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Gunshots Mar Bayelsa Rally, State Government, Wike Allies Trade Accusations

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A rally held in Yenagoa by NEW Associates, a group aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, descended into chaos as gunshots were fired, prompting a fierce exchange of blame between the Bayelsa State Government and the group.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The rally, convened to promote President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, took place at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene despite the Bayelsa government’s prior opposition, citing ongoing political tensions linked to the crisis in neighbouring Rivers State.

Governor Douye Diri had publicly opposed the rally, warning that it could aggravate the political crisis involving Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently faced suspension under a state of emergency declared by President Tinubu.

In the wake of the gunfire, Secretary of NEW Associates, Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of orchestrating the violence. Meanwhile, the state government condemned the shooting, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an immediate investigation.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the violence, asserting that it validated the government’s earlier warnings about the rally’s risks.

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The statement emphasized the need for law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

Originally set for April 12, the NEW Associates rally was postponed after rival political groups aligned with Governor Diri and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, scheduled competing rallies for the same venue and date. Both rival rallies were later moved to April 26, coinciding with the rescheduled NEW Associates gathering.

As security tightened around Tombia Roundabout, the alternative venue for the Diri and Tambuwal rallies, the events were eventually cancelled, while the NEW Associates event went ahead at Igbogene.

The Bayelsa government expressed alarm at the outbreak of violence, noting that the rally’s organisers had previously hinted at potential disruptions by remarking that “the good, the bad, and the ugly” would attend.

Authorities criticized the decision to hold a political event at a religious venue and argued that it violated the Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines. They also warned religious bodies to steer clear of political activities and pledged sanctions for any violations.

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In response, Ekerefe denounced the attacks in a statement titled “They Said the Rally Would Not Hold. Yet It Held.” He alleged that the Bayelsa government tried to undermine the rally by threatening to revoke certificates of occupancy for potential venues and by pressuring youth groups to boycott the event.

Despite these alleged efforts, Ekerefe praised the resilience of NEW Associates’ supporters and security personnel, claiming the rally was a success despite the disruptions.

He accused the government of fixating on attendance figures rather than recognising the significance of the rally’s execution, and hailed the event as a demonstration of the group’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ekerefe said, “Despite the threats, propaganda, and intimidation tactics, our members and supporters turned out en masse, defying the odds to ensure the rally’s success. They attempted to use violence to disrupt us, but they failed.”

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Kwara PDP Protests As Govt Moves To Reopen Robbery Case Against Saraki, Others.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly opposed reported moves by the state government to revisit the alleged Offa robbery case involving former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that the party made its position known during an emergency press conference in Ilorin on Friday, describing the development as politically motivated and unjust.

PDP spokesman, Comrade Olushola Adewara, said the alleged plan to reopen the case amounts to an attempt to politicise a matter that has already been concluded by the courts.

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He alleged that the move was targeted at dragging Saraki into a case in which, according to him, legal authorities had previously found no evidence linking him to the incident.

Adewara referenced earlier legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly stated that Saraki was not connected to the robbery case.

The party insisted that suspects in the case had already been prosecuted and convicted, with judgments upheld at appellate levels, while the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.

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PDP urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus on governance rather than what it described as attempts to revive old political narratives.

It also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that such actions could heighten political tension in the state.

The party further appealed to residents, especially families of victims in Offa, not to allow their pain to be used for political purposes.

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2027: Oyo APC Senator Alli Declares Governorship Ambition.

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Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Alli, who serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Friday during a formal event held at the Police Field in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area.

The APC chieftain and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland said he will be running on the platform of his party.

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The event attracted thousands of APC leaders, stakeholders, and members, including top political figures such as Senator Yunus Akintunde, House of Representatives members Akin Alabi, Aderemi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Tajudeen Abisodun, and Senator Hamzat Adeseun.

Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, among others.

Alli said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to advance the development of Oyo State.

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He noted his past political experience, including serving as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and Secretary to the Oyo State Government under Senator Rasidi Ladoja, as well as his current role in the Senate, where he said he has consistently advocated for his constituents.

According to him, his ambition is focused on delivering better governance and moving the state forward.

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Showunmi Declares For Ogun 2027 Governorship, Seeks IPAC Support.

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A PDP chieftain and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Showunmi made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday.

He called for a broad political coalition involving opposition parties and grassroots groups to challenge what he described as the failures of dominant political forces in the state.

Showunmi argued that political parties may choose or endorse candidates, but insisted such arrangements must not deny voters a genuine electoral choice.

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He said: “I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee… to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”

He also questioned whether Ogun State would experience a “coronation” or a competitive election process, urging stakeholders to allow open political contest.

The PDP chieftain noted that Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from producing a governor is a legitimate grievance, but stressed that aspirations must still be tested through competition.

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He advocated issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027, rejecting “money politics” and challenging aspirants to public debates on governance.

Showunmi maintained that he has no history of violence or political thuggery, insisting the election should be centred on ideas and development plans for the state.

In response, IPAC leadership and other political actors at the event called for collaboration and careful selection of leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

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