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Edo PDP screens aspirants for by-elections

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The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, screened aspirants for the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced August 16, 2025, as the date for the by-elections to fill the two legislative seats at the National Assembly.

The Senate seat was vacated by the incumbent governor, Monday Okpebholo, after he won the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Also, the Ovia Federal Constituency seat was vacated by the deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, after the electoral victory.

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Members of the screening committee appointed by the National Working Committee of the PDP include Prof. Okumoko Tubo Pearce as Chairman and Arc Chinomso Odoemelan as Secretary.

Other members include Inemo Dede, Evelyn Promise and David Omare.

Aspirants for the Edo Central Senatorial District by-election include John Yakubu, Friday Itulah, Joseph Okojie, and Festus Edogun.

Johnny Aikpitanyi is the only aspirant screened for the Ovia Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat.

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Welcoming the aspirants and screening committee members to the party’s secretariat in Benin City, the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said he was confident that the process would be fair and credible and the party would emerge victorious in the polls scheduled later for August.

He urged PDP members and Edo people to disregard the gimmicks and theatrics of some people who he said are posing as PDP Caretaker Committee members in Edo State, noting, “The national headquarters of the PDP is the body statutorily mandated to conduct congresses and primaries for selecting candidates for the party.

“The PDP national has sent a five-man team from Abuja to conduct the screening of aspirants for the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.

“We just had a meeting with them at the conference room of our party secretariat and we believe that this goes to show to our party members and indeed Edo people that we are the duly recognised Caretaker Committee handling the affairs of the PDP in Edo State. Even the man that bought his form in Abuja is here with us for the screening.”

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Aziegbemi added, “That will tell you that this secretariat situated at No. 20, Aiguobasimwin Street, GRA, Benin City, is the authentic and only secretariat of the PDP in Edo State.

“It is why you are seeing the team sent by the PDP national in Abuja here and not anywhere else. This puts to rest the doubts anybody would have about the authentic Caretaker Committee in Edo State.”

Speaking after his screening, Festus Edogun, who was pleased with the transparent and credible screening process, said he was confident of clinching the party’s ticket and emerging victorious at the poll.

He said, “I know my people and my people know me. I am a rallying point for my Edo Central people and I am confident that I will get the party ticket and come out victorious in the poll because I have the love and support of my people.”

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John Yakubu also commended the Screening Committee for conducting a fair and transparent process.

He noted that Edo Central remains a traditional stronghold of the PDP, adding that the forthcoming by-election presents a valuable opportunity for the party to reclaim the senatorial district.

On his part, Joe Okojie who expressed confidence that the party will emerge victorious in the polls, said the committee was very professional and diligent in discharging their duties.

Johnny Aikpitanyi who is the sole aspirant for Ovia Federal Constituency stated that the process was seamless, adding that he was confident to win the polls.

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Politics

Guber Election: Osun APC Accuses Davido of Distributing Money to Residents

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The Head of Media and Publicity of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, has urged residents of Osun State to assess Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, based on his performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund and his contributions to governance rather than his campaign appearances.

Omowaiye made the remarks during a broadcast on News Central TV while reacting to Davido’s participation in campaign activities for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He alleged that the singer only becomes politically active during election periods, accusing him of distributing money to residents and taking advantage of what he described as their vulnerability. He, however, maintained that voters in the state are now more interested in governance and service delivery than celebrity endorsements.

The APC campaign spokesman alleged that Osun State University is now the most expensive government-owned university in Nigeria and questioned whether Davido had used his influence to advocate a reduction in tuition fees. He also claimed that some students of the University of Ilesa pay as much as N1.5 million in school fees.

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Omowaiye said the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, had pledged to reduce tuition fees if elected and questioned whether Davido would encourage students to support that promise.

He also criticised Davido’s performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, alleging that Osun has no functional government-owned stadium despite his appointment.

According to him, the state’s male and female football clubs were relegated during Davido’s tenure as chairman, adding that the singer had not made any meaningful contribution to sports development in the state.

Omowaiye further accused the Adeleke family of concentrating public appointments among relatives instead of creating opportunities for young people across Osun State.

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He claimed that Davido serves as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, while his brother, Tunji Adeleke Jr., was appointed Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Service Commission at the age of 31. He also alleged that another member of the family serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

The APC spokesman maintained that public offices were being recycled within the Adeleke family, arguing that while young people are mobilised during campaigns, they are allegedly excluded from government appointments and other opportunities.

He also questioned Davido’s silence on what he described as major governance issues in the state, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, electricity reforms and the alleged payment of N13.7 billion to ghost workers.

Omowaiye argued that Davido had not publicly challenged the state government over the condition of schools, hospitals, roads or other public services, despite his closeness to the governor.

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He insisted that the people of Osun would not be influenced by celebrity status during the election, maintaining that they would vote based on governance, competence and performance.

The APC spokesman also referred to comments credited to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly advised Davido to prepare to employ Governor Ademola Adeleke as a dancer if he loses the August 15 governorship election.

Omowaiye’s remarks came after Davido joined Governor Adeleke at a campaign rally in Osun as political activities intensified ahead of the governorship poll.

The singer arrived in the state on Thursday, August 6, and has actively participated in campaign activities in support of his uncle’s re-election bid.

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Videos from the rally showed Davido moving through a large crowd alongside the governor’s son, Sina Adeleke, popularly known as Shina Rambo, before both climbed over a barricade to join Governor Adeleke on the campaign stage, where they danced with supporters.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Davido nor the Osun State Government had responded to the allegations made by Omowaiye.

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Accord party demands removal of EFCC chairman immediately

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The Accord Party has demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of partisanship and interference in the build-up to the August 15 guber election in Osun State.

The party said its position followed the EFCC’s decision to freeze an account belonging to the Osun State Government before subsequently reversing the restriction.

He called on the EFCC chairman to step down, adding that President Bola Tinubu should remove him if he refused to resign.

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He accused the commission of exceeding its statutory powers when it restricted the state government’s account on August 5, describing the action as capable of undermining confidence in public institutions.

He further stated, “Accordingly, Accord demands the immediate resignation of the EFCC chairman.

“For embarrassing the President, the party, the government and people of Osun State and fellow citizens, the EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation.

If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency.”

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The EFCC had maintained that the restriction was connected to an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities and was not politically motivated.

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City Boy Movement sacks Oyo coordinator for insulting TInubu, son

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The City Boy Movement (CBM) has fired Ahmed Ajibola as its Oyo State Coordinator for insulting President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu and the leadership of the movement.

A statement signed by the movement’s Director-General, Francis Shoga, on Thursday, said Mr Ajibola’s removal came barely two months after he was issued a formal notice to respond to several allegations contained in a petition submitted against him.

On the 2nd of June, 2026, a notice signed by the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, Ajibola was accused of making abusive, insulting and derogatory remarks against the national leadership of the Movement, including the Director-General.

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“The petition also alleged that he made offensive comments concerning the Movement’s Patron, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, directed derogatory remarks at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, engaged in acts of insubordination and disrespect towards constituted authority,” the statement read.

According to the statement, Mr Ajibola also challenged a leader of the movement in the state to a physical confrontation and engaged in conduct capable of bringing the image and reputation of the City Boy Movement into disrepute.

The appointment letter also clarified that the state coordinator reports directly to the Oyo State Director of the City Boy Movement and operates under the director’s authority, supervision and overall leadership,” it added.

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