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Tag: 2019

  • We should blame ourselves, not God for elusive peace

    Nigerians should blame themselves and not God if the country does not witness peace during the 2019 general elections, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated.

    Obasanjo warned that Nigerians, and not God, should accept responsibility if peace eludes the country.

    The elder statesman gave the advice on Sunday evening during the 2018 Christmas Carol and Service of Six Lessons by the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King (CCKG) inside the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the state capital.

    He said: “If peace eludes us, it is not an act of God, but, our making. That is why I am happy that our Bishop in his sermon also talked about peace. This is the appropriate time to talk about peace, this is the season of peace.

    “It will be a year of blessings for each one, and particularly for Nigeria.

    “When people come to me and say they are giving up on the country, I tell them no, that next year is year of blessings for all.

    “With right statements, right actions, people will be trooping back into the country. We had it before, there is no reason not to have it again,” Obasanjo said.

    “National peace is very important in view of the growing insecurity in the country,” Obasanjo stated in a release by his Special Assistant (Media), Kehinde Akinyemi.

    The ex – President who expressed delight at the service, however, said the current situation in the country was not good enough.

    “The situation is getting worrisome by the day. I was in Kaduna and I thought that the story would be different. The people there said insecurity, kidnapping and killings are happening.

    Archbishop of Ogun Province, the African Church, Abeokuta,  Most Revd. S.O.B Ojumu urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of peace during this festive period and as the general elections draw closer.

    He also called on politicians to make sacrifice their cornerstone while seeking political office.

    According to him, politicians should ensure that they do away with self- interest on getting to office.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, read the Sixth Lesson, taken from Acts 10:38 and John 4:10-14.

    In attendance also was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Owu traditional council and the campaign train of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

     

  • 2019: INEC reads riot act to staff

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has read the riot act to its regular and ad hoc staff for the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, yesterday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, warned that the commission will not tolerate any act of complicity from the staff.

    He said that all officials of the commission must remain neutral in the discharge of their duties and must also protect the sanctity of the process.

    He however turned down applications by some support groups of candidates contesting in elections, saying only neutral observers would be accredited.

    He further said that the guidelines for observer accreditation has also been revised.

    Oriaran-Anthony is the third Secretary to the commission and the second woman to be so appointed since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

    She has served the commission for 28 years, rising to the position of a director before her appointment as secretary.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Yakubu said attention will be paid to the conduct of INEC officials across all strata.

    He said: “As we approach the 2019 general elections, the commission will pay particular attention to the conduct of our own officials from the headquarters to the state and local government areas, including ad hoc staff engaged in election duties.

    “We will not tolerate the complicity of staff with political actors or their agents to subvert the electoral process.

    “All officials of the commission must remain neutral in the discharge of their duties and committed to protecting the sanctity of the process.”

    On the request of some support groups of candidates contesting elections to observe the elections, Yakubu said such request has no basis, saying that only neutral groups are allowed to be accredited as observers.

    He said: “Similarly, for the 2019 general elections, the commission has been inundated with applications from several groups within the country for accreditation to observe the elections, including support groups of candidates contesting the elections.

    “This is unacceptable to the commission. Observers are neutral groups interested only in the process and not agents of political parties, candidates or campaign organisations.

    “The purpose of accrediting observers for elections is a noble one intended to increase the transparency and openness of the process.”

    Pointing out the importance of observers, Yakubu noted that the reports of observers serve as useful feedback to the commission.

    He said: “The reports of observers also serve as a useful feedback mechanism for strengthening our process and procedures.

    “It is therefore counter-productive for such an important process to become an all-comer business.”

    Going forward, the commission, he said, “has revised the guidelines for accreditation of observers.”

    He therefore urged all interested organisations to apply to the commission.

    While welcoming the new Secretary to the commission on board, Yakubu noted that the commission has confidence in her and urged her to bring her vast experience to bear in discharging her new responsibility.

    In her response, Mrs. Oriaran-Anthony described her appointment as a call to duty and therefore assured the commission and the country that she will work with the staff to do the necessary things that will impact positively to the successful outcome of the 2019 general elections.

  • 2019: 20 gubernatorial candidates sign peace accord in Bauchi

    No fewer than  20 governorship  candidates in  Bauchi State have signed an agreement to ensure peaceful polls in the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi,said at the agreement signing that  peace accord is crucial to  democratic practice.

    The commissioner urged the candidates to play politics by the rules and abide by the code of conduct.

    The commission, he pledged, would continue to be neutral, professional and efficient in the electoral process.

    The event  was done under the auspices of the  Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security(ICCES) in Bauchi.

  • ‘I once prostrated for Amosun, begged him over Yewa agenda’

    Ogun State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Prince Dapo Abiodun has said he was never aversed to the struggle of Ogun West to produce the governor for the State.

    Abiodun revealed that he was committed to the Ogun West cause to the extent that he did not only beg Amosun, but also prostrated for him to allow Senator Solomon Adeola be the governorship candidate of the party due to his wide acceptance and popularity.

    Senator Adeola, from Pahayi, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government but representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, had taken Ogun State by whirlwind with his gubernatorial ambition but beat a retreat early this year when it was obvious that the support of the governor was not forthcoming.

    Amosun had repeatedly vowed at the time that he would not hand over to ‘tekobo’ or stranger making a veiled allusion to the effect that
    Adeola popularly called Yayi is a non-indigene of the state and therefore not qualified to rule the state.

    However, while addressing Yewa Traditional Council of Obas led by the Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle at Ilaro on Wednesday evening, Abiodun considered his emergence as the ruling party governorship candidate as the will of God.

    He said: “Let nobody thinks that we are not sensitive to the long time yearnings of Ogun West to also produce governor for the state. As a very strong believer in this cause, I personally took your son, Sen. Adeola to Gov. Amosun, begged and prostrated for him to support his governorship ambition but he refused. That I am the governorship candidate of APC today in our dear State remains a testimony of God’s awesomeness and that He is the only one who has the power to enthrone.”

    He pledged not to be an accidental governor who would do things on happenstances.

    The APC governorship candidate disclosed that as a successful private sector player he already has the blueprint for the development of the state vowing to accord the traditional institutions their due respect and honour while pursuing development of every part of the state.

    The billionaire oil merchant explained that his government would embark on massive rural roads construction, qualitative, affordable education and healthcare, jobs and wealth creation for the youth through conscious investment in agriculture, complete some of the ongoing projects in the state among others asking the royal fathers to give him their royal blessings for the gargantuan tasks ahead.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget presentation: kogi governor, Bello attacks lawmakers

    Responding, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle described Prince Dapo Abiodun as someone who feared God and this he said could be seen from his comportment and speech.

    Oba Olugbenle added that it was God who indeed enthrones and that whatever God has ordained cannot be upturned by ten Paramount rulers. The royal father before giving his blessings on behalf of other traditional rulers from Yewa land however urged Prince Dapo Abiodun to stay true to his promise to be fair to all in distribution of projects when he got to office.

    Dignitaries on the entourage of the governorship candidate included the deputy governor designate, Engr. Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Engr Ayo Olubori, former Commissioner for environment, Chief Bode Mustapha, Mr Olu Agemo, Prince Segun Adsegun, former deputy governor and Director-General, Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation, Hon Isiaq Akinlade, ChiefTolu Odebiyi, Sen. Gbenga Obadara, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, Hon Biyi Otegbeye, Chief Mufutau Ajibola, former SUBEB Chairman among others.

  • Foundation inaugurate N382.6M projects in Delta State

    The Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) has inaugurated projects, worth N382.6 million.

    Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of EGCDF, Jude Ukori, said the projects would alleviate the suffering of their people in terms of basic needs, such as transportation, access roads, health, shelter, water hygiene and sanitation, tourism potential to enhance the welfare of the people through conducive environment for educational activities in riverine communities.

    He said 19 agripreneur trainees would start their own businesses through kick-off grants from the EGCDF, while 110 persons have been selected to undergo vocational skill training in line with Delta State Youth Empowerment Scheme in February 2019.

    General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup, said the infrastructural projects include 500-metre Access Walkway and another 150-metre Access Walkway at Opuama, 10-Room Guest Houses at Ogbinbiri and Akekeromo Zion.

    There are also concrete Landing Jetty at Oporoza Community, Rigid Pavement & Drains Extension at Benikrukru, Six-Room Public Toilet Project at Kunukunuma, 30-Room Hostel Block at Okerenkoko and EGCDF Secretariat Annex in Effurun.

    He lauded the leadership of EGCDF for its unyielding resolve in fulfilling objectives of the Global Memorandum of Understanding initiated in 2005.

  • 2019: INEC deeply concerned over security

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday expressed deep concerns over adequate security before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu identified security as a major challenge facing the success of the polls.

    Yakubu, who spoke in Abuja at the Police/stakeholders’ security summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force, however said the commission will engage with security agencies in defining new parameters for the deployment of security agencies in the electoral process.

    He also urged the security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality.

    He said: “As with all elections, security is going to be a major issue in the 2019 general election.

    “The agencies have a responsibility to secure the environment for elections.

    “In doing so, there is the overriding responsibility for professionalism and neutrality.

    “The rules of engagement must be clear to all. Learning from the cumulative experience of the off-season elections conducted into 195 constituencies since the 2015 general election, the conduct of some security personnel has become a major issue of discussion. We are deeply concerned.”

    The INEC boss also noted it was important to review the template for the general elections to reassure Nigerians and international community of the commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.

    He assured the commission will continue to work with law enforcement agencies for the arrest and prosecution of violators of the electoral act.

    Speaking on INEC preparedness for the polls, Yakubu said the commission has already implemented six out of the fourteen activities as outlined in the timetable and schedule of activities.

    Yakubu also pointed out “there is intense interest nationally and around the world in the 2019 general election. In just a matter of weeks, some international observers will begin the deployment of their long-term observation missions for the election.”

    On Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs), he said the commission has successfully completed the printing for new registrants.

     

  • 2019: Akande predicts victory for Osun APC

    Former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande has predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. He said the Osun Central senatorial candidate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, will triumph at the next year’s general elections.

    Akande spoke when the Ajibola Basiru Campaign Organisation (ABCO) paid him a courtesy visit in his country home,  Ila-Orangun.  The octogenarian politician lauded Basiru for putting in place what he described as lofty programmes for the people of the district.

    He called for synergy among the various organs of the party for better performance at the general elections. He assured the APC senatorial candidate of his unwavering support during and after the elections.

    Basiru paid glowing tributes to the former governor for the fatherly roles he has been playing in the affairs of the party since its formation in 2014. He noted that Akande as the pioneer national chairman laid a solid foundation for the party.

    The campaign team visited some communities, including Alagbede, Ayegun, Oyeadunni, Oyi-Aratumi , Elemo-Ogun, Olotu, Isinmi –Enle and Ajebandele  all in Ifedayo Local Government. He promised to bring federal presence to the area to boost socio-economic activities in the area..

    Basiru expressed gratitude for the massive support given to the APC  by the people of Ifedayo Local Government during the last governorship election.

    Responding on behalf of other community leaders, Alhaji  Jimoh Adebisi Pidan discosed that  the people  of the area had resolved to vote for Basiru and other APC candidates during the general elections. He said their decision was influenced by the developmental projects that APC had executed in the area, particularly access roads that enable farmers to transport their produce to market.

    The high point of the visit was the distribution of exercise books and other writing materials by Ajibola Basiru Campaign Organisation to the students of Oke-Ila Government High School.

  • 2019: Ezeife, Obi, Nwosu, others endorse Atiku

    The Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket received a boost at the weekend when a frontline Igbo political organisation, Igbo Political Stakeholders Assembly,  threw its weight behind it.

    The alliance comprises  former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Senator Ben Obi, Dr ABC Nwosu, S.N Okeke,   wife of the PDP presidential candidate, Mrs Jennifer Douglas Abubakar  and Mrs Margaret Obi,  wife of PDP Vice Presidential candidate.

    In a statement by the group’s Chairman, Chief S N Okeke, a one-time chairman of the Police Service Commission under the Obasanjo Presidency, the group expressed confidence in the capacity of Atiku/Obi ticket to end mass poverty, grow well paying jobs, diversify the  economy and, most importantly, restructure the nation.

    “We find the Atiku policy document progressive in conception, compelling in vision and actionable given its specific details, timelines and implementation schedule”, the group further averred that “apart from the well articulated policy document that has the capacity to radically transform the nation’s economic and social landscape for the better”, the group is “impressed by the track records of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as ‘broad-minded’ Nigerian patriots who will be fair and just to all irrespective of ethnic, regional, gender or class orientation,” it stated.

    Urging the PDP Presidential ticket to regard its policy and programme on restructuring not as a mere campaign mantra but an article of faith and binding social contract with the Nigerian people which should be delivered in a timely, well structured and consensual fashion,  the group declared that “it will deploy its considerable human and material resources, leverage on its extensive network of support across Igboland and the whole nation, and partner with like-minded patriotic women and community based organizations to ensure the victory of the Atiku-Obi ticket in the 2019 Presidential election”.

    Other leading members of the group are AVM C E Umenwaliri, Chief Sam Nkire, Chief Rex Onyeabor, General C R U Ihekire, Chief Coleman Uba,  Prof Uka Ezenwe and many other prominent figures.

  • 2019: APC publicity secretaries pass vote of confidence in Buhari

    THE Conference of All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretaries (CAPS) has passed a vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing about change that has brought real impact in the lives of Nigerians.

    It has accordingly endorsed the President for a second term in office to consolidate on the gains of his administration.

    CAPS spoke at the weekend in a communique issued at the end of its third summit with the theme: “Consolidating and communicating change”, in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

    The communique was issued by the conference chairman, Joe Igbokwe, an engineer and co-signed by the secretary, Okelo Madukaife (Southeast), Abubakar DanMusa (Northwest), Mrs. Naomi Joel Awak (Northeast), Usman Adaji, an engineer (Northcentral), Mens Ikpeme (Southsouth) and Alex Kalejaiye (Southwest).

    It reads: “CAPS traditionally looked back at periodicals of performance and based on the papers presented, submissions from hosts and tour findings in parts of Benue, resolves that change as envisaged by APC and is being implemented by its Federal administration is, indeed, real, impactful and beneficial. Hence, due credit is hereby extended to President Muhammadu Buhari for leading this revolution.

    “That a vote of resounding and implicit confidence be passed and is hereby passed on President Muhammadu Buhari, who deserves a second term to consolidate.

    “That Benue State has suffered in the hands of PDP elements, who commit heinous crimes against the people and pass the blames to others. But having exposed all these, we aver that the provision of infrastructure, payment of salaries, motivation of workforce, creation of industrial base, security of Benue State is better placed in the hands of a brand new APC government in Benue State, come May 2019.”

    The communique added: “That CAPS looks beyond the myriad of fake news, manufactured by an opposition bereft of ideas to second term of moving to the next level, where the successes of change – doing more with less funds, honesty, self-sufficiency, submission to the law, ridding the nation of official corruption, vast infrastructural development, increase in foreign reserves and sustaining a productive diversified economy – is consolidated.”

    The CAPS members told reporters that fake news and cheap propaganda would not win the 2019 election, but the achievements of change so far and their consolidation in the coming second term would be vigorously propagated and communicated.

    He said APC publicity secretaries, particularly at state levels, remain pivotal drivers of communicating change and, therefore, called for moral, logistic and financial supports to enable them function optimally, particularly, in those states where APC has not formed governments.

  • 2019: Northern youths back Buhari’s re-election

    THE Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), the umbrella body of northern youth organisations, has backtracked on its support for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Accordingly, NYLF said it has withdrawn its initial endorsement for Atiku and subsequently backed the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group said it has decided to rescind its earlier decision to back Atiku against Buhari after studying the policy document of the PDP presidential candidate and found the contents quite disappointing.

    NYLF National Chairman Elliot Afiyo spoke to reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the weekend after a youth sensitisation programme in parts of the state.

    Afiyo cited the refusal of Atiku to heed to the group’s warning that his running mate should be picked from the Southsouth instead of the Southeast coupled with his alleged failure to convince Nigerians what he would do differently, if elected President in 2019, as their reasons for shifting their supports for Atiku.

    The NYFL Chairman said he was particularly taken aback when Turaki Adamawa resorted to taking census of his cows and boasting how it surpassed that of Buhari, instead of concentrating on how he would run a government better than the incumbent, if elected into office.

    Afiyo, therefore, urged Nigerians to vote for Buhari in 2019, expressing confidence that the country would be better under his watch in his second term.

    “Our group has looked, studied and investigated events as they unfold and I will tell you that we are disappointed in what we have seen so far.

    “The truth is that if Atiku is the best person, we have not seen good policy that he has put on ground. Even his argument is not creative, we are disappointed with what we saw when he went to Sokoto to campaign, not the crowd but the message.

    “Instead of Atiku to tell us what he will do, he was concentrating on the number of cows Buhari has. We wonder what narrative would make cow very important in a campaign. Leadership does not necessarily translate to the number of cows you have, but the passion you have to develop the country.

    “One would have expected Atiku to tell us how he would use his business experience and knowledge of the workings of government to move Nigeria forward, but he regaled us with how he has higher number of cows than Buhari. To us, that was too pedestrian and not issue-based campaign.”