The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Action Democratic Party

  • ‘Why NASS couldn’t veto Buhari on Electoral Act’

    Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani is the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and one of the Presidential candidates who contested against President Muhammadu Buhari in the recently concluded General Election. In this interview with Tony Akowe, Sani speaks on the conduct of the election and other sundry national issues. Excerpts

    HOW would you rate the conduct of the last General Elections, especially the presidential context in which you were a candidate?

    The 2019 General Elections can be described as watershed in the political development of this country. The expectations of Nigerians and the international community was that Mr. President would have demonstrated attributes that people have ascribed to him as someone that is honest and one who will not tolerate anybody taking undue advantage of the system to deny others their inalienable rights as enshrined in the Constitution of this country. The expectations were not met. Nigerians were disappointed that under the watch of Mr. President, what happened in the election happened. You cannot divorce what happened in that election from the undue influence of the party in power. Few days to the postponement of the elections some of the utterances and conducts of the government in power was below expectations.

    You were a candidate in that elections just like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who has gone to court. Do you see him getting justice?

    To me, going to court s two sides to it. On one side, you can say that you want to put something for history so that people can use it to improve on the situation and document the experience for future references, and, probably stop some of the things that happened. The other side of it is that you want to claim your mandate. So, the manipulations are clear from what we are seeing. But again that is where you have the judiciary functioning in the manner it is supposed to function. Not under this climate. Nigeria is not there yet because we are still developing no matter how you look at it.

    Are you saying Atiku cannot get justice?

    Justice in Nigeria, especially under this system, to me, it is farfetched.

    Your party just held its National Executive Council meeting and announced the expulsion of some of your members from the party, including the National Secretary. What is responsible for this decision?

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) had to take that action because of the overwhelming evidence against the characters involved. They are not bona-fide members of ADP.  They are agents. It would have been a different case if it was a case between two committed members of the party which would have been settled as one family.  Somebody came, collected our vehicle, went to his state, painted it in the colour of another candidate and campaigned against us. This people have no conscience. We did not have any other option than to get them out of the system to enable us identify our members.

    This same Okoroma was your Campaign Director- General and you now describe him as an agent sent to destroy the party. Will you say his actions contributed to why you lost the election?

    On the day of the election, these people sent out text messages telling people that I have stepped down for President Buhari. Even in my own state, I had to be telling people that it was a lie. Some people from his state came and told us the same thing that they got information from above mandating them to vote for Buhari and not me. What other evidence do you want us to put forth that they are not members of ADP?

    You expressed pessimism about Atiku getting justice in the court. Could that be the reason you didn’t go to court?

    Yes, that is one of the reasons. Another reason is that we believe that given the situation this country finds itself, to us as a party, we believe that four years is not too much.

    Like I said, it is okay for Atiku to go to court. For us as a party, we do not believe it is necessary to waste the meagre resources we have. The only thing we need to do is to plan between now and 2023 when we know that the political atmosphere will be different.

    Don’t you see that as a defeatist approach because you don’t have a case?

    No, we do have a case. But the case we have is to use and build experiences acquired to build for the future. Somebody is doing what we would have done effectively for the sake of the history. But to get justice, I doubt.

    Before the elections, you alleged that INEC was going to rig the elections in favour of APC and pleaded with Buhari to sign the Electoral Act which he didn’t. If you knew what was going to play out, why did you contest the election?

    Mr. President was at the centre of 2019 Elections. People have ascribed to him as someone that has integrity which I thought he would have brought up. I know that President Buhari, as a person, does not have the kind of stake on what is going to happen in winning elections. I expect him to rise to the occasion and do the needful. Then when you look at INEC, we need to revisit the Electoral Act so that you can now look at it from the experiences we have had, which is who pays the piper dictates the tune. We should change this by way of taking INEC out of the influence of the executive so that it doesn’t have the power to appoint INEC chairman and state commissioners.

    Will you blame the National Assembly for not vetoing the Electoral Act?

    Which National Assembly are you talking about?  The National Assembly and the president are the beneficiaries of what we have today.

    Between now and 2023, what should we expect from your party?

    Nigerians should expect a very vibrant party that will take this country to greater heights; and by the grace of God, establish the next government in this country.

  • ‘I won’t challenge result of Lagos guber poll’

    Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) says he will not contest the outcome of the governorship election in the state but prepare for the next election.

    Gbadamosi, a real estate mogul, told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that his decision was rooted in him having no confidence in the electoral system.

    He said: “My decision is to wait and contest the next election and hopefully, the votes will count then.

    “I agree that the election in the state was an absolute fraud and a sham with many instances of open multiple voting recorded in places like Ikorodu, Lagos Island.However, I do not have any more resources to waste on a process in which I have no confidence.

    “We keep learning and I believe that the will of the people will surely prevail in future elections in the state.“

    He also claimed that the fraud was carried out by known persons going from one polling unit to another, openly bearing firearms of all kinds.

    Gbadamosi, however, advised INEC to put its house in order to forestall most of the anomalies witnessed in the 2019 general elections in the future elections.

    He stressed the need to prosecute all those involved in electoral malpractices in 2019 general elections to serve as deterrent to others.

    The ADP candidate urged the incoming 9th National Assembly to come up with stiffer penalty for electoral offenders, to ensure much better polls in future.

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan highway: Pains of prolonged repairs

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Mr Owolabi Salis, the Lagos state governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has, however, approached the state Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the victory of Sanwo-Olu, followed by Mr Fagbemi Awamari, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

    The two petitioners prayed the tribunal to upturn the results of the March 9 governorship election, claiming that the election was marred by voter intimidation, vote-buying and multiple voting, adding that Sanwo-Olu was not fit to contest the 2019 governorship election.

    The candidates also sought a declaration of the tribunal that, the pronouncement of Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the governorship election was null and void and be set aside, based on the gross electoral fraud and/or gross electoral misconduct that characterised the governorship election in the state.

  • Akala wins polling unit for APC’s Adelabu

    Following his alignment with the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the governorship election, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, Adebayo Alao-Akala was able to secure gubernatorial victory for APC in his unit.

    In his area at Olukutun, Unit 13, Ward 7 in Ogbomoso north, APC won the governorship election with 201 votes while PDP and ADP had 82 votes and 23 votes respectively.

    However, the former governor was able to deliver victory for his party, ADP in the House of Assembly election.

    ADP led with 146 votes, while PDP had 70 votes and APC came third with 65 votes.

  • Akala, Makinde, others form alliance against Adelabu

    Leading opposition parties in Oyo State including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) on Thursday advanced their talks for an alliance against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    They suspended the talks shortly before the presidential election but resumed on Thursday.

    Thursday’s meeting held at the Bodija, Ibadan home of a former governor of the state, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja.

    The Nation learnt that they had a much more detailed discussion on factors such as general popularity of each party and candidates.

    They also reportedly discussed which party or candidate will be most acceptable to the people of the state.

    Also discussed was sharing of portfolios and withdrawal of which House of Assembly candidate in which local government.

    Though they considered the performance of the parties in the presidential and National Assembly elections, it was viewed that it would not be a major factor in deciding which party to jointly support for the next election because of local strength of many parties.

    At the meeting were Ladoja of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is the governorship candidate of the ADP, ADC governorship candidate Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin and his PDP counterpart Seyi Makinde.

    Read Also: I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu– Akala

    Others are ZLP governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli and his counterpart from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bolaji Ayorinde.

    After meeting for hours, the gladiators agreed to continue with the meeting on Friday.

    The opposition parties are seeking a joint effort to defeat the governorship candidate of the APC, Adebayo Adelabu and its House of Assembly candidates.

    They came to the conclusion that only a coalition can defeat the ruling party on March 9.

    They drew their conclusion from the result of the 2011 and 2015 governorship elections.

  • Akala wins unit for Atiku, also senatorial, House of Rep.

    The former governor of Oyo state and gubernatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party, Alao Akala  won his polling unit, unit 13, ward 10, Ogbomoso North for People Democratic Party.

    He also recorded victory for his party, the ADP,  in the senatorial and House of Representatives elections.

    PDP led the presidential election with 189 votes; ADP 60 votes; APC 33 votes.

    Read also: Akala plans to manipulate Ogbomoso results, APC alleges

    In the unit, Oyo North Senatorial district ADP led with 222 votes while PDP and APC had 46 votes and 37 votes respectively.

    ADP amassed a total of 230 votes, PDP has 39 votes while APC has 38 votes.

     

  • Akala plans to manipulate Ogbomoso results, APC alleges

    The Oyo chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has cried out over alleged connivance of Action Democratic Party (ADP) with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate election results in Ogbomoso area of the state.

    The APC Chairman, Ogbomoso North Local Government Alhaji Bukola Badmos raised the alarm at the INEC collation centre for Ogbomoso North where collation of results is currently going on.

    The ADP, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala’s party, which cleared most of the polling units in Ogbomoso main town, was accused of working with some INEC Presiding Officers to manipulate results.

    Read also: El-Rufai votes after four hours on queue

    There was mild drama when the result sheets were badly shaded by INEC presiding officers, making it impossible to get clearly a picture of what the results are.

    The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Rasheed Okunola, had a hectic time dousing the tension when the party agents threatened mayhelm at the collation centre.

    The APC Ogbomoso North Chairman alleged that the malpractice which was orchestrated by ADP would not be acceptable to the APC.

  • Akala: count me out of alliance against APC candidate Adelabu

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has said he will not join other opposition candidates to form an alliance against the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor, said he was not working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate or any other for an alliance, as reported in some sections of the media.

    Speaking through his campaign organisation yesterday, the ADP candidate said the reports were aimed at “misinforming and confusing our teeming supporters the world over”.

    The statement by the Director General of the campaign organisation, Chief Wale Ohu, reads: “At a time, the rumour in town was that he was not serious about his governorship ambition and that he was going to play the role of a spoiler or work for another governorship candidate.

    “The most recent is that he is working for the PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde.

    “The Akala Campaign Organisation hereby debunks all these insinuations. They are the handiwork of the propaganda machinery of the government in power in Oyo State, which is jittery and overwhelmed by the soaring popularity of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and to state clearly that the former governor is committed to taking the people of Oyo State out of the political mess they have been plunged by the insensitive APC government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi since he left office eight years ago.

    “Otunba Alao-Akala has toured the nooks and crannies of Oyo State, taking the message of hope to the citizenry, which was received with enthusiasm by the people.

    “Alao-Akala is not into any discussion, alliance or talks with the PDP governorship candidate Makinde or any other for that matter.

     

     

     

  • Oyo sacks Akala’s son as LG boss, swears in acting chairman

    Oyo State Government has endorsed the sack of a son of a former governor of the State as the Executive Chairman, Ogbomoso North Local Government, Mr Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.

    In his place, the former Vice Chairman Mr Abas Bello has been announced and sworn in an acting capacity to chair the Council.

    The decision follows the change of party loyalty on the part of the sacked council boss from the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) to the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the platform on which ex-governor Alao-Akala is contesting the governorship seat.

    The state government made the announcement as well as the swearing in of the Acting Council boss through the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Bimbo Kolade at the Agodi Secretary, Ibadan on Wednesday.

    The sacked Council boss would be recalled was elected on May 12 on the platform of APC but alongside some of his councillors defected to the ADP to support his father’s ambition.

    While speaking at the swearing-in of the Acting Council boss, the Commissioner noted that the ministry had on February 18 received official correspondences from the Council’s legislative body announcing the suspension of Mr Alao-Akala.

    Read Also: Akala‘s son suspended as Ogbomoso council chair

    The commissioner said that the councillors had suspended the chairman for alleged “misconduct and abuse of office”.

    He added that apart from Alao-Akala who was suspended, four other Councillors from the same local government were also suspended, giving their names as, Mr Olawunmi Olutayo, Adeniyi Adekunle , Oladele Sunday and Alagbe Ayodunmade and another four from the neighbouring Ogbomoso Central Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    He said, “Other Councillors that were suspended from Ogbomoso Central Local Council Development Area (LCDA) are Akande Ranti, Olabode Abiola, Salaudeen Muhammed and Muhammed Yusuf.”

    He presented a letter of authority to Bello, the Acting Chairman, urging him to discharge his duties according to the rules.

    In his response, Bello said he would not do anything to jeopardize the confidence reposed in him, expressing confidence in ensuring the success of APC in the next election.

  • I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu- Akala

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has cleared the air on the plot by opposition candidates to form an alliance against their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Adebayo Adelabu.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor of the state, said he was not working with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other in any form of alliance as being reported in the media.

    Speaking through his campaign organisation on Wednesday, the ADP candidate said the reports were aimed at “misinforming and confusing our teaming supporters world over.”

    Director General of the campaign organisation, Chief Wale Ohu, said: “At a time, the rumor in town was that he was not serious about his governorship ambition and that he was going to play the role of a spoiler or work for another governorship candidate.

    Read Also: I’ll respect gender balance as Governor, says Adelabu

    “The most recent is that he is working for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

    “The Akala Campaign Organization hereby debunks all these insinuations which is the handiwork of the Propaganda machinery of the government in power in Oyo state which is jittery and overwhelmed by the soaring popularity of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and to state clearly that the former Governor is committed to taking the people of Oyo State out of the political mess they have been plunged into by the insensitive A. P. C government of Sen. Ajimobi since he left office eight years ago.

    “Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has toured the nooks and crannies of Oyo State, taking the message of hope to the citizenry which was received with enthusiasm by the people.

    “His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not into any discussion, alliance or talks with the PDP governorship candidate Engr. Seyi Makinde or any other for that matter.

    “That is like the elephant hiding behind a rat when in the real sense. It is the rat that needs the cover of the elephant.

    “It is not in doubt that Akala is a political giant who cannot and would never hide under any candidate or politician in the state.

    “Rather, it is expected that, considering Akala’s experience and achievements, other young candidates should come together to support and rally Alao Akala so as to restore the State’s pacesetter position in the Committee of States.”

    He added: “What is the sensibility behind Alao-Akala dissipating his energy and financial resources over the governorship election if it is for any other motive other than to govern Oyo State again?

    “If it is prominence, Otunba Alao-Akalahe has it. If it is wealth, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is comfortable for the rest of his life so rather, his pursuit is for the emancipation of Oyo State people.

    “The Akala Campaign Organisation thereby reiterates that His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not advancing the cause of the PDP candidate, Engineer Makinde or any other political party or candidate and consequently advises cheap rumor peddlers who want to profit from Alao-Akala’s large image to desist from cheap gossips and get more involved in issues that can move Oyo State forward.”

  • Akala‘s son suspended as Ogbomoso council chair

    The Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Olamiju Alao-Akala, has been suspended from office.

    He is the son of former governor and governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Olamiju was elected chairman along with 56 others on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But he dumped the party last week to join his father in the ADP.

    His suspension may not be unconnected with the defection.

    A letter signed by four councillors in the council said he was suspended for gross misconduct, adding the decision was taken after a legislative council plenary on Friday.

    Meanwhile, the suspended council boss has urged people to be calm, stressing that he remains the chairman of the local government.

    His words: “The development is not only illegal but also a comedy script written by the power that be and acted by amateur actors and actresses involved”

    Reacting to the development on Facebook, Alao-Akala’s camp alleged the councillors were forced to sign the suspension order by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Alao-Akala quoted Hon. Adebowale Oyejoke, one of those who signed the resolution, as saying that they were summoned to Government House where they were ordered to sign the prepared resolution in the presence of the governor.