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Tag: Kwara APC

  • Thousands of PDP, other parties’ members join Kwara APC

    Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members at the weekend defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

    The defectors include a former Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Sports, Kayode Bankole.

    The defection took place at a rally in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area to kick-start next year’s National Assembly campaign of the recently sworn-in House of Representatives member for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal constituency, Raheem Olawuyi.

    The leaders of the defectors expressed the readiness to contribute their quota towards the party’s election victory.

    They said APC’s flag bearer in the constituency for the 2019 influenced their decision to dump their former parties because he is a grounded grassroots politician.

    The defectors said only the APC at all levels of governance could actualise their yearnings and aspirations, when it assumes power after the 2019 elections.

    A former PDP chieftain and defector from Ajase Ward II in Irepodun Local Government Area, Dr Seyi Adigun, said every reasonable politician must be firm in taking positive decisions on his or her political career.

    Adigun, the board chairman of Kwara State School of Nursing, Oke-Ode, claimed to have defected with about 1,500 members.

    The politician said he was convinced that the APC truly represents the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    He added: “Any reasonable person or politician must know the right time to stay or quit. As far as I’m concerned, the APC, by every available standard, represents the best interest of Nigerian people.

    “I have the conviction that in any free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, like the recently concluded by-election in the state, the APC will always come out victorious.”

    APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa received the defectors, saying he remained the party’s authentic chairman in the state, irrespective of a recent Kwara State High Court judgment nullifying the party’s state executive.

    Bolarinwa urged the new members to be dedicated to the party’s principles and ideals, adding that the challenges ahead required more commitment and sacrifice.

    He said: “What is important to us is that none of our party members should lose sleep over such a nasty judgment.

    “I want to make it clear that all our candidates for the 2019 general elections remain intact and that I, Bashir Bolarinwa, remain the authentic chairman of APC in Kwara State.”

    Olawuyi, who is also the party’s candidate for the same slot in 2019 general elections, expressed optimism of his victory at the poll.

    He said: “We still stand by our promise to the electorate before our victory in the last by-election that we are going to do things differently as a way of impacting positively on our people.

    “This will be in accordance with the desired growth, progress and development envisioned for the constituency.”

  • I was not expelled from Kwara APC, says Balogun-Fulani

    The court recognised Ishola Balogun-Fulani led executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state on Friday said the National Working Committee (NWC) had not expelled he and his exco from the party.

    Balogun-Fulani, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that none of them was ever queried by the NWC let to warrant the execution of disciplinary action against them.

    Spokesperson of the APC, Lanre Isa-Onilu had in the wake of the court decision declared the judgement was of no effect since the Balogun-Fulani executive committee had been expelled allegedly for anti-party activities.

    He used the occasion to announce the composition of a Campaign Council for factional governorship candidate Kayode AbdulWahab.

    But the Kwara APC chairman insisted the midweek judgment directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise his executive committee and accept the list of candidates submitted by his group for the 2019 general elections.

    Balogun- Fulani also announced the constitution of a reconciliation committee to work on aggrieved party members, saying he will inaugurate the committee early next week so that its members can start work in earnest.

    But Balogun-Fulani described Issa- Onilu’s position as false, saying since the APC spokesman was not on board during the initial crisis he had little authentic information to comment on.

    He added: “We read online and on social media that  Kwara State APC Executive led by Balogun-Fulani has been expelled.

    “We make bold to say that Lanre Issa Onilu is lying because the APC constitution spelt out the procedure for discipline under Section 21b.

    “Up till date no letter, query on compliance has been made against me or any of the executive members under my leadership.

    “We have been in  court since July 2018 where a court of competent jurisdiction has given an injunction on the party’s national chairman that status quo be maintaining until determination of the main case.

    “Therefore no any action can be taken outside that order. For emphasis, no letter or query has ever been received from the party’s national headquarters as regards to the activities of Kwara state APC executive committee or any of her members in accordance with Article 21b of APC Constitution.”

     

  • Kwara APC reports judge to NJC

    •Party accuses PDP of PVC-buying

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday said it had reported the alleged misdemeanour of Justice T. S. Umar of the State High Court to the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

    Justice Umar, on Wednesday, said the dissolution of the APC executives, led by Ishola Balogun-Fulani, by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was illegal, null and void.

    He also declared the Balogun-Fulani exco with loyalists of Senate President Bukola Saraki as the authentic APC executives in the state.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa said the conduct of Justice Umar during the trial smacked of alleged partisanship.

    He said: “Since the commencement of the case in July, Ishola Balogun-Fulani and his cohorts have always boasted to whoever cared to listen that the Kwara State Judiciary is in the pocket and full grip and control of one man.

    “I wish to intimate you that every conduct of Justice T. S. Umar that made the judgment no news has been documented and forwarded by our lawyers to the Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN) as the chairman of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and copied to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state.

    “As believers in the rule of law and ability of the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favour and in the best tradition of incorruptible judiciary, we refused to take their boisterous attitude and utterances as mere psychological ego massaging.

    “Alas, the developments that culminated in the judgment and the conduct of Justice T. S. Umar in the course of trial have proved to us that our absolute belief in the impartiality and absolute integrity of every judicial officer is grossly misplaced in the instance case.

    “It is, therefore, not surprising that since Friday, when the case was adjourned till Wednesday for judgment, Balogun-Fulani and his cohorts as well as their sponsors have been assuring their fellow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members that their aim to weaken the train of change in the state will start to materialise as judgment in their favour is a forgone deal and conclusion.”

     

  • Court upholds Balogun-Fulani APC executive in Kwara

     

    An Ilorin High Court on Wednesday recognised the executive committee of the Ishola Balogun-Fulani led All Progressives Congress (APC) as the authentic executive of the party in the state.

    Delivering judgment, Justice T.S. Umar held that the purported dissolution of the executive committee of the APC led by Balogun-Fulani was illegal, null and void.

    Balogun-Fulani and Christopher Ayeni had instituted a suit against the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the APC, APC NWC, INEC and Hon Bashir Bolarinwa over the dissolution of his executive.

    In his 13-point claims before the court, the claimants prayed the court to declare the appointment of Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as illegal.

    Justice Umaru, held that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had no power to dissolve the executive led by Balogun-Fulani.

    The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise only the Balogun-Fulani led executive committee in the state.

    According to the judge, there is no lacuna in the party, adding that the Balogun-Fulani executive was duly elected on May 5,  and sworn in by National officers of the party on June 4.

    Justice Umaru therefore ordered INEC to recognise all candidates presented by the Balogun-Fulani faction to contest the 2019 elections.

    He declared as null, void and unconstitutional all actions taken by the Bashir Bolarinwa faction since June.

    According to Justice Umaru, the dissolution of the Balogun-Fulani faction is unconstitutional and against the rule of law.

    The court therefore granted perpetual injunction against the Bolarinwa faction from carrying out any function as chairman of the party in Kwara.

    Counsel to Bashir Bolarinwa, Kamaldeen Gambari told journalists after the judgment that he envisaged the outcome, adding that he will appeal the judgment immediately.

    In his comment, counsel to the claimants, Abdulraheem Shuaib commended the court for the judgment.

    According to him, the import of the judgment was that INEC will have to recognise all the candidates of the Balogun-Fulani.(NAN)

     

  • Insecurity: Kwara APC shelves campaign

    The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday shelved the kick-off of its governorship campaign.

    The party cited unfavourable security reasons for the postponement.

    The event would have taken place yesterday at Kosubosu in Baruten Local Government Area.

    It was gathered some hoodlums, allegedly sponsored by a major opposition party, planned to attack APC members on their way to the venue of the event.

    Kosubosu is about six hours drive from Ilorin, the state capital, and it is predominantly an APC community.

    Giving reasons for the postponement of the programme, APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa said: “The manifesto presentation ceremony of the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, which was expected to witness a mammoth attendance today (yesterday) in Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area, was regrettably called off due to very strong and incontrovertible security reports.

    Read also: 2019: Buhari’s veto sparks battle of strength in Senate

    “As a responsible party, we put the protection of the lives of our teeming party members and indeed enthusiastic supporters who were waiting to line our routes above other considerations.

    “We, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to our party faithful for the inconveniences caused them as many had already gathered at various departure points.

    “We wish to thank them for remaining undaunted.

    “The party wishes to state that it has completely taken full charge of the campaign structures, processes and activities for the purpose of delivering an effective mobilisation of all Kwarans for the victory of all our candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    “A new date for the campaign take-off and other programme of activities will be announced soonest.”

     

  • Can Kwara APC still substitute candidate?

    When the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) drew the curtains on the withdrawal and substitution of candidates for the general elections on December 1, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was affirmed as the governorship candidate of the Kwara State All Progressive Congress (APC). His running mate, according to INEC, is Kayode Alabi, an entrepreneur and education consultant.

    While AbdulRazaq, a Muslim, is from Ilorin in the Central Senatorial District, his running mate is a Christian from Ifelodun local government, the largest voting bloc in the Kwara South District. Both men are in their fifties.

    But, sources said there are moves by some stakeholders to replace Alabi with one of his kinsmen from Ifelodun, Olukayode Abogunrin, a former chairman of the local government. To the electorate, these moves are dangerous and APC may well play into the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bukola Saraki machinery, which appear to be losing grip on the north Central State. There are claims that the moves are being spearheaded by a top official of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, although sources say influential party officials are resisting him to avert the looming danger.

    While Abogunrin, in his mid 70s, is by no means a small fry in the politics of the state, party insiders say he is too old and may not be fit for the rigour of governance. Besides, he is suspected to have played some ethnic politics in the past which many believe could make him a polarising figure on the delicate ticket that ought to unite all Kwarans behind the liberation struggle.

    But, that is not as important as the legal consequences of changing a candidate after the official window has closed. If the APC swaps the name of a candidate after the official time, any political party may approach the court to ensure the party’s candidature is voided on technical grounds. That the APC is not having governorship candidate in its stronghold in Zamfara is due to technical error that its Kwara State chapter is about to make.

    This development comes a few weeks after a social media post revealed that Kayode Alabi had been picked for the slot. Some stakeholders are apparently opposed to Alabi’s candidature for some reasons. But, some party insiders have said the opposition against Alabi was part of the latest moves to replace him with Abogunrin. This camp has claimed that substitution ends on December 17, and not on December 1. What they do not realise is the danger of a backdoor arrangement. Analysts say APC should, learn from Kwara PDP, which had since swapped its candidates, including Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, before the December 1 official deadline.

    The credentials of Alabi and Abogunrin are there for anyone to judge within and outside their immediate constituencies. While Abogunrin was an aspirant for the House of Representatives election, Alabi contested the primaries for the Kwara South senatorial district.

    Both men lost, although their records as top members of the Kwara liberation efforts are well known.  However, Alabi is believed to be more popular with the elders in Kwara South as well as among the youth which he has always mobilised for the opposition in the state especially between 2011 and 2015.

    In a statement announcing its support for Alabi’s nomination,  Kwara Liberation Movement, a group within the Kwara APC, said: “(Alabi) has been a long standing supporter of the Kwara liberation movement. He has been a strong voice against bad governance in our state.

    It added: “Alabi appears to be a neutral face among those seeking this office from imaginary camps and may well be the best choice in the present circumstances of the party in Kwara State.

    “An entrepreneur of repute, Alabi has always been a professional in politics. He was a front line Kwara South senatorial aspirant in the last primary. He meets the criteria of being a Christian — since another Muslim cannot be picked when the candidate is already a Muslim — and he comes from the largest voting bloc in the Kwara South senatorial district; Ifelodun Local Government, which, incidentally, has lost top seats to other areas.”

     

  • Kwara APC, PDP quarrel over Tradermoni

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State have disagreed over Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP), also called Tradermoni.

    While the PDP accused the Federal Government and the APC of politicising the programme, the state’s opposition party denied the allegation.

    Kwara PDP spokesperson Tunde Ashaolu said: “The purported launching of the scheme on Friday in Ilorin by Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was nothing but a political jamboree.”

    The party also alleged that the identification and selection of beneficiaries of the scheme was “marred by political interference as majority of those who were selected were not genuine traders and artisans but members and supporters of the APC”.

    He added: “It is improper and very disturbing that a Federal Government-financed programme has been turned into a party programme.

    “As a government initiative, we expected that all eligible Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, would benefit from it. But unfortunately, this has not been the case with Tradermoni. The Federal Government has failed to ensure equitable participation of all Nigerians in the scheme.

    “Furthermore, we note that the distribution of such funds at this period of electioneering is a deliberate ploy by the Federal Government and the APC to induce voters ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    “We also wish to state that unlike the APC-led Federal Government that is coming to distribute cash to people few weeks to the elections under the guise of empowerment, the state government has always provided assistance to small and medium business owners in the state, including market women, traders and artisans.

    “We, therefore, call on market women, traders and artisans in the state not to be deceived by the political gimmick of the APC-controlled Federal Government that has not provided any assistance for them in the last three and a half years.

    “The APC and Federal Government should also know that no amount of political gimmicks and propaganda will deter the people of Kwara State from supporting (Senate President) Bukola Saraki and the PDP.”

    But APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa said: “Tradermoni of the APC-led administration in the country was never planned nor executed based on party loyalty or political affiliation and it is not being carried out for the sake of electioneering campaign purposes.”

    Speaking through media aide, Sabo Odeyemi, the APC chairman stressed that “the PDP is talking out of ignorance and sentiment because it is never a masses-oriented party; forgetting that any programme or scheme tagged ‘social investment’ crosses political terrain to include all segments of the society”.

    He added: “It is good enough for the PDP to come out of ignorance and sentiment because the party has made the issue to become an accused turning to become the accuser.

    “Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been moving round the country since two years ago for this Tradermoni scheme as the entire country is the constituency of the Federal Government.”

     

  • Kwara APC aspirants bury hatchet

    All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants in Kwara State yesterday ended the crises that trailed the governorship and other primaries in the state.

    The aspirants and other members of the party resolved to work for victory of the APC at all levels in the 2019 general elections.

    In a communique read by the Chairman of APC Reconciliation Committee, Peter Olorunnisola (SAN), the party noted that “the aggrieved aspirants have decided to sheathe their swords and decide to work for the victory of the party in the general elections of 2019”.

    The communique reads: “The leadership of the APC mindful of the need for unity as the party is fast moving towards the general elections of 2019, decided to hold a unity meeting of all categories of candidates and aspirants, party leaders and elders and state executive committee of the state chapter of the party. At the meeting the following decisions were taken: That the party notes the need to take good care of the aggrieved members of the party once it is victorious in the next year elections; that the party and the governorship candidate shall ensure that there shall be inclusive administration of the party and in the running of the campaign activities of the party, members will be involved; that every point of crisis will be examined with a view to providing remedies where necessary and all members are enjoined to join hands together to lift up the party.”

  • Reps by-election: Kwara APC, PDP candidates emerge through affirmation

    Ahead of the November 17 by-election to fill the vacant seat of Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero/Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Kwara State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulraheem Olawuyi, has been elected through affirmation.

    Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed the date to fill the seat formerly occupied by the late Princess Funke Adedoyin, who passed on September this year.

    The APC primary took place at Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.

    APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa urged party members to unite and work for its victory.

    He said members adopted consensus, in line with the party’s constitution.

    Bolarunwa, who urged APC members to observe one-minute silence for the late Adedoyin, said she got to the National Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the party.

    He added: “The election will be a test case for APC in Kwara State. It will also enable us to show to Kwarans and Nigerians that APC will take over the state in 2019.”

    The chairman of the electoral panel, Dr Usman Zanna, lauded the conduct of party members.

    The panel chairman expressed optimism that APC would emerge victorious at all levels in next year’s polls.

    He said: “If you are united and firm, nobody will be able to penetrate your ranks.”

    Olawuyi thanked the constituents for the confidence reposed in him.

    He promised to be loyal to the party, saying: “My joy knows no bound. It is not because I am the best candidate but for the confidence reposed in me.”

    Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Saheed Alatishe as its candidate for the constituency through affirmation.

  • Reps by-election: Kwara APC, PDP candidates emerge through affirmation

    Ahead of the November 17 by-election to fill the vacant seat of Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero/Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Kwara State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulraheem Olawuyi, has been elected through affirmation.

    Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed the date to fill the seat formerly occupied by the late Princess Funke Adedoyin, who passed on September this year.

    The APC primary took place at Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.

    APC State Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa urged party members to unite and work for its victory.

    He said members adopted consensus, in line with the party’s constitution.

    Bolarunwa, who urged APC members to observe one-minute silence for the late Adedoyin, said she got to the National Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the party.

    He added: “The election will be a test case for APC in Kwara State. It will also enable us to show to Kwarans and Nigerians that APC will take over the state in 2019.”

    The chairman of the electoral panel, Dr Usman Zanna, lauded the conduct of party members.

    The panel chairman expressed optimism that APC would emerge victorious at all levels in next year’s polls.

    He said: “If you are united and firm, nobody will be able to penetrate your ranks.”

    Olawuyi thanked the constituents for the confidence reposed in him.

    He promised to be loyal to the party, saying: “My joy knows no bound. It is not because I am the best candidate but for the confidence reposed in me.”

    Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Saheed Alatishe as its candidate for the constituency through affirmation.