Tag: Candidate

Kogi guber: PDP reacts to emergence of Yahaya Bello as APC candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Monday that with Gov. Yahaya Bello as the APC flag bearer it would easily win the Nov. 16 governorship election in Kogi.

Mr Bode Ogunmola, the PDP spokesman in the state, made the remark in a statement in Lokoja.

Ogunmola said the poor performance of the governor in the last three and half years and public resentment against his administration would ensure “a sweat-less victory’’ for PDP.

“PDP has long been praying for the APC to make mistake of re-presenting Bello for the governorship poll.

“It is a well known fact that the governor cannot win any local government in Kogi due to his poor performance, and the way and manner the resources of the state is being massively looted.

“His desperation to return is to save himself from going to prison over looted funds. That was why he had to spend hugely to get strong contenders disqualified.

“If he succeeds in fooling the leadership of his party and the delegates, we are confident that he cannot fool Kogi electorate who are victims of his monumental misgovernance,’’ Ogunmola said.

However, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General of Media and Publicity of the governor, assured that Bello would continue to concentrate on governance in spite of preparations for the Nov. 16 poll.

Reacting to the PDP’s statement, Fanwo told newsmen that the governor would not bandy words as he had responded adequately to the PDP in February and March (general elections) with unprecedented defeat.

“We are even stronger going into the November Governorship election. The governor won’t talk. He believes in allowing his results speak for him,” Fanwo said.

He stressed that delivering democracy dividends to the people would continue to remain “on the front burner of the present administration”.

“Gov. Bello will not remove his feet from the pedals of governance and in his drive to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state”.

Fanwo said the governor had remained “humble in victory”, saying the best way to react to the ‘stupendous victory’ at the primaries was to continue to give his best to the people.

According to him, the governor will campaign with the work he has done since taking over the mantle of leadership in the confluence state.

“GYB is gradually redefining governance and politics. While others talk, he works and his work speaks for him.

“The naysayers said he was not popular and he defeated the opposition in the general elections like never before in the political history of our dear state.

“The Aug. 29 governorship primaries in the state have again made a resounding attestation to his political credentials.

‘“In victory, he has remained humble. He has stretched an olive branch to all contestants in the primaries to join hands with him to deliver victory to the APC on Nov. 16.

“As we continue our electioneering, our projects will continue and those completed will be commissioned.

‘“Gov. Bello was elected to serve and he will continue to serve even into his second term in office,’’ he said.

The director-general urged the people to remain steadfast in supporting Bello’s administration, assuring that they would never be disappointed.

September 2, 2019
Bayelsa guber: I have no preferred candidate – Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has insisted that he had no preferred candidate for the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Dickson in a statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, called on Bayelsans to discountenance aspirants claiming to have his endorsement.
The governor said that he would commence intensified consultations with aspirants and critical stakeholders at the national and state levels of the PDP following the conclusion of the sale of the gubernatorial nomination forms for the next election.
Dickson also promised to work closely with the party leadership to ensure the conduct of credible, free and fair primaries in Bayelsa.
He said while the aspirants, who picked the party’s nomination reserved the right to pursue their ambition, the leadership of the party would watch and monitor the buildup to primaries.
He said he remained committed to his earlier stance that there was no anointed aspirant in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
He said: “Now that the collection of gubernatorial forms have ended, the leadership of the party in the state wishes to say that there is no anointed aspirant against the practice in those states where outgoing governors endorse one single aspirant.
“I decided to open the state for people in my government,my team and other members of the party who have interest to indicate their interest I promise the state that there would be no imposition so would it be.
“The aspirants who have bought firms have the right to express their ambition but the state leadership òf the party should watch keenly. I am following the comments and making observations and in appropriate cases making consultations.
“Now that the end of purchase of forms have come, I will intensify consultations both with aspirants, party leaders and other stakeholders
“And at the end of the day, I intend to work with the party at the national and state levels to ensure that there is a free and fair election. Those using my name should be disregarded, it is not true, I have not endorsed anybody yet”.

July 26, 2019
2019: INEC to release final list of Governorship, State Assembly candidates Thursday

The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the list will be published in all the State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website.

Yakubu spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the Swearing -in of a new Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Elder Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State.

This brings the total number of RECs nationwide to 36 out of 37 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Commission is awaiting the confirmation and appointment of the nominee for Osun State.

He also revealed the commission has implemented ten out of the fourteen activities outlined in the commission’s scheduled programs of actives.

“Your appointment is coming just 16 days to the 2019 General Elections. We have already implemented 10 out of the 14 activities in our timetable and schedule of activities.

“The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published in all our State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website, tomorrow Thursday 31st January 2019.”

Congratulating the new REC, Yakubu informed him that though he will be posted to a state within his geo-political zone, he can however be posted anywhere in the country.

He said: “Furthermore, as a REC, you can be posted to any part of the country at any time as the exigencies of service require. For now, you will be posted to a State within your geo-political zone but you will never serve in you State of origin throughout your tenure. In line with this principle, you are hereby deployed to Bayelsa State.”

The new REC holds a BSc. degree in Biological Science and a Master’s degree in Microbiology.

He served as lecturer and civil servant in Akwa Ibom State.

January 30, 2019
Osun: Court dismisses suit challenging Oyetola as APC governorship candidate

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit challenging the nomination of Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the last governorship election in Osun State.

The suit was instituted by an aggrieved aspirant on the platform of the party, Kunle Adegoke, who alleged that the July 20, 2018 primary election, in which he participated alongside Oyetola and others, was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

Oyetola, had after emerging as the party’s candidate, gone ahead to win the September 22 and 27, 2018 governorship election in the state.

Dismissing the suit challenging Oyetola’s nomination as APC’s candidate for the election, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled in his judgment on Friday that nothing was illegal or unconstitutional in the conduct of the primary by the APC as alleged by Adegoke.

The judge ruled, “On the whole, I find no illegal or unconstitutional act on the part of the 1st defendant in the conduct of the governorship primaries in Osun State that would warrant this court to intervene in what can be considered as its internal affairs either before or on July 20, 2018 when the said primary election was held.”

Adegoke, had on July 27, 2018, filed the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/ CS/804/2018, to challenge the emergence of Oyetola as APC’s governorship candidate.

The defendants in the suit were originally, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, but Oyetola and his deputy, Benedict Alabi, were later joined as co-defendants.

Adegoke contended, among others in the suit, that the conduct of the APC’s primary election in Osun State violated the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2010 and relevant provisions of the APC constitution, including the Regulation for the Conduct of Political Party Primaries of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, in a supporting affidavit, that the “direct method” adopted by the party allowing all general members of the party to vote in the primary election “was a departure from the extant 2014 guidelines of the party”.

The plaintiff stated that contrary to the development in Osun State, “the indirect method of primary election was used in Edo State in 2016, Ondo State in 2016, Anambra State in 2017 and Ekiti State in May 2018”.

He added that the APC failed to notify him as an aspirant or the INEC in writing not later than 21 days to the date of the primaries, the details including the specific location and venue, date and time for the conduct of its nomination of candidate before holding same on the July 20, 2018.

He also stated that APC also failed to notify INEC in writing “the rescheduling of the purported primary election from Wednesday, the 18th day of July 2018 to Friday, the 20th day of July 2018.”

The plaintiff also alleged that the party failed to maintain “a proper and duly certified membership register for the purpose of conducting direct method of primaries”.

He also said officers of INEC “did not monitor the primary election” which held in 332 wards of Osun State on July 20, 2018, “as no reports of such elections at the ward level were prepared and submitted to the 2nd defendant (INEC)”.

He noted that he had, in an open letter, challenged the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, informing him that there was no membership register of the party by which the party could conduct a credible direct primary election.

But dismissing the suit, Justice Ekwo ruled that contrary to Adegoke’s contention, the National Working Committee of the party reserved the right to adopt either direct or indirect primary for the nomination of its candidate for the governorship election in the state.

He ruled that there was evidence showing that all governorship aspirants on the platform of the party were duly notified about the NWC’s decision to adopt direct primary ahead of the Osun State election.

The judge also ruled that Adegoke lacked the right to complain that INEC was not notified of the rescheduling of the primary within seven days.

He added that there was evidence that INEC officials monitored the primary election implying that the commission had validly waived the right of being given the seven-day notice about the rescheduling of the primary.

The judge also held that there was evidence showing that Adegoke attended the July 18, 2018 meeting where all aspirants were notified of the rescheduling of the primary to July 20.

He added that there was evidence showing that voter registers were displayed by the acting Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the APC’s primary, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the plaintiff was invited to apply for copies.

The judge ruled, “It is my opinion upon considering the evidence in this case that the 1st defendant (APC) acted within its power and authority vested in it in the conduct of the governorship primaries in Osun State in the circumstances of the evidence in this case.

“Far be it that primary election of a party political party would be nullified simply for the fun of doing so or in sympathy with an aspirant whose aim is just to have the primaries anulled.

“The evidence to warrant the exercise of the power of nullification by the court must be compelling and perhaps overwhelming”.

January 11, 2019
2019: We have no preferred candidate, political party in Nigeria’s presidential election – EU

…We won’t interfere in INEC’s duties – Amaechi

The European Union (EU) on Thursday said it has no preferred candidate in next year’s election.

EU Delegation Head Amb. Ketil Karlsen gave the assurance at an audience with Buhari Campaign Organisation Director-General Rotimi Amaechi.

Amaechi told the EU that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would adhere strictly to the electoral laws in the general elections.

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari will accept the outcome of the elections.

Amaechi said: “One assurance I will give you today is that we’ll stand by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and we will stand by whatever decision they make. We believe that we promised Nigerians change and I also believe that you can observe the change.

“By this time in 2014/2015, when I was still in office as governor, I was on fire. Everybody was on my neck. The then President had withdrawn my security. My ADC and CSO were on the run; there was no police security and nobody cared. They didn’t bother that I could be killed or attacked.

“I was attacked several times. I was attacked in Port Harcourt. But now, we believe the President that they were accusing that would be undemocratic because he is a retired soldier is more democratic than a civilian that was elected in the past.

“During the Anambra State election, when the governor cried out that his ADC had been withdrawn, President Buhari ordered that the governor’s ADC be reinstated immediately. So you see, that is the change we are talking about.

“So the assurance I will give you from President Buhari Campaign Organisation is that there will be no interference by the President.

“ We’ll play by the rules and whatever the campaign team needs to do to ensure that the election is transparent, we will do.

“ We’ll also ensure that the election is such that Nigerians will be proud of, and we hope that the rest who are contesting in other parties will also take the same position.”

Amb. Karlsen, Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the EU would partner with Nigerians to organise credible polls in 2019.

He said the EU, was only concerned about the best electoral practices for Nigeria.

Karlsen said : “We look forward to a good collaboration on this occasion of the 2019 general elections. We have had election observers in Nigeria for all general elections since 1999.

“For the EU, we really do not have any preferred candidate; we don’t have any preferred political party; we don’t promote any particular ideology in Nigeria.

“We are very concerned about having the best possible process in the country. We want to see free, fair, credible and peaceful election. So this is why we have invested not only our time but also a lot of European tax payers’ money on engaging with all the Nigerian stakeholders since 1999.

“We have spent more than E100m(Euro) in giving support for electoral process. So, currently, we support INEC, we support the National Assembly, we support intra-party democracy and we support all stakeholders.

“We had also engaged actively in the party primaries and this gives us reason about the optimism of INEC to conduct elections.”

November 2, 2018
2019: Obasanjo free to support any candidate – Falana

Activist lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has said that it is the right of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to support any presidential candidate of his choice.
Reacting to his recent endorsement of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, he said Obasanjo has a constitutional right to do so.
According to him, “Former President Obasanjo has a constitutional right to support any presidential candidate of his choice.
” It is however hoped that God will forgive him for supporting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar”, he said.

October 12, 2018
APC convention: Buhari becomes APC candidate for 2019, mocks PDP

President Muhammadu Buhari promptly launched his campaign for a second term in office early on Sunday morning after being overwhelmingly endorsed as candidate by 14,842,072 members of the All Progressives Congress across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
Taunting the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which had governed Nigeria for 16 years, up till May 2015, President Buhari asked the party, also holding its convention simultaneously in Port Harcourt, what it did with all the money earned under its watch.
“Fellow Nigerians, think how much PDP Governments earned between 1999 to 2015. Think what they did with it.
Infrastructure down! Security down! 18 local governments of Nigeria under control of a hostile army of insurgents. Reserves depleted! Bankruptcy around the corner.
“What did they do with your money?”, Buhari asked in a tone indicative of fireworks to be expected in the weeks ahead for the electioneering campaign.
President Buhari thanked all eligible members of the party who stepped down their ambition to allow him emerge as the party’s sole aspirant and now its candidate.
“I thank you all for your encouragement and support, and I will not disappoint the people of Nigeria,”he said.
The president paid special tribute to the party’s national leadership and its founding fathers and the National Presidential Convention Committee for organising what he called a perfect convention.
He maintained that the Federal Government was tackling corruption head-on, and it is also rebuilding the economy and developing infrastructure, saying that the APC was proud of its achievements.
He also said that his recent interactions with the international community have been very encouraging, adding that the international community was giving the Nigerian government the necessary support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 14.8 million votes that Buhari received from APC members in a direct primary was announced early Sunday morning by the Ekiti State Governor elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi who was the chairman APC Presidential Primary Election Committee. Fayemi had also chaired the APC Convention in Lagos in 2014 that elected Buhari as the party’s candidate.
The result was later affirmed by no fewer than 7,000 delegates from across the federation and the FCT through a yes vote.
The delegates were made up of three from each Local Government Area elected at the party’s recent state Congresses aside the statutory delegates.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo who is the Chairman APC National Presidential Convention Committee, described Buhari as the antidote for all political locusts”.
“He is the insecticide for all political termites and the saviour of the oppressed and downtrodden, and the best president for the people.
“We are impressed by his exemplary honesty, sincerity and commitment to a greater Nigeria,”he said, adding that President Buhari has positively impacted on the lives of Nigerians in the last three and half years.
He called on Nigerians to vote for him again in 2019 to enable him consolidate on his achievements and take the country to greater heights.
Ajimobi said the convention had opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s political history and called on APC members not to succumb or be distracted by the negative propaganda of the opposition.
“We have a job to do, let us all join hands with President Buhari and roll up our sleeves for the task ahead,”he said.
Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman formally presented President Buhari to the convention as the party’s 2019 presidential candidate, amidst cheers from delegates and other party members.
“I hereby formally present President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of our party for the 2019 presidential election to everyone here and to Nigerians, and by the grace of God, victory shall be ours,”he said.
Present at the convention, were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC Governors, National Assembly members and party delegates from the 36 states and FCT.

October 7, 2018
2019: Lamido declares self PDP candidate, mocks Atiku, other aspirants

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Friday declared himself the sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election.

Lamido insisted that among all the presidential aspirants, he remained the only one without a membership ‘lacuna’.

He told PDP stakeholders in Bayelsa State to address him as “the aspirant” and not as “an aspirant”, boasting that he would emerge the candidate and eventually win the 2019 election.

Lamido, who was in the state to solicit support of the state chapter of the party for his ambition, also claimed to be the only PDP aspirant qualified to challenge Buhari in 2019.

The former governor, who inaugurated some projects in the state, taunted other presidential aspirants, saying that they were not committed and consistent members of the PDP and lacked the rights to vie for the party’s ticket.

He said: “We want a thoroughbred PDP person. I came to see my brothers and sisters. We share the same concerns and commitments. Before you here is the aspirant, not an aspirant. Before you here is the President of Nigeria after our convention.

“Before you here is your brother and commander-in-chief in 2019. Our party needs the cohesion and the discipline. So, we must rescue Nigeria and it must be somebody with the character of the PDP. In me is a very huge and large heart.

“We have to save Nigeria. I didn’t come to campaign. I am your candidate. Whether you like it or not, l must be your candidate.

“When others come, there will be lacuna in their membership. You need a consistent person.”

In his remarks, Dickson described Lamido as a consistent, dependable, courageous mobiliser for the PDP and supporter of good causes for the country and the party.

While appealing to Nigerians to rally round PDP to rescue the country from its litany of woes, Dickson said Bayelsa was ready to receive more presidential aspirants.

He described the current security and economic challenges in the country as unparalleled, saying the APC failed to deliver on its mandate to the citizenry.

He expressed gratitude to Lamido and other progressive minded stakeholders of the party for giving the Niger Delta, which is a minority region, the opportunity to produce a president in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Dickson emphasised the need for all PDP contestants to pursue their aspirations with the collective interest of the PDP at heart to enable the party organise a free, fair and credible primary that would produce a widely accepted flag bearer.

He said: “You are a consistent, dependable and courageous mobilizer for our party. This state remembers the storms you have weathered to defend the best interest of our party. These are very trying times, but you stood by what was right for Nigeria and for the PDP.

“The state appreciates your steadfastness. Even our party leaders are waiting at the secretariat to receive you. All I want to say is that we appreciate your steadfastness and progressive views.

“We call on you and other contestants to be ready to collaborate with the national leadership of our party when the delegates come together to vote in a free and fair primaries that would produce an acceptable leader.”

July 28, 2018
Ekiti 2018: Accord Party suspends state exco for backing PDP’s candidate, Olusola

The national working committee of Accord Party has suspended members of the executive committee of the Ekiti State chapter of the party for openly declaring support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Kolapo Olusola.

The NWC also dissolved the state executive committee led by Abiola Adeoba, accusing the officials of anti-party activities.

A leader of the party, Akogun Ojo, was also axed for allegedly abandoning the party’s governorship candidate for the candidate of the PDP.

Messrs Odeoba and Ojo were alleged to have led the state executive to the PDP mega rally on Thursday in a show of support for Olusola.

The dissolution followed an endorsement of the Accord Party candidate, Abiodun Aluko, by former Kaduna State governor, Balarabe Musa, and a coalition of 14 political parties under the aegis of Credible Alternative Alliance (CAA).

The party has communicated its disciplinary action to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through a letter addressed to the Chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, on July 6.

In the letter, signed by its National Chairman, Muhammad Nalado, and Secretary, Adebukola Abiola-Ajaja, the party said it had set up a seven-member interim committee, led by S.O. Ogunniyi, to pilot affairs of the party in the state.

While addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Messrs Nalado, Ajaja and the Vice Chairman South West of the party, Samuel Babarinde, all denied ever entering into any merger agreement with the PDP for the election.

“Surveyor Aluko remains our candidate having met all the criteria. Those who thought they could trade with our ticket will be disappointed in the end,” Mr Nalado said.

“The action displayed by these politicians was unethical. It surprised us that they could turn our ticket into a business venture just to make money.

“Surveyor Aluko collected nomination form, he paid N3 million and he has been spending to galvanise supports for the party, so at no time did we abandon him, he remains our candidate and nothing has changed.

“Time has come for Ekiti people to embrace Accord, because Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the present governor, Ayodele Fayose have disappointed the people. They must embrace change and when I say change , I am not referring to the kind of bad change APC brought to our people.”

Ajaja on his part, said the disciplinary measures did not translate to an outright expulsion, as they could be accepted if the erring party officials retraced their steps and show remorse.

Aluko said he had at no time take any decision to back the PDP candidate.

“The open support for PDP was taken by Chief Odeoba and Banji Ojo and this amounted to anti-party activity. So, the punitive action was well deserved and was taken to save our party,” he said.

July 9, 2018
Ekiti APC Primary: Tinubu denies anointing any candidate

As aspirants slugged it out for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in the party’s primary election in Ekiti on Saturday, APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu said in Lagos that he had no anointed candidate.

Tinubu spoke with newsmen in Ikeja as the APC held its ward congresses in Lagos.

The winner of Saturday’s primary election will fly the party’s flag in the July 14 Ekiti governorship election, in which the APC is seeking to oust the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

”I believe those in charge of the primary in Ekiti will do the right thing. I have put my own political gear in neutral.

”I have no anointed candidate. Everyone there aspiring and contesting are very dear members and they deserve the right to participate.

”About 33 of them in all, and we only need one seat for governorship. We have had leadership discussions. I like the fact that they showed up respectfully and committed to the peace and stability of the party in that State,” Tinubu told newsmen.

He said that feelers from Ekiti showed that things had been going on smoothly.

“We have responsible leadership around there.

”Sincerely, I had wanted to be in Ekiti but when you have this situation where Congress is holding the same time their primary is holding, charity begins at home; I must stay in Lagos to ensure that I help them.

” There are capable leaders over there that will see to the smooth exercise of the primaries in Ekiti, ” Tinubu said.

Speaking on the ward congresses in Lagos, Tinubu urged party members to conduct themselves peacefully to help the country grow and progress democratically.

He also urged them report any complaint at the party headquarters, rather than take laws into their hands.

”Until the various officials conducting the congresses write their reports, my own decision is to continue to appeal to the party to conduct themselves peacefully and comply with the rule of law.

”If they have any complaints, they should write to the party headquarters and just don’t take laws into their hands.

”I am proud of what is happening. I am very proud of the leadership. The leaders are for everybody; no biases, and they should move on peacefully and help the country to grow and progress democratically,” he said.

Tinubu said he was impressed with the turnout of members at the ward congresses

“I am very happy and proud of our party, All Progressives Congress, the APC. We are demonstrating to the people across the country that we are a law abiding political party.

”We believe in the tenets of democracy and that we demonstrate the openness in the congresses across the country, particularly.

”I can speak emphatically about Lagos that things are going according to plan, very open and transparent. People queued up behind whoever they want, no pre-ordained candidate. The turn-out is very impressive.

”The membership of the party is growing in leaps and bounds and open to all democrats who want to be identified with us.

”This is one of the best ways to energise the party that is almost remaining dormant at grassroots level and you could see the sense of belonging and the activities of ordinary people. It is a great joy for me,” he said.

May 5, 2018