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Tag: PRIMARY

  • Obaseki wins APC primary, beat Odubu with 1,618 votes

    Obaseki wins APC primary, beat Odubu with 1,618 votes

    Edo state All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday elected Mr Godwin Obaseki as its governorship candidate for the September 10 governorship election. The Chairman of the Economic Management Team defeated 11 others at the contest.

    Announcing the result, The Chairman of the Election Committee, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina, said Obaseki polled 1,618 delegates vote to defeat Governor Adams Oshiomhole deputy, Pius Odubu, who scored 471 votes, Kenneth Imansuagbon 247, former minister of state for works, Chris Ogiemwonyi 137, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) 11 votes, Blessing Agbonmeire five votes, Professor Frederick Amadausn eight votes,  Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula 10 votes, Peter Esele eight votes, Austin Emuan four votes Professor Osarheimen Osunbor nine votes and Mrs Tina Agbarha three votes.

    Esele commended the excercise and urged his supporters to work for the success of the party in the election.

    “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. This is also to give my support and good wishes for Mr G. Noghaghase Obaseki on his victory as our party flag bearer. Let us all join hands to support him in the general election”

    Oshiomhole described the exercise as credible and that it is an entrenchment of the democratic principle of one man one vote.

    “Having monitored and watched everything that has happened here. We are celebrating democracy, Edo is leading is leaving by example if you compare what has happened in some other places, obviously, this is an outstanding achievement. You will remember that this is where we launched one man one vote and what we have demonstrated today is a case of one man one vote and I am glad that the delegates won, the delegates have spoken, now the party should be more united now, we are ready to hit the ground running for the campaigns and God willing by September 10 I am sure Edo people will re-affirm the bond between them the APC.

    “Every aspirant got recognition by the delegates; at least nobody went home without any vote. Like the chairman of the organising committee said, everybody won. Like i said, if you have 12 angels on parade and if you want to select    one, we have selected a candidate we all now have to work together which is something we understand from the beginning I believe everybody who contested understood, they now have to work together to deliver the ticket and I think that would not be a problem.”

    On the winner, Oshiomhole said: “If you listen to the speech of the candidate, the guy is sound, he is at home with the issues, he is not a stranger to governance for seven and a half years he has been part of the system in the brain box there is no space for learning, the guy is already ready to go hot the ground leaning. For me I feel fulfilled but you know in Nigeria, people are always in a hurry to throw mud, the way the thing has gone, I am the media has shown it live and I am that Nigerians wherever they are in a position”

    On the Spetember 10 contest with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which holds its primaries today (Monday), oshiomhole said   “There is no PDP, which of the factions are we going to face, you have one body, several heads even when they were potent, we defeated them so there is no cause for concern, we will go for the election, there are other parties in the state, PDP will not be an issue and I don’t think Edo people will forget the crime of PDP in a hurry not for the next 20 years in this state.”

    In his acceptance speech, Obaseki  said: “Today is a great day for our democracy and for our party the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is a great day for development in Edo State. Today, we have commenced another phase in our journey into our brighter future. A future which will define us as as a modern and progressive state where every citizen is empowered with opportunities to live life to its fullness.

    “I am indeed humbled by this nomination and will like to state that this is our collective victory and thank you all. This is only the beginning.

    “The challenge is for us, to take the contest to the next level. As a party we must continue to work as a team to deliver victory at the September 10 Governorship election. And let me assure you that we will win.

    “The administration of the Comrade Governor came on the heels of decades of mismanagement, unproductive and failed policies, all shrouded in excuses by the PDP past government. But in the face of these challenges, the administration dared to envision an Edo state that will become a leading economic centre in Nigeria where the people live in dignity, powered by a Government that is responsive to their needs. Today, we are proud that Edo stands out as a success story. We will build on That success and continue to live up to the metaphor of our state – The heart beat of Nigeria.”

  • Akeredolu hails APC for Edo governorship primary

    •Ex-NBA chief congratulates Obaseki 

    Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has hailed the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s national leadership for Saturday’s successful governorship primary in the state.

    The leading APC governorship aspirant in Ondo State said the peaceful and transparent primary in Edo State was an indication of the party’s belief in internal democracy.

    He expressed confidence that the era of candidate imposition was over in APC.

    In a statement yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by his Aketi Media Group, quoted Akeredolu as saying that a free and fair primary was necessary for the party to a have a successful outing at the poll.

    The frontline lawyer said such internal democracy and transparency engenders loyalty, confidence and commitment among party members.

    He noted that the Edo State APC primary ended with Mr. Godwin Obaseki winning the party’s ticket.

    Obaseki polled 1,618 of the 2,572 total votes cast. He was followed by Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, who polled 471 votes; Keneth, with 247 and Ogiemwonyi, 137 votes.

    Others aspirants together got less than 100 votes.

    The total number of delegates in the primary was 2,873 out of whom 2,582 were accredited. The total number of votes cast was 2,572.

    Akeredolu, who congratulated Obaseki for clinching the APC governorship ticket, urged other aspirants to merge their structures with the winner’s and work for APC’s success in the September election.

  • Oshiomhole assures aspirants of free, fair primary

    Oshiomhole assures aspirants of free, fair primary

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured governorship aspirants on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform that tomorrow’s primary will be free, fair and devoid of violence.

    Speaking at a meeting with the aspirants at the Government House, Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “As the Chief Security Officer of the state, every step will be taken to ensure that there is no violence; and there will be no violence by the special grace of God, because our party does not include violence in its method.

    “There will be enough security, and anybody going into the arena will not be able to carry any offensive weapon. That I can assure you; it is not a place for supporters’ club. It is a venue for delegates polling. Perhaps, the only exemption will be those who are not delegates, but who are aspirants. I believe by reason of their delegation, they are entitled to be there. The same goes for their approved agents. I believe there are rules guiding the exercise, having been involved in election primaries.”

    He added: “I assure you I will work with security agencies to ensure that anybody whose purpose of coming to the stadium that day is to foment trouble will be arrested and, if convicted, will spend some time in Oko or any other location. We have a duty to stand by the motto of our party, which is ‘Change’: change for good. It does not include violence as an instrument of change.”

    Reacting to the allegation of inducement of delegates, the governor said: “As for the allegation of people spending money, the truth is like what they said in the Bible: who will cast the first stone? Of the seven of you here seated, how many can put his hand on the Bible and say, I have not induced delegates with money?”

  • Esele: We can’t use PVCs for primary

    Esele: We can’t use PVCs for primary

    Comrade Peter Esele, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has appealed to the leadership of the party to consider the use of another means of identification of delegates during the primary.

    Esele, who made this appeal while fielding questions from reporters, said the appeal became necessary against the alleged buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from delegates by a particular aspirant.

    He said if the party dues not consider other means; it will give room for fake delegates.

    Esele, who is a former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said he was disturbed by this trend, alleging that the PVC’s that were being bought for N25, 000, were meant to be cloned.

    “We are all disturbed about the issue of a particular aspirant who goes about mopping PVC from delegates with money.

    “Some of the aspirants have come out to condemn this and also raise concern on it to the party’s national secretariat.

    ‘“We are also not unaware on how the particular aspirants have come out to deny this, but the fact is that it is not a mere allegation as I have found out myself.

    “In one of my campaigns in Auchi, a woman, one of the delegates, told me after addressing the people, that she felt so bad and walked up to me and told me how the agent of the particular aspirant took her PVC and gave her N10, 000.

    “I am appealing to the national secretariat, to do everything possible so that there must be a secondary way of identification.

    “I have always believed that democracy is all about contestation of ideas, I have nothing against any of the aspirants, and I have said this before, the governor has a right to have a preferred candidate but who will be the nominee of the party, is the responsibility of the delegates.

    “So, the governor and the party structure should ensure that we have a level playing field at the primaries. It is the responsibility of the party to conduct primaries and not that of the governor,” he said.

    Esele urged the party leadership to ensure that a level playing field is guaranteed aspirants that will be participating in the primary, if the party is to go into the governorship election without bitterness.

    According to him, “if at the end of the day i win, I want to win fair and square and if it happens that I lose, I want to do that in a manner that I will walk up to the winner and shake his hand and together we match to September election.

    “But, anything less, it us going to leave a sad taste in my mouth and it is not good for the cohesion f the party going into the September election.”

    He said he is not happy with the way the governor is being dragged into the primary, “There are certain things the governor may know and also some he may not,” he added.

    Esele said: “The reason why am not happy is that at this time of the year, being his last, we should be talking about the legacy of this governor and this government. Oshiomhole as a governor has done well, very well.

    “But, at the party now, none of us is discussing the successes of this government and Oshiomhole, but attention is now on the primaries and the negative side of the primaries and it is robbing on the governor.

    “At this critical time, for the sake of his legacy, for the sake of what we know he represent, I still believe in him.

    “This is where he needs to show leadership. this is where he needs to define his legacy and also make the way he will be remembered strengthened.

    “I will be very sad for anybody to rubbish comrade Oshiomhole, not just because he is comrade Oshiomhole, not just because he is governor of Edo State but because we are from the same constituency.  We are from the same labour movement, whatever he does, positively and negatively, rob on all of us.

    “Whether you like it or not, Oshiomhole is a contributing factor to the fact that i am running for the governor of Edo State because he opened the door for us. When I see that he was able to do it, I also felt it will be possible for me.

    “My appeal to the governor is that he must not sacrifice all that he has done on all alter of a party primaries that is supposed to be a party affair.

    ‘The buying of PVC is being tied to the governor and I think it is very damaging and I think the governor should come out and clear the air about that. Because it is robbing of on him and it is damaging his reputation and the entire good job he has done.”

  • Edo PDP leaders allege plot to rig governorship primary

    Edo PDP leaders allege plot to rig governorship primary

    •Party elects 576 delegates today 

    Some leaders of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have kicked against the alleged decision to use the same delegates’ list used for the recent election of the state’s chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, for the governorship primary.

    This happened as the Prof. Tunde Adeniran-led committee is set to arrive in the state for the conduct of the primary on June 20.

    The party’s leaders said it would be unconstitutional to use the same list since the party’s constitution clarifies that it must conduct fresh congresses to elect delegates who would vote for aspirants of their choice in any election.

    It was learnt that the decision to go with the same list of delegates, who elected the state’s PDP chairman, was reached at the weekend at a meeting at the home of a former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih.

    Some leaders of the party, led by Okharedia Ihimekpen, who addressed reporters yesterday, said: “The decision to use Orbih’s delegates is unconstitutional. It is criminal and it is unacceptable. Whoever will emerge from this primary will be unacceptable to the party and the public because it will be contested in court.

    “We should go back to our constitution to see the rules. You don’t carry over a delegate who was used for chairmanship election for the governorship primary. What some PDP leaders want to do was to rig the primary before the exercise. The PDP constitution is very explicit on this matter. Section 25, sub-section L stipulates that every delegate election is for a particular election. After that, it cannot be used again.

    “So, any attempt to use the old list of delegates is an attempt to rig the primary. It will be resisted.”

    Also, members of state’s PDP will today elect 576 delegates who will participate in the party’s governorship primary on June 20.

    Already, three aspirants have been paid N16 million each to pick the party’s nomination forms.

    The governorship aspirants: are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Chief Solomon Edebiri.

    Besides the 576 delegates to be elected across the 192 wards, other statutory delegates, including former governors, former deputy governor, former lawmakers and others, would be added.

    Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, who confirmed this in a telephone chat with our reporter, urged the party members to conduct themselves well.

    Edebiri, who would contest the PDP primary for the first time, said he was not bothered about the election of delegates.

    The aspirant said the PDP leaders were aware that the party must win the election and that Edo residents were asking for only one man.

    He said: “That man is Solomon Edebiri. I believe they will hearken to the voice of reason. I will, however, remain in the party and work for the party, if the delegates decide otherwise.”

  • Lagos opens enrolment into primary schools

    Lagos opens enrolment into primary schools

    Last Friday’s Children’s Day celebration marked the beginning of registration of pupils into the Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE) and Primary One classes of public primary schools for the 2016/2017 academic session in Lagos State.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, registered the first few children after the Children’s Day parade at the Police College Parade Ground in Ikeja.

    The registration continued at the nearby Local Government Primary School behind Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Ikeja.

    Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, said the registration, which took place simultaneously in various centres across the state, would last until July 31.

    He urged parents with children aged six and above to register their wards in any of the state’s 1,007 public schools and 31 inclusive units close to them.

    He said the registration required only for them to present the birth certificate of the child and provide details of the home address.

    “The Lagos State government led by Mr Akinwunmi Ambode pays premium on the right of children to have qualitative education in a conducive atmosphere. We are urging our parents whose children are already six years old to take advantage of the exercise to register their wards in any primary school of their choice. We also have 31 inclusive schools to take care of children who need special education,” he said.

    Last year, 97,000 pupils were registered for the 2015/2016 academic session.

  • Group seeks use of local languages in primary schools

    A group, the Civil Society and Government Partnership (CSGP), has urged the Kwara State House of Assembly to enact laws that will support use of local languages in primary schools in the state.

    The group addressed reporters in Ilorin, the state capital on the outcome of its research on “The Preferred Language of Instruction in Schools and Uneven Distribution/Redeployment of Teachers.”

    It also canvassed the employment of qualified teachers who are indigenes of rural communities where schools are located.

    Spokesperson for the group, Hajia Nimat Labaika, explained that many children across sampled schools were not learning much because of the language barrier between them and their teachers, hence the need to enact language policies that will take account of local language learning especially from primary 1 to 3.

    “It is a practice that leads to limited or non-existent-learning and acquisition of knowledge and skills, alienating experiences and high drop-out and repetition rates,” said Labaika, who is Kwara State and North-central Coordinator for the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA).

    Forty-two communities in 12 local government areas were covered by the study.  It included 382 community members who are not members of School Based Management Committee (SBMC), 232 SBMC members, 262 school children and 184 teachers.

    She said: “From the result gathered, 78 percent of interviewed children and 78 percent of teachers said that the use of local language would  boost children’s academic performance. Some of the teachers who preferred to stick to English Language as the language of instruction also acknowledged that the use of local language will improve performance.

    “This position supports the notion that teachers preference for English is largely due to personal reasons and not reflection of what they think is best for pupils. However, 81 percent of parents believe that the use of local language will not improve children academic performance. The parents’ opinion is anchored on the limited knowledge of the technicalities attached to the teaching and learning and thereby affecting their opinion on how the process can be best improved.

    “Surprisingly, finding s show that some Fulani communities also chose Yoruba because they were born there and the only language they understand is Yoruba. They do not understand their original language (Fulfude). Only 15 percent of the respondents chose Fulfulde and these are parents who live in nomadic Fulani communities.”

    The group asked the state government to ensure that one teacher who could speak the local language be posted to each nomadic school in the state, and that teachers employed by the SBMC or Parent Teachers Association (PTA) who possesses relevant qualification in rural schools be absorbed to fill the existing gaps in the system.

    The group also recommended an upward review of the rural allowance for teachers posted to rural schools from the current rate of N200 per month to at least N5, 000 per month and that the existing policy which makes it mandatory for newly recruited teachers to stay for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years in any school they are posted to should be strictly followed.

    Although she acknowledged great improvement in the state of schools in the state with the injection of about N390 million by SBMC and others over a four year period, Labiaka said more still needed to be done by the government in dealing with the deplorable condition of primary schools in rural areas.

  • APC ‘ll conduct credible primary in Ondo, says Akande

    APC ‘ll conduct credible primary in Ondo, says Akande

    Elder statesman and former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bisi Akande has said that the party will hold a free and fair primary for governorship aspirants in Ondo State.

    He charged the aspirants to build a virile chapter and avoid any action that could breed strife and rancour as they prepare for the governorship poll.

    Akande reminded the contestants that the party is bigger than the ambition of individual aspirants, urging them to elevate its interest  over and above particularistic agenda.

    The eminent politician gave the advice when one of the aspirants,  Odunayo Akinrinsola-Oyewole, visited him at his home town, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

    The aspirant informed the party elder that he joined the race because he has what it takes to govern the state as a progressive politician.

    He paid tribute to Akande, who he described as a role model and mentor to many politicians in the country.

    Akande said the party will provide a level playing field for aspirants, adding that delegates will choose a candidate of their choice.

    No fewer than 15 governorship aspirants are warming up for the shadow poll. They include Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Hon. Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, Dr. Segun Abraham, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Paul Akinterinwa, Dr. Ayodele Akinyelure, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Hon. Ife Abegunde, Chief Olusola Oke, and  Akinrinsola Oyewole.

  • Sylva may sue APC for Bayelsa primary

    Sylva may sue APC for Bayelsa primary

    A former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva may sue the All Progressives Congress (APC), if the party insists on cancelling last Tuesday’s controversial primary held in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Following reports of violence, intimidation and harassment, which marred the primary, the party, through its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, cancelled it.

    APC said a new date would be fixed to conduct another primary.

    But Sylva said he remained the party’s candidate for the December 5 governorship election.

    In a statement by his campaign orgsnisation’s spokesman, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, the former governor described as misleading and untrue reports that APC’s September 22 primary was cancelled or rescheduled.

    The statement said Sylva won the primary, adding that it was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The statement said: “We want to state categorically that since the primary was conducted according to the rules and duly won by Sylva, he remains the candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State; any statement to the contrary is a mere rumour.

    “The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul a state primary. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel.”

    But there were reports that the party’s leadership had fixed next Tuesday as a new date for a fresh primary.

    It was gathered that the Chairman of the Electoral Panel and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole had threatened to step down but was prevailed upon by the party’s leadership to conclude the primary.

    Oshiomhole would be joined by two other governors to conduct the fresh primary.

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and another governor from the Southwest were reportedly being considered to participate in the primary.

    But it was learnt that Sylva might go to court, if the party conducted a fresh primary.

    The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation dismissed the report that another primary would be conducted tomorrow.

    The organisation, in a statement by Buokoribo, said that there was no way a fresh primary could be organised on Tuesday.

    Buokoribo said any attempt to hold a fresh primary would amount to an act of “illegality”.

    He said: “Let us restate here that an APC candidate for the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State has emerged and that candidate is Chief Timipre Sylva. No amount of media manipulation can change that. This is a society of law and order.

    “The latest disinformation through the media goes to show the level of desperation of some people who want the APC governorship ticket through the back door. An election was conducted, Sylva won, the whole world has seen it.

    “Besides, there is no way a hopelessly compromised Oshiomhole, who has also openly displayed his bias, can be asked again to conduct an election in Bayelsa State. Even his masters know that will be unacceptable to Nigerians.

    “Similarly, as at Saturday, September 26, Tambuwal was in far away New York attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while (Ogun State Governor Ibikunle) Amosun is attending Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Are they going to conduct a virtual election?

    “Despite the orchestrated lies and disinformation, the Sylva Campaign will again urge our teeming supporters to be law-abiding, peaceful but resolute. Victory is sure.”

  • Ekiti spends N12.5b on primary education

    Ekiti State Government spent over N12.5 billion in educating public primary school pupils during the 2013/2014 academic session.

    The Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Senator Bode Ola, who disclosed this in his office in Ado Ekiti, said the huge investment by the government was to ensure a better future for them.

    Ola disclosed that the money was used to pay teachers’ salaries, provided physical infrastructure, instructional materials, organise training programmes, and monitoring school projects, as well as learning and teaching activities.

    The Ekiti SUBEB chief who said about N70, 000.00 is spent on the education of each primary school child annually stressed the need for parents and guardians contribute their quota to the education of bards.

    He reiterated Governor Ayo Fayose’s commitment to improving the welfare of teachers.

    The Chairman solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders in education including parents and guardians, teachers and pupils urging them to pay their dues to justify the huge amount expended by the government in the education sector.

    Ola emphasised that the children who are in the center of learning must be properly taken care of from the basic level so that a good foundation would be laid for producing good leaders in future.