TheNewsGuru

Tag: Campaign

  • Umahi denies owing N200m during governorship campaign

    Umahi denies owing N200m during governorship campaign

    The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Thursday denied owing a businesswoman, Mrs Tracynither Ohiri, N200 million for promotional materials she supplied during his 2014 governorship campaign.

    Umahi denied the allegation while fielding  questions from journalists during his tour of the Independence Bridge in Lagos.

    He said: “When I left office and then became a minister,  she was going about saying that I owe her N200 million in 2014.

    “The entire election in 2014 for me to be a governor did not cost me up to N100 million; so, how would campaign material be N200 million?”

    He challenged Ohiri to provide evidence of any contract, proof of funds withdrawn, and bank statements to support her claim.

    “Where is the contract paper? Where did you draw the money from? Can you publish your account where you withdrew the money?

    ”At least, you would have used up N150 million. Can you publish it.

    ”I think that woman is sponsored.  I saw what she did to three other governors.

    “I  had thought it was a mental case, so I didn’t bother but I think some people that have been castigating me that we destroyed their property,  staging protests, have bought into the matter.

    “That is why I am going to legally teach whoever is the sponsor some lessons,” he added.

    The minister said that he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against Ohiri, seeking damages.

    On  alleged sexual harassment, Umahi said that no such thing happened.

    Umahi expressed concern over the potential implications of an such an allegation.

    He said that some unserious ones were beginning to think that accusing men of sexual harassment would be the way to go.

    The minister advised women to rise up against the trend, which he described as unfortunate.

    “We will use this one to teach a lesson.”

  • U.S. telecom firm fined $1m for fake Biden AI campaign call

    U.S. telecom firm fined $1m for fake Biden AI campaign call

    A U.S. telecommunications company has been fined one million dollars for sending a campaign call featuring a fake voice of U.S. President, Joe Biden, generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Wednesday that Lingo Telecom agreed to pay the fine and had also committed to a unique programme to verify the trustworthiness of customers who use its networks to transmit data.

    The fraudulent call, with a voice that sounded deceptively like Biden’s, was used to call voters in the US state of New Hampshire in January and urge them not to participate in the Democratic Party’s primary election.

    The voice of Biden in the call was generated using AI software and the sender information was also falsified, making it appear to come from a Democratic political committee.

    “Every one of us deserves to know that the voice on the line is exactly who they claim to be.

    “If AI is being used, that should be made clear to any consumer, citizen, and voter who encounters it,’’ FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.

    In May, the FCC proposed a fine of 6 million dollars for the originator of the call, a political consultant.

    The incident raised concerns in the U.S. about the potential misuse of AI, especially in the run-up to the presidential election in November.

    As a result, the FCC has strengthened the legal framework for taking action against such AI fakes.

  • Biden gets campaign help from Obama, Clinton

    Biden gets campaign help from Obama, Clinton

    Former U. S. presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have jumped to the aid of incumbent Joe Biden in the election campaign.

    The three Democrats appeared together at a major fundraising event in New York.

    The event at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan also featured several music stars.

    Biden’s campaign team said it raised more than 26 million U.S. dollars.

    The campaign show was accompanied by protests against the U. S. government’s Middle East policy, with hecklers interrupting the prominent Democrats on stage several times, and others demonstrating outside.

    Several thousand people attended the event, having paid between 225 dollars half a million dollars for a ticket.

    Former president Obama flew from Washington to New York in the government aircraft Air Force One with his former vice president Biden.

    Clinton made his own way to the event.

    The three sat together on stage for a moderated panel discussion, talking about democracy, life in the White House, international conflicts and difficult decisions as president.

    Obama and Clinton praised Biden’s work.

    He, in turn, attacked the Republican former president Donald Trump, who wants to run against the incumbent in November’s election.

    Biden warned that his rival denies climate change, is on good terms with autocrats around the world and wants to curtail fundamental rights.

    Obama said that voters are faced with the question of who is really interested in their concerns and cares about them.

    “I’m pretty sure the other guy doesn’t,” he said of Trump. But on Biden, he said, “this guy does.”

  • Bayelsa guber race: Despite disqualification, Sylva begins massive campaign

    Bayelsa guber race: Despite disqualification, Sylva begins massive campaign

    Immediate past Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) guber candidate in Bayelsa State, officially launched his campaign for the November 11 poll despite being disqualified as the candidate by the court.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the verdict in a suit filed by an APC member, Deme Kolomo, against Sylva’s candidacy.

    The court ruled that allowing Sylva to contest the governorship polls would violate the constitution, which prohibits a person from being elected governor more than twice.

    Sylva, who intends to appeal the judgment, pledged to usher in a new era of human capital development, infrastructure improvement, gas development, job creation, and agriculture.

    He began his state-wide campaign in Agbere Community, where he has a special connection, before proceeding to Ebedebiri Community and Sagbama Local Government Council headquarters, all in Sagbama Council Area.

    Sylva promised to complete the abandoned shore protection project in Agbere and enhance development in the area to ensure its residents benefit from democracy.

    He stated, “I consider myself an Agbere son, and that’s why I chose to commence my campaigns in Agbere.

    “We don’t want you to be spectators to development; we want to bring development to you. My incoming government is about human capacity development.”

    Sylva highlighted the need for job creation, empowerment, and development, emphasizing that his government would prioritize the people’s well-being and security. He assured the electorate that he was experienced and prepared to lead the state toward a brighter future.

    He urged the people to vote for the APC, asserting that it would bring prosperity and a better future, while voting out the current government led by Douye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    TNG also recalls the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje declaring that the outcome of the court’s verdict was a minor distraction.

  • LP inaugurates 481-member campaign council for Imo guber

    LP inaugurates 481-member campaign council for Imo guber

    The Labour Party (LP) in Imo has inaugurated a 481-member campaign council to strategise and sparehead its campaign for the November 11 governorship poll.

    Performing the ceremony in Owerri, its state Chairman, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa, urged the members not to joke about the “fierce urgency” to rescue the state.

    “You have become the torch bearer for LP, our candidate, Sen. Athan Achonu and Peter Obi in all the nook and crannies of your localities.

    “This is a call to duty, service and selfless sacrifice for the good of Imo,” Ihejiagwa said.

    He further urged the council to carry out the responsibility with pride, dignity and selflessness, “knowing that God has anointed you to liberate Imo.

    “If we disappoint the people, they will not forgive us. Our children will not forgive us,” he also said.

    He said the insecurity in the state had forced many to hold traditional events outside the state for fear of possible attacks back home.

    “They say LP has no big vehicles and have no structure, but those with big cars and structures are the people with the structure of corruption which Peter Obi has come to eradicate.

    “They are the ones who have fed so fat on the common treasury of the state and Nigeria.

    “We are hungry for a new Imo and Nigeria.

    “A new Imo and Nigeria are possible and attainable,” the state chairman said.

    He called for commitment, peace, fairness, openness and unity among members of the council and officers of the party to achieve success and ensure victory at the poll.

    In a remark, the Director-General of the council, Mr Chime Nzeribe, described the upcoming election as a struggle to “emancipate Igboland, not only Imo.”

    Nzeribe appealed to the council to take their polling booths seriously and ensure that every vote for the party’s candidate counts.

    “Go back home and work hard.

    “The reason Obi has problem today is that the party’s mobilisation in the booths was not fantastic and our results were not well guarded.

    “This is something we must work out to ensure that our results are well guarded,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Commissioner for Finance in Imo, Mr Nicholas Ndudu, said the change which Nigerians desired would only come from LP.

    “I want to assure you that regardless of what happened in the country in the past couple of days about the presidential election tribunal judgment, LP is still the party of the future.

    “What LP is doing today is to inaugurate the campaign council that will activate our reach to the grassroots and ensure we translate that reach and resources into an opportunity for success.

    “The people that have been chosen are truly in a position to lead us to victory,” he said.

    In an acceptance speech, the Chairman of the council and member representing Owerri Federal Constituency, Mr Tochukwu Okere, pledged to secure victory for Achonu and the party.

    Okere charged the campaign members to unite and be ready to run an aggressive campaign for the governorship candidate and party.

    “Do not be intimidated, this is our state.

    “Bring out your mind to ensure victory in all the polling booths, wards and the state in general,” he said.

  • PDP postpones campaign launch for Imo guber poll

    PDP postpones campaign launch for Imo guber poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the launch of its campaign for the Nov. 11 Imo governorship election.

    The PDP said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba.

    Ologunagba, also the Chairman, Special National Publicity Committee for the election, said that the postponement of the launch earlier scheduled for Sept. 7 was done after a thorough consultation with stakeholders and the leadership of the party.

    He said that the action was in view of a national development that required the full involvement of the party including critical stakeholders from Imo.

    “While regretting the inconveniences the postponement may cause, the PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and members of our party, especially in Imo to remain steadfast.

    “They should remain steadfast in the collective efforts of Imo State people to rescue and make their state safe again with our candidate, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu on the saddle.

    “A new date for the formal campaign launch will be communicated by the party leadership in due course,” Ologunagba said.

    He commended the people of Imo for their unrelenting patriotism, courage, commitment, and dedication in support of PDP and its candidate.

  • Trump calls new indictment ‘rigged,’ deliberately filed during political campaign

    Trump calls new indictment ‘rigged,’ deliberately filed during political campaign

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called an indictment approved by a Fulton County grand jury in the U.S. state of Georgia “rigged”.

    Trump added that it was deliberately presented in the midst of his political campaign and that the move was a “witch hunt.”

    On Monday night, the Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump on 13 criminal charges related to an investigation into an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to a court document.

    Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis later told reporters that the grand jury had issued arrest warrants for the 19 defendants named in the indictment, but they all have until Aug. 25 to voluntarily surrender.

    “And what about those Indictment Documents put out today, long before the Grand Jury even voted, and then quickly withdrawn? Sounds Rigged to me!

    “Why didn’t they Indict 2.5 years ago? Because they wanted to do it right in the middle of my political campaign. Witch Hunt!” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.

    He also said the “witch hunt” continued, calling the district attorney “out of control and very corrupt.”

    Several of the charges Trump is facing include violation of the Georgia RICO Act, solicitation of a violation of oath by a public officer, false statements and writings, and forgery, among others.

    Eighteen other associates have been also charged in the indictment, including Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows.

    Trump has repeatedly condemned the criminal proceedings against him as attempts to weaponise the U.S. justice system to prevent him from running in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and has denied any wrongdoing.

  • Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Okojie, hails wife over her support during his campaigns

    Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Okojie, hails wife over her support during his campaigns

    Prince Odi Okojie, the newly elected House of Representatives for Esan South/North East Edo State, has praised his actress wife, Mercy Johnson-Okojie for her support during his campaign.

    The politician showered praises on his wife for being a perfect example of a supportive partner.

    Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Okojie, hails wife over her support during his campaigns

    He described the veteran movie star as the best thing that ever happened to him and she’d always be the number one person in his life.

    An excerpt from his post reads: “My beautiful darling wife; words will fail me if I have to describe you and what you mean to me over and over again. When I count my blessings, your place on my list is NUMBER ONE, nothing or no one can ever change that.

    Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Okojie, hails wife over her support during his campaigns

    “Our formidable union has continued to soar not because of our perfections. Are we even perfect? It is largely because God got His eyes on us permanently fixed. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and everyone can see it Clearly.

    “Queen of my Life, may I seize this once more to adore you immensely for your fervent role in this humongous call to serve my people, out people. For the invaluable support you keep rendering, for the timeless backing you huge me for the unending prayers, love, care and everything deserving of a man in my place, I say thank you my darling wife. Obulu!! Obulu!! Obulu!!!

    “You have endeared yourself as a truly blessed ‘Obhiaha’ of a reputable standards to my Esan Heritage, you have demonstrated what a true supportive wife should be and this has landed us many successes and by the special Grace of God Almighty we will journey together hand in hand to the end in our continued quest for our humanitarian and philanthropic outreaches in mind service to humanity.”

  • Train Crash: Sanwo-Olu halts campaigns, declares flag flown at half-mast

    Train Crash: Sanwo-Olu halts campaigns, declares flag flown at half-mast

    To commensurate with the families of affected victims in a train crash that occurred on Thursday in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared political campaigns suspended and national flags to be flown at half-mast.

    Several people were injured after a passenger train crushed into a Lagos State Government staff bus on its way from Ikotun en route to Alausa, the state secretariat, at the PWD area Ikeja on Thursday morning.

    Sanwo Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, stated the declaration by the Governor on his Twitter handle.

    He said, “Breaking: Gov @jidesanwoolu suspends campaigns, enjoins others to show the true spirit of Lagos. He thanks all medical personnel and other officials who responded promptly to the incident.

    “Gov directs flags be flown at half mast and workers to observe a half day of work tomorrow.”

    The casualties recorded in the incident (as of the time) include 85 passengers on board and six deaths, 42 moderate injuries, 29 serious injuries, and eight mild injuries.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) had reported that the bus with registration no 04A- 48LA on Thursday morning was crushed by a moving train at PWD, Ikeja area of Lagos.

    The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the accident in a statement.

    “The accident recorded many casualties as the staff bus is fully loaded with govt staff going to the office this morning,” the statement added.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the BRT Bus was crossing the track when the speeding train hit it.

  • JUST IN: Atiku’s Rivers Campaign DG survives alleged assassination, venue destroyed

    JUST IN: Atiku’s Rivers Campaign DG survives alleged assassination, venue destroyed

    The Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, narrowly escaped assassination on Thursday midnight.

    It was alleged that gunmen dressed in police uniform opened fire on Sekibo’s vehicle, a Land Cruiser bulletproof jeep at the Rainbow Town in Port Harcourt, where he went to inspect the venue of a proposed presidential rally of the party.

    Confirming the incident at a news briefing Friday, Sekibo said his car was riddled with bullets and the venue of the proposed rally set on fire, while policemen watched the inferno.

    He said: “As we approached the site, those policemen who were watching the inferno opened fire on our vehicle. I looked at the Hilux vehicles, they were police Hilux vehicles attached to the Governor of Rivers State.”