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Tag: election

  • Ondo APC to pick guber candidate, April 25, pegs form at N50m

    Ondo APC to pick guber candidate, April 25, pegs form at N50m

    Ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities leading to the party’s selection of a candidate on April 25, 2024.

    The APC timetable released late Monday was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaimon Argungu.

    According to the party, the sale of nominations, expression of interest and delegates forms for contestants will begin on April 3 and end on April 10, 2024, while primary election is slated for April 25, 2024.

    Like its governorship primary in Edo State which produced Monday Okpebholo as the flag bearer, the APC pegged the price for the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at N10m and N40m respectively for Ondo.

    The party said female aspirants and persons living with disabilities are to pay for Expression of Interest while the Nomination Form is free.

    Youths from 25 to 40 years are to purchase Expression of Interest forms with a 50% discount on Nomination Forms,” the APC stated.

    Some of the top contenders for the APC ticket in Ondo include Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, former Ondo deputy governor, who succeeded the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu after the latter’s death on December 27, 2023. A former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Wale Akinterinwa; as well as Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, also want the party’s ticket.

    Ondo and Edo are two of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgements. The others are Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi and Osun.

    Already, political gladiators are squaring up in the two states where governorship polls will hold this year. 19 political parties are expected to field a candidate each but the polls, like previous ones, will turn out as two-horse races or at best three-horse races.

  • 2023 election showcased unparalleled diversity in party representation -INEC Report

    2023 election showcased unparalleled diversity in party representation -INEC Report

    The independent Natiional Electoral Commission, INEC has said 2023 general elections showcased unparalleled party representation across seven political parties in Nigeria.

    This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Sam Olumekun
    National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Friday.

    The Report showcases the election’s unparalleled diversity in party representation, demonstrating significant democratic progress.

    This election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies and nine in State legislatures, illustrating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.

    Read full statement below:

    On Thursday, 22nd February 2024, the Commission convened for its weekly meeting, where the 2023 General Election Report was reviewed and approved for publication.

    In keeping with our tradition over the last four electoral cycles, and our commitment to transparency, we are pleased to announce the release of the official INEC report on the 2023 General Election.

    This comprehensive 526-page document, structured into 13 chapters and enhanced with 60 tables, 14 boxes and 10 graphs, offers an in-depth analysis of the election’s key processes, achievements, and challenges, alongside valuable lessons learned.

    The Report showcases the election’s unparalleled diversity in party representation, demonstrating significant democratic progress. This election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies and nine in State legislatures, illustrating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.

    The Report underscores the pivotal role of technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in enhancing electoral integrity and reducing fraud. Furthermore, it addresses public concerns about the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, explaining the technical issues encountered during the upload of polling unit results for the presidential election.

    Other aspects covered in the Report include logistics, security arrangements, staff recruitment and training, inclusivity measures, and the electoral framework. This document has been made accessible on our website (http://inecnigeriorg) and social media platforms.

    The Commission welcomes feedback to inform future electoral reforms and improvements.

  • Edo 2024: Ogbeide-Ihama pulls out, says I can’t be part of flawed process

    Edo 2024: Ogbeide-Ihama pulls out, says I can’t be part of flawed process

    Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama a two term federal lawmaker has formally withdrawn from the PDP guber race declaring that the process so far has been deliberately tailored to favour a particular aspirant.

    Ogbeide-Ihama a two-time chairman of Reps committee on Culture and Tourism in a withdrawal letter he signed noted that he can’t be part of a process that’s highly flawed as it’s designed to favour a particular aspirant.

    TNG recalls Ogbeide-Ihama who’s arguably considered one of the topmost aspirants played a pivotal role in ensuring Governor Godwin Obaseki got the PDP nod in the last Guber polls.

    But in less than 24hours Obaseki rubbished all agreements reached with the then Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as major mediator.

    See withdrawal letter below:

  • Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu pulls out of guber race

    Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu pulls out of guber race

    The coast is getting clearer as a frontline aspirant in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has withdrawn from the race on the eve of the party’s primary election.

    Read his letter of withrawal ,which he addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

    See letter of withdrawal below:

    “A few months ago, after extensively interacting with family, friends, political associates, and supporters I joined the 2024 Edo state gubernatorial race as a result of my passion and commitment to the cause of rescuing Edo state from its current condition of decrepitude.

    “I entered the contest as a progressive democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent. I appreciate the commendable effort made by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants including myself had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest.

    “The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee and all twelve aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued Clearance certificates
    “This step was praise worthy and helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the pubic.

    “Having being cleared to contest, I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race. Although painful, this decision has become imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters. I make this sacrifice in the interest of the peace and unity that the party desperately requires at both state and national levels. I humbly appeal to the good people of Edo stale to accept my decision which is very personal and I promise to be there for them at all times.

    “Thankfully, I acknowledge the fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as well as the party’s National leadership for their fairness and commitment to the democratic process. Likewise, I remain grateful to the state’s working committee for their principled stand to allow a level playing field for all aspirants. I am extremely appreciative to my family, friends, supporters, well-wishers, and the extraordinary hardworking men and women of our campaign organization who were prepared to stop at nothing to see me fly the party’s flag. I salute your great works, your steadfastness and courage.

    Finally, as a loyal party man, I wish to pledge that I and my teeming supporters shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election holding tomorrow,

    Thank you, and may God bless us all Amen!

  • JUST IN: Nigerians contributed N595,976,994 to our campaign – Obi/Baba group+Photos

    JUST IN: Nigerians contributed N595,976,994 to our campaign – Obi/Baba group+Photos

    …not $150m as alleged in some quarters

     

    Aftermath of the 2023 Presidential Elections, the Obi/Baba-Ahmed Campaign Group has presented the report of its fundraising during the 2023 General elections.

    The Team Lead of the fundraising group Aisha Yesufu, on Thursday in Abuja presented the report said the process on disbursement was based on accountability and transparency.

    According to Yesufu, the sum of N595,976,994 was realised and contributed to the Obi/Baba-Ahmed Campaign Group by Nigerians.

    She added: “Four Accounts were used by crowdfunding and they were domiciled in Zenith, Heritage, Globus and Sterling banks”.

    Earlier, H.E Peter Obi thanked everyone who donated in cash and kind in support of the campaign group.

    He said the team would commence visitation to individuals and groups who supported the campaign after the report presentation.

    Obi also said that contrary to the news that persons in Diaspora donated the sum of $150m to the campaign group, the money realised form the diaspora was less than 1 percentage of the said amount.

    Details later….

  • Edo PDP demands cancellation of wards delegates election results

    Edo PDP demands cancellation of wards delegates election results

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo has called for the cancellation of the outcome of wards delegates election held on Saturday in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ogie Vasco, and made available to NAN, Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to Vasco, the call for the cancellation became imperative in view of what transpired on that day.

    He said that what transpired that day was not a true reflection of the PDP Congress in the state.

    “So arising from the purported sham called congress, the leaders of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP reject in totality the results of the purported ward congresses.

    “Also after a cursory overview of the whole, the leaders in their wisdom have denounced the whole process as a sham marred by acute manipulation.

    “The office of the National Organising Secretary published three conflicting letters on the composition of officers in charge of the congress both at the wards and local government areas.

    “The last letter consisted of names of serving government officials in Edo and Delta States.

    The state publicity secretary also said that the irregular act was communicated to the national leadership of the party by the nine aspirants so affected, yet nothing was done.

    “Where then is the fairness the NWC (National Working Committee) has preached in the various engagements with stakeholders leading to this Congress?

    “These and other infractions observed need to be addressed properly.

    “Consequently, the leadership of the party calls on all party faithful to join in the call to right the wrongs of the sham perpetrated this past weekend. And also call for a total cancellation of the exercise”, Vasco said.

  • Thuggery, hijacking of materials in Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom under our radar – INEC

    Thuggery, hijacking of materials in Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom under our radar – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday said it is monitoring cases of thuggery and hijacking of electoral materials in some states in the ongoing rerun and bye-elections in some states.

    INEC, in a statement on its X handle, listed the affected states where violence were reported as Akwa Ibom, Kano and Enugu States.

    According to the electoral body, polls opened promptly and accreditation went on smoothly in the 8,934 Polling Units in 26 States involved in Saturday’s bye-elections and re-run elections.

    In Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, we are investigating reported incidents in Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA.

    “In Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, we are investigating reports of disruption in 8 Polling Units in Uwani West Ward.

    “In Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituencies of Kano State, processes have been disrupted in Kunchi Local Government Area involving 10 Polling Units.”

    Besides the three states, other states where the elections are being conducted include: Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Anambra.

    Others are Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto and Zamfara.

    Earlier, the commission said a total of 4,613,291 Nigerians who have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the exercise.

    The elections are conducted to replace members who died or resigned their memberships of the national and state assemblies, as well as rerun elections at designated constituencies or polling units (PUs) as ordered by the election appeal tribunals.

    According to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the elections would fill vacancies in not less than three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies spread across 80 local government areas, 575 registration areas/wards and 8,934 polling units involving 4,904,627 registered voters, out of which 4,613,291 PVCs have been collected.

  • S/Court to deliver judgment on guber disputes in Ogun, Gombe, Delta, Nasarawa, Kebbi tomorrow

    S/Court to deliver judgment on guber disputes in Ogun, Gombe, Delta, Nasarawa, Kebbi tomorrow

    The Supreme Court has scheduled judgment for tomorrow (Friday), January 19, in the disputes over the last governorship election in five states.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG, reports the states are Ogun, Kebbi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Delta.

    According to the court’s schedule sighted on Thursday, January 18, the court will deliver judgments on two appeals relating to Ogun, marked SC/CV/1221/2023 by Oladipupo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and SC/CV/1223/2023 filed by the incumbent governor, Adedapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adebutu and the PDP are, by their appeal, seeking to void Abiodun’s election.

    For Gombe, the court plans to deliver judgment on the appeal by Jibrin Barde, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the party is, by their appeal, seeking to void the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, heard the appeal, marked: SC/CV/1226/2023 on Thursday.

    For Delta, the court plans to deliver judgments on three appeals filed by the candidate of the APC, Ovie Omo-Agege; candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kenneth Gbagi and Labour Party’s Kennedy Pela.

    Concerning Nasarawa, the apex court will deliver judgments on four appeals filed by the candidate of the PDP, Emmanuel David Ombugadu.

    For Kebbi, the court plans judgment on three appeals filed by the candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election, Aminu Bande; incumbent governor, Nasir Idris of the APC, and the third filed by the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Umar Argungu.

    Earlier on Thursday, the court heard the appeal by the candidate of the PDP in Kaduna State, Mohammed Isa, seeking to void the election of Governor Uba Sani of the APC and reserved judgment till a date to be communicated to parties.

    Arguing the appeal, marked: SC/CV/1240/2023, the appellants’ lawyer, Kenneth Mozia (SAN) urged the court to allow the appeal, dismiss the preliminary objections filed by some of the respondents, and grant the reliefs sought.

    Mozia told the court that the appeal would lapse on January 22, following which the court reserved judgment till a date to be communicated to the parties.

    The court dismissed the appeal filed, marked: SC/CV/1227/2023 filed by the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala after his lawyer, Herbert Nwoye withdrew it upon being told that his appeal was a mere waste of the court’s time.

  • Speaker Abbas hails gallant Armed Forces, salutes fallen heroes

    Speaker Abbas hails gallant Armed Forces, salutes fallen heroes

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has hailed the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallantry and patriotism, saying they remain one of the best in the world.

    Speaker Abbas said this in his message to commemorate this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which is marked every January 15, to mourn and celebrate Nigeria’s fallen heroes.

    The Speaker stated that Nigeria would not have been able to experience prosperity if the country was not safe and secure for businesses and other economic activities to thrive.

    This, he said, underscores the critical role of the Armed Forces in the general wellbeing of the nation.

    Speaker Abbas noted that while parts of the country still experience security threats, the Armed Forces have risen to the occasion most times.

    He, however, urged the military, security and intelligence agencies to do more in securing lives and property, which he noted is the primary responsibility of the government.

    The Speaker equally mourned security agents who have died in the line of duty, describing their deaths as heroic sacrifice. He said the supreme prices they paid in their efforts to make the country liveable would not be forgotten.

    Speaker Abbas said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly boosted the morale of service men by rejigging the security architecture, compensating the families of fallen heroes, as well as clearing backlogs of unpaid salaries and allowances to serving and retired service men.

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • 2027 Presidency: Governor Makinde distances self from the G-5 Port Harcourt declaration

    2027 Presidency: Governor Makinde distances self from the G-5 Port Harcourt declaration

    …Says It’s Premature, Inappropriate.

    The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has distanced himself from the purported declaration by the former Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, that the G-5 Governors have thrown their weight behind the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

    In a report published in page 4 of the Nigerian Tribune of January 13, 2024, former Governor Samuel Ortom in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was quoted to have said that the G-5 Governors had declared support for the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Tinubu.

    Engr Makinde was also said to have stated that, discussions about the 2027 Presidential Election when the President is less than seven months in office is premature and inappropriate, saying further that his major priority is to provide good and quality governance for citizens and residents of the state, and not the 2027 Presidency.

    According to a source at the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan Oyo State, it was reported that the Governor was shocked and embarrassed to learn of the purported declaration in the media, without any form of consultation or discussion.

    The source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that, one of the members of the G-5 Governors who was conspicuously missing in the said Port Harcourt meeting according to the Tribune report was Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

    She further explained that the former Benue Governor was not speaking the minds of the G-5 members, but rather making his own personal remarks and not on behalf of the G-5.

    She concluded that members of the public should disregard the declaration, saying that such an action would have been appropriate, if it was a collective decision of the entire members concerned and could not possibly be taken by an individual.