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Tag: imposition

  • Protest in Ondo community over alleged imposition of ‘non-indigene’ as monarch

    There was protest yesterday in Ikota, Ifedore local government area of Ondo State, over alleged selection of Babajide Akinloye as the new monarch of the town.

    His appointment was said to have been ratified by the Ondo State government in ‘clear violation’ of customs and chieftaincy law.

    The protesters, mainly youths armed with leaves and placards, alleged that Akinloye was not a native of Ikota.

    They maintained that his mother who hailed from the town was not a member of Akota ruling house and described his purported appointment as a violation of the Chiefs Edict 1984 on Ikota Chieftaincy Declaration.

    The Akota’s stool became vacant following the death of Oba Samuel Ajisafe who joined his ancestors in 2007.

    The protesters led by the president, Ikota Progressive Union (IPU), Chief Ebenezer Olorunfemi, the community’s women leader, Mrs Kikelomo Ajisafe, and Ikota youth leader, Akinsanmi Fadairo, lamented that the appointment of Akinloye, whose father is a member of Odopetu family in Akure, had caused anxiety among residents.

    They viewed government’s action as an affront to their tradition.

    The aggrieved protesters alleged the Speaker of the State Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, of influencing the imposition of Akinloye on Ikota’s people.

    The IPU president and the youth leader said Ifedore local government in a letter dated November 16, 2016 marked: ILG/879/Vol.II/167, and addressed to the state government, had confirmed that out of the two contestants to the Akota’s stool, Prince Adewolu Badejo is from male lineage to the throne.

    It noted that Akinloye is from the female lineage and under the chieftaincy law, only male lineage has a right to the obaship throne.

    The Regent of Ikota, Princess Adun Ajisafe, corroborated that Akinloye is not from the royal family.

    She, however, sued for calm as necessary government’s organs were working hard to redress the injustice the imposition might have caused.

    The protesters said: “The Chiefs Edict on Ikota Chieftaincy clearly exempts non-indigenes and non-male lineage of Arakale ruling house from the Akota’s stool.

    “Akinloye himself admitted he is not from Ikota; we don’t know why he is being sponsored to cause unrest and traditional crisis in our town. The entire Ikota people are fully behind Prince Badejo to become Akota and anything short of that, we will not allow an impostor to lead us.”

    They urged  Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to act on the local government recommendation and relevant chiefs laws to set aside the purported appointment of Akinloye.

    The speaker, Oleyelogun, who is from the neighbouring Isarun community and the APC leader in Ifedore local government, could not be reached for reactions as he was said to be attending a crucial meeting at press time.

     

  • Ekiti 2018: No imposition, impunity, PDP pledges

    THE National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday there would be no imposition of candidate or display of impunity in its primary election for Ekiti State governorship race. National Organising Secretary of the party, Colonel Austin Akobundu (retd), made the pledge while receiving Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms from two aspirants to the governorship seat at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday. The aspirants are a former deputy governor of the state, Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Professor Kolapo Olusola, incumbent deputy governor of the state. Akubundu said the party’s primary poll scheduled for May 8, would be free, fair and credible. He said that the mandate given to the NWC was sacred and that it would be demonstrated in the conduct of the primary.

    His words:“I want to assure you that there will not be imposition of candidate or impunity. We will respect the wish, expectations and aspirations of the people as one of the mandates given to us is to do what is right. “The guideline of the party has stipulated the process to follow; we will follow it. “I assure you that the primary will be free, fair and credible in Ekiti, which is the first state we are going to conduct it.” The organising secretary asked the aspirants and their supporters to play by the rule so that whoever emerged would be supported. Akubundu told Olujimi, a female lawmaker representing Ekiti Central at the Senate, that PDP would give equal opportunity to all aspirants, including women, saying that PDP was a gender- friendly family.

    “This is why we feel exited whenever we see any woman contesting in any election,” he said. Speaking to newsmen, shortly after submitting his form, Olusola appealed that Gov. Ayo Fayose should not be crucified for supporting him, saying “he is my mentor and leader. “It is not just human backing; I also have God’s backing.” Olusola denied knowledge of any governorship aspirant in the state being harassed or intimidated, saying that he would not be part of any process of the primary that would not be free and fair. The deputy governor, who expressed optimism that he would win the primary, however, pledged to support any other aspirant who emerged at the primary.

    He promised to diversify the state’s economy, adding that he would encourage investors to come to the state. On her part, Olujimi said that as the only woman among the four aspirants who had indicated interest in the race, she would win the primary “if it is free and fair’’. Olujimi said that she had been involved in Ekiti politics and programmes over the years. She said that she had used her positions as Commissioner for Works, House of Representatives members and now senator, to influence the execution of many projects in the state. These projects, according to her, include construction of drainages, roads, provision of over 124 solar power boreholes and electrification of communities as well as empowerment programme.

  • Adeyeye: imposition should stop in PDP

    Adeyeye: imposition should stop in PDP

    The Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) has urged the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to end impunity and foster internal democracy.

    The group, in a congratulatory message to Secondus, also urged him to end imposition of candidates and godfatherism in the party.

    PAAM is the campaign organisation of a PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State and the immediate past national spokesman of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

    In a statement by PAAM Director of Media, Chief Niyi Ojo, the group said next year’s PDP governorship primary in Ekiti State is a litmus test for Secondus’ leadership capacity.

    Ojo said: “We believe that his victory at the national convention was a sign of good things to manifest in PDP, such as total end to impunity and imposition of candidates.

    “The new era should witness the birth of internal democracy and an end to godfatherism in our party. Prince Secondus has a litmus test with the forthcoming governorship primary election in Ekiti State early next year.

    “A level laying field should be created for all aspirants without any undue advantage to any person no matter how highly placed. This is a task that must be accomplished for PDP to have formidable fronts to confront general elections.”

  • Makarfi accused of imposition plan

    Makarfi accused of imposition plan

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group, Peoples Democratic Advocate (PDA), has accused the Caretaker Committee Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, of trying to deny Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha the opportunity to vie for national secretary.

    It urged party leaders to ensure that no imposition of candidates was allowed in the coming national convention, saying positions should be allowed to be contested by members.

    Mustapha is one-time national publicity secretary of PDP from Kaduna State. He recently declared for national secretary.

    PDA said it had aligned itself with the Enugu declaration whereby party stakeholders agreed that positions must be contested at the convention, especially where there was more than one aspirant.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Adamu Ahmed Dattijo, the body indicted Makarfi for trying to deny Mustapha the opportunity to vie for a higher position, as equity and justice demanded. The statement said: “Because of the attempted manipulation of the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee to deny Alhaji Mustapha the opportunity to vie for a higher position, as equity and justice demands, we are in support of the Enugu declaration because it tallies with the universally-acceptable standard definition of equity, fairness and justice.

    “We are amazed at the misinformation making the rounds that the position of the national secretary, which was never micro- zoned, has been micro-zoned and even micro-named to Katsina State on the false assertion that Kaduna and Katsina states were under a rotational arrangement, which confers on each state a right to produce a candidate over the other alternately.”

    The group said it defied any logic and common sense to consider the same scenario with different panacea.

    “What operates in the caliphate states of Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto is an attestation to our postulations.

    “The last national treasurer was from Kebbi State. But the position of woman leader that ought to be rotated was further micro-zoned and micro-named to Kebbi State, thereby suggesting that the action of the conveners was anything but equitable and just.

    “We are aware that the chairman, Caretaker Committee, in pursuit of his known trait of impunity, which he has been exhibiting in the course of his duty and in furtherance to his presidential ambition, has decided to stand on grounds where angels fear to tread by subsuming any person’s interest within the state under his threshold.

    “The Enugu declaration has put paid to any attempt to foreclose any chance for a national contest. We stand resolutely and firmly with Alhaji Mustapha as our aspirant from Kaduna State for the exalted position of the national secretary. He has the requisite experience, pedigree and competence to manage such an exalted office. We hasten to add that there has never been any such arrangement of exchange of batons between Kaduna and Katsina states.”

    PDA urged delegates to vote for Mustapha, saying among other candidates, he remained the most qualified, based on his antecedents.

  • PDP: Ex-governors vow to resist imposition of chair

    PDP: Ex-governors vow to resist imposition of chair

    Some former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday held a secret meeting and resolved to quit the party if former Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus (Southsouth) is imposed as national chairman.

    They also insisted that the Southwest – not the Southsouth – should produce the national chairman.

    The ex-governors suspected that some governors, who they did not name, were plotting to concede the chairmanship to the Southsouth because of their presidential ambition.

    The National Convention of the PDP holds on December 9 but the intrigues over the choice of a chairman heightened yesterday in Abuja.

    Eight ex-governors met behind closed doors on the “dangerous plot” by some governors.

    An enlarged meeting of all the ex- PDP governors is expected to hold on November 13 to firm up their decisions.

    At the meeting were Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Segun Mimiko (Ondo); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Idris Wada (Kogi); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano) and Boni Haruna (Adamawa).

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-governors met genuinely to avert any further crisis in PDP by taking steps to strengthen its unity. They were shocked that some governors have been pushing for a new national chairman from the Southsouth.

    “The governors were said to be very strong on the candidature of a former Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus (Southsouth) as the favoured candidate. The governors were behind the imposition of a former National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.

    “These ex-governors have made a strong case for the Southwest, which has never produced the national chairman of the party.

    “They expressed concerns that if PDP alienates the Southwest at the convention, history might repeat itself in 2019 with the geopolitical zone not voting for the party.”

    The source added: The ex-governors, are said to be of the opinion that the party’s interest should be above personal desires.

    It was also learnt that the Prof. Jerry Gana group in the party is in favour of conceding the chairmanship to the Southwest. The group may also hold a parallel convention or go to another party if imposition is allowed in the PDP.

    Another top source added: “Some governors are determined to hijack the national convention but we will resist it.

    “If these money-bag governors have their way, everyone will find its level. It is so sad that some of our leaders are fanning the embers of discord in the party again.”

    The ex-governors’ meeting coincided with a warning by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson yesterday.

    He cautioned the PDP against imposition of candidates during its December 9 convention.

    Where there are more than one contestant for a position, they should be given the opportunity to test their popularity at the convention, he said.

    The governor said “manipulation, intimidation and blackmail” of candidates will not help the party.

    Dickson, who gave the warning in a statement in Abuja through his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, said only an all-inclusive convention can help the PDP.

    He said: “The next convention is critical to the survival of the party. My position is that the party should organize an all-inclusive, transparent, acceptable, and credible convention that would rebrand the PDP and show our platform as a truly democratic party.

    “Therefore, I am against all forms of manipulations, intimidations, blackmail and imposition of candidates. For me, there should be no imposition at all.

    “I will not be a party to the adoption of anybody for any office, unless it is by consensus of the zone in which the position has been zoned to.

    “If there is more than one contestant for a position, they should be given the opportunity to test their popularity at the convention.

    “A leader, no matter how highly placed, should not take the place of the Convention and the powers of the delegates to the convention.

    “Therefore, on the position of Chairman and other offices, once there is more than a contestant, PDP leaders and members should be free to canvass for any candidate of their choice; nobody should quarrel with that…”

    He said the PDP must understand that “Nigerians see the forthcoming National Convention as an opportunity that will usher in a rebranded and united PDP, which Nigerians will be happy to embrace in 2019.

    “The December Convention is a precursor to the presidential primary. If the PDP gets its national convention right, it is likely to hold a successful presidential primary in 2018.”

  • Falegan: Imposition ‘ll not stand in Ekiti

    Falegan: Imposition ‘ll not stand in Ekiti

    A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, has vowed to resist inposition of candidate in next year’s primary.

    The act of playing smartness and displaying of arrogance to the disadvantage of the party members, which has become the only trade mark of the governor will be checkmated, he added.

    The United Kingdom-based politician described the alleged imposition of the deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, by the governor as a ruse, child play and a comedy of highest order.

    In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Falegan said: “What a political comic relief in a political tense atmosphere like Ekiti and the game is nothing but another attempt by the Governor to trade off, the State in order to have a soft landing because of array of crimes hanging on his neck.”

    “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC listed Governor Fayose as one of the Governors under its investigation watch list over financial related crimes. Therefore, the purported adoption of Prof. Olusola was a joke and exercise in futility by the governor and his cohorts. We will not fold our arms to watch them to kill PDP because of their selfish and inordinate dream of becoming accidental leaders in the state and Nigeria at the expense of real persons.

    “Prof. Olusola is no doubt qualified to represent any political party in any part of the world but the way and manner his purported and kangaroo adoption was organised by the governor and his cohorts more than six months to the party primary was uncalled for and unaccepted.

    Falegan added: “Where is fairness, equity, justice, participatory democracy and human rights? Mr. Fayose was seen  going up and down, campaigning against imposition especially when he was contesting for his re-election in 2013/2014 governorship election in the state.

    “The governor who was far behind Prince Dayo Adeyeye in popularity as an aspirant within the PDP then, described imposition as an evil and lazy man agenda because he had assurance from certain cabal within the PDP that he would be picked as the party candidate in a kangaroo primary election.

    “It is now an aberration and unethical for the same person to believe he is above, even the party leadership both at the state and national levels to behave like a demon or demonic agent to practice dictatorship and tyranny.

    “The lackadaisical attitude of the governor towards the feelings and emotions of other aspirants within the same party is wickedness, murderous, barbaric and tyranny. It is once said, “when one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.”

    “And the implications of the latest development is that, other aspirants we have no choice than to see themselves as onlookers in a party in which they are supposed to be stakeholders. The event will no doubt affect the fortune of the party during the main election.

    Falegan said Fayose’s dictatorship will end next year.

    “It is therefore imperative and necessity for the governor to retrace his steps on the latest development, by calling all other aspirants together for peace to reign.

    He stressed: “Governor Fayose is supposed to be a father to all aspirants, though he may have a preference for a particular one among them but he must not display it in a way that will affect the fortune of the Party.

    “The aftermath of last PDP governorship primary election in Ondo state,especially between former governor Olusegun Mimiko and Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim is still very fresh in our memory and in order for us not to record another failure in Ekiti State, the house must be united and strong.”

     

  • Adeyeye: Imposition is an irresponsible step

    Adeyeye: Imposition is an irresponsible step

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary and a governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, with reporters on the imperative of credible shadow poll to avoid post-primary crisis. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA was there.

    We congratulate you for a successful declaration of today…

    This is not a declaration yet, on the day that I will do my declaration, the whole town will be locked down and you will not be able to move for four hours. Today, we held a meeting of Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) members from the 16 local government areas because it is necessary for me to address them in the light of what happened in the state last week when somebody purportedly anointed somebody.

    Fayose said it was a divine choice as revealed to him by God…

    Woe unto him to whom God did not speak, but is saying that God has spoken to him; woe unto him. It is in the Bible and it carries a serious punishment by God and I hope somebody has not put himself under a serious curse because I can see a curse on the head of that person already. However, we called a meeting today to reassure our teeming members and put the record straight; we asked them to send only representatives, few members from each of the local government but many of them decided to storm this place because everybody wanted to come. But I had to personally speak with many of the leaders in these local governments to restrain a lot of people from coming. They all came on their own making sacrifices, Igbo people came, Hausa people came, Urhobos came and all these people have spoken here today, the major ethnic groups were here today. We also have all artisans, tailors, barbers, everybody PDP members, young, old, all the stalwarts were here, they all wanted to hear from me. I thought I would receive some few group of people so that we can disseminate information about my position on what the true situations of things are. That was the whole purpose of calling this meeting, it was not a formal declaration. When we are going to make a formal declaration, the whole country will hear it.

    When are you planning to declare?

    Why can’t you wait? Our declaration will come sooner than later in the light of this development, this is an ordinary meeting of PAAM which my supporters somehow turned to a carnival. Even as we were holding the meeting, they took it upon themselves to ask delegates from each local government to come out and dance to acknowledge me and the people came to dance even this was not the part of the agenda. We allowed them to show their enthusiasm, their interest, their love for us and we are so grateful, thankful to the people of Ekiti State. All glory to God Almighty because this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. So, we have come to explain to our members the true situation of things because what happened last week Wednesday (September 6) was a huge joke. If somebody decides to stage the Alawada (comedy) theatre, who are we to ask him not to stage it? So, what was staged at the Government House was a pure awada theatre just to entertain the people. It was a nullity, of no consequence, it’s neither in conformity with the law, the party constitution, the Nigerian Constitution with the Electoral Law or Electoral Guidelines.

    That was an irresponsible step and I say it without any fear of contradiction that it was an irresponsible step to take and I say it to the camera that it was an irresponsible step to take. Because if you are a leader, God has placed you there in the position of authority, you are supposed to be the first person to respect the law.

    Not to be the first person to violate it; in as much as the whole thing was of no consequence which I know is of no consequence, we still have six months to the primaries. I am a member of the (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, this party has regulations, the primaries of the PDP will not take place until early March next year.

    We are in the process of doing that of Anambra. Where in this world has what happened here last week (in Ekiti) taken place? Even if you say you have the right to do it, you must behave responsibly as a leader not to cause disaffection and division in your party. The PDP in Ekiti State, we are in a very, delicate position; we do not have the federal might behind us anymore, the Police, the Army and other security forces, we don’t have them. And three years down the line, we no longer have the popularity with which we came to office because a lot of things have happened. Some people are not happy in the town, even if you don’t know, we do an opinion poll in the state and you will discover that this government has alienated a lot of people in the society. So, we need somebody to come in there with his own record and assure people that this party is doing well and if there are mistakes, you correct them but if you believe in continuity of failure, that is stupidity. Maybe, it is an agenda to ruin the party. What I am saying is that I called my people here to assure them that there will be primaries in this party and the rules and regulations will be followed, the constitution of the party will be followed and they should just keep on organising, keep on holding their meetings, keep on spreading the gospel, keep on spreading the message. By the grace of the Almighty God, come the primaries, we are going to prevail. Let me tell you in 2014, we were coasting home to victory; everybody knew that if free and fair primaries were held in 2014, there was no way I wouldn’t have won it by 60 per cent. I would have won it by 70 per cent. Every party member here knew it and we were even stronger. A lot of people are not here, they are in government because many of them are holding government positions no matter how small. Some of them are holding party positions, they are under threat, many of them are calling me that they don’t mind leaving those positions but I am telling them to keep their positions. These positions are their entitlements, they worked hard to be where they are. The man is not doing them any favour, if you have not worked hard to be where you are, you wouldn’t have been there. So, I said keep your positions, if not, let me tell you that the people who are not here are more than the people that are here. Everybody is looking for somebody that will salvage the party but somebody wants to ruin the party further but we are not going to allow it, we are not going to allow it. You know that I am somebody who does not shy away from battles. In short, that was the whole essence of this meeting and I have explained to them to keep on working. There will be free and fair primaries and whatever that happened last week is a nullity, is of no consequence, a lawless act and very irresponsible act and they should just disregard it.

    How were you able to resolve the  leadership crisis, which almost consumed the party earlier this year?

    Some people wanted to claim the glory for the resolution of the crisis. I thought all these things should be behind us and that was what brought the problems of Sheriff on us and it became an albatross on those who imposed Sheriff on the party. All what has been responsible for the crisis in the party like impunity, imposition and the likes almost brought the party to its knees. Don’t forget that it was an attempt to impose that led us into the crisis from which we did not wriggle out until July 12; some people rose up then to say somebody was going to be chairman and it became an albatross and then we that were telling them, counselling them that it should not happen rallied round to solve the problem. They caused the problem and we found the solution. You should have asked me a question, when there is a problem, we need to find a solution and solution is on the path of justice, law and constitionality. Do the normal things, take the path of responsible leadership that can bring cohesion and unity to the party. You don’t do anything that will divide the party because you are not in the capacity to single-handedly win election in the state, you don’t have the capacity because if you deceive yourself, we don’t deceive ourselves. You don’t have the better capacity to know that you cannot win by yourself. The only solution is for people to return to the path of constitutionality, justice and equity. You have to renounce everything you did in the past and say okay everybody we have to give everybody a level playing ground.

    Fears are being expressed by party members on the safety of delegates and a possible outbreak of violence, if at all the PDP governorship primary will hold, since the governor is insisting on his deputy…

    I want to assure that they have nothing to fear about our primaries. If anybody commits any act of violence, he will be arrested and be made to face the wrath of the law. You cannot violate the law or wreak any act of violence against any person, the law will take its course. Nobody can commit any act of violence against the other person because the law will protect everyone of us. I want to assure you that the primaries will be the time to put things in order. There are people who are crooked trying to find some loopholes they can exploit, we will prevent that from happening but should it happen, we will fight it out. I want to reassure our party members that they have nothing to fear, our people are charged so I don’t think our primaries will be under an atmosphere of fear. Anybody trying to perpetrate violence shall be resisted and be put in his place and it will not be in his own interest.

    Would you advise aggrieved aspirants to take legal action to fight the alleged imposition?

    I will not want any of the aspirants to take any legal action. If an act is a nullity and is of no consequence, just laugh it off and continue with your work. We have not done primary. Our primary are just six months away and anybody has the right to stage a theatre in his house. Anybody has a right to stage a theatre in his house or can you stop somebody from staging a theatre in is house? If they (aspirants) are aggrieved and have serious complaints, they should explore the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism. That is what I will expect our members to do, they can write petitions to the national secretariat and they will be looked into. The idea of going to court everytime, I am not favour of it, I am not advising our aspirants to go to court for any reason. There is no need for it because this matter, we are going to resolve it.

    How do you react to insinuations that you have been ungrateful to Governor Fayose for the roles he played in making you a minister and Chairman of Governing Council of the State University?

    How am I ungrateful? I started by telling you that in 2014, it was very glaring and every record shows that I could have won at least 70 per cent of the ballot (at PDP primary). I was on ground and our structures were all over the place and that was why when they did their abracadabra, over 14 aspirants were in contention, it was me that they called for negotiation. The former President, former Senate President, former National Chairman of the party and we knew what we agreed upon and the position of minister was used to appease me, that is the truth. Jonathan made me minister and he made me minister based on what happened in Ekiti. In that case, if I had asked my PAAM members who were sitting on the fence not to participate in that election, you knew what would have happened.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘We reject imposition of candidates’

    The Bariga Local Council Development Area, at the weekend, protested the imposition of candidates by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to contest the forthcoming Lagos State local government election.

    Addressing reporters at the Ward B, Bariga meeting, the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Adesina Kareem said the era of imposition of candidates was gone, noting that only those nominated by the people would contest the election.

    He added that the mischievous plan by some leaders of the party who wanted to replace the aspirant that had the highest vote during its shadow election with the unpopular one could undermine its success during election.

    He said: “The leaders of Ward B held its primary election for these aspirants; Lateef Isau, Dupe Olusile, Daisi Oshosanya and Muyiwa Ogunnupe. The most popular of the aspirants Oshosanya emerged with the highest votes but some leaders of the party tried to play smart by replacing his name.

    “We have said no to this machination, we stand by the party guidelines. APC is supreme to individual leaders and we insist that no more imposition by some leaders who are pursuing narrow agenda..

    Kareem explained that since other parties were fielding candidates in the election, it would be a misadventure for the APC to replace a popular candidate with the aspirant that scored the least during its shadow polls.

    “We have decided to fight for our political rights by backing the popular candidate. What you are seeing is the beauty of democracy. You can see the celebration on our faces, we are happy because we have moved against imposition. We will never allow such thing to happen in Bariga anymore.

    “We want to give the people the opportunity to choose their councillor in a free, fair and democratic manner. We are using this medium to tell the other political parties that the APC will win the poll in Bariga.

    “The party is very much united in spite of our slight disagreement with some leaders. We will put this behind us and come out to support our party.

    What we have simply done is based on the directives and guidelines of the party.

    “According to the guideline, the Ward leaders are supposed to choose councillorship candidates, but the apex leader at the LCDA level subverted the position by trying to impose the person we did not choose.”

  • Lagos Council poll: forum vows to resist imposition of candidates

    Lagos Council poll: forum vows to resist imposition of candidates

    A group, the forum of Agbado-Oke-Odo Grassroots Association have urged the leaders of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) to organise credible primaries for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants.

    The group warned that imposition of candidates may spell doom for the party during the council poll.

    In a statement in Lagos, the group said: “We are using this opportunity to appeal to the ruling All Progressive Congress APC to be cautious of who they present as Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA in the forthcoming Council Elections in Lagos State.

    “This has become urgent and imperative as a reaction to information making the rounds suggesting that the leadership of the party is considering some former council chairmen for automatic second term tickets.

    “We are of the opinion that if such consideration exists at all, it should be based on a readily verifiable record of sterling performance and service to the communities in the course of the initial term of three years of the former chairman.

    “We hereby restate with emphasis that such a situation does not arise at all in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA! Most of the previous administrations neither have nothing to justify the resources available to them nor the confidence reposed in them by the electorates who voted them into office to be considered for a second term.

    “To the contrary, their tenures were marked by rancorous relationships with all well-meaning individuals and associations such as the Community Development Associations, Grassroots Associations, artisans, market men and women, youth associations and leaders of thought and even their own party at the local level levels. It will be in the best interest of the party to refrain from fielding such candidates.”

    The group added: “What we need now that the attention of the state government is focused on some of our communities with the upgrading of some our critical road infrastructure is purposeful governance at the LCDA!

    “It will be the only way to significantly complement the efforts of the Ambode Administration and none of the previous elected council chairman had demonstrated the capacity to fit the bill in the course of their earlier opportunities.

    “Finally, parties are advised to search critically within their ranks for sellable men of integrity with proven records of service to humanity as leadership in the Local Government should no longer be considered as job for the boys.”

  • Lagos council poll: ‘We ‘ll resist imposition of candidates’

    Lagos council poll: ‘We ‘ll resist imposition of candidates’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Lagos State hace urged the party leadership to conduct free and fair primaries for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants to avoid defeat at the local government polls.

    They urged the party chairman, Otunba Oladesle Ajomale, to provide a level playing ground for aspirants during the shadow polls.

    Aggrieved party members from Ojodu Council chapter complained to reporters in Lagos certain leaders were planning to impose their cronies as chairmanship and councillorship candidates, warning that the move could spell doom for the platform.

    There was pandemonium at the meeting of the chapter, following protests by members who alleged plans by some leaders to impose candidates, instead of conducting a credible primary.

    In the fraca, the protesters molested the Chairman of the party in the area, Hon. Kelvin Ajakaye, and other leaders. Also, the secretariat of the party was vandalised by party youths. A party chieftain said: “The meeting of the party ended in chaos. The secretariat was attacked by the protestersThe evidence were broken windows, damaged chairs and electronics. Apart from the destruction of the property, some leaders sustained injuries during the free for all fight.”

    Party sources said the local government chairman of the party had called the meeting of stakeholders  to deliberate on the proposed elections.

    However, broke out when some leaders canvassed consensus option, instead of primary. Aggrieved party members who suspected a foul play complained that the leaders rooting for consensus were projecting a former chairman of the local government.

    A source said the crisis would have escalated, but for the prompt intervention of the Area G Police Command, which restored peace to the secretariat’

    The source added: “This may be a sign of what is likely to happen, if credible primaries are not conducted in the APC local government chapters. This is a local election. The APC should learn from the lesson of the past when candidates were imposed on the party. Even, the son of the state chairman lost to the candidate of the PDP in Isolo council in the last elections.

    “That is why we are appealing to the state chairman to give assurance that the selection process will be democratic and there will be no imposition of candidates. It is in the interest of the APC at the poll.”