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  • 25,000 SDP members defect to APC in Sokoto

    Following the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its flag bearer, the party’s state and local government executives in Sokoto state on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with no fewer than 25, 000 other members.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the former acting State Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Malami Alhaji Kyahe and the former Chairman of the Forum of Local Governments Chairmen of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, said that, they defected to the APC without any strings attached .

    They said, “We ditched our former party because of its lack of justice, equity, direction and commitment to Nigeria’s even socioeconomic development.

    “We are extremely satisfied with the indelible and invaluable achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, while we are truly determined to ensure his re-election for a second term.

    “This is to ensure the consolidation of these tangible achievements like bolstering security, doggedly fighting corruption, improving the economy, while Boko Haram has been totally decimated, among others.”

    The duo further described President Buhari as incorruptible, pious and strongly patriotic, as well as religiously committed to the Nigerian project.

    They also recalled the two tenures of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as Governor of Sokoto state between 2007 and 2015, saying, “He had delivered the dividends of democracy across the twenty three local governments of the state.

    “Even now as a Senator, he is living above board and he considers the entire state as his single constituency.

    “We are also totally optimistic that, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and his running mate, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, are qualified enough to be elected , while we are of the strong belief that , they will emulate Senator Wamakko, if elected .”

    Read Also: PDP hails Supreme Court’s ruling on Rivers APC

    Also speaking, the former Chairman of the SDP in Yabo Local Government, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar, described APC as the party to beat in Nigeria and promised all the defectors will work assiduously and selflessly to ensure the success of the candidates of the party, at all levels.

    In her remarks, the former Woman Leader of the SDP, Hajiya Rabi’atu Alhaji Yaro said that, women in the state are totally behind APC and all its candidates, at all levels.

    She averred that women in the state have since armed themselves with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), saying, “we will use them to massively vote in the candidates of APC, at all levels, during the forthcoming general elections.”

  • Thugs injure ex-Deputy speaker, others in Ebonyi

    Many people were injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed as suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs waylaid and attacked the campaign train of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Among those injured was former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Dorothy Obasi, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor of the state, Chief David Umahi, on House of Assembly Matters.

    Edda is the hometown of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji.

    Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, Divine Mandate Elders Council alleged that the thugs numbering over 100 also attacked the PDP supporters at the campaign ground.

    The Director General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization Fidelis Nwankwo accused the APC of instigating violence in the state.

    He also alleged the supporters of the party were behind the destruction of the campaign billboards of the PDP across the state.

    Nwankwo said: “Just yesterday, Thursday the 7th of February, 2019, as a procession of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization headed for Edda for its local government rally, a bunch of APC thugs were mobilized and violently set upon the PDP procession which was lawfully going about their business.

    “Law abiding citizens were molested, beaten, and harassed by these mindless street urchins. Wanton destruction was also inflicted on vehicles and property of PDP faithful whose only crime was to express their freedom of association and political affiliation.”

    Governor David Umahi ordered the Nigeria Police Command in the state and the State Security Services (SSS) to arrest some of the suspected attackers.

    He also urged the public not to take laws into their hands.

    The governor spoke at the PDP campaign rally at Nguzu Edda primary school, Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

    “These three persons are here by declared wanted for obstructing the existing peace in Afikpo South, blocking people with guns and threatening to shoot them.

    “The Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr. Kenneth Ugbala will submit their names to the Commissioner of Police (CP) Awosola Awotunde and the SSS,” Umahi said.

    The PDP Gubernatorial candidate expressed satisfaction with the more than 25 various projects executed in the area by the local government Chairman, Eniduma Chima.

    He further commended other stakeholders and party supporters, for their various contributions to the development of the area.

    South East Vice-chairman of the PDP, Mr. Austin Umahi, who spoke at the rally, tasked security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on credible election.

  • Supreme Court ruling: ‘Ignore Abe, allies’ misrepresentation of facts’

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Rivers people and other lovers of democracy to ignore Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and his allies for misrepresentation of facts on Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, insisting that the candidacy of Pastor Tonye Cole and others of APC is not imperilled.

    Cole, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who is a co-founder of Sahara Group, still expressed optimism that he and other candidates of APC in Rivers would be on the ballot for this year’s elections and they would emerge victorious.

    The justices of Supreme Court, Friday, ruled on APC’s legal representation in the suit at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu.

    The apex court declared that the Legal Adviser of Rivers APC, Chinweikpe Chieme, not Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, was the main opposition party in the state and that the judgment of Justice Nwogu was a consent judgment.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, Friday said: “The attention of Rivers State chapter of APC has been drawn to a myriad of reports making the rounds on the social media, giving conflicting, and in some cases, outright mischievous narratives, misinterpreting and misrepresenting the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of Friday, February 8, 2019, on the matter between Ibrahim Umar and 22 others versus Rivers APC.

    Read Also: Supreme Court voids Appeal Court’s judgment on Rivers APC

    “Whereas the Rivers APC is reluctant to take issues with anyone when it concerns matters before the court, however, we believe that members of the public deserve to be protected from calculated mischief and misinformation, especially those dispensed through the social media and rumours. Therefore, it has become highly necessary to re-state what transpired at the Supreme Court.

    “The apex court ruled that, in line with provisions of the Constitution of the APC, the chapter’s legal adviser at the time the matter commenced, Mr. Chieme Chinweikpe, rightly represented the party directly or through legal appointees of his, instead of Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was seconded by the Legal Department of national headquarters of APC. This means that the judgment given by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu was a consent judgment following thereto.

    “Irrespective of how we feel about the pronouncement, the Rivers State chapter of APC has to accept that decision, having come from the highest court of the land.

    “We make haste to, however; state that the decision on legal representation was the only matter the Supreme Court made pronouncement on Friday. We expect the apex court to rule on the all-important issue of jurisdiction of whether the Rivers State High Court of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu was right to delve into what we believe was an internal affair of the APC, with regards to primaries.

    “We urge the mainstream media and innocent members of the public to resist the lure of mischievous individuals, who are inundating the social media and entire cyberspace with jaundiced versions of the Supreme Court ruling or churning out outright fake news, with a view to deceiving the public, deluding themselves with short-lived comfort and feathering their nests from their paymasters.

    “We are convinced that no harm has been done to the candidacy of our governorship candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, and the others. We believe that, by the grace of God, we shall triumph and ultimately be on the ballot for the 2019 elections.”

    The main opposition APC also called on the teeming supporters of the party in Rivers to remain calm, while assuring that it would surely end in praise and declared that candidates of APC in the state would surely be on the ballot and go ahead to win on February 16 and March 2, 2019.

    The Director, Strategic Communications of Tonye Cole/Victor Giadom Campaign Organisation of APC, Prince Tonye Princewill, said in his reaction Friday evening: “I have just spoken with our lawyers. The judgement is nothing to overly concern ourselves over. I thought it was worse when I heard that the Nyesom Wike (of People’s Democratic Party) and Magnus Abe’s camps were celebrating.

    “After the defeats, they (Wike and Abe) suffered in recent weeks, any news is good news for them. Our two appeal court judgments remain valid. No one else has been declared candidate and the substantive matter has not even been touched. That will be coming up on Monday. So, no cause for alarm.”

    The Spokesman of Cole/Giadom campaign organisation, Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives, while also reacting, declared that the celebrations by Wike, Abe and their drowning supporters would soon turn to sorrow, while expressing confidence that justice would be ensured by the courts.

    Nwuke, an ex-Rivers Commissioner for Information, said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports which suggest that Ibrahim Umar and 22 others have secured a final determination at the Supreme Court.

    “The fact available to us is that the only issue determined on Friday, February 8, 2019 was that of legal representation, which had been in contention.

    “Based on the various conflicting headlines being carried, it is critical to state that there are other pending matters, including the substantive appeal, which is yet to be determined by the Supreme Court. Our faith in the judiciary remains unshaken.

    “We wish to urge our numerous supporters not to panic, following the deliberate misrepresentation of facts on the social media and elsewhere, regarding the outcome of the ruling. We shall surely be triumphant in the end.”

    Contrary to insinuations making the round, the Supreme Court, Friday, never pronounced Abe and candidates of his faction, who emerged through direct primary election, not supervised by officials of the national secretariat of APC, as authentic candidates of the party, while Prince Peter Odile, whom Abe announced as Rivers APC state chairman of his faction, was not recognised by the apex court.

  • Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    The exodus from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’in Akwa Ibom State continued on Thursday with the defection of thousands of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibeno and Esit Eket Local Government Areas.

    The PDP lost over 1,500 members in Ibeno and over 2,700 members in Esit Eket during the APC’s campaign rallies in the two local government areas.

    The Ibeno defectors led by Comrade Maurice Okon, a popular youth leader, included some former APC members who said they were returning after being lured to the PDP with fake promises to support Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term by a former House of Assembly member from the area.

    Receiving the Ibeno defectors, Dr Ita Udosen, the Akwa Ibom State APC Deputy Chairman, assured them of equal rights and privileges with old members of the party.

    Mr Ini Okopido, the APC State Chairman, who received the Esit Eket defectors, said it was clear that Esit Eket has turned completely APC, comparing the thousands of defectors from the PDP to the three APC members that left for PDP last week

    He noted with delight that the defectors included many PDP ward executives and members of the PDP Grassroots Foundation led by Mr Samuel Edet.

    Mr Edet, Prince John Ekpo and Engr Messianic Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, assured the APC state leadership that the PDP had no place in Esit Eket again.

    In his remarks, Obong Nsima Ekere, the APC Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, said he was convinced that Esit Eket people will vote for all APC candidates in the elections and thanked party leaders in the area for working hard to connect Esit Eket to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

    He echoed last week’s call by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s to Akwa Ibom people not to play opposition politics again.

    Obong Ekere noted that nearly the entire political class in the state was behind him after abandoning Governor Udom Emmanuel because of his poor performance.

    Read Also: PDP protests posting of police chief Egbetokun to Kwara

    Barr Bassey Dan-Abia, the Esit Eket APC leader, whose nephew and former House of Representatives member for Eket Federal Constituency, Barr Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, was among the three APC defectors last week, said, contrary to some social media reports, it was the PDP, not the APC, that was suffering mass defection.

    “I assure you that despite the propaganda of massive defection in the social media, as at today, not a single executive member of APC has defected to anywhere. Rather, it is PDP ward executive members that are defecting to APC. In some wards, the entire PDP executive has collapsed into APC because of Obong Nsima Ekere,” he said.

    Barr Dan-Abia, who finished second in the 2018 APC governorship primary, lauded Obong Ekere for reconciling and carrying along his three fellow contestants after the primary.

    He disclosed that there was consensus across party lines in Eket Federal Constituency, where Governor Emmanuel is from, that he should go, having disappointed the people of the four component local government areas of Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna.

    Barr Bassey Essien, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said they were supporting Obong Ekere because he had long identified with them in Esit Eket unlike Governor Emmanuel who was never part of them.

    “Udom is going. He was never part of us. He had no friend in this community. You are one of us. You are a friend we have known for years. We will not disappoint you and we are sure you will not disappoint us. We are awaiting your swearing in on your birthday on May 29, 2019,” he said.

    Elder Ibanga Etang, the APC campaign coordinator in Esit Eket, apologized to his people for bringing and selling Governor Emmanuel to them as local government chairman in 2015.

    He promised Obong Ekere a clean sweep of Esit Eket’s over 47,000 votes in the 57 units of the area.

    Mr Eseme Eyiboh, a former House of Representatives member, and Mr Augustus Nkuseyin, the Esit Eket APC chapter chairman, spoke along the same line.

    The rally featured the presentation of flags by the APC State Chairman to Senator Nelson Efiong, Mr Kufre Akpabio and Mr Eyo Inyang-Abia Bassey, the APC Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates, respectively.

  • I remain APC Niger East senatorial candidate, says Umaru

    Senator David Umaru has declared he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger East senatorial candidate despite a ruling by Federal High Court, Abuja to the contrary.

    The incumbent lawmaker said: “I was the candidate that was duly screened and cleared to contest the 5th October 2018 primaries for my senatorial zone.

    “I remain the bona fide candidate of APC in the forthcoming senatorial election in Niger East Senatorial District until the decision of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declared Alhaji Mohammed Sani as the authentic APC candidate of the Niger East Senatorial District.

    But Umaru argued the Court has no power to nominate a candidate for a political party, declaring the party is supreme and has the final say and decision.

    He faulted the Judge for ignoring the evidence of the defence and assuming the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “The learned trial court ignored the evidence of the defence and assumed the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “I am therefore appealing the decision of the trial court because it is the responsibility of the court to determine who should be the candidate of a political party at elections.

    Read Also: Umaru tackles Bello on incessant travels abroad

    “Another fundamental reason why I am challenging the decision of the learned trial Judge is that the trial court proceeded to hear and determine the matter without jurisdiction as the suit was filed in breach of the provisions of section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

    Umaru disclosed that he has filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgements.

    According to him: “The law is tried and there is a plethora of Supreme Court decisions affirming the finality of the decisions of political parties regarding nomination if candidates.”

    The Senator, who urged his supporters to continue with their campaign activities, said he is no stranger to court battles and is determined to fight the battle to the last.

    “I am not a stranger to court battles as my entire political career has been shaped by court decisions. On several occasions in my political career, I relied in courts for justice.

    “I do believe that the decision of the trial court which gave judgement to the Plaintiff was based on erroneous understanding of the law and facts placed before the court.“

  • I remain SDP presidential candidate – Duke

    Former governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, says he still remains the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and would present himself for the Feb. 16 poll.

    Duke said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to withdraw from the election and adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as its preferred candidate.

    “Regardless and for the avoidance of doubt, I Donald Duke, remain on the ballot and the candidate of the SDP as recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “This unfortunate saga is as a result of an aspirant who lost at the party primaries on Oct. 6, 2018, fair and square, does not query the conduct of the primaries but rather resorts to bigotry, querying my suitability to contest for the presidency on grounds that I come from the wrong part of the country.

    “The Federal Court of Appeal has put this matter to rest. The office of president does not belong to any party and therefore not for a party to zone,” he said.

    Duke identified internal management of party affairs as the bane of the nation’s democracy.
    He said his decision to run for the presidency was to afford the electorate a credible alternative.

    “My decision to run on an untainted political platform rather than on one which I was a founding member is grounded on a desire to afford our electorate and indeed our nation a clean break, options and alternatives to her current gladiators.

    “For the SDP NEC to thereby endorse the APC or any other party, is rather unfortunate and betrays in my opinion, the desire of the vast majority of our party members and Nigerians credible alternatives to our nation’s leadership.

    “I need not say more, suffice that I remain on the ballot and thereby still present myself as a candidate for the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Duke said.

    Read Also: Gana rejects Appeal Court affirmation of Duke

    The SDP NEC had on Thursday announced the party’s withdrawal from the presidential race while adopting Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the poll.
    It explained that the decision was based on the protracted legal issue facing the party.

    “We cannot campaign, we cannot do anything because of the protracted legal issue and we feel that it is impeccable to technically withdraw from the presidential election.

    “We want to focus on the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assemblies election for which we have fielded candidates across the country.

    “We are therefore adopting Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, as our preferred candidate for the Feb. 16 election,” it said.

  • ‘Mobilise your neighbours for APC’

    Women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State Jumoke Okoya-Thomas has urged women to mobilise their neighbours, friends and relatives to vote for the APC.

    Okoya-Thomas, who spoke at the APC Women Rally at Lagos Campos Square Stadium, said women were ready for the elections.

    She said: “Women in Lagos State are ready to back all our candidates, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governorship candidate Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, and other candidates.

    Read also: ASUU suspends strike after deal with Fed Govt

    “I want you to support all of the candidates of the APC; ensure you collect your PVCs and vote. We want all the women to go to the streets and move around to campaign for the elections, and ensure that their votes count.”

    The women leader praised the women for their roles in the campaign so far, saying women have always played positive roles in the past elections.

    She reiterated that the government of Mr. Sanwoolu and Dr. Hamzat would carry women along if they become governor and deputy governor.

     

     

  • ‘Iganmu-Apapa council is for APC’

    Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have said the council will vote for APC.

    At a rally yesterday, House of Representatives candidate, Mufutau Egberongbe, was confident of the party’s success.

    He said: “We are in government and doing well, so we don’t need much campaign. Look at what APC has recovered in terms of fighting corruption and infrastructural development. We are a disciplined party that shuns corruption.”

    Other party faithful appealed to the electorate to exercise their franchise on February 16.

    APC chieftain and campaign chairman of the council Adewale Jimoh said: “APC is well prepared in this council and all over the country. Our presidential candidate has been going everywhere and people can see.

    Read also: SAN quizzed over $30,000 in CJN Onnoghen’s account

    “In our own council here, we are very prepared as we have been going round from house to house canvassing, and they have been accepting us. You can see the number of crowd here to support us, so we are highly prepared.

    “We are sure of victory in this election. As far I’m concerned, there is only one party in Nigeria; after APC is APC.”

    Igbo APC leader in the council Apapa-Iganmu Mr Blessing Okere called on all Igbo to support the APC. “APC is a national party for all tribes. So, all the Igbo in this area support it. We want the APC government to continue what they are doing,” he added.

  • APC plans to attack Nigerians, PDP alleges

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) and its agents to load arms and ammunitions into vehicles painted in PDP colours and the names of some of its prominent chieftains.

    According the main opposition party, the plan is to use the illegal arms and ammunitions to attack gatherings and orchestrate violence across the country ahead of the general elections.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said some of those marked for frame up in the planned attacks include its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye among others.

    Citing “intelligence report” at its disposal, the opposition party said the governing APC will then clamp down on the targeted PDP chieftains and get them incarcerated.

    Condemning what it described as the heinous plot, the PDP said the plot was an act of desperation by the APC, as a result of despondency, arising from their rejection by Nigerians.

    Read Also; APC seeks postponement of Rivers gov election

    The statement reads: “We want all Nigerians to note that the PDP is a party of goodwill and our rallies have demonstrated that we are a people of peace.

    “Our objectives and goals, as laid down by our founding fathers, demonstrate unity, national cohesion and economic prosperity for our nation.

    “This is the path we have continued to toe in our campaigns, in spite of provocations by the APC and the Buhari Presidency.

    “The PDP is therefore, alerting Nigerians to take serious note of this plot by the APC, which is tailored to smear the image of our party and candidates, as well as divert public attention from their acts and threats of violence ahead of the 2019 general election”.

  • PDP accuses lawmaker of being in possession of ‘destroyed’ PVCs

    Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has raised the alarm thousands of Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) destroyed by flood last year were in possession of the lawmaker representing Oredo West constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Okaeben.

    It said Hon Okaeben was spotted to be in possession of thousands of the supposedly destroyed PVCs and distributing same to his party loyalists and supporters.

    Edo Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, in a press statement said they party has received information on the role INEC Electoral Officers (EOs) were playing in the local government areas they were assigned to supervise.

    Nehikhare said the party was also aware of the N500,000.00 alert from Edo State government agents for the EOs  cooperation to smuggle APC members into the list of ad-hoc staff.

    He alleged that the EOs have given APC candidates PVCs in bulk to be distributing among their members while depriving other citizens and eligible voters their cards.

    Read Also: PDP not committed to peace accord, says BMO

    His words, “To mask this fraud, the EOs are claiming flood have destroyed them. We believe the cards with Okaeben are some of the purportedly destroyed PVC”.

    But, Hon. Okaeben who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC said the PDP was raising dust to create impression to Atiku and their national officers that they are on ground in Edo.

    Okaeben who threatened legal action against Nehikhare challenged him to produce produce evidence where he was distributing PVCs.

    His words, “It is clear that the opposition parties are not ready for elections but willing to cause commotion with a view to creating impression before the international community that they are being intimidated and harassed.

    “They do not have the money to pay their agents Edo. They are relying on River and Akwa Ibom state governments.

    “It is not a secret that they have turned Wike as their farm where they go to collect political support and political oxygen. To buttress their claims in their proposal to Wike, they decided to bring in my name to their failed project. I am not afraid of political battle. The PDP has no political base in Oredo.”