Politics
2027: Nothing wrong with Wike backing my senatorial ambition — Ogbeide-Ihama
A former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, said there was nothing wrong with seeking political support from Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State.
DAILY POST reports that Ogbeide-Ihama, an aspirant for the Edo South Senatorial District, stated this on Saturday, May 2, 2026, while addressing APC leaders and chieftains in the South Senatorial District during his formal declaration to contest for the Senate in the 2027 general election.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, noted that alliances are part of the political process.
The APC senatorial hopeful, who recently resigned as Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), argued that politicians often receive backing across regions, adding that such support should not be criticised.
“I heard from some quarters that I went to meet the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for help in order to get the party’s ticket.
“If it is true that I met Wike for support, there is nothing wrong in it. Everyone needs support. If such an action can guarantee me the party ticket, so be it.
“If such is true, there is nothing bad in doing so because everyone needs help. If meeting Wike can guarantee me the ticket, it is fine by me.
“But instead of castigating Wike, we should commend and praise him for helping a Bini person achieve his political ambition. He is sponsoring and supporting a Bini person and not a Yoruba, Igbo, or Delta person for the position of Senate. We are all Bini.
“As Wike is supporting me, I also heard that some aspirants have gone to seek the support of general overseers of churches somewhere in Nigeria,” he said.
He narrated how an aspirant sought his assistance to link him or her to a chieftain of the PDP in the Southeast for political support, but he referred the person to Matthew Urhoghide, the former senator for Edo South, who eventually linked the person to the politician.
He said that, at the end of the day, the person got the ticket and won the election, noting that if an Edo politician could support someone in the Southeast, there was nothing stopping Nyesom Wike from supporting him.
He, however, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Edo State destroyed his campaign billboards during his previous re-election bid while in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, the destruction of his campaign billboards at the time did not stop his victory at the polls.
“When I contested under the Peoples Democratic Party, my campaign billboards were pulled down several times, yet I still won the election.
“Now that I am in the APC, the election will be easier because I am among you,” he added.
Ogbeide-Ihama urged party leaders to ensure that the ticket is given to the most qualified aspirant, noting that the Senate requires experience rather than experimentation or newcomers.
While acknowledging that other aspirants are qualified, he opined that his experience in the House of Representatives gives him an edge over others.
The former lawmaker expressed confidence that his chances of securing the party’s ticket and subsequently winning the forthcoming senatorial election would be much easier now that he has joined the APC.
He highlighted some of his achievements in office to include the provision of streetlights and empowerment of constituents, promising to expand such efforts across the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District if elected.
Earlier, a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Pius Odubu, described the contest as a “family affair” and urged aspirants to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has won the entire 24 chairmanship seats and 240 councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in Gombe state.
The State Independent Electoral Commission, GOSIEC, made the announcement on Saturday in Gombe, the state capital.
According to GOSIEC, six political parties fielded candidates for the chairmanship elections.
The parties include the APC; Youth Party, YP and the National Rescue Movement, NRM.
Others are Zenith Labour Party, ZLP; African Action Congress, AAC, and Democratic Liberation Alliance, DLA.
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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, says Nigerians are now seeing the true colours of president Bola Tinubu.
Atiku said this in a statement on Saturday in reaction to the court’s judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
He accused Tinubu of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through a plot to deregister the NDC, warning that such a move could pave the way for a one-party state.
The former Vice President described the attempt to deregister the opposition party through judicial means as evidence of what he called the administration’s determination to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said any effort to restrict political competition or limit citizens’ choices at the ballot box poses a serious threat to democratic governance and national stability.
According to him, the development did not come as a surprise, arguing that recent actions and political signals from the current administration have raised concerns about its commitment to democratic principles.
“Nigerians are now seeing the true colours of President Tinubu, who pretends to be a democrat, but his body language and the sinister activities of his agents contradict his mouthed commitment to free and fair elections,” he said.
dailypost.ng
Osun state map.
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
A member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Taofeek Mustapha was on Saturday shot by suspected political thugs.
Meanwhile, thugs said to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC, kidnapped two people in Ilesa.
Read Also: Lagos-Ogun police kill 4 kidnappers, rescue 5 victims, as ‘Operation Kósàyè’ begins
A resident of the Oluode-Aranyin, where the incident occurred, Sola Hammed, disclosed that the hoodlums arrived in an unmarked vehicle and started shooting sporadically into the air.
“We all scampered for safety to avoid stray bullets, then we suddenly heard someone crying for help. But we didn’t look back at the moment.”
The victim said he was running for his life when the thugs shot his leg.
“I was putting on the AMBO-crested cap when the shooting occured.
“Everyone ran for safety, and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. When I was shot, I cried for help. Then the attackers retreated back into their vehicle and drove away.
“The thugs used the insignia of Accord Party; three of them came out of the vehicle with guns and started shooting. Then they saw me, and went after me,” he narrated.
Police confirm shooting, rescue Ilesa kidnap victims
The Osun State police command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident, and said investigation has commenced.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson has also disclosed that the two Ilesa residents kidnapped by suspected political thugs have been rescued.
The victims were reportedly abducted by thugs suspected to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Political violence in the state have heightened tension as the August 15 governorship election draws closer, with reported killing in some parts of the state.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to embark on show of strength and raid criminal hideouts in a bid to flush suspected criminals out of the state ahead of the election.
Disu, who spoke through DIG southwest, Adegoke Fayoade disclosed this while addressing stakeholders at the police command involving INEC, political parties, head of security agencies, religious groups and the media.
He said criminals would not be allowed to set the state on fire and warned politicians to stop harbouring suspected criminals.
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