Politics
Ondo guber: Obi, NLC ruined my chances of winning, says LP candidate
Ayodele Olorunfemi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Ondo governorship election, says Peter Obi and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ruined his chances of winning.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the poll.
The governor secured 366,781 votes in all 18 LGAs to defeat his closest rival Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.
The LP candidate secured 1,162 votes, finishing fifth from bottom in the 17-candidate off-cycle election.
On the eve of the election, INEC substituted Olusola Ebiseni with Olorunfemi.
On September 27, the federal high court in Abuja directed INEC to recognise Ebiseni as the LP candidate.
The party appealed the ruling, and the appellate court struck out the earlier judgment for lack of jurisdiction.
The umpire said it had restored Olorunfemi’s name as the LP candidate in line with the court judgment.
“The commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment of the court of appeal which set aside the judgment of the federal high court (FHC), Abuja division,” the statement reads.
“In obedience to the court order, the commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo state governorship election, and uploaded the same to our website for public information.”
In the buildup to the election, Obi endorsed Ebiseni and described him as “someone who believes in a Nigeria rooted in fairness, equity, and justice”.
“It is this conviction that propelled me to travel by road to Ondo state yesterday to campaign alongside our Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Hon. Sola Ebiseni — a candidate I believe possesses the competence and capacity to govern the State effectively,” Obi said.
‘THEY SCUTTLED MY ASPIRATION’
Speaking with PUNCH, Olorunfemi alleged that Obi and NLC sabotaged his governorship bid.
He admitted that his last-minute campaign was poorly organised and ineffectual.
“My campaign for the election was neither here nor there. I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” Olorunfemi said.
“These people spoilt things for us with that PDP reject they wanted to force on the party. Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.
“They just capitalised on the crisis between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress to create problems.
“Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name without my knowledge, saying I have withdrawn from the race? They cannot exclude me from such a position.”
Olorunfemi admitted that he knew his chances of winning were slim after his reinstatement, adding that he is determined to “get his pound of flesh”.
Politics
Former aviation minister Osita Chidoka resigns from PDP
Osita Chidoka, a former minister of aviation, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chidoka announced his resignation from the opposition party on Friday when he featured on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
The former minister said he has written to his ward in Anambra state about his decision.
Chidoka said he would dedicate his time to the Athena Centre, a non-profit organisation (NGO) committed to enhancing public policy and leadership across Nigeria.
“I am leaving politics for some time. I am focusing on the Athena Centre,” Chidoka said.
“I will work in concert with other Nigerians who want us to reform the political system to bring evidence-based governance and to support it. So, effective today, I am no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
In August 2023, Chidoka said the PDP could become extinct if reforms did not kick in quickly.
“Now, we are beginning to see that PDP itself needs to be reformed,” he said.
“It needs to renew and reimagine itself to be able to begin to play the role of opposition, knowing full well that we have a politician as president.
“If PDP doesn’t get its act together, it will be an extinct party.”
Chidoka served as the minister of aviation between 2014 and 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Politics
‘It’s ridiculous’ — LP debunks claim of working for Tinubu ahead of 2027
The Labour Party (LP) has denied allegations of working for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party is reacting to a viral video in which Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, alleged that the LP is working for the president.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the LP, said the party has no plans to support Tinubu.
“As a matter of fact, the Labour Party is the most visible opposition party as of today, and our national chairman, Barrister Abure, is the leading voice in the opposition camp and has been most critical of the present government,” the statement reads.
“After the 2023 general election, it continued to interrogate the system’s failure and has been very visible playing the role of the opposition, continuously critiquing the policies, proffering solutions, and advising the government.
“It is on record that the Labour Party has on several occasions spiritedly debunked the allegations that it has an unholy understanding with the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to collaborate ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Recently, the party, under the able leadership of Mr. Julius Abure, came up with a series of programmes, including the creation of the electoral reform committee.
“With it, we hope to enthrone credible, fair, and transparent processes, leading to the selection of leadership in the country, with the Labour Party being a major victim in the 2023 general election.
”All these efforts to reposition the party for someone to be demarketing such a party in such an unguarded and callous manner is most ridiculous and unfortunate.
“We are, therefore, challenging Deji Adeyanju and any other person to come up with facts and proofs that either the party leadership or Mr. Abure intends to work for President Bola Tinubu or his party, the APC, in 2027.
“Adeyanju’s assertion, which is presently trending globally, has caused the Labour Party enormous harm, and we are demanding that he refrain from causing the party further harm.
“As a political party, we view Deji Adeyanju’s now-viral comments as criminal defamation, a clearly motivated ploy to ridicule our hard-earned reputation.
“We are therefore calling on Mr. Adeyanju, who ought to know the grave consequences of a defamatory act, to without delay provide facts and evidence to prove that the Labour Party has been ‘bought’ over by President Tinubu.
“He also has a choice to withdraw his ill assertions and apologise to the leadership and millions of members of the Labour Party for the great harm he has caused the party.”
Politics
‘Absolutely ridiculous’ — APC chieftain faults Daniel Bwala’s appointment
Jesutega Onokpasa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has faulted the appointment of Daniel Bwala as special adviser on policy communication to President Bola Tinubu.
Onokpasa’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding Bwala’s past criticism of the president.
Bwala, who served as the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential campaign, was vocal in his allegations against Tinubu.
He called for the president’s arrest and prosecution over alleged corruption, including accusations related to drug proceeds forfeited in the United States.
At the time, Bwala also called on Nigerian law enforcement agencies to take action against Tinubu.
Speaking on ‘News Night,’ an Arise TV programme, Onokpasa criticised the president’s decision to appoint Bwala, describing it as a betrayal to the president’s supporters.
“Our dear and beloved President stabbed all of us, his staunch supporters, in the back with this absolutely ridiculous, meaningless and just inexplicable appointment,” Onokpasa said.
“I am a Tinubu supporter and not a sycophant; his apologists are calling his appointment of Bwala strategy, but I think it is stupidity.”
Onokpasa, who identifies as a loyal supporter of Tinubu, also expressed frustration at what he perceived as the president’s disregard for his base.
“Not all his supporters want an appointment. It’s just the insult that our president seems to take us (his supporters) for granted,” Onokpasa added.
-
Education1 week ago
Akwa-Ibom to probe 26 schools as video depicts poor nutrition at boarding house
-
World1 week ago
‘You’ll pay huge price for allowing illegal migrants into US’, says Trump as he vows to punish Canada
-
News1 week ago
Lagos state government shuts establishments in Gbagada, Ogudu, others over noise pollution, environmental violations
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Helen Ukpabio demands N200bn damages in defamation suit against Bloody Civilian
-
World7 days ago
WHO Africa regional director-elect, Dr. Faustine Ndugulile dies aged 55
-
Celebrities7 days ago
‘Morayo can’t grow on me’ — Kess joins critics of Wizkid’s album
-
Crime3 days ago
Lagos state government dismisses two task force officers for stealing phones during raid
-
News2 days ago
Lagos state government seals Mega Plaza in Lagos Island for discharging untreated washwater into public drain