TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ekiti State

  • 2019: Vote buying wearies INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again expressed worries over the menace of vote buying that particularly took a new dimension with the Ekiti state gubernatorial election of recent.

    TheNewsGuru reports that at a training organized for INEC legal staff and Police officers on prosecution of electoral offences, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC National Commissioner and Chair, Legal Services Committee, said the commission cannot stand aloof and allow its efforts in planning successful elections be thrown into disrepute.

    In her keynote address, Mrs. Agbamuche said, “There is the need to prevent, curtail and manage various electoral offences”.

    She further stated that “recent happenings in Ekiti State during the just concluded Gov. election has thrown up the need for a closer look at our prosecutorial efforts in the area of electoral offences.

    “Vote buying has become an issue as witnessed in the Ekiti State Governorship Election and INEC cannot stand aloof and allow its efforts in planning successful elections be thrown into disrepute. We must protect the secrecy and sanctity of the vote”.

    TheNewsGuru reports prosecution of electoral offences is a duty enjoined upon the INEC by virtue of Section 150(2) of the electoral Act 2010 (As amended) while police officers are empowered to arrest and investigate offenders by section 4 of the Police Act CAP P19 LFN.

    “The duty of prosecution of electoral offences has become a burden on INEC. Consequently, over the years the INEC has been advocating the transfer of this responsibility to another agency, preferably the creation of Electoral Offences Commission.

    “The Commission has received support in this quest by various Electoral Reform Committees set up by the Government over the years, Civil Society Organisations and well meaning Nigerians.

    “Presently, there is a bill before the National Assembly that has passed its second reading on the creation of the Electoral Offences Commission. We must contend with the status quo; so responsibility still remains with INEC and we must perform our duty.

    “I wish to state that the Commission is fully determined to fulfill its responsibilities in the area of prosecuting electoral offences while hoping that the Electoral Offences Commission is set up eventually.

    “The idea of this training is well conceived as the interaction and dialogue between our Legal Officers and Police Officers will go a long way in removing some bottlenecks in the prosecution of electoral Offences,” Mrs. Agbamuche stated.

     

  • N1.3bn fraud: EFCC disowns tweet, says Fayose’s fate to be determined by FHC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disowned a recent gloating tweet that announced the imminent revival of a criminal case against outgoing Governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose.

    In a statement on Monday night, spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the “purported tweet does not represent the views of the EFCC”.

    The tweet, which appeared on the EFCC’s verified Twitter handle, @officialEFCC on Sunday afternoon, said the commission had dusted a N1.3 billion fraud case file against Fayose.

    It came few hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    Fayose’s protege, Prof. Kolapo Olushola-Eleka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the election to Mr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The tweet read: “The parri (party) is over, the cloak of immunity torn apart, and the staff broken.

    “Ekiti Integrated Poultry Project/Biologival concepts Limited N1.3 billion fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

    EFCC Fayose

    The post, accompanied with the photograph of what looks like a dilapidated poultry structure, was deleted about three hours later.

    But before then it had gone viral online, eliciting criticisms from many Nigerians who interpreted it as a reflection of the commission’s partisanship.

    Uwujaren said, “In the opinion of most commentators, the tweet betrayed the partisanship of the EFCC in the political contest in Ekiti State.

    “Against the background, the commission is constrained to state that the purported tweet does not represent the views of the EFCC.

    “As a law enforcement organisation the commission is apolitical and was not involved in the recent Ekiti election.

    “It, therefore, has no reason to gloat over the political misfortune of any candidate or political god-father.”

    He said although there was a subsisting criminal charge against Fayose, the fate of the charge would be determined by the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, at the expiration of his tenure, not the EFCC.

     

  • Breaking: Fayose heads to court

    Out-going Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has vowed to challenge the victory of incoming Governor Kayode Fayemi at the election tribunal.

    TheNewsGuru reports Fayose describes Fayemi’s victory at the just concluded Ekiti state governorship election as “pyrrhic”.

    “If APC truly won, why was it that there was no jubilation in Ekiti? That victory of Kayode Fayemi is pyrrhic, we will reclaim the stolen mandate in the court by the power of God,” he stated.

    Full statement:

    On this Ekiti election, President Buhari demonstrated truly that he is not a democrat, but a dictator and fascist per excellence.

    It is only Buhari that will pride himself with the security shooting sporadically at polling centres , scaring people to pave the way for the APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes.

    The President should bury his head in shame for using the police, army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and INEC to snatch the mandate given to Olusola and deliver it to Fayemi “whom Ekiti people rejected.”

    What Buhari won as referendum from Ekiti people , Nigerians, and international community is shame, big shame.

    If APC truly won, why was it that there was no jubilation in Ekiti ?

    That victory of Kayode Fayemi is pyrrhic, we will reclaim the stolen mandate in the court by the power of God.

    As for me, I am Peter Ayodele Fayose , I hold with my head high. I can never be suppressed. I don’t lose battles and I will not lose this. By the power of God, I will laugh last.

    The President should note what the Bible says which applies to him: “He that wears the armour should not boast as he that removes it.”

    On Garba Shehu, that fellow is not to be accorded any attention. Being a fair weather friend, he would soon desert his current pay masters.

    Garba Shehu was in the Presidency courtesy Atiku Abubakar for eight years and came back for this current dispensation still courtesy Abubakar. Now, he has abandoned the person who brought him to the limelight.

     

  • Ekiti victory, a verdict on Buhari’s performance – FG

    Ekiti victory, a verdict on Buhari’s performance – FG

    The Federal Government says the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded Ekiti governorship election is a verdict on the performance of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who disclosed this at a media briefing on Sunday in Lagos, said the election was “a referendum and Nigerians have given their verdict’’.

    “With the victory of the APC in the election, Nigeria people have spoken, and they have spoken loudly, about their perception of the APC-led Buhari administration.

    “The election was more than one state’s gubernatorial poll.

    “It was a referendum on the performance of the Buhari administration. And Nigerians have given their verdict.

    “Its not just a defeat for the PDP, its a defeat for all the naysayers who have made themselves the spokespersons for Nigerians,’’ he said.

    The minister added that the APC’s victory at the governorship poll “is a death knell for fake news’’.

    He explained that anyone who monitored the social media before and during the election would think it would be a landslide for the PDP, but the reality was different.

    “We want to most sincerely thank the people of Ekiti state for ensuring that the election was free, fair and credible.

    “This was attested to by local and international observers.

    “We also thank the Ekiti people for turning out en masse to exercise their franchise,’’ he said.

    Mohammed recalled that in 2014, the votes of the people of Ekiti did not count because the then PDP-led Federal Government used federal might to hijack the election and concoct the result.

    He said that the then ruling party barred two serving opposition governors from travelling to Ekiti to support their fellow governor.

    “They wilfully shut the Akure airport and we, leaders of the opposition APC then, were forced to return to Lagos by road in the night.

    “With the roles reversed in 2018, we did not pay the PDP back in its own coin, because of our strong belief in the rule of law. The rest is history,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dr Kayode Fayemi, the APC candidate as the winner of the Ekiti governorship election.

    INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Olayinka who announced the results said the APC candidate won with 197,459 votes as against Prof. Kolapo Olusola of PDP with 178,121 votes.

     

  • Fayemi assures Ekiti workers better welfare package

    Fayemi assures Ekiti workers better welfare package

    The Ekiti governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday assured all the workers in the state that his administration would make their welfare a top priority and not pay lip service to it.

    Fayemi gave the assurance at a news conference held at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti.

    He promised to pay all outstanding salaries and assured the civil servants that their subsequent salaries would be paid as and when due.

    He also promised to turn around the fortunes of Ekiti and set a standard for other governors in the country to emulate.

    The governor-elect said that in the past three and a half years, the civil servants in the state had been suffering to even feed their families not to talk of paying their children school fees.

    “I want to assure Ekiti workers that I am going to pay all their outstanding salaries and make life comfortable for them and their families.

    “My re-election as the governor-elect of ‎Ekiti state was not accidental, but divine intervention from God.

    “I want all the civil servants to note that my re-election was not to take vengeance, but to restore peace, transformation and development to the state‎.

    “I wish to appreciate all the party chieftains that supported my ambition to contest again for the governor of this state, I want to assure you that you will not regret your support to me.

    “Also to the opposition party, I wish to advise ‎Gov. Ayodele Fayose and his deputy; and the PDP candidate in the election, Prof. Kolapo Olusola; to accept defeat, just like I did four years ago.

    “It is the Lord’s doing that I am re-elected as the next governor of Ekiti State and I want them to equally see my victory in the governorship election held on Saturday as the Lord’s doing, “he said.

    The governor-elect assured all Ekiti people of adequate security of lives and properties from any forms of attack from herdsmen or terrorists.

    He promised never to fold his arms and allow terrorists to invade the state, saying that Ekiti people were peace loving, hardworking, intelligent and discipline.

    He called on other opposition ‎parties to join hands with him to develop and promote the cultural values of the state on assumption of office.

    The news conference was attended by

    The State Chairman of the party and his deputy, Chief Jide Awe and Mrs Kemi Olaleye as well as other chieftains of the party attended the press conference.

     

  • PDP rejects Ekiti governorship election results

    PDP rejects Ekiti governorship election results

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election results as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    INEC had declared Dr Kayode Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election with 197,459 votes.

    According to the result declared by Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the Chief Returning Officer for the election and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, came second with 178,121 votes.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, described the election result as “a daylight robbery”.

    “The PDP rejects in its entirety the results concocted by the APC, and security agencies, in the governorship election in Ekiti State and declared by INEC.

    He said the PDP was already collating all infractions in the election and would make its next steps public soon in order to reclaim its “stolen mandate”.

    “The party rejects the falsified results and declaration of APC candidate, Dr Fayemi, to be the winner of the election, as a daylight robbery, a brazen subversion of the will of the people and direct assault on our democracy.

    “From the authentic results flowing directly from the polling centres across the state, it is clear that the PDP candidate, Prof. Olusola-Eleka, incontrovertibly won the election, with very comfortable margin over the APC candidate, only for INEC to allow the alteration of results at the collation centres.

    “Painfully, the people of Ekiti State were pillaged; openly brutalized; confronted with the worst form of cruelty and intimidation from security agencies, and their mandate, which they freely gave to the PDP, was snatched at ‘gun point’ by enemies of democracy, who are parading themselves as icons of anti-corruption.

    “Nigerians are witnesses to all manipulations by the APC, aided by security agencies and compromised INEC officials, to rig the election, particularly, the audacious alteration and substitution of election results in favour of the APC at the collation centres amidst the brutalization of our agents.”

    Ologbondiyan said that the PDP had the details of all the polling units where it won, mostly with very wide margin ahead of the APC.

    He alleged that security agencies chased away PDP agents, “then aided the alteration and swapping of such results with those smuggled in by the APC at the collation centres.

    “We have the details of the discrepancies between the authentic results from the polling units and the false figures eventually announced by INEC.”

    Ologbondiyan said that the party also had details of how APC state governors and federal ministers diverted huge sums of money from their states and ministries to bribe INEC top officials.

    He also alleged that the APC bribed security agencies to perfect the brigandage against the people of Ekiti State.

    “The PDP holds strongly that there is no way our democracy can survive with an electoral process as witnessed in Ekiti State under President Muhammadu Buhari and the current INEC leadership.

    “This bare-faced subversion of the will of the people is a clear recipe for crisis.”

    He further described the alleged robbery of the franchise of Ekiti people as “a horrible rape of Nigerian democracy”.

    “Finally, let it be known to all that surely, this electoral banditry will not stand.”

    When asked of the party’s view on Fayose’s alleged declaration of election result on radio before INEC, Ologbondiyan said the party would investigate what led to that.

     

  • Ekiti governorship election: Police IG expresses satisfaction

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris has expressed utmost satisfaction with the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State held on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru reports the IGP commended the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, the entire Police Personnel, Officers and Men of other Security and Safety Agencies deployed to complement the Nigeria Police Force in the implementation of the security arrangement for the election.

    In a statement signed by Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, the IGP deeply appreciated what he described as high level commitment of the Police Personnel and that of other Security and Safety Agencies in ensuring adequate security, secure and conducive environment for a free and fair Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State.

    The IGP further extols the high level of professionalism, civility, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the Police Personnel and that of other Security and Safety Agencies, before, during and after the election.

    The Nigeria Police Force equally appreciates the law abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the good people of Ekiti State, the Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Staff, Local and Foreign Election Monitors/Observers, Situation Room Election Observers/CSOs, other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Media and other critical stakeholders for a good working relationship with the security personnel deployed for the election.

    The good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election which doused fear and tensions during the election is gratifying and highly commendable.

    As a lead security agency in election security in a democracy, the IGP further commends the entire Police personnel deployed for the election for their personal sacrifice, collective patriotism and commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security throughout the period of the election.

    The Commissioners of Police and their personnel in the contiguous States to Ekiti State, who were placed on Red Alert by the Inspector General of Police, are equally appreciated.

    The impressive performance of the Police personnel to ensure law and order, and a successful election is a clear testimony of the capability of the Nigeria Police Force in its renewed commitment to continue to adhere to International Best Practices in the conduct of elections in the country now and in the future.

    The Nigeria Police Force shall continue to sustain the elections security successes recorded in Gubernatorial Elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States and the just concluded Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State as an index for the conduct of subsequent elections in the Country.

     

  • Ekiti governorship poll: Saraki, Ambode react

    Ekiti governorship poll: Saraki, Ambode react

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his victory in the polls.

    TheNewsGuru reports Fayemi emerged victorious in the governorship election held on Saturday in the state.

    Ambode urged Fayemi to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements while he was the governor of the state.

    He also advised Fayemi to forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially, through regional integration and economic transformation of the Southwest geo-political zone.

    He also urged him to justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate had reposed in him by voting for him during the governorship election.

    Ambode alaso commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the leadership and members of APC and its supporters for the hard-fought victory.

    According to him, it is a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

    Fayemi, who was the governor of the state between 2010 and 2014, was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

    He defeated his closest rival, Prof. Olusola Eleka, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 197,459 to 178,121 votes.

    Fayemi won in no fewer than 12 of the 16 councils, including the council of incumbent Gov.Ayodele Fayose.

    Ambode specially congratulated Fayemi for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the state for a second time.

    Ambode also congratulated the Ekiti electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election.

    He, however, urged those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resorting to self-help.

    “Congratulations to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor-elect of Ekiti State on your victory in yesterday’s gubernatorial election. May the Almighty guide you as you prepare to assume Office, and may your tenure bring more development to the State and improve the lives of its people,” Saraki stated in his congratulatory message.

     

  • Ekiti stakeholders in Abuja fault governorship poll result

    Ekiti stakeholders in Abuja fault governorship poll result

    Some Ekiti people in Abuja on Sunday faulted the outcome of Saturday’s Saturday’s governorship election in the state, saying it was against the popular wish of the people.

    They told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that the result as announced was not the true reflection of the will of Ekiti people.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, declared Dr Kayode Fayemi, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, winner of the governorship poll.

    He defeated current Deputy Governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and 30 others in a keenly contested election.

    The APC candidate won in 12 out of the 16 local government areas in the state, polling 197,459 votes to edge out Olusola who got 178,121 votes.

    In his reaction, Mr Bayo Adeyemi, a private sector worker, said that the election was not free and fair.

    He said that information he received from relatives back in Ekiti revealed that the principle of democracy was not followed in the election.

    “Fayemi’s victory is a lie and it will cause trouble. I am not a PDP person, but I heard they chased agents away and I heard that someone even suffered acid bath.

    “This is not democracy; it does not mean well for our people and for our nation as a whole. God save Nigeria in 2019,” he said.

    Miss Ayobami Olusegun said that from discussions among her people and in her neighbourhood in Ekiti, the governor-elect was not popular among the ordinary people in the state.

    “My parents back home and most of the neighbours did not vote Fayemi; they must have rigged the election.

    “Even when you interact with people in Ekiti, you will see that they do not want Fayemi and the discussion among the people reflects it; we are surprised that Fayemi won,” she said.

    Mr Peter Ogulana, a businessman, said “people do not hide their dislike for the governor-elect.

    “What happened is unfair; I know Ekiti people do not like him; this is maximum rigging.

    “If it was in the north or east, there would be fighting by now but the westerners do not easily get into violence,” he said.

    Another indigene, Mrs Fisayo Ogulana, said “Ekiti is in trouble again; let all the teachers be ready for their death.

    “This is death sentence passed on the workers and people of Ekiti.

    “Giving the hard time the state suffered with Fayemi as governor before and they voted him out, our people will not have voted him into office again; something is wrong.

    “I am confident that the result will be contested in court and upturned in favour of the true will of the people,” she said.

     

  • Ekiti: APC congratulates Fayemi, says party best placed to develop Nigeria

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday, assured the people of Ekiti and Nigerians that it is best placed to move the country forward and resolve all seemingly intractable problems.

    The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, in Abuja, while congratulating Dr Kayode Fayemi, its candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti.

    Fayemi won the election after securing 197,459 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Prof. Kalapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 178, 121 votes.

    Result of the poll, which held on Saturday, was announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

    “We assure the people of Ekiti, and indeed Nigerians, that our party is best placed to move the country forward and resolve the seemingly intractable problems that have held us back,” the statement said.

    It commended INEC and security agencies for allowing the people’s will to prevail at the election which was contested by no fewer than 30 political parties.

    The party thanked the Ekiti electorate for voting en masse for its candidate, saying that their action demonstrated their trust and confidence in Fayemi’s ability to deliver on his campaign promises.

    It said that their action also demonstrated the rejection of the crude and pedestrian politics of the PDP.

    It lauded local and international observers as well as other stakeholders for their role during the election.

    The statement noted that Fayemi ran an effective and positive campaign focused on his agenda of rebuilding the state’s economy and returning its lost values of integrity, prudence and decency.

    Fayemi, is former governor of the state and immediate past Minister of Steel and Solid Minerals Development.

    He was governor from 2010 to 2014.

    His re-election bid was truncated by a defeat by PDP’s Ayodele Fayose, the incumbent governor, who would hand over to him on Oct. 16, same day power exchanged hands between them four years ago.