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Edo Poll: Okpebholo Calls On Ighodalo To Withdraw From Governorship Race

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Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) candidate for the Edo State governorship election on September 21, has called for the withdrawal of his opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Okpebholo criticized Ighodalo’s performance as Economic Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki, suggesting it was inadequate.

The APC candidate made this appeal during a meeting with the Edo State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Benin on Tuesday.

He highlighted concerns about the state’s escalating debt, which has increased from N43 billion to over N573 billion.

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He said, “I told myself that if I was Ause Ighodalo, I would not bother contesting the governorship election because a government that I am economic adviser to has failed. Where I come from, which is Esanland, we were taught morals, and anything that is bad or spoilt we don’t eat.

“In Edo State, do you know the debt profile of the state at the moment is over N573 billion? That is what Edo state is owing now. During Adams Oshiomhole’s reign, monthly allocation from the federation account was between N3.1 billion and N3.3 billion but today the allocation is between N11.1 billion and nothing to show for it.

“This outgoing government which Asue Ighodalo is the chief Economic Adviser only inherited about N43 billion debt from Adams Oshiomhole, Lucky Igbinedion and Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor governments.

“When Oshiomhole was receiving between N3.1 billion and N3.3 billion, work was going on in the state but with over N11 billion, Governor Obaseki has nothing to show for it.”

Okpebholo, citing his experience as a former federal lawmaker, declared himself the most qualified candidate for the job and promised to transform governance for the benefit of the people if elected.

He urged farmers to vote for him in large numbers on election day, promising that his administration would prioritize their empowerment to address food insecurity.

Additionally, Okpebholo encouraged voters to use their Permanent Voters Cards to hold the PDP and its candidate accountable.

He said, “On September 21, 2024, it is just about a month from now, we will punish them with our votes. That our money they have been taking, they would vomit it on that day.

Okpebholo announced that in a few days, he would be inaugurating a newly constructed block of classrooms at a primary school in Ewohimi, the hometown of the PDP governorship candidate.

He noted that previously, the school’s roof had been blown off and students were forced to sit on the floor during classes.

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Osun Accord, Adeleke Strategise for Legislative Elections

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The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.

A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.

Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.

The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.

Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.

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The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.

The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.

Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.

“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.

“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.

“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.

“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.

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INEC Raises Alarm as Fake 2027 Election Recruitment Website Surfaces

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INEC Officials Held Captive Over Missing Declaration Form

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.

INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.

The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.

SEE MORE: 2027: ‘We Must Build the Table’ — Opposition Leaders Meet in Abuja to Challenge Tinubu

In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”

The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.

“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.

The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.

“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.

INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.

“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.

The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.

INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.

The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.

“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.

The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.

“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.

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2027: ‘We Must Build the Table’ — Opposition Leaders Meet in Abuja to Challenge Tinubu

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Several opposition political leaders and prominent figures have converged on Abuja for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The meeting, being held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, attracted notable opposition figures including the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.

SEE MORE: ‘APC Is Irredeemable’ — Ex-Minister Timipre Sylva Dumps Party, Blasts Tinubu Govt

The summit was convened by political pressure group G-100 as part of efforts to bring opposition parties together to mount a stronger challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

Also attending the gathering are the Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, and G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman, are also among those participating in the summit.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Lukman urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective of advancing the interests of Nigerians.

He stressed that the proposed cooperation was not about forcing political parties to dissolve or abandon their identities, but about creating a platform where they could work together towards a shared goal.

“We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats,” Lukman said.

The summit comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.

 

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