Yiaga Africa has expressed concern over the rising incidents of pre-election violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Samson Itodo, raised the concern during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, describing the situation as a serious threat to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election.

Itodo called for stronger security measures to protect voters, political parties, electoral officials and other stakeholders before, during and after the election.

He stressed the need for security agencies to remain professional, impartial and proactive in preventing violence and maintaining law and order across the state.

The concerns come amid heightened political activities as the major parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.

Yiaga Africa urged relevant authorities to take decisive steps to address emerging security threats and create a safe environment for residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has explained why Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has not joined the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Galadima spoke during the inauguration of the NDC’s reconciliation committee, where he claimed that Mohammed was advised against defecting to a party with a strong presidential candidate.

According to him, the Bauchi governor had initially indicated plans to join the NDC but changed his mind after receiving political advice.

“President Tinubu has 34 and a half governors. The only governor that is not with him is Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Alex Otti of Abia State is there. Forget about that,” Galadima said.

He explained that discussions with Mohammed continued until about 3am, with the governor reportedly expected to defect to the NDC the following day.

However, Galadima said Mohammed later informed them that he had reconsidered his decision after being advised not to join a political party with a strong presidential candidate.

“Bala Mohammed is on the fence. He may work with us, or he may work with President Tinubu,” he added.

Galadima’s comments come amid ongoing political realignments and negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties seeking to attract influential political figures and expand their support base across the country.

National Director of Media Monitoring and Rapid Response of the City Boy Movement, Bashir Ahmad, has denied claims that he secured only 16 votes during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in 2022.

The controversy resurfaced on Thursday after Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, mocked Ahmad in a post on X, claiming that the APC chieftain scored 16 votes during the primary.

Responding on Friday, Ahmad rejected the claim, insisting that no credible primary election was conducted and alleging that the process was manipulated.

“I feel it is important to say this unequivocally that it is simply not true that I got 16 votes,” Ahmad said.

According to him, the primary was not conducted transparently and there is evidence, including videos and other materials, to support his allegation that the process was rigged.

“If there had been, I am very confident I would have been the winner,” he added.

Ahmad urged Davido, his supporters and others circulating the 16-vote claim to stop presenting the figure as a reflection of a legitimate primary election.

He maintained that the results being circulated from the exercise were misleading because, in his view, the process lacked transparency and credibility.

“The full story will be told at the appropriate time,” the former presidential media aide said.