National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has assured that every vote will count in the 2027 general elections.

In a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday, Dickson said that the will of the Nigerian people is supreme and supercedes selfish desires of any politician.

He said those who think they could shoot, kill, and maim their own people, every election season, with the security forces that are meant to protect the people, as well as write fake results with INEC, will be disappointed once again

“I want to assure you that every vote will count. There will be no room for violence, intimidation, or the deployment of security operatives and armed thugs against law-abiding citizens, as some people do.

“We believe the people’s will is supreme. Thank you once again for your prayers and support for me and for all the candidates of our party.

“Together, we must remain vigilant and ready to democratically resist intimidation, oppression, violence, inducements, and every attempt to undermine the will of our people.

“We have defeated federal might severally before, and, by the grace of God, we shall do so again, with me leading from the front, as you know,” he wrote.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, is in more trouble as former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, filed a N5 billion defamation suit against him over alleged defamatory comment on a national television.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division, was served outside jurisdiction to Okonkwo at Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State.

The Nollywood veteran-turned politician is being sued over statements he allegedly made on 8th June 2026 during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

The specific comment quoted in the suit read: “That is why the NDC has released a statement that it is only the South East caucus of the party that was involved in such problems. Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of South East caucus were busy extorting the South East aspirants.”

According to the former Imo governor, the statement was broadcast live, later published on Channels TV’s YouTube channel under the title “Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Peter Obi, Condemns NDC Primaries”, and further amplified on Okonkwo’s verified X account , Facebook and other platforms.

He denied extorting money from any aspirant, stressing that he is currently a member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, with no executive role in the party.

According to the statement of claim, Udenwa was never accused of fraud, dishonesty or financial impropriety during his career, played no role in NDC’s 2027 candidate nomination process .

The statement of claim also noted that he has never met Onyema Ugochukwu or Peter Obi to “extort” South East aspirants or has not been charged by EFCC, ICPC, or any investigative agency

The ex-governor stressed that the allegations caused him great injury to his credit and reputation and led to numerous calls from associates seeking explanations.

He is asking the court for a declaration that the statements are false, malicious, baseless and defamatory, N5 billion in general damages for injury to reputation, character, integrity, and political standing, an order for Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels TV, its YouTube, and on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube plus 3 national daily newspapers within 30 days, an order to delete and remove all related posts, videos and publications, a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo from further publishing similar allegations and N25 million as counsel’s fees, plus costs.

Legal representation for the plaintiff, Chief Soronnadi Njoku, SAN, declared that Okonkwo has 42 days from service to enter appearance, or judgment may be given in his absence.

– Recovers PVC, cash, voter register

– Govt kicks

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, along with  five other persons for allegedly being involved in vote merchandising ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued by the command, the Police said the arrests followed a raid on the SSG’s residence at the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday, adding that Permanent Voter Cards were recovered during the raid

According to the Command, officers recovered a register containing voters’ details, raising concerns over possible electoral offences.

Other items allegedly recovered from the residence include ₦4.8 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, photocopying machines, a printer, and voter registers covering Wards one to fifteen in Osogbo Local Government Area.

The Police also identified the other suspects arrested at the residence as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who was described as a wanted murder suspect on the Command’s watch list, alongside Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi.

The Command said investigations are ongoing into allegations of vote buying, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. It added that the allegations have significant implications for the administration of justice and the credibility of the democratic process.

The Police reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will, and urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and provide useful information that could help prevent crime and ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and credible governorship election.

However, Vanguard gathered that the SSG went to report himself at the police command after hearing the news of the raid at his residence.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government had condemned the police operation, describing the raid on the SSG’s residence as illegal.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government said ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the raid, while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The government further alleged that the police had, a day earlier, raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, ransacking the building and destroying several properties.

It called on traditional rulers, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging a pattern of targeted actions against top government officials and members of the Accord Party in Osun State.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC’s campaign council, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Remi Omowaye, said the raid justifies the party’s warnings over the ruling party’s plot to embark on vote buying and election manipulation.

“For months, the APC has consistently raised concerns over the activities of violent political elements operating in the state. We have repeatedly warned that Governor Ademola Adeleke and his co-travellers, having lost the confidence of the people, have resorted to intimidation, violence and other unlawful means in a bid to influence the forthcoming governorship election, even when the people of Osun have rejected them on account of their poor performance. This latest raid has vindicated our party.

“To this end, we commend the Nigeria Police Force for the professional operation and encourage the security agencies to sustain the momentum by conducting thorough investigations wherever credible intelligence points to the stockpiling of weapons or the harboring of criminal elements. No individual should be above the law”, he added.