The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 polls

  • I’m not in Anambra to support any candidate – New CP

    The New Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mustapha Dandaura, on Monday pledged his preparedness to ensure a safe environment towards hitch-free general elections in the state.

    He assured politicians or political parties participating in the exercise of fair and equal treatment, insisting he had no favourite candidate in the election.

    Addressing newsmen at the police headquarters in Amawbia, Dandaura, the 27th CP in the state, however, warned those intending to foment trouble during the exercise to steer clear or be dealt with accordingly.

    He said, “I’m not in Anambra to support any candidate or political party. The Nigerian police in the state will remain neutral and focused.

    “No political thug will be allowed access to the venue of the election. I warn all politicians that the Election Day is not a rally or campaign day.

    “I want to assure the people of the state that we are going to oversee a free, fair and credible poll. Those who want to disrupt the exercise will be decisively dealt with.

    Read Also: Police confirm seven dead in Anambra petrol tanker fire

    “I also assure you that in my tenure, the state will be one of the safest states in the country.”

    Identifying cultism and extortion as major crimes in the state, the commissioner pledged his readiness to fight the menace to a halt.

    He warned officers involved in extortion or bribery to turn a new leaf or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

    “By the briefing I received from my senior officers, the level of cultism is gradually increasing and we’re going to face it squarely.

    “Robbery and other heinous crimes have subsided. With the support of the state government, the police have achieved success in crime and criminality.“

  • APC takes campaign to Wuse market

    Supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the Next Level campaign to the market place in Abuja, beginning with Wuse market.

    Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the APC Women and Youth Campaign Council, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa said they were delighted with the trust and love shown by them for the President and appeal to them to go back to their communities to encourage them to vote for Buhari.

    He said Buhari was a candidate that is easy to sell because of his qualities and achievement in office, pointing out that those who collected the trader moni has demonstrated that it was for political reasons.

    Former Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba said President Buhari was interested in rebuilding the country and therefore need the support of all Nigerians to complete the work he has started, appealing to the traders to give Buhari their votes.

    Another speaker, Prince Odinaka said this was the first time in the history of Nigeria that women and youths are given the opportunity to decide on who will lead Nigeria, adding that Nigerians should not allow those who loot the treasury to return to power.

    Leader of the Wuse Market Association, Mrs Oluwatoyin Badmus, said President Buhari is for the masses and not the elite, stressing that they were endorsing him for caring about them.

    She said most of the people gathered are beneficiaries of the trader moni and not propaganda, adding that while being given the money, they were never asked for their PVC as against the propaganda being peddled by the opposition.

  • PDP hails Supreme Court’s ruling on Rivers APC

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state.

    By implication, the APC chapter in River State will not be fielding candidates in the upcoming general elections. In a statement Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party described the apex court’s judgment as victory for democracy and the rule of law.

    The statement said, “The party commends the apex court for its courage in delivering the landmark judgment, which has saved the nation from a serious constitutional crisis that could have marred the 2019 general elections and detract from our overall electoral system.

    Read Also: PDP protests posting of police chief Egbetokun to Kwara

    “The judgment of the Supreme Court serves as a huge lesson to politicians and political parties, to eschew impunity and always conduct their affairs in a manner that is in tandem with the provision of the law.

    “The courage displayed by the Supreme Court in delivering the judgment at this critical time in our national life has also restored the confidence of Nigerians in the institution of the Judiciary and our democratic order.

    “The PDP however urges its teeming members across the country to continue to work hard in consolidating on the already established victory of our great party in all elections, beginning with next Saturday’s presidential election”.

  • Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae resigned as chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday because of old age.

    The Director, Media & Publicity of SDP, Yemi Akinbode, said his resignation was not new to the leadership of the party.

    His resignation came hours after the party leaders adopted All Progressives Congress (APC)’s President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

    Falae stated in his resignation letter that his ailing health is part of the reasons for his resignation.

    But Akinbode said Falae was part of the party leadership that adopted Buhari as SDP’s presidential candidate.

    Read Also: Olu Falae resigns as SDP chairman

    He said: “He stepped down as chairman of the party. He ought to have stepped down on September 31, 2018.

    “That was when he clocked 80 years of age. But I do not know what caused the delay.

    “He had earlier made it known that when he clocks 80 he will quit politics. It is not a new thing.

    “I feel that he was trying to wait after the election tactically to quit. But he did that now. And he cannot deny the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the SDP because he was part of the entire process.“

  • Gana kicks over adoption of Buhari by SDP

    Former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana has rejected the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its candidate for the February 16 presidential poll.

    Gana and his G19 presidential campaign team also condemned the action as the height of betrayal by the party’s leadership.

    Briefing reporters on the development on Friday in Abuja, Dr. Ike Neliaku, Director General, G19 Presidential Campaign Team of Prof. Jerry Gana, said majority of the authentic and principled National Executive Committee (NEC) members were not invited to the meeting.

    Neliaku said: ” On recent happenings within our party, the Social Democratic Party, we are therefore compelled to once again reach out to you and millions of Nigerians who are shocked by the pronouncement of yesterday by some renegade members of our Party, the SDP, under the guise of a National Executive Committee (NEC) purportedly met in Abuja and resolved to adopt the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as its consensus candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.

    “We wish to categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from this unfortunate, retrogressive, outrageous, unjust, mercantilist, disgraceful betrayal of trust and antiparty activity led by a small faction loyal to the running mate to Donald Duke, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

    “Their pronouncement puts the party in a political mudslide that not only put the party in bad light but is injurious to all other SDP Candidates standing election on the platform of the party.

    “This repulsive duplicity is unacceptable to our Campaign Team, our supporters and millions of esteemed SDP members whose voices we represent and on whose mandate this statement is issued.

    Read Also: I’ll not tolerate stealing as President – Jerry Gana

    “We note that majority of authentic and principled NEC members were not invited to the said meeting; while some that were invited boycotted the meeting.

    “Likewise, hirelings were recruited to bear the identities of genuine NEC members, who, though were invited but chose not to be a part of their envisaged insidious plot packaged in a desperate bid to create a perception of acceptability so as to enhance the value of their merchandise and ultimately increase the revenue of their transaction.”

    The team added: “We also like to state that the purported suspension of the National Publicity Secretary and some State chairmen of our party is laughable and unacceptable as due process and constitutional provisions were not followed.”

    Gana’s campaign team said while it was the right and prerogative of a political party to nominate, endorse or even adopt a candidate of its choice, the action must represent the popular will of the people.

    It said: “The process must be inclusive, and the outcome must be transparent. In this instance, these were not so.

    “We use this medium to call on all SDP members, supporters and advocates to take a definite stand against this totally unacceptable precedence.

    “While we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we will continue to maintain our single focus and keep hope alive.”

    Gana, according to Neliaku will convene a stakeholder’s conference on Monday, in Abuja to mobilise, plan and organise how to win elections in various constituencies.

  • I remain APC Niger East senatorial candidate, says Umaru

    Senator David Umaru has declared he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger East senatorial candidate despite a ruling by Federal High Court, Abuja to the contrary.

    The incumbent lawmaker said: “I was the candidate that was duly screened and cleared to contest the 5th October 2018 primaries for my senatorial zone.

    “I remain the bona fide candidate of APC in the forthcoming senatorial election in Niger East Senatorial District until the decision of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declared Alhaji Mohammed Sani as the authentic APC candidate of the Niger East Senatorial District.

    But Umaru argued the Court has no power to nominate a candidate for a political party, declaring the party is supreme and has the final say and decision.

    He faulted the Judge for ignoring the evidence of the defence and assuming the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “The learned trial court ignored the evidence of the defence and assumed the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “I am therefore appealing the decision of the trial court because it is the responsibility of the court to determine who should be the candidate of a political party at elections.

    Read Also: Umaru tackles Bello on incessant travels abroad

    “Another fundamental reason why I am challenging the decision of the learned trial Judge is that the trial court proceeded to hear and determine the matter without jurisdiction as the suit was filed in breach of the provisions of section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

    Umaru disclosed that he has filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgements.

    According to him: “The law is tried and there is a plethora of Supreme Court decisions affirming the finality of the decisions of political parties regarding nomination if candidates.”

    The Senator, who urged his supporters to continue with their campaign activities, said he is no stranger to court battles and is determined to fight the battle to the last.

    “I am not a stranger to court battles as my entire political career has been shaped by court decisions. On several occasions in my political career, I relied in courts for justice.

    “I do believe that the decision of the trial court which gave judgement to the Plaintiff was based on erroneous understanding of the law and facts placed before the court.“

  • Constituent seeks disqualification of Reps Minority Leader Ogor over alleged forgery

    The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has been approached for a perpetual injunction to disqualify the member of the House of Representatives, representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Hon Leo Ogor, contesting the general elections.

    In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/10/2019 and filed by one Peter Enaruke against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ogor as the first, second and third defendants respectively, the court was asked to disqualify Ogor, who is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, for alleged falsification and forgery of documents.

    The court papers also sought to restrain both the PDP and the INEC from fielding Ogor as a candidate and entering his name to be on the ballot when the election for the House of Representatives comes up on the 16 of this month.

    The plaintiff claimed that the dates of working experience filled in the 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 and the educational qualification with dates in the 2014 INEC form C.F. 001 and certificates submitted by Ogor, the 3rd defendant for the 2019 general elections were false information and forged certificates.

    “A declaration that by the virtue of the mandatory, constitutional and statutory provision of section 6(6), 36, 106(c) and 107(I)(h) of the 1999 constitution (As Amended), the 3rd defendant, who swore on oath vide his 2014 INEC form C.F. 001-affidavit in support of personal particular of persons seeking election to the House of Representatives, Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta state, that he allegedly obtained his primary school leaving certificate from 1969-1974 (as against his later affidavit in his 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 wherein he stated that he obtained his primary school leaving certificates, at least as respect his educational qualification with dates in the said 2014 INEC form C.F. 001.

    “A declaration that by the virtue of the mandatory, constitutional and statutory provision of section 6(6), 36, 106(c) and 107(I)(h) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), the 3rd defendant, stood automatically disqualified ab initio from contesting the forthcoming 2015 general elections into the House of Representatives, Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta state, held February, 2015 or any other date thereabout on the platform of the 1st defendant or any other political party, the 3rd defendant has perjured and presented false information and forged certificates, at least as respect his working experience with dates in the said 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 and his educational qualification with dates in the said 2014 INEC form C.F. 001”, the papers stated.

    Read Also: Leo Ogor back in the House

    The plaintiff, therefore sought, among other things, an order setting aside or nullifying the nomination of Hon Ogor as the candidate of the PDP.

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates or any other person(s) whosoever from parading, presenting, recognising, projecting, forwarding, accepting, or dealing with the 3rd defendant in any manner however as the candidate of the 1st defendant in contesting the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd defendant either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates or any other person(s) whosoever from parading, presenting, recognising, projecting, forwarding, accepting or suffering his name to be forwarded to the 2nd defendant or dealing with the 1st and 2nd defendants in any manner however as the candidate of the 1st defendant to represent the 1st defendant in the forthcoming 2019 general elections”, the application demanded.

  • 2019: Osun monarchs warn politicians against heating up polity

    As the general elections draw close, the traditional rulers in Osun State have warned the politicians not to heat up the polity.

    They also charged the politicians not to encourage violence and spread of fake news and information.

    The traditional rulers under the aegis of the Osun Division Conference of Obas after rising from their First Quarterly meeting held at the Palace of Alayegun of Ode-Omu in Ayedade Local Government Area of the state issued a 5-point communique to address challenges facing Osun State.

    In the communique signed by the chairman and secretary of the Osun Conference of Obas, the Orangun of Ila-Orangun, Oba Wahab Kayode Oyedotun, and the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the traditional rulers said Nigerians should remain peaceful and eschew violence, during and after reading the polls.

    The monarchs, who congratulated the state governor, Mr. Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, on his victory and inauguration as the fifth governor of Osun, commended his immediate predecessor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for running a courageous and visionary government, therefore, advising Oyetola to build on the achievements of the former governor.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC employs 16,500 ad-hoc staff in Osun

    The traditional rulers also called on Oyetola to “re-invent” the security architecture of the state, adding that “Obas should be considered in the scheme of things.”

    According to them, issue of security of lives and property must be considered as critical to survival of the societies, noting that the security operatives should be motivated to do more of intelligence and crime prevention.

    They advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be fair in the discharge of their duties.

    They also appealed to Governor Oyetola to give attention to the welfare of traditional rulers and ensure that “monthly meetings of the Council of Obas are held regularly.“

  • Nigeria Airways ex-workers stage rally for Buhari’s reelection

    The Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Friday came alive as ex-workers of Nigeria Airways Limited staged a mega rally to support the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 16 Presidential Election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pensioners and ex-workers of the defunct national carrier declared their support for the president for paying N22. 6 billion as part payment of their entitlements in October 2018.

    The pensioners, who turned out in their numbers, moved from the premises of the Skypower Catering Services through the airport environment chanting “Sai Baba” and “Next Level”, to publicly show their support for Buhari.

    Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Airways ex-workers, Mr Lukman Animashaun said the rally was to show appreciation to the president who came to their rescue after many years of neglect by previous administrations.

    He said : “Words are not enough to express the profound gratitude of the over 6,000 pensioners and ex-workers of Nigeria Airways to Buhari for his timely intervention in the payment of our benefits.

    “For 14 years, we were abandoned, humiliated and frustrated in our demand to be paid what was due to us by successive governments, whose stock in trade was tissues of lies designed to hoodwink the public.

    “In the process, about 800 of our members lost their lives.

    “But today, PMB has wiped out our tears, put smiles on our faces and restored hope to our members and their families with the part payment of our benefits.”

    Read Also; Ex-Airways pensioners plan rallies for Buhari

    According to him, the ex-workers of Nigeria Airways are optimistic that Buhari will pay the outstanding balance soon as promised.

    Also, Mr Sam Nzene, National Chairman, Nigeria Airways Pensioners, told NAN that the former staff and their families would cast their vote for Buhari because it was the right thing to do.

    “This is a man who saved us, who brought smiles to our faces, who rescued our families when others refused to show concern.

    “He did promise that he will do it and he actually did it by paying part payment of our benefits that have not been paid for over 14 years.

    “So we decided to show gratitude to him by organising this rally because one good turn deserves another.

    “We have decided that we and our families will vote for him. We want to tell Nigerians to vote for him because he is a man with a kind heart,” Nzene said.

    He said the outstanding payment of their entitlements was already captured in the 2019 budget, which was a clear demonstration that the money would soon be disbursed to the beneficiaries.

    NAN reports that the former national carrier was liquidated in 2004 by the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, but the workers were not paid their severance packages as stipulated in extant labour laws.

    The workers were paid a fraction of their entitlements by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s regime in 2008 before Buhari approved the part payment of N22. 6 billion to them.

    The government has also promised to pay the other half of the money to them as soon as funds are available.

  • Breaking: We have no presidential candidate- US

    The Consul General of the United State ( US ) to Nigeria, Ambassador John Bay on Thursday said the United States was only interested in free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    Bay, who restated the commitment of the US to violence-free electoral process, insisted the US was not supporting any candidate in the February 16 Presidential election in the election country.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor òf Bayelsa State on Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the US Consul General to have made the comment while paying a courtesy call on the Governor at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday evening.

    He noted his delegation was on a tour to the southern states in the country to interface with civil society organisiations, traditional rulers and other political stakeholders on the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.

    He said: “The US does not have a candidate in this election. We are looking for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process, a process that allows the choice of the Nigerian citizens to come through.

    “So, we are going to spend some time with the governor and chat about different things we might be able to do to better the situation and anything we can do to help before leaving here for Port Harcourt tomorrow.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson commended the efforts of the International community to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    Dickson reiterated his call on the political class to respect the will of the people and make efforts that would renew their confidence in the unity and peaceful coexistence of the different ethnic nationalities.

    Describing Nigeria as a critical member of the international community, he cautioned politicians to be wary of utterances and conducts that could throw the country into avoidable crisis which could truncate the nation’s democracy.

    The governor commended the United States and other members of the international community for living up to expectations by taking proactive measures to forestall breakdown of law and order as well as strengthening the electoral process.

    “We want to thank the US Mission in Nigeria for your services, contributions and for the building of peace as well as promotion of our nation’s democracy.

    “We also want to thank you for always thinking of us and caring about what is going on here in the Niger Delta.

    “I have read about the statements made by your Mission and other international partners concerning the forthcoming general elections. For me and our state, we welcome these interventions. We believe that our country is and should be a responsible member of the international community.

    “As practicing politicians, all of us should conduct the politics and affairs of our country in such a way as to respect the due processes of the law and the elections so that in the end, what we do and say should continue to promote peace and stability in various communities across the country.

    “Nigeria is a critical member of the world community. It is the largest and most populous black nation in the world.

    “So what goes on in Nigeria should rightly be of interest to the rest of the world; and the world is right by not standing by to watch things go bad in Nigeria”.