Blog

The internal crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took another dramatic turn on Tuesday as a faction of the party dismissed a list of local government coordinators released by the Tony Aziegbemi-led caretaker committee, describing it as illegal, misleading, and a plot to derail the forthcoming congresses.

In a strongly worded statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP Edo State Caretaker Committee, Bob-Manuel Umoru, the faction urged party members and the general public to disregard the purported list, insisting that it neither represents the collective decision of the party nor aligns with its leadership direction.

According to Umoru, the list amounts to nothing more than “a concoction designed to mislead, distract, and further divide.” He accused Aziegbemi and his associates of parading “a shameless compilation of individuals who, time and again, have failed to deliver even in their own units, wards, and LGAs.”

The statement further alleged that Tony Aziegbemi has become “a political trader” with “dual allegiance between the PDP and ADC,” a situation the faction claimed disqualifies him from any claim to genuine leadership. The involvement of Henry Tenebe in issuing statements on behalf of the party was also ridiculed, with Umoru questioning his legitimacy. “How can a man who cannot even convene a meeting in his own ward presume to speak for the PDP or sign off on official matters? Worse still, he presides over a gathering of displaced political fellows now assembling in the ADC,” the statement read.

While affirming that the PDP in Edo is indeed preparing for its congresses, Umoru stressed that the exercise will not involve what he described as “recycled failures paraded by Aziegbemi and Tenebe.” He reassured party faithful that the PDP “is never in short supply of credible, competent, and committed manpower to carry out its critical functions.”

In a particularly scathing rebuke, the statement suggested that if Aziegbemi and Tenebe were so desperate to act as “undertakers,” they should “channel their hunger and energy towards a mortuary, where their services as jobless pallbearers may be better appreciated.”

The faction concluded by reaffirming its resolve that “the future of our great party cannot and will not be determined by failed leaders or political mercenaries.”

The latest development underscores the widening rift within the Edo PDP as preparations intensify for the crucial ward, local government, and state congresses. Observers fear the deepening division may weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ondo State Axis, Joint Campus Council (JCC), has announced the inauguration of its newly elected leadership scheduled to hold on Friday, 26th September 2025, at UNIMED, Ondo City, by 10:00 am.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Inauguration Planning Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, as part of broader consultations and strategic engagements with stakeholders.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Committee, Comrade Lawrence Temidayo (Konibaje), stressed the transformational vision of the new leadership. He noted that student leaders must embrace dialogue over discord, partnership over protest, and results over rhetoric. According to him, the incoming leadership philosophy will be anchored on collaboration, accountability, justice, and advocacy for students’ welfare.

The Secretary of the Committee, Comrade Boladale Oyindamola (Mandela), echoed the chairman’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for sustained government–student partnership. He urged the Commissioner to continue engaging the student constituency as allies in policy formulation and implementation. Mandela praised the Ministry’s progressive policies and encouraged greater openness to youth voices.

In his response, Dr. Tob Loko commended the vision of the new NANS leadership and pledged continued support to the student community, assuring that his ministry remains committed to inclusive engagement.

Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony will feature intellectual events, including a symposium on “Navigating the Trajectories of Students Unionism: Traits and Skills to Emulate” and a debate on “From Confrontation to Collaboration: The Power of Intellectual Engagement in Students Unionism.”

The Planning Committee, led by Comrade Lawrence Temidayo (Konibaje) as Chairman and Comrade Boladale Oyindamola (Mandela) as Secretary-General, reaffirmed its commitment not only to delivering a successful inauguration but also to laying the groundwork for a new culture of responsible and collaborative student leadership in Ondo State.

The Committee’s Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ariyo Adedeji, added that the inauguration will serve as a platform to showcase how intellectual engagement can redefine the trajectory of student unionism in the state.

Barely 24 hours after the controversial rebuttal was issued denying allegations of local government fund diversion, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, popularly called Ilaje Pocolee, has again summoned all local government chairmen to Akure on Saturday night. Unlike the previous meeting, this time the chairmen were reportedly instructed to arrive without aides or drivers, fueling fresh speculation about the secrecy surrounding the gathering.

Sources confirmed that the chairmen have already converged in Akure, many of them under intense pressure from their grassroots base following Friday’s denial, which has been widely dismissed as orchestrated and unconvincing. The mounting criticism stems from revelations that councils receive only about ₦5m of their statutory allocations, with most of the funds allegedly redirected by the state government.

The meeting marks the second time in two days the chairmen have been summoned, raising questions about the government’s true intentions. Observers are keen to see whether the gathering will finally address the “agreement” openly admitted by Commissioner Amidu Takuro, or if it will be yet another rounds of staged denials while Ondo citizens continue to suffer and smile. The people are holding their breath, but even a spark of truth, however faint, would be a miracle in this circus of confusion.

As predicted in the morning, the rebuttals have landed, and what a show they are. While the ALGON Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, swore with a straight face that councils are in full control of their allocations, the Commissioner, Aminu Takuro, fumed and shouted there is an “agreement” where the State still holds the purse. Two voices, one government, two stories that cancel each other out. If this is what it took Alagbaka 48 hours to cook, then Ondo has perfected the art of confusion as policy.

But wait, let us ask some very very simple questions. If the local governments truly hold their money, why is there any “agreement” at all? If there is an agreement, then what business does ALGON have denying? And if both statements are true, then who exactly is managing the money? Comfort Omoge or Zeblon Omoranmowo? Instead of clarity, we get riddles. Instead of accountability, we get noise. It is like watching a badly rehearsed band where the drummer is offbeat, the saxophones are wailing, and the singers are out of tune, yet they expect the crowd to dance.

This is the tune they play for the people that Fela summed as suffering and smiling. Local Government chairmen, who know the truth but still bow and nod like zombies, are happy to be summoned and told what to read. A government that thinks spinning the truth is substitute for governance delivery. A State where the more they deny, the more they expose themselves. Truly, confusion break bone, and in Alagbaka today, the music conductor has danced away to the unsonorous song and have clearly forgotten to conduct. May God help Ondo!