Politics
Peace Accord Fallout May Affect Edo Voters’ Turnout – Itodo
The Executive Director of pro-democracy group, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, says Thursday’s Peace Accord fallout may impair voters’ turnout in the September 21, 2024 governorship poll in Edo State.
“What has happened today will further escalate the tension,” Itodo said on Thursday.
“When you have this crisis of confidence, you just give voters so much fear that their votes will not count next week.”
“There is a crisis of confidence in Edo State as it stands,” the YIAGA boss said. “The stage has been set for all forms of post-election disputes.”
He said the peace committee should lower the temperature of tension in the state and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun should call the stakeholders to a meeting and address their concerns.
Though 17 political parties fielding candidates in the poll like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), among others, signed the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led peace pact in Benin City, the state capital, on Thursday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shunned the pre-election ritual.
General Abubakar, former Head of State, said PDP chieftain and outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki said the party won’t sign the peace pact over some allegations levelled against the police.
PDP Chairman in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, also stormed out of the peace pact venue in protest on Thursday. He told journalists on his way out that a member of his party who doubles as Esan West Local Government Area Chairman, Collins Aigbogu, was picked up by the police days ago and had not been released.
“Gentlemen of the press, if it were you as a political party, would you in good conscience sign that Peace Accord? That will be very dishonest,” a furious Aziegbemi said.
Commenting on the dramatic episode in Edo, Itodo said “this is the first time that a political party won’t sign a peace accord” in about a decade.
He urged the PDP and its candidate to sign the accord to de-escalate tension in the state.
According to Itodo, there are fears about the election as politicians are preparing for a showdown.
He warned that if the environment is not safe, voters won’t come out to vote on D-day.
Itodo appealed to security agents and the electoral umpire to conduct themselves in an impartial and unbiased manner.
Itodo said, “I want to call on the IG and the police to invite the stakeholders to a meeting giving the sensitivity of this particular issue and address some of the concerns that they have raised but to also call on the actors on the other side that they need to sheathe their swords, and come to the dialogue table.
“If their (politicians’) concerns are addressed, they should go back to their supporters not to embrace violence.”
He said a lot can be done before the election to boost the confidence of voters.
The forthcoming governorship election in the state has top contenders including PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, LP’s Olumide Akpata, and APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
Ighodalo, former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), secured the endorsement of the incumbent governor, who shunned his deputy and party man, Philip Shaibu. Shaibu and former governor Adams Oshiomhole have pledged their support for Okpebholo.
Over 2.6 million registered voters are to decide the next governor of the South-South state.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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