Politics

I Can’t Work with Saraki – Kwara State PDP

Published

8 years ago

July 26, 2018

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said on Thursday, July 26, that he cannot work with the All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The Nation reports that he said other members of the party executive committee in Kwara cannot work with the defectors too.

Saraki and the state Governor, AbdulFattah Ahmed, are expected to announce their own defection soon.

Oyedepo, who spoke on the development during a radio programme in Ilorin, said the national leadership of the PDP has set up a committee to interface between his group and the defectors.

He said the first meeting is slated for next week.

The PDP chairman, who said he had just returned from a meeting with PDP leaders in Abuja, blamed the party’s national leadership for being allegedly insensitive to the political configuration in Kwara state and allowed themselves to be swayed by funding capacity of the defectors.

According to him, the option before the leaders is to choose between his group and the one led by Saraki.

He said: “We have not been opportune to sit down with the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, even though I’m hearing several rumours that I have met with them and that they have offered me juicy positions. “These are all lies, the Senate president despite his humongous wealth, does not have what it takes to buy me. He cannot ever buy me because he cannot buy my integrity. If my bank account is not fat, my integrity account is very fat.

“So they have not met with us but our national body said they have set up a committee to meet with the two sides next week and when that meeting comes up we are going to tell the national leaders that we cannot accept the formula they have put down which is 60:40, 60 percent for a state defecting with the governor and 40 percent for the existing PDP members. “And if they said what of 50:50, or 40:60 or 30:70 or even 10:90, we shall not accept;

we cannot accept any offer. Anything less than our not working together we cannot accept. “So we will tell our national body to choose between us and them and I know that they will not choose us because we don’t have money but we are not worried. We will only know that an end has come to our journey and our relationship (in the PDP).

“If we agree to work with them (Saraki) just imagine myself and (Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed) Maigida standing on the same rostrum pledging to do things for the people. It will be a shame; many people will look at me and wonder what has happened. “So it is better not to be in politics again. Instead of a dog being the treasurer for the lion it is better for both to part ways and go on their separate hunting game.

“The blame is not from the Saraki camp, the blame is from our national leaders in the PDP. Leadership in Nigeria is the conspiracy of the elite to punish the downtrodden.

“When they gave us the party, we inherited nothing and so whatever you see in the PDP today is the product of our efforts. For this alone we should not be interested in defecting from our own house but it is better we do so now and look forward to better future for our dear state.”

Politics

Ekiti 2026: INEC Declares Governor Oyebanji Winner

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2026

lagoslatelytv

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election after a sweeping victory across all 16 local government areas of the state.

INEC Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced the result in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, confirming that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Wole Oluyede of the PDP, who secured 40,543 votes. ADC candidate Dare Bejide came third with 12,872 votes.

The victory makes Oyebanji the first incumbent governor in Ekiti State’s history to secure re-election while in office.

Final Results

APC – 319,224 votes

PDP – 40,543 votes

ADC – 12,872 votes

LP – 276 votes

ADP – 1,269 votes

According to INEC, the election recorded over 383,000 accredited voters from a registered voter population of nearly one million across the state.

Oyebanji dominated the poll in all 16 local government areas, posting particularly strong performances in Ado-Ekiti, Ijero, Ekiti West, Irepodun/Ifelodun, and Ikole LGAs.

The election was closely monitored by political parties, observers, and security agencies, with the outcome reinforcing the APC’s hold on power in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

Kano 2027: NDC Names Kwankwaso’s Son, Mustapha, as Deputy Governorship Candidate

Published

1 week ago

June 15, 2026

lagoslatelytv

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has unveiled Mustapha Kwankwaso as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Kano State, pairing him with the party’s governorship flagbearer, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a prominent political figure and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. His emergence is being viewed as a strategic move that could strengthen the party’s grassroots appeal ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.

The announcement was confirmed on Monday by party and movement officials, who described the selection as part of efforts to promote unity, inclusiveness, and effective representation within the NDC.

Gwarzo, a former deputy governor of Kano State, had earlier emerged as the NDC’s governorship candidate following consultations among party leaders and stakeholders. His candidacy is seen as a key component of the party’s strategy to challenge for power in the state in 2027.

Political observers believe the choice of Mustapha Kwankwaso could reshape alliances within Kano’s political landscape, given the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the continued relevance of the Kwankwaso political family in the state’s affairs.

With the election cycle gradually taking shape, attention is expected to focus on how the Gwarzo-Mustapha ticket positions itself against rival parties and candidates in what is likely to be a highly competitive race.

Foreign

Oil Plummets as Trump Announces Iran Peace Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Published

1 week ago

June 15, 2026

lagoslately

Global energy markets are in freefall after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough deal with Iran to end the war and completely reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

In immediate response to the diplomatic breakthrough, Brent crude—the global oil benchmark—dropped sharply by 4.7% to $83.24 (£61.94) a barrel. Financial markets reacted with a massive sigh of relief, sending shares in Asia and Europe jumping as geopolitical tensions eased.

The historic agreement was reached with the help of Pakistan, which has served as a key mediator throughout the conflict. According to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the United States and Iran are scheduled to formally sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland this Friday. Trump further confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would end, and promised that the Strait of Hormuz would be open “toll free.”

The resolution comes after a devastating three-month disruption to the global economy. The world has lost millions of barrels of oil and gas supply since the war closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint that handles a fifth of the world’s total oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Relief is expected to materialize over the coming weeks. According to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, the draft deal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements, paving the way for a full restoration of global energy trade.