Concerns over the absence of two major political parties dominated discussions at a Nigeria Police-organised stakeholders’ peace meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday as preparations intensify for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Representatives of smaller political parties criticised the failure of the ruling Accord and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to attend the meeting organised by the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies.

The gathering brought together political parties, electoral officials and security stakeholders, who used the forum to advocate peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.

Several participants expressed worries that the absence of the two parties could undermine efforts aimed at promoting a violence-free electoral process in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Adewale Adebayo, described the boycott as troubling, noting that the parties involved should have participated in discussions designed to foster peace.

“It is scary that the two political parties that have been fingered at one point or another for killing, maiming and harassing each other’s supporters are not here. They need to be here to agree to the terms of peace,” he said.

He added that the APM would continue to work with security agencies to support a peaceful and credible election in Osun State.

The Chairman of the BOOT Party in Osun, Prince Adesoji Adeleke, also faulted the absence of the Accord and the APC, arguing that their participation was essential to the success of the peace initiative.

“The two political parties causing the problem for us in the state are not here. This is disgusting. What is the essence of our sitting here? They know what they plan for themselves ahead of the election,” he said.

Earlier, Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan urged political actors to conduct their campaigns responsibly and cooperate with security agencies throughout the electoral period.

Gotan said parties and candidates should notify the police and other security agencies before holding rallies, processions or political gatherings to enable adequate security arrangements and prevent possible clashes.

“Early notification will enable security agencies to deploy personnel effectively, provide adequate security coverage, manage traffic, prevent clashes, and ensure the safety of participants as well as members of the public,” he said.

He also warned against the destruction of opponents’ campaign materials.

Also addressing participants, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, expressed concern over recent violence in the state, saying incidents that resulted in loss of lives had created fear among residents and political stakeholders. 

She urged parties, candidates and supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, reject hate speech and misinformation, and respect the rule of law throughout the election period.

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, urged party members to prepare for a fierce political battle ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that political power is never given but taken through struggle, sacrifice and hard work.

Addressing the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja, Wike told party faithful that opposition politics demands resilience, organisation and determination, warning that the party would not return to power through entitlement or wishful thinking.

Drawing on his own political journey, Wike urged aspirants not to be intimidated by pressure, arrests or legal battles, arguing that political success is often forged through adversity.

“Nobody gives power. Power is taken. You must fight for it to take it. Nobody gives power, and nobody is ready to dash you of power. You have to struggle for it. You have to fight for it. You don’t have to be afraid,” Wike said.

Turning to the party’s lingering internal disputes and court cases, the former Rivers State governor insisted that the PDP remained firmly on course with its electoral preparations and would not allow legal challenges to derail its plans.

“As far as I am concerned, June 26 is when they will give the access code to political parties to upload results. Don’t worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid of court; courts are meant for human beings, not ghosts,” he said.

Wike said many party members were still struggling to adjust to life outside power after years of enjoying the advantages that came with governing, stressing that reclaiming political ground would require a different mindset.

“So most of you always used to come and take when PDP was in power, like spoiled children every day, depending on what their father had provided. It appears your father is sick now, nobody to provide, you think that the whole world has ended,” he said.

Wike also challenged governorship aspirants and other candidates to focus less on excuses and more on delivering measurable political results, saying leadership would ultimately be judged by performance and grassroots mobilisation.

“Everybody, go home, bring something, and put it on the table in 2027. If you bring the House of Representatives, you have done something. If you bring an assembly member, you have done something. But don’t come here, this is not a place of empty hands,” he said.

Wike further urged party members to remain steadfast in the face of intimidation, portraying political struggle as a test of commitment and endurance.

“If they want to kill you, die and leave this thing you are looking for. The people will arrest you; be strong. The people who will arrest you are also human beings. Use me as an example. I’ve seen everything, intimidation, everything,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Wike said the PDP would emerge stronger despite its present challenges and remain a relevant force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“After the 2027 elections, we’ll come back here and thank God for keeping our party alive. Yes, we are not in a strong position to say we must get everything, but with a strong opposition, to be relevant and decide our future,” Wike said.

Earlier, PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed struck a conciliatory tone, urging members to close ranks as the party prepares for future electoral contests.

He commended party leaders, state chairmen and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, for successfully conducting recent primaries and sustaining the party’s structures despite challenging circumstances.

Mohammed also praised Wike for what he described as his continued support, encouragement and political guidance to the party.

“Our objective is not merely to win elections but to offer visionary leadership capable of addressing the pressing challenges facing our nation and delivering tangible benefits to all Nigerians,” he said.

The chairman expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to provide a level playing field for political parties and urged stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

He also applauded security agencies for helping to ensure the peaceful conduct of the party’s primaries nationwide and congratulated candidates who emerged from the exercises.

Also speaking, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, appealed for reconciliation and party unity while explaining the postponement of the board’s meeting.

He said the decision was taken to give both the Board of Trustees and the National Working Committee secretariats sufficient time to adequately prepare.

Ohuabunwa congratulated candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries, including gubernatorial, legislative and presidential candidates, and urged members to move beyond the contests and unite behind the party’s common objective ahead of the elections.

“The primaries have come and gone. The contest time is over. The time for unity, reconciliation and collective action is now. There must be no victors and no vanquished,” he said.

The BoT chairman also called on party leaders to intensify membership mobilisation and voter registration efforts across the country, stressing that electoral success begins with building strong grassroots support and ensuring supporters are registered to vote.

He commended Wike for his unwavering commitment to the unity and stability of the PDP.

The BoT chairman said the party’s prospects in future elections would depend largely on its ability to reconcile aggrieved members, expand its support base and mobilise voters across the country.

“Indeed, our strength lies in our unity. When we work together, victory becomes achievable. When we become divided, our collective resolve is weakened,” Ohuabunwa said.2027: Nobody gives power, you must take it — Wike tells PDP candidates

Political tensions in Osun State intensified on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Imole Campaign Council exchanged accusations following separate incidents that claimed lives and left several people injured ahead of the governorship election.

The latest exchanges came after the death of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, on Tuesday, and a separate road accident involving APC supporters travelling for a political rally in Ede on Wednesday.

A member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, rejected allegations linking him and the APC to Aderogba’s killing during preparations for a political event supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term bid.

The accusation was first made by the spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation and Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who alleged that Oke had attempted to frustrate the political programme in Esa-Oke and was connected to the incident that led to Aderogba’s death.

Responding through his media aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, Oke described the allegations as false, premature and unsupported by evidence, insisting that neither he nor the APC had any involvement in the killing.

“Such conclusions, made without any credible investigation or report from security agencies, are not only premature but deeply irresponsible. Oke and the APC had no connection whatsoever to the death and urged security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation,” the statement said.

The lawmaker also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and called on residents and political actors to allow investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council issued a separate statement mourning APC supporters involved in a truck accident on their way to a rally in Ede, describing the development as tragic and extending sympathies to the bereaved families and injured victims.

The council said it was “profoundly saddened” by reports that a truck allegedly suffered brake failure and rammed into a procession of APC supporters, resulting in one fatality and leaving several others receiving treatment in hospital.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family of the departed and everyone touched by the loss. The council wishes those injured a speedy recovery and prays against a recurrence of such incidents,” it stated.

However, the council criticised the conduct of the APC campaign organisation after the accident, alleging that party leaders continued political activities despite the loss of lives.

It also referenced allegations previously made against Oke regarding the death of the Accord Party member in Esa-Oke.