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  • APC sweeps Kaduna LG elections, wins all 23 chairmanship seats

    APC sweeps Kaduna LG elections, wins all 23 chairmanship seats

    • Party also claims 255 councillorship seats

    Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM) has declared the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of all the 23 local government chairmanship and 255 councilorship seats in the local government elections held across the state yesterday.

    Announcing the results, KAD-SIECOM Chairman, Hajara Mohammed, said eight political parties participated in the elections, but the APC emerged victorious in all the contested positions.

    “The electoral officers have submitted their reports, and at the end of the exercise, APC candidates won all 23 chairmanship positions and 255 councillorship seats across the state,” she said.

    Mohammed further confirmed that the results were compiled in accordance with the law, with all local government and ward returning officers declaring the outcomes in their respective constituencies.

    Meanwhile, the state governor, Uba Sani, yesterday commended the conduct of elections.

    Speaking shortly after casting his vote at LEA Kawo polling unit 047, the governor expressed satisfaction with the process, describing the election as generally free, fair, and peaceful.

    Read Also; NIS addresses visa-on-arrival application process

    Governor Sani noted that turnout across the 23 local government areas was satisfactory, with only minor issues reported in a few polling units. He emphasised the importance of local government elections in strengthening democracy at the grassroots level, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had extensively campaigned throughout the state.

    The governor urged voters to remain peaceful and reminded them that in every election, there are winners and losers. He expressed confidence that the electoral process would result in credible outcomes.

    Also commending the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (Kad-SIECOM) for the successful conduct of the elections, the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) in a statement signed by its chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, praised the transparent and orderly manner in which the polls were conducted, despite security challenges.

    “We are pleased to note that the voters in Kaduna demonstrated a high level of civic responsibility. The police and other security agencies also ensured a safe and secure environment for voters,” NAN stated.

    The group urged elected officials to serve the people with integrity and work towards the progress of the state, pledging continued support for democratic processes in Northern Nigeria.

    Similarly, the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) described the elections as peaceful, free, and fair. The forum, in a statement by its convener, Comrade Paul Danjuma, commended KADSIECOM for conducting a credible election, noting that areas monitored in Kaduna metropolis showed no hitches.

  • APC: NNPP lacks wherewithal to capture Ondo

    APC: NNPP lacks wherewithal to capture Ondo

    The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to the threat by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) that it would win next month’s governorship election, adding that the party is misguided.

    It said Ondo State people were not animals to be captured. The Ondo APC noted that the NNPP lacked the structure to win the governorship election because its candidate, Gbenga Edema, was a former APC member who defected after losing the primary.

    Read Also: Ondo poll: How far can SDP, ZLP, NNPP, LP go?

    Media Director of the Ondo APC, Steve Otaloro said the NNPP’s reliance on surprises to win the election was absurd. In a statement, the APC chieftain said the good work of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would be the yardstick for victory at the polls. He said the people wanted empirical facts, and Governor Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled every indicator.

    “NNPP should focus on what they will do differently from the APC-led government instead of relying on attacks and surprises. We appreciate the role of opposition parties in putting the ruling party on its toes through constructive criticism. However, before merging with other parties, they should resolve their internal crises. A divided house cannot discuss mergers.”

  • Contribute, don’t just not criticise, APC chieftain urges Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso

    Contribute, don’t just not criticise, APC chieftain urges Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso

    Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of Labour Party Peter Obi and the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been advised to find a way that they would help Nigerians out of the quagmire of economic hardship and hunger, rather than their persistent attacks on the Federal Government.

    Speaking to newsmen in Kano on Thursday, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Illiyasu Musa Kwankwaso, noted it was true that Nigerians were in hardship for economic reasons, but it was also a fact the administration of President Bola Tinubu was doing all it could to make life better.

    “Let us see their contributions; they should proffer solutions and be supportive, rather than criticising destructively,” he said.

    Kwankwaso, who is not happy with the trio’s constant attacks on the ruling party’s government, said they were deliberately distracting the government.

    “What is their individual contributions to the wellbeing of Nigerians at this critical period?

    “For example, what has Kwankwaso done to his immediate constituents and the neighbouring states of Jigawa and Katsina as presidential candidate, to mitigate the suffering of his NNPP supporters? Nothing. 

    “Rather, he is busy fighting his own government at the state level, especially in Kano state,” he said.

    He cautioned Atiku Abubakar on his unrelenting attacks on the government of Tinubu, asking him what he did to help the Nigerian citizens at this trying moment in his position as an ex-vice president.

    Illiyasu, a former commissioner of Rural Development in the Ganduje administration, reminded that Nigeria is passing a serious period, which requires Citizens to put heads together and find solutions to the Problems.

    Read Also: Wike’s political structure in Rivers intact – APC chairman Okocha

    He said: “We cannot just fold our arms and resolve only to criticisms at every move of the Federal Government; we must provide means and strategies with clear mind on how things will get better.

    “Government is trying its best, more specifically on the issues of Security and Economy.

    “Actors who are in these fields like the Defense Ministers, Badaru and Matawale together with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu deserve commendation, rather than criticism, to enable them to redouble their efforts.

    “We must give kudos to Abubakar Badaru, Bello Matawale and Nuhu Ribadu for eliminating some banditry kingpins and hundreds of Boko Haram members in less than a month, these achievements wouldn’t have been done if the government is not serious about the security of lives and property.”

  • Ondo polls: You can’t win Ondo, APC tells NNPP

    Ondo polls: You can’t win Ondo, APC tells NNPP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has said that the threat by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to win next month’s governorship election was misguided.

    It said Ondo State people were not animals to be captured.

    The Ondo APC noted that the NNPP lacked the structure to win the governorship election because its candidate, Gbenga Edema, was a former APC member who defected after losing the primary.

    Media Director of the Ondo APC, Steve Otaloro, in a statement, said the NNPP’s reliance on surprises to win the election was absurd.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: APC tackles Makinde over call for REC’s removal

    He said the good work of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would be the yardstick for victory at the polls.

    He said the people wanted empirical facts, and Governor Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled every indicator.

    “NNPP should focus on what they will do differently from the APC-led government instead of relying on attacks and surprises.

    “We appreciate the role of opposition parties in putting the ruling party on its toes through constructive criticism. However, before merging with other parties, they should resolve their internal crises. A divided house cannot discuss mergers.”

  • South-South APC condemns suspension of Lokpobiri

    South-South APC condemns suspension of Lokpobiri

    The south-south zonal legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chukwuemeke Ogbuobodo, and other zonal officers have condemned the suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri by the party’s executive in his local government in Bayelsa State.

    He said the suspension was “borne out of envy and wickedness.”

    Ogbuobodo, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the south-south zonal officers of the ruling party rejected the suspension of the minister, describing the action as illegal, null, and void.

    He said that the local government area executive cannot be a judge in its matter.

    Ogbuobodo referred the local government council party executive and “whoever that is sponsoring it, to see article 21.3 (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e) of the party’s Constitution and see the procedure for hearing and determination of complaints or allegations.”

    He also warned the local council executive: “That they are not above the law and not to see any other person as beneath it; “APC is not a party for supermen but a party guided by rules of law.”

    Recall that the APC in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas in separate press briefings had last week purportedly suspended Lokpobiri and the 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the party in Bayelsa State, David Lyon.

    The Bayelsa state executive committee of the APC however backtracked on the suspension of the minister.

    But Ogbuobodo warned the persons behind the purported suspensions to be mindful that the entire executives in the state were invalidated by the decision of the Bayelsa State High Court in Suit No YHC/16/2022; “so who gave you the power to suspend the Minister?

    He said: “As a consequence, the decision by the so-called LG Executive of APC is unknown to both the party’s Constitution and the laws of the land.”

    He averred that to avoid this kind of unwholesome intervention by imposters in the affairs of the party in Bayelsa State given the current vacuum created by the judgment of the High Court of Bayelsa State in suit no. YHC/16/2022 and as a law-abiding entity, party chieftains in the south-south zone would now move swiftly to get the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to appoint a caretaker committee to help oversee the party’s activities in the state in the interim pending the election of a substantive state executive.

    Ogbuobodo commended Senator Lokpobiri for his invaluable contributions to the successes being recorded by President Bola Tinubu’s administration as Minister of State (petroleum) and urged him not to be distracted by the antics of those who do not mean well for the state.

    Read Also: Lokpobiri directs NMDPRA to investigate petrol tanker explosion in Jigawa

    He said: “To this end, we urge party members in Bayelsa State and members of the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Lokpobiri by individuals who are out to confuse the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.

    “Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has demonstrated capacity as a minister and has attracted meaningful development projects to Bayelsa in particular and the South-South region in general.

    “The action of these individuals was borne out of envy and a wicked plot to destabilize APC in Bayelsa State and the South-South Zone.

    “This is why we condemn and reject the unlawful act and we urge all well-meaning party members in the county to do the same.”

  • ‘APC monitoring team not for fault finding’

    ‘APC monitoring team not for fault finding’

    The Co-Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) West Senatorial Leaders Monitoring Committee, who is also a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Alhaji Tunde Balogun, has said the purpose of setting up the committee is not to find faults with the council chairmen, but to gauge the chances or preparedness of APC for future elections in Lagos State.

    He spoke in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) during the distribution of social security to the residents

    Balogun said the party should think beyond the local and state elections, stressing the need to deliberately extend palliatives to known opponents, embark on projects where the party failed in the last elections, to have confidence and attract more people.

    Read Also; Tunji-Ojo, Correctional Service and global standard

    The Chairman of the committee, who is also a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Chief Mutiu Are, urged the stakeholders to identify areas of needs to the chairman properly.

    The team later witnessed the distribution of social security to people, during which 1,500 food palliatives were given to the residents, N10,000 was distributed to 500 elderly people, 500 youths and 200 young families, while N50,000  was given to 1,000 peasant traders. 

    Two hundred and fifty residents, who were screened and found to harbour ailments, were given free drugs.

    Other members of the Monitoring Committee include Folashade Bakare, Lanre Balogun, Alhaji Babatunde Olaoluwa, Oyinlomo Danmole and Dr.Tola Kasali.

  • Ondo 2024: APC has unbeatable structures to defeat other parties – Spokesman

    Ondo 2024: APC has unbeatable structures to defeat other parties – Spokesman

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State says that it has unbeatable structures across the state to defeat other political parties in any election.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Alex Kalejaiye, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Akure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was in apparent response to a call by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the people of Ondo State not to sell their conscience.

    Kalejaiye said that the recent defection of notable political giants from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had further fortified the chances of APC in the November 16 governorship election.

    “We consider as insulting the unsolicited advice to our people not to sell their conscience.

    “It is a popular fact that Ondo people are a politically-sophisticated entity who always acts out of conviction; they are not as cheap as being branded by Mr Makinde,” he said.

    The APC spokesperson said that the party in the state was shocked by a call from the governor for immediate transfer of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Toyin Babalola, before the governorship election.

    “The state chapter wishes to remind the governor that neither Ondo State nor the electoral body is an appendage of his empire, where he rules as an administrator.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: APC tackles Makinde over call for REC’s removal

    “The party notes that the electoral officer has, since assumption of office, demonstrated integrity, competence and capacity to handle any election.

    “We find it extremely ludicrous that Gov. Makinde will give a directive in such manner, when he didn’t influence the transfer of Mrs Omobolanle to Ondo State, neither is he a player on the political space of the state.

    “Our counsel to the governor is to focus on the myriad of problems currently facing Oyo State,” he said.

    Kalejaiye commended APC members for their unwavering belief in the party, urging them to exhibit maturity and decorum as the party continued to solicit for a renewal of the people’s mandate in the forthcoming governorship election.

    (NAN)

  • Ondo polls: APC tackles Makinde over call for REC’s removal

    Ondo polls: APC tackles Makinde over call for REC’s removal

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has faulted Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for the removal of Mrs. Babalola Oluwatoyin as the State Resident Electoral Commissioner ahead of next month’s polls.

    The party said neither Ondo state nor the electoral body was an appendage of Oyo State, “where he rules as an administrator.”

    It said Mrs. Babalola has demonstrated integrity, competence and capacity to handle any election.

    In a statement, the spokesperson for Ondo APC, Alex Kalejaiye, criticized Governor Makinde’s directive, calling it absurd. He pointed out that Makinde had no role in the transfer of Mrs. Omobolanle to Ondo State and holds no political influence within the state.

    The statement described Makinde’s advice to Ondo voters not to sell their conscience as insulting, noting that the people of Ondo are politically sophisticated and act on conviction, not easily swayed. 

    It added that the Ondo APC has strong, unbeatable structures across the state, capable of defeating any party in any election.

    Read Also: North Central APC suspends Ganduje’s resignation demand as NEC meets

    According to the statement, “Besides, the recent defection of notable political giants from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further fortified the chances of APC in November.

    “It is therefore clear that our party won’t need to indulge in those undemocratic gymnastics employed by the PDP to win Oyo for Makinde in 2019. Fear not, Mr. Governor.

    “Our counsel to the governor is to focus on  the myriad of problems currently facing Oyo State. It is sad that Oyo State is being run as a conquered territory, where the degree of capital flight is second to no other in the country.

    “The party commends it’s members for their unwavering belief in the party, and urged them to exhibit maturity and decorum as the continue to solicit for a renewal of the people’s mandate, come November, 16th.”

  • North Central APC suspends Ganduje’s resignation demand as NEC meets

    North Central APC suspends Ganduje’s resignation demand as NEC meets

    The North Central All Progressives Congress(APC) Forum has suspended its agitation and demand for removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC). 

    The forum has been opposed to the appointment of Ganduje from onset, arguing the position is for the North Central according to the party constitution of 2022 as amended.

    The Forum had been engaged in several agitations for Ganduje’s removal through protests, press conferences, consultations, letters, including dragging him to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the nullification of his appointment as the National Chairman of the party.

    But in a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said they are not opposed to Ganduje as a person but pursuing the rights, privileges and democratic dividends for the region.

    The chairman explained that some peace and reconciliatory initiatives have been made and they will obliged as their overall intension is progress of the party, the leadership as well as well as the NEC.

    “It has been seven years since the formation of this great North Central APC Forum. Seven years of formidable struggle and agitation in defense of our geo-political zone. We have indeed led struggles for the political balance of our region and the Almighty Allah is gracious to us as a people. 

    “You may recall that, when the former National Chairman of our Party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu resigned his position in 2023, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was elected by the National Executive Committee, NEC as his replacement. 

    “Immediately after the announcement, we stood in defense of our region, insisted that,  Abdullahi Adamu’s successor should have come from the North Central geo-political zone in line with the party’s constitution. We addressed press conferences, organized protests and instituted lawsuit against the national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at a Federal High Court Abuja.

    “It was a long judicial battle that we believe was going to be victorious, unfortunately, the court decided the case against us. We were committed, dogged and resilient in pressing on. Still we give glory to Allah for he knows all things.

    “Let it be on record that we do not have personal issue against the person of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, he is our national chairman.

    “Our activism is based on our feelings that the national chairman should have been retained in the north central zone after the exit of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. 

    Read Also: Ganduje donates N20m to families of dead policemen

    “We have come to agreement that the NEC has all the powers to make decisions for our party including the zoning and elections into vacant positions of our party. We understand that it was NEC that elected Ganduje. More importantly is the fact that, another NEC is by the corner where further decisions will made to the advantage of party as we prepare towards 2027 general elections. 

    “We at the North Central APC Forum have unanimously agreed to step down our agitation pending the decision of the National Executive Committee of our party. 

    “This is inline with our principle of fairness, equity and justice in order not to cause unnecessary disaffection among political leaders from the North Central zone and other leaders of our party. 

    “We also believed that, by standing down at this time shall give the North Central geo-political zone the fair hearing at the NEC where our political leaders will have free hands to negotiate with the centre, some specific benefits which should be attracted to the zone,” he said.

  • Ondo 2024: Our target is to win all 18 councils, says APC

    Ondo 2024: Our target is to win all 18 councils, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the governorship poll in Ondo State because it has formidable structures across the 18 councils, the Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said yesterday.

    He said while the party won 15 of 18 local governments during the 2020 election, “our target this year is to win the entire 18 local governments.”

    Kalejaye, who spoke on the chances of the ruling party, said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will beat his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, Agboola Ajayi, because he has performed creditably in office.

    He said the ruling party cannot be intimidated by a depleted opposition platform that is being deserted daily by its long-standing members.

    Read Also: Fighting malnutrition

    The publicity secretary said Aiyedatiwa has impressed the people of Ondo State by repositioning the critical sectors of education, health and civil services through his reforms and commitment to welfare.

    He said the crowds at the rallies in Ondo Kingdom, Ikare and today’s campaign in Ore pointed to the wide acceptability being enjoyed by the ruling party.

    Kalejaye said: “The chance of our party is bright. APC is the only party in Ondo State as of today. The few people who were making things difficult in the party have defected to APC. Eminent people like Joseph Akinlaja, formerly of the House of Representatives, have come to APC. Kolade Akinjo, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, has come to APC. Lad Ojomo, formerly of the House of Representatives, is in APC.

    “The former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, is now in APC. Former opposition spokesmen Eni Akinsola and Banji Olumide are in APC. The depletion has boosted our confidence. Our party is united. We are working. We will be victorious. “

    Kalejaye praised Aiyedatiwa for doing what the people of Ondo State expected from a good leader, stressing that he has prioritised the welfare of workers.

    He said while other states were dilly-dallying on the minimum wage, Aiyedatiwa was prepared to pay N73,000.

    Kalejaye added: “Our party is strong and our governor is working. We have the structures at the unit, ward, local government and state levels. We have the people. We have the population behind us. We will win.”