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Category: Southwest

  • Aiyedatiwa hails Supreme Court judgment, pledges accelerated development in Ondo

    Aiyedatiwa hails Supreme Court judgment, pledges accelerated development in Ondo

    Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commended the Supreme Court judgment, which affirmed his victory in the November 16, 2024 governorship election, describing it as a validation of the people’s mandate.

    The apex court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Allied People’s Movement (APM) against the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory.

    Also, the PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, formally withdrew his appeal at the Supreme Court, citing consultations with family, associates, party members, and his legal team. 

    Ajayi, the major rival in the election, said his decision was driven by a commitment to peace and good governance in the state.

    Reacting in a statement on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, Aiyedatiwa said the verdict marked the end of all litigations arising from the polls.

    READ ALSO: Fayose’s brother quits PDP, withdraws from Ekiti governorship race

    “The verdict affirms the overwhelming victory of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who won convincingly across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state, a remarkable feat popularly celebrated as the ‘18–0 Promax’ mandate.

    “This judgment has not only validated the popular will of the people but also reinforced their confidence in the democratic process,” the statement read.

    The Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his “fatherly guidance,” the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and party members at all levels. 

    He also acknowledged the judiciary for upholding democracy and praised his legal team for their professionalism.

    While commending all opposition candidates for their participation, Aiyedatiwa singled out Ajayi for his “sportsmanship before and after the polls,” and urged all political stakeholders to support his administration. 

    He reassured the people of the state of his commitment to the “OUR EASE Agenda,” which he said was already yielding dividends in critical sectors.

    “Now that the legal contest is over, the focus is fully back on governance. The coming months will witness accelerated development, purposeful leadership, and transformational projects that will lift the state to new heights of progress and prosperity,” Aiyedatiwa said.

  • Araoye rallies Ekiti southwest APC leaders to support Oyebanji, Tinubu for 2027

    Araoye rallies Ekiti southwest APC leaders to support Oyebanji, Tinubu for 2027

    Hon. Makinde Araoye on Sunday convened a high-level meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Ekiti South West Local Government, where party leaders and members unanimously pledged support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s second-term bid and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

    The meeting, held in Ilawe-Ekiti, drew massive participation from political leaders, APC executives at local government and ward levels, delegates, and grassroots supporters.

    Notable figures in attendance included Ekiti South West LG Chairman Richard Apolola; Oluwole Ariyo; former SA to the Governor on Social Investments, Yemisi Ayokunle; House of Assembly member for Ekiti South West Constituency I, Tony Adaramodu; Tope Agidi; Fola Afolalu; State Party Exco Adedara Phillips; Chief Gbenga Agbona; SA to the Governor on Parliamentary Matters, Raphael Abiola Olowookere; LG APC Chairman Felix Olajide; Igbara-Odo/Ogotun LCDA Chairperson, Bose Arowolaju; Ogundana Benjamen; Olaluwoye; and SSA to the Governor, Tunji Amodi, among others.

    Read Also: Dr Abiola Salami, Kafilat Araoye, others challenges business leaders to transcend mediocrity

    Speaking at the gathering, Makinde Araoye highlighted Governor Oyebanji’s remarkable achievements in office and assured the people that the entire APC structure in Ekiti South West will be fully mobilised to guarantee his re-election. He also reaffirmed his strong backing for President Tinubu’s bold reforms, describing them as the foundation for Nigeria’s renewal.

     Araoye urged members to intensify mobilisation for new voter registration across all wards and communities in the Local Government, stressing that a well-prepared grassroots base is key to securing victory at the polls.

    This meeting, convened under the leadership of Makinde Araoye, has strengthened the APC’s unity in Ekiti South West, while building momentum for Governor Oyebanji’s second term bid and President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.

  • Ekiti Diaspora group buys PDP governorship nomination form for Ayeni

    Ekiti Diaspora group buys PDP governorship nomination form for Ayeni

    A coalition of Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora has purchased the governorship nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Prince Dr. Funso Ayeni.

    The group, operating under the umbrella of the Continental Coalition of Ekiti in Diaspora (COCOED), said it could no longer remain passive while what it described as “deepening political crises” continue to undermine governance and development in Ekiti State.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, the spokesman of COCOED, Mr. Ayodele Daini of the Canada chapter, revealed that the decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of members across the United Kingdom, Canada, Asia, Australia, and the United States.

    According to him, the deliberations produced a unanimous resolution to deploy resources in rescuing Ekiti from instability and dysfunction.

    “After a careful review of the political climate and the leading players, we found Prince Dr. Funso Ayeni to be the most formidable, credible, and unifying figure to lead Ekiti at this critical time,” Daini said.

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    He described Ayeni as “well-educated, experienced, clean, and unbiased,” adding that he represents the “fresh breath of leadership” the people of Ekiti have long yearned for.

    In line with the resolution, Daini traveled from Canada to Abuja to purchase the PDP governorship nomination form on behalf of Dr. Ayeni.

    The coalition, while urging Dr. Ayeni to heed the call, appealed to political stakeholders, thought leaders, and traditional rulers in Ekiti to rally around his candidacy, describing it as the state’s best hope for peace, stability, and progress.

  • Tinubu does not need Makinde to win Oyo in 2027, Oladele knocks Alabi

    Tinubu does not need Makinde to win Oyo in 2027, Oladele knocks Alabi

    The media office of the Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadanland and Oyo APC guber aspirant, Oloye Saheed Oladele, has carpeted Oloye Akin Alabi, the Honourable member representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, over a statement he made recently.

    In a viral video, Oloye Akin Alabi, while making a speech during an event at a gathering of the Egbeda League of Imams and Alfas, suggested that Oyo people would reenact the pattern of voting APC at the federal level and PDP in Oyo State as was done in 2023, in 2027.

    Oloye Oladele frowned at the statement made by the third term seeking Federal Rep, at a time when efforts are being made to unite and strengthen Oyo APC.

    He bemoaned that his unguarded utterances at the event have dampened the spirits of the party faithful more. 

    “At a time true party members are healing from the wounds of the losses of the 2023 guber election and the recent Ibadan North bye election to the PDP, the Honourable chose to hurt their feelings further by bringing back the bitter experience of the circumstances that led to the avoidable losses of the elections. 

    Oloye Oladele, through his media office, said the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Rep is free to join Governor Seyi Makinde to be able to secure the House of Representatives ticket from the PDP for his third tenure, stating that Oyo APC would not miss him one bit.

    Read Also: Wike hails Tinubu for lifting Rivers emergency rule

    Oloye Oladele reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not need Governor Seyi Makinde to win Oyo State in the next presidential election in 2027. 

    According to the Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadanland, “All President Tinubu needs to do is to put forward as APC governorship candidate a marketable person and a unifier who will be fair to all and sundry irrespective of region. Once Asiwaju is able to get this right, 2027 presidential and governorship elections will be a smoothsail for APC in Oyo State.”

    The Media Office took a swipe at the PDP, which he said has lost popularity among Oyo people because its government has plunged the state into generational debt burdens and sold off the masses’ treasured ancestral lands.

    Oladele advised the Honourable to retract his statement and apologise to Oyo APC and its teeming members.

  • Okpebholo rescues poisoned Nigerian

    Okpebholo rescues poisoned Nigerian

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has rescued Mr. Godstime Uwoghiren, who was poisoned in Burkina Faso.

    Uwoghiren was said to have been poisoned by his close friends since three years ago and has been battling ill health.

    His rescue and return to Nigeria was facilitated by Governor Okpebholo after his case was reported to the Nigerian embassy.

    Director-General of Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazumah, said information about Uwoghiren’s ordeal in Burkina Faso was received four months ago and Okpebholo swung into action.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    Agazumah said investigation showed Uwoghiren was poisoned by his friends, who became jealous because he bought a motorcycle.

    He said the governor intervened to prevent Uwoghiren from dying.

    Agazumah cautioned Edo residents to avoid being lured into slavery during the Yuletide by Nigerians living fake life abroad.

    He said: “Thank Governor Okpebholo who has proved to the world about humanity.’’

    The mother of Uwoghiren, Susan, said he learnt mechanic before he travelled to Burkina Faso.

  • Omisore’s kinsmen, Oyetola’s structure back NIWA boss for APC ticket

    Omisore’s kinsmen, Oyetola’s structure back NIWA boss for APC ticket

    Kinsmen of Senator Iyiola Omisore and the political group of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have adopted the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, as the preferred governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A group, Oyetola Consultative Forum (OCF), has inaugurated 1,500 of its members as local canvassers and coordinators to ensure emergence of Oyebamiji as the governorship candidate of the APC.

    The coordinator of the group, former Deputy Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Olanike Omoworare, who is from Ife Federal Constituency as Senator Omisore, said OCF was created for the re-election of Oyetola and to resolve disputes in APC.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    She said: “We are working at every polling unit to ensure we are ready for the primaries. We are just getting started, we are going to train everybody to mobilise within the party towards the primaries.

    “We have started it. This is why we are holding a meeting with the ward coordinators. We have three coordinators per ward. We also have at the polling unit. Part of what we are doing now is to make sure Bola Oyebamiji becomes the standard-bearer of the party. We are ready for primaries.

    “We need someone who has integrity, someone who does not have a case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others. We don’t want a controversial person to become the governor of the state. This is why I think he (Oyebamiji) is the best aspirant.

    “We are inaugurating 1,500 coordinators across the state to canvass support for Oyebamiji.”

  • Ekiti govt hails NBS report on food price drop

    Ekiti govt hails NBS report on food price drop

    Ekiti State Government has welcomed the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), crediting Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s agricultural reforms for the notable easing of food prices in the state.

    The NBS report for August showed food prices in Ekiti dropped by 6.8 per cent month-on-month, while annual food inflation stood at 16.8 per cent, below the national average.

    According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, the positive trend is a direct outcome of the administration’s massive investment in agriculture, youth-focused programmes and private sector collaboration.

    Oyebode cited the ‘Ounje Ekiti’ initiative, managed by Ilu Eye Trading Company, as a key intervention boosting food supply and helping to stabilise prices.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    NBS report also noted that Ekiti recorded the highest inflation rate in the country for August, at 28.2 per cent year-on-year, driven mainly by non-food items such as housing, transport, electricity and other services.

    Acknowledging the challenge, Oyebode said the state government was confident that ongoing reforms in infrastructure, electrification projects and the ease-of-doing-business measures would help moderate the costs in those sectors.

    “The administration remains committed to a data-driven approach and will continue to work with public and private partners to improve the living standards of Ekiti people,” he added.

  • Governor nominates four commissioners

    Governor nominates four commissioners

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has nominated four persons as commissioner-designates.

    Those nominated are Dr. Jerry Uwangue, Kenneth Ihensekhien,  Usenbo Ehigie and Akhigbe John.

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said names of the nominees would be forwarded to the House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

    Edo Assembly had earlier confirmed 12 nominees for Okpebholo.

    The governor has been working with six commissioners since he was sworn in last year.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    The statement said Dr. Uwangue has two decades of experience in Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations and Maintenance (EPCOM) services in the oil, gas and power sectors.

    It said Uwangue was renowned for driving business growth, spearheading innovative fabrication projects, and improving operational efficiency.

    “Uwangue is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management (FCISM), a recipient of the African Leadership Excellence Award, and Ambassador of the African Union Agenda 2063 for outstanding achievements in business and local content development.”

  • Osun 2026: No plan to defect to ADC, says Adeleke

    Osun 2026: No plan to defect to ADC, says Adeleke

    Ahead of 2026 Osun State governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied claim that he is planning to dump Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    He described the claim from a report as untrue, which is a calculated attempt by those afraid of his soaring acceptability to create confusion and uncertainty in the mind of the people.

    A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said: “We want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that Governor Adeleke remains committed to the PDP and has no plan whatsoever to join the ADC or any party for that matter.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    “Governor Adeleke’s pre-occupation at the moment is the continued delivery of dividends of democracy to Osun people, who gave him their mandates three years ago.”

    The statement added that Adeleke and leaders in the PDP were focused on galvanising the structures of the party for the ongoing voter registration ahead of next year’s election.

    Rasheed said Adeleke was well-positioned to win the 2026 governorship poll.

    He said: “Those behind the latest round of misinformation are trying to latch on the huge goodwill Governor Adeleke enjoys among Osun people to sway support. The unsolicited endorsements of Governor Adeleke are rattling those afraid of the will of the people.

    “We, therefore, urge the public to disregard any report linking Governor Adeleke with a defection move, as such is entirely false. PDP members and supporters of the governor are enjoined not to succumb to the fake news. Instead, they should focus on mobilising votes for his re-election bid under the PDP.”

  • S’Court affirms Aiyedatiwa’s victory in 2024 governorship election

    S’Court affirms Aiyedatiwa’s victory in 2024 governorship election

    • APC hails decision, congratulates governor
    • PDP’s Ajayi withdraws appeal, pledges support

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has called on candidates of the opposition parties to accept their defeat in the November 16, 2024 governorship election and back Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the task of developing the state.

    It said it was time for stakeholders to support the Aiyedatiwa-led administration in its reforms across  sectors aimed at revitalising the economy.

    The call came after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, formally withdrew his appeal at the Supreme Court against Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election victory.

    Ajayi, who was Aiyedatiwa’s major rival in the election, contested alongside 15 other candidates.

    In a letter to the Chief Registrar of the apex court, he said the decision to discontinue the case was reached after consultations with his family, associates, party members and legal team.

    “After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I hereby so do. Having served as former deputy governor and legislator, my foremost commitment is to good governance and peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and Nigeria,” Ajayi said in a statement yesterday.

    Reacting, Ondo State APC described the withdrawal as not just a legal closure, but also an endorsement of the people’s mandate freely given to Governor Aiyedatiwa.

    Read Also: UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Alex Kalejaye, the party hailed the roles played by the judiciary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies while the litigation lasted.

    The state Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Olade Adelami, APC chieftains and residents of Ondo State on what he described as “a well-deserved victory.”

    The Supreme Court yesterday struck out the election petitions filed by three opposition parties- PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Allied People’s Movement (APM) – against APC’s victory at the polls.

    Speaking yesterday at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Governor Aiyedatiwa said: ‘’Today, at the Supreme Court, Abuja, I secured the final legal victory on the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State.

    ‘’The court dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) case following its withdrawal by the appellant, Agboola Ajayi.

    ‘’All other cases; SDP and APM, were also dismissed due to the oral application of withdrawal by the appellants’ lawyers.

    ‘’This is unprecedented. All glory to God Almighty.’’