Ahmed Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State and chairman of the Ondo governorship election committee, is currently poised to declare the winner of the Ondo governorship primary election, which took place on April 20.

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Accompanied by committee members, Governor Ododo has arrived at the collation center and is gearing up to officially announce the outcome of the election.

Earlier, Governor Ododo had cited logistical challenges as the reason for declaring the Saturday election inconclusive.

He explained that the delayed arrival of materials and personnel to 13 wards in Okitipupa council area necessitated the rescheduling of the exercise to Sunday.

The rerun election is slated to occur in all 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government, involving a total of 9,515 validated registered party members.

This decision was made in response to reports indicating that the exercise did not take place in the local government due to logistical issues.

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The Ebiraland Youth Coalition has issued a stern warning to the federal government, urging them to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a press statement signed by Coordinator Mr. Fache Moses, the coalition expressed concern over alleged plots by individuals in influential positions, along with collaborators from other ethnic groups in Kogi State, to endanger Bello’s life and tarnish the reputation of Ebiraland.

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The withdrawal of Bello’s security detail by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police, despite a standing court order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him, raised suspicions of collusion among powerful interests aiming to harm Bello.

The coalition emphasized their readiness to defend Bello against harassment, even resorting to bare-handed defense if necessary, should the intimidation persist.

“The action of the Police and DSS has now made the former governor vulnerable and the youths of our land will be left with no other options than to defend our own even if it’s with our bear hands if the harassment continues unabated.”

Calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the unjust harassment by the EFCC, the coalition highlighted the need for the commission to respect legal processes and seek lawful means to address any grievances, rather than resorting to questionable actions.

The coalition cautioned youths from other ethnic groups in Kogi State against using social media to vilify Bello and the Ebira ethnic group, warning that such actions could jeopardize the peace currently enjoyed in the state.

Reflecting on past events involving the EFCC’s treatment of former Governor Abubakar Audu, the coalition reminded Kogi East youths of the united stance taken by Central youths in protesting against Audu’s humiliation.

They stressed the importance of solidarity and mutual respect among all ethnic groups within the state.

Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, founder NNPP

Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has voiced his disappointment at Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement for what he perceived as an attempt to hijack the party structure, labeling it a betrayal of trust.

During a press conference in Lagos, Dr. Aniebonam revealed that he had offered Kwankwaso the NNPP platform with the goal of supporting his presidential aspirations for the 2023 elections.

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Highlighting his significant role in establishing and nurturing NNPP from 2002 until 2022, Dr. Aniebonam recounted how he facilitated Kwankwaso’s entry into the party following a plea from Buba Galadima, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, and Prof. Sam Angai.

However, Dr. Aniebonam expressed dismay at recent developments, particularly Kwankwaso’s public unveiling of a new logo and flag for NNPP without consultation.

He emphasized that Kwankwaso’s actions violated the party’s constitution and undermined its integrity.

Asserting his authority as the party’s founder and a life member of the board, Dr. Aniebonam denounced the purported convention held by Kwankwaso’s faction, citing a court ruling declaring it null and void.

He vowed to pursue legal avenues, including potential Supreme Court intervention, to address the internal crisis.

“He joined this party for one good reason that he wanted to be president of Nigeria in the last 2023 general election,” he said.

“After the talks, I placed a call to Kwankwaso and after asking him questions about his intentions for Nigeria, I offered him the platform of NNPP as the sole candidate of the party.”

“All this time. I want to believe Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, my very good friend is not aware of what is happening in that party.

“I want to believe so because, the National Working Committee has been directly involved in the day-to-day activities of the party under the leadership of the National Chairman, so I kept quiet, but now, just last week, I was shocked to see Senator Kwankwaso on a live television programme displaying a new logo for NNPP, displaying a new flag for the party.

“It underscores mutilation of the constitution of the party. Before this time, I was having this feeling that his body language seems to be supporting what is going on, but for him to come openly on a live television programme, then I want to believe something is wrong, and if I keep quiet, it is not for the interest of the party, and that is the essence of this gathering,”

“This means that the issues can only be settled using the constitution. However, we are ready to pursue the interpretation of the constitution up to the Supreme Court,” he added.

Dr. Aniebonam said even if Kwankwaso were to be pardoned, he would no longer enjoy sole candidacy within NNPP, signaling a significant rift between the party’s leadership and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Chief Olusola Oke, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ondo State, has criticized the decision to reschedule the primary election in 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government area, calling it a ploy to deceive party members.

The Governorship Primary Election Committee, led by Gov. Usman Ododo, declared Saturday’s exercise inconclusive, prompting the rescheduling.

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In a statement issued by the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation’s spokesperson, Mr. Ojo Oyewamide, the rerun was denounced as an attempt to create the illusion of a credible primary.

“The purported rescheduling of the exercise in Okitipupa Local Government Area raises questions. How can a primary election, which didn’t occur anywhere in the state, be rescheduled in just one of the 18 local government areas?” Oyewamide questioned.

He further criticized the timing of the rescheduled election, scheduled for noon on Sunday, noting that it coincided with church hours, potentially disenfranchising Christian members of the community.

Describing Saturday’s primary as a mockery of democracy, Oyewamide insisted that the party’s integrity was compromised, turning it into a subject of ridicule in the eyes of both opposition parties and the people of the state.

The statement emphasized opposition to any attempt by the Kogi governor to impose a candidate through what was described as a flawed exercise, asserting its rejection by Oke’s camp.

Four of the 16 aspirants vying for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State are demanding the cancellation of the ongoing primary election.

The aggrieved aspirants, including Wale Akinterinwa, Olusola Oke, Olugbenga Edema, and Dayo Faduyile, have accused the seven-man committee, led by Kogi Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, of perpetrating fraud in the process.

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They have urged the embattled national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to either remove Ododo from overseeing the exercise or cancel it entirely.

Expressing their lack of trust in Ododo’s ability to ensure a credible and transparent primary, the aspirants warned that the outcome could jeopardize the November 16 governorship poll.

According to Edema, the committee failed to deliver materials for the primary to his “Mahin Ward II” in Ilaje local government, alleging that the process was being manipulated to favor a particular aspirant.

He stressed the need for a credible election and called for intervention from the party leadership.

Similarly, Akinterinwa insisted on the immediate replacement of Ododo, emphasizing that he would not accept the primary’s outcome under his supervision. He urged the party leadership to appoint a neutral person, as was done in Edo State, to conduct a fresh primary.

Echoing their sentiments, Olusola Oke highlighted the absence of materials in both the south and north senatorial districts of the state.

He emphasized the importance of Ododo adhering to the guidelines set by the national leadership of the party.

Responding, Ododo acknowledged the complaints of the aggrieved aspirants, stating that the committee would address them accordingly.

He assured that election materials had been dispatched to Ondo north and south, but pledged to investigate the grievances raised by the aspirants.

Senator Sir Kelvin Chukwu, representing the great people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, has commiserated with Hon. Chijioke Ogbodo and his family on the passing of his mother, Late Mrs. Angelina Nweke Ogbodo.

Senator Chukwu exchanging pleasantries with constituents 

Speaking on Friday at Holy Angles Catholic Parish Ndiagu Akpugo, Senator Chukwu recognised the profound sorrow engulfing the Ogbodo family, and paid tribute to the remarkable contributions of Mrs. Ogbodo to her community, highlighting her enduring legacy of service and compassion.

The Labour Party Parliamentarian who emphasized the significance of solidarity during times of bereavement, assured Hon. Ogbodo of his steadfast support throughout this period of mourning.

Senator Chukwu in the church during Holy Mass

Other notable personalities who came to honor and celebrate the remarkable life of Mrs. Angelina Nweke Ogbodo were; Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, Former Local Government Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Ikpenwa, Rector Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, Former House of Assembly Member and Commissioner, Chief Barr. Lucky Chukwu, among others.

Amidst calls for the impeachment of Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo by human rights lawyer Deji Ajare, an aide to the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Mohammed Yabagi, has rebuffed the notion, stating there are no grounds for such action.

Ajare had penned a letter to the Speaker, Umar Yusuf, urging him to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo over allegations of misconduct and misuse of office.

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These allegations stemmed from the Governor’s alleged involvement in ferrying away the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, amidst an ongoing EFCC investigation.

Yabagi clarified that neither the Speaker nor the House had received such a letter.

He emphasized that there was no tangible evidence to support claims that Governor Ododo obstructed justice or misused state resources by assisting Bello’s departure from his residence.

“The House has not seen any reason to commence any impeachment processes,” asserted Yabagi. “There is no concrete evidence that the executive Governor prevented security agencies from carrying out their constitutional duties.”

Yabagi further underscored the Assembly’s support for all constitutionally recognized security agencies, indicating a lack of substantial grounds to warrant impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah, were unsuccessful, as his contact number remained inaccessible.

As the debate over the Governor’s actions continues, the Kogi State House of Assembly is awaiting concrete evidence before considering any further action against Governor Ododo.