Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission, NERC, and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Sam Amadi, has described the recent primary election conducted by the Imo State chapter of the NDC as marred by ticket racketeering and shortchanging of aspirants.

He accused some party officials of collecting money from aspirants in exchange for tickets.

Amadi raised the alarm while commenting on the outcome of the exercise, where he alleged that several aspirants who participated in the primaries had lodged complaints accusing some party officials of demanding and receiving payments without delivering tickets to them.

He hinted that many aspirants have been meeting him and complaining that some officials collected money from them.

Amadi called on the affected aspirants who allegedly made payments outside officially declared party fees to reach out to him, pledging to assist in recovering their funds.

“Please, if you are one of those who paid money to anyone apart from officially declared fees, contact me and let me recover your money,” he stated.

Describing the alleged practice as fraudulent, Amadi insisted that internal accountability within the party must be enforced, warning that such conduct undermines the integrity of the political process.

“There must be accountability for fraud. This is beyond politics. If you collected money for a transaction, then perform or refund political processes must not be commercialised,” Amadi added.

He reiterated his demand for transparency and responsibility within the party’s nomination process, insisting that there must be accountability.

The Lagos State chapter of the Accord Party has formally presented its candidates for the 2027 general elections, unveiling contenders for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly positions.

The party also reiterated its backing for Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.

The unveiling ceremony, held in Lagos, saw 27 candidates receive Certificates of Return, officially confirming them as the party’s flag bearers for various elective offices across the state.

Addressing party members and supporters at the event, the Lagos State Chairman of the Accord Party, Dele Oladeji, said the presentation marked a major milestone in the party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle and signalled the commencement of its campaign activities.

Oladeji, who is also contesting for the Lagos West Senatorial seat, said the party was positioning itself as a credible alternative for voters seeking a different political direction in the state.

According to him, the Accord Party remains committed to policies centred on social justice, public welfare, security and inclusive governance, noting that many Lagos residents are eager for political transformation.

Several candidates used the occasion to outline their agenda, highlighting priorities such as infrastructural development, employment generation, transparency in governance and increased participation of women in leadership.

The party’s candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, Solomon Oladimeji Wahab, urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively engage in the electoral process, while advocating credible and transparent elections.

Similarly, the Accord Party candidate for Badagry Federal Constituency, Joseph Taiwo Jehoshaphat, pledged to prioritise youth empowerment initiatives and attract developmental projects to the constituency if elected.

Also speaking, the party’s Lagos East Senatorial candidate, Blessing Maduka-Sunday, called for greater female representation in elective offices and stronger policies aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and economic participation.

Party leaders said the unveiling of candidates marks the beginning of an intensified mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to make a significant impact across Lagos State.

Supporters at the event also reaffirmed their support for Olawepo-Hashim, describing him as a leader capable of fostering national unity, driving economic growth and implementing reforms that would advance the country’s development.

The party maintained that growing interest in its activities reflects increasing political engagement among its members and supporters as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum nationwide.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monsuru Osho, has won the bye-election held in Iperu III Ward 5 of Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State.

The election was conducted across 18 polling units to fill the vacant councillorship seat following the death of the former councillor, Nurudeen Bakare.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Olusogo Otelaja, said Osho secured 1,730 votes out of the 1,741 votes cast in the election.

According to the official results, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received five votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled four votes.

Otelaja said voting began at 8:00 am and noted that security personnel were deployed across the ward to ensure a peaceful exercise. He added that the election was orderly and recorded no major incidents.

Speaking on the conduct of the poll, OGSIEC Chairman Babatunde Osibodu, represented by Commissioner Gbemi Onasanya, described the exercise as peaceful, free and credible.

He commended residents for their peaceful participation and praised electoral officials and security agencies for their professionalism during voting and collation.

The chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Jamiu Asimi, also praised OGSIEC for conducting what he described as a smooth and transparent election.

Reacting to his victory, Osho thanked voters for their support and confidence in his candidacy.

“I express my gratitude to the electorate for their overwhelming support and confidence in my candidacy,” he said.

He also appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work with the local government administration to promote development and improve the welfare of residents in the ward.

Some voters, including Kehinde Fasola and Moses Adewuyi, described the election as peaceful, transparent and well organised.