An Ondo State High Court in Akure has affirmed Mr. Olugbenga Edema as the valid candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the upcoming November 16 governorship election in the state.

The court dismissed a suit challenging his candidacy.

The plaintiffs, Mr. Michael Akintan and Mrs. Kemi Fasua, had filed the suit seeking to disqualify Edema, arguing that he was not eligible to contest as the NNPP candidate.

Represented by their counsel, Mr. Monday Mawah, they sought both injunctive and declaratory reliefs, including a permanent injunction to prevent Edema from presenting himself as the party’s candidate.

However, Edema, along with his running mate Mr. Rotimi Adeyemi, opposed the suit through their lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Olorunfemi.

Olorunfemi argued that the case was an abuse of the court process and should be dismissed.

He contended that the issue at hand was a pre-election matter, which should have been brought before the Federal High Court, not the Ondo State High Court.

In his submission, Olorunfemi emphasized that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as jurisdiction is a critical factor in determining whether a court can hear a case.

The court ruled in favor of Edema, rejecting the claims made by the plaintiffs and upholding his candidacy for the November 16 governorship election.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki have called on the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prioritize unity within the party, urging them not to let personal presidential ambitions create further division.

The two leaders made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Their remarks come amid growing concerns about the impact of 2027 presidential ambitions within the PDP, particularly those of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Makinde himself.

The competing aspirations have the potential to deepen existing rifts within the party, which is already divided into factions supporting Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tensions flared further when Mohammed, who also leads the PDP Governors’ Forum, confirmed his intent to run for president in 2027.

Saraki, speaking at the event, emphasized that the PDP’s success and relevance should not be undermined by individual ambitions.

He reminded party members that the PDP was built on a foundation of policies, ideologies, and shared values, not on personal interests.

“We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party, and we cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation,” Saraki said.

He urged party leaders to shift the focus from the 2027 elections and instead concentrate on the core issues and policies that the PDP represents.

“Let’s stop talking about who is running for president or governor in 2027. Let us concentrate on what the PDP stands for and what issues we need to address for the good of the country,” Saraki added.

Saraki also highlighted the importance of the PDP’s new institute, the PDI, noting that it would help reinforce the party’s intellectual foundation and improve its image.

“I’ve traveled to many places, even in Europe, and people have asked where our institute is. It is a mark of shame that, until now, we didn’t have one. But today, we are putting that chapter behind us,” he said.

Governor Makinde echoed Saraki’s sentiments, stressing the importance of unity in ensuring the PDP’s success. Reflecting on his own political journey, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities the party has provided him.

“I want to be remembered for helping to revive the fortunes of the PDP. Since 1998, I have benefited from this party, and since 2019, I have had the privilege of securing two mandates under its banner,” Makinde said.

The governor reassured party members that he would continue to support the PDP and its candidates, especially in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election.

“We must be united as we approach Ondo State. We have a strong chance of winning, but it will require unity within the party to ensure that the APC is defeated,” Makinde stated.

He further emphasized the importance of reconciliation within the party, saying that the PDP’s success in Ondo would hinge on working together and resisting any attempt by the ruling party to undermine the electoral process.

“We must ensure that no form of rigging or manipulation by the APC will succeed in Ondo,” he urged.

Makinde concluded by reiterating that the PDP must become a beacon of hope for Nigeria, stating, “The PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria and provide the ideological foundation the country desperately needs. We will fix the PDP, and through that, the PDP will fix Nigeria.”

He also pledged to continue championing youth participation in the political process, assuring the gathering that the PDI would help further open up opportunities for young Nigerians in politics.

“The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed youth to be part of the political process, and the PDI will only expand this space,” Makinde affirmed.

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that Nigeria is undergoing a crucial and transformative reset with the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Soludo made this statement during the 13th Convocation Lecture at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, where he delivered a lecture titled “Let Us Make a New Deal for Nigeria.”

The lecture focused on addressing the country’s deep-rooted challenges and charting a new path forward.

According to Soludo, the removal of subsidies marks a significant shift away from policies that mainly benefited the urban elite, towards a more equitable and productive social contract that can provide opportunities for all Nigerians.

“We have entered a ‘muddling-through’ phase that requires careful navigation,” Soludo said, referencing the removal of harmful subsidies on fuel, foreign exchange, and electricity.

He shared his personal experience, recalling how he benefited from free and quality education at the primary, secondary, and university levels, along with subsidized meals in public universities.

However, he noted that such benefits became unsustainable as government funding dwindled over time. Despite the country’s challenges, Soludo acknowledged that previous military governments made significant investments in education during the early oil boom years.

Soludo emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt a pragmatic, forward-thinking approach, proposing the creation of a “new deal” for the country.

He suggested implementing an emergency national infrastructure plan akin to the U.S. Marshall Plan, which was instrumental in rebuilding Europe after World War II.

Drawing inspiration from the Marshall Plan, Soludo urged Nigerian leaders to focus on public works, financial reforms, and regulatory changes to transform the nation’s economy and infrastructure.

He also pointed to positive developments such as the recent minimum wage legislation, the draft tax reform bill, and planned cash transfer programs as encouraging steps.

However, he stressed the importance of historic coordination between the federal and state governments to ensure the swift and effective implementation of these reforms.

Addressing the graduating students, Soludo encouraged them to take an active role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

“The future you seek is in your hands. Only those who plan can control the future. While Nigeria may not have given you much, you are expected to give more than you have received,” he said.

In his welcome speech, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, praised Soludo for his ongoing commitment to youth education.

He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to providing high-quality education and fostering strong moral values in students.

Dr. Matthew Kukah, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, highlighted the alarming rise of banditry and insecurity in the country, which he attributed to the lack of education.

He stressed the urgent need to address this issue to secure a safer future for generations to come.

The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has declared that he would voluntarily hand himself over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if the anti-graft agency requires his presence in connection with his tenure in the state.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, an event that showcased the achievements of his administration, particularly in the education sector, Obaseki made it clear that he was not afraid of any investigation.

“I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus. I came into office and ignored the noise, concentrating on what I felt was important, and today you can see the results,” Obaseki said.

“If the EFCC calls on me, I will hand myself over; I have nothing to hide.”

Obaseki’s comments come amidst political tensions in the state, where opposition parties have raised concerns about his administration’s handling of public funds.

Despite this, the governor emphasized that his achievements in Edo State, particularly in the education sector, were proof of his integrity.

“I have nothing to fear regarding any allegations. My administration has made remarkable progress, especially in education.” he said

Criticizing opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obaseki accused them of focusing on “unnecessary and silly petitions” rather than addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

He further called on the APC to shift its attention from political vendettas and focus on solving the problems faced by Nigerians.

“The suffering is too much. We, who are privileged, should focus on making a positive impact, not on side issues like vendetta,” he stated.

Obaseki also took aim at his political opponents in Edo State, calling them “bitter” and “full of vendetta,” accusing them of jealousy over his administration’s achievements.

Reflecting on his legacy, Obaseki expressed pride in the educational reforms his administration had implemented. He pointed out that under his leadership, over 400,000 children had been enrolled in schools, with an emphasis on data-driven educational policies that made tangible progress.

“You can come to Edo and see the data. We have enrolled over 400,000 children, and you can identify them because the data on every child is there.”

He also highlighted a significant achievement: the commissioning of a newly rebuilt technical college aimed at providing vocational training for young people in areas such as catering, mechanics, bricklaying, and construction, thereby helping them become self-reliant and useful to society.

Additionally, Obaseki expressed his opposition to a proposal from the Nigerian Academy of Letters, which suggested that unity schools be handed over to state governments.

He argued that unity schools, originally intended to be elite institutions for exceptional students, should be managed by both private and public entities capable of providing the resources required to meet global educational standards.

“The original intention of unity schools was to make them elite institutions for the best and brightest,” Obaseki remarked, referencing a speech made by Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, the keynote speaker at the event. “Unity schools should cater to exceptional students from across the country, equipping them to lead in policy-making and innovation.”

Emphasizing the importance of quality over ownership, Obaseki concluded, “What matters is not ownership but the output and quality of education produced by these institutions.”