Politics

Peace Accord: We won’t bulge until all our conditions are met-Ighodalo declares

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

Austin Ojomah

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Few days to Edo guber polls, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next Saturday’s election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has pledged that his party will sign the peace accord with other political parties once the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force meet all its conditions.

Ighodalo, who was a guest on Channels Televisions Politics on Monday, lamented that some PDP members have been arrested and detained without being charged to court.

He said that his camp will not hesitate to sign the peace accord already signed by the other parties involved in the election once his supporters are released.

“We had a number of conditions, most of the conditions have now been met with one left. Many of our guys have been held unjustly.

“We think if you hold guys, you either charge them or you let them go on bail. So, either they charge all our guys and we are represented or let them go on bail. Once that is achieved we will sign the peace accord,” Ighodalo said.

The PDP candidate cited lack of level playing ground as the major reason his party declined to sign the peace accord, but acknowledged that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has now assured the party neutrality.

“We saw a lot of our supporters being harassed, being intimidated, we saw thugs from the other party – everybody saw them on TV with weapons, none of those guys were arrested.

“Of course, we have a reason to feel strongly harassed and intimidated. Based on that we felt strongly that unless a level playing ground is created, we would not sign the peace accord.

“But today we feel a bit better, the Inspector General of Police has given us his assurance and his word as a man of great honour that we will have a level playing field,” he said.

He maintained that his camp preach nonviolence and that will not change any time.

On Thursday, all political parties participating in the Edo election signed a peace accord on to shun violence, but the PDP declined to participate in what has become a pre-election ritual in Nigeria’s electoral space.

Former Head of State, General Adulsalami Abubakar, who is the head of the Peace Committee had said that PDP chieftain and outgoing governor (Obaseki) said the party won’t sign the peace pact over some allegations levelled against the police.

PDP Chairman in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, also stormed out of the peace pact venue in protest on Thursday.

He told journalists on his way out that a member of his party who doubles as Esan West Local Government Area Chairman, Collins Aigbogu, was picked up by the police days ago and had not been released.

Related Topics:Edo State Election Ighodalo Peace Accord

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Politics

APC shifts presidential primary to May 23, 2026, releases revised 2027 election timetable

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress has pushed its presidential primary from May 15-16 to May 23, 2026, with governorship primaries now set for May 21, under a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko announced the changes Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja. He said the adjustments align with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s updated schedule for the 2027 polls.

■ Key dates in the new timetable:

*Sales of forms:* Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026.

■ Deadline for submission: Monday, May 4, 2026.

*Screening of aspirants:* Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026 for House of Assembly, Reps, Senate, and Governorship. Presidential screening holds Saturday, May 9, 2026.

*Publication of screening results:* Monday, May 11, 2026.

Screening appeals: Tuesday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

■ Primary elections:

– *House of Representatives:* Friday, May 15, 2026

– *Senate:* Monday, May 18, 2026

– *State House of Assembly:* Wednesday, May 20, 2026

– *Governorship:* Thursday, May 21, 2026

– *Presidential:* Saturday, May 23, 2026

*Post-primary appeals:* Reps – May 18; Senate – May 20; State Assembly – date not stated; Governorship – May 23; Presidential – May 25, 2026.

Meseko said notice of the changes went to state chapters on Monday, April 20.

■Zamfara congresses

The NWC also approved a schedule for ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara beginning Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Ward congresses hold Thursday, April 30. LGA and state congresses follow, with appeals slated for May 1 and May 3, 2026.

■ Mode of primaries

Meseko said the party adopted direct primary and consensus as provided in the Electoral Act 2026. “Aspirants are free to decide their preference,” he said. “Where consensus works, it stands. Where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”

He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted. “Forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he said.

■ INEC dates

INEC has fixed Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship/State Assembly polls for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Party primaries and disputes must run between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns start August 19, 2026 for federal elections and September 9, 2026 for state elections.

Politics

Lagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2026

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable.

He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

Politics

ADC may face disqualification from 2027 Election Ballot

Published

17 hours ago

April 23, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the lingering leadership disputes rocking both the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, raising fresh uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The apex court took arguments from all parties involved in the appeals and cross-appeals.

After proceedings, it announced that judgment would be delivered at a later date.

However, no timeline was given.amd this has created tension, especially for parties battling internal divisions.

For the PDP, the crisis has already led to major changes. Earlier rulings had nullified the Ibadan convention that produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman. The court also upheld the suspension of some top officials.

As it stands, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, remains in charge. This group is the one currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
While the PDP appears to have found some stability, the situation is more troubling for the ADC. The party is deeply divided into three factions. These groups are led by David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Ogga Temitope. None of these factions has been officially recognised by INEC.

This lack of recognition puts the ADC in a difficult position. INEC has set May 10 as the deadline for all registered political parties to submit their membership registers. Only parties that meet this requirement will be cleared to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

With the Supreme Court yet to fix a date for judgment, time is running out. If the ruling does not come before the deadline, the ADC risks missing out entirely. This would mean the party may not appear on the ballot in 2027.