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Tag: 2015 poll

  • Elections can take place in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Shettima

    Elections can take place in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Shettima

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima on Tuesday declared that that elections can take in insurgency-ridden states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

    Shettima , who spoke to journalists shortly after attending the inaugural meeting of the Northeast Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressive Congress (APC) held at the Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi, said election is not a privilege but constitutional right of the people.

    He said, “When people talk about elections not holding in this part of the country, it is not a privilege but a right that we should participate in the elections as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and as contained in the Electoral Act as amended.”

    “At least we are still Nigerians and we are citizens of Nigeria. It is not a partisan issue nor is it a favour that will be done to us but it is our right.”

    Shettima pointed out that there is no excuse whatsoever for disfranchising any Nigerian from exercising his or her constitutional rights.

    The governor, who is also the Northeast Zonal Coordinator of the APC presidential campaign council, noted with concern the insurgency in the three states, which according to him, has destroyed the region’s socio-economic activities and even the people’s religious rights.

     

  • I’m not afraid of Osoba, SDP – Amosun

    … Asks ex – governor to his presidential candidate

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Monday said he is neither “jittery” of former governor Olusegun Osoba nor his recent prediction that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would garner about 500,000 votes for its governorship candidate, Senator Akin Odunsi, in the February 28 poll in the state.

    Amosun, who wondered what “magical stunt” Osoba wants to pull to enable SDP wins half a million votes in the state when it is obvious to all that he or his party does not command such support, challenged the ex – governor to name the party’s presidential candidate.

    The governor said the changes that have been made in the lives and communities in the last 43 months coupled with the facelift of the cities, towns and rural environments across the state would ensure his re-election.

    Amosun, who spoke through the Director of his Campaign Organization, Chief Bode Mustapha, at a press conference in Abeokuta, the state capital, said he is drawing the attention of the world to Osoba’s boast of getting 500,000 votes in the poll.

    According to him, some politicians are capable of playing sundry “tricks” hence the need to raise alarm so that the election is  not rigged by anybody or political party.

    He said,” What kind of mysterious, magical stunt does Chief Osoba have under his hat that will automatically produce a half – million votes out of nothing, or from clear blue skies? This is because the whole world already knows that neither he nor his party possesses the support to command even a fraction of that figure from any ward in any part of the state.

    “Ideally, Chief Osoba should be patient enough to test his popularity at the polls. Here is a party that would not even garner marginal support from its campaign at the Itoku Market amongst other parts of the state capital. Perhaps there are high and mighty plans to rig these elections.”

     

  • Northern elders reaffirm Buhari’s endorsement

    … Attempts to postpone elections will be resisted – Forum

    The Northern Elders Forum on Wednesday rejected calls for the postponement of next month’s general election on the account of insecurity, saying postponement of the poll will rather give a resounding victory to Boko Haram.

    This was as the forum reaffirmed its endorsement of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that the former head of state has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges than President Goodluck Jonathan.

    NEF stated these while addressing a world press conference in Kaduna, insisting that any design to prevent the expression of popular will in February under whatever guise or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians.

    Addressing journalists in company of key members of NEF, The Secretary of the Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said, “NEF is aware of sentiments being canvassed by anti-democratic forces that an unconstitutional Interim National Government or a similar illegal arrangement should be put in place to stop the forthcoming elections. We want to warn in the strongest terms possible that any designs to prevent the expression of popular will in February under whatever guise or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians.

    “We fully support the ongoing efforts to eliminate all kinds of threats including the Boko Haram insurgency. The Forum wishes to remind the nation that any effort to postpone the elections, limit its scope or truncate the democratic process will be a resounding victory for Boko Haram. Only enemies of Nigerian people, worse than Boko Haram insurgents will wish this on our people.

    “The February elections must hold under the most secure and peaceful conditions possible, and we have no doubt that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes. We therefore urge to President Goodluck Jonathan to rise to the occasion and prove to Nigerians and the world that he can provide the necessary and enabling environment to conduct credible elections. We expect the President to openly and unequivocally condemn any sentiments or efforts to truncate the political and electoral process.

    “The Forum is concerned that violence in many forms is becoming one of the defining characteristics of the campaigns and the preparations towards the February elections. We are concerned that the insurgency which terrorizes some parts of the Northeast may escalate its attacks as we move nearer to the elections. This must be resisted by our military, so that every Nigerian who wants to vote will do so in safety. “

     

  • 2015: Senate insists on free, fair elections

    2015: Senate insists on free, fair elections

    Ahead of the February elections, the Senate on Tuesday said that all hands should be on the deck to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    It also asked Nigerians, especially the political class to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve free, fair, transparent and credible elections without hindrance.

    The upper chamber, however, said that it is disturbed and saddened by the war songs emanating from many quarters, particularly from highly placed Nigerians threatening fire and brimstone.

    Elections, it said, need not dissolve into theatres of war.

    Senate President, David Mark, stated this in his welcome speech to Senators after the Christmas, New Year and Eid-el Maulud break.

    The speech marked the beginning of the final lap of the Seventh Senate.

    Mark said, “A few weeks from now, Nigerians will once again go to the polls to elect their representatives. The electoral season brings an unusual amount of scrutiny.

    “We are in the fevered grip of elections but despite the pregnancy of expectation and the excitement being generated by the elections, we must always stick to the task of delivering democratic dividends to our people. We must not shirk our responsibilities.

    “The enthusiasm across the length and breadth of the land for the upcoming elections is proof that Nigerians have imbibed democratic ethos and values.

    “Many of us are already on the field seeking the votes of our constituents. Experience has shown that the electioneering period are often difficult times.

    “Politicians must desist from provocative and inciting utterances. We may be in different political parties but we are not enemies. We must educate, caution and guide our supporters and followers.

    “Election should be an asset to democracy, but where it leads to violence or acrimony, it becomes a liability.”

  • 2015: ‘Jonathan, Buhari, others cannot be substituted unless..’

    2015: ‘Jonathan, Buhari, others cannot be substituted unless..’

    Political parties can no longer replace their presidential candidates ahead of the 2015 general election, unless in the case of death, according to the Electoral Act.

    The same applies to candidates for the National Assembly.

    According to the electoral act, Tuesday, December 30 is the last day for political party to substitute or withdraw any candidate.

    Section 35 of the electoral act 2010 as amended, provides ‎for not later than 45 days for parties and candidates to make up their minds for the presidential and National Assembly election.

    The provision reads: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 45 days to the election.”

    Section 36 (1) states however that “if after the time for the delivery of nomination paper, and before the commencement of the poll, a nominated candidate dies, the chief national electoral commissioner or resident electoral commissioner shall, being satisfied of the fact of the death, countermand the poll in which the deceased candidate was to participate and the Commission shall appoint some other convenient date for the election within 14 days.”

    Consequently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) cannot replace President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as flag bearers respectively except for death in the forthcoming presidential election.

    The story is however not the same with the governorship and state assembly candidates who still have up till, January 13, 2015 to either withdraw or to be substituted.
    The presidential and national‎ assembly election is billed to hold on February 14, 2015, while that of the governorship and state assembly holds February 28.

     

  • 2015: Daniel, others missing on INEC list

    2015: Daniel, others missing on INEC list

    Former Governor Gbenga Daniel and several others who made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “unity list” for the 2015 general election in Ogun State are missing on the candidates’ list made available to reporters by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abeokuta, Monday.

    Daniel had in a statement issued by his media aide, Ayo Giwa, said he was directed to run for the Ogun East Senatorial seat by the PDP National Working Committee(NWC) to ensure the party’s success in the state and that a “unity list” of candidates cutting across all interest groups in the state had been drawn.

    The former governor while charging the lucky candidates to work assiduously for the success of the party in the election, advised those that failed to make the list to put it behind them.

    However, the identities of candidates on the “unity list” have not been made public.

     

  • El Rufai accuses Kaduna governors of squandering funds

    El Rufai accuses Kaduna governors of squandering funds

    All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai , on Monday alleged that Kaduna State successive governments have nothing to show for the over N600 billion they received from the Federation Account in the last seven years.

    El Rufai, who made this allegation as guest of Freedom Radio Hausa programme, “Barka da warhaka,” also said Kaduna State is the second most indebted state in Nigeria after Lagos State.

    He said, “Although Lagos State is more indebted than Kaduna State, but it has the capacity to pay. Governor Babatunde Fashola generates N20 billion monthly internally, but Kaduna does not get N1 billion from Internally Generated Revenue.”

    The former FCT minister also pointed out that Kaduna receives the second highest monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account in the north after Kano State, saying, “yet it has nothing to show for it.”

    He, however, noted that his criticisms were not borne out of partisanship because other Peoples Democratic Party states like Gombe and Katsina are executing laudable projects, wondering “why should our own PDP government be different?”

    The governorship candidate also faulted the state government’s claim that it used most of the monies that accrued to it in the last seven years in paying debts.

  • Jonathan tasks Royal Fathers on 2015 elections

    Jonathan tasks Royal Fathers on 2015 elections

    Towards a smooth 2015 general election, the Federal Government has appealed to traditional rulers across the country to enlighten their subjects on peaceful conduct during and after the elections.

    President Goodluck Jonathan made the appeal, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President, Umar Sani, in his address at the 7th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), with the theme: “Sustaining the natural mandate of the traditional institutions in contemporary Nigeria.”

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, acknowledged the unifying force and the tremendous contributions of the traditional institution in maintaining peace and stability in the country.

    He said “As royal fathers and traditional rulers, such a time calls for your wise counsel and the enlightenment of your subjects as well as prayers to ensure hitch-free and successful elections across the federation.

    “The role of the traditional institutions as the custodian of our rich cultural heritage has contributed immensely to ensuring high moral standard amongst the citizenry and must be greatly appreciated.”

    He also called on the royal fathers to join hands with governments at all levels to ensure the end of the surmountable security challenges in the country.

    President Jonathan further informed the royal fathers that government was doing everything necessary to uplift the socio-economic status of Nigerians, through job and wealth creation mechanisms.

    The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and also the Governor Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, while lauding the traditional rulers for their dexterity, urged them to come up with holistic traditional mechanisms to address the security and socio-economic challenges in the country.

    Earlier the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, reaffirmed the commitment of the royal fathers to the peace, unity, justice and stability of the nation, while also urging government to positively look into their recommendations.

  • 2015: We are not perfect – PDP

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the ruling party is not perfect in its approach to governance, adding however that the party meant well for the country.

    Speaking to journalists at the party’s Abuja national secretariat on Monday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, admitted that the 2015 general election would be different from previous elections.

    According to him, for the first time, opposition elements have joined forces to send the PDP packing.

    In an apparent reference to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Oladipo said: “They have passed through a motion and endorsed their perennial candidate, we have beaten him three times, we are going to beat him once again.

    “We are preparing for the next election which will not be like previous elections because for the first time, the opposition has coupled together a contraption that is called the APC.

    “The only agenda they seem to have is to see our back but I know that God loves this country so much. God has decided that this country will remain indivisible and has decided that this country will continue to wax stronger. This country will not go back to 1983 where we will start doing trade by barter with Brazil.”

    Apparently ruffled by the campaign publicity team assembled by the APC for the Buhari-Osinbajo presidential ticket, the Oladipo said the PDP would involve its various organs and chapters in the party’s presidential campaign.

    Oladipo continued: “Our various organs and chapters at all levels will be called upon to enlighten Nigerians on the programmes of the PDP wherever they reside in the world.

    “They will also be called upon to counter negative propaganda that the APC is making against our party and our country in different countries of this world.

    “The next election is going to be between darkness and light, it is going to be between a cosmopolitan highly focused PhD holder and a semi-literate jackboot. Nigeria cannot afford to go back, we will continue to move forward.

    “God has decreed it that we continue to pilot the affairs of this country and continue to implement the transformation agenda. Our party does not belong to any religious organisation or ethnic group.

    “The APC is not a political party that is really ready to offer an alternative to the teeming masses of this country.”

  • Update: Osinbajo emerges through consensus, meets Buhari

    Update: Osinbajo emerges through consensus, meets Buhari

    After reaching consensus at about 1.30am, a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo was adopted as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by party leaders.

    Osibajo and the APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), held a meeting at about 1pm on Wednesday in Abuja.

    They discussed their partnership for the 2015 poll.

    The duo will address the press any moment from now at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.