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Tag: aspirant

  • Aspirant urges APC to pick candidate from Akoko North

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Prince Foluso Adefemi, has appealed to the leadership of the party to pick its governorship candidate from Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency.

    Adefemi spoke with reporters on his preparations for the party primary, ahead of the poll, at his campaign office in Akure, the state capital.

    The aspirant, who is from Afin Akoko in Akoko North West local government, lamented that the constituency has been marginalised in the distribution of political offices.

    Ondo North Senatorial District has three federal constituencies; Owo/Ose, Akoko South West/Akoko South East and Akoko North East/ Akoko North West.

    It is believed that the party candidate may likely come from Ondo North Senatorial District.

    Adefemi said: “Looking at other constituencies, they always have the larger part when political positions are to be shared in the district.

    “For instance, Owo and Akoko South West have produced governors before.

  • Ondo can thrive without federal allocation, says aspirant

    Ondo can thrive without federal allocation, says aspirant

    ondo State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Akinyinka Akinnola has said the state can survive without federal allocations, if proper use is made of its huge human and material resources and its strategic geographical location.

    Akinnola, an engineer with over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and infrastructural development, said, if elected as governor, he would concentrate on industrialisation.

    He said: “My own task is to embark on industrialisation of Ondo state on a scale never seen before in this country. Ondo state produces over  40 percent of the cocoa from Nigeria and of course we have timber and vast land for agricultural development.”

    Akinnola added: “I shall concentrate the state’s resources first on these areas and ensure a calendarised programme that will encourage in-situ processing and thereby adding additional value to these items. Eventually raw materials  taken out of Ondo state without any value addition will attract heavy taxation.

    “This will encourage the setting up of industries and the resultant creation of employment. We shall develop and deploy an efficient inspection and monitoring mechanism for this . Also, Ondo  state has a comparative advantage for the setting up of location positive industries. What is meant by location positive industry is whereby the raw materials are domiciled within the state as a natural resource. We have the glass sands  in Okitiputa, we have iron ore in the Akokos, we have granites in the Iwaro area and so on and so forth. We will seek for private public partnerships for the development of these resources also with the caveat of calenderised value addition.

    “We shall also take advantage of our geographical location and attributes. The ancient city of Owo and the  city of Ore are respectively key gateways to the Northern and eastern part of this country respectively. We shall invest heavily in developing these areas  as both transit and distribution points for goods, providing such infrastructure and services to encourage warehousing and  inland port activities. All these shall create further employment and shall form a basis for government revenue through taxation.

    “Describing Ondo as a coastal state, he said. “Traditional  commercial water transport routes ( from the colonial era) to  Lagos shall be  revisited  and developed as a means of getting produce out of Ondo more economically and safely. The whole riverine area is prime for a major commercial fishing and fisheries  enterprise and  sea salt production. These are just a few of the programmes we shall be looking at.”

     

  • My plan for Edo, by aspirant

    My plan for Edo, by aspirant

    Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe, a musician, is a governorship aspirant in Edo State. In this interview with OSAGIE OTABOR, he speaks about his ambition and mission in politics.

    Why are you in the governorship race?

    Nothing pushed me than God. God said I should wake up and put a smile on the faces of the people. I have been going on errand for God and I have never disappointed him.

    Did God reveal your emergence as the next governor in a vision?

    He showed me the vision. He said I should declared myself the next governor of Edo State. That was after I left a podium in a dream where I was sharing all kind of things to a crowd.

    Why did you pick the United Progressive Party to achieve this vision?

    I picked the UPP because it is the only political party that has the right to ask either the PDP or the administration of the APC questions.When Oshiomhole won election in this state, the AC, the platform he used, was not the incumbent. The UPP will not be different. You don’t expect Edo people to go back to the hands of those people who muzzled the life of our generation.That was why I said it is only the UPP that will have any effrontery to ask the PDP or the APC any question. The PDP does not have right to ask the APC any question. If the PDP ask the APC, the APC will say they were busy repairing what the PDP destroyed in this state because we were all here. You see the difference between the APC, PDP and the UPP.

    Do you have the financial muscle to run the election?

    I have made a very good name, which any candidate cannot contest. Any candidate that wants to run election against me will have to store a huge amount of money to tackle what my name has done for me. Where I will get money for this election is not a problem because God sent me on this race since 2013. I have been paddling and things are softer. I am a candidate already while others are still aspirant. Money or no money, by the grace of God, come November, I will be sworn-in as the new governor.

    What are the things your party hope to implement when it gets to power?

    I don’t say things about our manifesto because they are endless. A seed does not show its leave before it is planted. All these things Oshiomhole did that made us to say he tried will be a foundation compared to what I have to give to the people of the state. I know what I have been doing when I am not in power. Edo people will smile under my administration. As a young man who grew from grass to grace, Edo people will know I am the good days.

    The state is poor and people are complaining about taxes introduced by Oshiomhole. Will you reduce taxes?

    Like I said, I don’t talk about my manifesto but you are still pushing me. Let me remind you. When Ambrose Alli ruled, we didn’t wait for oil money. When Ogbemudia was governor, we did not recognize oil. Even, if the oil dries up, Edo will become great under me because I grew from grass to grace. I am inside the ordinary people.

    There are allegations that you don’t have the required educational qualification?

    I hail from Ugha village in Uhunmwode local government. Leave things about my educational qualification for INEC or my party to decide. That is the unguided utterance  people are saying that I am not educated. Let my national executive say I am not qualified to be their candidate. INEC will cross check to see whether I am qualified or not.

    How was growing up like?

    My mother died when I was 12 days old and my father died when I was 12 years old. Two of my brothers later died and I became the only surviving son of my father and the only child of my mother.

    How did you get into music?

    I was born and brought up in music. I have music inspiration inside of me. As a little boy, I do carve wood and other instrument and be playing music. I did my first demo when I have not started practicing music but because of N1000 I could not go to the studio. My late brother told me what kind of music I want to sing that others have not done. That is the same surprise that will happen after the election. I already have 75 percent of the people. I have not done anything in life without God intervention.

    How was it like when you recorded your first music?

    It was good but I never knew I would make it quicker than, I expected. I am happy with everything I made through music. I am proud to be a musician. I did music till I became a professor like other professors in various fields. Music gives inspiration you will not understand because it is controlled by a certain spirit. There is a spirit that control music especially if you are born to be a musician. There must be an angel that control you and give you pattern. I practice music from my in-law. I started with calypso and I played music that suit me. I became a social critic which made some people not to like me but I didn’t care because I was looking up to God. That was why God came now to say I should go and put smiles on the faces of the people. I said how? He said I should declare myself the next governor of Edo State. God has given me all it takes to be the governor of Edo in 2016.

    What happened after you couldn’t raise N1000?

    After I produced my first demo, there was no money to go to the studio. I became a farmer and a rubber tapper. I used to go to village on Monday and when my master has a show during the weekend, I will join them. The first antelope I killed was what I sold to get freedom from my master in 1990. It was my trap that caught the antelope. A man bought it for N220 and I add little money to it. After that, I continued my farming and rubber tapping from where I raised money to buy musical equipment.

    You are contending against heavyweights in the PDP and the APC. How do you hope to cope?

    You call them heavy weights but they are political recyclers. They have squeezed themselves into one party like cockroaches. If they are heavy weights, they should go to Abuja, bring a new party and make it popular like I did if they know they have a name. They could have join other political parties. Some of them have stolen money to spend. They should sponsor a new party and make it popular. Many of them have the tendency to squander our money and they want to come and do it again. I am coming to shift the focus.

    What do you mean by changing the focus?

    It depends on what I met on ground. I will do things that will take the state forward. I will do things that will favor ordinary people in the street. I will do what is positive.

    Where will you pick your deputy governor from?

    My deputy will come from either Edo North or Edo Central, but it must be somebody that has the same feeling for the people. The person must be tested and have vast experience. I will not capitalise on educational qualification alone, but natural experience. Music is a profession. I am of the same category with former governors who were professors like Osunbor and Ambrose Alli. They were Professor in their chosen career and I am also a Professor of Music.

  • Power should shift to Akure, says aspirant

    A governorship aspirant in Ondo State Mr. Light Ariyomo has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the governorship ticket to Akure, the state capital.

    He said since the creation of the state, no Akure indigene has served as the governor.

    Ariyomo, however, clarified that merit, competence, capability and patriotism are more important criteria, stressing that the state deserves a better governor in post-Mimiko period.

    Ariyomo, an engineer, described himself as a competent contender who can take the state to a greater height.

    He said: ‘I am in the race to make  a difference. I have the qualification , political and administrative experience. I understands the problems of the state and how to solve them.’

    Ariyomo will face other aspirants at the primary election. They include Awodeyi Akinsehinwa, Jamiu Ekungba, Jumoke Anifowose, Sule Akinsuyi, Segun Abraham, Dr, Ayorinde, Bukola Adetula, Paul Akinterinwa, Odunayo Akeredolu, Ajayi Boroffice, Tayo Alasoadura, Ayo Akinyelure and Akinyinka Akinnola.

  • Ex-PDP governorship aspirant defects to APC

    Ex-PDP governorship aspirant defects to APC

    A former governorship aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Comrade Mohammed Ali, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He defected with 14 local government chairmen.

    Ali, in a statement in Abuja, said: “The leader and National Chairman of the Northern Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, NLGCF and erstwhile PDP governorship aspirant in Kogi State, Comrade Mohammed Ali, wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Kogi State and the youth structures of the northern Nigeria that at last he has defected with 14 council chairmen, councillors, five special advisers, 11 senior special assistants, 25 special assistants and the democratic structures in the local governments they represent, ahead of the governorship poll on Saturday.”

    According to him, the decision was the outcome of consultations with stakeholders and political associates.

    He said: “It is our belief that the PDP leadership in Kogi State has failed the people, as Governor Idris Ichalla Wada has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to Kogites.”

  • Ooni: Aspirant donates transformers to residents

    AN aspirant to the vacant Ooni stool, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi from Ojaja Compound in Giesi Ruling House of Ife, has distributed 50 300 and 500 KVA transformers worth N200 million to communities in the town.

    Represented at the distribution exercise by Prince Leke Ijiyode, the donor, however, told the beneficiaries that the gesture was not connected with his aspiration to the Ooni stool.

    Ogunwusi, who noted that the beneficiaries are not to determine who the next Ooni would be, said he was moved by the challenges  which various communities of the town are experiencing as a result of electricity problem.

    He said the economy of the ancient town and its environs has been adversely affected because “many residents, particularly those who use electricity to operate their businesses, have suffered a great deal.”

    Ogunwusi revealed that the the critical need of the communities informed the donation, saying the gesture was meant to support the government in alleviating the suffering of the people.

    According to him, the communities to benefit from the gesture included Parakin, Fasina; NTA area, Fajuyi, Ondo Road Sawmill, Irebami, Oke-Ogbo, Lokore Odin, Lowa Ate, Ife City, Gulf Area, Ikoyi Celestial and Olasode, among others.

    Saying his support for the people of Ife, particularly the poor would come in phases; he also disclosed that plans are on to provide succour for the people in the areas of youth empowerment, water supply and education under several initiatives and programmes.

    Ogunwusi maintained that he had been supporting the people of Ife before Ooni stool became vacant. He said: “I have been assisting students who are indigenes of Ife and often donate instructional materials to schools to aid teaching and learning. The distribution of these transformers is not to induce anyone so that they would make me the Ooni. In fact, the beneficiaries of these transformers are not the people that can make me the Ooni because they are just members of the community and not the kingmakers.

    “So, this gesture is not because of my aspiration to become Ooni. I am really committed to the development of Ife and I have been doing this even before the former Ooni died. We have challenges of epileptic power supply in Ife and this is a major problem.”

    Sawmills operators in Ife and some of the leaders of the communities that benefited from Ogunwusi’s gesture, including Mr. Olalere ýOlanrewaju, Mr. Adedapo Olayode, Mr. Adebisi Adegilye and Mr. Titus Elewude said the socio-economic activities in Ife, no doubt, would improve when the transformers are activated.

     

  • Aspirant to donate half of salary to charity

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant of the forthcoming chairmanship election in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdulahi Candido has said he will donate 50 per cent of his monthly salary to charity if he wins election.

    He also promised to establish a local AMAC radio station that would focus on tradition,  cultural heritage, occupation and other vital aspect of the people in the territory, saying that the radio station would serve as a united force for the people of AMAC and Abuja at large.

    “AMAC is a very large council and the radio stations around do not really speak directly to the people. So, as a local council that operates within the locality,  our intention is to come out with a local radio station that can speak directly to the people in their mother tongues.

    “Different languages ranging from Igbo, Yoruba, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Hausa and other languages, would be concentrated on the radio production. That is the idea of coming out with a local radio station that will speak directly to the people outside what we have now.  When you bring a station that is grassroots oriented, it will affect the lives of the people directly,” he said

    Candido added that if elected his administration will establish skills acquisition and vocational centres in the 12 wards, where school leavers and unemployed graduates will be trained free of charge in different kinds of trade.

    “This is aimed at making the people self reliant and also job providers. A special unit will be charged with the responsibilities of finding jobs in Ministries,  Departments and Agencies (MDAs),  companies will also be approached with a view to ensure that AMAC quota is not short-changed.

    “While private companies that operate operates in our localities will be encouraged to provide their host communities with jobs. The council will enforce laws that will compel compliance, so that our younger ones are kept off the streets,” he said.

     

  • Council aspirant promises development

    In aspirant for the chair of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Bala Iyah, has promised to make rural development a core area of his administration if he won the forthcoming poll.

    Iyah was a councillor representing Garki ward in the council on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He made this known while inaugurating his campaign team.

    He said: “It is my sincere desire to emulate and continue with the good works the past and present leaders of the council have been doing for us. My vision and mission is to empower the people of AMAC educationally, economically, in rural infrastructures and agriculture. I want to take development to rural communities and ensure that the poor people are given opportunities to live a better life.”

    He promised not to disappoint the people of AMAC and to do his best to carry out his responsibilities of his people, when he is elected as chairman of AMAC.

  • Ooni: Aspirant urges kingmakers to be firm

    An Ife prince aspiring to the Ooni throne, Prince Adetunji Aderin, has urged kingmakers not to be influenced by money and politics in picking the monarch.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the great grandson of Oba Aderin Ologbenla said it would be wrong to disallow a candidate of the Giesi Ruling House, from where he hailed, from mounting the throne.

    He said by right, the ruling house should be allowed to ascend the throne.

    Aderin, a graduate of Economics from the then University of Ado-Ekiti and an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, United Kingdom, said besides being his right by birth, he felt compelled to offer himself to help in the development of his town.

    He said: “As the great grandson of a warrior-king, it will be a disservice to the legacy of my ancestor, Aderin Ologbenla, who reigned from 1880 to 1893 as the last Ooni from the Giesi Ruling House, if I don’t join the race.

    “According to the rotational procedure, which requires each ruling house in a particular order to produce the candidate for the Ooni, the Giesi Ruling House was meant to be next in line, but Omooba Adeniran Aderin was denied his place in history and the Ogboru Family, who should have come up after Giesi Family, ended up producing the Ooni through the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, whose father reigned from 1894 to 1910 after Aderin Ologbenla.

    “So, the rotational cycle from Aderin Ologbenla 1880-1893 (Giesi Ruling House), to Adelekan Olubuse I 1894-1910 (Ogboru Ruling House), to Ademiluyi Ajagun 1910-1930 (Lafogido Ruling House), to Adesoji Aderemi 1930-1980 (Osinkola Ruling House) should ideally have been Giesi again in 1980, but was given to Ogboru Ruling House, thereby denying the Giesi Ruling House the chance to produce an Ooni since 1893 when Aderin Ologbenla passed on.

    “It will be sheer injustice for anyone outside the Giesi Ruling House to be the next Ooni and the kingmakers are aware of this, despite the attempt of some to suggest otherwise. The throne of the Ooni is not such to be politicised or monetised, as the Giesi Ruling House has been shunned for too long. The time is ripe for it to take its rightful place. What is mine is mine and it will be wrong not to fight for my right or allow the hard work of my forefathers to be wasted.”

  • Council poll: Aspirant denies quitting race

    A chairmanship aspirant at the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, Babatunde Okeyomi, has denied quitting the race.

    He described as rumours the news that he has opted out of the race.

    According to a statement signed by Okeyomi, (aka Carry-Go), the news was a figment of the imagination of those behind it.

    Addressing his supporters at Alakuko, the aspirant said he is well prepared for the job, adding that as a loyal and committed party member, he will not waiver in his commitment to ensure that his party wins the chairmanship seat in the area.

    He said: “Our respected party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, had advised me, and other aspirants to avoid acrimonies and quarrels in our quest for any elective office, and I stand by that admonition.

    “As a loyal party member, and one who has invested so much into the development of Ojokoro community, I will always abide by the rules and regulations of our party; I won’t disappoint any of you, as I have mapped out my winning strategies, including getting the endorsement of our highly-respected party.”

    Some of the youths said their supports for Okeyomi were borne out of their conviction that he has good plans for the council.

    One of the youths, Kehinde Joseph, described Okeyomi as a “visionary and humane politician, who has been empowering us over the years; we will resist the imposition of any unpopular person.”