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Tag: Alliance for Democracy

  • Tribunal dismisses AD, LP petitions challenging Lagos governor’s election

    The Lagos State Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at Ikeja, Lagos on Monday dismissed petitions filed by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Labour Party (LP) challenging the victory of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the March 9 polls.

    The tribunal’s chairman, Justice T.T. Asua, in a ruling, dismissed the petitions due to the failure of the petitioners to file applications for pre-hearing conference after the close of pleadings within seven days as prescribed by the law.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sanwo-Olu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner were listed as respondents in the petitions.

    Other respondents were the Returning Officer for The Lagos State Governorship Election, the Commissioner of Police and the Army.

    The three-man panel noted that timely application for a pre-hearing conference was a condition to the hearing of the petitions.

    It held that without the application for pre-hearing conferences, the petition cannot begin or get to the stage of judgment.

    Read Also: My administration ’ll prioritise security, says Sanwo-Olu

    The panel also held that Section 285(4) of the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution was inapplicable because of the timely application for a pre-hearing conference was a precondition in election petition matters.

    According to Justice Asua, the inability of the petitioners to serve any of the respondents was not an excuse and the consequence of failure to apply timely for pre-hearing conference amounted to a dismissal of such a petition.

    Responding to the decision of the tribunal, counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Bola Aidi, thanked the tribunal for a well-considered ruling.

    Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), had in a motion filed on May 22, raised an objection based on Paragraph 18(1)(4) of the Electoral Act.

    Owonikoko argued out that the AD and LP had not filed applications hearings for a pre-trial conference within seven-days after the close of pleadings.

    In his response dated May 26, Aidi had said Section 285(8) of the Fourth Alteration of the 1999 Constitution does not permit any electoral petition to be terminated at the interlocutory stages.

    AD and LP gubernatorial candidates, Chief Owolabi Salis and Prof. Ifagbemi Awamaridi, had in their petitions challenged Sanwo-Olu’s victory on the grounds that he is not competent to run as a gubernatorial candidate in the election.

    They had also alleged that the March 9 polls were characterised by violence, voting irregularities and that Sanwo-Olu had no voters card and as such cannot vote or be voted for.

  • I will unite all Lagosians if elected governor – AD Governorship Candidate

    The Lagos State Governorship Candidate of Alliance for Democracy, (AD), Chief Owolabi Salis has promised to unite all persons in Lagos state irrespective of their tribe, religion or nationality if elected as Governor of Lagos state come March 2nd.

    Salis made this known at His visits to Sarkin of Lagos and his council members in Ebutte-Metta, Lagos. The Sarkin of Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Oshodi, Isola, Amuwo-Odofin, Egbeda, Shasha, and Ikeja were all in attendance. He also visited Saro community and Market Leaders and Traders Association of Nigeria in Surulere, Lagos.

    He noted that the unity of all nationals in Lagos state is sacrosanct and imperative in our search for development in the state which I will pursue rigorously with all my heart.

    He said, “Lagos state is a cosmopolitan city and it means that it belongs to all of us but there are attempts to divide all of us and create crises and that is why I am contesting as Governor of the state and when I win, I will stem the tide in Lagos”.

    “some of the violence that occur in the state is because the people at the grassroots have not been sufficiently engaged in the governance and developmental process in the state. Arewa people have been marginalized in the scheme of things in Lagos. I want to assure them that if I win, I will appoint the first commissioner from the Arewa community. I will do it”.

    “we define a successful government as the government that is able to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in basic needs of life which include qualitative and accessible education, efficient and affordable health care facilities, adequate food and affordable housing.

    “the rich do not worry about educating their children, or are neither are they concern about accessing quality health care but we have to think of the less privileged people in Lagos and many of the Arewa people are part of the less privileged and government responsibility is to alleviate the suffering of the people irrespective of where they come from”.

    He further said, there will no discrimination between the Arewa and other tribes in Lagos.

    “I have been used to the Hausa community since 1985. I schooled in the north and I was given a chieftaincy title because of my commitment to a detribalized Nigeria”.

    “I have set up an empowerment programme to assist the Arewa community in Agege area of Lagos’.

    In his response, the Sarkin of the Arewa Community in Lagos, Kabiru Sani said that he appreciated the A D Governorship candidate for his firm understanding of the problems in Lagos and the unique solution is bringing to the table to solve them.

    “when people in power understand the problem of the people and have a well thought out plan to address them, governance becomes better and believable”.

    “members of the Senki Council will look at his proposal and get back to him on their final decision, adding that there are lots of candidates coming in to get their endorsement and they will sit and come up with their final decision this week”.

  • Lagos 2019: Christian group declares support for Salis

    A group of Christian leaders in Lagos has pledged support for the gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Chief Owolabi Salis as the next governor of the state.

    The Christian group under the aegis of ‘Christian Minister Welfare Initiatives’ which comprises of pastors, and bishops from different denominations endorsed the gubernatorial candidate, saying it was a directive from the Holy Spirit.

    Speaking at the gathering, Reverend Michael Fadeyi of Christian Faith Assembly Organization, and the president of Church Leaders International said their decision to endorse Salis, was not instigated by flesh but by the spirit of God.

    Fadeyi said : “We have endorsed Salis today not just in the capacity of a Bishop but as being led by the Holy ghost. When he was introduced to us, we accepted him as a Nigerian, a Lagosian and a grassroots governor who will deliver his people without thinking only of himself and when we looked at all these areas, we believed that he can do it and that is why we adopted him”.

    “The church is supporting Salis, and not just the church, the clergy are supporting him”, he said.

    While answering questions from pressmen, the Bishop said our decision is not based on whether we are tired of any candidate or political party.

    “We are not tired of any candidate, this is his own time and everybody are entitled to his own opportunity, and he is ready to do it. He has so convinced us and we are directed by the Holy Spirit that he can do It.”, he said.

    On endorsing a non-Christian candidate, he said, this is politics of Nigeria not clergy.

    “To become a Bishop has a criterion and to become a governor has protocols too, and that has to do with serving his people very well, no matter the religion. When we looked at all the candidates, we concluded that he is the one who can serve us and we adopted him”.

    “We know they are doing their jobs, our advice to them is that they should do things right, they should do everything in favor of all Nigerians and Lagos State as a whole”.

    “As for Owolabi Salis, the church is supporting him, and not just the church, the clergy are supporting him.”

    Also speaking, Apostle Aderemi Adebiyi, one of the leaders of the group said; we are now mobilizing Christians in Lagos state and all over Nigeria to vote for candidates of their choice because this time around, our vote must count.

    The gubernatorial candidate, Salis, while addressing the group, he said, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should deduct a means to make the collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) easy for citizens.

    “By now, INEC should have make provision for automatic card printers so that , people can get their cards immediately people registered, instead of going through this cumbersome arrangement and there will no longer be cases of uncollected PVCs”.

    “That INEC has decided to take uncollected PVCs to CBN for security purpose, it will be a great idea but I doubt whether it will be followed to the later because as we speak, a lot of people have submitted their PVCs to politicians who will use it to rig election but I know that the people will win this election and AD is representing the people”.

    “Buying and selling of voters card is a crime, it’s just that they are not enforcing it and it is unfortunate that people are poverty ridden, they give them token and sell their rights for the next four years but I am very sure that this time around, people are going to collect the money and still vote whoever they desire”.

    On security challenge, Salis said there are different types of security issues militating against Nigeria, sabotage and domestic terrorism are part of it.

    “Terrorism is not just about Boko -haram alone, the security agents seems not to be doing much and one of the best way to tackle it, is to make law against it and ensure enforcement, then everybody will sit tight but when you treat it with levity, they are going to perpetuate evil and get away with it and this is disheartening”.

    “In Lagos, youths fight and cause violence instead of doing something meaningful with their life but once politicians give them peanuts, they will start killing themselves and causing unrest in the society”.

    “This is part of what we want to do in Lagos state, to stop the children of the less-privileged from being used as instrument of thuggery, and by the grace of God, we are going to achieve it,” he said.

     

     

  • Physically challenged pledge support for Salis

    Persons living with disabilities in Mushin area of Lagos on Wednesday promised to mobilise their members on the 2nd of March, 2019 to come out and vote for the gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Owolabi Salis as the Governor of Lagos.

    The community which comprises the virtually impaired, cripple, and others trooped in their numbers to the Ojurin, Ogunmokun Street in Mushin where they received Salis. 

    Speaking at the event, the Secretary of Raising the Disable to Move Forward,  Zakari Y Hazzan, said that physically challenged persons are dying and suffering from indiscriminate arrest by security officers in Lagos and some of them have to pay N70, 000 to get bail.
    He said government approach to the physically challenges persons must change as they are part of the society, not second citizens and should be treated with respect, dignity and empathy.
     
    Hazzan, who is blind restated the support of the physically challenged community toward his AD candidate governorship bid said that we are ready to give you our vote with the hope that you will make life more bearable for us and our children.

    Read also: Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize excites Afe Babalola

     
    “Please come up with policies that will alleviate the suffering of physically challenged community when you become Governor. We assure you of our vote for the party in the Governorship election in Lagos state” he said.

    In his words, Salis said that his administration will create a special assistant for the physically challenged and is job will be to aggregate the challenges of physically challenge and together we will provide sustainable solutions to them.

    Salis, who was close to tears when he heard about the challenges the physically challenge communities are going through, said in developing societies, there are deliberate plans and progammes to take care of physically challenge and provide a livable system for them.

    “We will do a lot of well-being analysis for the physically challenge and the rural poor in the state. We will look into their health, housing needs, education and provision of stipends for them”, he said.

    He said “I am in your midst with my heart of heart and I will give you everything necessary. I have lived in modern cities of the world and I know that they take care of the less privileged. I know for sure, disabled people should have been taken care of by the state but they have been abandoned”.
    “Take my assurance, you are going to be recongnise in terms of your social development and politically. One or two of you will be in government if elected into office as Lagos state governor”, he said.

  • 2019: Don’t sell your vote, AD chairman tells youths

    The Chairman of Alliance for Democracy, Kola Ajayi has called on youths in Lagos to vote wisely and avoid selling their vote for immediate gratification in the coming general election.

    Ajayi said this in an interview with The Nation at the formal endorsement of the Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidate of Alliance for Democracy, Chief Owolabi Salis by the Lagos Youth Vanguard for the 2019 Governorship election in Lagos state.

    Ajayi said that the 2019 election is another opportunity for Lagosians to choose the next Governor for another four years and it’s important that they choose wisely and not be driven by monetary gain.

    “don’t mortgage your future for monetary gain, demand for good governance and inclusive government for all in Lagos by voting wisely. “It is an obligation for every eligible voters to cast their votes, we must follow up such obligation by ensuring that the right person for the job is saddled with the responsibility to lead the state,” he said.

     “It is not enough to complain about the problems facing the state, adding that majority of the Lagosians must come out and partake in decisidng their fate and future in the next four years. Young people make up majority of the voters, meaning that if the young ones collectively decide to take a different approach to their welfare and status, by willingly and voluntarily voting for the best candidate without any monetary attachment, Lagos will better for it”.

    He further said AD has once ruled Lagos and it will do better if given the chance to stare the affairs of the state again. 
    In his words, The Gubernatorial Candidate of AD,  Chief Owolabi Salis said that he appreciate the award and endorsement given by the youth who according remains the pillar of development in our society.

  • I’ll showcase Lagos abundant culture if elected, says Salis

    The Gubernatorial Candidate of Alliance for Democracy, (AD) Owolabi Salis has promised to invest in the cultural diversity of the people in Lagos state if elected as governor of the state come March 2019.

    Salis said this at a meeting held with some traditional worshipers from Ifako Ijaiye, Alimosho, Agege and Ojo.

    According to Salis, culture is used to power the economy, but Africans seems to have abandoned their culture”.

    He noted that Yoruba remains the third transnational culture in the world.

    Salis, who is diversity consultant stated that we will invest massively in Africa culture because that is part of our diversity and I see so much hope in culture and the opportunities its portends for Lagos state.

    “Lagos remains the image of the Africa race and we can provide direction and projects the opportunities in Africa culture”, he said.

    “I want to practice grassroots governance. Identify with the people, their dreams, hope and aspirations’’. he said.

    “The contest to become governor is not his contest but the people who want better governance and delivery of democratic dividends to the people”.

    When asked whether he will renege on his ambition if approach to do so, said “I will not renege because I am ready to sacrifice for the good of all in Lagos state”.

    “because of the socio-economic challenges facing the people in Lagos, he started an NGO that has catered for 1,600 people in Somolu Local government in Lagos”.

  • AD promises support for boxing

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Chief Owolabi Salis has said his administration will support the development of boxing if elected as governor.

    Addressing reporters at a youth boxing tournament in Epe, Lagos, he said sports was one on the income earners of some countries impacting on society.

    He added that Lagos would take advantage of its huge sports lovers to position boxing for economic development of the state.

    Salis noted that boxing had been neglected due to poor patronage, stressing he would encourage the sport at grassroots and other departments.

    ‘We don’t need to debate the importance of sports. Like football and other games, boxing is capable of contributing to the development of Lagos and Nigeria at large.

    “Part of the challenges the game is facing is that people prefer to watch it at home on their television. With this attitude, it will not generate substantial income. Therefore, we will look at the reasons why many prefer watching boxing at home instead of going to the stadium.

    “The AD government in Lagos will provide the facilities that will encourage sports lovers to watch boxing live, this will go a long way to building professional boxing career for its practitioners in Lagos and Nigeria at large.”

    The AD governorship candidate who expressed satisfaction at the great talent exhibited by the youthful boxers, noted that Nigeria’s Anthony Joshua started the same way.

    “I am impressed by the skills of the young lads, who are still in their teenage years. Boxing is a game I have great interest for and I partake in it as a sporting activity. I have a place on the Epe axis which I hope to put up for use, as soon as the issues holding it down are resolved.

    ” I must thank the Epe youth for staging the tournament to drum support for me in the coming election which we are confident that we will win. They are in support of our programme operation ‘return the commonwealth to the people’, he said.

  • Bad leadership responsible for failure – AD

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Owolabi Salis has said the challenge facing Nigeria is not religious but bad political leadership.

    He added that poor economic management was responsible for the decadence in the country.

    Salis who made the remarks during his visit to the Lagos Central Mosque Annex, Alimosho constituency, said religion was playing significant role to reduce socio-economic tension.

    He said: “Religion has its own value in the sense that it teaches peace and help relationship.
    Without religion, people will be killing each other but the fact remains that some religious people are not doing the right thing.

    “Poverty is the real cause most people run to religious gathering. They find happiness in religion by going to different crusades and other political gathering, if there were jobs and the economic situation is good,  people will be busy and have less time to go there.

    “So let’s say the problem in Nigeria today is political leadership problem.

    The Lagos governorship hopeful stressed he would focus on good governance when elected next year, noting that his administration would embark on massive job creation.

    “There are no jobs , leaders are corrupt and there are no good welfare system for the people. All over the world, a good government will put all those things in place and like I keep on saying, it is necessary to bridge that gap and give to the poor what they need to survive but those things are not in place and people are in pain, so in order to get relieved, they run to religious leaders.

    “Some of these people who are either jobless or are going through some other economic challenges sometimes thinks someone is behind their predicament, meanwhile, its just a sycho-social problem.

    “This sometimes leads some people into crime, some go into begging and drug while some run to religious leaders.

    “We are going to get the resources of this state and give it back to them and teach them how to create jobs by bringing factors that will increase buying and selling in the state.

    “Law and insurance are key because you can use them to expand the economy. There is a way the law that is being practiced in this country militates against the economic development.

    “I am a lawyer in Nigeria and in New York  and I know what they do with law over there to power the economy and we are also going to use it extensively.

    “We will also provide welfare and increase people standard of living with the available resources.

    “It’s very sad that there are certain individuals that has a lot of money but everybody is just about themselves in Nigeria.

    “I am multi-religion  because I am a research professor on diversity religion, so I have to be multi-religious to understand what every religion is doing , which is the best way in life so that I don’t have conflict with any interest group,” he said.

    Responding the Chief Iman in-charge of the Lagos Central Mosque, Annex, Affininh Ayinde called on leaders to support the less privileged in the society.

    Alhaji Aynde who prayed for the state and the success of the AD governorship candidate,  stressed on the need for politicians to identify with the need of the citizens.

  • Lagos wealth is for the ordinary people – AD

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Owolabi Salis has said he will channel state’s resources towards making life better for the ordinary people.

    Salis who made the promise at the graduation ceremony of a free empowerment training scheme in Alimosho area of the state when 550 trainees, added that Lagos commonwealth belongs to the people.

    He noted that over 60, 000 Lagosians has benefited  from the empowerment training in different parts of the state, stressing youths were picked in the different parts of state.

    Sails said the foundation had trained beneficiaries in hair dressing, barbing , building , electrical, plumbing , fashion designing , beauticology , shoe making , soap, balm making , among others .

    He said plans was in place to assist the graduands financially through grants, loan and other facilities that would assist them to become independent.

    “There are monies from Bank of Industries (BOI) and even the Trades Money as well as other programmes meant for poverty alleviation but it doesn’t get to the people but we are presently looking into it and very soon.

    “We are going to be having a seminar whereby we gather all the graduants together and we are going to train them on how to access the funds and also to supervise and make sure it gets to them .

    “Beneficiaries of the empowerment program is not based on party, most of the people that have benefited from the empowerment programs are not from my party  because the program is not political.

    “It is a social event and if I emerged as the governor, it will be ungodly for me to discriminate those who are not in my party, I am not  just the candidates of AD members but I am the candidate of the oppressed people in APC, PDP and other parties.

    “The Alliance for Democracy, AD is made up of credible people from APC, PDP and about 24 other parties. We have just only one objective, and that is to take Lagos State Commonwealth resources and return it to the people and we are going to achieve it,” he said.

  • AD promises Lagosians equality  

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Owolabi Salis has said his administration will not discrimination anybody irrespective of ethnic background.

    He added that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos was responsible for the cohesiveness of the state.

    Salis made the promise in Lagos, when the state chapter of Arewa Integrated group declared support for his governorship ambition.

    According to him, Lagos is a cosmopolitan city, where every tribe is well represented and deserves to be carried along in the state’s politics.

    “Most of them are stakeholders; they have lived in Lagos for several years and participated so much in the economy of the state.

    “I think it is time we give them the recognition and put them in government,” he said.

    Salis craved the support of the residents, asking them to back him in returning power to the people.

    He said he was in the governorship race to specifically bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in basic needs like education, housing, health, food, among other things.

    “Lagos deserves freedom from the oligarchy that has been ruling them for many years.

    “Join me in liberating the people from slavery; I want to use AD to empower the people and ensure that the less privileged get the leadership position.

    “My loyalty is to the people and not to any individual.”

    The AD candidate who thanked the group for its support, said he would not renege on his election promises.

    “This endorsement is endorsement of hope to the masses; it is not just about me but about the people,” the candidate said.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Yusuph Mohammed said Salis was endorsed based on his love for the masses.

    “Salis has always been with us and never for once neglected us; today, we give him our full support as he is a man of the people,” Mohammed said.

    The Lagos AD chairman Mr Kolawole Ajayi, urged the people to vote enmass for Salis and other candidates of the party.

    “I urge you to vote all our candidates, as we have in them what can bring relief to the people, and I assure that you will not regret doing so,” Ajayi said.