribal and regional sentiments.

“Leadership should be about competence and vision, not geography. What has the North gained from producing the most presidents if the region remains underdeveloped? I’m open to any arrangement that can confront the APC and rescue Nigeria. I’ll support those who share that goal.”

The former governor explained that zoning between the North and South was a creation of the PDP, designed to solve a specific problem, which was the annulment of the June 12 election.

According to him, “it was meant to be a healing mechanism, a temporary measure to restore trust. But now, it has become an albatross.”

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‎Ex-Ondo Senator Tofowomo dumps PDP, joins ADC

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‎Ex-Ondo Senator Tofowomo dumps PDP, joins ADC

‎Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South from 2019 to 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), has dumped the party for the Alliance Democratic Party (ADC).

‎Tofowomo’s resignation letter dated July 4, was addressed to Mr Joseph Akindolire, PDP Chairman, Ward 3, Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

‎‎Confirming his resignation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Okitipupa on Friday, the former Senator lamented that the ongoing intra-party conflict in the PDP was taking its toll on the party .

‎“Most PDP members are moving out in droves and seems the crisis in the party will not settle soon. I had to seek advice from my political family and took my decision to join the ADC.

‎“If I want position, I should have joined the APC but I decided to join the coalition ADC which I believe has the power, strength, resources and political will to tackle the APC in 2027 general elections,” he said.

‎Tofowomo praised President Bola Tinubu for turning around the fortunes of Lagos State while he was governor, saying that Tinubu’s position has changed since he became the President.

‎He noted that the current economic hardship in the country was worrisome “without any sign of improvement in sight.”

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‎“Tinubu was a fantastic leader when he was Lagos governor, but his position has changed since he became President. Today, there’s increasing poverty and hunger everywhere.

‎“The two mistakes Tinubu made was the subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira which has taken Nigeria to the back seat,” Tofowomo said.

‎He expressed confidence that ADC has the wherewithal to wrestle power from APC in 2027 and return Nigeria back to the part of economic recovery.

‎“When Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President was in charge with former President Olusegun Obasanjo form 1999 to 2007, the debt of Nigeria was reduced to zero and the economy was buoyant, and Nigerians enjoyed the administration.

‎“Even when David Mark was the Senate President, the Senate was not a rubber stamp and messier as we can see now, the Senate then stood up for all that was right and reject everything that was bad,” Tofowomo said.

(NAN

 

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ADC woos Gov Lawal ahead of 2027 polls

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ADC woos Gov Lawal ahead of 2027 polls

The Zamfara State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has extended an open invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal and other credible politicians in the state to join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with newsmen in Gusau on Friday, the State Chairman of ADC, Kabiru Garba, disclosed that the party had already received over 100 new members from various political parties in the last ten days, describing the defections as a major boost to the party’s strength and credibility.

“As I am speaking now, over 100 members from various political parties have so far defected to the ADC in Zamfara within the last ten days,” Garba said.

He expressed optimism that more politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon join the ADC fold in Zamfara, emphasising that the party is open to all who possess political integrity and a commitment to good governance.

“We are appealing to credible politicians who have a good record of political integrity to join the ADC. All we need is credibility,” he added.

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Garba affirmed that the ADC leadership in the state remained solid and prepared to lead the party to victory in the upcoming election cycle. He said the party’s structure and manifesto are well-positioned to address the developmental needs of Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.

“We are ready to lead this party to success in 2027. We are capable, and our party’s manifesto is tailored toward the development of Zamfara and the nation as a whole.”

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The ADC chairman described the party as a welcoming platform for all leaders who are focused on positive change.

“The ADC in Zamfara would be glad to welcome His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, if he chooses to join our party,” Garba concluded.

 

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