The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • 400 candidates contest House of Assembly election in Borno

    No fewer than 400 candidates are contesting in Saturday’s State House of Assembly election in Borno, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The candidates were fielded by 41 political parties for the 30 state constituencies.

    NAN also reports that some 32 of the 41 registered political parties fielded candidates to contest in the state governorship election.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, told NAN that the commission had screened over 400 candidates for the State House of Assembly election.

    Ibrahim said that the candidates those from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the major opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The REC said that the commission had attained 100 per cent in its preparations for the elections.

    He called on the candidates and their parties to support the commission by mobilising prospective voters to be orderly and peaceful during the election.

    Some of the major contenders in the governorship race include Prof. Babagana Zulum of APC; Alhaji Muhammad Imam PDP, Rufai Monguno of the Independent Democratic Party (IDP) and Abubakar Bawa of Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    While Dr Ahmed Dikwa is contesting the election under the platform of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), retire Cpt. Ibrahim Mshelia is of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Aliyu Alhaji is of the Action Alliance (AA).

    Other contestants are from the Social Democratic Party (SDP); National Rescue Movement (NRM), United Peoples’ Congress (UPC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DPC).

    NAN recalled that 104 senatorial and 244 House of Representatives candidates fielded by various political parties contested the Feb. 23 National Assembly elections in the state.

  • APC chieftain wants state of emergency declared in Rivers ahead of election

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ibrahim Emokpaire has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Rivers ahead of the elections.

    The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been scheduled for March 9.

    Emokpaire made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    The APC chieftain said the call had become necessary following the insecurity and killings that characterised the Feb. 23, Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

    Emokpaire, a former APC National Chairmanship aspirant, particularly condemned the killing of soldiers in the state.

    He noted that this was not the first time soldiers and other security agents would be killed in Rivers.

    According to him, there wi no justifiable reason for soldiers and even ordinary citizens to be killed no matter the provocation.

    “There is no country in the whole world where military personnel will be mowed down and the Commande-In-Chief will take it lightly with perpetrators of such heinous crime,’’ Emokpaire said.

    He said that irrespective of the immunity of Rivers State Governor Nysome Wike, the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in the state.

    This, he said was critical to deter others who think they could kill soldiers and other citizens and get away with it or without consequences.

    “The men in uniform that are protecting the country cannot just be mowed down without consequences. These are people that have committed their lives to protecting Nigerians.

    “Nobody, however, highly placed either with immunity or no immunity from any part of the country has the right to kill soldiers without consequences,’’ he said.

    He, therefore, tasked relevant agencies to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of such killings.

    Emokpaire said that such action must have consequences, saying “we cannot take anything for granted, we cannot turn everything upside down in the name of democracy.’’

    He noted that even in the United States of America, with the largest democratic process in the world, would not tolerate one of its soldiers being killed by anybody.

    “Even when a soldier was attacked and killed by a terrorist on a street in London, the perpetrator was apprehended immediately.

    “Everybody connected with the crime and the perpetrator was apprehended and locked up for interrogation, the house of the terrorist was shut down completely,’’ Emokpaire recalled.

    NAN reports that Rivers had become the most volatile state in Nigeria since after the Feb. 23, Presidential and National Assembly elections as residents of some communities in the state are beginning to leave their original aboard to seek safety elsewhere. (NAN)

  • Ogun PDP faction adopts Akinlade

    Hon. Ladi Adebutu faction of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) on Thursday afternoon adopted Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as its governorship candidate for the Saturday gubernatorial election in Ogun state.

    The deal was sealed at the Park Inn, Abeokuta, the state capital, with the factional Chairman of PDP in the State, Hon. Sikirullai Ogundele.

    Ogundele told reporters that the faction found Akinlade more credible and competent to govern the state than other contestants.

  • Guber poll: MPN candidate steps down for El-Rufai

    Barely 36 hours to the gubernatorial election, the governorship candidate of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) in Kaduna state, Hon. Mohammed Kabir Usman has stepped down from the race while endorsing Governor Nasir El-Rufai and urging his supporters to support the APC candidate.

    The guber candidate told journalists in Kaduna on Thursday that, his decision stemmed from the fact that their plan to develop Kaduna state, the incumbent governor is already doing it and if they support him he will continue with it.

    “After wide consultation with my family and my political associates, I, Muhammad Kabir Usman has resolved to step down and throw my weight behind the reelection of Malam Ahmed el-Rufai to consolidate on the gains of transforming our dear state to the path of sustainable development as well as youth participation.

    “I have decided to step down because the Governor is doing some things which are good for our people and we want him to do more to enable our people enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    Read Also: PDP plans to disrupt elections – El Rufai

    “I call on all my supporters to key into the process of making Kaduna state great again and join hands to make Kaduna state great again regardless of our political differences. I wish to appeal to our party members and teeming supporters to come out enmass and vote Malam Nasir el-Rufai this Saturday.

    “I assure you of my resolve to continue with the struggle of liberating my people and I look forward to a mutually beneficial political engagement with you all in the future.

    “I also wish to commend the effort of Governor Nasir El-Rufai for giving youths the opportunity to serve the state in various capacities and urge him to relent in this regard.” He added.

  • Benue group tips 32 year old activist as Audu Ogbeh’s replacement

    The Benue Elite Development Network has tipped self-style Human Rights activist and public affairs commentator, Barrister Philip Agbese as a possible replacement for Mr. Audu Ogbeh who is the current Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari cabinet.
    The group made the call at an event held today in Abuja where Chief Philip Agbese was decorated with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian activities across the country.
    The group particularly hailed Agbese who has joined hands with other Nigerians to assist in curbing the humanitarian issues in the North East using so many NGOs and directly visiting the place when insurgency was at its peak.
    Leader of the delegation, Engr. Onoja Ugwu whilst singling Agbese for commendation, said the young activist with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London is one of the best brains Benue can trust to represent her at the Federal Executive Council especially in fulfilling the President’s promise to include young active youths who can take the country forward.
    According to the group, Agbese is a master-strategist that has aligned himself with President Buhari’s Change phenomenon and most suitable for the appointment.
    In his reaction, Mr Agbese thanked God for the opportunity and the group for the recognition.
    He said: “It has been our lifestyle to do it the way we do, sometimes we are appreciated and times without number we are rejected by the same people we are trying to protect in the society.”
    He recalled his days on campus as an activist when while fighting for the rights of students in the area of hikes in fees when some will betray the cause and back out.
    “it is normal for people to do things and not appreciated in the society but it is also normal for people to do things and be appreciated I think something in particular makes this one very unique.
    “The fact that the Benue Elite Development network is a group of intellectuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds”
    He said the award is not just well deserved but coming from the right group.
    “I am totally flabbergasted to fit into the shoes of this award consideration ihave honoured people but this is the first time am being honoured in my life and it will remain a memory in my existence for a very long time”
    Mr Agbese further dedicated the award to his family, the staff of TheNigerian News Group who have been steadfast with him for the growth and stability of the organisation.

  • APC bounces back in Enugu guber race

    …calls for postponement of election in Enugu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Thursday bounced back into contention for the Governorship election in Enugu state.

    The party’s gubernatorial campaign had been jeopardized as a result of judicial process which denied the standard bearer,  his ticket.

    A governorship aspirant in a faction of the party, George Ogara had succeeded in an Abuja High Court in upstaging Ayogu as the candidate.

    But the Appeal Court Thursday quashed the Abuja High Court and reinstated Ayogu.

    Thousands of enthusiastic supporters on Thursday received Ayogu at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport with pomp and pageantry.

    Ayogu told reporters that he was back and would definitely win the election on Saturday.

    He said the judgment that led to the removal of his name suppose not to be adding that it was politically manipulated.

    Read Also: Enugu: Election and its aftermath

    “But come May 29, 2019 your brother who is talking to you now will be sworn in as the governor of Enugu state.

    “They cannot stop it. The will be swept by a tsunami which they can’t explain where it come from,” said Eze.

    He thanked his numerous supporters for exercising patience while the judicial process was on.

    The chairman of the party in the state, Dr Ben Nwoye in his contribution, called for the postponement of the election in Enugu state to allow their candidate campaign for some time.

    He said the party is insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately relist the name of Ayogu Eze as their standard bearer.

    The party chairman led thousands of party supporters to throng the INEC office in protest to that effect.

  • Jimi Agbaje’s campaign group debunks step down rumour

    The Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organization, the major support group for Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the Saturday, March 9, 2019 elections, has insisted that their principal is still in the race, and that he has not stepped down for any other candidate.

    The campaign organisation, in reaction to reports that Agbaje stepped down for another gubernatorial candidate, said: “the deliberate falsehood is obviously being orchestrated by those scared of an imminent loss and Agbaje’s growing popularity and acceptance across the length and breadth of Lagos.”

    “From their panicky and irresponsible action, it is obvious that those in opposition have exhausted all their tricks and are now becoming disingenuous and frantic as election day approaches.

    “It is also laughable and ludicrous for them to claim that Agbaje, an older and more experienced politician would be dropped for ADP’s Babatunde Gbadamosi. There had a report that Peoples Democratic party and Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, took the decision on Wednesday during a Press Conference at Protea Hotel in Ikeja Lagos.

    It was reported that the leadership of both ADP and PDP have agreed to work under one accord as Mr. Gbadamosi seems to stand a better chance of winning the election.

    “It was also learnt that the leadership of PDP took the decision in the best interest of the party and it’s members, and have sent communique to all Local Government and Ward branches of the party of the new development,” it was added in the report.

    “Ideally, the Agbaje Campaign Organization would not have dignified these peddlers of falsehood with a response, but we are conscious of the political season we are currently in. We are also aware of the desperation, intimidation, mudslinging and blackmail that have been dangerously deployed by the opposition against us despite our civility,”.

    The group reaffirmed that Jimi Agbaje is still in the race and remains the PDP governorship candidate for the Saturday election, adding that no amount of lies and half-truths can change this reality.

  • Guber polls: INC warns against militarization of Ijaw nation

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC), has warned against the militarization of the Ijaw communities as the nation gets ready for Saturday’s gubernatorial elections across the states.

    INC Spokesperson and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, who spoke to journalists in Warri also appealed to the federal government to allow peace to reign in the Niger Delta region.

    He said, “Now rumours are flying everywhere that there would be a complete overrun of the Ijaws for the purpose of this election. We plead with Mr President, the APC to leave the Ijaw nation alone and let sleeping dogs lie.”

    Bozimo, who is also a leader of the Ijaw nation, reiterates the resolve of the INC to support governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as their preferred candidate in next Saturday’s gubernatorial elections.

    “We the Ijaws will support the PDP in the next gubernatorial elections in Nigeria, specifically Okowa the candidate of the PDP in Delta State and all other southern areas where the Ijaws is predominant, namely Edo, Ondo, Delta, Rivera, and Cross River.

    Read Also: Ijaw group drums support for APC in Edo

    “That position has been taken for a while now and was highlighted by the Ijaw National Congress Steering Committee in Port Harcourt where we took that decision. So what I am doing is to reemphasise that position.

    “So I want to appeal to our sons and daughters wherever they are, in disapora or in Nigeria  that we have taken a position and we want to stand with the PDP in this gubernatorial elections and even the state House of Assembly elections,” Bozimo added.

  • NAFDAC re-arraigns producer of fake wines, spirits

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, re-arraigned a businessman, Benjamin Ojukwu, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged production of fake wines and gins.

    The defendant, whose store is said to be situated in Mushin, Lagos, was according to NAFDAC, arrested on April 3, 2018.

    In the six count charge marked FHC/L/111c/18, the defendant is accused of unlawful production of the fake wines, warehousing, distribution and unlawful possession of the same products

    “He was first arraigned before Justice Hadiza Shagari, on June 6, 2018, and was admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million with sureties in like sum.

    Read Also: Election: INEC replaces erring ad hoc staff in Borno

    He was, however, re-arraigned on Wednesday, before a new judge, Justice I. N. Oweibo, following the transfer of Shagari.

    The charge was then read to the defendant after the prosecutor, Mr Nnamdi Obi had informed the court of the position.

    The defendant also pleaded not guilty to the charges and the new judge allowed him to continue with the earlier bail granted.

    The court adjourned the case until May 9, for the commencement of trial.

    According to the charge, some of the fake wines and spirits retrieved from the defendant’s stores include: Ciroc Vodka, Gordon’s, Sky Vodka, Best Whisky, Grap Atros, Gin Mc Dry Gin, Best Dry Gin (Sachets), Grant’s, 8Pm Whisky, amongst others.

    The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Proceed Foods (miscellaneous provision) Act Cap. C34 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

     

  • APC, PDP ready for elections in Zamfara, as INEC distributes materials

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara said they are ready for Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agents of the two parties disclosed this to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday at the unveiling and distribution of election materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    NAN further reports that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Asma’u Maikudi led the distribution of sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The APC Agent, Alhaji Umar Abbas said his party is satisfied with the arrangements by the INEC ahead of the elections.

    Abbas, who is the State APC Collation officer for the 2019 general elections, said, “We are here to witness the distribution of the materials by the INEC, we are satisfied with the arrangements, the REC is seated with us monitoring the exercise, security agencies are also present.”

    He debunked the allegations against his party by other political parties that the APC was conniving with INEC to divert some election materials.

    He said, “I don’t want to comment on this, let them prove the allegations.”

    The State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Abubukar Maradun said the party was set to participate in the governoship and state assembly elections in the state.

    “We have challenged the commission’s mode of distribution of election materials so that the happenings at the last Presidential and National Assembly elections would not be repeated in the state.

    Read also: Electoral materials in safe custody, INEC assures Lagosians

    “We have made adequate arrangements, we have qualified agents across the 14 local government areas of the state.

    “You know in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, materials were not allocated appropriately, in Kaura there was a polling unit with 1000 voters but they were given 100 ballot papers.

    “We insisted that before any materials will be moved from here, we must know the number allocated to each of the local government areas, especially the ballot papers and broadsheet,” he said. (NAN)