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Lift petrol supply ban in border communities, Ogun lawmaker urges Tinubu

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The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Daisi Elemide unveiling the constituency projects facilitated by Hon Bisi Oyedele to Ipokia Local Government. Credit: Taiwo Bankole

The member representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Bisi Oyedele, fondly called Citiside, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to lift the ban on the supply of petroleum products to communities located within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s borders.

Fuel supply restrictions in Ogun’s border communities — primarily the 20-kilometre ban — were imposed to curb smuggling to neighbouring countries, but they have since caused significant economic hardship for residents.

Despite the removal of fuel subsidies, the ban remains in place, with only limited waivers granted, forcing many residents to rely on expensive black-market fuel.

Oyedele, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, lamented the hardship the policy has caused residents of border communities over the years, describing it as “outdated, unjust, and counterproductive to the economic survival of the people of Ogun West Senatorial District.”

The lawmaker also called for the revival of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, which was initiated towards the end of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration but has since been abandoned.

Oyedele made the call during the commissioning of constituency projects across Ipokia Local Government Area.

Some of the projects included the renovation and remodeling of the Primary Health Centre, Iporan; the construction of blocks of three classrooms each at IPLG Primary School, Ijofin, and IPLG Primary School, Ojuroko, Idiroko; as well as the provision of four motorized boreholes in Ihunbo, Vatipa, Ibatefin, and Oniro-Agude.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, alongside other lawmakers, political leaders, royal fathers, and community stakeholders from across the constituency.

Oyedele noted that the restriction, introduced more than five years ago to curb smuggling, has now become a source of severe hardship for innocent residents who depend on fuel for their daily activities.

He recalled that in November 2019, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, directed that petroleum products should not be supplied to filling stations located within 20 kilometres of the country’s borders, claiming the move was to protect the national economy and curb smuggling.

He said, “This 20-kilometre petroleum restriction has lost its essence. Instead of stopping smuggling, it has punished law-abiding citizens who can no longer access fuel for their vehicles, businesses, and homes. I am appealing to the Federal Government to immediately lift this outdated policy and give relief to our people.”

 

The lawmaker described Ipokia Local Government as an area with immense economic potential, particularly as a gateway linking Ogun State to the West African corridor.

He expressed concern that despite its strategic position, the area continues to suffer neglect in terms of infrastructure and connectivity.

Oyedele urged both the state and federal governments to fast-track work on the proposed Ipokia–Badagry Link Bridge, describing it as a crucial project that would open up the border communities to trade, tourism, and industrial opportunities.

“This bridge is not just a road connection; it is an economic lifeline that will boost commerce between Ogun, Lagos, and neighbouring West African nations. I therefore call on both the Federal and State Governments to prioritise this project in the spirit of balanced regional development,” he said.

He also renewed his call for the immediate take-off of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, describing the institution as a “symbol of fairness and opportunity” for the youth of Ogun West.

“The Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, remains a beacon of hope for our young people. I have consistently raised this issue on the floor of the Assembly, and I am confident that Governor Dapo Abiodun will ensure that the take-off of the institution becomes part of his enduring legacy. We must not rest until the Ipokia Polytechnic comes alive,” Oyedele stated.

He commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his people-oriented leadership and for providing an enabling environment that allows lawmakers to deliver meaningful projects to their constituencies.

He also lauded the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), for his continuous support and interventions, describing him as “a visionary leader whose impact cuts across all sectors.”

Royal fathers and community leaders present at the event praised Oyedele for bringing pride, dignity, and visibility to Ipokia land, commending his accessibility, humility, and passion for development.

Residents and political stakeholders also applauded the lawmaker’s achievements and reaffirmed their support for his continued representation.

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PDP to screen Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday as its sole Presidential aspirant For 2027 race

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has scheduled to screen former president Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow, Tuesday, aMay 19, as the lone presidential candidate of party.

According to a statement from the PDP faction backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former governor of Plateau State, Jona Jang and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi have been listed among a committee of 14 members to screen Jonathan described as a lone candidate by the party.

Other members of the committee were Chief Olabode George, Babangida Aliyu, Maryam ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenin, Dr. Abdul Bulama, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, Dr. Sunday Solarium and Chief Anicho Okoro, who would serve as administrative secretary of the committee.

Last week, the national Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that former president Jonathan has successfully registered as a member of the party in the fresh digital registration exercise directed by INEC.

The PDP faction also announced that it was set to screen 748 house of representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, and 112 governorship aspirants.

The screening committee would screen 2122 states houses of assembly aspirants. The exercise will commence tomorrow, Tuesday in different states.

According to the statement, the screening exercise would take place nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The statement said the Interim National Working Committee (iNWC) has also released the names of members to serve on the Screening Committees and Screening Appeal Panels.

It added that the publication of the screening details “is in accordance with the party’s guidelines and timetable for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.”

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Oshiomhole wins Edo APC senatorial primaries unopposed

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A former governor and incumbent Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, along with his counterpart Senator Joe Ikpea, sailed through the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Edo unopposed, and securing their tickets without a single vote cast against them.

Also Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged the winner in the APC primary for the Edo South senatorial district.

Ogbeide-Ihama won in the seven local government areas of Edo South in the results announced by the Chairman of APC National Assembly Primary Election, Muhammed Ajana at the Urokpota Hall, Benin.

He polled 27,154 votes while his opponents, Senator Neda Imasuen, got 13,580, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu got 6785.

The elections were hitch-free in Edo North and Edo Central, where there was no contest against the incumbents, Senators Oshiomhole of Edo North and Ikpea of Edo Central, respectively.

Ajana at the Urokpota Hall said the collation arose from votes cast in the seven local government areas made up of 77 wards where elections were conducted by members of the committee.

He said, “There are seven local governments that make up the Edo South Senatorial District. We have heard from the Returning officers from the seven local government areas. From the collation, the cumulative result we have for Edo South Senatorial District is this; Ogbeide-Ihama with 27,154 votes, Imasuen with 13,580 votes and Ize-Iyamu with 6, 785.

“This is the total reflection of what has transpired from the ward level to the local government and the Edo South senatorial district collation centre. With this we await further directives from the National Secretariat, we have done our best by collating the results which is our mandate, to collate the results and send them to the National Secretariat.”

However, it was gathered that Ize-Iyamu emerged as the APC candidate for Edo South Senatorial race. He claimed to have clinched the party’s ticket after defeating Ogbeide-Ihama and Imasuen.

It was claimed that the Chief Returning Officer, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, officially declared Ize-Iyamu the winner after securing the highest number of votes cast.

On his part, the senator representing the district condemned the exercise describing it as a sham allegedly designed to favour a preferred aspirant.

Imasuen spoke while reacting to events at his polling unit in Umagbae North Ward 5, Urhokuosa where he said he was denied the opportunity to vote following what he described as a chaotic and manipulated process.

The lawmaker accused leaders of the party of openly adopting a preferred candidate ahead of the exercise and intimidating members into supporting that aspirant.

He said, “There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of election they did today and it is very unfortunate because as a loyal party member, I expected something better than this.”

He said the warning signs emerged days before the primary when some ward chairmen allegedly informed him that they had been directed not to receive him during consultations.

Imasuen claimed that some ward leaders openly told him the party had already adopted a preferred aspirant, identified as Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, making further consultations unnecessary.

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Ajuloopin Suffers Setback as Home Ward Rejects Third Term Return Bid in Kwara APC Primary

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The re-election bid of the member representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Hon. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, popularly known as Ajuloopin, suffered a major setback on Friday after party members in his home ward, Omu-Aran Ward 1, boycotted the All Progressives Congress APC House of Representatives primary.

According to party stakeholders and observers present at the exercise, no valid election took place in the ward after members refused to participate in protest against what they described as the lawmaker’s poor performance after three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.

Sources in the ward said efforts by some political figures and loyalists to persuade members to back Ajuloopin’s ambition failed, with party faithful insisting they would not endorse what they termed an attempt to impose his candidacy again.

The boycott led to a breakdown of the electoral process in Omu-Aran Ward 1, with many members staying away from the polls entirely. Stakeholders have called on the APC Electoral Committee to disregard any result purportedly presented from the ward, arguing that no credible primary was conducted there.

Political observers in the constituency described the development as a significant blow to Ajuloopin, noting that the rejection came from his own ward and among constituents most familiar with his record.

Preliminary reports from other parts of Irepodun, Isin and Oke-Ero local government areas, where voting proceeded, also indicated weak support for the incumbent. Many party members were said to have voted for alternative aspirants.

APC stakeholders have urged the party leadership to review reports from affected wards and accept only authentic and verifiable results to preserve the credibility of the primaries. They stressed that internal democracy was critical to the party’s prospects in the constituency and warned against imposing unpopular candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

With tension rising across the federal constituency, party faithful said the leadership must listen to grassroots members and allow delegates and supporters to determine the outcome of the primaries.

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