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Tag: candidate

  • Buhari won’t impose candidate, says Aluko

    Buhari won’t impose candidate, says Aluko

    Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Senator Gbenga Aluko has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not impose the party’s flag bearer for next year’s governorship election.

    Aluko allayed the fear being expressed in some quarters, on the possible outbreak of post-primary election crisis over the increasing number of aspirants, who showed interest in the party’s ticket.

    He said a credible primary election would be organised to elect the flag bearer.

    Aluko, who spoke at a news conference in Ado Ekiti, reviewed his visits to 11 local government areas and 122 of 177 wards to canvass for votes ahead of the APC primary.

    He explained that he possesses the experience and pedigree to make the difference and bring development to the state if elected the governor next year.

    The former Senate Deputy Minority Whip said he was not depending on his perceived closeness to the President which dated back to 2003, when he served as Southwest Campaign Director for Buhari/Okadigbo Campaign Organization.

    He said: “If I am waiting for President Buhari to impose me, I won’t be working hard like this. The President doesn’t believe in imposition.

    “But I will work hard to get the ticket after which I will go to him as my political father and soul mate to seek his endorsement.”

    On the large number of APC aspirants in Ekiti, he said: “The large number of aspirants doesn’t amount to division. The aspirants shall be sorted out by the delegates at the primary.

    “Ondo APC started with 46 aspirants and 26 of them went into the primary and the party still went ahead and won.

    “This confirmed that the large number is of no consequence provided that the process is free and transparent.”

  • Zoning’s unconstitutional, says PRP candidate

    Zoning’s unconstitutional, says PRP candidate

    The candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) the governorship election in Anambra State, Dr Stephen Mbah, says the idea of zoning adopted by most of the parties contesting the poll is unconstitutional.

    This, he added, led most of the political parties to pick their candidates from Anambra North senatorial zone, which is favoured to produce the next governor.

    Speaking with our correspondent in Awka, the State capital, Mbah said the idea is unconstitutional because it was not endorsed by the Anambra State House of Assembly. He described it as a winner-takes-all formula, which would not stand the test of time.

    Mbah said it was an arrangement by some group of people to favour certain persons in the race. He said the best approach was to have a rotational system endorsed by the state House of Assembly that would allow each zone to occupy the position for four years.

    Mbah said only governors that have done well in their first term should be allowed to vie for a second term.

  • Fayose’s anointed candidate hits ground running

    Fayose’s anointed candidate hits ground running

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola has been making moves to get more support as the “adopted candidate” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for next year’s governorship election. He has kicked off a subtle campaign with a prayer session and royal blessing from the monarch of his hometown. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Although other aspirants are still crying foul over his adoption by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus loyal to Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, the deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has hit the ground running to promote his candidacy.

    Barely 48 hours after the controversial adoption, Olusola and his supporters stormed his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti, to commit his governorship project into the hand of the Almighty.

    Olusola, who was still basking in the euphoria of being the “chosen one” among the aspirants jostling for the PDP’s ticket, was welcomed into the town by members of the “Osoko Mass Movement,” the political platform of Fayose, amidst singing, drumming and trumpeting.

    The deputy governor who wore the lemon green “continuity” t-shirt and Fayose-for-President cap stopped around the Okekere area of the town where his supporters had gathered for the prayer session.

    There was traffic snarl for about one hour as his supporters defied the early morning drizzle to “seek the face of God” to make the Olusola governorship project a success.

    The last one month has been a historic one for the 49-year-old Olusola who got into politics by accident. He was appointed a Professor of Building Technology by the Obafemi Awolowo University  in August before being found worthy by his boss in September as the “anointed candidate” of the PDP for 2018 poll.

    Fayose, had after winning the March 22, 2014 PDP primary chose his father,  Pa Olusola Eleka, as the running mate. But, the octogenarian suggested that his son, who is much younger, be given the opportunity.

    The adoption of the deputy governor has sparked a fresh crisis in the party as other aggrieved aspirants have described the action as “illegal, unconstitutional and violation of the party constitution and Electoral Act.”

    The Ikere prayer session was attended by who-is-who in the Fayose political family, except those who were on special duties elsewhere or those who are secretly hobnobbing with other aspirants.

    The deputy governor was joined at the prayer session by his wife, Deaconess Janet Olusola, the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Obas and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju; the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi; the House of Assembly member representing Ikere Constituency 1, Mr. Wale Ayeni; Ikere Local Government Chairman, Mr. Ola Alonge; Gbonyin Local Government Chairman, Mrs Sade Akinrinmola and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman, Senator Bode Ola.

    Olusola, who prayed that Fayose would be elected President in 2019 promised to continue with his boss’ legacies. He said Ekiti would benefit immensely having him as the governor and Fayose as President.

    The prayer session was led by the Government House Chaplain who also doubles as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matters, Pastor Seyi Olusola.

    The chaplain said the deputy governor decided to start with prayer because of his conviction that his success could only be made possible by divine support praying that the governorship project will land Olusola in the Government House as Fayose’s successor.

    Apparently referring to the acrimony generated by his adoption, Olusola said Fayose and his supporters had not done anything wrong by the action as all aspirants interested in the PDP ticket would still test their popularity at the primary.

    The deputy governor appealed to aggrieved  aspirants kicking against his endorsement to allow peace to reign, expressing confidence that he would emerge victorious at the shadow election where he would be confirmed as the flag bearer for the main election.

    Olusola said: “The truth is that when two or three people are contesting for a post, it will definitely get to only one person and others may not be happy initially. But as time goes on, everything will be settled.

  • Anambra AD candidate promises prosperity

    Anambra State candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the November 18 governorship election, Chief Valentine Ugo-Akpe Onwuka, has promised to turn around the fortunes of the state with policies and programmes that will promote economic prosperity.

    In a statement, the Advertising expert said he was determined to harness the energies and potential of Anambra residents for the reengineering of their collective psyche and reinvigoration a desire to build a solid, economically sustainable and prosperous land where the right to life, freedom and justice would be guaranteed.

    He said: “This shall form the root principles to which my government shall be dedicated to, in order to better lives, make property acquisition affordable, while protecting each and every citizen of the state.”

    The statement reads: “Our beloved state is in a crisis created and sustained by the mismanagement, incompetence and corruption of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government.

    “While theatrics are promoted, economic conditions are worsening by the day and there is so much suffering in the land.

    “The protection of the lives and properties of our people are no more a priority at this time, when extreme protection should be ensured.

    “From herdsmen mayhem to the tacit approval of the current administration to the murder and violent intimidation of our people, all we see is blood, tears and wailing, and a remorseless government.”

    The Ogbunike-born advertising and brands expert said: “I am asking for your votes so that we can create an inclusive, united Anambra. It is this new and invigorated unity that will bring the rebirth of Anambra State.”

  • APC candidate Muse-Ariyo wins Oshodi/Isolo

    The chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bolaji Muse-Ariyo, has won in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area.

    Ariyo polled 8, 429 votes to defeat his closest contender from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr  Adeola Williams who scored 3,928 votes.

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Returning Officer, Mr Abari Ajibola, declared Ariyo the winner of the election, having scored the highest number of votes.

    Ajibola said: “The candidate of APC, Mr Muse Ariyo Bolaji Idris received 8,429 votes followed by Mr Adeola Saheed Williams of the PDP who scored 3, 928 while the third on the list, is Mr Kazeem Lanre Aregbe of the LP with 896.”

    APC agent Adewale Adelana said that the outcome of the election reflected the decision of the people of Oshodi/Isolo on who to lead them.

  • Mega Rally for candidate

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will today converge on Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State for a mega rally to round off the campaign for the election of Hammed Idowu Tijani.

    Tijani, a former Supervisory Councillor, is favoured to win.

    Among those expected at the rally are House of Assembly member Rasheed Makinde, party leaders and elders.

    “HID is poised to win going by the support we have received from the house to house and street to street campaign that we have mounted,” Gbenga Falegan, a former councillor and one of those leading the campaign, said.

  • ‘APC must field best candidate to win in Ekiti’

    ‘APC must field best candidate to win in Ekiti’

    Former Ekiti State Commissioner for Works and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Chief Oladiran Adesua spoke with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on his ambition to rule the Fountain of Knowledge.

    Why do you want to govern Ekiti State?

    I think I am not only good for the job, like others, I am better because unlike others there are four qualities a person aspiring for the post must have. You must know Ekiti like the palm of your hand. You must be knowledgeable about the stakeholders who constitute your party. You must have the knowledge of the problems of Ekiti first hand. And you should know the potentials of Ekiti. For instance, the greatest problem confronting the state is unemployment. There is no village in Ekiti that you won’t find at least five unemployed graduates. So, to me this is a great problem that must be tackled headlong.  Remember the saying that an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. It will interest you to know that you can’t access the roads leading to Ekiti from outside and without good road leading to the state you cannot expect development to happen. Also, electricity supply in the state is bad. For the APC to provide good leadership in the next dispensation, it must field the right candidate like me.

    Less than two years to the governorship poll, the APC remains factionalised…

    What you call intra-party crisis is not peculiar to Ekiti APC. But I don’t believe that the party is factionalised. The crisis that you are talking about is a tendency that happens when you are not in government. You can understand the frustration of people. I can assure you that immediately the very formidable aspirants start to show up, those tendencies will naturally cease to exist. I know of a fact that we don’t have intractable crisis in our party, because we are a big family. As time goes on, the issues would be resolved.

    What is your assessment of the Ayodele Fayose-led government? 

    In answering your question, I will be biased. Nevertheless, let me start by saying that in terms of infrastructure, he is doing some work here and there. He is doing the flyover. But, whether or not he has got his priorities right is the issue. However, personally, my priorities will differ from his. More importantly, in terms of the overall welfare of Ekiti citizens, I will score him zero. I was formerly a civil servant. I could not have imagined that workers could be owed seven months salaries, pensioners more than seven months and gratuities have not been paid in four years. This is more than hardship. The state is regarded as a civil servants’ state. Therefore, monthly salaries go a long way to grow the economy. I want to believe that it is only by the grace of God that they are surviving.

    Why did the APC lose the last governorship poll in Ekiti?

    Our party lost that election because there was a total disconnect between the government and the people. That was basically the reason we lost that election. Therefore, the lessons to be learnt are that those who are elected must be on the same page with the people. The party must avoid a repeat of that defeat by electing those who are loved by the people.

    Given what happened in Ondo, do you still have confidence in the Odigie-Oyegun-led leadership to conduct a credible primary in Ekiti? 

    Our party did what was right in Ondo State. I have been in politics long enough to know that when primary is conducted, some people are bound to be aggrieved. There will be allegations and counter-allegations. As time goes on, such would be resolved.  Today in Ekiti, we have about 20 aspirants, but with time, it will be streamlined. My faith doesn’t lie in Odigie-Oyegun, but in the delegates who will vote in Ekiti.

  • AU committee chair: Buhari raises five lobbying committees for Nigerian candidate

    AU committee chair: Buhari raises five lobbying committees for Nigerian candidate

    •Gambari, Kingibe, Amina, Onyeama, Fayemi head teams

    President Muhammadu Buhari has raised five lobbying committees for a Nigerian contesting for the post of Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union (AU) Commission, Fatima Kyari Mohammed.

    Mrs. Mohammed is the official candidate of ECOWAS for the coveted post, which will be contested for by other blocs in Africa during the Heads of State Summit on January 30 and 31.

    According to investigation by The Nation, Nigeria is interested in the slot in view of the strategic role it has been playing in conflict resolution in Africa.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said ECOWAS Heads of State have unanimously endorsed Mrs. Mohammed.

    The source said: “The President has decided to reach out to all African Heads of State and Government to support the candidature of Fatima, who has done a lot to promote peace and development in West Africa.

    “Five campaign teams led by three ministers have been set up by the President. The ministers leading the teams are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    “Others involved in the lobbying are two special envoys, who are former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Baba Kingibe, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Ambassador Ayo Oke, Enuma Okoro, Ambassador Jacden and others. All of them will embark on trips to different parts of the continent in January.

    “Two events have already been held in Addis Ababa to introduce the Nigeria’s candidate to the diplomatic community. Election holds at Heads of State Summit holding between January 30th and 31st.”

    When The Nation visited  fatimakyarimohammed.org  yesterday, she said her vision is to ensure “a prosperous Africa, where its citizens can live in security and dignity in an inclusive environment where collective responsibility and accountable institutions foster peace and stability”.

    One of the qualities, which endeared her to ECOWAS leaders, was her passion for the care of the vulnerable.

    She runs the Like-Minds Project, which has executed several projects for those displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    Her pet project has assisted more than 50,000 families in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

  • My plan for Ondo, by ACPN candidate

    My plan for Ondo, by ACPN candidate

    The governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Ondo State, Chief Adetuwo Ogunjumelo, has said the state needed a refinery as an oil-producing state.

    Ogunjumelo was reacting to insinuations that the state has been unlucky to have good leaders since its creation.

    He said the only industry in Igbotako, Ilaje Local Government Area, the hometown of the disputed governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim, and Major General Olu Bajowa, was established by him.

    He said: “Let any of the governorship candidates in Ondo State point to any industry that has added any economic value to either the state or his local government. As a chartered accountant and Chairman of Korede Microfinance Bank since 1992, I promise that anybody in Ondo State who is above 70 will be provided with free medical care with allowances.”

    Ogunjumelo, who is the first chartered account in Okitipupa division, said no civil servant would be owed salaries.

    He added: “Without the federal allocation, our government will create jobs within the first two years and also be able to pay.”

    He promised to revive the oil palm and Oluwa Glass Industries.

    He would declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector in the state in order for Ondo to be restored as an oil producing state.

    Ogunjumelo: “I have a role for women in my government and that was why I have appointed a female deputy. I also want to assure you that 45% of those that will form part of the State Executive Council (SEC) will be women. In the area of housing, being a chartered accountant, I will create a kind of mortgage that will enable a level one officer in the state’s civil service to own his own house which he or she can pay within 15 to 20 years. What Ondo needs in the area of education is proper funding of the tertiary institutions so that they can carry out a proper research that can add value to the people of the state.”

  • INEC right on PDP candidate, say Falana, Keyamo 

    INEC right on PDP candidate, say Falana, Keyamo 

    Frontline lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has said the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)to recognise the candidate of the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim, is right.

    Last Thursday, INEC endorsed Ibrahim’s candidacy after an Abuja High Court declared him the authentic PDP candidate.

    The electoral umpire had earlier recognised the candidate of the Ahmed Markafi-led faction, Eyitayo Jegede.

    Falana said: “INEC has merely obeyed a court order.

    “INEC has obeyed an order of a court pursuant to a valid and subsisting judgment.

    “You want INEC to disregard the judgment?”

    He said it was wrong for the Markafi-led PDP to seek a restraining order from another court of equal status.

    He said: “Once there’s an order, you can only go and set aside the existing one.

    “You can’t go and start another one. That’s what causes conflicting court order.

    “You can’t go and initiate a process that will set one court in collision with another. It’s primitive. It’s not done in any civilised society.

    “If there’s a judgment against you, you go to that same court to set it aside.

    “You don’t go and file a fresh action in another court, and thereby set the courts on collision course, which may result in conflicting court orders.”

    He said since the Markafi faction had appealed the judgment, it should have waited for the party’s outcome.

    “There’s an appeal against the judgment of the Abuja court.

    “No other person can go to another court, a lower court, to set aside the judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction. It’s not done.

    “And I don’t blame the judges, like the judge in Akure, because nothing happened to those who gave conflicting orders in the PDP leadership crisis the other day. That’s why this mess has continued.”

    He urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to discourage his supporters from protesting because he became a governor after a court pronouncement.

    He added: “You can’t take any step that will subvert the rule of law. What do they expect INEC to do? To disregard the order of a court because of sentiment and rely on expatiate order? No responsible organisation does that.”

    Festus Keyamo also supported Falana’s position, insisting that the electoral umpire followed the law.

    “There are conflicting orders. There’s no amount of emotion or protests that can change that. It’s a purely legal matter.

    “It doesn’t matter the presence of a political group. There are two conflicting orders. INEC is in complete order to effect any of the orders until the Supreme Court decides.”