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Tag: running mate

  • Ortom picks Abounu as running mate

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has picked his deputy, Benson Abounu, as running mate for next year’s election.

    In 2015, the governor lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship  primary and moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where the leader of the party, Senator George Akume, provided him with a platform to pick the ticket.

    Akume’s decision to give Ortom the ticket did not not down well with some aspirants, especially Emmanuel Jime, who seemed to be  coasting home to victory.

    But, Akume had his way. He also single handed chose Abounu as running mate to Ortom.

    The duo of Ortom and Abounu won the election in 2015.

    Things took a dramatic turn as Ortom dumped the APC which brought him to power for the PDP after three and half years in the saddle.

    His deputy, was silent throughout the meetings that led to Ortom’s defection .

    It took the promptings of reporters at a  function in the Government House before Abounu admitted that he will follow his boss to the PDP.

    When the governor negotiated his way back to PDP, it was a difficult time for Abounu, who was Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment under former Governor Akume.

    Abounu is not a novice when its comes to politics. He was the first politician from Benue South to contest for the position of a governor.

    Abounu’s long  silence on his next move generated controversy.

    There were rumours that he may be dropped for another candidate from Zone C.

    The choice of Abounu, as a running mate to Ortom was a hard one, but necessary for the governor. It was a matter of the “ the devil you know is better that the angel you don’t know“.

    Abounu is the chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi.

    Benson Abounu is a dutiful and loyal deputy. He never rocked the boat. He is humble, tested and trusted.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ogun AD candidate picks running mate

    The Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oluseyi Olufade-Olowookere, has demonstrated his commitment to enhance women participation in politics by picking Dr. Folake Saliu as his running mate.

    Saliu was born in 1959 to the Prominent Onasile Family, of Oke-Sopen, Ijebu Igbo is currently the Executive Director, Human Resources and Administration of Sifax Group, a multinational corporation. She is a seasoned professional with over 28 years’ experience in international project management and capacity building for leadership and management. She has worked in 15 countries across the globe and is a UK accredited Trainer/Mentor and faculty member of the Centre for International Advanced & Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos, a centre associated to Cambridge University, UK.

    Saliu earned her PhD in Education & Counseling Psychology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; a Post-Graduate Certificate in Emotional Education (PGCEE), from University of Derby, United Kingdom, and Post-Graduate Certificate in International Health Consultancy from University of Liverpool (School of Tropical Medicine), UK.

    The choice of Dr. Saliu followed extensive consultation with party leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, women, youths and other stake holders.  She will be bringing valuable experience in corporate governance, resourcefulness in administration and great people skills into the new government come May 2019.

     

  • Imo: Madumere may serve as running mate to Uzodinma

    •Flays refusal to restore security, alleges threat to life
    •Owerri calm as Okorocha’s loyalists maintain silence

    There are indications yesterday that the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has been pencilled to serve as the running mate to Senator Hope Uzodinma, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election in the State.

    A top party official in the state told The Nation that “the decision to pair the two was part of the party’s diligent plan to ensure that every interest is adequately taken care of.”

    The APC official, who did not want to be named, said the party in the state is sure that the two can work together. In the primary election presided over by Ahmed Gulak, Uzodinma garnered a total of 423,895 votes to top the list, while Madumere came second with a total of 128,325 votes.

    Also, according to the source, the party leaders reasoned that “Since Uzodinma hails from Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu), the same zone with Rochas Okorocha and Madumere hails from Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone), pairing the two will neutralise any negative campaign against the party as it will also soothe the concerns of the Owerri zone.”

    As at yesterday afternoon, supporters of both Uzodinma and Madumere were still waiting eagerly in Owerri for their return to Imo from Abuja. Our source said the two had been in Abuja for some time now, working together to ensure that nothing went wrong and that they are expected to come back to the state together any moment from now.

    The Nation noted yesterday that notwithstanding APC’s final submission of Uzodinma’s name as the party’s governorship candidate, Owerri, the state capital, was particularly calm. It is not yet clear why Okorocha loyalists, who have been vocal since the political horse-trading began, refrained yesterday from responding to the development.

    But a statement from the Office of the Deputy Governor, by Madumere’s Chief Press Secretary, Uche Onwuchekwa, yesterday alleged threat to the life of the Deputy Governor.  The statement regretted that 12 members of staff in the Deputy Governor’s office were suddenly posted out in October through a memo with reference number HIS/S. 29/S.1/t.3/1/807, signed on behalf of the Head of Service by Emole K. O.

    Alleging that “some members of the domestic staff of the Deputy Governor were approached to be used as agents of death to poison the Deputy Governor,” the office said in the statement, “we wish to state categorically that the sudden posting of the operational staff of the Deputy Governor is a careful plot to compromise the security of Madumere.”

  • Benue APC governorship candidate picks ex-minister as running-mate

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC) governorship candidate in Benue State, Barr.Emmanuel Jime has picked former Minister of State for Niger – Delta Sam Ode as his running mate .

    The APC duo of Jime and Ode will square up against  PDP incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom and Benson Abounu in next governorship race .

    Sam Ode was chairman of Otukpo Local Government council,  in Benue State and was later  appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs by then ,Governor Gabriel Suswam , before he was appointed Minster of State for Niger- Delta by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Sam Ode ,hails from Otukpo Local Government area in Benue State and was a governorship aspirant in the 2014 but lost to Terhemen Tarzoor, was defeated by Governor Ortom.

    He later joined APC , a recipient of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies ( NIPSS) Kuru,

  • Tonye Cole picks APC’s NWC member as running mate

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Pastor Tonye Cole has picked the Deputy National Secretary of the party Chief Victor Giadom as his running mate.

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of the party Chris Finebone made the disclosure yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    He said Cole, a billionaire businessman and co-founder of Sahara Group, announced the choice of Giadom while briefing APC leaders during a meeting in the Rivers State capital.

    Giadom is an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area where Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District/governorship aspirant on APC platform, also hails from.

    He is a former chairman of Gokana local government council and later served as Rivers Commissioner for Works in the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration between 2011 and 2015.

    Giadom also served as the Director-General of the Greater Together Governorship Campaign Organisation of APC’s Dr. Dakuku Peterside in 2015.

    He replaced Ambassador to Netherlands, Oji Ngofa, as member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC after the latter emerged the party’s candidate for Rivers Southeast senatorial district.

    Cole was quoted as saying during the stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt: “The choice of Chief Victor Giadom as my running mate was arrived at, after a careful and exhaustive consideration of an array of equally-notable personalities in the party.

    “He (Giadom) came out tops on all considerations, especially his unalloyed and untainted loyalty, unrelenting hard work and invaluable experience.

     

  • Abia 2019: Emenike picks running mate

    Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Chief Ikechi Emenike has picked Dr Tom Otuka, a Russia-trained medical doctor from Ndoki in Ukwa East council area, as his running mate.

    Emenike announced this in Umuahia during a meeting of the members of the party which included aspirants for various elective positions in the state, saying that his choice of Otuka is based on his desire to run an all-inclusiveness government.

    The economist said the people of Ukwa have been neglected in the current political dispensation, adding that from 1999, that the people of Ngwa have been producing the deputy governor.

    Emenike said: “I think that this time an Ukwa person should be considered as they are members of the state as well.

    “The choice of Otuka is mainly on merit as he is not just a highly qualified medical practitioner with over 40 years experience but he also has a deep knowledge of Ukwa-Ngwa in particulars and Abia in general.

    “He comes with a verifiable credentials, have over seven hospitals which he has been managing effectively both in Port Harcourt and his Ndoki community in Ukwa East council area, he is also a firm believer of the President Mohammadu Buhari’s candidacy”.

    On the question that he has picked a relatively unknown person, Emenike said: “Yes he may not be known politically to you but he has been in politics for a long time, however it takes a day for a person to be known politically.

    “However it should be known that Dr. Otuka is a grassroots politician, he has hospitals in Port Harcourt, Ndoki his community including a resort centre which goes a long way to show that he is solid in his area.”

    Otuka thanked Emenike for reposing such implicit confidence in him and promised him, the party members and Abians in general that he will not betray their trust on him.

    Otuka said the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the state has made the people to reject them.

    ”This in turn has made it easier for the APC to take over the state in the coming election” he said.

  • Egbeyemi is Fayemi’s running mate

    FORMER Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has been nominated as the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate.

    Egbeyemi, a grassroots politician and an indigene of Ado-Ekiti, has held key positions at party, executive and legislative levels.

    He is a teacher, lawyer, former local government chairman, former House of Assembly member, former commissioner and a traditional chief in his community.

    The APC deputy governorship candidate is a home-based politician and businessman with interests in law, hospitality, education and property.

    A statement by Mr. Wole Olujobi of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, said Egbyemi’s choice was arrived at Wednesday night after party leaders held a marathon meeting to consider the best among the personalities being considered as Fayemi’s running mate.

    Egbeyemi, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti, was born on May 8, 1944 to the family of the late Egbeyemi Alade and the late Madam Tinubu Egbeyemi.

    He started his education at the Holy Trinity Anglican School, Ilawe-Ekiti and Baptist School, Ado-Ekiti, after which he attended Harding Memorial Modern School, Ado-Ekiti.

    He studied privately while working as a Laboratory Assistant at Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti, and while working as a bursar at Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi-Ekiti, Egbeyemi sat as a private student to pass both the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations.

    He later proceeded to the College of Education, University of Lagos, where he graduated in Biology and Physical Education with distinction.

    He taught briefly at the St Mary’s Girls Secondary School, Ikole-Ekiti, in 1975 before he was transferred to the Teachers’ College, Oye-Ekiti, as a pioneer Physical Education tutor between 1975 and 1977.

    He later went to the University of Ife to read Law between 1977 and 1980 before proceeding to the Law School in Lagos for his Barrister at Law certificate and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    His political experiences spanned many fields, including the Youth Leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983; a member of the old Ondo State House of Assembly in 1983; and Executive Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government between 1991 and 1993.

    Others include: Leader of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in Ado-Ekiti Local Government between 1996 and 1997 and was founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), using the platform to win the House of Representatives election that was cancelled by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in 1998.

    Between 1991 and 1992, he was Commissioner of Education and between 2001 and 2002, Egbeyemi was a member of the Governing Council of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna.

     

  • Report on running mate false, says Fayemi campaign

    The Kayode Fayemi Campaign Office has refuted a story being peddled on the social media that the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer has picked Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro as his running mate.

    A statement from the organisation signed by Mr. Wole Olujobi described the story as not only false but misleading.

    It urged members of the public not to believe any report or statement that does not emanate from the appropriate party organs.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the JKF Campaign Office has been drawn to a story that has gone viral on the social media that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has picked Hajia Habibat Adubiaro as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the July 14 governorship election.

    “This report is not only false, but misleading.

    “We have since discovered that the story emanated from the same source that concocted a story last week purporting that Dr Fayemi  planned to create cattle colonies across the state.

    “The general public is hereby notified that the APC has a formal way of conducting its affairs in strict compliance with the party’s rules and regulations.

    “At the appropriate time the party would formally announce the deputy governorship candidate.

    “We therefore urge members of the public to stop taking seriously any announcement that does not emanate from appropriate party organs.”

  • Oke picks ex-Rep Gani Dauda as running mate

    Oke picks ex-Rep Gani Dauda as running mate

    ONDO State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Chief Olusola Oke has picked a former governorship aspirant under All Progressives Congress (APC), Gani Dauda, as his running mate for the November 26 governorship poll.

    A source close to the state AD hierarchy confirmed that the decision to pick Dauda was agreed on Sunday after the party’s caucus meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    Stakeholders in the four local government areas of Akoko land have been agitating for Muslim deputy governorship ticket under any party to secure votes from the area.

    Oke had on Saturday dumped the  APC for AD, where he was consequently picked to replace Akin Olowookere as the party’s candidate.

    It was learnt that the former member representing Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly was at the venue of the meeting to sign his membership card as a member of the AD.

    The former lawmaker said the Christian/Muslim ticket of the AD would win the next election in the state.

    “I am a Muslim and from Akokoland. We are taking Ondo State to a new height,” Dauda said.

    He added that Oke, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and Dr. Olusegun Abraham “are all working together”.

    Dauda, from Irun Akoko, represented Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015.

     

     

  • Party chiefs battle for running mate slots

    GROUPS and individuals have intensified clamouring for the deputy governorship slots of Ondo State All Progressives Party (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the November 26 poll.

    In APC, a political group, the Sunshine Progressive League (SPL), has urged the party’s leadership to consider the southern senatorial district for the deputy governor slot.

    Its coordinator, Gbenga Akinfolarin, made this call while speaking to reporters in Akure, the state capital, over the weekend.

    Akinfolarin said there was the need for the opposition party to put its house in order to enable it win the governorship election.

    Akinfolarin added that the voting strength of the southern district, especially Odigbo Local Government with over 120,000 registered voters, where the APC dictates the political activities of the area, must be prioritised.

    But the Makarfi faction of the PDP has directed interested aspirants to stop their agitations for the deputy governorship position, debunking a report that it had been decided.

    It maintained that no decision has been taken by the faction’s leadership on the issue.

    A statement by its spokesman, Banji Okunomo, said the position of the deputy governorship candidate is still open till the leadership of the party deliberates on it.

    The party assured that when such a decision will be taken, it would certainly be done in the best interest of the party.

    He added that equity, fairness and justice would be taken into consideration in arriving at the decision.

    It stressed that the process of picking the candidate would be the sole responsibility of the top hierarchy of the party.

    The statement condemned the ‘unwarranted’ bickering, nocturnal and divisive meetings trailing the issue of deputy governorship candidate, describing it as unnecessary.

    The party said it had set in place a central monitoring team to monitor the activities of individuals and groups, saying anyone who defaults would be sanctioned.

    The statement noted that its stakeholders should be concerned with the Eyitayo project pending the emergence of a running mate.

    It enjoined members to continue to propagate the cause of its standard-bearer in the governorship election.

    The factional PDP decried any attitude that could create apathy among members over the clamour for the deputy governorship slot.