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Tag: LG Polls

  • Lagos LG poll: Again, APC members protest alleged candidates imposition

    Lagos LG poll: Again, APC members protest alleged candidates imposition

    Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State, on Tuesday staged a protest over alleged imposition of candidates for the July 12 Local Government election.

    Recall that a similar protest erupted at a party stakeholders’ meeting on April 14 in the same area, ending the meeting abruptly.

    During Tuesday’s protest, supporters of some chairmanship aspirants in the LCDA gathered at the party secretariat, from where they marched to the council secretariat to express their grievances.

    Some of the protesters chanted, “He is not part of us, no room from strangers in our LCDA”, “Elders and leaders are to build things and not destroy“, and “We want an indigenous leader to lead us, not a stranger”.

    Others threw their fists in the air, chanting: “Don’t sell Ojokoro to strangers”, “Don’t give us a stranger,”We want people from within,not outsiders”.

    Other protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘We don’t want it, we don’t like it, strangers cannot lead us”, “Hon. Ojelabi, the APC Chairman, save APC Ojokoro , “,No imposition ,Obasa is forcing on us, and “We demand free and fair process”.

    Speaking with NAN, Mr Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, one of the leaders of the protest, said that the party leaders should not ratify any imposed candidate .

    Akinoso-Olawaye said: “Don’t place a leader on people. Let all the aspirants go to the field in a free and fair primaries. We are not for violence at all, we are APC members, we will not allow imposition.

    “So many of these aspirants have been spending their hard-earned money for the party , we cannot scuttle their aspirations.,we cannot leave our house for strangers to lead.

    “We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance.

    “It is not fair to impose leaders on people. Our leaders should not push party members to the wall,” Akinoso-Olawaye said.

    According to him, if President Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the party could present himself for party primaries at the presidential level, all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity in primaries.

    Another protest leader, Mrs Raimot Bello said that the protest was to prevent installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next council chairman, saying that would not augur well for the party.

    Other protesters who spoke, including Alhaji Karimu Yusuf and Prophet Kayode, said APC leaders had concluded plans to impose a “stranger” as chairmanship candidate on the council.

    Addressing the protesters, the Chairman, Ojokoro LCDA, Mr Hammed Tijani commended the protesters for being peaceful,assuring that no one would e imposed on the party .

    “There is nothing like imposition. Meetings are still ongoing.

    “We are all APC members and the party shall not be destroyed. I want to assure you, there is nothing like imposition, we have a lot of things we are sorting out now,” Tijani said.

    Also Speaking ,the APC chairman in the council ,Mr Jelili Oseni, said:” Ojokoro will not turn into violence. Those who have worked for the party will be rewarded. There is no imposition here.”

    The party leaders and stakeholders were holding a meeting at the council secretariat when the protesters arrived at the council secretariat.

    NAN correspondent reports that a former member of Lagos Assembly, Mr Ipoola Omisore, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr James Owolabi ,among other APC leaders were at council secretariat at the time of the ptotest

  • Lagos LG election: IPAC faults LASIEC on release of guidelines

    Lagos LG election: IPAC faults LASIEC on release of guidelines

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has faulted the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on the release of guidelines for the 2025 Local Government election in the state.

    IPAC, in a statement jointly issued by Mrs Temilade Akinade,its Chairperson and Mr George Ashiru ,its Public Relations Officer,on Saturday,said the commission erred in the way it released the guidelines.

    NAN reports that LASIEC had on Friday announced July 12 as the date of the election in 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs)

    Reacting ,IPAC, the umbrella body of all 19 registered political parties in the state, said LASIEC disregarded established communication protocols in the release of the guidelines.

    The council   critcised the commission for not engaging political parties on important issues on the election, prior to releasing the guidelines.

    IPAC also accused LASEIC of shrouding so many things about the election in secrecy.

    The council said: “Critical questions and issues remain unresolved as regards the appropriate interpretation of the Supreme Court’s pronouncements on LG autonomy and how that will impact the 37 LCDAs established by the state government.

    “IPAC only recently learned that a revised LASIEC law empowering the agency to conduct executive elections into 57 LG/LCDAs was approved  on Jan. 9 and signed into law on Jan. 10 by the governor.

    “This took IPAC by surprise. Such critical legislation should be in the public domain.The information was not made public on any platform and copies of the new law are  yet to be made available to IPAC for distribution to political parties”

    Tbe council  said the new LASIEC board , led by Retired Justice Mobolanle Okikiola-Ighile, had not done much to foster a transparent relationship between the commission and IPAC or provide a platform for the council to make input on plans for the election.

    According  to IPAC ,the new board has only met with representatives of political parties  once since January and that the meeting was at the request of IPAC.

    IPAC said  LASEIC  should have called  a series of meetings with political parties to properly explain the provisions of the new  law as they affect the  election.

    “LASIEC has a lot to learn from INEC in Lagos State about the need for continuous engagement, communication, and transparency in order to have a smooth, free and fair election.

    “The constant late release of guidelines close to when the electoral cycle begins and the lack of continued engagement with the political parties is an error.

    “This will make  political parties and their members to misinterpret the actions of LASIEC as driving in the direction of a predetermined outcome.

  • Lagos fixes date to hold Local Govt. polls

    Lagos fixes date to hold Local Govt. polls

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled the state council election for July 12.

    Mr Tope Ojo, LASIEC’s Head of Public Affairs, made this announcement on Friday in Lagos.

    He revealed that the election for 57 council chairmanship positions and 376 councillor seats will take place on July 12. If necessary, a re-run will occur on July 19.

    Lagos State comprises 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The election date was chosen to avoid a leadership vacuum in the state’s councils.

    LASIEC’s notice confirmed that the election will include 20 Local Governments, 37 LCDAs, and 376 wards.

    With the current local government administration nearing its end, LASIEC has ramped up efforts for a smooth election process.

    The commission has officially launched the electoral process with the release of the Notice of Election.

    Political parties must visit the LASIEC headquarters to obtain nomination forms for their candidates.

    Ojo confirmed that a meeting with all registered political parties is set for Tuesday.

    “The Election Guidelines will be published on April 17,” Ojo added.

    According to him, campaigns and rallies will start on April 18 and end on July 9.

    Nomination Forms for “substituted” and “only candidate” submissions must be submitted between June 18 and June 25.

    LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), assured a fair and level playing field for all political parties.

    He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to holding a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election.

    Okikiolu-Ighile encouraged political parties and aspirants to strictly follow the electoral timetable.

  • APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

    APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22.

    This is contained in a letter dated Feb. 17, signed by the APC state Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

    A copy of the letter obtained by NAN on Thursday in Osogbo, stated that APC would not participate based on the Feb. 10 Court of Appeal judgment which reinstated its chairmen and councillors.

    The letter read: “Recall that judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on Feb. 10 by Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and 3 others V. Peoples Democratic Party and others.

    “By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the Appeal Court.

    “The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment as cited above is that the seats are no longer vacant.

    “In view of the forgoing, we hereby state that APC and all its candidates have by this letter informed the commission that we withdraw from the local government election scheduled for Feb. 22.

    “Same as become unnecessary, superfluous and unlawful with the development.”
    NAN reports that there had been crisis between APC and PDP over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.

    While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return local government secretariats.

    Crisis, however, erupted on Monday when both parties were laying claim to local government secretariats across the state.

    Police confirmed that six persons lost their lives and scores injured during crisis.

  • PDP withdraws from Ondo LG polls

    PDP withdraws from Ondo LG polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State says it has withdrawn from the Local Government (LG) elections slated for Saturday in the state.

    The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) fixed Saturday, Jan.18 for the LG elections in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Akure made available to newsmen by Mr Leye Igbabo, the PDP Director of Media and Publicity in the state.

    “This decision is a product of several layers of consultations of party leaders, stakeholders and the national secretariat of our great party.

    “Our party fielded 15 chairmanship candidates in 15 local government areas and 131 councillorship candidates.

    “But, from all indications, ODIEC’s credibility, transparency, and impartiality have failed the integrity test.

    “Recent observations and reports point to a troubling pattern of double standards by ODIEC, raising serious doubts about their ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election,” the statement read.

    According to the statement, PDP as a responsible political party, is committed to democracy and the rule of law

    “The party cannot, in good conscience, confer legitimacy on a compromised process by participating in the election. This withdrawal is in line with our stance on integrity.

    “We have, therefore, resolved to withdraw our participation in this exercise to uphold the integrity of our party and our unwavering belief in credible electoral practices.

    “We further assure our teeming supporters, and the good people of Ondo State, that our commitment to sanitise the electoral  process is irrevocable,” the statement read.

    Also, The PDP Chairman in the state, Dr Bakitta Bello, who spoke with NAN on telephone, confirmed the party’s withdrawal from the elections.

  • Just in: Court sacks all candidates of NNPP for Kano LG polls

    Just in: Court sacks all candidates of NNPP for Kano LG polls

    A Federal High Court in Kano has sacked all 44 chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for Saturday’s local government elections.

    The ruling was delivered on Friday by Justice Simon Amobeda following a case filed by Engineer Muhammad Babayo and a faction of the NNPP against the party’s leadership.

    Justice Amobeda ruled that the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) should accept a new list of candidates submitted by the faction led by the recognised State Chairman, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, in accordance with the party’s constitution.

    “The defendant is hereby restrained from releasing the voters register for the 2nd Defendant to conduct the proposed election on 26th October 2024,” the judge declared.

    He further instructed that KANSIEC must recognize the list of candidates submitted by the plaintiffs.

    The case listed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), KANSIEC, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) as the defendants.

    The judgment has thrown the local government elections into further controversy. The court also barred security agencies from providing protection at the polling units if the election goes ahead without the updated candidate list.

    “The 2nd Defendant is hereby directed to accept as genuine and subsisting the list of NNPP candidates submitted to it by the recognized State Chairman, Dalhatu Shehu Usman,” the judge ruled, adding that “any other list submitted for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State should be rejected.”

    In addition, Justice Amobeda instructed the 3rd and 4th defendants—namely, the Inspector General of Police and the DSS—not to provide security for the election under the current arrangement.

    “That the 3rd and 4th Defendants are forthwith restrained from providing security and protection to the scene of the Election plans to take place on the 26th October, 2024,” the court ruled.

  • LG elections: We won’t go against Sule’s choice of candidates – Nasarawa lawmaker

    LG elections: We won’t go against Sule’s choice of candidates – Nasarawa lawmaker

    Mohammed Garba, member, representing Toto/ Gadabuke Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly says they will not reject any candidate chosen to contest the forthcoming LG polls in Toto LGA .

    He said that the stakeholders of APC) in the LG have agreed to work with any chairmanship aspirant picked out of the three names submitted to Gov. Abdullahi Sule ahead of the November 2 polls in the state.

    Garba, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, stated this while briefing newsmen in Lafia on Saturday.

    He said that Sule had asked the stakeholders to forward the names of three persons to him to choose the flag bearer of  the party, if consensus failed.

    According to him, the statutory stakeholders of APC in the  LGA met on Friday, assessed and screened the CV’s of the five chairmanship aspirants.

    ” We have done justice by selecting the best three aspirants out of the five aspirants we have,” he said.

    Garba said that the stakeholders have agreed, during Friday’s meeting, not to go against the choice of Sule.

    “We are going to fully support the chosen one and ensure his victory at the polls.

    He said, ” Today’s briefing was necessitated by the follow up meeting held by APC statutory stakeholders of Toto LG  to choose the consensus candidate.

    “The Governor and the party have directed that stakeholders of each local government should to select consensus candidates for the chairmanship positions.”

  • PDP sweeps LG polls in Plateau

    PDP sweeps LG polls in Plateau

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won 16 out of the 17 chairmanship seats in Plateau.

    The Plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), on Saturday conducted an election to produce chairmen and councilors across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    Declaring the winners, Mr Planji Cishak, the Chairman of PLASIEC, said that the results for Pankshin LGA was still pending.

    Chishak explained that the winners had satisfied the provision of the law and had been returned elected.

    He however added that results for the councilorship seats would be announced at a later date.

  • APC rejects Plateau LG polls, says it’s miscarriage of justice

    APC rejects Plateau LG polls, says it’s miscarriage of justice

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s local government election in the state.

    Prof. Salleh Kanam, a stalwart of the party in Kanam, rejected the outcome of the election while addressing newsmen on Thursay in Dengi.

    He particularly said that the election in Kanam was marred by irregularities.

    Kanam, a former Chairman of the locality noted that from 95 per cent of results collated by the party’s agents, the APC won in 14 out of the 20 wards with a wide margin in LGA.

    Salleh, who alleged that electoral officials disappeared with results sheets, called on the Plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to properly collate the results of the polls.

    ”Voting went peacefully and our people turnout in mass to vote our candidates.

    ” APC candidates overwhelmingly won 95% of the election in Kanam; we won in 14 out of the 20 wards.

    ”All the returning officers for this local government absconded from the ward collation centres,”he alleged.

    Mohammed also raised concerns over the delay in announcing the results, noting that by established practice, the results would have been announced considering that there were minor territorial or logistic challenges encountered.

    Also speaking, Mr. Kalamu Idris (APC-Dengi constituency), described the event as a ”miscarriage of justice”.

    He explained that the outcome of the election in the locality was far from what the electoral umpire promised the people of the state.

    Idris called on PLASIEC to do the needful by announcing the actual winners of the election in Kanam and other LGAs in the state.

    The lawmaker, however, called on the people to be peaceful and law abiding.

    However, a coalition of election observers, under the aegis of Nigeria Network for Peace and Good Governance, commended PLASIEC for successfully conducting the polls.

    Mr James Shalom, spokesperson of the group, lauded PLASIEC for ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process across the state.

    He maintained that inspite of the initial challenges encountered, particularly the late arrival of election materials in some polling units, insisted that the exercise was generally credible.

  • We won’t manipulate LG polls – Kaduna assembly

    We won’t manipulate LG polls – Kaduna assembly

    The Kaduna State Assembly on Wednesday denied the allegations of planning to manipulate the outcome of the Local Government elections slated for October 19.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had at a news briefing alleged that a meeting was held between the Speaker, Dahiru Liman and some top government officials, allegedly planning to manipulate the outcome of the polls.

    But the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Henry Marah, at a news briefing in Kaduna, said there was nothing related to that, adding that the speaker went for an official visit.

    “Our speaker has a constituency like all of us here, we visit offices for things for our constituents, if you sit down here at the assembly complex sometimes nothing will move.

    “So, we normally move from one place to another to ensure that our people derive maximum benefits from our time in office.

    ”This is because, by the time we leave this place without any tangible benefits to them, we will also be accused for not performing.

    ”So, we equally have Ministries we supervise, we normally have places we also go for oversight.

    ”So, when you see us with some of them,it doesn’t mean we are compromising our position,it is part of the Job”,he said.

    On the allegation that the house was planning to amend the State Independent Electoral Commission Law(SIECOM), Marah refuted such, saying there was nothing related to that in the order paper for Oct. 9.

    He stated that the amendment held in July changed the electronic voting machine to manual voting due to the short notice for the elections and the creation of more polling units.

    He added that the law also gave  KADSIECOM the liberty to collate and announce election results at the head commission’s head office or other places designated by the commission when they feel  threatened or unsecured in an area.

    Marah, who is also  a PDP member representing Jaba Constituency stated that his bloc would meet the party and discuss the issues, adding that the press briefing wouldn’t have been held if they had sought their consent.

    He said that Gov. Uba Sani was interested  in mutual and peaceful coexistence of the people of the state and as such, would not do anything to jeopardize its peace .

    Marah urged the public, especially the politicians involved in the forthcoming LG elections to disregard such allegations and go about their campaigns, emphasising that the elections would be free and fair.

    “We will protect the interest of our people, we will make sure that the people of Kaduna State will get the best,”he said.

    NAN gathered that PDP had raised allegations to the effect that some state officials were planning to hijack the appointment of both the Ward and LG Returning/Collation Officers for the elections.

    The Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr Edward Masha had alleged that some top officials of the state were likely to be involved in manipulating the outcome of the exercise.