Politics

Election will not hold in 240 polling units – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Monday, Feb. 13, that elections will not hold in about 240 polling units across 28 States of the federation.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this when he addressed members of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja ahead of the elections.

He explained that the affected polling units have no registered voter. He said with the exclusion of the 240 polling units, election will take place in about 176,606 polling units across the country.

Yakubu said;

“There are 240 polling units without registered voters spread across 28 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

They range from one polling unit to 12 polling units in each State and the FCT, except Taraba and Imo States with 34 and 38 polling units respectively.

No new registrants chose the polling units and no voters indicated interest to transfer to them during the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), mainly for security reasons. This means that no elections will hold in these polling units.”

The Commission also warned that it will not accept a situation where two or more party agents report to the polling units and caused confusion.

INEC added that any agent found to be engaged in such act will be arrested and prosecuted.

Politics

Mass defection hits Lagos PDP as 500 members join APC

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At least 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos ahead of the national and state elections coming up on February 12 and March 11.

Receiving the defectors at Alausa, Lagos, on Monday, the director-general of the Independent Campaign Council of the APC, Tayo Ayinde, said their defection would enhance the ruling party’s electoral victory.

The defectors were led by the PDP women leader, Aolat Olatunde, and others at Ward C comprising Alausa, Olusosun and Oregun.Mr Ayinde, also the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the new members of APC for their decision and assured them of fairness and equal treatment with old members.

He promised to work with all party members to ensure victory for the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, and for other party candidates in the state.

He urged other political party members to come to the ruling party because of the massive development embarked upon by the current administration.

He said it was obvious that there had been massive development across the nooks and crannies of the state.In her remarks, Ms Olatunde said the personality of Mr Tinubu attracted her and others to the APC.

“Tinubu is an enigma who has assisted a lot of people irrespective of their tribal, political or religious affiliations, and I also benefitted from him when he was the governor of Lagos.

“We can also see the good works of Sanwo-Olu. These and many other reasons prompted our decision to join the APC,’’ she said.

Politics

Atiku promises to make Kano leading commercial centre

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said that when elected, he will make Kano state a leading commercial centre in the country.

Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Kano state on Thursday, Kano said his government will make agriculture a priority”.

He said;

“We are pleased to meet with you today and we cannot believe that you are so many and in thousands supporting PDP. We have known that Kano is PDP. We thank you for coming out in your numbers to support us.

“Kano has always been the centre of commerce in Nigeria. When PDP returns to power, we will make sure that Kano becomes a leading commercial centre in the country.

“We shall open the boarders. We shall also ensure that Kano state is secured so that you can do your businesses without fear.

“The people of Kano are also known for farming. So if you elect me, I will support the agricultural sector and improve on the business activities of the people. We will make Agriculture a priority.”

Atiku also revealed what his government will do when elected, reinstating that he will set some funds aside for youths and women to receive loans to set up their small and medium business enterprise for self-employment.

“We shall provide road infrastructure that will link Kano to all the neighbouring states. We will make sure that university lecturers are paid so that our children will continue to go to school. I have also pledge to set some funds aside for youths and women to receive loans to set up their small and medium business enterprise for self-employment,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP campaign council and governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, urged Kano people to reject All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that they shouldn’t be deceived by their money.

He said;

“Reject those people (APC). Don’t be deceived by their money. It is the money they are supposed to use to provide security that they stashed. They want to use it to buy votes.

“You can see the level of in-fighting in APC. They have plans to hack the INEC server. They want to make Kano and indeed, North-West the dumping ground of their illicit money. Take their money and reject them.”

The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, who also spoke, said that most of the laws formulated by the APC is to make the people suffer.

He said;

“Since that party came, they have not thought of anything that will benefit the poor. They always formulate laws that will suffer the people. Today we have hunger, insecurity, people are being killed, there is no petrol anywhere.

“They brought another problem, they changed the currency. We did not tell them to change the currency but they did it themselves. They have not thought how it will affect the poor. But we the PDP will come to rescue the Nigeria.”

Lifestyle

Federal Government shuts down all universities for elections

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has ordered the closure of all tertiary institutions ahead of the February 25 and March 11 elections.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal Adamu Adamu, has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all universities and Inter University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14 March, 2023,” said a letter issued by the National Universities Commission on February 3.

The universities were asked to shut down February 22 to March 14.Last month, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) asked Mr Buhari to temporarily shut down all tertiary institutions until after the February 25 and March 11 elections.

The association stressed that the shutdown would allow students to obtain their PVCs.

“The office of the NANS vice president (external affairs) calls on the federal government of Nigeria to immediately close all tertiary institutions temporarily to afford students the opportunity to collect their PVCs from their local government Areas and vote in the forthcoming elections,” NANS vice-president Akinteye Babatunde had stated.

Politics

Nobody can say what will happen to Nigeria if I don’t become president- Peter Obi

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Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer on the platform of the Labour Party, says he wishes Nigeria well but expresses concern about what will happen next to Nigeria if he loses the February 25 presidential election.

A large turnout of voters at the poll would pave the way for Mr Obi’s victory, said a poll conducted by Nigeria’s data intelligence provider, Stears, describing the Labour Party standard-bearer as “Nigeria’s most popular presidential candidate.”

New Nextier, an Africa-focused consulting firm, also predicted that the ex-Anambra governor would win in February.

According to the Labour Party standard-bearer, the presidential poll is an existential election, and he urged everyone to be involved.

“If we get it wrong, nobody can tell what next will happen. In all I am doing, I will always wish Nigeria the best,” Mr Obi stressed.

“I know you will, too and in doing that, I urge you to be part of the new Nigeria Datti, and I are fighting for.”

Mr Obi stated this at a public presentation of the book, ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’ in Abuja.

He thanked the organisers of the book launch for believing in him and for choosing to be part of his efforts to see that a new Nigeria is possible and appealed to Nigerians to support him in turning Nigeria around by voting for him in the February 25 presidential election.

“We are committed to it; as I told all the supporters, we need people. We need all of you to support us, especially in these final days to reach the end of this phase. Nigeria has suffered a lot. This is a great country that can be turned around,” the former Anambra governor explained.

Mr Obi added,

“We cannot succeed without your intervention, so as you launch this book, please be part of what we are doing to change Nigeria.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Police arrest Yoruba Nation agitators ahead of planned Lagos protest

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The police command in Lagos has arrested Yoruba Nation agitators planning to protest in the Alausa area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Sunday on his verified Twitter handle.

“Earlier today, a number of Yoruba Nation agitators commenced setting up camp at Alausa, planned to be used as the base to launch a massive protest. Camp was promptly dislodged while agitators were arrested. Investigation continues at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” he said.

Mr Hundeyin stressed that the state would not tolerate lawlessness, recalling that protests had, in the past, destroyed properties.

“Protests that started with this format in Lagos always snowballed into infringement of the rights of others, destruction of property and difficult-to-manage situations,” Mr Hundeyin explained.

“At Lagos state police command, we put crime statistics to use.”

He said section 4 of the Police Act 2020 stated that the police should maintain public safety, law and order and protect all persons’ lives and property in Nigeria.

Politics

PVCs and other items destroyed as fire guts INEC office in Ebonyi

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Several Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and other items were destroyed after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was gutted by fire on November 27.

A statement released by INEC’s National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the fire incident occurred around 10.00 am when some unidentified persons set the entire building ablaze.

“Although no casualties resulted from the attack, the main building and all the movable and immovable items inside it were destroyed.

These include 340 ballot boxes, 130 voting cubicles, 14 electric power generators, large water storage tanks, assorted office furniture and fixtures, and yet-to-be-determined quantities of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).”he said

Okoye stated that security agencies have been informed about the most recent incident and that an investigation has started.

“Sadly, this is the third attack on our local government office in less than three weeks following similar attacks on our offices in Ogun and Osun states on 10th November 2022,” Okoye said

World News

I will support my father outside of political arena – Ivanka Trump says she will not be involved in Donald Trump’s 2024 run

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Minutes after her father, Donald Trump announced another run for the White House on Tuesday, November 15, Ivanka Trump released a statement saying she didn’t plan to be involved in the campaign.

This comes after a CNN report last week that Trump’s daughter and her husband, Jared Kushner, would not campaign on behalf of Donald Trump.

“While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside of the political arena,” said Trump, who did not attend Donald Trump’s announcement at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday evening.

“This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family.”

“I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and I will always be proud of many of our Administration’s accomplishments.

Politics

I wasn’t consulted – Mimiko rejects inclusion in PDP presidential campaign council

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Former Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko has rejected his appointment as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council committee in the state.

In a statement released on Wednesday October 26, by John Akinduro, his special assistant on media, Mimiko said his consent was not sought before he was appointed.

The former Governor also said that he supports agitations for restructuring of the party’s leadership architechture.

The statement read;

“Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been inundated with calls and messages from the general public, and his political friends and concerned individuals around the nation; and in particular, his teeming supporters across the length and breadth of Ondo State, seeking clarity on fake news making the rounds since yesterday that he had ditched Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde and their colleague governors, and abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP; and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction its national chairman before the 2023 electionr.

“The report and the list that triggered it are fake and a deliberate attempt to muddle things up and smear Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

“It must be stated with emphasis that Dr Mimiko was neither consulted by anyone nor consented to his inclusion in any Ondo state PDP Presidential Campaign Council list.

“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible.

“He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country.”

Politics

Court declares Otu APC governorship candidate in Cross River

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Bassey Otu was on Monday, October 24, declared the authentic governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State for the forthcoming 2023 election, by a Federal High Court in Calabar.

Ruling on the lawsuit filed by Owan Enoh challenging Otu’s candidacy, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that it remains the right of political parties to determine their governorship candidate.

Enoh also added “that a candidate contesting for the position of governor must be a Nigerian, meet the stipulated age requirement and have basic qualification according to the constitution.”

Lifestyle

President Buhari warns Ministers and others against abandoning their duties for electioneering

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President Muhammadu Buhari has warned ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies not to leave governance for activities geared toward the 2023 general elections.

He issued the warning in Abuja on Tuesday, October 18, at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Ministerial Performance Review Retreat, cautioning that ”any infraction will be viewed seriously”.

According to Buhari, with campaigns for next year’s elections on the way, governance should not be abandoned.

”All Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of Agencies must remain focused in the discharge of their duties, as any infraction will be viewed seriously.

Our collective goal is to map out a transition plan for the incoming Administration to ensure proper documentation of all the Policies, Programmes, and Projects of Government with up-to-date status of implementation,” he said, according to a statement by his media aide Femi Adesina.

The President also said that the lessons learned in the last three years of implementing his government’s policies, programs, and projects would serve as a platform to propel every ministry to stay committed to the achievement of development goals.

The President also called on ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies to step up, double their efforts and work in synergy toward total delivery of the administration’s set targets.

Lifestyle, Politics

Elections in North-West and South-East may be hampered by insecurity – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed fear of elections in the South-East, North-West and North-East region of the country being hampered by insecurity.

Speaking at an event organized by National Endowment for Democracy and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems at the NED Headquarters, Washington DC, United States of America, INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood noted that while insecurity has spread to some parts of the country, he has received assurances from the service chiefs that they would secure the voting environment during the 2023 polls.

He said;

“Are there concerns about the 2023 general election? I’ll be the last to say there are no concerns. The first concern is the perennial issue of insecurity in different parts of the country, compounded by the traditional issues of thuggery during elections organized by some of the political actors.

“I say it is a perennial issue because, at the end of the day, it is nothing new. However, the dimension of the insecurity is concerning in the sense that in the past, it was localized or confined to a particular part of the country, the northeast.

But now, it is more widespread and we are keeping our eyes, particularly on the northwest and the southeastern parts of the country.

“Elections are conducted by human beings. We worry about the security of our officials, voters and the materials to be deployed. Without them, we cannot conduct elections.

We have spoken to the security agencies and they have assured us that the situation will improve before the elections.“So, fingers crossed.

Those who are supposed to secure the environment have assured us that they will secure the environment for us to conduct elections. Our responsibility is to conduct elections.”

On the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Yakubu said the technology has eliminated the flaws in previous elections, including identity theft and multiple accreditations.

He also said the commission has dispatched the BVAS to over 23 states of the federation.

Yakubu said;

“The BVAS has eliminated multiple accreditations that were observed in previous elections. Now, you are sure that the person who is accredited is the voter and the bearer of the card.

“It has increased public confidence in the outcome of elections as shown in the recent off-cycle elections. People tend to be more confident now with the protection of the process of accreditation using technology.

“It has eliminated the use of the Incident Form. For those of you who have been following our elections for a long time, when the Card Reader was introduced, the machine would read the card but it may not read the biometrics.

“So, when it fails to read the biometrics, they then say – give the voter the Incident Form. And through that, many people voted using identity theft. We have eliminated the Incident Form.

So, every registered voter must go through the biometric and the facial, and we jokingly say that the only way the two processes can fail, particularly the facial, is when the voter forgets his or her face at home on election day.

The system of using the BVAS for the conduct of elections has come to stay. There’s no going back.”

Politics

Political parties can’t substitute candidates again – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that political parties can no longer substitute the candidates whose names have been published on its final list.

The commission which disclosed that the window for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates has closed, added that only dead candidates and those whose nominations are voided by the courts can be substituted.

The Nation reported that INEC also revealed that only the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) had approached it to replace Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

Shekaru was nominated as NNPP’s senatorial candidate for Kano Central before he dumped the party, forcing the NNPP to approach INEC for substitution. INEC rejected NNPP’s request because it was made after the window for substitution had elapsed.

Confirming the development, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said;

“The period for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates has elapsed and the Commission has published the final list of candidates standing nominated for national and state elections.

“At this point in time, a candidate can only get on the list if the duly and validly nominated candidate dies. Any form of withdrawal on grounds of voluntary withdrawal or incapacitation can no longer take place.

“Yes, the Commission is aware of some pending litigations. At the end of the day, the Commission will comply with valid court orders based on constitutional dictates. We urge political parties to focus on their campaigns and rallies as the next big thing in the electoral process.

“The Commission is now focused on making the Permanent Voters Cards available for collection by legally registered persons.

The Commission is also focussed at making sure that voters are equitably distributed to the various polling units.“The Commission will not be distracted with belated requests for withdrawals and substitution of candidates.

All the registered political parties have a copy of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released on the February 26, 2022 and the schedule and timelines are clearly delineated.”

Politics

I won’t appeal judgement that removed me as Yobe North senatorial candidate – Senate President Ahmad Lawan

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Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that he won’t be appealing the court judgement that recognized Bashir Machina as the All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Yobe North.

In a statement released on Thursday September 29, Lawan said he has accepted the judgment of the court which disqualified his candidature and participation in the election.

According to him, he reached the decision after due consultations with his political associates, supporters and well-wishers.

The statement read;

“Yesterday, Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the Federal High Court in Damaturu delivered judgment on the rightful candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District for the 2023 National Assembly elections.

“The said judgement disqualifies my candidature and therefore my participation in the elections.

“After due consultations with my political associates, supporters and well-wishers, I have decided not to appeal against the judgement. I accept the judgement.

“I deem it appropriate to thank His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam for the leadership role in the APC political family in Yobe State. I also thank His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni for the support and brotherhood.

“To my constituents, I thank you all for your unflinching support, loyalty and unreserved commitment to the course of building our people and Yobe North Senatorial District and indeed Yobe State.

“I want to assure you that I will continue to serve you in my personal and any other capacity at all times.

“We journeyed together for a long time, and this journey will remain a life long journey. It has been a wonderful relationship and it can only get stronger. I am indebted to you all. Alhamdulillah.”

Politics

Presidential candidate Peter Obi, Yusuf Datti Arrive Jos

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, have arrived in Jos, Plateau State.

Obi revealed that they will be meeting with the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba and the Middle Belt Forum.Obi shared pictures of his arrival on his Twitter handle on Wednesday saying;

“Arriving Jos with Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to meet with Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Jacob Gyang Buba and also honour the invitation of the Middle Belt Forum to a solidarity rally”.

“We continue to call on the FGN to end the ASUU strike and allow our children to go back to school”.

Politics

Zamfara court nullifies primary election that produced Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare as the state’s PDP governorship candidate

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A Federal High Court in Zamfara State has nullified the primary election that produced Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare as the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, a former federal lawmaker who also contested for the election, had approached the court seeking the nullification of the PDP primary election won by Dare, citing gross irregularities.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, September 16, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu said all the prayers of the plaintiff had been granted by the court.

The judgment was contained in a 109-page document. Justice Aminu ordered that fresh primary election must be conducted to ensure justice and fairness to all parties. Speaking shortly after the judgment, counsel for the plaintiff, Barrister Ibrahim Ali, said,

“The court looked at the merit of the matter and decided the case in favour of the plaintiffs.”

He added: “Our prayers were that the primary elections conducted by a committee led by Adamu Maina Waziri be nullified by the court and order be given by the court for the conduct of a fresh election in line with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines. All our prayers have been granted.

“The judgment was well evaluated because we proved our case beyond reasonable doubts and we are happy with the decision of the court.”

The state legal adviser of the PDP in the state, Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama, said the party would study the judgment and take the next line of action, adding that the ruling would be appealed.

Politics

INEC begins election staff recruitment, opens portal

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, announced the commencement of recruitment of election staff for the 2023 general elections.

To this effect, the electoral umpire said it had opened its portal for recruitment, adding that eligible applicants should begin applying for the role.

INEC made the announcement in a post on its Facebook page on Wednesday. It said the portal which opened on Wednesday (today) would be closed on November 30, 2022.

The statement read,

“The Commission has approved the re-activation of INECPRES both the Mobile App for Android phones only and the web portal (laptops only).

“To this end the portal will be open to eligible applicants for registration of all categories of ad-hoc staff (SPO/PO/APO/RATECHS/RAC Managers) except the Collation officers.

“The portal opens on Wednesday the 14th of September and ends on the 30th November, 2022.”

The PUNCH reports that electioneering for the 2023 election will kick off later this month, signaling the commencement of activities that would culminate in next year’s general elections.

Politics

Everything he has said is a bundle of lies – Bode George attacks Tinubu

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has slammed the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

George described everything Tinubu attributed to himself as a “bundle of lies”.

He said Tinubu did nothing to alleviate the sufferings of residents of Lagos State despite serving as a governor for two terms.

Speaking with Channels Television last night, August 17, George said: “I absolutely have no qualms, no quarrel with Tinubu, but all I know is that everything he has said he was or his name is this or his school is that it’s a bundle of lies.

“I’m a bonafide Lagosian, we knew what Lagos was like, and Lagos remains the commercial nerve centre, not only in Nigeria but in the whole of West Africa. What has this fellow done to us?” The PDP chieftain charged Tinubu to open up on the ownership of Alpa Beta company.

He said the APC presidential candidate should tell Nigerians how much the company has allegedly stolen from the Lagos State Government.

George said: “I have asked a very simple question and none of them has been able to answer it: who owns the Alpha Beta company? How much has the Alpha Beta company stolen from the coffers of our treasury in Lagos state?

“What has he done to alleviate the pains of the people of the state?”

Politics

Davido sympathizes with Gov. Oyetola over election loss; sends him message ahead of 2026

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Award-winning singer, Davido, whose uncle, Ademola Adeleke, emerged victorious in the recently concluded Oyo State gubernatorial polls, has sympathized with his uncle’s close contender, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Taking to his Instagram page to share a photo of the governor, the singer captioned: “Defeat is painful … sir it is over sorry.”

Another part of Davido’s caption promised to see the Oyetola in 2026, the year another gubernatorial polls will be held in the state.The singer’s expression follows Oyetola’s Friday’s request to the Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo for the nullification of the election that saw Adeleke come out victorious.According to the governor, the election was fraught with certain irregularities.

He also said that Adeleke ought not to have been declared winner as he was not qualified to have contested the election in the first place, having submitted forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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