The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election

  • Kogi indigenes in Kwara adopt ADC candidate

    Kogi indigenes in Kwara adopt ADC candidate

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, indigenes of the state resident in Kwara state have endorsed the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Leke Abejide.

    Accordingly, the people have set an agenda of job provision and rehabilitation of Ilorin-Kabba road for the candidate if elected as governor of the state.

    Leaders of Okun, Ebira and Igala ethnic and youths spoke this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital when Hon Abejide campaign train came calling on Kogi residents in Kwara.

    In their separate remarks at the event, they said that they were unanimous in their support and loyalty for the ADC governorship candidate.

    They pledged to mobilize for the actualization of Hon Abejide’s dream of becoming the next Kogi State governor.

    Speaking on behalf of Ebiras, Salihu Abdulaziz said that “Kogites are united with priority and concern for development of Kogi State. All we want is progress and development of our people. We suffer discrimination of many sorts here as we are looked upon as second class citizens. Home is home. We want you to help us give Kogi better services that would lead to greater development. We also want you to help us fight injustice in the state.”

    Read Also: Kogi wins fiscal transparency, accountability award again

    The Igala leader Omede Adamu told the governorship hopeful that “If elected, we urge you to facilitate the rehabilitation of Ilorin-Kabba highway for us. We implore you to make provision of jobs for our teeming graduates a priority.

    Leader of Kogi youth in Kwara State, Malik Ojo assured the ADC governorship candidate of unalloyed support.

    He described Abejide as a game changer that had come to upturn the political calculus of Kogi State.

    Responding, Abejide, who is currently House of Representatives Chair on Customs and Excise announced a plan to set aside N2 billion interest-free soft loan for women in the state if elected.

    He added that women empowerment has a multiplying effect on the larger population of any society.

    “When you empower a woman, you have bettered the lives of a multitude because a woman would not see her family members suffer when she is capable of effecting positive change in their lives.

    “The N2 billion micro credit soft loan would be purposely set aside for women in the state to help improve their socioeconomic lives with no interest immediately I’m elected governor”, he said.

  • Don’t circumvent electoral process, group tells Sylva

    Don’t circumvent electoral process, group tells Sylva

    A group, the Pan Nigeria Democratic Alliance (PNDA), has warned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, not to circumvent the electoral process in the  November 11 governorship election .

    The group, which spoke through its Convener, Chief Olaitan Adewale, in a statement, said as a  true democrat who has paid his dues, the President should not allow  the antics of anybody or group who wants to circumvent the process to attain political office against the will and choice of the majority.

    Read Also: Bayelsa guber: PDP youth leader, top aides dump Diri for Sylva, APC

    “We are particularly surprised at the desperation of some people whose antics have already led to violence, death and displacements in some parts of the state, particularly in Basambiri-Nembe. This has been the pattern in Nembe and Brass in every election-cycle particularly those that Sylva is involved in. 

    “Bayelsans still remember how the governorship primary of the APC was marred with violence and gross irregularities. During the primary poll, Sylva reportedly got over 58,000 votes, and other co-contestants were said to have secured a little over 10,000 votes. 

    “The truth of the matter is that the exercise was a mere allocation of votes and stuffing of ballot boxes. Chief David Lyon was allocated less than 3,000 votes and he reportedly came fourth and could not challenge the outcome of the exercise. Such a thing would not be allowed in the coming governorship election. This is no time to count on violence and manipulation of the process to win elections. This is a period of good governance,” he said.

  • Why I’m supporting Uzodimma, by Ohakim

    Why I’m supporting Uzodimma, by Ohakim

    Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has thrown his weight behind the re-election bid of the incumbent, Governor  Hope Uzodinma, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 governorship election.

    Speaking to reporters on why he decided to back the incumbent, Ohakim said, Uzodinma ranks tall in tackling the myriad challenges facing the state.

    He  also advised Governor Uzodimma on the need to improve on intangible things that anchor on good governance and restoration of confidence in government such as reviewing some contractual obligations to the people by the State Government.

    Ohakim, who governed  the  state between 2003 – 2007 on the  platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said this on Tuesday  in his Owerri home.

    The former Governor made his stand known on four critical areas, that bothered on security, youth restiveness, re-election of Governor Uzodimma and Imo charter of equity.

    According to him, the reason for this letter is that we have again begun to witness dangerous political maneuverings, lies and destructive propaganda in the current political season. I have thought over this development and the question that comes to my mind is: can’t we learn from history? It’s this question that I want to raise before you,dear brethren, so that together we can look for an answer” he pleaded.

    Ochinanwata as he is popularly known and called observed that Uzodimma is seeking re-election for second term, which he said, it’s his constitutionally entitlement, but however, there are also other bonafide indigenes of the State who are running for the office and are similarly constitutionally entitled to do so and, of course, nobody can ask any of them not to pursue his ambition.

    Read Also: Imo: LP candidate, Achonu, vows to sack Uzodimma,  carpets  Anyanwu

    According to the former Governor, given the current political and socioeconomic situation in the country, Imo State is not in the best position for leadership change.

    He said that apart from the fact that the governor has performed quite creditably in piloting the affairs of the State – especially in the area of infrastructural developments – in his first tenure, he has this striking connection with the federal authorities that has yielded good dividends for the state and its people.

    “We can, therefore, not afford to decouple that chain-link now by bringing in a new leadership arrangement in the State. Needless to say, the existing cordial relationship between the State and the Federal Government can best – if not only – be sustained through the current administration in the State. Any other thing is to force us as a people, to start all over again and we can ill afford that.  Another regime disruption at this point in time will surely not be in the interest of our people and will have more disadvantages than advantages.

    Ohakim further pointed out that, “I am making this intervention because I believe that we, as a people, should take advantage of the past. Never again should we allow any individual or group of individuals to cut short our collective dream in pursuit of their self-serving interests.

    “I have looked at the entire gamut of issues and challenges confronting us and I have come to the inescapable conclusion, that Uzodimma is our best candidate for Imo Eleven – Eleven election, and that is why I am solidly supporting him in this bid. While am not asking anybody not to run, the plain truth is that Imo would be better off – if Uzodimma is re – elected, and the Charter of Equity , which has remained elusive, will then take its pride of place in our collective quest for a better Imo State,’’ he assured.

  • Diri urges appointees, PDP members to defend democracy

    Diri urges appointees, PDP members to defend democracy

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has challenged his appointees and members of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) to stand firm in defence of democracy during the November 11 governorship election in the state.

    The Bayelsa governor also called on local and international lovers of democracy to show keen interest in the forthcoming elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States in order to ensure a free, fair and transparent process.

    Diri spoke yesterday at a meeting of the PDP state working committee at its secretariat in Yenagoa and at another meeting with his appointees at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in the Government House.

    The governor expressed the optimism that with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensuring transparency and fairness and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) working optimally, votes in the November election would count.

    Read Also: CAN, Islamic council endorse Diri, deputy for second term

    Diri, who decried the threats of violence by one of the governorship candidates in the election, urged politicians to play by the rules in order to deepen democracy and not throw the state or country into crisis.

    He urged party members to be steadfast and committed towards ensuring victory for the PDP in the election.

    He stated: “I call on all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and Africa to put their eyes on the elections in these three states – Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi – so that we can have peaceful, transparent, credible and free elections.”

    “If we truly love our state, this is the time to stand firm. It is the time to know the difference between those who have character, integrity and those who are like commodities in the market to be purchased.

    “Beware of commodity buyers during the election. Let us not turn ourselves to commodities. Let us be good party men.”

  • LP leaders lament poverty level,underdevelopment in Bayelsa

    LP leaders lament poverty level,underdevelopment in Bayelsa

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just-concluded presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, the National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure and the LP’s flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, have lamented level of poverty and underdevelopment in the state.

    The three LP leaders, who made the lamentation on Tuesday, during the official inauguration of the party’s state secretariat, unveiling of Eradiri and town hall meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital, expressed dissatisfaction that despite the enormous resources and federal allocation that had accrued to Bayelsa since its creation, it remained in a sorry state.

    They contended that the problem of Bayelsa was purely that of leadership, holding that the state needs purposeful, result-oriented, ingenious, people-oriented, honest, updated, bold and courageous leadership to turn things around for the better.

    Lamenting the widespread poverty in the oil-rich Bayelsa State, Obi said it was sad, unfortunate and unthinkable that a state where oil was first struck in commercial quantity about 67 years ago still remained underdeveloped and poor.

    Read Also: Bayelsa guber: Peter Obi, Abure berate PDP govt, drum support for LP’s candidate

    He stated: “That you can come to this state and still see poverty is unfortunate and sad. This is a state where we discovered our first oil over 67 years ago and it is worrisome that after such a long time, you cannot drive on a good road to Bayelsa.

    “Bayelsa is not supposed to be among the list of poor states for what God endowed them with. It is caused by leadership and that’s what we are trying to change. Our candidate has told you other parties will give you money but we are not in the politics of sharing money.”  

    “We don’t have any money to share. Those who are giving you money are giving you, your own money to share. we didn’t steal anything so we can’t give anything. When they give you money, take it but vote your conscience. The Labour Party is the party to vote for in order to emancipate you from poverty and underdevelopment.

    “We have unveiled Eradiri and we want you to support him.”

  • CAN, Islamic council endorse Diri, deputy for second term

    CAN, Islamic council endorse Diri, deputy for second term

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Council of Islamic Affairs (CIA) have endorsed the re-election of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    A statement by a media aide to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, said the two religious bodies spoke glowingly about Diri’s administration during a visit to Government House, Yenagoa.

    Speaking on behalf of the two groups, the state Chairman of CAN, Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, and his Council for Islamic Affairs counterpart, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo, said the Christian and Muslim communities had jointly resolved to give their full support for the re-election of the Governor and his deputy to ensure continuity of the prosperity agenda in Bayelsa State.

    Read Also: Bayelsa guber: Peter Obi, Abure berate PDP govt, drum support for LP’s candidate

    The two leaders said the visit was informed by the positive testimonials of the Governor Douye Diri-led administration and to let the leaders know that the joint council was fully behind the re-election of the Governor and his deputy.

    They remarked that they had seen the direction the state was going, and would do everything within their powers to ensure the continuity and consolidation of the present administration in the state.

    Responding, Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, appreciated his visitors for their kind words of encouragement and support.

    Diri was also full of thanks for the foremost Christian and Muslim organizations for their continued support, noting that their endorsement would motivate the administration to do more for the development of the state.

    He urged them to stand for the truth at all times for speaking the obvious truth, and refrain from isolating themselves from politics for them to contribute to the progress of society.

  • 134,000 PVCs uncollected in Imo, says  INEC

    134,000 PVCs uncollected in Imo, says  INEC

    Less than two months to Imo State governorship election,  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner,  Prof Sylvia Agu yesterday said that 134,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in 27 local government areas have remained uncollected.

    Prof Agu spoke  to reporters  in Owerri yesterday. He urged Imo citizens to come for their PVCs at the respective INEC local government area offices, except for Orsu, whose distribution centre has been relocated to the state office.

    She said: “Imo State still has many uncollected PVCs piled in each of the 27 LGAs of the State, about 134,000 presently.

    Read Also: NNPP chief hails INEC on party ownership

    ‘’I therefore use this opportunity to once again urge Imolites to come for their PVCs at the respective INEC LGA offices, but for Orsu LGA whose distribution centre is in the state office here.”

    She said apart from the 27 LGA offices, INEC has also created some centres for PVCs collection for those Registration Areas with more than 1000 uncollected PVCs.

    To ensure that owners pick up their cards, she disclosed that the Commission has gone a step further to “harvest the phone numbers of owners of the uncollected PVCs in the three states where elections would be conducted and send bulk SMS to the owners.”

    On the level of preparedness, she said INEC, Imo State is fully ready for the elections, adding that all non-sensitive materials have been received and would in due time, be distributed to the various LGAs.

  • Miyetti Allah backs Ododo

    Miyetti Allah backs Ododo

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Kogi State Chapter, on Saturday, publicly declared its support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, ahead of the November 11 election in the state.

    The State Executives of MACBAN, along with national leaders and hundreds of Fulanis, representing all 21 LGAs of Kogi State, visited the Government House to pledge their unwavering support for the Bello-led administration and the APC’s flag bearer.

    They were received by Governor Yahaya Bello at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja.

    Chairman of the group in Kogi, Umar Damina, commended Governor Bello for his numerous achievements within the state and beyond.

    He specifically noted that the firm decision of MACBAN to support the APC was a testament to the Governor’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of members and his extensive efforts in providing security for all citizens and residents of Kogi State.

    The MACBAN’s chairman expressed the belief that the APC candidate, Ododo, would continue to build upon the solid foundation laid by the Governor.

    While receiving the MACBAN members, Governor Bello welcomed their endorsement of APC and Ododo for the upcoming November 11 elections.

    Read Also: Communal clash: Adeleke declares curfew in two LGAs

    The Governor, deeply moved by this display of unity, affirmed his administration’s stance against any form of discrimination against the Fulanis in Kogi State, particularly those engaged in lawful businesses both within Kogi and across the country.

    He lauded MACBAN for its valuable contributions in sharing information and gathering intelligence, which had aided conventional security forces in identifying and eliminating criminal elements among the Fulani community in the state.

    Governor Bello expressed his conviction that the Fulanis, known for their unwavering commitment to their word, would undoubtedly throw their support behind the APC during the November 11 polls.

    He emphasised the government’s resolute stance against the promotion of ethnicity and tribalism in the state.

    Furthermore, he urged law-abiding Fulanis residing in the state to remain vigilant and help identify criminal elements among them, thereby contributing to the overall peace and safety of all residents.

  • APC, PDP trade accusation in Imo

    APC, PDP trade accusation in Imo

    Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State have accused each other if funds diversion.

    According to the APC supporters who kick-started the allegation, they urged the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu to suspend his governorship campaigns.

    The APC stalwarts also demanded a full disclosure on the N490 million scandal which was allegedly perpetrated during his term in the Senate.

    Anyanwu is also the governorship candidate of the opposition PDP for the November off-season governorship election in Imo state.

    The call by the APC supporters is coming few hours a former spokesman of PDP in the state, Collins Opurozor, raised an alarm that constituency projects nominated by Anyanwu in the 2018 budget which amounted to N490 million were not executed.

    The supporters in a statement read out in Owerri on Thursday, by the convener of the group, Chief Gerry Njoku, said the people have resolved that Senator Anyanwu must suspend all campaign activities and explain to Imo people the whereabouts of the money which Federal Government released under his watch as a senator.

    Njoku, the President of Owerri Zonal Leaders of Thought, said:  “We learnt that much of the diverted funds would have gone into youth empowerment and women empowerment, and rehabilitation of our rural roads. If those our youths were empowered, they would not have been available to be used to drive insecurity in the state.

    Read Also: Communal clash: Adeleke declares curfew in two LGAs

    “Yet, this same Anyanwu who deprived our youths and made them jobless and vulnerable to crime has suddenly come to tell us that he wants to make Imo safe again. What manner of hypocrisy is that!

    “It is our firm resolution that if Senator Anyanwu does not satisfactorily tell us what happened to our money, we shall permanently ban him from ever seeking any public office, commit him to hall of shame and prohibit every Owerri person from associating with him for any purpose,” he said.

    The PDP Campaign Council in Imo, which countered the allegation, lauded the staff of the 27 local government areas in the state for protesting against Uzodimma’s alleged diversion of over N104 billion belonging to the LGAs in the last three and half years.

    According to a statement at the weekend by Director, Media and Publicity Imo PDP, Sam-Jones Governorship Camp,  Ikenna Onuoha a letter that leaked few days ago from the Ministry of Local Government in the state showed that Uzodimma deducts over N2.4 billion monthly from LGA account.

    The Council said “it is ridiculous that while hunger and starvation are on the increase in the state occasioned by the petroleum subsidy removal, Uzodimma and his government have flagrantly refused to pay LGA Staff more than 10 months salary due to the huge money diverted.

    “Our council further regrets that while other states in the country have designed suitable and sustainable blue prints to ensure that local governments in their areas are viable and formidable to carry out rural projects, Uzodimma and his government are busy diverting the state’s funds while leaving the citizens to beg for food.

    “It is unheard of, uncalled for and condemnable that upon all the resources available to Uzodimma and his administration in the last three years including intervention funds from the federal government and other foreign agencies, our state LGA staff are still wallowing in abject poverty simply because the Government does not have any regard for them, nor appreciate their contributions to the growth of the state.

    “This singular act of negligence and sheer wickedness to the people of the state led to the emergence of our Governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu to correct the ills and as well, make Imo safe again.”

    The council therefore, called on Imo people to join the campaign against Uzodimma to vote the administration out come November 11.

  • Sylva accuses Diri of spying on him

    Sylva accuses Diri of spying on him

    • ’APC candidate crying wolf’

    The immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has accused Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri of recruiting spies to monitor his movements.

    Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 governorship election in the state, made the accusation in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru.

    He claimed that credible intelligence available to him indicated that the spies operating across the state especially the Bayelsa International Cargo Airport were asked to document and report his movements in the state to some off-grid security architecture in Bayelsa.

    The former governor said the spies’ activities were being coordinated by a close security aide to Governor Diri with the aim of compromising his convoy.

    He called on security agencies and members of the public to take note of Diri’s strategy of violence against him and the people of Bayelsa with special focus on Opu-Nembe.

    He said any serving governor hoping for reelection adopts the strategy of commissioning and inaugurating projects to convince the people but that Diri had resorted to desperation, violence and underhand practices following his failure in office.

    The statement said: “Credible reports available to H.E Chief Timipre Sylva, governorship candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State suggests that Governor Douye Diri has commissioned spies across the state, especially at the Bayelsa  International Cargo Airport, to document and report Chief Sylva’s movements in Bayelsa and environs to some off-grid security architecture in the state.

    Read Also: We inherited over 2,600 road projects worth N14tn, says Umahi

    “This desperate, illegitimate security operation is headed by a close security aide to Governor Diri and the end game, as is known, is to compromise the convoy and security of Chief Sylva.

    “This is to alert the general public, especially the security agencies across the nation, to take note of Diri’s strategy of violence against Sylva and the Bayelsa people with special focus being Opu-Nembe.

    “A serving Governor’s chief campaign strategy, naturally, is to reel out achievements and milestones, not investing in an orgy of violence. Diri should be commissioning projects, not commissioning spies.

    “Sylva’s push to Creek Haven is an act of liberation and Bayelsans are massively aligned. The change is soon, the change is inevitable and the soul of Bayelsa state will be salvaged from the jaws of characters whose futile way of masking their inefficiency is violence.”

    But in a swift reaction to the accusation, Governor Douye Diri said Sylva was only crying wolf where none existed, contending that Sylva was the one planning what he was accusing him of.

    The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said Sylva is a drowning man seeking claws to hang on to or trying to make excuses for his failed governorship project.

    He reiterated that Sylva’s rejection by his party chieftains, his Nembe/Brass people and indeed the Bayelsa electorate is total.

    Alabra said: “Governor Douye Diri is a well-known pacifist and an advocate of politics without bitterness. He has said he won’t spill blood to get re-elected into office.

    “It is on record that for the first time in the history of elections in Bayelsa State, the February/March general election in the country was so peaceful in the state that there were no reported cases of bloodshed and killings unlike in the past. This was due to the governor’s peaceful disposition that has permeated the politics of the state.

    “So, Chief Sylva is only crying wolf where there is none. Going by his antecedents, we believe he is the one planning what he is accusing the governor of. But it is better to ignore the rantings of a drowning man seeking claws to hang on to or trying to make excuses for his failed governorship project.

    *His rejection by his party chieftains, his Nembe/Brass people and indeed the Bayelsa electorate is total.”