Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter is facing a rift ahead of the state's governorship election. A peace meeting at the party's national headquarters ended in deadlock, with Deputy National Chairman, North, Shauibu Lawal stating that differences had been resolved, but the state Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, still has the endorsement of the party's national leadership. Kekemeke, however, denied any preference and stated that his preferred aspirant would be the person who garnered votes from the delegates. The crisis has worsened as leaders of the party under the aegis of the Ondo APC Elders Forum have flayed the ousted Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, claiming his attitude almost ruined the party. The party elders have urged their National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun, to resolve the crisis before the governorship primary election and at the national level to resolve the impasse among aggrieved members to prevent the party's collapse.

Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the governorship election on November 26. Jegede, who polled 760 votes, defeated former Special Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Special Duties, Salka Lawal. Bayelsa State Governor Seirake Dickson declared Jegede the governorship candidate, praising the peaceful and fair election. Governor Mimiko vowed to support Jegede in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff's faction of the party has shifted its governorship primary election to Tuesday, August 30.

A peace parley was planned for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve internal wrangling within the party. However, the meeting ended in a fiasco, with many leaders leaving without achieving their goals. The meeting was attended by leaders from various states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, and Osun states. The meeting was an opportunity for the Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi-led and Senator Alli-Modu Sherif factions to meet formally for the first time in three months. However, the meeting turned out to be a turning point, with members of the party embracing each other and engaging in a shouting match. The accreditation exercise announced by Dr. Eddy Olafeso, the National Vice Chairman of the party in the South West, led to the situation becoming rowdy. Members of the Sheriff's faction were denied accreditation, and they mobilized themselves to a hotel. Despite security personnel manhandling the meeting, a few members managed to enter the main venue, leading to a chaotic situation.