The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has said that the British Government would deploy observers to monitor the forthcoming governorship elections in both Ekiti and Osun states as part of efforts to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

Also, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stated that the party will do everything within its powers to ensure the stability of the two states before, during and after the elections.

He emphasised that the APC would focus on issue-based engagement rather than sentiments throughout the electoral process.

The assurances were given during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Yilwatda at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where both leaders discussed Nigeria’s democratic journey, the importance of peaceful elections, and Nigeria’s strategic role in Africa and the global community.

Yilwatda described Nigeria as a country whose stability is of immense significance not only to Africa but also to the wider world.

The APC National Chairman, while speaking on the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, reiterated the party’s commitment to peace and responsible political engagement.

Earlier, Montgomery said: “We will send delegations to observe the elections because these will be the final off-season governorship elections before the general elections next year. We want to see peaceful, credible and successful elections.”

Meanwhile, former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Wole Oluyede, have traded words concerning the outcome of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Fayose, who spoke, yesterday, at a political programme aired by nearly all radio stations operating in Ekiti State, urged the opposition candidates in the June 20 governorship poll in the state to forget winning the election, saying Governor Biodun Oyebanji enjoys wider acceptability among the electorate to retain his seat for a second term.

However, Oluyede, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, faulted Fayose for endorsing Oyebanji, insisting that the governor’s performance does not justify such support.

In another development, Chairman of the Accord Party (AP) in Osun State, Asimiyu Ajibola, has been hospitalised at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital following an attack by gunmen in Osogbo, yesterday.

In a statement, yesterday, Police Spokesperson in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the shooting incident.

He said the attack occurred at about 11:50 p.m. in the MDS area of Osogbo, when two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on the victim in what appeared to be an attempted assassination.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations at the scene led to the recovery of exhibits, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis.

Meanwhile, an Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has condemned the attack on Ajibola, popularly known as Baba Isila.

Reacting to the incident, Davido, on his X account, called for an end to political violence, stressing that political differences should not result in insecurity or bloodshed. (The Guardian News)