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Tag: APC primary

  • Delta 2019: Will zoning be a factor in APC primary?

     Will zoning play a major role in the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary? Senior Correspondent OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the preparation of the chapter for next year’s poll, the contenders, their strengths and weaknesses. 

    Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) is full of hope for a brighter future. The chieftains have returned to the drawing board. But, governorship aspirants on the opposition platform are divided by zoning.

    The contenders are mobilising for the party, ahead of next year’s polls. They have embarked on consultative visits to the nooks and crannies of the state to sell their manifestos. They bear messages of hope to their supporters.

    The aspirants include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief O’tega Emerhor, and Chief Great Ogboru. Some chieftains may still join the race as the elections draw near.

    But, can the APC spring a surprise? Can the party defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? What is the chance of the party at the poll?

    According to observers, zoning will be an important factor during the contest. Will the party respect zoning in the state and concede the governorship ticket to a candidate of Delta North extraction? Will the APC throw the contest open for aspirants from the three senatorial districts?

    In Delta, zoning is a vexed issue. It reared its head at a meeting of Delta North APC chieftains. Following its resolve at a recent meeting at the country home of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area, the matter has become a divisive issue.

    Governor Infeanyi Okowa is from the North. In 2015, the PDP zoned the slot to the district. Since the governor is recontesting, APC leaders believe that his main challenger should come from the district.

    In its communique after the meeting, party leaders urged eligible aspirants from Delta North to make their ambitions known to the zone “at the earliest possible time.”

    According to them, “ from the inception of the Third Republic, the Central and South districts have successfully completed two gubernatorial terms and as a result, the right of the Delta North to complete its second term under the banner of the APC is only equitable.”

    They also resolved to “enlist the support of the other zones in Delta State to produce a saleable gubernatorial candidate of Delta North extraction”.

    Delta North appears to have the support of APC chieftains from Delta South. A source said the mood of Delta South APC leaders favoured a candidate from the North in the spirit of equity.

    During their meeting of March 4 at the residence of its chairman,Yemi Omaghomi,   Delta South leaders agreed to support Delta North governorship candidacy with the proviso that such a candidate will “do one term in line with extant power rotation in the state and allow the zone complete its two terms of eight years.”

    According to their communiqué, “Delta South APC notes that the request of Delta North APC is fair, just and equitable  as it guarantees all ethnic groups, particularly the minority ethnic groups in our dear state, fair access to the governorship seat of the state”.

    Some APC chieftains from Delta North extraction appear to have keyed into the idea.   Ojougboh, said he will abide by the resolution and serve for only one term, if elected as governor. But, some analysts said it is easier said than done.

    Ojougboh said his commitment one term is to give operative content to zoning, which will clear the path for the three districts to s complete two “gubernatorial tenures.” He said the arrangement should be preserved.

    Ojougboh is a former member of the House of Representatives from Ika Constituency. He is also a former PDP governorship aspirant.  He said his desire to contest the governorship election is borne out of a desire to rescue Delta State from the PDP’s misrule.

    Ojougboh said: “I want to make it clear that I am not contesting the Delta State governorship ticket just because I am from Delta North. I am not saying it must be me because I am from Delta North. I am not claiming superiority over anyone in Delta State.

    “I believe the APC must take power and all of us must make personal sacrifices, so that there will be change and if, however, you decide that I am capable and you elect me, I want to assure you that I will do only one term. I will not abuse the arrangement on the ground. I am a man of my words. I will do only one term.”

    Zoning is sacrosant in Delta PDP. The formula has guaranteed access to power to strong contenders from the three districts. Thus, the party believes that each district is entitled to two terms.  The implication is that Okowa will get the ticket unchallenged in the ruling party.

    The onus is now on the APC family to present a formidable contender from the North to compete for the number one position with Okowa next year.

    A leader of the party from Delta Central and former governorship candidate in 2015,  Emerhor, is is rooting for zoning. He is yet to declare his intention to run. But, during a consultative visit by Prof Pat Utomi to Evwreni, his country home, Emerhor said justice, equity and fairplay demanded that the ticket should be zone to the North.

    He said: “As an individual, I have decided along with committed APC leaders who really want change in Delta State that we will not do things the same way again this time because the opposition in Delta has not had this type of opportunity that is available to us today.

    “You will recall that in 2015, I ran for the governor of Delta State, and I still have the capacity to do that now. But, I took a decision not to run because the environment supports a different formula that excludes me, and that is why I am not out there consulting like others.”

    However, Delta Central APC has kept a sealed lip on zoning.  The fact that APC Delta Central has not publicly conceded the ticket to Delta North signifies a crack in Delta APC. Lack of agreement, according to observers, may spell doom for the party during the election.

    Although Ogboru, a prominent Urhobo politician from Delta Central, has not declared his intention to run, sources said he is eyeing the ticket. It is a life ambition for him.

    Sources said his ambition is causing disquiet in the party as he is unwilling to back down for anyone.

    Recently, chieftains of the party, including 22 local government chairmen and secretaries, converged on his Abraka country, Ethiope West Local Government Area, to unanimously endorse him as the sole candidate for the 2019 election.

    Despite Ogboru’s denial that the endorsement took place, many are wary of the antics of the charismatic politician

    A source said Omo-Agege, Richard Odibo, Ossai Abeh and others were present at the occasion.

    Reacting to the endorsement, the Coordinator, Light of APC, a pressure group, Ossai Abeh, said: “That is public opinion for you. The charisma and attraction of Ogboru to Deltans is well known the world over and what happened there was a tip of the iceberg and sample of public opinion.”

    However, the position of the Delta APC leadership is that it does not recognize zoning. Therefore, it will not champion the zoning of elective offices.

    The Chairman Delta APC, Mr. Jones Erue, also debunked the insinuation.

    He said: “We hereby make it categorically clear that our party has not zoned the governorship ticket to any zone, and has no intention to do so.

    “We are totally committed to and will strictly follow our party’s constitution in the choice of all candidates.”

    According to him, the party was averse to the zoning of any elective position because it breaches the party’s constitution.

    To further underscore the uncertainty and controversy over zoning, aspirants from the three districts have intensified their consultations and mobilisation, ahead of the primary.

    The aspirants-Ojougboh, (Delta North), Prof Pat Utomi (Delta North), Ogboru (Delta Central), Osiobe Okotie (Delta Central), and Emeka  Nwandiani (Delta North), andVictor Ochei (Delta North)-are not leaving anything to chances.

    The battle for the 2019 govrnorship ticket in Delta Central appears to be between forces who want political control  in 2019 and those who want to wait till 2023 elections, when it will be the “turn” of the Delta Central, going by the existing rotational or zoning arrangement on ground.

     

  • APC primary transparent, says Buhari

    APC primary transparent, says Buhari

    •Canvasses votes for Akeredolu

    For the first time, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday spoke on the September 3, governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

    Buhari said the exercise which was contested by 22 governorship aspirants but won by Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) was transparent, credible, free and fair.

    The President added that the transparency of the primary poll was one of the reasons he was at the grand finale rally of the APC governorship candidate, Akeredolu held in Akure, the state capital ahead of the November 26, election.

    It will be recalled that the controversy that trailed the primary election had claimed it first casualty whereby one of the complainant, Chief Olusola Oke, defected to the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    Also, the runner-up of the poll, Mr. Segun Abraham, is currently challenging the exercise in the law court.

    But, the President, who openly commended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and the Electoral Committee headed by Governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar at the rally attended by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun and the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun urged the people of the state to vote for Akeredolu.

    Others dignitaries at the rally included the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Committee, Governor of Plateau State,  Simon Lalong, Governors Abubakar (Jigawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Tanko Al-Mukura (Nasarawa).

    Others were former Governors, Adams Oshiomole, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Gbenga Ogunniya, Kolawole Babatunde, Afe Olowokere, Bode Ayorinde, Friday Olemija, Jumoke Anifowose, Tokunbo Ajasin, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, and Joshua Dariye.

    Solid Mineral Minister Mr. Kayode Fayemi, his Information counterpart Lai Muhammed, Niger Delta (state) Cladius Daramola, Health, Isaac Adewole, Segun Oni, Chief Paul Akinyelure, Adetimehin, Isaac Kekemeke among others. Governor Aregbesolan was said to have arrived at the airport after the President had left for the rally venue. The governor then left the airport but did not show up at the rally.

    Buhari commended the people for the reception given to him, saying “God willing, we will win this election. People of Ondo State make up your mind and vote for Akeredolu”.

    Saraki appealed to the people of the state to join the ruling party at the centre by voting for Akeredolu.

    He said majority of the states, which Ondo State shares borders with are currently being ruled by APC.

    He added that Akeredolu has the capacity to transform the state.

    Okorocha said “we can inform you that Buhari’s presence in Ondo State is a sign of change. Akure must look like a state capital. We the governors are united on the Akeredolu’s candidature.

    “Akeredolu loves Ondo State people. Despite we wanted him to serve in Abuja, he said he wants to serve his people in Ondo.

    “He is educated and humble. Nobody can challenge the will of God. Akeredolu’s project is divine.”

    Oshiomole on his part described the APC candidate as a lover of the masses. He recalled that when he was serving as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Akeredolu was defending the workers free of charge.

    Amosun said among those contesting the governorship seat, none is more progressive than Akeredolu.

    He noted that as at the time the PDP was rigging elections in the South West, Akeredolu was the lawyer defending he, Amosun, Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti at the law court on their mandates.

    Akeredolu commended Buhari and promised that the people of the state would not vote for a party that has no councillor.

    Akeredolu said , if elected he will drive economic and industrial revolution into the state through foreign investors with federal government partnership.

    He said jobs will be provided to the teeming unemployed youths through agriculture, industrialization and entrepreneurship

    At the occasion, Oyegun received some defectors from the PDP that included serving Commissioner for Agriculture, Segun Ayerin, Femi Ogunjemiyo and Wale Ozogoro.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari on his arrival met with APC stakeholders and governorship aspirants in the state at the International Event Centre, Dome in Akure on how to resolve the crisis rocking the party.

    He lauded the APC gubernatorial aspirants for their loyalty to the party and supporting the party’s candidate for the November 26 election.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the unity of the party was crucial for the outcome of next Saturday’s election.

    He said: “I am very pleased that those of you who lost the primaries are still very much in the party. That you lose elections doesn’t mean you should walk away, you keep on trying. I went to the Supreme Court three times in my bid to become the President of Nigeria.

    “I like your high spirit and your commitment to the party and I hope your constituencies are taking note of that,” the President told the aspirants shortly before departing for the Democracy Park in Akure for the grand finale of the Ondo APC gubernatorial rally.

    He assured Nigerians that determined, steadfast and patriotic people in the APC-led government will transform the nation’s ailing economy, which was run aground by the party that governed Nigeria for 16 years from 1999-2015.

    In his remarks, the representative of the aspirants, Tunji Abayomi, assured the President that they have resolved to deliver Ondo to APC.

    “No single aspirant left the party after the primaries. Those who left the party were not party members; they returned to where they belonged,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of APC Elders Council, Ondo State, Sen. Olorunnimbe Farukanmi, said Akeredolu was eminently qualified to lead the state.

    “We have fielded  an experienced, informed, hardworking and capable legal practitioner to work with President Buhari to carry out massive industrial development, job creation, eradication of poverty and massive economic improvement in the nation,” he said.

  • How Ondo APC primary was ‘rigged’, by Akinyelure

    How Ondo APC primary was ‘rigged’, by Akinyelure

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure has explained how the party’s governorship primary was manipulated, culminating in the submission of Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate.

    Akinyelure, in a statement, named the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Secretary Mai Mala Buni and the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, as the persons behind the act.

    The statement, which the APC National Vice Chairman said enjoys the support of six National Working Committee (NWC) members, accused the trio of using NWC meetings to usurp powers and unilaterally take decisions that their offices did not give them the power to take.

    It emerged that as many as three delegates’ lists for the election were in circulation at some point after the first list was tampered with.

    Izunaso, according to the statement, single-handedly removed, added or substituted names on the initial list circulated to the party’s 24 aspirants, leading to the emergence of a second list that was altered in favour of Akeredolu.

    His action enjoyed the support of Oyegun and Buni, even when other members of the NWC opposed it because it conflicted with the party’s rules.

    Akinyelure’s statement reads: “The National Organising Secretary confirmed to the NWC meeting of Monday September 19, 2016 that he actually received objections from some of the aspirants as to the delegates’ list. Then he unilaterally made the adjustments as he deemed fit.

    “It is emphasised that the National Organising Secretary performed these adjustments without recourse or reference to the NWC. The NWC was not appraised of his actions before the primary. The National Organising Secretary then issued this altered list to the Primary Election Committee for use in the conduct of the election.

    “This altered list became available to some of the aspirants in the early hours of the election day (September 3, 2016). When the election process was about to commence, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and three other aspirants protested and raised objections as to the delegates’ list to the election committee.

    “However, the committee members could not address it as it was not within their competence to do so. They went ahead with the conduct of the election.  After the declaration of the results of the election by the election committee, three aspirants petitioned the Election Appeal Committee, alleging discrepancies and the alteration of the delegates’ list provided to them by the election committee and other irregularities.

    “Consequent on the above, the NWC of the party received both the Election Committee and the Election Appeal Committee’s reports, which were tabled at the NWC meeting of Monday, September 19, 2016.”

    A decision by the NWC to submit the name of an interim substitute to INEC as place holder until a fresh primary was conducted suffered a setback after Oyegun, Buni and Izunaso “blindsided the other members to submit Akeredolu’s name in spite of a six to five votes in favour of presenting the substitute name”.