Politics

Shomolu agog as Hon Orekoya declares for second term

Published

1 week ago

May 14, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905775

A sea of jubilant supporters, party faithful and community stakeholders flooded the premises of Oke Meta Memorial Primary School in Somolu on Thursday as the lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, formally declared his intention to seek a second term ahead of the 2027 elections.

The declaration ceremony transformed the Somolu landscape into a carnival of political solidarity, with chants, music and waving party flags painting a vivid picture of grassroots endorsement for the youthful lawmaker and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress.

Residents from different wards of the constituency, alongside political associates, market leaders, youth groups and community development representatives, gathered in their thousands to witness what many described as a defining moment in the political future of Somolu.

Standing before the roaring crowd, Orekoya said his decision to return to the ballot was inspired by a desire to deepen the developmental strides already unfolding across the constituency.

According to him, the journey towards a more prosperous and inclusive Somolu had only just begun.

“We have started a journey of growth and development in Somolu, and there is still more work to be done. With your continued support, we will build on the achievements already recorded,” he declared to loud applause from supporters.

The atmosphere at the venue reflected a strong show of confidence in the lawmaker, whose first term has been punctuated by legislative engagement, youth-centred initiatives and grassroots empowerment programmes that have resonated across the constituency.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Social Development, Orekoya has carved a visible presence within the Assembly through his involvement in key legislative reforms, including contributions to the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill 2023, the Local Government Administration Bill 2024, and the Community Development Association Bill 2024.

Beyond the chambers of legislation, the Somolu lawmaker has continued to weave his influence into the social fabric of the constituency through educational support and empowerment interventions aimed at uplifting vulnerable residents.

No fewer than 147 students have benefitted from bursary awards facilitated through his office, while four others secured full academic scholarships under his intervention programmes. In a further push to ease the burden on indigent students and families, he distributed 250 General Certificate Examination forms and 150 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board forms to students within the constituency.

His empowerment footprint has also spread across the entrepreneurial landscape of Somolu, with more than 341 residents receiving business grants, vocational equipment and financial assistance designed to stimulate small-scale enterprises and economic self-reliance.

Additionally, 29 constituents were assisted in securing employment opportunities within the Lagos State public service.

Orekoya’s youth engagement drive has equally drawn commendation from residents, particularly through exchange programmes, mentorship initiatives, football competitions and youth-police dialogue platforms tailored towards fostering leadership, peace and social inclusion among young people.

Several residents who spoke during the event described the lawmaker as accessible, responsive and deeply connected to the grassroots, noting that road rehabilitation projects facilitated during his tenure had improved mobility and commercial activities in parts of Somolu.

Many of his supporters vowed to stand firmly behind his re-election bid, insisting that his stewardship at the Assembly had earned him another opportunity to continue what they described as a “people-oriented representation.”

As dusk settled over Somolu, the chants of supporters echoed through the community, symbolising not just a political declaration, but a renewed alliance between a lawmaker and the people who believe his journey in public service is far from over.

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Politics

2027: Supporters to raise #.6 billion for opposition party

Published

3 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

Supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso have commenced early negotiations aimed at forming what could emerge as a major opposition alliance ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

The talks are focused on producing a consensus presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) platform, in a move supporters say is designed to strengthen opposition chances against the ruling party.

Obi and Kwankwaso were presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections under the platforms of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), respectively, leading the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya political movements.

The proposed alliance was unveiled during the NDC Aspirants’ Summit held in Abuja, reflecting growing concerns among opposition figures and grassroots supporters that divided political interests could once again weaken efforts to unseat the ruling party in 2027.

Political observers say the development signals a strategic shift from the fragmented opposition politics that characterised the 2023 elections, where strong candidates split votes across regional and ideological lines.

Supporters within both the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements are now exploring the possibility of building a united front well ahead of the official campaign season.

Speaking at the summit, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, disclosed that supporters had already begun mobilising funds to purchase a joint presidential nomination form for Obi and Kwankwaso.

According to him, the target is to raise ₦60 million as both a symbolic and practical demonstration of grassroots commitment to the coalition project.

Tanko said the proposed alliance was in response to growing calls from Nigerians for a stronger opposition platform capable of addressing the country’s economic and governance challenges.

Although neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has formally declared interest in the 2027 presidential race, the growing collaboration between their supporters has already sparked discussions within political circles over possible power-sharing arrangements, regional considerations and the management of competing ambitions.

Representing Obi at the summit, former Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman, Chief Peter Ameh, urged politicians seeking office under the NDC platform to prioritise credibility and national interest above personal gain.

Ameh stated that many Nigerians were becoming increasingly disillusioned with politics driven by greed, defections and transactional alliances, warning that any coalition lacking clear principles would struggle to gain public trust.

He also criticised the rising trend of post-election defections by politicians, arguing that such actions undermine democratic accountability and betray voters who supported candidates based on party ideology and campaign promises.

Politics

Senator tackles APC leadership, governor over primary election

Published

3 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

The senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, has declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between him and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, following his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.

Isah, one of the seven aspirants who contested for the APC senatorial ticket, alleged widespread irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.

Speaking after the exercise, the senator said only two votes were recorded in his favour in his own ward, despite his presence there to participate in the process.

According to him, he arrived at his ward expecting to cast his vote but discovered that no electoral officer appeared at the venue. He added that similar incidents were reported in several wards across Kogi East Senatorial District.

The lawmaker said the absence of electoral officials and voting materials prevented many party members from taking part in the primary election in affected areas.

He alleged that the situation was deliberately orchestrated to frustrate his supporters and influence the outcome of the exercise.

Isah maintained that the projects he had executed across Kogi East would continue to strengthen the APC’s chances in the district, including support for the President during future elections.

The senator also expressed disappointment over what he described as unfair treatment from the party leadership and Governor Ododo despite his loyalty and contributions to the APC.

According to him, the governor allegedly turned against him over claims that he intended to challenge him in the future governorship election.

“Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” the senator said.

He called on the APC leadership to investigate the alleged hijacking of electoral materials and ensure fairness and transparency in the pa

rty’s electoral process.

Politics

Delta North APC stakeholders reject Okowa’s victory claim, back Ned Nwoko as winner

Published

3 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

Stakeholders of the Delta North chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected what they described as a “self-declared victory” by former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, in the party’s senatorial primary election.

The stakeholders insisted that available results from across the district showed that Ned Nwoko won the contest overwhelmingly.

In a statement issued in Asaba, the group accused Okowa of attempting to undermine established party procedures by allegedly announcing victory before the completion of the official collation process outlined by the APC National Organising Secretary.

According to the stakeholders, the party had already established a clear framework for the exercise, including ward collation, local government collation, designated constituency collation centres and final submission of results to the party’s national headquarters.

“The authority to declare results rests solely with the National Committee. What Okowa has done is a clear violation of party rules and an attempt to manipulate perception ahead of due process,” the statement read.

The group maintained that figures collated from several wards across Delta North indicated massive support for Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”

Among the results cited were Ward 7 in Ndokwa West, where Nwoko reportedly polled 1,281 votes against Okowa’s 26 votes, while in Ward 9, Abbi, also in Ndokwa West, Nwoko allegedly secured 1,505 votes against 420 votes for Okowa.

In Akumazi Ward 7, Nwoko was said to have scored 687 votes compared to Okowa’s five votes, while in Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East, the senator reportedly polled 415 votes against 13 votes for the former governor.

The stakeholders also listed several results from Ukwuani and Oshimili South local government areas, which they claimed showed a consistent pattern of dominance in favour of Nwoko.

“These figures are not isolated — they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the statement added.

The stakeholders further alleged that the primary election was marred by violence and intimidation in some areas believed to be strongholds of support for Nwoko.

They cited incidents in Ward 9, Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area, where a party member identified as Igelige Chukunomnazu allegedly sustained injuries following attacks during the exercise.

According to the statement, supporters of Nwoko were allegedly intimidated, while vote counting processes were manipulated.

The group also alleged that an individual identified as Ernest was stabbed during the exercise in Ward 8, Aniocha North Local Government Area, adding that photographic and video evidence of the incident existed.

In Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, the stakeholders claimed that violence escalated to the point that the returning officer reportedly fled the venue for safety.

Describing the incidents as coordinated efforts to suppress voters, the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene and ensure that the final declaration reflected the actual outcome of the exercise.

“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election — it is about whether internal democracy will be upheld or sacrificed to manipulation,” the statement said.

The group urged the party leadership to disregard what it described as “manufactured narratives” and formally affirm the outcome that reflected the will of party members across Delta North.