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Tag: PRIMARY

  • Adeyeye: On credible primary I stand

    Adeyeye: On credible primary I stand

    Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Prince Dayo Adeyeye told Correspondent ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, that only a free and fair primary can avert doom for the party during the poll.

    A faction has emerged in your party that calls itself “Fresh PDP.” What is your reaction?

    I am now home.I am no longer in the executive of the PDP. We have finished our tenure and you know that we have just handed over after serving the party. It will be a big disappointment if we start another factional crisis; as far as the National Caretaker Committee in which I served is concerned, we have handed over a very united PDP. We have conducted a credible convention, the first real elective convention in the history of the party and it was very successful. We had anticipated that there would be problems after this convention and that was why we set up a Reconciliation Committee headed by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. He has swung into action already. He is already working. I believe that, if we all give support to that committee, it will be able to solve these problems. I believe that within the next weeks, we will get over these problems. It is not unexpected, that was why we set up the National Reconciliation Committee, but I believe we will get over our problems.

    What gives you the confidence that you will be the candidate?

    Because I know I have majority of our party members exercising their freewill, they want me to be their flag bearer because they know I am the only one who can win for the party in this state. All these other jokers will fade away with time; if PDP genuinely wants to win this election, they know I have to be the flag bearer. Go to the streets and find out from the masses, who they really want, that is what gives me the confide nce. My confidence is reinforced by numerous telephone messages, numerous telephone calls from party members including those people thought are on the other side of the party.

    They are encouraging me saying ‘look, we know you are the only one who can do it, that if you had been picked as the candidate (in 2014), Ekiti would not have been in this condition.’ Ekiti people are freedom loving people, highly educated, highly exposed people so, that’s what gave me confidence and to do otherwise, is to give a death sentence to this party in the state.

    Will the endorsenent of the deputy governor by the governor not put you at a disadvantage?

    I am not bothered about that; if the governor is saying that he wants a preferred candidate, definitely he is looking for somebody he can continue to manipulate after his exit and he knows that it can’t be possible with me. I don’t see that putting me into any problem or disadvantage, what I worry about is impunity and imposition at the national level. If we allow free and fair primary in the state, I will win it by the grace of God, I will win it, I will win it. The party’s rank and file are with me, they want me to be their flag bearer. We knew what happened in 2014, I was coasting home and I could have won successfully with 75 per cent. You knew what the authorities at that level did then but this time around, we are not going to tolerate that. I cannot be appeased like that time, I know that this time around, I will emerge as the flag bearer of the party unfailingly by the grace of the Almighty God. I have the confidence and I am going to work very hard, people know that I work hard day and night and I am putting all my energy to it. Let the governor put all the state machinery, all the state money, all the state resources but if Ekiti people really want to be liberated, they would really want a paradigm shift in governance, I am available.

    Do you think the governor would allow a free, fair and transparent primary?

    The governor is not the party. He is a member of the party, even though a privileged and important member of the party. Should anybody try to hinder the process or affect this process negatively by way of imposition or any other negative attitude, trying to manipulate things, we are going to resist it.

    What are your prospects at the primary?

    If I am the candidate, our party will get many people to support us and vote for us but if I am not the candidate, I don’t know what will happen. I look at the APC, I have been in the politics of this state from day one. I am one of the most experienced politicians in this state today. I have paid my dues, I have suffered more disappointments more than any of them, I have seen the rough edges, suffered left, right and centre and I am much better as a human being. Now, all of them in the APC from the beginning to the end, I can stand against them. I think Ekiti people are looking for somebody they can trust, who have the greater understanding of what leadership entails, who they know is a selfless person, who is not a selfish person. I don’t have any blemish in my record anywhere, I served at the federal level, I served at the state level , I have served the party even when I was in the AD (Alliance for Democracy), when I was in Afenifere, when I was in NADECO (National Democratic Coalition), there was no blemish against me. I served selflessly in all of these positions and I did very well. People are praying for me, against all comers whether in the PDP or the APC, I am ready and by the grace of God, I am going to triumph.

     

  • Ekweremadu: PDP should conduct primary

    Ekweremadu: PDP should conduct primary

    The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has charged the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure transparent and credible primaries, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He blamed the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election on lack of internal democracy that manifested in the imposition of candidates and disregard for the party’s constitution.

    Ekweremadu delivered a keynote address at the opening of a two-day retreat for the NWC and State Chairmen of the PDP in Abuja.

    He said: “Another election year is by the corner. The new NWC must ensure that the party does not repeat past mistakes. We must return power to the people, as our name and slogan rightly demand of us. This will not only reassure Nigerians that we are indeed an improved and rebranded PDP, but will also encourage the massive return of former party faithful.”

    Ekweremadu said, the public will evaluate the PDP’s commitment to end corruption and promote accountability and transparency by the way it handles internal party affairs.

    He added: “We have a history of fighting corruption and our systems must be corruption-free. This should stand us out as the only hope to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. The PDP established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    “We saw to the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act and introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Biometric Verification Number (BVN). The PDP also ensured that the Civil Society Organisations and the press flourished to promote an accountable and open society.

    “There was no effort by the PDP to tame the Non-Governmental Organisations or the use of the social media. Importantly, we beamed the anti-graft searchlight on our own members to demonstrate that there must be no sacred cows in the war against graft.

    “Therefore, we must conduct our affairs in a way that reassure Nigerians that under the incoming PDP administration, we will not only consolidate on all these track record, but will also firmly eradicate corruption from 2019”.

    The senator warned against any form of undue interferences by the NWC in the affairs of the state chapters of the party.

    “I appeal to the NWC to ensure that the state executives of the party enjoy the freedom to run the affairs of the party at the state level. The current NWC should emphatically denounce all forms of impunity and the politics of godfather and godson.

    “The state executives and members of our party at that level understand the character of the aspirants, their popularity, and the local circumstances in their jurisdictions. They should, therefore, be allowed to work with the electoral panels to pilot the primaries transparently and creditably.

    “But like Caesar’s wife, the state executives must also live above board. This is a new PDP”, he added.

    On the party’s presidential ticket, Ekweremadu urged the NWC to provide a level playing ground for all interested and qualified aspirants.

    He said: “Of utmost importance in the build up to 2019 election year is our choice of presidential candidate. The fate and political fortunes of the party depend on the party’s presidential candidate.

    “The party must, therefore, identify a candidate with the credentials, reach, charisma, competence, and popularity to outmatch any candidate presented by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and any other party for that matter.

  • World Bank to lift 50 primary, secondary healthcare centres

    More than  50 Primary and Secondary Healthcare Centres in two local governments of Bauchi State are to benefits from World Bank Nigerian States Health Investment Project (NSHIP).

    Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency spokesperson, Suleiman Alhassan Damban said yesterday that the 50 health facilities are selected  of 170 in Bauchi and Katagum Local Governments based on the new mappings.

    According to him, this followed a unanimous decision taken by stakeholders in the health sector at a Validation Meeting held at Azare, the Katagum Local Government, adding tha”the selection of the health facilities was based on merit”.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health,Dr.Saidu Aliyu Gita, represented by Director, Planning and Statistics Dr. Dayyabu Mohammad Hassan warned managers of the facilities,”do not joke with the opportunity given to you,you must treat these items very tenderly”.

    He added that “you must also ensure the success of this program as we are all stakeholders.Th NSHIP programme to the two local governments would encourage health facilities in other  councils to stand on their feet so as to be included in the project”.

    Earlier, NSHIP Project Coordinator, Dr. Adamu Muhammad said the aim of the meeting was to present the data mapped for validation and to ascertain the mapping of the health facilities it was conducted objectively”.

  • Osun holds callisthenics competition for schools

    The Osun State government will  hold callisthenics competition for primary and secondary school students. The sport was introduced into the state school system by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Briefing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital on the event, Mr. Yaya Ademola, one of the team leaders revealed that the history of engaging Osun State youths in calisthenics display will not be complete without mentioning the immense role played by Governor Rauf Aregbesola who decided to introduce and engaged thousands of students of secondary schools in athletic fitness and youth leadership programmes. The aim was to enable them to cope with various challenges of life as they grow up.

    Ademola noted that since the introduction of callisthenics in public schools, performances at various anniversary celebrations had been restricted to about 15,000 pupils from schools in Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, adding that the approved template gives opportunity to selected public schools in all the nine federal constituencies as well as interested private schools to participate.

    According to him, participation is voluntary. “The government will only be responsible for the training and competitions which will hold in two stages, at the senatorial level among teams representing federal constituencies and at the state level between the first-place teams at the senatorial level competition.

    “In addition to trophies, plaques, medals and certificates for the participants, prize monies of N1,000,000; N750,000 and N500,000 will be won by the first, second and third place teams respectively at the senatorial level competition.

    “By November this year, the 1st team in each of the senatorial level will compete for N2, 000,000; N1, 000,000 and N750, 000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. The prize monies will be used by the authorities of the combined participating and the host schools for the development of their sporting facilities and activities,” he said.

    He further said as the state anniversary is fast approaching, where the students will put up a superlative performance, all hands are on deck to prepare the teams for the celebration.

    “Callisthenic is very flexible. It all depends on creativity. At our levels, displays take two levels, field composition and background display. Activities at the federal constituencies to the senatorial competitions are only based on the field compositions.

    At the state level on the anniversary day, a background display consisting of rows of pupils seated in a gallery at Osogbo Township Stadium will be forming captions of different words and patterns, speaking to the competing teams in the main bowl.

    “The background will not be competing. It will only add flavour and glamour to complement the competing teams and entertain the audience. At another level, the field composition could also play background role to form different words and captions. Display can involve from a few dozen up to thousands of persons exercising in unison.

    “Callisthenic takes away pupils from average and below families away from harmful and out-of-school vile engagements into joyful and healthy activities, especially in the absence of other healthy exercises in our schools.

    “It teaches discipline, co-operation and teamwork. It conditions the pupils to be physically and mentally sound. It brings participants from various backgrounds and orientation together in a happy atmosphere” he said.

    Ademola noted that “the target is to institutionalise callisthenics into our schools curriculum as an integral part of processes to mould a complete new man/woman that is imbibed with tools he or she needs for daily application of life such that he or she will be completely educated in soul, mind and vision.

    “Group Calisthenics endow the participants with acute sense of precision and organisational competence. Without unison and accuracy, the outcome of their efforts will not be plausible. Participants imbibe all the elements that make up a disciplined life; promptness and punctuality.

    “Should a dozen participants be late to training, not to mention being absent, the entire training for other participants is endangered.

    “Co-operation, team-work and unity of purpose is at the heart of the calisthenics arts and is imbibed as healthy, life-changing virtues by participants through the course of their training. Calisthenics is the only single extra-curriculum activity that infuses in participants the desired ethical contents of all-round education,” he said.

     

  • New school opens in Abuja

    The GAAT International School, a co-educational day and boarding institution for crèche, nursery, primary and secondary school education levels, has opened for academics in Gudu, Gaduwa District, Abuja.

    The school’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include air-conditioned classes, well-equipped sick bay that  offers 24-hours service, science and technology laboratories, water treatment plant and boreholes, well furnished auditorium and swimming pools, was dedicated last week by Ven Ukaejiofor Vicar of Sir James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Chairman, Board of Directors of the School, Senator Ikechukwu Abana, said he was motivated to establish the school, not necessarily for financial gain, but to provide quality education for young ones.

    He said the tuition fees were pegged at far less than those schools of comparable standard.

    Abana also said the school was part of his social responsibility to create employment and conducive environment for youths to realise their potential.

    Other clergymen at the event included: Ven. Princewill Iraba of All Saints Church Wuse; Rev. Elias Fatile also of St. James Church Asokoro and Rev. Adeola Oyeniyi of Christ Church, Garki, Abuja.

    Dignitaries included Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ossy Obienica (rtd), AVM Anene Okafor (rtd), Senator Ugochulwu Uba, Chief Dennis Anekwe, Chief Sir Dozie Ekpe, Group Capt. (rtd) Segun Kushalu, and Chief I.K. G Nwozo.

  • Nwoye wins Anambra APC governorship primary

    A member of the House of Representatives, Dr Tony Nwoye, has won Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary ahead of the November 18 election.

    Nwoye, who represents Anambra East and Anambra West Constituency in the National Assembly, polled 2,146 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Andy Uba, who scored 931 votes in the party’s primary conducted on Saturday.

    The result of the primary was announced yesterday by the Chairman of the state’s APC Governorship Primary Election and Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.

    The election started on Saturday and extended till about 4.10 p.m yesterday when the result was announced by Shettima after a long period of collation of ballots.

    A breakdown of the result showed that Chief George Muoghalu polled 525 votes to place third, while Ms Adaobi Uchegbu, the only female aspirant, scored one vote.

    The Borno State governor said the total votes cast was 4,332, out of which 4,302 votes were valid and 31 were invalid.

    He noted that the total figure tallied with the number of ballot papers brought by the committee for the election.

    Shettima described the election, which had 12 aspirants as “very tedious” but the “easiest” he had ever taken part in.

    He said: “It was an easy one for us as an umpire because none of the members of the committee has personal interest. That was why we did our best to make the election free, fair and credible.”

    Shettima said the committee resisted overtures from aspirants, which he noted would have adversely affected the outcome of the primary.

    The governor hailed security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their roles at ensuring that the primary was successful.

    He said: “I must thank the security agencies, especially the Commissioner of Police and state’s Director of Department of State Service (DSS).”

    Presenting a copy of the election result to Nwoye, the Borno State governor urged him to ensure that APC wins the November 18 governorship poll.

    In his acceptance speech, Nwoye described the process that led to his victory as “thorough”.

    He pledged to lead the party to victory.

    Nwoye, a medical doctor and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), was born on September 13, 1974.

    He studied Medicine at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka (UNN) and at the Ebonyi State University at Abakaliki.

    The APC candidate hails from Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area, the same area with incumbent Governor Willie Obiano.

    He is a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and its governorship candidate in the 2013 election.

    Nwoye won the election to the National Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the PDP.

  • Tight security at APC primary

    Tight security at APC primary

    There is tight security at the venue of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) primary in Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    Delegates are still awaiting the accreditation even though reporters have been moved from the National Stadium to the en-bloc.

    They were screened at five points of entry to the venue of the shadow polls.

    Some of the politicians who came with their supporters were allowed in while their followers remained outside.

    The police, civil defence and other private security outfits screened every person allowed to the venue including top politicians.

  • Youths urge free, fair party primary

    Youths urge free, fair party primary

    A chieftain of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya has urged leaders of Oshodi Local Government Area, Lagos not to impose candidates on the electorate during the party’s primary for the forthcoming local government election.

    He said the party did not field some popular aspirants in the 2015 elections which led to the emergence of the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly.

    He noted that Oshodi is one of the major communities in Lagos State that contributes to the overall development of the state, stressing that it is the stronghold of the APC.

    “The local government election that is on the way and with reference to Oshodi LGA, which is one of the popular areas in Lagos, has been in the news for the good, bad and ugly.

    “We that are residents of Oshodi understand the intrigues of the council. We are aware of what is happening and wish to use this medium to tell Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that he should prevail on the elders of the council not to impose any candidate on the electorate in the forthcoming election.

    “We saw hell in the 2015 elections due to the invasion of Oshodi by the opposition. They were supported by federal might and used all sorts of obnoxious acts to undermine the election process.

    “I want the government to create a level playing ground that will ensure that only a popular candidate is allowed to fly the ticket of the APC. We should avoid the mistakes of the past, which gave the opposition the opportunity to encroach on the APC stronghold in the last election.”

    Akinsanya further explained that the youth were fully ready for the council polls, noting that he would mobilise them for a successful outing during the election.

    “Oshodi is a great council in Lagos State and would not be fair to allow the opposition party to encroach into it because they have nothing to offer the people. Our elders should be prevailed upon to support the popular candidates in the coming elections.

    “The residents are ready for the election and they are going to support only the popular candidate to win the election for APC.

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan never gave us peace during the 2015 elections. We were running for our dear lives. They used soldiers, thugs and all manner of people to terrorise us. I had to escape from the country through Cotonou, Republic of Benin to Saudi Arabia.

    “The only caution ahead is for the APC to produce a popular candidate during its primary. There should not be any form of imposition of candidate by leaders in Oshodi LGA, so that what happened in the past does not happen again.

    “Again, I am confident that the APC has learnt its lessons. I believe it will organise a free and fair primary which the people will be proud to support,” he said.

  • My grouse against APC primary in Ifako-Ijaye, by aspirant

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the House of Representatives in Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Lagos State, James Owolabi, has spoken on the outcome of the poll.

    He said his loyalty to the party was intact, noting that all hands must be on deck to win the election.

    Owolabi, who polled 166 votes at the delegates’ election, said Mr Akinwunmi, who emerged as the candidate with 219 votes, could not match him on the field.

    He described himself as a committed party man and popular contender.

    Owolabi said while some aspirants were asked to step down, and one contender disqualified, he was the aspirant to beat.

    He said: “More than three times now, I have made known my intention to run for the House of Reps, but I was at one point or the other stopped by the party. We all need to be given a level playing field.

    “On the eve of the election, I ran for my dear life when I learnt I was going to be abducted. I was called to come and effect my withdrawal from the race. Imposition is no longer in vogue in our party. So, this experience is not envisaged. We should have been informed not to purchase forms at N2.2m each, if an anointed candidate had been premeditated.

    “Many of these developments I am sure our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would never be a part of. there were clear instances of intimidation right in the premises where the primary was held.

    The aspirant complained that the party has been victimising him after the poll.

    Owolabi added: “I am however, perturbed that after the primary, I got home and met a license revocation letter for my wife’s PSP operation ‘Oye Balogun Enterprises, without any reason, I want the concerned authorities to review their stance on this matter because my wife’s business should not suffer due to my political ambition.”

  • Community gets land for primary school

    Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area has handed over two plots of land to 17 communities in Obawole area for the construction of a public primary school.

    Handing over the property to the community at a ceremony which held at the proposed site opposite Guinness Water Project on Ndike Street, Obawole, the council’s Sole Administrator Babatunde I.Q. Raj-Label said with it, primary education has been brought closer to the doorsteps of residents of Obawole community.

    Raj-Label, who noted that providing a school for residents of the community has been dear to successive administration in the council, described his administration as lucky to have achieved the feat.

    He said though the council would have done more by handing over a fully built school to the community, such could not be done because of paucity of funds.

    He urged the communities to make judicious use of the property and build a befitting school which children of residents of the area would be proud of.

    “We are, through this project, achieving a long-term dream because we have chosen to protect the lives of our young ones and save the future of generations yet unborn by putting a school within the community,” Raj-Label said.

    He said despite its economic advantages, the council decided to let go of the property for a school for the future of the children of all residents rather than for housing or any other commercial purposes.

    He thanked residents of the 17 communities that made up Obawole community for their perseverance and understanding, adding that they have continued to support his government.

    He said the council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased by over 400 per cent, while his administration has resumed the construction of the permanent secretariat, which, when completed, would improve service delivery within the council.

    Earlier, a leader of the community Pastor Samuel Opajobi said the 17 communities are happy that finally the local government is acceding to their request to provide a primary school for children of residents of the area.

    Opajobi, who said the closest primary school to Obawole is five kilometres away, revealed that children are usually exposed to accidents and other afflictions while some have died in their quest to receive education.

    Though the community would have loved to have the school built by the council, it nonetheless would not hesitate to pull resources to build the structure.

    The Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Ashimiyu Onifade praised the Sole Administrator for making the community’s dream of building school for children of residents realised