The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has appealed to Christians to pray for God’s mercy before, during and after the general elections.
Adeboye said this at the February edition of the Special Prayer and Thanksgiving service for parents, guardians, single mothers, mature youths and their families at RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, National Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
He said that Christians should pray before, during and especially after the election for God’s load of mercy for hitch -free elections.
Adeboye said: “It’s an obligation and a commandment from God that we should vote.
“We are already praying as a church for mercy, we are in the mood of fasting till the end of the election.
He stressed Nigerians should not entertain any fear “because the country is in the hand of God and we have been praying for mercy and God must show us His mercy.
“People should be bold because many a times, the fear of what does not exist only comes to peoples’ mind.”
Adeboye, who spoke through the Assistant General Overseer, (RCCG) Personnel and Administration Pastor Johnson Odesola, charged candidates to educate their supporters that it is only in the atmosphere of peace that we can move forward or govern the people.
“There is no cause for fear because God has promised to give us peace but the people that are seeking political offices should preach peace instead of violence.
“Political office is not do- or- die, democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people,” he said.
Adeboye noted that if a political office seeker fails this time, he can come back and win if he succeeds in convincing voters.
THOSE who plundered the commonwealth of the nation are unrelenting on their plan to destablise the system, President Muhammadu Buhari has alerted Nigerians.
According to him, the looters of the nation’s resources have resolved to deploy their ill-gotten wealth to undermining the forthcoming general elections “and by extension our democracy’’.
The President disclosed this in a special feature entitled: “Corruption threats Nigeria – and its election” which he released yesterday in Abuja.
He described as unfortunate that lawyers who have the expertise to fast-track the legal process to ensure that those alleged to have been involved in financial crimes got punished to serve as deterrent, had been frustrating the process.
According to him, lawyers table endless objections to obstruct court proceedings, whilst their clients hope it lasts until a “friendly” President is voted into office.
“We must continue to tighten the legal framework and ensure the authorities have the investigative powers at their disposal to secure sentences. Only then will we begin to neutralise the advantages the corrupt have,” the President said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the President noted, has raised concerns over laundered money being funneled into vote buying.
He said: “On February 16th, Nigeria will hold a general election. Four years ago, the country experienced its first democratic transfer of power to the opposition since 1999. The vote in a few days will be no less significant.
“As President, I have tried to judiciously exercise the trust vested in me to combat the problems of corruption, insecurity and an inequitable economy.
“All are important. But amongst them, one stands above the others as both a cause and aggravator of the rest. It is, of course, corruption.
“A policy programme that does not have fighting corruption at its core is destined to fail. The battle against graft must be the base on which we secure the country, build our economy, provide decent infrastructure and educate the next generation.
“This is the challenge of our generation: the variable on which our success as a nation shall be determined. But the vested interests at play can make this fight difficult.
“By way of their looting, the corrupt have powerful resources at their disposal. And they will use them. For when you fight corruption, you can be sure it will fight back.
“It even threatens to undermine February’s poll and – by extension – our democracy. The EFCC has raised concerns over laundered money being funneled into vote buying.
“This is the problem of corruption writ large. It illustrates how it lurks in all and every crevice of public life, manipulating due process in pursuit of self-preservation and perpetuation; protecting personal political and economic interests at the expense of the common good.”
Buhari labelled those who have criticised his administration’s anti-corruption drive as those who oppose its mission.
The President said: “And though their lawyers may craft expensive alibis, they cannot escape that which binds them together: a raft of documents and barely legal (some clearly illegal) mechanisms – whether that be the Panama Papers, U.S. Congress reports, shell companies or offshore bank accounts.
“Corruption corrodes the trust on which the idea of community is founded, because one rule for the few and another for everyone else is unacceptable to anyone working honestly.
“But as we have intensified our war on corruption, so we have found that corruption innovates to resist the law. This is not the sole domain of those Nigerians, but the international corruption industry: the unsavoury fellow-traveller of globalisation.
“Once the enablers are let in – as they have been in the past – the greed of those they collude with grows. We have closed the door on them, but unfortunately there still remain individuals who are willing to open windows.”
The President revealed that the government had successfully repatriated hundreds of millions of dollars stacked away in foreign banks by looters.
According to him, more stolen funds will come from international partners in France, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.).
The President said that the recovered funds had been transparently deployed on infrastructural projects and used to directly empower the poorest in the society.
He said: “But as we have intensified our war on corruption, so we have found that corruption innovates to resist the law.
“This is not the sole domain of those Nigerians, but the international corruption industry: the unsavoury fellow-traveller of globalisation.
“Once the enablers are let in – as they have been in the past – the greed of those they collude with grows. We have closed the door on them, but unfortunately there still remain individuals who are willing to open windows.
“Concrete progress has been made, but there is still much to do. We have repatriated hundreds of millions of dollars stowed away in foreign banks,’’ he said.
The President said more ghost workers must be removed from government payroll, pointing out that about $550 million has been saved from identifying phantom employees.
“More can be recovered through our whistle-blower policy ($370 million has been returned since its launch in 2016). More is still to come. But, together, we shall prevail over corruption.
“A Yoruba proverb states that only the patient one can milk a lion. Likewise, victory over corruption is difficult, but not impossible. We must not flounder in our resolve. I know many Nigerians would like to see faster action. So, do I.
“But so too must we follow due process and exercise restraint, ensuring allegation never takes the place of evidence; for that is not the Nigeria we should wish to build.
“There is no doubt that this administration has changed the way we tackle corruption. The choice before voters is this: Do we continue forward on this testing path against corruption? Or do revert to the past, resigned to the falsehood that it is just the-way-things-are-done? Or that it is just too difficult – too pervasive – to fix?
“I know which one I would choose. It is why I am asking Nigerians for another four years to serve them,” Buhari stated.
The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has appealed to Christians to pray for God’s mercy before, during and after the general elections.
Adeboye said this at the February edition of the Special Prayer and Thanksgiving service for parents, guardians, single mothers, mature youths and their families at RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, National Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
He said that Christians should pray before, during and especially after the election for God’s load of mercy for hitch -free elections.
Adeboye said: “It’s an obligation and a commandment from God that we should vote.
“We are already praying as a church for mercy, we are in the mood of fasting till the end of the election.
He stressed Nigerians should not entertain any fear “because the country is in the hand of God and we have been praying for mercy and God must show us His mercy.
“People should be bold because many a times, the fear of what does not exist only comes to peoples’ mind.”
Adeboye, who spoke through the Assistant General Overseer, (RCCG) Personnel and Administration Pastor Johnson Odesola, charged candidates to educate their supporters that it is only in the atmosphere of peace that we can move forward or govern the people.
“There is no cause for fear because God has promised to give us peace but the people that are seeking political offices should preach peace instead of violence.
“Political office is not do- or- die, democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people,” he said.
Adeboye noted that if a political office seeker fails this time, he can come back and win if he succeeds in convincing voters.
WIDESPREAD anxiety over irregularities, violence and insecurity during the forthcoming elections are real, the Department of State Security (DSS) has said.
It, however, said security agents, voters, political leaders and other stakeholders can work together to surmount such fears in a timely manner.
Director of DSS-owned Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Abuja Alhaji A.S. Adeleke stated the agency’s position yesterday at a two-day security awareness seminar in Abuja.
He emphasised the commitment of the DSS’ current leadership under Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi to the country and its citizens.
He urged Nigerians to help ensure that the nation’s best interest prevails.
At the seminar with the theme, “Securing the 2019 general elections: The role of critical stakeholders” security agents, representatives of various unions and resource persons, including a criminologist, Prof. Etannibi Alemika and Prof. M.O. Maduagwu also echoed the DSS’ concern and prospects of surmounting security challenges.
Adeleke said: “The security of an electoral process is crucial, not just in ensuring a free, fair and credible outcome‚ but also fundamental to attainment of national security.
“Unfortunately, electoral processes and democratic transition in Nigeria, between 1964 and 2018, have been generally marred by irregularities, violence and general insecurity.
“Given the myriad of prevailing security challenges and anticipated threats to the 2019 general elections, which are barely a few weeks away, the general trepidation over safety of men, materials and the entire process, as well as the fear of possible negative outcomes, is justified.
“As critical stakeholders, we therefore, cannot, afford to sit on the fence; all hands must be on deck to swiftly put in place, adequate measures to contain potential threats to the electoral process.
“We must each play our role and complement efforts of the electoral umpire and security agencies; we must be conscious of the reality, that central to every credible election is the proper management and security of electoral personnel, CSOs, election materials, location, deployments and movements.”
No fewer than 11,000 corps members in Kano State are currently undergoing training organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)in the state.
The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Ladan Baba disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Friday in Kano.
He said the Corps members were expected to serve as ad-hoc staff in the state during the forthcoming general elections.
According to him, the training of the corps members is part of preparations for a credible elections in the state in particular and the country at large.
He added that the exercise which was going on smoothly, commenced on Jan. 3 across the 44 local government areas of the state and would end on Jan. 31.
Baba attributed the success recorded in the training programme to the commitment of entire staff of NYSC and the cooperation given by the corps members.
“Their determination to serve their fatherland and to conduct a free and fair election in the forthcoming general elections, the Corps members in Kano have so far exhibited sign of commitment.
“The training is being co-facilitated by both INEC and NYSC Local Government Inspectors which featured lectures on election duties and responsibilities of Corps members at the polls.
“The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Prof. Araba Shehu-Riskuwa paid a working visit to me.
“He described the use of Corps members as tested and trusted instruments of past credible elections, and 2019 will not be an exception,’’ Baba said.
The NYSC Coordinator commended INEC for reposing confidence in the scheme and for identifying Corps members as ready tools for national development.
WITH the words of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the electoral body is set for the February 16 and March two polls.
“INEC is good to go as far as the 2019 general elections are concerned”, Prof Yakubu told a delegation of the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.) at the Abuja Headquarters of the commission yesterday.
He reassured the international community and Nigerians that the general elections will be credible, free, fair and transparent.
The INEC boss also stressed that the elections will be error-free, as the commission will jealously guide the processes. Besides, he assured Nigerians that the outcome of the polls will meet the expectations of all because all votes will count.
He said: “We are good to go for the 2019 general elections. We are aware that the election is going to be an intense media event but only that international community will also intensely watch the processes as they have always done and I want to assure you that we will not fail the international community and will not fail the nation.
“We are aware that the long term EU observation mission is on ground, and also the ECOWAS observation mission, so the international community is already in Nigeria for the elections.
“The 2019 elections will be credible, we will jealously guide the processes; we will ensure that the processes lead to the outcome that all Nigerians expect. Nothing but free, fair, credible elections will be good enough for the commission.”
Prof Yakubu reiterated that “votes will count in 2029 general elections. We are ready for free, fair and transparent process such that will confirm the position of Nigeria in international community as a nation that conducts credible elections. 2015 was not a fluke, it was a product of deliberate planning and 2019 is going to be the same.”
Briefing his guest on the preparation made so far by the commission ahead of the elections, he said: “We are at the moment outing finishing touches to our preparation for the elections. The first election will hold on 16th February with the national presidential and National Assembly and the second election will hold on the 2nd of March, which are the state elections (the governorship, State Assembly elections, and the election into area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
“All the heavy items for the elections are being procured in addition to ballot boxes, voting cubicles, replacement smart card readers. The permanent voter cards have also been delivered to the states for collection by citizens.”
According to him, the commission has been recruiting and will soon commence training for the ad hoc staff for the elections.
Speaking earlier, David Young, Charge D’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, spoke on the expected neutrality of the security agencies during the elections.
He stressed need for INEC to stick to their role of protecting the electorates and ballot materials and avoid any form of interference with the voting process.
Young said: “I would want express the concern that we have and that is the neutrality of the security services. For us it is very important in the ongoing season that the security services are very smart, provide security for the elections and security in the safety of the process.
“It should be done in such a way that it does not interfere with people getting to the polls, poll watchers, civil society organization and other to have access to ensure the voting goes freely both in February 16th and March 2nd.
“This is something we have been deliberating strongly about. The neutrality of the security services is one of the very important issues for credible elections.”
Young also spoke on the need for a better synergy among the three arms of government, saying that the executive, legislature and judiciary are crucial to democracy.
He said: “I also want to say that we appreciate very much the important the role judiciary plays in Nigeria.”
The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), led by the late Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, yesterday promised to mobilise support for the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other candidates of the party in the Southwest in next month’s general elections.
The deputy president of the socio-cultural group, Wasiu Afolabi, made the promise in Lagos.
He said the group resolved to police the votes of the electorate and enhance credible elections by resisting rigging.
Afolabi, who led members of the group to the Independent Campaign Organisation (ICG) office at Oduduwa Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, for a meeting with Sanwo-Olu; Campaign Manager Tayo Ayinde; his deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku and other committee members, said the interest of the Yoruba race remained paramount to OPC.
He said: “We have the power to vote; we have the power to defend the votes. These two objectives we will accomplish.”
The retracing of steps by OPC represented a critical and decisive political move by the organisation in post-Fasehun era.
Afolabi said talks between the late OPC leader and APC stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had started before Fasehun died.
According to him, surviving OPC leaders decided to put finishing touches to the discussion.
He added: “Let it be known that in the formation of the OPC by Dr. Fredrick Iseotan Fasehun, the National Leader of APC played a role. We are proud to be back home.
“Fasehun had put his differences with Asiwaju Tinubu aside. But he died when the group was about to finalise the agreement with him. We have resolved to cooperate with Asiwaju Tinubu. We will deliver the whole of the Southwest in the next elections. I have to thank our leaders who made this possible – Afolabi Salami and Olalekan Akintade.”
The OPC members were ushered into the campaign office by Ayinde.
Others at the meeting included former Agriculture Commissioner Enoch Ajiboso, Sesan Olarewaju, Bolaji Ariyoh, Wahab Alawiye-King, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Wale Adelana, Hamid Olorunoje, Ololola Essien, Tokunbo Wahab, Chris Ekwilo, Durosinmi Adeboye, Gafar Toyin, Yetunde Arobieke, Bayo Ajisebutu and Sesan Daini, who was the master of ceremony.
Afolabi was accompanied by Alhaji Ibrahim Olarewaju, Chief Lekan Akintade, Women Leader Alhaja Taye Ibrahim, National Coordinator Mudashiru Adeniji and First Vice President Olasunkanmi Balogun.
Sanwo-Olu, who thanked the OPC leadership for the endorsement, hugged and exchange banters with the organisation’s officers and members.
He assured them that they will not regret voting for him.
Ayinde paid tribute to the memory of Fasehun, describing him as a patriot and great leader who was fortunate to be survived by competent deputies.
Also, Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, thanked OPC form its support, saying public perception of the group had changed from its characterisation as a militant body to a peaceful cultural group.
He said: “People used to think that OPC was a militant group, but you are not a militant group. You are a cultural group. There is peace in the OPC. It is a peaceful group and meant for the emancipation of the Yoruba.”
Urging the organisation’s members to gird their loins ahead of the polls, Ayinde added: “Get your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) ready. We will work with our PVCs, not only in Lagos but also in other Southwest states. You should spread the message that your members should vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the APC in the Southwest.
“APC is the party that will take care of the OPC. We will sponsor your members for pilgrimage to Mecca and Jerusalem. We will do this government together. After voting, wait and defend your votes. Listen to the announcement of results. Follow the ballot boxes to the collation centres. Don’t fight there. Just give them security coverage. We have work to do. We want APC to lead. We will need your support. It is doable. It is achievable. By May, we will celebrate victory.”
Hailing the collaborative decision, Odunmbaku said the Yoruba will bounce back to national reckoning, adding that this is the goal of the OPC.
He commiserated with the group on Fasehun’s death, recalling that before his demise, there was a plan between him and Asiwaju Tinubu to have a political collaboration.
Odunmbaku added: “The surviving leaders of OPC have now finalised it and we are happy for the cooperation. Our director-general will not forget you after the polls. Who says OPC members cannot go to Mecca and Jerusalem?”
Alawiye-King called for dedication and consistency to the Sanwo-Olu project, assuring the peole that OPC will not regret the collaboration.
Essien said: “I am happy that OPC has women as members. Let us go back to our local governments and wards to mobilise for President Buhari, our governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and Assembly candidates. You will police the votes for us.”
FORGET the brickbats. Put aside the empty sentiments. The jokes. The dull, drab and dumb debates. The gossip and the beer-parlour talk. Dump them all. Let’s get down to brass tacks.
Osun State is lucky. There is an army of candidates – 48 in all – running in Saturday’s governorship election. With the field so crowded, it is easy for the less discerning to lump them all together – the serious, the tricksters and the pranksters.
Of all the candidates, five seem to be the front runners. All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Gboyega Oyetola; Moshood Adeoti Shehu, African Democratic Party (ADP); Ademola Adeleke, People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Iyiola Omisore, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Fatai Akinmade, African Democratic Congress (ADC). All are eminently qualified to get the trophy.
Adeoti used to chair the APC. He was prominent in the days of the struggle to retrieve Rauf Aregbesola’s stolen mandate from the PDP predators who had seized the state by the throat. After Aregbesola’s legal victory, Adeoti mounted the saddle as chairman. He landed the prestigious Secretary to the State Government (SSG) post.
When it was time to choose an APC candidate to join the race for Aregbesola’s successor, Adeoti threw his hat in the ring. He expected that the prize should be his, naturally. “I have suffered a lot for this party,” he was quoted as saying. The elders rejoined – trust elders and their wisdom – that he was right. “Eight years as SSG after being chairman; what suffering could be bigger than that? No greater sacrifice can a true party man make,” he was told.
Before the APC could decide on the way forward, a divisive and bitter campaign had taken off. Enter “West lokan”(it is the turn of the West). Suddenly, it was no longer in the best interest of the state to have the best; just anybody as long as he is from the West.
The party organised a free and fair primary. Sadly, not many members remembered how Adeoti “suffered” for them. By direct primary, they chose Oyetola. Adeoti and his associates stomped out of the party to berth at ADP.
Adeoti studied Business Administration at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). From 1975 to 1978, he was the manager at Igbehin Adun Sawmill in his Iwo hometown.
Wherever he goes now, his supporters scream “Sheeeehu!” and many mistake him for a famous Islamic scholar who goes by that name, but he is not bearded.
Otunba – sorry; I take that back – Dr Iyiola Omisore is widely seen as a pugnacious fellow who hugs controversy like a long-lost-and-found lover. He is seen as brash and harsh. His associates dismiss that as a wrong impression. He is just audacious, they say, stressing that this is in no way a bad quality.
On account of the N1.7b he was said to have got from the N4.6b collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in the days of the PDP bazaar, he is seen as tainted. In fact, it is said, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would not let him rest until he pays back the cash in full. What they forget is that everybody who was somebody in the PDP – Omisore was indeed a political juggernaut– was a partaker of the largesse.
Those who obviously would like to provoke the usually reticent politician and master of the cut and thrust politics by alluding to the Bola Ige murder must remember that a court had long ago found Omisore not guilty of the crime. They should also remember that Omisore’s kinsmen voted him as senator while he was in prison – a record no Nigerian politician has matched. What greater love can a people show their dearest son!
Now, the former deputy governor is running a familiar race; he wants to be governor – to crown a glorious political career that opponents describe as turbulent and full of desperation. They say he loves corn-on-the-cob so much that he chomps two cobs at a time, one in each hand.
Until the sudden passage of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, little was known about his younger brother Ademola, now a senator – thanks to a sympathetic electorate who felt the family deserved to be compensated with the seat.
Adeleke has a family tree festooned with frontline entertainers, businessmen and politicians. He has since become famous after taking his seat in the Red Chamber. This is not on account of the motions he has moved. Nor is it for his contributions, rendered with remarkable oratory. Nor for his erudition on and off the floor.
But, fair is fair; no lawmaker – living or dead – has Senator Adeleke’s dancing skills.
To those who know him, this is no surprise. He used to be a disc jockey in the United States, they claim. Video clips of his dancing skills have suffused the social media. You cannot but marvel at how he does it; he is obese, yet he swings his waist like a teenager’s, rolls his massive buttocks seductively and swings his hands like a master choreographer’s.
Everywhere he performs, the audience keeps screaming: “Wow! More! More!” He reminds many of the late pop icon, Michael Jackson and the dancer Jeffrey Daniels of the American band, Shalamar.
Adeleke’s fans are already visualising the great tourism potential of a dancing governor. A huge disco hall at the Government House, free shows for residents at festive seasons and street parties for all.
To his opponents, however, such prospect of an unending parties makes no sense. They say the distinguished senator often puts his foot in his mouth. They refer to a video in which he says Aliko Dangote, the shrewd business giant and Femi Otedola, the diesel magnate who has recently been threatening to join the race for Lagos governor, promised to daze Osun residents with cash to pave the way for his (Adeleke’s) governorship.
His opponents, who are obviously busybodies and idle critics, swore that Adeleke never went to school. They have since been put to shame as liars. The senator did not only go to school, he has a WASSCE result showing that he actually sat for the exam and failed in just one subject, the only one he attempted. Is there any crime in that?
Adeleke actually enrolled in a university. Perhaps unable to figure out how it would help his career, he quit. Again, any crime in that?
Goaded on by his people, Adeleke has since set his hand to the plough, but the busybodies, aforementioned, are asking no one in particular: “Is this your best?”
Akinmade, an engineer, is a former SSG. He used to chair the PDP when the party had the state in its pocket and winning elections was as simple as ABC. Besides, he used to be Works Commissioner (1994-1998).
When he failed to get the PDP’s ticket, he defected to the ADC, the one backed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who once swore that he was done with partisan politics.
Handing Akinmade the mandate, in the view of his critics, amounts to returning Osun to what President Muhammadu Buhari called the “dark days”. Undaunted and confident, Akinmade soldiers on.
Oyetola has a Bachelor’s (B.Sc.) degree in Insurance and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Finance. He worked in Leadway, Crusader and Alliance and General Insurance before founding Silvertrust Insurance Brokers, which he ran until his appointment as Chief of Staff to the governor – a job he did with remarkable passion and dexterity.
He was chairman of Ebony Properties, Executive Vice Chairman, Paragon Group and Director, Pyramid Securities Ltd. His campaign is built around the continuity theme. Continuity of what? His critics ask derisively. He replies eloquently: “Continuity of the fantastic infrastructural development embarked on by the Aregbesola administration – those beautiful schools, roads and bridges – the school pupils’ feeding programme, the big investment in security that has made bank robbery a suicidal venture, the health projects, including the ‘O Ambulance’ and many more.”
Oyetola is that steady hand that Osun needs now; not some revisionists threatening to bring the roof down on everyone. When brain counts and brawn is of no use; when experience counts and apprenticeship is out of the way and when wisdom counts as against tomfoolery, Oyetola is the man. My money is on him.
Dariye and the limits of confidence
FORMER Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye does not seem to have faced the reality of his doing time in prison. He has obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the next senatorial election.
He is serving a 14-year jail term for fraud. It is not that his party, APC, is short of aspirants; there are two others. But Mr Chindo Dafat, the publicity secretary, believes that with his popularity – indeed – Dariye will carry the day.
Joshua Dariye
It is true that no law stops Dariye from obtaining the nomination and expression of interest forms, but whatever happened to our values? He has appealed his conviction and we are praying for him, Dafat said.
But why put the cart before the horse? Why not wait for the court’s verdict before running?
What drives Dariye’s ambition? The public interest he so blatantly betrayed? Sheer selfishness? Conceit? Mere fancy? I really don’t know.
Dariye should reflect more and be sober. The race can do without him.
The scheduled local government elections into the office of chairmen and councillors has commenced across Oyo state amidst heavy security presence.
Although vehicular and human movement restrictions has been placed between 8am to 3pm, few vehicles were seen moving round as early as 9am when The Nation moved round to access the compliance.
The Iwo Road roundabout had vehicular presence, mostly private vehicles.
Many early morning travellers were seen waiting at bus stops with loads and luggage’s, an indication that such people might not be aware of the movement restrictions
When The Nation visited Ibadan North East LG, Iwo Road at about 8:30am, the vehicle conveying election materials to the various wards and units was seen leaving the council premise.
At Ibadan North LG, at few minutes to nine, the electoral officers were just arriving and about setting up their tables as that the time of the visit
In some parts of the capital cities along, along Moniya-Ojoo-Akinyele axis, youths were seen in their large numbers on the street playing football
At many of the designated polling units, policy security were seen even before the arrival of election materials or electoral officers.
As at the time of filing this report, election is said to have commenced in many parts of the state with good turnout of electorate, largely of the ruling All Progressive Congress.
THE Senate yesterday began the process of overriding President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto to the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2018.
The upper chamber reintroduced the “Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018”.
The Bill, tagged: SB 645, and sponsored by Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Suleiman Nazif, scaled first reading seamlessly.
It was on a day the Senate mandated its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate alleged attempts to compromise senators and House of Representatives members to abandon plans to override the President’s veto.
A number of senators in support of the Bill insisted that it was wrong for Buhari to withhold assent to the proposed legislation.
Others opposed to the Bill saw it as targeted at the President and vowed to scuttle it.
Insiders said the lawmakers will pass the Bill once again as it was done before the President withheld his assent.
The most contentious section of the Bill is the reordering of election sequence, which placed the presidential election last in the order of election in the country.
The reintroduction of the Bill is coming at a time allegations of bribery to scuttle the override of the veto were making the rounds.
President Buhari withheld assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2018, on the excuse that his assent would infringe on the constitutional powers of INEC.
The President, in a letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said giving assent to the Bill would make the National Assembly appear as if it was legislating for the states on local government-related issues.
It was not known how far the Senate can go in its determination to override the President’s veto to the Bill.
The resolution to investigate the allegation followed a point of order by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi on the issue.
Nwaoboshi (Delta North) told his colleagues that the media was awash on Monday about alleged move to bribe senators and House members to scuttle the plan to override the President’s veto on the Electoral Act.
It was alleged that $50,000 had been earmarked for senators and members of the House of Representatives are expected to get $30,000 each to stop the override plot.
The upper chamber asked the committee to report back its finding within two weeks for a decisive action to be taken.
Nwaoboshi told his colleagues that the media report infringes on his right as a senator since he did not receive any money from anybody.
He prayed the Senate to get to the root of the matter with a view to unearthing the faces behind the bribery allegation.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who supported the motion, noted that he has been inundated with phone calls from his constituents over the allegation.
Senate President Bukola Saraki agreed that the allegations should be investigated.
Saraki described the allegation as a big dent on the image of the National Assembly.
Nwaoboshi was asked to lay a copy of one of the publications.
