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Tag: 2023 Election

  • 2023: No free votes for PDP from Rivers – Wike

    2023: No free votes for PDP from Rivers – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the state would not give the PDP free votes that would not guarantee them any rewards in the 2023 election.

    He noted that votes from the state will be put where a concrete reward is guaranteed for such electoral support.

    Governor Wike stated this during the inauguration of the Etche Campus of the Rivers State University in Abara.

    The governor also said his life was in God’s hands, noting that anyone or group planning to eliminate him will die.

    Wike said some of his close associates have expressed concerns over his safety, but that he has told them not to be bothered because God was on his side.

    In his words, “At the appropriate time, we will decide on what to do. I want Rivers people to reflect on this because, since 1999, we have brought the highest votes to the Peoples Democratic Party.

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    “I challenge any state to say they have brought more votes for the PDP. Which state has given more support than Rivers State? Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers State. Is there any?

    “So, if you want our votes, then tell me what you will give Rivers people. Our votes are not for dash anymore.”

    “This government fought us but we survived it. Most of them who are talking now, if this Federal Government had descended on them, most of them would have crumbled.

    “They were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019 and that was how Buhari won the election. They came to me, and I said no negotiation, the PDP must win.

    “Some people told me, ‘be careful, they will kill you.’ Kill who? Who told you you will not die first before you reach me? So, those of you panicking, you don’t need to panic.

    “If you have God, what are you afraid of? They have chased us, they’ve fought us but today we are standing strong.’’

    Governor noted that God has given him power, and resources as a governor to do what is appropriate and good for Rivers people and will not leave what he would do for God to do.

    He revealed that some of his colleagues negotiated and sold their votes to the APC in the last election in 2019 and that oly Rivers State stood its ground and supported the opposition.

  • Diaspora funds: Peter Obi’s trip is to give Nigerians hope to believe we still have a country – 3rd Force Spokesman

    Diaspora funds: Peter Obi’s trip is to give Nigerians hope to believe we still have a country – 3rd Force Spokesman

    Spokesman of the Third Force and Chairman National Conscience Party, NCP, Dr Yunusa Tanko has said the essence of Labour Party ‘s Presidential candidate going abroad is to galvanise diasporans into believing that in the near distant future a country known as Nigeria still exists.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Dr Tanko made this disclosure in an interview with a national television at the weekend.

    Tanko while reacting to a question on diaspora funds as alleged by APC, he explained that “what our candidate had done was to tell them that in no distant time they should come back to Nigeria and help rebuild the nation; these are people who have been contributing to the development of the country even when they are outside the country, they send billions of naira back home to their families to take care of them and so therefore such a constituency cannot be ignored.

    “What they simply did was, he went there, meet with them, have a consultation with them and tell them that look yes I know we have had series of bad leadership in the past but here we can have hope because I have this capacity to turn around the fortune so that you will not only be sending money home you will be able to use your money for the betterment of your people back at home and that is exactly what he is going outside the country to do.

    He further explained that there was no time party members or one of the leading personalities said they were going to challenge the issue of getting funds from abroad: ” No not at all, as our name implies he said obedient simply means that we are obedient to the laws of the land and everything we do is going to be within the ambience of the provisions of the law, as Nigerians also we have the power or at least we have the right to challenge the laws if they are not suitable to us but that is not the issue at the moment.

    “Every Nigerian has his right to do what is within the ambience of the law and we will respect that accordingly we will not go against the provisions of the laws of Nigerian nation that is the reason why we want to empower it and make sure that it works for the Nigerian people.

    “Exactly Peter Obi did not go outside this country to solicit for funds that is affirmative, what he did was simply to visit our brothers and sisters who are in the Diaspora, who have been pushed out of this country due to bad leadership.

    ” Many of them left this country not because they are willing, they want to go but they felt that the country was not working and I think credit should be given to Peter Obi for the ability to galvanize the Nigerian people in the Diaspora giving them hope that yes Nigeria can work and work under his leadership.

    “Now let’s look at it, these are people in millions who have left the shore of this country; doctors, teachers, technocrats, businessmen, persons with disabilities, all of them have left this country not because they want to leave but because they felt that the country is not working and so therefore he traveled to tell the Nigerian people outside the country that there is capacity in him and that he can move Nigeria from a docile country to a workable country.

    “He also told them that yes whatever it is that they are trading outside can be done in Nigeria.

    On Prof Utomi’s comments, he said “Let’s be clear I listened to Prof. Pat Utomi’s position which is very very clear there’s no ambiguity in what he’s saying and what I am saying. What we are saying is simple these are Nigerians living outside the country and they have a right to, they have been giving money to their own brothers and sisters at home, do you call that money laundering?

    “They give their people who are in total abject poverty which has been the position in which the government have put them into or leadership of the past have put them into and so they’ve been helping their people, would I call that money laundering?

    “They’ve been helping, they’ve been even building businesses at home some of the businesses that they built at home are so large and economically endowed, would they call that money laundering?

    “They are helping their people, are we now saying that we are exorcising, Nigerians who are living outside the country in order to help the country, no,
    I think we should give kudos to the ability of Peter Obi for him to have gone outside the country to mobilize Nigerians and giving them hope rather than castigating him.

  • INEC to publish comprehensive list of registered voters soon – Yakubu

    INEC to publish comprehensive list of registered voters soon – Yakubu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is working towards publishing a comprehensive list of registered voters in Nigeria, ahead of 2023 poll.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the stakeholders’ validation meeting for the 2022 revised framework and regulations for voting by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Yakubu said that the list would integrate the fresh voters registered at the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to the existing register of over 84 million voters.

    He faulted claim by a section of the civil society groups that INEC was not willing to display the register.

    “At a media briefing yesterday, the commission was accused of failure to display the voters’ register as provided by Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. This claim is incorrect.

    “What the commission displayed for claims and objections in our local government area offices nationwide for a period of one week, from Aug. 15 to Aug. 21, was not the entire register of voters.

    “It was the list of fresh registrants at the end of the fourth and last quarter of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise covering the period from April 11 to July 31.

    “This has been the practice for several years,” he said.

    Yakubu said that the commission had displayed the register three times: from Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, 2021 (First Quarter), Dec. 24 to Dec. 30, 2021 (Second Quarter) and March 26 to – April 1 2022 (Third Quarter).

    He said that a comprehensive schedule of the CVR and the display of the register was shared with stakeholders at the commission’s quarterly meeting just before the inception of the exercise in June 2021.

    “We wish to assure Nigerians that the commission will display the comprehensive register in all the 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas/area councils nationwide as envisaged in Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “This will integrate fresh voters registered under the last CVR to the existing register of over 84 million voters.

    “The date will be announced as soon the commission completes the ongoing Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to weed out all double/multiple as well as ineligible registrants.

    “We appeal to some of our friends in civil society organisations to be guided accordingly,” Yakubu said.

  • 2023 Election: “Be agents of peace” – Jega urges youths

    2023 Election: “Be agents of peace” – Jega urges youths

    Prof. Attahiru Jega, former INEC chairman and leader of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), has urged women and youths to be agents of peace to ensure rancour-free 2023 general elections.

    Jega gave the charge on Sunday while commissioning the PRP Youth and Women Wing office in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi.

    He said the call became imperative in view of the critical role played by youth and women in the democratic processes.

    The ex-INEC boss urged them to always put the interest of the state and the nation in their minds while taking decisions toward the forthcoming general elections.

    Jega encouraged them to stand on their feet and refuse to be used by selfish politicians to cause confusion before, during and after the general elections.

    While thanking the youth and women for their efforts in rescueing the state and nation at large, Jega urged members of the party to redouble efforts toward the success of the party for the benefit of the state and the country at large.

    Earlier, the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Udu-Idris said that if elected, he would introduce an open door government policy, transparency and accountability.

    He promised to prioritise provision of infrastructure and ensure creation of job opportunities for women and youth across the state.

    In her remarks, the Chairperson of Women and Youth Wing of the party in the state, Hajiya Hajara Mai-Kurata said the essence of the office was to ensure total support for the party to pave way for its succes at the polls come 2023.

    She assured that the office would be put to good use to not only stand the test of time but also to ensure that its desired goals and objectives were achieved.

  • 2023: Rivers govt, stakeholders collaborate on crowd control during political rallies

    2023: Rivers govt, stakeholders collaborate on crowd control during political rallies

    The Rivers Government says it is collaborating with stakeholders to ensure proper crowd management and zero fatality as political rallies and Ember month activities begin.

    Dr Sylvanus Ujum, the Director, Rivers State Emergency Medical Services said this at its maiden sensitisation/road walk on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

    The programme tagged, “Walk for Life, Walk for Safety”, was organised by the State government in collaboration with other emergency management and response agencies.

    Ujum said that the sensitisation was organised to check incidences of road traffic crashes, building collapse and other avoidable fatalities associated with the boisterous and care-free attitude usually exhibited during the ember months and political rallies.

    According to him, the move has become imperative following past experiences of cases of stampede during political campaigns, religious and other social gatherings.

    He said that the state government had directed that all churches, political rallies and gatherings must adequately involve all emergency management and response agencies.

    Also speaking, Mr Godwin Tepikor, the South/south Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), also advised residents of Rivers to apply moderation in all their engagements.

    According to him, the last quarter of the year usually records increase in traffic, movements of goods and services within and across states with apparently high fatality rates.

    “People tend to over labour themselves to achieve the year’s target in the ember months, that is why we are creating awareness on the need to apply moderation to curb the menace,” he said.

    The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Salisu Galadunci advised on the need for proper adherence to traffic rules and regulations to check road accidents.

    Galadunci also urged residents of the state to embrace voluntary blood donation to help boost blood availability in the state.

    He was represented by Mr Chukwuma Mbaegbu, the Deputy Corps Commander, Head of Operations of FRSC.

    In his remarks, Mr Onyekachi igwe, Head Donor Recruitment, Arm Forces Blood Centre Port Harcourt, decried the poor response to voluntary blood donation by residents of the state.

    According to him, the low response to blood donation is affecting the blood banks in the state as they are running out of supply.

  • 2023 Election: Bola Tinubu questions PDP’s existence

    2023 Election: Bola Tinubu questions PDP’s existence

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has questioned the opposition party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s  existence years after plunging the country into its present woeful conditions.

    The Lagos-bred politician asked the question during the door-to-door campaign unveiling of himself and running mate Shettima in Abuja.

    The former Governor of Lagos also described the PDP as a party that lacks direction.

    “They spent 16 years and forgot that there is a railway infrastructure that can do haulage, human carriage, animal husbandry, and food carriage across the length and breadth of the country.

    “They (PDP) got there and turned it into an incubator. I wonder why they still exist as a party. These are people still fighting for the leadership of their party, looking for the direction of the compass.

    “We don’t need to worry about the PDP — poverty development party. Today, let’s lower the temperature. It’s not the time to campaign yet. They will hear a lot from us,” Tinubu said.

  • Wike: Those who attacked me for dumping PDP are now crying- Umahi

    Wike: Those who attacked me for dumping PDP are now crying- Umahi

    Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi has asked some members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to apologize to him for attacking him when he dumped the party two years ago.

    Recall that Umahi dumped the party for the ruling All Progressive Congress in 2020 citing some irregularities in the PDP.

    Umahi made this statement while featuring on a political programme on Ariste TV on Friday, stated that some of the members of the opposition PDP who were angered by his defection to APC are now crying, saying he deserves an apology from everyone of them.

    He said, “I didn’t move from PDP to APC to have the ticket of the ruling party as presidential candidate. I only did that because I perceived that PDP was not going to give ticket to an Igbo man and I felt like it was not fair because we have served the party since 1999.

    “A lot of people that are crying today were the people that attacked me for leaving PDP at that stage but subsequently, they left and so they owe me apologies.”

    The governor’s assertion is coming amid a face-off between the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Wike  had on Thursday threatened to help the opposition party lose the 2023 presidential election.

    Wike has been at loggerheads with some members of the PDP and the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu amog other prominent politicians in the party.

    Asked about his  relationship with Wike, Umahi said he has reconciled with the Rivers Governor, stating they are moving together.

    According to him, “I and Wike had a quarrel, and when there is quarrel, there will be anger, and that anger may not be a holy one. That is what transpired between us.

    “Before I left PDP, we were best of friends, and you know how better it will be when your friend leaves you. That was the case between Wike and I.

    “We have since reconciled and we are moving together. Wike and other Southern Governors believed in the Southern presidency and this is the spirit that is currently flogging the PDP.”

  • Ogun PDP: Deputy chairman dumps party, conceals his reasons

    Ogun PDP: Deputy chairman dumps party, conceals his reasons

    Ogun state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy chairman,  Hon. Leye Odunjo has left his position and the party ultimately for reasons best known to him.

    This information was contained in a letter he wrote to the party’s National Chairman, Sen Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday.

    In the letter, sent through the Ogun State Chairman of the PDP, Sikirulai Ogundele, he said: “I humbly write to inform Your Excellency of my decision to resign as the state Deputy Chairman of Ogun State and as a member of the party.”

    The former House of Assembly member didn’t reveal any reason for dumping the party but explained that it was “personal and divine.”

    Odunjo had been a member of the PDP since 1998 and has served as the party’s State Chairman (West) twice, acting State Deputy Chairman and State Deputy Chairman, until his resignation.

    On the platform of the PDP, he was elected twice as a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly.

    At various times, he was a governorship aspirant, House of Representatives aspirant, and the senatorial candidate of the party in the 2019 election.

    “This will come as a rude shock to many of the party members,” Odunjo posited as he appreciated Ogundele and all members of the State working committee for their support and the love they shared.

    The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government indigene said: “It was nice working with you all. I’m going to miss you all.”

  • 2025 AFCON: CAF strips Guinea of hosting right, Nigeria set to benefit

    2025 AFCON: CAF strips Guinea of hosting right, Nigeria set to benefit

    Insinuations are rife that the Confederation of Africa Football, (CAF) has stripped Guinea of the 2025 AFCON hosting right.

    The decision and subsequent announcement were made at the CAF secretariat in Cairo, Egypt after due consultations.

    CAF announced Guinea as the tournament’s host on November 30, 2018, but the continent’s football body has withdrawn the mandate after the Executive Committee approved the decision to strip Guinea of the hosting rights.

    CAF said that considering happenings and preparations so far on the ground and time frame, Guinea is not prepared to host the continent’s most glamorous competition.

    The Guinean government was toppled sometime a few months ago by the country’s military and the west African country is still very much unsettled.

    However, there are indications that Nigeria and Republic du Benin  may get the nod.

    “The Executive Committee was unanimous that Guinea will not be ready to host the competition.

    “The Executive Committee took a unanimous decision based on the report as submitted that the tournament is withdrawn from Guinea.

    “The President suggested that a delegation be sent to Guinea to inform them of the decision taken by EXCO.

    “Resolution: The Executive Committee resolved to send a delegation to Guinea to inform them of CAF’s decision to withdraw the Africa Cup of Nations Guinea 2025 from Guinea,” CAF noted in a release made available to the media.

    Recall that President of Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) Amaju Pinnick had hinted a few weeks ago that Nigeria and neighbour Benin Republic could get the hosting right of the tournament.

    However, CAF hasn’t officially announced the new host of the tournament but plans to reveal it in due course.

    CAF has not however made any official statement on the replacement if Guinea loses the hosting rights.

  • 2023 Elections: Okupe clears air on agreement between Obi, Atiku

    2023 Elections: Okupe clears air on agreement between Obi, Atiku

    A Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Doyin Okupe, has explained that the speculation flying around that there is an agreement between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the LP’s  Flagbearer Peter Obi as the wishful thinking of some distractors.

    He noted that the speculation about a deal involving the LP and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates was false.

    Okupe said Obi enjoys massive support home and abroad and is ahead of his opponents by miles.

    The former presidential aide wonders why the former Anambra governor will negotiate “with other less popular candidates or their parties”.

    Okupe advised the public to ignore the “cheap, self-serving and distracting propaganda, which we believe is not coming from the Atiku camp”.

    The politician stressed that the Obidient movement gathers more and more electorates “on an hourly basis”.

    “It is evident that the political fortunes and followership of the other parties diminish and recede like a drying lake in the scorching heat of an arid desert.”

    The Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation, he added, remains focused to take back Nigeria and hand it over to the youths to secure their future.

    “Our compelling commitment and promise is to move Nigeria from consumption to production”, the statement concluded.