The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • Omisore’s ranting on Osun REC

    SIR: It was Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s propagandist-in-chief who made the infamous statement that “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it”.

    It is this same infamous path that Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP) in the August 9, election, has been threading, with his repeated call for the removal of Ambassador Rufus Akeju, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    He has been making this inane call since 2012 and has heightened it since he emerged the flag bearer of his party. The allegation is actually a two-in-one. The first is that Akeju is biased because, according to Omisore, he had a relationship with APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The second is that a court had ordered the removal of Akeju, which INEC refused to carry out, thus retaining him in flagrant disregard for the court.

    The unsaid implication of this allegation is that Akeju is an APC mole in Osun ready to do the bidding of the party with INEC’s tacit approval.

    Omisore in his characteristic recklessness threatened solemnly at his party secretariat in Osogbo that he would never allow Akeju to conduct the coming governorship election. How he would stop the election is still not known. He might as well have it in mind to violently disrupt the election and I hope the security agencies have taken note of this threat to the election and should call him for questioning. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. He could also have meant that he would crash Abuja’s power on INEC to have Akeju thrown away from Osogbo. Whatever is in the dark recesses of his mind, he did not mean well.

    However, the truth of the matter is that there is no subsisting court order on Akeju. PDP had gone to court and obtained an injunction against INEC for the conduct of the 2011 elections. Strangely, the same PDP went back to court ask for ‘stay of execution’. The judge, Babs Kuewumi, was alarmed, and told them pointedly that normally, it is the defendant whom judgement was awarded against, that seeks ‘stay of execution’ and not the plaintiff who won the relief he sought from the court. He then granted PDP the ‘stay of execution’.

    It is therefore the height of mendacity for Omisore to turn around to allege that INEC is disobeying court order. I ask again, which order?

    When the PDP at the meeting of political parties with INEC chairman in Osogbo asked for the removal of Akeju, Prof Attahiru Jega told them that they should bring credible evidence of Akeju’s bias or any allegation they might have against him. They have not done this; instead, they have continued on this Goebbelian path of repeating a lie so often with the false hope that people will believe it.

    Interestingly, the defeated Osun PDP candidates in the 2011 elections did not challenge their defeats. Even Omisore who was roundly thrashed and humiliated by his opponent, Senator Babajide Omoworare, even in his ward, did not challenge the result at the tribunal or the regular courts. Only Honourable Wole Oke went to the tribunal and the appeal court and came back empty-handed.

    Osun PDP did not boycott the elections conducted by Akeju and no election conducted by him has been upturned by any election petition tribunal, appeal court or the Supreme Court. What then is the basis of the vilification of this man by Omisore and his gang? Is he looking for the fall guy for his inexorable defeat in the coming election, as always?

    • Femi Igbayilola,

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • Kwara PDP plans five-point agenda for 2015

    Kwara PDP plans five-point agenda for 2015

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State said yesterday it will pursue a five-point agenda, if elected into office in 2015.

    The Chairman, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said this in Ilorin, the state capital, while presenting what he termed the “rebranded PDP” to reporters.

    He listed the agenda as education, agriculture, health, economic empowerment as well as rural and infrastructure development.

    Oyedepo called on other parties to eschew violence as critical stakeholders in the build up to the 2015 election saying his party shall subject programmes and policies to debate to get the best outcome.

    The PDP chairman said: “On April 16, a new PDP was born in Kwara State. The purpose of this briefing is to explain to the public the significance of the emergence of a new leadership for our party.

    “It should be clearly stated that the PDP in Kwara State is now fully democratic in all ramifications.

    “The great assignment of the rebranded PDP is to democratically capture political power in this state in the 2015 election. We are on a rescue mission and the vision is to provide good governance for the depressed and oppressed people of Kwara State.

    “We equally have a mission to use the instrument of government to provide a platform of unity, love, fairness and justice in the heterogeneous community of Kwara State.

    “The party shall have as its core values, integrity, honesty, character, selfless service and hard work. We know what is lacking in the present system that is unacceptable to all civilised societies. It is now that the people of Kwara State will know that the party is truly for the people.

    “A good number of experts in various fields of human endeavor are working on the domesticated manifesto of our party which shall address the REAL NEEDS of the people of Kwara State.

    “When the work on the document is ready and ratified by the leadership of the party, it will be presented to the public.”

  • ‘Fayose’s choice re-assures PDP of victory’

    ‘Fayose’s choice re-assures PDP of victory’

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Paul Alabi has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was determined to reclaim Ekiti State  as it had picked former Ekiti State governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose as its candidate.

    Alabi reportedly stated this when Fayose paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Ijesa Isu Ekiti during Fayose’s ward to ward campaign tour of Ikole Local Government Area of the state last Thursday.

    According to a press statement issued by Fayose’s spokesman, Mr Idowu Adelusi and made available to the press in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend, Alabi who welcomed the PDP candidate warmly said he remained a loyal and committed member of the PDP and as a disciplined party man he would support Fayose to win.

    Alabi said that Ekiti people are now regretting for allowing the All Progressive Congress (APC) to come to power because it did not profit them.

    While addressing the people of Ijesa Isu earlier, Fayose said the incoming PDP government will address the problem of unemployement, power and water supply in the state.

    He also promised to make primary health care the focus of his administration on heath, stressing, “ this area is critical.

    “There should be comprehensive health contres closer to the people in the interland which must be properly equipped with drugs and medical personnel.

     

  • Lamido’s presidential aspiration rattles Presidency, PDP

    Lamido’s presidential aspiration rattles Presidency, PDP

    •Obasanjo’s camp tables conditions

    The Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are contending with a fresh challenge following the renewed interest of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State in seeking the party’s 2015 presidential ticket.

    The Presidency is particularly upset by the development and is already pulling all strings to scuttle Lamido’s ambition.

    He is the only one so far who seems to be ready to vie for the ticket with President Goodluck Jonathan after many party faithful had taken it for granted that it would be only the President all the way.

    This development, the recent challenges and the 2015 polls, sources said yesterday, have forced President Jonathan and his strategists to now favour reconciliation with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for guidance.

    The Obasanjo camp is believed to have tabled conditions for reconciliation which appear difficult for Jonathan to meet.

    One of the conditions is the reinstatement of  Obasanjo’s loyalists  who have been   ‘persecuted’ out of office.

    These are former National Secretary of PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ex-National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Chief Segun Oni;  former National Auditor of the party, Chief Bode Mustapha; ex-DG of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe;  former DG of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr.  Yomi Bolarinwa; ex-Minister Bolaji Abdullahi (who once worked in Otta), and a former Minister of Education,  Ruqayyat Rufai, who was removed because of her loyalty to Obasanjo’s political son, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.

    Other conditions are the return of PDP structure in Southwest to Obasanjo and addressing the issues raised by the ex-President to Jonathan.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the Presidential Villa had been uncomfortable with the state of affairs and Obasanjo’s   ‘siddon look’ attitude since he wrote a ‘toxic’ letter to the President.

    It was gathered that the absence of Obasanjo at the World Economic Forum for Africa and the involvement of his wife in #Bring Back Our Girls protest in Abeokuta during the week have caused more upset for the presidency.

    In spite of global outcry, the government was said to be disturbed that Obasanjo has not commented   on the Boko Haram menace as he used to do in the past.

    The ex-President’s body language was assumed to be the abandonment of the President to his fate with political consequences in 2015.

    The Presidency is also jittery with the way Obasanjo’s loyalists have been romancing with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West.

    Only last week, Oni and his supporters in Ekiti defected to the APC.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “There is really disquiet in the Villa on ex-President Obasanjo’s bitterness and how to address it.

    “Although some eminent Nigerians have intervened, Obasanjo has not given fresh advice to the Presidency on how to move the nation forward and address insurgency in the country.

    “There is suspicion that Obasanjo might be up to a joker in 2015. This is why everyone believes Jonathan and his strategists still need to make peace with the ex-President.

    “The ongoing plans by Governor Sule Lamido for the presidential primaries of PDP is being seen as Obasanjo’s Plan B.”

    Another source said: “Some forces in the presidency favour genuine reconciliation with Obasanjo ahead of Jonathan’s declaration of intent for second term.

    “These forces believe that Obasanjo is still a beacon for Jonathan’s administration. There is no way his input won’t be useful to the nation.

    “They also think that the increasing opposition internally and externally against the Federal Government could be reduced if the government makes up with Obasanjo who is globally respected.”

    The National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu has  met with Obasanjo while more respected party leaders are also expected to l meet him soon.”

    But a source in Obasanjo’s camp said: “Baba is embittered about how some of his loyalists were hounded out of office. The sack of Oyinlola, Oni and Mustapha without deferring to him and in defiance of court order have made Obasanjo unhappy. He is demanding the reinstatement of most of these loyalists and associates for peace to reign.”

    Meanwhile, there is palpable tension within the PDP over the inability of its leadership to fully reconcile  President  Jonathan and the Jigawa governor.

    Sources say the Jigawa governor’s men are currently reaching out to party chieftains to consult them on Lamido’s renewed presidential ambition. The Nation also learnt that the Governor himself has informed some top party topnotch of his resolve to vie for the presidential ticket of the PDP during the next general election.

  • Are-Ekiti Pdp leaders assure Fayose of support

    Are-Ekiti Pdp leaders assure Fayose of support

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have reiterated their commitment to ensuring victory for the party’s governorship candidate in the June 21 election, Mr Ayo Fayose.

    The leaders described the last Thursday’s attack on PDP supporters in the town as brutish. He urged security agents to bring perpetrators of the attack to book.

    Rising from their meeting in Are-Ekiti, the party leaders in a communique signed by the Ward Chairman, Chief H. O. Owonifari and Secretary, Prince Adedayo Olajutemu, said the PDP would get maximum votes from the town.

    The Communique reads; “In 2003, the Kabiyesi Alare of Are-Ekiti went all out campaigning for Niyi Adebayo against Fayose. At the end of the day, Fayose got 1,200 votes from Are-Ekiti as against Niyi Adebayo’s 300 votes.

    “We are happy that the monarch again, openly joined Governor Kayode Fayemi’s campaign. We see this as a good omen because we foresee a repeat of 2003.

    “We therefore wish to appeal to our supporters to remain calm, in the face of sponsored attacks, bearing in mind that 80 per cent of the votes of Are-Ekiti belong to the PDP.”

  • Comment

    Comment

    For Olatunji Dare

    Fayemi’s performance would speak him for his second term despite the language of do or die affairs to intimidate him for the coming election. From Gordon Chika Nnorom 

    Mr Dare, I can see that you are an All Progressives Congress (APC) sympathiser. You can’t see anything bad in Fayemi’s government because you belong to them. Be it known to you that Fayose footprint is still in Ekiti. Try to be rational in your comment. Fayemi government has bad side too. From Femi, Ekiti.

    “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi. I have made your every Tuesday “AT HOME ABROAD” my breakfast, today’s Ekiti= “The PDP’s morbid obsession” must be read by all Ekiti ketes in around world because to be forwarned is to be armed. I have been expecting Mr Vice-President to deny it and he hasn’t, so he really meant what he said. no wonder Mr Adesiyan Jelili was made the Minister of Police Affairs while another South Westerner was made Minister of State of the Ministry of Defence. Is it another Boko Haram in the making in Ekiti and Osun states? From Pastor Oyeniyi Ajibola,Ayedun Ekiti.

    To me as a Free-born of Ekiti State, bringing out  Ayo Fayose again by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an embarasment and a big insult to any decent Ekiti man or woman. From Kayode Adu.

    Re-Ekiti: The PDP morbid obsession. Sir, being a Professor and an International Lecturer, I expected you to do a better analysis of Fayemi and Fayose. Perhaps Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and other gubernatorial candidates, their pros and cons rather than advertising the sitting governor for retention. We learnt intellectualism from you and your write-ups. You do not have to refer to a candidate as a ‘nonentity’ all in a way to drag him into mud. But who knows tomorrow? None. What will you write if he wins eventually? Rigging, already insinuated. There shouldn’t be foothold anywhere in today’s politics. That was the same page where all columnists promoted somebody in Ondo election of 20/10/2012 and ridiculed Mimiko’s achievement! Alas Mimiko won convincingly. Republicans win and Democrats win elsewhere at different times in U.S.A. Why regional-ethnic politics in 21st century. Peace for 21st June. From Lanre Oseni.

    A good article sir,it is time they start paying for their short comings. From Anonymous

    Dare, in Southwest political history, the Ekiti State bit is more tolerable than that of another where a Christian governorship aspirant from all indications had a visible chance of winning an election but was murdered in cold blood; a matter that has remained in the closet like that of an Attorney General of Federation of Southwest extraction. Politics, in Southwest after the political fathers’ pre-Independence period has lost decorum so much that service to the people, which is the true grain of political leadership, has been relegated to the background in exchange for self service. In some states, taxes are collected publicly by selected “boys” of the “masters”; without accountability to the state. Candidacy to even Senate Chamber, in some cases, was zoned unchallenged to the “master’s” wife. So, why limit blames to Ekiti? What of judicial compilicity in installing governors? Dare, we need God’s intervention.  From Lai Ashadele.  

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    I went through the article,’The road to Sambisa’ with a painful heart. The poor is always treated with contempt and disdain. God will arise to the rescue of the poor children. Those rented ‘mothers’, dressed in gifted robes were looking for food for their poor and helpless children. They are not sincere. A heartless and shameful outing. From Ubong Andy, Akwa Ibom.

    Thank you for keeping alive the abduction of the girls seeking to be educated. But we seem to have forgotten so soon those who died seeking to be employed. The organisers of the interview have smiled to the bank while thier sponsors are in thier offices. Can this happen in South Korea? From Anonymous

    The president himself created insecurity for himself all over Nigeria. He does give a damn, he pitches people agaist themselves. He plays politics of vengeance. A leader who does not consider the interest of his country first is always having problem.  The president felt unconcerned and went to Kano dancing while mothers were in the Sambisa forest searching for their abducted chilldren. President Jonathan caused problem for himself, he should face it. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

    I read your editorial of May 1st. Nigeria has survived and shall continue to survive all man made imposibilities on the Federal Governement and President Goodluck Jonathan! Because God’s hand is on the land the truth shall prevail at the end of the storm. The governor of Borno State owes a lot of explaination to the nation,likewise the principal of that school in Chibok. Its indeed a show of shame by the Borno women chasing shadows in Abuja instead of Borno and Kaduna headquarterts of the North! Or to the Sultanate where Islam is watching over the perpetrators of inhumanity to man in the name of Islamic religion.From Anonymous

    If it is true there was a rally in support of the President’s run in 2015, the show should be called worse than shame. The organisers are criminals and may be part of the Soka Ibadan criminals. Infact, the President if he has human feelings, should sack all his lieutenants singing his praises if any at the wrong times. From Foluso

    When nothing tangible is happening, shameful things happen, its just a matter of time.From Anonymous

    Sir, you are right. It is a show of shame, we should rescue the girls before  campaign and if government  fails then they should all quit . From Anonymous

    .Sir, If this country continues like this there will be war very soon.BOKO Haram is mixed up with retired members of armed forces of which the contry has been relegated. The cry of people who fought for this nation’s civil war and now neglected has caused a great harm untill those people are properly catered for war is on the way. The prayers of dead soldiers wives and their childrens will not let this country be in peace. From Anonymous

    “Re- Show of Shame in Abuja’’ Going by the attire worn by these women rallying for Jonathan it shows they are from the southern part of the country. Do they think Jonathan will retain the presidency with votes just from the southern part of the country ? I am not surprised anyway for the President himself behaves like the president of the Ijaws and not as the president of the entire nation. God bless Nigeria. From Anonymous

    Good day, your comment on editorial notebook today speaks my mind. Let us keep up the campaign  for the release of our daughters. May God save us from this inept government. From Leke, Minna

    Dear Gbenga, The road to Sambisa: It is with sadness, I comment on the  fate of missing Chibok school girls. I pray that God will touch the hearts of their abductors, and make dem release these innocent girls. Their situation reminds me of the days of Biafra, where the conquering Nigerian soldiers ‘captured’ innocent Ibo (Biafran) girls, and converted them, as their spoils of war and  wives, with no payment of dowry or consent of parents. No person in Nigeria, the government of the day, military command, not even the vociferous Human/Civil Rights and International community condemned the irreprehensible act. Today, 2014 Nigeria,  Boko Haram has re-enacted d same scenario. Lesson and moral story: what goes around, comes around, and those who fail to learn from history, repeat history!. Thanks. From Chukwuma Dioka. Owerri, Imo State.

    Sir, show of shame is gross under statement. It is the height of insensitivity, the organisers and participants are heartless, clearly the women amongst them are not mothers and will never be mothers, they are heartless. I feel so pained just like the President. My feelings have nothing to do with whether I like Mr. President or not. How much could they have been given to kill their sensibilities? What a time? Iweep for Nigeria. From Timi Owei

    The President Goodluck Jonathan campaigners are not just insensitive but God less and irresponsible. What it potends is that they don’t have respect for human life. I wish the abducted  girls were children of our lawmakers,appropriate action would have been taken to free them. From Anonymous

    I am so grieved  about those  “mothers“ who are  NOT mourning with those of us in grief.Are these ones mothers ,sisters or Aunts? Greedy and shameless people ! Also, unwise males joined them in the show of shame in Abuja. From Solomon.

    The greatest shameless thing that can be displayed by our leaders after all the innocent blood shed is for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest re-election in 2015. From Comrade Ibrahim

    Sir, come to think of it, since Boko Haram hits and run out through the border to neighbouring countries it is easy to get the countries to cooperate. The answer is close our borders while the search last. I do business with one of our neighbouring countries but for the 200 girls I will close my business. Thanks. From Anonymous

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Dear Tunji, your opinion today (Sunday) was very apt. It was ex-President Shehu Shagari who told the opposition parties of his time that ‘if you can’t beat us, join us’. I think for so long, organised Labour had complained about bad governance to no avail. I think that they have decided to heed Shagari’s call and joined “Any Government in Power (AGIP)! Thanks. From Chukwuma Dioka, Owerri, Imo State. 

    It is a pity that Nigerians have become slaves in their fatherland. Our leaders cannot speak boldly again because the ghost of their deeds is haunting them. The leadership of the NLC has become weak and redundant. It cannot fight for the masses again, but itself. They deceived us during the fuel subsidy. There are no convincing words coming out of the labour leaders; instead, they were showing us where they stood with the president. Emulate the comrade governor and stop … From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    He once told us that corruption is not Nigeria’s major problem. Now, he has said that poverty is not the country’s major challenge. I think Mr. Jonathan is right. Or, how could anyone fault him? On this, knowing quite well how he went to school bare-footed and suddenly found himself in a position where he could squander money? Did he not tell Nigerians in Kano how he doled out cash to get the presidency in 2011? How can a man under whose watch government officials keep stealing billions and moving freely, with the law appearing incapacitated know what poverty is all about? As far as I am concerned, Jonathan’s administration is one of the tragedies that have befallen Nigeria. This is why all lovers of democracy and good governance should ensure that it is banished from Aso Rock in 2015. From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, Abuja.

    The charge of docility against the present crop of Labour leaders ties with the insinuation that some Labour leaders of the recent past owe much of their personal wealth and political ascendancy to the exploitation of their positions while in office. While seemingly fighting fir the masses, some of these so-called activists are believed to have negotiated some underhand deals with government officials . Some are perceived as beneficiaries of the sleazy oil sector. Thankfully the inimitable comrade governor is still alive with some of his close associates to clear the air on what basically the perception of progressive corruption in the ranks of Labour leaders. From Kuteyi R.R., Ondo.

    It is very painful that the present NLC/TUC leadership are ‘sidon look’. Many things are going wrong and they are doing nothing; it is very unfortunate. They don’t have a fighting spirit against the backdrop of Nigerian workers’ welfare. They should have emulated the past leaders in terms of doggedness in fighting for workers’ wellbeing. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    Someone once observed that a staff of authority in a wise man’s hand is nothing more than a wood in the hand of a fool. No organisation can rise beyond the quality of its leadership. Labour has gone the way of everything Nigerian; standards have simply collapsed!. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    After reading your recent write-up about we Nigerians celebrating the outstanding growth of our economy, I felt so sad that due to politics and some other issues that relate to insecurity, such huge achievement like this seems to be under-reported, maybe especially by well-meaning Nigerians who have not given up, believing the caucus of ‘nothing good can come from Nigeria. In fact, I am surprised and glad reading your column instead of glancing through it. Maybe they are blind, except when there is casualty done by insurgents. From Styl-cef Ussr.  

  • Gunshots at Edo Assembly

    Gunshots at Edo Assembly

    •Leadership change looms

    Gunshots were heard yesterday in the Edo State House of Assembly , causing lawmakers and workers to scamper for safety.

    The shots were accidental discharge from the rifle of a police orderly attached to an unidentified lawmaker.

    It was gathered that the policeman was trying to hang his rifle and open the door for his principal at the same time.

    The lawmakers, however, adjourned till next week.

    An eyewitness said: “We were in our office when we heard the shots.

    “Some said they were fired by the police but others said it was thugs who had laid siege to the Assembly since Monday.”

    Suspected thugs were seen within the premises on Monday, following rumours of a possible leadership change, after the resignation of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Sources said Speaker Uyi Igbe is rallying support to save his job.

    Sources named lawmakers likely to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to include Friday Ogierhiakhi, Patrick Aisowieren, Jude Ise-Idehen, Abdulrasaq Momoh, Johnson Oghuma, Patrick Osayimen, Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea and Victor Edoror.

    The source said the Ize-Iyamu group is looking for one more lawmaker to make PDP majority in the House.

  • Will Wada complete his tenure?

    Will Wada complete his tenure?

    Kogi State Governor Idris Wada is counting days to the end of his tenure, his chance of completing the tenure still hangs in the balance. But the judgment in a suit filed against him will be delivered on May 12.

    Alhaji Mohammed Jamiu Audu, who contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the deputy governor, is asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the primaries that threw up Wada  as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),  candidate as illegal, null and void. Audu is claiming  that the PDP had no candidate in the election.

    Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati fixed the May 12 ruling date, after listening to arguments from lawyers to parties in the suit instituted by the politician.

    Named as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wada, Jibrin Isa Echocho, the PDP, former governor Abubakar Audu and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    It is the plaintiff’s main contention that the process leading to the conduct of the December 3, 2011 Kogi governorship election, from which Wada emerged as a major beneficiary, was allegedly manipulated by INEC in violation of the Electoral Act.

    The plaintiff, who said he participated in the ACNs primaries and emerged it’s deputy governorship candidate, Professor Yusufu Obaje,  prior to May 28, 2011, argued that he remained a legitimate candidate of the party, even when Obaje went to another party.

    Audu, who queried the legitimacy of the INEC’s decision to substitute him and Obaje with Abubakar Audu in the December 3, 2011 election, argued that the process that produced Wada as the PDP candidate  violated the Electoral Act.

    The plaintiff, who raised five questions for the court’s determination, wants the court to, among others, declare that he is the valid and legitimate winner of the election, and therefore, entitled to be sworn in as the governor.

    He also wants the court to order Wada to vacate office, and for the state’s Chief Judge to swear him into office immediately.

    He equally prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Wada from further parading himself as governor.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer, Mackings Nezianya, after adopting his final written address  argued his counter affidavit to the separate objections filed by INEC, Wada and PDP.

    In relation to the substantive suit, Nezianya urged the court to grant his client’s prayer and discountenance the counter – arguments by the defendants.

    He argued that  his client has the locus standi to institute the suit, adding that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case, in view of the provision of Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act.

    Nezianya urged the court to engage in a community reading of Sections 31, 33 and 87(9) of the Electoral Act before deciding the case.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer had, while responding to the defendants’ preliminary objections, argued that the case cited by Wada’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), were misconceived. He said they do not support the issue at stake in his suit.

    Relying on Order 26 Rule 3 of the Federal High Court’s Civil Procedure Rules, he urged the court to disregard the objections by the INEC and the PDP on the ground that they were incompetent, the defendants having failed to indicate any ground supporting their objection.

    Uche argued that the plaintiff lacked the  locus standi to institute the case on the ground that the plaintiff, not being a member of the PDP, cannot contest the process adopted by the PDP in choosing it’s candidate.

    He observed that Audu failed to sue his party, which allegedly substituted him with another candidate and under whose banner he contested the election.

    Wada’ lawyer also challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit. He argued that the suit related to post-election issues that could only be taken before the election tribunal.

    Consel  to INEC and PDP equally argued in similar manner and urged the court to dismiss the suit. Whichever way the pendulum will swing will be finally decided on May 12.

     

     

  • Why Ondo has not conducted LG elections -Mimiko

    Why Ondo has not conducted LG elections -Mimiko

    A case instituted by the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is before the Supreme Court is stalling the conduct of the local government elections in the State.

    The State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, made this disclosure at a workers’ forum held in Akure, the state capital.

    While giving an assurance that the LG election will be conducted as soon as the apex court delivers its judgment on the case, Mimiko added that the state government was doing everything possible to restructure the local government administration in the State.

    Stressing that the impact of workers on the economic growth of a nation cannot be underestimated, the governor further restated his commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

    He added, “We decided to make a deliberate investment in the development of our human capital, because of the magnitude of workers’ contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our nation.”

    He said the restructuring of the Public Service resulting in the appointment of Administrative Secretaries in the Local Government Service, Tutors-General in the teaching service with the status of Permanent Secretaries was a deliberate policy action to ensure stability in the various cadres in government service.

     

  • Chibok abducted girls: Rep, Southwest PDP women seek spiritual assistance

    Chibok abducted girls: Rep, Southwest PDP women seek spiritual assistance

    Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande, on Saturday led scores of female members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the six states in the South West geo-political zone to Ibadan where they offered prayers seeking for divine intervention for the immediate release of 234 Chibok girls who were abducted by insurgents about three weeks ago.

    They also prayed for those who lost their lives in the Friday’s second Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja.

    The parley, which was originally the fourth meeting called under the auspices of South West Women Forum (SWWF) of the women wing of the party under the leadership of Adeola Akande, saw the mothers uniting in prayers for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in waging a successful war against the insurgents.

    Not only that, the women who were later empowered by Adeola Akande with cash and material benefits as part of her on-going empowerment programmes, also prayed for the immediate release of 234 Chibok girls who were recently abducted by the insurgents.

    The lawmaker said, “As mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, we feel the pain of those affected and pray for the immediate release of the girls kidnapped. And on Nyanya blasts, I wish to call on all Nigerians to condemn all the perpetrators of these crimes against our nation. I pray God bring an end to the reign of terror in the land just as we want Him to grant the present administration victory over these enemies of our nation.”