From Adeko Ukpa

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun State governorship election as a demonstration of the power of the people and a possible pointer to the 2027 general elections.

Frank, in a statement in Abuja, said the outcome showed that citizens could overcome political pressure and other odds when they remained determined to defend their choices at the polls.

He said the result should serve as a warning that the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by Nigerian voters.

“President Tinubu may think he already has his election results in mind, but ultimately, it is the Nigerian people who will decide his fate through the power of their votes,” he said.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged opposition parties to unite ahead of 2027, saying a coordinated effort would be necessary to challenge the ruling APC.

He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process, urging them to vote, remain at polling units and ensure that their votes are properly counted.

“Let 2027 not be business as usual. They must vote, stay, and see their votes counted, just as they have done in Osun,” he said.

Frank commended Osun voters for what he described as their political ingenuity, for rejecting inducements and voting according to their conscience.

He said: “I commend the people of Osun for this new political ingenuity, where money is taken, yet still voted for the candidate of their choice. After all, the money belongs to us as citizens, as it was taken from government coffers.”

He urged Nigerians to remain peaceful but resolute in protecting their votes through lawful and democratic means, particularly in the face of alleged harassment and intimidation.

Frank also commended Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, for what he described as his commitment to electoral integrity.

He urged Nigerian youths and celebrities to emulate Davido by taking an active interest in the country’s democratic process rather than remaining on the sidelines.

“Going into 2027, I call on Nigerian youths and celebrities alike to borrow a leaf from Davido, as this is not the time to sit on the fence. Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he said.

Frank congratulated Adeleke, his supporters and the people of Osun State, saying the election had reaffirmed the importance of citizens’ participation in democracy.

He urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the electoral process, arguing that political power ultimately belongs to the people and that leadership should reflect their will.

“As we look towards 2027, let us remain peaceful, vigilant, informed, and determined. Let us encourage one another to participate actively in the electoral process and to defend our votes through lawful and democratic means,” he said.

Frank added: “The time has come for Nigerians to believe again. The time has come for the people to rise, vote, and protect their votes. The time has come to choose wisely.”

He said the Osun election should inspire Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections and work towards building a country that serves the interests of all citizens.

By Adeko Ukpa

Opposition leader and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks concerning the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

Frank also called on security agencies to investigate Fadahunsi, insisting that statements capable of inciting electoral violence must not be tolerated.

In a video circulating online, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, was heard accusing Accord Party members of attacking APC members and urging the gathering to attack Accord Party supporters in Ilesa.

In a statement on Wednesday, Frank described the alleged remarks as “unguarded” and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to act without delay.

“I condemn the comment of Senator Francis Fadahunsi strongly and call on the security agencies to immediately act, despite his position, to arrest the senator with all urgency,” he said.

Frank said the Senate should not fold its arms when one of its members makes statements capable of threatening peace and security during an election.

“The Senate must immediately suspend such a senator who can make such unguarded statements. We want to see action taken as an example to every person involved in election violence,” he said.

He said the alleged comments went beyond the Osun election, describing them as a possible indication of what he called a broader APC strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank also compared the matter with the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments, questioning what he described as a disparity in the government’s response to statements by opposition figures and members of the ruling party.

He argued that a serving senator should not be treated differently if accused of remarks capable of threatening electoral peace.

He said: “That is why the APC and the Presidency have remained quiet. If such a statement had been made by an opposition senator or anybody in the opposition, the person would have been in prison by now.”

According to him, the alleged treatment of El-Rufai demonstrated the need for consistency and fairness in responding to political statements capable of causing public concern.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, appealed to the United States Government and the international community to closely monitor developments surrounding the Osun election.

“I call on the US government, President Donald Trump, the UK, EU and the entire international community not to remain quiet over such an incendiary statement coming from a serving senator in Nigeria,” he said.

He urged the international community to take appropriate measures against politicians whose actions or statements could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, including possible visa restrictions where warranted.

Frank warned that the Osun election must be free, fair and credible, stressing that the will of the electorate must prevail.

“Osun election must not be rigged. The will of the people must count in Osun. Nigerians should not take this Osun election lightly if they decide to rig it.

“I urge the voters and citizens of Osun State not to be intimidated by these kinds of statements. I ask the voters and the people of Osun to rise up, vote and defend their votes,” he said.

He further warned that Fadahunsi and the ruling party should be held accountable for any violence arising from the election. “If anything happens in Osun State, this senator and the ruling party must be held responsible,” Frank said.

The opposition leader called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional before, during and after the election.

“Security agencies must be professional and not go there to harass citizens and opposition members. The plot to arrest opposition members across political parties must not be allowed,” he said.

He maintained that the credibility of the Osun election would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy and could serve as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections.

…Donates ₦3m to community development, ₦500,000 for woman’s medical treatment

By Adeko Ukpa

The Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Imo East Senatorial District, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has called for an end to the cycle of poverty in Imo State, saying poor Nigerians should not be condemned to remain poor in a country endowed with abundant human and material resources.

Amadi also challenged women in Imo East to use their numerical strength and grassroots influence to demand accountable and effective representation through the ballot.

He spoke at the annual August Meeting of the Women’s Wing of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union (OADU) in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where he commended the women for their contributions to community development.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Cajetan Duke, the academic and social entrepreneur from Umuekwenne, Ngor Okpala, lamented what he described as the worsening socioeconomic conditions across communities in the state.

He listed poor healthcare delivery, infrastructural deficits, declining standards in public schools, bad roads, unemployment and economic hardship among the challenges confronting residents.

According to him, the situation reflects years of poor representation and misplaced priorities, stressing that governments and elected representatives at all levels must be more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.

“The poor can’t continue to remain poor while a privileged few continue to prosper from our collective resources. Our mothers cannot continue to struggle with medical bills, our children cannot continue to learn in dilapidated schools, and our young people cannot continue to roam the streets without jobs and opportunities. Government must work for the ordinary people,” he said.

The APP candidate said women were among the worst affected by economic hardship because of their central roles in families and communities.

He urged them to translate their influence into political power by voting for leaders capable of delivering tangible development.

Amadi also expressed concern over the declining state of public education, warning that the continued deterioration of public schools could widen inequality and deny children from poor families opportunities to improve their lives.

“As a son of nobody who is a proud product of public schools, I weep daily seeing education gradually becoming the exclusive preserve of privileged members of society,” he said.

“Public education gave people like us the opportunity to dream beyond the circumstances of our birth. We must rebuild a society where the child of the poor has the same opportunity to dream, learn and succeed.”

The event took an emotional turn when Amadi encountered an elderly woman with a conspicuous growth around her throat.

Moved by her condition, he donated ₦500,000 towards her medical evaluation and treatment.

He said the incident underscored the plight of citizens who are unable to afford basic healthcare, insisting that access to medical treatment should not depend on a person’s financial status.

“What we have seen here today is beyond politics. It is about our common humanity. Nobody should have to carry an illness for years simply because she cannot afford medical attention,” he said.

Amadi also announced a ₦3 million donation towards the development initiatives of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union.

He praised the women for sustaining the traditional August Meeting, describing it as an important platform for community development, social cohesion and women’s participation in grassroots affairs.

The candidate, however, warned against a situation where communities are forced to take over responsibilities that should ordinarily be funded and delivered by government.

He urged the women to demand accountability from elected officials and scrutinise how public resources are deployed, stressing that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to reward effective representation and reject non-performing leaders.

Responding, the National Vice President of the OADU Women’s Wing, Mrs Victoria Ugochi Chukwu, thanked Amadi for identifying with the community and supporting its development aspirations.

Chukwu particularly appreciated his ₦3 million donation and intervention on behalf of the elderly woman, describing the gestures as evidence of compassion and concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Amadi was accompanied to the event by members and leaders of his campaign organisation and the APP, including Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Rt. Hon. Michael Crown Njoku; Chief Denis Okwu; Chief K.K. Ikeh; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Engr. Emeka Onwukwe; Lady Chyna Ugwuadu; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; Hon. Obioma Onwuegbucha; Sir Denis Nneji; and Hon. Emma Soronnadi, among others.