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Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti APC guber election: I wont step down- Bamidele

    A former Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Opeyemi Bamidele has vowed not to step down for anyone ahead of Saturday’s governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti.

    Bamidele, an aspirant, made the vow while addressing delegates for the primaries in Ado-Ekiti, describing as “laughable” the rumour making the rounds that he had stepped down.

    He said there was no reason for him to quit when he was convinced that he had a good chance of clinching the party’s ticket.

    Bamidele stated that with the assurances given by the APC National leader, Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of the party at a meeting held in Lagos on Friday, he had no reason to doubt the credibility of the process.

    He said he expected the party leaders to conduct a free, fair and credible primary election that would produce a strong candidate capable of defeating the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

    “It will be tragic for APC to lose after passing through this stress;  so we must do the right thing for us to get the right result.

    “I have traversed all the 177 wards and I am now visiting all the 16 local governments in search of delegates.

    “At 54, if I want to step down, I won’t waste time, energy and money, moving around. I will not even pretend in telling the public about it

    “Let me say that I am on the field, in the race and on Saturday, we are looking forward to getting the ticket by the grace of God,’’ he said.

    Counselling the delegates on the choice of candidate they should vote for, Bamidele said they should choose someone who has the acceptability and clout to win as well as the knack to organise the party and make it a formidable force.

    “APC needs an experienced person and someone with scientific understanding of what has gone wrong in Ekiti and how to resolve it.

    “I have been commissioner for over 10 years in executive arm, I have been a member of House of Representatives and I am also a lawyer, which falls within the judicial arm

    “I will not in any way disappoint if given the ticket because I am a loyal party man and I know how to work with everybody to get the useful result,’’ he said.

    On the sincerity of members of the Chief John Oyegun-led National Working Committee to conduct credible primary election, Bamidele said: “I have no reason to doubt their integrity.

    “All the aspirants had gone through screening and as we were doing this, we were given a copy of delegates’ list each. We all know who will vote on Saturday.

    “With this, I don’t envisage that anyone would try to tamper with the list or see anyone trying to do accreditation at another location different from where they will vote which can give opportunity to transport fake delegates to the venue.

    “The NWC, National and zonal leaders as well as the aspirants have agreed on some pacts and I believe these shall be allowed to prevail in this election.”

  • ‘INEC will transmit Ekiti, Osun polls results electronically’

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday unfolded plans to transmit the results of the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states electronically.

    INEC Commissioner Muhammed Mustafa Lecky said the agency will employ the innovative electronic transmission of results.

    He said: “ INEC has come to the conclusion that this will be done in Ekiti and Osun elections.”

    Lecky spoke at a seminar organised by the Electoral Institute in Abuja. The theme of discussion was: “Anambra governorship election: a post-mortem and lessons for Ekiti and Osun states governorship polls.”

    The chairman of the Institute, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, had requested the commissioner to give an update on the electronic transmission of results.

    Lecky recalled that INEC has discussed with the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and  the telecommunication companies, adding that they had assured the agency of the feasibility of transmitting the results electronically.

    He said: “We have begin discussions with the Nigerian Communication Commission, and we have also discussed with MTN, Etisalat and all other telecommunication companies in Nigeria. We have been having meetings with them.”

    Lecky said the companies had agreed to cooperate with the agency on the innovation.

    The commission, he said, has taken steps to ensure the functionality of the card readers, stressing that “the aperture where you do the scanning of the finger has been enlarged.”

    He said the smart card readers have been enhanced to function better in the two states elections, stressing that plans are underway for the commission to improve on them in next year’s elections.

    He said steps have been taken to “document the Voter Identification Number the Permanent Voters Cards to trace the phone numbers of owners to send them text messages informing  them about the  PVCs.”

    Lecky said despite the efforts, it is the responsibility of the owners to collect them.

    He added: “The commission is trying to make copies of the PVCs so that our registration area officers and other staff at the local government level and see how they can identify the owners for collection.

    “The commission is doing its best to ensure that the PVCs are collected. The onus is still on the owners to collect his or her PVCs.”

    A discussant from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Stella Okunna, advised the commission to prevent the late arrival of election materials and inducement of electoral officers.

    She charged the commission to ensure that its equipment are in order and compel the operators of the ICT to function ethically during the elections.

  • Ekiti PDP Chief abducted, kidnappers demand N30m ransom

    Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the Financial Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Oni.

    Oni was reportedly seized at a location between Efon and Erio at about 4.30 pm on Saturday on his way back to Aramoko, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area.
    He was said to be returning from Efon where he officiated in the PDP local government Congress.

    Ekiti PDP spokesman, Mr Jackson Adebayo, disclosed to reporters on Sunday that the kidnappers had established contact with the
    victim’s wife and younger brother and demanded a sum of N30 million as ransom.

    He revealed that Oni, who was in his car alongside his daughter and grandson, was waylaid by his captors and whisked to an unknown destination.

    According to him, only Adebayo was taken away to the kidnappers’ hideout leaving behind other occupants of the vehicle.

    Adebayo said: “He went to conduct our Local Government Congress in Efon Alaaye and was abducted while returning to Aramoko.

    “The family had been contacted , but they told the abductors that even the entire family can’t raise N1m and they were requesting for a staggering sum of N30m to secure his freedom.

    “The family told us reliably that they have made formal complaint at the police station in Efon about the situation and they promised to take actions.

    “Our party is not resting as well. We are making contact to ensure that his safety is guaranteed in the kidnappers’ den.”

    The State Police Command was yet to make official pronouncement on the incident at time of filing this report.

  • Ekiti: People urged to vote for credibility

    An Ekiti group, the Ekiti Solidarity Front (ESF), has continued its sensitisation of the people of the state on the aspiration of the former deputy governor of the state, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, for the July 14 governorship election in the state with a call to Ekiti people to shun money politics and embrace an aspirant who will develop the state through people-oriented policies and attributes of credibility, discipline and courage.

    In an interview with journalists in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital, the chairman of the group, Prince Yemi Adekunle, said in preparation for the electioneering, political actors must eschew violence in all forms as the progress of the state should be paramount and not individual interests, stressing that a governor that Ekiti needs at this point in time must be God-fearing, intelligent, focused and without any blemish.

    Prince Adekunle further disclosed that the visits to different communities in the state in the last two weeks have shown clearly that the people are yearning for change and that the election should clearly reflect the genuine will of the people and not dictates of ‘godfathers.

    He said: “We are happy to inform the people that from our findings so far, what Ekiti people want now is a peaceful electioneering. It is on this note that we appeal to all aspirants to shun violence  that can portray the people of the state in bad light.

    “On this note, we still stand with the aspiration of Surveyor Abiodun Aluko and we shall ensure his emergence by all legal means.  We shall be meeting different special groups to solicit for the support for the Ikere-Ekiti-born politician”.

  • APC leaders meet Ekiti governorship aspirants, pledge credible primaries

    Leaders of South West All Progressives Congress (APC) met on Friday with governorship aspirants of the party in Ekiti State and pledged to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible primaries.

    Twenty three of the 33 aspirants attended the meeting held in Lagos.

    One of the aspirants, Senator Femi Ojodu in a facebook post said the leaders promised to be on ground during the the primaries to ensure the process is well managed.

    “They promise to monitor and assist the national body of the party to deliver a rancor free process.

    “They also promised call a meeting of all aspirants after the primaries whereby the winner will be united with the other aspirants and the winner made to pledge an all-inclusive government.

    “They called on the aspirants to make their campaign issue based and refrain from tarnishing the image of one another,” Ojodu stated.

    Leaders who met with the aspirants included, National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osob and former governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

    Others were Chief Pius Akinyelure, State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, Secretary and  Paul Omotoso

  • Ekiti 2018: APC inaugurates screening, appeal committee

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday inaugurated Screening and Appeal Committees ahead of its May 5 primary election for the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti.

    The party’s National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, who inaugurated the committees in Abuja, said screening was mandatory for all aspirants.

    He charged the committee to continue in the APC’s tradition of adhering to due process and to ensure fairness during the exercise.

    Izunaso said that the committees should rely on the party’s 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office.

    He also said that the committee should be guided by the party’s Constitution and the amended 1999 Constitution in carrying out the assignment.

    He disclosed that 33 aspirants picked the party’s nomination form for the election, saying that it was the highest recorded by the party.

    Responding on behalf of the committees, the Chairman of Screening Committee, Mr Timipreye Sylva, promised that the committees would be thorough and fair to all aspirants in carrying out the assignment.

    “We will do a thorough job and make sure that no misfit or anybody not qualified passes through this committee,” he said.

    Other members of the screening committee are Samaila Yusuf, Hajia Gamawa, Ayo Afolabi, Bilyamin Shinkafi, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha and Mr Denton Ogbuehi, who will serve as secretary.

    The Appeal Committee has Abuzarri Ribadu as Chairman, Tunde Esan as Secretary and Kayode Oseni, Osaro Buzugbe and Edem Selong are members.

    NAN

     

     

  • Ekiti Govt to provide CCTV cameras on major roads – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has called on the Ekiti government to install CCTV Cameras in major areas of Ado-Ekiti, to stem social vices in the state capital.

    The FRSC Sector Commander (RS 8.2), Mr Ismaila Kugu, made the call in an interview with our reporter in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

    He said: “I want to appeal to the State Government to urgently respond to the immediate call for the installation of CCTV Cameras now, to help curb the activities of criminals, especially under the newly-built Fajuyi overhead bridge’’.

    According to him, his command has increased its links with media organisations to intensify sensitisation and create more awareness on traffic rules.

    Speaking on the newly-installed traffic lights, the sector commander charged motorists and pedestrians to acquaint themselves with the use of the traffic lights.

    “I don’t think the issue of the traffic light is new. It’s just the bridge that is new, I want to tell the public that traffic lights are always delaying traffic but it is a measure of trying to control traffic coming from different angles so that they can direct themselves to different directions.

    “It slows down movement and it that is because there is danger at the junction, so, for any other road user, they are expected to slow down at every junction, most especially where we have traffic lights and even where we don’t have traffic lights, at every roundabout, that is the first step.’’

    “The second step is to observe the flow of the lights; whether it is Red, Yellow or Green. Red means that you have to stop; Yellow means to be ready either to move or to stop, while the Green tells us to move.’’

    “And even for the Green light, you can’t just move when some people are still stopping you or still crossing, you are only to go when the road is clear and safe for you as a user to move or use.’’

    “The public and the road users are also advised to strictly follow the sequence of the lights and obey it regularly, for their own good.’’

    He noted that the misuse of traffic lights was more pronounced and prominent with the motorcyclists because they are mostly always in a hurry to beat the traffic lights at every junction.

    Kugu said that the delay experienced at every junction is created so as to avoid conflicts.

    “Some of our Officers have been there several times and several arrests have been made. We can’t be there permanently for so many reasons.

    On the rate of the road accidents, he said that statistics from Ekiti State have been very low, compared to other states across the country.

    The FRSC sector commander said the commission was ready to partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of successful, hitch-free and accident-free elections in the state in 2019.

    NAN

     

  • ‘Ekiti needs better manager of resources’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State Hon Muyiwa Coker has said he is eyeing the seat to better his people’s lot.

    Coker said he came into politics “to harness the vast resources scattered all over Ekiti for the benefit of our people.”

    He added: “As far back as 2015, I made up my mind to do all I can to help the party and the state. I have been in the fore front of covering the nakedness of the party at a time no one was there for the party in the state. It is now time to move the state forward”.

    The Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) spoke while rounding off his meting tour of the 16 local governments in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. He promised to bridge the missing link in governance and set the state free from its huge debt burden.

    Coker said: “We only need to think out of the box. We need leaders who have the knowledge of managing resources. That is what I am bringing into government. I am an accountant and a trained stock exchange trader. I work with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun as a Senior Special Assistant. I have been part of the team since inception of his administration in Ogun State.

    “I have developed templates to work with in Ekiti State based on my relationship with the government.

    “We only need to put them to work in Ekiti. Take, for instance, the huge debt of Ekiti, we can spread it. We can restructure the finances of the state. As a trained stock exchange trader, there are lots of instruments that we can play with to offset our debt that will benefit the state on the long run. There is need to restructure the finances of the state for it to become attractive to investors. It is my field, I know what to do and I am requesting for the necessary support to get there”.

    The governorship hopeful said he was in contact with some partners working with the United Nations on the establishment of an integrated agricultural initiative specially tailored for Ekiti.

    “We plan to establish mechanized farms which would process farm produce for consumption by our people and create employment and wealth.

    “We hope to provide jobs for at least 25,000 youths immediately the project kicks off across the State. We need 200,000 hectares of land from the State for this project”, he said.

    According to him, his government hopes to revive the educational sector of Ekiti State with massive investments from partners in the United Kingdom and discussions are ongoing with these partners.

    On infrastructural development, Coker said: “We need to think of how to make things better in Ekiti and there are towns and villages in the state that I know when I was a little boy that are still the same way they were 40 years ago. We need to think of how we can make money for Ekiti without depending on allocation from the Federal Government.

    “There are lots of resources in Ekiti that can spin lots of money for the general well-being of the people. All we need to do is work together with one mind.  The time to work is now. We need to use our votes to change the way things are in Ekiti. Politicians will come with money to induce you. You must always remember the future of our state and of our children.  Use your votes and use them right, vote for credible candidates.”

  • Bamisile: I’m best for Ekiti

    Former Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Femi Bamisile is among the 35 governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC). He hosted his supporters at Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where he unfolded his agenda. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Richard Olufemi Bamisile, has placed his hand on the plough and there is no going back. He was the first All Progressives Congress (APC) to unfold his governorship ambition in Ekiti State. His supporters believe that the first should not become the last. So, they are working assiduously to get the ticket at the primary.

    Bamisile hosted party delegates, leaders and members from the 16 local government areas to a get-together at his residence in Ado-Ekiti.

    The crowd of party faithful that attended the event said the ex-Speaker has the wherewithal to win the poll, if fielded as the flag bearer.

    The get-together was also attended by Ekiti indigenes who believe in Bamisile’s dream for the development of Ekiti.

    The delegates described Bamisile as a loyal party man who wooed many people into the party with his populist and philanthropic gestures.

    Popularly known in political circles as “BAFEM,” Bamisile was the first opposition aspirant to challenge Governor Ayo Fayose to political contest three years ago at a time party members were still mourning the electoral misfortune of  2014, following the ‘defeat’ of former Governor Kayode Fayemi by Fayose.

    He has been moving round the 177 wards and 16 local government areas, selling his blueprint to party members and empowering market women, okada riders, students, youths, widows and the less-privileged.

    The chairman of the occasion was former member of Edo State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Chris Okaeben, who described Bamisile as a popular and grassroots politician capable of winning Ekiti for APC.

    Okaeben said Bamisile was the name on the lips of the people of Ekiti since his arrival in the state. He said the aspirant defied intimidation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and woke many party chieftains from their slumber.

    He said: “Ekiti people have been yearning for good governance, inclusive governance. They are tired of intimidation, they are tired of oppression and BAFEM has offered himself as the arrowhead of the revolution to bring positive change to Ekiti.

    “BAFEM has become a movement not only in Ekiti but in the Southwest and Nigeria. He has committed himself to Ekiti liberation.

    “When the PDP was in power at the centre, Ekiti people were robbed of their votes and the state was in disarray. BAFEM offered himself as the arrowhead to revive the party and today, the PDP in the state is in panic.

    “He has been moving round without escort and I asked him why. He said the people are his army. Today’s event should not end with eating and wearing Aso Ebi, go and preach the message of BAFEM to the remaining delegates. This project is God’s project.”

    Some party members who spoke with our reporter urged delegates to give Bamisile their votes on the strength of qualities which they said he possessed Sulaiman Adebayo from Awo Ward in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, said: “Bamisile was the only aspirant we saw when things were difficult and people were afraid to come out.

    “People were afraid to hold meetings at our party secretariats, but he encouraged and motivated us. He supported us when we needed him and this is the time to reciprocate with votes at the primary election.”

    Otunba Oluwadamilare Oke, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti and  a member of TEAM BAFEM, Abuja Branch, said: “We are looking forward to having BAFEM as governor in Ekiti State.

    “A vote for BAFEM is a vote for life-changing policies in education, infrastructure, health, job creation, agriculture and development.

    “He is determined to bring investors to Ekiti; he says making Ekiti work again is possible and he believes so much that Ekiti will work again.”

    A party leader in Ado-Ekiti, Akogun Abayomi Lustay, said: “We are for Bamisile and it is the votes of Ado that serve as game changer. BAFEM is a special candidate who will bring the needed transformation to Ekiti.”

    On the rostrum,  Bamisile spoke on his readiness to take Ekiti people to the promisand and implement policies that will change the lives of the electorate.

    He assured Ekiti residents of good governance, investment in commercial agriculture, creation of jobs for the youth, empowerment for various segments of the population and positive orientation of the masses.

    The ex-Speaker promised not to waste state funds on white elephant projects and pledged to pay workers’ salaries on the 25th of every month.

    Bamisile said he was not intimidated by the motley crowd of aspirants jostling for the APC ticket saying he has the requisite education, experience, exposure and pedigree to occupy the governor’s chair.

    He explained that, having commenced his political outreach very early and Judging by his grassroots appeal, he will win at the primary.  Bamisile said: “We are putting our people together not as a show of strength but to enjoy this festive period together and prepare ourselves for the coming party primary.

    “Ekiti APC has about 2,400 delegates as you see here today, there has been accreditation. We have over 1,200 delegates here which stand to be half of the structure that stands to vote at the primary.

    “That by itself will tell you that Team BAFEM, we have built ourselves for over three years and we have not built ourselves based on money.

    It is consciousness, having an interaction with people.

    “This time around, we have been meeting the downtrodden, we have been meeting the less privileged. Power has been taken away from the so-called big ones, it has been returned to the masses.”

    On his pedigree, Bamisile said: “Am I not a former Speaker?

    And as a former Speaker, I represent the entire state. I didn’t represent a constituency but I represent the entire state.

    “Don’t forget, I have served under every governor that had ruled the state. I know the banana peel that fell each and everyone of them and one thing I have done is to put our people together, seek the opinion of market women, artisans, those who actually do the voting.

    “The difference between me and most of the aspirants is that I am local; I have been here for 18 straight years and when I travel overseas, I don’t do more than a week, I come back here. This is my base, this is my people and I am going to be their governor.”

  • EKITI 2018: 33 APC governorship aspirants obtain forms

    A total number of thirty three All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants have purchased nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for the governorship on the platform of the party.
    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has been appointed by the National Secretariat as the Chairman of  a Screening Committee to scrutinize the aspirants.
    Ekiti APC spokesman Taiwo Olatunbosun confirmed this to our reporter in a telephone chat on Sunday.
    The huge number of the aspirants is already giving party elders and members concern on how the primary would be handled without causing implosion.
    Olatunbosun explained that the screening exercise commences on Monday, April 23 and ends on Wednesday, April 25.
    Thirty aspirants had obtained their forms as of Friday evening, but Olatunbosun confirmed that the figure had risen to thirty three.
    The identity of the three latest entrants into the race was yet to be ascertained at press time Sunday evening.
    Those who had purchased forms from Ekiti South are Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mr. Debo Ajayi, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Kola Alabi, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi, Captain Sunday Adebomi, Chief Dele Okeya, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Chief Bisi Aloba and Mr. Adekunle Esan.
    Aspirants from Ekiti Central include Senator Femi Ojudu, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Mr. Victor Kolade, Mr. Dipo Ogunkoyode, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, Prince Tosin Olofinluyi, Engr. Kayode Ojo, Dr. Adebayo Orire and Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju.
    Those  from Ekiti North are Senator Ayo Arise, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Mr. Muyiwa Coker, Chief Segun
    Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
    The APC governorship primary is scheduled to hold in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Saturday, May 5.