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Tag: Opposition

  • Osinbajo storms Ibadan, to deliver 9th Sigma’s public lecture Saturday

    Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will on Saturday, 27th October, deliver the 9th Sigma Club of University of Ibadan public lecture scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan by 11am.

    Sigma Chief, Valentine Igbonekwu who made this disclosure via a statement he signed and made available to journalists on Monday added that Dr. Wale Babalakin will chair the event.

    Igbonekwu in the statement said that the lecture entitled, “Developing the Nation through Youth Empowerment” which will have the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Idowu Olayinka as the chief host, is in continuation of the club’s activities to mark its 68th anniversary.

    He said, “Sigma Club, University of Ibadan, the oldest surviving students’ organization in sub-saharan Africa; in continuation of its activities to mark the 68th anniversary of the club, is set to hold the 9th Sigma public lecture.

    “Founded in 1950, Sigma Club, University of Ibadan; the architect of the glorious Havana Musical Carnival is a social and philanthropic student’s organization with considerable focus on good character, discipline, integrity and national development.

    “The 9th edition of the Sigma public lecture is centered on the importance of youth empowerment to national development. Hence the topic: “Developing the Nation through Youth Empowerment”.

    “As a club deeply committed and passionate about national development, the public lecture will offer the opportunities to x-ray, through deep intellectual discourse, the benefits of youth empowerment to national development as well as opportunities available for the actualization.

    “The Guest Speaker is a prominent citizen of this country who commands national admiration and international recognition for his respectable and enviable worth of character and intrinsic professional expertise as a legal luminary and a crusader of youth empowerment obvious in some of the federal schemes championed by him.

    “Sigma Club, University of Ibadan is therefore offering a veritable platform for our well-seasoned Guest speaker of outstanding repute to provide doses of workable solution to the continous menace of youth unemployment by a holistic youth empowerment initiative in the country.

    “Past speakers at the Sigma Public lecture include; Professor Pat Utomi (Lagos Business School and Executive Director at Pan-African University), Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Former Governor of Ogun State), Mr. Tayo Aderinokun (Former CEO/MD GT Bank PLC), Dr. Adesola Adedutan (GMD/CEO First Bank of Nigeria Ltd and Subsidiaries), Professor Biodun Jeyifo (Professor of African and African American Studies and Comparative Literature at Harvard University, USA, Mr. Victor Famuyibo (Former Executive Director of Nigerian Breweries)”.

    Participants expected at the event include students, youths, a large retinue of Business moguls, captains of industries, government functionaries and a host of other eminent personalities.

    Igbonekwu uses the opportunity to invite the general public to the 9th Sigma public lecture.

     

  • Opposition can’t distract me, says Emmanuel 

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel  yesterday said he would not be distracted by the antics of political opponents.

    According to him, the opponents were allegedly planning to cause mayhem and disrupt the elections.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, he said that only God ultimately gives power and that he was not afraid of losing re-election next year.

    He said: “There is something you people must know. When it comes to power it is only God who determines and we are conscious of that. We are professionals who have made names in other places. So, when people just discuss some of these things we keep doing our own businesses.

    “At times, some of these things are to distract you but we refuse to be distracted. We play politics of development and our people are seeing that. So, whatever would have tried in any way to distract us we don’t want to be distracted. So, don’t be bothered about that. It is only God who determines what happens the next minute, not man. And no man is God.”

    He also said anyone planning violence and war in Akwa Ibom was wasting his time as the people have resolved to be peaceful,  pointing out that such threats were being noted at the Presidency.

    “At the moment , Akwa Ibom State is very peaceful. We only hear of those plots. I am sure you people heard where people were pronouncing that Warsaw, Warsaw, and that’s what they wish Akwa Ibom would be.

    “But we indigenes are saying no, we are peaceful and we want to maintain peace. Whoever wants to live by Warsaw, will also see war on his own, not within the state.”

     

     

  • ‘APC will defeat opposition’

    THE Chairman of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, has reiterated the party’s capacity to win next year’s elections with a wide margin.

    Balogun, who made the remark while addressing members of the United Kingdom APC who visited him at the party secretariat in Lagos, said his predecessor Otunba Dele Ajomale never lost any election when he was at the helm of affairs.

    He said the APC’s winning streak in Lagos will continue in 2019 and beyond. Nevertheless, he said the party is not resting on its oars, as it working hard to ensure that the opposition was defeated overwhelmingly in 2019.

    The Chairman thanked members of the UK APC for their unflinching support, stressing that the party would continue to need them for the coming election.

    He said: “There is no doubt that my predecessor never lost any election in Lagos. He laid a solid foundation and it is left for me to take the challenge. I have to build on the foundation he laid. I am determined to take the party to a new height. Of course, he had been winning election, what I want to add to it is that whenever we win today, we will win overwhelmingly.

    “That is why we have been going on massive membership drive and at the same time mobilising the support of the large number of Nigerians. With the support of the people, we shall meet our target.”

    Balogun maintained that members in the Diaspora have very crucial role to play in terms of mobilisation and remitting their dues to the party.

    He added: “I have listened to some of them and I am really impressed. Those who are going to be here during the election are going to be part of our campaign. They are going to contribute one thing or the other in terms of efforts. They will campaign for the people to vote APC; just like they have been doing in the past. Their coming to the APC secretariat is to make financial contribution to the party. I am really overwhelmed by this act of commitment, which of course is constitutional.”

  • Opposition cannot distract us, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the combined efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from taking actions for the benefit of Nigerians and the development of the country.

    The President spoke when he received five governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who paid him Sallah homage at his country home in Daura, Katsina State.

    He said the ruling APC government had the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them.

    “We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus.

    ‘‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption, we have maintained focus.

    “Even the opposition, with all their resources, cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.

    ‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support.’’

    On the defections within the major political parties, the president reiterated his earlier message to them, saying ‘‘for those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.’’

    Leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha commended the President for his efforts in the keeping the nation together through visionary leadership.

    He noted that Buhari had remained focused and unshaken by situations and circumstances, adding: ‘‘it shows that your administration is approved by God.

    ‘‘We are here to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing as Nigerians are very very pleased with you.

    ‘‘We also want to inform you that we had wonderful and peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration across the country because of security of lives and property you have guaranteed in our nation.’’

    Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano and Niger states.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some members of the national and state assemblies as well as commissioners were in the delegation.

  • Minister: opposition using fake news to de-market Buhari

    MINISTER of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has accused the opposition of using fake news to de-market the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He said the opposition has resorted to the use of religious and ethnic disharmony to taint the Buhari administration’s achievements.

    The minister spoke in Abuja yesterday when he visited Authority Newspapers’ Corporate Headquarters to kick-start the media tour in furtherance of the campaign against fake news, which the Federal Government launched.

    He said: “With the Buhari Administration delivering on its promises to fight corruption, build the nation’s economy and tackle insecurity, the opposition has realised it will not make any impact if it takes on the administration on that turf. So, it has decided to take the easy route, which is to use fake news and hate speech to de-market the administration, pitch Christians against Muslims and one ethnic group against another.”

    Mohammed also accused the opposition of throwing caution to the wind in its attempt to divide the country.

    The minister stressed that in its bid, the opposition is using fake news to blame the killings in a certain part of the country on herdsmen and ignoring the bands of deadly militia groups that were being sponsored by unscrupulous people to kill innocent people and put the nation on edge.

    He cited the example of how the opposition is distorting the fact that the clashes between the farmers and herders were being aggravated by climate change, which has heightened the contest for scarce natural resources like water and land – as well as demographic pressure.

    The minister said the morbid fear the opposition harbours that when he is re-elected in 2019, Buhari will consolidate on the fight against corruption, has thrown the opposition camp into confusion.

    Mohammed added that this has led to the frenzy with which they fabricate and publish fake news to cast the government in bad light.

    “Many politicians know that the  only way to distract this government is to spread fake news and they are being very selfish and they have amassed so much wealth that they can continue to sponsor fake news at a very dangerous level for as long as they want.

    “Many of them have this morbid fear of the President being re-elected because they know that in his second term, the war against corruption will start yielding fruits. There are so many cases in court today and they are just praying and doing everything to distract the government so that their cases will be scuttled,” he stated.

    Mohammed added that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, there was a re-distribution of the nation’s wealth from a few to the generality of the public

    The administration’s Social Investment Programme, he said, is providing one meal a day for 8.5 million pupils across 23 states; the Conditional Cash Transfer is empowering 400,000 families with N5,000 every month, the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme is making available loans to artisans and craftsmen as well as market women.

    The N-Power Programme has provided employment for over 200,000 unemployed graduates, he said.

    The minister hailed the Authority Newspapers for being the first media outlet to write an editorial in support of the campaign against fake news, saying he chose to kick-start the media tour with the newspaper in appreciation of its efforts.

     

     

     

  • ‘Only formidable opposition can defeat Buhari’

    The former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, has said only a formidable opposition can defeat President Muhammadu Buhari next year.

    He spoke at the review of his book, titled: Against the Run of Play.

    The event was held at Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP).

    Addressing a gathering of academics and other professionals, Adeniyi identified fragmented opposition as the most important factor that made incumbent candidates win elections all over the world.

    He said President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 election because the opposition parties formed a strong force against him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeniyi said such development was rare in other countries, but noted that it is required to defeat any incumbent.

    He said he was yet to see a formidable opposition that could defeat Buhari, adding that All Progressives Congress (APC) was solidly on ground.

    Adeniyi  said: “I don’t expect anything different in 2019 elections. I expect that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will perform better than it did in 2015. I also expect that whoever wants to be president, either the incumbent or challenger, should challenge the process and at the end of the day, we’ll see what happens.

    “The challenge for the opposition is that they have to get their acts together. I keep saying, by the end of 2012 for instance, we already knew who was going to challenge Jonathan in 2015. You can’t say the same thing today. And you need a cohesive opposition to defeat an incumbent. Right now, if you are asked who will be the next candidate, you can mention many names, but you are not sure. And for me, there are only two parties right now; there may be others in future, but now it’s either APC or PDP. All these Red Card, Third Force, and all those things… all that they help is the incumbent because the incumbent has the support base. It is the opposition that is being divided along all these lines.”

    Asked if the campaign for Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) can help the opposition, he said: “Yes, it can play a part, but what I think is that Buhari’s biggest challenger today, is ‘go and get your PVC.’ That is not a candidate. Yes. People will get their PVC, but who are they voting for? It’s also important. I like the awareness, I like the consciousness, people are ready to go out and vote, but it also matters who they are voting for and the platform and what those people are bringing to the table. I know that in 2015, there were people who voted, not for Buhari but just against Jonathan. We may end up with the same situation.”

  • 2019: Cracks in opposition as parties ask PDP to change name

    • Say Nigerians associate party with corruption
    • No way – PDP scribe
    • Party to raise committee for coalition modalities
    • Atiku, Lamido top search chart
    • PDP elders move to checkmate Wike, Fayose

    The Peoples Democra-tic Party (PDP) is under massive pressure to change its name as alliance talks intensify between it and some other parties, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) and key political figures ahead of the 2019 elections.

    The alliance is aimed at denying President Muhammadu Buhari a second term in office.

    The participating groups say a change of name by the PDP is desirable to give everyone a sense of belonging.

    But with 13 states under its control, the former ruling party does not want merger, preferring only collaboration that will unite all opposition parties, groups and political leaders.

    Nonetheless, the PDP plans to  raise a committee soon to work out modalities for coalition with other parties and interest groups like ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s CNM.

    Some elders and governors elected on the platform of the party have also initiated moves to curb the influence of Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose on the party such that the other groups will not be scared away from working with the PDP.

    Highly placed party sources said last night that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Sule Lamido, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo are leading the search chart of PDP.

    The party is not relenting in wooing Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Senate President Bukola Saraki back to its fold.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not less busy.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategists  and some APC leaders are understood to  be working on  the possibility of reaching what a source called an  “accord concordiale” with some PDP governors and respected leaders of the party during the 2019 polls.

    One of the leaders that Buhari’s strategists are mounting pressure on is ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau whose return to APC is believed can whittle down the influence of Kwankwanso in Kano.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that PDP leaders are anchoring their plan to oust the APC from power on propaganda and forging a grand coalition against the ruling party.

    The coalition part of the plan has seen the party reach out to other opposition parties, the CNM and some key political figures in the six geopolitical zones who are against Buhari’s re-election.

    However, it was gathered that the PDP is finding it difficult to rally international support against Buhari, whose integrity is still being trusted by world leaders.

    The party  is counting solely on ex-President Obasanjo  to do the ‘damage’ but the one-man international campaign against the President  does not seem to be having the expected result yet.

    Findings revealed that a recurring issue in the ongoing secret talks, covert negotiation and lobbying by PDP, is the demand by affected parties, groups and leaders that it should change its name.

    Giving an insight into the development so far, one of the sources said:”These opposition parties, some leaders of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) and  some key political figures in all the six geopolitical zones are asking PDP to change its name in order to enable more Nigerians identify with it.

    “Those interested in the coalition with PDP said the party’s name has been battered because of alleged massive corruption when it was in power for 16 years. They said the electorate might not want to associate with it.

    “A few other parties do not want to lose their identities. They want a sort of merger like the case with APC.

    “In fact, Obasanjo’s CNM would have loved to identify with PDP but the hijack of the party by some governors at the last national convention foreclosed a wholesale adoption of the opposition party. The CNM would prefer a change of name by PDP for effective coalition against APC.”

    The source said the PDP has made it clear to those interested in working with it that it will not change its name or symbol.

    The party believes that any change in its identity is an easy technical way of killing it for a new set of ownership.”

    A PDP leader said: “The National Working Committee sees the demand for either merger or a change of name as a booby trap to kill PDP by some forces.

    “The timeline does not favour a change of name or merger. It is like starting afresh.

    “Why should PDP which has about 13 governors lose its name? We believe our party is in a position of strength and should be allowed to enjoy the privilege in a coalition.

    “If we go for another name, won’t they say the same people in PDP are in the new party like the case now with the Social Democratic Party?

    “You don’t change a party’s name on the basis of losing election

    “We are also suspecting that some of those who left the party are plotting to return to PDP through the backdoor. This is why they are giving this condition of change of name.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan said yesterday that the challenge before the party is “not about the name, it is a perception issue.”

    The party has no image challenge, he said when contacted.

    He added: “We would allow Nigerians to choose our candidate for 2019 presidential poll; we will not interfere with the process.

    “At the end of the day, we will ensure the emergence of a credible candidate who will accord priority to national unity and development and the reshaping of the nation’s economy.”

    PDP to raise committee to work out modalities for coalition

    In spite of the tethering challenge, it was learnt that the PDP will soon raise a committee to “work out modalities for coalition with parties and groups.”

    A member of the Board of Trustees of PDP said: “We are interested in coalition; we will soon inaugurate a committee on how to go about it, what we should offer and what we should reject.

    “So far, it is clear that unless we team up with Nigerians and groups of like minds, it will be difficult for PDP to defeat APC alone.”

    The source also confirmed that the party might still need to “do more work internally” by checkmating some of its leaders like Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose.

    “We are aware that we have internal challenge especially the overbearing influence of some leaders like Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose. They operate as if they own PDP,” he said.

    “Some elements in CNM and a few incoming coalition partners have also told us to return PDP to its democratic structure instead of allowing Wike and Fayose to be behaving as if they have the party in their pockets.

    “At a point, we will all mobilize support for the party leadership to assert itself. We know some PDP governors are equally uncomfortable with Wike and Fayose’s attitude. You will see what will happen soon. We want to win in 2019, we won’t bow to the whims and caprices of some party leaders.

    “By the time we enter into negotiation stage with groups and individuals, the overriding interest of the party will take the centre stage.”

    What party has in stock for Saraki, Tambuwal

    The source said the PDP is “ready to bend backwards for the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki if he is ready to defect to APC.”

    Saraki, according to him, has been “advised to forego his presidential ambition” and PDP “won’t mind returning him as the President of the Senate because the performance of the 8th Senate, which he is heading, has been outstanding in terms of bills already passed.

    “You can see why PDP is giving him a major backing. But we have not got any commitment from him.”

    Saraki has however not shown any sign of defection from PDP to APC in spite of the fact that the main opposition party is his major pillar of survival in the Senate.

    The source ruled out the possibility of the party giving its presidential ticket to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who is being actively wooed by some PDP governors.

    The source said the best the PDP can offer Tambuwal is re-election ticket as governor.

    “Except for a few governors who wanted us to woo Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from APC based on his democratic credentials, most of our leaders and governors are not keen on him because of his likely imposition by some PDP leaders,” he said.

    “We are open to Tambuwal but let him go and seek re-election as governor on the platform of PDP if he is fed up with APC.

    “Tambuwal is a presidential material for the future even though Wike will not want to hear this from our governors and leaders.”

    Search for credible presidential flag bearer intensified

    Party leaders and governors are gauging the mood of political leaders across the six geopolitical zones on a credible PDP presidential candidate.

    A member of the National Caucus of party named ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Sule Lamido, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo as those currently topping the search chart.

    But he said Atiku has an edge on account of his “solid and enduring structure,” and a major obstacle: Ex-President Obasanjo.

    His words: “His only problem is ex-President Obasanjo who might fight him to a standstill. The alternative is for Atiku to eat his vomit and beg the ex-President.

    “We underrated Lamido until our leaders went for a rally in Jigawa during the week.

    “The rally was an eye opener that this 2019 poll is going to be tough. The performance of Dankwambo has been appreciable too. He has age and vision on his side as well.

    APC working on its own strategy

    Strategists of President Buhari and the APC are not sleeping either.

    An APC source said: “One of the windows being explored is the ongoing reconciliation being coordinated by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We know that the President and the party would have to shift grounds to reunify some APC leaders.

    “The outcome of the reconciliation will determine many things.

    “We have also identified fluid states and tough election battlefields and how to make amends. Along the line, some PDP governors and leaders have faith in President Buhari’s aspiration for a second term and we are trying to consolidate on this.

    “It will be akin to what the famous politician, the late Chief K.O. Mbadiwe described as ‘accord concordiale.’

    “Even within the APC, some strategists have identified those who may glorify PDP by defecting to the opposition. In such states, we are working on Plan B in the light of the vote margins between PDP and APC in the affected states during the 2015 general elections.

    “One of the PDP top shots, which the APC has extended its olive branch to, is ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (of Kano) who had always been an ally of the President until the two leaders had a political disagreement (not personal problem).

    “The strategists of the President are prevailing on Shekarau to forgive and forget. He is yet to respond to overtures from these strategists. If he does, Kano will become winnable without Kwankwanso.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We know that the headache of PDP is getting a credible candidate like President Buhari. We are awaiting their choice or any party’s choice in order to define the battle.”

     

  • Opposition kicks as Delta PDP sweeps local council polls

    Opposition kicks as Delta PDP sweeps local council polls

    Following the landslide victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Delta State local government elections, OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the post-election acrimony  and its implications for the 2019 governorship election.

    Although the Delta State local government elections have been won and lost, recriminations have continued to trail the conduct of the polls.

    The opposition parties, the including All Progressives Congress (APC) have condemned the conduct of the elections, describing it as “flawed and unacceptable” while calling for fresh polls.

    Furthermore, the opposition parties boycotted the rescheduled elections, which took place on January 9, 2018.

    After the election, the Chairman of the Delta Independent Election Commission (DSIEC), Mr. Mike Ogbodu, declared the PDP winners in 23 local government areas, while elections were postponed in Ughelli North and Ethiope East and later held on Tuesday.

    Ogbodu said 55 chairmanship candidates contested the polls and that the PDP won 425 councillorship seats.

    The chairman said the APC won one councillorship seat in ward 2 in Aniocha North.

    He added that 59 PDP councilors were returned unopposed in the various electoral wards.

    Furthermore, he said elections did not hold in Otor-Owhe community, in Isoko North, Ozoro, following an injunction by a Delta State High Court.

    But, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who spoke to reporters’ at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government, after the declaration of the result, attributed failure of the main opposition party, the APC, to lack of preparations. He also accused the party of being behind the violence in Ughelli North, where INEC office was torched.

    His words, “I heard about that (violence) and I have called the Commissioner of Police, he is trying to give me the full report. He has sent his Area Commander to find out what happened. I heard that some thugs of the APC actually moved into the DSIEC office to set fire on some electoral materials. But, I don’t have a full report of that now until I am briefed by the Commissioner of Police.”

    In a swift reaction, the APC Chairman, Mr. Jones Erue, called for a total cancellation of the polls, alleging manipulation at different stage of the electoral process.

    Erue said sensitive election materials were not delivered as expected to most of the polling units where the actual elections were due to take place.

    He said instances where materials were even delivered, they did not arrive on time, as most of them were hijacked and re-directed along the way.

    He added that result sheets did not accompany the materials in most of the local governments.

    Erue said in the places where result sheets were produced, they were in sharp contrast with the samples that were presented to party officials during the DSIEC training exercise.

    The APC chair said many Returning Officers were not at the polling units to conduct the elections, nor to announce the outcome.

    He said “a DSIEC Returning Officer at Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area was arrested at a hotel annex in Ozoro, facilitating illegal thumb-printing of votes and was handed over to the Nigeria Police at Ozoro”.

    He said violence marred the elections in a large number of local governments and wards where election was due to take place, adding  that the DSIEC Office at Ughelli was burnt down while election materials were not yet issued out.

    His words: “We are not shocked by the outcome of the election, because we had issued out a note of caution previously, warning about the possibility of the active connivance between DSIEC and PDP officials or agents.

    “Our party was very well prepared for peaceful elections. Unfortunately, the people were let down. But, more importantly, DSIEC demonstrated to the whole world that it is not yet able to deliver such an onerous responsibility for conducting peaceful elections on behalf of the people. We recall that the PDP had been boastful that the APC was not on ground in the state. However, this election has proven that to be completely false. The bastardization of this simple election that ought to be peaceful shows that the PDP is now a dying party in the state and that they were totally amazed by the level of preparedness, organization and mobilization that the APC mustered across the state. There is no doubt that the PDP is now experiencing a backlash from the masses, given the overall poor performance by its Council Officials and the state government that oversees the councils.

    “In all of this, we are most saddened that during the process of this election, at least three of our members were shot in Ughelli South, and not less than a dozen others were cut with machetes and injured by PDP thugs, just as numerous vehicles were damaged. We wish these gallant ones swift recovery in the weeks ahead, just as we extend our deepest appreciation to them for standing up for what is right and just. We stand with them in their pain and by God’s grace, timely recovery.

    “It is disheartening that the people of Delta State have been robbed once again of their constitutional and inalienable right to freely pick leaders of their choice. This is a crime against the people and the day is nearer when the PDP will have no choice but to beckon to the voices of the people who are tired of the poverty that the PDP has inflicted upon them over the years.”

    The Executive Director, Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged (CENTREP), Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, also condemned the polls.

    He passed a vote of no confidence on the electoral body, stressing that the credibility of DSIEC was at stake.

    He said: “The election was shambolic. If government knew it was not ready to hold an election, why waste public funds? The election was a selection exercise. I know that the last election cost the state over N700 million, so this one may have cost tax payers more. There was no result sheet in Ughelli South and Udu local government areas. Deltans were at the polling units prepared to perform their civic duties, while some persons were busy writing results. The government is gradually killing elections at the grassroots, because of greed. The credibility of DSIEC is at stake. I am joining other vulnerable, oppressed, suppressed, voiceless, underprivileged Nigerian masses in Delta State to pass a vote of no confidence on DSIEC.”

    But Governor Okowa said the opposition was finding it convenient to blame DSIEC for their poor preparations.

    He said he directed that there should be a credible electoral process, adding: “I believe we have done our best to ensure a free and fair process and we hope that we able to get things right.”

    Delta PDP Chairman, Mr.  Kingsley Esiso, dismissed allegations of electoral malpractices leveled against his party, adding that the PDP won on the strength of the performance of Governor Okowa and the character and capability of candidates fielded.

    His words: “The truth of the matter is that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. The PDP was involved in a vigorous campaign around the nooks and crannies of the state, led by the Governor and myself. Everybody saw it.

    “But, the APC were sleeping in their houses, expecting that manna will fall from heaven. Fortunately, election is about the people. The PDP campaign was based on the strength of the performance of the Gov. Okowa and government of Delta State, we campaigned based on the character and capability of the candidates we fielded and of course they refused to accept even before the election that they had lost because they did not campaign.

    “Take it from me that the election was freely conducted and that the PDP won fair and square. Elections are taking place as we speak in the two local government areas where it was initially postponed. The APC is calling for cancellation of the polls on what basis?”

    Analysts believe the 2018 local government polls in Delta State is a dress rehearsal for the 2019 govwernorship election, with many expressing apprehension, following the spate of violence that characterised the local polls.

     

  • Squeezing the opposition?

    SIR: Finally, electioneering is here although 2019 may seem a little distant in late 2017. However this far-off sense has not deterred the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) party from muzzling opposition figures by words of mouth (Garba Shehu lambasting Sule Lamido); by negative policy citations (blacklisting INTEL Logistics), and by sheer intimidation (arrests of Governor Ayo Fayose’s key cabinet members).

    Once again, someone should remind President Muhammadu Buhari that politics is a “dirty game” and the president is already getting his hands soiled. Added to the midst of the growing halos hovering over President Buhari are the promises to dredge River Benue and fix the infrastructural deficiencies of the South-east before 2019.

    This whole farce is reminding everyone of the implausible promises of Robert Mugabe over a 37-year period. Really, the president should take a leaf from President Goodluck Jonathan and just let the opposition thrive and speak out; that is only how the masses would benefit.

     

    • Sunday Adole Jonah,

    FUT, Minna

  • A word for Oyo opposition parties

    SIR: A hundred men will only make an encampment; it takes a woman to make a home. Politicians in Nigeria are a funny lot; they have started the race for 2019 general elections. It is fine! However, it is difficult to ascertain the sincerity of their action on the electorate. We have had enough of chicaneries in the land. Unfulfilled promises and outright lies have continued to abate for many years. Hopes have been dashed; bridges have been built across the desserts.

    Electricity supply has been extended to the bottom of our rivers. Fake boreholes are all over the place. But the reality is that Nigerians lot is getting worse by the day – like abundance promised us is utopian.

    It is on the heels of all these that the coalition of opposition parties in Oyo State has been meeting and planning how to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2019. History teaches man but man has ever failed to learn from it. In 2015 and before, there was a similar situation but things fell apart in the PDP camp. It broke into many factions with many if not all forming or aligning with other political parties thereby rendering PDP and its candidates naked. They had lost the election before the election day.

    We do not need a political scientist to tell us that Accord, SDP and Labour parties were children of PDP in Oyo State. It was alleged that Satan, the invisible foe of man was the agent sent by the unknown forces to dismantle them.

    Now, what can the opposition parties do in order not to let history repeat itself?

    If a spell of dying in the forest is cast on a man, he should not go on a hunting expedition to avert it. Leaders of these opposition parties need to pocket their ambition if they truly want to occupy Government House, Agodi come 2019. If any of them takes a hard line posture, it is a failure “ab initio”. They should pray against the evil force that makes a man act contrary to the established norms. Truth never hurts its teller.

     

    • Olatunde Alao,

        Akata – Ogbomoso.