The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governorship poll

  • Governorship poll: Our victory will be sweet, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm as the success of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in the March 9 governorship election would be a sweet victory in the end.

    Wike made the statement when members of the National Assembly, elected on the platform of the PDP, presented their Certificates of Return to him at a ceremony in the Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.

    He said that the will of the people of the state will prevail at the end, despite the conspiracy against the state.

    ”I know that PDP won the elections squarely. We believe in peace, therefore, Rivers people should remain calm. We believe in due process. I believe that INEC is doing their best to follow the due process.

    ”In the end, it will be a sweet victory. The will of Rivers people will prevail,” he said.

    The governor described the political stand-off in the state as a drama fated to end. He said “the people of Rivers people voted overwhelmingly for the PDP in all elections,  while the anti-democratic forces attempted to snatch results at the collation centres.

    ”Let me thank the people of Rivers State for the love they have shown for our great party. It is not in doubt that Rivers people have shown our party, love. What is happening is sad. It is a drama.

    ”We have 13 House of Representatives seats and the PDP clinched all of them. We have three Senate seats, one has been declared and PDP won. When the remaining  two seats are declared, PDP will win them. Eighty percent of the seats declared,  PDP took all.

    “You begin to wonder why any right thinking person would say, that, PDP lost the governorship election. Not that they say PDP lost to a party with a known logo, or even if you have seen the candidate one day in your life or seen his posters to make people vote for the candidate. For us, it is a drama. PDP won the election squarely,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly-elected legislators, Senator-elect Barry Mpigi, said there is no need for anyone to panic as Governor Wike will be declared winner in line with the votes cast on March 9.

    He said, Rivers people are with Governor Wike as shown by their votes in all the polling units.

    ”We have looked round the 23 Local Government Areas and we have seen that the people of Rivers State voted for you. Don’t panic, the vindication will come at the appropriate time,” Mpigi said.

  • Governorship poll well-conducted by INEC, says CTA Observer Group

    The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday scored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high in the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    It also claimed that the electoral commission has improved its logistics.

    It scored INEC about 90 per cent in logistics  better than the case during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections – adding that voter apathy was due to the fear of violence.

    The CTA, which deployed in 1,000 observers nationwide, made its position known in a situation report presented by its Acting Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi.

    Nwadishi said: “We note a remarkable improvement in the logistical arrangements leading to early deployment of personnel and materials and early commencement of polls. Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) trained and deployed 1000 accredited domestic   observers across the states of the federation.

    “Compared to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, logistics arrangements for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were better organised and this ensured early opening of polls across the country.

    “Reports from field observers from across the county indicate early arrival of INEC officials and materials. Accreditation and voting started simultaneously between 8 am and 8.30 am in many polling units.

    “CTA Observers, in most polling units, reported early arrival of security agents drawn from the police and other security agencies, notably the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, NDLEA and Nigerian Customs Service.”

    The CTA blamed the low turnout on voters partly on the fear of violence.

    Nwadishi added: “Voter turnout was generally poor across the country as compared to the presidential and National Assembly elections. This was attributed to the violence that marred the presidential election in many areas.

    “Voters who came out to vote were of the impression that perhaps the reason why others didn’t come out was  because their votes in earlier elections did not count and didn’t see the point in coming out to vote.

    ”In comparison to the excitement and enthusiasm voters showed during the presidential elections, the elections of 9 March 2019 were marked by a high level voter indifference or apathy.

    “Most Nigerians, who seem to have seen no reason to vote because of their disappointment with the outcome of the last election, reasoned that it was a waste of time coming out to vote when their expectations are marked with uncertainties.

    The Governorship, State Houses of Assembly and FCT council Elections held on March 9.

    “The election was marked by low voter turnout, violence, intervention of the military in some places, and killing of citizens who had come out to exercise their franchise.  INEC offices in some states were burnt, citizens intimated. In our opinion citizens should not lose their lives for participating in election.”

    On the role of security agents, Nwadishi said they appeared to have conducted themselves well.

    He said: “Security agents appeared to have conducted themselves well in many voting units.

    “Our observers reported that there was adequate deployment of security agents, though in many of the units observed, they acted more like onlookers than law enforcement agents. They failed to act even when electoral crimes were committed in their presence.

    “There is a marked improvement in the welfare of the security personnel in terms of their transportation and early payment of their allowances.”

  • Aisha Buhari’s brother, Ribadu, others move to unseat Adamawa governor

    There is tension in Adamawa State following sudden interest of Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, a brother to First Lady Aisha Buhari, in the governorship race.

    Mahmoud, popularly called Modi, wants to unseat Governor Jibrilla Bindow, who is from Adamawa North Senatorial District.

    But stakeholders are said to be opposed to Mahmoud who is relying on powerful forces in Abuja to clinch the ticket.

    It was unclear last night  whether  the First Lady had given her blessing to Mahmoud whose intimidating electronic bill boards have flooded Yola.

    If Mahmoud gets the ticket, Bindow, who is in control of the party’s structure, may have to use another party to seek re-election in 2019.

    It was also  learnt that if Mahmoud is adamant, he has to vie for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) with Bindow, a former governorship candidate, Marcus Nada Gundiri, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes( EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Senator Ahmad Abubakar Mo’Allahyidi, who currently  represents Adamawa South Senatorial District.

    According to investigation, all attempts to convince Mahmoud to shelve his governorship ambition has failed.

    A top source said: “APC in Adamawa has a big challenge at hand. There is tension ahead of our primaries. We do not want Governor Bindow to defect to PDP but Mahmoud Halilu, who is a younger brother to the First Lady is insisting on seeking the governorship ticket.

    “He has all his posters in Yola. A graduate of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he has no known political pedigree except that he belongs to the First Family and carries that about.

    “He is not known in any political cycle in Adamawa. He had attempted to previously contest for a seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of   the defunct CPC only to chicken out.

    “Under the current dispensation, he toyed with the idea of intimidating the party and Bindow by pressurizing them to assure him of a ticket to contest for Senate but he failed to actualize it.

    “We are suspecting that he is challenging the incumbent governor for refusing to do his bidding.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “although the governor has control of the party’s structure, he might be helpless if there is an order from above because the court has ruled that the party has the final say on any ticket.

    “Our greatest fear is the likelihood of losing Bindow to PDP or any other party if he is denied APC re-election slot.”

    But apart from Bindow, the First Lady’s brother has to vie for the governorship slot with  a former governorship candidate, Marcus Nada Gundiri, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Senator Ahmad Abubakar Mo’Allahyidi.

    Another source said: “Gundiri is a retired Director in Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and a close ally of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. He has been a serial governorship candidate in Adamawa politics.

    “He had previously contested on two occasions on the platform of SDP.  He romanced with PDP and ACN in the past until he found himself in APC through the influence of Babachir when he was made Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign coordinator in Adamawa.

    “His greatest problem is that his politics is largely religious and ethnic which has been widely rejected by Adamawa electorate.

    “There is also Mo’Allahyidi, a serving senator from Adamawa South. He was among the young technocrats who worked with the defunct Afri-project Consortium during the PTF days.

    “He got the Senate seat on a platter of gold in 2015 because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s factor. He is not known much beyond that he is a senator and has close friends near the President.

    “But on his part, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is bringing his integrity on board having served credibly as the pioneer chairman of the nation’s foremost anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “There is a general consensus that Ribadu’s choice will be an asset to Adamawa. But the corrupt elements have always stood against his ambition. He contested for a similar position on the platform of PDP in 2015 and lost to Bindow.

    “He is yet to formally declare his ambition because of ongoing consultations with party leaders like the President, top leaders of APC and his associates.”

     

  • Ekiti residents gripped by election fever in build-up to governorship poll

    JULY 14 has become a part of the psyche of the residents of Ekiti State since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) picked the date to conduct the next governorship election. When the electoral umpire settled for the day about one year ago, it seemed like a very long time. But at the count of months, weeks and days, the day is here. A lot has changed about the atmosphere of Ekiti State since the people entered the week of election. Tension, fear and anxiety have been ruling the air as everyone wonders what the election portends for the destiny of the state. In this part of the world, election is not only a civil and constitutional duty, it is warfare, and it must be won by all means, fair or foul. The efforts put into winning elections could be gleaned from the perks and percussions that go with political office in Nigeria, the joy that goes with victory and the agony that goes with defeat.

    Ekiti became one of the states with isolated governorship election dates when the Court of Appeal on October 15, 2010 declared Dr. John Kayode Fayemi of the then Action Congress (AC) as the winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election and the April 25, 2009 rerun governorship election. His victory was consequent upon a protracted legal battle with the then candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Segun Oni, who had occupied the office for four years. Oni had been sworn in alongside the other winners of the 2007 governorship election on May 29 of that year and was sworn in again on May 5, 2009 after winning the rerun poll. But the Appeal Court verdict which held that a candidate declared as governor begins a fresh four-year term on the day he is sworn in, altered the election sequence of the state.

    After Fayemi was inaugurated on October 16, 2010, the next election was due for 2014. Mr. Ayo Fayose of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the June 21, 2014 governorship election in a landslide victory, defeating the then incumbent, Fayemi, in dramatic circumstances.   Different strokes The governorship election means different things to different people in Ekiti State based on the perspective each individual views it from. Some see election as a simple civic exercise that will come and go, some see it as a war to be fought and won. Others see it as a necessary evil; yet some others perceive it as an opportunity to relax or a chance to make some quick money. The poll has formed the plank of discussions in private homes and public places like offices, motor parks, bus stops, newsstands, schools, pubs and relaxation centres, markets and public buses. Depending on the side of the divide where their sympathy lies, watching some members of the public argue on the chances of the various parties could be as interesting as they are lively. The two major markets in Ado-Ekiti, Oja Oba and Oja Bisi, were besieged on Tuesday by both buyers and sellers. The

  • All is set for governorship poll in Ekiti

    For the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tomorrow’s Ekiti State governorship poll is a litmus test for its preparedness for next year’s general elections. The electoral umpire has promised to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

    ALL is set for tomorrow’s governorship election in Ekiti State. The 15 political parties registered to participate in the election in the 16 local government areas by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) closed their campaigns last night.

    Going by a regulation by the Electoral Act 2010, parties and candidates must wound up open campaigns 48 hours to the election.

    The electoral umpire said that sensitive materials have been dispatched to its offices at the council areas ahead of the isolated election scheduled for 2195 polling units across 177 wards.

    According to a data obtained from the Ekiti State office of INEC, 35 contestants are jostling to replace Governor Ayodele Fayose at the Oke Ayoba Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    It said that 667,064 out of the 913, 334 eligible voters in the state collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), leaving 246, 270 PVCs uncollected.

    To ensure a free, credible and hitch-free poll, the Police deployed 30,000 of its men. They will be assisted by 4,390 security personnel, including soldiers and para-military officers.

    Many have predicted the election as a straight battle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The PDP is fielding Fayose’s deputy Olusola Eleka and former Solid Mineral Development Minister Kayode Fayemi is APC’s standard bearer at tomorrow’s poll.

     

    Inec distributes sensitive materials

     

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner  of the state, Prof. Abdul Ganiy Olayinka Raji said that all the sensitive materials for the election has been delivered to all the 16 local government in the state.

    Raji told reporters that the materials were collected at the Central Bank in the presence of all the political parties representatives before they were dispatched to their various destination accompanied by  eight senior INEC officials.

    According to him, the materials were monitored directly in his office through official vehicle tracker connected to a giant television screen which indicate the movement of the materials until all got to the respective 16 local government headquarters of the state.

    The commissioner also confirmed  that Ekiti has 913,334 voters out of which 646, 000 collected their PV cards while about 250,000 are yet to collect their cards.

    He explained that all the process used by the commission was transparent with the involvement of all the representatives of all the parties participating in the election.

    “We have 35 political  parties participating in this coming,  gubernatorial election, though 40 political parties initially notified us of their participation, but at the last minutes only 35 parties  are participating.

    He explained that the commission did not face any challenges because the fear of how  the sensitive materials will get to the final destination was addressed through improved technology that gave the commission to monitor, track and even listen to  all the communication going on in all the vehicles deplored.

    He explained that Ekiti is calm and all hands are on deck to conduct credible, fair and free election in the state.

     

    Ooni, British envoy call

    for credible election

     

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi warned the people of Ekiti against acts of violence before and during governorship election, warning that a bloody election would negatively affect other states.

    The Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria made the admonition yesterday at his Ile-Ife palace while hosting the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

    He specifically urged the youths of the state to refuse to be used as agents of electoral violence and criminality, saying they too have rights to become president and governors in the nearest future.

    He said: “What I heard happening in Ekiti state during this electioneering period does not make me happy as their father. Enough of crisis, we do not want any crisis in Yorubaland, where there is violence, progress and tranquility will be deprived, but where there is peace, there is progress.

    “I specifically warn all youths in Ekiti State to maintain peaceful coexistence before, during and after the election, as brighter future awaits them if they productively discover themselves.

    “Youths must refuse to be used for political violence that would waste their lives, because they too can become governor or President of the country in the neatest future.”

    Speaking in the same vein, the visiting British envoy, who doubles as the United Kingdom Chief Observer for the Ekiti governorship election called for free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

    He said his mission in Ekiti State is to observe the conduct of Ekiti governorship election which preceds the conduct of the 2019 presidential and  other elections by INEC.

    The British High Commissioner appealed to all and sundry to remain calm and shun electoral violence, saying crisis cannot add any value to the growth and development of the state.

    According to him, the British government has no interest in any party or any candidate, but determined to ensure that the successful conduct of the election without any hitch.

    Arkwright tasked all security agencies not to be bias, but to remain independent and maintain peaceful environment across the state for the electorates and the INEC officials.

    He expressed further that all other international colleagues will be around to observe the conduct of election tomorrow, urging the indigenes to support the observers and INEC officials for the success of the election.

    Ogunwusi  told the British envoy that Ile-Ife is the cradle of Yoruba race and the oldest cradle of race in the world.

    The monarch lauded him for his compassionate love and maintenance of cordial relationship between the two countries, adding that he has positively contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria.

    He acknowledged the efforts of the British government for giving peace a chance in the country, and admonished him to foster further trade relationship that is capable of improving the  socio-economic co-existence beteween Nigeria and UK.

    Presenting a sovenir to the Ooni, the High Commissioner admmited that Africa is the source of mankind. He described the Ooni as an international bridge builder who is well loved by the British people and the royal family, specifically mentioning Queen Elizerbeth and Prince Charles.

     

  • ‘Divided Ekiti Pdp can’t win governorship poll’

    ‘Divided Ekiti Pdp can’t win governorship poll’

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip Biodun Olujimi has emphasised the need for reconciliation in Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mrs. Olujimi stressed that nobody can intimidate her out of the party and that her ambition to contest the 2018 poll on the platform of the party was still intact.

    The senator representing Ekiti South in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly spoke with reporters in her hometown, Omuo-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area.

    The federal lawmaker who has fallen out with Governor Ayo Fayose over her governorship ambition urged party members aggrieved with the adoption of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola to remain calm as a primary will still be conducted to determine the party’s flag bearer.

    The former Ekiti deputy governor promised to develop economic initiatives to create jobs for the youths, exploit the state’s natural and human resources and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) if elected governor.

    Expressing concern on the acrimony generated by the adoption of Olusola as “sole consensus candidate” by Fayose and his loyalists, Olujimi said the party needed peace, unity and reconciliation to defeat the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) backed with federal might.

    She said: “As a leader you must be able to build consensus and galvanise support for the party. As a leader, you must not do certain things that will portray you as being sectional or self-serving.

    “It is easy to say we will defeat them (APC); that is only the word of the mouth. The only way to defeat the opposition is by galvanizing support within our own party first and ensure that our own party is intact.

    “There has to be unity, we cannot throw people away, we cannot wish people away and it is through coming together that we can gain strength. We will force peace into Ekiti PDP and ensure that everybody abides by our party constitution.” Assuring that Olusola’s adoption has not ended other aspirants’ hope, Olujimi said organisation of the governorship primary is beyond Fayose as it is “strictly a party affair.”

    She added: “Governorship primary is not a state primary, it is the national body that will determine what will happen. I saw people running away that somebody has been adopted No!

    “I believe that our national leaders want the party to survive, they want the party to survive and they are going to be above board. There is nothing to fear now because we have between now and April to do that.”

  • APC can’t win governorship poll, says APGA chairman

    APC can’t win governorship poll, says APGA chairman

    Sir Norbert Obi is the  chairman of the Anambra State All Progressives  Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with Nwanosike Onu in Awka, the state capital, he says the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s dream of winning the governorship election will not become a reality.

    How Prepared is the APGA for the governorship election?
    At the moment, we are gearing towards mobilising the people at the wards and local government areas. The first thing is to have regular meetings with them, explain what government has been doing for them and what the government plans for them for the future. We intend also to inaugurate registration of new members, including decampees from other political parties. These are the immediate actions we intend to take within two months. Thereafter, APGA shall embark on local government tours in March to know the challenges being faced by party members. As we progress, we shall be sorting their problems, therefore, APGA is ready for the 2017 governorship election.
    The All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be gaining grounds more than the APGA. why?
    I don’t believe this. Igbo politicians are fair whether politicians, bread and butter politicians, food is ready politicians. The big guns in South east are moving into the APC and every other person in Anambra wants to join the queue, maybe because of the skeleton in their cupboards and the pursuit of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) probes going on in the country. But, the truth still remains that APGA is a party already well established in Anambra state and it will be difficult for any party to come and dislodge it. Therefore, the issues of the APC taking over in Anambra in 2017 looks like a nightmare. Taking into consideration, the recent hardship being experienced by people in Nigeria in recent times and Anambra is not an exception. The people will continue to vote for APGA because it is a tested and trusted party in this state.
    From what people are saying, Governor Willie Obiano has not really impressed them…
    He has. leadership is not easy. view it from any angle. Obiano came from a corporate world and had not been involved in politics of Nigeria, until a few years back when he was invited. And since he ascended the throne, he has done remarkably well, especially on security, which is the foremost, agriculture, basic infrastructure, education, health and so on. With his track record, if he stays in Anambra for eight years, the face and fortunes of the state will change.
    Apart the three flyovers, what else do you think he has done for the people of Anambra to merit his re-election?
    In the next few years, food will no longer be a problem in Anambra because there will be enough to eat and sell to our neighbours, based on what he has been able to do in the agricultural sector. Besides, he has done lots of roads in many communities in the state, equally, with 20 million naira he has given to 177 communities in the state each. therefore Willie is working.
    The APC has continued to accuse the state government of being a total failure…
    That is a laughable accusation from the APC, because in Imo, where the APC is in charge, it has failed the people as far as governance is concerned. Salaries are being owed for many months; gratuities and pension are being owed, which is a criminal offence in Nigeria. The roads are in very bad shape among others. So, how can APC level such accusations against APGA government where things are working.
    How do you intend to cope with the crisis rocking the APGA both in the state and at the national levels?
    Election is fast approaching and these things are bound to happen. In politics, pecuniary interest is foremost and politicians are easily swelled, but these things are being taken care of. Before the die is cast, things will return to normalcy.
    Again the sour relationship between Victor Umeh and Obiano is likely to play a key role in the election…
    Not to my knowledge. I’m not aware of this. Recently, the three of us had met on some issues. There is no sour relationship between them.
    Would you wave aside former Governor Peter Obi’s influence in the election?
    Few days ago, we met with former local government party chairmen of APGA and ward chairmen and our discussions were fruitful. what Obi had been reaching out with his promises will not count when the election comes or stand between Obiano and victory. If for eight years, Obi could not do anything for them, is it now that he will give them what?
    People say the APGA does not have the financial muscle to battle the APC or the PDP. how true is this?
    When the time comes, God will help us. We believe in prayers and that it why we call Him the awesome God.

  • Untold stories of Edo 2016 governorship poll

    Untold stories of Edo 2016 governorship poll

    Ugly encounters with police commissioner, INEC spokeswoman

    ARRIVING Benin City, the Edo State capital, two days before the state’s governorship election on September 28, the reporter set for herself the task to monitor the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for pre-election exclusive stories.

    She had anticipated that there would be chaos before, during and after the election as the gladiators, especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition People Democratic Party (PDP), have raised wild allegations in the course of their campaigns.

    But the reporter was surprised at the calmness in the ancient city. Save the gridlock caused by rush-hour campaigns and residents doing last-minute shopping, there was absolute peace across the streets of Benin on the eve of the election; an obvious deviation from the norm.

    Charged with ‘illegal duty’

    AFTER several fruitless efforts to reach the spokeswoman of INEC, Mrs Priscilia Imodu-Sule, for her reaction on the allegation that some officials of the electoral body had connived with some PDP members to get ‘foreigners’ to vote, and to find out the preparedness of the commission, the reporter decided to go to INEC’s office in Benin in the evening of Tuesday, September 27. The sight that confronted her was heavy presence of security agents, with armoured tanks, gun-trotting mobile policemen and soldiers surrounding the neighbourhood, while unarmed policemen and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS) screened visitors to Commission’s the premises.

    Before getting there, the reporter had called Mrs Imodu-Sule who said she was driving and would call back in 20 minutes. Subsequent efforts made to call her at the expiration of 20 minutes were not acknowledged. After undergoing screening at the gates of the commission, the reporter headed to the spokeswoman’s office only to find that she was not on seat. Three men met in her office, however, said she was around.

    There was tension at the premises as a lot of journalists who had not been accredited mounted pressure on the publicity unit of the commission. The reporter, on her part, had fulfilled the requirements for accreditation through the state secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) the previous day, but her ‘Press’ tag was yet to be provided by INEC.

    That notwithstanding, she had her identity card handy and formally introduced herself to the men at Mrs Imodu-Sule’s office, explaining that she wanted to get her reaction to an allegation. Eventually, the spokeswoman, who had been evasive, came into the office of her Director, Francis Okpefua, who told this reporter she and her counterpart had no business moving around for stories before while they had not been accredited.

    “You are on illegal duty. I will call the police and DSS to arrest you. You are not journalists but party agents. You have not been accredited yet. Why are you moving around looking for stories?” she threatened.

    ‘Your question is stupid, mischievous!’

    FINALLY, the Election Day came, and this reporter, with the help of the Edo State correspondent of The Nation, state Correspondent, made it to the police command before 7am. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Haliru Gwandu, was already in the office and his men as well as the 25,000 others deployed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and the 2,000 soldiers drafted for the polls had patrolled the state the previ ous night in a show of force.

    Out of curiosity, the reporter, who was invited with about 40 others to interview the police boss, asked if there was any arrest made in the cause of patrol. The harmless question however caused Gwandu to lose his cool.

    “Election is yet to start and you are already asking me of arrests? That question is stupid and mischievous. Are you trying to create problems where there are none?”

    Gwandu also showed his intolerance at the INEC office when he was asked by reporters to react to allegations of insecurity in some parts of the state. About 10 minutes after turning down the interview request, mobile policemen outside the hall released teargas into the air with no threats in sight, causing reporters and observers seated under the canopies to flee.

    Two-hour aerial surveillance

    THE reporter was privileged to have followed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations, Habila Joshak, through Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 5, Isaac Eke, the CPs in charge of Federal Operations and Air Wing, David Folawiyo and Ezekiel Zang respectively, on aerial surveillance across the state.

    Three police helicopters were used for the mission and the team went to the three senatorial districts, combing the riverine areas and forests and also monitoring certain polling units that were crime-mapped.

    At the polling units, snack and non-alcoholic beverage sellers recorded high patronage as voters who stayed back to witness the collation of results, kept themselves busy with the items.

    Sleep galore at collation centres

    COLLATION of results didn’t commence at the local government level until about 10 pm on Wednesday. As the night got darker, journalists and party agents who could not cheat nature, took different sleeping positions. Some snored so loudly that a few who were still awake and taking stock of happenings burst into uncontrolled laughter.

    Fake journalists on the rampage

    A SADDENING observation during the election was the torrent of fake journalists from various parts of the country who, like leaches, went from one home/office to the other, soliciting money.

     

    Dramatic experience with Lance Corporal

    • Sina FADARE•

    LIKE other previous elections in the country, the just concluded Edo governorship election was a litmus test for the political gladiators in the state. For the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, it was a consolidation election that allow his successor to continue from where he stopped after his exit. For the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it was an election needed for a change of baton.

    The Edo North area of the state was significant to the governor because that is his base. Hence, it was not surprising to see voters trooping out as early as 8 am to exercise their franchise.

    As our crew approached a military checkpoint in Agenebode area of the state, a Lance Corporal yelled at our driver and compelled him to come down from the vehicle. It was the first time we were so stopped after we had run into many of them.

    Notwithstanding the tough terrain, curiosity got the better of us and we decided to investigate.

    In the middle of the tortuous journey, we lost a tyre in the middle of nowhere and subsequently lost precious time.

    At Ikinago Primary School, heavily armed soldiers and a team of DSS agents were in place but soon discovered the unsolicited tip-off was a false alarm.

  • I’ll work for APC success at governorship poll, says Oke

    I’ll work for APC success at governorship poll, says Oke

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, said yesterday that he will work for the party’s success in the November election, whether or not he is given the mandate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oke said he lost the 2012 governorship election to irregularities, which, he alleged, included the availability of about 120,000 fake voters.

    He said his allegation was proven at the Supreme Court.

    Speaking after obtaining his nomination form at the APC secretariat yesterday, he said every index on ground in the state suggested that the people were eagerly waiting for the APC to redeem it from the clutches of oppression, which they have been allegedly subjected to in the last eight years.

    He dismissed the claim that the deluge of aspirants in the party was dividing the APC.

    “Our party is very lucky to have so many aspirants in Ondo State. At the last count, about 18 have so far collected the nomination form and I am aware that many others are coming. That is a lot of lesson for our party and it shows that those desiring change in Ondo State are very many and the voices are very loud.”

    Asked if he would work for any candidate, who emerged winner if he failed to secure the ticket, Oke said: “I believe that I am the best candidate in the race. As a Christian, I have heard that power belongs to God and He gives it to whom He pleases. If at the end of the day the delegates takes a decision and it is not me, I will work for the APC.”

  • APC to appeal verdict on Delta governorship poll

    APC to appeal verdict on Delta governorship poll

    The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will challenge the Court of Appeal judgment which upheld the election of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the governor.

    APC candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, is challenging Okowa’s Appeal Court victory at the Supreme Court.

    Delta APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue, in a statement in Asaba, the state capital, said he was shocked by the Appeal Court’s judgment, despite the overwhelming evidence that Okowa did not win the election.

    The chairman urged APC supporters to keep the peace, adding that the state would soon witness a new dawn.

    According to him, the election matter will be pursued with vigour and will hopefully be brought to a legal conclusion in APC’s favour.

    Erue said: “We are law-abiding citizens, but we received this judgment of the Appeal Court with shock. We will not abdicate our right to fair hearing as we are convinced we will find justice at the Supreme Court based on the merit of our arguments in the case in question.

    “We stand by our desire for a new Delta State, led by APC, where every Deltan will begin to live with a new sense of purpose and direction; a new Delta filled with hope for the future and driven by the power of change.”

    The APC chairman accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state of wasting resources.

    “For instance, it has aggregated an over-bloated cabinet with hundreds of idle and needless aides in the Executive and Legislative arms, which will drag the state’s economy down to a dangerous precipice at this critical period of dwindling resources,” Erue said.

    He assured that an APC administration would accelerate the state’s development through a well-refined “strategic vision”, “governance-with-a-heart” and “prudent assignment” of the state’s limited resources.