TheNewsGuru

Tag: Guber Race

  • Provide level playing field for aspirants -Plateau deputy gov. to APC

    Provide level playing field for aspirants -Plateau deputy gov. to APC

    The Deputy Governor of Plateau, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain resolute and allow a level-playing ground for all the contestants in forthcoming primary elections.

    Tyoden, a governorship aspirant in the APC, made the call while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Jos.

    ”The leadership of our party must provide a level playing field for all aspirants. This, will provide an opportunity for all party members to be on the same page and move together.

    ”Democracy is all about fairness, justice and equity, and so our party must been seen promoting such ideals of democracy for the interest of all,” he said.
    Tyoden also advised delegates to vote credible aspirants that would lead the party to victory at the general polls.

    ”I advice delegates to do the needful by voting objectively and decisively.
    ”They should not be carried away by material things but vote aspirants who will take the party to victory at the general elections,” he advised.

    Tyoden, a one-time Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, said he has all it takes to become the governor of the Plateau.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the APC reviewed its timetable for primary elections into various elective positions.
    Malam Suleiman Argungu, the National Organising Secretary of the party, released the new timetable on May 10 with few adjustments to the original one.

     

    In the previous timetable, the primaries for governorship was fixed for May 18, the state House of Assembly for May 20, while the primaries for House of Representatives and Senate were scheduled for May 22 and 24 respectively.

    With the new timetable, the primary for governorship is now May 20, while House of Assembly is May 22.

    The primaries for Senate and House of Representatives are now May 24 and 25 respectively.

    Newsmen reports that screening for presidential, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives aspirants will take place on May 14, while the screening of the House of Assembly will take place on May 13.

    These changes may be connected to the ongoing amendment to section 84(8) of the Electoral Act.

    The current Electoral Act excludes statutory delegates from indirect primaries. If the parties should proceed without the amendment passed, statutory delegates will be exempted from participating in the primaries.

    Although the Senate has passed the amendment, the House of Representatives is yet to concur.

    The lower chamber will consider the bill on Wednesday before it will now be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

    These adjustments are coming amidst call for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the deadline for the conclusion of all primaries.

    The country’s 18 registered political parties, through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), on Tuesday, asked the commission to review its timetable and schedule of activities to afford member parties enough time to put their houses in order.

  • June 18: NGO signs peace commitment with candidates in Ekiti

    June 18: NGO signs peace commitment with candidates in Ekiti

    Ahead of the June 18 Governorship election in Ekiti State, three candidates in the race have signified their commitment to embrace peace and play by the electoral laws.

    The commitment followed an engagement by The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), on the Vote-Not-Fight (VNF) and Stop-Violence Against Women In Politics (STOP-VAWIP) campaigns.

    The Vote Not Fight (VNF) Southwest campaign is being led by the Chief Executive Officer of NIGAWD, Mrs Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, who is also the Convener of Ekiti Youth Agenda campaign.

    Aladejare-Salako told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, that the VNF campaign promoted constructive youth participation in Nigeria’s political and electoral processes.

    “The youth are expected to promote peaceful and constructive engagement with stakeholders before, during and after elections.

    “We have also succeeded in getting the endorsement of the three principal actors in the June 18 Governorship election for the campaign and also expressed their commitment to the request to implement Ekiti Youth Agenda Document.

    “The document is currently being reviewed by Ekiti youth groups and they individually assured us of the implementation if emerged as the next Governor of Ekiti State come June 18.

    “The candidates that we visited and those we considered principal actors in the June 18 Governorship election are: Hon. Bisi Kolawole: (PDP), Hon. Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Engr. Segun Oni (SDP)

    “Don’t get us wrong, all political parties, especially those that are participating in the election are all important.

    ” But because of time, we cannot go round, hence we choose the three candidates, but I can assure you that we are also monitoring others to ensure that the election is free, fair and violence-free,” the convener said.

    The convener, further disclosed that the team was on an advocacy visit to Gov. Kayode Fayemi and Wife of the Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, where they both pledged their commitment to the Vote Not Fight and Stop Violence Against Women In Politics campaigns.

    Aladejare-Salako said the organization would continue to champion campaigns that would promote credible electoral system in the society.

    Newsmen recalled that the Ambassador of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Nollyhood star, Iniobong Edo, recently embarked on a three-day advocacy visit to Ekiti State on (S-VAWIP), to ensure that women have the rights to vote in a free, fair and violence-free poll and also be voted for.

    The candidates in the peace pact called on stakeholders in the state to make sure the next election was conducted without rancour.

    They promised to identify with the campaign which centered around peaceful election, non-violence against women in politics and empowerment of Nigerian youths.

    They further called on political leaders and their followers to ensure peaceful election on June 18 because no election was worth the blood of any Ekiti man or woman.

    The candidates urged the electorate to embrace peace because no society could grow in the midst of crisis.

    They further promised to encourage women participation in politics and also ensure that, if elected governor, more women would be appointed into government because they were more effective in administration.

  • Guber race: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu submits re-election forms

    Guber race: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu submits re-election forms

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for his re-election, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council (GAC), members of the state Executive Council, party executives, traditional rulers, APC chieftains, political associates and supporters, submitted the forms to the party officials at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    He told newsmen after submitting the forms that with support from the masses, he was confident of victory during the March 11, 2023, governorship elections.

    According to him, his administration is committed to the delivery of real dividends of democracy in all aspects of lives of the Lagos residents.

    ”We have put in place, a robust economic agenda, which we call the THEMES developmental agenda and it has propelled all the various interventions that we have had in Lagos.

    ”We know where we are as a nation, but Lagos continues to remain safe and secure. We have the highest foreign direct investments and it is because the environment is safe and secure.

    ”It is because we have provided the platform for the Organised Private Sector to thrive. Mind you, Lagos, during the pandemic period, was the epicentre for COVID-19.

    ”For about one and a half years, we were slowed down but our slowing down didn’t slow down economic development. It gave us the opportunity to redouble our efforts and ensure that people can feel us meaningfully in all areas.

    ”We did not give excuses about COVID. In fact, COVID propelled us to have better health facilities as we speak today. We have improved our health infrastructure and the number of health practitioners that we have in all of our health institutions,” he said.

    The governor said residents of the state were appreciative of his administration’s first four years and had given assurance and the confidence for the administration to push forward for the second term.

    On the 2023 presidential election, he expressed his support for rotation of the presidency to the South, in line with the position of the Southern Governors Forum, that the South should produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

    ”I think that it is what is fair, justiciable and just. It is really about Nigeria but there are aspirations everywhere and there are so many eminently qualified people, but in the spirit of equity and fairness that we have in our country, I think it is just morally fair that it goes to the South.

    ”South-West is showing serious interest in that space. So, we believe that our positions from those meetings are very valid,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    Commenting on last Friday’s meeting of APC leaders in the South-West with presidential aspirants from the geopolitical zones, held at Lagos House Marina, he said the objective, which was about protecting the interest of the zone, was achieved.

    ”We cannot cross all the ‘t’s and dot the ‘i’s just in one sitting, but it was a good start for us and we were sincere with ourselves and we hope that in future engagements, all the expectations that we have in our region will come to pass,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • 2023: Rivers guber race wears a new face as Sen Abe declares intention

    2023: Rivers guber race wears a new face as Sen Abe declares intention

    The Rivers guber race has worn a new face as former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, as Senator Magnus Ngei Abe joins the race.

    The Rivers political caterpillar declared his interest to contest for the governorship seat of Rivers State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), come 2023.

    Abe made the declaration in Gokana Local Government Area on Sunday, following the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Vanguard Excos in B-Dere Community, Rivers State.

    Abe said any cooked up plan that avoids a clean, clear and credible process in order to exclude him from clinching the governorship ticket of the APC, as well as deny the teeming members of the party in the State from choosing their preferred candidate would definitely fail.

    He stressed that Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi cannot anoint a candidate for the Brick house, adding that only Rivers people have the power to choose who becomes governor of the State.

    Abe, who mocked a recent pact taken by governorship aspirants seeking a riverine governor, said such arrangements would not work.

    He said, “I heard that some people gathered to say they are gubernatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC); they have reached a pact, that it is a riverine governor and that they have agreed to whatever they said, did you see me there? Will it work? We all know that it is not going to work.

    “I don’t want to say anything about them because they are my friends and they have not done anything wrong, they are following somebody who has no plan, they are going to do thanksgiving when they have not put any plan on ground in Rivers State that will help the APC to do better than it did the last time.

    It is wrong to drag God into what you are doing, when you are not doing well. When you plan, you dedicate your plan in a dedication service; it is when you win, that you should have a thanksgiving service.”

    Abe vowed to resist any attempt aimed at excluding him from contesting for the governorship ticket under the platform of the APC, noting that he would support whoever emerges via a credible process.

    “I have not said that Senator Magnus Abe must be the candidate of the APC in Rivers State, I have always said and will repeat, if we have a fair, free, equitable contest and somebody emerges from that process, I, Magnus Ngei Abe will support whoever emerges from such a process and the person will win.

    “But if you go and cook up a process, you are cooking up to exclude me, it is not me that you are excluding, they are excluding all of you, if they exclude all of you, will they win? They will not win, so it is not rocket science.

    “We don’t need a riverine or upland candidate that is known to Ameachi. What we need is a Rivers candidate that is known by Rivers people with the capacity and integrity to deliver.

    “That is why I, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, will contest for the gubernatorial ticket of the APC in Rivers State.

    “Let me advise the party, we have been through this road many times. We should not make the same mistake again. There should be an end to political rascality in Rivers State, we should not disregard the people and expect a good result.”

    Earlier, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Barrister Worgu Boms, said that Abe remains the most qualified candidate for the job.

  • Senator Shehu Sani Joins Kaduna guber Race, picks nomination form

    Senator Shehu Sani Joins Kaduna guber Race, picks nomination form

    Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central at the 8th senate under the auspices of APC has now declared interest in governorship position of the state.

    Sani spoke at Wadata Plaza, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abuja, after he obtained the N21m expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the Kaduna State governorship ticket of the PDP.

    The former lawmaker vowed to return Kaduna state to its peaceful state, saying the incessant attacks by bandits and terrorists can no longer be tolerated, pledging to end insurgency in the state if he emerges the governor.

    Sani lamented that the state had never been more divided on ethno-religious lines than it is today.

    He said, “We cannot continue to fold our arms while the government is helpless. We must unite the people against terror. Kaduna has never been more divided along religious lines that it is today.

    “Only justice, equity and fairness will unite the country. If the governor’s formula was working, he could have united the people. Our people sell their houses, farmlands to pay bandits. Where is the government?”

  • 2023: Malami joins Kebbi guber race, vows not to betray his supporters

    2023: Malami joins Kebbi guber race, vows not to betray his supporters

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has declared his intention to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state vowing he won’t betray his teeming supporters in Kebbi State.

    The AGF who declared before his supporters in Kebbi State, vowed not to betray them.

    “If God in His mercies permits, and all goes well, I will as a politician contest the governorship of Kebbi state. I am seeking your support.

    “I want to announce that I will contest indeed and as such I am counting on your prayers and support so that we can all work and survive the race together. I have no history of betrayal and I won’t betray you people. I will work for you,” he told his supporters in Hausa, in a video that was seen yesterday.

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pointed out that leaders need followers and followers in turn need their leaders in order to ensure that the citizens benefit, even as he promised to work day and night to turn the life of citizens around.

    Malami had previously told close friends of his intention to contest the Kebbi state election.

    He certainly would be contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and would be seeking to succeed the current Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is completing his second term.

    In 2014, Malami picked nomination form to run for Kebbi State Governor under the platform of the APC, but lost to Bagudu in the party’s primary election.

    The Attorney General of the Federation was appointed into his current position by President Buhari in 2015. He was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

    Malami obtained his First School Leaving Certificate(FSLC) from Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi. He proceeded to College of Arts and Arabic Studies for his secondary education.

    He obtained a degree in law from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1991 and was called to Bar in 1992.

    In 1994, Malami obtained a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri.

    In 2011, Malami served as the National Legal Adviser of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Chairman, Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organisation and Chairman Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organization.

    Malami was among those that drafted the manifesto of the APC and a member of the inter-party Merger Committees of the CPC, ACN, ANPP, a faction APGA, DPP towards the formation of the APC·

  • Just In: Fmr Ekiti Gov, Oni finally pitches tent with SDP

    Just In: Fmr Ekiti Gov, Oni finally pitches tent with SDP

    Former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni has finally joined the Social Democratic Party, SDP in Ekiti to contest the June 18, 2022 guber race.

    Oni, revealed this in a chat with the Private radio, Voice FM 89.9, Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

    He said he is finalising discussions with the national leadership of SDP to get the governorship ticket.

    The runner up of the just concluded Ekiti State governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) revealed that after thoroughly finalising discussions with the SDP national leadership will be declared open.

    Oni said that his decision to dump PDP for SDP was hinged on the alleged manipulation that characterised the just- concluded party’s governorship primary, which produced Otunba Bisi Kolawole who is believed to be the preferred aspirant of Ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The former Governor is expected to lead his followers across the 177 wards in the State to SDP on Saturday.

    Oni said “ the decision was informed by the undemocratic manner the just concluded governorship primary was conducted by Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel to favour Ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose’s anointed aspirant.

    “So, the opposition PDP that proud itself as the most democratic political party in Africa is not yet ready to change its usual ways of imposition and godfatherism”.

  • 35-year-old doctor joins Osun guber race

    35-year-old doctor joins Osun guber race

    Dr Ademola Bayonle, a 35 -year- old medical doctor, has joined the race for the July 16 Osun governorship election, under the platform of Young Progressive Party (YPP).

    Bayonle said this when he spoke with newsmen shortly after receiving his nomination form at the YPP’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Saturday.

    He said that youths were in a better position to change the narrative of Nigerian politics through active participation.

    “Osun election is giving the youth an opportunity to set the pace for Ekiti election, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “We need to take the bull by the horn to ensure that the older generation leaves behind a good structure, because if we allow them to continue to make decisions for us, thirty years from now when they are gone, we will be the ones to suffer the consequences.

    “So now is the time to join and make an impact for the future we want for ourselves and for the next generation,” he said.

    Bayonle urged youths to join the YPP, because it was the party for them.

    “A mistake often made by youths is believing that taking part in politics involves money to pick tickets to run for offices.

    “Participation goes beyond running for offices, participation means joining rallies, campaigns, engaging in dialogues and others. There are so many false perception about joining politics or participating in politics.

    “Politics goes beyond money, some people started the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run” campaign and that is participation.

    “Some people start conversations on social media and people listen to the and learn they learn one or two things and that is also participation.

    “So, I encourage youths to join vibrant political parties like the YPP and to be in positions where even if you are not contesting and picking a form as I am doing today, but you are engaging with other youths on politics,” he said.

    Bayonle added:“For those who want to run for any office they should come and out and then people can support them even financially.

    “And even if they do not support them financially, they will support in other capacity which is also participation.”

    He urged the Osun electorate to give other political parties other than the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the opportunity to present fresh ideas and innovation through their candidates.

    Bayonle said that the YPP would set a new standard in governance in the state, promising to unlock the potential of the state if elected as governor in July.

    “From our analysis, we have come to understand that we have not really given the electorate choices when it came to election in the country and in Osun.

    “The people think that the two big parties are what they needed which is not true.

    “But YPP has been on the ground for over a year now and the people are extremely happy to have us and we want to give them a better alternative,” he said

  • BREAKING: Senator Olujimi pulls out of Ekiti guber race

    BREAKING: Senator Olujimi pulls out of Ekiti guber race

    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Biodun Olujimi, has voluntarily pulled out from the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Paty (PDP) in the state.

    Olujimi is one of the aspirants gunning for the PDP ticket in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    On why she decided to quit, the senator cited gender bias and an unfair resolution of matters arising from a lingering controversial congress of the party.

    According to her, the list to be used for the primary puts her at a disadvantage as her local government is left with only 12 delegates as decided by the party leadership.

    Tension has been rife in the state over the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) slated for Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

    The PDP primary scheduled for Wednesday is set to commence as eight aspirants are out to contest for the party’s ticket in the 2022 Governorship election.

    The delegate primary election is held in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    Some of the aspirants in the race include former Governor Segun Oni and former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s deputy and PDP candidate in the 2018 election, Professor Olusola Eleka.

    Others include former PDP National Treasurer Wale Aribisala, as well as Bisi Kolawole, Kayode Adaramodu, Lateef Ajijola, and Mrs Titilayo Owolabi-Akerele