The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LG poll

  • Ondo council Poll: Crisis hits PDP over candidate’s lists

    Ondo council Poll: Crisis hits PDP over candidate’s lists

    Another political crisis may be looming in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state over which of the candidate’s lists should be recognized by the Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) between Engr. Clement Faboyede and Dr. Olu Ogunye led executives for the April 23, local governments’ poll.

    At a press conference held in Akure, the state capital, Ogunye said following an Abuja court ruling in 2014, he was recognised as the authentic chairman of the party, warning the ODIEC would be committing illegality if he refused to recognised his candidates.

    His words, “while I and my executive committee are pleased to inform you that we have no issue with the date and the election, we wish to call the attention of the public to a cog that may stall the process of the election.

    “Upon the resignation of Hon. Ebenezer Alabi as the past state chairman and my subsequent election as his successor and an order of the federal high court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/1006/2014 made on the December 18, 2014 which recognised me as the authentic chairman of PDP.

    “In our capacity as the official agents of the party, we have organised and conduct primaries for the chairmanship and councillorship aspirants using statutory delegates recognised by law.

    “We have submitted the list of candidates who won the primary the primary election for the post of chairmanship and councillorship seats across the local government to ODIEC.”

    But, the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr, Banji Okuomo said the exercise of Ogunye’s faction is just an exercise in futility.

    Okuomo, particularly said majority of the factional executive include Ogunye have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He however said there is no contention for the chairmanship seat being occupied by Faboyede, adding that PDP in Ondo state is united.

     

  • Katsina: PDP sweeps LG poll

    •APC, others boycott

    Following boycott by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday swept the local government poll in Katsina State.

    As at press time, PDP had secured 17 out of the 34 local government areas in the state.

    Only six parties, namely ACPM, APGA, MEGA, PDP, PPA, and SDP, participated in the elections.

    Those who shunned the poll were APC, PDM, NCP and LP.

    The boycott restricted the choice of the electorates to the ruling PDP in the state.

    Some of the results announced last night showed the PDP winning in Kaita, Mashi, Danmusa, Ingawa, Zango, Batagarawa  among others.

    There was low turnout of voters for the LG poll, the first since 2008.

    Although election materials arrived at the polling units as early as 7.30am, the poll officers had little to do because of the apathy of voters.

    An official of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), who spoke in confidence, said: “We have recorded a hitch-free poll in order to ensure that there is democratic structure at the local government level.

    “We promised to ensure a free and fair poll, I am happy we have delivered on our mandate. So far, PDP is leading in many LGAs, we will make a formal announcement of all results on Sunday.”

    A voter from Mashi, Alhaji Mohammed Mashi said: “It would be a waste of time to take part in an election whose outcome is known. The SIEC is in the pocket of the state government.

    “We are waiting for them during the 2015 poll. It is then we will know who is in control of the state.”

    A resident of Funtua, Mallam Mummuni Sa’id, said: “There was no point of going out to vote since the election was not competitive.

    “The opposition parties said they are not going to participate in the election for the fear of manipulations as they alleged, but the process can only be of interest to the electorates when there are two or more parties aspiring for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.”

    He said the decision of the opposition parties of not participating in the elections did not give them opportunities to make rational choices in the polls in electing their LG councils leaders.