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Tag: 2023 General Elections

  • 2023: Dave Umahi, wife head Ebonyi APC campaign councils

    2023: Dave Umahi, wife head Ebonyi APC campaign councils

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi and his wife, Rachael, will head the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 general elections campaign councils for both men and women’s wings in the state.

    Umahi. while inaugurating both wings of the council on Saturday night in Abakaliki, said that he would head the men’s wing while his wife would head the women’s wing.

    The governor announced that his immediate younger brother, Austin Umahi, would be the Director-General of the men’s wing while the state Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, is the First Vice Chairman of the men’s wing.

    “The wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ethel Igwe is the First Vice-Chairman of the women’s wing while Mrs Queendaline Nwigwe is the Second Vice-Chairman.

    `The wife of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, is the third vice chairman while the party’s gubernatorial running mate, Mrs Patricia Obila, is the fourth vice-chairman.

    “The party’s candidates at all levels of the elections are members of the council in various categories, among other party stakeholders.

    He commended the party faithful for the massive solidarity given to the party’s presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju BolaTinubu, during his recent campaign in the state.

    “It is incontrovertible that women surpassed expectations and exceeded the men in mobilisation during the rally.

    “I hereby make a case for enhanced slots for the women in the state’s governance and urge the incoming governor to ensure such.

    “When we tried giving women 40 per cent of the affirmative action, the men protested but next time we will give women 60 per cent and the men 40 per cent,” he said.

    Umahi made a personal donation of N30 million to the campaign councils, noting that it was neither government money, nor party fund.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state party chairman, thanked the governor for inaugurating the councils, noting that it was time for action.

    “You showed capacity during the recent presidential campaign in the state and proved to the party’ national leadership that you are also a professor of politics, as well as infrastructure.

    “It is time for members to mobilise and canvass for votes in all localities across the state to prove that Ebonyi is entirely APC,” he said.

    Party stalwarts, including national assembly members, expressed their readiness to ensure total victory for the party in the elections.

  • IGP assures of maximum security before, during and after 2023 general elections

    IGP assures of maximum security before, during and after 2023 general elections

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, has assured Nigerians that there will be maximum security before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

    Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, relayed the assurance while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers on Friday in Abuja.

    Adejobi said Baba convened the conference and retreat with the theme: “The imperative of a Nigeria Police strategic plan for peaceful elections,” scheduled to take place in Owerri, Imo.

    He said the conference was part of Baba’s continuing efforts to adequately prepare officers and men to play more effective and efficient role in the management of election security.

    He said the conference was expected to strengthen the resolve of strategic police managers and members of other security agencies involved in 2023 electioneering process to put their best foot forward.

    This, he said, was to accomplish free, fair, credible and secure general elections.

    “In line with the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections, and transfer of power in 2023, the Nigeria Police Force has outlined a schedule of programmes.

    “These include training of officers across board to enhance the capacity of officers and men to respond to threats to the general elections and adequately manage national security.

    “The quest to secure the electorate and the electioneering process for free, fair and credible elections has been a mandate of the Inspector-General of Police’s administration since inception in office,’’ he said.

    Adejobi added that the police had embarked on deliberate measures and policy drives to give election security management priority of place with necessary and continuous training and capacity development.

    He explained that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, had remained unrelenting in ensuring that the people experienced a friendly policing system.

    The system, he said, would be a perpetual threat to villains and to other purveyors of crime and criminality.

    He said also that the Inspector-General of Police had inaugurated a special operational action plan code-named “Operation Restore Peace’’ for the stabilisation of security order in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

    The special operation, according to him, is instrumental in managing the delicate security situation in the zone.

    Adejobi also told newsmen that Baba launched “Operation Sahara Storm’’ in Sokoto to combat banditry in the northern parts of the country, and launched other operations on the basis of necessity.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police to synergise with the military and other security agencies in ensuring the return of peace to all troubled spots in the country.

    Adejobi urged politicians to play by the rule of electioneering and shun acts of violence and crime.

  • 2023: Why I’m delaying the release of my manifesto – Obi

    2023: Why I’m delaying the release of my manifesto – Obi

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has explained the reasons for the delay in the release of his manisfesto ahead of the 2023 general election in the country.

    Obi explained that he was waiting for positions of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, before releasing his manifesto.

    The former Anambra governor made mention of this while featuring on a political programme on BBC.

    The LP presidential candidate has been criticised for delaying the release of his manifesto for the 2023 presidential election.

    Obi however, dismissed the criticisms, stressing that the country has a lot of ideas and documented policy programmes which had been rendered ineffective due to a lack of implementation and political will to do them.

    The director-general of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, Doyin Okupe, had disclosed that the Labour Party’s manifesto will be unveiled ‘sometime next week’ adding that it will be different from that of other political parties.”

  • Court nullifies Ogun governorship primary elections, orders fresh one

    Court nullifies Ogun governorship primary elections, orders fresh one

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital on Tuesday, nullified the guber primary elections conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    The court ruled that a fresh primary election should be conducted by the party, ruling that the primaries conducted were not in compliance with the Electoral Act.

    The party had on May 25 conducted the primary election which produced two factional candidates, Adebutu and Sowunmi as the flagbearers of the party.

    However, three members of the party, Taiwo Olabode Idris, Kehinde Akala, and Alhaji Ayinde Monsuri, subsequently dragged the party, Adebutu, and INEC to court, challenging the authenticity of the delegates’ list used for the conduct of the primary election.

    The plaintiffs, Taiwo Olabode Idris; Kehinde Akala, and Alhaji Ayinde Monsuru, in an Originating Summons filed by Dr. Kemi Pinherio SAN, had approached the Court seeking an order nullifying or setting aside the Special State Congress or indirect primary election held by the party on the 25th of May, 2022 to choose the candidate which the party intends to nominate or sponsor at the 2023 Governorship election in Ogun State based on the list of delegates who were not democratically elected at the ward congress.

    They also prayed for an order of the court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard or refrain from giving effect to the results of the alleged first defendant indirect primary election, conducted in May, based on the list of ad-hoc delegates who were not elected at the ward congresses constituted by the party for that purpose.

    Reacting to the judgment, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Thaddeus Idenyi, said the court nullified the election “because it was conducted using a list of ad-hoc delegates who were not elected.”

    “The implication of the judgment is obvious, the PDP will have to put their hats together and then conduct a fresh primary as ordered by the court.

    “This time around, the court was specific that they have to use the list that has been certified by INEC because after the primary, those lists were submitted to INEC as parts of its report of covering those ward congresses held, so the court has now said that is the list which must be considered in the conduct of the fresh primaries, so the PDP had to just put their house together and use those lists to conduct a fresh primary,” Idenyi added.

    When contacted the Publicity Secretary of PDP in the State, Akinloye Bankole, said the party would study the judgment before it will take any step on it.

  • Presidential Test Polls: Obi defeats Atiku, Tinubu again

    Presidential Test Polls: Obi defeats Atiku, Tinubu again

    A new test poll conducted by a public advocacy group We2Geda Foundation has placed the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi ahead of the two other leading contestants, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressive Congress’ Bola Tinubu.

    Recall that it was Obi who also led in Anap Foundation  test polls conducted few weeks ago.

    However, the test poll  conducted by We2Geda Foundation sees Obi leading the other two contestant with about 51%.

    The poll result was signed by Ibrahim Abdulkareem Chairman, Board of Trustees of We2Geda, and Muna Obioha, a member of the BoT.

    The group said 51 per cent of respondents suggested voting for Obi as their preferred candidate, 25 percent suggested voting for Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ranked third in the voter preference poll with 19 per cent.

    “Further analysis also shows that Peter Obi remained a consistent favourite in the four major geopolitical zones including North-Central, South-South, South-West and South-East, while Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the poll leader in the NorthEast and North-West zones,” the group said.

    We2Geda said Nigerians between 26 and 50 years constituted the highest number of respondents, which was a random survey with a total of 15,438 registered voters in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the 2023 general elections will kick start with the presidential polls on the 25th of February.

  • We’re studying judgment nullifying Zamfara governorship primaries—PDP

    We’re studying judgment nullifying Zamfara governorship primaries—PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says it is studying the High Court judgment that nullified the party’s governorship primary election in Zamfara for necessary action.

    Secretary of the party in Zamfara, Alhaji Faruk Ahmad, stated this in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday.

    A Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara on Friday, nullified the PDP’s Governorship Primary Election held on May 26 in which Dr. Dauda Lawan-Dare emerged as the party’s standard bearer for the 2023 general elections.

    Justice Aminu Bappa-Aliyu, in a 109-page judgment, however, nullified the election and ordered that the party immediately conduct fresh governorship primaries.

    Three plaintiffs in the suit contested in primaries, including Dr. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki, and Hafiz Muhammad.

    They sought the nullification of the primary election over alleged irregularities.

    The party Secretary, in a reaction however, said the party acknowledged the  judgement which ruled that the election conducted by the party was null and void and ordered fresh primaries.

    “We in the PDP are known to be law-abiding and grassroots politicians who respect and believe in the supremacy of law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of our party.

    ” As a defendant in the suit filed by some of our aggrieved members concerning the governorship primary election, we received the court’s decision in good fate.

    “And a team of our lawyers is studying the judgment to come up with the next line of action within the ambit of the law.

    “The PDP in Zamfara state did well in conducting the primary election in a good manner of fairness and justice but the Federal High Court, Gusau after intense debates, ruled against our party and other defendants in the suit,” he said.

    Ahmad said that the party was determined to reclaim Zamfara State and bring it back to life and make it work again for the betterment of the people.

    “We shall (Insha Allah) cross these hurdles and ensure the solid unity of our members.

    “Our decision as regards the judgment will be made available after our lawyers concluded the study of the judgment and present to us their recommendations which the PDP leadership will decide on,” he assured.

    He appealed to the party loyalists in the state to remain calm and be law-abiding as the position of the party would be known in due course.

  • 2023: Court nullifies PDP guber primary election

    2023: Court nullifies PDP guber primary election

    The primary election that brought in Dauda Lawan Dare as the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party has been nullified by the Federal High court in Gusau, Zamfara State  ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country.

    The Federal High Court Judge, Justice Aminu Bappa revealed that the court granted all the prayers of the plaintiffs and cancelled the election of Dauda Lawan Dare as the party’s flag bearer.

    “This court has granted the prayers submitted in this honourable court by the plaintiffs and hereby ruled in their favour” the judge added.

    “The 109-page judgement will be presented to the counsels of both the plaintiffs and the dependants”.

    Speaking with newsmen immediately after the ruling, the counsel to all the plaintiffs, Barrister Ibrahim Aliyu said the court has nullified the election of Dauda Lawan Dare as the PDP governorship candidate according to the prayers they submitted before the court.

    “We believe in justice because the Court has seen reasons to nullify the election of Dauda Lawan Dare as PDP candidate in Zamfara state”

    “We had in our prayers urged the court to nullify the election which was characterised by a series of irregularities and we are happy that our prayers have been granted”

    The 2023 gubernatorial elections will hold on March 11th, 2023.

  • Muslim-Muslim: CAN clears air on approval of same faith ticket

    Muslim-Muslim: CAN clears air on approval of same faith ticket

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) has distanced itself from reports that it reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress, (APC) over the party’s  Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the presidential election in 2023.

    CAN posited that its position on the same faith ticket remains intact.

    There were speculations that CAN change its position on the same faith ticket after meeting with Tinubu and his campaign team.

    The Christian body has now described the story as thoughtless, malicious, and false, saying  that it  shouldn’t be taken seriously by anyone,

    CAN noted that it respects the rights of politicians and political parties to make decisions that affect their electoral fortunes.

    CAN further explained that although it is non-partisan it’s ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the country’s unity.

    In a statement by CAN’s President, Daniel Okoh, he said: “The attention of the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has been drawn to a media report titled, ‘How Tinubu met, resolved Muslim-Muslim ticket with CAN’, which claimed that the apex Christian body has changed its position regarding the same-faith ticket.

    “To say the least, the story is ridiculous, malicious, untrue and should be disregarded in its entirety by all reasonable members of the society.

    “For the records, CAN took a position against the same-faith ticket imbroglio under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, its immediate past national president, and, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stands on that same position.”

  • Atiku, Wike reconciliation teams meet in Rivers, details emerge

    Atiku, Wike reconciliation teams meet in Rivers, details emerge

    The Peoples Democratic Party’s  (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reconciliation team met Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike’s team  to set  a framework for reach an  accord between both disagreeing parties ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Recall that Atiku and Wike have not been in good terms since the emergence of Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as vice presidential candidate of the party.

    Both parties set up a reconciliation committee to for the purpose.

    The committee set up for that purpose consists members drawn from both Atiku and Wike’s strategic teams.

    Atiku’s team comprised the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Hon. Adamu Waziri and Hon. Eyitayo Jegede.

    Wike had  former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko and former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo in his team.

    Speaking to news men after the four- hour meeting that held in Rivers government house, Governor Fintiri stated that talks were still ongoing but progress was being made.

    He expressed confidence that both teams would find a middle ground to ensure peace reigns in the party.

    He added that Nigerians are waiting patiently for the PDP to clinch power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2023, and redeem the country from the bad governance brought about by the current federal government.

    He further explained that he was confident that the team on both sides would broker peace  and urged Nigerians to be patient and expressed optimism that at the end of the day, the committee will unify the party and Nigerians will be happy for the PDP.

    “We are aware that Nigerians are anxious and waiting for PDP to take over the government in 2023. We have met as leaders, members of the same political family and we have opened discussion. Work is in progress and we will continue.

    “At the end of the day, we will broker peace and we will unify the party and Nigerians”. H e said

    On his part, the former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, also said the agreement by members of the committee to bring about unity in the party will be achieved soon.

    Mimiko also stated that the meeting will continue again to further discuss issues that will bring about progress in the party.

    “We have agreed that there is a need for us to enhance unity within our party. This is a reconciliation process, there are some issues out there which need further deliberation when the committee meets again.”

    It would be recalled that Atiku and Wike had agreed to constitute the committee at a meeting they held in Abuja a few weeks ago at the residence of former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana as part of the framework for the resolution of their political differences.

    However, at the end of the committee’s session, members of the committee met with Wike at his private residence in Rumueprikom to give an update on the progress made so far.

    At the end of the meetings a date is expected to be fixed for the two PDP heavyweights Atiku and Wike  to finally meet and discuss way forward ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

  • All set for APC presidential campaign- Lalong

    All set for APC presidential campaign- Lalong

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is almost set for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign for the 2023 general elections.

    Gov. Simon Lalong, the Director-General of, APC 2023 presidential campaign, said this after inspecting the facilities at the campaign headquarters in Abuja.

    Dr Makut Macham, the spokesperson for the governor said in a statement on Saturday in Jos, that Lalong was received at the headquarters by the secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr James Faleke.

    Macham said that the DG also met with some staff of the campaign team, as part of efforts to ensure a formidable team for the campaign.

    “The DG also held a closed-door meeting with the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the headquarters.

    “The duo thereafter held another meeting with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and some lawmakers from State Houses of Assembly, ” he said.