The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ELECTION

  • Went to monitor election, crippled by accident

    Went to monitor election, crippled by accident

    A road crash while on election monitoring assignment in Gombe State has left Peter Okosun, a human rights activist, crippled, his family shattered. He needs help from anyone who can give it, VINCENT OHONBAMU reports

    Since the accident, Peter Okosun has been feeling as though the world was crashing down on him. He cannot walk except aided by a pair of crutches, one under each arm. Even then, his movement is laborious and painful. The wounds did not heal properly when he was first taken to hospital. Why? He lacked the money to undergo a comprehensive surgery. His family is a shambles. His wife, a nurse, is buckling under the weight of daily responsibilities. Their children have been withdrawn from school for their serial fees defaults.

    Okosun has no viable means of livelihood, but he would not sit and groan all day. Sometimes he hobbles to motor parks to pray for those about to travel, asking God to spare them what he went through on the road. Moved by pity and also in hopes that God will answer the prayers, they would hand him some small amounts of money. Okosun will hobble back home and hand it over to his hard-working wife. Still, what he brings home is not enough. So sometimes the wife and the children go out to beg.

    Okosun needs N2m for a surgery that will help him walk again, he told The Nation.

    A human rights activist, and coordinator of Pan African Peace Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Okosun left his family in 2010 to monitor an election in Gombe State. He neither completed the assignment nor has been able to fend for his family ever since.

    He was lucky, though. Three others in the vehicle he was travelling in died. Okosun came away with very severe wounds that left him unable to walk but which were not properly treated.

    Okosun who hails from Uromi in Esan Northeast Local government area of Edo State said he would welcome death as a relief, but since death will not come, he is now appealing to the general public for donations to enable him carry out the recommended surgery that would enable him regain the use of his legs and lead a normal life again.

    The ghastly accident that crippled him occurred in the course of monitoring elections for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State.

    Okosun visited the Correspondents’ Chapel Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gombe to solicit the journalists’ help in publicising his predicament so that help may come from anywhere, including corporate bodies and government.

    Relieving his ordeal, Okosun said he met his fate along Gombe-Dukku Expreeway in August 2010. The NGO he coordinated was accredited by the electoral body to monitor Gombe North Senatorial by-election as an election observer.

    He said they were on their way to Gombe metropolis when their vehicle had a head-on collision with another. The driver and two female colleagues died immediately. It took the intervention of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) crew which was following closely behind to get him to the now Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe alive, where the doctors battled and administered the preliminary treatment to keep him alive.

    He was discharged since the facility at the time lacked the requisite expertise to make his limbs work. He thereafter went to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for expert treatment. But the treatment did not hold because he could not afford the required N2m charged at the time.

    Okosun said he wrote to INEC and the Presidency asking for help, considering that he was on national assignment. None responded positively, he said. While the Presidency kept mum, INEC under Professor Attahiru Jega reportedly said election observers were not captured under their insurance scheme.

    Inquiries at the Gombe arm of INEC also confirmed that the commission has no obligations whatsoever to election observers. Has INEC helped Okosun in anyway whatsoever? No. Is the body aware of Okosun’s plight? Yes, our source said, confirming that the ex-human rights activist was indeed in Gombe to observe an election conducted by the commission when the accident happened.

    Okosun is now seeking help wherever he can find it.

    “My children are now withdrawn from school because I cannot afford their school fees and my wife is fast wearing out under the burden of the family responsibility she has now assumed,” he said.

    “Look, the worst part of it all is not just being limp; I feel pains all over my body, especially injured parts and areas around. The pain gets more excruciating by the day; to the extent that moving my body is so laborious, not to talk of trying to do something. As it is now, I would gladly welcome death so that I can rest in peace, but death too has refused to come.

    “The reason I am here (Correspondents’ Chapel of NUJ, Gombe) is to beg you to please help me reach out to INEC, the Presidency, kind-hearted people and groups out there to please come to my aid and help me financially, to at least facilitate my treatment. That is my greatest appeal now,” said Okosun.

    Asked how to reach him, should succour come, Okosun said he could be contacted through Edith Okosun, his wife on 07065553301 or his daughter on 08034574392.

  • PDP sweeps Taraba council poll

    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)

  • Rivers rerun: INEC staff abducted, attacked

    Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja, on Saturday narrowly escaped death in Igbo Etche Ward 5, in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

    The Information Communication Technology (ICT) personnel deployed to Rivers for the rerun legislative polls in Etche was reportedly attacked while fixing the Smart Card Reader in readiness for the election when a group of thugs stormed the place and began to hit them with sticks and machetes.
    He later managed to escape and ran to safety.

    The victim whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of this report, has since returned to INEC office in Port Harcourt with bandaged ankle and bruises on the face. He however could not confirm the state of his colleague who was not lucky to escape.

    The INEC Supervisor for ward 14 was reportedly abducted on arrival in the ward at 8 am.

    The INEC staff who sent the signal to the Port Harcourt office also said the official vehicle they went with was also seized by the kidnappers.

  • Gombe APC unite ahead of council election

    Gombe APC unite ahead of council election

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State have laid aside their differences to form a common front as the party strategise towards winning Saturday’s local government elections and set the pace for the governorship election in 2019.

    At the opening of campaigns yesterday, youth leader Abubakar Habu Mu’azu urged the youths to be united, saying there was no fight among party leaders.

    “All we are out for, as leaders of this great party, is the progress of the party. We are out to make sure we unseat PDP in the next election and so, we cannot afford to be divided,” he said.

    According to him, those interested in flying the party’s flag in 2019 have reached an agreement to form a common front and rally round the eventual winner.

    APC’s governorship candidate in 2015, Inuwa Yahaya, appealed to APC supporters to come out en mass to vote and protect same.

    “Ensure anyone who tries to rig out our party faces the wrath of the law. You must protect your votes because it is the public’s fund, our money, that is used to conduct this election,” he said.

    Presenting flags to chairmanship candidates of the 11 councils, former Caretaker Chairman of the party, Bala Jibrin called for prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • ‘We need credible leaders to win election’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Akeem Omoyele has urged members of the party to choose trustworthy members to contest elections.

    He said the party could only guarantee reliable leadership, when people of integrity where voted into offices as chairmen and leaders.

    Omoyele, who advised the party loyalist during Mandate Group meeting in Bariga, said there was no division in the party.

    He said the insinuation that the Mandate Group was divided was a figment of people’s imagination, noting that detractors are not happy that it is a formidable platform in the Lagos APC.

    He said: “It is important that our members meet regularly to review the position of the party right from the ward to state levels. The meeting will afford us the opportunity to know those who we can trust and get elected into offices.

    “In the past some people who have their own selfish agenda to propagate bought their ways into office and as soon as that was achieved they forget the people there were supposed to serve.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to reiterate that Mandate Group is one. The idea behind its formation is to give our political father the necessary support. As the coordinator of Mandate Group Bariga, I have it on good authority that we are one irrespective of personal opinion and standing.”

    Omoyele said the party does not expel members, adding that it chastises those who go astray and reintegrates them back to the party.

    He added: “We don’t expel, we have one Mandate Group and if there is any misunderstanding, it is resolved amicably in the interest of the party. I want to say that we will continue to hold to this principle entrenched by the founding fathers of the group.

    “That is why in the coming election, you screen those who present themselves for elective position and you can only attest to their conduct when we meet regularly to deliberate on our collective interests.”

  • Who wins Estako by-election?

    Who wins Estako by-election?

    Coming after the recent governorship election in Edo State, the Estako Federal Constituency by-election scheduled to take place tomorrow is another opportunity for the two leading political parties to test their popularity once again. Though six political parties are taking part in the contest, OSAGIE OTABOR believes that it is likely to be a two-horse race. In this report, he looks at the chances of the two parties. 

    All is set for tomorrow’s Estako Federal Constituency by-election in Edo State for the  seat vacated by Philip Shaibu, who emerged as the deputy governor, following the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in September 28,2016 governorship election. A total of six political parties are fielding candidates for the by-election. Shaibu won the seat on APC platform during the 2015 general elections.

    The parties vying for the seat are the Action Congress for Democrats (ACD), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the APC, the Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The six candidates, according to the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are: Ratitu Sule (ACD), Miminu Aliu (ADC), Johnson Oghuma (APC), Promise Mamoud (MPPP), Aishat Abu (NNPP) and Comrade Jude Imagwe (PDP).

    But, from all indications, the ruling APC and the major opposition party, the PDP, are likely to renew their rivalry at the by-election. Both parties are expected to struggle for votes in the three local government areas that made up the constituency: Estako East, Estako West and Estako Central.

    The two parties have been campaigning vigorously in the three local government areas. Leading the PDP is its state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih. Other leaders of the party are:Chief Raymond Dokpesi,Pascal Ugbome, Emmanuel Momoh, former Chief of Staff to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe among others.

    At one of such rallies, Orbih urged the people not to vote for the APC candidate, “because his eight years in the House of Assembly was a waste to Etsako Central constituency”. He described the PDP standard bearer in the election, Imagwe, as an upright, capable and vibrant young man who is poised to give quality representation to the constituency. The PDP chairman told the electorate that a vote for his party would bring integrity, unity and growth to the constituency.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki led the APC campaign for the election. Other leaders of the APC in Estako are: former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Francis Alimekhena, the Deputy Governor, Shaibu and Usman Shagadi.

    At the party’s rallies, Obaseki told the people that his administration has concluded plans to build a seaport at Agenebode, the headquarters of Estako East Local Government, with a view to fast track economic activities and create employment opportunities for the people.

    Obaseki urged the people to repeat theAPC  in last year’s governorship election and that his administration was committed to the sustenance of the growth started by the Oshiohmole’s administration.

    He said: “As you voted me and Philip (Shaibu) during the governorship election, I implore you all, our great supporters, to vote for our candidate. The party has made the right choice of candidate to fly its flag and I have no doubt that the APC will win the coveted federal seat.”

    Going by the result of the last governorship, the APC appears to have an upper hand in tomorrow’s contest. Political analysts have attributed the victory of the APC in the area during the last governorship election to the voting pattern of the people of Estako West, where both Oshiomhole and Shaibu hail from. The PDP candidate in the by-election hails from Estako East, while his APC counterpart (Oghuma) hails from Estako Central. Any candidate with the highest number of votes from Estako West will surely win the election. This is because Estako West has the highest number of registered voters in the federal constituency, compared to the other two local governments.

    The constituency has a total of 252,110 registered voters. Estako West has the largest voting population with 140,366 voters. Estako East has a voting population of 68,080.  Estako Central has 43,664 voters.

    Some analysts are of the view that it would not be an easy victory for the APC, unlike in last year’s governorship election.This, they said, is because Imagwe is popular among the youths in the locality. In the 2015 general elections, it was votes from Estako West that gave both Shaibu and Alimekhena victory, as the PDP won in both Estako East and Estako Central. In the governorship election, the APC had 57,650 votes from the three local governments.The PDP scored 32,222 votes.

    Imagwe described himself as the representative of youths in the constituency. He is just 38 years old; unlike his opponent, who is 56. Imagwe was a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a former Senior Special Assistant to former President Jonathan. At the campaigns, he said his victory would bring even growth, peace and unity to Etsako people.

    He promised to provide employment opportunities for the youths, educational scholarship for students, as well as skills acquisition for the army of unemployed youths.

    He added: “The period of poor representation of Estako at the National Assembly is over. We will attract development. We will make sure we have a perfect skill acquisition centre to create employment opportunities for our youths. I am going there to represent everybody.”

    at the primary.

    He promised to continue from where Shaibu stopped at the National Assembly. He said his previous achievements would secure victory for him.

    As part of its preparedness for the election, INEC said it has recruited and trained 1,622 ad hoc workers including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). It said sensitive election materials would be deployed to the three local government areas today.

    The commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mr. Oscar Lee-Amaechi, who spoke to The Nation, said INEC was ready to conduct the election.He added that it would be peaceful and transparent. He said voting and accreditation will be done simultaneously, as in previous election and that materials will be deployed to polling centres on time.

  • Election: Council chief eyes victory for party

    The Sole Administrator of Eti-Osa Local Government, Princess Abiodun Elegushi, has called for cooperation among All Progressives Congress (APC) members to ensure victory in the coming local government election.
    Princess Elegushi said this while receiving a former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Anthony Akala, who defected to APC.
    According to her, Akala’s coming into APC is a clear demonstration that the party is doing well.
    She described his decision to join APC with his political family, as wise, noting that it will enhance the fortune of the council in the scheme of things in the state.
    “By your decision, you have demonstrated that you are indeed for the people and that your political career transcends personal aggrandisement and gains. I assure you that this is a path that would lead to socio-political and economic transformation of the lives of the people of Eti-osa Local Government,” she said.
    She appealed to the political leaders to extend full complement of the benefits of the party to Akala and his political group.
    “Let’s extend to them the widely acknowledge warm embrace which our party is well reputed for,” she said.
    Acting Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, urged members to embrace one another and shun politics of bitterness.

  • NO WAY!’ Trump replies Obama’s claim of defeating him

    NO WAY!’ Trump replies Obama’s claim of defeating him

    The war of words between outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama and incoming President Donald Trump continued with Trump rejecting Obama’s claim that he could have defeated him in the Nov. 8 presidential election if he had run against him.

    The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York reports that Trump, in a reply to the outgoing President’s claim, took to his twitter handle and wrote in capital letters: “NO WAY!”.

    The president-elect also listed some policies under Obama’s administration, which he thought constituted baggage to the outgoing President, and would have made it difficult for Obama to be re-elected had the U.S. Constitution allowed him to contest for the third term.

    “President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me.

    “He should say that but I say NO WAY! – jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc,” Trump fired back at the outgoing president from whom he would take over on Jan. 20, 2017.

    Obama had told his former senior adviser David Axelrod in an interview for the “The Axe Files” podcast, produced by the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, aired on Monday that Americans still subscribed to his vision of progressive change, asserting that he could have succeeded in this year’s election if he was eligible to run.

    “I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could’ve mobilised a majority of the American people to rally behind it.

    “I know that in conversations that I’ve had with people around the country, even some people who disagreed with me, they would say the vision, the direction that you point towards is the right one.”

    NAN reports that Obama, a former Illinois senator, still receives high popularity ratings among Americans, currently exceeding 50 per cent, one of the highest for a two-term U.S. president.

    NAN also reports that Obama had in his last Christmas address from the White House, listed some of his administration’s achievements in the last eight years.

    “Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low.

    “We secured health insurance for another 20 million Americans, and new protections for folks who already had insurance.

    “We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more.

    “By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we first got here. And I’m hopeful we’ll build on the progress we’ve made in the years to come.”

    The two-term president said that there was a difference between Trump’s change mantra of 2016 and the hope-and-change vision he heralded in 2008, which won him outstanding victory over Republican John McCain.

    “In the wake of the election and Trump winning, a lot of people have suggested that somehow, it really was a fantasy.

    “What I would argue is, is that the culture actually did shift, that the majority does buy into the notion of a one America that is tolerant and diverse and open and full of energy and dynamism.”

    NAN recalls that in the Nov. 8 presidential election, while Clinton beat Trump in the popular vote by almost 2.9 million ballots, Trump won more electoral votes and consequently, the presidency.

    In the 50-minute session, Obama repeated his suggestion that Democrats had ignored entire segments of the voting population, leading to Trump’s win.

    He implied that Clinton’s campaign had not made a vocal enough argument directed toward Americans who had not felt the benefits of the economic recovery.

    “If you think you’re winning, then you have a tendency, just like in sports, maybe to play it safer.”

    He, however, said he believed Clinton “performed wonderfully under really tough circumstances” and was mistreated by the media.

    The podcast interview was Obama’s latest post-election analysis, which had focused on Democrats’ failure to convince non-urban voters and a media preoccupied with negative stories about Clinton.

    Obama said his party this year had not made an emotional connection to voters in hard-hit communities, relying instead on policy points he said did not make enough of an impact.

    “We’re not there on the ground communicating not only the dry policy aspects of this, but that we care about these communities, that we’re bleeding for these communities.

    “It means caring about local races, state boards or school boards and city councils and states legislative races.

    “And not thinking that somehow, just a great set of progressive policies that we present to the New York Times editorial board will win the day,” he said.

    Obama cited an unlikely model for future Democratic success: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who he said had executed an effective – if obstructionist – strategy.

    “Mitch McConnell’s insight, just from a pure tactical perspective, was pretty smart and well executed, the degree of discipline that he was able to impose on his caucus was impressive.

    “His insight was that we just have to say no to that,” Obama said.

    He said part of his post-presidential strategy would be developing young Democratic leaders, including organisers, journalists and politicians, who could galvanise voters behind a progressive agenda.

    The outgoing president also said that he would not hesitate to weigh in on important political debates after he leaves office. (NAN)

  • Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Damien Okoro to head a 15-man panel tasked with the responsibility of investigating the alleged audio recording of Governor Nyesom Wike and other violence witnessed  during the rerun election.
    The panel include intelligence, investigative and forensic experts from the police and the Department of the Security Service (DSS).
    Highlighting the terms of reference of the panel, the IGP said: “You are to conduct a thorough investigation into the role of security agents before, during and after the election; examine the role of any police officer or security agents, whose actions or activities individually or collectively affected the conduct of the election.
    “Conduct a forensic analysis on the audio report by Sahara Reporters against Governor Wike as it concerns the election; examine any other matter that is relevant to the conduct of the elections and make recommendations and implementation strategies to guide future elections”.
    The panel, which started work on the 17th of December  has 30 days to work and submit its finding‎s.
    Meanwhile, the IGP tasked the panel to consult all relevant stakeholders, including the Rivers state government, citizens, CSOs and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) while carrying out its function.
  • Rivers: Police arrest killers of DSP Alkali

    Rivers: Police arrest killers of DSP Alkali

    The police have arrested five people for their alleged involvement in the murder of one Police Officer, DSP Mohammed Alkali during the legislative re-run election in Rivers State.
    Following the death of the officer, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris set up a team to investigate the killing.
    In a statement in Abuja on Thursday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, he noted that five suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder.
    Suspects arrested are:  Noble Nwaerema,   Dike Deinpiribo, Valentine Alalibo, Onwunari J. Warmate, and Iloke Stephen.
    According to the statement: “The high powered investigation team set up by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris and saddled with the responsibility of investigating the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of DSP Mohammed Alkali in Rivers State during the December 10, 2016 re-run parliamentary election has had a major breakthrough with the arrest of the principal suspects listed below:
    “Upon further interrogation of the suspects, it was discovered that they were active members of the group that gruesomely murdered DSP Alkali Mohammed in cold blood on the 10th of December, 2016 in Rivers State.
    “This vicious gang doubled as political thugs who were part of the group recruited by Politicians from Rivers and neighboring States to scuttle the December 10, 2016 re-run parliamentary election”.
    The statement further read: “The suspects have confessed to the crime and are cooperating with the Police to recover the severed part of the slain officer.
    The police also hinted that investigation is ongoing to rescue the missing orderly.
    “Investigation is on top gear to rescue the missing orderly to the murdered officer and recover the police vehicle that was snatched during the incident. The suspects were also found out to be linked to the leader of a major political party in the state”.
    The police has  also sought information that will enable them apprehend other people believed to be linked to death.
    “The Inspector General of Police is hereby soliciting for information,support and cooperation of the good people of Rivers State in apprehending the remaining members of the gang who are more likely to cause further harm to security personnel and innocent citizens.
     “However, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to ensure that gangsterism, cultism and sponsored political assassination become a thing of the past in Rivers State and Nigeria at large”.