…Urges Committee To Address Grey Areas, Complaints Before Exercise
…We’ll Ensure Free, Fair, Credible Process, Panel Chairman Assures
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday tasked the panel appointed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct the Governorship Primaries in the State to do all within its powers to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants in the contest.
The Governor, who spoke when he received members of the panel led by its Chairman, Mr. Clement Ebri, said it was important that the election when conducted is seen to be free, fair and credible to all aspirants concerned, adding that it is only in such situation that democracy, which the party upholds is entrenched.
Members of the Panel include Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud Gumel as Secretary; Mr. Nze Chidi Duru; Chief Clever Egbeji; Senator Clever Ikisikpo and Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe.
Expressing confidence in the selection of members of the panel, Governor Ambode said he had no doubt that the panel would live up to expectation and deliver a credible process, which according to him, will go a long way to determine the future of Nigeria and the greatness of Lagos in particular.
“This is a very star studded election team, they are distinguished Nigerians in their individual and collective rights. There can’t be any better collection of a team to any State election monitoring in this country than the distinguished personalities brought to Lagos and it only shows us the important that the National chairman of our great party attaches to what is happening in Lagos.
“I must tell you that what you have taken up, may look like a political assignment, but history is on your side that at this very moment in the annals of this history of this country, today marking our 58th Independence anniversary celebration, you are being called upon to discharge a selfless service that would determine the future of this country and the greatness of this particular state.
“I receive this election team as being acceptable and credible to me enough to discharge their civic responsibility to the best of their abilities and to also to say that whatever it is that is the outcome of the primaries, your presence has also shown that this will be credible and this will be acceptable by me,” he said.
The Governor recalled that he had gone through the same process with 12 other aspirants to emerge as governorship candidate of the APC in 2014, saying that it was not out of place to have other aspirants contest for the same ticket this time, however, the eventual process of choosing who flies the party’s flag must be seen to be fair to all concerned.
“So it’s very clear to me, all I seek is credible primaries, transparent primaries and level playing ground that we will all be proud of at the end of the day for the outcome.
“There were issues that we have raised that we are also trying to correct. The bottom line is this, we are family, we must not go into the elections divided because this is the very first time that our party is controlling the centre and also the State, that is what I want us to continue.
“The issues that I raise have been put in form of a letter which I would pass to their chairman and I believe the committee will look into it judiciously and also I welcome the stakeholders meeting which will allow you feel the pulse of what is going on in the State,” Governor Ambode said.
He also urged the Panel to use its prerogative to decide the best possible time for the primaries election and make a public announcement on the time, date and venues of the exercise to enable members of the party partake in the process.
Earlier, Ebri said the panel deemed it fit to pay a courtesy visit to the Governor as the number one citizen in the State and to also intimate him on the process for the conduct of the primaries.
“As the number one citizen of Lagos, we felt obliged to come and see you particularly when you are contesting for the position of Governor for which we all believe you have done so well. We are the panel that has been constituted to conduct primaries. We are seven members and there are indications that there would be one or two additions due to the work load here.
“We have come to intimate you that this exercise is going to take place in the next few hours. I also like to apologise for the delay, it had to be postponed as a result of logistics in Lagos, Imo and some other States because of the pressure and work load from the secretariat and other developments that have taken place,” the Chairman said.
Ebri, a former governor of Cross River State, assured the Governor that he and his team were ready for the task ahead and would do everything possible to ensure that the process is seen to be free, fair and credible.
“Lagos is more like a decider and like they say, when Lagos sneezes the rest of the country catches cold. So that is why we are very careful about what we are doing and the National Chairman asked me to send his best wishes to you and ask us to come and do the right thing to the satisfaction of all members, more so that the president of this country stands for transparency and detests corruption and a situation where no one feels manipulated.
“The process we are laying out is such that we ensure and guarantee transparency and credibility, we have people of integrity in this panel, these are not rookies in politics, they are people who have been tested. You can see senators, former governors, former deputy governor, former member of the House of Representatives, so this is a star studded team and I can assure you that we have all the experience that you want and you can think about to conduct this exercise. We assure you of our sincerity and transparency and we seek your cooperation in providing a level playing field.
“I want to assure you that we have come here to do our work and to ensure that this party is given the greater control in the affairs of this country by getting the right persons to assume the mantle of office. We know that you have done so well and there is no doubt about it.
“But you have a contestant and we have assured everyone that since this party stands for democracy and we want to ensure that there is a level playing field and everyone would be given an opportunity to test out his strength,” he said.
He said the Stakeholders meeting fixed for Monday evening at the party secretariat in Acme was to enable aspirants and other concerned stakeholders voice their opinion concerning the primaries in accordance with the democratic principles of the party.
He said the meeting would afford the Panel look at the possibility of conducting the primaries at the most convenient time and where there are still grey areas, “then we would contact the national headquarters and get the necessary approval to make the adjustments”.
Ebri also sought the Governor’s assistance in ensuring the safety and security of members of the panel, a request which the Governor granted, assuring the team that adequate security would be provided to ensure a hitch free exercise.
Tag: Aspirants
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Primaries: Ambode tasks NWC panel to ensure level playing ground for all aspirants
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No consensus presidential candidate – PDP
Ahead of the 2019 elections, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it won’t the idea of having a sole presidential aspirant for the party.
The party said it would rather be pre-occupied with the provision of an enabling environment for all the aspirants to canvass votes at its national convention than to be thinking of asking some of the aspirants to step down.
There has been concerns over the growing number of presidential aspirants on the platform of the party.
Among those who have indicated interest to pick the sole presidential ticket of the party are a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar; a former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal and Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Also, a former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau; a former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; a former minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu (SAN) and a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, have signified their readiness to pick the ticket.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has also hinted that he might join the race, but said he was still making consultations.
Our correspondent also gathered that notable members of the party had been asking the National Working Committee of the party led by Uche Secondus to find a way of reducing the number of the aspirants to “a manageable size.”
But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said in Abuja on Saturday, that the party was not thinking of pruning down the number of the aspirants.
He also said that the NWC was not talking with the aspirants on the need to have a consensus presidential candidate, but added that the aspirants on their own were free to discuss among themselves on the issue.
He said, “Members of the National Working Committee are not thinking or asking for a consensus presidential candidate. We are not even discussing it.
“Nevertheless we will not stop anyone or any group that is discussing that with the aspirants or even if the aspirants are discussing that among themselves.
“We are interested in having a rancour-free national convention where we will openly elect an acceptable presidential candidate that will overwhelmingly defeat President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress in 2019.
“The whole world saw how we conducted our national convention where all delegates were given free hands to elect officers of their choice. We will also conduct an acceptable presidential primary where all the contestants will be allowed to take part.
“We are confident that at the end of the exercise, all the aspirants would commend the exercise and would express willingness to work with the winner of the party’s presidential ticket.”
But a source close to the national leadership of the party said that the NWC would have a meeting with all the aspirants before it holds the national convention, slated for early October.
The meeting, according to the source, will focus on the need to accept the outcome of the covention by the aspirants and also work with the elected candidate.
The proposed meeting, our was learnt, will however be held when the aspirants have purchased their nomination and expression of interest forms.
“The meeting will be with those who have purchased forms and not with those who have signified intentions to run,” the source added.
It was also learnt that the Board of Trustees of the party was planning to have a series of meetings with the aspirants.
Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, who confirmed the planned meeting, said that the board would play its “fatherly roles in making sure that we have an acceptable candidate.”
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Osun 2018: Adeleke stole our mandate; withdraw his candidacy – PDP gov aspirants tells party
Seven governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State have asked the national leadership of the party to rescind its decision on the nomination of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the candidate of the party in the September 22 governorship election.
The aspirants: Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; senators Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and Felix Ogunwale; Prof. Adeolu Durotoye and Dr. Ayoade Adewopo said this at a joint press conference in Osogbo on Thursday.
Other aspirants who are also urging the PDP leadership to drop Adeleke are: Messrs Adejare Bello and Jide Adeniji. They were both absent at the press conference, but their names were listed as supporting the call.
Olasunkanmi, who read the address said, “The candidacy of Senator Ademola Adeleke will further divide rather than unite the PDP in Osun State in view of the fact that a great number of the party members will not feel secure working for him, because of the very controversial circumstances of his nomination.
“The PDP may not be able to secure the support of critical stakeholders in the state with Senator Adeleke’s candidacy, because of his not too impressive public conduct as a senator of the Federal Republic.
“In view of the foregoing, therefore, we the under listed aspirants call on the national leadership of our party to rescind its decision on the nomination of Senator Ademola Adeleke as our candidate for the September 22 governorship election.”
Ogunbiyi stated that he would not leave the party but would not stop to demand that the party do the right thing.
He said, “We are actually facing a challenge at present. It is a storm that will pass and I, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi and other aspirants will not leave the PDP under any guise. We believe that the leadership of the party will do the right thing. We will stay together and fight to uproot the government of APC.
“The good people of Osun State should remain calm. The PDP is the hope of Osun State. There is no alternative party that can rescue Osun State and Nigeria.
“I cannot be a mole in the hands of anybody. With my modest achievement as a village boy with this level of grace God has given me, I cannot condescend to do such dishonorable job.”
Durotoye said the aspirants and people of the state wanted the party to announce the name of the “real winner” as the party’s governorship candidate.
He said although the aspirants and the people would not defect, they would not join the alleged impunity.
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Osun PDP primary: Seven aspirants withdraw as election commences
Seven out of eleven governorship aspirants of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Sept. 22 election on Saturday announced their withdrawal from the party’s primary.
The primary to be held in Osogbo has more than 3,000 delegates to participate in the exercise.
Those who announced their withdrawal from the primary are Mr Adejare Bello, former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Prof. Adeolu Durotoye, Jide Adeniji, Sen. Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Mr Ayoade Adewopo, Mr Lere Oyewumi and Mr Felix Ogunwale.
The aspirants said that they stepped down from the race due to appeal from the party’s leadership and also to ensure cohesion within the party.
Other aspirants still in the race are Sen. Nurudeen Adeleke, representing Osun West at the Senate, Former Secretary to State Government Fatai Akinbade, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi and Mr Nathaniel Oke, a lawyer.
Addressing the delegates, Gov. Seriake Dickson, who is the chairman of the primary, assured them of a free, fair and credible exercise.
Dickson urged all the aspirants to support whosoever emerged as the winner of the primary.
Any aspirant who won the primary in PDP will contend with Mr Gboyega Oyetola, who emerged as the state governorship candidate on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyetola, who is Gov. Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, scored 127,017 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.
NAN
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Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa: Your word should be your bond
By Bayagbon Daniel
History has occupied a gold platter with you in the saddle of leadership as the Executive Governor of Delta State. Your good works since inception as the Governor of Delta State reared its head amidst paucity of funds. What a herculean start it was for you, Your Excellency.
The hurdles though challenging, served as a stepping stone for you to consolidate on your giant strides.
No doubt sir, your clear-cut vision has taken the State further in terms of infrastructural development, human and capacity building, contributory health scheme, the education and agricultural sectors. An indelible mark you have put forward for the 25 Local Government Areas in Delta State to continue to leverage on.
Your Excellency sir, as an astute supporter and a Delta State PDP faithful, I appeal to you sir to stand by your words of giving all aspirants a level playing field to test their popularity in the forthcoming electoral primaries.
This is a moment of trial as the majority of aspirants are tied to you and they expect that your ties with them will make their electoral dreams a reality.
It is pertinent to note that the forthcoming electoral primaries will be a true test of your wisdom and integrity to steer the ship of this State prior to and after the electoral primaries because it can either make or mar the chances of your second tenure as the Governor of Delta State.
Distinguished Excellency Sir, do not be deceived to let loose of your guard that 2019 will be a landslide victory for you because of a skewed notion that majority of Deltans are by your side. No sir! The outcome of the primary elections will fish out the chameleon in the PDP should you decide to take sides with any aspirants.
Your resolve to giving a level playing field to test the popularity of all aspirants that has been applauded by all should be sacrosanct. You are the “Road Master”, a name you have acquired through diligent effort in the saddle of governance. Do not allow sentimental attachment derail the bright chances of your second tenure.
It is a known fact that you have raised the bar in electoral conduct at the State and Federal levels, as you have applied fairness and equity to reawaken political cum electoral integrity. Aspirants without political value, prowess, clout and doggedness often rely on governors for a soft landing. To forestall internal bickering and imbalance in the party, dogged political clouts should be allowed to earn their vote freely without political favouritism.
The political terrain is like a global village sharing the bracelet of change. There are some staunch politicians and aspirants with secret intentions to pitch tent with other political parties should the outcome of the primary elections become unfavourable to achieve their political goals.
Your Excellency sir, should you stand by your word of giving all aspirants a level playing field, you would have thwarted the intentions of some politicians desiring to decamp to other political parties because political integrity and party confidence will naturally erode excuses of fleeing to the next party. The losers will be convinced that they lost gallantly. This will foster sportsmanship as losers will queue behind winners of the primaries thus solidly repositioning Delta State PDP party for the 2019 electoral landslide victory.
Conclusively, our amiable indefatigable Governor of Delta state, the ambition of these aspirants are not worth your hard earned integrity, reputation and your second tenure as Governor should you sway to their antics. The vast majority of Deltans and I are looking forward to seeing your word become your bond.
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Botched primary: Tinubu, Osoba, others hold secret talks with Ekiti APC aspirants
Sequel to the postponement of the Ekiti governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on Saturday due to alleged irregularities and violence, the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba and a select group of APC leaders from the South West are holding a secret meeting at the Lagos State Government Lodge Annex in Abuja.
The meeting which started about an hour ago, was part of efforts to find a common ground on the way forward after the botched Ekiti State APC governorship primaries.
According to a report by The Punch, the meeting has in attendance most of the contestants.
A source privy to the meeting said the meeting which was scheduled for 2:00 pm was shifted to 4:00 pm because some of those expected for the meeting were held up at the Akure Airport.
This is even as the party has announced Friday as the new date for the conclusion of the botched exercise.
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told reporters that the party’s National Working Committee took the decision after considering the report of its panel sent to conduct the primaries.
Details later…
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Constitution amendment: Aspirants from 35 years to contest presidential elections in Nigeria
Says
• No second term for VP, D-Gov who succeed dead incumbent
• Road cleared for independent candidates
• Local governments to get financial autonomy
• 35 percent appointments reserved for women. Aspirants from 25 years and above can seek election into state house of assemblies
The House of Representatives has reviewed the minimum age for qualification to contest for Office of the President of Nigeria from the current 40 to 35 years.
The current minimum age for qualification for the office is 40.
Besides, Nigerians from the age of 25 years may also be allowed to seek election into the state assemblies and the House of Representatives, down from the present 30 years.
These are some of the highlights of the report of the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution laid before the House by the Lasun Yusuf- headed Constitution Review Committee last Thursday.
The report is scheduled to be considered and adopted through electronic voting on Tuesday and Wednesday after which the House will proceed on its annual recess.
The age qualification provision comes under a bill entitled “An Act to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 to reduce the age for qualification for the offices of the President and Governor and membership of the Senate, House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly, and for other related matters.”
It is the brainchild of a coalition of 53 Civil Society Groups which presented it to the House as the “Not too young to run bill.”
The report seeks to bar any person who was sworn in as President or Governor to complete the term of the elected President or Governor from being elected to the same office for more than a single term.
It stipulates that the President must, within 30 days of taking the oath of office, swear in his ministers and in the case of governors, their commissioners.
This, apparently, is to discourage a situation where cabinets are not formed for months.
In addition, the president in sending his list of ministers to the Senate for confirmation, indicate the portfolio of each nominee.
It requires the President to deliver the State of the Nation address before a joint session of the National Assembly on the first legislative day in the month of May every year
The report recommends that 35 percent of persons appointed as Ministers or commissioners shall be women while there is also provision for independent candidates.
In a move to stop legal disputes arising from elections to drag on for too long, every pre-election matter shall be filed in court not later than 14 days from the date of occurrence of event, decision or action complained of in the suit.
A new subsection 12 proposes that an appeal from a decision of the court on pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of filing the appeal.
The Council of State is proposed for expansion to include all former Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House of Representatives that were not removed through impeachment. This is to ensure fair representation by the three arms of government.
Section 82 of the report stipulates that the President “may authorize the withdrawal of money in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on business software government for a period not exceeding three months or until the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act, whichever is the earlier.”
The intention is to encourage early presentation and passage of Appropriation Bills.
Section 150 seeks to separate the office of the Attorney General of the Federation from the office of the Minister of Justice.
The report makes no provision for the Joint State/Local government account as it currently obtains.
Thus, revenue allocation from the federal purse goes directly to each local government.
A new section specifically says no unelected person will be recognised by any authority and shall not be entitled to any revenue allocation from the Federation Account or the State government nor exercise any function exercisable by a local government council under the constitution.
Election into the local governments is for a three year-tenure expiration period for elected persons to the Council
Certain items were moved from Exclusive List to Concurrent List in the Second Schedule.
These include national parks, pensions, gratuities and other – like benefits payable out of Consolidated Revenue Fund, post, telegraph and telephones, and stamp duties.
The federal government is to retain exclusive rights to environmental issues relating to, arising from, partaking to and connected with oil and gas exploration, mining activities and other forms of energy exploitation, extraction, transportation and processing.
The federal government is also to have exclusive legislative rights to environmental issues relating to coastal management and Exclusive Economic zone.
It also retains rights to Railway, inter-state railway regulations while State Assembly may make laws for the establishment of State railway transportation.
On electricity, the report proposes in the Second schedule 14 (b) that State Assembly may make laws for the State with respect to “the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity within that State or in collaboration with any other State.”
These are also provisions for financial autonomy for State legislature and immunity for lawmakers from civil or criminal proceedings “in respect of words spoken or written before the House or a Committee thereof.”
It requires the President to deliver the State of the Nation address before a joint session of the National Assembly on the first legislative day in the month of May every year.
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Ekiti 2018: Over 55 candidates jostle for Fayose’s job
No fewer than 55 aspirants have declared interest in succeeding incumbent Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in the governorship election slated for 2018.
The aspirants cut across the two major political parties in the state, which include the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
While the PDP has 15 aspirants warming up for the primaries, the remaining 40 are coming on the platform of the APC.
According to The Sun, the PDP aspirants include incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr. Olusola Olubunmi Kolapo, ex-Deputy Governors, Sikiru Lawal, National Secretary of the Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi led Natonal Caretaker Committee of PDP, and ex-Minister of state for works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former Deputy Governor and Senator Biodun Olujimi, Mr. Bisi Omoyeni, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi and Abiodun Aluko, among others.
They are said to be already seeking the support of party members and reaching out to interest groups and trade unions to get their support to clinch the party ticket ahead of 2018.
Aspirants from the APC are made up of names such as Adebayo Oririe, Opeyemi Bamidele, Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Sen. Gbenga Aluko, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, Sen. Ayo Arise, Engr. Segun Oni, and Opeyemi Bamidele, among others.
It was further gathered that each of the PDP aspirants who considered themselves as anointed candidates of governor Fayose are riding on the shoulder of the governor in order to leverage on his wide acceptance by the people to win the party ticket and eventually get the governor’s job.
However, governor Fayose, whose tenure expires October 15, 2018, has promised to ensure that only a consensus candidate emerges at the primary of the party, adding that he would not impose any candidate on the state.
He said, “Although, some aspirants have already indicated their interest in the race, but as a leader of the party and governor, I will support a system that would provide a consensus candidate among the aspirants.
“This we will do by allowing a level playing ground where all aspirants would be put to a test of their popularity, acceptance and influence on the people as the people would choose in a primary, the candidate they want for the election.”