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  • 2027: Kogi APC group seeks review of coordinator appointment

    2027: Kogi APC group seeks review of coordinator appointment

    A group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, the Kogi APC Renaissance Forum, has called for a review of the appointment of the coordinator and Renewed Hope Ambassador for the state.

    In a statement signed by its spokesman, Emmanuel Adejo, and made available on Sunday night, the Forum said it believes the appointment requires reconsideration to ensure effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The group urged the Renewed Hope National Ambassador and Director-General of Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, as well as the North Central Zonal Coordinator, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, to examine its concerns.

    According to the Forum, its position is not directed at any individual or group but is aimed at strengthening the Renewed Hope Ambassador’s Programme in Kogi State. 

    It noted that the role is critical to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development agenda.

    The Forum argued that the appointment process should involve broad consultation with stakeholders across the state to enhance inclusiveness and ensure the best representation for the Renewed Hope initiative.

    It also referenced voting data from past elections to emphasise the need for equitable political representation.

     According to the group, Kogi East and Kogi West have consistently contributed significantly to APC’s electoral success in the state and should be adequately considered in strategic political assignments.

    The Forum appealed to Governor Uzodimma and Senator Al-Makura to revisit the appointment and consider selecting a candidate it described as more broadly acceptable across the state’s political zones.

    Reaffirming its loyalty to President Tinubu, the Kogi APC Renaissance Forum pledged continued commitment to ensuring the party’s success in the 2027 presidential election.

  • Thousands defect to APC in Kogi

    Thousands defect to APC in Kogi

    Many members of the opposition political parties in Kogi West have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Itedo Makutu, Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government  Area.

    The mass defection is seen as a fulfilment of a promise made by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to the APC to boost its membership.

    At the ceremony, which held at the weekend, the governor expressed confidence in the party’s victory in the 2027 poll.

    Ododo expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying: “Leaders and members of our great party, we are here because someone has provided us the platform. On this note, I rise to appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We want to tell Mr. President that we, in Kogi State, are not ingrates. I am standing here to tell Mr. President that we in Kogi State, we are not hungry and we are not angry, perhaps anyone says Nigerians are hungry and angry, we are not part of them.”

    The governor thanked former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, promising to drive his mandate of leadership with him in his administration. He welcomed the defectors to the APC. “I welcome the decampees to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said. He promised to address security challenges in the Yagba East Local Government Area, warning indigenes and monarchs to desist from partnering criminals.

    READ ALSO; LASIEC set for Saturday’s council polls, says agency chair

    Acting APC National Chairman, Alhaji Bukar Dalori, represented by Mazu Bawa Rijau,  welcomed the defectors and handed over the party flags to them. 

    Bello noted that the new members  had gone on an adventure but were back to their fold. Despite the intention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to make Nigeria a one-party system, Kogi would be a one-party system,” he added. He stressed that Kogi would stand on the mandate of President Tinubu.

    On June 20, Ododo, at the APC National Secretariat, reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and declared support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

    He expressed appreciation to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for their support, during his election and administration.

  • LG Polls: Rights group faults Kogi APC’s sales of single nomination forms to ex-caretakers

    LG Polls: Rights group faults Kogi APC’s sales of single nomination forms to ex-caretakers

    •Says action violates S’Court judgment on autonomy

    Rights group, Network for Truth and Justice, NTJ, based in Kogi State has raised the alarm about the dangers posed to the successful take-off of the regime of local government financial autonomy in Kogi State, allegedly by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ahead of the local government elections slated for October by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), the group in a statement in Lokoja raised concerns about what it termed Kogi APC’s “undemocratic and unconstitutional sales of single nomination forms to selective aspirants” in outright denial of other aspirants and the people of their franchise.

    According to the statement signed by NTJ spokesperson, Ajara Maimunat Ahmed, the APC leadership in the state has no plans to hold primary elections and will not be creating rooms for popular participation in the choice of its chairmanship and councillorship candidates, as all elective positions available allegedly, have already been allocated.

    The group recalled the APC stakeholders meeting held in Lokoja penultimate Tuesday, where the party’s state chairman, Abdullahi Bello declared that the legacies of Yahaya Bello, the state’s former chief executive who EFCC has declared wanted for stealing over N80bn public funds would be continued by Ododo, describing the utterances of the party chairman as insensitive and deliberately insulting to the citizens of the state.

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    Ahmed stated that, “Beyond treading the path of unconstitutionality in its process of selection of candidates for the upcoming local government elections in Kogi State, the ruling APC has continued on the undemocratic agenda set by Yahaya Bello. The APC state chairman, in what can be described as one of the worst undemocratic practices ever seen in the 21st century, had announced that the 239 councillorship positions of the 21 LGAs shall be shared in the ratio of 60/40 percent between men and women! This, according to the standard set by Yahaya Bello, would serve as an improvement and to consolidate on the 35 percent allotted to women in the last local council elections. This, he said, will be in addition to positions as Vice Chairpersons and Council Leaders. And we dare to say that these undemocratic steps constitute a brazen affront to the constitution.”

    The group accused the APC of plotting to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government Autonomy, to maintain control over local

  • Kogi APC primary: Why I appealed to Supreme Court, by Adeyemi

    Kogi APC primary: Why I appealed to Supreme Court, by Adeyemi

    Senator Smart Adeyemi, governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, explained why he rejected the outcome of the primary that produced Usman Ododo as candidate and headed for the Supreme Court. He spoke during an interview with the Channels Television’s Politics Today. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    Campaigns for the November 11 governorship poll in Kogi State are being intensified by participating political parties. But, cracks in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have not been mended.

    An aspirant, Senator Smart Adeyemi, is contesting the outcome of the primary that produced Usman Ododo as candidate.

    At the Appeal Court, Ododo’s victory was affirmed. But dissatisfied, Adeyemi has gone to the Supreme Court on appeal.

    His complaint is that out of 239 wards in Kogi, only the results of 11 wards were announced after the primary.

    In his view, that approach was wrong and contrary to the electoral law, which stipulated that the shadow poll should be  based on ‘ward by ward’ and not local government.

    To Adeyemi, the ruling of the apex court will be a case law and it will be final.

    Besides, he said the primary should be viewed from the perception that the Chairman of Kogi State Primary Election, Mohammed Bello Matawale  left the state before the primary took place and his action was against the APC guideline.

    To the APC, the primary has been won and lost. But, Adeyemi disagreed, saying that the court has to make the final pronouncement.

    He said: “If you know my background, you will appreciate why I have tenacity of purpose in whatever I am doing. I was lucky to be in the Senate when the Electoral Act 2022 was amended.

    Read Also: NLC, TUC petition governor over murder of head teacher, teacher 

    “The hallmark of democracy is the legislature. The National Assembly is the symbol of democracy. It distinguishes the military government from the civilian government. It is the livewire of democracy.

    “The laws that were made by that institution should be seen to the interpreted as it was provided. And you dont have to be a lawyer to appreciate when you are guilty or you are at fault. The audacity I have is that I was part of those who drafted the law.”

    Adeyemi, former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said he decided to appeal to the Supreme Court to test the efficacy of the law in a court that can guarantee justice.

    He said: “The 2022 Electoral Act says direct primary should be conducted ward by ward. That is number one provision. Not local government headquarter. In my ward, we have about 2,000 members in my community, which happens to be local government headquarter and ward headquarter.”

    The aspirant said he had stuck to his decision to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, and without any sentiment.”

    Adeyemi added: “The chairman of the panel left at the time they were to conduct the election. In Kogi State, we have 239 wards. What is before their lordships are the results of 11 wards, out of 239 wards.

    “I went to the apex court because it is not only a court of law, but a court of justice. If the Supreme Court pronounces that the results of 11 wards are superior to the results of 239 wards, that is the final. You cannot put anything on nothing. It was long settled by Lord Denning.

    “A judge said the electoral process is a pyramid. The foundation must first be laid. At the presidential tribunal where the PDP and LP alleged that there was malpractices, the tribunal said they did not bring the results to justify their allegations, they only submitted 11 wards from Koto Kalfe.”

    In Adeyemi’s view, politics has rules and politicians should learn to play by the rules. “There is no conscience in Nigeria. Your religion is your conscience. Unfortunately in Nigeria, when people commit atrocities, when they want to embezzle money, they forget religion. They connive and embezzle money. They forget justice.,” he fumed.

    Rejecting the verdict of the lower court, Adeyemi said: “We are talking about 239 results. They presented the result of 11 wards. Where on earth can that pass the true test of justice? We are not talking about local government election. It is a state election. And out of 239 wards, you came with 11 to court.

    “We are now before the Supreme Court, and whenever it makes its pronouncement, it becomes a case law. If the Supreme Court supports the earlier judgment, it means it has set up a new law, a case law.

    If I win, it is not true that the government and the party will not back me. When you are in government, everybody is with you, whether you are doing good or bad.”

    Adeyemi acknowledged the bond of friendship between him and the state party leader, Governor Yahaya Bello, before the primary. He described the relationship as give and take. He acknowledged that although he savoured his gesture when he wanted to return to the Senate,  he also served as his campaign manager during his re-election bid.

    “I was the Director General of his campaign for reelection. It was Kogi West and Kogi Central that voted en mass for Yahaya Bello to emerge victorious,” he stressed.

    Supporters of Ododo have chided Adeyemi as a bad loser. But, he rejected the label, saying that as an educated  person, he has the right to challenge the results in court.

    Is the senator not also working against the interest of the party by taking the platform to court?

    Adeyemi said:” I am still in APC. Have you seen me criticizing my party or government? This is a democratic government. We are not in a military regime. We have the right to seek for justice.

    “Democracy is not about keeping queit when they put sand in your mouth. When you are a leader,, what makes you a leader is to surmount what others cannot do. 

    “Martin Luther King Jr said the measure of a man is not where he stands in time of comfort and convenience, but in times of challenge and controversy. That is what defines a man.”

    Adeyemi also believes that the National Party Leader, President Bola Tinubu, understands his opinion on the matter.

    “The president will not ask me not to fight for my right or not to go to court.He will not do that. The president is too busy to participate in all these. The party is there. The chairman of the party knows all these things,” he said.

    Adeyemi said he stands for zoning and power shift, pointing out that Kogi West, his native district, has been marginalised.

    His words: “This is not a personal case. In the last 32 years, Kogi West has not produced a governor. We are among the most educated people in the Northern Nigeria we are not illiterates. I am fighting the cause of my people.  Ebira people have produced governor twice.”

  • Controversy over shadow poll in Kogi APC

    The Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) is preparing for its governorship primary to pick its flag bearer for the November 16 poll. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the argument for and against the use of direct or indirect primary.

    THE Kogi State governorship election will hold on November 16. The major parties are putting finishing touches to their preparations for the race. Like other parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is saddled with the task of ensuring that the candidate that gets its ticket would be capable of winning the election.

    Stakeholders in the party are working round the clock to ensure that the exercise is hitch-free. The APC national leadership recently announced that it will adopt indirect primary to select its flag bearer. But, the pronouncement causing some ripples within the party. The decision to subject the primary to indirect procedure had created division among the aspirants.

    Sources say the national leadership is under pressure from the Presidency to reverse the indirect primary already announced for the contest scheduled to hold on August 29. At a meeting on the Kogi primary presided over by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the party resolved to avoid anything that would jeopardise its chances of winning the election.

    The APC constitution allows for direct or indirect primary. But, 20 of the aspirants eying the APC ticket have protested against the use of indirect primary, saying that it may not ensure fairness and transparency. The essence of exercise, they argued, is to give a fair chance to all stakeholders to decide those who will represent them.

    There have been arguments for and against direct and indirect primary. Direct primary, which gives room for greater and wider participation of party members, is believed to be the best way to ensure participatory democracy. This is because it allows all card-carrying members to take part in the selection process. This, one of the stakeholders said, will give all members a sense of belonging.

    A chieftain, John Otaru, said everybody is routing for direct primary because it will engender responsible and accountable leadership. He said the indirect primary is costly and could be hijacked by moneybags. Those with deep pockets will put whatever they can muster to ensure victory for their preferred aspirant.

    He said: “Indirect primary is very costly and selective. The governor normally hijacks the process. In that case, the highest bidder often carries the day. Moneybags could afford to spend anything to corner the votes of the delegates. Since the indirect primary involves the use of delegates, most of them could be influenced and their price fully settled by those who can afford it. They could even be camped in luxury hotels or isolated areas for the best treatment before the election.

    “So, for a sitting governor to throw himself into the race for such a contest, be rest assured that with the enormous resources at his disposal, he will influence the outcome of the primary in his favour. The state’s resources will be ploughed into the process, just to ensure that he emerges during the primary.

    “The direct primary also has its shortcomings. For instance, the list is endlessly long. People could be recruited from outside the party to participate in the exercise, in view of the large number often expected to participate. To guard against such occurrence, the party must have a comprehensive list of card-carrying members.

    “If the party can restrict its list to very watchful and vigilant eyes, by making sure that non-members do not take part in the exercise. Outsiders who are not members can easily be fished out when the committee responsible for the primary is centrally controlled.”

    The chieftain maintained that the best way aspirants can test their popularity is to go through direct primary. He said it is only candidates who are not popular that usually wants short cuts, because they can pay the price that is being demanded from them.

    He added: “That is why those of us in Edo State, for instance, are clamouring for direct primary. If the governor thinks that he is popular, let him go for it. We are aware that the governor is the one in-charge of the party executive, the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) when it comes to choosing those to attend the congress.”

    Stakeholders say if members of the executive that usually constitute the greater part of the delegates could must over 50 per cent of those who will participate, it is obvious that such a governor will carry the day. A stakeholder who does not want his name in print said: “In Kogi, for instance, the governor, we learnt, has been settling party chieftains who will be part of the delegates. He understands very well what he wants and has designed the pattern to follow that would make him realize his plans.

    “But the bottom line is that it is practically impossible to induce every card-carrying member of the party when direct primary is used. But, from past experience, you can lodge all the delegates involved in indirect primary in choice place and start inducing them prior to the exercise.

    “In Kogi, the man is really taking care of the politicians and if they go through indirect primary, it will favour the governor. The governor has everything within his control. Those clamouring for indirect primary are doing that in the interest of some persons who have vested interest in his emergence.”

    The National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the direct primary is the less costly in picking party candidates. He added that the large crowd associated with the use of direct primary has no place in indirect primary.

    Read also: APC upholds suspension of Northwest Vice Chair Abdulkadir

    He said: “The direct primary, as a matter of fact, is more participatory and democratic. But, at the same time, because every card-carrying member is a delegate, we will be contending with a large crowd. This will eventually overwhelm the committee that will be sent there to conduct the primary. What you will get at the end of the day will be a whole lot of confusion and protest.

    “Every state where the APC used direct primary during the last general elections ended on a sour note. I can tell you that none went smoothly and I saw it coming. But when you have party candidates, in the normal way things should be, definitely protests and other bickering will be eliminated.

    “It is defined that those who take part in the indirect primary must be a financial member, so this is much organised and streamlined, because you know those who will participate in the primary. You will be able to know how many registered members you have per ward.

    “But when you have direct primary, the process is fraught with confusion; you will find some complications. They will even look for non-members in order to up the number.

    “Looking at both processes, the indirect is better, because members are delegates at the ward level; from there they will pick those that will participate at local government level and the same thing will happen at the state level. It is easy for you to know those you are dealing with and may be three thousand delegates or so. The register will be cleared on those who are delegates. But, if you make it direct, you will be dealing with over one hundred thousand people.

    “This is difficult to monitor and some persons can just sit somewhere and write whatever they like as the outcome of the primary. So, my recommendation is indirect primary for the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election.”

    Southwest APC chieftain Ayo Afolabi said it would be wrong to stand against the decision of the party at the highest level. He said the party at the state level should ensure that the right thing is done. He said: “I will not want to dispute the position of the party’s national leadership on the emergence of candidates for the election.

    “As a matter of fact, the decision we took as National Executive Committee of the APC laid the foundation on how the primary should be conducted. The decision was that if you will do indirect primary, that is the use of delegates, every stakeholder involved in the election must as a matter of policy be a signatory to the agreement that stipulate the indirect primary, otherwise you will do direct primary.

    “So, it has to be the decision of Kogi people to look at the constitution and agreement reached on mode of primary to be adopted. Let the state decide on what will give them the best results during the election. They should do what will make APC win the election.”

    Lagos APC chieftain, Olorunfunmi Basorun, said the party’s position is very clear on the Kogi primary. He said party discipline must be followed and that Kogi APC could appeal to the NWC, if they want to deviate from the party’s position.

    His words: “Members of the Kogi State APC can appeal to the NWC and, in its wisdom, if they decide to go the other way, it will be the decision of the party. But, I must say that once the NWC has ruled, it is the final. No matter the position you hold as a party member, you cannot be bigger than the NWC of the party.

    “They have to follow the party position, except they are no longer in the party. As long as you are in the party you must follow the procedure put in place by the party. I want to warn them that they should not allow what happened to Zamfara to happen in Kogi State. They should all get united and let the APC retain governorship of the state. That is my appeal to the good people of the state.

    “We must learn from mistakes of the past and follow due process that will continue to project and promote the party on its lofty heights.”

  • Kogi APC: Festering crisis over guber ticket

    As political parties prepare for their primary elections ahead of the November governorship election in Kogi State, Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, reports that there is fear in All Progressives Congress following current crisis over the party’s ticket

    THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State is in crisis following unending disagreements among its chieftains over the type of primary election that should be conducted to decide who will fly the banner of the party in the state as candidate for the November 2019 gubernatorial election. Trouble started after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC announced that it planned to use indirect primary method for the governorship primary election in the state.

    Party sources say members of the APC in the state are worried that the crisis, if not checked, could lead to the loss of the state to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, according to them, has been re-positioning itself to snatch victory at all cost come November. “PDP is spending time planning on how to win, but we are busy fighting unnecessary internal wars. Is this how we plan to win in November and retain the state? I am worried,” a party chieftain said.

    Last week, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu said the approval was given at a meeting where a formal request from the Kogi State executive and stakeholders in preference for the indirect primary was discussed. The APC Constitution provides for three modes of primary election to elect party candidates namely, indirect primaries, direct primaries and consensus arrangement. But stakeholders are expected to be in agreement.

    But party chieftains, including Alhaji Yusuf Haruna, a former Aide dè Camp, (ADC), to national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, when he was Edo State governor, accused Governor Yahaya Bello of forcing the hand of the national leadership of the party to adopt indirect primary method so as to be able to corner the governorship ticket of the party ahead of other aspirants. This is just as some other leading party stalwarts insist indirect primary is the way to go.

    The Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Isah Jibrin Echocho, while also urging the national leadership to intervene in the crisis, traced the crisis to abuse of trust. According to him, those the governor empowered were the one, fighting against him, insisting that the APC should adopt the indirect primary if they want to retain Kogi State.

    As at press time, there were indications that the national leadership of the APC is planning to review its decision with a view to finding out what majority of the stakeholders in Kogi APC really want. However, a review of the decision, rather than douse the crisis, may lead to a fresh face-off among supporters of the governor and those determined to stop his re-election for a second term during the November gubernatorial race.

    Raging protests

    Last week, protests rocked the national secretariat of the party in Abuja when 20 governorship aspirants under the aegis of Kogi State APC Governorship Aspirants Forum staged a protest at the secretariat. They expressed their displeasure at the indirect primary adopted by the NWC of the APC for the November governorship election in Kogi State. It was alleged that some political thugs loyal to Governor Bello, stormed the place in the early morning and harassed people at the scene. They were reportedly resisted by those opposed to the governor and the situation degenerated until policemen stormed the scene to restore normalcy.

    The spokesperson for the forum, Mohammed Ali, said, “The planned adoption of the indirect party primary is inherent with serious negative consequences for the fortune of the party in Kogi State. We regret to observe that such decision was taken without adequate consultation with critical stakeholders of the party in the state especially the governorship aspirants on the platform of the party and other contending groups in the polarised structure of the party in the state.

    “The decision to adopt an indirect primary by the National Working Committee is fraught with severe implications. First, contrary to the information given to the National Working Committee, there is a suit pending in Abuja court seeking to determine the authentic executive of the party in the state. As a matter of fact, at the last hearing, the suit was adjourned till October 2, 2019. Second, arising from the pendency of the various suits to determine the legitimate party executive council in the state, the use of any factional delegate list may amount to an exercise in futility.

    And lastly, we may have unconsciously set a booby-trap for our party and the stage for the replay of the unfortunate Zamfara scenario.” The governorship aspirants include Aliyu Zakari-Jiya, Dr Tim Diche, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna,  Admiral Usman Jibrin (retd.), Alhaji Mohammed Audu, Alhaji Mohammed Ali, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Alhaji Jibrin Haruna Mohammed, AIhaji Yakubu Mohammed.

    Few days after the anti-indirect primaries protesters left the secretariat, about 37 APC governorship aspirants visited the national leadership to declare support for indirect primary. Speaking under the aegis of the Coalition of Kogi APC aspirants, the coalition said they were shocked by the opposition to the indirect primaries ordered by the National Working Committee of the party. Chairman of the coalition, Amade Edime, said the earlier group of 20 aspirants were unknown to the party and could not make decisions for it.

    “We are shocked because some of the individuals who came here as aspirants seeking the party’s ticket were openly working for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party up to the last round of elections just three months ago. It is also clear to anybody who is on the ground in Kogi State that the real aim of their so-called aspirations is to destabilise the party from within as we go into the 2019 Kogi State Governorship Election.”

    “It must be stressed that historically, the APC in Kogi State had always adopted indirect primaries and it has always worked for her. In 2015, indirect primaries produced the late Prince Abubakar Audu. In 2019, indirect primaries gave us two out of three Senators, seven out of nine House of Representatives members and 25 out of 25 State House of Assembly. Why do they want to change a winning formula so late in the game, if they do not have sinister intentions?

    “As young and loyal aspirants we stand unshakably for the indirect primaries earlier approved for us by our party. Neither NEC nor even the NWC has issued a contrary directive to any state branch after the adoption and approval of modes of primaries. Guided by the foregoing many of us here have gone to great costs in engaging delegates and it is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to move the goalpost now. Let it be known that we will go to every legal extent to resist any attempt to single Kogi APC out for the imposition of the expensive and unworkable direct primaries,” the coalition said.

    Unending Warnings And Threats

    Amidst the raging crisis, some stakeholders of the party have called on the national leadership to avoid a repeat of the mistake that caused the ruling party to lose Zamfara State to the opposition PDP. Prominent chieftains of the party who are who among others, made the call, are Rajan Suleiman from Ankpa/ Omala/ Olamboro, M. J. Aliu from Okene/Ogorimagongo Kabba/Bunu, Musa Bakare from Kabba/Bunu, Hajia Amina T. Musa from Ibaji/Idah/Igalamela/Ofu and Isiaka Ajanah from Okehi/Adavi.

    They pleaded with national leaders of the APC to urgently intervene in the lingering intra-party crisis in Kogi State if the party is desirous of victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. “Against the recent untoward development in Zamfara where the party suffered unmitigated electoral reverses, the current polarisation of the party structure in Kogi with two state executive committees jostling for the control of the party’s soul would not augur well for the party’s progress, especially as it prepares for a governorship election on November 16.

    “It is common knowledge that while the Abdullahi Bello executive committee parades itself as the authentic leadership of the party in the state, the Hadi Ametuo executive committee is in court challenging the legitimacy of the other group. We verily believe that this development poses ominous danger and capability of depriving the party of its anticipated success in the November 16 election. The former leadership of the party under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun refused to forge a synergy between the Audu/Faleke Group and the Yahaya Bello’s team populated by many leaders of the PDP that inherited the Audu Abubakar/Faleke’s unfinished electoral adventure,” the group warned.

    This was just as another chieftian, Senator Smart Adeyemi, threatened to work against the APC if Governor Bello is not the party’s ticket in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll. According to him, the political destiny of the western senatorial district lies in the return of the governor.“Other senatorial districts have ruled Kogi State for two terms. Now a brother from Kogi central, who has done very well in his first tenure; should also be given another opportunity.

    “If Gov. Bello is given the opportunity to lead us for another four years, I am convinced that we in the West will rule Kogi State. I am using this medium to beg our party leaders not to make the mistake of allowing one to change a winning team in Kogi State. Those who say APC cannot win Kogi under Bello are not God, because he is covenant child. If Governor Bello is denied the APC ticket, some of us might be forced to work against the party,” he said.

    On Friday, a group named Concerned members of APC in Kogi state, stormed the national secretariat in Abuja to urge the party’s national leadership to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants for the governorship election by organising direct primaries. Jubril Yusuf, Coordinator of the group said direct primaries would give the party’s stakeholders in Kogi the opportunity to choose who would pick its ticket in the state election slated for November.

    The protesters said they were at the party’s national secretariat to place before the public the plight of the people of Kogi since the assumption of the incumbent governor in office, in February 2016. “The protest is also to call on men of conscience to put pressure on the party’s leadership to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants for the state governorship election. The living condition in the state is worrisome. Since February 2015, payment of salaries and pensions of Civil Servants had become optional and not a priority.

    “Workers and pensioners in the state are currently being owed many months of unpaid salaries and pensions. It is only when workers are paid that other citizens in the state will be able to sell their goods and services. Consequently, the economy of the state is reeling on the ground, many businesses have folded and potential investors have been avoiding the state like a plague. Virtually all the indices about the state are negative,” Yusuf said.

    But responding to the ongoing agitation over the APC ticket, Governor Bello on Friday said nobody can take away the governorship ticket of the APC from him during forthcoming primaries. He boasted that the ‘tenant cannot send the landlord out of his house.’ He further vowed that he would get re-elected for another four years in office, dismissing fears that he may lose the governorship ticket to internal crisis in the state.

    “I have built APC in Kogi and it is very strong. Anytime, any day, we will win elections in landslide. That l am going to win in the primaries is given by the grace of God, by which ever means, direct or indirect. Secondly, in the November governorship election, we are not just talking of wining; we are looking at the margins. The margin is going to be such that whoever comes far second, will be discouraged from go to court,” he said.

    Will the current tussle for its governorship ticket cost the APC its hold on the politics and governance of the state it has ruled since 2015? Or will the ruling party surmount the hurdles placed on its way tom victory and bounce back to win the November governorship election in the north central state? Observers within and outside the state are insisting that only time can answer these questions.

  • Tribunal strikes out Kogi APC, candidate’s petition

    Kogi State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja has struck out the petition brought before it by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 2019 House of Representatives election in Yagba Federal Constituency, Henry Tuesday Abimbola.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Elder Leke Abejide, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), winner of the election.

    However Abimbola, in his petition, rejected the result as announced by INEC.

    He claimed he scored the majority lawful votes in the election. He also sought access to election materials for inspection.

    Part of the allegations of malpractice raised in the petition included alleged inducement/vote buying by Abejide, the ADC candidate, through payment of WAEC fees to final year secondary school students in Yagba Federal Constituency.

    At the hearing of the case yesterday, the three-man panel chaired by Justice A.O. Chijioke, dismissed the petition for lack of diligent prosecution.

    The tribunal chairman had declined to grant the petitioner’s request for further adjournment after the initial adjournment on April 16, which was to allow him bring his witnesses.

    He had listed 26 witnesses to prove the authenticity of his petition.

    Lead counsel to the petitioner made the fresh request for adjournment on the ground that he was unable to reach the petitioner, who he said was sick.

    But the counsel to the respondent Oluwole Aladedoye objected to the request on the ground that the petitioner had made a similar request on April 16.

    He contended that if Abimbola was truly sick, what stopped his party, APC, which is the co-petitioner, to produce its own witnesses.

    He questioned the willingness of the petitioner to go on with the case and, therefore, pleaded with the panel to strike out the case for lack of seriousness on the part of the petitioner.

    Counsels to ADC and INEC joined as co-respondent aligned with Aladejoye’s prayers.

    The tribunal judges adjourned for 30 minutes for the ruling on the request for adjournment.

    At the resumed proceedings, the tribunal chairman, who read the judgment, refused to grant the petitioner’s prayer for further adjournment on the ground of failure by the petitioner and APC to present their witnesses in spite of the time provided for them to do so.

    He averred that the counsels to the petitioner also failed to provide any medical evidence as proof that Abimbola was truly sick.

    He ruled that the action of the petitioner amounted to “gambling and testing the depth of water”, adding that the tribunal was not a place for that.

    Justice A.O. Chijioke granted the prayer of the respondent and struck out the petition for lack of diligent prosecution.

    The tribunal, which was initially scheduled to sit in Lokoja had been moved to Abuja for security reasons prevailing in Kogi State.

  • Melaye: Stop INEC, Kogi APC tells court

    Melaye: Stop INEC, Kogi APC tells court

    •Fictitious names in petition, says party

    The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday served the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the notice of a lawsuit against the agency on Senator Dino Melaye’s recall process.

    In an originating summon brought pursuant to Sections 65(2)(b), 68 and 69 of the Constitution, and Order 3, Rule 9, Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2009, the Kogi APC and 12 principal officers accused INEC of commencing a Melaye recall process based on a fictitious petition, which contained names of dead persons.

    Joined as Plaintiffs with the APC are: Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, Hon. Shaibu Osune. S.T. Adejo, Yahaya Ismaila, Isah Daniel, Chief Gbenga Ashagun, Ahovi Ibrahim, Ghali Usman, Isa Abubakar, I. Molemodile, Abubakar Adamu and Daniel Sekpe.

    The plaintiffs as the chairman and other principal officers of the APC in Kogi, filed the suit for themselves and on behalf of the party’s working committee.

    Raising seven issues for determination, they prayed the court to within 30 days, make an order of injunction restraining INEC, either by itself or through its servants, employees, agents and privies from commencing or continuing or completing the process of recall of the party’s sponsored member representing Kogi West.

    They want the court to rule that the petition submitted to  INEC Chairman for the recall of Melaye was illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    They are seeking a declaration that the recall process initiated vide a purported petition against the party’s sponsored member of the Senate by some of his constituents pursuant to Section 69 of the Constitution was illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever for being contrary and in contravention of the rules of natural justice and the constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution.

    The plaintiffs also want a declaration that the purported petition submitted to INEC was incompetent, invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever, having been purportedly written by persons who are either dead, fictitious, non-existent or those from outside Kogi West Senatorial District or constituency.

    They also urged the court to restrain INEC from conducting any referendum based on the petition presented and signed by “dead, fictitious and purported constituents of Kogi West”.

    In an affidavit to support the motion Ametuo said Melaye was a good representative of Kogi West Senatorial District and APC, adding that he had discharged his legislative and oversight duties diligently.

    According to him, Melaye’s recall was initiated and occasioned by malice, bad faith and witch hunt, adding that those who purportedly signed the petition were either dead, non-existent or persons not registered members of Kogi West.

    Ametuo added that one Abubakar Abdullahi, who died on January 14, 2013, and Lami Musa who passed on October 31, 2014, were purported signatories to the alleged petition for Melaye’s recall.

     

     

  • Kogi APC crisis: Waiting for Momoh committee report

    The Reconciliation and fact finding committee on the crisis in the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to submit its report later this week, outlining how to resolve contentious issues within the troubled party  and restore unity amongst its chieftains. Ahead of the report, Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, looks at the issues bedeviling the party as well as what is expected from the committee chaired by Prince Tony Momoh, former Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

    AFTER weeks of looking into the many submissions, petitions and papers presented before it by various stakeholders and other concerned persons and groups, the reconciliation and fact-finding committee on the crises in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state is expected to submit its report to the national leadership of the party next week.

    This is according to very reliable sources at the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja. The Nation learnt that the committee, which is chaired by Prince Tony Momoh, former Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a similar committee set up to look into the crisis within the party in Bauchi State, under the chairmanship of Senator Chris Ngige, have both been directed to turn in their report immediately.

    Other members of Kogi State are John Shagaya, Barnabas Gemade, Ahmed Aboki and Olubunmi Adetunbi. The National Chairman of the APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, while speaking at the inauguration of the committee, said, “It is clear that in a few of our states, we have fairly serious issues to contend with – Kogi, Bauchi and to some extent in Kano.”

    “The party’s National Working Committee decided to select some of the very best that we have to help us unravel the problems in these states and also make serious reconciliation efforts. Kogi is an equally very challenging assignment in the sense that it has a history behind it. The circumstances that led to the emergence of the Governor of Kogi State has also to be considered a factor.

    “The unfortunate manner of the transition of the leader in that state also has a bearing on it. So it is not only an emotional situation, it is also a highly sensitive situation that you are going to confront. It also has very serious implications of party discipline in Kogi because we have the unusual situation of a party pitting itself against its own government.”

    According to findings by our correspondent, the decision to have the committees turn in their reports as soon as possible may not be unconnected with what the leadership of the party consider as the festering of bad bloods amongst party chieftains in the two states. “Stories emanating from Kogi state about how our party men and women are engaging themselves in needless confrontations are worrisome,” a party source said.

    “And considering the fact that these committees were put in place weeks back, the leadership of the party decided to have the reports submitted and looked into with a view to seeing whether the efforts of the committee can help us in putting an end to the crises engulfing the state. APC is not prepared to lose the state to the opposition under any circumstance,” he added.

    The Nation also gathered that fresh petitions and complaints emanating from the state may have prompted the urgent call on the Tony Momoh committee to turn in its report. According to party sources, the leadership realized the need to urgently address the festering crises in the state before they get out of hand.

    “There is urgent need to address the festering division within the party in Kogi state. Our people have long expected the national leadership to do something drastic to nip the situation in the bud with no respite coming their way. Trust in the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declining in Kogi State since the beginning of the crises within the state chapter,” a party official from the state said.

    With the report, the party is hoping to be able to embark on a drastic fence mending exercise within the troubled state chapter. According to reliable sources, the national leadership of the APC may even be forced to wield the big stick against party chieftains and other stakeholders who may refused to accept the peace process it intend to initiate.

    “What we have in mind is a total peace package that will see the party in Kogi state returning to its united ways. We are hoping to benefit immensely from the report of the Tony Momoh committee given that it has met with most of the people involved in the various crises engulfing the state. However, the party may move agains those who try to make peace impossible this time,” he added.

    Hard nuts to crack?

    Even as the report is being expected, not a few analysts are worried that the crises in Kogi APC may yet prove hard nuts to crack for the national leadership of the ruling party. This is because the warring factions in the state are not showing signs of readiness to embrace peace anytime soon. This, many fear, may hinder the planned peace process.

    Of concern to many observers is the worrisome development that saw the Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello and a member of House of Representative from Lagos state, James Faleke, disagreeing publicly on the crisis rocking the Kogi state chapter of the ruling party. Faleke was the running mate to the late flag-bearer of the party in the 2015 governorship election, Abubakar Audu.

    Faleke had last week admitted, while addressing journalists at the end of a stakeholders meeting held at National Secretariat  that there is internal wrangling in the party  but declined to comment further when asked to do so. But barely 72 hours after Faleke’s statement , Governor Bello stated that there is no any crisis whatsoever in the party.

    Bello, who was responding to questions from newsmen when he also visited National Secretariat insisted that the party is intact. He said, “APC Kogi state is intact, strong and solid behind me and I am here in the headquarters today to discuss family matters and it went on very smoothly. I came here to discuss the progress of our party, the administration and progress in Kogi state.”

    Party sources said the differences in the positions of the two frontline gladiators reflect their submission before the Momoh committee. “The lack of readiness for peace on the part of some of the gladiators proved a serious challenge for the committee while it was at the task given to it. It is worrisome that some of our leaders believe they can thrive without peace and unity,” a source said.

    Acknowledging the visitation of the committee to the state, Governor Bello however said, “The committee came and all of us in the state met before the committee and all discussed family matters and it went very well. Kogi state has never been peaceful as it is today under my leadership. The state has never been that secured as it is today under my leadership and we are bound for one indivisible Kogi state.”

    But a chieftain of the party who also appeared before the committee faulted the Governor’s position while noting that “the cruel lopsidedness in appointments, which is deliberately skewed against the Audu/Faleke supporters, might be the party’s greatest albatross in the 2019 elections. He urged then national leadership of the party to disregard Bello’s submissions and make peace within the party.

    “The APC in Kogi is now more divided than ever,” he stated wondering whether a house divided against itself can ever stand? He added that the implications of the unfortunate developments following the controversial emergence of Bello and the continued lopsidedness in the governor’s appoint, to the party could better be imagined, if not urgently addressed.

    He further expressed dismay with at the manner the governor is running the government of the state, claiming Bello is on a mission to frustrate members of Audu’s political family out of the party at all cost. He said, “the continued victimization of patriotic and loyal members of the APC who actually campaigned and won the governorship seat, which Bello got on a platter of gold, is saddening.

    As I speak with you, I can tell you that not a single federal appointment has been extended to the Audu/Faleke team by the party. Rather, all the appointments go to cronies of the governor. And sadly, these are people who knew next to nothing as to the energy and toil we put into the campaigns that won governorship seat in November 2015.”

    Also, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, one of the key figures in the crises ravaging the Kogi state chapter of the APC, introduced a worrisome dimension into the feud when he said recently that if another election is to be conducted today in the state, he will vote for a former governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada,  against the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello.

    Bello, a member of the APC defeated Wada of the PDP during the concluding part of the Kogi gubernatorial election held last year. Melaye, who is of the same party with Governor Bello, had been at loggerhead with the governor. The Senator, who spoke at the launching of a book he wrote titled:  ‘Antidotes for corruption: The Nigerian Story,’ had served as the chairman of the transition committee of Governor Bello, but their relationship deteriorated soon after the handing over.

    According to Melaye, who recently accused some functionaries of the state government, especailly Hon. Taofiq Isa, chairman of the state’s chapter of Assocation of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), of plotting to assassinate him, “If you put him (Wada) alongside Yahaya Bello today, I will vote for Wada. At least throughout his tenure, we did not agree but he never attempted to assassinate me. If you speak the truth, you will die and if you lie, you will die. I, Dino Melaye, have decided to speak the truth.”

    But the State Secretary of the APC, Barr. Tom Adejoh, is optimistic that respite is on the way for the party in Kogi state, going by the good job done by the Momoh committee. The party scribe explained that his confidence emanates from the fact that the National Assembly and state assembly caucuses of the party had made their submissions to the committee.

    He added that the state’s APC executives, party stakeholders and other interested parties, such as Governor Bello and the former deputy governorship candidate, James Abiodun Faleke, as well as the late Prince Abubakar Audu’s political family, had also made their submissions to the econciliation and fact finding committee.

    Adejoh, who also expressed confidence in the calibre of personalities that handled the assignment, however, urged the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to ensure that recommendations of the committee were implemented.

    “If you set up a committee and nothing comes out of it at the end of the day, of what use would that be? The national secretariat should ensure full implementation of the recommendations for lasting peace in our party,” Adejoh said.

  • Kogi APC support group lauds Bello’s emergence

    The Coalition of All Progressives Congress Support Groups, Kogi State chapter has lauded the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for approving Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the replacement for the late Prince Abubakar Audu, as the governorship candidate of the party.

    The coalition in a communiqué issued at the end of a special meeting held in Lokoja, the state capital, yesterday, which was jointly signed by the state chairman, Dr Yakubu Ugwolawo, state vice-chairman of (West), Comrade S.K Laniya, Engr. M.J Aliyu (Central) and Hon. Yahaya Meyanga (East), said Bello deserved the position, having scored the second highest votes of 709 at the party primary.

    It added that in view of the rating of party primaries as key element of elections in Nigeria, Bello’s nomination is well merited and deserved.

    While expressing their condolence to President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the state chairman, Alhaji Hadddy Ametuo, the group appealed to all its members and the people of the state to accept the decision in the overall interest of the party and the state.

    It further enjoined the APC supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the supplementary election scheduled for December 5th.

    And in another development, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Kogi State chapter has called on the people of the state to sustain and advance the democratic legacies of the late All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    Alhaji Abdanis Ibrahim, the state chairman of CNPP, made the call in a statement he issued yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital.

    He added that Audu, who he described as the father of modern democracy in Kogi State, was on a rescue mission to develop the state and deserves to be immortalised.