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  • Bayelsa youths flay attacks on APC members

    Bayelsa youths flay attacks on APC members

    A group, New Generation Leaders of Bayelsa State, has condemned the alleged incessant and widespread attacks on stalwarts and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.

    In a statement yesterday, the National Coordinator of the group, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei,  said the attack on APC chieftains was because they were in support of the APC’s candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    Kemepadei expressed worry that certain elements could resort to violent attacks, assault and manhandling of law-abiding supporters of the APC.

    He frowned at the attack on Mr Godwin Yalah in Kolokuma Opokumma Local Government Area and another party faithful in the same council, adding that some of the violent attacks had been targeted at youths and women of the party.

    He warned that the development, if not properly tackled, would pose danger ahead of the November 11 governorship election, urging the relevant authorities to stem the violence being unleashed on the APC members.

    He added: “As President Tinubu supporters in Bayelsa State, we know how difficult it was to struggle for about 35 per cent votes for Mr President during the general elections in the face of some self-acclaimed APC chieftains serving in his cabinet today who worked against the party.

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    “Now, we are getting reports of sponsored political thugs dressed in full military uniforms that attempted to invade Timipre Sylva’s LGA a few days ago. Others have been harassing, intimidating and violating ardent members of the APC which may force some of us to fight back if nothing is done to check the ugly trend.

    “The attacks are highly condemnable and pose a serious to democracy; is this the price we pay for standing for President Tinubu? We are now hunted as meats.”

    Kemepadei called on the President, the Inspector General of the Police and other security agencies to swing into action and bring the perpetrators of the sinister act to justice before it gets out of hand.

    “As a group, we are closely watching the events of attacks on APC members and we know it is connected to the rising popularity and teeming support of the APC in the state. The President should intervene by directing the security agencies to be on the alert to address the unprovoked attacks on the APC members by suspected hoodlums of the opposition.”

  • Akwa-Ibom APC makes clarification, says REC-designate Umoren not its member

    Akwa-Ibom APC makes clarification, says REC-designate Umoren not its member

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Akwa Ibom state, on Sunday, November 5, clarified that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) designated for the state, Etekarnba Umoren, is not a member of the party.

    Umoren was recently cleared by the Senate for appointment by President Bola Tinubu as REC from Akwa Ibom.

    However, there has been uproar about his nomination as REC with the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom state and some civil society organizations claiming he is a card-carrying member of the APC, which they said is against the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    However, speaking to the press in Abuja on behalf of the Akwa Ibom APC, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, debunked the allegations while challenging the critics to show concrete proof of his alleged membership to buttress their claim.

    Eyiboh who is the Leader of the Forum of the 2023 APC candidates in Akwa Ibom State and one of the leaders of APC in Eket, Senatorial District, insisted that the criteria for party membership goes beyond mere wearing a T-Shirt associated with a political party, especially in an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where photographs can be cloned.

    He added: “So it is not true. It is speculative. It is spurious to say that Etekarnba is a member of the APC. That’s not correct. The issue of Sir Etekarnba Umoren as a nominee, Resident Electoral Commissioner, is very clear. And I’m also aware of the petitions, complaints, and all of that. I can tell you that the law on the issue of the person who should not be said should not be a cat-caring member of a political party.

    “Etekarnba Umoren is a bureaucrat. He served in the Akwa Ibom State Executive as a permanent secretary. He was a career Civil Servant as a permanent secretary. And he was employed in that same executive, not by the political party, as the Chief of Staff and then Secretary to State Government not to serve a political party but to serve a government.

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    “So there is a difference between a political party appointment and a government appointment. I have also seen that some alleged he wore the uniform of the APC. The law is very strict on who is a member of a political party.

    “The member of the political party must be, not only a card-carrying member of that party, he must be in a good financial standing with that political party.

    “His name must be among the registered members of that political party. The prescription has nothing to do with uniform or mode of dressing.

    “I can go to a rally during a campaign. I can mention some of you who are not members of APC, but for my sake, came to visit me and participated in a rally and I gave the fez cap for them to use.

    “They used the fez cap. That does not qualify them as members of the political party because their names are not there in the register of members neither are they of financial standing in the political party.

    “That’s a very simple prescription for who is a member of a political party. So for you to take the ordinary mode of dressing, this is an African attire and what I’m putting on now represents a particular tribe in Ghana.

    “Would you carry a protest against me that I should not serve as the special adviser to the Senate president because I’m a Ghanaian by my mode of dressing?

    “The answer is no because a citizen or a member of a group or an organization is not determined by the clothing he wears, but by membership of that organization and every organization has a defined criteria for its membership.

    “So I want to see those who are opposed to this to come out with the register of members of the political party.

    “I’m sure you are also aware, in this age of artificial intelligence (AI), I can wear this cloth and then they can change this garment to become a suit.

    “So you must be aware that the possibility of cloning is also possible. You can’t rule that out. But what substantially defines a member of a political organization or party is the register of membership. Two, meeting the criteria set out by that organization.”

  • Tackle bandits, leave Matawalle alone, APC tells Zamfara Gov

    Tackle bandits, leave Matawalle alone, APC tells Zamfara Gov

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), North West zone, has asked Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State to concentrate on the security challenges bedevilling his domain, rather than deploy his energy at dragging the name of his predecessor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle in the mud.

    The North-West APC in a statement signed by the National Vice Chairman in charge of the Zone, Hon. Garba Muhammad Datti, said the greatest achievement of the PDP-led government of Dauda Lawal since its inception, is painting Matawalle black at all times.

    According to the statement, “the All Progressives Congress (APC) North West zone, wishes to express its dismay and disgust over the conduct of PDP Government in Zamfara State on matters relating to the immediate past Governor of the State and current Minister of State Defence Hon. Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

    “APC North West is aware that, since May 29, 2023, when Matawalle left office as the Executive Governor, the new administration of Dauda Lawal made it its primary role to drag Matawalle’s name in the mud at all costs; instead of facing the ugly security challenges that hold the state to a standstill. 

    “The APC North West viewed the protest staged by some hoodlums parading as civil society groups sponsored by the state at the National Assembly to demand the removal of Matawalle from the Federal Executive Council as not only mendacious but a futile exercise.

    “APC therefore, condemned in totality such show of shame by the so-called civil society groups.

    “President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a core politician, understands very well that whenever an opposition party asks you to disown one of your own, certainly that person poses a threat to everything they stand for. 

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    “APC believed that the President knows Matawalle’s political value and pedigree which earned him the North West Campaign Coordinator for the 2023 Presidential Elections. His immense contribution resulted in the region polling the highest number of votes and gave our party the edge we needed to clinch the presidency with relative ease.

    “Matawalle was the Chairman of, the House Committee on Security, Public Safety and Intelligence between 2011- 2015. President Asiwaju therefore, knows his worth and capacity, which is why he nominated him for a ministerial position.

    “APC North West insists that Matawalle’s integrity and patriotism in the eyes of whoever knows him closely stood out for him even when Dauda’s government-sponsored hoodlums with placards protested at EFCC headquarters that Matawalle must be investigated to prevent him from making the ministerial list.

    “We follow closely and understand that the greatest achievement of the current administration in Zamfara since its inception is painting Matawalle black at all times. Most press releases from the Government House were strategically drafted to cast aspersions on the person of Bello Matawalle. All allegations made on Matawalle by the PDP Government in Zamfara that he has tied with bandits are just to score cheap political points.

    “They should have known even in their wildest imagination that like any other ministerial nominee Matawalle went through rigorous security scrutiny before being screened and confirmed by the Senate to be appointed as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Plateau Election Panel: You are crying wolf, APC taunts PDP

    Plateau Election Panel: You are crying wolf, APC taunts PDP

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has frowned at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign of calumny to discredit the three-man panel of Justices of the Appeal Court handling the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel.

    The governing party accused the opposition of crying wolf and chasing shadows over the Plateau State Appeal Court judgement.

    At a press conference on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the PDP, aside from insinuating that the panel was “hugely compromised and induced” by the APC, called for the disbandment of the Appeal Panel, the establishment of a new one, and a review of the judgments rendered.

    But in a statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Friday night, the ruling party said the allegation and the campaign were baseless.

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    Morka noted that the PDP “is a sore loser and manifestly hypocritical.” He said the PDP has consistently queried every court judgement against it while profusely celebrating cases that it had won even in very opaque circumstances.ry opaque circumstances.

    He said, “Such glaring and debased double standards only further our view of the PDP as an irredeemably depraved institution and antithetical to the progress of our democracy.

  • Burutu North: Appeal Court reserves judgment in APC, PDP dispute

    Burutu North: Appeal Court reserves judgment in APC, PDP dispute

    The State and National Assembly Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has reserved judgment on an appeal by Ebitonmo Anthony Alapala of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Forteta Asupa Peter in the March 18 election for the Burutu North State Constituency seat in the Delta State House of Assembly.

    The three-member panel of justices adjourned for judgment last Thursday after taking arguments from counsel to all the parties.

    Alapala was represented by Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) while Peter was represented by Mr. S. Larry (SAN).

    Dr. Banire informed the court that he had a pending application filed on the 24th of October 2023.

    Larry told the court that he had filed a counter affidavit and written address opposing the application

    Responding, Banire told the justices that he also filed a further affidavit pursuant to the counter, dated 26th October, 2023.

    In the course of the proceedings, the court was presented with two conflicting judgments on the petition said to have both emanated from the Delta State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.

    The judgment concerned Petition No: EPT/DL/SHA/08/2023 between Forteta Asupa Peter & Anor vs. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 2 Ors.

    The first judgment was delivered by the Tribunal on September 12, 2023, by their lordships, Justice W. Kpochi (Chairman), Justice C. Ezeugwu and Justice S. Umar (SAN).

    It affirmed the election of Forteta Asupa Peter as the duly elected member representing Burutu North State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly in the election held on March 18, 2023.

    Larry informed the appellate court that there was an error, called a “slip”, in that judgment.

    He said the tribunal noticed the slip some days after it issued the judgment to the parties. It then corrected the slip and issued another, “correct judgment” to him.

    He told the justices that the Tribunal’s secretary informed him that the “corrected judgment” had been sent to the other parties in the case.

    Larry said: “There was a judgment and there was a slip, and the trial tribunal corrected this slip. But they prefer to predicate their notice of appeal on the ‘uncorrected judgment’ and abandon the corrected judgment. It was a minor slip, they predicated their appeal on that.”

    But Banire, who filed two applications, disputed Larry’s claim, saying a tribunal’s secretary could not on his own correct any error in a judgment, more so when the secretary did not inform the other party.

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    He asked the justices to discountenance the “corrected judgement” that Larry referred to, saying Larry could not on his own compile the records of proceedings and send them to the appellate court. In his view, only the Tribunal’s secretary could lawfully do that in the presence or with the consent of both parties.

    Banire said: “My lords, it is unfortunate that my brother Silk wants to be washing dirty linen in public, but I will try as much as possible to avoid it because this is a situation where, from the same tribunal, we have two different judgments. From the same tribunal!

    “What he called a slip is even fundamental. But those are administrative issues, in my very strong view, what is before your lordships is what your lordships will determine.

    “We have a motion filed 23rd of October, 2023. The motion is praying your lordships to discountenance the purported additional record compiled by the 1st and second respondents on their own. That is what, essentially, we pray your lordships for and of course the consequential order of dispensing with the brief predicated on it.

    “We have stated all the grounds and most importantly, by paragraph 9 of the practice direction, only, exclusively, and only the secretary can compile records for the purpose of the determination of any appeal before your lordships.

    “Essentially, our prayer is that no party can on his own go and compile records and send to your lordships.

    The rationale behind the rule is to avoid a situation that my learned friend is saying now, about whether one document is genuine or it is the other one that is genuine, or one is fake and the other is genuine.”

    That is the whole essence of insisting that it is the secretary of the tribunal that should compile the records.”

    After hearing both parties and another petition by the APC, the court adjourned for judgment.

  • Bayelsa APC dep Gov candidate under fire over inciting comments

    Bayelsa APC dep Gov candidate under fire over inciting comments

    The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joshua Maciver, has come under attack for inciting violence ahead of the November 11, Bayelsa governorship election.

    Maciver, during a political campaign of the party in Twon Brass, Bayelsa state, called on supporters of APC to chase anyone opposed to the emergence of the party into the sea and kill people, as long as victory was secured.

    The Bayelsa Women Arise has condemned the comments by Maciver.

    In a statement signed on their behalf by the publicity secretary, Ebibaratimi Atani, the women urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to take immediate and decisive action to reassure voters of their safety.

    The group argued that it was the duty of law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and property of all citizens, adding: “We believe that failure to address this issue promptly would set a dangerous precedent for our state’s political climate.”

    The statement read: “In light of the above, we urge the Inspector-General of Police to launch a thorough and swift investigation into the comments made by Mr Joshua Maciver, as a way of preventing bloodshed, which Mr Maciver and his co-travellers are determined to unleash on our people during the forthcoming election.

    “Recall that a few days ago, our organisation expressed our fears and sensitized the people of Bayelsa for a violence-free Governorship election on November 11, during a Peace Walk where thousands of Bayelsa people participated.

    “During his speech in Twon Brass, Mr Joshua Maciver shockingly advocated for the killing of supporters of opposition candidates, thereby inciting violence and creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in our beloved state.

    “Such statements are not only unbecoming of a political candidate but are also a direct threat to the democratic process, which is built on the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for the rights and choices of the citizens.

    “Therefore, we, as concerned citizens and advocates for peace, justice, and a fair electoral process, strongly condemn these reckless remarks and call upon the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to take immediate and decisive action to reassure voters of their safety.

    “It is the duty of law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and property of all citizens, and we believe that failure to address this issue promptly would set a dangerous precedent for our state’s political climate.

    “In light of the above, we urge the Inspector General of Police to launch a thorough and swift investigation into the comments made by Mr. Joshua Maciver, as a way of preventing bloodshed, which Mr. Maciver and his co-travellers are determined to unleash on our people during the forthcoming election. We strongly believe that nobody, regardless of their political affiliation, should be above the law, and justice must be served.

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    It further stated: “It is crucial to remind all political actors of their responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence and respect for democratic principles.

    “We want to emphasise that our appeal is not driven by political bias but by a genuine concern for the safety and well-being of all citizens of Bayelsa State.

    “It is our fervent hope that the forthcoming governorship election will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness, and respect for the democratic values that our nation upholds.

    “It is our hope that the Police and other security agencies will demonstrate their willingness to ensure a peaceful governorship election in Bayelsa State by making sure that Mr. Joshua Maciver’s statements do not go unpunished and that the democratic process in Bayelsa State is protected.”

  • APC Manchester supports Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa candidates

    APC Manchester supports Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa candidates

    Leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) Manchester, United States has urged residents of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa to vote for APC in November 11 election.

    In a statement by David Adeoye, the party made this known after top party members met to strategise on how to support the pary in the states.

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    In the same vein, the leadership  urged residents to resist oppression or aggression by other parties as INEC has urged security agencies to take action against perpetrators of violence.

    It stressed the need for residents to vote for APC, saying the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu will be employed in making the states better than they were.

  • Why APC must produce Soludo’s successor, by Ubah

    Why APC must produce Soludo’s successor, by Ubah

    Senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Ifeanyi Ubah has expressed confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to produce the next governor of Anambra State.

    He also said the Nnewi community was long overdue for a governor being home to late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Rt Hon Nwafor Orizu, among others who suffered for Ndigbo.

    Speaking on Monday, October 30, during a visit to party zonal leaders at the residence of the APC South East Organizing Secretary, Mr Dozie Ikedife (jnr), Uba who recently dumped his Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the APC, urged Southeasterners to drop the mentality that APC belongs to a particular tribe.

    He said: “I came to see the leadership of the APC in the zone for formal introduction and familiarization following my recent defection from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC.

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    “I didn’t come for leadership positions in the party that are already distributed, but to ask for support to ensure that the APC produced the next Governor of Anambra State after Soludo.

    “All I’m appealing for is, if it is possible, for us to work together to achieve our political aim. Ndigbo needs to embrace the national party which is their best bet.

    “Anambra owes Nnewi North the opportunity to produce a Governor. Nnewi is the home of the late Rt Hon Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, an Igbo leader, among others.

    “These people who suffered for the Igbo deserve to be considered to allow the community that produced them to also produce the Governor of Anambra State.

    “Ikedife (jnr) has taken me around to see the leaders of the party in the State. I’m in consultations. I’m a consolidator and a unifier. I said I must come to see you through our leader.

    “Some Igbo had been deceived to believe that the APC is a Hausa or Fulani party. Unfortunately, the majority of those with such a mentality are from Anambra. This is a wrong impression I’ve come to correct.”

    While lamenting the obvious marginalisation of the people of the region, especially in terms of geopolitical zoning, the lawmaker said it would only be wise for Ndigbo to identify with the moving train.

    He said: “A good footballer knows how to score a goal. I saw the benefit of belonging to a national party, and I had to join them for our overall benefit.

    “I left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to join the APC. Are they not all progressives? The young shall grow and of course, the young have grown. One thing is remaining for us to achieve, and that is Governorship.”

    While welcoming Uba to the party, Ikedife (jnr) described him as a big fish, assuring him of maximum support.

    “Before your entrance into our great party, we had resolved that the Anambra APC must produce the next Governor of the State.

    “It appears we have bought a big player who will bring the winning cup home. We know you are a big fish. We will be all out to canvass for support,” he stated.

  • Tinubu’s ex-campaigner begs for Sylva, says Bayelsa APC may suffer defeat

    Tinubu’s ex-campaigner begs for Sylva, says Bayelsa APC may suffer defeat

    The South South coordinator of The Asiwaju Group, Pastor Reuben Wilson, has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take urgent steps to ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

    He said few weeks to the November 11 governorship poll, he has absolute confidence in the ability of Timipre Sylva to win the election given his campaign manifesto. 

    Wilson, who is also the founder of the Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability, said it was worrisome that party leaders from the State, especially those in high political offices, were not showing signs of support for Sylva.

    “The Asiwaju Group and the Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability actively participated in your electoral victory by massively mobilizing voters in the South-South Zone to give you the minimum constitutional requirement of 25% votes in each of the Six (6) South-South States, that hitherto, were the strongholds of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Your Excellency, Sir,I used my personal funds to sponsor the campaign activities of The Asiwaju Group (TAG) and the Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability (PRIFGLA) in the South-South Zone for your presidential election and our efforts greatly reflected in the votes you eventually got from the South-South States that helped you fulfill  the constitutional requirements for you to be elected President,” Wilson wrote in an open letter he sent to the President on Monday.

    Noting his readiness to continue to work for the party at all levels, including the 2027 presidential election, if Tinubu decides to re-contest, Wilson said there were danger signals ahead of the election and said it was necessary for the president to intervene urgently.

    He said: “I promise that I will even do better in 2027, if you decide to contest for a second term in office. However, I’m deeply worried that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might lose the forthcoming Bayelsa State gubernatorial election scheduled for 11th of November,2023, if you don’t quickly intervene and prevail on the National secretariat of the party to do the needful by mobilizing all party stalwarts from Bayelsa State , especially appointees of your government, to be loyal to the party’s interest and work committed for the success of the party in the election.

    “At the moment such dedication and commitment isn’t seen from some of your appointees and some other party stalwarts from the state. Therefore, I wish to most humbly request that you prevail on such persons, especially, Sen.(Dr) Heineken Lokpobiri, Hon.Minister of State (Petroleum ) to be more committed to the activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    “He is at the moment not showing enough commitment and support for the party in the state. He is also not relating properly with the party faithfuls in the state. His activities are mostly centered around his friends and associates that have dumped the party and decamped to the People’s Democratic Party in the State.

    “The chances of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, His Excellency , Chief Timipre M.Sylva to win are very high based on the popularity of his campaign manifesto and his track record of better performance, compared to the incumbent Governor. I’m very sure about our victory but recent developments portend grave negative signals against our anticipated victory, if not quickly addressed , hence, this open letter to your Excellency, Sir.”

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    He also decried the appointment of people who were not supportive of the President during the election, saying it was imperative for the APC national leader to consider rewarding those who worked genuinely for his successes, even as he commended the appointments of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, and that of the NDDC MD, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

    According to him: “Most of your loyal supporters in the South -South Zone, who faithfully and tirelessly worked for your electoral victory aren’t happy with some of your appointments because some of your appointees from the South -South Zone didn’t work for you in the last presidential election but got appointed and are enjoying your government at the expense of your very dedicated, loyal and committed supporters.

    “I’m therefore, pleading with you to consider such dedicated supporters for appointment into various critical offices in your government, as it’s only such people that can truly fight for the party and your interest at all times.”

  • Over 2,000 PDP members defect to APC in Ondo

    Over 2,000 PDP members defect to APC in Ondo

    Over 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Idanre, Idanre Local Government of Ondo State.

    The defectors were led by Senator Ayo Akinyelure.

    APC Chairman in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, who received the defectors, said the party would continue to rule the state and the country.

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    He said APC would sweep next year’s governorship election because “prominent politicians from the state have dumped their parties and joined the progressive train.”

    He said the party’s electoral successes were due to what he termed developmental feats recorded by the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu administration.

    Senator Akinyelure said he joined the APC because he believed in the prosperity of Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.