Politics
PDP, SDP Missing as INEC Unveils Final List for Ekiti Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday released the final list of candidates for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The document obtained by reporters showed that the names of the PDP candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and the SDP candidate, David Bankole, were omitted from the final list. Sources within the commission disclosed that both parties were excluded due to unresolved court cases bordering on disputes over their leadership structures.
Following the exclusion of the PDP and SDP, INEC cleared 12 political parties to participate in the governorship contest.
According to the final list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will field the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, 58, with Monisade Afuye, 67, as his running mate. Other candidates cleared include Opeyemi Falegan, 41, of the Accord Party with Omoyeni Bayode, 48, as deputy; Akande Oluwasegun, 36, of the African Action Congress alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo, 42, of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye, 35.
The African Democratic Congress is represented by Oluwadare Bejide, 66, and Babatola Ayodeji, 65. Also listed are Bidemi Awogbemi, 36, and Akinyemi Adewumi, 53, of the Action People’s Party; Joseph Anifowose, 65, and Margaret Ilesanmi, 68, of the Allied People’s Movement; and the Labour Party candidates, Oyebanji Olajuyin, 67, and Ayokunle Okumade, 45.
Others cleared include Blessing Abegunde, 35, of the New Nigeria People’s Party, with Francis Ajayi, 65; Olaniyi Ayodele, 49, and Modupe Adebiyi, 35, of the People’s Redemption Party; Osinkolu Olusegun and Arowolo Olusesan of the Young Progressive Party; and Victor Adetunji, 38, with Adesina Oyeniyi, 35, of the Zenith Labour Party.
INEC’s document further revealed that none of the cleared parties is fielding a female governorship candidate, although four women are listed as deputy governorship candidates. There were also no persons living with disabilities among the candidates. The commission displayed the academic qualifications of all candidates and their running mates.
Reacting to its omission, the PDP rejected INEC’s final list, insisting it remains a participant in the June 20 election. In a statement signed by Gani Salau, Special Adviser on Media to Oluyede, the party said the matter is already before a Federal High Court in Abuja, where its candidate is seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to publish his name.
The PDP added that it has appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti which ordered a fresh governorship primary and has filed a stay of execution. The party expressed confidence that the courts would rule in its favour and urged its supporters across the state’s 16 local government areas to remain calm.
Similarly, the Ekiti State Chairman of the SDP, Bamikole Ayodele, expressed shock at the non-inclusion of the party’s candidate, describing the development as unexpected. He maintained that the SDP complied with all electoral guidelines and said the party was consulting its legal team to explore lawful options to address the omission, while urging supporters to remain calm as the matter is pursued in court.
Politics
Former PDP National Women Leader Joins APC
A former National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Maria Waziri, has left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State.
Waziri made her decision public on Monday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, where she arrived with a group of her supporters to formally register with the APC.
She was received by the state governor, Nasir Idris, who praised her move and described it as coming at the right time for the party and the state.
The governor assured Waziri and those who came with her that they would be fully accepted into the APC without discrimination.
Idris said the ruling party remained open to all politicians who were ready to contribute to the development of Kebbi State.
He added that his administration would continue to focus on projects and policies that improve the lives of residents, regardless of their political background.
The governor also spoke about his personal relationship with Waziri, noting that he was familiar with her experience and political strength and believed she would add value to the party and the state.
The APC chairman in Kebbi State, Abubakar Kana-Zuru, also welcomed the former PDP leader and her supporters.
He assured them that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities within the party, just like other members.
Kana-Zuru pointed to the achievements of the current administration in the state and said Waziri’s decision to join the APC showed confidence in the direction of the government.
Speaking on her decision, Waziri explained that her move was influenced by the performance of the APC-led government in Kebbi State and at the national level. She noted that this was her first time changing political parties in about 20 years.
She said she had spent most of her political life in opposition and chose to remain there until now, but recent developments in governance convinced her to take a new path.
Politics
2027: APC Members Push For Ambode
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said the candidacy of former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in the 2027 governorship election will make the party’s electoral victory seamless in the state.
The party members made this declaration during the South-South APC Lagos State Women Forum PVC Sensitisation Exercise and APC e-Registration Mobilisation held in Ikorodu area of the state that was propelled by the Tinubu – Ambode Support Group.
The party faithful, women leaders, and grassroots mobilizers had gathered at the event to strengthen the party’s base and encourage wider political participation.
In her address at the event, group women leader, Mrs. Justina Osara, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Governor Ambode remained symbols of purposeful leadership, visionary governance, and people-oriented administration.
Osara noted that Ambode’s track record in office speaks volumes, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, public service reforms, and inclusive governance.
According to her, Ambode’s re-emergence on the political stage would bring renewed confidence, unity, and strategic direction to APC, especially at the grassroots level where his policies and projects positively impacted ordinary citizens.
She commended women leaders from the South-South community for their commitment to democratic participation through PVC sensitisation and active involvement in the APC e-registration process, describing them as the backbone of grassroots mobilisation and a critical force in shaping electoral success.
Speakers at the event described former Governor Ambode as a leader who listens, delivers, and prioritizes the welfare of the people, and further described him as a bridge-builder, a technocrat with a human face, and a dependable political asset whose leadership style aligns with the aspirations of party members and the general populace.
They concluded by assuring APC members that with renewed mobilisation, unity, and the strategic inclusion of experienced leaders like Ambode, the party stands on a stronger footing to achieve greater electoral victories and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State and beyond.
They urged all members, especially women and youth, to continue participating actively in PVC registration, party e-registration, and grassroots mobilisation, stressing that collective effort was key to securing a more prosperous future for the APC.
Politics
2027 presidency: Kwankwaso supporters propose joint ticket with Obi
The Kwankwaso Support Group 2027 has proposed a joint presidential ticket pairing former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, with Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
Speaking in Kano on Friday, the leader of the group, Abba Gwale, stated that as loyal supporters of Senator Kwankwaso, they found it necessary to appeal to Nigerians to support the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a chance to rescue the nation from its current challenges.
‘As Kwankwaso supporters and loyalists, we have proposed and thrown our weight behind the joint presidential ticket, especially with Peter Obi, in any of the political parties. The current political trajectory has shown where the tide is shifting.
‘If the duo gets a mandate in the upcoming election, Nigeria will be a better place. For real, we’re tired of insecurity, hunger, and starvation.
‘We want a political alliance to bring together Obi’s strong support base in the South and Kwankwaso’s formidable support in the North, creating a powerful coalition that could potentially shake up the political landscape. With this partnership, the duo is poised to give the ruling party a run for their money.
‘At the heart of this alliance is a shared ambition to wrestle power from the ruling APC and bring about meaningful change to Nigeria. Both Obi and Kwankwaso have consistently emphasised their commitment to assisting the common man in Nigeria, and their partnership is seen as a key step towards achieving this goal’, he said.
Gwale, who hails from the same constituency as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, further explained that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is banking on a wave of popular discontent with the current administration, adding that their message of hope and change is resonating with many Nigerians. He added that with their combined strength, they are emerging as a formidable challenger to the ruling party.
‘As 2027 approaches, all eyes are on the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance to see how they will capitalise on this momentum and translate it into votes. One thing is certain — the duo is determined to shake things up and bring about a new era of politics in Nigeria’, Gwale added.
On Kwankwaso’s alleged demands for a significant number of positions from the ruling APC as part of joining the party, Gwale noted that if there were anything like that, it should be seen as outrageous, given the calibre of the former governor.
According to him, Kwankwaso has presented the best demands that can cater to the needs of his supporters and party members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
‘Supporters of Kwankwaso cut across every divide, especially among ordinary Nigerians who are living from hand to mouth’, Gwale added.
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