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  • ADP begins ward-to-ward campaigns in Edo

    The Action Democratic Party ( ADP ) is to kick start its ward-to-ward campaigns across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo on Monday.

    The party’s candidate for the Edo-South Senatorial district, Mr Ese Owie, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin on Wednesday.

    Owie, who said that the ADP was poised to win all the available elective positions in the state during the impending general elections, stressed that the people have shown a readiness to change the existing order.

    According to him, “The people of Edo State now have a renewed determination to do away with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

    “They have now come to see a better choice in our party, the ADP, a party that has come to change their fortunes for the better.’’

    The ADP candidate noted that the essence of the ward-to-ward campaigns was to take the message of hope to the people in their neighbourhoods throughout the state.

    Read Also: 2019: ADP denies endorsing Edo APC candidates

    “While I, as the party’s Senatorial candidate will be touring all the 77 wards in Edo-South with the message, similar activities will be taken across all the entire 192 wards of the state.

    “Starting from Monday and for the next two weeks, I will going round the nooks and crannies of the 77 wards of Edo-South.

    “The message is clear, and other political parties know it, that the ADP is the party to beat come February,’’ he stressed.

    The ADP is one of the 91 registered political parties in the country.

    INEC announced on Monday that there were 84, 004, 084 voters registered to vote in the 2019 general elections.

  • ‘Ojo APC to work for victory’

    The Ojo, Lagos arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to ensure it is victorious in the general elections.

    Its leader, Alhaji Rotimi Olorunfunmi, spoke at the inauguration of the Independent Campaign Group (YMC-ICG) in Ojo, which will lead the campaign of Prince Murisiku Durosinmi, a former chairman of Ojo Local Government, who is the APC candidate for the Ojo Federal Constituency.

    Olorunfunmi said: “Ojo Federal Constituency has over one million people who in the past three years have felt no quantum of good representation. All we have witnessed is the degradation of our values. This situation also makes us almost a loser in national politics.

    “This is the result you get when the people refuse to vote under a credible process, I mean a free and fair election. However, that will soon be a thing of the past.”

    He recalled the crisis that rocked the party’s  primary in Ojo Constituency last October,  imploring  party loyalists to sheath swords and work in harmony.

    “Yes, we had challenges which I considered normal. But I’m happy all that have been put behind us. We are now ready and united to claim what is duly ours.”

    Durosinmi thanked youths, students, party members and others for reposing so much confidence in his ability to deliver. He also appreciated them for standing by him when the going was tough. He thanked Olabode Makinde, who is the Director-General of  YMC-ICG,  for his tenacity and hard work, and urged members of the campaign to work with him.

    Durosinmi added: “Our campaign will be issue-based and we will maintain our responsible and responsive channel of communications with all members of the public.”

    He enumerated his agenda to include: forming a youth parliament; organising scholarships for students; as well as payment of stipend for the aged and widows.

    Others, according to him, include an empowering scheme for traders; reviving the moribund vocational centre for youths, an all-inclusive governance via bi-annual briefing, among several others.

     

  • One dead, MC Oluomo, three journalists, others injured at Lagos APC rally

    A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Afeez Ismail was on Tuesday shot dead when violence broke out at the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ikeja.

    Three journalists – The Nation Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu, New Telegraph correspondent, Temitope Ogunbanke and Ibile Television cameraman, Abiodun Yusuf- were hit by stray bullets during the ensuing melee.

    NURTW Oshodi Chairman Musiliu Akinsanya a.k.a MC Oluomo was attacked by suspected union members loyal to the State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.

    Scores of people were also injured.

    Read also: Photos from APC campaign rally

    The incidents occurred at a rally organised for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Skypower field, Ikeja.

    Ismail, popularly called Legacy, was shot in the head allegedly by a security detail of NURTW Chairman in Idumota, Azeez Lawal (A.k.a Kunle Poly).

    He was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where he was declared dead.

    Oluomo was stabbed in the stomach, hand and head.

    He is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Oladesu is receiving treatment at a private hospital

    Yusuf, who was hit by a stray bullet on his left arm, is recuperating at LASUTH.

    Our correspondent learnt many were robbed of their phones, money and other valuables.

  • Amechi’s leaked audio clip doctored – FG

     

    The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has declared the purported leaked audio of Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi criticising President Muhammadu Buhari was doctored.

    He also said the leak clip will not break the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

    The Minister, who stated this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, said the leaked audio was part of the “mudslinging’’ politics of the opposition”.

    “Again, the opposition is determined to ensure that the ongoing campaign for the 2019 elections is not based on issues but on mudslinging.

    “What is the point in shopping around for audio clips or publications that are then maliciously edited out of context?

    “Why do they think this will break our ranks in the ruling party?

    “What advantage do they think they can get from this infantile act?

    “Whoever wants to circulate any audio or video clip should do so in its entirety so that the people can understand the context.

    “Otherwise, let them continue wasting their time circulating an audio that is clearly designed to blackmail,’’ he said.

    The minister also said that the growing accusations that 9-Mobile and Keystone Bank were bought by President Muhammadu Buhari’s family members were part of the PDP’s Dubai agenda.

    He said the agenda reached in Dubai by the opposition was to “throw enough mud at the President and hope they can succeed in tainting his integrity’’.

    “The sooner the PDP realises this and retrace its steps, the better. President Buhari is globally acknowledged for his legendary integrity, and no one can tarnish it.

    “When its allegations were proved to be wrong, those behind the shameless allegation did not even have the decency to admit their lies and apologise to the nation.

    “This is bad politicking and it will not win more votes for the sinking PDP.

    “It is sad that instead of focusing on issues, all they spew are innuendos, lies and concocted stories,’’ he said.

    He said PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s campaign has lost steam and all it is doing is to make wild allegations not backed by facts.

    The minister also said that President Buhari should be commended for his decision to concentrate on his job rather than focussing on re-electioneering campaign.

    “The President, in his wisdom, said he would not want his work to be affected by electioneering campaign, and decided to hand over the responsibility of steering the campaign to Asiwaju.

    “That is within the President’s prerogative, and a mark of the confidence he reposed in Asiwaju.

    “How is this now a problem to the PDP? The President deserves accolades for putting the nation first, even with the elections approaching,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the mischievous insinuation from the opposition that the President handed over the campaign to Tinubu because he could withstand the rigours of electioneering campaign is absurd.

    “The President’s punishing daily schedule over the past months is more rigorous than any electioneering campaign.

    “Of course, it has never happened in the recent history of Nigeria that a President facing re-election will rather concentrate on his job rather than his campaign.

    “PDP, for one, cannot fathom this because of their brand of do-or-die politics.

    “Again, the President deserves commendation, not condemnation, for that decision,’’ he said.

  • APC cautions supporters against anti-party activities

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has advised its supporters against anti-party activities ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    Alhaji Ahmed Wambai, the National Vice Chairman of the party, gave the advice at the North Central zonal rally of the Women and Youths Presidential Campaign Team on Tuesday in Lafia.

    Wambai urged Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all other APC candidates in the polls.

    “Let us support all of our party’s candidates to ensure their victory in the forthcoming elections.

    “We should vote President Buhari and all other APC candidates at all levels, from the top to down and from the down to the top, please.

    “I advise you not to engage in anti-party activities as it is dangerous to the progress of the party,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Buhari seeks respect for democracy in Gabon

    He also enjoined the party supporters to work tirelessly for the victory of the party.

    He said that Buhari and Gov. Tanko Al-Makura had done a lot towards impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians, hence the need for Nigerians to re-elect the party.

    Wambai also called on Nigerians to pray and support Buhari and other APC leaders to enable them succeed in delivering the tasks ahead of them.

    The national vice chairman also urged the electorate to vote massively for the APC at all levels and jealously guard their votes.

    Besides, he urged those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) form the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do so in order to exercise their rights during the election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was well attended by politicians, various youths and women groups, among other well wishers.

  • Violence disrupts Lagos APC campaign rally

    The campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Lagos on Tuesday ended abruptly as violence broke out mid-way into the well-attended programme.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the Skypower Ground Ikeja venue with guns, daggers and other dangerous weapons, engaging one another in a bloody factional fight.

    The situation sent panic across the campaign ground as party members ran in different directions to avoid being hit by bullets being fired indiscriminately by the hoodlums.

    Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the situation.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was making a speech, had to leave the stage immediately and was guarded out of the venue together with his deputy, Mrs Idiat Adebule, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, and other prominent members of the party.

    Read Also: INEC to politicians: we don’t need your help on logistics

    Several people were injured in the violence, including two journalists who sustained minor bullet wounds.

    NAN correspondent who was at the venue could not ascertain if there was any loss of life at the time of filing this report.

    In the ensuing confusion, many people were dispossessed of their phones, money and other valuables by opportunistic pick-pockets and other criminals.

    NAN reports that a large number of party faithful were seen trekking to their various homes as there was a heavy vehicular traffic in the area because of the violence.

  • Pepperito Women lock down Lagos, canvass support for Osinowo,others 

     

    Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital city almost quaked along the popular Ikorodu road as a campaign group  “Pepperito Women” embarked on a massive roadshow to solicit support for Bayo Osinowo, the All Progressives Congress, Senatorial Candidate for Lagos East and other party’s candidates in the zone.
    The roadshow was led by the Director of the group, Mrs Kafilat Ogbara. It was a beautiful parade that caught the attention of onlookers and passers-by,.
    Pepperito is the popular nickname of Bayo Osinowo,  who is a top contender for the Lagos East seat, while ‘Pepperito Women’ is the femaile wing of the Bayo Osinowo Campaign Organization.
    During the roadshow, people gathered in multitude to watch the colorful procession, blended with captivating cultural displays and expression of specific skills by carnival dancers.
    The roadshow commenced from Jibowu Bus stop, Ikorodu road and terminated at Ikorodu Garage, with a stop-over at the Bayo Osinowo Campaign Headquarters, Kosofe,Lagos.
    At every bus stop along Ikorodu Road , a rallying call of ‘Pepperito 2019, Abuja Straight’ rented the air to  the admiration of passengers waiting at the various bus shelters.
    Speaking to newsmen during the roadshow, the Director said the roadshow was aimed at educating, sensitizing,  enlightening, and canvassing for women support  for the APC, stressing that women have a significant role to play in the polity.
    While describing women as ‘Better mobilizers’, she urged women from all walks of life domiciled in the district to vote for the APC candidates at all levels.
    “The 2019 general elections is just around the corner, hence, as the  women’s directorate, Bayo Osinowo Campaign Organization, we find it noteworthy during this electioneering period to solicit massive support for our symbol and other party’s candidates”
    “For us women, the forthcoming elections is significant, it is an avenue to prove a point that women have always been the better mobilizers, hence, we must vote for the All Progressives Congress to   ensure our demands are met in tandem to the next level drive of our country”
    A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola appealed to women in the district to vote for Osinowo, adding that a vote for him is a vote for women’s empowerment.
    “It is a common knowledge that top political positions in third world countries are taken by the male class, but among them, there is one political individual that has proven his unique qualities, and he is no other person than Hon Bayo Osinowo”
    “Overtime, he has proven to be gender sensitive and an advocate of Women’s empowerment, as we canvass for him time to time, I can only  assure all women in the district that his emergence will open a new paragraph to reward us a brighter future”
    On her part, the first Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke asserted that the senatorial candidate, “Bayo Osinowo is a good man,” having endeared himself to women through his philanthropic actions.
    The roadshow had in attendance Wife of the Hose of Assembly Candidate in Kosofe Constituency 1,Mrs Okalanwon, the State Treasurer of the Party,Lagos APC, the State Welfare Secretary,Lagos APC,  Alhaja Ramota, the Chairperson Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Omolola Oyesanya, the Vice Chairman Ikosi-Isheri LCDA , Princess  Bada Onikosi, Bola Kazeem, Mrs Jumoke Animaun among other notable women in Lagos State.

  • Do not sell your votes, Bagudu tells electorate

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has called on the electorate not to sell their permanent voter cards (PVCs) to any politician.

    The governor made the call during the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC ) campaign rally at Maiyama Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

    Bagudu said the electorate should jealously guard their PVCs against unscrupulous politicians, who go round buying PVCs, especially in rural areas.

    “Chase away any politician who gives out money to collect PVCs for whatever reason.

    “Do not sell your PVC, your PVC is your vote and if you sell your PVC, you sell your conscience and you cannot vote for the candidate of your choice during any election,” he said.

    The governor enjoined the electorate to report any politician who attempted to buy PVCs to the appropriate authorities.

    Read Also: PDP suspends Deputy National Chairman (North)

    The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his economic diversification agenda, adding that it gave opportunity for people in the state to excel in rice production.

    Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bala Kangiwa, told the mammoth crowd that the campaign would be issue based.

    He said APC would showcase its projects to the people to see in every local government area.

  • PDP suspends Deputy National Chairman (North)

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has suspended its Deputy National Chairman (North) Sen. Gamawa Babayo, over allegation of dereliction of duty and anti-party activity.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said that Babayo was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The committee held an extra-ordinary session on Jan. 5, where it critically reviewed the petition against the deputy national chairman (North).

    “The NWC found merit in the petition on allegation of dereliction of duty and anti-party activity as contained in Section 58 (1) e, f, g, h of the PDP Constitution.

    “Therefore, in exercise of section 29 (2) a, b and c, the NWC hereby invokes Section 59 (1) d of the constitution of the PDP on the Deputy National Chairman (North) and accordingly suspends him from the party immediately.”

    Read Also: Nigeria lost $2.8bn in revenue in 2018 — report

    The PDP has been buffeted by a wave of desertions by members in both the North West and North East of the party.

    On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari formally received various members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Support Groups from the North East, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In Kano, a former governorship candidate, Engineer Bello Sani-Gwarzo dumped the party and also joined the APC.

  • Osun: PDP, Adeleke’s witnesses allege over-voting

    Proceedings resumed on Monday before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja with the petitioners calling 10 more witnesses.

    The petitioners – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – are contesting the outcome of the election won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The 10 witnesses called on Monday by the petitioners brought to 34 the number of witnesses so far called by the petitioners, who planned to call over 100.

    All the witnesses called on Monday, most of who were barely literate artisans, alleged that there were over-voting at the polling units where they served as agents of the PDP.

    Some of the witnesses could not read the statements they claimed to have signed and adopted before the tribunal on Monday as their evidence in chief in the case.

    The witnesses, most of whom could also not express themselves fluently in English language, were however unable to substantiate their allegations of over-voting.

    When asked, under cross-examination, to provide proof of their claimed over-voting, the witnesses would point to some alterations in the result sheets tendered before the court.

    When reminded, by respondents’ lawyers, that they signed the said result sheets on their own volition, the witnesses would claim to have signed after protesting.

    At a point, some of the witnesses became unruly as they refused to answer questions under cross-examination, thereby necessitating occasional intervention by tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo.

    Some of the witnesses, also confessed, under cross-examination, that they were not the actual PDP’s agents, whose names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the election.

    One of the witnesses, Mrs. Victoria Fadeke Alo admitted that it was actually another agent – Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo – who signed the result sheet as agent of the PDP in the polling unit she claimed to have represented the party.

    Under cross-examination by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who appeared for Oyetola, Mrs Alo admitted that she was not the Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo, whose name appeared on the result sheet as the PDP agent.

    Another witness, Oyedokun Wasiu Soyode, who said he acted as PDP agent at Polling Unit 9, Ward 5 in Ejigbo Local Government also admitted not being the actual agent whose name was sent to INEC.

    Soyode, who was cross-examined by John Baiyeshea (SAN), who took over from Olanipekun, said his name was not on the list of party agent sent to INEC.

    He said it was his brother, Lateef Taiwo, who was the original agent whose name was sent to INEC, but took ill on the election day and was later admitted in the hospital.

    He said the development informed why he was asked to take his brother’s place.

    Also, Shehu Mufutau Alani , who said he acted as PDP agent in Unit 8, Ward 7, Iwo Local Government, also admitted not being the party agent, whose name was submitted to INEC.

    He said one Fadirat Isiaka, whose name was submitted fell sick few day before the election, a development that informed his choice as a replacement.

    Read Also: Senate to NLC: shelve minimum wage strike

    Under cross-examination by lawyer to the APC, Lasun Sanusi (SAN), Ajani said his lawyer wrote the witness’s statement, which he signed.

    He denied knowledge of where the lawyer got the information he wrote on the statement.

    Oyedele Waliu Ayinla, who said he acted as PDP agent at Unit 002, Ward 9 in Egbedore Local Government, could not read his statement when asked to read a portion of it.

    He was the petitioners’ last witness for the day. Further hearing continues Tuesday, Jan. 8.