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Tag: Kogi West Senatorial District

  • ‘Dino, others under developed Kogi West for 12 years’

    One of the aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unseat loquacious Senator Dino Meleye in the red chamber of the National Assembly, Dr. William Toyin Akanle has said that senators produced by the Senatorial district in the last 12 years have done nothing but under develop the area.

    The Senatorial aspirant who is seeking party ticket to represent Kogi West Senatorial District said if given the mandate, he planned to make the constituency a consortium by tapping into its areas of comparative advantage in order to bring development to the people.

    Dr. Akanle who was addressing his supporters after submitting his nomination form said he planned to work closely with other senators to ensure efficient representation for his people as well as propose laws that will engender development.

    He said “I must say it to you, categorically so, that when I get to the Senate, the situation if Kogi West will change . Because you have honoured me by following me here, everything I will do in the Senate will honour God and will honour Kogi West.

    Read Also; Kaduna: El-Rufai invites Chinese experts to revamp textile industries

    “For a very long time the type of people that have been representing us have not been the ones that bring honour to Kogi West. Many of them have promised but they have not redeemed their promises and they want to come again.”
    While asking the people not to allow people who under develop the area to return to power, he said this was the time for Kogi West to move forward, saying “this is the time for us to move forward; we have stagnated for too long. We have remained at the same spot for 12 years, we have to move forward and forward shall we move.

    “I want to assure you that if I realise this aspiration, everyday that I wake up, every thing new that comes into my head, I will do it for the good of Kogi West. I can assure you.”

  • Dino’s jaw-dropping auto collection

    Senator Dino Melaye’s penchant for both exotic and expensive luxury cars is public knowledge. His garage is home to a collection of both current and rare models, and the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District flaunts them by habitually releasing photographs of his exotic collections on the social media for the viewing pleasure of his followers.

    Senator Melaye shells out big time for his toys and he sure knows how to pamper himself with them. His collection of luxury cars includes a Ferrari, a Bentley, a Rolls Royce, a Lamborghini, a Porsche and a PT Cruiser, among others. With his Rolls Royce estimated to cost $450,000 (N89.5 million), he is one of the country’s biggest car collectors.

  • Melaye set to surrender to Police

    Senator Dino Melaye has announced his resolve to surrender to the Police Tuesday.

    Melaye who represents Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly made the announcement via his Twitter handle around 7:11am on Tuesday.

    The post reads: “I will make myself available to the police today. My resolve to speak the truth and defend the poor masses of NIGERIA is Total. We shall overcome!!!

    It is however unclear whether the Senator would surrender himself to the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja or the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    The police had laid siege to his residence in Abuja on Monday after he was stopped from travelling to Morroco by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    His tweet was later followed by another one which was posted around 8:04am.

    It reads: “A man without arm, no security yet you mobilise 150 policemen to invite him. And those who committed Treason are free. We shall not be intimidated or cowed. Struggle continue.”

    Read Also: Police at Melaye’s Abuja residence

  • Why we endorsed Buhari – Smart Adeyemi

    Why we endorsed Buhari – Smart Adeyemi

    The former National Assembly member representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Senator Smart Adeyemi, on Wednesday said that the people endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for another term in office because of his achievements in the last two years.

    Speaking at the western senatorial district rally in Kabba, he said that the Buhari administration has made concerted efforts in diversifying the nation’s economy.

    The administration, he said, has put in place holistic economic reforms capable of making Nigeria a self-sustaining country.

    He described the pains occasioned by the economic recession as necessary and capable of leading the country out of the woods.

    His words: “We want to tell the whole world that for us in Kogi West, we are impressed and pleased with your administration because you have exhibited justice, equity and fairness, you have given us a sense of belonging.

    “You are committed to the socio-economic advancement of our state; we salute your courage for sanitising the civil service, we are determined to support President Muhammadu Buhari whenever he decides to contest”.

    He said that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in about two years  in office has embarked on projects in areas and communities never been touched by past administrations in the state.

    Speaking at the rally, Governor Bello said that his political opponents remain angry because he disagreed that the resources of the state be shared among few individuals.

    He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no prove of the allegation of double registration leveled against him.

    According to him, “They said I engaged in double registration, INEC cannot and can never prove that; they are going against the will of God. They gave money to individuals to propagate the allegation, it is a white lie.

    “On May 19, I was in Dubai but they went ahead to photoshop me in order to implicate me. They goofed”.

  • We have not given up on Melaye’s recall – INEC Chairman

    We have not given up on Melaye’s recall – INEC Chairman

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said his agency has not given up on the process for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

    He said the process was only being delayed by the court and the legal process initiated by Melaye.

    The INEC Chair said his agency has ensured that all within its powers have done to ensure a hitch-free election in Anambra State

    Yakubu spoke in Abuja Tuesday at a dialogue session with civil society organisations under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

    He said INEC has learnt some lessons from the Melaye recall process and has now reviewed its regulations and guidelines to provide room for the participation of civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

    Yakubu, who explained the seeming delay in the Melaye case, said “These are legal processes. We cannot, as law abiding agency, ignore the court and just proceed.

    “Supposing we do so, proceed; conclude the process and the court nullifies it? So we said we will continue to obey the law on this matter of recall. But I will not like to say more, because the matter is already before the court,” he said.

    On the Anambra election, he said INEC has put in place all measures to ensure a transparent, free and fair election.

    One of such measures, he said was to ensure that no opportunity was created for anyone to dispute the election, including the omission of candidate’s name and party logo.

    Yakubu said: “The preparation we have put in place for Anambra is simply amasing. We have done all that needs to be done to ensure a successful outing. We have finished printing the voters’ register in triplicate. One in colour, two in black and white.

    “I am telling you that in Anambra, there is no possibility of omitting the logo of any political party.

    “And, we will supervise the processes to ensure that no logo is omitted in the course of printing, or any of the processes leading to the delivery of the ballots.

    “We have, as usual, customise the ballot papers. Each Local Government will have a different colour code. So, even if somebody wants to print his ballot paper, he doesn’t know which colour is for which Local Government.

    “There is also a secret code, which only myself and the printer know. Nobody in the commission knows this.

    “We have also customised the result sheets. It makes it easier because you have the names of the political parties, then you column for the raw figures, the figures in wards and signatures by the agents,” he said.

    On the threat by IPOB to disrupt the election in Anambra, he said INEC was capable of countering the group’s propaganda, but would leave the issue to security agencies should the group resort to physically stopping voters from participating in the election.

    Yakubu said the delay in the conduct of the rerun election in Anambra Central Senatorial District was because of the pending court case.

    He expressed the hope that, since the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the case, INEC will conduct the election with the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections should the appellate court deliver judgment before the scheduled elections.

    Coordinator of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Executive Director Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) said the dialogue session was meant to enable INEC educate Nigerians on its preparation for the Anambra election and related issues.

  • INEC awaits Court of Appeal decision on recall of Melaye

    INEC awaits Court of Appeal decision on recall of Melaye

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) said it would await Court of Appeal’s decision on latest suit on the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye before taking further steps on it.

    The commission disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday night in Abuja by Mr Solomon Soyebi, a National Commissioner and its Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

    INEC had in its amended timetable and schedule of activities on the recall of Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District at the Senate, planned to issue the notice for signatures verification on Tuesday.

    The amendment of the timetable was made pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    In its judgment in a suit filed by Melaye to stop the recall process, the court dismissed the action and ordered INEC to serve him personally with his constituents’ petition for his recall and all accompanying documents.

    The court directed that the documents must be served on Melaye at least two weeks to the commencement of the exercise to enable him to prepare adequately for the verification.

    Meanwhile, the commission stated that all attempts to serve the senator had been futile as he had made himself unavailable.

    It stated that the Bailiff of the High Court accompanied by INEC officials had visited the office of the Senator at the National Assembly and his residence on six occasions but to no avail.

    The senator’s office was found locked, and the officials were also not able to gain access to him at his residence.

    It added that on resumption of the Senate after its recess, the senator refused to accept service of the documents.

    “The Commission approached the court for substituted service but was directed to make another attempt to serve the senator.

    “When this failed again, the commission returned to the court to pursue the request for substituted service but the court declined jurisdiction as the appeal by the senator had been entered at the Court of Appeal.”

    The commission added that as a result of Melaye’s refusal to accept service of the petition, it had not been able to proceed with the process as earlier scheduled.

    According to it, service of the documents on Melaye has become a condition precedent to continuing the exercise.

    “INEC has therefore decided that in line with its usual practice and in deference to the rule of law, it will await the outcome of the decision of the Appeal filed by the Senator,” it said.

    The commission reiterated determination to faithfully discharge all its constitutional and statutory duties and responsibilities.

    It added that in doing so, it was not only guided by the Constitutional and statutory provisions, but also by the interpretations given by the courts.

    “INEC does not have any interest whatsoever in the outcome of the Kogi West petition for recall.

    “Its interest is limited to ensuring that all electoral activities are undertaken in line with due process and without fear or favour.

    “The commission owes this duty to all Nigerians and is prepared to proceed in earnest once all legal issues are resolved.”

  • INEC receives petition for recall of Kuki

    INEC receives petition for recall of Kuki

    …writes Kuki, to release timetable for recall shortly

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will soon reel out the timetable for the recall of Honorable Abubakar Galadima Kuki, a member representing Bebeji Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly.

    The commission in a statement signed by Prince Adedeji S. Soyebi Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) said it received a petition for his recall at the weekend from his constituents.

    The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday the 11th of August, 2017 received a petition for the recall of Honourable Abubakar Galadima Kuki, a Member representing Bebeji Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, from his constituents.

    “In accordance with the INEC Guidelines for Recall, the Commission has formally acknowledged the receipt of the petition to the Petitioners’ representatives and has written to inform Honourable Kuki of the presentation of the petition.

    “A timetable and schedule of activities pursuant to the petition will be issued shortly.”

    Kuki is the second to be facing recall in this dispensation.

    Senator Dino Melaye, the senator representing the people of Kogi West Senatorial District was the first to face the recall process.

    Though the process for Mr. Melaye’s recall has been put on hold by the ruling of the High Court, which has been challenged by the electoral body.

     

  • Recall: Melaye knows fate Sept 11

    Recall: Melaye knows fate Sept 11

    …Court adjourns for judgment

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 11 for judgment in the suit by Senator Dino Melaye, challenging his planned recall by voters of Kogi West Senatorial District.

    The court’s sitting vacation judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba announced the date today after listening to lawyers argued their client’s positions and adopted written arguments filed.

    In the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/567/2017, Melaye alleged among others, denial of fair hearing and queried the authenticity of some of the signatures of voters in the petition for his recall sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The court has just commenced hearing in a similar suit marked: FHC/ABJ/601/2017, filed by the Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and 12 others.

    The other plaintiffs in the second suit are Alhaji ‎Haddy Ametuo, Hon. Shaibu Osune, S.T Adejo, Comrade Yahaya Ade Ismail, Chief Gbenga Ashagun, Ahovi S. Ibrahim, Ghali ND Usman, Isa Abubakar, I. Molemodile, Abubakr M. Adamu and Daniel Sekpe.

     

  • Melaye’s Recall: INEC to verify petitioners’ signatures July 3

    Melaye’s Recall: INEC to verify petitioners’ signatures July 3

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it verify the signatures of petitioners for the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye, from the Senate on July 3.

    The commission stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission.

    The electorate in Kogi West Senatorial District on Wednesday submitted petition to INEC in Abuja, demanding the recall of Melaye on grounds of poor representation in the Red Chamber.

    The commission, which acknowledged receipt of the petition, said that decision to begin the process in the constituents’ demand was reached at its meeting on Thursday.

    It said that it had the receipt of the petition for the recall to Melaye through a letter.

    “The next step is to verify that the petitioners are registered voters in Kogi West Senatorial District.

    “INEC will on July 3, 2017 issue a public notice stating the day(s), time and other details for the verification exercise,’’ it stated.

    The constituents of Kogi West, led by Chief Cornelius Olowo, had shortly after submitting the petition, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the move to recall Malaye was based on his “abysmal performance’’.

    He also said that the lawmaker had been disconnected from the electorate since he was elected to represent the district in 2015.

    Olowo accused the senator of distancing himself from his constituents.

    He said that no fewer than 180,500 registered voters out of the 360,000 of them in the senatorial district had endorsed the recall of the senator.

  • Calls for my third term in Senate too hasty – Smart Adeyemi

    The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber, Senator Smart Adeyemi, has said the calls for him to seek a third term in the senate is too hasty as there are more legislative functions for him to perform.

    The Senator told Journalists in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, that the call would distract him from his legislative duties.

    “I leave that for God as he would speak through the electorates, “he stated.

    Meanwhile, six council areas in the senatorial district are to benefit from materials worth over N600 million from Senator Adeyemi as dividends of democracy and to show appreciation for their support.

    The benefiting council areas are, Ijumu, Kabba Bunu, Yagba East, Yagba West, Mupa Muro, Koto Karfe and Lokoja.

    The materials which would be distributed during the presentation of a mid- term report include medical equipments, ambulances and vehicles.

    The Senator would also commission various projects in the areas.