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Tag: LG Poll

  • APC rejects Adamawa LG poll

    APC rejects Adamawa LG poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the results of the April 9 Adamawa local government councils poll, saying it is not the true reflection of the people’s will.

    Mr Ahmad Abubakar, the Chairman of the state forum of APC chairmanship and councillorship candidates said this when he spoke with newsmen on Thursday in Yola.

    He said that although the aspirants did their part by engaging in massive campaigns at the grassroots, the State Independent Electoral Commission decided to allocate votes to its preferred candidates.

    “The election can best be describing as a monumental charade and an insult to the nobility of democratic tenets; in a word, it was a sham.

    “We as true democrats condemn this act in its entirety. We insist that social justice remains the abiding justification for good governance and politics,” Abubakar said.

    He lauded the APC stakeholders for their efforts toward the success of the election, singling out Alhaji Umar Madawaki, a governorship aspirant for commendation.

    “The forum hereby allies with political ambition of Madawaki for the success of the party and development of the state.

    “We urge the party to understand that no election is too small to merit the party’s support and no area shall be conceded to our political rivals.

    “The party must pursue its electoral goals with great enthusiasm, untiring industry, dogged determination and work side by side with candidates in the entire election process in every part of the state,” he said.

    The State Independent Electoral Commission had declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the poll, clearing all the chairmanship seats in the 21 local government councils of the state.

  • Enugu APC moves to stop LG poll, threatens litigation over exclusion

    Enugu APC moves to stop LG poll, threatens litigation over exclusion

    Less than 24 hours to the Enugu local government elections, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state stormed the state headquarters of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) in protest alleged exclusion of the party.

    The APC members in their thousands, accompanied by the party’s disenfranchised councillorship and chairmanship candidates clutched different placards and sang solidarity songs.

    They protesters sang “Ajogwu must go, monopoly must go”.

    Similarly the inscriptions on the various placards read, “No APC, No Election”, “We say no to political disenfranchisement,” and “Our vote is our power.”

    Others were “Say no to election exclusion,” “ENSIEC is not for a particular political party,” “Free and fair election is joy of democracy,” “PDP and ENSIEC are killers of democracy,” among others.

    Men of the Nigeria Police Force formed a barricade in front of the ENIEC office to prevent the surging crown from pouring into the premises.

    The officers took over the headquarters of the electoral body as the APC faithful paralysed the electoral office with protests over an alleged exclusion of their ‘real’ candidates for Wednesday’s council elections.

    Some sources said that the police were at the headquarters for distribution of election materials for the election, the personnel, however, controlled the surging protesters who sang anti-ENSIEC songs and obstructed traffic.

    Leader of the protesters and Secretary of APC in the state, Mr Robert Ngwu, who addressed newsmen on behalf of the state chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, said: “We are here to tell the people of Enugu state that what is going on in ENSIEC is not good.

    “We will go all the way to supreme Court because this election tomorrow (Wednesday) will be voided, because you cannot exclude the candidates of APC.

    “That is against the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and also against the Electoral Act to exclude a political party.

    “We have made our position known to them both in writing and also through the media and ENSIEC still insist on the election going on.

    “We cannot do anything but to show our grievances to let the state know that what is going on is not right.

    “This is a new APC and we are here to compete with the ruling party in Enugu State.

    “The list is supposed to be submitted by the chairman and secretary. But what happened is that the ENSIEC chose APC list by themselves.

    “They chose the list not us. The candidates in the list they published are not our members.

    “We have professors running for councillors in APC. We have retired DSS Director running for chairmanship in Isi-Uzo local government. So, how could those people not qualify?

    “They did not show us the list in the first place though we submitted their names and that’s what is going on,” he said.

    Also speaking to journalists, the publicity secretary of the party, Mr Charles Ako, said the conduct of ENSIEC “is a rape on democracy and our right to vote and be voted”.

    “ENSIEC colluded with PDP to exclude APC.

    Chairman of ENSIEC, Chief Mike Ajokwu (SAN) who addressed the protesters explained that the reason for publishing former chairman Mr Ben Nwoye’s list was because he was the one the Commission had related with over the years.

    According to him, APC had two factions and the commission wrote to the national secretariat of APC without a reply, a development that forced it to accept Nwoye’s list.

  • BREAKING: PDP cries foul as APC clears Ekiti State LG poll

    BREAKING: PDP cries foul as APC clears Ekiti State LG poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Saturday’s Ekiti State local government councils poll, winning all the 35 council chairmanship seats and 176 out of the 177 councilorship seats declared.

    Justice Jide Aladejana, the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission announced the result on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

    Aladejana said that the commission had postponed councilorship election in Erinjiyan ward, following violence that broke out during the poll in the town.

    He appreciated security agencies and the staff of the commission as well as the electorate for participating in the poll and for their cooperation for the successful conduct of the election.

    The election was held across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 19 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as well as the 177 wards of the state.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the election, claiming that the APC led administration in the state was incapable of organising credible, free and fair election without violence.

    Six other political parties however, participated at the poll.

    They included Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress(APC), National Rescue Movement(NRM), and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

    Speaking on the election, Mr Raphael Adeyanju, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, described it as a sham.

    Adeyanju said that the result of the election and the obvious low turn out of voters had confirmed fears by the party that the result had already been predetermined by the ruling APC ahead of the poll.

    The spokesperson for PDP also described the conduct of election in the newly created LCDAs as unconstitutional.

    He claimed that since the constitution of Nigeria only recognised the existing sixteen LGAs in State, the election in the 19 LCDAs was an aberration and a waste of resources.

  • Police assure residents of safety as Ekiti holds LG poll today

    Police assure residents of safety as Ekiti holds LG poll today

    Ekiti State commissioner of police, Tunde Mobayo, has assured electorate and residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after Saturday, December 4 local council election.

    He also cautioned against all forms of electoral malpractices and violence, urging party leaders and supporters to uphold electoral guidelines and principles to ensure a free, fair and credible poll.

    Mobayo, in a statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Sunday Abutu, on Friday, explained that there will be restriction of persons and vehicular movements in and out of the state during the election while only individuals on election and essential duties are exempted from the restriction.

    The statement, entitled “Ekiti State LGA Election: CP Assures Adequate Security”, reads :

    “In a bid to have free, fair and credible election in the forth coming Local Government Areas election that is scheduled to hold on Saturday 4th December, 2021, the Ekiti State Police Command has deployed adequate security personnel across the State.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP TUNDE MOBAYO, while giving the assurance of adequate security before, during and after the election, charged the Personnel deployed to be professional and avoid all forms of corrupt practices while discharging their duties.

    “The Commissioner warns against all forms of electoral malpractices and violence during the election and after, while calling on the political party leaders and supporters to conduct themselves in accordance with the electoral guidelines and principles.

    “The Command has, however, declared restriction of vehicular and pedestrian movements in and out of the State as well as unnecessary movements within the State during the period of the election except those on election duties and essential services, while appealing to motorists who plan to enroute the State to take alternative routes.”

  • PDP wins rescheduled Zango Kataf LG poll in Kaduna State

    PDP wins rescheduled Zango Kataf LG poll in Kaduna State

    Mr Francis Zimbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won Saturday’s rescheduled chairmanship election in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The election was rescheduled to Saturday over security concerns.

    Declaring the results of the election on Sunday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Nuhu Garba, said Zimbo scored 28,771 votes to defeat Mr John Hassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 19,509 votes.

    “Mr Francis Zimbo of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner of the election and returned elected,’’ Prof. Garba said.

    The PDP also won nine of the 11 councillorship seats while the APC clinched the remaining two seats.

  • Governor Abiodun speaks on conduct of Ogun LG poll

    Governor Abiodun speaks on conduct of Ogun LG poll

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has commended electorates and officials of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) for the peaceful conduct of local government elections in the state.

    The governor made the comment on Saturday after voting at Itaosanyin Ward 3, in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

    I commend the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission for doing such a wonderful job. The preparation for the election, the sensitisation, and the implementation in terms of ensuring voting materials get to the voting centers on time. From the report I have heard, everything is going very well.

    “The conduct of the electorates is peaceful – people are voting, no disruption or violence,” Abiodun said.

    The turnout is typical of local government elections, with voters turning out as early as 8:00 am. The OGSIEC officials arrived early at many of the polling units with election materials to ensure the electorates cast their votes for parties of their choice.

  • PDP releases guidelines for Lagos LG poll

    PDP releases guidelines for Lagos LG poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has released guidelines for aspirants contesting on its platform for Chairmanship, Vice Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in July 24 Local Government election in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the PDP Chairman in Lagos, Adedeji Doherty on Thursday.

    He said the party has set up a 10-member Election Committee headed by Mr Setonji Koshedo and an 11-member screening committee headed by a legal practitioner, Folake Philips.

    Doherty said the party will begin sales of nomination forms on May 7 and close on May 14, while May 18 is the last day for the submission of nomination forms.

    Doherty said the party’s screening of chairmanship and councillorship aspirants would hold on May 20, while all appeals arising from the screening would be heard on May 21.

    The chairman said that May 25 had been scheduled for ward congresses/councillorship primaries, while appeals arising from the congresses would be heard on May 26.

    He said that May 28 has been scheduled for Local Government congresses/chairmanship primaries, while appeals arising from the congresses would be heard on May 29.

    He said the submission of Names of candidates to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) would be May 31.

    According to him, a male chairmanship aspirant would pay a sum of N150,000 comprising N100,000 for LASIEC form, N30,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N20,000 for Nomination form.

    He said that a male vice-chairmanship would pay a sum of N100,000 comprising N50,000 for LASIEC form, N30,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N20,000 for Nomination form.

    The chairman added that a male councillorship aspirant would pay a sum of N50,000 comprising N30,000 for LASIEC form, N10,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N10,000 for Nomination form.

    Doherty said that a female chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship aspirant would only pay a sum of N25,000, N20,000 and 15,000 respectively for the Nomination forms.

    The chairman said that payments for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms would be made by all male aspirants for posts of chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors.

    He noted that only those who came out tops at the respective primaries would go ahead to make payments for the LASIEC forms.

    Doherty, said all female aspirants in line with LASIEC directives, would only be making payments for expression of interest forms for whatever posts they intended vying for.

    He said all aspirants are expected to present the receipt of payment or any verifiable evidence of payment of fees upon collection of nomination forms from their local government area chairmen/chairperson.

    LASIEC rolled out timetable and guidelines to political parties for the conduct of the election in the state.

    On May 3, the All Progressives Congress released guidelines for its aspirants.

  • APC releases guidelines for Lagos LG poll

    APC releases guidelines for Lagos LG poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released guidelines for aspirants contesting on its platform for Chairmanship, Vice Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in the Local Government election of Lagos State to hold on July 24.

    The party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman and the Caretaker Committee Secretary, Alhaji Tunde Balogun and Mr Lanre Ogunyemi respectively, made this known in the guidelines jointly signed on Monday,

    They said that it was the duty of the party to provide guidelines for its members seeking to contest election.

    They noted that the guidelines would without prejudice conform with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), the Nigerian Constitution, the Lagos State Local Government (Administration) Law and Guidelines of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

    “The party’s constitution prescribes that member’s name in the Register of Members shall be the prima facie evidence of valid registration as a member.

    “Hence, the first requirement is that any aspirant on the platform of the party shall comply with this provision.

    “The aspirant shall be a Nigerian citizen, registered member of the party, pays the prescribed fees and must not be a member of any other political party.

    “All aspirants must submit the evidence of membership of the party, submit a demonstrable evidence of active party support and provide a portfolio of loyalty to the party and evidence of non-involvement in any anti-party activity,” the party leaders said.

    They said that all aspirants must sign the party’s code of conduct and only aspirant cleared by the screening committee shall be eligible to stand election at the party’s primaries.

    According to the duo, every aspirant shall present for scrutiny all certificates that he or she laid claims to.

    They noted that the screening committee shall take into consideration full information on an aspirant’s background such as education, political experience, team spirit and reputation.

    They said that there shall be a five-man screening appeal committee which shall be responsible for hearing of all appeals arising from the screening committee’s report.

    The duo said that a disqualified aspirant might seek review of the screening committee’s decision by appealing to the State Caretaker Committee through the state caretaker chairman.

    According to them, there shall be a State Electoral Committee (SEC) for Chairmanship or Councillorship nomination and the LGA/LCDA Electoral Committee who must be persons of proven integrity.

    The state caretaker committee said that all accredited party members from the ward shall be entitled to vote in a direct primary system for aspirants of their choice.

    They said that sales and submission of party forms would hold between May 4 and May 11 while the screening of aspirants would start from May 13 and end on May 21.

    According to them, all appeals shall be heard from May 22 to May 26 while the primaries for Chairmanship and Councillorship aspirants would hold on May 29.

  • Ogun announces date for LG poll

    Ogun announces date for LG poll

    The Ogun Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has announced a date to hold local government election into offices of Chairmen and Councillors in the State.

    The Ogun electoral body made the announcement through a statement in Abeokuta by its Chairman, Mr Babatunde Osibodu.

    Osibodu said the LG poll will hold on July 24 and that OGSIEC had scheduled a briefing for Media and representatives of Political parties participating in the poll for May 4.

    He explained that the commission would unveil guidelines for the election at the briefing.

    The chairman, therefore, requested all registered political parties wishing to participate in the election to present two representatives at the briefing which, he said, would be in strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

  • Lagos State Govt fixes July for LG poll

    Lagos State Govt fixes July for LG poll

    The Lagos State government has revealed plans to hold its local government councils poll in July.

    Retired Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Chairman of Lagos State Independence Electoral Commission (LASIEC) revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    Phillips said elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillors in all the 20 local councils and 37 LCDAs in the state would hold the same day.

    Meanwhile, no particular day in July has been chosen for the LG poll but the LASIEC boss said statutory notice would be published soon.

    “The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) the body charged with the statutory responsibility of electoral management and administration is committed to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive election.

    “The Statutory Notice shall be published very soon,” the LASIEC chairman said.

    The tenure of the incumbents, who have been in power since 2017, will expire in July.

    The state Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had advised Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to set machinery in motion for the conduct of local councils election.

    The state IPAC Chairman, Mr James Adeshina spoke against the backdrop of insinuations that the state would not conduct council elections in 2021 since there was no provision for such exercise in the 2021 budget of the state.

    He said that IPAC members would not support appointment of sole administrators or caretaker committees when the tenure of the incumbents expired.