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By-election: Seek redress in court, Ogun IPAC urges aggrieved parties

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The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee in Ogun State, Abayomi Sanyaolu, on Wednesday urged all political parties that participated in the House of Representatives Saturday by-election for the seat of Remo Federal constituency to accept in good faith the results of the poll as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Sanyaolu said that any political party that is disenchanted with the results of the poll which declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji, winner, should head to court to seek redress rather than engaging in any act capable of hurting the peaceful coexistence of the residents of the state

Recall that Elegbeji, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, polled 41,237 votes to defeat her closest rival, Bola Oluwole of the Peoples Democratic Party, who garnered 14,324 votes.

The IPAC Chairman disclosed this at a briefing held in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

He stated that the position of the electoral law is that once INEC declares the results of a poll, the option left for aggrieved participants in that electoral process is to approach a competent court of jurisdiction to seek redress.

Sanyaolu explained, “Though other political parties also participated in the by-election but the Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mrs Ayoola Elegbeji, as the winner of the poll. So, as the Chairman of IPAC in the state, what is left to do is to call for the unity of all. We don’t want violence, all that we want is peace for the state to continue to make progress.

“Our duty is to relate with other political parties and to advise that we all give peace a chance, there must be no bloodshed or crisis after the election. If any of the political parties that participated in the by-election is not satisfied with the conduct of the election, the best thing to do is to go to court to seek redress.

“I could remember that during the local government election held in the state last year, we had some issues with the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission and we went to court and got our judgment against them.

“In this wise too, if you are having any misgivings over the last Saturday Remo Federal constituency by-election, don’t take the law into your hands. Go to court to seek redress and let the peace that we have continued to enjoy in the state prevail.”

Speaking during the briefing, the factional National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Comrade Oginni Olaposi, also urged anyone dissatisfied with the results of the by-election to approach the court to vent their anger and misgivings over the conduct of the election.

Oginni said that the emphatic victory of the APC in the by-election is traceable to the fact that the governor is from the Remo Federal constituency and his giant strides, particularly the construction of the multi billion naira Agrocargo airport within the vicinity, precisely in Iperu Remo, the governor’s home town must have attracted lot of admiration for the Governor’s party.

He added, “I want to say that the election went the way it went because the governor, who is the leader of the ruling party, is from Remoland, Iperu Remo to be precise.

“And we should not forget that the multi-billion naira mega project of the Agrocargo airport is sited in that region. So the by-election became an opportunity for the people of Remo land to show their appreciation to the governor and therefore voted massively for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“So, I won’t say that as an opposition party member, the election was rigged or compromise, I think what swing the vote in favor of the ruling party and the governor is that multi billion naira airport project which will serve as a good alternative to the one in Lagos and also help to decongest the airport in Lagos.

“The opposition parties should just go back to the drawing board and see how we can do better next time. We should not say that we want to bring the roof down because our parties did not win. And if we feel aggrieved, let’s approach a competent court to seek redress. So I am appealing for peace and understanding, there is always another day to put up a better performance in the future election.”

Also speaking, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, declared that the landslide victory of the APC was a referendum of acceptance of the government of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, by his kinsmen in Remoland, who have benefited a lot from his administration.

Arabambi said, “The outcome of the election is a referendum for the government of Gov Dapo Abiodun. He has done a lot for the people in that region and they compensated him with the emphatic victory for his party, the APC. The Cargo airport situated within the region is a game-changer.

“And once INEC declares a winner in an election, the next option for whoever has an axe to grind with the conduct of the election is to go to court rather than causing any brigandage.

“So I congratulate President Bola Tinubu, the governor and the security agencies for ensuring an enabling environment for the conduct of the election. Any party that is not satisfied with the conduct of the election as spelt out by the electoral laws will have to go to court.”

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Wike to PDP govs: Your actions will bury party

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused the governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party of running the party with arrogance and impunity.

Wike warned that the governors’ actions and disregard for due process could lead to the total collapse of the party.

The FCT minister spoke on Friday during the October edition of his monthly media chat in Abuja.

“The way these present governors are going, they will bury this party. I’m the FCT Minister, for Christ’s sake—forget about whatever you think. Are you telling me that, as it is today, because I’m not a governor, you will go and hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting, exclude me, and then expect to survive? Assuming I’m not the FCT Minister, by the role that I have played in the PDP till now, simply because I’m not a governor, I cannot be consulted in making decisions of the party? Certainly not!

“Two or three people cannot go and sit somewhere, make a decision, and then tell me that because they are governors, I should follow such a decision,” he stated.

He described the party’s national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, as illegal.

Wike insisted that he would not attend any convention that fails to comply with the party’s constitutional procedures, saying his attendance would amount to endorsing illegality.

In the lead-up to the national convention, the PDP has been engulfed in tension as rival factions clash over control of its leadership structure.

Last week, the party’s chairman in Imo State, Austin Nwachukwu; his Abia State counterpart, Abraham Nnanna; and the South-South Zonal Secretary, George Turnah, filed a suit at a Federal High Court seeking to halt preparations for the convention until a substantive case before the court is resolved.

For more than a year, the PDP has been mired in a series of internal crises, with governors elected on its platform and Wike’s loyalists locked in a fierce struggle over control of the party machinery.

Also, the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, a known Wike loyalist, last week petitioned the Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging forgery of his signature on communications related to the upcoming convention.

Speaking on the internal crisis rocking the party at the media chat, Wike condemned what he described as the sidelining of key stakeholders in major party decisions, including preparations for the convention.

According to him, attempts by a few governors to dominate the party and control the outcome of the convention without due process were illegal and detrimental to the party’s unity.

He said the conduct of some governors was pushing the party toward self-destruction, stressing that the ruling All Progressives Congress was not responsible for the party’s woes.

Wike said, “You (governors) go and take a decision, and then you sideline certain people. What do you expect to have? You will have a faction. Is that not embarrassing? Why are you not following due process in holding a national convention?

“I have said it, and I will continue to say it: the moment you think that you can sideline certain people and nothing will happen, you cause a major crisis in the party.

“If you do the right thing, would anybody challenge the convention? People think they are too smart. You have not done your congresses for those who will participate in that convention. All you are interested in is, ‘Let’s go and do the convention.’ You want to deny so many states the opportunity to participate in the convention, and we say you cannot do that.”

When asked if he would attend the convention, Wike said, “If a proper convention is to be held, why won’t I go? But I won’t go to a convention I know is filled with illegalities. How do you expect me to attend a convention that I know, by law, is not a valid convention?”

Wike also faulted the decision-making process within the PDP, accusing the party’s governors of excluding other influential members and arrogating powers to themselves.

“When you make a fundamental mistake by arrogating powers to yourself, of course, you will suffer the effect.

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Wike says PDP may fall apart because governors sideline him

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The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has slammed governors of the Peoples Democratic Party for sidelining him in major party decisions, warning that such exclusionary practices could threaten the party’s survival.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike expressed frustration over being left out of key consultations despite his long-standing influence and role within the PDP.

He said, “Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party.”

The minister questioned why his exclusion was justified simply because he no longer holds a governorship position.

“I am the FCT Minister. Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, you will hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and exclude me, and then expect the party to survive?” he queried.

He added, “Assuming I am not a minister, by the role I have played in the PDP till now, is it right to say I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not.”

Wike further criticised the notion that internal crises could be blamed on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the PDP’s problems were self-inflicted.

“All these talks about APC are rubbish. Is it the APC that makes you take wrong decisions? You mean two or three people, because they are governors and receive large allocations, will go and decide, and you tell me to follow? Follow who?” he queried.

Speaking on the party’s planned national convention, Wike said the leadership had failed to complete necessary congresses and other key processes, which he claimed were stalling progress.

“If they do the right thing, will anybody stall the convention? They have not done the congresses and other things that should be in place,” he said.

The PDP has, in recent months, faced internal crises and a wave of defections involving top members such as Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno. The party is also battling multiple legal suits over its forthcoming convention.

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PICTURES: Protest rocks APC headquarters over Kayode Ojo’s Ekiti primary exclusion

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A protest erupted at the All Progressives Congress National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, as party members from Ekiti State voiced outrage over the exclusion of Kayode Ojo from the upcoming governorship primary.

 

The APC National Working Committee had, a few weeks ago, disqualified Ojo from participating in the October 27 primary in Ekiti State, effectively clearing the path for the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to emerge as the consensus candidate.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Ekiti State governorship election for July 20, 2026.

The protesters, mainly women, chanted slogans such as “Ekiti says No to Governor Biodun Oyebanji,” “No to Consensus,” and “Yes to Kayode Ojo.”

They carried placards with inscriptions including “We Say No to Kayode Ojo’s Disqualification,” “We Don’t Want Consensus,” “Ekiti Women Reject BAO,” “We Reject BAO,” and “APC Must Let Ekiti People Choose Their Candidate.”

Subsequently, in a statement issued on October 14 by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC announced that it had adopted a consensus candidate for the primary following the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo.

Leader of the protesters, Abereniola Mercy, addressing the press in Abuja on Friday during a protest against the disqualification of Kayode Ojo from the forthcoming APC Ekiti governorship primary.
Photo Credit: Abdulrahman Zakariyau

On behalf of the protesters, Abereniola Mercy expressed that the people of Ekiti believe Ojo is the best candidate for the governorship position.

She stated, “We have gathered here today because the people of Ekiti State firmly believe that Kayode Ojo is the right man to lead us as our next governor. Across towns and communities, there is a renewed sense of hope and determination among our people. They are not only ready to vote for him but are also prepared to work tirelessly to ensure his victory in the forthcoming election.

“Our presence here is to draw the attention of the party leadership to the challenges and frustrations we are experiencing in Ekiti State. We reject Ojo’s disqualification and demand his reinstatement to enable him to participate in the APC primary.We want them to understand that the people have made their choice, and that choice is Kayode Ojo. He is a man of integrity, humility, and competence someone who genuinely cares about the development of our state and the welfare of its citizens.

“We are appealing to our great party not to impose any consensus arrangement on us. What we desire is a fair, transparent, and credible primary election where every delegate will have the opportunity to freely choose their preferred candidate. Consensus should not be forced upon the people when they are united in their choice.

“Therefore, we call on the national leadership of our party to respect the democratic will of Ekiti people. Give us the chance to decide through the ballot, because we are fully ready to stand behind Kayode Ojo as our next governor in 2026.”

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