The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger East

  • APC threatens to boycott Niger East by-election

    APC threatens to boycott Niger East by-election

    TheAll Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State said yesterday that it would boycott the August 16 by-election in Niger East Senatorial Zone, if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The party alleged that the REC was demanding money from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

    APC accused the REC of being a card-carrying member of the ruling party in Kogi State.

    State Publicity Secretary Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, in a statement in Minna, said last week, APC exposed a proposal by the REC to the state government, requesting N44,375,850 for a National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity.

    Although the REC denied the allegation, Secretary to the State Government Saidu Ndako Idris confirmed that a proposal with the same amount was brought before the government by the REC.

    Idris said N28.7 million was approved by the Executive Council.

    The statement said the party “strongly believes that this is enough reason for INEC to redeploy Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo before the August 16 by-election to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.”

    APC said that “If he is allowed to preside over the election,it means that INEC has prepared the ground for rigging in the election”.

    The party also claimed that Onucheyo is a card-carrying member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, having contested as PDP governorship aspirant in Kogi State at the 2003 elections.

    “There is no doubt that as a PDP card-carrying member, Dr. Onucheyo cannot conduct a free and fair election under this circumstance” the statement said.

  • Niger East: PDP dumps consensus

    Niger East: PDP dumps consensus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State yesterday opted for primaries in picking its candidate for the Niger East Senatorial by-election on August 16.

    The party dumped former Deputy Governor Shem Zagbayi Nuhu as the party’s consensus candidate.

    This followed the formal presentation of a letter of intent by ex-House of Representatives member Abdullahi Musa, to contest the election.

    Acting party Chairman Tanko Beji said the emergence of a new aspirant voided the consensus of Zagbayi.

    Beji said: “Abdullahi Musa has emerged as another contestant. It means that party primaries must be conducted. This is a democratic process we cannot run away from. We will not shy away from the process and it will be transparent, fair and peaceful”.

    “Two weeks ago, we announced Dr. Nuhu as a consensus candidate, but with the emergence of Musa, consensus has been dislodged.

    “Musa has the right to contest hence we accepted his letter of intent.

    “We’ll have party primaries to ensure the most suitable candidate that will be acceptable is presented,” Beji declared.

    He assured aspirants of a level-playing field, adding that delegates would be made public.

    Beji said nomination forms would be sold for N1.5 million, with the intent form costing N100,000.

    Speaking with reporters, Musa hailed the party’s decision, saying: “All I wanted was for the party to follow due process in getting the candidate for the by-election”.