By our Correspondent

The All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency, Engr. Toyin Okoro, has asked incumbent lawmaker, AVM Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo (Rtd), to accept his defeat at the party’s primary and stop orchestrating a campaign of calumny against him.

Okoro said he would not be distracted by a sponsored media report claiming he was “grilled over alleged contract fraud” by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, the Toyin Okoro Campaign Council said its candidate only honoured an ICPC invitation to respond to a petition, which he did as a law-abiding citizen.

“An invitation to clarify issues is a routine procedure and does not amount to guilt, indictment or conviction. But in his mischievous and desperate manner, Ojuawo, who is apparently behind the petition to the ICPC, sponsored the media report aimed at discrediting the candidate of his own party just because he lost his bid to return to the House of Representatives in 2027,” it said.

The Council, in the statement signed by its Director of Media, Strategy and Publicity, Yomi Abegunde, described Okoro as a law-abiding Nigerian with no criminal record, adding that “he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offence in his life. He is a respected professional Engineer and public servant who served meritoriously.”

The Council said the petition alleged that Okoro operated as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company while serving as Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

“We state categorically that Engr Toyin Okoro never broke any law as he duly resigned as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company when he was appointed as Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly,” it said.

It accused Ojuawo of embarking on a desperate mission to truncate the mandate freely given to Okoro after losing the primary conducted in May 2026.

“Before the primary election, Ojuawo petitioned the APC Screening Committee that screened aspirants, seeking the disqualification of Engr. Toyin Okoro. The Committee dismissed his petition for lack of merit and cleared him to contest.

“In the same vein, he sponsored another frivolous petition challenging the origin of Engr. Toyin Okoro as a bona fide son of Ise-Ekiti. This also failed woefully as his root and indigeneship are incontestable and well documented,” the Council stated.

It added: “Having failed at the party level, Ojuawo has approached the court challenging the outcome of a primary election he lost woefully. The matter is subjudice and we are confident the judiciary will uphold the will of the people.

“Realizing that all his moves have collapsed, Ojuawo has now resorted to weaponizing a respected state institution by sponsoring a phantom petition to the ICPC to embarrass and distract our candidate.”

The Council urged the public and supporters across Ikere, Ekiti South-West and Ise/Orun Local Governments to disregard the campaign.

“We also call on the Government of Ekiti State, the National Leadership of the APC, and all well-meaning stakeholders to pay close attention to these desperate moves capable of disrupting party unity.

“Most importantly, we call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and all security agencies to ensure the protection of the life and property of Engr. Toyin Okoro and his family.

“The people have spoken through the primary election. The party has affirmed and INEC has approved. No amount of blackmail will stop our party, the APC, from coming out victorious in the 2027 general elections,” the Council added.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Former President, Doctor Goodluck Jonathan, has called for the harmonization of structures and salaries across the Federal and State civil services in the country.

He made the call in Yenagoa during the foundation-laying and fund-raising ceremony for the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex.

The former President commended the retired permanent secretaries for the initiative, noting that the caliber of personnel in the Bayelsa State public service compares favorably to their counterparts at the federal level.

Doctor Goodluck Jonathan recalled how, during his tenure as Governor, he restructured the state civil service to introduce Grade Level 17 for Directors who previously retired on Level 16.

He emphasized that establishing a dedicated secretariat for the retired permanent secretaries would serve both retirees and the public, while making a strong case for uniform civil service structures nationwide.

Also, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State represented by the Head of Service, Doctor Ebiye Sawyer, pledged government support for the project, praising the retired officials for their vision and dedication.

In an address of welcome address, the Chairman of the Association, King Collins Ebi Daniel, described the proposed complex as an institutional edifice designed to embody the legacy of public service.

He explained that the center will house administrative offices, event halls, conference rooms, and recreational facilities.

King Daniel explained that the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex is expected to cost N500m and completed in two years’ time.

Other dignitaries at the event—including the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Imiri, a former Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus and the Chief Launcher, Chief Maxwell Oko—pledged their support, urging the association to leverage the facility as a policy institute for state and national development.

Also at the event were a traditional ruler King Amalate Turner and the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Benson Agadaga.

High points of the ceremony included the formal foundation laying by Doctor Jonathan, a fund-raising session, and a cultural presentation by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture.

By Our Correspondent
Aggrieved members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ( NDC) in Benue South Senatorial District , under the aegis of NDC Integrity Group, Friday dumped the Presidential Candidate of the party , Peter Obi for President Bola Tinubu of APC and Senatorial Candidate of the party , Daniel Onje for Senator Abba Moro of PDP as preferred candidates to vote for, in the 2027 general election.

The Benue South NDC Integrity Group led by Zonal Coordinator , Hon Yakubu Audu made the declaration during courtesy visit the Senate Minority Leader , Abba Moro by also declaring their total support for the Strategic Alliance being led by Senator George Akume in Benue State

Explaining their electoral coalition concept for Benue South in the 2027 general election , Hon Audu told Abba Moro that the need for retention of voice for Benue South in the Senate , made the group to dump Senatorial candidate of NDC for him ahead of the January 16, 2027 Presidential and National Assembly election .

” The voice you have been giving the Benue South Senatorial District in the Senate as Minority Leader , needs to be sustained in the 11th National Assembly . We cannot bring any new person into the Senate for Benue South now without the needed voice .

” In picking you outside our party as preferred candidate for the senatorial contest , we are taking the right step for the general interest of Benue South Senatorial District on account of effective representation you have been the people of the Senatorial District since 2019.

” In line with the saying that who the cap fits , let him wear it , we are here to openly pledge our support for you in the coming election “, he said .

Also declaring the support of the group for Senator Abba Moro and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election , the State Coordinator of the NDC Integrity group , Hon Emmanuel Orih said their move was in with Benue State Strategic Alliance being led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Senator George Akume .

” For the 2027 general election and particularly for Benue South , our concept is electoral coalition which is making us to prefer Distinguished Senator Abba Moro as candidate of PDP for the election and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC as preferred candidate for the presidential position .

” We are in NDC but see Senator Abba Moro of the PDP as the most suitable candidate for Benue South Senatorial District and President Bola Tinubu as the preferred candidate for the presidency”, he said .

In his response, Senator Abba Moro thanked the NDC integrity group for considering the interest of Benue South far above the partisan ones .

The action of the group according to him, is in line with strategic alliance being led in the State by Senator George Akume and which he believes in for the good of all, particularly in Benue State .

He said as far as Benue State is concerned, promises and realities would shape the choice of candidates to vote for .

” For the Presidential election , are we to be listening to candidates that will come and be telling us what they have in plan to do or vote for the one that is already doing concrete things .

” President Bola Tinubu on road infrastructure alone , has constructed Abuja – Keffi – Makurdi Road and also working on Otukpo – Enugu Federal Highway .

” For me such a person on the template of reality , should be the preferred presidential candidate to vote for by Benue people and not those that are just at the level of making promises .

” The same consideration as you have done for me , should be used for those contesting for the governorship position in the State.

” Specifically , are Benue South people suppose to look at the direction of a governor that had spent three years without a single project for commissioning in the area or a governor who gave N40million to family of Chairman of Myetti Allah allegedly killed and N4million to the families of victims of attacks on Otukpo – Nobi community.

” I am not against Father Alia but against government led by him . I am not against the Tiv nation but against the Tiv man who has no regards for the existence of other tribes in the State ” , he said .