Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) arrived in Benin City on Saturday for the grand finale of the party’s campaign rally.

They were warmly welcomed at the Benin Airport by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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Also present at the reception was APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The rally marks the APC’s final push to secure support for its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in a bid to claim the governorship seat from the PDP.

With political tensions rising as election day nears, the event represents a key moment in the APC’s efforts to solidify its position in the state.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in last year’s election, has stated unequivocally that he has no intention of running for vice president in the 2027 election.

Obi made this declaration on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.

He addressed recent misinterpretations of his statements from an interview he gave to News Central TV, where he alleged that his comments had been distorted by certain individuals.

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Obi clarified that he never expressed any intention of being a vice presidential candidate, emphasizing his commitment to collaborating with those dedicated to improving Nigeria.

“I have consistently said that I am open to working with those who are serious about building a new Nigeria,” Obi stated.

He criticized those focused on the 2027 elections while ignoring pressing issues such as hunger, poverty, and insecurity.

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Obi highlighted that his openness to collaboration was based on shared goals for Nigeria’s advancement, not for mere electoral victories or state capture.

“My focus remains on Nigeria’s progress and not on occupying any particular office,” he said.

He also clarified that if he chooses to run for office in 2027, it will be based on concrete plans to address key issues like education, health, and poverty alleviation.

Obi expressed surprise at the misrepresentation of his words and reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s progress, whether or not he holds an official position.

Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC), has claimed that the committee’s swift intervention during a crucial September 4 stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, helped the party avoid a major embarrassment.

According to the former Minister of Finance, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was on the verge of deregistering the Labour Party due to internal conflicts and a lack of legally recognized leadership.

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Usman explained that without the prompt actions taken at the Umuahia meeting, INEC would have had no choice but to remove the Labour Party from its records, thereby excluding it from future elections.

“We narrowly escaped being deregistered, and that was a significant victory for our party,” she said.

Speaking after the committee’s first meeting in Abuja, Usman reaffirmed her commitment to uniting the party, vowing to operate an inclusive, transparent policy that would bring together all factions and members.

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She emphasized that no side was defeated in resolving the party’s internal conflicts, stating, “No group or faction should feel embarrassed. We all won together as one political family under the law.”

Usman urged all aggrieved members to set aside their differences and collaborate with the caretaker committee to rebuild the “Papa, Mama, and Pikin” party.

Her committee’s goal, she said, is to organize state congresses within the next three months, culminating in a transparent national convention that will elect a substantive National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) to lead the party forward.

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Also addressing the party’s internal issues, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, called on all members to put aside their grievances and work with the Caretaker Committee to ensure the Labour Party moves forward successfully.

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA) has announced its intention to boycott the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for September 28.

In a statement released on Friday in Awka, LP’s LG Chairman, Mr. Chidi Chinwuba, and Secretary, Mr. Onyeka Aghadiuno, criticized the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) for publishing a list of candidates allegedly from the LP.

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They insisted that this list is invalid as the party did not conduct any primaries or submit candidate names to ANSIEC.

The LP leaders have called on ANSIEC to remove any names associated with their party from the list.

They have also warned of potential legal action if the commission proceeds with publishing LP candidates.

The statement emphasized that the LP’s Anambra East chapter is not participating in the election and urged the public to disregard the ANSIEC list.

It warned that anyone engaging with individuals on this list does so at their own risk, as the party will not be responsible for any issues arising from this situation.

The LP accused ANSIEC of attempting to involve parties in what they view as a compromised election process.

They also highlighted that the state chapter of the LP is currently challenging the election process in court, reinforcing their decision not to partake in the polls.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ANSIEC Chairperson Mrs. Genevieve Osakwe had announced on September 11 that the final list of candidates for the council elections had been released.

She encouraged candidates and political parties to begin their campaigns and assured voters of a free, fair, and credible election.

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the September 21 election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as a genuine representative of the aspirations of Edo State’s citizens.

He pledged to leverage his personal connections and cultural ties to rally support for the APC and its candidate.

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According to a statement from the governor’s Special Adviser, Ismaila Isah, Ododo made this commitment during a youth rally held in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

The governor was welcomed by former Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, and vowed to mobilize support among the youth and women of the area for the APC’s candidate.

Ododo urged the people of Akoko-Edo to reject violence and to protect their votes in favor of the APC during the election.

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He highlighted that Okpebholo would continue the good governance established by the previous APC administration under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He further assured voters that their support would be rewarded with a government prioritizing their welfare, similar to the model he claimed was being implemented in Kogi State.

Speaking in both English and Ebira languages, the governor commended Akoko-Edo residents for maintaining peace throughout the campaign period and reiterated his confidence in the APC’s victory.

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Ahead of the final APC campaign rally in Benin City, Ododo has arrived in the Edo State capital, where he will join other party leaders to address supporters as part of their last efforts to secure a win in the upcoming election.

Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, acting chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), assumed leadership at a difficult time for the party, following its defeat in the 2023 presidential election.

The party’s loss was further complicated by internal divisions, with some prominent members accused of engaging in anti-party activities.

Damagum has been criticized for his inability to discipline key figures, including current and former governors, which has stalled the party’s recovery.

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During a recent interview, Damagum reflected on the reasons behind the PDP’s continued time in opposition, which has stretched for nine years.

He attributed the party’s initial loss of power during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to the failure to manage grievances within the party when the presidency didn’t rotate as expected after President Umaru Yar’Adua’s tenure.

This led to key defections that weakened the party. Despite these challenges, Damagum insists that the PDP remains the strongest political force in the country.

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When asked about the 2023 election, Damagum controversially claimed that the PDP actually won, especially in key states like Yobe and Borno, where the results were allegedly manipulated.

He argued that discrepancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) system and delays in result announcements were indicative of foul play.

However, internal criticisms of the party have also been raised, with some figures, including Senator Dino Melaye, referring to the PDP as a “once upon a time” party.

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Damagum did not mince words in addressing this, pointing out that Melaye, who contested the Kogi State governorship election, didn’t even vote for himself, raising questions about his commitment to the party.

Despite the setbacks, Damagum remains confident in the PDP’s resilience.

He emphasized that the party still holds significant power, with 13 governors and numerous senators, while dismissing rival parties as temporary political vehicles.

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He expressed optimism that the PDP can regain its former strength and continue to be a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape.