The Nation Newspaper

Tag: senatorial

  • NGO petitions NJC on Anambra Central senatorial poll

    •Judge’s verdict faulted 

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Campaign for Judicial Integrity (CJI), has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) on a ruling by Justice Anwuli Chikere in a suit involving some chieftains of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    A former APGA Chairman Victor Umeh and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were locked in a legal battle over Anambra Central senatorial election.

    The judge allegedly ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) be represented in the election.

    The NGO demanded the NJC to investigate Justice Chikere to restore public confidence in the Judiciary.

    In the petition, dated May 1, and addressed to the NJC Chairman, Mr Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is Nigeria’s Chief Justice (CJN), CJI described as worrisome Justice Chikere’s order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 1 that the PDP be included in the election, which was scheduled to hold on March 5, even after its candidate in the original election, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, “had been disqualified and she had left the party”.

    The ruling allegedly disrupted the election, which was meant to find a successor to Mrs Ekwunife who, last December 7, was ordered by the Court of Appeal to vacate her Senate seat as the representative of Anambra Central on the platform of the PDP.

    The court order was said to be based on the admission that she did not participate in the party’s primary leading to the emergence of its candidate in last year’s general election.

    Mrs Ekwunife was to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last January 8 and unsuccessfully sought its ticket to enable her to return to the Senate.

    In the petition to the NJC by Uzor Isichei, a Lagos lawyer, CJI argued that it was wrong for the Justice to insist on PDP’s participation in the rerun because the law forbids any party from presenting a fresh candidate unless its candidate in the original election is dead.

    The NGO cited legal provisions as well as pronouncements by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal over the years to buttress its argument.

    It regretted that Justice Chikere ignored Supreme Court’s decision in a 2009 case between the Labour Party (LP) and INEC and the Court of Appeal ruling in a matter between Tunde Isiaq and Okanlawon Soniyi, where the Appellate Court said: “Where there is a nullification of an election based on qualifications, all candidates who participated in the general election, excluding the candidate judged not qualified, can participate in the rerun.”

    CJI also wondered why Justice Chikere’s Federal High Court in Abuja entertained the case for the inclusion of the PDP in the rerun when the matter could have been handled by the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State or any other state in the Southeast, even though it said it recogniaed that all “Federal High Courts are treated as one in Nigeria”.

  • APC wins Borno Central senatorial by-election

    The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Alhaji Babakaka Garbai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the by-election for Borno Central Senatorial District.

    The election was conducted on Saturday.

    INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Fannami, who announced the results in Maiduguri, the state capital, said Garbai had 120,639 votes against the 32,347 votes of Alhaji Kaka Bolori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second.

    The Returning Officer said Alhaji Bukar Muhammed of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had 324 votes and Malam Babakura Modu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had 660 votes.

    The INEC chief said the number of registered voters was 908,114 and the number of accredited voters was 174,329.

    He said: “The number of votes cast was 159,998; the number of valid votes was 155,443 and the number of rejected votes 4,555.”

    Garbai described his victory as an “act of God”.

    He said: “The people have spoken; the victory is a clear testimony of the fact that the people have confidence in my ability to deliver.

    “It is also an indication that the people have confidence in the government of Borno, because the administration has been working for them. So, any candidate presented by the APC in the state will always have the peoples support.

    “By God’s grace, we are going to work for the people.

    “I intend to pursue an agenda to rehabilitate my people, who are badly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Borno Central is the major population area in the state.

    “Aside from Maiduguri, all the other population centres in the zone have been displaced by Boko Haram and my major task is to work towards rehabilitating them.”

    Also, the election on Saturday witnessed low turnout in the town but impressive turnout at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps.

  • Lagos West Senatorial election: Adeola floors Adewale at tribunal

    •Tribunal upholds another Lagos lawmaker’s victory 

    The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos has declared All Progressives’ Congress candidate, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola winner of the March 28, 2015  Lagos West Senatorial election.

    The three-man tribunal led by Justice Sylvanus Orji, yesterday delivered  the judgment  in the petition filed by the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Segun Adewale, challenging the victory of Senator Adeola in the election.

    In a unanimous judgment that lasted two and half hours, the tribunal dismissed the petition of the PDP candidate for lack of merit and incompetence.

    Adewale had sued Adeola, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking that he should be declared the winner.

    Adewale was represented by his lead counsel, Dr YemiOke while Adeola was represented by R.A Olagoke. Dr.MuizBanire (SAN)  represented the APC with INEC  represented by Oluwaseun Olusiyi.

    Adewale, in the petition had alleged that the election was characterized by irregularities and rigged to favour the APC candidate.

    He had further alleged that the results submitted by the various wards did not correspond with the number of voters accredited by the card readers, and that election did not hold in some wards among other irregularities.

    He therefore urged the tribunal to declare him as winner of the election.

    But the APC in its preliminary objection contended that the petitioner (Adewale) lacked the locus standi to institute the action.

    The party argued that the petitioner did not specify the law under which he brought the petition and also failed to state the votes scored by the candidates.

    “By provision of Electoral Act, the petitioner is expected to specify the scores of all the candidates in the election. He only specified his own score and that of the APC candidate who is the  respondent.”

    Adeola, on his part, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the ground that it lacked merit.

    He specifically contended that there was  material contradiction with the petitioner’s prayer and urged the court to declare him winner.

    The tribunal however disagreed with Adewale’s contention, insisting that there was no substantial evidence to prove that Senator Adeola was not qualified to run for the election.

    On the claim of the petitioner that there were irregularities at the polling units, the tribunal held that Adewale did not provide substantial evidence to validate his claim.

    In the view of the tribunal, the party agents at the polling units failed to provide evidence that there were irregularities at several polling units, to confirm such allegation and claims by the petitioner.

    The tribunal held that in the absence of any evidence from any party agent, that Adewale’s allegation of irregularities at several polling unit was mere speculation.

    The tribunal however chided  Adewale and his legal team for disregarding the court’s guideline in filing his final written submission.

    The tribunal members noted that Adewale’s legal team filed 104 pages of final written address as against the 40 pages stipulated by law.

    Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Moshood Olarenwaju Oshun yesterday declared that his victory at the Lagos State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal is a confirmation that he truly earned the confidence and trust of the people in the constituency.

    Oshun, who spoke through his media office after the tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State yesterday upheld his victory at the 2015 election, further said the people of his constituency should be congratulated for their steadfastness, support and cooperation with the All Progressives Congress, APC, through which he emerged candidate and won the election.

    Ibrahim Olumide Ajiga of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had petitioned the tribunal, headed by Justice Sylvester Orji, challenging the declaration of MoshoodOlanrewaju by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC

  • Abia North senatorial election: Kalu testifies at tribunal

    Abia North senatorial election: Kalu testifies at tribunal

    Former Abia State Governor and the senatorial candidate for Abia North

    Senatorial district in the last general elections, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has testified in the consolidated petition at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia.

    Kalu, the candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance [PPA], is contesting the declaration of Mao Ohuabunwa as the winner of the election.

    The former governor testified as the 1st Petitioner, PW5, for about three hours, insisting that he should be declared the winner of the election, based on the result of the two local governments of Bende and Isuikwuato.

    Kalu, under cross examination by the counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Onyeka, said that the election in the district was inconclusive in areas like Arochukwu, Ohafia and Umunneochi council areas.

    Speaking in an interview after the session, counsel to Kalu, Kelvin Nwufo, SAN, described Kalu’s testimony as excellent, adding that he could be declared winner based on the result of the two local government areas.

    According to Nwufo, it happened in 2007 when Nkiruka Onyejiocha was declared winner based on the result of one local government, Isuikwuato, adding that it was later confirmed by the Appeal Court.

    He said Kalu’s testimony was hinged on three depositions, including the deposition in support of the petition, deposition in support of reply to the reply of the 1st respondent and “our reply in respect of the reply to the 2nd -9th respondent.

    Kalu’s counsel said a forensic expert would testify in the case on August 20, 2015, because the respondents’ objection to his testimony was granted by the tribunal, which ruled that they be served the witness’ report to enable them prepare their reply.

    The matter was adjourned to August 14, 2015 as scheduled by the tribunal.

  • Dakingari loses senatorial bid

    Dakingari loses senatorial bid

    Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari was defeated in the senatorial election by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello Argungu, who polled 139,197 votes.

    Dakingari got 70,148 votes.

    Also, a member representing Kalgo/Bunza/Birnin Kebbi Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sani Kalgo, lost to the APC candidate, Abdullahi Muslim, who polled 101,869. Kalgo got 24,382 votes.

    Another serving member representing Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko-Wasagu Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Dan’Alkali, a member of the PDP, lost to Aliyu Danladi of the APC.

    The Returning Officer, Abdullahi Kangiwa, declared Mr. Danladi winner with 66,261 votes, against Mr. Dan’Alkali’s 28,674.

    The result of the Kebbi South Senatorial Zone was still being collated.

    Bala Ibn Na’Allah of the APC was leading and is likely to defeat Sadiq Yalwa of the PDP.

     

     

     

  • Ogun East: Kashamu faces fresh hurdles ahead senatorial poll

    Ogun East: Kashamu faces fresh hurdles ahead senatorial poll

    Barely weeks to the April National Assembly Elections, Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing fresh hurdles threatening his ambition to represent the Ogun East Senatorial District at the red chamber, reports, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    A FRESH lawsuit challenging the eligibility of Prince Buruji Kashamu to contest the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election and unending rejection of his candidature by groups and individuals within the Ogun East Senatorial District he seeks to represent, may be creating fresh worries in the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongman.

    Sources told The Nation that anxiety gripped Buruji’s political family, the Omo-Ilu group, as well as leaders of the PDP in Ogun State as the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Wednesday, commenced hearing in a suit filed by two members of the party seeking his disqualification as the party’s candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District.

    Although the hearing was stalled following arguments by Kashamu’s counsels that their client was yet to be served the processes of the court, The Nation learnt that the commencement of the proceeding, after Kashamu had allegedly vowed that the case will not see the light of the day, scared his supporters stiff.

    “When we first heard of the case, we were bothered. But when our leaders assured us that it will not be heard before the election as things were being taken care of, we relaxed. But when we got to court on Wednesday and the judge said he was prepared to entertain the case, fear gripped many of us,” a supporter of the politician said.

    Signs that things may not go the way Kashamu’s supporters expected showed when the defendant’s counsel, Ufoma Eze, urged the court to first thrash out the matter concerning its jurisdiction to hear the case as already raised in her notice of preliminary objection, before considering the applicants’ originating summons and motion on notice.

    Swiftly, counsel to the applicants urged the court to hear the issues raised in the originating summons, the motion on notice and notice of preliminary objection at the same time.

    Rather than accede to Eze’s demand, presiding judge, Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo, however, adjourned further hearing to March 12 to enable the applicants’ counsel reply to the notice of preliminary objection filed by the applicants’ counsel, while insisting that the main case will be heard on its merit.

    The two PDP members, Dele Ajayi from Ward 08 in Ijebu North Local Government Area and Saula Adeniji Wasiu of Ward 003, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state, last week, dragged Kashamu to court and prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising him as the candidate of the PDP for Ogun East.

    Sources within the party in the state also revealed that leaders of the PDP are worried of what will be the lot of the party should the Judge grant the prayers of the applicants barely three weeks to the rescheduled elections.

    “The concern by party leaders is based on the fear that an injunction restraining any candidate at this time will greatly injure the chances of the party not only in the senatorial election, but in other contests. Kashamu is one of the flagships of the party in Ogun state.

    Stopping him now under any guise will harm the PDP. That is why all hands are on deck to ensure that he surmounts this current hurdle. As a party, we are solidly behind him and determined to field him as our candidate,” a member of the elders’ caucus of the party told The Nation.

    But another prominent chieftain of the party, Hon. Dave Salako, is opposed to what he called the political antics of Kashamu and his camp. According to the former House of Representatives member, anything short of justice for those opposed to Kashamu’s manipulations will spell doom for the PDP in the state.

    “Like I always say, Kashamu needs to be honest and he should be far away from anything that is politically fraudulent. He has done so many things that I have seen that are very wrong and he is getting away with it. I have also taken him to court but instead of him backing out, he is bringing another dimension into politics of Nigeria.

    He always gets people who are ready and eager to compromise in many things that they know are wrong. Check out all the candidates he fielded in his so-called list; they are all weak aspirants who can never win any election. Even Kashamu himself cannot win Ogun East Senatorial seat for PDP. He is not even qualified. We cannot be under the same umbrella with him unless he goes back to mend his ways,” Salako said.

    Expressing worry over the readiness of PDP members to dump the party and move to the opposition, Salako said “our people are daily telling us they want to move to another party because they don’t want to stay under the same umbrella with Buruji. If they do, we cannot stop them and we will lose that election again.”

    Also on Wednesday, some members of the PDP in Ogun East Senatorial District dissociated themselves from Kashamu’s senatorial ambition. Speaking under the aegis of PDP Elders and Youths Coalition, at a meeting in Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu North Local Government, they denied any support for Buruji Kashamu’s ambition.

    In a communiqué, the leaders of the coalition, including Tola Alausa, Wale Soile, Segun Odujirin, Segun Adekoya, Emily Sholaru, Dan Akitan and Moshood Adebayo, urged the national leadership of the party to stop the candidacy of the politician before he plunges the party into more crises.

    The communiqué read in part: “We hereby reject the leadership and candidacy of Prince Buruji Kashamu in Ogun East. It is instructive to state here that with him as the leader and or candidate of PDP in our zone, the party will fail to get the vote of the highly intelligent and self-respecting people of Ijebu and Remo kingdoms.

    “While it is public knowledge that the coming of Kashamu into the PDP in Ogun state has brought more damages than good into the party, we urged the national leadership of the party to stop the candidacy of the politician before he plunges the party into more crises.”

    The group condemned what they called the damaging support being enjoyed by the Kashamu faction from the national leadership of the party. They argued that unless the PDP leadership calls Kashamu to order, PDP in Ogun state will remain in the opposition for much longer.

    The leaders, who pledged their loyalty to the party, said they would not work with the Kashamu-led faction of the party. Sholaru, a former chairperson of the party in Ikenne LGA, warned that “Kashamu and his co-travelers are working hard to end the hope of our party returning to its winning ways in Ogun State.

    But responding to the current developments, Kashamu said nothing will truncate his desire to represent the people at the senate. According to him, he remains the man to beat at the polls.

    According to the business mogul-turned politician, the ongoing attempt to stop his aspiration through the courts will fail because the allegations against him are baseless and frivolous.

    In a statement, he said: “I have not been charged or convicted of any offences whether here in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. The Interpol and other relevant agencies, including the courts in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, have exonerated me of the unfounded allegations.”

    Kashamu said his lawyers are addressing the issues at the court, urging his supporters to remain calm and be focused on winning the forthcoming elections.

  • Sheriff is PDP senatorial candidate for Borno Central

    Sheriff is PDP senatorial candidate for Borno Central

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has selected former Governor Modu Sherrif as its Borno Central senato-rial candidate for next year’s election.

    The party explained that Senator Sherrif emerged as a consensus candidate, following consultations among stakeholders.

    He was given the ticket after he was cleared by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) on the allegation sponsoring Boko Haram activities.

    To forge unity in the chapter, the party also resolved to select other candidates through consensus to prevent post-primary crisis.

    Sheriff was absolved of complicity in Boko Haram activities. Also cleared was the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd).

    During the investigation by security agents, another controversy broke out, when the photograph of Sherrif with President Goodluck Jonathan and Chadian President Idriss Derby in D’Jamena, the Chadian capital, appeared in the social media.

    The pictures provoked debate and condemnation by critics and opposition political parties.The Presidency explained that  Sheriff was not part of Dr. Jonathan’s entourage, adding that he received the visiting President like other Nigerians resident in Chad.

    Last week, the DSS paraded seven suspects, including Junaidu Khadi, former Special Adviser to the former governor, on allegation of conspiracy to frame up his former boss.

    However, Governor Kasim Shettima’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, pointed out that the DSS failed to allude to the fact that Khadi served as a special adviser under Sherrif in 2010.

    He also recalled that the former governor mounted pressure on his successor to re-appoint Khadi as a member of the State Executive Council. Gusau emphasised that Khadi was sacked by the governor before his arrest, adding that he was not working with Shettima when he was arrested.

    Sheriff had earlier endorsed his associate, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, for the Senate, following his failed governorship bid. Imam lost to Alhaji Gambo Lawan during the selection process. While Imam enjoyed the support of the former governor, other PDP leaders preferred Gambo.

    Sheriff had contested for the Senate in 2011 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but he lost to Ahmed Zanna of the PDP,  a relatively unknown politician.

    A source said that Sherrif has promised to get ministerial or ambassadorial position for Imam, if the President gets a second term.

    However, many stakeholders are jittery because of the soaring popularity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the rising profile of its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. In their view, the PDP may not bounce back, if the APC sustains the current tempo of mobilisation across the six geo-political zones.

  • ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    Insinuations that Senator Babajide Omoworare was imposed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the  as the  Osun East senatorial candidate has been described as a tissue of lies.

    The Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, made the clarification while reacting to allegations by an aspirant, Mr. Sola Lawal. He said  Lawal’s allegation lacked substance, adding that it was a a fabricated to deiscredit the shadow poll and dent the image of the governor.

    Okanlawon described Aregbesola as an advocate of democratic ethos, noting that Lawal’s accusation paled into a failed attempt to rubbish his democratic credentials.

    He said, since Lawal started his media war triggered by his imaginary victory, he has not spared any party leader from his virulent attacks.

    Okanlawon said that, contrary to Lawal’s claim that he polled 17 votes to defeat Omoworare, who, according to him, scored just three votes, those who voted were more than the 37 people.

    He said there was no way the voters at the primaries who came from Ife/Ijesa axis could be reduced to 37.

    Okanlawon added:  “Some leaders in the senatorial district were saddled with the responsibility of screening aspirants for the senatorial seat. How can the screening become a party primary? How can 20 people dictate who will represent the people?

    “How can there be a primary to choose a senator from a district where the governor hails from and the governor was unaware of such a primary election? How did 20 people arrive at the decision without any of the 11 APC local government party chairmen, 11 Local Government Executive Secretaries, all members of the executive council from the Ife/Ijesa Zone and all other stakeholders across the senatorial district taking part?”

    The spokesman explained that the screening were done for aspirants by leaders from each of the senatorial districts before primaries were conducted.

  • Youths back senatorial aspriant

    Youths back senatorial aspriant

    Despite the crisis rocking the leadership Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, youths yesterday stormed Abagana in Njikoka Local Government, saying only loyal members would represent them in political offices.

    They took the decision while endorsing one of the senatorial aspirants for Anambra Central, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo.

    The over 4,000 youths  converged on Igwebuike Primary School, Abagana, for a rally.

    They said they endorsed Okonkwo because of his consistency.

    The aspirant is contesting the ticket with five others, including Prince Osita Ezenwa, Chief Annie Okonkwo, Dr. Obiorah Okonkwo and Chief Sam Ikefuna.

    At the rally, the leader of the party’s youth wing,  Kenneth Ejike Ayiba, warned aspirants who sought a waiver to run, to join the queue and wait for another turn, rather than jumping from other parties to the PDP and seeking to take the front seat.

    Clems Ezika, the former legal adviser, who was also at the rally, urged youths to support only tested and trusted members.

    Another chieftain, Kennedy Onyeka Okonkwo, said the choice of Okonkwo was because of his philanthropy.

  • Ex-Pro-chancellor joins Okigwe senatorial race

    The former Pro-Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU) and Chairman, Starline Nigeria Limited, Prof. Clement Owunna has declared his intention to vie for the senatorial seat of Okigwe Senatorial District in 2015.

    Prof. Owunna’s ambition came months after he resigned his position as Chairman of Board of IMSU. His which was endorsed by the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Okigwe Diocese saw a large turnout of his supporters marrying after the endorsement, describing the actions of the women as a noble one.

    The aspirant who spoke to journalists after his endorsement by the C.W.O Okigwe Diocese said that he was going into politics not to amass wealth to himself, but to use his wealth of experience as an industrialist and entrepreneur to attract further development to his area.

    According to the ex-pro chancellor, “I believe that there is a point in life when one has to live by example to show them (the electorate) that these things can be done because if you look at the psyche of electorates in Nigeria, they have been so bastardised.

    “There is a curse attached to public wealth, because public wealth belongs to the public. So, when you go in there and try to appropriate those funds or wealth for yourself, the curse will follow you whether you want to believe it or not.

    “For me, I felt that in my senatorial zone, which is very backward; I am not saying that people before me have not tried, they have probably done their best to the best of their abilities and the circumstances that they met. But I want to be given an opportunity to go and try my own best and truly serve, because I am offering myself to serve them in the best of my capabilities.

    “A situation where somebody after being elected to represent and serve his people becomes elusive; no regular constituency visit/briefing, no constituency project to show for the period of his or her representation, is a clear indication that such a representative has no plans for the people that elected him/her into such position.

    “If you have a plan, as soon as you get in there, you will hit the ground running. So, for me, I have set out my agenda and plans for the people of Okigwe zone which I am going to implement when I am elected. The only I am asking for is their trust and vote. I can assure you and the people and the people of my zone that I will not disappoint them because, I am going to make