Ahead of the state’s governorship election on September 21, 2024, a group running on the platform of the Obidient Movement has promised to support Senator Monday Okpebholo of the Edo State All Progressives Congress.

Due to his strong ties to the community, the group, which included members from the Edo South Senatorial District, announced their support for the APC candidate on Monday.

The Labour Party chapter in Edo State, however, denounced the endorsement of the APC candidate, stating that it was ludicrous for individuals identifying as Obidient Movement members to back candidates from other political parties.

The Obidient Movement, a youth movement which became famous during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, was to coordinate and propagate the activities of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, for the election.

After the election, the party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, created the Obidient Directorate to cater to the yearnings of the members, but it was renamed after Obi’s rebuttal.

Obi had claimed that the Obidient Movement did not belong to any political party and should not be named as a directorate of any party.

Speaking during a meeting with Okpebholo, the Coordinator General of the Obidient Movement for Okpebholo, Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, described the members of the movement as lovers of good governance, fairness and accountability.

He added, “We supported Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election because we felt it was the turn of the Igbo.

“Right now in Edo, it is the turn of Esan and we need the most qualified to work for everybody, and not a stranger.”

Okpebholo, receiving the group, lauded the members for the support and pledged to repay the confidence reposed in him if voted to power.

He promised to surpass the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the first year of his administration.

“If they have done well, I would not have contested. I urged you to punish them with your votes because if you leave it for them, our unborn children will suffer,” he added.

Reacting, the Edo LP Publicity Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, said, “It is absurd to hear that Obidient Movement is supporting Okpebholo just the way some also said they were Obidient Movement for Asue Ighodalo.

“The Obidient Movement is synonymous with the Labour Party and integral members of the party.

“They have forgotten so soon how the party was denied the use of the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium before the presidential election. So, how can these people now declare support for Okpebholo or Ighodalo?

“For me, they have run out of ideas and do not know what they are doing at this point in time. They cannot be Obidient Movement and work against the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata.”

Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Woke, says Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the nation’s capital, will not be reelected in 2027.

Wike made this known in Abuja on Monday at the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the Mabushi bus terminal.

“If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well,” Wike said.

“You said there are no schools and hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sectors?

“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027, come and run under Abuja; we will fail you.

“You think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. If you are popular, come and run. Luckily for me, I am the FCT minister now. So, here is my territory, and I am not afraid.

“People should be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anybody to be our friend. We have so many friends that we cannot even carry them along. So, how can we go and beg people to be our friends? We are not interested in that.”

Recall that Kingibe, a member of the Labour Party (LP), defeated Philip Aduda (who was a senator from 2011 to 2023) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

Kingibe and Wike have not had a good working relationship since they assumed their respective offices.

The lawmaker has repeatedly accused Wike of sidelining her, despite being the senator representing the FCT.

Both politicians have recurrently lashed out at each other on various occasions.

Wike said Kingibe’s anger stemmed from his constant companionship with Aduda and because she was not appointed as the senate chairperson of the committee on FCT.

In September 2023, Kingibe said Wike did not have the executive powers to make threats of demolition of “illegal buildings” in the territory.

In January, the lawmaker claimed that Wike had refused to respond to her letters and messages amid rising insecurity in Abuja.

The senator also claimed that Wike did not have the interest of the FCT at heart, claiming that residents were battling water scarcity amid other challenges.

• Asks Vice President to always cross check facts

The Sokoto government has asked Vice-President Kashim Shettima to always cross check facts before going public.

Shettima, at the inaugural north-west security summit in Katsina on Monday, said the Sultan of Sokoto represents an idea that must be jealously guarded and projected for the growth of the nation.

“And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea,” Shettima had said.

Prior to the vice-president’s remark, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had alleged that the Sokoto government is plotting to dethrone Muhammad Abubakar as the Sultan of Sokoto.

MURIC had asked Ahmad Aliyu, governor of Sokoto, to exercise restraint and not tamper with the traditional and religious institution of the Sultan.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abubakar Bawa, chief press secretary to the Sokoto governor, said the state government never attempted to dethrone the Sultan as speculated.

“The Sokoto state government has called on our Vice-President Kashim Shettima to always cross check facts before commenting on sensitive national matters,” the statement reads.

“We sincerely expected the Vice-President to have consulted the governor before going public.

“The state government urges Vice-President Shettima as No 2 citizen to have a full knowledge on issues of national concern before commenting on them.

“As an elder statesman and a father to all, he should have facts and figures before judging on issues raised by mischief makers and the mushroom social media handlers known for negative propaganda.

“The fact of the matter is that there was never any attempt to sack the Sultan nor have we sent him any threat regarding that.

“Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to. We never denied him any of his freedom or rights.

“We, therefore, do not need to be told to guard, protect, and promote the Sultan. It is our sole responsibility.

“The government and people of Sokoto cherish and adore the sultanate council and would do everything possible to protect the dignity of the revered institution.”