The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election

  •  Why Diri deserved second term, by CPS Alabrah

     Why Diri deserved second term, by CPS Alabrah

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri will consolidate the development of the state, if re-elected on November 11, his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, has said.

    He said the governor would not relax on his laurels in  road infrastructures, security, education, health, among others, noting that his Principal means well for the overall development of the state.

    Alabra spoke yesterday at an interactive session with reporters.

    The CPS said the governor, would continue with the urban renewal programme he had already begun.

    According to Alabrah, part of the urban renewal programme is to light up the state capital and by so doing reduce crimes and discourage every form of criminal activities.

    Speaking further, he said because of the governor’s commitment towards creating more access roads, Yenagoa, the state capital, had been expanded and linked with other rural areas.

    Alabrah said: “Talking about roads, the government of Senator Douye Diri is creating roads to rural areas through the three senatorial roads.

    “The over 60 year’s old abandoned Yenagoa/Oporoma road is now at an advanced stage of completion because people can now drive to Angiama community. You can imagine community folks seeing cars being driven into their community for the first time. You see, the people were over joyed and this is courtesy of Governor Douye Diri.

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    “Oporoma has almost the highest oil wells in Nigeria, yet the multinationals operating there have not deemed it fit to construct roads for the people let alone the Nigerian government that is enjoying the wealth of the area.”

    “This government came in took it over from where the previous government stopped and has taken the road to Angiama. The Oporoma Bridge will be one of the governor’s landmark achievements when completed.  The government is trying to open up the state through roads.

    “We want to get to the Atlantic Ocean through the Sagbama/ Ekeremor. The road reaching Ekeremor is not enough, but we want to get to the Atlantic Ocean to access the blue economy while that of Nembe/Brass is also ongoing.”

    The governor’s spokesman said in the areas of education, six more additional schools had been built in Yenagoa while several others had been renovated with Internet facilities.

    He also said the government had set up technical schools in all the local government areas, stressing that the process of engaging more teachers was ongoing.

    Alabrah further said: “The prosperity government also embarked on human capital development where about 5,000 persons have been trained in vocational training and were empowered to start up their own businesses.

    “Not only that, the governor also gives out monthly grants to small scale business owners of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) per person in all the 105 wards across the state and government is using that to empower four persons per ward. It was initially N50 million monthly but the Governor has increased it to N100m.

    “The governor has also prioritised the welfare of civil servants in the state by paying their salaries early, noting that the government had been able to clear the retirees’ backlog from 2007 to 2015.

  • INEC plans mock accreditation in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa

    INEC plans mock accreditation in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on October 14 conduct a mock accreditation  in 27 polling units across Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states .

    The off season  governorship elections will hold on November 11 in the three states .

    The exercise  is to test run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System ahead of the elections.

    The National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, made this known in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

    He said the exercise will take place simultaneously in a maximum of three polling units per senatorial district across the three states.

    The statement reads: “The Commission met today Monday, 25th September, 2023 and, among other issues, reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday 11th November, 2023.

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    “As was the case in recent off-cycle Governorship elections, the Commission will conduct a mock accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units’ results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

    “The test-run will take place simultaneously in the three states on Saturday 14th October 2023 from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

    “A maximum of three polling units in each senatorial district have been identified across each of the three states, covering a total of nine senatorial district and 27 polling units. Lessons learnt from the exercise will be taken into consideration in ensuring a seamless process on Election Day.

    “Full details of the polling units, including their locations by Local Government Area (LGA), Registration Area (RA)/Ward, Delimitation Code and number of registered voters have been uploaded to our website and social media platforms.

    “The Commission appeals to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the exercise. “The public is advised that this is strictly a test accreditation exercise and not the actual election.”

  • We expect peaceful poll in Bayelsa, says U.S. envoy

    We expect peaceful poll in Bayelsa, says U.S. envoy

    • Diri: let people’s will prevail on Nov 11

    The United States Consulate-General in Nigeria has said they were monitoring activities in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 11 governorship election and expect that it will be peaceful and credible.

    The consulate’s Political/Economic Section Chief, Mr. Mike Ervin, stated this yesterday when he visited Governor Douye Diri at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    Ervin said the delegation was in the state to monitor the activities because the United States was a partner of the Nigerian government in the conduct of elections.

    He said: “As you well know, the United States is a fundamental partner of the Nigerian government in the conduct of elections. We are friends and we learn from one another when it comes to democracy and how democracy can thrive.

    “We are also here to see how Bayelsa is experiencing democracy at work. We want to know how things are going in your state and to also give you our good wishes for a peaceful election. We expect that the democratic process reflects the will of the people come November 11.

    “We will continue to be partners of INEC and we look forward to a very healthy democratic day in a number of weeks.”

    Replying, Governor Douye Diri said his administration was open to partnering with the international community to advance democracy through a free, fair and transparent electoral process in the state.

    He said his expectation going into the November 11 election was that the will of the people will prevail and not be truncated by unknown forces.

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    The Bayelsa helmsman noted that he is in the governorship contest not only because of the constitutional provision but that he wants his vision and plans for the state to materialise.

    He, however, expressed concern over security intelligence about his opponents, particularly of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, and his role in the crisis bedeviling the Nembe-Bassambiri community in a bid to subvert the will of the people during the election.

    His words: “I believe that your coming will motivate us and add to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria and in our state.

    “My government is of the Peoples Democratic Party and our key opponents are from the APC and Labour Party. Of course, there are other parties. But all we want as a government is a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

    “Like you rightly said, the will of the people should prevail and they should be able to elect who they want.

    “But our worry is about the kind of security intelligence we are getting and also the street intelligence about our opponents, particularly of the APC, who was a former governor. We have seen signs of insecurity in Nembe-Bassambiri where he is from. It is like a repeat of what happened in the 2019 election.”

    Also on the delegation were the Political Officer (Niger Delta), Jordan Lachance, and the Political Specialist, Arnold Abulime.

  • ‘Owerri zone to produce next Imo governor’

    ‘Owerri zone to produce next Imo governor’

    Agroup, Owerri Peoples Front (OPF) has declared that it is the turn of Owerri Zone to produce the next governor.

    Addressing reporters in Owerri, Imo State capital, the team leader, Chukwuemeka Ebere said, the group is worried about how Owerri zone had been shortchanged in the governorship of the state.

    He said since the return to democracy in 1999, Owerri zone has only occupied the governorship seat  for seven months.

    “Since 1999, Orlu zone has occupied the seat of power in Imo State for 20years; Okigwe zone has produced a governor for four years.

    With this development, OPF asked: “Where is the equity? Where is the fair play? Has Imo State become the sole property of the Orlu zone?

    “It is unthinkable that other governorship candidates from other zones are also seeking to be governor  on November 11, when Owerri zone has not completed its term.

    “This is an aberration and a deliberate plot to make the Owerri zone the political slaves of Imo State.

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    “Owerri zone cannot continue to be the weeping child of the Imo political family. We cannot continue to be marginalized in a state where we are a major and key component”, the group stated.

    The group said, it cannot sit by and watch the zone shortchanged again, adding that soon, the Egbu Declaration on Imo governorship will take place.

    OPF said that the original Imo Charter of Equity should be reactivated, stating that the Charter was truncated in 2019 when Owerri zone’s son, Emeka Ihedioha, was removed from office by the Supreme Court.

    The group insisted that the Owerri zone should be allowed to produce the next governor of the state in November 11, explaining that it “will ensure balance, equity and fairness in the Imo Charter of Equity”.

  • My security plan for Imo, by YPP candidate

    My security plan for Imo, by YPP candidate

    The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Imo State, Dr. Kemdi Chino Opara has promised to declare emergency on insecurity e if elected governor.

    Kemdi Chino Opara – an industrial engineer, founder and chairman of “Kemdi Chino Opara Foundation (KCOP)” as well as chairman/CEO of Gist/Agripa Empowerment Foundation made the pronouncement when he unfolded his 5 points Agenda to reporters at his  Obazu-Mbieri, in  Mbaitoli Council Area home.

    He said that he would  engage in  constructive dialogue between all aggrieved sections, the communities,civil society and the government to proffer a workable framework for ensuring sustainable peace and security.

    The YPP candidate said that as part of the measures to improve the security of the state, his administration would recruit 1000 energetic youths from all the 27 council areas  with a minimum of two to three persons representing each community.

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    “These persons will be well trained and equipped in community policing in order to complement the efforts of the police and the military”, he stated.

    Lamenting infrastructural decay in the state, the candidate assured that his government will tackle youth unemployment, environmental degradation among other odds.

    The American financial management expert and marketing researcher also promised to engage 75 percent of youths in his cabinet, construct ultra -modern well-equipped primary schools with maximum security in all the local government areas of the state if given the mandate to serve.

    Other areas of focus, he said, would be on agriculture to stem the food crisis, job creation and human capital development initiatives, grassroots engagement and local government autonomy in addition to tourism and environment.

  • FIDA, Canadian agency train  community leaders on violent-free polls

    FIDA, Canadian agency train  community leaders on violent-free polls

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) have canvassed for a violence-free, fair and credible elections in the state.

    FIDA and CFLI  yesterday  organised a capacity building workshop for community leaders on prevention and response to violence against women in elections in the state.

    At the workshop  in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, many first-class monarchs, community leaders, female lawyers, media practitioners, academics and other participants called on the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political actors to ensure the forthcoming poll is free from violence, particularly against women and the People Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

    The Country Vice President/National President, FIDA, Mrs. Amina Agbaje, said the workshop was being implemented in Bayelsa State.

    Represented by the Bayelsa Chairperson, FIDA, Mrs. Deme Debra Pamosoo, Agbaje said that women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria, but wondered why only few Nigeria women emerged as candidates of political parties at the last 2023 general elections.

    Agbaje stated: “For instance out of 18 candidates contesting for the coveted seat, only one was a female amounting to about 5.5 percent representation.

    “Furthermore, from the 1,101 candidates contesting for 109 seats in the Nigeria Senate, only 92 from this number were females representing about 8.35 percent.

    “Similarly only 286 persons out of 3,111 candidates contesting for 360 seats in the Federal House of Representatives were females amounting to about 9.2 percent representation.  Cumulatively, only 1,557 females constituting about 10.17 percent contested as candidates for all positions in the 2023 general election.

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    “However, in spots of this progress recorded, women’s participation in the elective positions has been minimal and has multi-dimensional implications for the democratic project in Nigeria and for the continuing quest for gender equality in Africa’s biggest economy.

    “With gender issues and women’s political and economic empowerment taking center stage on the global arena, Nigeria appears intent on maintaining its position at the bottom of the ladder of women’s political empowerment. “Recent data indicate that women’s rates of participation in formal decision-making remains one of the lowest on the continent and across the world with women occupying an abysmal 5.6 percent of all elective positions at both the national and subnational levels.

    “It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organized towards enhancing women and women with disabilities’ participation and representation in politics and governance in Bayelsa State through the 2023 Bayelsa off-cycle gubernatorial elections.

    “Therefore, this workshop will equip community leaders with the required knowledge in identifying issues that trigger violence against women in elections towards forestalling their participation at the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election.”

    She also said the workshop aimed at  establishing  referral pathways between the communities and leading security agencies in providing effective response to violence perpetrated against women while building a community protection system for indigenous women and the vulnerable population of Bayelsa State.

    She appreciated the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for providing the much needed support towards the conveyance of the workshop as well as the participants for their contributions towards advancing free, fair and credible polls in the state.

  • Activists to security agencies: caution parties against crisis

    Activists to security agencies: caution parties against crisis

    • Urge police to keep eye on Kogi SDP

    A Coalition of 25 Civil Society Organisations have called on security agencies to caution political parties against activities that could plunge states into serious crisis, ahead of the off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

    The Civil Society Organisations, in a communique issued after a three-day election preview on the three states, specifically singled out the Social Democratic Party’s slant of activities in Kogi State as an example of what security agencies must caution stakeholders against.

    According to them, the wild allegations and ethnic profiling, which have become the hallmark of the SDP’s campaign in Kogi State, “are capable of compromising the peace and security of the electorate, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers and other candidates in the state.”

    The CSOs said they came to this conclusion after painstakingly monitoring campaign strategies of various political parties participating in the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

    They pointed out that it was necessary to nip these activities in the bud to forestall possible security breaches and utterances that may provoke ethnic disaffection and electoral violence during the off-season polls.

    According to the communique signed by the Director of Research and Data Analysis of the coalition, Dr. Jaiyeola Isiaka, it was noted that the State’s police chief had cautioned SDP’s candidate.

    “The State’s Police Commissioner recently had reason to caution the same SDP candidate as published by many media platforms not to drag him into the politics of the wild allegations he has been making which have the potential to overheat the state prior to the election,” the coalition said.

    On how Bayelsa and Imo states have been faring since their campaign activities began, the communique said, “In Bayelsa State, the signs of security concerns are already surfacing but not so serious.

    “The tone of campaign language between the two leading candidates of the APC and PDP is becoming more accusatory and volatile.

    “Security agencies must monitor the supporters of both leading candidates of APC and PDP in order to forestall any serious breakdown of law and order before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the election. Possibility and rate of violence is 35 percent.

    “Imo State: This is the state that security agencies must pay serious attention to because of the seemingly worsening security situation in the state. The activities of the unknown gunmen are not helping matters at all. 

    “Security agencies must up their game in Imo state because it is a major flashpoint in this particular off-cycle governorship election.

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    Just yesterday (Tuesday), eight security operatives – soldiers and policemen were ambushed in the state, and allegedly killed and set ablaze. The possibility and rate of security challenges are projected to be 55% or more.”

    The groups, while revealing their projections on voter turnout in these states, said 35 to 40 per cent would come out to vote in Bayelsa, 20 to 25 per cent in Imo, while about 50 per cent turnout was expected in Kogi.

    On the election outcomes, the communique read, “The following projections are based strictly on delegates’ reports and research carried out by Coalition of Civil Society Organisations involved in this effort and are totally nonpartisan.

    “Bayelsa State: The incumbent Governor seems popular in the state and, judging by the reports of the Bayelsa State delegates at this preview, the election is a straight action between the candidates of the APC who is a former Governor of the state and the incumbent who is flying the flag of the PDP.

    The results are projected as follows: APC: 30 percent of the total votes to be cast; PDP: 40 percent of the total votes to be cast; others: 30 percent.

    “Imo State: The incumbent, who is the candidate of the APC, is a strong contender in this election. The influence of incumbency, among other things, is likely to work in his favour, all other things being equal. However, opposition Parties in the state are gathering significant momentum, especially the Labour Party.

    “Our projections are as follows based on independent reports by organizations based in the state – APC: 35 percent of the total votes to be cast; PDP, 25 percent; and LP, 30 percent.

    “Kogi State: Based on the reports of the Kogi State delegates at this conference and our research, the upcoming election in the state will be keenly contested among the candidates of the ruling APC, the SDP and the PDP.

    “Our projections are as follows on the basis of independent reports by organizations based in Kogi State: Accord, 15 percent of estimated votes; APC, 45 percent of the total estimated votes; PDP, 10 percent; SDP, 15 percent, others,15 percent percent”

  • I will win Kogi governorship, says Melaye

    I will win Kogi governorship, says Melaye

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kogi November 2023 governorship election, Senator Dino Melaye has vowed to win the election by conquering the fears and intimidation of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration.

    Melaye spoke in Egume, Dekina local government, Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of the PDP in the Kogi East senatorial district.

    He was received by former Minister of Police Affairs, Barrister Humphrey Abba, former Kogi PDP Chairman, John Odawn and a former commissioner, Mrs. Ruth Eke Iyaji among other prominent leaders of Kogi East extraction during the visit.

    The event, according to the Kogi PDP Governorship Campaign Organisation, was held at the Egume residence of Chief Odawn and was witnessed by the party’s National Campaign Council’s committee chairman on contact and mobilization, Professor Jerry Gana; North Central Zonal Chairman, Dakas Shawn among others.

    Melaye, who described the meeting as a “home-coming”, assured the leaders and stakeholders of inclusion and consensus building under his watch, saying it is his desire to ensure that the Party lives up to its name as a promoter of People’s democracy.

    The Senator cited his records of advocacy for the rights of workers and the people of Kogi State as the undeniable credential that he brought into the November 11 election.

    He noted that his campaign is weaved around partnering with Kogites to rescue the state from the yoke of underdevelopment.

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    Senator Dino pledged to be a servant leader and promoter of good governance, urging Kogi voters to bring about the desired change by voting for the PDP without fear during the coming governorship election.

    “We will win this election by conquering the fears and intimidation of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration.

    Professor Jerry Gana, who led members of the National Contact and Mobilisation Committee on the visit, commended Chief Odawn, and many founding members for supporting for the party.

    He urged the people to put the shortcomings of the past aside and work for a new paradigm that the emergence of Senator Dino Melaye and his running mate, Hon Habibat Mohammed Deen represent.

    Representatives of the three Federal Constituencies in Kogi East, who spoke at the meeting, assured of their total commitment to the election of Senator Dino Melaye and Hon Habibat Mohammed Deen.

    They called for vigilance during the election to avoid the manipulations of election processes and results as witnessed in the elections of the recent past.

  • 10 parties collapse structure for AP candidate in Kogi

    10 parties collapse structure for AP candidate in Kogi

    At least 10 political parties have collapsed their structure for the candidate of the Accord Party (AP), Admiral Jibrin Usman (retd.), in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.

    The former Chief of Naval Staff stated this at a news conference in Abuja.

    According to him, the state of decadence across many critical sectors of the state economy informed his decision to join the race.

    Speaking on whether his party, Accord, would accept to merge with other parties to brighten its chances at the poll, Usman said: “We have all seen the resultant effect of the arrangement between some parties that brought about the All Progressives Congress. There is nothing bad about parties merging. It is constitutionally allowed.

    “There is nothing wrong if, for instance, my party decides to merge with another party. It will interest you to know that 10 political parties have indeed merged with my party and my state party chairman has taken them on board.

    “10 parties are with me, some are adamant but they have approached me saying that I should give them more time.”

    Usman, who said he had just returned from a tour of 27 districts in Kogi East noted that the poor living conditions of the people requires a new sense of direction in the political leadership of the state.

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    He continued: “During our visit to Kogi East, we covered 27 districts. During the tour, we saw a high level of decadence, lack of infrastructure for effective development and the truth is that Kogi people are really suffering.

    “There is therefore the need for a paradigm shift. Ours is to rescue our people from the maladministration of the ruling party.”

    He identified security as one of the challenges that must be addressed to make the state safer for indigenes and residents alike.

    “Security as we have in Kogi State today is nothing to write home about. People in the state cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “In Kogi State, we are faced with a high level of kidnapping, political assassinations and thuggery. A lot of people are dying as a result of poverty. Criminality as we have in Kogi is occasioned by lack of jobs.

    “The youths go through hell to make both ends meet. A lot of them graduated from universities but have nothing to do. This is why many of them are recruited by their political masters as political thugs,” he said.

    “As chief security officer of the state, shouldn’t he liaise with the appropriate security agencies to request for deployment to give it a check? If we are there, we know the appropriate agencies to call upon,” he added.

    One of the areas of intervention if elected Governor, according to the retired naval officer, is the welfare of Kogi State’s civil servants.

    “The civil servants are all in a pitiable state. Kogi State workers are seen as beggars and they should not go through what they are going through today because they don’t deserve it. They are being paid percentage salaries, ranging from 25 to 50 per cent. Is that enough to feed somebody? I will change all this when I am elected on November 11 this year,” he said.

  • Why we’re backing re-election of Uzodimma, by Igbo youth

    Why we’re backing re-election of Uzodimma, by Igbo youth

    The Youth Wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has endorsed the re-election of Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, saying the latter’s performance was the sole reason for throwing their weight behind his candidature in the November 11 governorship contest in the state.

    The leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing spoke on Wednesday at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Hall, Government House, Owerri when they paid a working visit to Governor Uzodimma after their week-long tour of Imo State to assess the critical projects executed by the State Government.

    In a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor Uzodinmma,  the Governor was said to have urged the youths to avail him of an action plan on how to be relevant in the scheme of things, come together and contribute more meaningfully to the society.

    Led by Comrade Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the youths said they were delighted to visit the Governor to “commend and encourage” him on his numerous developmental projects and to inform him that they were solidly behind his re-election so that he can “consolidate on his good works.”

    Part of the encouragement by the youths, was the conferment of the honour of Grand Commander of Igbo Youth Worldwide on Governor Uzodimma.

    The youths said they have assessed other leaders in the South East and were happy to zero their choice of Grand Commander on Governor Uzodinmma due to his uncommon commitment to the course of the Igbo in general and the Igbo youths in particular.

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    They specifically singled out and commended the quality and durability of the Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Orlu and the Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia roads, and said the entire South East would have been opened up if the Governor completes the construction of the Orlu- Mgbe-Akokwa-Uga road during his second term in office.

    Okpalaezeukwu informed the Governor that the youths were not happy about the state of insecurity in the South East and would want to be part of the efforts by the government to deal with the situation.

    He said that the youth elements were highly needed to end the insecurity in the South East, particularly as most of those perpetrating the ills are youths. 

    Governor Uzodimma thanked the youths for the honour done him as their Grand Commander, and for appreciating his humble achievements, the reason they have called for his re-election.

    The Governor, who agreed with the youths that insecurity was a challenge in the South East, assured them of the possibility to overcome the menace.

    He advised them to shun violence, restiveness, and crime before, during and after the election.  The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, among other key appointees of government witnessed the occasion.