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Tag: Governorship

  • Anambra Guber: Electorate told to shun ‘money for vote’

    Anambra Guber: Electorate told to shun ‘money for vote’

    Chief Jeff Nweke, candidate of Action Alliance (AA) party in Nov. 8 Anambra governorship election has urged  the electorate to reject financial inducement and vote for the candidate that will deliver dividends of democracy.

    Nweke made the call after service at Hear the ‘Word of God by Fire’ Church in Awka on Sunday.

    He said any politician who offered money to get the vote of the electorate would first of all use public money to replenish his pocket and would not be answerable to the masses.

    According to him, reject monetary inducement, those who buy your votes will steal your money.

    “Nobody with good intentions will give you money to vote for him, vote according to your consciences, vote the person you are sure will work for you.

    “Vote buying breeds bad governance and that is why there is poverty, insecurity, underdevelopment, social vices, crime and cultism in the society today,” he said.

    Nweke said it was an unfortunate paradox that while statistics showed increasing GDP numbers and reality showed that the standards of living of the people was decreasing.

    He promised to invest in security, agriculture, education, and social security if elected.

    The candidate said the people also have role towards making the society a better place by actively engaging in the political process and obeying the laws of the land.

    “GDP numbers must reflect the better standard of living of the people.

    “Politicians confuse people with GDP per capita which is what everybody will get if the assets are shared but it is not reflecting in their lives,” he said.

  • Bayelsa: Aggrieved APC aspirant prays court to stop Sylva’s governorship bid

    Bayelsa: Aggrieved APC aspirant prays court to stop Sylva’s governorship bid

    Mrs Ogbomade Johnson, an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Nov. 11 Bayelsa governorship election, has challenged the emergence of Mr Timipre Sylva as candidate of the party for the poll.

    Johnson made the prayer in a fresh suit filed by her team of lawyers led by Hyginus Ibega before Justice Inyang Ekwo,.

    She prayed the court for an order of mandatory injunction compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist the names of APC and Sylva from among the list of political parties and candidates for the Nov. 11 poll.

    The aggrieved aspirant also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Sylva, the immediate-past Minister of State for Petroleum, from parading himself as the APC’s governorship candidate in Bayelsa.

    She sought a declaration that the APC was duty-bound in contract to commence and conclude primary election in Bayelsa in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the regulations and guidelines of the political party, after having demanded and received the sum of 10 million from her, along with other five aspirants.

    Johnson further sought a declaration that by virtue of the conduct of the APC’s primary poll on April 14 in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the regulations and guidelines of the political party, the APC had no candidate to field for the poll, among other reliefs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC had cleared Mrs Johnson, Sylva, Joshua Maciver, Festus Daumiebi, Mrs Maureen Ongoebi and David Lyon as aspirants in the April 14 primaries.

    In the primary election conducted in the 102 of the 105 wards of the eight local governments in the state, Sylva was said to have scored 52, 061 votes; Maciver scored 2, 078; Johnson scored 584; Daumiebi scored 557; Ongoebi scored 1, 277 and Lyon scored 1, 584 votes.

    But in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/575/2023 dated April 24 but filed April 27, Johnson sued APC, INEC and Sylva as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    She sought seven questions for determination.

    Johnson said whether having regard to the meaning and intendment of the provision of Section 1(2), 180(2)(a), 182(1)(b) of 1999 Constitution (as amended),” Sylva having being elected two times as governor of Bayelsa was qualified to participate in the APC’s primary election held on April 14, making three times to be elected into the office of governor of the state.

    She argued that on a dispassionate consideration of Article 12.8(1), Article 12.9 of the APC Constitution (as amended read together with the judgment of the High Court of Bayelsa delivered on Jan. 20, which nullified the wards, local government areas and state congresses elections held by the 1st defendant in Bayelsa, the nomination of the 3rd defendant as the candidate of the 1st defendant is not illegal and unconstitutional,” among others.

    In the affidavit Johnson deposed to, she said contrary to the party’s regulations and guidelines and in breach of the Electoral Act, 2022, the APC’s direct primary did not hold in all the wards in the state.

    “Shockingly on the 14th of April, 2223, the said election committee was not seen anywhere in the voting centres and ward headquarters where accreditation and voting were supposed to commence by 8am to 2pm in Bayelsa State.

    “No accreditation of voters took place, no voting and collation of votes occured in all the wards.

    “Major General A T. Jibrin (rtd.) who claimed to be the Election Committee Chairman only deceived me and all the teeming supporters to our respective ward headquarter without any primary election,” she alleged.

    She said after waiting till 5:30pm on the election day, she and her supporters staged a protest to the party’s state headquarters.

    She said she was surprised on April 15 while listening to a television news to hear that Sylva was declared the winner of the poll by the Jibrin-led committee.

    Johnson urged the court to grant her reliefs.

    But in a counter affidavit deposed to by Sylva, the ex-minister prayed the court to dismissed the suit.

    He said contrary to Johnson’s deposition, he was pre-eminently qualified to contest for election into the Office of Governor of Bayelsa and did not suffer from any disqualifying factor which barred him from contesting.

    “I contested as governor in the 2007 General Elections and I was declared the winner by the 2nd defendant and was subsequently sworn in as the executive governor of Bayelsa State on the 29th May, 2007.

    “After I was sworn in on 29th May, 2007, my election as governor was nullified by the Court of Appeal and the 2nd defendant (INEC) was ordered to conduct a re-run election. The said re-run was duly conducted and I won it and was sworn in as governor on the 27th May, 2008.

    “The matter went up to the Supreme Court and same was consolidated alongside that of the then Governors of Kogi, Sokoto, Cross River and Adamawa States as reported in Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt.1296).

    “The Supreme Court held that my tenure in office is to be counted from 29th May, 2007, when I was first sworn in and not 27th May, 2008.

    “Thus, upon the judgment of the Supreme Court, I vacated office having done a single term,” he said.

    Besides, Sylva averred that he vied for the APC primary alongside five others, including Johnson on April 14, and he emerged its candidate having polled the highest votes from the votes collated from 102 out of 105 wards in the eight local government areas where party members voted in a direct primary in accordance with the guidelines for poll, APC’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.

    He said contrary to Johnson’s argument, the primary was held and the results in which he garnered the majority of the votes was accepted and he received congratulatory messages from major APC stakeholders in the state, indicative of the fact that his victory reflected the aspirations of the party members.

    He, however, said there was no election in Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA because the register of members was not submitted on time within INEC’s guidelines, and that election did not hold also in Wards 4 and 5 in Nembe LGA because there were disturbances.

    He said though the poll was initially scheduled for April 10, due to logistics challenge, it was shifted to April 14.

    He said after the poll was conducted, he said a special congress which ratified him as person who scored the highest number of votes was held on April 15 in Yenagoa and his name forwarded to INEC.

    On the judgment that nullified the party’s congress, Sylva said he was aware that the APC had filed an appeal against the Bayelsa court judgment in suit number: YHC/16/2022 between Alex Izibenikiebo Blankson v. APC and three others together with a motion for stay of execution containing in the notice of appeal.

    Also the APC, in its counter affidavit deposed to by Dr Stanley Ugboaja, the chief of staff to deputy national organising secretary, asked the court to dismissed the suit.

    The party argued that the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on Jan. 27, 2012, in respect of the consolidated appeal was actually in support of Sylva’s bid for a second term in office and not against it as falsely stated by Johnson.

    It said that the direct primary poll was conducted by its national body in accordance with the guidelines for the conduct of same as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act and its constitution.

    The APC, which averred that INEC monitored the poll also said that the electoral umpire issued a report in respect of the primaries.

    “An appeal against the result of the said primaries was lodged with the Appeals Committee of the ist defendant.

    “The Appeal Committee rejected the said appeal as unmeritorious. A copy of the report of the Appeal Committee is attached herewith and marked Exhibit F

    “That by a letter dated 13th April, 2023, the plaintiff was requested to provide the list of her agents in all the 105 electoral wards in Bayelsa State but she failed to comply.

    “She did not even bother to vote in her electoral ward. A copy of the said letter is attached herewith and marked G,” the party told the court.

    Justice Ekwo fixed July 6 for hearing of the suit.

    An APC member, Chief Demesuoyefa Kolomo, also filed a suit against Sylva before a sister court, praying the court to order INEC to delete Sylva’s name from list of candidates contesting the Nov. 11 governorship poll.

  • Yahaya Bello reinstates resigned officials who contest governorship ticket

    Yahaya Bello reinstates resigned officials who contest governorship ticket

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has announced the reinstatement of five of his key government officials that resigned to contest for the governorship ticket on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for the forthcoming election.

    Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Ayoade, made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja on Monday.The SSG said: “The Office of the Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, has officially announced the immediate reinstatement of five key officials in the state.”

    Ayoade gave the names of the individuals approved to resume in their previous positions to include Jibrin Momoh, former State’s Accountant General; Pharmacist Jamiu Abdulkarim-Asuku, former Chief of Staff to the Governor; and Yakubu Okala, former State Auditor-General.

    Others were Idris Asiwaju Asiru, former Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; and Momodu Ozigi-Deedat, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    “The reinstatement of the Auditor-General and the commissioners was subject to the scrutiny and confirmation of the House of Assembly before they could resume their duties,” the SSG said.

    “We trust that the reinstatement of these officials will further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the state government in delivering its mandate to the people of Kogi.”

     

  • BREAKING: INEC postpones guber polls to March 18

    BREAKING: INEC postpones guber polls to March 18

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the governorship and state assembly elections till March 18.

    The commission announced this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Wednesday night.

    Okoye said that the decision was necessary to ensure adequate time to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used for the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, and then reconfigure them for the governorship and state assembly polls.

    Okoye said following Wednesday’s ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (EPT) on the reconfiguration of the BVAS used for the Presidential election, INEC met to assess its impact on the commission’s preparations for the state elections scheduled for March 11.

    He recalled that on March 3, the EPT gave an ex-parte order for some political parties to inspect materials used for the Presidential election, including the forensic inspection of over 176,000 BVAS used in the election which are located in INEC LGA offices across the country.

    He explained that INEC approached the Tribunal to reconsider the order, given that the BVAS Systems were to be deployed for the state elections.

    He said the action was also necessary given the lack of a clearly defined timeframe for the inspection could disrupt the commission’s ability to conduct the outstanding elections.

    “For instance, the BVAS can only be activated on the specific date and time of an election. Having been used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Feb. 25, it is necessary to reconfigure the BVAS for activation on the date of the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    “While the ruling of the Tribunal makes it possible for the commission to commence the preparation of the BVAS for the Governorship and State Assembly elections, it has come far too late for the reconfiguration to be concluded.

    “Consequently, the commission has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reschedule the Governorship and State Assembly elections which will now take place on Saturday March 18,” the statement read in part.

    Okoye said that by the decision, campaigns would continue until midnight of Thursday (March 16); that is 24 hours before the new date for the election.

    “This decision has not been taken lightly but it is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 BVAS machines from the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Feb. 25 and then to reconfigure them for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    “This has been the practice for all elections, including the period when the Commission was using the Smart Card Readers,” he asserted.

    Okoye reiterated that INEC was not against litigants inspecting election materials.

    “Consequently, it will continue to grant all litigants access to the materials they require to pursue their cases in court.”

    He assured all political parties and candidates that the data from the Presidential and National Assembly elections would be backed up and available in INEC cloud facilities, including the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

    “Political parties can apply for Certified True Copies of the backend data of the BVAS.

    “Also, the results on the BVAS will continue to be available on the IReV for interested parties to access.”

    Okoye appreciated all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria for their understanding as INEC continue to deal with those difficult issues and navigate these challenging times.

  • Governorship: PDP reschedules screening date for Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi aspirants

    Governorship: PDP reschedules screening date for Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi aspirants

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled the date for the screening of its aspirants for Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi governorship election from Feb. 13 to  March 1.

    The party announced the decision in a statement by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, in Abuja on Friday.

    According to him,  that the party National Working Committee (NWC) has scheduled the screening appeals for March 13.

    “In the same vein, sales of expression of interest and nomination forms for Kogi State only has been extended till Monday Feb. 13,” he said.

    He said that the slight adjustment in date was necessitated by the on-going electioneering campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

    Bature added that all other dates for other activities related to the primary elections in the respective states remained unchanged.

    “All our governorships aspirants, state chapters, critical stakeholders in the respective states and the general public should please note the change of dates as stated above,” he said.

  • [Right of Reply] Ovie and Sheriff: Character and Competence should rule Delta State

    [Right of Reply] Ovie and Sheriff: Character and Competence should rule Delta State

    There has been the view that character and competence should be the basis for knowing who can best deliver on good governance in this year’s governorship election in Delta state, especially between the two leading candidates – the Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori and DSP Ovie Omo-Agege. A view as this is welcome; it is an admissible one indeed.

    There is no denying the fact that a person’s antecedent constitutes how he is valued. It can influence what a person does, particularly if given the opportunity to hold a position of power.

    Let it be noted here that no one can give what he does not have. It is true that Omo-Agege is the son of a former Chief Judge of Delta state. It is also true that he trained as a lawyer.

    It is generally believed by opinion seekers and even opinion producers that lawyers are usually persons of integrity and honour. But many lawyers have acted in ways that negate this perception.

    Those who grew up with Ovie in their days at St. Gregory’s College, Obinomba, and at the University of Benin have some very disturbing views about his character, since his young days.

    Their view suggests that he is not one to be entrusted with the highest political power of Delta state.
    Let’s admit that people change over time.

    Therefore, it would not be such a fair thing to pry into the distant past of Sherriff and Ovie, so as to ascertain which of them can govern Delta state well.

    While Ovie has an elitist background, Sherriff grew up in an average and entrepreneurial space.

    While growing up, Sherriff connected with the people he grew up with and blended with his environment. This accounts for why he is warm, pleasant, empathetic, and compassionate.

    The background Ovie had has made him, haughty.

    A comparison of the life of both men since their exposure to political power would provide a clear proof of the point made thus far.

    Delta Central Senatorial district, which Ovie represents at the National Assembly, has 8 Local Government Areas.

    His stewardship since he started representing the Senatorial district is an indication of the kind of government he would run, should he become governor of the state.

    Ovie is from Orhomurun in Orogun Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area. Most of the federal projects he has influenced have been channeled to his town. Why? Because Ovie thinks that his birthplace is the only place good enough to enjoy public projects.

    There are other bigger and viable towns in Ughelli North, but in Ovie’s conviction, only Orhomurun deserves the five federal projects he has attracted to Delta Central Senatorial district.

    What other areas within the district deserve are mere solar-powered street lights. By this singular act, one could understand the mentality of Ovie. No one in the other 7 local government areas should feel secured entrusting his fate to this kind of man.

    But Sherriff is a man marked for public office. He is the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Since his assumption of office, he has shown a high level of fairness in the appointment of aides. The projects that he has successfully influenced have been distributed across the length and breadth of the state.

    While Sherriff’s Chief of Staff is Okorodudu from Ughelli South, Ovie’s is Otive Igbuzor who comes from the next village after Orhomurun in Orogun kingdom.

    Before Ovie became a senator, he fortuitously served as Secretary to the Delta State Government at the twilight of James Ibori’s administration. As Secretary, Ovie’s abuse of power surpasses several secretaries before and after him.

    His alleged records on cronyism and misappropriation of public funds were and continue to be unrivaled. Meanwhile, Sherriff was Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Security. When he held this position, he gave a good account of himself. Different communities in the state praised his forthrightness and poise for the welfare of all Deltans.

    In terms of education, the records of both of them speak for themselves. Ovie had Secondary School Education at St Gregory College Obinomba. He then went to the University of Benin to study law. Sherriff got his secondary school education at Aladja Grammar School. Then, he proceeded to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and earned a bachelors degree. For further studies, he went to the Delta State University, Abraka, and secured a Masters degree in Political Science.

    In terms of knowledge, Sherriff is deeper and more circumspect. Sherriff is more educated than Ovie who only has a Bachelor of Law. Sherriff is a Masters holder, which gives him an edge academically. The argument presented that because Sherriff did not get educated as at the time his peers got educated and therefore his intellectual standing is a doubt is deeply flawed and should be dismissed as trash.
    There are many people who did not attend school as at when their mates went to school. The learned silk Chief Afe Babalola never attended any formal institution, yet he is arguably the most intelligent Senior Advocate this country has ever known. Odia Ofeimun, the Iruekpen-born distinguished scholar of note never went to any secondary school we know of, until much later in his adult life. In fact, most of the knowledge he exhibited were largely self-taught. Yet, he was Obafemi Awolowo’s Private Secretary and one of Nigeria’s most prolific writers. Therefore, in terms of the capacity to produce knowledge, it is outlandish to say that Ovie is more grounded than Sherriff, because the former had the privilege of attending university at a young age in his life.

    We should not forget that the education one has acquired does not necessarily make one urbane, savvy, and innovative. Ideally, this ought to be the case.
    Ovie’s record of violence and witch-hunting belie his presumed academic prowess. Many have always used the education of Ovie as a means of conferring civility and sagacity on him. But this shouldn’t be.

    Many who have worked closely with him have their sad tales to tell.
    Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru can testify of his perfidious character. Ogboru can testify that Ovie is not fit to govern the state.

    But very early in life, Sherriff distinguished himself as someone endowed with rare managerial and entrepreneurial skills. He has demonstrated this variously in the successful businesses he has set up and managed for several years. Most of the businesses were not established with cheap money derived from public office.
    We dare Ovie to show us any business outfit he has set up and managed, before Chief Ibori appointed him into his government.

    History will not forget that Ovie returned from the U.S. as a struggling young man before James Ibori rehabilitated him economically and empowered him politically.

    So, if we are given a choice between one who has a good record in managing private businesses before holding public office and one who used proceeds of government to establish himself, I think the choice should not be a difficult one. Sherriff has an excellent record in frugal management of his private businesses.
    His record in public finance and human resource management is equally sterling.

    Ovie likes to talk and likes to show – he is a typical showman, if he is not worse than this. But what we know about good leadership and governance is that it is more than pedagogy and sophistry – which are the strength of Ovie – it is commitment, conscience, and Compassion – call it the 3Cs of the next governor Deltans should crave for – you might not be wrong.

    © David Oghenerhuerome Akata,
    Public Affairs Analyst

  • Again court nullifies Zamfara PDP Governorship Primaries

    Again court nullifies Zamfara PDP Governorship Primaries

    A Federal High Court sitting in Gusau on Tuesday nullified the Governorship Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara state for the second time.

    Justice Aminu Bappa-Aliyu nullified the Governorship Primaries that produced Dr Dauda Lawal-Dare as the PDP candidate in the 2023 general elections.

    Delivering judgment, Bappa-Aliyu held that the PDP lost the opportunity to field a candidate in the 2023 polls for failing to conduct Primaries in line with the guidelines of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

    The same court had earlier on Sept 16, nullified the first exercise, following alleged irregularities in the Governorship primaries conducted on May 25.

    Two governorship aspirants, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu-Bakauye and Hafiz Muhammad had after the second exercise approached the court seeking nullification of the second primaries conducted on Sept. 23.

    The aspirants had prayed to the court to declare the exercise null and void and to no effect for failing to meet the conditions as stipulated in Section 82 (1 and 5) of the electoral act 2022 as amended.

    The plaintiffs in their suit included the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Chairman of the governorship primary election committee, Mr. Felix Hyat, State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Sani (Now Late), State PDP Governorship candidates, Dr. Dauda Lawal and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

    However, Bappa-Aliyu in a judgment held that the primaries conducted by the PDP was unlawful as the primaries did not follow the guidelines of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

    Bappa-Aliyu said the PDP and other defendants have failed to comply with Section 82 Subsection 1 and 5 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, the PDP was no longer qualified to field a governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in the state.

    Counsel to the plaintiffs, Malam Ibrahim Aliyu told NAN in Gusau after the judgment that the Electoral Act 2022, for a political party to conduct a congress, executives conference, or a convention shall give 21 days notice before conducting such exercise.

  • 2023: Delta PDP has no written agreement on zoning governorship – Commissioner

    2023: Delta PDP has no written agreement on zoning governorship – Commissioner

    Delta Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has said that the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no written agreement on zoning for the governorship election, come 2023.

    Aniagwu disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Asaba.

    He noted that there were capable men and women in the state with the. capacity to take over the seat of the governor at the end of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s tenure.

    According to him, ethnic groups do not exist in isolation but in the senatorial districts, adding that anybody the people of the state choose must belong to one senatorial district be it Delta North, Delta Central, or Delta South.

    “There is no written agreement as to where you are to zone to, usually what happens is that the leaders come together and look at the sentiments and begin to think that there is the need for inclusive governance.”

    ”There are a whole lot of very credible people of Delta that are taking a shot at the seat, particularly from Delta Central and Delta South.

    “These individuals are individuals who can hold their grounds any time and any day and have played their roles one way or the other towards the advancement of the developmental agenda of the State since 1999.

    “Whether it is Delta Central or Delta South, the people of Delta are going to be the ones to decide but what is going to be the most paramount is the need to sustain the development of the state.

    “There will be primaries where members of the party from across the three senatorial districts will gather and elect who is going to be the flag bearer,” he said.

    Aniagwu added, “what is going to happen in 2022 is not going to be different.

    “Everybody who is interested in law will be allowed to contest; nobody is going to stop anybody, it is up to the electorates at the end of the day to decide whom they are going to cast their ballot for.

    “But I am very convinced that at the end of the day, the people are going to vote for competence.

    “They will vote for the ability to unite us the more, they will vote for the continuation of the many good things that Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa is doing and that is most paramount and on that premise, I can assure you the people of Delta will vote and they will vote very wisely.

    Aniagwu expressed optimism that with the remarkable achievements recorded by Gov. Okowa, it would be very difficult for any political party in the state to compete against the PDP come 2023 elections.

    He said in nearly seven years on the saddle, Gov. Okowa has constantly paid workers’ salaries as at when due, built over 1600 km of road infrastructure and drainages, human capital development and uniting the peaceful people of the state.

    According to Aniagwu, the PDP in the state has done well to defeat any other political party in any election.

  • 2023: Ijaw agitation for governorship not feasible as Ijaw Mandate Group endorse Delta Central

    2023: Ijaw agitation for governorship not feasible as Ijaw Mandate Group endorse Delta Central

    The Ijaws in Delta State under the aegis of Ijaw Mandate Group have stated strongly that the Ijaw agitation for the position of governor of the state in 2023 was not feasible .

    The group noted that the timing wrong and it’s against the policy of power rotation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) among the three senatorial districts in the state.

    The leadership of the group stated this during a visit to Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group at Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

    It pointed out that by the order of precedence of the senatorial rotation, 2023 was unarguably the turn of the Delta Central Senatorial District.

    The group in a paper read by its Coordinator, Dagidi Andaye, noted that the action of those clamouring for an Ijaw governor in 2023 amounted to scuttling and frustrating the proper Ijaw Agenda come 2031, stressing that then would be the rightful turn and time for Delta South Senatorial District to produce the state governor.

    The group revealed that its decision to endorse Delta Central Senatorial District for the 2023 governorship was reached after due consultation with the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the Delta Ijaw Elders, traditional rulers and other major stakeholders.

    Andaye said that “the Ijaw Agenda for Governor should be subsumed under senatorial power rotation order, formulated by the PDP, which is the surest way to actualising it, and in doing that, the space-time and the apparent realities of the PDP should be critically considered and adhered to.”

    Continuing, he stated that “the present frontrunners for the agitation to become Governor, come 2023, are all unmistakably, truly Ijaw sons and eminently qualified in all ramifications to contest and be Governor of Delta State. But it is amazing and shocking to reveal that these sons of Ijaw, gladiators to be Governor come 2023 are sincerely privy and are witnesses to the rotational arrangement on ground and are beneficiaries of the PDP policy.”

    “In 2015, these were the same persons who advised another Ijaw son against contesting in the PDP Governorship primaries; reasoning that it was not yet time for Delta South Senatorial District, where all Ijaws belong,and they ensured all Ijaw delegates totally withdrew their support from and voted against their brother, a bona-fide son of Ijaw land,” he added.

    “If they are sincere to themselves and the Ijaw people in Delta State, they will agree that 2023 is still not yet time and turn of Delta South Senatorial District and Ijaws who are subsumed under Delta South Senatorial District to contest for Governor, as it was the case in 2015,” he opined.

    According to him, “the IMG is of the well informed opinion that the status quo, as established by the PDP suffices, and must be maintained to sustain the enduring political climate in the state. Therefore, the 2023 Governorship should be the reserve of Delta Central Senatorial District.”

    In his response, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023 lobby group, Senator Chief Ighoyota Amori, stated that what the DC-23 was doing is to set the pace, adding that its agitation for the Delta Senatorial District was real.

    Amori explained that to support an Ijaw man for Governor in 2023 would not be a problem, but that it was not yet the turn of Delta South Senatorial District.

    According to him, “when it is your turn, it will be easy to get it. Urhobo have tried it before now, but we didn’t get it. It will be cheaper for them to join us to succeed now because it is only those that joined us to succeed that we will also join to succeed when the time comes.

    “We can assure you that because you have invested in our 2023 Governorship, we shall be partner in investing in you from 2023 to 2031,” he added.

    Top among leaders of the Ijaw Mandate Group that went for the visit included Dagidi Andaye, Coordinator, Chris Anthony, Secretary, Famous Ofurobiri, Publicity Secretary, HRH Okosumakide Yanki, Chief Lucky Loyibo, Hon. Chief Fungeowei Azami, Jimmy Eyebiabor, Frank Ogodobiri, Chief Anthony Enangor, Buff Omoun, Ebi Okaba, Timi Akwasa and Dr. Ebi Bunu, among others.

    Leaders and members of the DC-23 on ground to receive the IMG members included Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Olorogun Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary; Okakuro Isaacs Itebu, National Treasurer, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organising Secretary, Hon. (Chief) Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Chief Christian Onogba, National Assistant Organizing Secretary, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie, National Auditor, Mrs. Faith Majemite, National Women Leader, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer and Princess Philo Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer.

    Others were Hon. Chief Ejaife Odebala, former member of the Delta State House of Assembly; Chief Isaac Akpoveta, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Chief Solomon Oturu, Chief Collins Eboh, Chief Hope Erute, Mr. Benjamin Ogbimi, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Chief Abraham Ojighoro, Chief Efeturhi Juweto, Ms. Ese Omamogho, Prince Samuel Robinson, Dr. Mrs. Augustina Erah, Prince Charles Abutor, Chief Duncan Eghwere, Chief James Omeru, Chief Vincent Okporua, Chief Japhet Adoye, Chief Ejiro Enatsemi, Chief Bernard Abinoko, Mr. John Omene, Mr. Samuel Ajamue, Mr. Solomon Obareki, Chairman, PDP, Ethiope West LGA, Chief London Akpanoko, Monday Omonode, Enor Edekpo, Victor Orovwighose, Sunday Amori, SLG, Ethiope West LGA, Hon. Ejiro Wilson Eghrudje, Mr. Anthony Atima, Ejimitovwovwon Emmanuel, representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, representatives of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, representatives of Olorogun David Edevbie, representatives of Chief James Augoye and a host of others.

  • Oshiomhole gets new life line as Ganduje, Oyegun, Uduaghan, others lead 49-member APC National Campaign Council for Edo guber (See full list)

    Oshiomhole gets new life line as Ganduje, Oyegun, Uduaghan, others lead 49-member APC National Campaign Council for Edo guber (See full list)

    The Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed a 49-member high-level National Campaign Council for the September 19 Edo State Governorship Election.

    The council chaired by Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has four state governors, the Deputy Senate President and two former National Chairmen of the party among others as members and Hon. Abbas Braimoh to serve as Secretary.

    Party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena in a statement in Abuja on Thursday said the appointment of the council followed the approval of the National Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni.

    He said the setting up of the council “followed the approval for the constitution of a National Campaign Council for the 19th September, 2020 Governorship Election, by the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, H.E. Mai Mala Buni.

    “The campaign council will be inaugurated on Monday, 6th July 2020 at the Party’s National Secretariat. “

    The full list of Members is as follows:
    1.H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Chairman
    2. H.E. (Sen.) Hope Uzodinma – Deputy Chairman
    3. Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege – Member
    4. H.E. Inuwa Yahaya – Member
    5. H.E. Alh. Yahaya Bello – Member
    6.H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Member
    7.H.E. (Chief) John Odigie-Oyegun – Member
    8. H.E. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – Member
    9. Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko – Member
    10. H.E. Sen. Godswill Akpabio – Member
    11. H.E. Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu – Member
    12. H.E. Sen. Owelle Roachas Okorocha – Member
    13. H.E. Timipre Sylva – Member
    14. H.E. Dr. Pius Odubu – Member
    15. Sen. Degi Eremiemyo Biobaraku – Member
    16. H.E. Prof. Oserheimen A. Osunbor – Member
    17. H.E. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan -Member
    18. Sen. John Owan Enoh – Member
    19. Rt. Hon. E.J. Agbonayiman – Member
    20. Engr. Babachir Lawal – Member
    21. Prince B.B. Apugo – Member
    22. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere – Member
    23. Hon. Peter Akpatason – Member
    24. Hon. Patrick Alsowleren – Member
    25. Hon. Johnson Oghuma – Member
    26. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – Member
    27. Hon. Pally Iriase – Member
    28. Hon. Dennis Idahosa – Member
    29. Mrs. Rachel Akpabio – Member
    30. Mr. Bolaji Afeez – Member
    31. Engr. Gabriel Iduseri – Member
    32. Chief Cairo Ojougboh – Member
    33. Patrick Obahiagbon – Member
    34. Chief Ayiri Emami – Member
    35. Hon. Abubakar Adagu Suberu – Member
    36. Usman Nahuche – Member
    37. Engr. Chidi Orji – Member
    38. Dr. Almajiri Giadam – Member
    39. Sen. Sa’idu Umar Kumo – Member
    40. Chief Pius Akinyelure – Member
    41. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi – Member
    42. Chief Solomon Edebiri – Member
    43. Prof. Ebegue Amadasun – Member
    44. Hon. Saturday Uwulekue – Member
    45. Hon. Osaro Obaze – Member
    46. Chief Samuel Ogbuku – Member
    47. Miss. Rinsola Abiola – Member
    48. Theresa Tekenel – Member
    49. Hon. Abbas Braimoh – Member/Secretary