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Tag: 2023 elections in Nigeria

  • Makinde will lose re-election, cleric prophesies

    Makinde will lose re-election, cleric prophesies

    A Prophet based in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Prophet Moses Olagunju has declared that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde would lose re-election in 2023.

    He claimed that he prophesied victory for Makinde in 2009, which later come to pass 10 years after.

    He said chairman of the Governor’s advisory council, Senator Hosea Agboola and former Commissioner for Budget, Niyi Farinto are aware of the 2009 prophesy.

    Speaking while featuring on Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto anchored by Olayinka Agboola on Splash 105.5FM, Ibadan, Olagunju, the General Overseer of Divine Seed of God Chapel Ministries, Ibadan said his prophecy is not because the Governor denied him attention but based on what God told him.

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    He said: “I fasted for Governor Seyi Makinde for 45 days and nights for him to emerge as the Governor of Oyo State. Some important personalities in his government are quite aware of this even though they did not even bother to appreciate. I can mention Senator Hosea Agboola, Niyi Farinto and others.

    “I predicted that Engr. Seyi Makinde will eventually emerge as the Governor of Oyo State as far back as 2009. I have all the prophesies written in a document even when he went to Social Democratic Party (SDP) I was one of the people that encouraged him to go, likewise when he joined People Democratic Party (PDP) before he eventually emerged as the Governor.

  • I may not support Atiku over Wike treatment – Ortom says

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom may not support his party, PDP’s presidential candidate for 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The Governor said this is because of the way his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike is being treated by the Atiku camp.

    Speaking while appearing on Arise TV political programme anchored by Reuben Abati, the Governor questioned why Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was selected as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, rather than Wike who came second in the PDP Presidential primaries.

    “Governor Wike is being treated unfairly and it is wrong. I have nothing against the selection of my good friend and colleague, Governor Okowa to be the running mate, but 14 out of 17 of the decision makers suggested Wike,” Ortom said.

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    He added, “Atiku, in his own wisdom decided Okowa was better, instead of the person suggested by the stakeholders, but the aftermath of it all is what I am against. Up till now, he has not reached out to anyone of us and it is wrong.

    “I am waiting for God’s directive as to whether I should support him or not. If God directs that I should support him, why not?” Ortom stressed.

    Indications are rife that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike may have concluded arrangements to dump the ruling party and join either the APC or any party that appeals to him.

    Several reports have emerged on how Wike has been hosting meetings with many stakeholders of parties other than the PDP which has fuelled the rumour of his preparedness to change platform.

    Many Governors loyal to Wike have justified the decision, citing the manner PDP is handling the post primaries events with members.

  • 2023 Elections: TUC, NLC drum up support for peter Obi

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have declared their support for former Anambra governor and  the presidential candidate of Labour party, Peter Obi.

    NLC and TUC declared their support for Obi  in separate addresses in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Speaking during the 10th memorial lecture in honour of late Pascal Bafya, the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba  said the union  is solidly behind Obi and will mobilize to ensure the victory of the Labour Party in 2023 general elections.

    He noted that labour must dive fully into politics and work hard to support candidates whose mantra will make life better for their members and Nigerians at large.

    Similarly, TUC President, Mr Quadri Olaleye, posited that  “Obi is a face among the presidential candidates that all labour unions are pleased and are ready to work with.”

    Olaleye stated that the entire labour movement has accepted, adopted and will support, and ensure workers massively vote for Obi in the 2023 presidential elections.

    ”The Labour Party is stronger, one and formidable and the party has a widespread structure, as there is a worker and a members of either TUC and NLC in every family across Nigeria.”

  • APC has destroyed Nigeria, don’t vote them in 2023 – Atiku says

    PDP candidate for next year’s presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians not to vote the ruling APC back to power.

    In a post on his verified Twitter handle on Monday, the former Vice President said the nation has been destroyed on the account of the kind of leadership being provided the country by the APC.

    The presidential hopeful therefore noted that he is expecting Nigerians to also repay the ruling party in kind by voting them out.

    He lamented the Buhari presidency which has faced myriad of challenges, and called on the citizens to support his party as the PDP is prepared to redeem the country.

    ALSO READ: Crumble APC as FG crumbled human value, Atiku pleads with Nigerians

    The candidate said the varying degrees of challenges confronting the country were testament to the collapsing nature of the nation.

    According to the post, the darkness that has enveloped the nation in the last couple of days with the collapse of the national grid is a metaphor for the collapsing state of Nigeria.

    In addition, Atiku said collapses of the country’s unity, security, economy, education, well-being and value of human life and dignity are all testament to the problems in Nigeria under the current government.

    “My expectation is that Nigerians will collapse the ruling APC in kind via the ballot and enthrone a viable pathway for the New Nigeria of our dreams that will be united and stable, prosperous and awash with opportunities; secured and inclusive. As One, we can get it done,” he posited.

    TheNewsGuru.com understands that some of the issues that would define 2023 general election in Nigeria centres on the issues enumerated in the tweet.

  • PDP Presidential Primary: Police beef up security in Abuja

    The FCT Police Command has assured safety of lives and properties before, during and after the May 28th Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary Elections.

    It further stated that it had designed a robust security arrangement defined by a generous deployment of officers across the city for the purpose of the presidential primary election of the party,

    The primary elections had been scheduled to hold on May 28 and 29 at the MOSHOOD Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

    As expected, the event would be characterized by a high influx of people, particularly party stakeholders, into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to participate in the election.

     

    The Police  Command further stated that it  would be enforcing the “maintenance of clear road access, robust stop and search at strategic points around the suburbs and city centre, effective crowd control, and intelligence”.

    The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Babaji Sunday while briefing the Divisional Police Officers, heads of the various Tactical and Intelligence Units of the Command scheduled for the operation, charged them to be on top of their games, discharging their duties with the utmost respect for Fundamental Human Rights and by standard best practices.

    He also tasked residents of the territory to go about the discharge of their lawful duties without the fear of harassment or molestation of any kind from any quarters.

    “To adequately complement the crime-fighting effort of the Command within and beyond this period, the good people of the FCT are therefore urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police.

  • APC: 87 aspirants for 26 legislative seats screened in Osun

    APC: 87 aspirants for 26 legislative seats screened in Osun

    The Chairman of the Osun State Legislative Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said 87 aspirants will be screened for 26 legislative seats in the state.

     

    Ize-Iyamu, addressing reporters yesterday at the APC secretariat, said 81 of the aspirants obtained their forms in Osun State, while six others bought theirs from the national secretariat in Abuja.

     

    He said the committee would be fair to all the aspirants.

     

    “Eighty-seven aspirants sought to contest for 26 seats of the House of Assembly. That is to tell you how popular the APC is. Eighty-one bought their forms in Osun here and six bought their forms in Abuja.

     

    “There are constitutional requirements and there are party requirements, but basically, we want to be sure they are Nigerian citizens.

     

    “We want to see local government certificates, they must be party members, they must be voters, and we also want to know their age, we want to see their educational qualifications, if you claim to be a doctor, you must provide a certificate to prove it.”

     

    Recall that sometime in April, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the personal particulars and list of candidates (Form EC9) for the Osun State governorship election.

     

    The commission in a statement by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja, said the list was published at INEC state and local government offices in Osun State as required by law.

     

    Mr Okoye said that the list was published in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, following the close of nominations by political parties.

     

    It was gathered that according to the published particular of the 15 candidates, while none of the governorship candidates was female, six of the deputy governorship candidates were female.

     

    The published candidates include Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, Adeleke Nurudeen of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Omigbodun Akinrinola of Social Democratic Party.

     

    He remind political parties that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, any party that observes that the name of its candidate is missing from the list “shall notify the Commission in writing.”

     

    He said that such letter must be signed by such party national chairman and secretary, supported with an affidavit not later than 90 days to the election.

     

    “Furthermore, the attention of parties is drawn to Section 32(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that failure to notify the Commission “shall not be ground to invalidate the election”.

     

    “The final list is published in our State and Local Government offices in Osun State as well as our website and social media platforms for public information as required by law.

     

    “Political parties are enjoined to note the provision of the law for compliance,” he said.

     

  • 2023: Vote leaders that’ll protect you – Catholic group advise Nigerians

    2023: Vote leaders that’ll protect you – Catholic group advise Nigerians

    The Social Action Committee of the Catholic Church has enjoined Nigerians to vote wisely during the 2023 general elections in order to usher in leaders who would protect the future of the country.

    National Coordinator of the committee, Dame Mary Gonsum made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Gonsum who also called on Nigerians to vote in leaders who will ensure the safety of all citizens and chart a bright future for the country said the nation needs a government that understands that the actions of terrorists undermine and destabilize the unity in diversity of the nation and that courage and political will are necessary to address the issue.

    In her submission; “It is up to us, to help rebuild the system of government that will set our priorities, our unique strength as a nation, our optimism and spirit of discovery, our diversity and commitment to rebuild our nation. This is for our common good,” TheMewsGuru.com can report.

    She noted that Nigerians must learn from the current happenings, register to get their voters card and take a vote that will rebuild every fallen wall in our country.

    “The future we want, opportunity and security for our families, a rising standard of living, and a sustainable and peaceful environment for our children will only happen if we work together,” she stressed.

    Gonsum, who is also the National President of the Catholic Women Organisation said to get the right leadership, Nigerians must strive for the common good of all.

    “We must reject politicians that target us because of our ethnicity or religion. We must reject those who believe that our voices and actions don’t matter.

    “Those with money and power that gain greater control over the decisions that could worsen the current insecurity or allow worst economic disaster. We cannot afford to go down that path — our collective future depends on our willingness to uphold our duties as citizens to register and vote.

    “We need every Nigerian to stay active on this in our public life.”

    She also spoke on the need for religious leaders to guide their followers properly and root out misguided ideas that lead to radicalization and discrimination.

    “You should reject any form of fundamentalism or a belief in ethnic superiority that makes our traditional identities irreconcilable with modernity.

    “You need to embrace the tolerance that results from respect of all human beings,” she added.

    On his part, the founder, Catholic Action Nigeria, Mr Peter Agbontaen said the group has commenced a public opinion poll on what Nigerians expect from those aspiring to lead the country.

    According to him, the poll is being conducted via www.catholicactionpolls.com and will record people’s preferred candidates, their demands and pressing issues in their constituencies.

    ALSO READ: Catholic Church refutes DSS’s invitation to Bishop Kukah

    “The ongoing presidential aspirants’ poll is to enable Nigerians to vote online and express who their preferred presidential aspirant is,” he added.

    According to him, the outcome of the poll was intended to guide party delegates in the choice they make during party primaries.

    “We call on all political parties’ delegates to reject the influence of money in the choice of the parties candidates and vote for credibility,” Agbontaen said.

    He therefore called on the general public to visit www.catholicactionpolls.com and vote for their preferred aspirants.

    He said that the committee willl associate itself with the top winners after the poll, as they will be those who have the ability to find real solutions to Nigeria’s numerous challenges.

    READ ALSO: 2023: 145 guber, 351 Senatorial, 1197 House of Reps aspirants jostle for APC tickets

    “We will create a moral reformation among Nigerians that will be an essential component for mass political mobilization in this country,” Agbontaen said.

    The Chairman, Political and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Church, Chief Emeka Uzowuihe said they would unveil a clear document before the 2023 elections, titled: ‘How We Want To Be Governed.’

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the message of the group resonate well with the demands of average Nigerians about the socio – political and environmental realities of the country as 2023 election approaches.

  • Why Ganduje dumped senate ambition

    Why Ganduje dumped senate ambition

    The Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje‘s decision to abandon is senatorial ambition is to halt the continued growth of the new toast of Kano citizens, the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.

    TheNewsGuru.com exclusively learnt that Ganduje’s withdrawal his Senatorial was to enable Senator Barau Jibrin representing the Kano North Senatorial Zone to consolidate his position and resolve the heightening crises in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    This is coming after Ganduje had obtained the form to express intention to aspire for the position in the coming party primaries.

    Our correoondent learnt that there were series of meetings between Ganduje and Sen Jibrin with other top APC members in Abuja where the agreement was reached for the Governor to let go his ambition for peace to reign in the party.

    Governor : 2023: Kano Governor Ganduje visits Shekarau to stop him from defecting to NNPP

    Sen Jibrin is reported to have insisted that he would not dump APC even as his gubernatorial ambition has been blocked by Ganduje, but that the issue of the senate was something he was not ready to also give up.

    However, following the defections tsunami in the Kano APC in which many actors have left the party to other parties seeking platforms to contest for their intended positions, Ganduje agreed that some bigwigs in the party, including Barau Jibrin, should be allowed to have their ways back to Senate to save the party.

    APC State Secretary in Kano, Zakari Sarina who confirmed the story to TheNeasGuru.com said there has been tangible agreement s at high levels.

    In a similar development at the National Level, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday resigned ahead of the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress.

    The President’s aide on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, who is running for governor of Akwa Ibom State, also resigned.

    However, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, dropped out of the presidential race in order to retain his seat while the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, also gave up her senatorial ambition.

    Amaechi’s resignation was disclosed in a statement issued by the Amaechi Presidential Media Committee in Abuja on Monday.

  • 2023: 145 guber, 351 Senatorial, 1197 House of Reps aspirants jostle for APC tickets

    2023: 145 guber, 351 Senatorial, 1197 House of Reps aspirants jostle for APC tickets

    One hundred and forty-five persons are aspiring to become governorship candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s general election.

    TheNewsGuru.com can report that 351 aspirants are also fighting to clinch the party’s tickets for the Senatorial polls, with 1197 persons hoping to fly the House of Representatives APC tickets.

    TheNewsGuru.com has also learnt from sources inside the party’s secretariat that although reports of the screening exercise of the governorship and National Assembly aspirants are still being collated as of Monday night, the party has begun consultation with stakeholders before a final list of qualified aspirants for the primaries is released.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party is said to have embarked on wide consultations with some stakeholders ahead of the various party primaries that will produce its flag bearers at the 2023 general elections.

    The consultations, TheNewsGuru.com further learnt were primarily designed to reach out to some critical leaders to produce a formidable and generally acceptable winning unity of contestants for some elective offices in the 2023 general elections across the 36 States.

    Sources within the party however said the leadership may have resolved not to disqualify any of the screened governorship and National Assembly aspirants.

    A former Gombe Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje is said to have held a closed-door meeting with the National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and some NWC members on the matter with the hope that solid plans are in place to have stakeholders’ buy-in.

    READ ALSO: APC aspirants petition Adamu over screening denial

    Similarly, crucial meetings were held Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen and Senator Bala Ibn Na’alla from Kebbi State to discuss how the matter can be handled among the aspirants with those that would possibly serve as stumbling blocks identified.

    It was also learnt that the visit of Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma to the party secretariat was not unconnected with a move to reconcile the two contending tendencies in the State with a view to winning all the federal and state legislative seats next year. A highly placed party source, who spoke in confidence confirmed the development.

    According to the source: “The Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC is poised to ensure victory at the polls next year and has embarked on wide consultations with some critical leaders at the state level. Today alone, two serving Senators, a sitting governor and a former minister were at various times in closed-door meetings to fine-tune and ensure a winning unity list ahead of the general elections.

    “Though the party recognizes the role and positions of the governors, the leadership has decided to also reach out to some other leaders in some states that are critical to the party ahead of the primaries and the elections proper.”

    There are indications that many who purchased the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms have become disillusioned and may dump the ruling APC when the screening result is released, a situation the leadership wants to avoid.

    One of the aspirants from one of APC’s stronghold states in the North exclusively told TheNewsGuru.com that he is ready to dump the party if he is disqualified and would not listen to any pleas to remain.

    In his words: “Look at the cost of the ticket and the expenses that come with only declaring interest to run for the office of Governor of your state or National Assembly. Is it right to now disqualify me after such huge investment? I know all the Governors are trying to exert their influence on the party from the National Secretariat, but it would not be possible for me to remain in the party when I have an alternative platform courting me.

    “The fact is my support base is solid and we are not going to be intimidated into backing down,” he firmly noted.

  • 2023 Elections:INEC rejects 120 parties, set to endorse 18

    2023 Elections:INEC rejects 120 parties, set to endorse 18

    About 120 political parties that showed interest in registration ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections have been excluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), TheNewsGuru.com can exclusively confirm.

    INEC has since approved 18 political parties since 2020 during the last deregulation to trim down the number of irrelevant parties in the country.

    Sources say that if there are no addition then just 18 political parties will feature at the next general elections in 2023.

    It was gathered that by December 2021, about 100 political parties had showed interest apart from the previous 20 but many of them couldn’t scale through the hurdle by INEC.

    The Deputy Director, SERVICOM at INEC, Olayide Okuonghae, in his address to pressmen said the 10O associations applied between 2019 and December 14, 2021.

    His address reads in part, “In reference to your letter dated December 9, 2021, the commission wishes to inform you that from 2019 to December 14, 2021, a total of 101 political associations forwarded their letters of intent to be registered as political parties.”

    Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, also confirmed it when speaking to pressmen at a forum in December but chose not to give names of the association.

    An INEC interim made available to journalist showed that as of March 25, 2022, no fewer than 120 applications were received by the commission. However, none of the associations has been registered.

    The report read in part, “As of March 2022, the commission had on record a total of 120 letters of intent from various political associations seeking to apply for registration as political parties. The summary of the status of the associations is that 97 associations out of 116 have been advised that their proposed names, acronyms or logos were not suitable or available for registration.

    “Eleven of the associations that received letters of non-suitability of their proposed names/acronyms/logos resubmitted letters of intent with amended names/acronyms/logos. Sixteen associations submitted fresh letters of intent.”

    Asked whether INEC would still register new political parties before the 2023 elections, Oyekanmi said on Friday that the final decision on whether or not to register a new political party before the elections rested exclusively with the commission, a system he said he would not pre-empt.

    He said, “The submission of an application by an association or group for registration as a political party is the starting point of an elaborate and rigorous process. It, therefore, takes time and a lot of effort from when an application is submitted to the day the certificate of registration is given.

    “Section 75 of the Electoral Act, 2022 says any political association that complies with the provisions of the constitution and the Act for the purposes of registration shall be registered as a political party provided, however, that such an application for registration shall be duly submitted to the commission not later than 12 months before a general election.”

    The 2023 General Elections Project Plan launched by INEC last month also projects 18 political parties for next year’s elections.

    With June 3, 2022, as INEC’s deadline for political parties to conclude their primaries, it seems clear that no new party will be able to participate in the general elections.