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Tag: impose

  • Buhari won’t impose candidate, says Aluko

    Buhari won’t impose candidate, says Aluko

    Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Senator Gbenga Aluko has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not impose the party’s flag bearer for next year’s governorship election.

    Aluko allayed the fear being expressed in some quarters, on the possible outbreak of post-primary election crisis over the increasing number of aspirants, who showed interest in the party’s ticket.

    He said a credible primary election would be organised to elect the flag bearer.

    Aluko, who spoke at a news conference in Ado Ekiti, reviewed his visits to 11 local government areas and 122 of 177 wards to canvass for votes ahead of the APC primary.

    He explained that he possesses the experience and pedigree to make the difference and bring development to the state if elected the governor next year.

    The former Senate Deputy Minority Whip said he was not depending on his perceived closeness to the President which dated back to 2003, when he served as Southwest Campaign Director for Buhari/Okadigbo Campaign Organization.

    He said: “If I am waiting for President Buhari to impose me, I won’t be working hard like this. The President doesn’t believe in imposition.

    “But I will work hard to get the ticket after which I will go to him as my political father and soul mate to seek his endorsement.”

    On the large number of APC aspirants in Ekiti, he said: “The large number of aspirants doesn’t amount to division. The aspirants shall be sorted out by the delegates at the primary.

    “Ondo APC started with 46 aspirants and 26 of them went into the primary and the party still went ahead and won.

    “This confirmed that the large number is of no consequence provided that the process is free and transparent.”

  • Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    The All Progressives Congress has denied an allegation that it imposed candidates on its members ahead of the July 22 local government elections in Lagos State, describing the allegation as a ploy devised by the opposition to snatch its members.

    Speaking in Lagos at a youth forum organised by Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, the APC chairmanship candidate for Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Sesan Sowande, said no single candidate was imposed in the Lagos local council primaries.

    Sowande said:“The APC as a party, is guided by its constitution and also has high regards for popular views among its members.

    “As a party, we had primary elections and as permitted by the constitution, we give room for complaints and once it is established that a particular complaint is genuine, we promptly address it in the spirit of justice and fairness.”

    He also debunked insinuations that certain party chieftains influenced the choice of chairmanship candidates in the party, saying, “It is a ploy devised by the opposition parties to snatch our members; knowing it is an allegation that can bring up emotions.”

    Sowande said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would carry out all the party’s programmes designed to empower the youths, stressing, “now that we are clearing the mess that we met in the system, and that the economy is gradually stabilising, all our promises to the youths will be met.”

    Speaking, Okeyomi, the Ojokoro APC chairmanship candidate, promised to create 700 jobs for the youths in his first 100 days in office, if elected.

    “A lot of people have asked me to explain how I will achieve this but I’ll rather keep the strategy close to my chest; but once elected, rest assured that I will create 700 jobs for the youths in my first 100 days in the office,” he assured.

    Okeyomi also said he had plans to buy shoes and bags for all primary school pupils in the LCDA and also, give grants to indigent petty traders.

    Besides, he hinted that having travelled widely, he would use his influence to bring in foreign investors to establish industries in Ojokoro LCDA.

  • Ondo APC: we won’t impose candidate

    Ondo APC: we won’t impose candidate

    •Youths seek credible primaries

    •Tinubu hailed

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the claim that it is planning to impose one of the aspirants on its platform as the party’s candidate for the November 26 governorship poll.

    There was an allegation that an investor, Segun Abraham, was picked by the APC national leaders as the party’s candidate.

    Its spokesman, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, said the APC would conduct a transparent primary election for the 25 aspirants that have shown interest in the party’s ticket.

    He stressed that over 3,000 delegates, among them the party’s leaders, would participate in the primary election, where the party’s flag-bearer will emerge.

    “The people of Ondo State should have patience with us, as this could be the handwork of our opposition in the state.

    “The leaders of the APC have not imposed anybody on the party and there is definitely no room for such because everybody is preparing for the primary election.

    “Just as the leaders have reiterated, we (APC) in Ondo State are going to conduct a credible primary election, where our candidate will emerge and its process shall be transparent and credible,” Adesanya said.

    He urged the party supporters to remain united to wrest power from Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Also yesterday, APC leaders have been urged to ensure a transparent and smooth exercise to facilitate the emergence of the party’s flagbearer for the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo State.

    The party’s youth wing under the leadership of Mr. Babalayo Olutayo made the pleas in a communique issued after its meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    The communique signed by the youth leaders in the 18 local government areas described youths as responsible wing of the progressives party with the vision and mission of facilitating the process that would engender a credible leader to rescue the state from its economic doldrums as being witnessed under the Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration.

    The youths acknowledged the contributions of APC leaders, especially the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for his struggle to ensure that the sunshine state is back in the progressives’ fold.

    The communique said: “We acknowledge the effort of the APC National Leader in ensuring that a conducive political atmosphere established on the threshold of equity, justice and fair-play is provided in the state.”

    The youth leaders lamented that under the present dispensation, they had suffered marginalisation in decision-making and implementation of policies that affect the party.

    “We the youth always determine where the political pendulum will swing because I’ve constitute 80 per cent of total population of delegates and voters in the state. At the same time, we are the agents of mobilisation during electioneering campaigns, but usually being sidelined in the party’s affairs.

    “The APC youth should not be seen as the custodian of political liability and failure, which must only be used and dumped at all times,” the communique added.

    The youth noted that they have resolved to channel all their energy and strength to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate at the primary election.

    They pledged their determination to hold on strictly to the mandate of ensuring a peaceful primary election on August 27.

  • ‘Don’t impose VC’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of planning to impose a vice chancellor on the State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) in Okitipupa.

    The governor was accused of underfunding the institution, whereas he has sufficiently supported the Medical University in Ondo.

    APC’s Publicity Secretary Abayomi Adesanya said OSUSTECH established seven years ago can only boast of one faculty while the medical university established two years ago has seven faculties.

    Five people have been shortlisted by the selection board.

    Adesanya said: ‘It is clear to all, that the governor is orchestrating the appointment of another member of his family as the OSUSTECH VC, just as he did for the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.”

  • Oshiomhole can’t impose candidate, says Akenzua

    Oshiomhole can’t impose candidate, says Akenzua

    Prince Edun Akenzua, the Enogie of  Obazuwa, Benin Kingdom, spoke with BEN OGBEMUDIA on the political situation in Edo State, zoning and the succession battle in the Southsouth state.  

    What is your  reaction to Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s move to support a governorship aspirant as candidate of the APC in Edo State?

    As a member of the Benin Leaders of Thought, and having been privileged to served as the chairman of that organisation, we have heard since last year that the governor has a preferred candidate. We discussed it as a rumour . I was mandated as the chairman  to seek audience with the governor to get a subpoena on it. We don’t believe the  governor will want to do what they are saying. We don’t believe because we don’t like godfatherism. The governor came to do his part . He didn’t like godfatherism . He said it everyday openly and since 2005, we have been fighting this kind of thing, until 2008 when he joined in. When people start talking, we wouldn’t believe because this kind of man who has been fighting this kind of thing. We heard it, but it is a rumour.

    Have you confirmed from the governor?

    Unfortunately throughout last year, from October to December, I wasn’t able to get his audience. Nevertheless, we will not act on what we consider a rumour, until he confirms the rumour. Politicians say a lot of things concerning themselves in a period like this. We will see the governor and confirm from him first to know if it is true or false.

    You have confirmed from him?

    We have. We wrote letters to Benin people because we want the proper person to succeed the governor. The Nine persons who showed interest for the gubernatorial race who honoured the letter by coming to us were surprisingly APC aspirantswho we screened because we want a proper person to succeed the governor. And a person was handed the results who would present it to the governor, before it is made public.

    How soon?

    As soon as the governor acknowledges our appointment that has been booked. Even, at a recent meeting, I presented another letter to him and he said it will be duly considered.

    What if it turns out that the governor’s move to impose is true?

    We hope to find out and know whoever is going to succeed him. I think we have to look beyond political interest and look for somebody that is competent. And since we are expecting him to be a Benin person, he must be someone we can be proud of at the end of the day, not one we will be ashamed of that he didn’t perform. So, because of that now, it is hypothetical. I will not answer that until we find out.

    What is your advice to others as it is only one political party that showed up for the exercise?

    It is all the same. Political parties will do their own. They are all going to the primaries. We will have our reports. We will see what happens when the general elections come up. The governor has done a lot for the state and it will be shameful, if the person coming cannot maintain the pace of the governor. It is also in the interest of the powers that be because whoever wins the primary will be supported by the Benin people. Edo cannot afford to be in the opposition. It was a miracle that Oshiomhole survived the period. We are lucky to have the APC at the federal and state levels and we must take advantage of it.

    Recently, you organisation met with Fulani herdsmen and farmers over the incessant killings and rape…

    I would say it was fruitful and I think it was very thoughtful for the governor to have summoned that kind of meeting. Herdsmen were represented, farmers were represented and the security people were also represented. Those present, including traditional rulers, agreed that there was need for co-existence between the two groups. The farmers who do the farms and the herdsmen who move the cattle, they need each other. So, that was the essence of the meeting and there was no doubt that the problems are there. Problems of killings, raping of women, rustling of cattle’s, killing of cows, problems of destroying the farms. There have been problems on both fronts. And what the governor wanted was the solution. It was decided that there will be committees in each local government, and another one at the state level, where farmers, herdsmen will be at peace because we need the famers and we need the herdsmen. The committees have not been set up yet, but the governor is going to direct the local government chairmen to establish these committees in their local government.

    Are communal clashes and killings in Edo South over landed property not alarming to the traditional rulers? council?

    It worries everybody; it worries the traditional institution. Benin has been known to be a very peaceful place long time ago. But ,the problem of community the development association that they are doing all over the place, I believe, is the cause of this upheaval in Benin. Before these things came up, there was the plot allotment committee set up by the Oba and plots where allocated. You could buy a piece of land, 50 by 50, and you would be in Lagos or wherever and you will be sending N5,000 or ten thousand naira to your parents or friends to help you mould block to build one small thing and it will be there for ten years or more and nothing will happen to it. But now, villages are being burnt, properties are being destroyed. I have watch people are being killed because of this development. And I think there is a misunderstanding about the purpose of this community development association set up by Babangida and the idea was for it to function as a co-operative society, whose members would mobilise their friends from wherever and to identify developments in that locality. ln the olden days, here in Benin, we used to have it. A community will levy members to raise some funds and when they have up to fifty thousand, at that time it was in pounds, They took it to the council and tell the chairman we have 50 thousand pounds; we want you to add some money to it to help us build a school or community town hall in our community.

    That was what it was for then. It was not put together to sell the lands to generate money. Babangida did not expect when he was doing that kind of thing that the Community Development Association he was proposing, members will be selling lands to find money to develop that community. The CDA was not supposed to develop that community. Because development of that community belongs to the council and the state government. For the CDA, it will be easier for Oba or government to listen to a group of people asking for whatever than to listen to an individual. So, that was the idea. If you have this kind of group, they can now identify what they can do in their place, if they have some friends and relatives abroad who are wealthy and well to do. They can beckon on them to come and do something at home. That was it. The royal family is quite worried about this; not only the traditional institution. The people, generally, are worried.

  • ‘We did not compel govt to impose tariff on imported books’

    The Managing Director, Academy Press Plc, Mr Gbenga Ladipo, has said the firm has not compelled the Federal Government to impose tariff on imported books as being erroneously peddled around  by some publishing industry.

    Speaking at the Customer’s Forum, held at  the company’s premises, Ilupeju Lagos, Ladipo said, both the printers and the publishers are discussing with the government on way forwards.

    “I want to use this opportunity to assure our publishers that Academy Press as a printer did not compel the government to impose tariff on imported books as being erroneously believed by some sections of the publishing industry. What the publishers have asked for is the elimination of tariffs on imported materials so we can be at par with the zero duty status of imported books to allow for level playing and competitive field for the local printers as enjoyed by their foreign counterparts. The two sectors have come together and we are discussing with the government on this premises,” he said.

    He said the major problem facing the industry is getting the raw materials, adding that the firm is seriously concerned about challenges and difficulties that are facing the industry.

    His  words: “For us at Academy Press, we are concerned about the challenges and difficulties that are being experienced by partners and print buyers alike in the industry which are creating economic, financial and social instability for us and tend to threaten the survival of the business of members of this country.

    “The most problematic of our inputs are raw materials. All the material ingredients that we require to operate has for ever been faced with one challenge or the other.

    ‘’Key material such as paper completely depends  on importation. So is ink, plates, chemicals, spare and so on. In the era of huge naira devaluation, this has become big challenge on our cost of production and invariably the cost of our customers”.

    Ladipo said the problem of equipment and maintenance is also similar to this since it is equally import dependent, adding that skilled labour , especially technical, managerial are also challenging to the industry.

  • ‘Nobody can impose Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    ‘Nobody can impose Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    Ogun West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have protested alleged moves by the party to impose former House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Dimeji Bankole as the governorship candidate for next year’s election.

    The elders, including  Chief Iyabo Apampa, former Deputy Governor Salmot Badru and Mrs Ebun Oyagbola, who protested against the plot at the party secretariat, Abeokuta, the state capital, said it was in bad faith.

    The protesters bearing placards with various inscriptions, decried  the plan to substitute the governorship candidate, Prince Nasir Isiaka, with Bankole.

    They noted that the  Ogun West has been marginalised politically, adding that the attempt to rob their son, Isiaka, in favour of Bankole was unacceptable.

    The chieftains vowed to resist any attempt by the party leadership to withdraw the mandate already given to Isiaka, urging the two districts-Ogun East and Central-to support their legitimate quest for power shift.

    Ogun West PDP senatorial leader  Hon. Boye Adesina said the few  powerful and undemocratic elements and their collaborators are bent on throwing the chapter into crisis, reminiscent of 2011.

    He said: “It is not in the tradition of the PDP to impose or select candidates for elections but to go through democratic process of open, transparent election as was conducted on Monday December 8th 2014.

    “We passionately appeal to the national leadership of our party not to be hoodwinked by these elements to short-circuit the transparent process that has produced Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as Ogun State PDP governorship standard bearer for the 2015 election.

    “Ogun West people are seriously agitated for the long years of marginalization in the state and any undue interference to upturn or alter the result of the primary election held on Monday 8th December will not only seriously alienate our people, it will certainly have undesirable consequences on the fortunes of the party in the district.

    “That Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka having emerged as governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State through the process as defined by the party, we are irrevocably committed to his candidature.”

    Their protest letter was delivered to  the state Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo ,who assured them that the party would stand by the mandate given to Isiaka during the primary election.

    According to Sodipo,  the state executive committee would send the protest letter to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

  • ‘Nobody can impose candidate on Akwa Ibom’

    ‘Nobody can impose candidate on Akwa Ibom’

    Former Akwa Ibom State Finance Commissioner Obong Bassey Akpan  is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke with Kazeem Ibrahym in Uyo, the state capital, on his aspiration, zoning and other partisan issues.

    Why are you running for the governorship when you are not favoured by zoning?

    I want to say that I have consulted widely and am still consulting and I must say that, based on the collective feelings of the good people of Akwa Ibom State, there is a consensus that I should serve them in office as governor of the state. So far, I have visited about 24 local government areas and I would formally declare after covering the remaining seven councils. Power comes from God and He gives it to whoever He pleases. My prayer is that God should give us a governor who loves Akwa Ibom. Akpabio has done well; he is a good governor, but God should give us a better governor that will take the state to the next level. I am not going to be a governor by zoning, but I will be by Divine prophecy and if you feel that prophecy is not good or that it came from a false prophet, then I leave it to God to decide, because the Bible said that who is he that has spoken and it comes to pass when the Lord of Host has not commanded it. David in the Bible did not become a king by zoning, when God sent Prophet Samuel to go to the House of Jesse, God said I have found for my people a king in the House of Jesse. When Samuel got there, he thought it will be the first son which was zoning, Samuel thought it will be the second son and that was zoning and that applied to the third, while the Bible did not tell us what David’s position was, Samuel only asked if there was any one remaining and was told there was one in the bush taking care of the sheep and David became a king not by zoning, but by Divine prophecy.

    Let me give you another instance. Solomon, who took over from David, did not become a king because of zoning; he was the tenth child of David who was born by a controversial woman. So, God can make something out of nothing. He said, that I choose to bless whom I choose to bless and I choose to hate whom I choose to hate. Esau did nothing wrong, but God said Esau I hate and Jacob I love. So, between Esau and Jacob is the play out of a programme that is Divinely orchestrated by God. I see my aspiration to become the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as the will of God. You may begin to wonder how I will do it, but I tell you I will do it through the support of the people of Akwa Ibom State and God in Heaven. Like I tell people, our Governor is a human being and he has the right to support whosoever pleases him. Don’t forget that Biblical Saul wanted his first son, Jonathan, to take over from Him, which was his right. But, God said it must be David. So, the governor has the right to support who he chooses to support and the governor has demonstrated this right through the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) that he is supporting his SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of the state. But, the people of the state are supporting my aspiration to lead them as governor through the instrumentality of Akwa Obong Abasi 2015. I leave my fate in the hands of the Akwa Ibom people come May 29, 2015.

    Why were you dropped from the State Executive Council by  Governor Akpabio?

    My removal or sack from office is as a result of my interest in becoming the Governor of Akwa Ibom State based on the popular demand of the people of the state. I saw my sack as a step forward to pursue higher goals in life. That was why when the governor gave me my sack letter, he wished me well in my future endeavours.

    I am happy because my modest contributions to the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio are well noted. But since I left government over four months ago, I have been waxing stronger by the day.

    As an aspirant, what is your pedigree? 

    I graduated from the University of Uyo with a very good Second Class Upper Division; I narrowly missed First Class and I have worked in the bank for about 11 years. I left the bank as a vice president in 2007 to serve the people of Akwa Ibom State as the Commissioner for Finance. I have an MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I have had 18 years cognate experience. My service to the state as commissioner for finance for seven years without any blemish and with accolades, especially from my Governor that I am one of his best commissioners, makes me feel satisfied.

    But, what is more interesting is that Governor Akpabio served Obong Victor Attah as a commissioner for seven years and I also served him for seven years as a commissioner. Governor Akpabio once said that the only person in his cabinet that acts like him, dress like him, talks like him and gives like him is his former commissioner of finance (myself). I believe those are words of a king and it has its own powers.

    So, having served for seven years with my own contributions towards uncommon transformations, I am in a vintage position to understand the dynamics and workings of the government. I am in the position to understand what happened in the last seven years in all facets of the state economy. I was also in the position to understand the vision for the greater Akwa Ibom State. So, I think that I am best positioned to take over from Akpabio by the special grace of God. Akpabio, who also served Attah, took over from him, notwithstanding the fact that Attah had his own candidate. So, I have the vision, charisma, exposure and experience to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State and in all of these I still believe that God has the final say in the affairs of men.

    If you fail to get the ticket, would you accept to become the deputy governor or the SSG?

    For me, I don’t think there is a better aspirant that will defeat me at the primaries. I am very confident and I am contesting the office of the governor and nothing else. You must have heard that I am very stubborn; that I was offered ministerial and senatorial positions and I refused, and that I was asked to become the next SSG, but I also  refused. I asked my people what they want me to become and they said the Governor. So, I know that power belongs to the people and I am happy that I enjoy the collective acceptance of the people of Akwa Ibom State. The choice of who becomes governor lies with people who should be allowed to do so through their mandate.

    And I pray that God will give us the governor who will show love to the people of the state. In 2007 notwithstanding that the former governor supported his son in-law to become the governor, the people preferred Godswill Akpabio.

    Some people are saying that you are backing  former Secretary to Government Umana Umana for the governorship?

    I have received several text messages on that matter and I believe that there is no ambition that is bigger than the collective interest of the people. Umana and I are brothers. But, we see ourselves contesting same position in government. My presence at Umana’s birthday was a pointer to the fact that, no matter the political arena you found yourselves, you must always be your brother’s keeper. Everybody can contest the governorship, but we will have only one governor.

    I will work with Umana Okon Umana so that Uyo Senatorial District can produce the governor. At that point I was referring to the interest of Uyo Senatorial District. Now, if you have it within Uyo Senatorial District and you have Umana and myself, the question will be who is the best? The answer is that late Obong Akpan Isemin, First Civilian Governor of the state is from Etinan Federal Constituency like Umana, former military governor Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga is also from Etinan Federal Constituency like Umana while Uyo federal constituency produced Obong Victor Attah, so which federal constituency is remaining to produce a governor, it is my Itu/Ibiono federal constituency in fairness and equity.

     

  • ‘Imoke ‘ll not impose anybody on Cross River’

    ‘Imoke ‘ll not impose anybody on Cross River’

    A socio-political group, the Grassroots Solidarity Movement (GSM), has said contrary to speculations, Governor Liyel Imoke would not impose anybody as governor on Cross River State.

    The body, supporting Goddy Jedy-Agba as the next governor, said the state needs somebody who has the desire to lead and not someone waiting to be anointed.

    Spokesman for the group, Elder Wilson Ajogbor, after a meeting at the weekend in Calabar, said Imoke being a democrat would not want to be associated with imposition.

    Ajogbor, a lawyer, said of Jedy-Agba: “He is a man who has offered himself to continue the good work of Governor Imoke. While other politicians are waiting to be handpicked, Jedy-Agba has said he has what it takes to take over.

    “In other states, people are making things to happen. But here, nothing is happening because people are afraid. Cross River State indigenes have moved beyond being spineless. We are grateful to the governor because he has not antagonised anybody for showing interest in the governorship.”

  • Ngige: Obi wants to impose his business partner on Anambra

    Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige has accused Governor Peter Obi of a plot to impose his business associate as governor of the state.

    According to Ngige, who submitted his nomination form at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, the choice of Mr. Willy Obiano as the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by Obi was a ploy to perpetuate himself in power by other means.

    He said: “Obi wants to bring back an executive director of Fidelity Bank to govern the state. So all along, when he was preaching zoning to the north, the people know better. There is great lamentation and mourning by the people of the Anambra North over what have befallen them.”

    “Zik would not have ruled us for eight years and Ukpabi Asika would not have ruled us for eight years. In the same vein, the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo would not have been adopted by the three senators from Anambra State to be the Senate president.

    “More importantly, we have never sat down to say it is the turn of this or that zone to produce the governor. Each time we are vying for the governorship seat of Anambra State, the people from Anambra North have always vied vigorously from 1999.

    “There is nothing like an advantage because the party’s constitution is clear on it as well as the Electoral Act. According to the Electoral Act, the party must conduct primaries to produce their candidates and that is exactly what we are doing now.”

    However, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi dismissed Ngige’s allegation calling it cheap gossip, mischievous and childish tantrums. He said Ngige was already jittery at the emergence of a man known for his character.

    Speaking through his media aide, Valentine Obienyen, the governor explained that he had promised to support a candidate from Anambra North and that was exactly all he is doing.

    “The governor said he would support a candidate from Anambra North and that is simply what he is doing. In the normal mischief characteristic of Dr. Chris Ngige, rather than face the man with clean record and verifiable past, he is misinforming the people.”