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EDO 2020: BETWEEN MADMEN AND SPECIALISTS

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A social political group, Diaspora Network for Good Governance, yesterday, congratulated the governor of Edo State for his resounding victory at the September 19 poll.


By Iwelunmor Patrick 

There are insinuations in some quarters that the national chairman of the APC has vowed to truncate the second term bid of Governor Obaseki even if he wins the Edo 2020 primaries. The former Governor is hinging his confidence on the instrumentality of his office.

Unfortunately for Oshiomhole, the odds against him and his plethora of political machinations against a performing Governor are enormous. It is Oshiomhole who has many rivers to cross and many mountains to climb in this arduous yet fruitless quest to strangulate justice and fairness. 


Before Obaseki assumed the mantle of leadership in Edo State, Oshiomhole had spoken glowingly about his capacity to turn things around and leave the state better than he met it. He had portrayed Obaseki as someone who would continue the reformist agenda he had reawakened in the collective socio-economic psyche of all well-meaning Edolites. Governor Obaseki, going by the methodical way he has been handling governance, has left no one in doubt as to the populist orientation of his government. Most significantly, his prudence in the management of state funds coupled with a sense of accountability that abhors frivolities has ensured that the many social projects he has embarked upon have been completed or are nearing completion.

To this end, it will be extremely difficult for Oshiomhole and his camp followers to convince Edo people that Obaseki is anything but excellent. 


In psychiatric studies, people who are known to double-speak suffer from certain psychological conditions ranging from common behavioral disorders to incurable megalomania. You don’t praise a man today and try to pull him down tomorrow. It shows that something is mentally wrong with you. All those who were praising Obaseki to high heavens in the earliest days of his administration and are now saying he must be crucified deserve some psychiatric evaluation. How can they say Obaseki has not achieved anything when there are imprints of his performance in virtually all the local government areas of the state. (even if una miss road, una nor know the road to Ogbe Stadium? Una nor see how im transform the place? ) 


Osagie Ize-Iyamu whom Oshiomhole had openly described as someone who cannot be trusted with money is now one of those being positioned to unseat Obaseki. Hmmm. This brand of politics can only be a product of mental illness. I wish to use this medium to advise Governor Obaseki to focus on building more psychiatric hospitals as soon as he returns for his second term in office. Some people should be mentally quarantined so they do not influence the younger generation with their anti-progressive mentalities. As for Obaseki and his retinue of technocrats, they should continue to unleash the specialists in them on every developmental puzzle they come across in Edo State. One of the reasons Obaseki’s political enemies are frustrated is because they have not been able to deceive Edo people who are being daily inundated with the wonderful works their Governor is doing. Thanks to the vibrant media strategy being executed by Crusoe Osagie, Igunbor Sarah and Afolayan Timi, among others. Obaseki’s footprints are all over the social media space and no amount of propaganda can hamper his government’s popularity in terms of the delivery of the dividends of democracy and good governance. 


I remember reading a very superlative article written on Obaseki’s seriousness about changing the Edo development narrative. It was titled OBASEKI MEANS BUSINESS by one Kassim Afegbua and smacked of the highest level of the writer’s appreciation of the Governor’s noble intentions and motivations towards the service of his people. Alas, things have fallen apart, for reasons best known to the cerebral writer, whom I recently read again faulting Obaseki’s approach to governance. Na wah O! Another fellow by the name, Abdul Oro had boasted on one of the privately-owned TV stations how Obaseki has violated party principles by refusing to carry some of them who worked towards his emergence along and how they planned to antagonize him. The most pathetic among these cases of betrayal is the case of one Chris Osa, whom I had followed as an Obaseki loyalist.

Unfortunately, he has joined the wayfarers of the underground – men who have sold their conscience for epicurean ends. 
Obaseki and his pilgrims of ethereal heights (men of good conscience) should not discontinue this illustrious quest for the illumination of the Edo world. The battle is not easy but one thing is certain: light will always conquer darkness. 
Iwelunmor Patrick, a Public Relations and Media Practitioner, writes from Lagos. 

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Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

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Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

…Dismisses Claims of Discontent Over Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate

 

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election, distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has assured the people of the state that he would run an all-inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.

 

Fondly called Yayi, the senator currently representing Ogun West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly made this known on Thursday, May 21, 2026, shortly after participating in the governorship primary at Pahayi, Ilaro Ward 1.

 

Speaking with journalists, Senator Adeola Yayi assured party members that he would not disappoint them if elected governor, pledging to deliver good governance while sustaining the developmental strides of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

 

According to him, “I want to assure the people that I will run an inclusive government and carry everyone along. It will be an administration that leaves no group or interest behind.”

 

The senator commended party faithful for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the governorship primaries, noting that the exercise reflected the unity and cohesion within the party.

 

Senator Adeola Yayi further expressed delight that the primary election was conducted peacefully across the state, describing the turnout of party members during the direct primary exercise as a strong indication that the APC remains formidable and well-positioned to record landslide victories in the 2027 general elections.

 

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for sustaining the internal democracy for which the ruling party is reputed, while reiterating his readiness to run an open and inclusive administration.

 

Fielding questions during the press interaction, the Ogun State APC consensus governorship candidate dismissed claims that some aspirants were aggrieved over his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.

 

According to him, his emergence was not imposed on the party but was the outcome of extensive consultations and consensus among stakeholders and party leaders across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

“I am not aware of any aggrieved aspirants over my emergence as the governorship consensus candidate of our dear party. The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party.

 

“Rather, it was the result of far-reaching consultations and agreements among stakeholders and leaders of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

“To my knowledge, nobody was cheated and nobody was disenfranchised. I received overwhelming support at the Ogun State APC strategic meeting held at the party secretariat. Thereafter, I met with other aspirants, and we are all committed to working together for the betterment of the people of Ogun State”, he stated.

 

The senator, who was widely cheered across Ilaro metropolis, polled 3,023 votes at Pahayi Ilaro Ward 1, 2,601 votes in Ilaro Ward 2, and 2,419 votes in Ward 3. He later monitored the exercise in Ilaro Ward 2 and Ward 3, where party members and supporters hailed him enthusiastically at every stop.

 

The massive turnout of APC members across polling units in Ogun West, and indeed across Ogun State, was seen by observers of the scene as a demonstration of the widespread acceptance and popularity of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations among the people, without any form of inducement.

 

Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

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Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries

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*Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries*

Charges Chinda to Be Magnanimous in Victory as a Patriot

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors (RCA) has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of its governorship primaries, describing the process as a shining example of political maturity and a departure from the state’s history of acrimonious contests.

In a statement signed by Comrade Jude Chuks and issued shortly after the declaration of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the group praised the APC leadership and stakeholders for ensuring a rancour-free exercise.

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors, a prominent support structure aligned with the broader Rainbow Coalition political movement in the state, noted that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflects growing commitment to unity, dialogue, and collective progress ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We congratulate the Rivers State APC for conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful primary. This achievement underscores the maturing democratic culture in our state and sets a positive tone for the political season,” Chuks read.

The group specifically hailed the withdrawals of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole, which paved the way for Chinda’s emergence, describing the moves as “statesmanlike decisions taken in the supreme interest of peace and party cohesion.

While celebrating the outcome, the Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors charged the new flag bearer to remain magnanimous in victory and demonstrate the spirit of a true patriot.

“Victory at the primary is not an end in itself but a call to higher responsibility. We urge Hon. Kingsley Chinda to extend a hand of fellowship to all other aspirants, stakeholders, and even those outside the APC.

“True leadership demands inclusivity, humility, and the ability to heal divides rather than widen them,” the ambassadors emphasised.

They further appealed to Chinda to prioritise broad-based consultations, youth and women inclusion, and the welfare of Rivers people in his campaign and future governance plans, noting his legislative experience and cross-party relationships as key assets.

The group, however, expressed optimism that, knowing Chinda’s antecedents as a seasoned lawmaker, bridge-builder, and consistent advocate for good governance, he will unify the party, foster inclusive development, and deliver people-oriented leadership that prioritises the welfare of all Rivers people across party lines.

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

 

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has issued a strong warning to dissidents within the All Progressives Congress, APC, that are spreading false reports about the House of Assembly primaries held Wednesday, May 20 across all the wards in the local government.

 

Supervising officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the immediate past Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, and Barrister. Azeez Oladapo Ninalowo as winners of Agege Constituencies I and II respectively. Egunjobi polled 10, 126 votes while Ninalowo scored 12, 455 votes. Both candidates had earlier emerged as consensus aspirants during a caucus meeting of the party presided over by Speaker Obasa last Tuesday.

 

Obasa spoke at the Agege Stadium earlier today, Thursday, May 21, as the APC faithful and stakeholders converged in their thousands to affirm incumbent deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the consensus candidate of the party in the 2027 governorship election.

 

Speaking on the outcome of the primaries, Obasa declared: “We’ve done everything according to the dictates of the party. Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat is our governorship candidate. Senator Idiat Adebule is our candidate in the Lagos West Senatorial District, and Mudashiru Obasa is the candidate for Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Collectively, we have decided and we are standing by the decision of our members.”

 

He commended INEC and security agencies “for helping us to have a free, fair, and transparent exercise devoid of violence and disorderliness.” The Speaker also praised party members for their loyalty and steadfastness, stating: “Agege is always here for the party. We are always present. When you are a member of a party, you should always participate in all its activities. Why will anyone who isn’t here claim to be part of us?

 

“You can’t be absent from all primaries and still claim that you are with us. We have conducted House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly, and Governorship primaries, yet some disgruntled party members have consistently stayed away. It is not possible. They are not part of us.”

 

Further, Obasa said: “We should be mindful of the people we send to represent us in any position. If they disregard us, we will wait until their tenure expires and remove them. The beauty of any political structure is continuity. Agege remains a shining example of a well-structured political organisation at the local government level.

 

“Nothing was done by subterfuge; everything was done in the open. INEC, DSS, Police, the media, and party leaders were all present. There’s nothing to fear. If anybody is initiating fake reports, let them continue. Anybody who has a problem should go and challenge the result in court. After the general election, maybe they will wake up,” he added.

 

With Hamzat’s candidacy sealed and Obasa drawing a hard line against internal dissent, Agege has sent a clear message: the APC’s fortress stands on loyalty and discipline, and those unwilling to march in step will be left behind as the party advances toward 2027.

 

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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