Politics
PDP Elects Two Governorship Candidates At Parallel Primaries In Osun
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun yesterday elected two Governorship candidates at the party’s parallel primaries for the July 16 governorship election in the state.
At one of the primaries held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Chairman of the Osun Governorship primary, Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner.
While declaring Adeleke as the winner, Ewhrudjakpo, said that Adeleke scored 1, 887 votes, while his closet rival Sanya Omirin, scored four votes.
The primary was supervised by the party’s representatives from Abuja, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At another primary held at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), Osogbo, there was no party’s representatives from Abuja and INEC representatives were absent, where Prince Dotun Babayemi, was declared the winner.
Ewhrudjakpo said that other aspirants, Dele Adeleke scored one vote, Fatai Akinbade, Dotun Babayemi and Akin Ogunbiyi, recorded zero.
He said that a total of 1916 votes were recorded, while 24 votes were invalid.
“By the power conferred on me as the Chief Returning Officer of this gubernatorial primary, we, hereby collectively declared Adeleke Ademola Jackson, as the winner of this gubernatorial primary for 2022 governorship election in Osun,” he said.
Ewhrudjakpo urged all other aspirants to join hands with the winner to enable the party to win the July 16 governorship election in the state.
He also urged Adeleke to be magnanimous in victory.
Ewhrudjakpo said that there was no parallel congress in the state.
According to him, any other congress, apart from the one I supervised will not be recognised by the national Headquarters of the party.
“The king is here and the crown is here. This is the authentic congress and any other one conducted in any other place will not be recognised,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Adeleke said that there was no victor, no vanquished in the primary election.
According to him, we are all winners. Let’s work together to rescue people of the state from the All Progressives Congress-led government.
“By God’s grace, PDP will win July 16 Governorship election by a landslide to claim our stolen mandate. Our manifesto will be released in few days time,” he said.
At the WOCDIF Centre, Mr Adelani Ajanaku, the Returning Officer, said that Babayemi scored 1,781 votes, while his closet rival, Adeleke scored 32 votes.
Ajanaku said that Fatai Akinbade scored 28 votes, Ogunbiyi (23 votes) and Omirin polled 16 votes, respectively.
He said that 1,907 votes were recorded, with 27 voided.
In his acceptance speech, Babayemi said he was grateful to all his brothers and co-contestants, who voluntarily allowed him to fly the party’s flag.
“Your sacrifice is appreciated. Let me assure you that I will not let you down as your representative.
“I am indeed grateful to everyone for the confidence reposed in me, while making a solemn promise never to disappoint you.
“Today, I promise not to be the candidate of few, but a governorship candidate of all,” he said.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News4 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Rivers14 hours agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Politics15 hours agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Politics3 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics3 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR
-
Business3 days agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community