TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2019 Elections

  • APC meeting: Emerho, Erue chide PDP for deriding Buhari

    Chief O’tega Emerho, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Delta, said that there was nothing wrong for President Muhammadu Buhari, to visit Warri to garner support for the party.

    Emerho stated this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

    He was reacting to the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Buhari’s visit to Warri was to perfect the APC’s rigging plans in the state ahead of the March 9, Governorship and State House of Assembly Election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the PDP made the allegation on Monday in a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Michael Osuoza.

    Emerho said that the President’s visit was a move in the right direction to strengthen the party structure and reposition it to take over power from the PDP, which had been on ground in the state for the past 20 years.

    “It is not a crime that Mr President is in Warri to garner support for the APC, this is election period.

    ”We are still campaigning, campaigns will end on Thursday and the president has the right to go to places where he feels that people will be excited to see him and support him.

    “In 2015, we did not contribute much to electing the President, but this time, we went to town and said look he is our President, he has done well and for the first time we gave him massive support.

    “Delta State is a tough state, but we gave over 25 per cent of the votes to Mr President, so, we are very excited and happy that he has been returned for four more years to continue and move the country to the next level.

    “He has set up a strong foundation and you will see that in the next four years Nigeria will really progress.

    “When you have a PDP in the state for 20 years and they never allowed elections to hold; for the first time election will hold because the state is tired of PDP and want to join the mainstream APC.’’

    Also, the state’s APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue said Buhari was not visiting Warri for partisan politics, but he was visiting because of the demands of the people of Delta.

    Erue said he would not ordinarily respond to PDP’s allegation against the president, because it was an insult for anyone to query his movements; and it was pertinent to set the records straight.

    “’Ordinarily, I should have not responded or reply to the state PDP Chairman because I have called on him repeatedly that we should have a national debate and talk about issues that affect our state.

    “To start attacking the President of Nigeria, the Commander-in-Chief because he decided to visit a state, is an insult, it is a joke carried too far and that is not politics, it is disrespect.

    “He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President-elect; he chooses to visit were he wants to go, it is not the duty of any Nigerian to choose where he should visit.”

     

  • Election: Steer clear of Rivers, police warn troublemakers

    The Rivers Police Command has warned troublemakers to steer clear of the state during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Mr Nanmdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and spokesman for the command, who gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Monday, said that offenders would not be spared.

    Omoni recalled that 126 suspects were arrested in connection with the crisis that characterised the Presidential/National Assembly polls in Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the suspects had been transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and investigations were ongoing.

    “We appeal to the public to go out peacefully and exercise their franchise.

    “15,544 policemen will be deployed for the elections, to be complemented by other sister security agencies in the state,” he said

    According to the spokesman, each of the 4,432 polling units in Rivers will be “covered” by three policemen to ensure that the (centres) are protected.

    Omoni said the command did its job professionally by providing level playing ground for all political parties during the Feb 23 polls.

    He said all the arrested persons in connection with various electoral offences during the last election and would-be suspects in the March 9 polls would be arraigned after the general elections.

    He said there were “pockets of infractions” in some Local Government Area’s during the last elections, but the “police were not found wanting.”

     

  • APC meeting in Delta complete with infectious enthusiasm, says Akande

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State was complete with infectious enthusiasm.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Akande also said the meeting in Warri, in which Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari, was “a widely attended event”.

    “VP Osinbajo now in Warri representing the President at an APC Delta State Stakeholders’ interactive forum, a widely attended event complete with an infectious enthusiasm,” Akande tweeted.

    President Buhari shelved the meeting citing “unforseen state duties suddenly arising” and drafted Osinbajo, who is billed to visit Akwa Ibom State for a scheduled Town Hall meeting today, to attend the stakeholders meeting in his stead.

    Details of the stakeholders meeting, which TheNewsGuru (TNG) will publish later, are still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Reginald Dei: Govt house photographer shot during elections is dead

    Reginald Dei: Govt house photographer shot during elections is dead

    Reginald Dei, the Bayelsa State Government House Photographer, who was shot by men in Army uniform in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area òf Bayelsa State, during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections has died.

    A statement by the Director of Strategic Communication, Governor’s Office, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, stated that the photographer died after battling to survive the lethal wounds from the gunshots in a Yenagoa hospital on Sunday night.

    Dei was shot alongside the leader of the PDP in Oweikorogha community, Mr. Seidougha Taribi, while the duo were waiting for the outcome of the election in their ward at the politician’s residence.

    While Dei who was initially taken for dead survived the attack until Sunday night, Taribi died on the spot.

    Egba-Ologo called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of the various security agencies in order to bring the culprits of the dastardly act to book.

    He added that while the state was mourning the unfortunate murder of Taribi and Dei as a result of the brigandage that rocked the parts of the state during the Presidential election, thugs working for APC chieftains have been allowed to wreak havoc in Nembe Bassambiri.

    He said further that the rampaging thugs have sacked the mobile policemen and the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on deployment in the besieged community.

    He lamented that the rampaging thugs have dug military fashion trenches in Bassambiri with barricades to harass PDP members in the community and prevent those who fled the community from returning.

    He called on the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies to prevent brigandage and a breakdown of law and order in the area ahead of the next elections.

    He urged the security agencies to adhere strictly to their constitutional responsibility to ensure the provision of security and indeed the requisite environment in the next election.

     

  • After PDP complain, Buhari shelves APC stakeholders meeting in Delta

    President Muhammadu Buhari has shelved the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold in Warri, Delta state today.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, who made this known, said it was due to “unforseen state duties suddenly arising”.

    Enang said the President has delegated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is billed to visit Akwa Ibom State for a scheduled Town Hall meeting today, to attend the stakeholders meeting in his stead.

    “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has so delegated due to unforseen state duties suddenly arising. Time is 2pm, all other programmes remain the same,” the Senator said.

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State had earlier reacted to the President’s visit to the State.

    Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in a statement on Monday, had said the President’s reported visit to the State was not altruistic.

    The statement reads: “As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, it is not a surprise that tongues are wagging within the circles of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the trip is in bad taste, as the party supporters and Deltans in general are wondering why the president has always limited his visits to a microscopic Warri and ignoring the larger areas of the State.

    “However, while we of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State will not get involved in the internal belligerent matters of a party that lives in factional disharmony, we urge the President not to get involved in sinister contrivances by working to use his office as President, to scheme and manipulate the electoral process.

    “We say this because of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, as we have it on good authority that Buhari’s trip is not altruistic, and has nothing to do with the good and progress of Delta State.

    “Already, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations and it is being openly said that the President and indeed the whole gamut of well known election manipulators and hatchet men in the national APC leadership, are visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan and subvert the electoral process and the ultimate democratic decisions of Deltans who have sworn to return Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a well deserved second term and vote for all the PDP candidates in the March 9, 2019 State Assembly elections.

    “It is indeed a thing of shame that President Buhari will ignore other very important and urgent State matters to come to Warri to be at the head of a despicable scheme to manipulate and swing votes in favour of the unpopular APC and its candidates.

    “We condemn the president’s insensitivity to the sensibilities of the people of Delta State who have taken PDP as their party.“We also decry the shameful, slimy drive of Buhari and his detestable mission to use the power of State to secretly get the various agencies of the Federal Government, namely, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass PDP supporters, voters and subvert their democratic will and foist on the State an unpopular APC and its candidate.

    “While the foregoing is to seriously inform and educate the general public of Delta State, Nigerians and the world at large of the President’s tricks and treacherous game plan being schemed to thwart and by subterfuge subvert the already known will of Deltans who are poised to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates, we warn that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for any complications that may develop from his inglorious interference in the voting process in Delta State.

    “Let the president be reassured that the people of Delta State are resolute in their decision to vote for the PDP candidates and keeping the party in Delta State. Certainly, he should understand that no amount of intimidation and other ill-conceived and devious ideas to thwart the peoples’ will shall thrive because Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.

    “We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary. It is curious why the President has chosen to visit Warri at a time like this in the heat of preparations for, and almost on the eve of the State elections in which his party, and the APC is the major opposition party.

    “We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.

    “On this note, we call on PDP faithful, leaders, supporters and faithful not to be intimidated, but should come out in large numbers to vote the PDP, ensure that their votes count.

    “We urge them to remain steadfast in standing by and for Governor Okowa’s re-election and all the PDP candidates”.

     

  • Guber poll: Delta PDP raises eyebrow as Buhari visits Warri again

    Guber poll: Delta PDP raises eyebrow as Buhari visits Warri again

    As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has said the President’s trip is not altruistic and has nothing to do with the good and progress of the State.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP made this position known in a statement on Monday.

    According to him, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations that the President is visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan to subvert the will of Deltans.

    The statement reads: “As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, it is not a surprise that tongues are wagging within the circles of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the trip is in bad taste, as the party supporters and Deltans in general are wondering why the president has always limited his visits to a microscopic Warri and ignoring the larger areas of the State.

    “However, while we of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State will not get involved in the internal belligerent matters of a party that lives in factional disharmony, we urge the President not to get involved in sinister contrivances by working to use his office as President, to scheme and manipulate the electoral process.

    “We say this because of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, as we have it on good authority that Buhari’s trip is not altruistic, and has nothing to do with the good and progress of Delta State.

    “Already, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations and it is being openly said that the President and indeed the whole gamut of well known election manipulators and hatchet men in the national APC leadership, are visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan and subvert the electoral process and the ultimate democratic decisions of Deltans who have sworn to return Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a well deserved second term and vote for all the PDP candidates in the March 9, 2019 State Assembly elections.

    “It is indeed a thing of shame that President Buhari will ignore other very important and urgent State matters to come to Warri to be at the head of a despicable scheme to manipulate and swing votes in favour of the unpopular APC and its candidates.

    “We condemn the president’s insensitivity to the sensibilities of the people of Delta State who have taken PDP as their party.

    “We also decry the shameful, slimy drive of Buhari and his detestable mission to use the power of State to secretly get the various agencies of the Federal Government, namely, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass PDP supporters, voters and subvert their democratic will and foist on the State an unpopular APC and its candidate.

    “While the foregoing is to seriously inform and educate the general public of Delta State, Nigerians and the world at large of the President’s tricks and treacherous game plan being schemed to thwart and by subterfuge subvert the already known will of Deltans who are poised to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates, we warn that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for any complications that may develop from his inglorious interference in the voting process in Delta State.

    “Let the president be reassured that the people of Delta State are resolute in their decision to vote for the PDP candidates and keeping the party in Delta State. Certainly, he should understand that no amount of intimidation and other ill-conceived and devious ideas to thwart the peoples’ will shall thrive because Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.

    “We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary. It is curious why the President has chosen to visit Warri at a time like this in the heat of preparations for, and almost on the eve of the State elections in which his party, and the APC is the major opposition party.

    “We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.

    “On this note, we call on PDP faithful, leaders, supporters and faithful not to be intimidated, but should come out in large numbers to vote the PDP, ensure that their votes count.

    “We urge them to remain steadfast in standing by and for Governor Okowa’s re-election and all the PDP candidates”.

     

  • Guber poll: Gov. Okowa challenges Delta North, South

    A week to the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged the people of Delta North Senatorial District to deliver the highest number of votes for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the elections.

    The governor made the call on Saturday in an enlarged stakeholders meeting of the PDP in Asaba.

    “This election is not about party, it is about all Deltans, get everybody involved, an Anioma son is seeking re-election for Governor as his predecessors did, we know we will win in all the local government areas of our state but, the highest number of votes should come from Delta North”

    “Delta South that has the Deputy Governor has boasted to produce the highest number of votes but Delta North should take the lead; an area with more than 800, 000 registered voters should be able to produce more than 400, 000 votes and with proper enlightenment campaigns beyond party lines, we can do it.

    “It is a healthy competition between the three Senatorial Districts; our brothers from Delta Central are not relenting, we are using this election to speak with one voice that we are united as Deltans and that Delta State is PDP, PDP is Delta State.

    “I am confident of getting the highest number of votes from all the Senatorial Districts but, I will like the highest number of votes to come out from Delta North,” Okowa said.

    Those who spoke at the meeting includes Chief B.S. C. Elue, Prince Sam Obi, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Dame Esther Uduehi, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma, Chief Moses Iduh, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon and Barr. Kingsley Esiso.

    Senator James Manager was also at the meeting in solidarity with Governor Okowa and they all reaffirmed their commitment to work with their relations, friends and colleagues across the state to ensure that the PDP records unprecedented number of votes in the governorship and state assembly elections.

     

  • Defeated ADP candidate promises to develop Edo South

    Defeated ADP candidate promises to develop Edo South

    Dr Ese Owie, the defeated Edo South Senatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) says he remains committed to the development of the senatorial district.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Benin that this was in spite of his loss at the recently-concluded Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections.

    According to him, the conduct of different stakeholders in my senatorial district during the elections was peaceful.

    Owie said that in spite of losing out in the election, he was encouraged by the fact that what commenced on Nov. 18, 2018, had germinated and blossomed into an enduring movement for change.

    According to him, 2019 National Assembly Elections has come and gone.

    “ I am thankful to the Almighty God for the essentially peaceful conduct of different stakeholders in Edo South and for the relative tranquility that followed.

    “It has been a long, winding and exhausting road but we are thankful to all our supporters, party members, the media and diverse institutional actors for their commitment to our vision for a better and more prosperous Edo South.

    “Yes, I know we will all have wished the outcome of the elections to have been different.

    “Nevertheless, we are collectively victorious as veritable agents of change and foot soldiers in the fight for democracy in our beloved Father land,’’ Owie said.

    He decried the obfuscation of the ADP party logo on the ballot paper as a result of the array of political parties on the ballot paper.

    Owie urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take necessary actions in subsequent elections against voter’s suppression, buying of votes and intimidation of voters.

     

  • 2019 elections: PDP appreciates doggedness of Deltans

    The Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wishes to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our teeming party members, leaders, faithful and supporters, for standing by the party to ensure our resounding victory during the national elections in the State.

    We also congratulate all our candidates for the successes and victories achieved in the last elections.

    We cannot thank all of you enough, our dutiful party stalwarts, members and supporters for remaining resolute and steadfast in supporting all the candidates of our great party at the elections to victory.

    This is especially against the backdrop of the daunting challenges and evil machinations of our opponents, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose vile orchestrations of intimidation, assassinations, murderous attacks, and assaults, among other devilish tendencies on our members and supporters across the State, were intended to run the PDP faithful aground.

    But you stood firm and remained steadfast for the party and refused to be intimidated, to the point that PDP candidates emerged successful at the national elections.

    As we continue to appreciate your doggedness and cherished beliefs in the ideals of our great party, we equally urge and request that you go with this might and courageous gallantry into the next and most critical round of elections.

    We charge you to remain ever committed to seeing that the PDP remains in power in Delta State as you continue to work hard for the re-election of our governorship candidate and the other candidates for the State House of Assembly elections, coming up on March 9, 2019.

    As you already know and understand, it is not over until it is over. Therefore, we wish to further appeal that as PDP faithful, you don’t drop your guards yet as the March 9, 2019 Governorship and House of Assembly elections are also crucial and MUST be won for the PDP.

    We urge you to approach the coming elections of March 9, 2019 with the same resolve and impetus that culminated in PDP victories in the February 23 national elections.

    We also call on you all, our victorious candidates in the national assembly elections, leaders, members and supporters across board, to once again, put on your solid armour for the electoral battle ahead, and as “generals”, defend the cause of the party, fence off the antics of the opposition and achieve victory for His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa and all PDP candidates across the State in the March 9, 2019 elections.

    Once again, thank you for believing in PDP in Delta State and for working for the victory of our party and its flag bearers at the elections.

    PDP is Delta and Delta State is PDP.

    Long live PDP!

    God bless Delta State!!

    Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
    State Publicity Secretary,
    PDP, Delta State.

     

  • We are dragging GOC 6 Division to International Criminal Court – Governor Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the State Government has written to the International Criminal Court to prosecute the General Officer Commanding ( GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem for prosecution for crimes against humanity.

    Governor Wike said instead of running in circles, the GOC should explain to Nigerians the reasons why the 6 Division stormed Collation Centres in Ikwerre, Emohua and Okrika Local Government Areas with INEC Electoral Officers, accusing him of stealing electoral materials and concocting results.

    The Governor stated that the General Officer Commanding 6 Division has the blood of Rivers people on his hands, stating that issuing false statements will not save the GOC from prosecution.

    Speaking during a media briefing in response to the false allegations by the 6 Division that he tried to compromise soldiers of the 6 Division, Governor Wike described the allegation as false, malicious and diversionary .

    He said: “We are doing a petition to the International Criminal Court. We are demanding justice for all those killed by the GOC and his lieutenants.

    “We will also send a petition to all the major embassies in the country on the atrocities committed against Rivers people by the GOC and his soldiers. We have also ready sent a petition to the Chief of Army Staff on the criminal actions of the GOC”.

    Governor Wike stated that he has credible intelligence that the GOC has concluded plans to open fire on his convoy, with the objective of causing a deadly shoot-out.

    “Nigerians watched in utter dismay as three Local Government Electoral Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) indicted soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army for orchestrating electoral violence, snatching election materials and criminally colluding with APC leaders to concoct results during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Rather than respond to these allegations, the GOC is making diversionary allegations.

    “Mrs Mary Efeture Imawuya INEC Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA, INEC Electoral Officer for Emohua Local Government Area, Kenneth Etah and INEC Electoral Officer of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Leo Okon who addressed the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre at Elekahia were unequivocal in their indictments of the soldiers and their criminal activities during the elections”, he said.

    “The major problem they should defend is the INEC Officers who declared that the soldiers of the Nigerian Army abducted them , carted away materials and concocted results”, he added.

    The governor noted that it was the soldiers and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who abducted the the Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA and compelled her to write results.

    Governor Wike denied ever making an attempt to compromise the electoral process . He denied ever offering money to the Soldiers to act illegally.

    He noted that when the soldiers arrested the Rivers State Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason Onya for being among the approved PDP agents to escort materials, the Commissioner called him. He noted that he requested to speak with the Officer to demand the release of Onya who was on legal electoral function for the PDP. He said the officer who declined talking called back later and he informed him that Onya was on a legal assignment. He noted that no bribe was offered.

    Governor Wike said in his capacity as Governor, he spoke with about 10 different officers when PDP official agents raised concerns.

    The Governor said that the mischievous press briefing by the 6 Division is tantamount to a coup against a constituted authority.

    “The Army cannot be a judge in their matter. You cannot parade officials on legal Electoral duties. You cannot change the narrative. They have violated all known laws”.

    Simeon Nwakaudu,

    Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

    26 February, 2019.