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LG Polls: Lagos PDP Concludes Primaries

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter, has concluded primary elections for emergence of  its flagbearers for the July 24 local government elections across the 57 councils in the state.
The state PDP Chairman, Mr Adedeji Doherty, said in a statement on Monday in Lagos that the party’s executives in the state had congratulated all the chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the party for the polls.
Doherty, who said that a comprehensive list of the candidates would be published soon, advised the flagbearers to be worthy ambassadors of the party.
He commended efforts of unsuccessful aspirants and said that though they did not win, the efforts had been noted by the party.
He urged all aspirants and candidates to remain loyal to the party.
“All candidates should know that the job has just started; you should all endeavour to make good use of the opportunity set before you by your respective local governments areas and Local Council Development Areas,” Doherty said.
He urged all candidates to do much to ensure victory in their respective councils.
“Lagos is winnable if all and sundry have their hands on deck and all acts are got right.
“I once again appreciate the efforts of all candidates and aspirants,” Doherty said.
The Tide reports that Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has rolled out the timetable and guidelines for  elections into the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs of the state.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Lawrence Eze, has urged politicians to shun inflammatory and unguarded utterances that could further heat up the polity.
Eze, who was an aspirant for Enugu West Senatorial Election in 2019, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Monday.
He said that harsh and inconsiderate utterances and rhetoric were already sending negative signal about the country to the international community, including foreigners that work or own businesses in Nigeria.
“There is a need for Nigerians especially politicians to tone down their rhetoric and stop inflammatory statements capable of setting the nation aflame, even when there is no form of war in the first place.
“The current relative peace the country has and we are enjoying is to the benefit of all.
“Hatred, segregation and hate speech only tear us apart and draw us against each other and dent our international image as well,’’ he said.
The chieftain also warned politicians not to overstep their powers and getting involved on issues not related to their duties.
 
“Today, our politicians get involved in a lot of affairs, which is not governance and do not have a bearing on their offices.
“Most politicians want to hold sway on everything happening around them, even when they are not directly involved.
“Today, politicians want to impose and influence who becomes the chief judge, archbishop, bishop, chief imam, community/market leader, youth leader of a community or association.
“Most of these negative impositions, tells on the kind of leadership we get at these levels; which is further denying Nigerians the opportunity to get competent minds based on merit,’’ Eze said.

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Makarfi Resigns As PDP BoT Secretary 

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Former Governor of Kaduna State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Muhammed Makarfi, has resigned his position as the BoT Secretary of the party.

Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.

“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”

He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.

“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”

While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”

Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.

Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.

The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”

According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”

He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.

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Osun 2026: INEC Challenges Political Parties On Lawful Primaries

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mr Mutiu Agboke, has urged political parties in the state to conduct their primaries in accordance with the law.

Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.

Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.

“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.

“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.

“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.

Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.

He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.

“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.

“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.

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Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Abduction Tragic, Unacceptable – Northern Govs 

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The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.

The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.

Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.

In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.

Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.

He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.

He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.

Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.

He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.

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