Politics
Even though Gov Bello worked against me, no regret supporting his presidential bid says Senator Adeyemi
The senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi, has indicated that despite Governor Yahaya Bello’s opposition to his return to the Senate, he has no regret in supporting his presidential bid.
Governor Bello contested for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election but lost to Bola Ahmad Tinubu.
Adeyemi lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Kogi West Senatorial District to Sunday Karimi at the party’s primary held on May 28, 2022, in Kabba, Kogi.
At the end of the election, Hon. Sunday Karimi scored 288 votes while Muyiwa Aina came second with 73 votes.
Senator Smart Adeyemi scored 43 votes while the only woman in the race, Doyin Eshanumi scored 1 vote.
While narrating the irregularities that characterised the inglorious primary election, the lawmaker said he participated in the primary against the advice of the state’s APC chairman, Abdullahi Bello, who, he said, asked him to step down and work fully for the presidential bid of Governor Bello.
He said a closed meeting, called by the state’s party chairman at the instance of the governor, to pressure him to withdraw from the race was deadlocked as he insisted on going ahead.
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“However, the condition for my stepping aside was to take on a position, chief of staff, which was technocratic in nature when my governor eventually emerges as President, and this did not align with my personal goals and aspirations as a journalist and a crusader for the common man.
“I immediately informed Abdullahi, unambiguously that my training as a journalist will not permit me to aspire to this role and as such, there was the need to fine-tune things to accommodate everyone. “The meeting ended inconclusively, and thereafter, events metamorphosed into threats that | must not contest in the primary elections.
“I want to say that I have no regrets in supporting and standing for the Kogi State Government at all given times. I have no regrets supporting the Governor of my State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, it remains the proper thing to do. And we must always endeavour do what is right,” Adeyemi said.
He alleged that the primary was marred by irregularities, saying the delegates were relaced with those not from Kogi West 24 hours to the primary, which, he said, was held in an extremely hostile environment.
“Let me state unequivocally and without ambiguity, that the elections which took place on the 22™ of May, 2022 in Kogi State were neither free nor fair.
“It is on record that the list of delegates was changed twenty-four hours to the elections proper. Furthermore are that individuals who are not from Kogi west were brought in to vote in an extremely hostile environment with militants, armed men, and unidentified thugs in their numbers.
“This was apart from authorised security agents who were present to observe the event and ensure law and order.
“Very crucial is the fact that the returning officer, Bashir Gegu had once aspired to run for this same office, and is a sitting commissioner in Kogi State.
“As soon as he was announced as the returning officer, my ward wrote a formal letter to protest his nomination as it would have been impossible for him to be fair and just.
On the day of the election, he personally compelled people to vote his own choice, with most of the commissioners present in the voting hall.
“Delegates were further made to comply with orders by saying they were unable to write and therefore a designated person commenced voting on their behalf.”
Adeyemi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Aviation, said he had petitioned the APC national body over the “unfair” primary for record purposes.
“The accusation that I had stepped on toes by my position on contemporary national issues constitutes a major part of my many offenses, and I have absolutely no regrets on the matter.
“If the hands of times are turned, I will stand in the same position, speak my mind, the minds of the common man on the streets and project only those values which I believe in,” he added.
After a series of delays, the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Rivers State has finally held its much-anticipated meeting with the Sole Administrator of the state, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas.
The meeting, which took place in Abuja, comes as the House exercises its constitutional powers to assume the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, following the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral Ibas apologised for his inability to attend earlier scheduled meetings, citing the need for more time to settle into his new role.
READ ALSO: Ibas Makes First Appearance At NEC Meeting As Rivers Sole Administrator
He told the committee that he is still acclimatising to the demands of his position and appealed for the lawmakers’ understanding as he prepares to provide a detailed briefing.
Shortly after his plea, the session went into a closed-door meeting, with journalists and observers asked to leave.
More to follow………….
Deji Adeyanju, a Nigerian activist and lawyer, has made explosive claims regarding the 2023 presidential election, suggesting that former Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso secretly supported President Bola Tinubu’s campaign.
In a post shared on his 𝕏 page Thursday, Adeyanju contended that Obi, who ran against Tinubu, would likely continue to support the president in future political endeavors.
He expressed certainty that Obi would decline any efforts to form a coalition aimed at challenging Tinubu in the next election.
READ ALSO: Lad Who Stood In Front Of Obi’s Convoy Apprehended For Street Fighting – Police
“I’m 100% convinced that Obi worked for Tinubu in 2023 and will do so again. I might be wrong, but I’m convinced in my mind about this,” Adeyanju wrote.
“Once a businessman, always a businessman. Those still in doubt will see the clear handwriting before 2027. He will refuse to join the coalition,” he continued.
Additionally, Adeyanju accused Kwankwaso of working in favor of Tinubu during the previous election.
He emphasized that for any opposition coalition to succeed in the 2027 race, figures like Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—another presidential hopeful—must step aside.
“For the coalition to succeed, all the self-centered politicians like Atiku & Obi should promise not to run and allow neutral folks to run against Tinubu,” Adeyanju proposed. “This is how to put the interest of the nation above personal interest,” he added.
The activist went on to criticize the culture surrounding Nigerian politics, describing it as an industry driven by opportunism.
He lamented the presence of “merchants” surrounding top politicians, accusing them of putting personal gain ahead of the country’s well-being. “The biggest industry in Africa is politics,” Adeyanju said.
“And those around popular politicians are all merchants. Once politics is around the corner, they are in business. Con men and women who just want to cash out.”
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, attended his first National Economic Council (NEC) meeting today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Ibas was appointed to the position by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.
READ MORE: Tinubu Swears In Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator
The NEC meeting, which is being presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gathered a number of state governors and deputy governors from across the 36 states of Nigeria to discuss important national economic issues.
Among the notable figures in attendance was Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Oborevwori led the opening prayers at the meeting on the instruction of Vice President Shettima.
Other state governors present included Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia of Benue State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, and Bassey Otu of Cross River, along with several deputy governors.
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