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Even though Gov Bello worked against me, no regret supporting his presidential bid says Senator Adeyemi

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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.

Read Also >> Osun 2022: ‘Your Re-Election Is Our Collective Project, Non-Negotiable – Oluwo

“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.

Politics

Ogun 2027: APC’s YAYI Donates 30-Seater Bus to Remo Council

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, has donated a 30-seater bus to the Remo Traditional Council.

Adeola disclosed the donation on Friday during a visit to the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, and the entire Remo Traditional Council.

SEE MORE: 2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu

The donation, according to the APC candidate, was made in further support of the traditional institution and to facilitate the official engagements and responsibilities of members of the council.

Adeola visited the traditional council alongside Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun; and other APC leaders.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for presenting him and his running mate to the royal fathers as his successors, while commending the governor for laying what he described as a solid foundation for Ogun State’s continued growth.

The APC candidate said he was committed to consolidating the achievements of the Abiodun administration if elected, promising to govern the state with fairness, equity and integrity.

Adeola also pledged that no community would be neglected under his proposed administration.

He thanked the Akarigbo and other traditional rulers for their warm reception, encouraging remarks and special royal prayers for him and his running mate.

The visit comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election continue.

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2027: South Should Complete 8 Years Before North Takes Over — Shehu Sani

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Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said the 2027 presidential contest should be dominated by Southern candidates, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year tenure before power returns to the North in 2031.

Sani made the declaration on Thursday in a post on X, as debate over zoning and the rotation of presidential power continues ahead of the 2027 general election.

SEE MORE: 2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu

He listed President Bola Tinubu, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Social Democratic Party candidate Adewole Adebayo and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke among the Southern politicians who should contest the 2027 presidential election.

“The 2027 political contest should be between Tinubu, Peter Obi, Sowore, Makinde, Adebayo, Duke and other Southern Candidates,” Sani said.

“The South should complete its eight years. Its not constitutional but it’s equitable.

“We should not bury our heads in the sand and deny the realities and complexities of our history.”

Sani further argued that the North should have what he described as an “unchallengeable right” to the presidency in 2031 if the South completes its eight years.

“The North should have an unchallengeable right in 2031,” he stated.

He also warned politicians opposed to respecting power rotation in 2027 that the principle could similarly be disregarded when the presidency is expected to return to the North.

“Those who say there shouldn’t be respect for the principle of Rotation of power in 2027, should know that it WILL NOT be respected in 2031,” Sani added.

 

 

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2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Farouk Aliyu, has described the language used by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, against some APC governors as being in “bad taste.”

Aliyu was reacting to Wike’s description of some governors as “419ners” and “lazy” amid the political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, the APC chieftain said members of the ruling party rejected Wike’s remarks.

SEE ALSO: 2027: PDP Drops Fresh Revelation on Wike’s Support for Tinubu

“The language Nyesom Wike used to describe governors as ‘419ners’ or ‘lazy’ is in bad taste. All members of the APC reject that comment,” Aliyu said.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained active in the political developments ahead of the 2027 elections despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election period and openly supported President Bola Tinubu, the APC candidate, during the presidential election.

Following Tinubu’s emergence as president, Wike was appointed Minister of the FCT, a position he has held under the APC-led Federal Government while remaining a PDP member.

His political position ahead of 2027 has continued to attract attention, particularly over his support for Tinubu and his reported efforts to build a broader political coalition.

Wike has previously criticised APC governors who opposed his political moves, questioning their commitment to delivering electoral support for Tinubu.

However, Aliyu said the APC was willing to accommodate politicians from other parties who wanted to support the ruling party.

“However, as a party, the APC welcomes anyone, including Wike and others from different parties, who is willing to support the APC,” he said.

According to him, the party’s concern was to maintain a coordinated campaign structure ahead of the elections.

“But we want a unified campaign structure at the national level and across the states,” Aliyu added.

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