latest
Edo 2024: Breaking Down The Surging Strengths And Crippling Weaknesses Of Senate Hopefuls!
In a free, fair and credible contest on September 21st, 2024, the following postulations are informed by the trajectory of elections in Nigeria and around the world with a very minimal margin of error. Here, I tried to take a deep look at previous election results in various domain, the current strength of the various political parties and their key players like in every game where the quality of available players is significant, the overriding sentiments in the unique urban and rural settlements, and the forces of inhibition and fair play.
Edo South Senatorial District will remain the battleground in Edo 2024 as it houses 58 per cent of the entire Edo State voting population. The big winner here has minimum needs from the other two Senatorial Districts; hence, Godwin Obaseki of the PDP won in 2020 due to the insurmountable margin from the metropolis of Edo South Senatorial District. So, the emphasis of this analysis will be on Edo South.
First, let’s take a closer look at the dynamics of the Edo North Senatorial District. The overwhelming influence of Senator Adams Oshiomhole since taking power in Edo State as Governor between 2008 to 2016 is still very potent. His influence has seen the APC dominating elections in the area in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and most recently, 2023, where he not only won the Senatorial District to become a Senator but produced the entire three House of Representatives seats for the district. The majority of the House of Assembly seats likewise.
Oshiomhole’s old and recent past resistance to maintaining a lead in Edo North above 70 per cent have been the likes of Chief Dan Orbih, Late Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto and a host of others. They have now migrated their support towards him ahead of the crucial Edo 2024 election. To say APC will win Edo North Senatorial District is an understatement; it is now a matter of possible percentage difference between the APC, PDP and LP as the current Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Barr. Pascal Ogbome, though strong forces, can not make any meaningful difference.
Election pundits have predicted a landslide victory for the APC in the Etsako axis of Edo North and a reasonable dominance in other areas of Afemai, including Akoko-Edo and Owan, where you have the ranking members of the National Assembly of the APC stock like Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and Rt.Hon. Peter Akpatason who are expected to give a good account of their positions in the scheme of things and be better placed for future election ambitions. Add to the growing sentiment against Obaseki’s administration’s alleged betrayal of two Afemai’s illustrious sons; Oshiomhole and Shaibu, Edo North may just be a disaster waiting to happen to the PDP with little room for the LP.
Since the demise of the political sage Chief Anthony Aneneh, Edo Central, though the smallest and least populated of the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State, has encountered difficulty in enthroning a pathfinder to direct their common interest. Those who tried to wear the garment by themselves, like Chief Tom Ikhimi, are now too old and weak that their participation makes no significant impact. So, you now have an Edo Central that is equally divided between the Progressives and the Democrats. On both sides of the divide are known opinion moulders and election deciders, making it too close to call. But from an outsider’s perspective, the APC Candidate is the Senator Representing the District like an incumbent seeking a second term in office, and he is up against a conventional political newbie but a boardroom guru.
The campaign has been fierce here because they share the same Senatorial District. But while Okpebholo of the APC hails from a majority population of Uromi, Ighodalo of the PDP hails from a minority population of Ewohimi. It is also speculated that while Okpebholo can connect with locals in the Esan dialect, Ighodalo does so in English avoiding the initial mistake of using an interpreter. More so, Okpebholo of the APC seems to have a track record of projects executed before and in the Senate, making his campaign more practical than abstract advertising of Ighodalo’s competence.
latest
Security Breach: Osun Accord Party Chairman Critically Injured After Vicious Late-Night Attack
Asimiyu Ajibola, the Accord Party (AP) Chairman for Osogbo Local Government Area in Osun State, is fighting for his life following a targeted shooting on Wednesday night in Osogbo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Ajibola, widely known as Baba Isila, was ambushed along with his associates around 9:50 pm near the Community Bank in the MDS area. Eyewitnesses reported that suspected gunmen opened fire on a blue Toyota Corolla carrying Ajibola and his friends.
One occupant of the vehicle described the terrifying ordeal, stating that the attackers chased their car while firing repeatedly. They managed to drive to the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters for refuge, after which the assailants fled the scene.
Ajibola sustained severe injuries in the attack and was immediately rushed to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he remains in critical condition.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, strongly condemned the violence and demanded a swift, thorough investigation. He stressed that the attack appeared to have political undertones and urged the police to act professionally and impartially to bring the perpetrators to justice.
latest
“Your Anger Is Misplaced!”: Oby Ezekwesili Exposes The Danger Of Shifting Accountability.to Pastor Adeboye
Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on Nigerians to stop targeting the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, with their frustrations regarding the state of the nation. She contends that the clergyman is being incorrectly singled out and is not to blame for Nigeria’s current difficulties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Ezekwesili emphasized the following points in her statement:
-
She characterized Adeboye as a humble servant of God who has spent his life advocating for peace and national development.
-
While acknowledging that many Nigerians want religious leaders to be more vocal in demanding government accountability, she maintained that Adeboye has consistently offered prayers and spoken up for the nation.
-
She explained that long-standing issues—such as systemic corruption, economic hardship, and insecurity—have left Nigerians exhausted and deeply distrustful of politicians, institutions, and influential figures.
-
She warned that the country has a tendency to prioritize less significant issues rather than addressing urgent national crises.
-
Ezekwesili noted that while Adeboye typically responds to criticism with “dignified silence,” she felt compelled to speak publicly to refocus attention on the “urgency of this moment” and the core issue: the need for religious leaders to help rescue the nation from “ineffectual, corrupt, and selfish politicians”.
latest
Power And Protest: Aso Villa Under Guard As Nation Demands Answers For Captive Pupils And Teachers.
Early Thursday morning, heightened security measures were implemented around the Presidential Villa in Abuja in anticipation of a protest regarding the continued abduction of students and teachers by terrorists. A wide array of security forces—including the military, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria—were stationed at key locations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The security operation led to significant disruptions, including:
-
Checkpoints and barricades were established on major roads leading to the Villa, restricting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
-
Many employees were unable to reach their workplaces due to these movement restrictions.
-
Heavy traffic congestion occurred along the corridors of the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, and the Federal Secretariat, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing others to find alternative routes.
The demonstration, organized by human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore alongside the Take It Back Movement, was planned to begin at Eagle Square before moving toward the Presidential Villa. The primary goal of the protest is to demand the immediate release of all victims kidnapped nationwide. Furthermore, organizers have called for President Bola Tinubu to either ensure the safety and release of the captives or resign, citing a perceived failure of the government to protect citizens. This protest reflects growing public outcry regarding the frequency of school attacks and kidnappings, as well as a broader demand for increased accountability and improved security across Nigeria.
-
latest9 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp
