The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boycott

  • OOU students boycott lectures

    Academic activities were suspended last Monday and Tuesday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. No thanks to the directive by the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), which ordered students not to go for lectures.

    The action was taken to protest what the students called “exorbitant fee” they are paying.

    “It is obvious that the students are angry and are ready to engage the government over the fee,” one of the students’ leaders said.

    The union president, Olusegun Ifade, while addressing the students, said: “Let me say unequivocally that we will never be discouraged or succumb to any form of intimidation as we continue to engage the government peacefully to achieve our aims.”

    Olusegun said the union believed education was a right and not a privilege for the poor masses. He added that the fee was making education the right of the children of the rich.

    “Even though we understand that the management enjoy good level of funding from the government, we, in totality, reject exorbitant fees as we cannot continue on this inglorious path; transfer of government’s responsibility to our parents who have been subjected to economy hardship is not accepted,” he said.

  • APC threatens to boycott Niger East by-election

    APC threatens to boycott Niger East by-election

    TheAll Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State said yesterday that it would boycott the August 16 by-election in Niger East Senatorial Zone, if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The party alleged that the REC was demanding money from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

    APC accused the REC of being a card-carrying member of the ruling party in Kogi State.

    State Publicity Secretary Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, in a statement in Minna, said last week, APC exposed a proposal by the REC to the state government, requesting N44,375,850 for a National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity.

    Although the REC denied the allegation, Secretary to the State Government Saidu Ndako Idris confirmed that a proposal with the same amount was brought before the government by the REC.

    Idris said N28.7 million was approved by the Executive Council.

    The statement said the party “strongly believes that this is enough reason for INEC to redeploy Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo before the August 16 by-election to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.”

    APC said that “If he is allowed to preside over the election,it means that INEC has prepared the ground for rigging in the election”.

    The party also claimed that Onucheyo is a card-carrying member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, having contested as PDP governorship aspirant in Kogi State at the 2003 elections.

    “There is no doubt that as a PDP card-carrying member, Dr. Onucheyo cannot conduct a free and fair election under this circumstance” the statement said.

  • FA chairmen to boycott meeting

    FA chairmen to boycott meeting

    FA chairmen across the country are planning to boycott a meeting called by Lawrence Katken, who has been temporarily appointed to run the NFF.

    Katken’s first order of business on being appointed by Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo, was to invite the FA chairmen to a meeting in Abuja.

    But the majority seem poised to snub the invitation, especially those from Maigari’s northern region.

    But across the country, the story remains the same. From the South West, Osun State chairman Taiwo Ogunjobi is the only confirmed attendee so far.

    An FA president from the South East, where just two have confirmed their attendance so far, says the court judgment also restrains the Congress (the body of FA chairman) from carrying out their functions.

    “Because the judgement also involved the Congress, it would be illegal to attend any such meeting,” the FA chairman, who did not wish to be named, said.

    On Thursday, a court in Abuja ruled that the present NFF executive committee cease to function that capacity until the determination of the main suit on July 11.

    A day later, NFF president Aminu Maigari was arrested on his arrival at the airport and detained by security operatives for unclear reasons.

    The speed with which the Sports Ministry moved to appoint a caretaker, within hours of the court judgement, would appear to suggest that the ministry, and by extension, the government, are ready to wield the axe on the NFF executive committee.

    FIFA, on Friday, however warned that Nigeria risk a ban if status quo is not maintained.

     

  • Candidates boycott dialogue with women

    All the 18 candidates in the Ekiti State governorship election yesterday shunned a women’s dialogue organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The forum, held in conjunction with the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme’s Governance for Development Project (DGD), was attended by women from different professional bodies, parties and trade groups.

    But the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, was at the event, which was also  attended  by Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

    On behalf of Governor Kayode Fayemi , Prof Adelabu signed a document tagged: “12-Point Agenda,” which listed what was described as “the social contract between the governorship candidates and women of Ekiti State” with WOCON.

    In a brief remark, Adelabu said: “12-Point Agenda”  reflected Fayemi’s achievements  on protection of women from rape, victimisation and oppression, promising that “the APC will improve on the gains recorded so far”.

    Accord Party (AP), which was represented  by a ward executive member from Ikole Local Government, Mrs. Mary Obayemi, explained some of the programmes which the party promised to implement in relation to women empowerment if it secured a win in the election.

    Also, a Labour Party (LP) member from ward II in Oye Local Government, Mrs. Modupe Awoseyinla, and a Peoples Democratic Party leader from Moba Local Government, Mrs. Lucia Oluyede,  were disallowed from signing the contract on behalf of their respective governorship candidates.

  • Political crisis: Amaechi’s loyalists boycott PDP convention

    Political crisis: Amaechi’s loyalists boycott PDP convention

    All the constitutional delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State announced yesterday their boycott of the party’s special national convention billed for Abuja tomorrow.

    They announced their decision at a news conference in Port Harcourt.

    Chairman of the Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly Honourable Asita said the national leadership of the PDP had failed, adding that all the stakeholders of the ruling party in the state met and decided to boycott the mini convention.

    Two of the three senators and 10 House of Representatives members from the state, he said, are in support of the decision. Chairman of the crisis-torn Rivers PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, described Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his loyalists as “frustrated”.

    Obuah, popularly called “Go Round” said the era of impunity and imposition of candidates was gone.

    In a statement, his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, noted that the boycott was not unexpected, “in view of the way and manner Amaechi and his followers have been carrying on, with no regard for party rules and regulations”.

    The Port Harcourt’s news conference was also attended by Dakuku Peterside (Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency), Ogbonna Nwuke (Etche/Omuma), Blessing Nsiegbe (Port Harcourt 2), Morris Pronen (Khana/Gokana), Barry Mpigi (Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo) and Bright Gogo (Okrika-Ogu/Bolo).

    Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning Tammy Danagogo spoke on behalf of the members of the Executive Council. The representative of Gokana Constituency in the House of Assembly, Dr. Innocent Barikor, spoke on behalf of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Amaechi.

    The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers chapter, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo, who is also the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government, spoke on behalf of the 23 council chairmen.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Chief Godspower Ake-led executive of the PDP in Rivers State, George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, spoke on behalf of the leadership of the party, while the chairmen of the PDP in the 23 local government areas was represented by Daere Samuel-Horsfall of Asari-Toru Local Government Area.

    Asita said: “We have watched with pain, with shock and deep agony, the gradual disintegration of our party in the past few months. We are worried and traumatised that this party, the PDP, which most of us have invested all our political lives to build, is gradually degenerating into a rather shameful association of people without character.

    “We are worried that the leadership of the party at the centre refuses to take credible steps that will reposition the party in Rivers State, to enable it to control the support that it has enjoyed from inception.

    “We are indeed worried about the rascality in which the activities of the party are carried out in Rivers State. We are aware that the mini convention of the party is on Saturday. We had hoped that the party at the centre would take steps to put things right over what our party in recent times gliding into disrepute.

    “We have, as the duly elected delegates to the national convention of the party, by virtue of our offices, come to the conclusion that because the party at the centre has failed in its duties to put the party right in Rivers State, especially the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of our leader, the governor of Rivers State, we believe that the best thing to do in the circumstance, in solidarity with our governor, is to boycott the convention for Saturday.

    “We believe that this is the best thing to do. So, we have interacted with the different delegates to the convention. I am speaking as the Chairman of the National Assembly Caucus of Rivers State and I have interacted with members of the National Assembly. Ten members of the House of Representatives and two Senators support this boycott.

    “I am aware that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also have supported this boycott. The 23 council chairmen of Rivers State, who are delegates to the convention, have also agreed to this boycott, as well as the party chairmen of the 23 local government areas, who are equally delegates to the convention. We also have with us members of the state executive council, who are also entitled as delegates to the convention to vote at the convention.

    “We understand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that those who are entitled to participate and vote at this convention are those who were so qualified at the last convention.

    “We, therefore, state that anybody who claims to represent Rivers State at the convention, is not representing us, because we have decided to boycott the convention, in solidarity with our governor, who by virtue of the illegal suspension, is unable to attend the convention.

    The chairman of the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly also stated that Obuah’s associates, who might decide to attend Saturday’s convention should be viewed as impostors, who he said would be impersonating the authentic delegates of the PDP from the state.

  • Edo PDP calls for boycott of council elections

    THE Director of Publicity and Strategy of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Okharedia Ihimekpen, has called for a boycott of the April 20 local government elections.

    Speaking in Benin yesterday, Ihimekpen described the elections time-table as a farce.

    He denied rumours of infighting within the party, saying Edo PDP remained united under its chairman, Dan Orbih.

    “My personal opinion is that all parties should boycott the election because the result has been written.

    “I’m speaking because I am privy to some information.

    “To crown it all, the election itself has already failed, because by the time-table, they were to meet with all political parties, but no party was there, so I urge all political parties to kindly boycott this election.

    “The election will not be credible, the election is a farce, the election is a smokescreen.”

    But the Action Congress of Nigeria State Chairman, Thomas Okosun, called on residents to ignore Ihimekpen’s call.

    He said: “I do not know about Ihimekpen being PDP’s mouthpiece; I know of Matthew Urhoghide.

    “Ihimekpen is entitled to his opinion but what he has said is far from the truth.

    “If we believe in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections, then our State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) should be accorded the same respect.

    “Governor Adams Oshiomhole is not EDSIEC; it is independent, just like you cannot say President Goodluck Jonathan is INEC.

    “I call on those who believe in true democracy and free and fair election to participate.

    “PDP has been in the forefront of calls for conduct of local government poll, and now that the time-table is out it is speaking otherwise.

    “It shows that PDP is not a serious party in Edo State.”

  • PDP to boycott Edo council polls if…

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it would boycott the forthcoming local council’s elections if legal issues surrounding the composition of the State Independent Electoral body are not resolved.

    Chairman of the state electoral body, Solomon Ogoh, had fixed April 20th as the tentative date for the conduct of the local elections.

    Ogoh said guidelines for the conduct of the elections would be released on January 15.

    State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Pharmacist Matthew Urhoghide, told The Nation on phone that the PDP would participate in the election if the present electoral body was properly conducted.

    Urhoghide noted that the party would be participating in illegality if the legal issues were not resolved and complied with.

    He said the former body dissolved by Governor Adams Oshiomhole went to seek redress in court.

    Until it is confirmed that the matter has been resolved, Urhoghide threatened the PDP would stay away from the local elections.

    He noted that the PDP would support its members that indicated interest to contest in the election if all the issues were resolved.

    According to him: “You know the local election is a grassroots election. It must come from the ward and local councils.

    “Those interested must go through the party leadership at the ward and local council levels.

    “It is the ward leaders that will inform the state of those interested in the elections.

    “For now, I don’t know of any party members that have indicated interest.”

  • Enyimba boycott fails

    Enyimba boycott fails

    A planned players’ boycott to a training camp by Enyimba in Otta has failed as most of them have turned up there.

    The Aba club’s players from last season are still grumbling over unpaid sign-on fees over several seasons and had planned to stay away from the training camp near Lagos. However, MTNFootball.com checks have since revealed that the likes of Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chinedu Udoji, Rasheed Olabiyi, Ayo Saka have all made their way to the Otta camp.

    Markson Ojobo is also expected to join, so also new signing Sibi Gwar. The only exception is midfielder Eneji Otekpa, who will not be part of the training in Otta. Otekpa, who has been capped by the Super Eagles, missed the last part of last season after an appendicitis operation. A total of 35 players moved into Otta for a two-week residential training.

    Two-time African champions Enyimba are hoping to return to winning ways after they failed to win a major honour in the last two seasons.

  • ACN to boycott Benue council election tribunal

    The Benue State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has boycotted the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal set up to hear petitions on the November 24 council poll in the state.

    The party said it took the decision following a meeting of its expanded state and local government Exco, stakeholders and elders as well as chairmanship and councilorship candidates of the party.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, the party explained that attending the tribunal would amount to legalising a wrong.

    ACN said the election petition tribunals are only vested with the powers to look into the conduct of an election.

    The party noted that in a situation where an election was not conducted at all, there was no reason to attend such a tribunal.

    ACN restated its earlier position in rejecting the outcome of the selection of candidates.

    It said the chairman of the Benue State Independent Election Petition Tribunal (BSIEC), Prof Philip Ahire, was not a good representative of the academia.

    The party also said it has uncovered a plot by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to destabilise its ranks in Benue State.

    ACN alleged that some of its members, who planned to defect to the PDP before the council poll, stayed back to cause confusion.

    It warned its members to be wary of such members.

    ACN warned that its leadership would sanction any member found to have caused disaffection and disharmony in the party.