Politics
2024 Edo Guber: Talk Edo Initiative Unveils Agba As Notable Political Personality, Urges Him To Contest

Talk Edo, an offshoot of The Talk Initiative Nigeria, a project/programme founded in 2015, has announced the adoption of the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, as a political personality of interest in the build-up to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
In a release signed by its Spokesperson, Joesph Iyamu Oronsaye Jr on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Initiative said: “We believe the time has come to act by fully endorsing the aspirant and asking him to run for the upcoming elections in Edo state 2024.”
The Initiative stated: “Our state needs to thrive economically, uplift its people, and become a shining example of progress for Nigeria and the world.”
Created as a movement on all platforms to “air views and pay attention to the voice of the people, using our social media platforms, radio/television stations, and print media to advocate for good governance and development,” the Initiative said it was proud to announce its interest in Agba.
“The Talk Edo Initiative is proud to announce that its platform is now dedicated to creating awareness about a political aspirant who they feel is in line with the goals, vision, and mission, for which the Talk Initiative brand was created in 2015, which is to promote good governance, strong leadership, development at all levels of the state, promote values and our Edo culture,” the release quoted the movement to have said.
The release, which captured the rationale for the movement’s adoption, reads: “Edo State, located in the heart of Nigeria, in the South-South region of the state is a vibrant state with a rich cultural heritage and a history that dates back centuries, and also Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan, with a total population of 1,782,000 as of 2021,
“Benin City used to be the centre of Nigeria’s rubber industry; and, oil production is also a significant industry; it was an important city of the Edo kingdom of Benin, which flourished during the 13th to the 19th century.
“With the above history of Benin Kingdom and Edo state, there has been a loss of direction towards development and good leadership. Edo holds tremendous potential in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and technology.
“In all this put together, we would agree that Edo state needs people of character, integrity, and someone with the capacity to help drive the Edo we need.
“The Talk EDO platform has (thus) endorsed the person of Prince Clem Agba, CON, a focus-driven man, a personality with integrity, capacity, and competence who had been tested at the state level as commissioner for environment and public utilities.
“Prince Clem Agba provided leadership in the urban renewal and drainage infrastructure drive of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration, which included beautification; greening of the streets, planting trees and ensuring that the state capital had functional street lights.
“He played a vital role in finding solutions to Edo State flood and erosion challenge with a robust stormwater project to tackle the problem of erosion in Benin city. It was a breakthrough that came more than 30 years after the last major stormwater project was done in 1979.
“This significant project was in addition to the clearing of the notorious costain Isonorho dumpsite in just five days; which posed as a problem that had overwhelmed over five governments [both military and civilian] for over two decades.
“Due to his unwavering commitment to service and development of society, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole invited him to join the Edo Rescue Team as a member of the state cabinet in 2009, a team fully charged and prepared to take Edo state to the highest possible height in political governance and development.
“While in office as the minister of budget and national planning, he focused on national planning, early budget submission to the national assembly, and strengthening the department of monitoring and evaluation in the ministry in order to effectively drive the national monitoring and evaluation process.”
The release continued: “The driving force behind this initiative, Talk Edo, is to extend a voice to the voiceless, advocate for good governance, and seek strong and credible leadership in Edo state.
“Talk Edo has a major responsibility to bridge the gap between Edo state and the world. It could be called ‘Edo meets the World’. The major goal is to promote the values of the state, and in Prince Clem Agba, we have seen all qualities that lead our vision and mission for a better Edo state.”
The movement said its objectives were to drive awareness about and conversation around the aspiration of Prince Clem Agba as a notable personality for the position of Edo State governor in 2024; as well as influence and lead key discussions around his achievements as commissioner and minister, among others.
Politics
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, I’m calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“I’m calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election
Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,” Lawal said. “We will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.”His emergence underscores the party’s push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APC’s preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Politics
Adewale Wins APC Lagos Assembly Ticket For Ifako-Ijaiye
Lagos lawmaker, Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the party’s candidacy in Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 ahead of the 2027 general election.Adewale, a current member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, scored 19,111 to defeat his closest rival, Obawole Quadri lawal, who polled 295 votes.Three other aspirants in the election that was monitored by the state electoral officers, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, Afolabi Ajiboye, Akinyemi Temitope, and Adewale Lateef, scored 165, 73 and 33 votes respectively.The primary election was conducted peacefully on Wednesday across seven political wards in the constituency.A youth leader and participant in the exercise, Demola Olajide, said the peaceful exercise was the result of the maturity of the aspirants and the members’ respect for party supremacy.In a ‘thank you’ message to his constituents on Thursday, Adewale described his victory at the primary election as democracy in action.He noted that the beauty of the exercise was that he had despite having other aspirants, the election was peaceful.”What makes this moment special wasn’t just the win. It was the voices that were heard, the choices people made freely, and the peaceful process that let a community decide its own path forward.”That’s the heart of democracy: every vote counts, every opinion matters, and power flows from the people up.”May this new chapter bring the progress and unity we have promised to fight for. The real work starts now and our leaders are watching with hope.”Let’s be further determined to increase our support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other candidates of the party in the 2027 election,” he urged.
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