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Tag: candidate

  • ‘Don’t appoint unqualified candidate as UNIABUJA VC’

    ‘Don’t appoint unqualified candidate as UNIABUJA VC’

    • By James Chibuzor

    The appointment of the next substantive Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) should be based on merit, stakeholders have said.

    The tenure of the former VC, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah expired in July.

    In a joint statement, President General of Concerned Citizens Forum, Ajiboye Bolanle and Publicity Secretary, Tunde Adams, have raised the alarm that there  is a  plan is to install a candidate without the pre-requisite qualification to occupy the position.

    According to the stakeholders,certain interests are bent on downgrading academic and recruitment standards and administrative competence in the institution.

    They said the position of Vice Chancellor in any federal university in Nigeria is not for any particular tribe, race, gender, or individual, but determined by certain universally acceptable pre-requisite qualifications that have become the norm rather than the exception.

    They stated that the university early this year, placed an advertisement for the position of the VC with some standard pre-requisite qualifications which candidates deficient in were not expected to apply for as they did not meet the requirements.

    They, however said, another advertisement published last month whittled down the pre-requisites and tailored all requirements to seemingly suit candidates without the universal standards required.

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    According to them, an academic institution where the training of the leaders and workforce of tomorrow takes place cannot afford to bring in any incompetent and unqualified candidate to take over the reins of the institution as that would be absolutely degrading to the nation.

    “We are hereby calling on all Nigerians to join their voices with ours to condemn such despicable travesty of logic that would definitely bring down the morale of the staff and students of an institution of such repute. To institutionalise mediocrity at the Federal Capital City in order to suit certain individuals or a particular person is ridiculous and an affront to the governance within the education sector. The President  should not countenance such impunity and unwarranted action.

    “If we all fold our arms to allow this planned and gross injustice to become real, very soon, the abuse of due process will become the norm and other universities will bring starkly unqualified candidates to be the VC because of nepotism, ethnic chauvinism and other warped reasons.

    This plan is appalling and totally unacceptable and should be addressed headlong immediately at the necessary quarters. Institutionalising gross incompetence and mediocrity in any academic citadel through unwholesome recruitment of the VC should not be permitted,” the statement said.

  • Candidate gives condition for accepting election result

    The House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isoko Federal Constituency, Delta State,  in February 23 election, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas, has said that he will not accept the result of the election  until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), corrects the administrative error made when declaring results.

    Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor had earlier advised Joel Onowakpo Thomas to move on and accept the result of the election.

    In a statement signed by Onowakpo-Thomas’ media aide, Obah Sylva, he  stated that instead of giving answers to the issue raised in the press statement, the minority leader asked APC candidate to accept defeat.

    ”Our issues are clear, over 41,000 eligible voters were denied the opportunity to choose who to represent them in Isoko Federal Constituency.”

    Onowakpo-Thomas therefore called on the chairman of INEC and relevant authorities to investigate the abuse of law and bring all those involved in the heinous crime to book while he awaits the abnormality to be corrected.

  • Candidate after election

    The presidential election has been lost and won.  President Muhammadu Buhari has been re-elected for a second term. But these realities seem to mean nothing to former Information Minister Jerry Gana who still wants the Supreme Court to declare him the lawful presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the concluded election. Gana appeared in court on February 26 “dressed in blue agbada” and “accompanied by a handful of supporters.”

    A December 14, 2018 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had declared Gana the party’s presidential candidate. But a January 24 unanimous judgment by a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal had set aside the earlier ruling and named a former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke the SDP’s validly nominated presidential candidate. Duke was among the 73 candidates who contested the presidency on February 23. He got 34, 746 votes.

    Interestingly, Gana is undeterred. His case is akin to that of a runner who continues to run energetically when the race is over. He insists that he should be the SDP’s presidential candidate based on the zoning formula in the party’s constitution.

    Gana had come second in his party’s primary to choose its presidential candidate. But his argument is that despite coming second, he was qualified to be the party’s presidential candidate because, according to the party’s zoning arrangement, its chairman and presidential candidate could not come from the same part of the country.

    Why is Gana pursuing this matter even when it has been overtaken by events? The point is that he can’t participate in the election, even if the Supreme Court rules in his favour, because the election is over. It may be a matter of principle. It may be a matter of ego. It may be both.

    Duke’s performance in the presidential election was most likely affected by his candidacy battle with Gana. The SDP’s governorship candidate in Cross River State, where Duke comes from, Mr. Eyo Ekpo, observed: “For about half the allotted time for campaigns, Duke was not even a candidate, it wasn’t until about January 20 or so that the Court of Appeal said he could go back; by then the election was few days to go…So I think he really did not have the opportunity to campaign.”

    This is an instance of how a political party can work against its own interests by not putting its house in order.

  • Candidate seeks cancellation in Cross River

    The Cross River South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bassey Otu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel elections in wards where there were alleged vote buying, rigging and thuggery.

    Otu, in a petition addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) yesterday, alleged that INEC officials and government appointees contravened the Electoral Act.

    The petition reads: “But suffice to say here that what was witnessed in the Southern Senatorial District on February 23 in the name of elections was a charade, shameful, with total disregard to the rules, and could be described as daylight robbery.

    “Although results are still being awaited, I have to lodge this formal protest in advance because of what was witnessed in Biase, Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar Municipality, Bakassi, Akpabuyo and Calabar South councils, which makes up the district.

    “What happened was a charade and mere allocation of votes to candidates of PDP by INEC officials.”

    Otu accused a Commissioner of collecting all the result sheets to his house in the presence of security officials, INEC officials and the electorate in Odukpani council.

    “Besides, the Ward Collation Officer of this unit is a government appointee. Thus, the voting became a cosmetic show since the result sheets were taken to the Commissioner’s house and filled.

    “In Odukpani Central Ward Health Centre, Card Readers failed to work, yet INEC officials, in collaboration with government appointees, allotted 300 ballot papers to PDP agent and gave 19 to the APC agent who protested to the Electoral Officer,” he added.

  • Ajimobi hails Oyo people for peaceful conduct, large turnout

    Oyo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South in last Saturday’s National Assembly election Senator Abiola Ajimobi has expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their peaceful conduct and large turnout during the elections.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying that the people have shown their love for the APC by voting massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC candidates in the elections.

    From the results released so far nationwide, he said the APC was coasting home to victory.

    The governor equally congratulated the APC and its candidates in the state, who picked nine out of the available 14 Federal Constituency seats and two out of the three senatorial seats.

    Ajimobi said: “We appreciate our people for coming out last Saturday, which led to APC winning two, out of the three senatorial and nine out of the 14 Federal Constituency seats in the state.

    ”The victory has shown the unassailable leadership of the APC in Oyo State. It has also shown that our people are appreciative of the developmental strides of the APC in the state and the country at large.

    ”We have taken Oyo State to an unprecedented level in terms of massive infrastructural renewal. Most importantly, we have ensured peace in the state.”

    The governor described the loss of the Oyo South Senatorial ticket seat as unfortunate, but noted that no sacrifice was too much for a leader to make.

    He enjoined APC members to gird their loins for the March 9 governorship election, stressing that the battle was not over yet.

    Ajimobi emphasised that the loss of Oyo South Senatorial seat would not deter him from his firm resolve and that of the APC to work hard for the party’s victory in the governorship election.

    The governor said: “The results of the Oyo South Senatorial District election have been released by INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) indicating that I lost to the PDP candidate.

    ”I hereby accept the result as announced. Although there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices, I have decided to let go in the interest of peace. I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Kola Balogun and our APC senators-elect, Abdulfatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin.

    ”If I lose the ticket and the party was able to gain, then it is nothing to feel sad about. APC has done well but we can always do better. If we won two out of the three senatorial seats and we picked nine out of 14 federal constituency seats, then we should congratulate ourselves.”

    ”To the teeming members and supporters of our party, who came out in their thousands to show their preference for the APC, I thank and urge you to keep the faith, especially as we look forward to the governorship and the House of Assembly elections.

    “With the impressive results we currently have, we should proudly go forth with greater sense of confidence and unity of purpose. Let us work together to ensure victory for our governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and all our candidates for the House of Assembly.”

  • Candidate promises dividends of democracy

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State House of Assembly, Okitipupa Constituency 1, Prince Adelokiki Atijosan, has promised the people dividends of democracy if elected.

    The grassroots politician cum educationist spoke yesterday during an interactive session with reporters in Okitipupa.

    He sid: “It is time for the people of Constituency 1 to enjoy dividends of democracy. But the point of going into politics is not far- fetched. I have to do something extra to cater for the needs of my people and it is by going to the House of Assembly that I can easily accomplish it.

    “My first priority is to liaise with other stakeholders to ensure that our people enjoy constant power supply. Already, I have an educational foundation catering for indigent students from this council. Every year, I pay their WASSCE, GCE and UTME fees.

    “We will touch the lives of our people more than ever before. Attention will be focused on electricity, sports development, youth empowerment and the elderly. We will focus attention on the elderly with stomach infrastructure as a programme for them.”

     

  • Candidate to pay Ovia students bursary from salaries, allowances

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Ovia Federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, has promised to pay students bursary from his salaries and allowances.

    Idahosa said he used his salary as a Commissioner of Investment under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to pay indigent students tuition fees and provide soft loan to market women in Ovia.

    He made the promise while having interactive session with students from drawn from the University of Benin, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State Polytechnic, Usen. Tayo Akpata University of Education, College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

    All the institutions are located in Ovia North East and Ovia South West local government areas.

    Idahosa said he would not renege on his promises to effectively represent their interest as a Federal lawmaker.

    He stated that a certain family placed Ovia constituency in its pocket without any meaningful development.

    The APC candidate said he would collate a data base of the unemployed and match same with job opportunities that may arise.

    According to him, “I will do things differently. I will work for the youths and the students. I was not born into a rich family and the condition I grew up made me commit myself to helping the poor.

    “I will not change my attitude towards the poor. I will give grants to students and assist them with bursary. I will work with the State and federal government to attract development to all parts of the constituency.

    “I am not here to tell you stories, I have been told by God to come liberate my people. I am not contesting for an executive position, but mine is to work with the three tiers of Government to impact on the lives of the people of the constituency.

    “Some certain family have placed the federal constituency in their pockets and have failed to impact meaningfully to the development of the area. I, with your support, have come to liberate the constituency from this family,” he said.

    The students said they have made up their mind to vote out Barr. Omosede Igbinedion over what they termed “failure to effectively represent their interest” as a lawmaker.

    They said Omosede elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) neglected her constituents since her election in 2015, and failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the students and youths of her constituent.

    Spokesman for the students, Oviafabor Armstrong, said the decision to work, mobilise and vote for Idahosa was borne out of the fact that he has been consistent with support for the students’ and youths, even without being a lawmaker.

    “Being a youths herself and her background, we thought she understands our plight, but we were wrong as she went to sleep soon after her election.

    “She did not only failed to impact in the development of the Federal Constituency by way of attracting people oriented projects to the area, she has also failed to represent our yearnings and aspirations as student’s’ and youths.

    “As you may be aware, the constituency probably has the largest concentration of Higher Institutions in Nigeria, with no fewer than five higher institutions, we have the number to decide who our representative is,” he stated.

     

  • Youths make case for consensus candidate

    Youths from Surulere in Lagos State, under the aegis of Voice of the Youth (Surulere Constituency 2 chapter), has urged the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the constituency to ensure the zone triumphs in the next elections.

    Their appeal followed the outcome of voting conducted by leadership of Coker/Aguda, and Itire/Ikate 2 local council development areas. Former House of Representative member Alliu Kazeem was elected the party’s flagbearer.

    A statement signed by the group’s two secretaries -Taofeek Olajide (Coker/Aguda), and Alhaji Sikiru Shittu (Itire/Ikate) appealed to those that lost to work with Alliu.

    They urged party leaders not to create division by endorsing some of the defeated aspirants, saying the party must learn from mistakes of the past.

    Leader of the constituency Chief David Adenekan (Itire/Ikate) and his deputy, Alhaji Olarenwaju Azeez (Coker/Aguda), witnessed the voting.

    Alliu represented the constituency between 2011-2015 but lost to the Vice Chairman, APC Lagos Central, Adisa Bamigbola.

    However, the party was defeated by the opposition at the last general election.

    Alliu won with 13 votes; business mogul Lanre Okunola trailed with 12 votes.

    A former member the House of Assembly  during ex-Governor Bola Tinubu’s government, Babasola Sebanjo, got three  votes.

    Other results are Bamgbola, two votes; Kayode Quadri, one vote; with Bamidele Sunday Aderonmu, Titilayo Ayoku; Olatokunbo Ajala, Alfred Thomas, and Adebayo Bajulaiye, scoring no vote.

    The group urged aspirants to remember the undertaking they signed to abide by the process. Party leaders present are: Chief David Adenekan; Alhaji Akeem Apatira; Alhaji Olarenwaju Azeez; Alhaji Adekunle Sarumi; Alhaja Omolabake Folawoyo; Mr. Juwon Okeowo; Alhaji Wasiu Balogun; and Princess Obiagelu Onu and Dr. Kayode Quadri.

    Also, there are Kayode Oseni; Alhaji M. Balogun; Alhaji Prince Ademola Dadanla; Alhaja Mulikat Ajala; Prince Ademola Sadiq; Hon. Ahmed Apatira and Hon Tunde Bank Anthony, among others.

  • Kwankwaso: I will support consensus candidate

    Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has promised to support whoever the party presents as its consensus candidate.

    Kwankwaso, who addressed a crowd in Minna yesterday, said any decision taken by the party would be the best for it.

    He, however, did not say if he would step down for any of the other candidates.

    “If there is need for a consensus, I will accept the decision. I will stand by any amicable resolution on the process of who will become the party’s flag bearer,” he said.

    Kwankwaso explained that he joined the PDP to change the change, especially as the change they sought in 2015 did not materialise.

    He said: “We sought for change in 2015, but the change we brought in 2015 was a mistake, that is why we want to change the change because the change brought hunger, killings, under development, poverty and unemployment.”

    He pledged that if elected, he would address and stop the killings, kidnapping and poverty in the land.

  • ‘PDP should choose good candidate’

    As political parties gear up for primaries to choose their flagbearers for the 2019 general election, former National Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, has challenged the party members to ensure that only candidates with integrity and capability would be chosen to represent the party in next year’s general elections.

    Speaking on the heels of the much-awaited primary, Markarfi said the party must take cognizance of who emerges as its presidential candidate, because the voters are not only looking for candidates with integrity, but also their capacity to deliver.

    He spoke with the leaders, elders, delegates and members of the Oyo State chapter during his consultation visit to intimate them of his presidential ambition and plans for the country. He also canvassed for support to be considered as the party’s presidential candidate. The event took place at the PDP secretariat, Molete, Ibadan.

    The former governor said institutional restructuring is a must for the country, if rapid socio-economic development must be achieved.

    Noting that the PDP believed so much in the restructuring of the country, Markarfi said various stakeholders and other Nigerians have focused too much on the need for political and financial restructuring with less emphasis on institutional restructuring.