TheNewsGuru

Tag: kogi

  • Massive turnout of voters in Saturday’s Kogi poll

    Massive turnout of voters in Saturday’s Kogi poll

    The Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, recorded mass turnout of voters in most polling units in Lokoja.

    The election also witnessed early arrival of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as voting materials.

    In polling unit 067 ward A, Kogi Hotel Tourism Board, accreditation of voters and voting started at 8.30 a.m., as most voters were already on queue before accreditation time.

    The situation was also the same at polling unit 065 ward A Saron Gari, where voters were seen taking their turn to vote.

    In polling unit 068 ward A, Baptist Plaza, voters conducted themselves peacefully, even without the present of a security agent at the polling unit.

    In polling unit 012 ward A, Crowder Memorial College, there was massive turnout of voters as the election was hitch-free.

    The situation was not much different in other polling units in Lokoja.

     

  • (ANALYSIS) Off-season polls: All eyes on INEC as Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo elect their governors today

    (ANALYSIS) Off-season polls: All eyes on INEC as Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo elect their governors today

    …will BVAS/Irev work without a glitch?

    …as states delivered by the judiciary go to polls

    In the next 24hours the offshore elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states may have been concluded by Nigeria’s apex electoral body, the all powerful INEC.

    But many questions are begging for answers as the imported technology used in the last general elections left a very bitter taste in the mouths of many Nigerians making whatever the electoral body delves into now to be laced with suspicion.

    The imported machines(BVAS/Irev) totally failed in the last presidential election but recorded success in other elections.

    In this offshore elections will INEC remedy its previous mistakes and right its many errors?

    Already there are pockets of protests in Imo State that the Irev password has been removed.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) in this analysis will take a snappy look into the three offshore states that were birthed by the Nigerian judiciary not by the tagged Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that is not truly independent.

    A PEEP AT IMO STATE A PRODUCT OF THE JUDICIARY:

    On 14 January 2020, the Supreme Court declared Uzodimma the duly elected Governor of Imo State. The court held that results from 388 polling units were wrongly excluded from votes ascribed to Uzodimma and the APC in Imo adding that the first appellant Uzodimma holds the majority of lawful votes cast.

    The Imo State Supreme Court’s verdict eventually earned the governor the tag of a Supreme Court governor. Precisely, the Supreme Court single handedly produced a governor that came fourth in INEC’s conducted election.

    Hope Uzodinma eventually became the first tagged Supreme Court governor in Nigeria.

    His reign as governor has turned the state into a theatre of war in the last three years.

    Insecurity wore ‘agbada and sokoto ‘ and peace became alien to the state.

    If INEC adequately deployed its imported technology the right way Uzodinma should be relocating from Nigeria by Monday but the magical prowess of imported technology could just install him as nothing is impossible in Nigeria.

    BAYELSA:

    Governor-elect David Lyon did not for one day rule the State after INEC declared him winner as on the eve of his swearing in ceremony he was given the red signal.

    A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili nullified the election of Mr Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

    The apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.

    End of David Lyon’s mission impossible to government house in Bayelsa.

    In today’s election, Governor Diri is facing a master of the game and a ruthless politician in the mould of Timipre Sylva a one time governor of the state with a massive war chest.

    It’s too early to call but definitely it’s not going to be a roller coaster drive for Governor Diri today. He has to be on his toes for the next 24hours to make sure he returns to government house.

    KOGI:

    Kogi State equally had its fair share in INEC’s dislocated elections as ‘inconclusive’ electoral process helped to shape the state into another judiciary product.

    Flashback:
    Bello was declared winner of the 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election after he was chosen on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as the replacement for the late Abubakar Audu who originally won the election but died before the result was declared.

    Thereafter there were legal tussles, expectedly the Supreme Court verdict favoured Yahaya Bello.

    His reign remains infamous.

    He’s at the verge of installing his puppet today if Kogites allow the youngest governor in Nigeria to have his way.

    As Nigerians wait for the outcome of today’s polls, democracy is sitting on a keg of gunpowder in Nigeria. The outcomes of the results in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo will go a long way to prove whether democracy has come to stay.

  • Jonathan speaks ahead of Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo governorship elections

    Jonathan speaks ahead of Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo governorship elections

    Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has charged politicians and their followers to eschew violence and conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner, in  Saturday’s governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

    Jonathan made the call in a statement by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja on Friday.

    Jonathan also urged the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their responsibilities during and after the elections.

    The former President said that democracy drew its strength from the people, adding that “a man who means well for his people would not recruit thugs to maim and kill the very people he wants to govern.”

    Reiterating that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, Jonathan urged all stakeholders to jettison actions that could jeopardize the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    “As citizens of voting age in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi to go to the polls for the governorship election on Saturday , I urge all electorate and politicians to avoid violence and conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner.

    “Let us refrain from all activities that will jeopardize the collective peace and stability of our states and our country.

    “Let us resist the temptation and inducements that may be deployed as agents of destruction.

    “For democracy to endure and be impactful, we must ensure that the leadership recruitment process, especially elections, are credible, transparent, fair and peaceful.

    “I urge the electoral management body, security agencies and other stakeholders to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their responsibilities during and after the elections.

    “Democracy draws its strength from the people; let us work to strengthen the confidence of the people by ensuring that the electoral process is peaceful and transparent,“ the former president said.

    Jonathan added that it was the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to allow the people to choose their leaders peacefully.

  • INEC speaks on choice of candidate in Saturday’s Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo poll

    INEC speaks on choice of candidate in Saturday’s Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has no candidate in Saturday’s Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo governorship election, because it is not a political party.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, said this at a news conference held at the Kogi Headquarters of the commission in Lokoja on Friday.

    Yakubu, represented by Dr. Gabriel Longpet, the INEC Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) said that as an umpire, the commission would ensure that the election was free, fair, and credible.

    He said that to demonstrate the seriousness attached to the election, INEC had deployed two National Commissioners, nine Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries (ASs) for effective monitoring.

    “Additional staff from different states have been deployed to each of the three states to support the process across the senatorial zones in the states.

    “We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and finger prints/facial biometric authentication of voters.

    “Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. All election duty officials have been trained. Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us commence voting on scheduled.

    “In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival, ” he said.

    He called on INEC officials both regular and ad hoc to demonstrate the highest level of patrotism and professionalism during the election.

    “Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility and with every election, lessons have been learnt from recent elections,” he said.
    He said that INEC would continue to ensure free, fair and credible and inclusive election in Nigeria.
    “We can’t do it alone,” he said.

    The chairman said that INEC had received assurances from the security agencies that the environment would be secured for the election and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media and polling/collation agents.

    “Already, political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC), therefore let us maintain the peace and play our roles consciously, ” he said.

  • 2m voters registered to vote in Kogi guber poll – INEC

    2m voters registered to vote in Kogi guber poll – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  said two million registered voters are expected to vote in the Saturday off-cycle governorship election in Kogi.

    The election will hold in 3,508 polling units, spread across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    The LGAs included Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, Kogi, Lokoja, Mopamuro, Ofu, Ogori-Magongo, Okene, Okehi, Olamaboro, Omala, Yagba-East, and Yagba-West.

    Speaking on preparations for the election, Dr Gabriel Longpet, the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said that the commission was 100 per cent ready.

    Longpet said that the commission had recruited over 15,000 ad hoc staff to help it in the smooth conduct of the poll.

    “We have 3,508 polling units and each of these units will be manned by four ad hoc staff aside the security personnel that will be around to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

    “We shall deploy more staff and BVAS in densely populated polling units to complement those we are going to use.

    “To be precise, we are going to use more than 900 back-up BVAS.

    “This is because some polling units have more than 1,000 to 2,000 registered voters, and we have to split the number by creating more voting points for easy voting.

    “This become imperative as we don’t want to give room for anything that will delay the process.

    “As soon as there is a report of any BVAS failure or challenge, we shall provide another one and configure it to that polling unit for smooth continuation of voting,” he said.

    Longpet said that the BVAS had been deployed to the 21 local government areas of the state in readiness for the election.

    Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Bethrand Onuoha, said over 40,000 policemen would be deployed across the state to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

    Onuoha said that the planned deployment of large number of personnel was due the past experiences in the state, where violence was recorded during elections.

    “As it is, we have marked out some security flash points for more vigilance even though recent happenings signaled to us that the whole Kogi is a flashpoints.

    “From the number of security personnel we are deploying for this election, it’s enough testimony to tell you that the state needs more security checks.

    “With the presence of adequate security personnel in Kogi, we are calling on everybody to come out and exercise his or her civic right in the Saturday governorship election.

    “We are going to swam the state with enough security personnel and by the special grace of God, with our actions and sanctions, we are going to confound our detractors,” he said.

    Onuoha added: “God is telling me that this election is going to be better than all the elections ever held here in Kogi.

    “We have directed our personnel to be fair to everybody because we come here to serve the people and not any particular individual.”

    The CP urged politicians to play according to the rules of the game, saying that election would come and go, while the people would remain.

    “We expect that they should adopt politics without bitterness. Your brother is your brother, no matter where he belongs politically, ” he said.

    Onuoha warned troublemakers especially political thugs, not to try anything funny as regard the election as security operatives are battle-ready to deal with them.

    “In election, you don’t use matches and guns to force people to give you votes. Such people will meet the wrath of the law.

    “What we want in Kogi is a peaceful and successful election. Therefore, politicians must play according to the rules of the game or be dealt with.

    “The traditional rulers should help us talk to their subjects to maintain peace throughout the election period because it will come and go and we will all remain as residents,” said the police chief.

    Eighteen political parties featuring in the election on Wednesday signed a peace accord, ahead of the poll.
    Some of the parties were the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Action Alliance (AA).

    Others are the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), the National Rescue Movement and the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    Speaking at the ceremony, retired Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, appealed to the candidates to play politics by the rules.

    Abubakar, represented by the Cardinal John Onaiyekan, urged the parties to abide by the accord during the election.

  • Guber Polls: DSS cautions parties, supporters to play by rules in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    Guber Polls: DSS cautions parties, supporters to play by rules in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned key political actors and their supporters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States to conform to the rules of engagement and specifically the electoral law during the conduct of Saturday’s gubernatorial elections.

    Director, Public Relations and Strategy, of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, gave the advice in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Afunanya explained the warning had become necessary in order to avert situations likely to undermine the electoral processes.

    He disclosed that so far, the Service had substantially liaised with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), sister security agencies and relevant civil society organisations to ensure a hitch free exercises in the three states.

    “The Service, therefore, implores all stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations or grievances, to engage in respectful and constructive conversations that promote collective understanding.

    “It has thus become imperative that public commentaries should shift towards unity and peace necessary for national development and security. This should be our shared responsibility and indeed the priority of everyone.

    “Those on election duties, including the media and civil society, are encouraged to avoid things that will inflame sentiments and cause a breakdown of law and order. Broadcast and monitoring activities should be devoid of manipulations. Stakeholders are enjoined to note that politics should not be used to destroy the country or any part of it.

    “However, individuals or groups that may decide to engage in illegitimate acts or inimical conducts to public order will be decisively dealt with as dictated by the law.

    “Consequently, citizens are encouraged to be patriotic as well as recognise that our loyalty and love to the nation should transcend individual or parochial interests.

    “Everyone is called upon to eschew bitterness and promote dialogue that contributes to the progress of the nation. Together, we can build a stronger and more secure future for our beloved country,” he said.

    Afunanya expressed concern over what he described as rising trends of incendiary comments by some personalities and groups since the end of the general elections. He noted that with the elections and the attendant contentions legally over, it is expected that everyone should forge ahead in nation building without rancour or acrimony.

    The DSS, he said, would deal decisively with those involved in making inflammatory remarks capable of destroying the country. The Service also, warned Nigerian citizens whether at home or abroad, whose intentions are to demarket or subvert Nigeria through misleading and false narratives to desist from such acts.

    “The Department of State Services, DSS, has observed rising trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some personalities of influence and representatives of non-governmental entities within and outside the country. Such statements run against public peace and harmony.

    “It is strongly believed that a resort to acerbic pronouncements by certain persons will not only heat-up the polity but set the ground for deep-seated animosities and divisions among the populace,” the statement read.
    END

  • Governorship Election: Stay away from Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, military warn troublemakers

    Governorship Election: Stay away from Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, military warn troublemakers

    The Defence Headquarters has warned troublemakers to “stay away from the
    Nov. 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa or face injurious consequences from the military.”

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the operations
    of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

    Buba said the military is aware of plans by some individuals to dress in military uniform to disrupt the electoral processes in the three states on Saturday.

    He said that “for the off season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states this weekend, here is a message for those who planned to disrupt the process.

    “We are aware of your plans to dress in military gear to misled the public. Be assured of injurious consequences should you proceed with those plans.

    “We will not allow our image to be dragged to the mud. You’re warned.”

    The director said the military is determined to give the elections the seriousness it deserved, adding that troops and platforms were being moved to
    locations to reinforce security already in place in those states.

    He said security agencies are ready to identify and differentiate between real soldiers and the fake ones.

    Buba explained that troops had continued to exert pressure on groups that sought to derail any progress toward peace and security in the country.

    According to him, it is for these reason the military is inflicting severe damage on terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists through operations across the country.

    He added that “accordingly, we are targeting their leadership, infrastructure and foot soldiers.

    “The coordination between air and ground forces is like never seen before and yielding amazing results.

    “We are expecting new platforms that would further enhance our capabilities to further root out terrorists and destroy their military
    capabilities.”

  • Offshore polls: Tinubu boasts, says APC will do well in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    Offshore polls: Tinubu boasts, says APC will do well in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism about the All Progressives Congress’ chances of victory in the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, saying the APC “will do well” in the polls.

    Tinubu stated that the hard work and records of the candidates, as well as the collective efforts of party officials, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, would earn the ruling party victory in the elections.

    The president said the collective efforts of the party chieftains were factors inspiring his optimism in the forthcoming elections.

    He said this at the presentation of the APC flags to the standard-bearers in the elections in Abuja on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

    President Tinubu presented the party flags to Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second-term in office; and Ahmed Usman Ododo for Kogi State.

    Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, however, urged the governorship candidates as well as the electorate to ensure free and fair elections.

    He said: “All I am pleading for is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well.

    “I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure a handover to our candidate, Usman Ododo. We are happy to have Hope Uzodinma, the great hope of our party and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing.

    “Timipre Sylva, congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.

    “We are all facing this crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope, and we have Hope Uzodinma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.

    “I want to thank the active national leadership of our party, the NWC, and our hardworking chairman. He is doing a good job, and I thank him very much.”

    On his part, Ganduje commended President Tinubu for endorsing the candidates and for taking time out of his busy schedule to present the flags to them.

  • Yahaya Bello accepts Appeal Court judgment on Natasha

    Yahaya Bello accepts Appeal Court judgment on Natasha

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has accepted the ruling of the Appeal Court which affirmed the election of Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, as the Senator for Kogi Central.

    The governor stated this when he briefed newsmen at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    ”Today as the executive governor of Kogi, I received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal, notifying the election of Abubakar Ohere and affirming Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan as the Senator representing Kogi Central.

    ”I accept the decision of the appeal court and I use this opportunity to congratulate my sister Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, as the Senator of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    ”Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate everybody that has participated so far in this democratic process. This is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

    Bello said that although he didn’t plan to lose the election, he had accepted the ruling in good faith.

    ”However, both Natasha Akpoti and Abubakar Ohere are my brother and sister. We all hailed from the same senatorial district, the same tribe and the same heritage,” Bello said.

    The governor called on the people of Kogi Central to accept the decision of the appeal Court and work hand-in-hand with all the elected members of the state and National Assembly.

    ”Let us drive the course of development of our dear senatorial district our state and the nation at large.

    ”I thank the wise men who took this decision, I appreciate all the processes that culminates into today’s decision.

    ”We in Kogi central, we in Kogi state we will continue to be united, we have a larger picture ahead of us which is the Nov. 11 governorship election that we are poise to win with landslide,” he said.

    Bello enjoined the people of Kogi not to be distracted, ahead of the Nov.11 governorship election.

    “All hands must be on the deck to ensure that we have a hitch-free campaign, a violent free election and resounding victory on the end of the day.”

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Tuesday, affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the PDP as the winner of the Kogi central election.

    The three-member panel, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, upheld the judgment of the state’s election tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Sen. Abubakar Ohere of the APC.

    The court agreed with the submission of counsel for Akpoti-Uduagan, Mr Johnson Usman, SAN, for being meritorious.

    The panel agreed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to give good reason for not collating results in parts of Kogi central particularly in Ganaja/Ajaokuta Ward where results in nine polling units were not collated.

  • Kogi: PDP will replicate Natasha’s victory in guber poll – Dino Melaye

    Kogi: PDP will replicate Natasha’s victory in guber poll – Dino Melaye

    Sen. Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate for the Kogi governorship election, says his party will replicate the victory of Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan in the Nov. 11 election.

    Melaye made the remark at the Appeal Court, Abuja, in an interview with newsmen shortly after the court affirmed the election victory of Akpoti-Uduagan of PDP as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election held in Feb. 25.

    The three-member panel, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, upheld the judgment of the state’s election tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Sen. Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The court agreed with the submission of counsel for Akpoti-Uduagan, Mr Joshua Usman, SAN, for being meritorious.

    Reacting to the judgment, Melaye said the PDP would also win the forthcoming election in Kogi.

    “What Nigerians should expect from the Kogi State election on the 11th of November is what the Court of Appeal has just done.

    “It has shown that PDP is the dominant party in Kogi State and by the grace of God, the PDP will win that election.

    “We will protect our election, we will protect our electorate and we call on Kogites not to be afraid because at the end of the day, every lie has an expiry date, just like the lies of APC in Kogi have expired today,” he said.

    The PDP candidate described the election victory at Appeal Court as “victory for democracy.”

    “First, I congratulate Barrister Akpoti-Uduagan, by the grace of God, Senator-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    “I also congratulate all justice seeking loving people of Kogi State.

    “This is victory for democracy; this is victory for the people of Kogi Central and this is victory for the people of Kogi State;

    “This is writing the wrongs in our society. And I want to assure you that the PDP is very happy with the judgment.

    “The judgment of the trial court has been upheld by the Court of Appeal and this shows clearly that 2023 elections were manipulated, the figures were concocted and we are happy that this has been rewritten by the court and this has given total victory to PDP in the central.

    “And we are also looking forward to getting same at the easter flank of the state. Kogi is PDP and PDP is Kogi and this judgment has proven so.

    “We also salute the tenacity, the brevity of Barrister Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan. We salute her sagacity and we pray and hope that she will have a very successful tenure in the Senate.

    “And I can assure you that she is going to make a very wonderful senator of the Federal Republic,” he concluded.