The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • 44 parties pass vote on confidence on REC Igini

    Forty four political parties have vouched for the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Mike Igini.

    The parties under the aegis of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) also passed a vote confidence on Igini saying they will swim and sink with Igini despite attempts to remove him as Akwa Ibom REC.

    In a statement by IPAC’s legal adviser, Mr. Mfon Peters, the 44 political parties alleged that several attempts were made to lure the REC against the will of the people during the presidential and senatorial elections but he “chose his integrity instead”.

    IPAC applauded what it described an unbending noble character displayed by Igini in the face of intimidation and fat offers which they said played out in Ikot Ekpene.

    “We have noticed that after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in our State, the ‘Igini Must Go’ assemblage which had receded has been rekindled. The reason is not far- fetched.

    “We applaud the unbending noble character of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, in the test offered by the scenario that played out at Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District elections.

    “Despite monetary inducement, connection, influence and power play, Igini was uncompromising.

    Read Also: How to protect ballot box, by Igini

    “He insisted that only the valid votes cast at the polling units and collated by the designated officers will count.

    “This did not go down well with some political gladiators who hitherto thought that what money cannot do, more money can do.”

    The assemblage of political parties further alleged those seeking transfer of Igini have so far created spurious stories and blatant lies against the REC in a bid to discredit the just concluded election which was adjudged by their respective Units Agents and International Observers as credible and transparent.

    They called on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu to discountenance the renewal of calls for the redeployment of Igini, stressing they were are ill-intentioned and in absolute bad faith.

  • Accord adopts APC in Oyo

    The Accord Party in Oyo State on Tuesday agreed to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship and assembly polls.

    This alliance, according to the hierarchy of the party, was facilitated by Senator Soji Akanbi representing Oyo South senatorial district.

    He reunited with the APC from the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) after a high powered meeting with the Vice President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC stalwarts after the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Read Also: Photos: Buhari, Atiku sign peace accord in Abuja

    Over 350 members, party leaders and representatives of the Accord Party from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State converged on the Mauve 23 Event Centre in Ring Road, Ibadan to finalise terms of support for the ruling party.

    Akanbi told the Accord members that his return to help the APC’s recovery process was hinged on recent reconciliation efforts of the APC national leaders.

    He lauded the virtues of President Muhammadu Buhari and emphasized the need to ensure Oyo state aligns with the ruling party to further bring development to the state.

    “We are here to cement a relationship that will bring massive development to the state because the ruling party leadership has a mandate to win in Oyo State.

    “We recognize that we only can win together and that is why we are calling on fellow progressive minded people to join the winning side.

    “I enjoin you all to align with the APC to win the gubernatorial elections in the state and ensure progressive change in the interest of the masses,” he stated.

    The chairman of the Accord in Oyo State, Engr. Muda Ogunsola, lauded the senator for placing the masses’ interest first.

    He explained his party’s decision to support the APC in Saturday’s governorship election has been well accepted by all stakeholders in the party.

    He informed the national hierarchy of the party had granted the go ahead for the state chapter to assist the APC to realize its mandate in the governorship elections.

    This marks a major sign of recovery for the party that suffered a shock defeat in the hands of the main opposition party, PDP in the Presidential election held on Feb 23.

    The APC in the state also surrendered the Oyo South senatorial seat and all four federal constituencies in the district to the PDP.

    APC’s poor showing in Ibadan metropolis, which affected their overall performance, is largely blamed on the internal crisis that forced Senator Akanbi to seek re-election on the platform of the ADC after Governor Abiola Ajimobi claimed the party’s ticket from the incumbent.

     

  • Obaseki threatens to deal with APC leaders

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has threatened to deal with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) whose activities led to the defeat of the party in the February 23rd general elections.

    The APC lost the election by polling 267,842 against the 275,691 scored by the to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Government sources said what peeved Governor Obaseki was the wide margin of defeat recorded in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo local government areas in Edo South senatorial district.

    Read Also: Edo needs supportive House of Assembly – Obaseki

    Obaseki, who hails from Oredo in Edo South senatorial, was said to have issued the threat at a meeting with APC leaders.

    A source at the meeting, who spoke in a chat with newsmen and pleaded anonymity, said Obaseki challenged the affected leaders to reveal what he gave to them.

    The source said the Governor was almost moved to tears as he expressed his disappointment with some of the leaders especially when it was revealed one of the leaders did not buy generators meant for Ward collation centres.

    According to the source, “We were shocked when Obaseki started talking. He revealed so many things. He said he was shocked how the leaders sabotaged his efforts. Obaseki asked them if it were his re-election, that is how he would have lost.

    “The Governor spoke to a point that he threw away the microphone. None of the leaders utter any word in defense. He has said he would deal with them.

    “We are happy that the Governor set up a 25-man team to work with him for the purpose of the House of Assembly election this Saturday.”

     

     

  • Unity Forum pledges support for Oyo APC guber candidate

    Members of Unity Forum, the break-away faction of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Oyo State, have agreed to work for the governorship candidate of the party, Adebayo Adelabu in the Saturday election.

    They came to this agreement at an emergency meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday.

    In a statement by the coordinator, Alh. Fatai Ibikunle, the group said it “bowed to pressure from the national leadership of the APC and resolved to team up with their former party to ensure victory for Chief Adebayo Adelabu in this Saturday gubernatorial election in the state.”

    The statement continued: “The Forum, which is made of many aggrieved Oyo APC faithful, had broken away in the wake of crises which engulfed the ruling party during its Congresses in May last year. It is also recalled that members of the Unity Forum later scattered as most of them landed in popular opposition parties such as African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “But the fall-out of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections which clearly indicated that Oyo APC might be facing a difficult task in its desire to produce another executive governor as a successor to Senator Abiola Ajimobi had sent a signal to the national leadership of the APC which swung into action immediately the results were announced by calling for a truce among the warring factions.

    “In an emergency meeting held on Tuesday at a private location in Ibadan, leaders and members of the Forum unanimously considered the reports of a delegation which had earlier met with Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and agreed to unite for the sake of peace and progress of the pacesetters state.

    “According to the leader of the delegation which recently had an interface with Tinubu in Lagos home, all the issues that led to the schisms within the Oyo APC were presented and treated accordingly while far reaching agreement were reached by both parties with a view to facilitating victory for the APC gubernatorial candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on Saturday.

    “Immediately after the February 23 elections, serious-minded stakeholders across party line took stock and realized that no group or political party was in a vantage position to win the March 9 gubernatorial poll. The APC, at the national level, also discovered the need for urgent realignment and reconciliation with the estranged Unity Forum became an option for the good of the entire state.

    “The unanimous decision is that we will all mobilize across the geo-political zones of Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa to actualize the dream of Oyo State not falling into opposition for obvious reasons. Although majority of us are not hitherto in the APC, the agreement takes good care of our members who hold either ADC or ADP tickets for House of Assembly but detail of this will be made public later.

    “Notable party chieftains at the meeting include; Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Dr. Hammed Ayinla (Oyo ADC Chairman), Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, Chief ‘Goke Oyetunji, Chief Tijani Balogun, Alh. Lekan Kazeem, Engr. Azeez Adeoye, Elder Egbetokun, Chief Sunday Owoade, Chief Emmanuel Oyewusi, Hon. Lasun Adebunmi, Mrs Victoria Adegbuyi, Alh. Sikiru Anibire, Alh. Ganiyu Alade, Hon. Kayode Obisesan, Hon. Abiodun Alade, Chief Mathew Fashola among others.”

  • INEC omits APC guber candidate in Enugu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) may not field a governorship candidate in Enugu state for the February 9 gubernatorial election.

    A final list for the March 9 governorship election published on the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Enugu APC had no candidate.

    The list signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary, INEC, said it was in obedience to court order as the party was yet to submit a fresh name after Ayogu was sacked.

    In the 330-page final list of candidates, Enugu occupied pages 100 to 111, with the APC having candidate.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, had allegedly sacked Senator Ayogu Eze as the governorship candidate of the party in Enugu State.

    In the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice I. Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, the court asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Barr. George Ogara as the candidate.

    Read Also: Polls: INEC receives sensitive materials in Kwara

    However the APC National Working Committee (NWC), which earlier declared that Ayogu was still the candidate known to the party was yet to obey the order of the court, which had asked that Ogara’s name be submitted to the INEC.

    The Ayogu Eze campaign organization, however could not offer any reaction to the development.

    The spokesman of the campaign organization, Okey Ezerigwe told The Nation that Ayogu Eze was in Abuja to tackle the issue, assuring that “he is making some progress and is due back to Enugu on Tuesday.”

     

     

  • 63 card readers missing in Bayelsa, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Bayelsa has raised the alarm over its missing 63 card readers in the state.

    The commission appealed to persons in possession of the card readers to return them before Wednesday ahead of the House of Assembly election scheduled for Saturday.

    The commission said it discovered the missing item after the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Yenagoa, Head of Department, INEC Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the card readers were found missing in Brass, Sagbama, Southern-Ijaw, Nembe and Yenagoa local government areas.

    Ifogah explained that one smart card disappeared in Brass ward 6 unit 19; 24 in Nembe, ward 1, 4, 12 and 13 while 24 were not found in Southern-Ijaw, ward 1, 2, 3, 12, 15.

    He said; Eight are missing in Sagbama ward 1 unit 5 and ward 6 unit 3 while in Yenagoa, a total of six are also missing in ward 1, 11 and 16 respectively.

    “Yes, about 63, card readers are missing. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) has issued a statement that those involved should return it to a point where it will get to INEC on or before Wednesday”.

  • Polls: INEC receives sensitive materials in Kwara

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, says the commission has taken delivery of all sensitive materials for Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Attahiru-Madami told our reporter on Tuesday in Ilorin that all the sensitive materials were in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    He added that officials of the commission would commence sorting the materials on Wednesday in the open within the premises of the CBN.

    The REC added that the sorting of sensitive materials would be done in the presence of representatives of political parties, security agencies, election observers and the media.

    The sensitive materials included ballot papers, Form EC 8 and result sheet form.

    The REC said that after sorting of the materials, they would be moved to the various local governments accompanied by armed security personnel.

    Read Also: Group hails Kwara polls

    Attahiru-Madami said non sensitive materials like ballot boxes, ink, stamp pads and other items had earlier been moved to the 16 local governments.

    The REC added that all the sensitive materials would be kept at the Divisional Police Headquarters in each local government headquarters.

    According to him, the sensitive materials would be moved to the 193 Registration Centres (RACs) on Friday evening where they would be sorted out according to various polling units in the open glare of representatives of political parties and security personnel.

    Attahiru-Madami assured the people of the state that INEC would conduct credible and internationally accepted governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

    NAN

  • 15 PDP councillors defect to APC in Kwara

    No fewer than 15 serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillors in Kwara on Monday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of Governorship and State Assembly Elections.

    The defectors, who were drawn from five out 16 local government areas of the state, said they defected to APC in the interest of the masses.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were elected on the platform of PDP in November 2017.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon Suleiman Taoheed representing Ajanaku Ward in Moro Local Government Area, explained that the current PDP administration in Kwara had failed.

    “We are tired of lies and poor performance of the incumbent administration in the state and as a result, we cannot be left behind in building better and brighter Kwara.

    “Everybody is complaining about the political hegemony in Kwara because the system has not brought positive changes to the people of the state,” Taoheed said.

    He promised on behalf of the defectors to mobilise electorate in their respective wards and vote en masse for all APC candidates on Saturday.

    They also pledged their support for AbdulRahman Abdulrasaq, the APC governorship candidate, stating that he had good plans for the state considering his antecedents.

    They revealed that more serving councillors would join APC before Saturday.

    Receiving the defectors, Dr. Alimi Abdulrasaq, an APC stalwart and brother to the governorship flag bearer said that they would not regret their decision.

    Abdulrasaq noted that his brother, when elected would ensure that local governments have full autonomy, and draw government closer to the people at the grassroots.

    He urged them to mobilise electorate to vote Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and all APC state assembly candidates in the elections.

    The defected councillors are: Adam Tsado, (Edu), Ogundele Segun, (Isin), James Kayode, (Ilorin East), Aremu Jamiu, (Moro), Olorunrinu Suleiman, (Ilorin South)

    Others are: Omolara Sanni, (Isin), Adebayo Olatayo, (Isin) Saheed Abdulwasiu, (Isin) Saheed Musbau, (Isin) Adeyemi Oladele, (Isin) Suleiman Taoheed, (Isin), Ishola Seunayo, (Isin) among others. (NAN)

  • Adamawa: 10 guber candidates declare support for PDP

    Governorship candidates of 10 political parties in Adamawa state have resolved to work for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure victory for the party in next Saturday’s election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the candidates announced the decision after a meeting with the Adamawa PDP candidate, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri, on Monday in Yola.

    The candidates are; Sadiq Khaliel of MRDD, Danjuma Musa of FJP, Naziru Sa’ad of ZLP, Ahmed Hassan of DA and Salihu Danjuma of APM.

    Others are Abdullahi Usman of NCP, Bappari Umar of KOWA, Lami Musa of PPN, Elizabeth Isa of CAP and Frank Simon of MEGA party.

    The candidates, who took turns to speak at the meeting, said they had decided to partner with the PDP and work for the success of the party and its candidate in the Saturday election.

    Isa, the CAP candidate said she decided to shelve her ambition to work with Fintiri because she believed in his vision and that of the PDP.

    She described the PDP candidate as a man who matched words with action, as evident in his stewardship when he served as Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly and acting governor.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Agbaje and Lagos poll

    “I go for personality, and Fintiri is a man of vision and integrity,” Isa said.

    On his part, KOWA party candidate, Umar, said his party only endorsed Fintiri for the governorship election, but its candidates for the house were still in the race.

    “Unlike other parties, our party will mobilise for PDP for governorship only, while our house of assembly candidates are still in the race,” he said.

    Speaking on the development, Fintiri lauded the parties for the confidence in him and assured that he would form an all-inclusive government if elected.

     

     

  • Adelabu vows to sustain school feeding, pay teachers’ higher wages

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to sustain the school feeding project, if elected by on Saturday.

    He gave the assurance during his ongoing final campaign across the state.

    Adelabu, who also hailed return of many breakaway members of the party across the state, assured teachers of higher wages if he succeeds in the election.

    He described education as the bedrock of human and nation’s development, stressing that teachers are a major pillar of quality education delivery.

    The APC candidate said without teachers, he would not be who he is today, adding all great men and women owe the development of their minds to their teachers.

    He said he holds teachers in high esteem so much he believes that they are a class of workers whose welfare should be a priority in the society.

    Read Also: I will work for Adelabu, says Akala

    On school feeding, Adelabu explained it is an APC project which has been helping a good number of public school pupils.

    He pointed out that school feeding helps children concentrate on their learning while also lessening the financial burden of many parents.

    Urging the electorate to cast their votes for him and APC House of Assembly candidates on Saturday, Adelabu said his party has the solution to the myriads of challenges facing the Nigerian society.

    He explained that Oyo State has a lot to benefit from continuity under the same party, adding his administration would build on the foundation of security and infrastructural development built by the outgoing administration.

    The APC candidate also welcomed back former members, commending them for returning to the house they jointly built.

    He promised not to discriminate against any member, saying the good ideas of everyone would help in the development of the state.

    Adelabu will contend with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Seyi Makinde on Saturday as the two most prominent candidates in the election.