Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming his political influence no longer carries electoral weight ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday while reacting to Obasanjo’s recent comments about the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, Obasanjo had developed a pattern of attacking Atiku whenever a general election approaches instead of promoting any preferred candidate.

He accused Obasanjo of repeatedly blaming Atiku for the failures of the administration they served in together, describing the former president’s interventions as a recurring election-year ritual.

Frank argued that Nigerians had become familiar with what he described as the former president’s recurring criticism of his former deputy, insisting that such attacks would not influence the outcome of the 2027 election.

“Your political value is whitewash and a ruse because any candidate you support has always been defeated at the polls, even in your state of Ogun,” Frank said.

He urged Obasanjo to openly campaign for any candidate of his choice instead of, according to him, repeatedly directing criticism at Atiku.

“Sell your candidate if you have one at all and refrain from allowing yourself to be used before the issue of Atiku becomes a nightmare that may eventually consume you,” he added.

Frank also challenged the former president to focus more on the performance of the current administration rather than making Atiku the centre of his political interventions.

“Atiku isn’t the problem of Nigeria right now and we dare you to criticize the current government like the way you cry about Atiku,” he stated.

He maintained that political leadership would ultimately be decided by Nigerians at the polls and not by the endorsement or opposition of any political figure.

“If it is destined for Atiku to become President, neither you nor anyone else can stop it,” Frank said.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged that the Commission will take all necessary measures to avert violence during the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, emphasizing that no life should be sacrificed for political ambitions.

Amupitan made this statement during a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, HRM Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, at his palace on Friday.

While addressing the monarch and his chiefs, the INEC Chairman highlighted that ensuring security is a primary concern for the Commission.

He said, “We do not desire violence. The life of every Osun citizen is too valuable to be lost merely for the sake of an election for the governorship position. Thus, we are deeply concerned as a Commission.

“It is a matter of great importance to us. We want to ensure that no one loses their life due to an election in Osun.”

He disclosed that INEC has collaborated with the police, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs to guarantee a special security deployment to Osun State.

He also pointed out the issue of misleading videos being circulated as a strategy to discourage voter participation, urging citizens to ignore such misinformation.

Amupitan mentioned that the peace accord signed with all political parties on Wednesday aims to ensure that “the determination of who governs this state will not be made through violence, but rather through the will of the people of Osun State.”

He further announced that a mock accreditation exercise will take place on Friday in selected local governments across the three senatorial districts, including Osogbo in Osun Central, to test INEC’s equipment in preparation for the upcoming election.

“As an institution, we are dedicated to ensuring that this goal is realized. The citizens of Osun State will have the chance to choose their leaders,” he stated.

Former Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign, Comrade Isaac Balami, on Friday led Obidient leaders and professionals to a meeting with the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in Abuja, where they declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Balami joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2023 general elections, citing what he described as a lack of purposeful leadership within the Labour Party.

The former Trade Union Congress (TUC) spokesman officially led professionals and conveners of various support groups who had worked for the Peter Obi presidential campaign to express solidarity with President Tinubu and pledge their commitment to mobilising support for his re-election bid in 2027.

Among those at the meeting were leaders of the Obidient Movement from the Middle Belt, North-Central support groups, popular social media influencers, representatives of about 100 support groups from across the country, professional associations, journalists, pastors, imams, and representatives of Igbo Obidient leaders from both the North and the South-East.

In his remarks, Balami recounted what he described as the injustices suffered by members of the Obidient Movement under the Obi/Datti Campaign Council, citing several instances. He declared that the group was now “obediently BATIFIED.”

“It is exactly three years since I left the Labour Party with my political structure. Throughout that period, we have remained patient. Now, we believe it is time to work earnestly for the APC and support the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

“That is why we have decided to formally present our entire Obidient structure to you today. These are the people who delivered more than six million votes to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election. today, they have resolved to double that figure and work towards delivering 12 million votes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Everyone gathered here represents an active political group from different parts of the country. Many worked tirelessly for the Obidient Movement and made significant contributions to Peter Obi’s campaign. today, however, they have chosen to join me in building a new political structure within the APC.

“Politics is driven by interests, and based on their experiences in the Obidient Movement, they believe those interests were neither recognised nor protected,” Balami said.

Leaders of the various support groups and other Obidients who also addressed the gathering alleged that they suffered neglect and unfair treatment within the movement, particularly from those they worked with during the Obi campaign.

Several of them said they would return to their respective communities with what they described as a renewed message of hope and mobilise support for the APC, urging Nigerians to “sweep away papa and mama with the broom.”

The speakers also recounted the personal sacrifices they made while campaigning for Peter Obi across the country, saying they abandoned their families, spent their personal resources and risked their health, only to receive neither recognition nor appreciation for their efforts.

Welcoming the delegation into the APC and the Renewed Hope Movement, Seyi Tinubu thanked them for their support and for what he described as recognising the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration.

“We welcome you and appreciate your support, as well as your recognition of what Asiwaju has done for the country.

“Our movement is inclusive, and everyone will be treated fairly. You have joined us because you believe in building a better Nigeria. While it is unfortunate that you were not treated fairly where you came from, that experience has brought us together today.

“I want to especially thank Isaac Balami for the sacrifices he has made. I appeal to him and to all of you to remain patient. We will not disappoint Nigerians. Together, we can build a better country for ourselves and for future generations.”

Seyi Tinubu also highlighted what he described as key achievements of the Tinubu administration, including infrastructure development across the country and the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), economic reforms, the removal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of a new national minimum wage and other government initiatives.