Politics
Edo govt blames APC for voter registration violence
The Edo State government has accused the All Progressives Congress of disrupting the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state.
Before the commencement of the registration, the acting state chairman of the APC, Jarret Tenebe, in a statement on Sunday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the exercise due to the damage to its state headquarters, materials and equipment after a downpour at the weekend.
Not deterred, INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced the relocation of the exercise to its secretariat at Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
At an earlier press conference on Friday, the APC alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party and INEC were conniving to manipulate the CVR in favour of PDP.
But the allegation was quickly rebuffed by the Edo chapter’s Head of Voters Education and Publicity of INEC, Timidi Wariowei, who described it as unfair.
Following the development, the Edo State government, in a press statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the alleged action of the APC.
It also accused the party of stirring violence and causing crisis in the state, in a move to halt the ongoing CVR.
The government said since the party was not able to halt the exercise, after a failed call on the INEC to do so, it now resorted to violence across the state.
It also condemned the shooting at Idia College, leading to the injury of an innocent student, wondering why an opposition party would choose violence to sell its candidate.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Edo State government has been drawn to deliberate attempts by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stir violence and cause crisis in the state, in a desperate move to halt the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The state government strongly condemns the recent attack and shooting at Idia College a couple of days ago, which led to the injury of an innocent student.
“To say the least, this is most troubling, disheartening, and shameful and is never a way to play the opposition role expected of a responsible opposition party.
“It is utterly appalling that a political party would resort to attacking a CVR centre to obstruct eligible voters from registering to participate in an election that it is contesting. One is left to wonder how the APC plans to get the electorate to vote for its candidate.”
The state government called on the security agencies to rein in those it termed as agents of violence in the state.
“We say no to such shenanigans and resort to violence by the APC and its agents and call on security agencies to rein in these agents of violence.
“We thank God there was no loss of life from the reprehensible act and are, therefore, warning the APC to desist from this dishonourable conduct and rather embrace democratic norms.
“If the APC has a candidate to sell and believes in the viability and credibility of its candidate, the party should get more people to register and should also campaign to convince the people to vote for him, instead of resorting to attacking Edo people and disrupting the peace in the state,” the statement added.
The government, therefore, urged the people of the state not to be discouraged by the desperate antics of the APC and its agents but to leverage the opportunity of the CVR exercise to register for their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the September 21 gubernatorial election to ensure a free, fair, and violence-free electoral process.
Reacting, a source close to the APC said the party would make a statement when necessary.
He noted that the police and the Department of State Service were already investigating the matter.
“The APC will come out with a reaction to this allegation when it necessary. Right now, the police and the DSS are already investigating the matter,” the source said.
Ahead of 2027 general elections, the Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum (WSWUDF) has thrown its weight behind Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, member representing the constituency in the house of representatives and Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. The group also rejected recent criticisms on the two lawmakers, saying it was “misleading and attacks were far from constituency realities.”
The endorsement came during a well-attended press briefing in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where the Forum’s Coordinator, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, delivered a detailed statement on behalf of stakeholders drawn from all ten wards of the LGA. Prominent attendees included Amb. Fred Igere, Chief Hon. Rose Tull, Hon. Omare Gabari, and Hon. Austin Tonfawei.
WSWUDF said its position reflects “the collective voice of responsible leadership” across Itsekiri and Ijaw communities in Warri South-West, dismissing contrary claims by the Itsekiri Grassroots Coalition as “unfounded, misleading, and disconnected from the realities on ground.”
The Forum specifically defended Ereyitomi, Member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, describing him as a “critical asset” and “silent achiever.” It cited his ranking status in the National Assembly, saying it places him “within a strategic circle of influence where real legislative decisions are shaped,” translating to “access, project facilitation, and sustained engagement with federal institutions.”
On Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the Forum said his emergence reflects “competence, trust, and proven capacity.” It argued that his national leadership role “strengthens the voice of Warri South-West, enhances its visibility, and ensures direct access to legislative coordination at the highest level.”
“The Speaker has consistently demonstrated the capacity to carry both Ijaw and Itsekiri interests along in a balanced and inclusive manner. Such leadership must be preserved, not undermined,” Akemotubo stated.
The WSWUDF strongly condemned what it termed attempts to introduce ethnic sentiment into political discourse, calling the trend “dangerous and counterproductive.”
“Ethnic politics divides communities, weakens governance, and distracts from the real issues of performance and development. Warri’s strength lies in unity, and that unity must not be compromised for political convenience,” the Forum said.
It further alleged that “those amplifying these negative narratives are not grounded in the realities of the people,” describing them as “largely present on social media, operating as content creators rather than active participants in community development and governance.”
“Warri South-West and Warri Federal Constituency cannot be misled by noise,” the statement added.
The Forum declared “unequivocal” support for the continuous representation of both Ereyitomi and Guwor, stating that local government leadership has “consistently shown confidence and satisfaction” with their performance.
“The direction is clear: protect progress, sustain influence, and stand firmly with tested leadership,” Akemotubo concluded.
The briefing marks the latest realignment of grassroots blocs in Warri South-West ahead of future political contests, with WSWUDF urging constituents to focus on “continuity, stability, and sustained development.”
Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP) is a ranking member of the House of Representatives for Warri Federal Constituency. Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor serves as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and currently chairs the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. Warri South-West LGA comprises ten wards with mixed Itsekiri and Ijaw populations.
Fresh cracks have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, as a powerful bloc aligned with Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani announced a mass resignation from the party, citing what it described as a “total collapse of internal democracy.”
The decision, contained in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of Hon. Mijiyewa Umaru Kugama, signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, accused the party leadership at both state and national levels of undermining democratic principles and imposing illegitimate structures.
“The actions of the party leadership have destroyed internal democracy, undermined the rule of law, and rendered the party structure in Adamawa State illegitimate and unacceptable,” the communiqué stated.
At the heart of the crisis are the recently concluded party congresses, which stakeholders claim were marred by manipulation and imposition under the leadership of Ishaya Bauka (retd).
According to the group, court rulings and existing injunctions were ignored, creating what they described as a “dangerous precedent of lawlessness.”
“The congresses were fundamentally flawed, manipulated, and imposed against the will of the majority of party members,” the stakeholders alleged.
They further accused party officials of sidelining key actors through “systematic exclusion, intimidation, and imposition,” arguing that the ADC has consequently lost its credibility as a democratic platform in the state.
In a series of far-reaching resolutions, the faction declared a vote of no confidence in the ADC leadership and announced its “immediate and irreversible resignation en masse” from the party.
The group also rejected all outcomes of the disputed congresses, declaring them “null and void.”
“We refuse to be part of a system that thrives on injustice, impunity, and illegality,” the communiqué read.
The stakeholders confirmed plans to align with a new political platform, although no party was officially named.
However, they mandated Senator Binani to spearhead the transition and coordinate a unified strategy ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Political observers say the development could significantly reshape the political landscape in Adamawa, particularly with Binani expected to remain a central figure in the 2027 governorship race.
The communiqué outlined plans for a coordinated defection structure spanning polling units, wards, and local government areas, alongside aggressive grassroots mobilisation under a new platform.
“This decision marks the beginning of a new political direction anchored on credibility, inclusiveness, and true democratic ideals,” the stakeholders concluded.
The crisis adds to growing tensions within opposition parties nationwide, with analysts warning that unresolved internal disputes could weaken party cohesion ahead of future elections.
Morocco has released three Senegalese football fans who were imprisoned following the violent unrest that marred the Africa Cup of Nations Final 2025 in Rabat.
The trio regained their freedom on Saturday after completing three-month jail terms handed down for their roles in the clashes that erupted during the high-tension final.
The supporters were among a group of Senegalese fans arrested and prosecuted over incidents including hooliganism, vandalism, and attempted pitch invasion during the chaotic showdown.
Authorities confirmed the released fans had served the shortest sentences, while others convicted over the violence remain in custody serving longer jail terms.
The unrest during the final sparked diplomatic concern and drew criticism from officials in Senegal, further straining tensions in the aftermath of one of the most controversial finals in AFCON history.
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