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  • APC, group decry slow pace of CVR in Kwara

    APC, group decry slow pace of CVR in Kwara

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has decried the slow pace of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    APC spokesman Alhaji Sulyman Buhari said in a statement that the preliminary report from 193 wards showed that the registration process was slow.

    “With the massive turnout of would-be voters, one  registration machine per polling booth is inadequate. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to find a solution to the drawback.”

    A group, Kwara Change Initiative, has enjoined INEC to overcome the challenges slowing down the CVR process.

    The group’s coordinator, Mr. Kayode Oyin-Zubair, said the process could be better if the commission fixed the challenges being encountered.

    Said he: “In our observation in some local governments, we realised that the challenges the INEC officials and would-be voters faced were technical problems. In some of the wards, the Data Capturing machines could not be powered, as the battery was either not charged or faulty. This is understandable, as some of the machines were last used in 2011; when such an exercise was last conducted.

    “It is also necessary for the commission to increase the number of machines used in the one centre opened in each ward. We noticed that registration centres were only opened at the ward collation centre with just one Data Capturing Machine. This is inadequate, going by the number of days available for the exercise and the large turnout of people in many of the centres.

    “The commission should have taken into consideration that with about 76 polling units already cancelled in eight local governments for reasons of incomplete registration, there will be a high concentration of voters in those areas and therefore the need for the provision of more machines and officials.

    “The slow pace of the exercise in most of the places, if unchecked will deny many the right to vote in the elections. The defence that the exercise is a continuous one is not in the best interest of INEC and the electorate.

    “We submit that if this round of CVR achieves optimal result, the burden on the commission in preparing for the general elections in a few months will be reduced and it will have time for the poll that will hold simultaneously in 30 states.”

  • Lagos 2015: Lagos APC ‘ll not impose candidates

    Lagos 2015: Lagos APC ‘ll not impose candidates

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe spoke with reporters in Lagos on preparations for next year’s elections and other partisan issues. Excerpts:

    After Ekiti and Osun polls, what next for the APC in the Southwest?

    The APC is fighting like a wounded lion now . We went to sleep while the elections were going on in Ekiti State and the thieves, armed robbers, common criminals broke our doors and windows and stole everything. They took all the things Ekiti people hold very dear and gave them nothing but expired drugs, expired clothes, expired food and expired leadership. It took the rocking of our boat in Ekiti State to wake us up to realise that we have armed robbers at the gates. In the Osun election no stone was left unturned. Everybody was mobilised to defend the integrity of the State of Osun. In Osun, they met DSS, Poilce, Army, Road Safety and others, 73000 in number led by Senator Obanikoro, Buruji, Chris Ubah, Femi Fani-Kayode and others. They gripped and choked Osun State with arms and billions of naira. It was a fight to finish, but the people of the State of Osun held their ground. They were ready to die for what they believe in. The network of APC leaders throughout the federation gathered for the final battle. Both sides knew what was at stake. If Osun had been allowed to be stolen by the PDP, the thieves would have jolted the foundation of the APC.

    What were the lessons the APC has learned from the two elections?

    We have learnt the hard lessons of history that, if you are surrounded by enemies, you do not go to sleep. We learnt the lesson also that those who want the status quo to continue in Nigeria are working day and night while we go to sleep. We were taught the lesson that the criminal gang that has decimated and destroyed Nigeria in the past 15 years are getting bolder and can stop at nothing to hold Nigeria hostage. We learnt that Osun people are no cowards. We learnt that Osun people can refuse food, even on empty stomach. We learnt that the State of Osun people do not subscribe to politics of the stomach or infrastructure of the stomach.

    Can the APC survive in Adamawa by-election?

    APC is working for now and we do not want to reveal our strategies. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it in Adamawa. Political equation in Nigeria is now balanced between the APC and the PDP and no one can predict what is going to happen. We now clearly understand their tricks and plans. The PDP knows it is in for a big trouble in Nigeria and this is giving them sleepless nights. They are now coming to terms that things may never be the same again in Nigeria.

    PDP chieftain Jimi Agbaje has said that real governance has stopped in Lagos State since 2011. What is your view?

    After the setbacks we had in Ekiti, political feather weights went to town to celebrate mediocrity. One of them is Jimi Agbaje. Basking in the euphoria that the PDP has come to capture the Southwest, Jimi Agbaje suddenly woke up to dust up his pipe dream of ruling Lagos. Now, how does this man want to kick start his politics of dreaming to rule Lagos in 2015? He said: “Real governance stopped in Lagos state since 2011”. Now,  what does this guy know about governance? Where has he worked before? Where is his pedigree that will support his dream? What is the experience? Where are the antecedents? Apart from running a small pharmacy shop in Apapa, what else can Jimi Agbaje tell Lagosians to convince them he has the potential to drive the huge ship called Lagos? Where is the energy, the strength and the power to pilot the affairs of the sleepless Lagos? Can you open a door with the wrong key? Is it possible for Jimi Agbaje to climb Mount Everest with barehands? If Jimi Agbaje says Lagos government stopped working in 2011, then, one is compelled to conclude that he cannot get it. He must be a liar from the pit of hell. Jimi Agbaje is just changing facts to fit his baseless position. If Jimi Agbaje had known what governance is all about, he would not have made this scandalous statement. A powerful legacy, speaking for itself, has been laid in Lagos in the past 15 years. When the time comes, wise Lagosians, who can see and feel Fashola’s work, will reply Jimi Agbaje. Two plus two is five for Jimi Agbaje because he wants to rule Lagos through the back door, but those who know that two plus two is four will force common sense into his brain when the time comes, although common sense is not common. Please take it or leave it PDP has no place in Lagos.

    If the PDP fields Agbaje for the next year’s governorship election in Lagos State, can the APC candidate defeat him?

    The APC will field a trusted and tested candidate in Lagos and I tell you, Jimi Agbaje will be no match to him because he has no cognate experience in the art of governance. I do not know why we are trying to make a counterfeit currency to look like the real money. I do not know why you are making the comparison here when you have not known our candidate.

    How will the APC governorship flag bearer emerge in Lagos?

    The APC candidate in Lagos will emerge through a free and fair process. We are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to achieve perfection in this aspect. We have not forgotten that only the best is good enough for Lagos. All eyes are on us and our leaders will never disappoint the wise Lagosians. A solid foundation has been laid for Lagos to join the great destinations in the world and Lagos leaders are aware of it and they will bring this to bear in choosing Fashola’s successor. Huge and monumental projects are still ongoing in Lagos and Lagos leaders will consider all this in choosing the man of the moment. Southwest, Lagos and Nigeria will not be disappointed in fishing out the would-be governor.

    What are your fears for next year’s elections?

    My fear for 2015 is that President Jonathan’s handlers are getting desperate in their inordinate ambition  to return the man to power by all means. Free and fair process makes no meaning to them at this stage. We saw the desperation in Ekiti State. We saw it again displayed in the State of Osun. In 2015, the PDP is expected to get more desperate as events unfold. Southwest Nigeria is the deciding factor and APC leaders are aware of this. We are battle ready for the thieves at the gates. They will meet their waterloo in Lagos. I pity anybody who will test the strength and capacity of Lagosians.

     

  • APC: ban on rallies affront to democracy

    APC: ban on rallies affront to democracy

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has described the police ban on rallies and political meetings in the state as an affront to democracy and the constitution.

    The command said on Tuesday that its ban on rallies and meetings was still in force.

    It added: “The Nigeria Police as an institution established by the law must allow itself to be guided by the law and history, rather than arbitrariness.”

    State APC spokesman Alhaji Sulyman Buhari said: “The ban is not only illegal and unwarranted, it is also null and void.”

    He added: “The command lacks the power to ban rallies, processions and meetings. Only the governor, who doubles as the chief security officer, has such power.

    “The right to freedom of conscience, expression, assembly and association of the people, as guaranteed by sections 38, 39 and 40 of the constitution cannot be violated by the Police, an institution responsible for the enforcement of same rights.”

    On the directive that party agents should stay away from polling units during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), APC said: “CVR is conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not the command. It was INEC that requested the participation of parties and deployment of agents in polling booths. In any electoral process, the duty of the police is to ensure compliance with INEC laws and guidelines, not to give counter orders that are unlawful.

    “The command should be reminded that when a commissioner of police attempted to impose ban on rallies in Rivers State, the ban was defeated by the law and the people.

    “When a police commissioner banned rallies and protests in Abuja in June, the Inspector-General of Police overruled the ban and said Nigerians have a right to organise protests and rallies.

    “Besides, the statement conveying the purported ban  did not explain why rallies were banned and where the command derived such power. There is no basis for such a ban in Kwara.

    “APC holds that the rights of Kwarans must not be infringed upon by the police. The command should stop any attempt to arrest the freedom of our people. Kwara State is not under siege. No form of siege, not even the police siege, is acceptable to our party and the indigenes.

    “Since we have highlighted and proved that the ban is illegal and unconstitutional, the command should rescind its decision.”

  • APC decries plan to arrest chair in Borno

    APC decries plan to arrest chair in Borno

    •Urges DSS to shun partisanship

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried the plan by the Department of State Service (DSS), acting at the behest of some politicians, to arrest its chairman in Borno State, Ali Abubakar Dalori, on trumped-up charges.

    The party said it is capable of precipitating crisis in an already-volatile environment.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said the situation in Borno is already very dire, hence no one should add fuel to a raging fire simply because of scorched-earth politics.

    It warned the DSS to resist the growing temptation to dabble into politics, even while it is becoming glaring that the agency is being compromised under the present political dispensation.

    “The careless and clearly partisan statements being made by DSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar have shown discerning Nigerians the direction in which the agency is leaning. However, it must still exercise caution in order not to spark a needless crisis in Borno.

    “We have it on good authority that with the recent movement of Ali Modu Sheriff to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attempts are being made to destabilise the APC in Borno, using agencies of the state like the DSS. The take-off point is the arrest of our chairman in the state on trumped-up charges.

    “Let those seeking to trigger a crisis in Borno know that the indigenes are resolute in their determination to ensure a level-playing field in the run-up to the 2015 elections. It is curious that the DSS has suddenly unearthed supposed offences committed by Dalori to warrant his arrest, now that Sheriff has defected to the PDP.

    “We are compelled to warn the DSS that as an organ of state, it cannot afford to be partisan. An agency being sustained by the taxpayers cannot turn around to hunt the same taxpayers. An agency that is supposed to protect Nigerians cannot be the same agency being used to witch-hunt the opposition.

    “Unless the DSS turns a new leaf and stops making itself a tool in the hands of politicians, the agency will ridicule itself and weaken its capacity to function effectively,” APC said.

    The party urged the DSS and other security agencies to concentrate their efforts on arresting the daily carnage being perpetrated in Borno and other states by Boko Haram, instead of allowing those who helped to precipitate the carnage in the first instance to further destabilise the state.

     

  • Police: ban on rallies still in force

    Police: ban on rallies still in force

    The Kwara State Police Command said the ban on public rallies, processions and political meetings is still in force.

    It said voters’ registration, which begins today, will hold in only eight local governments. They are Asa, Ilorin South and West, Irepodun, Isin, Moro and Offa.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said: “Continuous voters’ registration will take place in the 16 local governments between August 20 and 25.”

    Former governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yet to be captured in the permanent voters card exercise to participate in the continuous registration exercise.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will start a six-day continuous registration of voters in the state today.

     

  • Lagos 2015: Politicians unfold ambition

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Lagos have been unfolding their ambitions, ahead of next year’s general elections.

    Former Chief Press Secretary to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, Comrade Kehinde Bamigbetan, has unfolded his ambition for the House of Representatives in Osodi/Isolo Constituency 11. The out-going Chairman of Ejigbo Council will face the federal legislator, Hakeem Muniru, at the primaries. In Osodi/Isolo Constituency 1, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Lateef Raji, is warming up for the primaries. He is interested in the House of Representatives slot.

    In Lagos Mainland, party sources said that the out-going Chairman of Yaba Council, Hon. Jide Jimoh, may obtain the nomination form for the House of Representatives. The grassroots politician was a member of the house of Assembly between 1999 and 2007.

    In Kosofe Constituency, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Bosun Jeje, is warming up for the House of Representatives election. Also in the race are former Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Prince rotimi Agunsoye and the youth activist, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Balogun, the leader of Total Loyalty Association.

    In Lagos East Senatorial District, former Somolu Council Chairman and member of the State Executive Council, has informed the party leadership about his ambition to contest for the Senate. He said: “Since it is now clear that Senator Gbenga Ashafa is interested in the governorship, the seat will be vacant in 2015. I am contesting to serve our people in the National Assembly”.

    In Alimoso Constituency, aspirants are also jostling for the House of Representatives seat. The federal legislator, Hon. Solomon Adeola, is said to be eyeing the senatorial slot in Yewa Division of Ogun State. Among the contenders for the House of Representatives slot are the Information and Strategy Commissioner, Hon. Lateef Ibirogba, House of Assembly member Hon. Bisi Yusuf. However, a top APC chieftain said: “If the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, shows interest in the slot, she will be highly favoured by constituents and the party leadership”.

    A journalist, Abiola Folayan, has declared his interest in the House of Representatives at Ifako/Ijaye Constituency. He is challenging the federal legislator, Hon. Yomi Ogunsusi at the primaries.

  • Ade Ajayi: Buhari condoles with Fayemi

    Ade Ajayi: Buhari condoles with Fayemi

    Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on the death of eminent historian and former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Jacob Ade Ajayi.

    Gen. Buhari, who is also a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described Ade Ajayi as “one of Nigeria’s greatest academics”.

    The former leader, in his condolence letter to the governor, said Ade Ajayi contributed immensely to knowledge, especially in the field of History.

    He said:”In the last 50 years, all primary, secondary and university students in Nigeria, who read History, would have been familiar with the great historian.

    “He was a teacher to all of us and a major contributor to our store of knowledge and scholarship.

    “His contribution to History has not been excelled by any Nigerian.

    “If there was a Nobel Prize for historical research, I feel confident that Prof. Ade Ajayi would have won it.”

  • Lagos assures residents on potable water supply by 2020

    Lagos assures residents on potable water supply by 2020

    •Fashola inaugurates two schools

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has assured residents of the government’s commitment in meeting the demand of potable water supply by 2020.

    Fashola, who gave the assurance yesterday after inspecting the Adiyan Water Works, said the project was designed to put an end to water scarcity.

    He said: “The construction work on the Adiyan Water Works Phase II is in top gear. The contractor has showed that they could work at night and hopefully, this will speed up the construction.

    “This is the third major water works in the state. The first was the Iju Water Works, which was built at about 1910. There was no major intervention until 1991 when Adiyan Water Works Phase I was constructed. That is a long time and the population continued to grow.”

    The governor said the government had also built many mini and micro water works.

    Fashola added that the water project is a medium term plan, stressing that the long term plan is to build more in partnership with the private sector.

    “This is direct government funding. The long-term plan is that we will need more of this to be able to hit the water demand for the residents. The plan is that by 2020, we should be able to meet the plan of the state’s citizens.”

    The governor noted that the provision of water alone was never the answer to water scarcity, but “minimisation of waste and conservation.”

    The governor also defied a downpour to commission an 18-classroom block at Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School on College Road, Ifaki- Ijaiye and First African Primary School, Iju-Ishaga.

    He urged the residents to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy.

  • Impunity writ large

    Impunity writ large

    Nigerians ought to be alarmed at the emerging symptoms of political Ebola in Nassarawa State given its implications both for the health of our badly scarred democracy and the future of Africa’s most populous nation. I refer to the alleged plan by Nassarawa lawmakers to re-open impeachment proceedings against Governor Tanko Al-Makura after an earlier attempt was botched. While Nigerians may claim to have seen enough of the disease of impunity in the sundry acts of institutional abuses by an out-of-control federal government; there is something in the latest attempt that speaks to a potentially more ravaging, debilitating malignancy.

    Of course, we know the story. Late last month, 20 PDP members of the 24-member Nassarawa House of Assembly decided that the APC governor’s time was up. In all, they listed 16 offences– the usual stuff (contrived?)– to justify their bid to remove him.  Armed with a resolution, they directed the Chief Judge to constitute an impeachment panel.

    Problem Number One was that the House intended the Chief Judge to function as a mere undertaker – as against the constitutional role impartial constitutional arbiter – to finish the job. Problem number two was that the Chief Judge, Suleiman Dikko couldn’t imagine playing the errand boy for a group of unruly lawbreakers pretending to be lawmakers.

    A looming clash of titans? You bet. And so, the Chief Judge chose a panel of seven, who in his opinion would do the job according to the law. The lawmakers smelt a rat. They ordered the respected Chief Judge to disband his panel alleging that one or two was not qualified. They also made clear their preference for another panel either of their own choosing or one to be approved by them. The Chief Judge wouldn’t be persuaded that anything was wrong with the panel and so refused to bulge. The House fulminated. No matter. The panel went into business.

    To be sure, it was not a question of the law being ambiguous about who had the authority to exercise the discretion. Indeed, it appears to be the one instance where constitutional provisions do not lend to any ambiguity. While it is the lot of the lawmakers to kick off the process, nowhere in the law is the House conferred with absolute discretion on the process. This, unfortunately, the House chose not to understand.

    In the end, the panel returned NOT GUILTY verdict on the man that the House would rather have his head on a platter!

    Under the law, the case was deemed permanently closed: it was clear that the lawmakers had not only blown the chance to oust the governor, they had fully exhausted the provisions of the law in the bid.

    That however has since turned out to be one bitter pill that the House would rather not swallow hence the fresh bid to oust the governor. Indeed, it would appear that the Nassarawa lawmakers see themselves as not just above the law, but far beyond the niceties of checks and balances ingrained into the political process hence their latest gambit to draft a vacation judge to finish up the job left by an unwilling Chief Judge!

    The implication of this must be seen as truly frightening. First is the danger in the desperate resort to self-help by the PDP lawmakers; the idea that the House is prepared to have its way by any means no matter how illegitimate – or treasonable – and that there is nothing that anyone – not even the electors of Nassarawa – can do about it!

    The other is the signal being sent out – that PDP would only accept its preferred outcome – even that means undermining a vital institution of democracy like the judiciary. Why not go to court if the issue is that Justice Dikko actually breached the law in the setting up of the impeachment panel? Would the drafting of the vacation judge to do their bidding automatically set aside the earlier proceedings? Would the trial of the governor by another panel for the same offence not amount to double jeopardy?

    And finally, would it not amount to a usurpation of the power of the chief judge – a clear breach of the constitution? How would that pan out with the constitutional provision which confers finality to proceedings in the event that the panel returns the no guilty as in the present case?

    Nigerians are watching how this plays out. However, with General Elections barely six months away, they must wonder at the game plan; the interests being served by the activities of the bunch of delinquent lawmakers sworn to truncate an orderly process. While it seems clear that the sponsors of mayhem cannot see the danger signals in the precipitous descent into the famed Hobessian jungle, Nigerians have a lot to worry about in what the development portends for their democracy.

    And where do we go from here? From hooded democracy to the rule of might? And where does that lead? Your guess is as good as mine.

  • APC woman leader urges women to get PVCs

    APC woman leader urges women to get PVCs

    The National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has urged women to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) in the ongoing national distribution of the cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the woman leader said the cards are meant to ensure that voters’ power to use their cards to legitimately elect their representatives is not compromised.

    Hajia Aliyu said: “It is important to emphasise that our democracy can draw immeasurable strength from the exercise because it represents a veritable instrument to ensure that the people, to whom power resides, exercise their franchise in the legitimate pursuit of free choice and popular sovereignty.”

    The woman leader urged that women should realise that without the sacred power to vote in a democracy, they can hardly effect the change which they desire for the sake of our collective happiness and fulfilment.

    Her words: “Nigerian women constitute over fifty percent of active voters during elections in the country. It is therefore, important that they avail themselves of the historic opportunity offered by the exercise to strengthen their electoral value and consolidate their demographic advantage, especially as we approach the 2015 general election.

    “Accordingly, I call on Nigerian Women to rise in unison and ensure their active participation in the exercise. They should troop out en-mass and ensure that they collect their permanent voter’s card so that their votes will not only count but make the difference during elections.

    “I urge that in the prevailing circumstance, our women should reaffirm their faith in democratic change and strengthen their resolve to enthrone good governance rooted in popular franchise, free and fair elections and robust democratic engagement.”