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Labour Party’s Ondo Candidate Blames Obi, NLC For Defeat

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The reinstated Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has expressed frustration over his loss in the recent election, attributing his defeat to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious, securing all 18 local government areas and earning 366,781 votes. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 117,845 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While the APC candidate was declared the winner, Olorunfemi lamented the disruption caused by internal party conflicts, particularly involving Peter Obi’s backing of Olusola Ebiseni.

Olorunfemi accused Obi and the NLC of undermining his campaign by supporting Ebiseni’s candidacy before the Court of Appeal reinstated Olorunfemi’s position on the ballot.

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In a statement to The PUNCH, Olorunfemi criticized the actions of the NLC and Obi, alleging that attempts were made to force his withdrawal through a forged letter. “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” he stated. He further claimed that Ebiseni acted without his consent, presenting the forged letter in court.

Olorunfemi vowed to take legal action, stating, “I am planning to petition the Inspector General of Police to probe how they wrote that letter, put my signature, and presented it before the court.”

The Labour Party’s internal strife was highlighted by accusations from the NLC’s acting Political Commission Chairman, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, who described Olorunfemi as unreliable. He alleged that Olorunfemi had initially sought to sell the ticket to Ebiseni for N20 million but reneged on the agreement, leading to the court battle.

Despite his reinstatement days before the election, Olorunfemi admitted his campaign efforts were insufficient to secure victory. As of this report, neither Peter Obi nor Ebiseni had responded to the allegations.

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‘We’ll Bring Back Subsidy in Our Own Way’ — Kwankwaso

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Former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said an NDC government would bring back fuel subsidy if elected in the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso made the declaration during an exclusive interview with ARISE Correspondent, Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.

SEE ALSO: ‘Obi Has Nowhere to Hide’ — APC Campaign Council Tackles Peter Obi Over Anambra Record

The former governor said the subsidy would not necessarily return in the same form as the previous system, stressing that the NDC would adopt its own approach to reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians.

“We’ll bring back subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said.

He added that the party would do “whatever it takes” to bring down the price of fuel.

Kwankwaso also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy at the beginning of his administration, describing the policy and its consequences as having left Nigeria in a “total mess, economically.”

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, triggering a major shift in petrol pricing and subsequent increases in the cost of transportation, goods and services.

The policy has remained a major subject of political and economic debate, with the Federal Government maintaining that subsidy removal was necessary to reduce the financial burden on the country, while critics have argued that it has worsened economic hardship.

Kwankwaso, who is running alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on the NDC ticket, said bringing down fuel prices would be a priority under an NDC administration.

The former Kano governor also took a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar while discussing Nigeria’s refineries.
According to Kwankwaso, “Atiku would sell our refineries to his friends.”

His comments come as political parties and presidential contenders begin to intensify their positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with economic hardship, fuel prices, subsidy policy and the future of Nigeria’s refineries expected to remain major campaign issues.

 

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Adeleke Celebrates First Lady Oluremi Tinubu

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the auspicious occasion of her 66th birthday, celebrating her as a remarkable example of devotion to nation building.

According to a government house statement in Osogbo on Monday, Gov Adeleke notes with reverence Senator Tinubu’s refreshing history of outstanding service and contributions to public good, praising her as a distinct voice in the advocacy for inclusive governance and a visible hand in the quest to build a country that serves all.

READ ALSO: Why Ondo is Buying Dangote Shares for 500 Citizens

He hails the first lady for the frontline roles she played in shaping legislations that empowers women and expanded opportunities for young people as a senator and currently in her role as the Mother of the Nation, recalling with nostalgia the partnership he enjoyed from Senator Tinubu while in the Senate.

“I join family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate a symbol of excellence, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the joyous occasion of her 66th birthday. Senator Tinubu was a lawmaker per excellence, using legislation to address past failings and setting the pathway for a prosperous future for both the nation and its people” Gov Adeleke noted.

“As the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Tinubu has proven to be the mother of all, galvanising interests irrespective of the political divide towards the ultimate purpose of moving Nigeria forward. As a Senator, she was truly pan-Nigerian and as a First Lady, she is an excellent nation builder.

“As she turns 66 today, I honour her life of incredible service and contributions, and more importantly, praise her for sharing in the burden of serving Nigerians with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and charting the course for Nigeria that will serve all.”

Gov Adeleke prays to Almighty God to bless the first lady with more rewarding years in good health and sound mind while she continues to stay by the side of our beloved President Tinubu, offering the needed strength in his enviable pursuit of a prosperous Nigeria.

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‘Obi Has Nowhere to Hide’ — APC Campaign Council Tackles Peter Obi Over Anambra Record

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#NigeriaDecides: Obi Leads With 6 Of 8 LGs Declared In Plateau

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has launched a fresh attack on former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, over his administration’s financial record, accusing him of failing to fully account for the state’s liabilities when he left office.

The APC campaign council, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Dele Alake, on Monday, September 21, 2026, said recent disclosures by the Anambra State Government had challenged claims that Obi left the state without a debt burden.

SEE MORE: The Soludo, Obi Spat – When Brothers Fight to the Finish

According to the council, the Anambra State Government disclosed that Obi spent about $4.05 billion, equivalent to N5.4 trillion, during his eight years as governor and contracted $123.77 million in external loans.

It further claimed that eight external borrowing facilities for projects covering malaria control, erosion management, education and healthcare were outstanding when Obi left office on March 17, 2014.

The APC council said subsequent administrations, including that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, continued to service the obligations.

Alake argued that while borrowing was not inherently wrong when used for development, the issue was significant because of Obi’s long-standing public image as a financially prudent leader and his alleged claim that he left Anambra without a debt burden.

The statement also raised allegations concerning unpaid salaries during Obi’s tenure.

Alake cited a memo purportedly written by Obi’s then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, dated April 25, 2006, appealing to the former governor to pay N15 million in monthly salaries owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation.

According to the APC spokesman, the memo warned that the workers could protest at the Governor’s Office over the unpaid salaries.

The statement quoted Ileogbunam as appealing to Obi to consider the welfare of the affected workers and their families.

The APC campaign council further claimed that Obi had promised during his campaign for governor that he would resign if there was any case where workers were not paid as and when due.

Against that backdrop, Alake challenged Obi to honour what he described as his previous commitment to withdraw from the presidential race if it was established that his administration left liabilities behind in Anambra.

“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra,” Alake said.

The APC spokesman also criticised Obi over a recent solidarity visit to an individual facing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial, questioning the political implications of the visit.

The latest statement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the financial record of Obi’s eight-year administration in Anambra.

The Anambra State Government has maintained that records show external loans contracted during Obi’s tenure remained outstanding after he left office, while the issue has become a major point of political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC campaign council urged Obi to address the allegations and account for his administration’s financial record rather than continue to project himself as a leader who left Anambra without liabilities.

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