A former Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Mr Jude Idimogu, has urged residents to vote for candidates of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in July 22 council election.
Idimogu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who recently defected from PDP to APC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that only APC would guarantee residents’ aspirations.
According to him, Lagosians have benefitted a lot from the continuity in the governance of the state, adding “Continuity has brought and will bring a lot of dividends of democracy to our esteemed residents at the grassroots.
“The people have to ensure consolidation of the good work being championed by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration at the state level.
“APC winning across the 20 Local Governments and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) will also foster smooth running of government with same party and ideology.
“I call on my former supporters in PDP to join and vote in APC candidates in the forthcoming council poll in Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs and across other councils,’’ Idimogu said.
The lawmaker, who defected to APC on February 16, alongside other PDP lawmakers in the Assembly, said that he had circulated so many flyers to mobilise his constituents for the election.
Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, called all parties and their candidates to shun violence and “do-or-die politics’’.
He urged the electoral umpire to be unbiased in the conduct of the July 22 poll.
“LASIEC (Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission) should be neutral; people should be allowed to vote whoever they want as their representatives at the grassroots. I have so much confidence in the Chairman of LASIEC, Retired Justice Ayotunde Philips. Based on her exposure and experience, we believe she will not let us down, ‘’ he said.
Idimogu also urged the leadership of the parties to be transparent in the conduct of primaries to select their parties’ flag bearers in the poll, adding that doing so would prevent divisions.
Tag: council poll
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Council Poll: lawmaker urges vote for APC
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Council poll: Aspirant promises youth centre
As the council polls draw nearer, a chairmanship aspirant in Ojodu Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), Mayowa Adebola, has promised to build an ultramodern centre for the youths, where they can “Connect, Collaborate and Create”.
Adebola, a United Kingdom (UK)-trained Engineer, said: “The all-in-one centre will be the first of its kind in the region providing the teeming youths the required skills and training to either become employable or to start their own businesses. Training will range from Computer Programming to Graphic Design, Music production to Fashion Design, Architecture to Agriculture just to mention a few.
“Ojodu LCDA probably has the largest youth population next only to areas like Ikorodu and perhaps Badagry. The youth make up about 80 per cent and they cannot be overlooked. I am one of them, I represent them. We need to harness their potentials effectively in order to extract value for the greater public.”
Having lived for many years within the community, he believes the position will afford him the opportunity to turn the lives of his people around for the better.
Born in 1985, Adebola said the council could be turned to economic hub.
“Ojodu is a border town and a major gateway into Lagos State and as such is a landing pad for migrants coming from other states. With rural to urban migration steadily on the rise coupled with the ongoing rehabilitation works and infrastructure being built by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the area is set to become an economic hub in the near future.”
According to him, the global campaign Not too Young to Run launched by the United Nations (UN), which promotes the right of young people to run for public office has led to a surge in the amount of young aspirants vying for public office in the country. -
Council poll: Aspirant promises youth centre
As the council polls draw nearer, a chairmanship aspirant in Ojodu Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), Mayowa Adebola, has promised to build an ultramodern centre for the youths, where they can “Connect, Collaborate and Create”.
Adebola, a United Kingdom (UK)-trained Engineer, said: “The all-in-one centre will be the first of its kind in the region providing the teeming youths the required skills and training to either become employable or to start their own businesses. Training will range from Computer Programming to Graphic Design, Music production to Fashion Design, Architecture to Agriculture just to mention a few.
“Ojodu LCDA probably has the largest youth population next only to areas like Ikorodu and perhaps Badagry. The youth make up about 80 per cent and they cannot be overlooked. I am one of them, I represent them. We need to harness their potentials effectively in order to extract value for the greater public.”
Having lived for many years within the community, he believes the position will afford him the opportunity to turn the lives of his people around for the better.
Born in 1985, Adebola said the council could be turned to economic hub.
“Ojodu is a border town and a major gateway into Lagos State and as such is a landing pad for migrants coming from other states. With rural to urban migration steadily on the rise coupled with the ongoing rehabilitation works and infrastructure being built by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the area is set to become an economic hub in the near future.”
According to him, the global campaign Not too Young to Run launched by the United Nations (UN), which promotes the right of young people to run for public office has led to a surge in the amount of young aspirants vying for public office in the country.
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Council poll: LASIEC won’t use card reader
Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Chairman Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd) has said it would not use the card reader machine for the conduct of the forthcoming council elections.
She disclosed this during a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials at LASIEC office, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Phillips (retd) gave the closeness of the date of the elections as reason for their action.
At the meeting, both parties resolved to constitute a joint committee on the distribution of about 1.47million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) that are still awaiting collection by registered voters in the state.
LASIEC Chairman Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd) said it was imperative for the two commissions to ensure that more registered voters obtain their PVCs so that more eligible voters could participate in the forthcoming council elections.
The partnership, she said, would, reduce voter apathy.
INEC Administrative Secretary Mr Clement Oha, said the commission had decentralised the distribution of the PVCs from the headquarters of the 20 Local Governments to the 245 Registration Areas in the state to make it accessible to the people.
He said INEC would soon embark on Continuous Registration of Voters in the state to enable eligible people register, adding that people who lost their PVCs would be issued Temporary Voter Cards. -
Lagos council poll: ‘We ‘ll resist imposition of candidates’
All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Lagos State hace urged the party leadership to conduct free and fair primaries for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants to avoid defeat at the local government polls.
They urged the party chairman, Otunba Oladesle Ajomale, to provide a level playing ground for aspirants during the shadow polls.
Aggrieved party members from Ojodu Council chapter complained to reporters in Lagos certain leaders were planning to impose their cronies as chairmanship and councillorship candidates, warning that the move could spell doom for the platform.
There was pandemonium at the meeting of the chapter, following protests by members who alleged plans by some leaders to impose candidates, instead of conducting a credible primary.
In the fraca, the protesters molested the Chairman of the party in the area, Hon. Kelvin Ajakaye, and other leaders. Also, the secretariat of the party was vandalised by party youths. A party chieftain said: “The meeting of the party ended in chaos. The secretariat was attacked by the protestersThe evidence were broken windows, damaged chairs and electronics. Apart from the destruction of the property, some leaders sustained injuries during the free for all fight.”
Party sources said the local government chairman of the party had called the meeting of stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed elections.
However, broke out when some leaders canvassed consensus option, instead of primary. Aggrieved party members who suspected a foul play complained that the leaders rooting for consensus were projecting a former chairman of the local government.
A source said the crisis would have escalated, but for the prompt intervention of the Area G Police Command, which restored peace to the secretariat’
The source added: “This may be a sign of what is likely to happen, if credible primaries are not conducted in the APC local government chapters. This is a local election. The APC should learn from the lesson of the past when candidates were imposed on the party. Even, the son of the state chairman lost to the candidate of the PDP in Isolo council in the last elections.
“That is why we are appealing to the state chairman to give assurance that the selection process will be democratic and there will be no imposition of candidates. It is in the interest of the APC at the poll.”
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PDP sweeps Taraba council poll
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the local government council chairmanship election held on Saturday.
The PDP, which is the ruling party in Taraba state, also won most of the councilorship polls leaving only a few to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the result declared by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) on Saturday, the PDP won 13 of the state’s 16 councils.
Election results from Sardauna and Karimlamido councils were being awaited, while the election in Ibi local government area was cancelled because of violence. A jeep belonging to a serving commissioner was burnt, The Nation learnt.
The chairmanship election result declared by the chairman of TSIEC Philip Duwe is as follows: Zing: Anthony Abraham (APC 8,956 votes), Christopher Koshombo (PDP 33,915), Gassol: Haruna Isiaka (APC 11,266), Yakuza Yahaya (PDP 104,279), Donga: Haruna Tukura (APC 11,758), Nasuka Ipeyen (PDP 64,971).
Ardokola: Mana Mashi (APC 6,590), Salihu Dogo (PDP 18,234), Takum: Daniel Atiku Shetima (APC 1,859), Shiban Tikari (PDP 81,051), Kurmi: Lazarus Garba (APC 3,411), Stephen Ibrahim Agya (PDP 32,290), Ussa: Polycarp Serki (APC 2,568), Rimansikwe Karma (PDP 35,290), Jalingo: Abdul Nasir Boboji (PDP
48,322), Wukari: Adi Zando (APC 34,152), Adi Daniel (PDP 78,373).Yorro: Simon Yohana (APC 6,441), Joseph Mika (PDP 22,497), Bali: Ibrahim Adamu (APC 10,330), Danladi Suntai (PDP 68,691), Gashaka: Abu Salleh (APC 2,639), Muhammed Umar (PDP 35,105)
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Council poll: Irate youths torch ABSIEC office
Some unidentified youths of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have allegedly burnt the office of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC).
Also, the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Donatus Nwankpa described yesterday’s election in the 17 local government areas as a sham.
It was difficult last night to ascertain if there was any casualty in the fire.
Sources at the local government headquarters said the youths took the action after some opposition party agents were allegedly denied the right to inspect the materials for the election at ABSEC office.
The sources, who pleaded not to be named, told our reporter that while party agents were insisting that they must crosscheck the election materials before they were moved from the commission’s office to various polling booths, information filtered in that members of the ruling party were allegedly thumb-printing ballot papers in the home of a popular politician.
They said the angry youths set the electoral body’s office on fire.
While checks in Aba showed that the election was without violence, it was gathered that there were cases of electoral irregularities and late arrival of materials in several local government areas.
The sources named Osisioma, Aba North and South among local government areas where some hitches were recorded.
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APC sweeps Adamawa council poll
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the chairmanship seats in 18 local governments of Yola State.
State Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Isa Shettima said the party won the chairmanship seats of the 18 councils where results were announced.
Shettima said elections in Michika, Lamurde and Numan councils were cancelled and rescheduled for August 6.
“There will also be election in two wards in Guyuk on the same day,” he added.
The chairman hinted that results of the councillorship election for the 226 wards would be announced at the headquarters of the three senatorial zones.
Winners were presented with their certificates of return.
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‘PDP can’t defeat APC in Lagos council poll’
Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Jide Oni is 60 this week. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the Buhari and Ambode administrations, the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to capture Lagos during the council elections and other partisan issues.
What is your assessment of Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode in the last one year?
I must commend his efforts. he is making sure that every nook and cranny of the state benefit from his government. Look at the street lightening project. In the history of Lagos State, no government has decided to do 114 roads at the same time. The rural areas are benefiting from the infrastructural development. He has mobilised the contractors to the sites. Roads that need rehabilitation are being rehabilitated. He is now creating direct and indirect employment for the youths. Many of his programmes are designed to ensure self-reliance so that people can be employers of labour, instead of relying on government. I give him kudos for these achievements.
In retrospect, why was the All Progressives Congress (APC) unable to win the parliamentary elections in Oshodi/Isolo Constituency, which is your base, in the last election?
I won’t apportion blame to anybody. There was leadership tussle. There was a high concentration of our eastern brothers in three of our local governments in Lagos State. They were meeting underground without our knowledge. Some of them are even members of our party. They have been meeting to vote for their kith and kin. There was also crisis over the nomination of candidates for the election.
What can be done to avert the same scenario during the local government elections?
Our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has invited some leaders to talk to them to harness their resources and energy together so that they can put heads together. If we put our eggs in one basket, there is no way they can defeat us. I assure you, the APC will win all the local governments. But, the right thing must be done at the right time. The leadership of the party is working in this direction. Those who hold forte in their local governments know themselves and the people there. Somebody will just go and tell a lie to produce a candidate who cannot win. I don’t want to mention names. We know those who can win in Ejigbo. We know those who can win in Isolo. We know those who can win Ishodi. If you allow these people to contest and share the remaining positions to other people, the election is as good as won.
Are you saying there was tension between imposition and the clamour for the primary?
I won’t say yes or no. We need to allow the leadership of the party in these various local governments and local government development areas to determine who is a better candidate. Either a direct or indirect primary must be arranged so that the best candidate can emerge. That is very important.
How are the people of your base, Osodi/Isolo, mow warming up for the council election?
We have been having various meetings. A lot of meeting is going on, which is excluding the original leaders and members of the party, who are the real mobilisers when election comes. They sideline them. If this happens, we are still going to get the same result. So they should allow the right people who know what to do, who have been mobilising for elections and who have been handling elections in the local governments and getting good results to handle the process in their local governments.
Have you reported this scenario to the party leadership?
Of course. But, since the time-table has not been released, I don’t want to heat up the polity. I don’t want to raise an alarm when it is not necessary.
Could you shed light on how you parted ways with the late Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele?
We did not part ways. Till he died, he was still my friend. We just had a minor disagreement. It was about principle. They wanted to do something’ I did not agree. I said we should follow the leader that has been good to us. But, I don’t want to talk about that now because he is late. he is not here to defend himself. So, we were friends till he died.
What are those things the APC government should put in place to consolidate its hold on the state?
The past administration at the centre has done a lot of damage to the economy. A lot of people do not know anything about the spheres of influence of the federal, state and local governments. If anything happens, they believe the nearest government is the solution to their problem. If there is no electricity, the people of Isolo and Oke-Afa will complain that they don’t know what the local government is doing. We need to educate our people on the limitations of each level of government. In Lagos, when the government proposed a power project, the Federal Government did not approve it. If they are now blaming Lagos State government for lack of power, it is ignorance on the part of some people.
The present government is trying its best. It may be painful at the initial stage like this. But, if they can allow the government to continue with its reforms, we will be happy for it at the end of the day.
Some eminent Lagosians are alleging that the APC government is marginalising indigenes. What is your reaction?
Who is an indigene? If an Igbo can be a Mayor in the United States, England, what are we saying? The law says anybody who has lived in a particular area can contest elections. The constitution is there. It is not a new constitution. The clause has been there for over 50 years. Why are people now saying they are marginalised? Some people were born and dread here over 50 years ago. They are members of Lagos State. They have been contributing to the socio-economic and political development of the state. They are entitled to be elected and appointed as states in the constitution. We have been living together as a family. Some people did not believe in Ambode. Some people believed in him. If these people have knowledge, experience and capacity and they are giving appointment, what is wrong about that? The indigenes and the non-indigenes have good rapport. We should maintain it. There will be no crisis. We are brothers and sisters. We are one family. We should remain so.
The PDP is threatening to displace the APC in Lagos in 2015…
It is a simple arithmetic. I will use the example of a car. When you buy a car, it takes eight hours to get to Abuja. The engine is knocked, the tyre bursts, the gear is not good and you say you want to get to Abuja within two and half hours, don’t you know that is day dreaming? When the PDP was a full party, it could not defeat the APC in Lagos. Now that it has been punctured; no loose money, armsgate. You get three red cards in a match, you are down. What can you do with eight players? So, the PDP cannot get power in Lagos State? Who are their leaders? Who are the youths that will mobilise for them. There is no looted money for them again. Where are they going to get money to buy votes like they did in the last election? The PDP not a threat to the APC. But, the APC should also do everything that is necessary to retain Lagos.
People are complaining of hardship under the Buhari administration. Does that not suggest that their expectation has not been met?
The last Jonathan administration has crippled Nigeria. The house was about to collapse. For it not to collapse on people’s head, it must be demolished. before you pack all the rubbles and build another house, it takes time; at least, six months. On May 29, President Buhari will tell the nation how much he has recovered from looters. That will be five percent of what they have stolen. You can imagine how much they have stolen in the country, which we are paying for now. But, only few enlightened people can understand what causes the present problems. Some people cause problems for 16 years and we are looking for a solution within one year. It will take another one and two years.
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‘APC ‘ll sweep council poll in Lagos’
Hon. Olayiwola Olawale is a member of Lagos State House of Assembly from Muhin II Constituency on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with LEKE SALAUDEEN, he speaks on his developmental programmes for the constituency, political thuggery in Mushin and other issues.
What steps are you taking to reduce the menace of street urchins and thuggery in Mushin?
There is no measure that can eliminate or totally eradicate thuggery in Mushin. But we can still manage the problem. The main cause is indolence on the part of the youths in Mushin. We are trying to engage them through empowerment training scheme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs located at Layi Oyekan Street, Mushin.
We realise the importance of teaching people how to fish not to feed them with fish. After acquiring professional skills, we provide them funds to buy equipments with which to establish their trade. With that they are self-employed and they too, could also employ people in their various establishments.
There is a wise saying: ‘an idle hand is the devil’s workshop’. If the youths are properly engaged, they won’t have time to cause trouble and constitute threats to the public peace. We are planning programmes to occupy their time. We are organising football competition for the youths in Mushin Constituency. I have donated a cup to that effect. It is called Omititi Unity Cup.
To assist indigent students who want to further their education, we procured over 200 GCE Forms and distributed them free; we organise free coaching classes for them; we organise career talk to shape their future. We invited professionals like engineers, lawyers, doctors, and pharmacists to put them through. We believe we should start shaping their future when they are young.
Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a resolution for the relocation of Mile 12 Market. Do you think it will solve the problem of ethnic clashes in the area?
The relocation of Mile 12 market was borne out of the need to sanitize the environment where the market is located. The place is choked up. The hygienic situation in the area is a threat to the well being of the people living in the area. The traffic gridlock caused by the market in the area leads to loss of man hours hence, its relocation become necessary.
The new place provided for the market in Ikorodu is befitting. It has facilities like tarred road, parking space and police station. The traders and buyers will find the new site conducive for business transaction.
The decision of the House was not punitive. It was not directed against any group rather, it was taken in the interest of the public. I am sure when the traders move in they will appreciate the government decision.
What do you think the state government should do to reduce the menace of house collapse in the state?
There are so many factors responsible for house collapse in Lagos State. The property owners in some cases engage non-professionals to handle building construction. When you entrust building construction to people who are not qualified, what do you expect? It is shoddy job. Besides, the materials used in many cases are of low quality. Where the contractors short changed the builders by using substandard materials, the building will definitely collapse. It is a matter of time. The slip shod attitude of the property owners who engage quack engineers and non-professionals to supervise building construction contribute mainly to the menace of house collapse.
Government officials that are supposed to monitor building construction are found wanting. Most often they succumb to builders’ wish after taking bribe. There should be an effective monitoring approach to ensure strict compliance of the building approval.
What is your plan for Mushin Constituency?
In couple of weeks to come, we are going to organise a health programme in partnership with a health consultancy firm to provide free medical service for our people. They will be opportuned to check their blood pressure, undergo eye test and enjoy dental services free. The consultant is coming with motorised oral dentistry facility.
We have plan for the widows and indigent members of the constituency. We shall take care of them. In fact, taking care of the needy is our priority. I know how they feel. I lost my parents at the age of 17. I was brought up by one Mr Festus Alani Jolaoso and Pa Suleiman Akanni Oyegunle, an uncle of mine. They assisted me to become what I am today. I owe the society by giving out what I have to the less privileged, my religion teaches that. My plan is to celebrate my 52nd birthday with motherless babies.
What was responsible for the unimpressive performance of the APC in Lagos State in the last general elections?
Many factors were responsible. The major factor was intra-party crisis. The emergence of candidates contributed to losses in some constituencies. The post-primary crisis was not properly handled. The aggrieved aspirants and their supporters became indifferent to the party’s programme.
The issue of incumbency had effect on the APC in Lagos State. Remember that former President Goodluck Jonathan relocated to Lagos few weeks to election. He spent a lot of money to influence the voters.
Then, the Igbo factor also contributed. The sentiment they introduced to the election was very strange. They turned election into ethnic issue.
Once beaten, twice shy. We have resolved the differences within the state APC. The aggrieved party members have buried the hatchets. I am sure we shall win in all areas lost during the general elections in the forthcoming local government poll.
How would you attract developmental projects to Mushin?
As a legislator, I can’t influence government decision to attract developmental projects. With Governor Akinwumi Ambode at the helm of affairs, we have the hope that Mushin will get its fair share of developmental projects. In fact the population of Mushin is an advantage. It is one of the largest areas in the state.
How would you assess the performance of Governor Ambode so far?
Probably because he is a technocrat, he has performed excellently well. His approach to security matters endears him to the people of Lagos State. He empowered the security personnel with modern equipment. Lagos is safe. The rescue of Students of Babington Macaulay Seminary abducted bears testimony to the state of security in Lagos.
The provision of street light across the state makes his administration unique. The illumination of the highways has reduced robbery in the state. The employment of teachers in public schools is a demonstration of his commitment to improve standard of education in the state. His government has embarked on construction of drainages ahead of rainy season to combat flood. All these show that Ambode’s administration is a responsive and responsible government. He has just started. By the time he completes his first term, he would have performed wonderfully well. Lagosians should reciprocate the government’s gesture by paying their taxes promptly to ensure continuity in service delivery.