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Tag: candidate

  • ‘INEC must accept me as Ondo PDP candidate’

    ‘INEC must accept me as Ondo PDP candidate’

    In this interview with the Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital, Yomi Odunuga, the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Jimoh Ibrahim, argues that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is bound by law to accept him as the candidate for the November 26 poll. He also speaks about other issues. 

    With what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said about the purported judgment obtained by you, would you say you are at a crossroads?

    Well, that should not be. INEC has no option than to obey the law of Nigeria. If they don’t obey the law of Nigeria, then we take them up on that to the highest court in the land and ensure the system is straightened in such a way that we can add value to our democracy. If you are given a court judgment and you sit as appeal in your wisdom over the majesty declaration, then you are taking the state towards anarchy. The trajectory is very clear. During Prof. Attahiru Jega’s tenure, INEC was known for obeying court orders. That was never compromised and that is why we could get democracy to where we are. In certain cases, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu obeyed the court order instantly. In the removal of two House of Assembly members, the order was obeyed instantly. But in Jimoh Ibrahim’s case where the order is specific; the first thing I heard was that once we have it, we would obey it. So, we made sure they got it and then the next thing we heard was that we have not been served, so we made sure they were served, and then the next thing we heard was we are studying it, now we have been served. Then the next thing we heard was, we are studying it but we give them till 27th of October to reconcile. Reconcile what? Are you an arbitrator? What are you reconciling? Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has warned that you don’t interfere in the internal affairs of political parties. Truthfully speaking, making that statement that they would give us up till 27th of October to reconcile smacks of nothing but corruption.

    Are you suspecting that the INEC is supporting the other group?

    I don’t care what INEC wants to do with its own life. What is important to me is that INEC must comply with the judgment making me the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Governorship election in Ondo State. It is not about Jimoh. It is about the system. What has brought our democracy to this level is the courage that Jega had to tell former President Goodluck Jonathan that he did not win the election and that the winner of this election was President Muhammadu Buhari and he gave him certificate of return. That was courageous. What took Jega to that level was running away from impunity, obeying court judgment and ensuring that there was a total compliance with court judgment till date. If he didn’t do that, Nigeria would not be enjoying democracy now, maybe we would have been at war.

    Does that mean we are progressing?

    Well, we cannot progress in one day. This is a less than 60-year-old country. This country gained independence in 1960. It is not even as old as University of Oxford whic was established in 1209 and that is about 800 years ago. Nigeria is just a baby; you cannot get it the same way the US is getting now. In other words, University of Oxford has been awarding degrees 750 years before Nigeria was discovered. We would get there, it is gradual. The key thing is to establish democracy and strengthen the institution. Institutional void is what prevented people from doing business in Nigeria. Part of it is my own case where, with a court order, INEC is still thinking whether to obey or not. Nobody would want to do business in that kind of country.

    You have threathen to go to court. Do you still have confidence on the judiciary?

    The government is strengthening the judiciary. Institutional void is one complaint that the World Bank would give to you about Nigeria. You go to IMF you want to borrow money, institutional void. You go to International Court of Justice; you talk about Nigeria, institutional void. Institutional void means unpredictable institutions that cannot stand on their own and do the right things at all time. You cannot be too sure they would do what the law asked them to do. So, the government is strengthening the judiciary, it is strengthening other systems, and departments of governments, state institutions. INEC should also be strengthened and purged of all the bad eggs. I am talking about one or two people in INEC that I had personal encounters with and you know, at my level, if I write the first petition in my life after 50 years, 26 years in the bar, you should know that I have evidence to say what I am doing. In fact, I have not said one-tenth of what Mrs. Babalola told me about INEC. If I say it, INEC would go on fire. So as a holder of the OFR National Honours, I keep that to myself until the DSS would investigate the matter. I can release that information to them but I just decide not to say it to the press. If I say it, you would lose credibility in the entire system because she said a lot of things to me and I do not work in INEC, all in a bid to persuade me to play the ball which I did not. Actually, she advised us about this court order. It is not for INEC to say they did not say so, when they do the investigation then they would know whether they say so or not. You can go and defend yourself there. I have said what I have said because that is what I was told and that was very clear.

    Why does your name often come in Ondo State governorship election?

    Mimiko, the incumbent governor, is afraid of my name and I do not know why. He is afraid that he has collected over 1 trillion naira in the last eight years and there is no development in the state. What we have is hopelessness, hunger, unpaid eight months’ salary, eight months of unpaid pension. I mean this is very bad in an oil producing state and what we are saying is that, this should not be so. They say there is recession, which recession? Buhari has sent to Ondo state more than180 billion naira since he came to office. Salaries from the period of two years even if you adjust the Buhari government to be two years old, the combined salaries of civil servants is less than 80 billion naira. You collected 180 billion; there is a hundred billion surplus. We are talking about recession and yet people have not collected salaries from the beginning of the year. They owe them eight months. That is completely rubbish.

    People would say it is easier said than done. What exactly do you hope to do differently?

    For me, a lot of things would go into turning around the state. It is a state in comatose, it needs to be turned around. That’s the first thing. So, we are going to diagnose the place, and we are going to develop human capability. That is what Mimiko neglected. Mimiko just finished from central-central district and they want to bring a governor that would spend another eight years in central-central district. Is that possible? Assuming he is able to do it, how would the governor have support of the people to run Ondo State? Where would he derive his legitimacy from? The governor should either come from the north or the south. I am from the south, if I finish, I give it back to the north. That is why you must be able to build a structure, a strategy and a system, to drive economic growth. If you don’t have a synergy, if the synergy is return power to yourself and the structure is to take it to where you are coming from, central-central district then you know the system would collapse. Like I said, he is a black swan in Ondo State and I think he is just afraid for nothing. He needs to come to the reality of the plight of the people of Ondo State. Regrettably, he is on his way out, he has just few days to go.

    How would you react to the general assumption that you are not that popular in Ondo State?

    I do not need Mimiko’s support. What do I need Mimiko support for? Mimiko is a liability. If Mimiko take you to campaign at the podium, you are going to lose the election. Somebody who has not paid eight months’ salary, what support would he give me that would translate to reality. What do you mean by I am not popular in the state? In 2003, you were there when I ran for election in the state; Adefarati beat me with about 5,000 votes. That was an incumbent governor. I was 34 years old then and I was able to make that giant effort. What are talking about? That is to tell you that I was almost there. If the incumbent could have beaten me to about with 5,000 votes, what are we saying? In 2003 to now, is a lot of years, I have played a lot of roles in politics in Nigeria from ANPP to PDP. Mimiko has moved from AD to PDP, from PDP to Labour party, from Labour party to PDP, and there from there. I don’t know where he is going to tomorrow. Maybe PDM.

    Are you confident that this fight to get INEC to put your name on the voter’s list would be realisable before the election?

    There is nothing stopping INEC from putting my name because, like I told you, it is an order from the court. It is not something that INEC has an option. This is not a choice. When you go against the law, it has its consequences and that is exactly what we have said. We need to really be transparent in Nigeria. You can imagine Mimiko, the equipment donated to him from Ondo state doctors in diaspora, one of those doctors was from Irele, they met in America and then medical doctors decided to look for medical equipment and give it to Ondo state. Mimiko went there to collect the equipment in the ceremony, brought them to Ondo and said that he bought it for several millions of dollars. It is so terrible and those guys are very annoyed. They had to call me from America that what kind of nonsense is this; they used their name and reputation to go to the manufacturer of the equipment to collect the equipment which they donated to Ondo State. I mean 1 trillion is a lot of money, what did he use it for?

  • I’m authentic PDP candidate, says Jegede

    I’m authentic PDP candidate, says Jegede

    Following the Abuja Federal High Court ruling that went in favour of the candidate of the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim,   the flag bearer of the party in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, at a fund-raising event in Lagos, has insisted that he remains the candidate because he was not a party to the suit.

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has allayed fears that he is at risk of losing the ticket, following the recent court judgment. He said that he was not a party to the Abuja Federal High Court suit that favoured the candidate of the Modu Sheriff-led faction, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

    Jegede, who spoke at a fund-raising event in Lagos tagged, ‘An Evening with Eyitayo Jegede’, said he discovered after studying the case that it was about the 2019 general elections and not about his mandate as the flag bearer.

    He said: “I want to again reassure you that I am the candidate of the PDP in Ondo State; I am not a party to any suit; I have not been sued as the PDP candidate and I have not sued anybody. Our party, the PDP, which is a defendant in the case filed by persons that were not governorship aspirants or contestants, has filed an appeal at a higher court and I believe that justice will take its course.”

    The PDP flag bearer said that Ondo State has always been noted for peace and tranquility and that there is no need for anyone to fret over any suit aimed at causing disaffection.

    The candidate, who was visibly moved by the array of eminent indigenes and other Nigerians that came to support his aspiration, said he would consolidate on the achievements of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    He said: “Previous administrations have done their best to develop the state, but I am promising you tonight that we will do even more.” For instance, he said the shuttle service for pupils and students in the state is a novelty that should never be abandoned, because parents no longer get worried about the need to pay for their children’s transportation while attending school.

    Jegede added: “Again, the delivery of free health delivery system for pregnant women that has led to a drastic reduction in maternal deaths also has to be continued. For instance, between 18 and 24 deliveries take place every day under the scheme, at no cost and regardless of whether you are an indigene of Ondo State or not.”

    He said if voted as governor, he would focus, on not only infrastructural development, but also on the establishment of big-time industries that will provide sustainable jobs for the teaming population of the unemployed. The PDP candidate said he has designed an economic blueprint for reviving moribund industries and establishing of a power plant to keep the industries going.

    The candidate promised to make the cocoa business a worthwhile venture, adding that, in a season, the state produces between 78 and 84 tonnes of cocoa, which is marketed both locally and internationally.

    The chairman of the occasion, Prince Dapo Adelegan, said Jegede is dependable and purposeful, adding that as a technocrat, he would swing into action immediately he is sworn in.

    Adelegan, who is the President of Nigerian/British Chambers of Commerce and Industries, added: “There is a global recession now that has also affected the Nigerian economy adversely. What we need in Ondo State is a technocrat as governor, not necessarily a politician; someone who would put the state on the path of economic progress.”

    Governor Mimiko was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Yele Ogundipe.

    At another gathering in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Jegede promised to institute a comprehensive insurance policy for farmers at all levels in the state, if elected.

    The legal practitioner, who spoke about his plans to boost the economy of the state said his government would do everything within its means to make farming an enviable profession, both for practicing farmers and youths that are prepared to embrace the profession with the ultimate aim of becoming employers of labour.

    Jegede, who is the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said farmers would experience the best of times under his administration, adding they would be insured against any eventuality, including attack by herdsmen. The insurance scheme, he added, would also cover fish farmers against flood.

    The PDP candidate said he would empower cocoa farmers to enhance the production of premium cocoa for export.

    His words: “Because of my priority for the economy in general and farming in particular, I will institute a scheme where our farmers will be insured against any eventuality, including herdsmen attack. The businesses of our farmers, including fish farmers, will be insured, so that when they suffer any loss, there will be compensation for them.”

    Emphasising that farming will be giving a special place in his government; Jegede said state farms would be created where farmers would be given lands to function, aside the running of their private farms.

    He added: “There will be state farms in all the senatorial districts where farmers would have the opportunity to earn more and employ people as well. They will also get free seedling.

    “We want to make our people self-reliant as much as we can and we are determined to compliment what the present government is doing in that direction and bring more innovations that will make farming a preferred profession in the state

    “The present government has done well in this regard, especially as it affects young farmers who have practically become self-reliant through the various agro business centres in Ore, Auga and Isuada among others.”

    He promised to empower farmers to leverage on their ability to produce cocoa and train them and as well on how to produce premium cocoa that will add value to their earning.

    Jegede also assured that his administration would continue to support the Mother and Child Hospital in Akure and the Mega Schools project, saying they are some of the people-oriented programmes of the Mimiko administration.

    The PDP flag bearer said he will ensure that the Mother and Child Hospital is built in three senatorial districts, in line with the focus of the government. He said schools that are yet to meet the standard of the Mimiko-led administration’s millennium-compliant Mega Schools will be upgraded to meet that standard.

    Jegede said the experience he has acquired as part of the incumbent administration in the last seven years would assist him to make impact.

    According to the former Commissioner, his position as an integral part of the Mimiko administration in the last seven years has given him an insight into what could be done to further raise the bar of governance.

    He said  the challenges of the time demanded that the best hand is engaged to address them, adding that he will rely on his  understanding of the state and its people, as well as his experience to develop the state.

    Jegede emphasized that the legacies of previous governments will be protected and that he will use the experience he acquired in government to pilot well the affairs of the state, even as he volunteered that he has perfected a blueprint for job creation and to grow the state’s economy to the desired position.

    He added: “There is a very clear idea of what I want to do; I have a clear policy of what I want to do, especially in the area of job creation and the economy.”

  • Oke is our candidate, says AD

    Oke is our candidate, says AD

    The Ondo State Executive Committee of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has defended the party’s choice of Chief Olusola Oke as its flag bearer in the November 26 governorship election, saying the former All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain has met the requirements stipulated by the party’s constitution.

    Speaking at a press conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, its Chairman, Seriki Adebobola, debunked the report by some youths under the aegis of Akin Olowookere Youth Vanguard (AOYV), claiming that they still recognised Akin Olowoolere as the flag bearer.

    Adebobola said Oke has met the conditions stipulated by the party, adding that it has structure which its governorship candidate passed through before he was adopted to replace Olowookere.

    “We are using this forum to disown the youth in their unruly action to embarrass our candidate; we want Chief Oke to note that such statement did not emanating from the AD.”

    He recalled that Oke was earlier planning to defect into Action Alliance (AA), but quickly retraced his step, “because the AD is a party for the Southwest”.

    The chairman said Oke was embraced and welcomed into the party as a man with sound academic and administrative pedigree that makes the AD the party to beat in the November 26 poll.

  • PFN president denies endorsing candidate

    PFN president denies endorsing candidate

    THE National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and General Superintendent of New Covenant Gospel Church, Dr. Felix Omobude, has denied endorsing any candidate for the governorship poll.

    He said a publication stating that a particular candidate was endorsed by the religious body was laced with distortions and  falsehood.

    A statement by the media aide to Omobude, Deacon Ralph Okhiria, said the PFN president was saddened by attempts to drag his name into partisan politics.

    He said: “Rev. Omobude wishes to assure all the contestants and political parties that he remains apolitical and prays that God’s choice for Edo State would emerge through this democratic process.

    “The PFN National President also urged all Edo people to seize the opportunity which democracy offers to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice.

    “He  further wish all Edo people a peaceful, orderly and credible election.”

  • Tinubu is our leader, says Akeredolu

    Tinubu is our leader, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has described Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the party’s respected leader, who he is waiting for his blessing.

    He denied a report that he said Tinubu would be shocked on the outcome of the result of the primary held at the weekend.

    Akeredolu spoke with reporters after he was announced winner of the primary.

    The APC candidate said he was surprised to read such report credited to him, saying going through the content of the report, there was no where he used such word.

    The former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) said he respects Tinubu as the party’s leader and he is always waiting for his blessing on whoever emerges as the APC candidate.

    He said: “I never said so. If you read that interview, you will never see where I used such word.

    “Tinubu is the leader of the party and I have respect for him.

    “He was here in Ondo State during the last governorship election and which I contested as the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    “He spent his money and his time and I am sure this time around, he will also be here to support me.

    “I always believe that he is somebody that I am waiting to see his blessing on who will emerge from free and fair primary and God has endorsed me.”

    The candidate was, however, confident that the party would go into the poll as a united family.

    He hailed the electoral committee members headed by Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar for being faired to the contestants.

    “We have witnessed the most transparent, free and fair primary poll.

    “We have been talking about you and your electoral committee. I mean all of us – the aspirants – particularly your approach to us sir. It is been wonderful. You are respectful and you gave us the opportunity to be part of this primary. You are accommodating and you listen to us and there was no any time you try to force.

    “Today is a great day in the anal of this state. We are 24, who contested in this exercise.

    “They are great men and a woman, and who are eminently qualified to be governor of this state.

    “I want to appreciate all the aspirants for the wonderful relationship we had throughout the campaign.

    “We are looking forward for all of us to work together.

    “I have said it over and over that when politics is on competition for position, it will raise a lot of dust.

    “It is normal but when the dust is settled, we must work as one family and I know all the aspirants are going to work together as one family so that we can win during the poll.

    “We don’t need to give any signal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the incumbent governor. He knows that we have come and on undoubtedly, we will produce the next governor.

    “APC will be united for this campaign, we are going to carry everybody along,” Akeredolu said.

    The party’s candidate got 669 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Segun Abraham, who garnered 635 votes.

     

     

    Abraham congratulates APC candidate

    The runner up in the governorship primary election of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Segun Abraham, yesterday congratulated the winner, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

    He promised to work for the party’s victory in the November 26 poll.

    Abraham got 635 votes and Akeredolu scored 669 votes. Twenty-three aspirants participated in the primary.

    Abraham spoke in an interview with reporters at his home in Akure, the state capital.

    The aspirant hailed the party’s electoral committee members, led by Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, for being transparent during the exercise.

    He praised his supporters for their love and dedication during the campaign.

    He assured them that their efforts would never be in vain.

    His words: “I want to thank the people of Ondo State for the love they gave me and I pray that the revival that I prayed for Ondo State, God will bring it back.

    “I want to thank my party, APC, which is the most respected party in West Africa. It is the only party that we can trust all over the world on transparency.

    “I want to thank all the leaders, particularly President Muhammdu Buhari, for sanitising this nation by reducing corruption.

    “As a loyal and dedicated member of APC, I will continue to be loyal and continue to work for the progress of my party.

    “I want to tell the people of Ondo State that you are my people and I am your son. I will not turn my back and I will continue to put your matter before me as one of the priorities in whatever capacity that God allows me to assist this state, especially in the area of industrialisation, area of poverty reduction, area of wealth creation and area of reviving of values.

    “I want to tell you that by God’s grace, Ondo State will be great. I thank God that has made me to be a Nigerian and I thank God that I am an Ikare man from Akoko.

    “I want to thank our fathers and mothers from Akoko for the love and dedication they gave this project.

    “They came out united to ensure that I win the primary, they even prayed and fast and they did all they could so that our state also will develop.

    “I want to thank the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim community for their prayers throughout my campaign. I believe that the state must move forward and I believe that APC must take the state from PDP.”

  • Why Borofice should be candidate, by former aspirant

    Why Borofice should be candidate, by former aspirant

    A former governorship aspirant of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Olaoluwa Adeyeye, has urged the members to support the gubernatorial aspiration  of Senator Ajayi Borofice to win the November election.

    Speaking  with The Nation, the Akure-born lawyer said he decided to throw his weight behind Borofice because the  aspirant is capable of winning the primary and the November  elections  in Ondo.

    He said Borofice antecedence as an established democrat and a renowned progressive place him a shoulder above the others.

    “Beyond the 2015 elections, he worked valiantly. My people confirmed it that the role he played in the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in Ondo state was very crucial. And that is the kind of leadership the APC needs in Ondo state at this time, hence our decision to follow Prof. Borofice.”

    On what he would do to ensure victory for his candidate, he said he would deploy his support base entirely to the electioneering process.

    “At the moment, we’re going to work with delegates as we go to the primaries. They are delegates that we’ve been in touch and have been working with for the better part of the last one year and we’ve made our stand known to them that myself, Olaoluwa Adeyeye has stepped them from this race not to remain neutral but to actually support 110 per cent Prof. Borofice. That is the message we’ve passed across every senatorial districts where we’ve supporters.”

    He added: ” I have a following of my base which is Akure, which is the largest voting bloc that you have in Ondo state. I have the support of quite a number of constituents including religious and otherwise and I’m going to deploy for my candidate all of that support base to ensure victory at the general elections after these primaries.”

    While dispelling rumours of about an anointed candidate, Adeyeye said: “The official communication from the leaders of our party is that there would be free and fair elections.”

    The politician said he would remain loyal to the party. “If Prof. Borofice does not win the primaries, which is very unlikely, I have said and I will confirm again that I will remain in a loyal member of the APC, if the delegates vote and another candidate carries the day , I will deploy my resources , my network and my support base for hat winner. The ultimate aim for us as a party I to remain focused. We need to retrieve Ondo state from the claws of poverty, backwardness. We need to open up Ondo state for growth, and international development.”

    He also appealed to the APC delegates to vote wisely at the primaries and shun money politics, stressing that it will be counter-productive for the APC and the good people of Ondo State in general in the long run.

  • Ondo APC: we won’t impose candidate

    Ondo APC: we won’t impose candidate

    •Youths seek credible primaries

    •Tinubu hailed

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the claim that it is planning to impose one of the aspirants on its platform as the party’s candidate for the November 26 governorship poll.

    There was an allegation that an investor, Segun Abraham, was picked by the APC national leaders as the party’s candidate.

    Its spokesman, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, said the APC would conduct a transparent primary election for the 25 aspirants that have shown interest in the party’s ticket.

    He stressed that over 3,000 delegates, among them the party’s leaders, would participate in the primary election, where the party’s flag-bearer will emerge.

    “The people of Ondo State should have patience with us, as this could be the handwork of our opposition in the state.

    “The leaders of the APC have not imposed anybody on the party and there is definitely no room for such because everybody is preparing for the primary election.

    “Just as the leaders have reiterated, we (APC) in Ondo State are going to conduct a credible primary election, where our candidate will emerge and its process shall be transparent and credible,” Adesanya said.

    He urged the party supporters to remain united to wrest power from Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Also yesterday, APC leaders have been urged to ensure a transparent and smooth exercise to facilitate the emergence of the party’s flagbearer for the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo State.

    The party’s youth wing under the leadership of Mr. Babalayo Olutayo made the pleas in a communique issued after its meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    The communique signed by the youth leaders in the 18 local government areas described youths as responsible wing of the progressives party with the vision and mission of facilitating the process that would engender a credible leader to rescue the state from its economic doldrums as being witnessed under the Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration.

    The youths acknowledged the contributions of APC leaders, especially the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for his struggle to ensure that the sunshine state is back in the progressives’ fold.

    The communique said: “We acknowledge the effort of the APC National Leader in ensuring that a conducive political atmosphere established on the threshold of equity, justice and fair-play is provided in the state.”

    The youth leaders lamented that under the present dispensation, they had suffered marginalisation in decision-making and implementation of policies that affect the party.

    “We the youth always determine where the political pendulum will swing because I’ve constitute 80 per cent of total population of delegates and voters in the state. At the same time, we are the agents of mobilisation during electioneering campaigns, but usually being sidelined in the party’s affairs.

    “The APC youth should not be seen as the custodian of political liability and failure, which must only be used and dumped at all times,” the communique added.

    The youth noted that they have resolved to channel all their energy and strength to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate at the primary election.

    They pledged their determination to hold on strictly to the mandate of ensuring a peaceful primary election on August 27.

  • Why I will not use police security, by UPP candidate

    Why I will not use police security, by UPP candidate

    The governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe, has stated that he would not use men of the Nigeria police Force as part his security details because of corruption if elected as governor.

    Nowamagbe, a social critic and musician, said part of his reasons were that police demanded money to provide security at the flagging off campaign rally of his party.

    His words: “You write a letter to them and they will ask you to bring money before they send policemen to you.”

    He spoke in Benin City after he was presented with the party’s flag by National Chairman of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie.

    Nowamagbe promised to work with lawmakers to legalize activities of vigilantes in the state with a view to providing adequate security in the state.

    He urged the people not to vote for the PDP or the APC because ‘they are same fellows’.

    Nowamagbe noted Governor Adams Oshiomhole performed under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria did nothing since the party changed its name to APC.

    He alleged that Governor Oshiomhole rigorous campaigns for Obaseki was to provide cover for $200m loan recently secured by the Edo State government.

    On why the people should not vote for the PDP, Nowamagbe said the party consists of the ‘same old cargoes who frustrated Lucky Igbinedion’.

    According to him, “I am going to crush them to recover any state money with them because I am allergic to corruption. I will not compromise on that.”

    “There will be good road network that will open up rural areas in the state. We will make Edo a good place not live as there will be stable electricity from solar power.”

    On his part, Chief Okorie said the APC has cancelled every promises made to Nigerians.

    Okorie said the state will witnessed development when the people vote in a UPP government.

    Meanwhile, candidate of the People For Democratic Change (PDC), Bishop Akhalamhe has earlier raised alarmed for money demanded by officials of Nigeria Police before security would be provided at campaign rallies.

    Bishop said the Nigeria Police Force failed to provide security at the party primaries because he refused to pay N200,000 that was demanded

    Responding, State Commissioner of Police, Chriz Ezike, said he has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to investigate the allegations.

    Ezike said political parties were not supposed to pay for police to provide security.

  • Ize-Iyamu not an alternative to APC, says KOWA candidate

    The KOWA governorship candidate, Thompson Osadolor, has said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, should not succeed Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Osadolor, who said he remained the candidate to beat at the September 10 poll spoke in Benin.

    He said: Ize-Iyamu who was an integral part in the infamous Lucky Igbinedion’s administration in Edo, would never be the right person to lead the state.

    “Ize-Iyamu says he is a rebranded man, whether he is going to work for his people or those who are supporting him, remains best known to him.

    “But, as for me, it is going to be difficult because you cannot extricate yourself from those who you have been part and parcel of for decades that looted Edo state.

    Osadolor added: “He was part of Lucky Igbinedion’s administration as council chairman, also he was Chief of staff as well as Secretary to the state government under the same man.

    “Yet again, the same Ize-Iyamu is being supported and under the sponsorship of the same Lucky and other persons in PDP who ruined the state.”

    “Oshiomhole has done well but i, as the candidate of KOWAa party, remained the best to take over from where he stopped,” he posited.

    Well promising that his government would be hinged on human capital development, Osadolor said he would lay a solid foundation for successive government of the state.

    He also promised to replicate the developmental model obtainable in the developed countries of the world.

    “I have tasted life in several of the advanced countries of the world and as such, I know better what good governance is. The people are yearning for good governance and I will replicate what here, what is obtainable in outside the country.

    “I am not going to do magic, but will build a legacy which every. Successive government will meet and build upon,” stated Osadolor.

    The KOWA candidate who said he would flag-off his campaign on Wednesday, noted however, that his campaign is going to be based on issues.

  • Sheriff rejects INEC’s acceptance of Ize-Iyamu as Edo PDP candidate

    Sheriff rejects INEC’s acceptance of Ize-Iyamu as Edo PDP candidate

    …As Makarfi harps on reconciliation

    The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has rejected the recognition given to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the candidate for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, during the week, accepted Ize-Iyamu’s nomination. Ize-Iyamu’s name was submitted by the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.

    But, speaking in Abuja yesterday, Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, described INEC’s decision to accept Ize-Iyamu as a “mere rumour”.

    Ojougboh spoke while receiving a delegation of professionals from the Southsouth geo-political zone.

    Ojougboh said: ”We heard a rumour making the rounds that INEC has accepted another person as candidate of the PDP for the Edo State governorship election

    “I hereby dispel the rumour and categorically state that INEC has not yet communicated the decision to us”.

    According to him, INEC was still considering the judgements and court orders arising from the lingering leadership crisis

    He said the Federal High Court in Abuja had specifically asked the INEC to recognise only candidates presented by Sheriff.

    Ojougboh said: “The court in Port Harcourt is not superior to the court in Abuja, and as such cannot reverse the specific orders of the Abuja court ruling that INEC can only accept PDP candidates from the Sheriff-led executive for purposes of Edo and Ondo governorship elections.”

    He appealed to members of the party, particularly in Edo State, to remain calm as the matter was being sorted out. He urged the camp’s parallel candidate, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, to continue with his electioneering campaign.

    The Makarfi camp has continued to record victories against the Sheriff camp in most of the court cases arising from the festering crisis in the party