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Tag: ACN

  • ACN, activists: Jonathan should face Criminal Court

    ACN, activists: Jonathan should face Criminal Court

    The Defence Headquarters dispatched yesterday a fact-finding mission to Baga, the border town 180 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where 185 peoples were killed last Friday.

    The massacre drew more flaks from a cross-session of the society yesterday.

    Majority of the dead were women and children.

    In Yobe State yesterday, 25 people died in a battle between security forces and Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) described the attacks on the civilian population as crimes against humanity, which it said should attract the attention of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    The party said the intervention of the ICC became necessary because the Federal Government has not demonstrated enough willingness to bring the masterminds of the killings to book.

    It said the killings in the North, especially the latest at Baga, fall within the temporal jurisdiction of the global court.

    In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said far beyond the justifiable call for a judicial commission of inquiry into the massacre, the time has come to hold to account the leaders under whose watch these killings are being perpetrated.

    The statement reads: “The killings in Baga, like previous ones in the areas where Boko Haram and the military Joint Task Force (JTF) have been engaged in clashes, are undoubtedly a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population – the definition of crimes against humanity, which is one of the four groups of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC.

    “Those engaged in the killings, including the Boko Haram sect, cannot and must not get away with these heinous crimes. The only reasons that the killing and maiming of innocent citizens have continued unabated in Nigeria is because such killings in the past, either in Odi, Bayelsa State, or in Zaki-Biam, Benue State, under the watch of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, went unpunished.

    ‘’Enough is enough! Even in countries at war, innocent citizens are not being daily mowed to death either by insurgents or state forces, as we are experiencing in Nigeria. It is clear that the Nigerian government is either unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes, despite the deceptive assurances by those at the helm, hence the ICC must immediately beam its search-light on the situation in Nigeria.

    ‘’While we are aware that the killings in Odi and Zaki Biam occurred before July 1, 2002, when the Rome Statute setting up the ICC came into force, the killings in the North, especially at Baga, fall within the temporal jurisdiction of the global court.”

    The party blamed the Baga killings on President Goodluck Jonathan, who it accused of failing to distinguish between support for security agencies battling the insurgents in the North and the incitement of the same forces against civilians who are caught in the crossfire.

    It said: “When the President issued his tactless vituperations against community leaders, and by extension hapless civilians, during his visit to Borno and Yobe States, we warned that he was further victimising the victims of the insurgents’ attack. That action helped to set the stage for the mindless massacre in Baga.

    “According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade, the military delegation to Baga is being led by Maj-Gen Lawrence Ngubani, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPS) in the DHQ.

    The DHQ statement said the Multi National Joint Task Force troops on routine patrol in Baga, Malam Garati Road, had an encounter with some members of the Boko Haram at about 7.30pm on April 16.

    According to the statement, a soldier was killed and five others injured in the confrontation.

    It stated that 30 Boko Haram terrorists died five were arrested and many escaped with bullet wounds.

    The release also stated that six civilians were killed and 10 others were injured in the crossfire.

    But some clerics urged the military to apply the rules of engagement in tackling insurgency, with a view to avoiding civilian casualty.

    Allegation insulting, says Presidency

    The Presidency reacted last night to the allegation that the President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement may have sparked the Baga massacre.
    Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said: “Must ACN play politics with everything? Reducing the Baga incident to another opportunity for name-calling and the politics of blame and abuse is irresponsible to say the least. In no manner can President Goodluck Jonathan be accused of having incited the security agencies or the insurgents against the people of Bagga during his visit to Yobe and Borno states. To make such an allegation is preposterous and insulting.
    “President Jonathan is committed to the cause of peace and stability, and he has remained consistent in this regard. He is a responsible leader, a man of peace and a defender of the people’s causes. Trying to say what he did not say, or trying to twist his statements out of context to justify their own purposes seems to be a stock in trade for those who seem desperate to discredit the administration at every score.
    “These promoters of the aphorism that a lie when reported too often may begin to sound like the truth, must begin to realize that they cannot fool the people all the time. President Jonathan has ordered an investigation into the incident in Bagga and has publicly condemned it, including clear assurances that whoever may be behind the incident will be sanctioned accordingly, and where rules of engagement have been violated, appropriate cause of action will be taken. He has also ordered the deployment of relief materials to the area, and directed immediate collaboration between Federal agencies and the Borno state government.
    “It is further amazing that Lai Mohammed has not heard of the Multinational Joint Task Force that was set up under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to ensure security along the joint borders, involving Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. He could simply have done a little research to know this. Having failed to do so, I recommend that simple exercise to him now and always, as a reality check before he makes his usual wild and incorrect allegations.”

  • ‘APC will alter face of politics’

    ‘APC will alter face of politics’

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande recently led 4,761 delegates to the party’s national convention in Lagos where a resolution for the approval of its merger with other opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congres (APC) was passed. He also explained the prospects of the merger and its implications for progressive politics in his address to the party faithful.

    “It is with great joy that I salute each and every one of you for coming to this very historic convention of our great party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). We are particularly delighted to have in our midst, leaders of other opposition parties who have come all the way to witness this occasion. This convention is a special one, because it sets in motion one of the requisite steps that will lead to the coming together of leading opposition parties and groups for the purpose of creating an alternative political platform that will fundamentally alter for good the face of politics and governance in this country.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that the merger of the leading opposition parties, which has reached an advanced stage, is already a fait accompli. The urgent need for change and the crushing desire to rescue our country from decay compel us to act quickly to provide an alternative leadership for Nigeria. This endeavour has become necessary given the efforts of the ruling party to stifle democracy and destroy its institutions.

    We must not entertain any weariness or surrender to sentiments or blackmail in this enterprise, mindful that merger is strange, new and unique in Nigeria and that the law did not envisage the ambush presently being placed on our ways. But we shall overcome. This merger has come to stay!

    The question I have had to answer from many of our party members is, why must we merge? Our experience of a miniature merger of the truncated Alliance for Democracy with the splinter of the PDP called ACD in 2006 which resulted in the AC, and later ACN, promoted our control from one state (Lagos) in 2007 to six states (Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Ogun) in 2011; and, increased our representation in the National Assembly from (32 in the House of Representatives and 6 in the Senate) in 2007 to (69 in the House of Representatives to 19 in the Senate) in 2011. It is our hope therefore that a merger of big parties like ACN, CPC and ANPP with DPP and a major portion of APGA, would yield a much bumper harvest.

    The leadership of our great party after deep deliberations and consultations and in view of the current political reality is convinced that a merger is the way to go. We have threaded this path before. We are wiser, smarter and more prepared to make the sacrifices that this process requires for the sake of our country.

    Why have we succeeded so much in ACN, many may want to ask? We have selfless caucus of leaders who provided the backbones for the raising of funds; and, who exercised the tremendous influence that promoted the confidence of our party organs like the NWC and the National Executive Committee (NEC) under my leadership. We encouraged selfless officers in the party and patriotic directors in the headquarters at Abuja to serve tirelessly without any emoluments, salaries and allowances; and, we enjoyed the example of an experienced, devoted and self disciplined chairmanship that drove the party secretariat to perform so honestly such that the INEC auditors had to single out ACN as having provided a most enviable and credible records of financial statements among all the political parties in Nigeria.

    This is the kind of tradition I would urge us to re-establish in the new family, All Progressives Congress (APC). The next few changes of the merger are the final bold steps that will position us politically for greater gains and deliver one of the most formidable political platforms in post independent Nigeria.

    As democrats, we must strive to put a stop to the present lamentable state of affairs in Nigeria by constructively engaging the political process with a view to overcoming the challenges that arrest our development as a nation. We must strive to build a strong, disciplined and internally democratic political platform that guarantees greater citizen’s participation at all levels. It, therefore, behoves us as leaders to always lead by example, and insist on discipline from our party members while remaining vigilant and constantly watching out for mercenaries who are wont to throw spanners in our good works.

    In over 13 years that the PDP has been in power, not only has it failed to deliver on its promises, it has infected all institutions of state with its moral infirmity, aversion to the rule of law and entrenched monumental corruption never seen in the history of this country. Today, our country has become a society where the safety of life and property is at its lowest ebb and poverty level at its highest. Nigerians are waiting patiently but with bated breath, to see the successful outcome of the merger talks. We must never let them down. We must rise above pettiness and personal ambitions and put the greater interest of this nation over any other thing else, for this is the only guarantee, to salvaging Nigeria from the precipice.

    Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this may be the last convention we are holding as ACN. However, it marks yet the beginning of another journey towards the attainment of higher objectives. At this juncture, let me publicly acknowledge the contributions of those I have been privileged to work within our party in the past seven years. I seize this opportunity to express deep appreciation to our party leaders across the country for their support. Your inputs, and respective wealth of experience in caucus and other informal meetings have enriched in no small measure the way we run our party.

    This ACN convention is not designed to relegate the position of its leaders and members. It is to make you a trail blazer, it is to make you the innovator, it is to make you the pioneer, it is to make you the ground breaker in a noble venture. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is the convention of a great party, which is at the threshold of making history. I am pleased to declare this Convention open.”

  • 2015: PDP woos Afenifere

    2015: PDP woos Afenifere

    Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Peoples Party (PDP) in the Southwest are teaming up with the polarised pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to fight for power in the zone. Currently, the region is the stronghold of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    There are two groups struggling for the soul of the organisation. The first group is led by the former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Chief Rueben Fasoranti. The second is led by the deputy leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi. Reconciliation broke down between the two camps, almost four years ago. Although the representatives of the factions were brought to the reconciliation table at Ibadan, Oyo State capital, by the younger elements who have formed the Afenifere Renewal group (ARG), they could not achieve a truce. Also, efforts to reconcile them by the wife of the late sage, Mrs. HID Awolowo, failed.

    At the recent meeting of the faction led by Fasoranti in Lagos, many PDP chieftains were in attendance, although the key leaders; Chiefs Fasoranti, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae, Oladipo Olaitan, and Supo Sonibare, are progressives and critics of the PDP-led Federal Government.

    At the Lagos meeting were Senator Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran, Hon. Segun Ojo, Mr. Kayode Alufa, Chief Ladosu Ladapo, Akogun Tunde Odanye and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who is being wooed by the Lagos PDP to contest the next governorship on its platform. A source said that the Fasoranti’s group enjoys the backing of the Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who has secured a second term. Between 1999 and 2003, Afenifere did not open its door to the chieftains of the PDP, which they perceived as a conservative party.

    However, the members of the Fasanmi’s group belong to the ACN, which is in the merger process with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (PDP), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Prominent members of the faction include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, Otunba Busura Alebiosu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, and Hon. Odunsi. In fact, all the ACN chieftains in the Southwest identify with the Fasanmi’s group. Currently, the members of Fasanmi camp are in the government in the region.

    In 2007, the Afenifere leaders in Fasoranti’s group supported the PDP governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. In 2011, they also supported Daniel’s candidate for the governorship, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka. It was a wide departure from 2003, when the former secretary of the group, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, was criticised for fraternity with former ANPP Governor Mohammed Lawal of Kwara State. Last year, they also supported Governor Mimiko’s re-election bid.

    Southwest PDP members are courting Afenifere at a time the party is becoming increasingly unpopular in the zone. But the source said that the party is ready to pump money into the mobilisation against the ACN. “The fund for the election is not going to be a problem. The PDP Federal Government is showing a special interest in the zone. PDP wants to adopt two strategies. The first is to get aggrieved, credible and popular candidates to run for the governorship elections in the region and get Afenifere to back them on the platform of the PDP. That is why both Chief Bode George and Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe are now on the neck of Agbaje. At every election, Afenifere usually supports candidates and political parties.

    “The second strategy is to encourage other parties outside ACN to compete with the ACN in the zone. It is worthy of note that, after securing the pipeline monitoring contract from the Federal Government, some Southwest leaders started talking about the resuscitation of the UPN. They are not happy with the soaring profile of Tinubu and they want to get their pound of fresh from Osoba”, added the source.

    The group’s posturing has affected its image among the people of the Southwest. Unlike the pre-2003 period, Afenifere is perceived as a toothless bulldog, which can only bark but not bite. In fact, in 2003, the group supported the four AD governors; the late Adebayo Adefarati (Ondo), the late Lam Adesina (Oyo), Akande (Osun), and Osoba (Ogun). They lost to their PDP challengers; Dr. Olusegun Agaggu, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Otunba Daniel. The lone survivor, Tinubu, was deserted by the Afenifere chieftains, following the rejection of the 60:40 formula for the distribution of the appointive and elective offices in Lagos State. He handed over to Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007. Also, in 2007, Tinubu spearheaded the struggle for the liberation of the Southwest from the PDP. Today, five out of the six states are governed by the ACN governors.

    Recently, ARG leader Hon. Olawale Oshun had alerted the region to the antics of certain forces bent on encouraging the emergence of new parties to create confusion in the zone. He said those behind the idea were working assiduously with the PDP, which has the intention of re-capturing the Southwest in 2015. A sources said that the PDP chieftains are exploiting the division in the Afenifere to penetrate into the fold and swing the support of the Fasoranti camp to the PDP candidates in the next elections.

    Falae ruled out any alliance with the PDP, although he agreed that PDP members can now take their seats in the group. This admission flexibility contrasted sharply with the picture of Afenifere between 1999 and 2002. For example, members of the group rationalised that the presence of Omisore at the Afenifere meeting was not strange. “He has been a member, but dormant for some time. He only left AD, not Afenifere”, said a chieftain.

  • ACN, PDP ‘battle’ in Anenih’s stronghold

    ACN, PDP ‘battle’ in Anenih’s stronghold

    There  was tension yesterday among members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan North East Local Government of Edo State as election results were being collated.

    Esan North East is the stronghold of the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, Minister of Works Mike Onolenememen and House of Representatives member Friday Itulah.

    It was among the local government where elections were rescheduled to hold yesterday.

    The local governments are Esan West, Esan North East, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo.

    There was massive turnout of voters, who waited for several hours before accreditation began.

    Commissioner of Police Folusho Adebanjo and State Director of State Security Services (SSS) Bakori Tukur led the security team that monitored the election.

    Adebanjo confirmed the arrest of 20 persons during the election.

    He said they were arrested with offensive weapons. No official results had been released.

    The PDP boycotted the election in Esan West Local Government.

    When reporters went round to monitor the exercise, they saw voters at polling units and electoral officers accrediting them.

    In some polling units, there was low turn-out of voters.

    PDP leaders could not be reached for comments but a youth leader said they no longer have confidence in the electoral process.

    The ACN Chairman, Thomas Okosun, who hails from the locality, said they were not bothered about PDP’s boycott.

    ACN candidate Henry Irumundonon said boycotting elections is allowed in politics.

    He challenged anybody to prove that electoral malpractices occured during the elections.

    He said the people rejected the PDP and expressed optimism that more people would turn out to vote.

  • Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Sunday announced results of Saturday’s council polls in seven of the 14 local government areas, where the exercise took place.

    The commission had earlier cancelled the exercise in four local government areas of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan West and Esan North-East due to logistic problems.

    It, however, said the exercise would hold in Esan West and Esan North-East on Wednesday, and on Thursday in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha local government areas.

    Announcing the results, The chairman of the commission, Chief Solomon Ogoh, said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won in all the seven local government areas.

    The areas are Orhionmwon, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Estako East, Estako-Central, Esan-South-East and Igueben

    In Orhionmwon, ACN won with 29,059 votes as against PDP’s 5,843 votes, while in Egor, ACN pulled 10,151 votes as against the PDP’s 1,951 votes.

    In Igueben local government area, ACN got 16,298 votes, while PDP scored 1,592 and in Estako East, ACN had 23,262 votes as against PDP’s 4,281 votes.

    Similarly, in Estako Central, ACN won with 9,293 votes and PDP got only 4,359 votes, while in Esan South-East, ACN scored 14,145 votes to defeat PDP, which got 2,776.

    In Akoko-Edo, ACN scored 41,496 votes to beat the rival PDP, which got 5,171 votes.

    The commission had earlier cleared six political parties, ACN, PDP, ANPP, CPC, LP and and AP to participate in the polls.

    However, The PDP and ANPP, on Sunday described the election as a “sham” and called for its cancellation.

    The ANPP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Solomon Edebiri, called for the immediate resignation of the chairman of the commission for incompetence.

    He also called on Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to redeem his name as the defender of democracy by sacking the chairman for “gross incompetence’’.

    The chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, also called for the cancellation of the exercise, saying the ruling ACN manipulated the commission in its favour.

  • ACN: A beacon in the dark

    ACN: A beacon in the dark

    SIR: There is a broad consensus among Nigerians that the problem of our country is largely due to failure of leadership. In a competition, the team that desires to win must field its bests. But our country has rarely fielded its most capable hands. It has largely been governed by individuals who are nowhere near the best we could produce. With all the great minds the country can boast of, why is it that we are still governed mostly by individuals who could at best be described as average. Why is it that our best minds hardly make it to power, do we have a fondness for drab leaders, for mediocrity?

    There is indeed the existence in the country of a cabal or rather kingmakers. These individuals who are entrenched in critical sectors of the society to a large extent determine who makes it to power and who does not. They are able to exercise this influence due to our weak electoral system and judiciary, and the ignorance of a large percentage of the electorate. And who do they support to power, what is their criterion?

    The kingmakers are largely concerned with the protection of their interests. Unfortunately, these interests mostly conflict with that of the majority of the citizenry. They therefore search for and enthrone individuals who could be trusted to maintain the status quo, persons that would dance to their tune, weak characters, average souls. This is exactly why the country boasts of many nationally and internationally acclaimed administrators, technocrats, great minds, etc. who nevertheless have been unable to make it to office. The situation is indeed depressing, it seems like the country is blanketed by a dark cloud. But in the midst of the darkness I see a beacon.

    There exist outstanding governments and governors in quite a few states of the federation. Besides one or two other states, the rest of them reside in those controlled by the ACN. There is this sophistication about the ACN governors. They represent a departure from the crudity and shallowness that so characterize our polity. Their commitment to bettering the lives of their people is clearly demonstrated in their deeds. My memory of Benin City , for instance, used to be that of an 18th century kingdom that has successfully resisted modernization. When I passed that city recently, there was no denying the fact that there exists a government there, and that the government is working.

    The positive attributes are, however, not limited to the governors but also extend to many other political office holders from the party including my own Senator Chris Ngige. This category of politicians actually represents the real breath of fresh air in the polity. But how come the party field mostly quality candidates?

    While the leaders of the ACN are no petty Nigerians –in fact, some rank among the best the country can boast of, they, however, cannot be grouped among the kingmakers. They do not control the country’s resources or power and consequently cannot seriously hope to win elections through malpractice. To win the party must field the best candidates. But they put forward quality candidates not just to win elections but because of their commitment to excellence. Very fortunately the party’s leaders are mostly credible and patriotic Nigerians whose interests seem to coincide with that of the majority of the citizenry. Like most Nigerians they sincerely yearn for good leadership. They are mostly progressive-minded.

    When I consider some politicians that the ACN has produced, I get the feeling that there’s still hope for the country. If we work hard and make the right choices we could still overcome our leadership crisis. For the moment, the party appears to be the most credible route to our promise land and I wish it all the best as it holds its special national convention on April 18.

     

    • Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Two killed as ACN, PDP supporters’ clash

    Two people were killed on Wednesday in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government of Edo State, as supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in a free-for-all.

    This comes barely 48 hours after the Commissioner of Police,  Folusho Adebanji, met with leaders of parties and some candidates on the need to ensure a peaceful local government election.

    The ACN Chairman in the local government, Paul Osugbo, said property worth millions was destroyed.

    He said the party’s chairmanship candidate, Emmanuel Momoh’s convoy was attacked by hoodlums.

    The Nation gathered that a PDP supporter, Odion Agbabi, allegedly drove a vehicle into an ACN campaign rally, sparking a fracas.

    A retired teacher, Oboareye Ibharue, was shot in front of his home; the other victim was reported to have died at the hospital.

    Momoh blamed the PDP for fomenting trouble in what he said was “ a desperate bid to disrupt the April 20 election.”

    “As I speak to you now, our party chairman’s house and vehicles were set ablaze while my convoy was attacked.

    “However, security agents have been drafted to restore normalcy.”

    PDP State Chairman Dan Orbih called on the police to apprehend and prosecute those behind the crisis.

    He regretted what he described as the desperation of the ACN to win the election at all cost.

    Adebanji said some suspects have been arrested and are being interrogated.

  • Uphold our case, Ondo ACN urges tribunal

    Uphold our case, Ondo ACN urges tribunal

    •‘INEC is defenceless’

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State and its candidate in last October’s governorship poll, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), have filed the final written address in their petition before the Election Petition Tribunal.

    They urged the tribunal to rule in their favour on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducted the election and declared Governor Olusegun Mimiko winner, failed to defend itself in the petition or call witnesses to contradict the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    ACN said its 41 witnesses and 118 documentary evidence were not challenged by the respondents during the trial.

    It argued that INEC admitted injecting over 100,625 fresh names into the 2012 voters’ register but failed to call any witness to give reasons for doing so.

    ACN’s expert gave evidence that 164,072 names were injected into the 2012 voters’ register by INEC.

    The party said the fresh names injected were substantial enough to give Mimiko victory in the poll.

    It said INEC also failed to defend the “massive irregularities detected” in result sheets used for the election.

    ACN said during cross-examination, Mimiko’s 14 witnesses confirmed irregularities in their polling units.

    It said: “In exhibit p57(b15), Ward 7, Unit 2 in Ondo East Local Government, Human fist was registered as a voter. Invalid names like EwrrRtyy were registered by INEC in Akure South Local Government. In many polling units, there was voting without accreditation. In others, illegal registrants were allowed to vote.

    “This was confirmed by one of Mimiko’s witnesses, who said INEC issued two voter’s cards and allowed illegal registrants, whose fingerprints were not captured, to vote.

    “In the face of these monumental discoveries of irregularities, Mimiko, who was earlier granted leave by the tribunal to call his expert, failed to call him or tender his report, which had been filed before the tribunal.

    “INEC’s and the Labour Party’s (LP’s) pleadings/replies before the tribunal stand abandoned in the face of lack of evidence to substantiate them. What the law requires of petitioners, under this circumstance, is minimal proof, which we have presented satisfactorily before the tribunal.”

    ACN prayed the Justice Andova Kaka’n-led tribunal to order a fresh election.

    The written address was filed by 52 lawyers, led by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN). Others include Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN); Wole Aina, Adekola Olawoye, Michael Lana, Kazeem Gbadamosi, Oluwagbenga Olatunja and Titiloye Charles, among others.

  • 2015: ACN accuses Fed Govt of plans to block free election

    2015: ACN accuses Fed Govt of plans to block free election

    There are plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to create a chaotic environment and prevent a peaceful election in 2015, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) alleged yesterday.

    The party cited some decisions of the government, which it said were directed at worsening insecurity and violence with the aim of ensuring that the election never holds or it holds in an environment that will prevent free and fair elections.

    ACN’s National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who addressed a press conference in Lagos yesterday, said though his party had earlier complained before now that the Federal Government was promoting crisis and working towards incapacitating known opposition leaders,with its eyes on 2015, the situation is “more alarming now.”

    Mohammed urged ACN supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians to be vigilant and prevent the breakdown of law and order. He said the PDP’s resort to such crude tactics was informed by its realisation that the electorate is ready to back the opposition.

    He also urged Nigeria’s foreign friends to prevail on the government and the ruling PDP to allow peaceful election come 2015.

    Mohammed commented on the award of a multi-billion contract for the protection of oil pipelines in the Southwest. The move by the contract’s major beneficiary to resuscitate the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the arrest of some Boko Haram suspects in Lagos confirm the party’s fear.

    Mohammed cautioned that no nation can survive a combination of ethnic and religious conflagration, and that those who will instigate crises to push a personal and selfish agenda risk being consumed by it.

    He said: “It is no longer a secret that the PDP-led Federal Government has failed the nation in all ramifications.

    “In the provision of social amenities and standard infrastructure, ensuring the security of lives and property, provision of jobs for our teeming unemployed youths and generally ensuring better life for our people, the party that has presided over the affairs of our nation since 1999 has fallen short.

    “To make matters worse, the party itself is imploding as a result of its own failings, and its tattered umbrella can no longer provide shelter from the elements for its increasingly disenchanted members.

    “Against this background, the PDP is keenly aware that it has totally lost the confidence of all Nigerians, and the long-suffering people of this great country are now ready and eager to vote out this clueless party.

    “Keenly aware of this fact, the PDP has now realised that if indeed the 2015 elections are free and fair and conducted in a conducive environment, there will be no chance for the party.

    “What is the way out for the PDP? The party has decided to go for broke: Either there will be no elections in 2015 or the polls will be conducted in an atmosphere of chaos, thereby paving the way for the PDP to do what it does best – rig the elections!

    “Since the Boko Haram crisis broke out in some parts of the North, it has been largely restricted to those parts. This has made it possible to say to prospective foreign investors and others that the whole country has not been engulfed in violence and insecurity.

    “But now, the areas that have been largely peaceful are being targetted by those who will only be happy when the whole country is in turmoil. Three recent events, all at the instance of the Federal Government, raise the red flag.

    “A multi-billion naira contract has suddenly been awarded for the protection of oil pipelines in the region.The main beneficiary of the contract has suddenly realised that the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), formed by the respected statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is no longer in existence, and has thus decided to revive it.

    “Just about the same time, suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested in Lagos, specifically at a house belonging to the government of Bayelsa State.

    “The questions that arise are: What is the real intention of the Federal Government in awarding this oil pipeline protection contract?

    “Is it a mere coincidence that the main beneficiary of the multi-billion naira oil pipeline protection contract is also the same fellow who is promoting the revival of the UPN?

    “Could the huge contract have been meant to provide the seed money for the promoters of this party?

    “Is it true, as it is being alleged in certain quarters, that the essence of the contract is to recruit 30,000 youths who will ostensibly protect the pipelines, but in the real sense are ready hands to foment violence on demand in the Southwest?

    “Is it true that the so-called revival of the UPN is to provide a platform for anarchists and end-gamers in the Southwest to infiltrate the ranks of the progressives and throw the region into chaos?

    “Why is it that suddenly, Boko Haram suspects are popping up in Lagos, and some of those who have been arrested were residing in a building owned by the Bayelsa State government?

    “Is the Bayelsa State government aware of this and if so, what has it done to evict them from the building? Who are the ragamuffins paraded by security agencies as Boko Haram suspects working for?

    “Why have some people in the Southwest been engaging in Boko Haram baiting in recent times, vociferously warning that if Boko Haram comes to the region, they will be crushed? Is it a coincidence that this Boko Haram baiting has become stronger since the oil pipeline contract was awarded?

    “Who are the brains behind the continuous efforts to sabotage the merger of the progressives? Who bankrolled the tatterdemalions, the disreputable people who are parading themselves as African Peoples Congress?

    “Only this morning, it was reported that a new group is trying to register APCN, in continuation of the sabotage attempts. And who are the real faces of the so-called ANPP stakeholders who have been making spurious claims concerning the All Progressives’ Congress (APC)?

    “We are also concerned by the allegation that the Federal Government may be promoting a policy of inciting some parts of the country against the other, as well as Christians against Muslims. We sincerely hope this is not true.

    “May we also use this opportunity to restate our stand, that the Boko Haram crisis – which by the way is a social rather than a religious problem – has festered either due to the ineptitude of the Federal Government or because it fits into the game plan of those who are bent on erecting a road block on the path of free, fair and peaceful polls in 2015.

    “We make bold to say that the stand of the PDP is that having seen the handwriting on the wall, the party realises it cannot win free and fair elections in 2015.

    “PDP and its stalwarts are therefore perfecting a sinister plan that will make free and fair elections impossible in 2015, or if at all the elections will be held, they will hold under curfew to give the party the cover it needs to rig the polls.

    “Also being considered is a plan under which emergency rule will be imposed on most parts of the country, following which elections will be put in abeyance, paving the way for tenure elongation. Instigation of violence in hitherto peaceful parts of the country is one of the means to achieve this plan.

    “We are, therefore, alerting the good people of Nigeria as well as friends of the country around the world to closely monitor events as they unfold in the days ahead, along the lines that we have enunciated above.

    “On our part, we will be keenly watching events as they unfold, either in the Southwest or elsewhere. After all, it is said that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. In this regard, we call on all our supporters, all progressives and indeed all Nigerians to be vigilant.

    “We will also like to warn that no nation can survive a combination of ethnic and religious conflagration, and that those who will instigate crisis to push a personal and selfish agenda risk being consumed by it.

    “We say no to violence! We say no to do-or-die politics! We say no to any anti-democratic measures as a means of retaining power at all cost.

    “And lest we are misunderstood, the constitution of our great country allows freedom of association and anyone who so desires can form a party. But where the purpose of the party being formed is to instigate chaos and scuttle democracy, every right thinking person must be concerned!” the ACN spokesman said.

  • Council poll: ACN has strategy to defeat PDP, says Oshiomhole

    EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has declared the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has the strategy to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party in the April 20 local government election.

    Speaking to ACN supporters at Ehor and Igueben in his campaign tour for the poll, Oshiomhole said: “Our weapon against People Democratic Party (PDP) is service to the people.

    “We work for the people because PDP has a history of working against the people; elevate the people because PDP philosophy is to bring the people down.”

    He added: “We will invest in education because PDP believes in privatising education, investing in the building of roads because PDP believes in under-developing the people. Everything that they are opposed to that is good, we will do.”

    He told the candidates: “We have come to remind you that another election is around the corner. We need men and women who are ready to serve the people at the grassroots.

    “Our candidates must imbibe the philosophy of ACN, which is service to the people.

    “We have also decided nobody elected as a Chairman under our platform will not be allowed to govern in absentia. You cannot be a visiting chairman.

    “You must be resident local government chairman. That way, he does not need to be told that there is no light. He does not need to be told that the transformer is bad. What you don’t know you can’t solve.”

    The governor assured voters in the local areas that government would complete all on-going projects in the areas.

    He later presented the Igueben council candidate, Mr. Ashuma Asemota and Mr. Alari Roland of Uhunmwode local government areas as candidates of the ACN.