Politics

Oyo LG Polls: 4,900 Candidates To Vie For 384 Seats

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

Over 4,900 candidates are set to vie for 33 chairmanship and 351 councillorship seats in the forthcoming local government elections in Oyo State.

A total of 19 political parties are to participate in the elections scheduled for April 27 with parties like the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) having candidates spread across all local government areas.

Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr Isiaka Olagunju made this known in a conversation with The Tide’s source, following the completion of screening of list of candidates.

Asked about petitions received by the commission thus far, Olagunju said it had received two petitions challenging the certificates of some candidates.

Meanwhile, the 19 parties contesting the election are upbeat about the chances of their candidates, with parties like Boot Party (BP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) stating that they fielded candidates only in places where they consider their strong areas.

While the major opposition, the APC, said it was going to put up a great fight against the PDP, the ruling party in the state said it was so popular that it would defeat even a coalition of the APC and other parties. Publicity Secretary, Oyo APC, Mr Olawale Sadare, said the party was contesting to change the status quo of the ruling party sweeping local government elections because of its concern to rescue the local government system, which it said had been bastardised by the PDP led government in the state.

Sadare said: “This is the first time a major opposition party will participate in local government election. Since we started this democratic dispensation since 1999, it has always been a one-sided thing, the major political party never participated.

“We are changing the status quo. We want to work for the people. It won’t be business as usual. PDP should be ready for a good fight. Their plan is to completely annihilate the third tier of government and we will not allow that to happen.

“We want to revamp, resuscitate the local government system in the state which has been bastardised by the current administration. We want to give people a choice to rescue the local government system in the state.”

But, the PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Micheal Ogunsina, expressed confidence that the election would be an easy ride for the PDP, saying it would defeat even a coalition of APC and other parties.

He hinged his confidence on what he described as the love and popularity of Governor Seyi Makinde in the State, adding that just like the PDP was massively supported in the governorship election, it would also get massive votes of people in the local government election. Ogunsina said, “I really think it will be an easy ride for the PDP. I don’t think the participation of the opposition parties will change anything. I don’t think they are that popular. I know they are not that interesting to people of Oyo State.

“PDP is the party to beat in Oyo State. If all the opposition come together to form a coalition against us in the forthcoming local government election, they will be defeated. We are that popular.

“The PDP in Oyo State is Seyi Makinde’s party. Seyi Makinde is the governor loved by the people and they will be willing to ensure that their representatives at the local government level are in sync with the state government. There is nothing to be scared of.”

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

5 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.