By Adeko Ukpa

…Senatorial hopeful promises issue-based campaign, vows to protect every ballot

The Action Peoples Party (APP) senatorial candidate for Imo East, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has challenged rival candidates to present their records and plans to voters, insisting that the 2027 election should be determined by competence, character and workable solutions rather than propaganda and political intimidation.

Amadi, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Cajetan Duke, made the call at a press conference held at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church, Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, to mark the commencement of the party’s open campaign.

He said the APP was prepared to take its campaign to every ward and community in Owerri Zone, with a message centred on the problems confronting residents, including bad roads, insecurity, unemployment, poor healthcare and the decline in the quality of public education.

According to the University of Warwick research fellow, his engagements with residents, traders, farmers, artisans and young people had shaped the priorities of his campaign.

“We are ready — not with empty slogans, but with ideas. Not with bags of rice at election time, but with a plan for all time,” Amadi said.

He said residents were asking for basic improvements that would make a tangible difference in their daily lives, including good roads, security, employment opportunities, functional healthcare and schools.

Amadi said representation in the National Assembly should go beyond speeches in Abuja and translate into concrete benefits for the communities represented.

He therefore invited his opponents to a public debate, saying voters should be allowed to interrogate the records and proposals of all candidates before making their choice.

“Let us tell the people what we have done, what we stand for and what we intend to do. Let us debate our roads, jobs, security, healthcare, education and the opportunities available to our young people,” he said.

The APP candidate also warned against any attempt to intimidate his supporters or disrupt the electoral process.

He said the party would resist harassment of campaign agents, disruption of rallies and any effort to prevent citizens from freely exercising their democratic rights.

“We will not run, we will not bow and we will not be silenced. ‘G gburugburu’ means everywhere — and everywhere in Owerri Zone, our people have the right to hear us, support us and make their choice without fear,” he declared.

Amadi said the campaign would also prioritise election monitoring, with trained agents deployed to polling units and collation centres to ensure that votes were properly recorded and followed through every stage of the process.

“The era of writing results in hotel rooms is over. Every ballot lawfully cast by the people of Imo East must count — nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

He warned those planning to manipulate the election against such an attempt, saying the APP would use lawful means to protect the mandate of its supporters.

“We will watch, we will record and we will follow every vote from the polling unit to the final declaration. Anyone dreaming of subverting the will of Ndi Imo East should bury that dream today. We will defend the mandate of our people lawfully, firmly and to the very end,” Amadi said.

He urged APP members and campaign volunteers to remain disciplined and peaceful, urging them to persuade voters through facts rather than violence or provocation.

Amadi also appealed directly to the electorate to assess him on the basis of his ideas, character and record.

“Judge me by my ideas, my character and my record. We did not come this far to be frightened out of history. Imo East has buried too many dreams under bad leadership; we will not bury our courage too,” he said.

He added that the APP was ready for the campaign and expressed confidence that voters across Imo East would make their choice freely at the polls.

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.