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Tag: House of Assembly

  • Aspirant decries violence

    A former Lagos House of Assembly member, who is seeking a return to the chamber, Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun yesterday decried violence that characterised the primary election.

    Balogun is running for Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency II under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ex-lawmaker said he polled 2,277 votes to defeat his rival Fatai Olatunji Oluwa, who got 893 votes.

    According to him, some people who were not happy with the results engaged hoodlums to disrupt the exercise.

    “They openly instructed the thugs to shoot-at-sight my supporters, who converge on the council secretariat to protect our votes and celebrate the landslide victory. In the melee, two of my brothers were injured. They are recuperating in the hospitals,” he said.

    He urged Alhaji Tunde Balogun-led party leaders in the state to ensure that his victory is not overturned.

    The will of the people, Balogun said, should not be subverted.

  • Lagos Speaker urges prayer for peaceful 2019 elections

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has called on the citizens to continue to pray for peaceful general elections next year.

    Obasa urged the people to desist from actions and utterances that could negatively affect the country’s peaceful co-existence.

    The Speaker’s admonition was contained in his statement to Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s 58th Independence Anniversary yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

    “It’s a very crucial period in Nigeria and as we move towards the 2019 general elections. I want to call on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace to reign before, during and after the elections.

    “We must also eschew violence and avoid actions and utterances that can breach public peace. We must promote measures and programmes that will enhance the unity of this country.

    “As parents and citizens, we must be vigilant and be watchful of friends our children and wards associate with. We must be vigilant of events in our environment and make sure we report suspicious characters and groups to security agencies in order to nip crimes in the bud.

    “As youths, we should not allow ourselves to be used as agents of violence. We should not give in to unscrupulous elements in the society, who will want to take advantage of our vulnerability to cause mayhem and disturb public peace,” Obasa said.

  • ‘I’ve not stepped down for anybody’

    A former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Olabimtan yesterday debunked the report that he had withdrawn from the senatorial race.

    The former speaker said he was still pursuing his aspiration to unseat the incumbent, Prof Ajayi Boroffice.

    Four eminent sons of Akoko, including Boroffice, two lawyers – Dr Tunji Abayomi and Nat Adojutelegan – as well as Olabimtan are jostling for Ondo North senatorial ticket.

    In a statement, Olabimtan said: “It has come to my notice that some unscrupulous propagandists are spreading fake news that I have withdrawn from the race to clinch the Ondo North senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently stepped down for another candidate. This news is as fake as its mongers and purported beneficiary.

    “All my life, I have never been driven by selfishness; rather, my focus has always been the common good of all. I am, therefore, in this race not for self-aggrandisement but to further make myself available for God to use as He pleases.

    “The belief that God will do everything for man is as untenable as the belief that man can do everything for himself. It is based on a lack of faith. We must learn that to expect God to do everything while we do nothing is not faith but superstition.”

    Olabimtan noted that instead of joining the bandwagon of those complaining about the poor representation at the National Assembly, he was putting himself forward to make positive change in Ondo North Senatorial District.

    He said though the journey had been arduous, but the overwhelming support from the people encouraged him to move on.

    The former Speaker expressed appreciation for the support and efforts of his political leaders, supporters, followers, associates and well-wishers, promising not to disappoint them.

    He said: “I am still very much in the race. The ‘step-down’ rumour is the imagination and wishful thinking of some desperate elements.”

  • 2019: Ekiti APC gets consensus Assembly candidates

    …Minority Leader, Afuye, four women among flag bearers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State is now set for the House of Assembly election on March 2 with emergence of consensus candidates for the state parliament.

    Ekiti APC leaders and members have adopted the candidates by consensus to fly the party’s flag at the State Assembly election.

    A party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party constitution allows for emergence of consensus candidates.

    The Assembly flag bearers were adopted on the basis of loyalty to the party, pedigree, previous experience, gender and religious balancing and political factors of their constituencies.

    The source said: “The adoption of Assembly candidates by Ekiti APC was aimed at ensuring that loyal party members make it to House of Assembly and others interested but who are not lucky are not allowed to waste time, money, resources and energy.”

    Only two of the 26 candidates adopted by Ekiti APC have previous legislative experience.

    They are the former Majority Leader, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (Ikere 1) and the current Minority Leader, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogan (Ikole 1) who has been given the ticket to seek a re-election.

    Afuye also served as Commissioner for Information and Intergovernmental Affairs and Integration.

    Four of the candidates are women; they are former Commissioner for Labour and Human Capital Development, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba (Emure); former Special Assistant on Media to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle (Ekiti Southwest 1); former Special Assistant to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kemi Balogun (Ado 2) and former Personal Assistant to Deputy Governor, Princess Teju Okuyiga (Gbonyin).

    Also adopted as consensus candidates are former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Hakeem Jamiu (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2); former Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Mr. Akin Oso (Ido/Osi 2); former Chairman, Ekiti East Local Government, Mr. Lateef Akanle (Ekiti East 2) and former Caretaker Chairman, Ekiti West Local Government, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West 1).

    Others are Mr. Oluwatoyin Lucas (Ado 1), Mr. Babatunde Lawrence (Ikere 2), Mr. Reuben Awoyemi (Oye 1), Mr. Yemi Osuntuyi (Oye 2), Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole 2), Mr. Abiodun Fawekun (Ido/Osi 1) and Mr. Adejuwa Adegbuyi (Ekiti East 2).

    The rest are Mr. Johnson Adeoye (Ekiti West 2), Mr. Olatunji (Ekiti Southwest 2), Mr. Adeyemi Ajibade (Moba 1), Mr. Michael Arubu (Moba 2), Mr. Dele Ajayi (Ise/Orun), Mr. Tope Ogunleye (Ilejemeje), Mr. Ademola Ojo (Ijero) and Mr. Femi Akindele (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2)

    The APC House of Assembly primary, where the candidates will be formally affirmed by party delegates, will hold on October 2.

    House of Assembly election will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nationwide on March 2, 2019.

  • Ex-Oyo speaker joins guber race

    A former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Dr Akin Onigbinde has joined the governorship race.

    Onigbinde, who is contesting on the platform of Alliance for Democracy(AD) on Friday submitted his expression of interest  to the leadership of the party, after a tour of the 33 local government areas of the state.

    The letter of intent was delivered to the party executives and leaders led by the party’s state chairman, Chief Michael Akinropo, by the Director, Onigbinde’s Campaign organisation, Mr Alfonso Olaniyan.

    According to Olaniyan, the effort is to show their support and acceptance of the legal luminary’s vision to fly the flag of the party at the 2019 election and governor the state.

    Olaniyan  who was accompanied by the other members of the support group, expressed joy that the party could parade an individual with such pedigree, integrity and resume to contest the election and govern the state in 2019.

    He  noted  that “there is no better way to put the state in safe hands, other than working for the victory of the legal luminary at the next years general elections.”

    Onigbinde is a senior advocate of Nigeria and former speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly.

    While accepting the letter, State party chairman, Chief Akinropo commended Onigbinde for following the laid down principles of the party, noting that the letter had been duly signed by the chairmen of the part at the ward and local government level and assures he will transmit same to the National Secretariat of the party.

    The party chairman expressed optimism that the party will regain the state it lost in 2003, come 2019 with the caliber of aspirants that will fly the flag of the party.

     

    Ife people are not idol worshippers, says Ooni

     

  • APC extends deadline for sale, submission of nomination forms

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadline for the sale and submission of Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly forms to Tuesday, Sept. 11.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC National Publicity Secretary announced the extension in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the previous deadline was Monday, Sept. 10.

    “All aspirants for the listed positions are to submit their duly completed forms to the APC national secretariat,“ Nabena said.

    He urged those for the state House of Assembly election to do so at the party state secretariat on or before the close of work of the new deadline.

    NAN reports that the party national secretariat has become a beehive of activities since it commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to aspirants on Sept.5.

    This, is especially so, as aspirants from all states of the federation and their supporters troop to the secretariat to obtain the forms.

    Traders have also taken advantage of the large turnout of party members and supporters at the secretariat, located at Blantyre Street in Wuse zone two, to do brisk business.

    While some traders take the opportunity to display various souvenirs, others were seen selling the party Constitution to members.

    Commercial photographers also struggled to get the attention of party members who may want to take photographs for posterity.

    A drive through the street has, however, become a herculean task due to heavy human and vehicular traffic, as security operatives attached to the party were seen ensuring orderliness.

    However, the two hotels located on the street, Valencia and Barcelona, continued to record high patronage.

    Mr Ade Omole, leader of the APC United Kingdom chapter, while speaking on the large crowd of party members, told NAN that it was a testimony that Nigerians still believed in the party, contrary to the opposition’s claim.

    “It shows that Nigerians still believe in the party and that good will always prevails over bad and evil.

    “The erroneous perception created by fake news has been shattered by the reality of Nigerians flooding APC national headquarters to pick forms to contest elective positions in 2019,” he said.

  • Dogara denies aide over political aspiration

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said yesterday that he had nothing to do with the political ambition of one of his aides who had declared his intention to seek a ticket to the Bauchi Sate House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Iliya Habila, a media aide to Dogara, wants to represent the Bogoro Constituency.

    Habila’s declaration earlier in the week was thought in some quarters to have received the blessing of the Speaker.

    However, Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan,said yesterday that the Speaker had  no input in or influenced the political aspiration  of Habila.

    He said: “Contrary to reports published by some national dailies, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, did not endorse any aspirant to vie for the Bogoro Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly or any other.

    ”His constituents and political associates know that he does not interfere and will not endorse anybody, and neither will he ask anyone to seek election under the platform of any political party; whether the All Progressives Congress  or the Peoples Democratic Party.”

    Dogara though a  member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ,has not been attending party functions for some time now.

    He is a close ally of   Senate President Bukola Saraki who recently defected from the APC to the PDP .

    He announced on Thursday that he would be seeking the party’s presidential ticket for next year’s election.

     

  • 2019: Lawmaker urges youth to shun violence

    Mr Hilary Bisong, a lawmaker representing Boki II State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, has warned youths to shun thuggery and acts of violence during the upcoming 2019 polls.
    Bisong gave the advice on Wednesday in Calabar when students of tertiary institutions from Boki Local Government Area of the state paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
    He said that that the youth constitute a larger percentage of the Nigerian population, hence the need for them to be agents of change and crusaders for good governance and development of the country.
    The lawmaker charged the youth to participate actively in the 2019 general elections and avoid any acts of violence and temptation of being used as thugs by politicians.
    “As the 2019 general elections draw closer, I want to charge you to shun all forms of violence and acts capable of truncating your future.
    “As students, you are not expected to associate with any act of violence and thuggery. I want to charge all of you here to be agents of change and crusaders of peace’’, he said.
    The lawmaker advised the students to shun cultism and drug abuse, stressing that as students, they should be dedicated to their studies.
    Earlier, the President, Federation of Boki Students Association, Miss Praise Obanghe, said that the association was impressed with the lawmaker’s performance in office in the past three years.
    Obanghe said that the association came to identify with the legislator and also commend him for his free computer training programme, skill acquisition programme, education support fund for students and his empowerment outreach to his constituents.

    Read also: INEC to announce elections programme on Friday

    “In the past three years, you have represented the good people of Boki II creditably. The different educational programmes and financial support you have given to students is immeasurable.
    “We have come to donate these campaign stickers to you as a way to support your campaign and give you the assurance that we will canvass for more votes for you in 2019’’, she said.
    Also speaking, Mr Vincent Dibang, Special Assistant to Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Community Relations, commended the students for investing their money to print campaign stickers in support of Bisong.
    Dibang charged them to participate actively in the 2019 general elections by getting their Permanent Voter Cards.

  • 18 House of Assembly members leave APC

    Of the 30 Sokoto State House of Assembly members, 18 yesterday defected from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaker Salihu Maidaji, who is among the defectors, made the announcement during plenary.

    Maidaji said: “We the undersigned 18 members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, belong and identify with the faction of the APC led by one of its founders, Alhaji Buba Galadima.

    “We are aware that all efforts to bring sanity into the APC and unite the different groups, camps and faction have proved abortive.

    “As such, in accordance with the letters and spirit of Section 109 (1) (g) of the constitution as amended, hereby defect to PDP forthwith.”

    The remaining 12 members at a news conference after the plenary, wished them well in their new party.

    Alhaji Sani Yakubu (APC-Gudu), who spoke on their behalf, said the 12 members would continue to remain committed and loyal to the APC-led government under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Those maintaining their membership with the APC include lawmakers from Wamakko, Gwadabawa, Gudu, Dange/Shuni, Kware and Wurno.

    Others are those of Sabon Birni North, Binji, Shagari,  Sabon Birni South, Sokoto North I and Rabah.

    Quoting Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the defectors declared: “We the undersigned, hereby defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, forthwith.”

  • Benue: Buhari will never be part of unconstitutional act – Presidency

    The Presidency has condemned attempts in some quarters to drag the name of President Muhammadu Buhari into the on-going political saga in Benue State House of Assembly.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, dissociated the president from the developments.

    Adesina described as paranoia the statements issued by different interest groups, insinuating that the president might have a hand in the developments.

    “This is paranoia at its worst, coming from people who have wittingly positioned themselves against the clean-up of the country and the way we do things,’’ he said.

    The presidential aide noted that the allegation was being made against Buhari when he was attending the ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit in Togo.

    He added that strident attempts were being made to drag Buhari into the unfolding drama between the executive and the legislature in Benue.

    Adesina said Buhari would never be part of any unconstitutional act and any attempt to link him with the inglorious past when minority number of lawmakers impeached governors would not stick.

    Read Also: Buhari ‘not bothered’ about defections in APC

    He said “It will simply be like water off the duck’s back. Those with open minds know this, but those who cavil would rather source everything untoward to the president.

    “It is murky ground in which they are now marooned as fallout of their resistance to change in the country.

    “When it suits them, they preach separation of powers and true federalism, and in another breath, they call on the president to interfere brazenly in affairs at state level.

    “President Buhari will always stand by all that is noble and fair and will reject attempts to drag him into infamy.

    “People who stoke fires by deliberate acts of omission or commission, and then summon the president to come and put it out will find that this president will be guided by the Constitution at all times, no matter the attempt to entangle him in unwarranted controversies.’’