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Tag: governorship

  • Ikpeazu seeks halt to solidarity visits on governorship impasse

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called for a stop to solidarity visits to him, following a court declaration of Dr Uche Ogah as the governor.

    The governor urged Abia State residents to live in peace and focus more on developmental issues.

    In a statement at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, the governor said he had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and solidarity, following the court verdict.

    The statement reads: “I wish to thank Abians for the massive and unprecedented outpouring of love and solidarity from all segments of the society to me since the attempted coup against my government by desperate power seekers.

    “I am particularly grateful to those who prayed for me, paid solidarity visits and called to express support to me and my government. I pray that the Almighty God, who alone richly rewards and answers all good prayers, reward and answer your fervent prayers, in Jesus name.”

    Ikpeazu enjoins Abiam residents and friends to continue praying for him and his government.

    The governor, who prayed for the wisdom of Solomon, quoted from 1King 3:9, asking: “Who is able to govern this great people” of God without Him?

    The statement added: “I have taken note of the cost and risk of Abians who mobilise to Umuahia (the state capital) to pay solidarity visits to me, almost on daily basis, and wish to underline the fact that their sacrifices are well appreciated.”

    Ikpeazu pledged to serve Abia residents better and take decisions that would enhance the wellbeing of the people.

    The governor advised the residents to perform their daily pursuits and stop further solidarity visits on the governorship impasse.

    rule of law and stopping corrupt individuals from using illegally acquired wealth to buy immunity from prosecution through the backdoor.

    He said his administration would always support the war against corruption because he was convinced that corruption was antithetical to peace and development.

    Ikpeazu advised his political opponents and those interested in Abia development to join hands with his administration to ensure its progress.

     

  • APC releases time-table for Ondo governorship poll

    APC releases time-table for Ondo governorship poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the time-table and schedule of activities for its governorship primary election in Ondo State.

    National Organising Secretary Senator Osita Izunaso said this yesterday in a statement.

    Izunaso said the announcement was in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and party guidelines.

    According to the time-table and schedule of activities, sale of forms will begin at the party’s National Secretariat, from tomorrow to August 5.

    Governorship nomination forms will be sold at N5 million, and intending aspirants will pay N500,000 to pick expression of interest form. The forms are free for female aspirants.

    The statement added that the last day for submission of completed forms is Monday, August 8 at the party’s National Secretariat.

    The screening of aspirants will be in Abuja from August 9 to August 12.

    The primary election will hold on August 27 and election appeal is scheduled between August 29 and September 1.

  • Ondo APC governorship primaries holds August 27

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the time-table and schedule of activities for the conduct of the Party’s 2016 Governorship Primary Election in Ondo State.

    The Party’s National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso made the announcement in a statement issued on Sunday.

    Izunaso said the announcement was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and Party guidelines.
    According to the time-table and schedule of activities, sale of forms will commence at the Party’s National Secretariat from Tuesday 19th July to Friday 5th August, 2016. Governorship nomination forms will be sold at N5 million while intending aspirants are expected to pay N500, 000 to pick expression of interest form. The forms are free for female aspirants.

    The last day for submission of completed forms is Monday 8th August, 2016 at the APC National Secretariat.

    Screening of aspirants will be conducted in Abuja from Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th August, 20th while election will hold Saturday 27th August, 2016.

    Election Appeal will hold from Monday 29th August to Thursday 1st September, 2016.

  • Crisis hits NURTW over endorsement of governorship candidates

    Crisis hits NURTW over endorsement of governorship candidates

    Leadership crisis is looming in the Edo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over the union’s endorsement of the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    One Comrade Warriman Erhengbo had on Tuesday led some supposed members of the union to adopt the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP and said the union suffered proscription under the APC administration.

    But Comrade Odion Olaye yesterday denied reports that the union has endorsed the governorship candidate of the PDP.

    Olaye told reporters yesterday that the union was behind the APC candidate, Dr. Godwin Obaseki in the September 10 governorship election.

    He said he was sworn-in last month for another term in office by the National President of the union, Alhaji Nojeem Yasin.

    Olaye described as untrue claims by Comrade Erhengbo that the state government proscribed activities of the union in the state.

    He said: “ I have my certificate right here in my office. I know Erhengbo as a security man at Egor. I was sworn-in by the National President, Alhaji Nojeem Yasin, with the General Secretary, Comrade Clement Wesco.

    “After my swearing-in, we all went to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Adams Oshiomhole. So, I am shocked when we read about somebody saying NURTW is supporting Ize-Iyamu. If that impostor wants to play politics, he should play it somewhere else. We have said it before now that we are backing the APC-led government in the state, because they have impacted positively on the lives of our people.

    “So, we are backing Godwin Obaseki for governorship. And it is also not true that the state government banned our association. We are working in collaboration with Road Employers Association in rural areas. We have a 40/60 per cent agreement. The governor also promised us that we will soon commence operation in the areas we are not operating; we are working out the modalities.”

    He added: “We are appealing to the Commissioner of Police to arrest Erhengbo because he is using the name of our union to play politics. We are backing Obaseki based on the performance of the APC-led government in the state and his antecedent as a financial expert”.

  • Alasoadura’s governorship ambition intact

    SENATOR Donal Tayo Alasoadura lost his wife to the cold hands of death penultimate Thursday, prompting many to think that he would abandon his governorship ambition as he continued to grief over the loss. But he has come out to clear the air, stating that his governorship ambition remains alive.

    The senator, one of the aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 26 governorship elections in Ondo State, expressed his contempt for the brains behind the rumour that he was giving up his governorship ambition on account of the death of his loving wife. He addressed the issue while presenting a bus and N1 million to the state secretariat of the APC over the weekend.

    He said: “Today makes it exactly 38 days since the demise of my wife. She struggled while on earth for me to become the governor of the state. In keeping her memory alive and in order not to demoralise my supporters, I will continue with the gubernatorial race.”

  • Akeredolu hails APC for Edo governorship primary

    •Ex-NBA chief congratulates Obaseki 

    Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has hailed the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s national leadership for Saturday’s successful governorship primary in the state.

    The leading APC governorship aspirant in Ondo State said the peaceful and transparent primary in Edo State was an indication of the party’s belief in internal democracy.

    He expressed confidence that the era of candidate imposition was over in APC.

    In a statement yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by his Aketi Media Group, quoted Akeredolu as saying that a free and fair primary was necessary for the party to a have a successful outing at the poll.

    The frontline lawyer said such internal democracy and transparency engenders loyalty, confidence and commitment among party members.

    He noted that the Edo State APC primary ended with Mr. Godwin Obaseki winning the party’s ticket.

    Obaseki polled 1,618 of the 2,572 total votes cast. He was followed by Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, who polled 471 votes; Keneth, with 247 and Ogiemwonyi, 137 votes.

    Others aspirants together got less than 100 votes.

    The total number of delegates in the primary was 2,873 out of whom 2,582 were accredited. The total number of votes cast was 2,572.

    Akeredolu, who congratulated Obaseki for clinching the APC governorship ticket, urged other aspirants to merge their structures with the winner’s and work for APC’s success in the September election.

  • Obaseki wins Edo APC governorship primaries

    Obaseki wins Edo APC governorship primaries

    Chairman of Edo State Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Edo State.

    Mr. Obaseki polled 1,608 to defeat incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu who polled 471 votes.

    Scores by other aspirants are Charles Airhiavbere got 11 votes, Blessing Agbomhere secured five votes, Prof. Ebegue Amadasun had eight votes, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula garnered 10 votes, Austin Emuan got seven votes.

    Others are Peter Esele who secured eight votes, Barr. Kenneth Imasuagbon popularly known as Rice Man got 247 votes, Chris Ogiemwonyi polled 137, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor garnered nine votes and Tina Agbarha got three votes.

    The primaries which was peaceful was held at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

    Voting began at about 6pm and ended at 10:50pm.

    A A total of 2582 delegates were accredited to vote in the governorship primaries of the All Progressive Congress in Edo State.

    These are the number of persons that presented themselves for accreditation out of a 2771 names on the delegate list.

    Former lawmaker, Hon Razak Bello-Osagie described the party primaries as a show of the party’s democratic values.

    He said, “This is internal democracy of the party. So, I do not expect, quite naturally, any rancorous situation. Imaginary boundaries within the party should be removed so that we can have a formidable platform for the general elections. I do not see any reason we should be decipating energies on those things that will not reinforce the integrity of what we represent as change agents.

    “We need a candidate whose activities are predicated on vision, purpose, integrity, leadership and service. It is a family affair, so I expect that the process will go on peacefully to the glory God Almighty and to the benefit of humanity.

    Agbomehere had earlier said he would accept the outcome of the primaries as a loyal partyman that supports unity of the party.

    Hon Philip Shaibu representing Estako Federal Constituency said, “That is how I see Obaseki, as one person that will take such top decisions and will continue with the infrastructural development that the governor has laid.”

  • Edo PDP leaders allege plot to rig governorship primary

    Edo PDP leaders allege plot to rig governorship primary

    •Party elects 576 delegates today 

    Some leaders of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have kicked against the alleged decision to use the same delegates’ list used for the recent election of the state’s chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, for the governorship primary.

    This happened as the Prof. Tunde Adeniran-led committee is set to arrive in the state for the conduct of the primary on June 20.

    The party’s leaders said it would be unconstitutional to use the same list since the party’s constitution clarifies that it must conduct fresh congresses to elect delegates who would vote for aspirants of their choice in any election.

    It was learnt that the decision to go with the same list of delegates, who elected the state’s PDP chairman, was reached at the weekend at a meeting at the home of a former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih.

    Some leaders of the party, led by Okharedia Ihimekpen, who addressed reporters yesterday, said: “The decision to use Orbih’s delegates is unconstitutional. It is criminal and it is unacceptable. Whoever will emerge from this primary will be unacceptable to the party and the public because it will be contested in court.

    “We should go back to our constitution to see the rules. You don’t carry over a delegate who was used for chairmanship election for the governorship primary. What some PDP leaders want to do was to rig the primary before the exercise. The PDP constitution is very explicit on this matter. Section 25, sub-section L stipulates that every delegate election is for a particular election. After that, it cannot be used again.

    “So, any attempt to use the old list of delegates is an attempt to rig the primary. It will be resisted.”

    Also, members of state’s PDP will today elect 576 delegates who will participate in the party’s governorship primary on June 20.

    Already, three aspirants have been paid N16 million each to pick the party’s nomination forms.

    The governorship aspirants: are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Chief Solomon Edebiri.

    Besides the 576 delegates to be elected across the 192 wards, other statutory delegates, including former governors, former deputy governor, former lawmakers and others, would be added.

    Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, who confirmed this in a telephone chat with our reporter, urged the party members to conduct themselves well.

    Edebiri, who would contest the PDP primary for the first time, said he was not bothered about the election of delegates.

    The aspirant said the PDP leaders were aware that the party must win the election and that Edo residents were asking for only one man.

    He said: “That man is Solomon Edebiri. I believe they will hearken to the voice of reason. I will, however, remain in the party and work for the party, if the delegates decide otherwise.”

  • Airhiavbere joins Edo governorship race

    •‘I have Pry Six certificate to contest poll’

    A former General and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Charles Airhiavbere, yesterday pledged to drive the party’s progressive ideology and programmes for the improvement in the living standard of the residents.

    The retired soldier unveiled what he called his viable economic model, which encompasses effective security system, youth and women empowerment, blocking of leakages in all sectors of the economy, rehabilitation of ailing industries and factories long abandoned by previous governments.

    Others, he said, include employment generation and other programmes that would impact the lives of the residents.

    He said an APC administration under him would launch Edo State to the outside world.

    Besides, Airhiavbere said an APC-led government under his watch would build trailer parks and new markets as well as other productive ventures that would shore up the state’s revenue base.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretary in Benin, the state capital, to formally declare his intention to contest the September 10 governorship election, Airhiavbere assured the Edo electorate that he would give priority to the Gelegele Sea Port, if elected governor.

    He noted that as an accountant and economist, he was at home with policy issues and determined to turn around the state’s fortunes.

    The former soldier said as an ally of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and having contested against the governor as the PDP candidate in 2012, he remained the candidate to beat in the forthcoming election.

    Urging the delegates not to compromise their votes for a better future, Airhiavbere pledged not to desecrate the Government House, if voted the governor.

    The APC governorship hopeful stressed the need to recruit more teachers with the training the trainer policy to compliment the red roof revolution of the Oshiomhole in order to create a critical value for youths for guaranteed standard education from the kindergarten to the university levels across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    On health, Airhiavbere assured that “any man or woman whose age is between 75 years and above” would be the property of the state government under his administration.

    The retired soldier said his administration would boost women’s skills, adding that the government under his watch would organised empowerment schemes.

    If elected governor, Airhiavbere said, his administration would establish a Conflict/Unity and Social Harmony Committee to resolve various crises among individuals, groups, communities and bodies for harmonious relationships.

    He said: “We need to be prepared for the future.”

    Also, Airhiavbere has said he has his Primary Six School Leaving certificate to contest the September 10 governorship election.

    He said he joined the race to lead Edo State to the Promised Land.

    Airhiavbere addressed reporters in Benin, the state capital, after picking his nomination form in Abuja.

    The former PDP governorship candidate said the state must align with the government in power at the centre.

    The retired soldier said the PDP would not win the Edo State governorship election because the party had gone into oblivion.

    He said his administration, if elected, would introduce toll gates on roads, attract investments and provide affordable health care for the residents.

  • Akeredolu’s ex- running mate joins Ondo governorship race

    Former deputy governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2012 election in Ondo State Paul Akintelure has declared his governorship interest.

    He said his intention is to serve the people.

    Akintelure said there is no crisis between him and Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the defunct ACN governorship candidate.

    He added that the people of the southern senatorial district deserve to be given another opportunity to govern the state because of their peculiarity.

    The medical doctor turned politician said there was no iota of truth in the story that he and Akeredolu were no longer friends.

    Akintelure spoke in Akure when he led his supporters to visit the state APC Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke.

    He said: “I’m not fighting with Akeredolu. In fact, I went to inform him about my decision to contest for the governorship election.

    “There is no crisis between us. I just have to obey the clarion call from my people, who are yearning for better representation.

    “The people of the southern senatorial district where I am from deserve to be allowed to govern the state because of their peculiarity.

    “I am in the race to bring meaningful development to Ondo State.

    “Since the governorship ticket has not been zoned to any part of the state, I have every right to show interest in occupying the seat.”

    Kekemeke said the party leadership would provide a level playing field for all the aspirants.