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The inclusion and recognition of Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), for the 2027 Governorship election in Zamfara State, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has been commended by the Zamfara Youths Alliance for Good Governance, (Z-YAGG).

In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, and jointly signed by Comrade Adamu Mohammed; Mallam Jubril Bello Magaji; Alhaji Garbadeen Sani Gummi – Chairman, Secretary, and Publicity Secretary respectively, the Group declared that, “with INEC’s fulfillment of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the coast is now clear for the forthcoming General Elections, and particularly Zamfara State Governorship election.”

The Group emphasized that, “it is disheartening and shameful that the good people of Zamfara have been subjected to different stages of underdevelopment, hardship, and economic squalor, continuously since 1999. Somehow, indigenes and residents of the State keep wondering why the suffering despite the huge natural endowments. Moreso, the perpetual insecurity which has crippled agriculture, commerce, trade, and other viable economic activities speaks to the level of governance in Zamfara; both present and past.”

The Z-YAGG reiterates that it is apolitical but argues “we are interested in whatever is good for the people, even as another election circle draws near. For now, having done detailed studies on all the candidates, we are impressed with Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, of the PDP. He is better equipped with the right antecedents and pedigree to pilot the affairs of Zamfara. It is on this score that we congratulate him for successfully scaling INEC’s hurdles”

The Group concluded by pledging, “to mobilize, canvass for votes, and support his ambition when the campaign for the Governorship and State Assembly elections starts. With presence in the entire Local Government Areas, we will evolve ingenious campaign templates to market him to every segment and sector of people in Zamfara State.”

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A total number of 13 political parties have fielded candidates for the 2027 Kwara State governorship election..

Names and details of the candidates of the political parties in question were displayed at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Olorunsogo, Ilorin on Saturday.

The list of candidates and the parties that have had their candidates recognized by the electoral umpire include Action Alliance, APP, ADC, NDC, Accord Party, SDP , ADP, APC , PDP , NNPP, NDP, APGA and APM.

This will definitely allay Kwara State ADC members and supporters’ fears cognizant that supporters of rival political parties had excluded the ADC and its guber candidate from the list they made available on social media earlier in the day.

Dr. Ridwanullah Apaokagi , former rep Zakari Mohammed (ADC Guber candidate), Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Seko Jubril Gure, Engineer Bolakale Kawu and Professor Abdulmumin Ajia were among the guber candidates that had their names and details displayed by the electoral umpire.

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There was fear and sporadic gunshots at the council headquarters of Anambra East Local Government Area on Saturday, where election was supposed to hold for the Anambra State local government poll.

The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has no challengers in 20 of the state’s 21 local government areas. But it is challenged by Young Progressives Party, YPP, in Anambra East.

Hundreds of people had gathered at the local government headquarters at Otuocha as early as 6 a.m., to monitor the distribution of election materials kept there.

However, YPP claimed that security operatives refused to allow its members into the compound.

The local government collation agent for YPP, Chief Charles Ifediorah, alleged that agents of his party were not allowed into the area to witness what was happening, describing the exercise as a “charade” and being manipulated in favour of APGA.

YPP member hit

According to Ifediora, a female member of YPP was hit by gunfire and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Ifediorah said: “It’s an appalling situation here. The scheduled local government election was to take place and we assembled all our agents from the 241 polling units to the local government headquarters by 6a.m.

“Incidentally, we were refused entry into the local government premises to access voting materials.

“We were outside before the Deputy Commissioner of Police arrived, and we were thereafter allowed to enter the premises. “In our presence, some vehicles left with election materials for Enugwu Otu, Eziagulu Otu and Nsugbe ward 1.

“It’s a very disappointing moment for the YPP in Anambra East and following this development, we are boycotting the election because the process is already compromised.

“The security agencies are aiding the compromised process and I was not even allowed to enter the inner room where the election materials were kept and distributed.”

Boycott

He alleged that the sporadic gunshots around the local government headquarters were aimed at intimidating YPP supporters, claiming that one Ijeoma sustained injuries following the gunshots and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

He vowed that his party would follow the matter to its logical conclusion, noting that YPP zoned the chairmanship to Nsugbe because the area has not produced local government chairman since the creation of Anambra East local government.

“For the sake of equity, justice and fair play, we want the next local government chairman to come from Nsugbe”, he stated.

While speaking at a campaign rally before the election, Governor Chukwuma Soludo had observed that any vote against APGA would be a wasted vote and the party is on ground.

“In 20 LGAs, no party is challenging APGA and proper election will take place only in Anambra East, while others will be affirmation. This is because Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra and so none of them wanted to waste their time and money.

“Following my 73% score during the governorship: election, other political parties felt there is no need for them to waste their money in the local government election and they ran away”, the governor said.
Vanguard