TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023 Elections

  • Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello officially announces presidential ambition

    Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello officially announces presidential ambition

    Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello has officially declared interest in running for the presidency of Nigeria.

    The declaration was made in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja on Saturday.

    Prior to his declaration of interest to contest in the presidential election, Bello has been speculated to be interested in being the number citizen of the country.

    The occasion was witnessed by some eminent Nigerians like Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Femi Fani-Kayode, among others.

    Speaking, Zwingina described the Presidential aspirant as a detribalized Nigerian, who governs Kogi with appointees from other states.

    He added that the country needs someone like Yahya Bello

    “Governor uprooted insecurity from Kogi, the state would have been a breeding ground for kidnapping and banditry, but for his leadership skills.”

    Yayaha Bello has declared his interest in presidency under the auspices of All Progressive Congress (APC)

    Yahaya Bello joins Bola Tinubu and Dave Umahi to declare interest in the number 1 seat under the auspices of APC.

  • 2023 Elections: Nigerian artiste Banky W joins PDP in Lagos

    2023 Elections: Nigerian artiste Banky W joins PDP in Lagos

    Nigerian Singer and politician , Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has officially joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos chapter.

    The Ebute Meta crooner revealed on his official Twitter page that he would be contesting for the seat of Eti-Os federal constituency in the Green chamber at the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    Recall that Banky W contested for the same position under the auspices of Modern Democratic Party but lost out.

    The artiste has made it known that he has been engaging in community service and development adding he would like to offer solutions to problems.

    .The father of one said Nigerians can no longer settle for candidates who feel entitled to their place in government.

    The Nigerian people, he explained, need candidates who will earn and treasure their right to serve. And as a nation, we need innovation and reform.

    In his words ”when enough of us with like minds, who have the best interest of the nation at heart are in government.

    “I will once again be answering the call to serve to represent Eti-Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Some may not agree or understand my decision to run or my choice of platform but I have learnt that we must engage with Nigeria where it is not where we hope that it should be. We must no longer be content to shout from the sidelines, we must get into the system and fix it.

    “The problems in Nigeria are from the top down but the solutions are from the bottom up hence the need for some of us to infiltrate the major platforms that exist to build an army of like minds who will enter government with the same agenda,” he added.

  • PDP: Okupe withdraws from 2023 presidential race to drum support for Peter Obi

    PDP: Okupe withdraws from 2023 presidential race to drum support for Peter Obi

    Presidential hopeful and former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has stepped down from contesting in the 2023 presidential election to support the ambition of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

     

    He made this known on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, saying that leader of socio-political group, Aferenire, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, appealed to him to withdraw from the race.

     

    Okupe also enjoined all other Peoples Democratic Party aspirants from the South including Dele Momodu, Pius Anyim, and Nyesom Wike to team up with Obi, who is from the South-East geopolitical zone.

     

    He also accused the PDP leadership of driving presidential aspirants to “fait accompli”, saying “those at the helm of affairs of the party are trying to hoodwink those of us aspirants from the South to commit ourselves to obtain the requisite forms before coming up with the original position that ‘every zone can contest the presidency’.

     

    “This position is politically fraudulent, unjust and inequitable.”

     

    The ex-presidential aide to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan said he had consulted far and wide with the political stakeholders in the South and decided that power be zoned to the South-East in the spirit of fairness.

     

    Okupe, who turned 70 recently, said, “Two weeks ago, Pa Ayo Adebanjo called me for the first time into his bedroom and admonished me that no matter what circumstances we Yorubas find ourselves in the ever gyrating political circus of Nigeria, I must uphold the truth and follow the path of equity and justice.”

     

    Adebanjo had earlier backed South-East Presidency for 2023.

     

    Continuing, Okupe said, “In aligning myself with the wish of our elders and in the interest of equity and justice, I publicly admit that the 2023 political race must be conceded to the South-East; that is, the Igbos.

     

    “I, therefore, here and now proclaim that I am, as I have said publicly several times, withdrawing from the presidential race and I am declaring my support for the best aspirant not only in Igboland, but in Nigeria as a whole.

     

    “I and my supporters within and outside the PDP are teaming up with His Excellency, Peter Obi.

     

    “At the same time, I want to enjoin all other aspirants from the South; Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Anyim, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come with me and let us team up with Peter Obi. So we can give the South the best possible chance.”

     

    There has been clamour from many quarters that power be zoned to the South-East in 2023.

     

    Members of the PDP from the north who have declared interest in the 2023 Presidency include ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

     

    The PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, had also said that the party won’t abandon its tradition of zoning political offices in the 2023 elections.

     

    The 17 Southern governors including Wike as well as sociopolitical groups such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere have consistently maintained that political parties should zone their presidential tickets to the South for a candidate to replace the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is from Katsina State, in the North-West and whose two-term would end in May 2023.

     

    Other presidential hopefuls from the South include All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu; Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; ex-Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; former Governor of Abia State and Majority Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu; former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, among others.

     

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has also been rumoured to nurse an ambition to succeed his boss through the 2023 election but the professor of law has not officially made his intention known.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Okowa has anointed Oborevwori as his successor – Aide

    EXCLUSIVE: Okowa has anointed Oborevwori as his successor – Aide

    Despite strenuous denial that Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has not anointed any candidate for the gubernatorial flag of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), indications are emerging that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori is his favoured aspirant to succeed him.

    A very reliable top source close to Governor Okowa, who nonetheless wants his name out of print, for now, has revealed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the source revealed that Governor Okowa after wide consultation and consideration has settled on Oborevwori as his preferred candidate to be the gubernatorial flagbearer of the PDP for the Delta State 2023 governorship election.

    The choice of Oborevwori by Okowa may have foreclosed the aspiration of other members of the PDP, including the immediate past commissioner for works of the State, Chief James Augoye, who has dropped his guber ambition and opted to contest for a seat in the State House of Assembly instead.

    Other frontrunners in the PDP, who may have had their aspirations hampered as a result are Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Senator James Manager, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, some of whom have already secured the nomination form of the PDP for the 2023 governorship election.

    According to the source, Oborevwori is now poised to slug it out for the votes of delegates as Governor’s choice at the PDP governorship primaries that will hold later in the year. He will slug it out with Olorogun David Edevbie, who is former Governor James Ibori’s preferred candidate.

    “Yes, I can confirm to you that the die is cast. The Speaker is Governor’s choice, but our leader [referring to former Governor James Ibori] and the Governor have not been able to reach a common ground.

    “So, what we are going to see is that Oborevwori and Edevbie will go head to head for the 2023 governorship ticket of the PDP in the primaries,” the source told TNG.

    However, the source declined to accept that the adoption of Oborevwori by Okowa has precluded any member of the party that is interested in the governorship ticket from contesting. Our source stressed that it only means that those aspirants have no backing whatsoever.

    “No one can be deprived of contesting for the governorship ticket of the PDP. The primaries will be open to all and transparent in accordance with the rules of the party. It is free for all even as Governor Okowa has promised.

    “And of course, the Governor has the right to go for the aspirant of his choice. It only means that other aspirants do not have backing whatsoever. But the primaries will be free, transparent and fair,” the source disclosed.

    2023: Augoye drops out of guber race, opts for House of Assembly

    Meanwhile, indications have also emerged that the immediate past commissioner for works of Delta State, Chief James Augoye has dropped his ambition to contest the 2023 governorship election of the State.

    TNG reliably gathered that Chief Augoye dropped the ambition of contesting the 2023 gubernatorial polls after meeting with Governor Okowa, and opted to contest for a seat in the Delta State House of Assembly, following negotiations with the governor.

    It was also reliably gathered that after the meeting with Okowa, it became obvious that the Governor has had his mind fixed on the Speaker of the State House of Assembly as his choice aspirant for the governorship election.

    “Actually, Augoye had always been in the picture. But with Okowa’s meeting with him very recently, it became more obvious that he is not the Governor’s choice.

    “He is left to go for the House of Assembly if he so wishes to go for an elective position. Since there is no strong contender for the Okpe State Constituency, it was advisable for him to seek to be elected in that capacity.

    “But, as I have said, the governorship race is an open field for all aspirants to contest. Any aspirant who wants to throw his or her hat in the ring is allowed to do so. No one is barred from contesting the PDP governorship primaries,” the source told TNG.

  • 2023 Election: CAN advocates for Southern christian president

    2023 Election: CAN advocates for Southern christian president

    The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has admonished Nigerians from the South to ensure it produces a sound Christian to take over the helm of affairs in 2023.

    Ayokunle made this statement at the 53rd anniversary and church auditorium dedication of Christ Revival Church,Moleta in Ibadan.

    He advised the congregants to rally round any sound Christian from the Southern parts of Nigeria, saying that there are over 100 million Christians from the South.

  • Why INEC have not made PVCs available – Chairman

    Why INEC have not made PVCs available – Chairman

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Monday has explained the reason for delay in the printing of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) for new registrants.

    Yakubu in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the five-day Induction Retreat for INEC’s National Commissioners in Lagos said the delay is caused by its robust cleaning up of the voter’s register.

    According to him, the commission is encouraged by the response of citizens to the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, as it has recently devolved physical registration beyond the state and local government offices nationwide.

    “Millions of Nigerians have registered so far and we have been giving weekly updates of the progress of the exercise for the last nine months.

    “The commission is aware that new registrants, as well as those who applied for transfer or replacement of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), will like to know when the cards will be available for collection.

    “The reason why we have not made the PVCs available is because of the robust system of cleaning up the registration to ensure that only genuine registrants are added to the voters register using the Automatic Bimodal Identification System (ABIS) for fingerprint and facial clean up.”

    The chairman said that INEC had completed the ABIS for the first and second quarter of the CVR, adding that the commission would meet next week and detailed dates and locations for the collection of PVCs would be announced.

    On the importance of the retreat, he said that the burden to conduct free, fair, credible, acceptable, and inclusive elections was upon the commission, hence the need for each commissioner to be ethical and knowledgeable.

    Yakubu disclosed that INEC now had full complement of 12 National commissioners, adding that the retreat would enable the new commissioners to learn a lot, especially with the coming force of the new Electoral Act 2022.

    “The commission has introduced a number of new innovations that it needs to perfect ahead of the general election, hence the need to continuously engage with citizens and stakeholders.

    “However, while these innovations and stakeholder engagements are critical to preparations for elections, we should bear in mind that equally critical to the conduct of successful elections is our credibility as election managers.

    “Our impartiality dogged adherence to rules, commitment to the sanctity of the ballot and sound knowledge of the electoral process are also critical.

    “This retreat is important, especially coming shortly after we released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 General Election in which party primaries are scheduled to commence next week and end on the first week of June, that is between April 4 and June,” he added.

    Yakubu reassured Nigerians of INEC’s commitment to credible polls in 2023, saying that the commission had concluded work on the Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and Election Project Plan for the 2023 general elections.

    According to him, very soon, INEC will finalise work on the Regulations and Guidelines for elections taking into consideration the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The three documents will be published and presented to the public next in April.

    “May I also seize this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that we have identified the challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during voter accreditation,” Yakubu said.

    He said that in the recent bye-elections in six constituencies in four states of the federation across four geo-political zones, the BVAS functioned optimally in rural, sub-urban and urban areas of Cross River, Imo, Ondo and Plateau.

    The INEC chairman said that the commission received no complaints from voters and no reports of glitches from observers in these bye-elections.

    He assured that INEC would continue to perfect the system in the forthcoming bye-elections and the end of tenure for governorship election in Ekiti on June 18 and Osun on July 16.

    “The commission is also working on the distribution of voters to polling units across the country, following the successful expansion of voter access to polling units.

    “Very soon, we will roll out the plan for achieving a more balanced distribution of voters to the polling units.

    “As always, we will engage with stakeholders across the board to ensure a more participatory approach so that the exercise is seamless and voters will have a more pleasant experience at polling units on election day.”

  • Sowore blasts Wike for declaring interest in presidency

    Sowore blasts Wike for declaring interest in presidency

    Activist and presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has responded to Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike’s declaration of interest to contest the presidency of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com TNG reports that Nyesom Wike has indicated interest in the country’s number one seat yesterday.

    Wike made his intention to contest known when he visited the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.

    He boasted that he is the best man to take over power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Wike also called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates not to sell their votes, but to consider him as the ideal candidate.

    In his facebook post, Omoyele Sowore referred to Governor Wike as criminally-minded, corrupt, and a murderous thug without substantiating the claim.

    “The criminally-minded, corrupt, thug and murderous Nyesom Wike too has declared to become Nigeria’s President. We really can’t continue like this!” #Noto PDP&APC,” he wrote.

    Omoyele Sowore contested for presidency under the auspices of African Action Congress AAC in the 2019 Presidential Elections.

  • 2023: James Manager goes on massive consultation demands other tribes in Delta should taste governance

    2023: James Manager goes on massive consultation demands other tribes in Delta should taste governance

    Senator James Manager has gone on massive campaign demanding fair representation in the governance of Delta State come 2023.

    The leading gubernatorial aspirant to this end has asked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates to vote him as the party’s flag bearer on the basis of fairness and equity in the forthcoming primary.

    Describing his aspiration as a reflection of the quest of his area to produce the governor in the next dispensation, Manager said the actualisation of his ambition will address the marginalization of Ijaw and other areas yet to occupy the number-one seat since the state was created in 1991.

    The serving Senator made this known during his consultation visit to local government area chapters of the PDP in Ukwuani, Ika South, Ika-North East, Oshimili North, Aniocha North and Aniocha South.

    “ What I am advocating is fairness and inclusiveness so that those of us from areas that have not tasted the governorship seat can occupy the seat

    “ It is strange to observe that some people are warming up to produce the governor of the state for the third time while other nationalities have not had the chance to occupy the position even once. We should be fair to each and everyone in the state”, he emphasised.

    On the reason for joining the race, he attributed its timing to God’s approval as well as a personal decision to avail Deltans of his experience garnered over the years.

    “ I am in the race because of my diverse experience as the founding state chairman of PDP in Delta, former commissioner for works, housing and transport, and by the rare benevolence of God, as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for five consecutive terms”, he added.

    The aforementioned offices, according to him, placed him in the best position to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, whose policies and programmes he commended for placing Delta State on a trajectory of sustainable development.

    Earlier, the Director-General of Senator Manager’s Campaign Committee, Engr. Emma Eboh, had spoken about the aspirant’s attributes, as he described him as a consummate politician who had what it takes to succeed and build on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s legacies beyond 2023.

    In their respective responses, the local government chairmen of PDP commended Senator Manager for his contribution to the growth of the party, and promised to consider his request based on its merit.

    The entourage comprised of Hon. Preyor, Deputy Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly; Bomadi Local Government Chairman, Mr. William Angadi; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Renewable Energy; Chief J.T. Government, Chairman, Governing Council, Delta State College of Marine Technology, Burutu; the campaign committee secretary, Mr. Funebi Numoupeide among others.

  • 2023 Governorship: Ikpeazu promises to disclose leaning soon

    2023 Governorship: Ikpeazu promises to disclose leaning soon

    Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has assured Abia stakeholders that he will reveal his preference of a successor and political direction soon.

    Ikpeazu spoke in response to requests from Bende PDP stakeholders who paid him a solidarity visit at Government House, Umuahia.

    Abia State has increasing anxiety concerning the geo-political direction, also referred to as zoning, of the gubernatorial succession in the State. The Governor has remained above the fray. Instead, he committed to abiding by the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    One group contends that the gubernatorial seat should return to Abia North Senatorial Zone as the three senatorial zones have had their turn. The other group says it should revert to the Ngwa side of the Abia Central Senatorial Zone. Most of the arguments cite the Abia Charter of Equity 1981 between the Aba Division comprising parts of Abia South and Abia Central and Umuahia Division (old Bende), including parts of Abia Central and Abia North.

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian Governor of the State, hailed from Abia North, though he now belongs to Ebonyi State and served two years. Orji Uzor Kalu also followed from Abia North and served eight years. He handed over to Chief Theodore Orji whose side of Abia Central is in old Bende, also had an eight-year tenure.

    Incumbent governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is from Abia South and will conclude eight years in May 2023.

    Those from Abia North or the former Umuahia Division have done 18 years. The equity advocates argue that it should remain in Ngwa part of Abia Central for another eight years.

    Against this backdrop, Ikpeazu responded to the Bende PDP stakeholders.

    “I have witnessed the two transitions in this State. I was here when Governor Orji Uzor Kalu managed his transition. He showed the way, and we all followed. My immediate predecessor also played his part during his time and showed the way we all followed. The lot is on me now, and I will live up to that obligation. I will show the way, and I know that we will follow,” Ikpeazu said.

    Ikpeazu assured, “Ndi Bende, unu sim gbaa torch. Azutalam battery and agam agba torch ahu in a matter of days.” It means, Bende people, you have asked me to put on the torch. I have bought batteries, and I will deploy the torch in a matter of days.

    The PDP processes for these matters across the country are due to be commerce in full swing in a few days.

  • BREAKING: Nyesom Wike officially declares for 2023 presidential election

    BREAKING: Nyesom Wike officially declares for 2023 presidential election

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has officially declared his interest to contest the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Wike made his interest known on Sunday while on a consultative visit to Benue State.

    “To remove APC from power, I’m the person who can tell them enough is enough. We must take this power and I’m ready to take it for PDP. God is with us that’s why APC keeps failing every day.

    “I’m declaring it (presidential ambition) for the first time in Benue. I’m going to run for election.

    “By the time you ran away, you sold your share as a founding father so you can no longer retain your position of founding fathers.

    “I stood for this party. I have worked for this party since 1998. I have nowhere to run to and that’s why anything that happens to this party I take it personally. I have never relented.

    “In 2015, those who ran away made us lose the election. Today, they are crying but some of us stood and said PDP will not die.

    “Some people want to use Nigeria to buy back their personal business. They talk about the private sector – let them mention the private business that had survived.

    “Is it banks that your father had? Everybody is an employer of labour; even in my house, I have 50 people who feed from me. They should stop deceiving us.

    “I have performed as a governor and can carry my shoulders high anywhere. I have the capacity to face this evil government, give me the mandate.

    “I will speak the truth to power and nothing but the truth. I have the capacity to move this country forward,” Wike said.

    By the declaration, Wike joins the crowded field of aspirants who had already declared intention to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).