Politics
PDP Missing as INEC Clears 14 Parties for Osun Governorship Poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 14 political parties to participate in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) absent from the final list.
INEC disclosed that the cleared parties successfully submitted the names and personal details of their candidates and running mates within the stipulated deadline using the commission’s online portal.
In a statement issued Sunday, the Osun State Public Affairs Officer of INEC, Musa Olurode, speaking on behalf of Resident Electoral Commissioner Mutiu Agboke, said submissions followed the conclusion of party primaries and the closure of the portal designated for candidate uploads.
According to the commission, the parties that met the requirements are: Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
INEC explained that the clearance followed verification of documents at its headquarters in Abuja to ensure compliance with constitutional and regulatory provisions.
The commission stated that publication of the candidates’ particulars was done in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act and Item 4 of the official timetable for the Osun governorship election. It urged political parties, candidates, and members of the public to scrutinise the documents as provided by law, stressing that only the listed parties are eligible to contest.
Agboke reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transparency and credible elections, assuring stakeholders that the process would adhere strictly to legal requirements and democratic best practices.
Meanwhile, the development comes amid internal disputes within the PDP, including a recent ruling by the Federal High Court nullifying a convention backed by Seyi Makinde in Ibadan and barring Taminu Turaki from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.
Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has officially announced his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressing confidence in his eventual victory.
Obi made the declaration during the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC held in Uyo, themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC.”
Addressing supporters, Obi said his decision to leave the Labour Party (LP) was influenced by what he described as bias from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I left LP when I was informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC would not recognise its leadership,” he said.
“The federal government doesn’t want me on the ballot. I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election, even if it is held in their bedroom. And if they refuse to transmit the results, we will transmit them ourselves.”
Obi also criticised the current administration over Nigeria’s growing debt, claiming that many of the loans will not be repaid until 2045–2050.
He outlined his priorities if elected, emphasizing investments in education and health, stating that sustainable national development depends on deliberate human capital development.
On corruption, Obi pledged to lead by example, citing his tenure as governor of Anambra State. “I approved over 100 Certificates of Occupancy on government land, but had none for myself or family.
If you find any, petition me to the appropriate authority,” he said.
Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement worldwide, urged supporters to mobilise behind the ADC platform for what he described as national transformation.
Also speaking, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Ben Smith, framed the 2027 election as a generational choice. “It is about jobs for youths, security for families, dignity for workers, and hope for every Nigerian,” he said.
Tension is building within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, following complaints by the Warri Urhobo APC Leadership Council over the handling of preparations for the upcoming LGA Congress Leadership meeting.
In a petition dated February 13, 2026, and addressed to the Delta State Chairman of the party, Omeni Sobotie, the Urhobo leaders accused the outgoing Warri South APC Chairman, Mario Owumi, of compiling and circulating a list of invitees without adequate consultation.
The leadership council maintained that the state party hierarchy had directed outgoing local government chairmen to consult widely with stakeholders and jointly determine the framework for the congress and election of new officials. However, they alleged that this directive was not followed in Warri South.
According to the petitioners, invitations to the February 14 meeting were allegedly sent via text messages from the chairman’s personal phone to selected individuals without engagement with the Urhobo leadership within the local government. They also claimed that the complete list of invitees was neither publicly disclosed nor reviewed by key stakeholders.
The group described the process as lacking transparency and inclusiveness, arguing that it undermines the principle of balanced representation within the party structure. They further expressed concern that the approach appears to favour one ethnic bloc over another.
The council therefore called on the state chairman to ensure equal representation of Urhobo and Itsekiri leaders at the meeting, in line with party directives. They also urged the state leadership to direct the outgoing chairman to carry out proper consultations to guarantee fairness in both the leadership meeting and the election of the next Warri South APC executive committee.
The petition warned that failure to address the concerns and publicly unveil the list of invited leaders ahead of the meeting could prompt the Urhobo bloc to take further action.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) will not participate in the February 21 by-election in Rivers State.
The by-election will be conducted in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The vacancies followed the resignation of Edison Ehie, who was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the death of Dinebari Loolo in September 2023.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner Gabriel Yomere announced that seven political parties have been cleared to contest the poll. The approved parties are AA, APC, APN, BP, NNPP, YPP, and ZLP.
According to Yomere, the excluded parties failed to meet specific legal and procedural requirements.
He explained that the PDP did not conduct primaries, while the Labour Party informed the commission that it is currently involved in ongoing litigation. Although the ADC conducted primaries, it failed to upload the results to INEC’s headquarters portal within the legally required timeframe.
“That is why they were excluded. Nobody is interested in excluding them,” Yomere stated.
He assured residents of a free, fair, and credible election, adding that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been configured and non-sensitive materials distributed.
Yomere also disclosed that only INEC staff, not ad hoc personnel, will oversee the conduct of the by-election.