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Tag: 2023 Election

  • Our contract is with individual drivers, not MC Oluomo – INEC

    Our contract is with individual drivers, not MC Oluomo – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its contract for logistics delivery for the forthcoming general elections in Lagos State is with individual drivers and not with Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made the clarification in an interview with NAN on Friday in Abuja.

    Okoye was reacting to the raised concerns and controversies on plan by INEC to engage Lagos Park Management Committee under MC Oluomo leadership for transportation of election materials and personnel in the forthcoming elections in the state.

    He said the role of road transport union was to assist the commission to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with commission and the drivers to be engaged for election duty.

    He urged Nigerians to stop linking INEC with an individual, saying the commission’s commitment was to the individual drivers.

    “This commission has contract with individual drivers. The National Union of Road Transport Workers has no vehicles. So, we signed individual contract with all the persons who are going to provide vehicles for us.

    “For this election we are going to hire at least 138,000 vehicles. We are going to hire over 4,000 boats and we are going to hire over 8,000 motorcycles.

    “We are going to sign individual contract with all these people. The only thing the road transport union workers does for us is that we have what we call a Memorandum of Understanding with them, so that if for instance any of the members goes AWOL, they will help us track the person down.

    “If somebody does not report on time, they will help us find out why the person has not reported on time. But our contract is with individual drivers,” he said.

    Okoye urged Nigerians to stop linking INEC with an individual, saying the commission’s commitment was to the individual drivers.

    “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State has never said that we are going to work with individual you have mentioned.

    “What he said was that if there’s no NURTW in Lagos, but Park Management Committee, that we are going to work with the committee, because we cannot be seen to be breaking the law.

    “So, that is the issue. People should banish this whole idea of linking the commission to an individual.

    “Our commitment is to the individual drivers that are going to sign a contract with and we are also going to take oath of neutrality and oath of allegiance to the commission, and that is where we stand on the matter,” he said.

    Several individual and groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised concern on the use of the Park Management Committee in Lagos by INEC

  • ‘We stand ready for the general election’ – APC denies plan to shift polls

    ‘We stand ready for the general election’ – APC denies plan to shift polls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has no business seeking for postponement of the 2023 general election, as it is fully prepared for the poll.

    Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Morka reacted to some media speculations alleging that the Federal Government was working on plans to postpone the election.

    “Our attention has been drawn to a shadowy media report in some media outlets that the APC is pushing for a postponement of the 2023 general election.

    “The report is blatantly false and reckless, and bears no iota of credibility.

    “Beyond its loud headline, the report offers no substantive justifying content aside from its intended purpose,” he said.

    Morka said the report was aimed causing needless anxiety among Nigerians on the election, saying that the election was a matter of extreme national importance bordering on national security and corporate integrity of the country.

    “It is not and should not become a matter for idle, rash or insensitive speculation by the media or any institution for that matter.

    “On record, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, our party continues to wage the most extensive and vibrant campaign in the history of our nascent democracy.

    “Seeking to elect our visionary presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima and our party’s governorship, national and state legislative flag bearers into office,” he said.

    This, he said, was in direct contrast to the lackluster and incoherent campaign of the opposition parties that had placed nothing before the electorate, except their lies and propaganda against the APC.

    Morka said Buhari had left no one in doubt as to his unshakable commitment to bequeathing a befitting legacy of credible, free and fair election.

    He added that the president had enacted unprecedented electoral reform and innovation that placed the country in good stead to deliver 2023 general election and bolster our democratic consolidation.

    “We stand ready for the general election, and remain confident that Nigerians will overwhelmingly renew our mandate in a peaceful, free and credible electoral contest,” Morka said.

  • Obi finally replies El-Rufai: Since I’m an actor, I’ll focus on Nollywood

    Obi finally replies El-Rufai: Since I’m an actor, I’ll focus on Nollywood

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has replied Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, over his comment that he should focus on Nollywood instead of running for the presidency.

    The former Anambra State Governor said since El-Rufai called him an actor, he would focus on Nollywood.

    Obi gave the reply on Sunday while featuring on Arise Television’s Sunday Show Program.

    Recall that El-Rufai had while featuring on the Channels Television’s programme over the week dismissed Obi’s chances in the forthcoming presidential election.

    El-Rufai also claimed that Obi wouldn’t score more than 1% in Sokoto and 2% in Katsina States, respectively.

    Obi replied, “I thank El Rufai for what he said, at least he gave me some percentages; I’ll work hard to improve on that. The Entertainment Industry is one of the engines that will develop us as a Nation, I’ll focus on that and Nollywood.

    “And since he said I’m an actor, I’m calling on all those in the entertainment industry, including Nollywood, to support me.”

  • INEC trains 26 NSCDC personnel on election security duties

    INEC trains 26 NSCDC personnel on election security duties

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has trained 26 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bauchi Command, on election security duties.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Command, DSC Ibrahim Gabdo, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Bauchi.

    He said the training was part of preparations for the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections in the country.

    “INEC trained Election Security Personal (ESP) with 26 Personal of NSCDC Bauchi state Command involved in the two days of training on various aspects of election security duties.

    “The training was tagged ‘training of trainers (TOT) capacity building’, held at the INEC Headquarters from Friday to Saturday,” he said.

    He said the participants were exposed to the peculiarities of the electoral environment, processes and procedures of pre-election, election period and post-election period activities.

    “That includes deployment, mobilization, polling, counting, collation and declaration of results, code of conduct and rules of engagement.

    “Electoral offences were discussed with contributions from different security agencies,” he said.

    According to him, participants were drawn from the lead agency on election security, the Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Nigerian Correctional Services, Nigerian Immigration, NDLEA, Nigeria Custom, FRSC and the Federal Fire Service.

    Gabdo explained that participants pledged to put in their best to support INEC to deliver an election that is credible.

    He, however, expressed appreciation to INEC for providing opportunity to the command and building the capacity if its personnel.

  • New Notes: Atiku backs CBN over cashless policy, says moves is economically viable

    New Notes: Atiku backs CBN over cashless policy, says moves is economically viable

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has accused those clamouring for the extension of deadline for the new notes of having an ulterior motive.

    The Adamawa- born politician made this statement signed and released by him in Abuja on Wednesday, saying that the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has good intentions towards establishing a cashless economy.

    Recall that the apex bank had on Sunday extended the collection of old Naira notes in banks by 10 days to ensure that all users especially the rural dwellers are able to deposit their old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

    Some political stakeholders have, however, demanded that the collection be extended by months.

    But Atiku, in the statement alleged that those demanding for further extension may have ulterior motives.

    While hailing the CBN on the cashless policy, Atiku urged the apex bank to make the new notes available before the new deadline elapses.

    He said, “The CBN should be wary of the elite whose motive for crying out about a further postponement of the deadline for the tenure of the old naira notes is sinister and far from being altruistic. I am totally in support of building a cashless economy and reducing the amount of cash in our economy.

    “The cashless policy and reduction of the cash in circulation has many advantages, and every patriotic Nigerian should support the CBN on this. It will help to reduce the flow of illicit funds in our economy.

    “It will help to defeat the funding of terrorism and deter the circulation of drug money in our economy. It will help our fight against corruption.”

    The Federal Government has reiterated that there is no going back on the extension of the deadline beyond February 10, saying its a means to tackle banditry, thuggery during elections and what a view.

  • 2023: Aide reveals reasons Sanwo-Olu should be re-elected

    2023: Aide reveals reasons Sanwo-Olu should be re-elected

    The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, says it makes a lot of sense for residents, especially technocrats, to re-elect the governor for the second term.

    Adeyoye made this remark while delivering a keynote address at a hybrid interactive session with technocrats, organised by the Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council (ICC), Directorate of Professional Women.

    Newsmen reports that the hybrid session, held on Saturday night, had experts from various fields and professional associations in attendance.

    It was hosted by Dr Atinuke Owolabi, Director, Professional Women Directorate, ICC, and tagged “A one-hour interactive session with professionals on the implementation of strategies and tactics developed to give “#RenewedHope* to Nigeria” and “#AGreaterLagosRising”.

    Enumerating the numerous accomplishments of the current administration in the area of works and infrastructure, Adeyoye said that the government had delivered so many inherited abandoned projects while also instituting and completed many.

    She reeled out efforts of the Sanwo-Olu administration in improving transportation and infrastructure, including improved roundabouts in Lekki, Ikeja and other areas to ease gridlock.

    She said the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) was empowered to increase its asphalt production capacity and became efficient using cold and hot mixes for both dry and wet season road rehabilitation works.

    The aide listed ongoing projects at various stages of completion as well as completed ones and newly initiated ones undergoing procurement as reasons to re-elect the Sanwo-Olu team.

    “The two (Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat) of them have a heart to serve, they have a vision that is in tandem with the needs of Lagos residents.

    “It makes a lot of sense to vote Sanwo-Olu back so that they can complete what they have started, Let us go out, collect our PVCs and vote wisely. More importantly, we have a state to build and a nation,” Adeyoye said.

    The aide, who is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, said the current administration had also given opportunities to professionals to contribute their quotas towards taking the state to the next level.

    According to her, the administration has not also failed in providing opportunities for women to mainstream gender in all its activities.

    “Women have made a lot of differences with a lot of potentials. It is time for professionals to take the bull by the horns and not sit on the fence. The first step is to pick your PVCs and be involved,” she added.

    The aide said that the government would continue to engage all professionals and urged the technocrats to develop a think tank or a pressure group to make the government reckon more with them.

    She said the experts had failed the nation in the past and must rebuild the ruins by taking the lead in performing their civic responsibilities of voting and sensitising Nigerians on the right choices.

    According to her, whatever the professionals plan to bring to the table will count in determining the kind of attention they would attract from government.

    She said although the ICC group was party affiliated, it was still about Nigeria, hence the need to vote massively for the APC who are progressives.

    In her remarks, the host, Owolabi, who commended the speaker and other professionals, said that their insightful contributions, showed that the experts in various fields were ready to build the country.

    According to her, the government recognition of the professionals necessitated the creation of the directorate and experts must use the forum to make impact in the nation’s governance.

    “We must not continue to talk without putting action into it. We must build this country. As professionals, let us serve as role model, we must not sit back and watch on. Getting involved is our civil responsibility,” she said.

    Owolabi, who urged her professional colleagues to vote massively for the APC in all elections, said that the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and Sanwo-Olu had track records of engaging professionals.

    Other contributors, including Mrs James Adeyemi from the U.S., called for a strong advocacy group of professionals who would work to build the nation of everyone’s dream.

    Newsmen reports that the Chief host was Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Director General (DG), ICC, while Cardinal James Odunmbaku (MFR) was the Chairman, ICC.

  • Don’t allow PDP back, it will be disastrous – Tinubu

    Don’t allow PDP back, it will be disastrous – Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday, charged the people of Jigawa to vote for responsive and responsible leadership in the 2023 general election.

    Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s Media Officer, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, saying that the APC presidential candidate gave the charge when he addressed the party’s supporters at a campaign rally in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital.

    He also charged the people of the state not to allow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) back to power.

    He said having voted out the “jackals and hyenas” in the PDP administration in 2015, it would be disastrous to give them another opportunity back to power again.

    “You did the courageous job of chasing away the locusts eight years ago, do not trust their deceptive promises, do not let them back to power, like locusts, they will devour everything in their path.

    “Instead, vote for the people that have a track record of delivering prosperity to the people, we did it in Lagos and Borno States, and with your help we will do it again for Nigeria.

    “Vote for the people with the vision, the capacity, the competence, and the integrity to do what is right, vote for responsive and responsible leadership.

    “Vote for us, vote for the APC on Feb. 25 and March 11,” Tinubu said.

    He added that if voted into power, his administration would build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and bring the country to flourish.

    Speaking on his administration’s plans, Tinubu promised to revamp the agricultural sector, while giving great attention to developing infrastructure across the country.

    He said the vast arable land in Jigawa would be activated to make the state a place to reckon with in agro-business and agro-allied industries.

    He further promised that if elected, his administration would build on the gains already recorded in agriculture in the state.

    “We will invest in the expansion of irrigation and water management systems to increase productivity and reduce the impact of extreme weather, drought and flood cycles on crop yields.

    “Our initiatives will ensure Jigawa farmers can cultivate their lands all year round.

    “If you elect me as the country’s next president, I will consolidate the ongoing infrastructural revolution by networking our entire country with good roads that would spur development.

    “We will use the road network to connect our major agricultural and industrial hubs,” Tinubu said.

    He stressed the importance of securing the nation for economic growth, promising to provide all critical security agencies with all they required to secure the nation and make it habitable for Nigerians.

    “Most importantly, we will secure our nation and defeat the menace posed by evil criminals, kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists, we will sweep them away.

    “We will do so by recruiting and deploying more security personnel across the various agencies, improving their equipment and training, and deploying top shelf technology to improve ground and aerial surveillance in key and dangerous areas,” he said.

    He thanked the party’s supporters in the state for their overwhelming turnout.

    Present at the rally were Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate Kashim Shettima, and the Director-General of its campaign council and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong among others.

    Speaking, Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, thanked the people of the state for turning out in large numbers to receive Tinubu and APC leaders.

    He described Tinubu as his dear father who would soon be the “father of the nation.” adding that he would work to ensure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election.(

  • Stop campaign of calumny against Tinubu – APC cautions Akinjide

    Stop campaign of calumny against Tinubu – APC cautions Akinjide

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has cautioned Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Akinjide, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to stop launching a campaign of calumny against its presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

    This is contained in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, on Friday in Ibadan.

    Newsmen reports that Akinjide, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, was alleged to have made Tinubu a subject of verbal attacks and blackmail.

    Akinjide was alleged to have blackmailed Tinubu while appearing on some local Radio to mobilise support for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The APC secretary expressed dismay over the alleged calculated attempts by Akinjide to discredit and run down Tinubu with a view to winning the electorate for her choice candidate, Atiku.

    Sadare frowned at Akinjide for allegedly promoting campaign of calumny against an established political figure, whose time has come to rule the country and move it forward as desired by Nigerians.

    “We have been inundated with unpleasant feedbacks from members of the public who had listened to all the sponsored interviews granted by Akinjide in the last few days.

    “She had allegedly made futile attempts to tell barefaced lies against the person of Tinubu, who is the APC presidential candidate, in the forthcoming general elections.

    “It is a height of insensitivity for somebody who has never won any election now trying to pull down an accomplished personality who has never lost any election anywhere,” he said.

    Sadare urged Akinjide to find a better ploy with which she could earn patronage from Atiku than seeking attention by using Tinubu’s name.

    He said that no amount of smear campaigns and character assassination would make voters turn against Tinubu.

    “We urge her to remember the fate which befell her and others in 2015 when they travelled similar route with former President Goodluck Jonathan and got humiliated at the poll.

    “If what most citizens across the country demonstrate as show of support and endorsement for Tinubu/Shettima 2023 project on account of competence, track record and promise does not appeal to Akinjide.

    “We would encourage them to thread softly and stop fighting dirty in the political space over a lost cause. Nigerians want Tinubu as their next president,” the party scribe said.

    Meanwhile, the APC had lauded a former Deputy Governor in the state, Rauf Olaniyan, for his recent heroic activities aimed at achieving all round victory for the party at the general election.

    “It is worthy of note that His Excellency, Rauf Olaniyan, is doing a wonderful job at the moment to mobilise support for Tinubu, Sen. Teslim Folarin and all other APC candidates. We shall not take this for granted,” it said.

  • I’ll vote for Tinubu because I love him – Actress, Toyin Abraham

    I’ll vote for Tinubu because I love him – Actress, Toyin Abraham

    Popular Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham has said she will vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed in the 2023 elections.

    Toyin during a live interview on a popular television talk show, Your View, noted that she’s yet to formally announce her choice of candidate, but “I will vote for Tinubu because I love him.”

    In her explanation, the filmmaker said, ”Tinubu has been a wonderful man to my people, and I love Asiwaju.”

    “I’m speaking about myself. I’ll vote for Tinubu because I love him for the things he has done for my industry. Although I’m yet to decide, I’m just telling you.

    “I am speaking for myself Oluwatoyin Abosede Abraham Ajeyemi. I’m not going to use my own interest to lead others. He has been there for people even when they had nothing.

    “Let everyone choose whoever they want to vote for. I will not let people use the gender part of me. I’m not going to jeopardise the future of our children because of gender or because I have a colleague there. I will support anyone who supports everybody. Someone that’s competent.”

  • 2023: Kwankwaso a man of tenacity, strong believer in Nigeria—Soludo

    2023: Kwankwaso a man of tenacity, strong believer in Nigeria—Soludo

    Gov. Chukwuna Soludo of Anambra has described Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as a man of tenacity and a strong believer in Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement on Friday in Awka by Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Soludo.

    Soludo also described the candidate as an exemplary public figure, and added that the nation needed leaders who truly believed in the country.

    The governor said the country was in a serious situation and that time had come for progressives to begin to think of the ordinary person.

    “I have always said that those who have something to offer should offer it through public service, public service is the biggest philanthropy.

    “My position is that everyone should be allowed to canvas freely and allow the people to make their choice.

    “We wish you best of luck in this movement, though I have been intensely focused on what is going on in my party.”

    The governor noted that the Southeast people were blessed but with lots of challenges, noting that all they needed were people who strongly believed in the country as leaders.

    He said Nigeria had the potential of being among the top seven best economies in the world.

    “The hard work is beyond the election, whoever wins, will need to sit down and bring out people of like minds to form a government that can transform this country,

    “In Anambra and indeed, the Southeast, we pride ourselves as being republicans and that is freedom to converse, we are itinerant people who cannot afford to be an intolerant tribe.

    “Large population of our people are in Kano. Igbo people are great stakeholders in all the places. Anambra is blessed and we are trying everything to make it work.

    “Election is not a do or die affair, everybody should campaign freely,” Soludo further said.

    Earlier Kwankwaso, said that he was in Anambra in furtherance of his consultations ahead of the February presidential election, and to unveil his campaign offices.

    The NNPP presidential candidate lauded Soludo’s development initiatives while thanking him for the warm reception.

    He said he and candidates of the party for other elective political positions were presenting themselves to reverse the challenges of insecurity, economic crises and others in the country.

    According to him, you are someone we’ve worked closely with over the years, I am sure this visit will go a long way in reinforcing our good relationship.