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Tag: ACN

  • Court hears Ondo ACN’s appeal today

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure will today hear the appeal filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate in last October’s governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) challenging the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    The party is praying the court to set aside the judgment of the Justice Andova Kaka’n-led Tribunal, which declared Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) winner of election.

    The briefs by both parties will be adopted today.

    ACN is alleging that the tribunal caused a miscarriage of justice when it rejected its expert’s evidence, which were earlier admitted by the tribunal.

    It said the tribunal failed to evaluate the evidence of its 41 witnesses, whose evidence were unchallenged by the respondents, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and LP, which did not call any witness.

    ACN said even though its evidence of irregularities and non-accreditation of voters were corroborated on cross-examination by Mimiko’s 14 witnesses, the tribunal ruled that it lacked sufficient evidence to cancel the election.

    It said despite the tribunal’s “finding of fact” that there were injection of strange names into the 2012 voter’s register used by INEC, it refused to void the register and declined jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

    The party said Section 131(5) of the Electoral Act, which was heavily relied on by the tribunal to decline jurisdiction, does not exist.

    It alleged that the judgment was full of inconsistencies, saying at one length, the tribunal ruled that the 118 documentary evidence tendered by ACN was demonstrated before the tribunal, and in another part, ruled that they were not demonstrated but dumped on the tribunal, thus appropriating and reprobating its judgment.

    ACN and Akeredolu are urging the Court of Appeal to order a fresh election “since the respondents failed to defend the allegations”.

    The first respondent, Mimiko, is challenging the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to hear the ACN’s appeal.

    He said some of the grounds of appeal are argumentative, repetitive and “sometimes without particulars”.

    Mimiko is praying the Court of Appeal to strike out the ACN’s Appeal. LP and INEC, who are co-respondents, have filed their briefs.

     

  • Ekiti ACN will not reject PDP decampees

    Ekiti ACN will not reject PDP decampees

    Ekiti state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has debunked claims of rejecting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members willing to join the party.

    The Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti explained that the reported rejection of opposition members by the ACN in the state was “a ploy by PDP to confuse opposition members willing to join our progressive party.”

    Awe clarified that plans had been concluded for “the massive influx of PDP members who have shown real interest to partner our purposeful administration in the state.”

    The ACN chair said the party hierarchy had met and directed the entire party secretariats in the 177 wards across the 16 councils in the state to open registers for the willing PDP and other opposition members “where they must put their names and be ready to come to the open as a prove of their sincerity.”

    Said he: “I recall that the party took a decision on June 12 at Oluyemi Kayode stadium that all those willing to join our party should be received at ward levels without any hindrance and this has been happening daily across Ikere, Gbonyin, Emure, Aramoko and all our towns in the state. So far, reports are that the opposition are registering en masse.

    “I recall that Chief Ayo Peters from Emure and Mrs. Kehinde Balogun from Iyin Ekiti on June 12 at the Stadium said they were ready to join the ACN train with their legion of followers”, the ACN chair said.

    Complementing Awe’s disclosure, the ACN chairman in Ikere Ekiti, Prince Idowu Aladejebi disclosed that plans were on for the celebration of the new members who were ready to serve the people through the ACN.

    Aladejebi said: “I told them the only conditions are their genuineness of purpose and readiness to come into the open. Political participation is not a secretive affair. They have accepted and we are considering a date for the celebration”, Aladejebi said.

    He explained that Ikere-Ekiti had been especially favoured not only in terms of infrastructural developments but even in political appointments which have robbed off on the town in so many ways.”

    Said he: “Today roads are no longer our problem and water is fast becoming an issue of history. The federal road linking the town to Akure is under construction and, given the rocky terrain of the town, it had always been difficult to sink boreholes. But the state governor has sunk several boreholes across our communities And water that used to be insufficient is now available perhaps more than our people do even need.

    Aladejebi noted that ” Ikere-Ekiti is significant in terms of population and consequently voting capacity. The town is next to Ado and we are making steady progress in bringing in the opposition members who genuinely repent.

    “Those who have put their names down have been wonderful as they are not only open, they have not given the party any condition. This shows that their moves are based on conviction.

    “The situation of massive influx of PDP members into our party is a prove not only of Fayemi’s performance about genuine efforts to improve lives of the people but that Ekiti people are one and the same thing. We must now come together to redeem our state once and for all. Fayemi remains a symbol of that new age of oneness, unity and progress in Ekiti.

     

  • Ondo: Appeal Court hears ACN suit June 25

    Ondo: Appeal Court hears ACN suit June 25

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure will next Tuesday hears the appeal filed by Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] in Ondo state and its governorship candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu [SAN] against the judgment of the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in Akure.

    Counsel to ACN and Akeredolu, Titiloye Charles, confirmed the receipt of notice from the appellate court, fixing next Tuesday for hearing of the case.

    The party is asking the court to set aside the decision of the Justice Andova Kaka’n- led tribunal, which dismissed its petition, challenging the victory of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in last October governorship election in the state.

    ACN in its Appellant brief dated June 4, alleged that the lower court caused a miscarriage of justice when it rejected its experts evidence already admitted by the tribunal.

    It failed to properly evaluate and weigh the evidence of its 41 witnesses whose presentations were unchallenged by the respondents, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission and Labour Party that failed to call any witness before the tribunal.

     

     

     

  • Lagos ACN consoles Tinubu

    The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has sent condolences to the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

    The party commiserated with Asiwaju Tinubu on the irreparable loss, saying it was consoled that his mother lived a long, fruitful and result-oriented life.

    It prayed that God should grant her rest in paradise.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said Mama lived a worthy life of service to the nation and humanity, adding that she remained a national icon through her activism and devotion to the interest of the common people.

    It urged Asiwaju Tinubu to uphold the tenets of social justice, good governance, rule of law and equity as a tribute to Mama.

    The statement reads: “We receive the news of the passing on of Mama with sadness, yet with a satisfaction borne out of the good roles she played in her life to promote the cause of justice and democracy.

    “While we mourn Mama, we feel satisfied that her devotion to the promotion of the ideals of justice, especially as it relates to the interests of market women and the masses, remains a worthy testimony of the fulfilled life she led.

    “We feel proud of Mama’s historic antecedents, especially her role in fighting for the enthronement of democracy through the activities of the Lagos market women she led in the period that spanned the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993 election and the subsequent fight that led to the restoration of democracy in 1999.

    “Mama’s role in the struggle for democracy portrayed her as a heroine of democracy, whose memory would linger on for the coming generations.

    “We recall that she cut an enviable niche in business as she rose to become the President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, a position she used to contribute to the sustenance of democracy and promotion of the interest of the downtrodden.

    “She was a notable philanthropist and a renowned leader of men and women, who are committed to the promotion of the interest of the poor and the enthronement of justice.

    “Lagos ACN is happy that Alhaja Mogaji mothered one of the nation’s most committed democrats, an astute administrator, a leader of men, an activist, a great politician and a firm advocate and fighter for people’s rights, Asiwaju Tinubu. We see this as a prized treasure Mama left for Nigeria and we draw consolation that her spirit of doggedness and political savvy lives in her famous son.

    “We believe that Mama is not dead as she continues her well-known fight for a better Nigeria through her son and the men and women she led while alive.

    “The entire ACN family feels bereaved with the death of Mama. We share the irreparable loss of Asiwaju’s mother as we believe she lived a life of great achievement on earth. We equally share his sense of pride at having such a fulfilled and famous mother. We join millions of Nigerians in offering our heartfelt sympathy over this great loss, as we pray God to grant her soul a deserved rest in paradise.”

     

  • Mogaji lived for the people, says ACN chieftain

    A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Mr. Adesoji Akanbi, has commiserated with the children and family of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

    He described the deceased as a woman of virtue, who lived for her community.

    Akanbi said she was the mouthpiece of market women, particularly in Lagos State, defending the interest of traders.

    “Alhaja Mogaji was a woman of valour, who lived for the uplifting of Nigerian women.

    “Her life would continue to be a reference point for women in the country,” he said.

    He urged the son of the late women leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to continue his mother’s legacies.

  • ACN consoles Tinubu

    ACN consoles Tinubu

    •Pays tribute to mum

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has commiserated with its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the death

    of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji.

    It urged him to draw strength from the sweet memories of her remarkable sojourn on earth.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said although

    no words are good enough to soothe Asiwaju Tinubu’s loss, he should be consoled by the accomplishments of his mother, who was one of the greatest women of her time.

    ACN also paid tribute to the late Alhaja Mogaji, the President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Men and Women. It described her as a major factor behind the success of the progressives, especially in the Southwest.

    “Despite her old age, her instincts remained sharp till the end. She paid attention to what was going on around her, including the realignment of the progressive forces aimed at making life better for the citizens, the plight of whom she made her passion throughout her life.

    “A few weeks ago, she inquired about the progress of the realignment, an indication that she was committed to ensuring a better life for all even till the end,” the party said.

    It said the greatest indication of her unyielding concern for the less privileged was that anytime the interest of her followers – the market men and women – collided with that of the government during her son’s tenure as the Lagos State governor, she supported her followers!

    ACN said Alhaja Mogaji would also be remembered for her dominance at the top echelon of the association for about half a century, during which she kept her dignity intact and made a giant stride in fighting for the interest of the members.

    “That she presided over such an important body for such a length of time without soiling her reputation and that of her famous and highly-respectable lineage is a great testimony to her uprightness, decency, integrity, generosity, loyalty and firm principles.

    “Over the years, those attributes also came in handy for her as she refused to be lured by anti-progressive forces, shunning whatever

    offer that could compromise such rare attributes.

    “Having availed herself so creditably in her earthly sojourn, we pray the good Lord to grant her a well-deserved rest and protect those she left behind,” the party said.

  • Oyo PDP members join ACN

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo Federal Constituency have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The defectors were from the four local governments that make up the constituency – Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West.

    They were led by the former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Akinrogun Segun Taiwo.

    The defectors were received into the ACN by Senator Ayo Adeseun (Oyo Central District) last Sunday at SNODAT Hotel in Sabo, Oyo Town.

    Adeseun said the defectors made the right decision by joining ACN and assured them of a level playing ground.

    He said the party remains committed to justice, fairness and good governance.

    On the proposed alliance between former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Alao-Akala, Adeseun urged the duo to shun acts inimical to sustainable democratic governance.

    The senator was accompanied to the event by three former commissioners in the Alao-Akala administration.

    They include former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Aare Ladi Abdusalaam; former Commissioner for Finance Chief Bayo Bankole and former Commissioner for Environment and Poverty Alleviation Alhaji Jelili Agboola.

    Taiwo, who is a veteran journalist, said: “We decided to quit the PDP because of the senseless crises, egoistic desires and undue favouritisms that remain predominant characteristics of the self-acclaimed largest party in Africa.”

    Describing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the successor of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he said: “Irrespective of whatever sentiments, Tinubu has become an institution and authority in Nigerian politics. His unrepentant and untiring efforts to ensure that the Yoruba are not relegated to the background in politics stand him out among the present crop of Nigerian leaders.

    “Tinubu remains the only leader that is championing the emancipation of the masses, which the late Awolowo stood for.”

    Taiwo hailed Southwest governors for their commitment to regional integration. He said Governor Abiola Ajimobi has transformed every part of the state.

    Taiwo hailed the governor on the Ajumose free shuttle bus, the provision of tractors in each of the 33 local governments, road projects and the restoration of peace and security in the state.

     

  • Sponsors of terror are mostly PDP members, alleges ACN

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has rejected any attempt by the presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to portray the opposition party or its leadership as terrorism sponsors.

    It alleged that sponsors of terror in Nigeria are either within the PDP, or somehow associated with it.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the presidency and the PDP should tell Nigerians the names of those mentioned as sponsors of Boko Haram in a well-researched article in the journal of the New York-based World Policy Institute, headlined: ‘Anatomy of African Terrorism: Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown terror network.’

    ACN said a perusal of the article shows a former Nigerian Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe and a serving governor and members of the PDP as alleged terror sponsors.

    “Contrary to the blatant falsehood peddled by the presidency and the PDP, not one member of the ACN was mentioned in that document, which is available to those interested in seeking the truth than calling the dog a bad name just to hang it.

    “We abhor terrorism in all ramifications, and have never and will never support terrorism under any guise. But our stand on Boko Haram is also well known to fair-minded people whose thinking has not been clouded by

    political considerations: Terror has festered in our country largely because of widespread poverty/economic deprivation, massive unemployment, injustice and alienation of a large section of the society, all products of years of bad governance.

    “For example, Nigeria is home to the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, according to UNESCO. What this means is that we are creating a large pool of possible recruits for terror.

    “While these problems date back to a long time, the rapacious PDP, which has ruled at the centre since our country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, and the painfully incompetent government of President Goodluck Jonathan have not made things better. It is therefore clear that as these evil twins PDP/Presidency) point one accusing finger at the ACN, four others are pointing at them,” ACN said.

    The party expressed satisfaction at the speed with which the presidency and the PDP, in separate statements, repudiated the part of the Boko Haram/Ansaru proscription order that is deemed to be at variance with the constitution.

    The assurances given by the two are what the ACN had demanded in its earlier statement that called attention to the fact that the vague and open-ended order could stifle the freedom of the press and tamper with the fundamental human rights of the ordinary Nigerian.

    “After much rambling, the presidency’s statement on the issue said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the order is not meant to stop journalists from carrying out their duties or function of news gathering or reporting as they differ from terrorist activities. Rather, the order is out to criminalise acts of incitement by anyone, group of persons or institutions to commit terrorist acts through dissemination of terrorist information’.

    “When it is stripped of its now boring clichés, the statement from the PDP said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, no section of the order stifled the press; violated or seeks to violate any provision of the constitution. Instead, the order reinforced the provisions of the constitution guaranteeing the security and welfare of all Nigerians’.

    “This clarification is exactly what we demanded in our statement, and we can now happily say our work is done. As usual, we choose to ignore the use of uncouth language, needless vituperation and accusations that are not empirically-grounded – which are now the hallmarks of a sinking presidency/ruling party,” ACN said.

     

  • Sponsors of terror are mostly PDP members – ACN

    Sponsors of terror are mostly PDP members – ACN

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has rejected any attempt by the presidency and the ruling PDP to portray the opposition party or its leadership as terrorism sponsors, saying all alleged sponsors of terror in Nigeria are either within the ruling party, the PDP, or somehow associated with it.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the presidency and the PDP should tell Nigerians the names of all those mentioned as sponsors of Boko Haram in a well-researched article in the journal of the New York-based World Policy Institute, entitled: ”Anatomy of African Terrorism: Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown terror network.”

     It said that a quick perusal of the article shows a former Nigerian Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe and a serving Nigerian State Governor, all members of the PDP, as alleged terror sponsors.
    ”Contrary to the blatant falsehood being peddled by the presidency and the PDP, not one member of the ACN was mentioned in that document, which is available to those who are more interested in seeking the truth than calling the dog a bad name just to hang it.

    ”We abhor terrorism in all its ramifications, and have never and will never support terrorism under any guise. But our stand on Boko Haram is also well known to all fair-minded people whose thinking has not been clouded by political considerations: Terror has festered in our country largely because of widespread poverty/economic deprivation, massive unemployment, injustice and alienation of a large section of the society, all products of years of bad governance.
     
    ”For example, Nigeria is home to the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, according to UNESCO. What this means is that we are creating a large pool of possible recruits for terror.

    ”While these problems date back a long time, the rapacious PDP, which has ruled at the centre since our country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, and the painfully incompetent government of President Goodluck Jonathan have not made things better. It is therefore clear that as these evil twins PDP/Presidency) point one accusing finger at the ACN, four others are pointing at them,” ACN said.

    Meanwhile, the party has expressed total satisfaction at the speed with which the presidency and the PDP, in separate statements, repudiated the part of the Boko Haram/Ansaru proscription Order that is deemed to be at variance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The assurances given by the two are exactly what the ACN had demanded in its earlier statement that called attention to the fact that the vague and open-ended Order could stifle the freedom of the press and tamper with the fundamental human rights of the ordinary Nigerian.

    ”After much rambling, the presidency’s statement on the issue said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the order is not meant to stop journalists from carrying out their duties or function of news gathering or reporting as they differ from terrorist activities. Rather, the order is out to criminalize acts of incitement by anyone, group of persons or institutions to commit terrorist acts through dissemination
    of terrorist information’.

    ”And when it is stripped of its now boring cliches, the statement from the PDP said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, no section of the Order stifled the press; violated or seeks to violate any provision of the constitution. Instead the Order reinforced the provisions of the constitution guaranteeing the security and welfare of all Nigerians’.

    ”This clarification is exactly what we demanded in our statement, and we can now happily say our work is done. As usual, we choose to ignore the use of uncouth language, needless vituperation and accusations that are not empirically-grounded – which are now the hallmarks of a sinking residency/ruling party,” ACN said.
  • ACN demands elections into Oyo Assembly

    ACN demands elections into Oyo Assembly

    More than 90 days after a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, approved the creation of eight additional constituencies in the House of Assembly and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections into the constituencies within 90 days, nothing of such has happened.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Mr. Dauda Koala, accused INEC of ignoring the court order.

    He said: “Ninety days have elapsed and INEC is yet to conduct elections into those constituencies as ordered by the court. We do not know why the body is silent over the matter. But what we do know is that this is a flagrant disregard of the rule of law.”

    Also yesterday, the ACN Alhaji Abdul Lateef Owoade as the Director of Finance and Administration, following the approval of the executives.

    Owoade was a pioneer member of the Alliance for Democracy(AD) and became the party’s administrative secretary in 2003.

    INEC’s spokesman, Mr. Ayodele Folami, disagreed with the ACN’s position, saying the time given by the court was 180 days and not 90.

    He said the electoral body has respect for the rule of law, especially the judiciary.

    Folami said: “When we receive judgments like these, we forward them to our headquarters in Abuja, which would come out with a decision soon.

    “We are yet to be informed by the headquarters. Once it gets back to us, we will communicate with the parties.”

    Reacting to INEC’s claim of 180 days, Kolawole said the electoral umpire was being economical with the truth.

    He said: “Where did he get 180 days from? The court said 90 days and you know all papers reported 90days. What is INEC talking about? I believe this is just a ploy to distort information and frustrate the development that the state will achieve through the creation of those constituencies.”

    The Accord expressed optimism that INEC would follow the rule of law.

    The party’s Chairman, Mr. Lawal Bashiru, said: “I think they are still collating data and the population in the eight constituencies.”

    He however urged the body to ensure that it conducts the elections before 2015.