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Tag: ELECTION

  • Nullification of my election a temporary setback  –  Wike 

    Nullification of my election a temporary setback  –  Wike 

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has described the nullification of his election as a temporary setback,  saying  that  God’s will and the  mandate of  the  people will prevail at the end of the day.

    Addressing thousands of Rivers State people who thronged the Port Harcourt International Airport to receive him on Thursday, Governor Wike urged the people to remain peaceful   as the state remains PDP despite the contrived situation  at present.

    He assured the people that his lawyers have already started the process of Appeal to the Supreme Court, noting that after the Supreme Court, the PDP will work with whatever judgment emanates from the apex court.

    The governor said the PDP is ready for the National Assembly elections as ordered by the Appeal Court, but warned that the people will resist any attempt by the Federal Government to use soldiers and policemen  to manipulate the elections.

    He said: “I want to warn, let nobody attempt to do what happened in Bayelsa State here. Since they said   they have annulled the elections, let them come and conduct fresh elections. Let nobody think that they can use soldiers and policemen to intimidate us. We will resist any such attempt.  We have maintained our cool for a long time.  Our calmness should not be mistaken as a sign of weakness “.

    He said that Rivers people are peace loving, but they hate injustice and intimidation.

    He advised  all PDP  members  in  the  state  to commence  unit to unit and ward to ward campaigns  for  the  National Assembly elections.

    “We shall return all our National Assembly members as a way to disgrace those who think they will snatch the mandate of the  people,” he said.

    He said that the administration  will continue  to  work for the people  of  the state and deliver good governance  and  projects  to  the  people.

    Wike  was welcomed  by the speaker  of the  Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council,  former National Assembly members,  PDP  leaders, Local  Government Caretaker Chairmen,  women and youth groups.

  • PDP claims APC flooded Bayelsa with fake dollars for election

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state alleged yesterday that fake dollars estimated to be worth N2 billion are now in circulation in Bayelsa.

    The PDP said the printing and circulation of the said notes have “vindicated its earlier alarm raised prior to the conduct of the election of the plan of the APC to rig the election and as well induce voters with fake currencies.”

    It said  N2 billion of the fake currencies “are already in circulation, while they are still planning to print more for the re-run election in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

    “The currencies, especially the N1,000, are having the same serial numbers while the quality of the paper used in printing is not the same with the original currencies.”

    The Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, who signed the statement asked the relevant agencies to “step up action by ensuring the mop up of the liquidity of fake notes in circulation.”

    He condemned “the desperation, the hook and crook disposition of the APC and its governorship candidate, whose plan to take over governance in Bayelsa is anchored on deceit, complete lies and violence, stressing that, they have continued prove and from their antecedents that, they do not mean well for the people.”

  • Burnt INEC office won’t stop Kogi supplementary election, says REC

    Burnt INEC office won’t stop Kogi supplementary election, says REC

    The early morning fire that razed the Dekina office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dekina, Kogi State yesterday will not hinder today’s governorship supplementary election in the state.

    This declaration was made yesterday by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai.

    Unknown persons suspected to be hoodlums had invaded Dekina, the headquarters of Dekina Local Government Area where about 29 of the 91 polling units where the supplementary election is scheduled to hold is located, and set the INEC area office in the town ablaze.

    But Pai said in a statement in Lokoja yesterday that only some non-sensitive materials kept in the office were affected while the sensitive ones, such as card readers, were intact.

    He said the commission had made arrangements for the replacement of the non-sensitive materials that were destroyed before today’s supplementary election in the area.

    He explained that a temporary office had been provided at a police station for the smooth conduct of the election in the polling units where election was cancelled in the area.

    According to eyewitness accounts, suspected thugs invaded the office at about 5 am and set it ablaze.

    One of the accounts said the suspected thugs came in a bus and shot sporadically before burning down the office.

    A statement issued from the office of Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, in Lokoja yesterday said preliminary investigation had revealed that some persons dressed in police uniform were responsible for the act.

    He described the action as “barbaric, callous and uncalled for.”

    Awoniyi assured that everything would be done to arrest those behind the arson and bring them to justice.

    While calling for calm, the deputy governor assured INEC of adequate protection in the discharge their duties in the state.

    The statement added that the governor had convened an emergency security council meeting aimed at conducting investigation that would unravel the immediate and remote causes of the incident and prevent a reoccurrence.

    The statement reads: “Preliminary investigation reveals that some persons dressed in police uniform visited the INEC office Dekina in the early hours of today (Friday), demanding for all materials relating to the supplementary election.

    “The INEC officials at the Dekina office found their request unusual and declined. The arsonists proceeded to set the office ablaze.

    “All efforts by firemen to put off the fire which raged for hours was thwarted by the arsonists who kept vigil as they prevented access to the premises.”

  • Plateau bye-election: INEC seizes 7 PVCs, 5 fake agent cards

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau State says it has seized seven Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from under-aged voters and five party agent cards during the Qua’an Pan North House of Assembly bye-election.

    Prof. Anthonia Simbini, INEC National Commissioner, North Central, made the disclosure to newsmen in Kwa, Qua’an Pan on Saturday.

    He said: “We discovered in some polling units three major problems during the accreditation in this bye-election; under aged, fake party agent cards and low turnout of voters.”

    She expressed happiness with the presiding officers, who, she said, had turned away most of the under aged voters that came for accreditation.

    Simbini said it was totally unacceptable to see under aged carrying PVCs to participate in elections.

    Commenting on the election, Dr Godwin Kwanga, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, described the accreditation as “peaceful and orderly.’’

    He appealed to the people of Qua’an Pan to give the INEC officials the necessary cooperation for a successful and credible election.

     

  • Crisis looms in Lagos NURTW over election

    As fresh crisis seemingly looms in Lagos chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Treasurer and Oshodi branch chairman of the union, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo), has called on members not to foment trouble. He said anything contrary to peace would affect the unity of the union.

    In the circumstances, he has appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode and other stakeholders to quickly call Alhaji Agbede to order to avert unnecessary.

    The crisis results from the re- election of Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede as its chairman, a situation which supporters of MC Oluomo insisted did not follow due process.

    According to them, the election, which was officially scheduled to hold on October 19, this year at Excellence Hotel in Ogba area of Lagos State at 10:00 a.m., was allegedly manipulated by Agbede. They alleged the election held at 6:00 a.m., instead of 10:00 a.m. as earlier scheduled.

    Comrade Saula Yusuf, a branch Chairman of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) in Igando, who confirmed the incident, also complained that loyalists to MC Oluomo, including himself, were illegally removed as branch chairmen, warning that state might witness severe crisis if the illegal activities of Alhaji Agbede and his loyalists were not checked.

    While appealing to members of the union to keep the peace in the face of alleged provocation, Alhaji Akinsanya assured that everything would be done to ensure that due process was followed to elect a legitimate state executive in a peaceful process devoid of imposition.

     

  • APC wins Borno Central senatorial by-election

    The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Alhaji Babakaka Garbai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the by-election for Borno Central Senatorial District.

    The election was conducted on Saturday.

    INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Fannami, who announced the results in Maiduguri, the state capital, said Garbai had 120,639 votes against the 32,347 votes of Alhaji Kaka Bolori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second.

    The Returning Officer said Alhaji Bukar Muhammed of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had 324 votes and Malam Babakura Modu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had 660 votes.

    The INEC chief said the number of registered voters was 908,114 and the number of accredited voters was 174,329.

    He said: “The number of votes cast was 159,998; the number of valid votes was 155,443 and the number of rejected votes 4,555.”

    Garbai described his victory as an “act of God”.

    He said: “The people have spoken; the victory is a clear testimony of the fact that the people have confidence in my ability to deliver.

    “It is also an indication that the people have confidence in the government of Borno, because the administration has been working for them. So, any candidate presented by the APC in the state will always have the peoples support.

    “By God’s grace, we are going to work for the people.

    “I intend to pursue an agenda to rehabilitate my people, who are badly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Borno Central is the major population area in the state.

    “Aside from Maiduguri, all the other population centres in the zone have been displaced by Boko Haram and my major task is to work towards rehabilitating them.”

    Also, the election on Saturday witnessed low turnout in the town but impressive turnout at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps.

  • Akwa Ibom election re-run: Matters arising

    The ruling of the Akwa Ibom Election Petition Tribunal that ordered for a re-run of the April 11 governorship election in 18 out of the 31 local government areas in the state is still far away from becoming a reality.

    It is possible the ruling will not stand – in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party that demands an upholding of the result of the election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    It is also possible it will not stand – in favour of the All Progressives Congress that wants a total cancellation of the election. The only thing that is certain is that the case will go up to the Supreme Court, as provided for in the Electoral Act.

    This is so because the ruling of the Appeal Court, where the two parties have indicated intention to go, will not satisfy both, for reasons that are well known.

    There are reasons to believe that another election, whether a re-run or a fresh election, may go in favour of the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, whose election is being challenged by Umana Okon Umana, the APC candidate. In the event of an election, the governor would not be going into the competition making promises that would seem abstract.

    He would not be far removed from the people with promises that would seem far-fetched or unrealistic, as any other candidate would be. He would point to concrete achievements in the short period he has been in office as a pointer to what the people should expect in the next three-and-half years or so.

    Emmanuel’s performance after only five months in office has lent credence to the popular belief that the era of professional politicians whose horizon does not expand outside the public sector is long gone. The way to go now is involvement of a different kind of professionals in governance – those who have the pedigree in the private sector to understand the new direction the country must go, if we are to move with the times.

    The governor has proved beyond doubt that his effortless switch from the private sector where he proved his mettle into the public sector, and his eventual emergence as governor, was not happenstance. It takes one that is steeped in excellence and a leader with vision and clearly defined goals to show the kind of direction he has shown in so short a time.

    A meteoric rise up the corporate ladder saw Emmanuel in the hierarchy of Zenith Bank as executive director, as well as a director of the bank’s subsidiaries outside the country, after a stint with Price Waterhouse Coopers, the international accounting giant. It is no surprise that the state’s economy, specifically, industrialisation, is the focus of his administration.

    Interestingly, the governor has gone about the business of governance since assuming office as though he were unaware of a petition against his election, and the probability that he might not be there to see his early efforts come to fruition. He demonstrates the confidence of a man whose conviction on the mandate he received is unshakable.

    With little to worry about in the area of infrastructure, he has channeled his energy into building the structures that would launch the state on the path of industrial revolution. At the last count, more than 50 foreign investors have shown interest in investing in the state; thanks to the effort of a foreign direct investment committee he constituted to be the arrowhead of his administration’s investment drive. But he hasn’t had to wait for foreign investors.

    A hitherto moribund paints industry will soon roar back to life, with all the modern components to make it operate on international standards. With the attitude of one that is running a race against time, the governor has gone about performing ground breaking ceremonies here and laying foundation stones there, to ensure the state drinks from the well of his deep knowledge of the role of industrialisation as the driver of socio-economic development. A prominent project on the cards is an automobile manufacturing company in Itu Local Government Area, which he aptly dubbedOpening the Book of Industrialisation. Also coming on stream soon are a refinery and a fertilizer plant.

    The feeling in Akwa Ibom today is that the choice of a technocrat with rich private sector experience, from the pack of professional politicians and people who have little to show for many years in public service, may not have been a mistake, after all.

    Governor Emmanuel recognised on assumption of office that a strong moral foundation is sine qua non for building the state of his dream, for, no society can expect to achieve greatness with weak moral fabrics. The launch of the Dakkada philosophy was therefore partly meant to achieve the level of moral and ethical transformation that would make the state locally and internationally competitive to investors, as far as adherence to international best practices is concerned. The philosophy also drives home the point that the development of the state must begin with individual development, by spurring in them a new spirit of enterprise.

    But Emmanuel is not the only professional in government. We can point to Lagos and Anambra states where involvement of professionals in government has produced excellent results. For many Nigerians, especially Lagosians, the eight-year tenure of Babatunde Fashola, a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was outstanding.

    Governor Willie Obiano, a former executive director with Fidelity Bank, has yet to serve a full term. But in the period he has been in office, reports of his achievements tend to create the impression that before him, the state did not have a governor.

    The two states have been beneficiaries of the private sector experiences of their helmsmen. This is what is playing out in Akwa Ibom state today, and what will likely put the governor in good stead for another election.

    Now, can anybody fail to notice, at the federal level, the energy, zeal and commitment with which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, another lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is going about his duties, with no comparison with any of his predecessors in the recent past? Agreed, his immediate predecessors came from the private sector. But as the old commercial said, “if it is not Panadol, it is not the same thing as Panadol”.

     

    • Ajiri, a business executive, lives in Lagos
  • Federal might doesn’t win election, says governor

    Federal might doesn’t win election, says governor

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at the weekend told youths that federal might would not win the December 5 governorship election.

    Speaking at a meeting with youth leaders at the Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Dickson said the election was about protecting the pride and future of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

    He said the poll was about the future of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, adding that allowing the opposition to win the election was tantamount to selling the pride and destiny of the Ijaw.

    The governor urged youth leaders to protect the state’s pride and integrity.

    He said they should turn out en masse on December 5 with their permanent voter cards (PVCs). Dickson said they should vote, protect their votes and wait for the announcement of the results at the polling booths.

    He announced automatic employment for youth leaders in the Bayelsa Volunteers Scheme (BVS) to enhance peace and security, ahead of the poll.

    The governor enjoined youths to ensure that their communities were organised to give information on piracy, kidnapping and other crimes.

    He advised them to cooperate with the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure peace and security during the election.

    Said he: “Organise yourselves unit by unit, ward by ward, constituency by constituency and cooperate with the security agencies and INEC. Ensure that after voting, you remain at the polling booths and wait for the results to be announced.

    “Federal might does not win elections. It is the people that win election. Stand up now or else you will never forgive yourselves, because your destiny is at stake. Those in the opposition were in government for five years and plunged the state into debts. Now they want to return.

    “Today, all of you who are youth presidents and leaders, you are automatically integrated into the volunteer scheme. Ensure your communities are organised. Work hard to give information about piracy, work with your traditional rulers.”

  • Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    THE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the April 11 election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has insisted that the poll was not free, fair and credible.

    He said the judgment of the election petitions tribunal, sitting in Abujas was right on the poll.

    Princewill, who was also the standard bearer of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in Rivers during the 2007 election, declared he was not surprised with the nullification of the poll.

    He stated that Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) didn’t win the contest.

    He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, won the tribunal suit for all Rivers people, especially the lovers of democracy and the rule of law, who had been pushing for one man, one vote.

    The LP governorship candidate spoke yesterday in an interactive session with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He lauded the judiciary for taking what he described as a step in the right direction, thereby restoring sanity in the nation’s electoral process.

    Princewill said: “Any lover of true democracy and justice, who witnessed what happened (in Rivers State on April 11), will not be surprised by the judgment of the tribunal.

    “I belong to that group. The elections were not free, fair or credible. So, they cannot stand honest scrutiny.

    “The APC won the case for all of Rivers State. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and the same people in the APC today were also the beneficiaries of that fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the state.”

    He went on: “In my post-election statement in April (2015), I clearly highlighted my displeasure in the outcome of the elections.

    “I lamented the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who will be left to lead?

    “I did not only show my disappointment in the conduct of the elections but also my concern over peace in my state.

    “It is not about taking sides with PDP or APC; it is about the truth. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount to aligning with the PDP.”

    While commenting on the disagreement among the leaders of the LP in Rivers state on the tribunal’s judgment, the governorship candidate described it as an embarrassment to the party and clear indication of confused leadership.

    Princewill insisted that with the tribunal ordering fresh election within 90 days, he remained the standard bearer of the LP.

    He however said he not desperate to be Rivers governor.

    According to him: “Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a loser. I am comfortable with either because I am not desperate to be governor.

    “If Rivers people want unity, peace, a government they can reach and believe that their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a better chance.

    “The hate for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (ex-Rivers governor) or APC because of what they did to former President Goodluck Jonathan (preventing his re-election) should not becloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth.

    “If PDP is the beneficiary of this sham today, APC members should know that they cannot try it tomorrowý. Will I not complain if that happens?

    “Of course I will. If electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrowý. If there are no consequences for electoral violence, it will continue.”

    The LP’s governorship candidate also admonished Rivers people, especially the politicians to ensure that the fresh election ordered by the tribunal was free of violence, insisting that people should not be desperate for power or victory.

    While commenting on the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari and Amaechi’s confirmation by the Senate, Princewill said: “President Buhari is the president. Whether his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus more on helping him, than pulling him down.

    “I know Amaechi and I know his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people are watching. I believe that with the right motivation, cross-party support and a little prayer, he (Amaechi) can be a useful tool in Buhari’s cabinet. Let us leave it to God.”

    The Rivers governorship candidate of the LP also reiterated that the anti-corruption fight was the foundation of the Buhari’s campaign, while admitting that the president was just settling down and should not be fighting on too many fronts.

    He stated that the government’s agencies charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption must be allowed to do their works without interference, in order to move Nigeria forward.

    Princewill urged Rivers people to place emphasis on peace, without which investment, jobs, development and empowerment would be lacking in the Niger Delta state.

     

  • ‘How 2015 election funds were cornered’

    ‘How 2015 election funds were cornered’

    Amidst renewed bickering  by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, fresh facts are emerging on why the party performed poorly in the last general elections, reports Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor.

    Still suffering from their poor showings at the last general election, in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which previously prides itself as the largest political party in Africa, was heavily trounced both at the federal and state levels, Chieftains of the troubled party in Ogun state has been throwing missiles at one another.

    In the process, facts are emerging on how the huge funds released for the prosecution of both the federal and state elections were allegedly cornered by some leaders of the party while leaving other chieftains and members of the party without necessary financial muscles to prosecute the electoral war in their various domains.

    The Nation learnt that while party leaders in the state may have sat on billions of naira meant for the prosecution of the last elections, PDP members in the state were not only denied access to much needed fund and logistics before and during the elections, but were also severally shortchanged by their leaders during the campaign tours.

    Consequently, while the party leaders are now throwing verbal missiles at each other over the last elections, members of the party across the length and breadth of the state are demanding explanation on how the funds meant to prosecute the elections were spent. “This new crisis may mark the end of the PDP in Ogun State if not carefully handled. With what we are now hearing these leaders accusing one another of, I am not sure if any of their supporters will remain with them,” a source told The Nation.

    Also, following the ongoing expositions, the political battle between the camps of former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and erstwhile Southwest leader of the party and now the Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district in the national assembly, Prince Buruji Kashamu, which abated following the latter’s victory at the last senatorial election, may have been seriously rekindled.

    It could be recalled, OGD, who had left the PDP for the Labour Party (LP) in preparation for the general election, was in the run up tot the 2015 presidential poll, persuaded by the then Presidency and some PDP leaders to abandon the LP and move his supporters back to PDP. Before his return to PDP, former President Goodluck Jonathan invited the two politicians and their disciples to Abuja for a meeting where all differences were reportedly resolved.

    Shortly after the resolution, a mega rally was held at the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta to welcome OGD and his loyalists back to PDP. But hardly had the dust raised by OGD’s loud return to his former party settled down when the two camp went back to their perennial bickering as they failed to agree on how to pick the party governorship candidate as well as the national and state Assembly positions.Although the party had to contend with unending feud between the returnee OGD and Kashamu, who had held the party together while his erstwhile political ally was hibernating in the LP, the duo managed to remain in the same boat till the elections were over. But all through the electioneering process, the OGD camp kept accusing Kashamu and his cohorts of refusing to carry them along. In response, the Kashamu camp alleged anti-party activities. Thus, the party went into the general election divided.

    New twist

    At the end of political proceeding in the state, the PDP came out badly bruised having failed to poll reasonable votes for Jonathan in the presidential election and lost its bid to unseat incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun  of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But Buruji Kashamu emerged a Senator following his announcement as the winner of the Ogun East district poll. With this development, while OGD and his allies practically disappeared from the political rada of the state, Kashamu became the indisputable leader of the party in the state.

    But a new twist was introduced into the unending internal squabbles within the party when seven PDP lawmakers in the national and state assemblies had their elections nullified, with the election tribunal ordering re-run elections. Major casualties include Kashamu himself and several of his political disciples.

    SegunAdekoya representing Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside federal constituency and others in the state house of assembly like OduntanAtanda (Egbado North), OjoAdebowale (Idiroko/Ipokia), AlausaOlawale (Ijebu ode), OyenugaAdejuwon (Ijebu East) and BowaleSolaja (Ijebu North), were sacked by the Tribunal.

    Following the Tribunal verdict, the OGD camp found its voice as it came out to blame the Kashamu camp for the many woes befalling the party in the state. According to reports, Kashamu and his men are being accused of preventing other factions within the party from participating in the electioneering process during the last general election.

    “Kashamu and his people are merely reaping the whirlwind they sowed in Ogun PDP in the last three years. The verdict of the Tribunal is unfortunate and not good for our party but they caused their own trouble. Kashamu divided the party and chased the founding fathers out. Now, he is left alone to carry his cross,” another party chieftain said.

    Echoing our sources, Daniel was recently reported to have claimed that Kashamu left him and his people out of the electioneering campaigns and prevented him from contributing towards the success of the party at the polls. “The only election that was left in my care in the last election was Remo Federal Constituency which I delivered,” he reportedly claimed.

    But Kashamu would have none of such claims. The Ijebu Igbo born Senator wasted no time in going online to accuse OGD of not only lying but also playing God. According to the embattled Senator, it is wrong for the former Governor to think that the party performed woefully because he was not carried along.

    Can of worms

    “I thought by now, the leader should have known lies takes one nowhere and that truth always prevails. Firstly, how can you say you delivered Rep in Remo constituency when Ladi Adebutu himself is a popular candidate and his father is a well known rich man who has impacted positively in the people’s lives? You collected almost N200m put in your care by Ladi’s Father. Why then didn’t you use the same magic for the four assembly candidates in that constituency? Kashamu queried.

    Revealing more, the Senator accused OGD of using his contacts within the banking sector to corner the election fund sent to the party in the state by the federal government. He alleged that the former Governor and other chieftains including former presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe and former Speaker, Titi Oseni, cornered N400m out of funds meant to prosecute the last presidential election.

    “The N500m from Federal for our elections was sent to the bank. Before Isiaka, Clarke and myself met in the morning, OGD had used (his) connection and sent for the withdrawal of N400m and we met only N100m. N400m had disappeared between OGD, Okupe, Titi Oseni and Seriki. It was when they heard we had involved the Commissioner of Police that OGD dropped another N100m. But money needed according to the party, to put things in place was N346m.

    At the end of the day, to my utmost surprise, OGD was involved in heavy anti party activities. He shared money in all 9 LGAs, with almost 40 people in each, to buy votes against the party, especially for the Senate. Where is his loyalty? If it wasn’t for that almost 25,000 votes he bought, I would have floored Dapo with more than 40,000 votes instead of just 16,000 votes,” Kashamu alleged.

    Promising to shed more light on his claims should the need arise, the Ogun East Senator said “I would be available to make more clarification should the need arise. May God touch the heart of OGD for good in order for all of us to join hands to take PDP higher if he hasn’t already joined the APC as his romance with them is very strong.”

    Kashamu is not the only PDP leader in the state now spilling the bin. Michael Sewedo, a chieftain of the party form the West senatorial district is equally displeased with how election funds were handled by some leaders. According to the youthful politician, during the last election, Ogun PDP leaders only positioned themselves for the 2015 election funds, winning election was secondary to them.

    “I have taken time to read the revelations coming from the PDP leaders in Ogun State and have come to the conclusion that truly these leaders only positioned themselves for the 2015 election funds, winning election was secondary to them. Some of us that are privileged to some information knew this and were not caught unaware by their recent disclosures which to me is still a tip of the iceberg.

    Both of them had the fore knowledge of the campaign largesse coming from the villa, hence the struggle to position themselves and as a result more efforts were geared towards outsmarting each other with the sole aim of getting control of the fund. A similar scenario had happened in 2011 where election funds running into hundreds of million were shared weeks after the election.

    While one was using all possible means to control the party structures and impose candidates that can be easily manipulated to the detriment of party members and good people of Ogun State, the other succeeded in installing his core loyalists in the state presidential campaign team. With the structure and the campaign team intact, the struggle over election funds then began,” Sewedo said in an online post in response to the renewed bickering between OGD and Kashamu.

    Speaking further on how funds were cornered by the feuding leaders before, during and after the last general election, he said “It may interest PDP members that close to N2bn got to Ogun state for the execution of the last elections and 70% of it was squandered by these leaders and their cronies. The said amount was released in batches and for specific purposes, starting from the $1m released for the Presidential campaign flag off in Lagos and the campaign rally in Abeokuta.

    $2.5m was released for the presidential election (the only one being revealed by these leaders), another $2.5m for the other elections and undisclosed packages given to some notable interest groups and some traditional rulers. One now wonder that with the large followers they showcased at the villa and the magnitude of funds released, they still lost the elections.”

    Sewedo also spoke of how party members had monies meant to them either reduced by half or outrightly withheld by party leaders before and during the elections. “Most of us and other party members that refused to join another party because of our love for PDP and the fact that we have benefitted one way or the other from the party will continue to count our losses.

    Hon job Akintan’s ordeal in the hand of our State party chairman is something worth mentioning. Up till today, the chairman pocketed his $10,000 given to each delegate for logistics at Abuja convention reason being that he was supporting a Governorship aspirant that was in the bad book of their leading leader.

    Chief Semiu Babatunde, who later parted way with them, only succeeded in getting his own share after giving the chairman some punches in a popular supermarket in Abuja. I only said this little because we still have some blind followers who still believe in their leadership. I even heard that they are back in court purposely to continue their hold on the party after the next congress,” he claimed.

    Ading his voice to the ongoing debate, former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Remmy Hazzan, also revelaed how monies meant for him as an automatic delegate to the presidential primaries in Abuja was also pocketed by a leader of the troubled political party. “Boggling. Just that you (Sewedo) didn’t remember to add that one Remmy Hazzan, as an automatic delegate to the Presidential primaries of the PDP, like Hon. Job Akintan, also had his $10,000:00 cornered by one Chief Bayo Dayo,’ he said.