TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2019 Election

  • Punish any Nigerian official who manipulates 2019 election, US lawmaker tells Trump

    American congressman, Christopher Smith, who is also the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has urged President Donald Trump to use his sanctioning authority to hold accountable any (Nigerian) official who subverts the 2019 electoral process or foment violence against citizens.

    He issued a statement concerning the 2019 general elections, zeroing in on the North East violence which he believes is ‘largely attributable to Fulani extremists.’

    Smith, who represents New Jersey’s Fourth District at the American Congress, wrote via his official website https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401629.

    He states: “I am very concerned by the current trajectory in Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and economy, and President Muhammadu Buhari’s apparent crackdown on non-violent protests and harassment of opposition leaders, such as freezing the assets of opposition vice presidential candidate Peter Obi and the raiding of the home of two sons of opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    “I call upon the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that elections will be free and fair, and for the Commission to remain impartial.

    “I further call upon President Buhari to use his authority to end the violence perpetrated by Fulani extremists, particularly in the Middle Belt region, and question why he has failed to do so.

    “I also urge the Trump Administration to monitor the evolving situation closely, and not to hesitate to use its sanctioning authority to hold accountable any officials who subvert the electoral process or foment violence against citizens.”

    Smith chaired a hearing on Nigeria on December 13, 2018, entitled “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Election.”

    It may be recalled that the Buhari administration denied the allegation of freezing Peter Obi’s assets, while it also said that it was the home of the son of a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, that was searched by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and not that of Atiku Abubakar’s two sons as alleged.

     

  • 56 political parties ready for 2019 general elections – INEC

    56 political parties ready for 2019 general elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 56 political parties out of the 91 registered parties in the country are set to participate in the 2019 general elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Rivers, Mr Obo Effanga, said this during a media briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that INEC was interested in all the 91 registered political parties, adding that the commission would only deal with political parties that registered for the election in 2019.

    The REC assured Rivers people that the commission was ready to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019, stressing that “we assure you that on the day of the elections, every material needed for the elections would be ready to ensure free, fair and credible process.”

    Effanga noted that the Card Readers would be used for the 2019 general elections.

    He pointed out that any voter who was not accredited by the Card Reader would not cast his or her vote.

    He explained that provisions would be made if the Card Reader developed any hitch in the process.

    He, therefore, called on community leaders to advise their youths against disrupting the elections, emphasising that any community that could not advise its youths to be of good conduct, INEC would not conduct elections there.

    The REC urged stakeholders to play their part properly, saying that security agencies, the political class, among others, should ensure that the 2019 general elections were successful.

    He stressed that any politician who would have objections of any kind concerning the 2019 general elections should go to court to seek redress.

    He called on the electorate to pick up their Permanent Voter Cards at their areas of registration to enable them to exercise their franchise on the day of the election.

    NAN

  • 2019 election: Atiku can’t stop Buhari’s victory – UK APC

    UK chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari easier.
    Mr Ade Omole, leader of APC UK, who made the assertion in a statement on Monday, stated that President Buhari remains the best candidate for the 2019 presidential election among the array of presidential candidates being paraded by other political parties.
    He maintained that Atiku’s candidature would not stop the victory of the APC.
    “The task for 2019 election has just been made easier by the leading opposition party by electing a presidential candidate who was part of the country’s problem in the 16 years of PDP rule.
    “Nigerians should be wise enough to know, therefore, that he has nothing new to bring to the table.
    “While I want Nigerians to vote wisely in 2019, I assure that as we did in 2015, we will work hard again to ensure that President Buhari is re-elected.
    “On behalf of Nigerians and the progressives in the Diaspora, I congratulate President Buhari for accepting his nomination to be the APC presidential candidate for 2019 election.
    “His election by over 14 million registered members of the party during the APC presidential primaries held across the federation speaks volumes,”Omole said.
    He further said that Nigerians in the Diaspora were delighted at the enormous recovery tasks undertaken by the Buhari-led administration in securing the country, growing the economy and curbing corruption within the polity.
    The leader of the APC UK chapter commended Buhari and his cabinet for laying the foundation for a better Nigeria.
    He however urged APC members across the world not to be distracted, but continue to work hard to ensure the party’s victory at all levels of government in 2019.
    President Buhari scored a total of 14,842,072 votes at the party’s recent direct primaries held in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to pick the APC presidential ticket.
    His candidacy was affirmed by 7,000 delegates from 36 states of the federation and the FCT at the APC National Presidential Convention on Saturday.
    Aside the statutory delegates, three delegates were drawn from 774 Local Government Area of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, who got elected at the party’s Congresses held earlier.
    Atiku, a former Vice President beat 11 contestants to secure the PDP ticket with 1,532 votes during the party’s presidential primaries held in Port Harcourt.
    A total of 3,274 delegates participated in the election, with his closest challenger, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, having just 693 votes.
    Other presidential candidates seeking to upstage Buhari include, Mr Donald Duke of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Oby Ezekwesili of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria among others.
    The presidential election will hold on Feb. 14,2019.
     

  • No blood is worth any politician’s ambition – UPU

    No blood is worth any politician’s ambition – UPU

    As the 2019 general election is fast approaching, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has warned no blood of any Urhobo sons and daughters is worth the ambition of any politician.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports President General of the Union, Olorogun Moses Taiga, gave the warning on Sunday while congratulating candidates who have conclusively secured their parties’ nomination to contest in the general elections.
    While maintaining that the UPU is the sociocultural umbrella body of all Urhobos worldwide, he reiterated commitment that the UPU will work with the political class, irrespective of party leanings, to move the Urhobo Nation forward.
    Olorogun Taiga also advised Urhobo sons and daughters vying for various political offices to put the interest of the Urhobo Nation first, and above personal interest.
    “I recognize the passion and the competitive nature associated with the nomination process, but I advise all the contestants across political parties to follow due process, avoid rancour and any act capable of dividing or weakening the position of the Urhobo Nation.
    “The precious blood of Urhobo sons and daughters should also not be shed to actualize any political ambition,” he stated.
    He further urged all contestants to go and sell their programmes to the people in other to get their support.
    However, he advised that such programmes should lead to the enhancement of the wellbeing of the people and improvement in the socioeconomic environment of the Urhobo Nation.
     

  • Breaking: Ezekwesili declares for president, emerges ACPN presidential candidate

    Obiageli Ezekwesili popularly known as Oby Ezekwesili has finally officially declared intention to contest post of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2019 general election under the Allied Congress Progressives Party (ACPN).
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Oby made her intention known on Sunday stressing that her decision is based on self-conviction, and that there already “a multi-million-person national grassroots organisation across the 36 states of Nigeria”.
    “I am announcing not as an aspirant, but as a candidate running under the flag of the ACPN. Our party primaries held today, and I have humbly accepted the nomination.
    “To show that we mean business, especially as we have already started building a multi-million-person national grassroots organisation across the 36 states of Nigeria.
    “I have spent the past few weeks engaged across the country and internationally and I have fully persuaded myself, by myself, that the one thing I hate more than politics is politicians who believe they are untouchable by citizens because of power and money.
    “My friends who have fully assumed their role as #OfficeOfTheCitizen, what started as my being aggrieved with the despair and despondency across the country, and the failure of governance by the #APCPDP has now become an urgent national movement.
    “This is why, today, in response to the candidates of the #ACPPDP, I have officially declared my candidacy to run as a citizen, alongside you and other citizens, for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019.
    “Our message is HOPE. Our hashtag is #Hope2019. Let the old order politicians of the #APCPDP be thereby put on notice that us citizens did not come here to play. We are in it to win it, for 2019.,” she stated.
     

  • Okowa has words for Atiku, commends losers

    Okowa has words for Atiku, commends losers

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) 2018 Special National Convention Planning Committee, has congratulated former vice president Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the party’s presidential flagbearer.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor Okowa, who extended his goodwill message to the former vice president in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu in Asaba, also commended the spirit of good sportmanship shown by aspirants who missed out in the process.
    He said Atiku’s victory at the PDP Presidential primary is a victory for the party and Nigerians, adding that he will defeat the ruling APC in 2019 election.
    He expressed optimism that having won the party’s ticket, the former Vice President would leverage on his track record as an entrepreneur and great employer of labour to grow the nation’s economy.
    Governor Okowa further applauded other aspirants who took part in the keenly-contested primary and urged them to uphold the values and philosophy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by coming together to support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming general election, in a bid to ensure the PDP emerge victoriously.
    The Governor noted that the PDP values internal democracy, describing the success of the primary election as another testament to the PDP’s democratic credentials.
    He also assured members of the party and Nigerians that the party would not rest until they return the country to the part of good governance, rule of law as well as security of lives and property.
    “Congratulations to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on winning the PDP Presidential ticket to contest the 2019 general elections. I have no doubt that Alhaji Abubakar’s track record as an entrepreneur and great employer of labour will be replicated in growing the nation’s economy which will stand him in good stead in the elections”.
    “I would also like to commend all the participants in the keenly-contested Primary. I would like them to uphold the values and philosophy of the PDP by joining hands to support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming elections.
    “As a party, the PDP is serious about internal democracy in the party, and the success of the Presidential Primary, with 12 aspirants, further validates our party’s democratic credentials.
    “Let me assure our party men and Nigerians that we will continue to work hard to lead Nigeria to the next level of its development journey” he said
    He congratulated the National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus and members of the National Working Committee as well as all other organs of the party on the success of the PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt.
    Governor Okowa also used the opportunity to appreciate members of the 2018 National Convention Planning Committee for their dedication to duty which led to the success of the Convention.
     

  • 2019: APC NWC upholds Ogboru candidacy, clears 23 other governorship candidates

    2019: APC NWC upholds Ogboru candidacy, clears 23 other governorship candidates

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared 24 governorship aspirants as its candidates to contest the 2019 governorship election in 24 states.
    The party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
    Nabena said the decision was taken following the conclusion of the governorship primaries in the states involved, at the end of the NWC meeting on Thursday.
    According to him, the NWC at the meeting ratified the reports of the various Electoral Committees and adopted the under-listed as the party’s governorship candidates for the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
    1. ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE – KANO STATE
    2. MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR – BAUCHI STATE
    3. SIMON LALONG – PLATEAU STATE
    4. NASIR EL-RUFAI – KADUNA STATE
    5. MOHAMMED BADARU ABUBAKAR – JIGAWA STATE
    6. AHMED ALIYU – SOKOTO STATE
    7. ABUBAKAR ATIKU BAGUDU – KEBBI STATE
    8. AMINU BELLO MASARI – KATSINA STATE
    9. ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO – NIGER STATE
    10. BABAGANA UMARA-ZULUM – BORNO STATE
    11. MAI MALA BUNI – YOBE STATE
    12. ABUBAKAR A. SULE – NASARAWA STATE
    13. EMMANUEL JIMME – BENUE STATE
    14. BABAJIDE SANWO–OLU – LAGOS STATE
    15. TONYE COLE – RIVERS STATE
    16. UCHE OGAH – ABIA STATE
    17. NSIMA EKERE – AKWA-IBOM STATE
    18. ADEBAYO ADELABU – OYO STATE
    19. DAPO ABIODUN – OGUN STATE
    20. GREAT OGBORU – DELTA STATE
    21. OWAN ENOH – CROSS-RIVER
    22. INUWA YAHAYA – GOMBE STATE
    23. SUNNY OGBOJI – EBONYI STATE
    24. SANI ABUBAKAR DANLADI – TARABA STATE
    The APC governorship primary was yet to hold in Imo, Zamfara, Adamawa and Enugu among some other states due to some challenges, according to the party’s national leadership.
    All political parties are expected to conclude their primaries by Oct. 7, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
     

  • 2019: PPC requires presidential aspirants to provide spiritual fathers

    Aspirants seeking to be President on the platform of the Providence Peoples’ Congress (PPC), will pay N500,000 for the nomination form, the party announced on Wednesday in Jos.

    The aspirants will also be expected to bring a recommendation letter from their spiritual fathers or any other reputable clergy man, according to PPC chairman in Plateau, Mrs. Kenang Gyang-Filani.

    Gyang-Filani, in a speech to inaugurate the Plateau chapter of the party, said that the group had also opted for Option A4 in determining its candidates for the 2019 polls.

    “We opted for Option A4 to empower the people at the grassroots to determine those qualified to occupy elective offices,” she said.

    The chairman said that aspirants for the State House of Assembly would pay N50,000, while those interested in contesting the House of Representatives and Senate would pay N150,000 and N200,000 respectively.

    Those seeking governorship seats would be expected to cough out N250,000, he added.

    Gyang-Filani said that the party congresses would be conducted between September and October, in line with INEC’s time table, and advised interested members to come for the forms.

    The chairman said that the party would soon announce a date for its one-day prayer toward the success of its congresses and general elections, adding that its major concern was to correct injustices, corruption and other vices that had frustrated Nigeria’s march to greatness.

    She regretted that less than five per cent of Nigerians were controlling the resources and wealth meant for all, promising that the PPC would change the situation if voted into power.

    “From our interaction with Nigerians, most of them have been waiting for a party to salvage the country from the rot eating into its image. PPC is prepared to offer such leadership,’’ she said.

    Gyang-Filani said that the party’s slogan, “get it right, do it right’’ was deliberately chosen to give the electorate the best route toward representative government that would put national interest above every consideration.

    Also speaking, Dr. Haruna Dabin, member of the party’s Board of Trustees, said that the group was out to restore hope to the masses.

    “This is a party of God fearing people; we shall do everything within our power to give Plateau and Nigeria the good governance we all deserve and crave for,’’ he said.

    Dabin declared that the party had no godfathers, saying that all members had equal privileges to determine who should lead.

     

  • 2019: APC disowns membership registration website

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concern over a trending fake website, apcregistration.com, which it says is meant to harvest its members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The party raised the alarm in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary on Sunday in Abuja.

    It said that the fake website was a scam sponsored by a “main opposition party,” stressing that it was not authorised by its leadership.

    “We alert our supporters, members, and indeed the general public about a purported membership registration website of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – apcregistration.com.

    “The website which is trending on social media is unauthorised and a scam.

    “Our internal investigation has revealed that the fake website is sponsored by one of the main opposition political parties in its desperate and criminal plot to harvest APC members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “We have deliberately not named the political party and hereby call on relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the website and its sponsors,” the party said.

    It urged its teeming supporters and members to take advantage of the on-going nationwide APC membership registration in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to register.

    According to the party, the exercise will include both fresh registrations and revalidation of existing membership for the purposes of issuance of its permanent membership cards.

     

  • 2019: Ikpeazu praises Udom, Wike takes swipe at Akpabio in Uyo

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was on Friday full of praises for his Akwa Ibom State counterpart Governor Udom Emmanuel at his declaration for second tenure in Uyo, capital of the state.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who was also present at the Governor Udom’s second tenure declaration event, took a swipe at the State’s former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    “Those that defected cannot say that Udom is not performing well, they were only escaping from prosecution,” Governor Wike said of Akpabio while telling the mammoth crowd gathered at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, venue for the event, not to be intimidated.

    “No man is God. Do not be intimidated, for I know you that you will stand and defend your votes,” Wike said.

    Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said “Akwa Ibom is lucky to have a God-fearing leader,” while also adding: “God does not lie, he alone can make kings. You cannot come from anywhere and take over Akwa Ibom land. Akwa Ibom belongs to Akwa Ibom people”.

    In his address, Governor Udom asked for support of Akwa Ibom people, stressing he is submitting himself again as a servant-leader to the people for his second tenure bid.

    “I come today following the ratings and commendations of Akwa Ibom People drawn from the 3 Senatorial Districts in our state & also cutting across diverse segments of our population, that I have made results-oriented efforts in serving Akwa Ibom people since I was elected in 2015.

    “I have operated a Christ-centric Government, I have led a People-centric Government, I have worn humility like a badge of honour, believing that power comes from the people; I have refused to hurl insults at people who have attacked and called me names.

    “I have been a Servant-leader which I had promised you. I have maintained peace in Akwa Ibom State and brought about civility in our engagements. I hereby submit myself to complete the Divine Mission which you had first sent me to accomplish in 2015,” Udom told the mammoth crowd gathered at the stadium.

    Speaking on Akpabio’s earlier comments on invading Akwa Ibom like Poland, Governor Udom said, “Anybody who wants to make Akwa Ibom be like the invasion of Poland, to kill our people, we say, Holy Ghost, Fireeeeee”.