Politics

Don’t drag us into your internal crisis — Osun PDP warns APC

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cautioned the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, against involving it in what it described as the APC’s internal disarray, urging the party to address its own challenges.

In a statement issued by the PDP Director of Media, Hezekiah Oladele Bamiji, on Monday in Osogbo, the ruling party dismissed the APC’s recent allegations as “a baseless rant from a disorganised opposition drowning in its own crisis.”

Bamiji who said the APC’s accusations were a desperate attempt to cover up its internal implosion noted that the party’s leadership battles and factional divisions were matters of public knowledge.

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“It is laughable that a party neck-deep in leadership battles and endless disputes is accusing the PDP of fabrications. The Osun APC is at war with itself, and its frustrated leaders are seeking scapegoats,” the statement read.

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He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration remained committed to governance and would not be distracted by opposition noise.

According to him, “Governor Adeleke’s administration is too focused on service delivery to be drawn into unnecessary exchanges. Roads are being constructed, health centres revitalised, schools rehabilitated, and workers are being paid as and when due.”

The PDP stated that the Adeleke-led government had earned goodwill across the state due to its transparency and developmental strides.

“From teachers to traders, pensioners to students, everyone can feel the difference. The people are happy, the economy is reviving, and the public service now enjoys dignity,” it said.

The statement urged journalists and members of the public to verify information coming from the APC before publication and reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to peace and progress in the state.

“When they are cornered by their internal chaos, they look for who to blame. The media should not fall for their old tricks of lies and deflection. The APC’s crisis is homegrown, and the PDP will not be dragged into it.

“We are not at war with anybody. Our mission is to sustain the light of good governance that Governor Adeleke has rekindled. Osun people deserve better than APC’s theatrics,” the statement added.

The party reiterated that its focus remained on improving the lives of Osun residents through people-oriented policies.

“We have no time for distractions. We are busy working, and the people can see it. Osun has moved forward under the light of good leadership, and there is no going back,” it noted.

The statement concluded by advising the APC to focus on resolving its internal conflicts instead of shifting blame. “Let the APC fix its problems; the PDP will keep fixing Osun,” Bamiji said.

The Osun State APC chapter, has dismissed a purported list of consensus candidates being circulated on social media, describing it as fake and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC accused the ruling PDP in the state of fabricating and spreading the false list in a bid to create confusion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The party’s chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, said the action showed the level of desperation of the PDP to retain power by fraudulent means.

Politics

Fmr. Kwara lawmaker dumps APC for PDP

Former Kwara lawmaker and APC chieftain, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his supporters in Offa, citing loss of fairness and justice within the ruling party.

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said he joined the PDP after “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC.

“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013. We started the APC with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.

He accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of poor governance, saying, “We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967 but the current governor does not understand governance.”

He also said the ideals of the 2019 struggle that brought the APC to power had been abandoned.

Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described Popoola’s return as “a homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party ahead of 2027.

However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant.

“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last election,” APC spokesperson Waheed Babatunde said, adding that Offa “will remain progressive and support Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027.”

Politics

Niger political parties sign Peace Accord ahead of LG elections

Political parties and candidates participating in the November 1 local government elections in Niger State have signed a peace accord to ensure a credible and violence-free exercise.

The peace accord, facilitated by the Niger State Police Command under Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, was signed during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Minna.

Those in attendance included representatives of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), government officials, security agencies, and political stakeholders.

Commissioner Elleman emphasized that the police would operate with professionalism, impartiality, and fairness to guarantee a safe environment before, during, and after the elections.

He also urged youths to avoid violence and promote peace.

NSIEC Chairman Mohammed Imam highlighted the commission’s 15-point election guideline, covering the election of 25 council chairmen and 274 councillors across the state’s 4,950 polling units.

IPAC Chairman Isah Makujeri praised both NSIEC and the Police for their cooperation and preparatory efforts, expressing optimism for a peaceful and transparent election.

The peace accord bars the use of religious, ethnic, or inflammatory language, with all parties pledging to adhere strictly to its provisions.

Commissioner Elleman reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and credibility throughout the electoral process.

Politics

Anambra guber: INEC extends collection of PVC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the ongoing collection of the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, in Anambra State to November 2, to enable eligible voters collect their cards.

Director, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, INEC, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Awka.

“The INEC has approved the extension of the ongoing collection of PVC in Anambra from October 29 to November 2.

“The decision was reached at a meeting of the commission held on October 27, following several appeals from citizens and stakeholders requesting additional time to enable eligible voters to collect their cards,” she said.

Eta-Messi stated that registered voters who have not collected their PVCs are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to do so at the designated collection centres across the 326 Registration Areas (Wards) in the state.

According to her, the exercise covered persons who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, in the state.

The Director further stated that the collection of the PVCs must be in person, as no collection by proxy would be allowed.

The state governorship election would be held on November 8.