Category: News

In a significant political development, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has officially received the Labour Party (LP) ticket to represent Owerri Federal Constituency in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This milestone was marked by the presentation of her Certificate of Return, which she accepted with profound gratitude toward the party leadership for entrusting her with this responsibility.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu described her candidacy as a pivotal moment and a renewed commitment to public service. She emphasized that this opportunity carries the weight of addressing grassroots needs and fostering community development. Her focus, she stated, will be on amplifying the voices of constituents and turning their concerns into actionable legislative initiatives.

The LP flagbearer also clarified her previous exit from the Imo East senatorial race, describing it as a thoughtful decision reached after broad consultations with party members and stakeholders. She explained that this shift was aimed at promoting unity within the Labour Party and enhancing its prospects for the 2027 elections. She stressed the importance of internal cohesion, noting that collaboration among party members is fundamental to achieving electoral success and effective representation.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu affirmed that true leadership demands sacrifice and a focus on collective goals. She maintained that her current political path is a strategic one, tailored to better serve her constituency through dedicated legislative work. She dismissed any notion that contesting for the House of Representatives diminishes her political ambitions, instead asserting that it aligns more directly with the needs of the people.

Outlining her legislative agenda, she highlighted priorities such as youth empowerment, job creation, and expanding digital skills training programs. She expressed confidence that these initiatives will drive meaningful change and improve livelihoods across Owerri Federal Constituency.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, voiced strong confidence on Saturday regarding the outcome of the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State. He firmly believes that Governor Biodun Oyebanji will emerge victorious.

After arriving at his polling unit located in Isape Ward 1, Unit 16, Ido-Ekiti, Fasuyi addressed journalists. He emphasized that he joined the queue like every other voter, following electoral regulations. He stressed that no one should receive preferential treatment during the voting process.

The senator noted that the atmosphere at the polling station was calm and orderly. He expressed satisfaction with how voters and election officials conducted themselves early in the exercise.

Fasuyi reiterated his belief that the incumbent governor would secure another term. “I arrived around 8:30am and I am in line just like everyone else. I don’t want to bypass the queue. When my turn comes, I will get accredited and vote. It is very peaceful, as you can see,” he stated.

He added, “It is still early, so we cannot predict the final outcome. Voting continues until 3 or 4 o’clock. But based on what we are seeing, I don’t think the turnout is very low. More people are expected to come out.”

The senator remarked, “We have done our part, and that ended on Thursday. We cannot do it again. We have worked hard, prayed, and now we wait for the results of our efforts over the past three or four months.”

“I am confident that my candidate, Governor Oyebanji, will still win the election, by God’s grace, today,” Fasuyi affirmed. “If we reach 500,000 votes, glory be to God. If we don’t, as long as my candidate is victorious, then glory be to God because we cannot force people to vote.”

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has voiced concerns over the electoral process at his polling unit in Ikere Local Government Area. Shortly after casting his ballot at Polling Unit 006 in Ugele/Arokun Ward, he told journalists that numerous voters were still waiting to be accredited due to problems with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Oluyede also reported incidents of voter harassment and intimidation within the ward. Despite these setbacks, he expressed optimism about emerging victorious in the election. The polling station saw a strong turnout of elderly voters who arrived early to exercise their franchise.

The election is widely perceived as a two-horse race between Oluyede and the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Meanwhile, Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Governor Ayo Fayose, has alleged widespread vote manipulation across the state.

The by-election for the Ondo South Senatorial District in Ondo State has been widely praised for its peaceful atmosphere and impressive voter participation.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, after casting his ballot at Unit 05, Ward 4, in the Obenla community within Ilaje Local Council Area, expressed satisfaction with the orderly process across all six local government areas in the district. He noted that the high turnout was a testament to effective mobilization efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Professor Dayo Faduyile.

The election is being conducted to fill the vacant seat left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Voting is taking place across Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, and Ileoluji/Okeigbo local council areas. Governor Aiyedatiwa encouraged all eligible voters to turn out, emphasizing that Ondo State remains safe and peaceful, with security agencies performing effectively. He reiterated that the APC’s strong structures across the district would continue to drive voter engagement, ensuring a smooth electoral process.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has appealed to residents to remain composed after technical issues caused delays in voter accreditation and voting during the governorship election on Saturday. Shortly after casting his ballot at Polling Unit 003, located at Oyebanji’s Compound in Registration Area 06, Ekiti West Local Government Area, the governor urged voters to stay orderly.

Reports from across the state indicated that biometric verification devices failed to read some voters’ fingerprints, leading to setbacks in the accreditation process and postponing the start of voting in several polling units. In response, Oyebanji said he was confident that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would fix the problems and ensure no eligible voter is left out.

“I appeal to our people to be patient, because everyone will vote. INEC has assured me that all who came out will be allowed to vote,” he stated. The governor noted that he had been updated on the situation and was encouraged by assurances from electoral officials that corrective measures are under way. He emphasized the need for voters to trust the electoral body to resolve the glitches promptly.

The Ekiti State governorship election took a violent turn on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, when supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) engaged in a physical confrontation. The altercation was reportedly sparked by accusations of vote buying, leading to the hospitalization of an ADC backer who suffered a head wound.

Dare Bejide, the ADC gubernatorial candidate, cast his ballot at the affected polling unit and later alleged that political forces were trying to undermine the electoral process by distributing cash in the area. He claimed that the arrival of cash meant for voters provoked a clash when his supporters attempted to halt the practice.

According to Bejide, an APC chieftain drove to the scene in a Toyota Jeep, allegedly carrying money to hand out to voters. This, he said, ignited the chaos. He further asserted that his aide was assaulted by security personnel brought in by the opposing camp, necessitating immediate medical attention.

The ADC candidate reported that the presence of cash at the voting center had been flagged to security authorities, but the situation still spiraled into disorder and fear among residents. Despite the outbreak of violence, Bejide praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials for their professionalism, noting that the election had been progressing smoothly until the incident.

He remarked that the electoral staff had been diligent, and everything was on track before the pandemonium. Security reinforcements were later deployed, allowing voting to resume under heightened surveillance, though tensions remained palpable at the unit.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dare Bejide, has leveled serious accusations against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming widespread vote buying and an assault on his driver during the Saturday governorship election.

Bejide, who voted at Polling Unit 004, Ward 2, Oke Adura, Ilawe-Ekiti, alleged that APC members were openly handing out cash to voters to sway the election outcome. He stated that several APC leaders, along with local government officials, gathered at his polling unit with large sums of money for this purpose.

According to Bejide, his driver sustained injuries during a scuffle at the polling unit while trying to protect him from being pushed. The driver was later taken to a hospital for treatment. The ADC candidate said the incident was reported to the police, but expressed dissatisfaction with the security personnel’s response, calling it inadequate.

Bejide condemned the alleged vote buying as a violation of democratic principles and an embarrassment to the electoral process. His son, Olumide Bejide, also alleged that APC chieftains flooded all polling units in Ilawe with money, distributing it to voters in defiance of INEC regulations. He remarked that the funds thrown around could have fixed all bad roads in Ekiti.

In response, APC chieftain Makinde Araoye dismissed the allegations, insisting that the election was conducted peacefully across the state. He noted that improvements in INEC’s technology had reduced accreditation and balloting time. Araoye expressed confidence that Governor Biodun Oyebanji would win re-election due to his performance in office.

Addressing claims of a confrontation with Bejide at the polling unit, Araoye denied any wrongdoing, stating he was merely monitoring the process in his ward. He said the dispute arose when Bejide allegedly tried to stop him from moving around the polling area. Araoye maintained that he had every right to observe and acted only in self-defense.

As of this report, neither the police nor INEC has issued an official statement on the allegations.

The Kebbi State Government has ramped up efforts to combat a severe invasion of quelea birds that is endangering rice fields across multiple areas as the wet-season farming gets underway. This was announced by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Shehu Mu’azu, during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Mu’azu explained that the migratory pests have swept through major Fadama agricultural zones, posing a serious risk to rice output and the livelihoods of local farmers. The infestation was first noticed within the past 72 hours, with reports already indicating damage to early-planted rice paddies.

Quelea birds are considered one of Africa’s most harmful agricultural pests, traveling in enormous flocks and capable of ravaging extensive grain fields in a matter of hours. “Without prompt control measures, these birds can destroy an entire hectare of grain in just a few hours,” the commissioner warned.

The worst-hit local government areas include Birnin Kebbi, Gwandu, Argungu, Kalgo, and Bunza, where large congregations of the birds have been sighted. In response, the government has dispatched agricultural extension officers and crop protection experts to track bird movements, evaluate the extent of the destruction, and coordinate mitigation strategies. Surveillance teams have pinpointed nine primary roosting sites across the impacted regions.

Mu’azu also revealed that ground spraying operations using pesticides have already started, while preparations for aerial spraying are in progress, pending the necessary regulatory approvals. The state remains committed to safeguarding its rice production and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers dependent on it.

In a troubling incident that has sparked unease among locals, an armed faction believed to be the Lakurawa group reportedly entered the town of Soba in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State and delivered sermons in mosques. The event was brought to light on Saturday via a social media post by security analyst Bakatsine.

According to Bakatsine’s account, the militants arrived shortly after the Maghrib prayer and proceeded to visit several mosques, where they convened worshippers to disseminate their beliefs and outline their objectives. The post detailed: “Last evening, inhabitants of Soba town in Mashegu LGA, Niger State, reported that Lakurawa operatives entered the community post-Maghrib and went from one mosque to another, assembling congregants to propagate their doctrine and clarify their intentions.”

This development has heightened anxiety regarding the group’s expanding sway and unrestricted movement across certain areas of the region. Bakatsine posed a critical question: “If armed outfits can conduct open outreach in communities, what does that imply about the success of security measures and government presence in those locations?”

As of now, no official response has been issued by security authorities concerning this matter.

Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Ado-Ekiti carried on with their usual business activities on Saturday, despite a police-imposed travel restriction during the state’s governorship election. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that by 8 a.m., when accreditation and voting were scheduled to commence, many traders in key markets such as Eleyele, Oja Oba Erekesan, and Oja Bisi had already opened their shops and were serving customers.

Police Commissioner Abayomi Shogunle had earlier announced a ban on vehicular movement from midnight Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday as part of election security measures. However, many residents chose to ignore the order. One commercial motorcyclist, Oluwadare Adeleye, stated that he continued working because he believed Governor Biodun Oyebanji would easily win the election. He added that the security personnel deployed for the election appeared more friendly and relaxed compared to previous exercises.

Similarly, tricycle operator Moses Ajibade acknowledged awareness of the police directive but said economic pressures forced him to work. He explained that he needed to provide for his family and meet weekly contribution obligations. “I came out around 5:30 a.m., hoping to stop by 8 a.m., but when I noticed security operatives were not enforcing the restriction strictly, I continued working,” he said.

A pepper and vegetable trader, Mrs. Funmilayo Abolade, said she could not afford to stay away from the market because her goods were perishable. “I cannot allow my goods to spoil. That is why I came out to sell. As you can see, many other traders are also here doing business,” she noted. Although aware of the restriction order, she maintained that she had no alternative but to trade before heading to cast her vote later.