Politics
IPAC vows to boycott Imo 21 September LG elections
IPAC’s chairman in Imo, Ichie Levi Ekeh, alleged that ISIEC failed to comply with some of the state’s 2024 local government election guidelines.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Tuesday declared that political parties that make up the body will boycott Saturday’s upcoming local government elections in Imo.
The state chairman of IPAC, Ichie Levi Ekeh, told reporters in Owerri that the group was disappointed in the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) preparations for the election.
“As IPAC, we have decided to boycott the election to show our grievances and to show that ISIEC has not done what it should do by following the guidelines,” he said.
The state government had scheduled September 21 to conduct the council polls.
However, Mr Ekeh, also the state chairman of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), alleged that ISIEC failed to comply with some of the state’s 2024 local government election guidelines.
“We have been following the process, but in recent times, it appears that the commission has derailed from the election guideline.
“We expected that candidates would have been given forms to fill and return for validation, but four days to the election, names of candidates and voters have not been published.
“Page 9, paragraph 5 (8) of the guideline, says that all nomination forms shall be delivered at the place or places appointed by the commission at least 20 days before the date of the election.
“Today is September 17, which is four days to the election, nothing has been done,” he said.
He also expressed displeasure that the commission declined its inquiry to clarify certain payments of non-refundable fees in the guideline.
“Instead, what they did was to send invitations to candidates to visit their office for the forms and validation.
“When these candidates got there, they were asked to pay N200,000 for the chairmanship position and N51,000 for the councillorship positions without the consent of the political parties that presented the candidates.
“It is up to the political parties to protect the interest of candidates,” he said.
Mr Ekeh said ISIEC had not been fair to political parties and added that the body was worried that candidates would not be given a level playing ground to participate in the election.
However, in his reaction, the chairman of ISIEC, Charles Ejiogu, said contrary to claims by IPAC, the commission followed the prescribed guidelines for the conduct of the election.
“I do not see any reason why the election will not hold on Saturday. The commission is fully prepared, adequately, sufficiently prepared for the election,” Mr Ejiogu said.
The commission’s chairman also said electoral officers and ad hoc staff training would be concluded before the elections.
He said 15,000 ad hoc staff had been recruited for the exercise in 305 wards and 4,758 polling units across the state.
Mr Ejiogu said the money paid for validation by candidates at the commission’s office was lawful.
(NAN)
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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