Politics
Lagos Crisis: Chaos as DSS Officers Invade Assembly, CP Replaced
There was chaos at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, as the Department of State Service invaded the assembly, allegedly on the orders of the clerk.
In the ensuing melee, the lawmakers forcefully gained entry into the hallowed chamber and declared their support for the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, has, however, reaffirmed its plans to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly.
The fresh crisis followed the militarisation of the assembly complex by officials of the DSS on Monday.
The crisis deepened following moves by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to return to the House.
Obasa, who was removed by the majority of the lawmakers on January 13, 2025, approached the court last week to seek redress.
The lawmaker dragged the Assembly and the new Speaker, Meranda, before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, claiming that the lawmakers were wrong to have removed him when the Assembly was in recess.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit.
Mudashiru Obasa
The embattled former speaker was in Atlanta, United States of America, for his holiday when the House convened and moved a motion for his removal.
There were speculations that Obasa may likely return to the House on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. However, the House, at its plenary on Monday, adjourned the sitting indefinitely, leaving no room for a possible sitting.
The Monday plenary earlier scheduled for 11 am was delayed till around 12:51 pm, as the DSS operatives sealed the offices of the Speaker and other principal officers of the House.
The assembly chamber was also under restriction, with the lawmakers forcing their way into the chamber after about two hours of being stranded outside the building.
While attempting to enter the chamber, Meranda, who was surrounded by security details and assembly workers, burst into tears amid hailing and a show of solidarity from about 36 lawmakers and the assembly staff.
‘Assembly invited DSS’
Amid allegations of invasion, a top official of the DSS told one of our correspondents that the clerk of the assembly wrote to the service to increase the number of operatives deployed in the complex.
The source, who spoke in confidence because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said, “Contrary to reports by a section of the media that DSS officers stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.
“The clerk of the assembly wrote to us that there was a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members and requested to increase the number of operatives there and ensure strict access within and outside the assembly.”
It is not clear what line of action was given to the DSS operatives or who gave them, but the actions of the officers prevented the sitting from holding at the scheduled time.
A letter from the Clerk of the House revealed that the assembly indeed invited the operatives to maintain order at the House, following speculations of Obasa’s return.
The letter dated February 14, 2025, showed that the acting clerk of the assembly, A. T. B. Ottun, wrote to the DSS, requesting more presence of operatives at the complex.
According to the letter with reference no: LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, the DSS was instructed to ensure strict access to the facility from February 15 till further notice.
The letter, titled, “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” read: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.
“The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.
“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, 16 February 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and as well observe strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice. We look forward to your prompt attention Sir. Thank you.”
Workers, DSS clash
Following the entry of the lawmakers into the House, DSS officers engaged in a physical confrontation with some assembly workers who were shocked to meet the operatives in the chamber.
The DSS officers, cladded in black jackets, helmets and face masks and armed to the teeth, were resisted by the assembly workers after several minutes of tussle.
New Lagos Assembly speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Shortly after the incident which created tension in the House, Meranda presided over the sitting which began around 12:51 pm. It was the seventh plenary presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, and the latter had been absent from all.
Lawmakers condemn invasion
During the plenary, lawmakers condemned the invasion of the chamber by the DSS after Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1) raised a motion under Personal Explanation.
The assembly also noted that Kazeem Osho (Mushin 2) was rushed to the hospital for emergency care due to the heightened tension in the chamber.
Joseph called on the President to intervene and ensure that those responsible for the invasion were brought to justice. He also demanded that the Director-General of the DSS be summoned to explain the agency’s actions.
Another lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1), decried the incident, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2) also condemned the invasion, describing the DSS’ conduct as unnecessary and unprofessional.
He said, “This harassment is completely unwarranted. I’m still shivering. We were elected by the people to protect their interests. If we feel the Speaker is not representing us or the people well, we have the right to elect a new leader. That is democracy. This does not justify harassment or an assault on our legislative process.”
Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu 1) called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“I am deeply saddened. I never imagined a day when armed men would storm the Lagos Assembly. I urge the DSS DG to investigate this attack, and I call on President Tinubu to ensure that justice is served. This is a blatant violation of democratic principles.”
Similarly, Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2) described the invasion as a violation of legislative procedures.
“What we witnessed today is an aberration. The Assembly is meant for debates that advance society, not for forceful interventions.
“We must call on the government to clarify whether it has the right to dictate our leadership choices. Today’s incident is a disgrace,” he said.
Despite the chaos, both lawmakers and staff reaffirmed their support for the first female Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda’s leadership after which the Speaker adjourned the plenary indefinitely.
DSS invite explained
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Lagos assembly, Kayode Ogundipe, late Monday, the assembly clarified why it invited the DSS to the House.
It argued that though it invited the security agency, it did not ask the operatives to seal the offices of the principal officers of the House.
DSS officers
Ogundipe stated, “Earlier today (Monday), lawmakers and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly arrived at the Assembly complex to find the offices of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Acting Clerk of the House locked and access restricted by operatives of the DSS. Furthermore, the legislative chamber itself was sealed off.
“In an apparent effort to justify their actions, the DSS released to the public a letter written by the Acting Clerk of the House, requesting security presence at the Assembly complex.
“We wish to categorically state that this is not the first time the House has sought security support from the DSS.
“However, it is important to emphasise that in all previous instances, the DSS operatives have been stationed at the main gate of the Assembly complex, ensuring that unauthorised persons do not gain entry.
“For the avoidance of doubt, at no point did the letter requesting security assistance instruct the DSS to invade the legislative chamber, lock and restrict access to the Speaker’s office, lock the office of the Acting Clerk and lock the Deputy Speaker’s office.
“The events of today raise serious concerns about undue interference in legislative affairs. The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined by armed DSS operatives who actively obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.”
GAC distances self
The Chairman of GAC, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, said what happened at the House was not a party or GAC affair.
“Why don’t you talk to those who are involved, those who are there, members of the House of Assembly, the police, the DSS? I have not gotten sufficient information. What’s happening today is not from the party, it’s not from the GAC,” he said.
When quizzed on the speculation that the President was not able to handle the political crisis in Lagos, Olusi said, “Currently, the President is out of the country. Is that not correct? Has he returned? You’re aware that some time ago, the GAC, we were in Abuja to see the President but unfortunately, he has to travel out for an urgent state matter, you’re aware of this? So what happened at the House today is not the affair of the party.
“We as a party or as GAC shall speak at the appropriate time. It’s not that we don’t want to address the press or the public, but we will do that at the appropriate time. What’s happening, we were not part of it. I was not there, representatives of the party were not there, we have not been properly briefed.”
A GAC member, Chief Muraina Taiwo, said the assembly crisis had gone beyond what the council could handle “until Tinubu intervenes.”
He said, “The situation is not yet clear. The DSS said the acting Clerk invited them to guard the house against invasion and the members are saying they were there to prevent them from entering.
“The GAC’s power can no longer contain the crisis because if it does, the directive of the GAC would have been carried out (by the lawmakers).”
He also said he did not believe Obasa was behind the crisis.
“If he (Obasa) was behind the invasion, he would not have gone to court. The matter is already in court, he would allow the court to do its work.
Muraina said he also did not believe Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was having a hand in the crisis.
“In politics, the more you look, the less you see. What are they going to say the governor did wrong? I don’t see anything wrong in the actions of the governor.
“But they’re saying those things so that they will not say the governor is behind them or funding them (the lawmakers).
“There’s no evidence to show he’s supporting them, all is politics.”
An aide to the governor, who asked not to be named, did not respond to inquiries from our correspondent.
‘Obasa not involved’
A source in the Obasa camp who spoke with The PUNCH on Monday evening said Obasa was not behind the DSS invasion of the assembly.
“They (the lawmakers) were the ones who invited the DSS, so how will they link it to Obasa?
“I believe they invited the DSS following reports that Obasa was to return to the House on February 18,” the source simply said.
Meranda denies resignation
The speaker of the House, Meranda, on Monday, denied that she was stepping down as the leader of the assembly.
Rumours on social media had it earlier on Monday that Meranda was due to resign over pressure amid the crisis rocking the assembly.
But in an interview, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Segun Ajiboye, described the rumour as “a lie from the pit of hell.”
Ajiboye said, “It is a lie from the pit of hell. If she had resigned, would she come back to sit at the plenary today?”
Lagos CP replaced
Amid the ongoing crisis, the Police Service Commission replaced the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Lanre Ishola, and appointed Moshood Jimoh as the new CP.
Jimoh was the Force spokesman between January 2017 and January 2019. He was later Deputy Commissioner, Airport Police; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration; Deputy Commissioner of General Investigation, and Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority, Eastern Ports.
A statement on Monday by the PSC’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, read, “The Police Service Commission today, Monday, February 17, 2025, approved the appointment of Moshood Jimoh as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
“Jimoh, who hails from Kwara State, was a former Force Public Relations Officer and later Deputy Commissioner, Airport Police; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration and Deputy Commissioner General Investigation.
“CP Jimoh, before his appointment, was Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority, Eastern Ports.
“CP Olohundare Moshod Jimoh is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Public Relations Personality of the Year, in recognition of his sterling qualities and outstanding contribution to the development and use of Public Relations by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.”
Sanwo-Olu’s details redeployed
It was learnt on Monday that the DSS operatives attached to Sanwo-Olu were replaced by new ones.
A source close to the governor and privy to the development revealed that the security operatives were said to have overstayed in their capacity as security aides to the governor.
The change was linked to the political crisis rocking the state.
It was also gathered that the Director of the DSS in Lagos may be replaced anytime soon.
A source in the DSS, however, said only those who had overstayed in the governor’s security details were redeployed.
As of the press time, The PUNCH could not independently verify if the redeployment had to do with the crisis in the state Assembly.
Atiku, Rhode-Vivour kick
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly as “utterly reprehensible and stands condemned.”
He also blamed the President for interfering in state matters, while calling for a full and thorough investigation.
In a post on his verified X handle, Atiku said the invasion was an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos.
“Whatever may have caused the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is an undercurrent that is not abnormal in a system of democracy.
“The purported invitation of armed security operatives for a conflict resolution in a parliament is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency.
“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into, rather than interfering in the state matters,” Atiku said.
A former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, in an interview on Channels, decried the assembly invasion by the DSS.
“Whoever is behind this should solve this problem in a civilised fashion, because the state Assembly must owe its loyalty to its constituents and not any godfather,” he said.
In a post on his X handle, he wrote, “As far back as 1861, the Lagos elites put everything on the line to fight and agitate for an independent legislative body, because our people have always understood the importance of representative democracy.
“Sadly, not even the military attempted the brazen desecration we witnessed today in our hallowed chamber.
“An open inquiry must be held to establish and bring to justice those behind this attempted coup.
“Lagos cannot be reduced to a Hobbesian state just to appease the narrow, primitive and self-serving interest of an individual, however highly placed,” he added.
PUNCH
By Emmanuel Igwe
ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi State — The people of Ori Agba zone in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have declared their unalloyed support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, Chief Hon. Egah Paul Chidiebere, popularly known as Double Chief, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made yesterday when political stakeholders and residents from Ntezi, Okpoto and Agba communities gathered at the country home of Hon. Agu Chigozie Agu, the PDP contestant for Ishielu South State Constituency and Chairman of the PDP in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The gathering provided an opportunity for stakeholders from the Ori Agba zone to express their concerns over what they described as years of inadequate representation and marginalisation of Ishielu Local Government Area in the distribution of constituency projects and other dividends of democracy.
Addressing the gathering, members of the group argued that the federal constituency, which comprises Ezza North and Ishielu Local Government Areas, should benefit from equitable political representation and development.
They particularly expressed concern that Ezza North has occupied the federal constituency seat for about 12 years and indicated their desire for Ishielu Local Government Area to have an opportunity to produce the representative.
According to the stakeholders, the issue was not about antagonising Ezza North but about ensuring fairness and rotation between the two local government areas that make up the constituency.
The group therefore rallied behind Chief Egah Paul Chidiebere, describing him as a candidate capable of providing effective representation and attracting meaningful development to the constituency.
The political gathering also witnessed a wider endorsement of the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
The Ori Agba stakeholders said their decision to support Odii was aimed at pursuing what they described as a strategic political objective—ensuring that the people of the area secured effective representation at both the federal and state levels.
They maintained that the emergence of Odii as governor in 2027 would provide an opportunity for a new approach to governance and development in Ebonyi State.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that an Odii-led administration would promote equitable development across the state and ensure that rural communities and constituencies receive greater attention in the implementation of government programmes.
They subsequently urged voters across Ntezi, Okpoto and Agba communities to remain united and mobilise massively for the PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.
The endorsement is expected to add another dimension to the emerging political contest in the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, particularly as stakeholders continue to debate the principle of rotation and equitable representation between the two local government areas.
For the Ori Agba stakeholders, however, the message from the gathering was clear: they want greater political representation for Ishielu and are prepared to support candidates they believe can deliver that objective.
The group also called on PDP supporters in Ishielu and across Ebonyi State to remain committed to the party and work collectively towards its success in the 2027 general elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote-buying across Osun State, with agents of both parties allegedly offering voters between N10,000 and N20,000 ahead of today’s governorship election.
Unlike previous elections, the alleged vote-buying reportedly began six days before the poll.
Some voters claimed that the parties also collected the bank account details of thousands of voters about a week before the election, with plans to transfer money to them after they cast their ballots.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is being challenged by Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nine other candidates.
A total of 1,906,390 registered voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the election.
Findings by our correspondents revealed that agents of both Accord and the APC allegedly began distributing cash between Monday and Tuesday.
In some cases, the alleged inducement involved the distribution of food items and cash, with beneficiaries reportedly being asked to swear oaths promising to vote for the candidate of the party providing the items.
Our correspondents also came across viral videos purportedly showing supporters of Adeleke and Oyebamiji distributing cash, salt, rice and other items while urging beneficiaries not to betray them at the polls.
Ilesa
Voters in Ilesa alleged that the APC was distributing N20,000 to voters across polling units in Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Atakunmosa East Local Government Areas.
According to some beneficiaries, the money was being distributed at the residences of designated APC chieftains in various polling units.
The voters said the alleged distribution began on Tuesday and continued until Friday.
One beneficiary, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “I collected my N20,000 at the Bonnke area of Ilesa on Wednesday. The cash was in N1,000 and N500 denominations. We had over 200 voters and it was done unit by unit. I collected mine around 11am at the bungalow belonging to one of the APC chieftains in our unit.”
A human rights activist in Ilesa, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, corroborated the allegation.
“At the Coca-Cola area, people were given N20,000 each at one particular storey building. But you have to show your voter card before being paid.
“At Abiola Avenue, APC members gave N20,000 to each voter. I was there. The storey building where the money was shared belongs to an APC leader in the area,” he alleged.
At Iroye and Imo areas of Ilesa, it was further alleged that APC supporters distributed rice and an undisclosed amount of money to voters.
“I saw them. They are APC supporters. They provided money and rice, but I don’t know the exact amount they were distributing. They were cursing the beneficiaries, saying it would not be well with them if they failed to vote for AMBO after collecting the money,” a student leader in Iroye said.
It was also alleged that while the APC was offering N20,000, Accord was distributing N10,000 to voters.
At Olowu Village in Atakunmosa East LGA, Accord was reportedly distributing N10,000 and asking beneficiaries to swear an oath of allegiance. A community leader said the alleged distribution began about three weeks ago.
The community leader further claimed that Accord leaders were distributing the money openly and without apparent fear of arrest.
Other residents in Ilesa also alleged that the ruling party had begun distributing N10,000 in Ifofin, Iloro, Okesa and other parts of the city since Tuesday.
Ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, the journey of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s governorship bid is one marked by a narrow defeat, a rerun loss, a legal battle and, ultimately, a major comeback.
Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, first contested the Osun governorship election in 2018 under the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
The election produced a remarkably tight race between PDP’s Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
At the initial count, Adeleke polled 254,698 votes, while Oyetola scored 254,345 votes, giving the PDP candidate a lead of just 353 votes.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the election inconclusive after cancelling 3,498 votes in some polling units across Ife North, Ife South and Orolu Local Government Areas.
Explaining the decision, the Returning Officer, Prof Joseph Fuwape, said the margin between the two leading candidates was lower than the number of cancelled votes.
“Since the margin between the two leading candidates was lower than the registered cancelled votes, the election had to be declared inconclusive,” Fuwape said.
INEC consequently scheduled a rerun in seven polling units.
The rerun that changed everything
The rerun was held across four local government areas on September 27, 2018.
Oyetola won the rerun, polling 1,160 votes against Adeleke’s 325 votes.
The additional votes overturned Adeleke’s initial advantage, and Oyetola was eventually declared governor-elect.
Oyetola finished with 255,505 votes, while Adeleke ended with 255,023 votes — a difference of just 482 votes.
Adeleke rejected the result and vowed to challenge it.
Speaking through his brother, Dele Adeleke, he insisted that the PDP would seek legal redress.
“Adeleke’s mandate can’t be stolen, it will be retrieved. The wish of the people will stand at the end,” he said.
The defeat did not end Adeleke’s governorship ambition.
Four years later, Adeleke returned
Adeleke returned to the race in 2022, again facing Oyetola, who was then the incumbent governor.
This time, however, the result was different.
In the July 16, 2022 governorship election, Adeleke secured 403,371 votes, defeating Oyetola, who polled 375,027 votes.
Adeleke won 17 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyetola won 13.
The result gave Adeleke a margin of 28,344 votes, a sharp contrast to the 482-vote difference that separated the two men four years earlier.
Declaring the result, the Returning Officer, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said:
“I declare Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen, on behalf of the chairman of INEC, of the PDP, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” Ogundipe said.
Adeleke was subsequently sworn in as governor on November 27, 2022.
The battle was not over
Oyetola and the APC challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election.
The legal battle lasted several months.
In January 2023, the tribunal annulled Adeleke’s victory after deducting votes it considered affected by over-voting and declared Oyetola the winner based on its recalculation.
Adeleke rejected the judgment and described it as a “miscarriage of justice”, saying the tribunal’s decision represented “an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters.”
He subsequently appealed the decision.
Appeal Court restores Adeleke
The Court of Appeal later overturned the tribunal’s decision and restored Adeleke as governor.
Oyetola, however, proceeded to the Supreme Court.
In March 2023, the Supreme Court upheld Adeleke’s victory, bringing the legal battle over the 2022 Osun governorship election to an end.
Now, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, Adeleke is seeking another term in office as the Accord candidate, with other candidates including APC’s Bola Oyebamiji also competing for the Osun governorship.
PUNCH
Headline
As Renewed Hope Sets Up 134,000 Polling Unit Ambassadors
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central District and Director General of South East Governors Forum Sen Ekwunife has dismissed insinuations that there is fractionalization in the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state.
This is coming as the Anambra state chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors has so far set up a total of 143,000 Polling Unit Ambassadors ahead of the 2027 Presidential election in the area.
Ekwunife who attending a meeting of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Awka contended that the party is one and ever united in it’s bid towards delivering President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the coming election.
“No there is no division in Anambra APC and APC is one , one family, one people and the APC will win as one united family” she stated .
Ekwunife further described the Renewed Hope Ambassadors as a body of people who are determined to work for the reelection of Tinubu based on his track records of achievements so far in the South East geopolitical zone.
“The Renewed Hope Ambassador is for everybody. It is for us , for our President, for the Senators it is for Federal House of Representatives, for the State House of Assembly and for the stakeholders”
“We are here to reemphasize the need for the APC to win the coming elections like the Presidency Senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and state Assembly”
“This is because we have seen what Mr President has done for the South East and for Anambra state and Igbos ”
“We have seen what Mr President has done for Anambra, for Imo , for Abia , for Enugu and for Ebonyi state ”
“As ambassadors it is aimed at rekindling the great thing that Mr President has done for us and that is why we are here today”
“We are here to state categorically that we shall vote for our party the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu , top to bottom”
“I am sure that what you saw today in the morning is not the same that you saw in the afternoon in terms of infrastructural development by Mr President and we have seen renewed roads, renewed infrastructure and a renewed hope and a renewed government which is a government that is working for the people and that means that democracy is about the people, democracy is about giving the people hope and it is about seeing the infrastructure, seeing it and touching it “she said .
Speaking shortly after the meeting the state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Chief Okey Ezenwa;
“You are aware that the Renewed Hope Ambassador in Anambra state have representation of the state local government, Wards and we have 25 man polling unit Ambassadors in every polling unit in Anambra state so that is already a viable machinery for election and we want the candidates to tap into this repository of electoral materials for there own election and this has already been put in place for the Presidential election” he said.
According to a communique issued by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Anambra state after it’s meeting and signed by the Coordinator Okey Ezenwa , the body stated ;
“All Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Anambra State are directed to make the RHA structures in their respective federal constituencies and senatorial zones available to APC candidates contesting the January 16, 2027 National Assembly elections”
“The RHA resolved to collaborate with other political groups and entities that share and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision and agenda”
” The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of one party, one message and one mobilisation framework in advancing the Renewed Hope agenda in Anambra State”
“The meeting further called on all RHA coordinators and members across the state to remain committed, focused and united in their efforts to communicate the achievements of the Tinubu administration and mobilise support for the Renewed Hope agenda” the body said .
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
There is growing confusion in the Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the party’s candidate for Anaocha 1 State Constituency, following a dispute between two aspirants laying claim to the party’s ticket.
The constituency, which is the immediate constituency of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has been embroiled in controversy as the serving member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Nkechi Ogbuefi, insists that she remains the duly nominated candidate of the party for the forthcoming election.
Ogbuefi, who is the Deputy Minority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said she participated in the party’s primary election and was duly returned and nominated as its candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency.
She alleged that Hon. Azubuike Okoye had been parading himself as the party’s candidate despite, according to her, not purchasing the NDC nomination form, participating in the screening exercise or taking part in the party’s primary election.
“I joined Mr Peter Obi when he went to the Labour Party and also joined him when he became a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We had our primary election and it was resolved that all serving members must be given automatic tickets. I, like other sitting members, was given my nomination form and we took part in the primary election of the party.
“After the primary election, I was returned and duly nominated as the candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency,” she said.
Ogbuefi further alleged that Okoye, after purchasing forms in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and participating in its House of Representatives primary, had been parading himself as the NDC candidate for the State House of Assembly.
She said the matter had also been taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where, according to her, the NDC appeared and affirmed her as its candidate.
“Another candidate who heard that I was returned went to the Federal High Court in Abuja and, because it was an originating summons, the NDC came there to affirm me as the candidate of the party.
“The court ultimately affirmed me as the winner of the primary election of the party.
“The party also stated that at no time was Azubuike Okoye’s name submitted as a candidate. He did not purchase the form of the party, he did not take part in the screening of aspirants and he did not participate in the primary election,” she stated.
Ogbuefi further claimed that the state chairman of the NDC, Chief Ikem Uzoezie, had advised her to disregard Okoye’s claim, saying that Peter Obi personally forwarded her name to him as the party’s candidate.
Efforts to reach Uzoezie for his reaction were unsuccessful, as several calls placed to his phone were not answered. Text messages and WhatsApp messages sent to him also received no response.
However, reacting to Ogbuefi’s allegations, Okoye declined to make a definitive claim to the ticket, saying the matter would be settled when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes the list of candidates submitted by the party.
He urged those involved in the dispute to remain calm, saying there was no need for individuals to engage in arguments or trade accusations on social media.
“My brother, I cannot say anything now and I cannot say I am the candidate of the party. I don’t want to join issues with those claiming to be candidates of the party in Anaocha Constituency 1 until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes the list of candidates sent by the party to the Commission.
“So I want the reporters to remain calm because if I say that I am the candidate and INEC publishes another name, what sense does it make?” he said.
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