Politics
Gov. Diri Addresses 2027 Party Defection Claims
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has dismissed swirling rumours about his alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the speculation stemmed from recent remarks made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Speaking at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, during a thank-you visit by the lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Rodney Ambaiowei, and other stakeholders, Diri said he remained unfazed by the reports.
He said, “If for any reason there has to be a movement, you are the people who will advise me because you voted for me.
“The decision to move or not will be made based on the interest of the Ijaw nation and Bayelsa State, not my personal interest only. So, do not mind what is trending.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dan Alabrah, the governor explained that his attendance at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road flag-off ceremony had fueled the speculation.
He clarified that his presence was simply to show appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the inclusion of Bayelsa in the project, which he said is critical to the economic progress of the Niger Delta region.
Diri said, “A fortnight ago, I was invited to Lagos for the inauguration of a section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and the flag-off of phase two of the Nembe-Brass road.
“I raised observations when I saw a map of the coastal road displayed in the hall with Bayelsa and Edo states missing. I immediately drew the attention of the contractor and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to the anomaly. They admitted it was an error and said it would be corrected.”
Governor Diri linked the fresh wave of defection rumours to remarks made by Umahi during the event.
“When it was the Minister’s turn to speak, he gave me special attention, saying the Bayelsa governor was thinking progressively and working progressively. A lot of people then assumed that the deal had been done.
“The Minister of Works started this new wave that the Bayelsa governor was about to defect because of the attention he brought upon me on that day. But at the end of the day, what is important is whether we can bring development to our place,” he explained.
Commending the people of Southern Ijaw for supporting his Prosperity Administration, Diri urged political stakeholders to eschew divisive politics and focus on unity and development.
He also advised political leaders to act with integrity and play by the rules.
Naijanews.com
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his new Chief of Staff, following the resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi.
Makinde also appointed Mrs Aderonke Adedayo, his Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies, as Director-General of the Due Process Office.
The appointments were announced in letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Monday.
Akinwole, a grassroots politician, previously served as Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.
Adedayo will combine her new responsibilities as Director-General of the Due Process Office with her existing role as Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies.
Both appointments take immediate effect.
The governor congratulated the appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with loyalty, commitment and dedication to the service of Oyo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release the final list of candidates contesting the February 6, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, with eight states excluded from the governorship poll.
According to The Nation, the commission is scheduled to publish the final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
There are 8 affected states where governorship elections will not hold as part of the February 2027 electoral exercise because they operate on separate election schedules.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a world press conference and stakeholders’ meeting that 21 of Nigeria’s 22 registered political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 28 states scheduled to elect governors in 2027.
The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.
Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to publish the names and addresses of nominated candidates at least 60 days before an election.
The law also provides a procedure for political parties to notify the commission if a candidate’s name is missing from the published list.
Under Section 32(2), such notification must be submitted in writing, signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary, and supported by an affidavit within 14 days of publication.
Although governorship elections will not take place in the eight excluded states during the February 2027 exercise, State House of Assembly elections are scheduled across all 36 states.
The commission’s final list is expected to provide further details of the candidates and political parties participating in the elections.
INEC had earlier set September 19, 2026, as the deadline for substituting candidates and September 26, 2026, as the final date for submitting nomination forms.
The publication of the final list will be an important step in preparations for the 2027 elections, as political parties and candidates move towards the next phase of campaigning.
new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointments of new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor also approved the appointment of Alhaji Moshood Kewuyemi as the Chief Imam of the Government House Mosque.
The new SSAs include:
Ms. Folashade Ogunoye, SSA Gender
Alhaji Aminu Saidi Tunde, SSA Islamic Religion Affairs
Rev. Tunde Ogunsuyi, SSA Christian Religion Affairs
Kemisola Obamoyegun, SSA Housing
Dr. Oluwatobi Aruwajoye, SSA Primary Health
Alhaja Mohammed Sikirat Idera, SSA Muslim Women Affairs
Mrs Ehuwa Victoria Olufunke, SSA Christian Women Affairs
Alhaja Fauzart Gidado, SSA Women Mobilisation (Central).
And, others.
The appointments take immediate effect.
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