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Tag: partisan

  • ‘It’s dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan’

    The Primate of First African Church Mission (FACM), Reverend Sunday Oludare Matilukuro has said it is dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan.

    Speaking to The Nation in Lagos, Matilukuro described the present political dispensation as ‘tensed’.

    According to him: “I see present political dispensation as being tensed and full of desperation.

    “The leadership of the two major parties are key to the success of the parties but I see APC leader as being of more positive influence than that of PDP.”

    Matilukuro warned it is dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan because it would eventually take away their honour, dignity and respect.

    He said: “It will eventually be difficult to separate Christian leaders from these politicians.”

    He told The Nation that the church is playing its part in educating its members through sensitisation, saying members must not sell their votes or engage in thuggery and violence before, during and after elections.

    The Primate advised politicians to love Nigeria more rather than being self -centered.

    “They should not be too desperate for power. They should stop deceiving the electorate, but rather fear God and consider themselves as servants to the populace.

    “They should also seek to earn their income rather than turning governance to automated teller machine.”

    On the best way to resolve the challenges Christians are currently facing in northern parts of the country, he said: “We need intensive prayers and to exert pressure on government to take the issue of eradicating illiteracy and poverty very seriously.

    “When the almajiris are educated and well fed, they would no longer be available to be used by the ‘powers that be’.”

    While admitting the church like every other organisation the church had been with its challenges like dearth of funds, he revealed the church had been able to get every member more committed to the yearnings of the Church, thus gradually overcoming the challenge.

    He told The Nation that since he assumed the leadership position of the church, evangelism has been massive and aggressive.

    “The Church is breaking into new grounds in Nigeria and internationally.

    “Laudable projects like Prayer City, permanent site for our Theological School being prosecuted, coupled with manpower training, development and other empowerment programmes.”

  • Join partisan politics, Christians told

    Join partisan politics, Christians told

    Christians have been encouraged to get involved in grassroots politics for good governance in the nation.

    This was the consensus at a one-day seminar by the Ambassadors, an arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) devoted to raising Christian politicians.

    Chairman of the group, Comrade Michael Aderele, lamented Christians have ignorantly tagged those involved in partisan politics with one unpleasant name or the others for years.

    Noting many Christians dismiss politics as a dirty game, he, however, pointed out “whenever these dirt are swept, they are often parked at Christians doorsteps.

    “Whether we admit it or not, numerous Christians across the globe are victims of some of the ungodly or satanic policies.”

    The guest speaker, Tonye Cole, urged Christians to become card-carrying members of political parties for influence.

    “As a card-carrying member, your role goes beyond exercising a voting right on Election Day but you are expected to influence decisions at grassroots,” Cole said.

    The guest speaker encouraged Christians to come together as one body in ensuring they speak with one voice to win election. “We have to come together as one body of Christ to have impact and a voice in governance.”

    Chairman of Ofada-Mokoloki local government development council, Hon. Kudirat Balogun, said while she was about to run for the council position, she didn’t have money for registration.

    “I came to the church to pray and Daddy Adeboye said someone will get to a position in the council in this gathering and I immediately claim it that I was the one Daddy GO was talking to.

    “A week to the closing of the date, I had only N50,000 and I was to pay N250,000. Surprisingly, some friends gave me the money and here I am the chairperson of the council,” Balogun testified.

  • LASIEC boss to politicians: we’ll not be partisan

    LASIEC boss to politicians: we’ll not be partisan

    The Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd), has assured leaders of political parties that the commission will not be partisan in carrying out its responsibilities.

    Phillips gave the assurance while speaking at a Political Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the commission at the Central Business District, Ikeja, Lagos.

    She allayed the fears of politicians over the conduct of free, fair and credible elections into the local government and local council development areas of the state.

    “The commission will erase the wrong perception of some of you about its being partisan particularly from members of the opposition parties. We would therefore wish to place on record our avowed commitment towards ensuring that there is a level playing field for each and every participant and stakeholders in the forthcoming local government election, irrespective of the political divide and affiliations. The commission shall strictly adhere to best practices in election management and will not perform below the benchmark for excellence in electoral administration… we are aware of the fact that we as election managers and administrators must be fair and unbiased because perceptions in elections are critical issues which may make or mar any poll,” she said.

    Stressing that she would do everything to protect her integrity and reputation, Phillips urged the politicians not to heat up the polity.

    The political class, she said, has a major role to play in ensuring peaceful, orderly and successful conduct of elections, noting that the way the political parties and their members conduct their affairs directly impacts on the conduct of elections, positively or negatively.

    She stressed the need for stronger collaboration and cooperation between the key stakeholders and the commission for the entrenchment of democracy and sound democratic practices at the grassroots level.

  • Ohakim retires from partisan politics

    Ohakim retires from partisan politics

    •Ex-governor: I’m tired of Imo PDP’s circus

    Former Imo State governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ikedi Ohakim, yesterday announced his retirement from partisan politics.

    At an emotional gathering at his Okohia country home in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Ohakim said he was shocked by his numerous followers who gathered for a luncheon with him on hearing the news of his retirement from politics.

    The former governor said he took the decision because he could no longer condone what he called the brigandage in the state’s politics.

    Ohakim, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, said he kept the decision away from his policy associates because he did not want to be advised otherwise.

    He said: “People’s ambitions have been destroying our party in the state. I have decided to take steps backwards. I have decided to withdraw from all forms of partisan politics because I am too intelligent to be involved in the ongoing brigandage. In view of the current situation, I have come to the sad conclusion that I will no longer be able to be part of this circus in the political arena for the time being.  I am, therefore, by this statement, announcing my temporary withdrawal from active participation in partisan politics.

    “Let me quickly hasten to emphasise that there is nothing in this decision other than the need to have time to pursue other matters of terrestrial interest, outside partisan politics.

    “This is the fourth major decision I am taking in my political journey. I want to go on sabbatical and focus on mentoring young people and my non-governmental organisation (NGO). I am not asking any of my supporters to follow me. But if anyone chooses to follow me, he is welcome.”

    Ohakim assured his supporters that he might return with a bang someday.

    He added: “I will come back to play politics of ideas with those who are intelligent. I am coming back someday with a bang. But for now, I am quitting. I want to thank all of you for standing by me throughout my journey. But I can no longer continue until the system is sanitised.”

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu forgery case: AGF is partisan, says Senate

    Saraki, Ekweremadu forgery case: AGF is partisan, says Senate

    The Senate yesterday described Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) as partisan, in the forgery case he is prosecuting against Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in a statement accused Malami of having “personal and pecuniary interest in the case as he was a counsel to the aggrieved Senators who decided to externalise the issue of election of the leadership of the upper chamber of the National Assembly after they failed in their bid to get their preferred candidate elected.”

    Abdullahi described Malami as “the one who advised his clients to report the matter to the Police and now that he has become AGF, he decided to use his constitutional powers to pursue private interest by filing a criminal case in the FCT High Court against the subsisting ruling of a court of co-ordinate jurisdiction.”

    The statement added: “When the Senate invited the AGF to come and throw light on the forgery case, it was not to challenge his right to file, take over or discontinue any criminal case but for him to explain the issues of conflict of interest, abuse of office, disrespect of a subsisting order of  a court and violation of the principle of Separation of Powers which are being raised against him.

    “When his supporters jumped up and started abusing the Senate over the invitation, we know our position that an Attorney General and indeed any public officer for whose office public funds are appropriated can be invited by the Senate and the House of Representatives to explain certain issues, is on firm, constitutional ground.

    “That is in spite of the fact that the AGF is responsible to the President who appointed him.

    “It should be noted that Malami’s name is still on the list of lawyers defending Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and others in the Federal High Court.

    “We invite all Nigerians, including those shouting over whether it was right for the Senate to invite the AGF or not, to read the ruling of Justice Kolawole and conclude whether Malami is still fit to be AGF in a government which canvasses change and rule of law.

    “Our position as a law making chamber is that the Office of AGF is a sensitive and strategic one being the only other office in the executive arm apart from that of President and Vice President to which the constitution specifically assigns some roles and powers.

    “It must therefore be occupied by a sober, law abiding, brilliant, mature, broad-minded and less partisan lawyer.

    “Mr. Malami is yet to convince us with his handling of this case that he possesses these attributes.

    “We call on him to respect the ruling of the court and to redeem the integrity of his office.

    “In conclusion, the Senate is calling on all parties, Mr. Malami, the Attorney General inclusive, to heed the wise, timely and apt advice of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that “it is time to move on.”

    “Truly, Nigeria needs our collective energy to address the various challenges – notably increasing poverty, hunger, youth unemployment, general insecurity and kidnapping, among others – which are time bombs that we can only ignore at our own collective peril.”

  • Monarchs to Ngige: we’re not partisan

    The traditional rulers in Anambra North have debunked insinuations that they have endorsed candidates from the senatorial zone for the November 16 governorship election.

    The Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the area, Igwe Roland Madukolu Odegbo, spoke at the weekend when the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige, visited them.

    He is the traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area.

    The monarchs said they were supporting Senator Ngige.

    They told him that he had a right to aspire for the governorship, having shown his ability during his first tenure.

    Igwe Odebo, who distanced the traditional rulers from partisan politics, added that what the senatorial district wanted was assurance of genuine participation in the politics of the state.

    He said: “The talk about where the next governor should come from is mere politics. What an average Anambra indigene wants is a man of credibility, who has good intention for the state. Only such a man could take the state to the promised land.”

    Igwe Odebo said Anambra was an indivisible entity, adding that virtually every indigene had a genealogical link with the three senatorial zones.

    The monarchs acknowledged the achievements of Senator Ngige when he was a governor.

    They said he had proved to be the mouthpiece of Ndigbo and should not be treated with levity.

    Ngige told the 21 traditional rulers that he came to Nteje to inform them of his decision to contest the governorship election.

    He said he was contesting because Anambra State had not experienced development in the last seven years.

    Ngige said health, education and security had been neglected by the Governor Peter Obi administration.

  • Judicial officers urged to shun partisan politics

    THE Convener of the Concerned Benue Citizens Coalition (aka G10), Comrade Philip Agbese, has urged the Chief Jude, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, to check the activities of some judicial officers in the state.

    Agbese expressed concern over the forthcoming local government election in the state.

    He noted that the readiness of the State Electoral Commission (BESIEC) to conduct a free and fair election is no longer in doubt.

    The Convener said the activities of some judicial officers have become worrisome.

    Agbese added that unless the Judicial officers are checked, their activities can erode the confidence the people have in the nation’s democracy.

    He said: “The state of affairs in Benue State at the moment is quite commendable, considering the fearless and patriotic posture the State Independent Electoral Commission has maintained in the discharge of its duties in the forthcoming elections. But it is not yet uhuru, because we have to monitor them to ensure there is a free, fair and transparent contest that provides a level-playing field for all the actors.

    “Nevertheless, the activities of some judicial officers in the system tend to pose a great challenge to our democracy, if the Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, does not call them to order.

    “We at G10 are confident that His Lordship is going to call his men to order to accord all actors in the game the right to fair participation and the confidence to seek redress, where necessary.”

  • Olugbo urges traditional rulers not to be partisan

    THE Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, yesterday said traditional rulers should not be partisan.

    Besides, the monarch assured that the governorship election would go smoothly without hitches.

    Speaking to reporters in his palace, Oba Akinruntan said, “I decided to remain in my palace because as a royal father, all the governorship candidates are my children.

    ‘’There is no need of voting for any one among them, election comes and goes, Obas should not be partisan.

    ‘’I have been witnessing election in the country since 1963, it is better for traditional rulers to remain fathers of all without bias. I must satisfy everybody because they are all my sons, all my subjects have assured me that there would be no problem during this election, and I believe their words.’’

     

  • ‘Women Arise is partisan, should be de-accredited’

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is insisting that the accreditation of Women Arise to observe Saturday’s governorship election should be withdrawn because its impartiality is questionable.

    The party said despite attempts by the group’s President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, to present it as an impartial observer, there is no doubt that Women Arise is partial.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN said the vehemence with which Dr. Okei-Odumakin defended her group, even resorting to the use of an uncouth language, shows that “we hit the bull’s eye with our earlier statement.”

    ACN noted: “What we said in our earlier statement is that INEC, in its choice of which election observers to accredit, has exhibited gross partisanship in favour of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State for the following reasons: The Coalition of Democrats for Election Reforms (CODER) was de-accredited, apparently on the basis of alleged partisanship, and in its place, Women Arise was accredited. That Women Arise cannot be put up as neutral when its President is the wife of Yinka Odumakin, who has endorsed Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the LP, in addition to being a political associate of Pastor Tunde Bakare who has also endorsed Governor Mimiko.

    “We said Femi Aduwo of the Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), which has also been accredited to observe Saturday’s election, is a known supporter of Governor Mimiko of the LP. That RMG has been given 1,500 tags while other NGOs have been given only 100 each. That RMG plans to give its cards to LP thugs. That the Monitoring Unit of INEC, which is behind the shenanigans, colluded with a political party during the 2010 Anambra election and that the fake monitors were arrested and the matter is still in court.

    “We are therefore renewing our call on INEC to withdraw the accreditation of Women Arise and RMG, if the electoral body is serious about its intention to ensure that the Ondo State Governorship poll is not only free, fair and credible, but seen to be so.

    “We concede the rights of Pastor Bakare and Messrs Odumakin and Aduwo to support and endorse any candidate of their choice. However, you don’t need a sixth sense to realise that such a person, his or her spouse or friend cannot be appointed as an election monitor or observer.”

    The party said it will not respond to the personal attacks contained in the highly-defensive statement issued by an obviously-rattled Dr. Okei-Odumakin, because it (ACN) is known for dwelling on issues instead of personalities.

    It said, however, that Dr. Okei-Odumakin missed the point in her statement concerning whether her being the wife of a known supporter of Dr. Mimiko compromises her group’s impartiality as an observer in Saturday’s election.

    “Nobody is interested in who is the head of the Odumakin family or whether or not she calls the shot. The question is: Will the average person believe in her impartiality, given her husband’s open endorsement of Dr. Mimiko? Again, it is irrelevant whether Women Arise was appointed before or after CODER was de-accredited. The point is that CODER was de-accredited on the grounds of alleged partisanship and Women Arise is still on the list. We have not been told how INEC arrived at its conclusion over CODER’s partisanship, but we have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Women Arise and RMG cannot be perceived to be neutral.

    “Dr. Okei-Odumakin also asked whether ACN was not aware of her marital links when the party enlisted the support of her group to protest the injustice meted out to Justice Salami. The question to ask is: Was her NGO hired for the protest and how much was she paid for it?” ACN queried.