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PDP Upsets APC In Osun Senatorial Bye-Election …Nigerians Have Awakened To APC Deceit – PDP …APC Put To Shame – Fani-Kayode

Published

9 years ago

July 10, 2017

In a major setback for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Peoples Democratic Party won the Osun West senatorial bye-election held last Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission. In the final result announced by INEC in the early hours of yesterday, the PDP candidate, Otunba Ademola Adeleke, the younger brother of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke for whose replacement the election was held, won with 97, 480 votes. He beat the APC candidate, Senator Mudashir Hussein, who scored 66,116 votes to place second.
PDP also won in nine of the 10 local government areas in Osun West Senatorial District. According to the results released by INEC, PDP won in Iwo Local Government Area with 12,547 votes, against APC’s 12,205 votes; Ola Oluwa local government with 5, 618 votes, to APC’s 5316 votes; and Ayedire local government with 5, 789 votes, to 5, 360 votes scored by APC. PDP also in Irewole local government with 9, 096 votes, against APC’s 8,952 votes; Ede North local government with 18, 559 votes, against 2,784 votes polled by APC; Ede South local government with 13, 406 votes, to APC’s 2,096 votes; and Ayedaade local government with 9,061 votes, to 7,179 votes scored by APC.
PDP won Egbedore Local Government Area with 7,142 votes, against APC’s 4,768 votes; and Isokan local government with 6,539 votes, to 5,227 votes scored by APC.
APC won in only Ejigbo local government with 12,229 votes, to PDP’s 9,723 votes.
PDP had posted wins in many of the early results announced at the polling units across the 10 local government areas of Osun West senatorial district.
The u-turn in the senatorial district, which was hitherto dominated by APC under Senator Adeleke, was widely seen as a protest against the party for failing to nominate the aspirant from the Adeleke family, who was deemed a perfect choice to continue on the seat of his late brother. The majority of the people, our correspondent learnt, wanted some kind of compensation for the family for the good works of the APC senator for Osun West, whose death on April 23 at the age of 62 had shaken the area to its foundation, leading to protests and tension.
APC’s unwillingness to field Ademola Adeleke had caused him to defect to PDP soon after the death of his brother. He then emerged PDP’s senatorial candidate few weeks to the bye-election.
The defeat of Hussein, who was the choice candidate of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, was also seen as a verdict against the APC administration in the state. Aregbesola’s tenure has been marred by economic tensions occasioned by his government’s inability to pay workers’ salaries and meet other financial obligations, resulting in several months of unpaid remunerations. There has also been rising religious tension owing to government-instigated rivalry between Moslems and Christians, who had previously lived cordially.
The bye-election was largely peaceful. But the Osun State Police Command said it arrested some hoodlums who were trying to cause commotion at Igbokiti Unit, Ward 10, Okinni, Egbedore local government council.
Our correspondent was informed that the thugs invaded the polling unit with dangerous weapons and attacked voters and some ad hoc electoral officers. Voters waiting to cast their votes were allegedly attacked with machetes, causing them to run for their lives and prompting many others to stay away from the polling booths to avoid being caught up in the violence.
However, Ademola Adeleke, has described his victory as a new dawn for democracy.
Adeleke said, at a news conference on Sunday in Ede, that his electoral victory was “a pointer that PDP will be victorious in the 2018 governorship election in the state’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Adeleke scored 97,480 votes and won in nine of the 10 local government areas where the election was held.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Mudashiru Husain, polled 66,116 votes and won in only one local government area.
The late Isiaka Adeleke, the first Executive Governor of Osun, was occupying the senatorial seat until his death on April 23.
His younger brother, Ademola, who initially was contesting on the ticket of APC, defected to PDP, a day before the party’s primary, when APC leadership denied him the ticket.
He subsequently defected to PDP and was given the party’s ticket to be its candidate in the election.
The senatorial district comprises 10 local government areas.
He said: “We are working hard to ensure that the 2018 governorship election in Osun is won by PDP.
“My victory is a new dawn in the history of our democracy.
“Our democracy is growing where an incumbent will be there and opposition will defeat the incumbent.
“This is a rare gem and this shows that our democracy is improving.
“We want to make sure that there is nothing like rigging anymore, no matter how you try, we want our democracy to grow.”
Adeleke, however, commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security operatives for ensuring that the election was free and fair.
He commended the people in the senatorial district for coming out en masse to vote for him.
Mr. Adeleke also commended journalists for their sense of professionalism in the coverage of the election.
“I can assure you that I will continue from where my late brother left it and that is where I tag my campaign continuity,” he said.
However, the police were able to arrest three of the suspected political thugs.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, confirmed the incident. Adeoye said, “it is true we arrested three suspected thugs in Egbedore and their case is currently under investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Party’s victory at the just concluded Osun West by-election reflects the re-awaken Nigerians to the sham and deceit of the All Progressive Congress (APC), led administration at all levels of governance.
This was stated yesterday in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Party’s National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Dayo Adeyeye.
According to the Party, the PDP remains the party to beat in all elections in Nigeria without the interference of the APC in its current leadership issues.
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While congratulating the people of Osun West Senatorial District for coming out enmass to vote for the PDP and its candidate, the Party expressed confidence in the abilities of Ademola Adeleke to deliver on his promises to the people.
Also former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has mocked Governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the Osun West senatorial by-election conducted on Saturday.
PDP’s candidate Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner of the by-election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

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Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor