The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has clarified his position on the raging leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), declaring that he stands by the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution.

This was contained in a statement issued by Olawale Rasheed spokesperson to Gov Adeleke, on Thursday.

Parts of the statement reads, “I stand by the Constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.

“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.

“Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released new guidelines and regulations for the recall of lawmakers at both state and federal levels.

This announcement was made on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

During the meeting, INEC reviewed preparations for the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024, and also approved the revised regulations for the recall process.

The decision came in response to numerous requests from constituents seeking to initiate recalls of their representatives in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

Some groups even urged the commission to begin the recall process on their behalf.

“The commission met today, Thursday, September 19, 2024. In addition to reviewing the final preparations for the Edo State governorship election holding on Saturday September 21, 2024, the commission also considered and approved the revised Regulations and Guidelines for the Recall of members of the National and State Assemblies and Councillors in the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

“The commission has, in the last few weeks, received several requests from different groups across the country for the recall of their representatives in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Some of them have even requested the Commission to initiate the process of the recall on their behalf,” he noted.

Olumekun emphasised that the recall process is initiated by the voters themselves.

“For clarity, the process is initiated by the voters in a constituency.

“The commission only implements their request in line with Sections 69, 110, and 160 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 2(c) and 113 of the Electoral Act, 2022,” he clarified.

The new guidelines, detailed in a 10-page document, require constituents wishing to recall their lawmakers to submit a petition to the INEC Chairman.

The guidelines have been made available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms, encouraging constituents to familiarise themselves with the process.

The Peter Obi Media has described those painting gloomy picture of their principal over his support for LP guber candidate Olumide Akpata as subversive elements.

Read full statement below:

The attention of Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, has been drawn to a circulating article in the media space accusing our principal, Peter Obi of hypocrisy for supporting the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Edo state, Barr Olumide Akpata.

The campaigning by Obi for the Labour Party flag bearer in the upcoming Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state has effectively changed the narrative in the state and is leading opponents to the mischief of trying to divert attention from the issues.

OBI’s adversaries have, instead of focusing on the issues that drive the election, are trying to change the conversation by attacking Obi for supporting his party candidate that he found suitable for the job.

They anchored their criticism on Obi supporting Bar Akpata because his zone is not supposed to produce the next governor and that Obi is going against his long-standing principles on power rotation.

But what they failed to understand is that Obi’s stand on zoning remains, but the Labour Party in Edo even under the leadership of an Edo State indigene then did not zone their gubernatorial seat to any area in particular, and delegates that elected Akpata were strictly only Edo people from all the local government areas, including Edo central because they found him suited for their desires for the state.

Obi does not trade competence and reputation for zoning, and as a Democrat, he will always respect the position of the majority, especially if it’s anchored on the track record of the candidate.

Akpata, by his age and antecedents, appeals to the youths as having the energy and mentality for the job.

In all his campaigns in Edo, in his characteristic manner, Obi did not indulge in name-calling but concentrated his messages on issues that are needed to take Edo State and Nigeria forward, and found the LP candidate a square peg in a square hole.

The Labour Party delegates in Edo state found Bar Akpata their best option for the contest, and Obi, as a true democrat in his usual way of non-interference, decided to support their choice respecting the peculiarities of every state.

POMR knew that the needless attack on Obi was just to distract attention from the issue that is driving the Edo state gubernatorial election, which places the Labour Party flag bearer in a good stand.

Our advice for those bitter that Obi is campaigning for his party flag bearer is to leave the people of the state to decide who their next governor will be not to focus attention on mundane things.

Our principal’s wish, as always, is to urge all critical stakeholders involved in the conduct of Saturday’s election, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security operatives, to ensure a level playing ground in such a way that the world will see that Edo voters and not any other variables prevail in the end.