The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • LSETF: Ambode’s commitment to youth empowerment, job creation

    During the electioneering campaign in 2014 and early 2015, the then governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, promised the people that, if elected, he would come up with an initiative to provide loans and create jobs for the people, especially women and the youth.

    True to his words, few months after assuming office as the 14th governor of the state, Governor Ambode immediately set machinery in motion to walk the talk, and eventually the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was established on March 1, 2016 after the legal instrument had been put in place through an Executive Bill to that effect duly passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Three years after, according to official report of the LSETF, over N6.5 billion has so far been disbursed to almost 10,000 beneficiaries, while over 3,500 unemployed residents have been provided with vocational training, with over 1,500 of the trainees placed in jobs.

    Also, the Fund has supported over 80 start-ups through its Lagos Innovates Programme, while in total, LSETF’s interventions have helped create almost 90,000 jobs since it started operations.

    Not done yet with the feats recorded, the LSETF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth $10 million with the United States African Development Fund (USADF) to support 15,000 youths in Lagos State within the next five years.

    The deal is said to be in line with the mandate of the Fund to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Lagos residents, while through the MoU, both parties would provide an equal sum of $2 million every year for five years ($10 million in total) to provide skill development and internship opportunities for 3,000 youths between the ages of 18 and 35 totaling 15,000, with women constituting at least 50 per cent of the beneficiaries.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, which recently took place in Washington DC, the United States of America in the presence of executives of both agencies, members of the US Congress, partners and the international media, Chairman of LSETF Board of Trustees, Mrs Ifueko Okauru expressed optimism that the partnership would engender massive positive impact.

    She said: “This USADF-LSETF collaboration will enable the expansion of world-class vocational training centres available in the state, the development of 15,000 skilled youths for employment into targeted sectors, the provision of internship cost subsidies to employers and the tracking of real-time placement of unemployed youths into jobs.”

    Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, LSETF, Mrs. Teju Abisoye, said with the recent Labour Force Report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which showed a 6.7 per cent drop in unemployment rate as Lagos State provided the largest number of 740,146 jobs in the third quarter of last year, it was obvious that the deliberate employment intervention policies of the Lagos State government were finally impacting on job creation.

    She said she was pleased to have the USADF join LSETF to create more jobs for youths while sustainably decreasing the alarming unemployment rate.

    Read Also: Ambode urges quality education for women

    On his part, the President/Chief Executive Officer, USADF, Mr. CD Glin, stated that the foundation was proud to be in partnership with the LSETF as its programmes had been independently verified to be making an impact in the lives of young Nigerians.

    “This USADF-LSETF partnership further expands our existing commitment to investing in high-impact initiatives that are hinged on generating income, providing financial solutions and causing a change in the African economy,” Glin said.

    Basically, the LSETF was set up by Governor Ambode’s administration to tackle unemployment and promote job creation. And in a bid to achieve its mandate, the Fund adopted three core areas of interventions, including entrepreneurship, skills development and innovation.

    While the Loan Programme provides access to finance for Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SME), Micro- Enterprises (ME) and ME Startups (MES) beneficiaries with a maximum value of N5 million, N500,000 and N250,000 respectively, the Employability Programme, in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Lagos State Employability Support Project, aims at increasing the pool of skilled manpower to alleviate the acute shortages of employable labour in key sectors such as manufacturing, health care, construction, entertainment and hospitality.

    Also, the Lagos Innovates Programme is a dedicated platform that refers to a set of programmes that provide support for the exciting and fast-growing startup ecosystem. Lagos Innovates is also designed to assist founders and startups by facilitating access to high quality workspaces/infrastructure, learning, early stage investment capital and investor and peer networks.

    Speaking during one of the presentations of cheques to beneficiaries of the LSETF loan programme, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that the initiative was meeting the objectives of creating jobs and contributing to the growth of the economy.

    At the event held at LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Governor Ambode expressed fulfilment that the initiative, which is a brain child of his administration, had positively impacted many residents of Lagos State and help to scale up entrepreneurship with many businesses now thriving.

    “Today is a historic day. It is one of those days that we have this fulfilment that we tried our hands on something that was never done before and years after, we are able to see the result. I just want to say thank you to all of you that have accepted to be partners in this programme and to just congratulate ourselves that a day like this can come in Lagos State.

    “I am particularly delighted to be here today to see for myself the manifestation of a small dream we had at the inception of this government and the little seed we have sown in the lives and businesses of residents of Lagos.

    “The Employment Trust Fund was a promise we made to the residents in 2015 and today, I am happy to see the faces of the people whose lives and aspirations have been positively impacted by this programme,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor, who noted the positive difference the beneficiaries of the scheme were making, said the wonderful stories about the initiative were the true outcomes of governance, saying the vision was to use it to grow Lagos economy by supporting entrepreneurship, which in turn, would help to create jobs for unemployed residents.

    Ambode said in line with his promise of inclusive governance, the beneficiaries of the LSETF programmes range from the youth to senior citizens in active business across all 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs), adding that the positive stories emanating from beneficiaries were pleasing to note.

    “A very big validation of this programme we have embarked upon comes from the over 25,000 new direct jobs created directly by these businesses. This does not include the multiplier effect of those businesses on the Lagos economy and the indirect jobs created.

    “Apart from the jobs being created, I am pleased to see testimonials from some of our beneficiaries. I watched the video of Ibrahim Shuaib; a final year student of Dentistry at the Lagos State University Medical School. With a loan of N250, 000, Ibrahim has not only grown his dry-cleaning business, employing over 20 people, but also started another business which his sister runs.

    “I also read about Femi Oyedipe, whose chocolate production business, Loshes Chocolate, can now produce 10 times more than before, employing more Lagosians as members of staff. Apart from employing more people, Loshes Chocolate makes its products from cocoa beans sourced from Ondo State, creating value for farmers outside Lagos. This is a very good example of the inter-state economic partnership Nigeria needs to grow its economy,” Governor Ambode said.

    Commenting on the initiative during one of his visits to Lagos, the Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo hailed the state government for coming up with such brilliant idea, saying that it was particularly laudable that over 12,500 new jobs were created within the first six months of the scheme.

    Osinbajo, who spoke while delivering a keynote address at the Special Parliamentary Session to mark the third anniversary of the 8th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Assembly, said the ETF, which was created in 2016, was an excellent example of how state governments could intervene in creating opportunities for small businesses.

  • Tinubu hails Buhari for making June 12 Democracy Day

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking an important step towards fully recognising June 12 as Democracy Day.

    Information Minister Lai Mohammed had on Monday revealed the decision of the Federal Executive Council to move the second term inauguration ceremonies to June 12 while a low-key ceremony holds on May 29 to comply with constitutional provision which at present sees May 29 as the take-off date for elected office holders.

    In a statement on Tuesday by Tinubu Media Office signed by Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said President Buhari and the Federal Government deserve thanks and commendation.

    He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari deserves our thanks and congratulations for taking another important step towards fully recognising June 12 as Democracy Day in our country.

    “The government moved the second term inauguration ceremonies to June 12 while events on May 29 would now be low-key swearing ceremonies in order to comply with the constitutional requirements covering the length of term for elected office-holders.

    “By this wise yet visionary decision, the president has scored double: first he has accorded respect to the Constitution, which recognises May 29 as the date to inaugurate new terms of office while at the same time ensuring the country moves on the rightful path to formalising June 12 as new Democracy Day.’

    Read Also: Buhari hosts Tinubu to Ramadan breakfast at Aso Villa

    “This decision soundly balances current legal requirements with the quest for political justice.

    “For this feat in moving the country in the right direction, President Buhari and the Federal Government deserve commendation.

    “June 12 represents an important milestone in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

    “It was the day Nigerians shunned ethnicity and religion to vote for that leader of their choice in an election adjudged clearly free and fair.

    “To complete this process, the president has started via Executive Order, we hope that the National Assembly acts with reasonable dispatch in cooperation with the presidency to assure that the requisite constitutional amendments are enacted to fully establish June 12 as Democracy Day.

    “As Nigerians we have a role to play: rededicate ourselves to democracy, peaceful co-existence, togetherness and the hope for a greater future, all of which June 12 represented”.

    The process to accord June 12 recognition began last year when President Buhari officially named June 12 as Democracy Day by Executive Order.

    The President also recognised the winner of the June 12 election, Bahorun MKO Abiola, as a past president and awarded the highest honour in the line the GCFR while Abiola’s former running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, was recognized a former vice president and bestowed with the GCON award.

  • Ogun APC demands interest on workers deductions

     

    The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday urged the outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun to pay interests on the deductions from the backlog of workers’ salaries, allowances and deductions.

    The Party said the call on Amosun to pay interest on the deductions and allowances which he is “reportedly paying,” in the twilight of the administration, is just and fair since the Governor fixed the money in an interest yielding account with a commercial bank.

    In a statement by APC’s Caretaker Committee’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, the Party added that Governor Amosun has also done “nothing special to Ogun workers, if truly he is repaying the illegal deductions.”

    APC stated:  “Amosun should bury his head in shame. He has not done any special favour to the workers.  He should have paid the workers with the interests on their money he used as fixed deposits with leading commercial banks for years thereby reaping billions of naira in interest.

    “Or where did Amosun suddenly get the money when there is no excess crude oil payment, Paris Club refund or bailout by the FG.

    “If Amosun has given these funds to the owners as at when due, instead of trading with them, many lost lives would have been saved, many families would not have been broken and many who developed high blood pleasure and related diseases would have been saved from such ailments.

    “Amosun should not forget to pay the outstanding salaries of tertiary institutions and local government deductions.”

  • Presidential election tribunal: Protesters ask Bulkachuwa to rescue self

    Secretariat workers at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have called on the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

    The workers, who staged a protest at the party’s Abuja national secretariat on Monday, called on Bulkachuwa to withdraw from the tribunal on moral grounds.

    According to them, with her husband as senator-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bulkachuwa cannot maintain neutrality as head of the tribunal.

    The workers’ call is coming against the backdrop of the ongoing election petition filed by the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar challenging the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC in the February 23 presidential election.

    Some of the placards displayed by the workers read, “Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa: You cannot preside over your own case, your husband is a senator-elect under the APC; “Justice is not for the most powerful, it must be seen to be right and done; and “On moral grounds, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa recuse yourself from the presidential tribunal”.

    Read Also: Buhari vs Atiku: Tribunal warns against comments

    The workers maintained that the inclusion of Bulkachuwa in the panel of jurists has eroded their confidence in the tribunal.

    The chairman of the PDP Staff Welfare Association, Mr. Innocent Nwankwo who led the workers’ protest, insisted that Atiku Awon the February 23 presidential election but that he was robbed of victory by the ruling party.

    Nwankwo also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias in the conduct of the election, adding that Atiku cannot reclaim his mandate as long as Justice Bulkachuwa remained a member of the tribunal.

    They vowed never to allow some individuals in the country to hijack the collective will of majority of Nigerians, adding that Nigerians are tired of the “misrule” of the APC and its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Nwankwo said, “We are tired of the state of insecurity in the country; we are tired of the poor state of our economy; we are tired of this nepotic government; we are tired of the situation where majority of our citizens are living in lDP camps as if we are in a state of war. Nigerians are tired”.

  • Release report on investigation into Maina, activist tells Senate

    Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank on Sunday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the upper chamber of the National Assembly to make public their investigations on the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Frank said in a statement made available to The Nation that if after seven days, the Senate failed to make their report public; he will be forced to drag the red chamber to court.

    An ad hoc committee was set up by the Senate to investigate the dismissed on how Maina got into the country and got back into the civil service after leaving the shores of Nigeria and reports that he was on EFCC wanted list for about two years.

    Frank also condemned what he called persecution of the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), saying “Since it is an era of fighting corruption, all hands must be on deck. The Senate must reveal to the general public what its committee discovered during the investigation of former Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Pension, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Read Also: Why I met Maina in Dubai – Malami

    “I have, however, prepared my lawyers to sue the Nigerian Senate if its ad hoc committee fails to make public the outcome of its investigation in the next seven days. This is necessary for the nation Nigeria to know who are her real enemies and those who have served her diligently”.

    While condemning the sealing of residential houses located in Ikoyi, Lagos, owned by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the EFCC, Frank said “these same houses were the reason the Senate President was earlier investigated by the same EFCC and later dragged to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Nigeria where Sen. Bukola Saraki was discharged and acquitted, it goes to show that APC’s administration has shown that, it is a lawless government.

    “Nigerians at all level must speak up against injustices in the land. We must help the clueless government of APC in the fight against corruption. Political persecution should not be seen as right against corruption.”

  • Nobody can impose Senate President, says Ndume

    One of the front line contenders for the office of the Senate Presidency, Senator Ali Ndume, on Wednesday declared that there is no provision for the imposition of Senate President.

    The Borno South senator noted the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are clear on how the Senate leadership should emerge.

    Ndume told reporters in Abuja that his right to aspire for any position in the country is guaranteed by the Constitution.

    He insisted that it is wrong for leaders as Senators to be given a leader from outside.

    The former Senate leader said that he felt he is qualified for the job and should therefore be given the chance.

    According to him, the zoning of the Senate President was made to North East deliberately because of the precarious situation that “we find ourselves.”

    Ndume said: “My mission for the Ninth Senate is not personal. It is part of what we need to do in the polity of this country.

    “First of all, it is wrong for leaders to be given a leader from amongst themselves.

    “They are supposed to decide who among themselves is supposed to be their leader. And that also is taken care of by the Constitution of the Federal Republic, Section 50 (1).

    “It is very clear as to how the Senate leadership should emerge. But let me quickly add that is not to say that I think I am more qualified to be the Senate President.

    “I am not better than them in any way. Most of them were born with silver spoon. I came from a very poor background. My father was not educated. I am the son of nobody that became some body.

    “I am a human being that has rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which I won’t compromise.

    Read Also: We won’t cut pension budget, says Ndume

    “Even before I threw my hat into the ring for the Senate Presidency seat, my people called on me to throw my hat for the position. And I did for many reasons.

    “One, I feel I am qualified. Two, I feel I should be given the chance. Three, the zoning was made to North East deliberately because of the precarious situation that we find ourselves.

    “The insurgency has inflicted N9.2 trillion destruction on the North East. And you need somebody who knows where it pinches.

    “We in Borno are in the epicenter of the Book Haram destruction. So it is not like what you will get from the Office of the Senate President but what you can do with it.

    “If you are the Senate President in this country, you will be able to globetrot around, tell people how the problem is because you are in the heart of the problem. You know how it is and how it feels.

    “So, if this opportunity is given to us, we have three critical issues in Borno particularly and the North East in general.”

    He went on: “One is the issue of recharging of Lake Chad, which should be taken globally by somebody that knows it, somebody that can explain better to the people.

    “Two, the issue of insurgency as I said, had inflicted N9.2 trillion damage on us. If we are to go by monthly federal allocation and the budget of the state, it will take us ages.

    “Right now, you can rightly say that Borno is a failed state. And the only way to bring it back is to have a way. And part of it is because I know and my passion for it because it affects me directly.

    “Right now as I am speaking to you, I cannot comfortably drive to my local government. It has no light now because it is not connected.

    “It has no telephone because the insurgents have destroyed the equipment. The ecosystem is destroyed, our schools are closed.

    “Secondly, I have been in this place for quite a while. The Senate was intended to be a stabilising institution in the polity. When we came in, the senators were not doing much.

    “I was in the House of Representatives then, we provided the advice and they took less of things like motions and all that.

    “And they were doing the senatorial job. Gradually, this is drifting. And we have gotten to a point now where from outside, a Senate President will be imposed on senators.

    “I am glad that the party after doing that announcement realised that it was wrong and unconstitutional. Even the party supremacy that they are talking about, in Article two of the APC Constitution, it says that subject to the provision of the constitution, the APC will provide services to the government. And Section 50 of the Constitution is very clear about emergence of the leadership.

    “Besides, in all the emergence of candidates of APC, there is no provision for imposition. The President emerges through a democratic process. And the election was open. It was zoned in line with the Constitution.

    “Even then, Rochas Okorocha contested and he was not disciplined. Buhari contested with Atiku, Kwankwanso and the others, nobody was disciplined.”

  • Buhari’s re-election: a choice of light over darkness -APC UK

    The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election as the choice of light over darkness.

    Mr Fola Ojutalayo, Chairman APC UK Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) made the remark in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, Ojutalayo spoke in London, United Kingdom, where the chapter held a victory party to celebrate the re-election of Buhari in the last presidential election.

    “The victory of Buhari in the last election in Nigeria is nothing but the choice of the voting populace who voted light over darkness.

    “Nigeria was in daring need of continuous progressives ideas, and they have chosen Buhari and APC to buttress their point,” Ojutalayo also APC UK South-West Chairman said.

    The statement quoted Mr Ade Omole, APC UK leader who doubles as the Director General of APC UK PCC,as saying that Buhari and APC success in the election should not be a surprise to anyone.

    This, he said, was because the party had paid the price through excellent governance and infrastructural development across the country.

    “I am not surprised about the victory, Nigerians are wise and very smart; they have weighed their options and decided to camp with the APC.

    “They have seen massive infrastructural development in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria, they simply compared the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wasted 16 years with the thriving APC present, administration,” Omole said.

    Read Also: Church hails Buhari’s anti-corruption war

    He said the President had changed the physical, political, economic and social terrain of the country for good.

    Mr Jacob Ogunseye, Publicity Secretary of the APC UK, encouraged the party faithful not to relent in their efforts to ensure that Buhari and the APC succeeded in the next four years.

    “Buhari’s administration is our administration, it must succeed, the war against corruption is ongoing, the re-occurring security issues are being dealt with by our security operatives.

    “I foresee massive job creation and opportunity in the country,”the statement quoted Ogunseye as saying.

    He noted government measures to revive the country’s economy are already yielding results.

    According to the statement, several personalities including representatives of the Presidency and the APC national leadership attended the event to show support for the chapter.

    The event it said was organised to also allow APC members in the UK to get together and network and deliberate on how to help the Buhari administration achieve its Next Level agenda.

    The chapter the statement said, played a major role during the last generation election to ensure the re-election of Buhari for a second term in office.

    Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was represented by Mr Abdurahman Balogun a Director in his office.

    Dr Rachel Akpabio, APC National Executive Committee (NEC) member, South South also represented Rotimi Amaechi, Minister for Transportation at the event.

    Also represented at the event according to the statement, is Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Relations and Diaspora.

    The Ambassadors for Nigeria within the UK, Counselor Sade Etti, Counselor Sunny Lambe and Chief Bimbo Afolayan attended the event.

    The event was also attended by APC UK executives and dignitaries within the UK and from Nigeria which included its Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos State

     

    NAN

  • Breaking: APC suspends former Ekiti Gov Oni

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni for alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

    The Ekiti State chapter of the party gave the suspension order in a letter dated 1st May, 2019 and addressed to Oni.

    The letter was signed by the chairman and secretary of Ifaki ward II, Shina Akinloye and Ogunyemi Taiwo respectively and 24 other executive members in the ward.

    The APC executive in Ido /Osi local government,  through its Assistant Financial Secretary and Assistant Organising Secretary, Messrs A. Suleiman and Olanrewaju Olamope, also signed respectively.

    The party earlier summoned the former Deputy Chairman (South) to defend himself within seven days, which elapsed on Wednesday, against allegation levelled by some party members.

    The summon by APC executives in Ifaki 2 was contained in a letter dated April 24, 2019 signed by Ward chairman and Ward Secretary.

    The letter reads: “We the executive members of the APC in Ifaki Ward II, hereby request your presence at the Ilero town hall, Ilogbe , Ifaki Ekiti to clear air about the allegations by members of the APC in your ward.

    “Kindly indicate by informing the APC chairman the convenient time and date to appear before members within the next seven days of the reception of this letter”.

    The letter of invitation was received on Oni’s behalf by one Segun Adetunji on 25th April, 2019.

    The party said it took the action over failure of the party chieftain to appear before the ward executive to clear the allegations.

    The letter reads: ” Subject to Article 21 Subsections I, II and X of the APC constitution 2014 as amended, we undersigned executive members of the APC hereby suspend you indefinitely from our great party, based on your refusal to honour our invitation for investigation and fact finding into the allegation of anti party activities leveled against your person by the members of our party.

    Read Also: Ex-Gov Oni faces suspension from APC

    “We are by the copy of this letter informing both the local government and state working committee of the party for necessary information and action.”

    The Ifaki born politician had challenged Fayemi’s victory at the May 12, 2018 governorship primary in which he came second after he had initially congratulated the winner.

    The ex-governor, in his suit, claimed that Fayemi was not eligible to stand as the APC flag bearer because he did not resign from office as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the shadow election.

    Oni also averred in his suit that the White Paper issued by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry raised by former Governor Ayo Fayose indicted Fayemi and barred him from holding public office for ten years.

    Prominent party leaders including the state APC Elders’ Forum begged Oni to withdraw the case after the suit was filed at the Federal High Court but the former governor insisted on pursuing the case to a logical conclusion.

    But the Supreme Court dismissed Oni’s suit for lack of merit, saying Fayemi didn’t breach the law by resigning after the primary.

    Fayemi, in his reaction to the court verdict, extended the olive branch to Oni, with a promise to work with him to move the party forward.

    But some party members were said to have insisted Oni needed to be punished for disrespecting the party by declining the Senatorial ticket and went to court to upturn Fayemi’s victory.

    In his reaction, the former governor, Segun Oni said he was yet to be notified on his suspension from APC.

    “I am not sure. There is a structure in the party. There is a way things are done in the party.

    “The constitution of the party is clear on cases of suspension. it clearly sites circumstances and outlines procedures to be taken to warrant and effect a suspension.

    “If any suspension exists, I need to be notified. And if such circumstances do not exist nor procedures taken in line with the party’s extant laws, then a suspension, invariably does not exist.”

    On his failure to heed the invitation of APC Ifaki Ward as conveyed in a letter dated April 24, the former governor queried the pedigree people behind the said invitation.

    “Who are they? I am not a nobody in the party. So I cannot be expected to honour such a faceless invitation.”

    “Who are they? What is their pedigree? If a group of rascals signed a letter, how can they expect me to give any thought to such? Let those who wrote the letter show face and levy allegations,” Oni said.

     

  • APC sweeps Zamfara LG polls

    The Zamfara Independent Electoral Commission (ZSIEC) has declared the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of the Local Government Council election in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 42 political parties participated in the polls, but the major opposition political parties in the state boycotted the elections.

    NAN recalls that some political parties in the state, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party, had last week filed a case at the state High Court in Gusau, challenging the State Independent Electoral Commission over failure to serve election notice to political parties in the state.

    Declaring the result, the Executive Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, said: “In accordance with the Law of the Commission No 4 2012 as ammended, I, Garba Muhammad as the Chief Returning of the LG election in Zamfara, hereby announce the results of the 14 local government elections conducted by the commission on Saturday, April 27, 2019.”

    Muhammad said 147 candidates of the councillorship positions and 28 chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates of the APC also won the elections in all the 14 local government areas of the state.

    He listed the winners of Chairmanship positions of the 14 local government areas as follows:

    1. Anka – Ahmad Balarabe with 38,698 votes
    2. Birnin/Magaji – Muhammad Umar – 67,002 votes
    3. Bungudu – Abdul’aziz Ahmad – 75,219 votes,
    4. Bakura – Dandare Dandako – 65,060 votes
    5. Bukkuyum – Nasiru Zarumi – 64,049 votes
    6. Gummi – Kabiru S-Aski – 53,668 votes
    7. Gusau – Alhaji Babangida – 115,142 votes
    8. Kaura/Namoda – Lawal Abdullahi – 62,051 votes.
    9. Maradun – Ahmad Abubakar – 50,812 votes
    10. Maru – Salisu Isah – 75,274 votes
    11. Shinkafi – Sani Galadi – 48,469 votes
    12. Talata-Mafara – Lawal Marafa – 70,625 votes
    13. Tsafe – Aminu Mudi – 74,521 votes
    14. Zurmi – Awwal Bawa – 76,510 votes

    The chairman thanked the state government for providing logistics support to the commission.

    He also commended security agencies in the state for ensuring peaceful atmosphere in the state during the election.

    Besides, he laudded the political parties in the state who participated in the election, saying: “In the previous elections in 2012 and 2016 we recorded few political parties, but for this election 42 political parties participated.

    “We gave election notice to political parties since January this year for this exercise and most of them acknowledged our letters,” he said.

    He appreciated the Media, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation which led to the success of the election.

    NAN

     

  • Oyo council chair suspended

    The Chairman of Irepo Local Government of Oyo State, Mr Hasif Adediran-Sulaiman, has been suspended by the council lawmakers.

    He was suspended for alleged gross misconduct, high-handedness and lack of respect for party supremacy.

    Besides, the executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government passed vote of no confidence in Adediran-Sulaiman.

    His suspension was conveyed in an April 25 letter detailing the allegations against him for which he had been allegedly found guilty. It was signed by seven out of the 10 lawmakers in the council.

    Read Also: Oyo Assembly passes Family Planning Bill

    The lawmakers said they received a letter of ‘no confidence’ by the party executive dated April 24, 2019 in which he was accused of insubordination and anti-party activities. In the said letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation, the party leaders accused the chairman of open declaration that he is no more a member of the party.

    The Legislative Council stated that Adediran-Sulaiman was running the council as if it was his personal business, adding that he does not have respect for the rule of law. They also insisted that his relationship with the Head of Local Government Administration (HLA) and other career officers and workers in the council was poor.

    He was suspended along with the Vice Chairman.

    The suspension letter was copied the APC state secretariat and the Commissioner for Local Governments.

    Adediran-Sulaiman was unavailable for comments.