Oba Wahab Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila in Osun State, has denied endorsing any candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship election, insisting he remains politically neutral.

The monarch’s clarification followed a statement by the Osun State Government claiming that a delegation of Ila-Orangun chiefs visited Governor Ademola Adeleke and pledged support for his re-election on behalf of the traditional ruler and the community.

Speaking at his palace, Oba Oyedotun said “he could not favour any political party because many of his subjects belong to different political groups”. 

He stressed that his primary concern is the development of Ila-Orangun rather than partisan politics.

The royal father urged traditional rulers across Yorubaland to avoid political divisions, noting that politicians from different parties remain their subjects and often maintain relationships despite political differences.

While acknowledging that those behind the endorsement are members of his community, the monarch said he was uncomfortable with the use of his name, stressing that he neither authorised nor approved any endorsement.

“What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name,” he added.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has publicly disowned Mr Okey Ezeala, warning party members and the general public that he is neither an official nor a representative of the party despite allegedly presenting himself as its Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

The party made the clarification in a disclaimer signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., accusing Ezeala of impersonation and other activities it described as fraudulent.

According to the statement, Ezeala was never elected or appointed as the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary and does not belong to either the National Executive Committee, NEC, or the National Working Committee, NWC.

The NDC alleged that it had received several complaints accusing Ezeala of falsely presenting himself as a party official while also claiming to be a member of the National Working Committee.

The party further alleged that Ezeala deceived some members by collecting large sums of money with promises of securing party tickets and political appointments.

It also accused him of organising what it described as an illegal “Congress” through intimidation and other means, an action it said resulted in the emergence of an unlawful parallel executive in his home state of Abia.

The party maintained that Ezeala had never held any official position within its leadership structure.

“Mr. Okey Ezeala is not elected or appointed by any organ of our great party as deputy national publicity secretary or into our NWC or NEC as a member,” the statement read.

The party warned its members and the public against conducting any transaction with Ezeala on behalf of the NDC, insisting that he has no authority to represent the party at any level.

According to the statement, Ezeala is not a member of the party’s executive committee at the national, state or local government levels and cannot transact any business in the name of the party.

The NDC also urged anyone who may have fallen victim to Ezeala’s alleged activities to formally report the matter to the office of the party’s National Secretary for appropriate action.

A chieftain of the Action Peoples Party, APP, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has condemned what he called a disturbing wave of politically motivated destruction targeted at the facilities of opposition political parties in Imo State, particularly those belonging to the APP. 

He said the unfortunate development represents another dangerous assault on democratic values, political tolerance, and peaceful participation in the electoral process.

He stated that the Imo people woke up on Sunday July 19th, 2026, to the shocking news of the reckless and unprovoked vandalization of the APP’s facilities at the Iwuanyanwu Glass House State Secretariat of the party. 

According to him, the destruction of the party official signage and other political infrastructure was not an isolated incident, but appeared to be part of a calculated pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing opposition voices and shrinking the democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was contained in a statement he issued on Monday in Owerri.

According to him, “democracy thrives where political parties are allowed to canvass support freely, citizens exercise their rights without fear, and elections are contested on the strength of ideas, vision, and performance rather than intimidation and violence.”

“Destruction constitutes a direct assault and infringement on the constitutional rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and political participation. Resorting to intimidation instead of healthy democratic competition is an indication of political insecurity rather than political strength,” Amadi, who is Imo East Senatorial candidate of the party said.

He insisted that no amount of intimidation, harassment, or politically motivated destruction can discourage the people of Imo State from exercising their constitutional right to freely choose leaders who genuinely represent their aspirations. 

Amadi called on all security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant institutions, to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with professionalism, neutrality, and fairness, saying that every registered political party in the state deserves equal protection under the law, while every citizen must be guaranteed the freedom to participate in the democratic process without fear of intimidation or victimization.

“Violence and destruction have never strengthened democracy. Only justice, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and peaceful political engagement can guarantee credible elections and sustainable development,” he added.