All Posts in "Politics"

Hunger:Nigerians Will Vote Against APC In 2027-Makinde

 

    Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Nigerians would speak against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 as they did in Oyo and Osun states,Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde,has said.

 

 

 

He attributed this to the harsh economic situation Nigerians are facing without any hope in sight.

 

 

 

He spoke in Ibadan, on Saturday, during the commissioning of the South-West PDP Zonal Office, which he personally built in honour of the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo-Oluwatukesi, and donated to the party.

 

 

 

He implored Peoples Democratic Party members to come together and work in unison ahead of that time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said that despite the clamour for him to join the 2027 presidential race, he had not assigned anyone to campaign for him.

 

 

 

 

 

He said:“People have been campaigning and doing a lot of permutations; but let me say this again: If I want to contest for any position, I will say it myself. Nobody would set an agenda for me apart from myself.

 

 

 

 

 

“They have also been talking that the ruling party, APC, is scheming and infiltrating all the parties to make sure there is division and crisis in those parties. If you are accusing the ruling party of not allowing other parties to get their acts together so that there won’t be opposition in 2027,my position is that there are certain things you have under your control. If Governor Adeleke and I would cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-West, it is beyond the ruling party to destabilize our party.

 

 

 

 

 

“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP. But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do it in Nigeria. So, don’t fret. Don’t think external people have control over what will happen in our party. Yes, they may try; they can only succeed when we allow it.

 

 

 

 

“I want to admonish PDP members all over the country, let us unite and the way to demonstrate it is if you know one or two people in Ondo State, call them and tell them that the PDP is united. Tell them that the Ondo election coming up in two weeks from now would be an indication of where Nigeria would be in 2027.

 

 

 

 

“I am glad we are opening this House. It is a demonstration of our unity. I am also glad that our Acting National Chairman is here. The kind of story they would have loved to hear is that the suspension and counter-suspension saga is still on, but that is behind us.

 

 

 

 

“We are even more united to move forward. So, I thank you all for being here.”

 

 

 

 

 

Makinde tasked all PDP members to work together and unite for total victory in Ondo State governorship election coming up on November 16, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

He spoke on the cooperation and cordial relationship between himself and his Osun State counterpart,Senator Ademola Adeleke, assuring that they would work hand in hand to unite the South-West and that once that was done, it would have effect on the party at the national level.

 

 

 

 

 

Makinde,who extolled the virtues of the late Adagunodo, announced the appointment of his son, Soji Adagunodo (Jnr) as Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, while he also appointed a member of the Oyo State Cultural Troupe, who performed at the event, as a Special Adviser, with immediate effect.

 

 

 

 

He also commended the acting national chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Ilya Damagum, former governors of Abia and Benue states, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and Mr Samuel Ortom, among other leaders, for attending the event.

 

 

 

 

 

He handed over the documents of the building to the acting national chairman, Ambassador Damagum.

 

 

 

He said: “My brother, Governor Adeleke, I want to appreciate you today for being here. Yes, we had issues and disagreed, especially on the control of zonal executive positions. But your coming here today has shown your magnanimity, which means that whatever happened in the past is behind us. We fought and settled it, and that is the spirit of PDP.

 

 

 

 

“Those of you thinking that the only way you can excel is for us to keep experiencing division in the PDP, I can tell you that the South-West of Nigeria is leading the way.

 

 

 

“I said it before that when we look at Nigeria, if the South-West is united, Nigeria will unite. The PDP governors in the South-West are here and our leaders are here too. Also from outside of South-West, the lovers of the region are here; former Governor Ikpeazu from the South East, former Governor Ortom from the North Central, thank you so much for identifying with us.”

 

 

 

 

Speaking,Osun State governor, Adeleke, said the commissioning of the PDP South-West Zonal secretariat in honour of the late Adagunodo was a call for the party to forget the past and work for the unity and progress of the party.

 

 

 

 

He admonished all party faithful to be focused to retain the existing PDP states and capture more states and the Federal Government in future elections.

 

 

 

 

Adeleke,who appreciated Governor Makinde for honouring the memory of Adagunodo, who hailed from Osun State, said: “I am in a sober mood, because our brother is not here with us to witness the honour being done to his memory. I pray God Almighty grant him eternal rest.

 

 

 

He added:“The significance of today’s event is the clarion call for unity and deeper brotherhood among PDP at home and abroad. We must forget the past of division and unite for the good of our dear party.

 

 

 

“It is better for us to fight each other inside the Government House than outside. We must refocus attention on building strong administrative operational structures.

 

 

 

 

“With that, we can deploy for elections, retain our existing states and even expand our reach across the six zones of the federation.”

 

 

 

 

In his remarks, the Acting National Chairman, thanked Governor Makinde for his efforts, calling on other zones to emulate and replicate the good gesture.

 

 

 

 

He described the new edifice as a fullfilment of Governor Makinde’s promise and testament to the dedication, commitment and zeal of the late South-West Zonal Chairman, Adagunodo.

 

 

 

 

In a goodwill message on behalf of the Adagunodo family, the son of the deceased, Deacon Oluwatukesi Soji Adagunodo (Jnr), thanked all the leaders of the party and equally encouraged them to use the edifice as a place of solution for the nation’s problems.

 

 

 

In his welcome remarks,the chairman, PDP South-West, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, who spoke through the Zonal Secretary, Honourable Owokoniran Rahman, thanked Governor Makinde for fulfilling his promise to build a befitting edifice in memory of Adagunodo.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Politics 0
Floods Kill 321,Displace 740,743 Nigerians-NEC

 

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

The National Economic Council(NEC), Thursday says 321 persons lost their lives in the flood disaster which has so far ravaged 34 states of the federation.

 

 

 

 

It also confirmed that 217 local government areas, 1,374,557 persons were adversely affected by the flood across Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo,announced the statistics after the NEC meeting chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

 

 

 

He said the various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) have been directed to up their game to bring succour to the affected states.

 

 

 

 

He added: “You know the country is facing the National Emergency with regards to flooding and the reports so far identify  a major national disaster. We’ve been called upon to note that to date, about 34 states have been affected, 217 local Governments, 1,374,557 persons already affected. And 740,743 were displaced nationwide.321 persons died and 2,854 persons injured and 281,000 houses, 258,000 cultivated farmlands also destroyed, or affected by the ravaging flood.

 

 

 

“Council deliberated on the actions, particularly at the sub national level, and got up on the SEMA, the various state emergency management agencies, to up their game and increase the collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

 

 

 

“Finally, also some resolutions were reached in terms of how we deepen the coordination and the response. First, it was resolved that the Federal Ministry of water resources and sanitation to conduct an integrity review of all the waterways and dams across the country.

 

 

 

“There was serious emphasis and the need for massive programme of dredging, or deselting of the waterways and have a firm programme of continuous deselting  almost on annual basis of the waterways.

 

 

 

“The council also urged state governments that have not submitted their flood reports on the status of the flood and the management in their states to do so immediately. Those that haven’t done so. And then, as a recognition Council noted that the Green Climate Fund should have an infrastructure Resilience Fund,component fund.

 

 

 

 

“It was observed that there are some critical parts of the country that are massively ravaged by this flooding to violate south east, south south, that are completely omitted, in the ongoing programmes of construction of dams and so on, which are to act as speed bumps along the highway, particularly the river Niger, as it were.

 

 

 

 

“So,the summary is that council considered the national emergency and the responses of the damages affected, the coordinations that you place especially between the states and the federal and called for further steps to be taken”

 

 

 

Online Editor by — October 31, 2024 in News 0
Oyo 2027:Dotun Sanusi Withdraws From Guber Race,Cites Systemic Rot

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

 

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Sports and Resorts,Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi,has withdrew from the Oyo State 2027 governorship race.

 

 

 

This decision,made after considerable contemplation and discussions with his father,is rooted in what he describes as a “frustration with the circus that is unfolding” within Oyo state’s current political framework,he said on Friday.

 

 

 

Sanusi,who is renowned for his dedication to Oyo state’s development through investments in sports, youth empowerment,and community-driven initiatives,expressed grave disgust over the direction of governance in the state.

 

 

 

“It is unfortunate that many of our civil servants, public officials, and even political appointees are focused more on personal gains than the welfare of the state,” Sanusi added.

 

 

 

 

 

He explained that this development reflects his choice not to participate in a system he feels is deviating from the principles of selfless service.

 

 

 

He revealed that he had undertaken a comprehensive assessment, including consultations with independent experts, and ultimately felt that contesting for governorship would be incompatible with the current political environment.

 

 

He added:“Joining politics under these circumstances would not serve the best interests of our citizens,” he added. “This decision, made after extensive discussion with my father, Alhaji Ganiyu Oladosu Sanusi, is a step towards safeguarding the integrity of my commitments to Oyo State’s true development.”

 

 

 

 

He assured that, despite stepping away from the political scene, his commitment to humanitarian efforts remains unwavering.

 

 

 

He said:”I will continue with my humanitarian services that enhance human and community development,” he stated, reaffirming his dedication to impactful initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of the people of Oyo State.

 

 

 

Sanusi extended his gratitude for his constituency and fans,acknowledging their faith in his vision for the state.

 

 

 

 

He added:“To all lovers of JDS, I urge you to direct your support towards identifying a truly competent candidate who can earnestly serve the interests of Oyo State.”

 

 

 

Online Editor by — October 31, 2024 in Politics 0
Indecent Act:Lawmakers Suspend Oyo East LG Chairman

       Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Oyo State House of Assembly has suspended Olusola Oluokun, Chairman of Oyo East Local Government over a viral video which exposed his indecent act.

 

 

 

He was suspended on Thursday after the presentation of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance titled “Urgent Call For Full Investigation into the indecent attitude of the Chairman, Oyo East Local Government, Mr. Olusola Oluokun in a viral video online”.

 

 

 

 

The video showed the council boss eating half-naked and praising a political stalwart who helped him become chairman.

 

 

Besides,he allegedly rained curses on those perceived as enemies of his benefactor.

 

 

 

The House has constituted a committee to investigate the matter, pending which the Vice Chairman will act as Chairman.

 

 

 

The House condemned the act,describing it as unbecoming of an elected council chairman.

 

 

 

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said the House would not condone such indecent behaviour.

 

 

 

According to him,the swift action taken by the House demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the integrity and dignity of public office.

 

 

Online Editor by — October 31, 2024 in Politics 0
Atiku To Judiciary:Don’t Set Rivers On Fire

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Former Vice President,Atiku Abubakar has faulted the verdict by the Federal High Court in Abuja,which ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt all payments to the Rivers state.

 

 

 

 

Atiku,in his reaction,cautioned the judiciary against setting Rivers State on fire.

 

 

 

 

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said it was appalling that some elements loyal to the Federal Government were pulling the strings from behind.

 

 

 

He wondered why Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order when it was public knowledge that Rivers State had already challenged the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the legality of Rivers State’s 2024 budget.

 

 

 

 

He said: “Last week the Court of Appeal declared that the Rivers State budget was illegal because it was passed by an inchoate assembly. The court ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the budget afresh.

 

 

 

 

“The Rivers State Government has already filed a notice of appeal so that the Supreme Court can hear the matter. However, some elements in the Bola Tinubu administration have procured a judgement intended to undermine the Supreme Court.

 

 

 

 

“Even before the judgment was delivered, legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN) had alerted the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho of possible compromise after house gifts had been presented to judges in Abuja. Sadly, Falana’s warning was ignored.”

 

 

 

Atiku commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for summoning judges sitting on the Rivers State cases.

 

 

 

 

He implored the nation’s top judge to ensure that those found wanting are disciplined in order to restore the fading glory of God the judiciary.

 

 

 

 

He lamented that Nigeria has descended into the theatre of the absurd since the Tinubu administration took office.

 

 

 

He added:“Courts are playing a more ignoble role in fostering political crises within political parties and even in states. From the emirship tussle in Kano State to the Rivers imbroglio where courts are going as far as preventing elections from holding, taking Nigeria back to the dark days of June 12, 1993 where polls were annulled.

 

 

 

 

 

“Sadly,under the leadership of those who claim to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy, the country is descending into chaos with conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction flying all over the place while judges are being induced in the name of empowerment and provision of houses.

 

 

 

 

“The result is that Nigerians are gradually losing confidence in an institution which prides itself as the last hope of the common man. Foreign investors will avoid any place where judgments can be bought by the highest bidder.

 

 

 

 

“Nigeria should not descend to the Hobessian state of nature where life is short, nasty and brutish, where citizens opt for self-help. Rivers State accounts for almost 25% of Nigeria’s oil assets. For a country facing an economic crisis worsened by vandalism and banditry, Tinubu should put his 2027 ambition aside and put Nigeria’s interest first”.

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — October 30, 2024 in Politics 0
LG Poll:NNPP Clears Council Seats In Kano

         Mohammed Shosanya
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP in Kano State on Saturday won all the 44 Local Government chairmanship seats and 484 councillorship seats in Council election.
The Chairman, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi,who stated this while announcing the results the commission’s headquarters,said six political parties participated, namely AA, AAC, Accord, ADC, APM and NNPP in the election out of which NNPP won all the chairmanship and Councillorships.
He said the election recorded large turnout of electorates, however described the election as largely peaceful in all ramification.
Prof. Malumfashi commended all those who played critical role in the conduct of the exercise while thanking the parents and children for not allowing their children and themselves respectively to be used for disrupting the exercise.
He added: “Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) had exercised and observed its Constitutional mandates of planning, organizing, coordinating, observing and conducting Local Government Election in Kano State of Nigeria.
“The exercise had been largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The Commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably security agencies,media organizations,leaders of political parties, civil society organizations,religious leaders,   ommunity leaders,youth and women organizations, towards the actualization of grass root democracy in the state.
“The peaceful conduct of the exercise is a doubtless manifestation of public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness and decency.
“NNPP won all 44 Local Government Chairmanship and 484 Councillorship Positions contested,” the KANSIEC Chairman, Prof. Malumfashi however stated.

 

Online Editor by — October 26, 2024 in Politics 0
Ondo Poll:Aiyedatiwa,Aggrieved Aspirants Close Ranks

        Mohammed Shosanya
All Progressives Congress(APC) governors in Southwest and national leaders of the party on Sunday brokered peace between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and all aggrieved governorship aspirants on the platform of the party to guarantee victory for the party on November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun and Abiodun Oyebanji, National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Southwest National Vice Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and a number of the aggrieved governorship aspirants on the platform of the party in Ondo State gathered at The Dome, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo
At the peace meeting,the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, said it is important to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party so the party could win the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Ganduje implored all the aggrieved members to sheath their swords and work as a team to ensure victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Speaking after the meeting,Ganduje explained that the convergence of the leaders of the party was to reconcile all aggrieved members so that they could win the governorship election.
He expressed confidence that APC would come out victorious at the November 16 gubernatorial election because all the chieftains and members of the party would work together as a family.
He added:”Our target is to win the election, our mission is to give assurance that the party is solidly behind you. All stakeholders have put hands together to ensure successful election.
“We are so encouraged by the unity, solidarity, vigour especially when we invited all those aspirants who contested. We are to encourage, energise you, support you and to ensure that this election is a task that must be done”
He appealed to the gubernatorial aspirants,saying: “We cannot say you lost the election but it’s a win-win situation for all of us and those aspirants who have already said they are behind the party’s candidate.
“Apart from those who contested the primary, the problem we have had been solved with assurance from all the aggrieved quarters. We are expecting 90 percent in the election, make sure you know those who are supposed to vote in your units and ensure they are mobilised to come out for the election.
“We assure you that Tinubu is the best we have and we must deliver a 100 percent in favour of APC in this election and in the South West region. We assure you we are strategising to take over the two other states in this region”
Governor Sanwo-Olu,who is the Southwest coordinator,implored all the aggrieved members on the need to unite and go to the poll in unity.
He said: “The South West APC leaders meeting was successful. What we have to do is to let you know that the entire APC leadership is solidly behind you and you could have gone through turbulent time or have differences in opinions and ideas and after all these, it is important for us to come together as a family again. That’s the essence of being here today.
“We have come here as a happy family,  as APC family, we have come here to strengthen the party and none of you will be left behind,  nobody will be taken for granted as all of you are important, strategic and critical in the delivery of our election on November 16.
“We have acknowledged yesterday Ondo state, we are acknowledging today’s Ondo state, and the future is bright for Ondo state.
“This our in-house meeting is to embrace all of us, is to beg all of us and for all for us to agree to put whatever we have behind us. What is ahead of us is greater than what is behind us and that’s forward ever, backward never.
“The future is bright for Ondo State. We must agree. We can’t get any leadership support other than this . For me it is to congratulate all of us. I am happy for the turnout. If we come together,we will win.
“We are going out for an election, we need everyone in this election, that is why I brought everyone together, to come and appeal to you. More than 85 percent of the votes we must get”.
Speaking,Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji urged the members to work together and ensure APC retains Ondo State.
He said: “November 16 election is a deciding moment in the history of our state, the victory is achievable. We have a duty to ensure the achievement of Akeredolu is not reversed.
“We have a duty to keep Ondo State in the progressives circle. Coming second is not an option. We must retain APC in power.”
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, urged the party to integrate all the aggrieved members in order to foster the needed unity ahead of the forthcoming election.
“I want to say that the true heroes are the aspirants. I beg you in the name of God. This is actually the President’s election.  Make them (aggrieved aspirants) relevant, integrate them. This reconciliation continues after the election because, the PDP doesn’t have a candidate, after the election, he (Agboola Ajayi) is still coming back” Bamidele said.
Also speaking,one of the aggrieved  aspirants, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, assured that all the 16 aspirants have agreed to work for Governor Lucky  Aiyedatiwa to ensure that the opposition party does not take over the state.
He said: “All the 16 aspirants have resolved to settle and agree to work with the candidate of our party.We believe that we should not allow the state to slip into opposition.”
Another prominent aspirant,Wale Akinterinwa stated that APC must win the forthcoming governorship election in the state, promising that all within the reach of the all aggrieved aspirants would deployed to ensure victory for APC.
He said: “It is in our best interest, and self interest that Ondo State must not fall into the hands of any other party except APC.
“No matter whatever that might have happened in the past, it must be allow to go and let’s join hands for the future.  The truth is that whatever that has happened has happened.
“What must happen in this state come November 16 is that Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa must win the election. We must put all resources together to ensure that the results of that election will be far better than the expectations of our leaders.
“We will close ranks, we will appeal to one another and I can assure you that we will have cause to rejoice. I remain in the party and I can never leave APC,  I am part of the progressives and it is too late now to quit.”
In his reply,Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the party leaders and all the stakeholders for their show of love, unity and commitment.
He said: “I am grateful for the show of solidarity from every corner of our party. Our administration has laid the groundwork for sustainable development, and we cannot afford to let that progress slip away. This election is about moving Ondo forward, and with your unwavering support, we will achieve that.
“We are working to improve infrastructure, enhance security, and create more opportunities for every citizen. With our united front, I have no doubt that we will deliver a resounding victory come November 16.”
Online Editor by — October 20, 2024 in Politics 0
Ondo Guber:Why REC Must Be Redeployed-PDP

       Mohammed Shosanya
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has written an open to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,seeking the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ondo State,Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The State’s Secretary of the party,Oluseye Olujimi Esq,signed the letter and gave reasons Babalola must not supervise the upcoming governorship election in Ondo.
The letter dated Friday, October 18, 2024,punctured a response to the request for the removal of the REC credited to the Prof. Yakubu, which says the REC’s selection to conduct the forthcoming election does not contravene the dictate of the constitution.
The letter reads: “For the umpteenth time, we are calling on you, to as a matter of urgency, replace the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, appointed and posted to Ondo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under your authority, with a non-partisan official with no previous association with Ondo State.
“We also counsel that you view this request with the seriousness and urgency it deserves for the preservation of our nation’s very fragile democracy and the restoration of Public confidence in your Commission’s integrity.
“It has become expedient, that you act positively on the content of this letter, following a statement credited to your Commission on Tuesday 15, October 2024, in direct reaction to the call by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, that the Ondo REC should be replaced.
“Governor Seyi Makinde’s warning that the PDP will continue to protest until its request is met, should not be taken as an empty threat.
“Moreso, since it is on record, that the Governor’s call of Tuesday, was not the first time the Party had made such a request.
“Our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had earlier mentioned to you in a previous letter to your office, that the Ondo State Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola is not morally and reasonably fit to supervise the gubernatorial election fixed for November 16.
“This is on account of the very likelihood of compromise, as it has come to light that the REC, is a bonafide resident of Ondo State with her family permanently domiciled at No. 3 Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area of Akure Town, in Akure South. She remains therefore an established resident of Ondo State.
“Quite unfortunately, however, a statement credited to you on Tuesday, said the REC would not be removed because she is not from the State, even though you refused to mention her State of origin. A diligent check on the background of the REC would have revealed to you that, not only did she grow up in Ondo State, but that she currently also lives in her parents house which is No. 3 Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area, Akure Town, the State Capital.
“Even if she were not of Ondo State origin by birth, the constitution of  Nigeria makes it quite clear, that anyone who has lived in a particular place for a period of ten years, statutorily qualifies for recognition as an indigene.
“Chairman Sir, it is obvious that your office did not do a diligent check before issuing that unfortunate statement.
“That unfortunate omission on your part, sadly gives the impression that INEC cares less, should the issue of the REC’s residency status and dubious integrity result in avoidable controversies and/or crises, that may fall out from any unwitting act of replicating in the upcoming Ondo State election, the controversial APC template so ignominiously used in the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, the dust from which is yet to settle.
“Moreover, apart from being a member of Akure Town in particular, and Ondo State Community in general, which disqualifies her from the Ondo REC job; going by the rule of engagement of your Commission, it has also been established that the REC, has all along been holding nocturnal meetings with the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election, in the person of the incumbent Governor of the State, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“Such an unfortunate scenario leaves us wondering and asking: What is going to be the fate of the other contestants under such most disproportionately skewed circumstances? The above have put to question, the REC’s neutrality in the upcoming election, where the umpire is expectedly should be absolutely unbiased and non partisan. Related to this is the condonement of the APC agents and collaboration of INEC Ad-hoc Staff in the ongoing collection of the voters cards, where details of voters are written out by or for the APC.
“Certainly, all the facts deposed above, cannot but call to question the Ondo State REC’s neutrality in the upcoming election; where as the umpire, she is expected to be absolutely unbiased and non-partisan.
“The unwholesome scenario now unfolding in Ondo State, may further put a question mark on the integrity of your Commission, which integrity became even more questionable, following the controversial election held in Edo State recently.
“Mr Chairman, you may wish to know also, that the controversial Edo State election, has already charged up the atmosphere here in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 election.
“Hence, the rational thing for an unbiased umpire to do, would have been to use the Ondo election, as an opportunity to begin to work at gradually regaining voters’ confidence as well as restoring INEC’s lost integrity.
“Replacing the Ondo REC should not be a change too difficult for you to effect, if you sincerely, genuinely and intentionally care about restoring the faith of democracy-loving Nigerians in your organisation INEC.
“At this juncture, we would like to plead with you, to use the authority of your exalted office, to prevent whatever acts of commission or omission that could lead to anarchy and major threats to communal peace, or worse still, unhealthy political developments capable of derailing the country’s nascent democracy.
“Unarguably, it is only by handling the Ondo election in the most professional manner, in accordance with global best practices, devoid of any trace of preferential treatment or concealment of any kind to favour any of the contestants and their parties, that your organisation can claim to have done commendably.
“The first available opportunity to do this, and certainly a low-hanging achievement fruit at that, is to conduct a credible, fair and near-perfect, if not perfect election, in Ondo state come November 16.
“To achieve this, is to come clean with transparent preparations ahead of the election.
“The first step to demonstrate this, must be to redeploy Mrs. Toyin Babalola as the REC from Ondo State, and replace her with a non-partisan REC, whose open transparency and unquestionable neutrality, will no doubt greatly help to reassure and motivate voters in Ondo State, in the build-up to the November election.
“For the purpose of emphasis again, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, Ondo State REC, is not by any means qualified to be an umpire in the upcoming Gubernatorial election in Ondo State, because she has been residing in Ondo State for more than three decades now, even up till this moment, with her parents and siblings at House Number 3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area of Akure Town.
“In like manner, all her educational and career pursuits had emanated from her Ondo State permanent address in Akure. Furthermore, and this is even more damaging, she has been having serious links with the APC government cum its gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming November election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Online Editor by — October 20, 2024 in Politics 0
Labour Party:INEC Recognizes Abure’s Faction

          Mohammed Shosanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly recognized the leadership of Julius Abure, as National Chairman of Labour Party (LP).
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh,said the move followed a court order.
In a statement,Ifoh disclosed that the recognition which was contained in a letter by INEC and addressed to Barrister Abure and the party secretary, Umar Ibrahim, was signed by the Commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran- Anthony.
It also revealed that the Secretary of the Commission had invited the party to INEC’s fourth consultative meeting with the political parties.
A Federal High Court in Abuja,had on Tuesday declared that the 2024 Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi in March was valid, constitutional and in line with all laid down laws in Nigeria.
Justice Emeka Nwite,while delivering the judgment went further to compel INEC to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee as led by Abure.
Speaking after the meeting with INEC, the National Secretary of the Party, said that though the party was excluded from previous engagements, he was satisfied that INEC has obeyed the court order and that the party has now resumed seat amongst the other 18 political parties.
The statement explained that “with this development, the party is set for the rest of the political activities including the Anambra governorship election as announced by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.”
“With the issue of leadership now completely resolved, I urge every member of the party to rally round the Abure leadership. What transpired is only a family affair and we will as a family work towards restoring confidence to the party and every aggrieved or misled member of the party.
“Labour Party will come back stronger but we need everyone to join in the process of rebuilding the paper. It is a no victor nor vanquish situation. We are all winners. The party is however supreme and every member must work towards achieving set targets of the party,”the statement added.
Online Editor by — October 18, 2024 in Politics 0
INEC Holds Anambra Governorship Election Nov. 8 2025

             Mohammed Shosanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has  scheduled the Anambra State governorship election for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties held on Thursday in Abuja.
He emphasized that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the commission to announce elections no later than 360 days before the scheduled date. This requirement applies to both general elections and off-cycle governorship elections.
He noted: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State took place on November 6, 2021. With the passage of time, the next governorship election is approaching. Therefore, the commission has approved that the Anambra State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the upcoming election will be published on November 13, 2024. The party primaries are scheduled to take place from March 20, 2025, to April 10, 2025.
“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9:00 AM on April 18, 2025, and will close at 6:00 PM on May 12, 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2025. Campaigning by political parties will commence on June 11, 2025, and will conclude at midnight on November 6, 2025.
“Voting in the upcoming Anambra State governorship election is scheduled to occur in all 5,720 polling units across the state on Saturday, November 8, 2025. In the weeks leading up to the election, the commission will announce additional details regarding various electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, the transfer of voters, and the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).”
He emphasized that a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities for the 2025 Anambra State governorship election will be made available on the commission’s official website and its social media platforms.
Mr Yusuf Dantalle,the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has reiterated the council’s demand for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), labeling the elections they conduct as a “sham” and a deliberate assault on the nation’s democracy.
Mr Dantalle,the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), condemned the recent local government election process, stating, “What we are witnessing is not merely a coronation of candidates from the ruling party; it amounts to a daylight robbery of the people’s votes and mandates for chairmanship and councilorship positions.”
He emphasized the need for reform in the electoral process, advocating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should take over the responsibility of conducting local government elections across Nigeria, similar to its role in federal and state elections.
He added:”There is no need to establish another body for local government polls.The National Assembly should not dissipate energy and resources in establishing any local government electoral commission, instead it should strengthen INEC to conduct all elections in the country. The commission’s elections may not be perfect; they are far better and credible than the charades showcased by SIECs acting as rubber stamps of the governors who appointed them.”
Dantalle stated that it was time they stop using the judiciary to make mockery of the hard earned democracy.
He said:“The National Assembly should refrain from expending energy and resources on the establishment of local government electoral commissions. Instead, it should focus on strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections across the country. While INEC’s elections may not be flawless, they are certainly more credible than the farcical processes often displayed by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), which frequently act as rubber stamps for the governors who appoint them.”
He emphasized urgent need to stop undermining democracy through the misuse of the judiciary.
He criticized the frequent issuance of conflicting orders and judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction, stating that it creates the impression that justice is for sale.
“Enough of these provocative judicial somersaults that have brought our emerging democracy into disrepute. This serves as a wake-up call for immediate judicial reform to hold corrupt judicial officers accountable and restore the courts as the Temple of Justice, the last hope for all aggrieved citizens,” Dantalle declared.
Online Editor by — October 18, 2024 in Politics 0