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By-Election: Police arrest Ogun PDP chair over cash possession; party kicks

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5 months ago

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As the bye-election in the state commenced this morning, security operatives in Ogun state have arrested the Chairman of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abayomi Tella, other party officials, and two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, inside an undisclosed hotel in Iperu-Remo area of Ogun State, with a huge amount of money in their possession.

The politicians and INEC officials, who were seen being questioned in a video clip posted on social media on Saturday, were said to have been nabbed at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

In the viral video, the INEC officials, a male and a female, and the PDP officers are seen squatting and being interrogated by an unidentified male security personnel.

According to the interrogator, an intelligence report had indicated that the INEC officials had been contacted and given a large sum of money by the party officials for alleged vote buying during the by-election.

He disclosed that the arrest of the officials of the electoral body led to the eventual arrest of the PDP officers at a hotel in Iperu-Remo.

The male INEC officer told the interrogator that he was asked by his supervisor to go and collect the cash from the politicians.

Meanwhile, the state PDP Chairman, who introduced himself in the video as “PDP official in Ogun State”, was heard denying his involvement in vote-buying the alleged cash-for-vote incident.

“You are just showing money; I don’t know anything about it.”he said

Meanwhile, the PDP has described the arrest of Tella, as a ploy to intimidate and disenfranchise its members ahead of the by-election.

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Director of Media and Communications of the party, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, in a statement made available to newsmen, said Tella was arrested around 3:30am by security operatives, who allegedly broke into his hotel room in what he termed a “commando-style operation”.

According to him, the PDP chairman was in his hotel room relaxing with his driver and an aide when he was whisked away.

Bankole maintained that contrary to reports, no electoral materials were found in Tella’s possession, nor was he caught with large sums of money.

“The chairman had only N100,000 in his room. No electoral material was discovered in his hotel room or car. It is part of a grand plan to scare our people and disenfranchise them. This is unfortunate and shameful in a democracy.”

He also dissociated Tella from the arrest of two INEC officials and others who were allegedly apprehended with large amounts of cash in the area.

“The chairman does not know the INEC staff arrested. It is practically impossible for him to lodge in the same hotel room with an INEC official. He was only carrying out his responsibility as the state chairman of the party under whose watch this election is being conducted,” Bankole added

The State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo,  says the command is investigating the purported arrest of Tella and two INEC staff with huge amount of money suspected to be for vote buying in the ongoing Remo Federal constituency by-election.

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Politics

‘Leave Social Media, Join Politics’, Ex-Lawmaker Shehu Sani Tells Young Nigerians

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21 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians, especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, to move beyond commenting on social media and take a more active role in the country’s political landscape.

In a post on X on Saturday, Sani encouraged Nigerians in the middle age to stop limiting themselves to online debates while younger politicians occupy elective offices.

He said surveys suggesting that Nigerian youths were more active on social media than in politics are not helpful, emphasising that true political engagement goes far beyond ‘likes, shares, and comments’ on social media.

Sani also encouraged aspiring politicians not to be discouraged by financial constraints, noting that many current officeholders faced significant challenges in their early political journeys.

“You are in your 30s, 40s or 50s, your Rep member is in his 30s and your House of Assembly member and Local Government Chairman are in their 20s. Excuse yourself from their comment section on Facebook, X and Instagram; register as a member of a political party and aspire to contest and give your people the kind of leadership you think they deserve. The recent survey that suggests that Nigerian youths are more on social media than in politics is not helpful. Don’t be discouraged or scared because ‘you don’t have money’ to join politics. You need to hear the story of most of those you see in power today; it wasn’t an easy ride from the beginning. If they can be, so you can,” Sani wrote.

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2027: ‘Peter Obi Is The Only Life In ADC, Others Are Not Existing’ – Fayose

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22 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only living person in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was reports that Fayose made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Friday.

According to Fayose, other chieftains of the ADC and political figures in the party are old forces and no longer exist.

He said, “Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent. If Obi had gone to remain in Labour Party or has gone to Accord Party, he is the only life there. All the other people there, they are not existing. They are old-forces.”

Fayose also stated that he has no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but will never join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stressed, “Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it. Till now I’m still there. I don’t jump. I have said it to you I’m not a member of APC and I will never be.”

Speaking further, the former Governor said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is technically no more, adding that it is dead.

The former Governor equally said that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, should not be dragged into the woes of the PDP.

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Impeachment: Wike Maintains Silence As Tinubu, APC Leaders Resolve To Save Fubara

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22 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly resolved to save the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the impeachment proceedings initiated against him and the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, by the House of Assembly.

It was learnt that while Fubara, who is reportedly out of the country, has yet to be served with the impeachment notice and he has the backing of power brokers and APC leaders to retain his seat.

Multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard stated that the recent comments by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, commending Fubara and recognising him as the leader of the party in Rivers, capture the mood of critical power brokers in the presidency.

Those said to be favourably disposed to Fubara include the Imo State Governor and chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Transport Minister, Senator Dave Umahi.

Also, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, was among the critical stakeholders who waded into the matter.

Rivers State Elder and chieftain of the PANDEF, Anabs Sara-Igbe, in an interview with Vanguard, called on President Tinubu to save the state from unnecessary tension arising from the third attempt by the legislators to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy from office.

Wike Shuns Comment On Fubara’s Impeachment

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has maintained a loud silence as the presidency, APC leaders and stakeholders weigh in to resolve the reignited political crisis following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

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Prior to the latest impeachment threat by the lawmakers who are largely Wike’s loyalists, the former Governor of Rivers State was always seen dancing, singing and using every political gathering to criticise Fubara.

However, Wike, who shunned comments on the impeachment proceedings, appeared sober when his “thank you” train landed in Andoni LGA of the state on Friday.

Unlike Wike, the minister, who did not spend more than five minutes addressing the huge crowd that came out to welcome him, and did not speak publicly on the impeachment move.

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