The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Political parties

  • 2023: In defence of Fashola and Osinbajo

    Students of Nigerian political history concluded a long time ago that our crisis of nationhood, starting from the first republic, can be located within Nigeria’s dominant ethnic groups, their regionally-based political parties and their ethnic irredentist political leaders. Fifty-two years after the collapse of that republic as a result of the struggle by each of the dominant group to impose her values on the nation, not much has changed,

    The Yoruba, according to Professor Banji Akintoye by culture and world outlook, are natural federalists. Their new emergent political elite organized themselves into Afenifere (those who want for others what they want for themselves). Their leader came up with what he called ‘path to Nigerian freedom’, as solution to instabilities associated with multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies.

    Ignoring the warning of the departing colonial masters that ethnic groups in Nigeria are at different levels of cultural development, they tried to impose their values on the rest of the country with disastrous consequences.  Those whose freedom they sought confirmed their status by fighting like slaves during the July 1966 vengeance coup, through the civil war (1967-70) and since the beginning of the fourth republic when on accounts of crumbs, forgot their forbears’ uncompleted war which recently resurfaced with vengeance with some of their leaders now threatening a belated rebellion.

    In 2003, after almost 50 years of Afenifere’s failed battle for restructuring using the same strategy, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his Afenifere Renewal Group became convinced a new approach was needed  but not until they had retired their war-weary  fathers. In 2015, the group displaced the Igbos from their natural position of playing second fiddle to Hausa-Fulani. Unfortunately, Buhari has not been able to deliver on his promise of restructuring perhaps because as a civil war hero, he sees any attempt at restructuring as a threat to the unity he fought for or as many others have argued, suffers from Fulani mindset. After almost four years in government, Tinubu’s younger colleagues – Fashola and Osinbajo – are saying if the country is to be restructured for sustainable development, it has to be done with those who have faith in a restructured Nigeria occupying the driver’s seat.

    And their argument is unassailable. Democracy is nothing more than a process for winning election in order to acquire power. The Yoruba was a factor in Buhari’s success in 2015 after his three earlier failures, two of which his Igbo vice presidential candidates abandoned him in the courts to take appointments from the victorious party. They are now trying to impress it on their people that 2023 is for Yoruba to pick if they aid Buhari to win again in 2019 since Igbo would most likely give their block vote to Atiku’s PDP as they did for Jonathan in 2015.

    But both have come under vicious attack. The first salvo came from Afenifere’s spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin who challenged Osinbajo to show what he has done for the Yoruba during his four years in office. Odumakin seems to forget that the Yoruba do not want anything but good governance and government policies that will allow them do things for themselves. It is also a disservice to the Yoruba people that pride themselves over the right of individual to call God by their preferred names, that Odumakin is introducing a religious dimension by accusing Osinbajo of doing nothing “When they killed the Yoruba evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God under his nose in Abuja as vice-president”. Again, students of Nigerian politics know no one dictates to the Yoruba who won the June 12 battle without a shot, when to fight their wars.

    The spokesman for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okpaga says that “the 2023 Yoruba presidency is a plot presumably well-hatched and efforts are being exerted to win it successfully as dramatised in the public pronouncements earlier by Fashola and now the bleeding utterances of Osinbajo”. That in itself is also not an illegitimate ambition in a participatory democracy.  But he introduced a new dimension by adding: “The Igbo are the descendants of King David, the man after God’s heart. Anything you do in Nigeria without the active cooperation and participation of the lgbo would always crumble as exemplified in the present administration of PMB. The Igbo are to Nigeria what Israel is to the world today”. That is scary. The Israelis are descendant of a rebellious group that killed Jesus, their illustrious son and the messiah for chiding them against rebelliousness. They are today international outlaws.

    But a journey through memory actually shows that these two dominant ethnic groups do not want a restructured Nigeria but a Nigeria which Awo likened to a fattened cow held down while being milked by a few powerful people.

    For the core northern political elite, the dream of planting the sword in the sea by their grandfather is alive. They also share Ahmadu Bello’s 1953 vision that there should be no boundary adjustment in Nigeria since the middle belt including Ilorin where they planted emirs is their grandfather’s conquered territories. The 1999 military supervised constitution seem to support such an illusion.

    Let us also examine the following historical facts:  Zik reneged on earlier agreement with Awo to make state creation a precondition for independence during the 1957 independence London conference and in 1959, settled for governor-general when he had an option to be prime minister. After the January 1966 coup, Nwabueze was credited with drafting Ironsi’s Unification Decree 34. In 1967, Ojukwu’s soldiers, led by Brigadier Banjo, overran Midwest and chose Albert Okonkwo as military administrator against Banjo’s choice of a Midwesterner. In his 1967 letter to Banjo, Ojukwu said “you will have nothing to do with the military administrator in the Mid-West territory during your sojourn there prior to your move to the West; on the liberation of the Yoruba land, you will be appointed as the military governor of that territory. During the period of Biafra’s troops’ presence in your territory, all political measures, statements or decrees shall be subject to the approval, in writing, by myself or on my authority. Should our troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint a military administrator for the territory. Such an administrator will remain in office until a merger of that territory with Yoruba land is affected by Biafra troops.”

    In 1979, Zik chose to become the beautiful bride to Shehu Shagari with Ojukwu the warlord returning from exile to consolidate Igbo position in Shagari government. In 1993, Igbo’s leading lights, including Nwabueze who drafted the interim contraption decree sealed the fate of MKO Abiola and his June 12 mandate while Ojukwu became Abacha’s envoy to Europe where he hilariously told western leaders that Abiola could not be president on the basis of his many wives. In1998, they teamed up with their traditional rivals, Hausa/Fulani to impose an Obasanjo’s government in which they played leading role.

    Even if the two dominant ethnic groups have not betrayed the struggle for a federal arrangement that satisfies the legitimate demand for justice and fairness by Nigerian federating units, the quest by Fashola and Osinbajo for the Yoruba to be in the driver’s seat come 2023 is a legitimate ambition in a participatory democracy where power is not acquired by swearing on a false sense of entitlement, but through astute scheming and bargaining among critical groups.

     

  • Political parties, discipline and change 

    It  is interesting  indeed  that the President  of the Nigerian  senate  and some senators  have reportedly  attended in  the  US,  the  inauguration of  the   Strategy  for Africa session of the American  government. It  is a commendable  step in that it shows that  outside Aso  Rock  housing the  executive arm of government in Nigeria, the legislature too is very much interested  in Nigeria’s relations  with the leading democracy  in the world led  at this momentous  period  by  the leading catalyst  for disruptive  change in the world, US President  Donald Trump.

    Britain    also  weathered     the momentum  of change  this week as  the  British  PM  Theresa May  survived a No  Confidence  vote  of her party, the  Conservative  Party after  she had   wisely   postponed,  at the last  minute,  the  promised vote on Brexit  which she would predictably  have lost roundly  thereby   effectively  removing her  from office as PM . In   Germany  too  the wind    of  change  has literally  blown Chancellor Angela Merkel   aside  as she  has  been replaced  as her Party  leader by  another  lady who  is more  conservative  than  her  at least on the issue  of   same sex marriage  which  the new leader  has  outspokenly   said, on record, should be between a man  and a woman.

    Anyway,   it   is becoming apparent  in world  politics   today  that political  parties have  become  more dynamic in reacting to  socio political  changes  than ever  before. Since  Donald  Trump  emerged  as a political  neophyte  in the 2016  US presidential  elections in spite of   a   lack   of  support of  the  political  party leadership   of his  Republican  Party,   the  world  has not been  the same again . But  since Trump  got  to the White  House  his party  has  rallied  round  him.  Indeed  both           faith   and   party   loyalty      for him have  been    tested  especially  at the Senate  not  the least  by  the rancorous  Judge Kavernaugh Supreme  court  confirmation  hearings,    where the  Republican  Party  displayed  solid  party  solidarity and unflinching party  discipline  to  get  a narrow political  verdict  that reflected Republican  values  and virtues . It  is in that  light that  one can look at    the  visit  of  the Nigerian senators to the US to  watch  the launch of the US Africa  Strategy,  especially  with  the kind  of  bag  and baggage   the Nigerian  senators carried to the US in  terms  of party  discipline  and political  changes  taking place  in the Nigerian  political  establishment  and environment.

    Let  me confess  that  I have always thought  that  the problems of the Nigerian  political  system  stemmed   from our  abandonment of   parliamentary  system  of  government  handed down  to  us  by  Britain, our colonial  master  and the adoption of the  expensive  Presidential  system of  governance  under  a  military  government. The  debate  on Brexit in the British  Parliament that  I  watched  this  week  has certainly  changed all that. While  I was impressed  by  the quality of argument  for  a hard, soft,  bitter  or  no deal  Brexit   I was appalled     by  the  way  and  manner  that the  opposition MPs  and  the dissident Tories attacked  the deal  on the  floor of the House leading to an  MP  seizing  the mace on one occasion  before   it was  returned by another MP. Of  course  the Speaker  was helpless  and speechless momentarily,  before thanking the MP who  brought the mace back  and reprimanding the  naughty   MP.  Even  the venom in the Opposition leader  Jeremy  Corbyn’s speeches at  the debate showed  a fierce opposition to  the PM’s Brexit  Deal  that  was almost  a personal  attack.  British   Parliamentary   democracy   as    I was  taught  is    based  on the majority  having its way  while  the while   the minority    must    have  its say. The   Labor  Party  at  that  debate  was   not  only contented    with  having   its  say ,   expected   of the opposition   or minority, the  party   leader   wanted to bring down  the PM on the   Brexit   Parliamentary  debate     He  confirmed  his   anarchistic    disposition  by  calling the postponement of the vote  on Brexit   as  unacceptable  as  if  it  was illegal  when  it  was just  a survival  political   strategy   cleverly   executed  by the   embattled  PM.

    However the  only  silver  lining in the Brexit   debate  in  Parliament was  the persistence  and doggedness  of the British  PM in sticking to her guns  throughout  and not  losing composure  inspite of  taunts and provocative  jabs  at  her Brexit  deal  even  from   her  party  . On  that account  she  can  be tagged the’ Iron Lady ‘  like Margaret Thatcher  was once  admirably  described  and as  the German  Chancellor Angela  Merkel  was called  before  she allowed a floodgate of over a million migrants fleeing  war in the  Middle  East  into Germany in 2015. This  earned  Angela  Merkel  the eternal  enmity  of  both  conservatives in   her Christian  party  and opposition and coalition   partners  alike.  Even  though  Theresa  May  survived  the No  Confidence  vote  she  has offered not to present herself  for  any leadership role of her  party  in the next  election. But  she has shown  clearly   that  even  when party  discipline breaks  down,  a leader  must  be firm  and rally  the party  around  the decision  of  the electorate  thereby    guaranteeing  the integrity  of the electoral  process and democracy . Which  really  was   why  she has stood  so  firmly  and boldly against another    referendum  after  the British  people  have voted  to leave the EU  . In  the end  I think  history  and indeed  posterity  will  not  judge  her  very  harshly  as her opponents have  breezily   and   so  contemptuously  alleged.

    On  the visit  of the  Nigerian  Senate  President  to the US  it  is apparent  that the visit is a  window  dressing to  show  the US that  the Nigerian  senate  is up  and doing in terms of its legislative responsibilities  and  law  making. But  the senate  should be doing more  to promote a politics of principle  that  value  party  discipline  more  than habitual  defections which is the vogue nowadays.  That  is why  as at last  count it   was   difficult, according to observers  to know which  has  a majority  between  the two    leading parties in the  Nigerian  senate.  More awkwardly   the US embassy  in  Lagos    may  be asked  by  the State Department in Washington  to  confirm  the present parties  of  the visiting   senators  and  to  ensure  that  defections  did  not take place enroute  to  the Africa  Strategy  launch  of the Trump  Administration.  One   thing is very  clear   however   on the American  Africa Strategy. This   is that   US President   Donald  Trump    will  not interfere in African  affairs  like his predecessors.  This  is because     he said  at  the UN  General  Assembly  this year that if other  nations including  African  nations  put their nations first  like his America First  policy  then  there  would  be no  need to go cap in hand  begging for aid  from other  nations.  Which  is another way  of a developing nations to put their  houses in order in terms of  leadership,  morals and accountability. More  importantly   US Africa Strategy  under Trump  will  definitely  not  ask other  nations  especially  African nations like Nigeria who  have anti  gay  laws  to repeal  such laws if they want American economic aid,  like the  Obama  Administration  did,   ever   so  disrespectfully, during his  tenure.  Once  again  long live the  Federal  Republic  of  Nigeria.

  • INEC must whittle down political parties, says first female SAN

    Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief ‘Folake Solanke, says having 91 political parties is unhealthy for democracy.

    She called for a review of Section 222 of the Electoral Act, and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do something to weed out the political parties to a minimum.

    Solanke spoke in Lagos on Friday at a colloquium to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a law firm, Kenna Partners, where she was chairperson.

    The colloquium’s theme was, ‘Footprints in law and society, towards a paradigm shift.’

    Read also: INEC must whittle down political parties, says first female SAN

    Solanke said: “Something must be done so that they weed the political parties to a minimum.

    “In the United States of America, there are two political parties but in Nigeria, 91 political parties; out of the 91, 80 of them want to be President. So, something is wrong with our Electoral Act; we must go and look at Section 222 and do something about it.”

    The anniversary lecturer, Justice Amina Augie of the Supreme Court, identified the amended Section 285 of the constitution, which stipulates that election petition must be determined in 180 days, as “one of the  extraordinary footprints in Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.”

    Justice Augie stressed that accountability was foundational to good governance, adding that political office holders must build institutions.

    One of the panelists, Mr Damian Dodo (SAN), called for a review of the academic requirement for becoming a legislator.

     

  • 2019: We’re monitoring campaign closely – INEC

    …Expresses satisfaction so far

    ..Vow to arrest, prosecute perpetrator of Kwara violence

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has said that it is closely monitoring the ongoing campaign by various political parties and candidates ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The Campaign for the 2019 Presidential election officially commenced on Sunday 13 November 2018 as provided for by the Electoral Act.

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure Wednesday during the meeting of INEC management team with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 26 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Read Also:INEC Chair to Nigerians: we ‘ll conduct credible poll

    Yakubu in his opening remark said the commission was happy with the trend of the campaign, which has been on policies rather than personalities; hoping that the trend will continue that way.

    “The Commission is committed to closely monitoring the campaigns pursuant to our statutory mandate and to ensure compliance with the extant laws and regulations. We are pleased that the focus in the last few days since the commencement of the campaigns has been on policies rather than personalities. We sincerely hope it remains this way,” he said.

    The INEC boss who also used the opportunity to react to the Kwara state bye-election at the weekend, said vowed that the commission will arrest and prosecute those involved in the attack on its staff and destruction of electoral materials in the Kwara state at the weekend.

    Yakubu also said the commission will work with the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

    He said: “On a sad note, the Commission lost four (4) members of staff in Kogi State and one (1) in Edo State to road accidents last week. Similarly, two (2) of our staff survived road accidents in Katsina State during the bye-election last weekend and one (1) election duty staff suffered a head injury following attack by hoodlums who destroyed election materials at a polling unit in Kwara State.

    “We are deeply saddened by these incidents. While we pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and wish the injured a speedy recovery, we will work with the security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack on our staff and vandalisation of election materials. ”

    Speaking on the window for political parties to substitute their candidates ahead of the 2019 elections, Yakubu said, “For Governorship and State Assembly elections, the submission of nomination forms closed on 2nd November 2018 while the last day for substitution and withdrawal of candidates is 1th December 2018.”

    He also reiterated that the Area Council elections in FCT will hold on March 2, 2019, along with the governorship and state Assembly elections.

    He also disclosed that the list of candidates for elections will be published in its Federal Capital Territory office and also at the six Area Councils on Wednesday, 21st November, 2018.

    Speaking on the meeting with RECs he said the meeting will provide opportunity for the electoral body to review the progress on collection of outstanding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said, “At today’s meeting, we will also discuss with the RECs the progress made on the collection of outstanding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by citizens as well as new modalities for a more efficient administration of the collection process. Similarly, the meeting will consider the recruitment and training of election duty staff, discuss the on-going review of the framework for voting by Internally Displaced Persons (lDPs), explore additional assistive measures in support of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process, examine additional ways to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot against the menace of vote-buying at polling units, appraise issues relating to electoral logistics and generally assess facilities and preparations for the General Election. “

  • Osun 2018: Group tasks political parties on financial reports

    A faith-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Justice, Development And Peace Makers’ Centre (JDPMC), in partnership with the International Foundation For Electoral Systems (IFES), has called on all political parties that participated in the just concluded Osun governorship election to submit their audited reports on campaign finances to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before or by next March.

    Addressing reporters at a press briefing in Osogbo, the state capital, the General Coordinator of the JDPMC, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi, said the political parties are also expected to publish the reports in at least two national dailies in compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act of 2010, as amended. He further disclosed that the INEC is expected to make copies of the financial reports of the political parties available to the public as required by the provisions of section 93 of the Electoral Acts.

    Akinkunmi, who advised the INEC in collaboration with other regulatory agencies to ensure any political party that fails to comply is sanctioned, disclosed that all political parties in 2015 general elections failed to submit their financial report six months after the exercise. He lamented that the INEC has not initiated any legal action against defaulting political parties in the past elections.

    Akinkunmi also disclosed that the JPDMC ‘s findings include tracking of all political activities such as rallies, expenses on posters and bill boards, branded campaign vehicles and media engagement by three political parties in the poll, the ruling All Progressives Congress, the People’s Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party, across the 30 local governments of the state for three months, spanning the beginning of their campaigns up to the rerun election on September 27. According to him, the findings revealed that the APC spent N969,516,000 million, the PDP expended N597,678,000 and the SDP incurred N349,707,000.

     

  • Party primaries: matters arising

    Primaries by political parties for the forthcoming national elections have come and gone. But they left in their wake sour issues with wide repercussions for the growth and development of virile democratic culture.

    Even as the time frame for the conclusion of the primaries has since elapsed, the fallouts are yet to be conclusively resolved in some states. Reports from across the country beginning with the congresses of the parties during which they elected officers at the ward, local government, state and national levels spoke of impositions that denied ordinary members the right to partake in that basic civic duty.

    If reports of imposition at the level of the earlier congresses were minimal, that of the primaries was another thing all together. For parties using the indirect primary approach, card carrying members at the ward levels were expected to elect ad hoc delegates who will subsequently elect their candidates for the state houses of assembly, House of Representatives and governorship. But ad hoc delegates elected at the local government levels were to participate together with their statutory counterparts in the election of their presidential candidates at the parties’ conventions. But those using the direct approach required all card carrying members to vote at the primaries.

    The guiding principle is to actively involve the people who are the real owners of the parties in the running of their (parties) affairs and decisions as to the choice of those to represent them. Ordinarily referred to as internal democracy, it is a cardinal principle that stands out and gives value to democracy against other forms of governance framework.

    It also bears positive correlation with the social contract theory account of the evolution of modern democratic states. This theory conceives ultimate sovereignty as the prerogative of the people. It is this cardinal principle that is at test each time elections come up either in the form of congresses for the election of party officers at the various levels, primaries and conventions and general elections.

    Congresses, primaries and conventions therefore serve as the basic tests to gauge the commitment by political parties to the rights of their members to elect their leaders in a free, fair and transparent manner. It is also a measure of the level of respect political parties have for the sovereignty of the people as freely expressed at the ballot box.

    Whatever tendencies and dispositions parties exude at these basic levels of testing their capacity to allow the collective will of the people free reign are extrapolated as veritable signposts of what to expect at general elections. It can therefore be safely said that the extent to which political parties are committed to internal democracy mirrors their dispositions to free, fair and credible electoral contests.

    It is against this background that one is alarmed at the sordid outcome of the just concluded primaries of our leading political parties. The tone of events appeared to have been set with the controversy that embroiled the mode of primaries to be adopted by the parties. At the end of the bickering, the All Progressives Congress APC settled for both the direct and the indirect variants depending on the circumstance of each state. But the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and some others settle for the indirect option.

    Both options have things going for them. Their capacities to approximate the collective will of party members are not in doubt provided the rules of free and fair contest are neither abridged nor compromised. Ironically, the outcome of those primaries did not bear this optimism out. In many states across the country, imposition of candidates and impunity reigned supreme as party members were denied the right to elect their preferred candidates.

    Though the two leading parties: the APC and PDP are culpable in this, the malfeasance is more prevalent within the APC probably because it is the government in power. But some other smaller political parties especially those controlling one or two states are also in this mess. The case of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA in Imo State stands out distinctly. It has generated allegations of imposition among contestants for the governorship primaries threatening to tear the party apart.

    In Lagos, PDP members in the Alimosho local government area have protested alleged imposition of House of Representatives and state house of assembly candidates. They alleged that the state executive handpicked the candidates without holding any primary in the local government area.

    And in Zamfara, friction, bickering and threats of violence prevented the APC from holding the primaries. The national leadership of the party is locked in bickering with INEC which has written the party foreclosing its right to field candidates for any election in the state except the presidential poll. INEC letter stemmed from the inability of the party to conduct primaries in the state within the stipulated timeframe in keeping with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    But the APC citing threats of violence and friction among groups within the party claimed it later adopted the consensus option to generate a list of candidates it intends to forward to the electoral body. We are not as much concerned with the issues being traded by both parties as the fact of the APC’s admission that threats of violence, disagreement and friction debarred the primaries from holding.

    Zamfara is not alone in this. There were reports of three deaths in Ebonyi State when contending groups clashed at the primaries. These are in addition to the many unreported cases of violence and threats of it as the political parties filed out for their primaries. What all these go to underscore and very succinctly too is the fact that the primaries failed the true test of internal democracy in many parts of the country.

    And this is very unfortunate. If primaries which are internal affairs of the parties are that rancorous and lethal, one shudders at the likely turn of events at the general elections. Those who secured their candidacy by bending the rules will go at any length during general elections to win at all costs. Such negative dispositions will only heat up the political landscape and invariably produce outcomes that threaten the democratic foundation of the country.

    It is a sad commentary that political parties failed to allow free and fair electoral contest to hold sway at their primaries. The enormity of imposition and subversion of rules of the game, so much disappointed the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari that she publicly deprecated the processes employed during the primaries by the APC.

    Hear her: “it is very disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard earned money to purchase nomination forms; got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously, yet found their names omitted on election day. Many others contested and yet had their results delayed fully knowing that automatic tickets have been given to other people”.

    Mrs Buhari’s predicament mirrors vividly some of the imperfections of the primaries conducted by the parties. Imposition resulting in crises may have been more noticeable within the APC for very obvious reasons but it is not limited to that party. The PDP has been beating its chest celebrating its organizational prowess at its convention in Port Harcourt. Yes, the organization met the criteria for free and fair conduct. But that is not all there was to it.

    During the conduct of its primaries to elect ad hoc delegates, allegations of imposition and substitution of names with preferred persons at the national headquarters of the party were also freely traded.  That was in addition to the fact that delegates’ elections were not even held in many areas even as lists were generated by those very close to the party leadership. All these cast some slur on the final outcome of the convention for its abridgment of internal democracy.

    If democracy must survive in this country, the primacy of internal democracy in the conduct of party affairs must be upheld. And if these dysfunctional attitudinal dispositions are allowed to hold sway, they will inexorably lead to outcomes of catastrophic effect during general elections. That is the foreboding danger.

  • Mixed feelings as parties pick governorship candidates

    Political parties are picking their governorship candidates across the states for next year’s election. The Nation reports that leaders of the parties should brace to manage post-primary crisis going by the results from some of the states

    The race to Government Houses in states began yesterday with political parties staging shadow polls to pick their standard bearers in the governorship election scheduled for early next year.

    Some candidates of the two major parties – All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – emerged at the close of the primaries in some states yesterday. The exercise is rescheduled for today in some APC states.

    The exercise, organised by both parties, was marred by complaints as aspirants alleged manipulations by some powerful elements. In some states, factions held parallel primaries, resulting to the emergence of multiple candidates under the same umbrella.

    The results of the shadow are captured in this report.

     

    El-Rufai emerges in Kaduna

     

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday returned unopposed after polling 2,427 votes out of 2,457 to emerge APC governorship candidate for the 2019 general elections.

    The PDP primaries at the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex was ongoing as at the time of filing this report, as only five out of the 23 local government areas in the state had voted as at 8:00pm.

    Announcing the APC primaries result at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall of Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, Chairman of the electoral committee the state, Mathew Idoriyekemwem, said 2,457 out of 3,200 delegates from the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State voted in the primaries.

    He said: “We have a total of 30 invalid votes, and 2,427 votes for the only aspirant who remain the candidate of APC for the governorship election of Kaduna State. We hereby return as elected as gubernatorial candidate of APC, Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

    El-Rufai, in his acceptance speech, said he accepted the nomination as a vote of confidence of the delegates in him. He promised to use the mandate of the delegates to work towards the greatness of the state.

    The governor called on the delegates, party members and leaders of the party to support him in the race to win the 2019 gubernatorial election, saying that, “we have traveled far together since July 2013, we have worked together but the journey ahead is still long and rough.

    “It’s with delight and humility that I accept your nomination as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. I accept this nomination as your vote of confidence to continue the work. I use my acceptance of your nomination as a mandate not to relent but to continue to work for the greatness of Kaduna state.”

    At the PDP primary, nine aspirants were slugging it out for the PDP ticket.

    One of the aspirants, Alhaji Ja’afaru Sa’ad had on the floor of the primaries after two local government areas had withdrawn from the contest.

     

    Ribadu withdraws from race in Adamawa

     

    A former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday withdrew from the APC governorship primary in Adamawa State.

    He said he had raised the alarm since May that the party congresses were hijacked and nothing was done to correct the anomalies.

    Ribadu expressed regrets that while many APC members wanted direct primaries in the state, the party opted for indirect primaries.

    He said he was under no illusion of a fair contest in the hands of those so-called party officials.

    But Ribadu assured that he would remain in APC, and continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s good works and his candidature as product of direct primaries.

    His withdrawal was contained in a statement by the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation’s Director-General Mallam Salihu Bawuro.

     

    Makinde wins Oyo PDP ticket

     

    Frontline aspirant Seyi Makinde yesterday clinched Oyo PDP ticket.

    He defeated his only opponent Senator Ayoade Ademola Adeseun by winning 2772 votes to his rival’s 21 votes

    Senator Adeseun before the commencement of the primary alleged foul play against Makinde and called for the cancelation of the process.

    After announcing his partial withdrawal from the race, Senator Adeseun led his supporters out of the venue

    The screening for the delegates was ongoing when Adeseun’s supporters suspected alleged irregularities in the delegates’ list and engaged the Makinde camp in a shouting match.

    Adeseun called the attention of the PDP National officers to the development

    He said: “It may interest you to know that even in my local government, 56 names were fraudulently inserted into the delegates’ list.

    He left the mainbowl of the Obafami Awolowo Stadium around 1:38pm with his convoy.

     

    Kwara PDP primary ends in fiasco

    • Governor whisked away as ex-minister pulls out

     

    The PDP governorship primary in Kwara State ended in deadlock yesterday.

    The shadow poll was peacefully going on when a lady from Asa local government area disrupted the process.

    Before her action, delegates from two local areas had already cast their votes as at about 7.30pm.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed failed in his bid to calm frayed nerves. The governor was hurriedly whisked away from the venue.

    It was gathered that Senate President Bukola Saraki, who did not attend the primary, met with the aspirants on Saturday and appealed to them to step down for Rasak Atunwa, a member of the House of Representatives, who is his favourite.

    Before the commencement of voting, House of Assembly Speaker Ali Ahmad withdrew from the race.

    Delegates hurriedly departed the venue of the event after the pandemonium.

    Former National Planning Minister Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, one of the contestants said he might not participate in the reschedule primary because “it is not likely to be fair.”

     

    Adelabu gets Oyo APC ticket

    • Akintola quits partisan politics

     

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Adebayo Adelabu yesterday emerged the APC candidate for the 2019 election.

    All the aspirants stepped down from the race leaving the ticket for him.

    But voting took place because some of the aspirants like former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala were said not to have withdrawn officially.

    The last aspirant to pull out, Mr Niyi Akintola (SAN) delayed his exit from the race until he was prevailed upon by APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Akintola subsequently withdrew from partisan politics.

    Three out of the seven aspirants shortlisted for the governorship primary had earlier stepped down at the primary held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadanand attended by thousands of the party supporters from across the state. Security was tight.

    Those who initially stepped down from the race before the contest include, Joseph Tegbe, Dr Owolabi Babalola and Dr Olusola Ayandele.

    Ex-Governor Alao-Akala on Saturday said he would not attend the primary while former commissioner of health Dr Azeez Adeduntan earlier withdrew.

    After about three local government had voted at the primary which started at about 5pm, Akintola later approached the chairman of the primary electioncommittee, Prince Demola Seriki, to announce his withdrawal from the contest.

    Akintola, who spoke in an emotional tone, said the decision to withdraw from the contest was against his wish and that of his immediate family, but had to accede to the plea and request by Tinubu, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Iyalode of Ibadan Aminat Abiodun, who spoke with him to step down from the contest.

     

    Ayade gets the nod in Cross River

     

    It was a walk over for Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State.  He emerged the governorship candidate of the PDP for next year’s governorship election.

    Ayade, who was the sole aspirant, garnered 1927 votes in the primary election that involved delegates from the 18 local government areas at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, venue of the shadow poll.

    2001 delegates where accredited for the exercise with 10 voided votes.

    Speaking moments after the result was announced, Ayade attributed the outcome to the will of God.

    He said: “This purely the will of God. You can see the overwhelming acceptance from the people through my party and I’m happy that my people can appreciate my little effort so far in transforming the socio-economic landscape of the state.

    “I came with the mission to restructure the economy of the state. The outcome of the exercise is clearly an endorsement of what I had started. I want to assure Cross Riverians that I am poised to complete the economic restructu”ring of the state.

    “Everyone is so enthusiastic to participate in the primary to reelect me and I can only say that, it’s God’s will. One thing you must know is that, the people have only come here to vote according their conscious in spite of the fact that I am the only aspirant for the election.”

     

    Ugwuanyi emerges unopposed

     

    Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had no challenger in the PDP governorship primary that held yesterday in Enugu, the state capital.

    He got the nod to fly the party’s flag next year, not without the due process as delegates from the 17 local councils were cast their votes on the insistence of election committee chairman Senator Ambuno Zik.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who introduced Ugwuanyi to the teeming delegates said: “This is the first time since 1999 we are having a single aspirant in our primary. The aspirant achieved this by weaving all camps together and ushering in peace.”

     

    Emmanuel unopposed in Akwa Ibom

     

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday returned unopposed as the PDP candidate.

    Chairman of the party Obong Paul Ekpo and other stakeholders said the governor was unanimously returned by the delegates.

    Akwa Ibom State PDP congress committee chairman and Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose communicated the decision.

    The governor promised to “continue to be your Servant-Leader, providing development that is both immediate and sustainable, ensuring that we continue to enjoy peace and security in this State and to use our commonwealth to advance the interest of our people.”

     

    Ekere leads peaceful shadow poll

     

    The APC governorship primary in Akwa Ibom was generally peaceful despite reports of late arrival of election materials.

    Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang told reporters that election materials arrived the state party headquarters late on Saturday night.

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Dr Nsima Ekere looked good to get the ticket.

    At the end of the voting at about 5pm yesterday, Ekere had already won in most of the wards.

    He defeated other aspirants, including, former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, former NDDC Managing Director Dr Edet Efretuei and Sir Bassey Dan-Abia.

     

    It‘s Dan Iya for PDP in Sokoto

     

    The last minute’s withdraw  of Prof Hamza Maishanu from the governorship race on PDP’s platform Prof Hamza Maishanu Yabo paved the way for the emergence of Muhammad Dan Iya as the party’s standard bearer at its primaries.

    The professor had at the weekend announced his withdrawal from the race.  Dan Iyaý who emerged unopposed was affirmed at the exercise which was conducted at Giginya Township Stadium, Sokoto. However, the delegates who participated in the process leading to affirmation of the candidature were drawn from 23 councils in the state.

    Declaring the results, primaries election committee chairman Ambassador Bashir Yuguda described the exercise as smooth, successful and credible in accordance with the constitutional provisions of the party.

    He said that 4,175 out of the 4,976 delegates who participated in the primaries voted for the aspirant who emerged as the standard flag bearer of the party.

    Yuguda acknowledged the collective efforts of party members as well expressed appreciation to the LOC for the peaceful, transparent and purposeful success of the exercise and hoped that same will be reflected at the polls for the victory of the party come 2019.

     

    Polls hold today in Lagos, Imo, Abia, Zamfara, Ogun, Bauchi, Cross River

     

    The governorship primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos, Imo, Abia, Zamfara, Ogun and Bauchi and Cross River states will hold today. The party shifted the shadow polls in some of the states due to logistics, and due to non-arrival of the election committee from the National Headquarters in Abuja in other states.

    Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary Malam Shehu Isa, announced the shift of the shadow poll in Gusau yesterday.

    The State Police Command appealed to stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and abide by security measures during the primaries.

    Commissioner of Police Usman Belel made the call at a security stakeholders meeting in Gusau, Public Relations Officer of the Command, Muhammad Shehu, a Superintendent of Police, said in a statement yesterday.

    Shehu said the meeting was attended by heads of security agencies in the state, officials from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC governorship aspirants.

    He said: “The meeting was aimed at taking proactive security measures for effective security coverage before, during and after the APC governorship primaries in the state.’’

     

    Rivers APC faction announces Abe winner  in Rivers

     

    Senator Magnus Abe has been declared winner of the direct primary for the 2019 Governorship election conducted by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Rivers.

    The result was announced by Dr Sam Eligwe, the Returning Officer for the faction at the  secretariat controlled by the faction in Port Harcourt.

    According to Eligwe,  Abe won with 144,929 votes..

    Chief  Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who polled 3,444 votes, came a distant second while Dr. Dawari George scored 1606 and Dr Tonye Cole got 882 votes in the results announced.

     

    Ishaku is PDP standard bearer in Taraba

     

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday emerged as the PDP candidate. Chairman of the governorship primary election committee and former Kogi State governor Idris Wada, declared Ishaku winner at the end of voting by delegates.

    Wada explained that 1,928 of the 2,000 accredited delegates for the primaries voted for Ishaku, who was the party’s sole aspirant.

    Commending the delegates for their peaceful conduct Wada said: “I want to commend you all the delegates to this election for your peaceful and orderly conduct.”

    Reacting to the victory, Ishaku thanked the PDP family in the state for the confidence repose in him and pledged to redouble his efforts at developing the state if re-elected at the general elections.

    “It is not easy to be a sole aspirant for governorship in a party like PDP, but because of the confidence you have in me, it has happened,” the governor said.

    Taraba PDP Chairman Victor Bala noted that with the successful conduct of the primaries, the party was poised to continue to govern the state beyond 2019.

     

    Ogun PDP get ‘two candidates’

    • Factions pick Adebutu, Shittu

     

    Two factions of the Ogun chapter of the PDP held parallel primaries in Abeokuta yesterday to elect governorship party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2019 polls.

    The group recognised by the national body of the PDP held its primaries at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) where a House of Representatives member Ladi Adebutu, emerged the candidate.

    Adebutu, representing the Remo/North Federal Constituency, was the sole aspirant of the group.

    He emerged after all the 2,369 delegates from the three senatorial districts voted for him at the primary supervised by a five-man primary committee from the national headquarters, headed by Captain Mike Hart (rtd).

    In his opening remarks, Hart described the PDP as “a rebranded party in Ogun’’ adding further the party had learnt from its past mistakes.

    He encouraged party members to brace for the task ahead of ensuring the party won the governorship seat.

    On his part, Adebutu expressed satisfaction on the transparent manner the exercise was conducted, adding that he was elated with his selection as the party flag bearer.

    The parallel primary staged by the Sen. Buruji Kasamu faction picked Adeleke Shittu as its candidate.

    Kasamu, representing Lagos East at the Senate, has been expelled by the national body of PDP following issues surrounding misconduct and anti-party activities.

    The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Kasamu-led faction, Bayo Dayo, said the exercise conducted by the group was the authentic.

    He said: “The law is on our side until the judgment we had in 2016 is set aside. We have a judgment that compels the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept only candidates that emerge from primaries conducted by our group.

    “The other faction had tried twice to set the judgment aside but the Court of Appeal had dismissed their appeal. We do know that the National body does not recongise our group but I am sure that eventually, the rule of law will prevail because Nigeria’s constitution supersedes the party’s constitution.”

     

    APC primary fails to hold in Bauchi

     

    APC card-carrying members in Bauchi, eager to elect their party’s flag bearer yesterday left their polling units disappointed as voting could not kick-off as at 6pm.

    ýThe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the members had been told that voting would commence 10am and they had been at the centre as early as 6am.

    The party is using the direct primary method whereby all party members with the party membership card would vote in all the wards to elect candidates of the party in the state.

    A member of the party who came to Baba Sidi polling unit to vote, Malam Sabitu Musa , told NAN  that his time had been wasted, adding that he was smelling a ‘rat’ in the whole affair.

    When contacted, APC the Organising Secretary in the state, Abdulkadir Gyang, assured that primaries will be conducted in Bauchi.

    He said the committee members that would conduct the exercise had just arrived, adding that they were only waiting for their chairman.

    Gyang, however, declined to state whether the exercise would still hold on Sunday or postponed to another day.

    NAN reports that as at 6.25pm yesterday, voting had not commenced and party members had deserted the polling units, having spent the whole day waiting in vain.

     

    It’s Bello vs Nyako again in Niger

     

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Niger State after he was unianimously endorsed by the APC in the state as the party’s sole candidate.

    He will face his old rival Umar Nasko, who emerged as the PDP governorship flagbearer. Nasko beat Ahmed Ibeto, who resigned his position as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa Ambassador.

    Members of the APC in the 274 wards in the state trooped out in their large numbers to affirm Bello as the APC standard bearer for next year’s governorship election.

    The governor who was at Mustapha Comprehensive School, the center for Kontagora Central Ward, Kontagora Local Government Area, venue of the primary, expressed appreciation to party members for reposing confidence in him by returning him unopposed.

    He said: “It is very comforting when your people have confidence in you, when they support you, when they overwhelming endorse you. In politics this is what you need and I really appreciate they gesture. Their action has further humbled me and to do more in the years to come. By 2019 our administration will continue the good works we started.”

    In the PDP primary, Ambassador Ibeto got 516 votes, Mu’azu Hannafi Sudan got 157 votes, Aminu Mohammed Baka got 110 votes while Umar Ahmed got 24 votes.

    The chief electoral officer of the PDP governorship primaries, Baraka Sani, declared Nasko as the PDP governorship flagbearer, having scored the highest number of votes.

    The primaries was adjudged as being free, fair and transparent by the other contestants as they pledged their support towards ensuring the Party governorship flagbearer wins the 2019 election.

     

    PDP holds parallel primaries in Borno

     

    The PDP in Borno yesterday held parallel primaries to elect candidates to contest the 2019 governorship election.

    The separate congresses were held by two factions of the party to elect the party’s flag-bearers in the forthcoming election.

    The Usman Baderi’s faction held its exercise at the secretariat with two candidates – Muhammed Wakil and Bukar Kyari.

    Wakil, a former Minister of State for Works, said they held seperate primaries because they were opposed to the conduct of the election by Zanna Gadama’s faction.

    He alleged that Gadama’s faction abused an earlier court order, describing the exercise as “null and void”.

    Wakil claimed that the Court of Appeal had ruled in favour of Baderi as the recognised chairman of the party.

    “What the other faction is doing is illegality of the highest order because we are the ones legally recognised by the court of law. So we are conducting election and submitting result to the national body.

    “If they see reasons to accept the result fine, and if they don’t, I am sure some of us remember the case of Rotimi Ameachi.

    “You cannot just build something out of nothing and expect it to stay. The issue of impunity and illegality has to stop in the country, political parties have to behave.

    “You cannot come out one day and start blaming the other party when you are also guiding impunity.”

    On his part, Kyari lamented that the national working committee of the party chose to recognise an illegal faction despite existing court order.

    Kyari said: “We as law abiding citizens will not indulge in illegalities, we shall seek redress in competent court of law for our rights.

    “Therefore, we will conduct our elections here. We will invite the INEC to monitor it and then come up with the authentic delegates that have been elected this October.”

    However, Gadama said his faction had secured a court injunction, which ordered that the status quo be maintained.

    Gadama said that the state PDP remains the authentic party in the state that should hold primary elections.

    “The national PDP secretariat recognises only one PDP in Borno, which is the one I am currently heading as a Chairman.

    “This is why they sent the INEC officials and other observers to come and monitor the elections we are currently conducting.”

    Muhammad Imam, emerged winner of the election.

    Declaring the result, Gabriel Kataf, the chairman Electoral committee, said Imam scored 2, 685 votes and his closest opponent Kyari scored 52 while Wakil scored 22 votes.

     

    Utomi, Ochei, Kachikwu fault APC primary

     

    The APC governorship aspirant Prof Pat Utomi has called for a postponement of the APC primaries in Delta State, describing the process as illegitimate as the delegates’ list was unavailable to the aspirants.

    He said at a meeting between critical stakeholders that three of the aspirants suggested a postponement due to the shortcomings that have plagued the shadow polls.

    According to Utomi those present at the meeting included, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan,Victor Ochei and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

    He said: “The delegates list is not available; aspirants have not seen the list; I believe only those who drew up the list have it. The list should have been made available to all at least three days to the primaries to enable aspirants make their pitch to them.

    “There is no level playing field for all aspirants. This will create a crisis of legitimacy. We have suggested that the primaries be postponed, that way we will have a truly democratic process.”

    Wike picked in Rivers State

    The PDP nominated Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to fly its flag for the 2019 governorship election.

    In a peaceful state congress at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, party delegates unanimously voted for Wike, who was the only candidate on the ballot.

    The chief returning officer for the primary, Chuma Chinye, announced that the governor polled 3345 delegate votes from the 23 local government areas of the state.

    The voting process was kick-started by the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who was a statutory delegate from Andoni Local Government Area.

    After Wike voted, other statutory delegates took their turns to cast their ballot in alphabetical order.

    Rivers State PDP Chairman Felix Obuah stated that Wike’s nomination followed due process and a reflection of the people’s support for him.

    The primary began with a motion for the constitution of the 2018 special congress by former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara and seconded by Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs. Ukel Oyaghiri.

    In his acceptance speech, Wike restated the party’s readiness to win the state’s governorship election next year.

    He declared: “We are prepared for the election in 2019. Let nobody make a mistake that what happened in Osun and Ekiti States will happen in Rivers State. We are ready to follow them to any level that they want.”

    The governor urged party faithful to canvass for votes across the state, warning the people of the consequences of voting APC, a party he said is steeped in darkness and doom.

    He stated that following due consultation, he will run for the governorship election with his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo.

    The governor stated that he has the experience, training and commitment to consolidate on the gains of his first term, since he will not be learning on the job.

    He said: “In seeking to return as governor, I am not coming to learn on the job, I have the experience, intellect and commitment to drive the state forward.

    “With my background, I will not be offering excuses. I will continue working from day one of my second term.  Rivers State is working.”

    He noted that in the last three and half years, his administration recorded inspiring projects that have improved the living condition of the people, while more projects are on-going.

    “The progress of this state in the last three and half years is appreciated in the country and across the globe. That is why I feel confident to ask for a second term.  There is more work to be done across the state.”

     

    APC primary fails to hold in Bauchi

    APC card-carrying members in Bauchi, eager to elect their party’s flag bearer yesterday left their polling units disappointed as voting could not kick-off as at 6pm.

    ýThe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the members had been told that voting would commence 10am and they had been at the centre as early as 6am.

    The party is using the direct primary method whereby all party members with the party membership card would vote in all the wards to elect candidates of the party in the state.

    A member of the party who came to Baba Sidi polling unit to vote, Malam Sabitu Musa , told NAN  that his time had been wasted, adding that he was smelling a ‘rat’ in the whole affair.

    When contacted, APC the Organising Secretary in the state, Abdulkadir Gyang, assured that primaries will be conducted in Bauchi.

    He said the committee members that would conduct the exercise had just arrived, adding that they were only waiting for their chairman.

    Gyang, however, declined to state whether the exercise would still hold on Sunday or postponed to another day.

    NAN reports that as at 6.25pm yesterday, voting had not commenced and party members had deserted the polling units, having spent the whole day waiting in vain.

     

    It’s Bello vs Nyako again in Niger

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Niger State after he was unianimously endorsed by the APC in the state as the party’s sole candidate.

    He will face his old rival Umar Nasko, who emerged as the PDP governorship flagbearer. Nasko beat Ahmed Ibeto, who resigned his position as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa Ambassador.

    Members of the APC in the 274 wards in the state trooped out in their large numbers to affirm Bello as the APC standard bearer for next year’s governorship election.

    The governor who was at Mustapha Comprehensive School, the center for Kontagora Central Ward, Kontagora Local Government Area, venue of the primary, expressed appreciation to party members for reposing confidence in him by returning him unopposed.

    He said: “It is very comforting when your people have confidence in you, when they support you, when they overwhelming endorse you. In politics this is what you need and I really appreciate they gesture. Their action has further humbled me and to do more in the years to come. By 2019 our administration will continue the good works we started.”

    In the PDP primary, Ambassador Ibeto got 516 votes, Mu’azu Hannafi Sudan got 157 votes, Aminu Mohammed Baka got 110 votes while Umar Ahmed got 24 votes.

    The chief electoral officer of the PDP governorship primaries, Baraka Sani, declared Nasko as the PDP governorship flagbearer, having scored the highest number of votes.

    The primaries was adjudged as being free, fair and transparent by the other contestants as they pledged their support towards ensuring the Party governorship flagbearer wins the 2019 election.

     

    PDP holds parallel primaries in Borno

    The PDP in Borno yesterday held parallel primaries to elect candidates to contest the 2019 governorship election.

    The separate congresses were held by two factions of the party to elect the party’s flag-bearers in the forthcoming election.

    The Usman Baderi’s faction held its exercise at the secretariat with two candidates – Muhammed Wakil and Bukar Kyari.

    Wakil, a former Minister of State for Works, said they held seperate primaries because they were opposed to the conduct of the election by Zanna Gadama’s faction.

    He alleged that Gadama’s faction abused an earlier court order, describing the exercise as “null and void”.

    Wakil claimed that the Court of Appeal had ruled in favour of Baderi as the recognised chairman of the party.

    “What the other faction is doing is illegality of the highest order because we are the ones legally recognised by the court of law. So we are conducting election and submitting result to the national body.

    “If they see reasons to accept the result fine, and if they don’t, I am sure some of us remember the case of Rotimi Ameachi.

    “You cannot just build something out of nothing and expect it to stay. The issue of impunity and illegality has to stop in the country, political parties have to behave.

    “You cannot come out one day and start blaming the other party when you are also guiding impunity.”

    On his part, Kyari lamented that the national working committee of the party chose to recognise an illegal faction despite existing court order.

    Kyari said: “We as law abiding citizens will not indulge in illegalities, we shall seek redress in competent court of law for our rights.

    “Therefore, we will conduct our elections here. We will invite the INEC to monitor it and then come up with the authentic delegates that have been elected this October.”

    However, Gadama said his faction had secured a court injunction, which ordered that the status quo be maintained. Gadama said that the state PDP remains the authentic party in the state that should hold primary elections.

    “The national PDP secretariat recognises only one PDP in Borno, which is the one I am currently heading as a Chairman.

    “This is why they sent the INEC officials and other observers to come and monitor the elections we are currently conducting.”

    Muhammad Imam, emerged winner of the election.

    Declaring the result, Gabriel Kataf, the chairman Electoral committee, said Imam scored 2, 685 votes and his closest opponent Kyari scored 52 while Wakil scored 22 votes.

     

    Wike picked in Rivers State

    The PDP nominated Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to fly its flag for the 2019 governorship election.

    In a peaceful state congress at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, party delegates unanimously voted for Wike, who was the only candidate on the ballot.

    The chief returning officer for the primary, Chuma Chinye, announced that the governor polled 3345 delegate votes from the 23 local government areas of the state.

    The voting process was kick-started by the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who was a statutory delegate from Andoni Local Government Area.

    After Wike voted, other statutory delegates took their turns to cast their ballot in alphabetical order.

    Rivers State PDP Chairman Felix Obuah stated that Wike’s nomination followed due process and a reflection of the people’s support for him.

    The primary began with a motion for the constitution of the 2018 special congress by former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara and seconded by Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs. Ukel Oyaghiri.

    In his acceptance speech, Wike restated the party’s readiness to win the state’s governorship election next year.

    He declared: “We are prepared for the election in 2019. Let nobody make a mistake that what happened in Osun and Ekiti States will happen in Rivers State. We are ready to follow them to any level that they want.”

    The governor urged party faithful to canvass for votes across the state, warning the people of the consequences of voting APC, a party he said is steeped in darkness and doom.

    He stated that following due consultation, he will run for the governorship election with his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo.

     

     

  • Political parties are based on godfatherism – NIPSS

    The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Nigeria’s highest Policy research and training Institute has said that many political parties in the country are based on fragile foundations, including godfathers or dominant personalities and ethno-regional alliances.

    Director of Research of the Institute and Chief Operating Officer of the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre Habu Galadima who disclosed this at a two day training for party leaders in Abuja also said that political parties in the country have frequently mobilized supporters based on ethno-regional, religious, and personality politics.

    Read Also:NIPSS wants more women, youth, PWD in leadership position

    Prof Galadima stressed the need to ensure all-inclusiveness in political participation by all members of the political parties; the training was designed based on identified gaps in the management of political parties in the country.

    He said “The gaps identified necessitate the review of the training curriculum, and the handbooks. It was fathomed from the baseline and the poll survey that political parties in Nigeria are confronted with quite a number of challenges.”

    According to him, Political parties in the country face considerable challenges in the area of internal democracy with party elites frequently manipulating party rules to subvert internal party democracy for their personal political interests.

    He said further that it was unfortunate that women, youth and People with Disabilities are particularly disenfranchised within party leadership, occupying a minimal percentage of party leadership positions and having very limited influence on party decision-making.

    “Nigerian parties continue to be based on fragile foundations, including godfathers or dominant personalities and ethno regional alliances. Parties have frequently mobilized supporters based on ethno-regional, religious, and personality politics.

    “Party development over time also witnessed the dominance of party elites at the expense of members and the use of undemocratic methods by these elites to struggle for control over the parties. For these reasons, Nigeria’s parties have faced particular challenges in building stable identities over time and attracting consistent membership through appeal to particular
    ideological values.

    “Political parties in Nigeria are conscious of the need to embody and internalize the norms, values and ethos of a democratic society which are anchored on respect for rules, the harvest of diversity and inclusivity, in defining party governance, the formulation of policies when they are in government, and accountability to the general public, both in terms of their Conduct whether they win power or in the opposition.

    “It also means the degree of respect for civility of parties and the promotion of virtues such as the rule of law, openness and accountability. We are delighted to note that the curriculum has been revised along with the training modules.”

    The training is sponsored by EU -Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Project (EU SDGN) and aimed at enhancing Internal Democracy and Respect for Rules in Political Parties; Strengthen Adherence to Legal Requirements on Party Funding and Campaign Finance and Strengthen Engagements among lnter-Party Advisory Council (IPA C), Independent National Electoral Commission (NBC) and other Relevant Stakeholders.

  • Osun 2018: INEC presents voters’ register to political parties

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday presented soft copies of voters’ register for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State to the 38 political parties participating in the poll.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),   Mr Olusegun Agbaje, presented the register to representatives of the parties at the INEC office in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The REC said some parties had approached him to collect the register individually, but he insisted that the copies must be distributed to all the parties at the same time.

    He noted that the presentation of the register was in line with INEC’s guidelines.

    Agbaje urged the parties to call the commission’s attention to any wrong they discover in the document.

    The REC also assured the parties of INEC’s neutrality, advising them to promptly report any officer of the commission found culpable of wrong doing, including himself, to the national headquarters of the electoral body.

    Agbaje gave the parties the details of the efforts INEC had made in compiling the register to ensure a successful election in Osun State.

    The REC urged representatives of the political parties to inform INEC about the importance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the election.

  • Osun 2018: INEC presents voters’ register to political parties

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday presented soft copies of voters’ register for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State to the 38 political parties participating in the poll.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),   Mr Olusegun Agbaje, presented the register to representatives of the parties at the INEC office in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The REC said some parties had approached him to collect the register individually, but he insisted that the copies must be distributed to all the parties at the same time.

    He noted that the presentation of the register was in line with INEC’s guidelines.

    Agbaje urged the parties to call the commission’s attention to any wrong they discover in the document.

    The REC also assured the parties of INEC’s neutrality, advising them to promptly report any officer of the commission found culpable of wrong doing, including himself, to the national headquarters of the electoral body.

    Agbaje gave the parties the details of the efforts INEC had made in compiling the register to ensure a successful election in Osun State.

    The REC urged representatives of the political parties to inform INEC about the importance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the election.

    He added: “As we speak, majority of non-sensitive materials, which would be used for the conduct of the election, have been received from INEC headquarters in Abuja and distributed to INEC offices across the state.

    “Furthermore, 1,152,751 PVCs have been collected by their owners, out of 1,668,524 received in the state, leaving a balance of 515,773 as at August 17.

    “It is important for you to help us to inform the people on the need to collect their PVCs during your campaigns and rallies, because without the PVC, nobody would be allowed to vote.”

    INEC National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states, Mr Adedeji Shoyebi, said the presentation was to enable the parties verify the voters and fish out underage persons and foreigners in the list.

    The INEC commissioner said it was sad that over 500,000 PVCs had not been collected out of the over 1.6 million produced for registered voters in the state.

    He added that about one-third of voters in Osun State had not collected their PVCs and might not vote during the September election.

    Shoyebi warned that the commission would not tolerate vote-buying and violence during exercise.

    The national commissioner warned that anyone caught perpetrating violence or inducing voters with money would face the full wrath of the law.

    He urged the political parties to advise the eligible voters who had not collected their PVCs to do so.

    Shoyebi also advised them to sensitise their members, especially youths, to eschew violence during the election.