The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APGA

  • Imo: APGA faults Ihedioha’s declaration

    …Demands cancellation of poll

    The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has rejected the results of the governorship election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha was declared governor-elect by the Returning Officer, Prof. Francis Otunta.

    But APGA in a statement signed by its state secretary, Eberendu Alphonsus, said that the PDP candidate failed to meet the constitutional requirements of 25% of total votes cast in 2/3 of the 27 Local Government Areas in the State.

    READ ALSO: We will deploy 20,000 ad-hoc personnel in Imo for 2019 election- REC

    The party therefore called for the total cancellation of the election, stating that “it is absolutely unconstitutional to declare a candidate that did not meet with the Constitutional requirement as winner”.

    It also accused of complicity in the irregularities that marred the election, especially by accepting the results from the three Local Government Areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte, which the party noted were heavily manipulated.

    According to the statement, “many INEC officials were compromised and made themselves available for manipulation and doctoring of genuine results in favour of the PDP. The open complicity of INEC officials in the electoral fraud that marred the election, even made the State Returning Officer order the arrest of some of these officials.

    “We state without equivocation that this election failed to meet with all known standards in civilised democracy. The substantial noncompliance with the Electoral Act by INEC in the conduct of this election makes it imperative that it should be cancelled. This is the only way to ensure peace and justice in the State”.

  • Ekwueme to Igbos: don’t allow parties tear us apart

    Wife of former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dame Beatrice Ekwueme, has urged the Igbos not to allow their different political parties divide them.

    Ekwueme made the call during the 5th Biennial Inter House Sports Competition of her school at the Federal Polytechnic Sports Centre, Oko, Anambra state.

    She asked the Igbos to borrow a leaf from the Northerners and Westerners who place their origin above party affiliations.

    She said, “Both Hausas and Yorubas place their origin above political parties. Ndi Igbo should think towards similar direction.

    “First and foremost, a Yoruba knows that he is a Yoruba before being a member of a political party.

    “An Hausa indigene knows that he is Hausa before being a member of a political party. Ndi Igbo, let us think and never allow party politics to tear us apart.’’

    READ ALSO: Embrace your culture, Eze Ndigbo advises Nigerians

    Candidate for House of Assembly election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in  LGA, Mr Emeka Aforka commended the school for setting the pace for others to follow.

    Aforka, who launched the 2nd edition of the school’s calendar, thanked Governor Willie Obiano for extending his good governance to the council area.

    He urged the people of the area to vote for all APGA candidates in the State House of Assembly election on Saturday.

  • Abia: APGA candidate demands cancellation of Obingwa LG results

    Senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia South zone, Chief Chris Nkwonta, has called for the cancellation of results of the just concluded National Assembly election for Abia South senatorial election over alleged irregularities.

    Addressing a press conference in Aba, Nkwonta said there was widespread irregularities across the 11 wards of the local government, stressing that what held in Obingwa LGA could best be described as allocation of votes.

    He stated that reports from his agents indicated that there were snatching of ballot boxes, massive rigging at the ward and local government collation centres.

    Urging INEC to conduct fresh polls in the area, Nkwonta also alleged that there were irregularities in some wards in Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo local government areas respectively.

    “There was no election in Obingwa LGA. What took place was snatching of ballot boxes, intimidation of APGA agents and massive inflation of figures by the PDP. There are several cases of over voting. In Unit 002, Ward 11 the number of accredited voters was 78 while the votes cast is 103. In Unit 006, Ward 11, the number of accredited voters was 70 while votes cast were 270.  In the same Ward 11, there were cases of missing results in Units 003 and 015, but they still manufactured votes in favour of the PDP without result sheet.

    Read Also: PDP members join APGA in Anambra

    “In most wards, total votes cast were more than the number of voters accredited for the election. In ward 7, results sheets were mutilated beyond recognition. In wards 004 and 009, correction fluid was used to mutilate result sheets. It is common knowledge that correction fluids are not used in official documents, as this invalidates such document.

    “In ward 5, Unit 004, the ballot box was snatched and recovered by security agents. The results from wards 7 and 4 took more than 24 hours to be brought to the Obingwa LGA collation centre because the PDP  waited to know the total votes cast from the other 5 LGAs for them to manipulate to win.

    “In an election that was characterized by low turnout, my opponent, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is claiming bogus figures. This is untenable. So, what took place in Obingwa can only be described as allocation of votes. I demand the cancellation of the Abia South senatorial poll in Obingwa LGA because it was marred by irregularities. INEC should do the needful.”

    Nkwonta insisted that he would defeat Abaribe in a free and fair poll, stressing that the senator has failed to attract democracy dividends to the zone in his 12 year stint at the Senate.

  • ‘APGA going extinct’

    Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State have called for the removal of the National Chairman, Victor Oye, following the party’s performance is Saturday’s elections.

    The party’s leadership has been widely condemned for its alleged role in the “shameful loss” in both the Senatorial and House of Representative elections.

    A party chieftain, Chief Solomon Nwoko, alleged that the leadership of Chief Victor Oye drew the party, which suddenly became the beautiful bride of politicians who wanted to achieve their ambitions, ten steps backward.

    He said: “The choice of Chief Oye as the National Chairman was the party’s greatest mistake, and it will take his removal to get the party on its feet again.

    “There is no commitment in the national leadership to continue to dominate the Southeast, as it started wrongly by conducting one of the worst primaries, with complaints from Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States.”

    According to Nwoko, apart from Victor Umeh who deserved automatic ticket being a National Chairman and also a sitting Senator, other candidates should have emerged through open and competitive primary elections.

    “The defeat of the three APGA senatorial candidates was the greatest minus of the party built and sustained by Chief Victor Umeh and his Secretary Alhaji Shinkafi.

    “The spirit of Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu is fighting back, and working against the party’s national leadership after the disgrace and disrespect of his beloved wife Bianca, who was denied ticket,” Nwoko insisted.

    Another party faithful, Chijioke Nwankpa, said: “APGA goofed when Dim Ojukwu’s wife was denied the ticket, and instead of pacifying her, she was insulted by the party national leadership, accusing her of anti-party activities, and they even threatened to expel her.

    “The only way to save APGA from its imminent extinction is by dissolving the national leadership and constituting a new, serious and committed executive that will shun money to rebuild the party, otherwise, the party will never produce the governor of Anambra State in the next election.”

  • Barde wins Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency in Kaduna

    The incumbent member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Umar Yakubu Barde has been reelected to represent his constituency for the fifth term.

    Hon. Barde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who is the minority whip at the green chambers garnered total votes of 92,547 to defeat his closest opponent Barrister Bashir Yahaya Wushiri of APC who scored 34,022 and Ekene Abubakar Adams of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) who polled 16,813 votes.

    In the keenly contested election, Hon. Barde polled 69,416 votes in Chikun local government area and 23,131 votes in Kajuru local government area.

    Barrister Wushiri of the APC scored 23,505 votes in Chikun local government area and 10,517 in Kajuru local government area.

    Mr. Adams got 11,636 votes in Chukun local government area and 5,177 in Kajuru local government area.

    Announcing the result at the collation centre at Kujama headquarters of Chikun local government area of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, Professor Emmanuel Bamidele from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said, “Yakubu Umar Barde haven satisfied and scored the highest votes cast is hereby declared winner and returned elected.”

  • APGA wins Anambra East/West Federal Constituency

    The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), Mr Chinedu Obidigwe has been declared winner of the Anambra East and West Federal Constituency election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Obidigwe polled a total of 28,657 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ernest Nwoye of the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 9,574 votes.

    Announcing the result of the election at INEC Collation Centre, Otuocha, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, said the APGA candidate had satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the contest.

    He described the election as free and fair and in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and the electoral act.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the announcement, Obidigwe expressed gratitude to God for using the people of the constituency to actualize his political aspiration.

    He pledged to translate the victory to quality representation of his constituents at the green chamber of the Senate.

  • Imo: Uzodinma, Araraume boycott Peace Parley

    …as Nwosu, others sign pact

     

    The governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Araraume, Tuesday boycotted the signing of a Peace pact by candidates participating in the general election in Imo State.

    Also absent at the event organised by the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) was a former governor of the State and candidate of the Accord party, Ikedi Ohakim.

    Meanwhile the governorship candidates of the Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu and that of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, signed the Agreement alongside other candidates including Ikenna Emmanuel of the Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Linus Okorie of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), among others.

    Addressing the candidates shortly before the signing of the Agreement which was witnessed by Security Chiefs, Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), religious leaders and journalists, the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, urged the politicians to play by the rules and jettison all forms of violence.

    According to him, the State has witnessed relative peace when compared to other states in the Federation, as a result of the “cooperation and support of the people of the state”.

    He said, “You will agree with me that this hard earned peace and tranquility we enjoy and experience in Imo State should be guarded jealously, thus, we have no other option than to ensure this endures before, during and after the elections”.

    In his brief speech, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Pro. Francis Ezeonu assured that INEC is prepared to conduct credible election that will meet the aspirations of all the parties

    He restated his commitment to provide level playing ground for all the political parties participating in the election, while pleading with the candidates to abide by rules and regulations guiding the election.

  • Umeh refutes alleged N26m misappropriation

    The senator representing Anambra Central District and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Feb. 16 poll, Chief Victor Umeh, has dismissed alleged misappropriation of N26 million belonging to the 109 electoral wards in the Senatorial district.

    A group of aggrieved party members who were ward Chairmen when Umeh was National Chairman of the party between 2006-2015 had on Tuesday, accused the senator of misappropriating the sum.

    The group known as G21 in a communique signed by its spokesmen, Mr. Leo Nwokoye, threatened to work against Umeh’s Senatorial ambition unless he returned the money to the wards.

    They also claimed they were yet to be recognised by the APGA government in the State since 2015 despite all their contributions towards the sustenance of the party.

    But reacting through his media aide, Emeka Odionu, Umeh insisted that his accusers were sponsored by his political enemies who were afraid of losing the election.

    He wondered why such allegations would be leveled against him when he was not in charge of the party treasury.

    He said, “There is no such money under my custody and I am neither the financial secretary nor the treasurer of the party to answer to the allegation.

    “We all are aware of the antics of some people who are apprehensive about my winning the Febuary 16 Senatorial election and they’re trying everything possible to stop me.

    “We know where they are coming from and they have failed in their plot because Anambra people have become wiser and they are not new to this desperate style of politics.

    “My tenure as National Chairman produced a two-term governor of a state and also midwifed APGA to APGA transition from an out-going governor to the in-coming one.

    “Such success stories could not have been told if I did all they’re alleging and I wish to urge the public to discountenance the allegation as it smacks name dropping and cheap black mail.”

    While urging members of his constituency not to be distracted by paid agents, Umeh reassured his readiness to sustain effective representation of his district.

  • ‘Obiano remains APGA national leader’

    The Anambra State government has debunked reports that Governor Willie Obiano has left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, said Obiano remains the party’s National Leader and Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).

    The statement reads: “Various political forces have devised all kinds of methods to obtain Governor Willie Obiano’s support to enhance their chances in the general election. Some have gone as far as claiming that Obiano has defected to their parties.

    “Investigations have revealed that those spreading this rumour are agents of two of the three leading political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). But the government hereby states that the reports are false; Governor Obiano remains both APGA’s National Leader and Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).

    “He has been campaigning for APGA’s candidates, including Gen. John Gbor, the party’s presidential candidate. He has been consistent in telling supporters to vote for only APGA candidates. He has never asked Anambra people to vote APGA candidates in some elections and candidates of other parties in another election.

    “Obiano’s policy of constructive engagement, as opposed to confrontation, in his relationship with people, groups and institutions, means that as much as there are differences in political perspectives, we must maintain a friendly disposition to all. He is satisfied with the trust which Ndi Anambra and APGA members repose in him, which has enabled him to render useful service to the people. He has no intention to leave APGA and join another party. He will continue to use APGA as a vehicle for tremendous mobilisation and service to God and humanity.”

  • APGA stakeholders to party chair: refund our monies, resign

    AGGRIEVED stakeholders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)  have staged a protest, demanding the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Dr Victor Oye, over the recent conduct of party’s recent primaries. The protesters under the aegis “APGA Aggrieved Aspirants Forum” in Anambra State numbering over 400 ,also demanded a refund of the money they paid for nomination and expression of interest forms for peace to reign. Speaking with reporters after the protest which took place at the Southeast office of the party, their spokesman, Onyeka Mbaso, said they were not abandoning APGA for foreign invaders.

    Mbanaso, an aspirant for Ekwusigo-Nnewi South and Nnewi North Federal Constituency ,said the National Working Committee, NWC of the party headed by it’s National chairman ,Oye committed fraud in Anambra State and beyond He said the party primary elections for national and state houses of assembly conducted in Anambra State which gave birth to over 450 aggrieved aspirants’ forum was entirely faulty.

    “The party knows that nothing was done. So, if it is talking about reconciliation, the first thing to do is to compile names of all the aspirants and send their money, which is  over one billion naira to them. But the National Chairman, recently, while briefing reporters, said the allegations against him were unsubstantiated and hold no water.  He said he never collected money from anybody, adding that the party had guidelines which were strictly followed during the primaries